[Atrocities]

Part III

“Making this announcement to the world will be one of the proudest moments of my life Tom.” Said Robert ‘Bob’ Benton as he stood just out of side of the news room. “I am announcing a new era for our people Tom, an era that I know you will help usher in.” In the back ground the press meeting had begun, and Tom could hear the Press Secretary making the Prime Ministers introduction.

Bob was smiling widely at Tom now, as he to heard his introduction announcement. He patted Tom on the shoulder and stepped out before the Press Corp and the Pandoran people with the pride and professionalism that had won him the appointment to the Prime Ministership.

As he took his position in front of the podium, there was flurry of laser flashes and holo scans. A familiar sight to any one who made this a daily routine, but to Tom it was all new. From his vantage point, just off to the right of where the Prime Minister was standing, he could see Bob preparing to speak. Many of the Press Corp did as well, and quickly a hushed silence filled the room.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, for nearly six thousand years the people of our great planet have been separated first by distance, then by beliefs, and ultimately by war. That time of separation has finally drawn to a close with the founding of the United Global Alliance. For the first time in our collective histories, we are a united planet under one government. No longer do we have to focus upon making war with one another, but only on how to make each of our lives better. The purpose of our existence has never had more meaning than now.

I made a promise to the people of Pandora that before the end of this century we would have in place the ability, the technology, the motivation, and above all else, the passion to reach out into space and begin our exploration of the stars. That is a promise I intend to keep. However, with all great journeys there must be hardships. Today I must regrettably announce to the world of such a hardship. A true inspiration and driving force behind our dreams to explore the heavens has died.” He paused for effect.

“Lieutenant General John Lesser, the Director of the Space Exploration Division, has passed away. I wish to express the sincerest regrets of a grateful planet to the Generals family, and to offer you, the citizens of our world continued hope. it is to that ends that I have appointed Major General Thomas Allen Christopher, the most decorated war hero in the history of Pandora, as Lieutenant General John Lesser’s replacement.”

With that, Tom entered the arena of his future. He step once again from the shadows out into the open sky of public service. He took up the now vacated position behind the podium and smiled. He looked about the room and took in all that he could see before speaking.

“General John Lesser was as talented a leader as he was a visionary. While Director of S.E.D., several pioneering advancements in the science of space exploration were made. Thus paving the way for our eventual exploration of the stars.” Said Tom as an ice breaking first statement to the world.

“It is with great honor that I accept this appointment as Director of the Space Exploration Division, and although I have been appointed as the late General Lesser replacement, I could never replace him or his achievements.” Tom paused briefly to allow the flurry of laser flashes and holo scans to pass before continuing.

“I promise you all that I will make it my goal in life, with the help of the many talented people at S.E.D., to pave a brave new path of discovery and achievement to the stars. Together we will pick up this torch of hope, and boldly go where no one has gone before.”

With that Tom stepped aside to allow the Prime Minister the podium. “We will now accept questions.” He said simply as he took a step back.

The remainder of the press meeting ,as did the afternoon, went quickly. Tom was eager to get on with his new duties at the SED Complex and the more time he spent touring the Capitol the more he felt like a politician and less like a soldier. By the end of the day he must have shaken more than a thousand hands, answered literally tens of thousands of questions, and must have drank his body weight in drink to which he was now feeling the total effects of.

“Tomorrow you begin the first day of the Last job you shall ever have.” Toasted Bob Benton as he offered his glass in the customary fashion to honor a new appointee. “Welcome to the club Tom.” With that everyone yelled “Cheers.” drank from their raised glasses and sat down. The state dinner was the final official function of the evening, and Tom was grateful for that. The dinner progressed well throughout the evening hours before eventually dying off as people slowly left and returned to the comfort of their homes. A thought that really appealed to Tom.

“It looks like the Ascender is going to have to wait sir.” Said Lieutenant Hess as he stepped up to Tom and offered his hand. Tom graciously accepted it and smiled widely. “Congratulations on the promotion sir and of course the Appointment.” Said Hess cheerfully.
“Thank Lieutenant.” Replied Tom politely. “I trust your bags are packed and your affairs in order?” He asked the young Lieutenant who responded with a puzzled look.
“I don’t understand sir?” Asked Hess cautiously.
“Well haven’t you been informed?” Tom asked him with a slight smile.
“Informed of what sir?”
“Well your new job of course?”
“Excuse me sir, but I don’t follow.” Replied Hess with sincere confusion.
Tom smiled widely at him before speaking. “I have asked that you be on my staff at SED and the Prime Minister himself has approved that request.” Hess simply stood in front of Tom with a blank star upon his face.
“Of course that will mean you will have to be promoted to Captain, but I am sure that is something that you can deal with.” Said Tom as he took a sip from a glass of melon wine which had just been handed to him by a lovely and radiantly attractive mild aged women in peek physical condition.

“Passing out good news I see.” She said as she smiled at them both.
“Oh of course not Madam, you know me far better than that.” Said Tom as he returned her smile.
“Oh come now Thomas, call me Mel.” She said with such charm and style that only an elegant lady as she could posses.
“Are you serious Sir?” Asked Hess finally. “Excuse me Mama, sir.” Apologized Hess as he realized he had interrupted there conversation. Taking no offense to this Tom simply smiled and began the introductions.
“Captain Hess, allow me to introduced to you the Prime Ministers wife, Mrs. Melissa Ruby Benton. Mel allow me to introduce to you the newly promoted Captain Richard Atlas Hess.” Hess bowed slightly as Mrs. Benton offered her hand.
“It is a great pleasure to meet you Mrs. Benton.” Said Hess as he took the Mrs. Benton’s hand and he politely kissed the back in a gentlemanly fashion.
“The pleasure is all mine Captain, and please, call me Mel.”

“Well I see she has found some new prey to toy with this evening.” Joked Robert ‘Bob’ Benton, the Prime Minister, as he casually approached the group. “And I think I know who the new victims are.”

“Oh Bobby.” Melissa Benton said as she blushed. “I only offered him a drink.” Bob and his wife kissed each other with restrained passion. It was clear that these two people were still as much in love now as they were when they were young. Tom waited until there embrace had passed before continuing the introductions.

“Bob, allow me to introduce Captain Richard Hess. He is the young officer who you sent to fetch me two days ago.”
“Prime Minister.” Hess said politely.
“Captain Hess.” Said Bob as he offered his hand. Hess accepted and they shook each others hand. Bob liked this kid instantly, he had a strong hand shake and a confident demeanor. No wonder Tom wanted him on his staff. This kid had potential. As the handshake ended he focused his attention back onto Tom.

“If you will all forgive me, I have to speak with the General in private.” He said as he put his hand on Toms shoulder and politely started to lead him off toward a set of double door. “I won’t keep him but a few moments.” He said as they parted.

“You had better not Bobby, or I will have to send in a rescue party armed to the teeth and have them wrestle him away from you and one of your boring war stories.” His wife joked innocently as they walked away.

“God I love her.” He said to Tom as they walked. “Even though she is a pain in the ***, I still love her.”
“You’re a lucky man Bob.” Said Tom as they approached the double doors and two men in Palace Guard uniforms opened them. The room was a well list library with ample seating for studying and quiet reading. The doors were closed behind them as the they walked over to one of the pure decka wood tables. Bob turned to face Tom and leaned slightly against the table as he folded his arms in front of him. Tom took this as a sign that a serious discussion was about to take place, and he was correct.

“What I am about to tell you is considered absolutely top secret for the time being.” Bob said more seriously than Tom would have liked.

“General Green has ordered a task force to a remote part of the Victorian Glacier for reason I do not yet know. My operative only knows that something was found up there by a scientific team. What that is exactly is unknown. All I do know is if Green is interested in it, we should be as well. So tomorrow, I want you to investigate this for me. I can’t do it myself without raising suspicion.”

Tom thought for a second before replying. “Do you know what scientific team is conduction research on the Victorian Glacier?”
“Right now about thirty teams are up their. They are conducting experiments on everything ranging from the water content of the ice to core sampling in the northern plains. Where exactly Greens task force is heading is still unknown.”

“Well I don’t know what I can do from my end, but I will definitely look into it.” Tom said with no idea of what in the hell he was going to do. Bob smiled a bit as he uncrossed his arms and started for the door.

“Cheer up old friend, starting tomorrow you will be briefed on many things including the new orbital telescope project, advancements in artificial gravity, deflector technology, weapons research, advanced communications, space born operations, a whole slew of things.”

As they left the room, Tom could not but help wonder what lay ahead for him. One thing was for sure, come hell or high water, he was going to make dammed sure that by the time he was done, the Pandoran people will have begun to colonized other worlds.