The Trojan Horse Read Online Free Page B
Author: Christopher Nuttall
over our cities.”
The President nodded, thoughtfully. “And the meeting in New York?”
Toby smiled. Once the alien message had been picked up, the government-operated transmitters that normally served the nation’s network of spy satellites and military communications systems had been used to contact and establish a link with the alien ships. Reluctantly, the NSA had allowed representatives from a handful of other governments to monitor the transmissions, but little had been forthcoming from the aliens. They’d simply stated that they came in peace, that they were emissaries from the Galactic Federation and requested a meeting with world leaders. Surprisingly, they hadn't attempted to suggest a location or even a time and place. They appeared content to allow the human race to handle matters without further pressure. Toby wasn't sure if it showed a willingness to show respect for the human race, or if it was a very slight insult. Or maybe it was simple ignorance. The aliens presumably knew little of how the human governments operated.
Or maybe not. We come in peace . Take us to your leaders. How long had they studied humanity to know those terms? They could have been watching and monitoring the Earth for hundreds of years...
“The military will be establishing a no-fly zone over the city,” he said. The USAF had actually wanted to keep substantial forces in the region – backed up by carriers from the Navy – but the politicians had insisted on keeping a low profile. “We’ll use unarmed aircraft to escort the alien landing craft to the city, while the NYPD and National Guard will ensure that there is a secure perimeter around the landing site. There’s still some confusion over security within the UN itself, but we think we’ll have it sorted out by the time the aliens actually land.”
The President snorted. Nearly every world leader of consequence – or considered himself to be of consequence – would be coming to the landing. The Secret Service – responsible for the protection of the President and his family – would be coordinating their efforts with British, French, German, Russian, Chinese and even Iranian security personnel. Only strict orders from their political masters had ensured some degree of cooperation, although as the deadline drew closer, Toby fully expected the various security teams to start picking fights with one another. The whole situation would have been unthinkable only a day ago.
“And everyone wants to know our position in the talks,” Toby concluded. “The Cabinet would like to schedule a formal meeting to discuss the issue tomorrow.”
“That won’t be an easy task,” the President said. “They’ve told us almost nothing.”
He didn't mean the Cabinet, Toby knew. The Galactics – the term had started on the internet and spread around the world within hours – had told their human hosts almost nothing about the Galactic Federation, or what membership in it actually meant. How could anyone bargain with the aliens when no one even knew the rules of the game?
“Yes, Mr President,” Toby agreed. “The analysts have already prepared a list of possibilities...”
The President smiled. “Possibilities,” he repeated. “And what are the odds of even one of them being right?”
Chapter Three
Near Mannington, Virginia
USA, Day 3
The alien ships hung against the inky darkness of space. They were illuminated only by reflected earthlight, hinting at rather than revealing their alien contours. The Colonel studied the latest images from orbital satellites with interest, noting that technology had clearly improved since he'd left the military, but also that the aliens had positioned themselves just far enough from Earth to limit the amount of detail that could be picked up by human cameras. Every telescope on Earth was tracking the alien ships, yet little
The President nodded, thoughtfully. “And the meeting in New York?”
Toby smiled. Once the alien message had been picked up, the government-operated transmitters that normally served the nation’s network of spy satellites and military communications systems had been used to contact and establish a link with the alien ships. Reluctantly, the NSA had allowed representatives from a handful of other governments to monitor the transmissions, but little had been forthcoming from the aliens. They’d simply stated that they came in peace, that they were emissaries from the Galactic Federation and requested a meeting with world leaders. Surprisingly, they hadn't attempted to suggest a location or even a time and place. They appeared content to allow the human race to handle matters without further pressure. Toby wasn't sure if it showed a willingness to show respect for the human race, or if it was a very slight insult. Or maybe it was simple ignorance. The aliens presumably knew little of how the human governments operated.
Or maybe not. We come in peace . Take us to your leaders. How long had they studied humanity to know those terms? They could have been watching and monitoring the Earth for hundreds of years...
“The military will be establishing a no-fly zone over the city,” he said. The USAF had actually wanted to keep substantial forces in the region – backed up by carriers from the Navy – but the politicians had insisted on keeping a low profile. “We’ll use unarmed aircraft to escort the alien landing craft to the city, while the NYPD and National Guard will ensure that there is a secure perimeter around the landing site. There’s still some confusion over security within the UN itself, but we think we’ll have it sorted out by the time the aliens actually land.”
The President snorted. Nearly every world leader of consequence – or considered himself to be of consequence – would be coming to the landing. The Secret Service – responsible for the protection of the President and his family – would be coordinating their efforts with British, French, German, Russian, Chinese and even Iranian security personnel. Only strict orders from their political masters had ensured some degree of cooperation, although as the deadline drew closer, Toby fully expected the various security teams to start picking fights with one another. The whole situation would have been unthinkable only a day ago.
“And everyone wants to know our position in the talks,” Toby concluded. “The Cabinet would like to schedule a formal meeting to discuss the issue tomorrow.”
“That won’t be an easy task,” the President said. “They’ve told us almost nothing.”
He didn't mean the Cabinet, Toby knew. The Galactics – the term had started on the internet and spread around the world within hours – had told their human hosts almost nothing about the Galactic Federation, or what membership in it actually meant. How could anyone bargain with the aliens when no one even knew the rules of the game?
“Yes, Mr President,” Toby agreed. “The analysts have already prepared a list of possibilities...”
The President smiled. “Possibilities,” he repeated. “And what are the odds of even one of them being right?”
Chapter Three
Near Mannington, Virginia
USA, Day 3
The alien ships hung against the inky darkness of space. They were illuminated only by reflected earthlight, hinting at rather than revealing their alien contours. The Colonel studied the latest images from orbital satellites with interest, noting that technology had clearly improved since he'd left the military, but also that the aliens had positioned themselves just far enough from Earth to limit the amount of detail that could be picked up by human cameras. Every telescope on Earth was tracking the alien ships, yet little
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