Violence in the night
I have been summoned. In the night Gabrielle’s voice instructed me to be at her place in the morning, and I was told, politely but firmly, to go on my own. I tell Sarah, and we talk briefly about what we could expect.
Sarah thinks it might have to do with the offer, that of parthenogenesis. The Coven may have realised the human females won’t give up their males that easily (“I’d tell them to go and clone themselves!” was Jane’s reaction).
So “they” may want to appraise me of an alternative plan, says my wife. They hate violence, she says. I am skeptical, for I believe now that “they” are indeed all powerful. Why should they care about what we think? Sarah thinks that I am giving up the fight too early. The Coven wants something, and we are not sure what. Their objective is evidently not mere destruction; they have a goal, and we need to find out what that is.
So I set off just after dawn, and an hour later I am walking the narrow street, deserted at this time. The chill of the morning air seems sharper here and I walk faster until I reach the long wall and the small door. The door is unlocked and, as I cross the threshold, it shuts closed behind me.
“Come in Julian,” says Gabrielle.
I slowly reach the end of the corridor. Gabrielle and another person stand in the room I know so well, in front of the bay window. It takes me a few seconds to recognise Helga. Gabrielle signals me to take a seat on the sofa near the chimney.
As it was on the first time I came to this house, a wood fire is crackling in the chimney, projecting an eerie light in the room. The two women sit in front of me, with their backs to the window.
Helga looks much different now from the attractive creature Sarah and I met several months back. Her long black hair is wrapped in a complicated bun, held by a deep blue metallic ring. But her clothes… She wears a grey suit reminiscent of the spartan Mao-Tse-Tung tunic, but well cut, buttoned up to her chin, which fits her athletic body well.
Decision
I am waiting for one of them to speak, and I remain silent. We observe each other for long minutes. Then Gabrielle addresses me, in a slow voice intended to convince.
“Thank you for joining us at such short notice, Julian. We have to share with you, and through you with your friends, if you judge it wise, of a decision the Coven made a few hours – that is for you a few weeks – ago.” Gabrielle pauses and I look at Helga, who is looking at her companion as if in deep reflection.
“The Coven has now realised the inanity of suggesting a violent solution to what we see as your predicament, and to the risks this may present to us in the future. Equally, we understand how unpractical it would be to impose, against your will, a ban on your ways to reproduce yourselves… You may not think that way, but we do avoid violence.”
I wait for what is, inevitably, going to follow, but I am wrong; I have been wrong all the time.
“Helga is going to explain what we are going to do. As you know, she represents the Coven here. You could say, she’s in charge of this sector of your galaxy on our behalf…”
Helga then speaks, and her voice conveys immense authority, under a slight veil of impatience. “You know that Gabrielle and I have had some difficulties in convincing many of our own about the value of giving you and your species time to evolve further. In part, our problem is due to your use of atomics, and the continuous violence which appears to characterise the way you attempt – and fail – to resolve conflicts.”
Resolution
I am aware of Helga’s eyes firmly fixed on me, of her beautiful face showing nothing but an implacable resolution.
“We have considered many ways we could intervene without destroying you, without using violence. In truth, for many of us, the survival of your beautiful planet is far more important than yours, as a species. However, we have concluded that attempting one without the other may prove costly, for you, and for us.”
Helga pauses, and I think of the meteorite in the skies of Russia. “So, we have come to this conclusion, unanimously. We have to intervene directly in your affairs, and neutralise some of the fatal moves some of your governments may be tempted to make. In one word, practise what you would call a ‘humanitarian mission,’ but with a difference, we have the means of obliterating any resistance.” We are silent, I listen to the fire, reliving our previous meetings, until Gabrielle finally speaks.
“We have 100% coverage of all your present conflict areas and strategic sites. As you have probably guessed, we have spent the past few years developing an extensive – shall we say – spy network of a fine mesh, of which your science cannot conceive. Suffice it to say that the same mesh can be used to destroy weaponry of any size and power, from long range missiles down to a single hand gun.”
Summon to write
Helga smiles and adds, suddenly back to a more congenial stance, “We knew you would understand, Julian. Now, what we want you to do, is to explain the situation to your friends. Melissa has been informed and she will help you prepare the drafts.”
I wait. The drafts of what?
Helga resumes, now smiling broadly. “You are going to write to the ten or so top newspapers and media channels in your world, explaining the situation, in your own words. You should know now that people are going to take what you say seriously.”
Back home, I confessed to Sarah, we will have to explain that we, as humanity, have to put an end to all acts of violence. The time has come for us to acknowledge the devastating consequences and embrace a more compassionate and peaceful existence. Let us not underestimate the power of our words and actions, as they have the ability to shape the course of our shared future. By voicing our concerns and spreading awareness through top newspapers and media channels, we can ignite a movement towards a world free from violence. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter, more harmonious world for generations to come.
Picture: The Japanese Peace Bell and its en:pagoda at United Nations Headquarters, New York City. Photograph credit: Dragonbite.
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