Creative Destruction
by Bill Kowaleski
Creative Destruction is a sequel to the novel Brighter Than the Stars, in which Earthlings meet technologically advanced space aliens. The Cygnians come only to do business, but their schemes to sell fusion-powered generators become contentious and competitive.
Many human and alien characters return from the previous novel, including Jim McDermott and his team, who try to reduce the risk of societal upheaval that the new technologies threaten. Meanwhile, many different groups are either plotting to steal the technical advances for their own purposes or trying to destroy it and drive the Cygnians off of Earth.
| Cast of Characters and Species | Table of Contents |
Part VI: Antithesis: Destruction
Chapter 40: Abdullah Chooses Sides
Owning fifty percent of UZPG had its advantages, and James Martin was only beginning to realize what those were. He, Miles, and Jason Wise sat in a small, windowless conference room on the Earth side, at a square, wood-laminate table that had made the coal magnate wince when he’d first entered. There was nothing he hated more than a fake, and he considered wood laminate the classic example of fakery. If you wanted something to look like maple, like this table, just make the damned thing out of maple!
He pulled his mind away from the laminate and thought about what Guard-Robert had just told him in the hallway: that the speaker telephone in the center of the table operated through completely untraceable connections; that when he made the call to Dubai, his party’s phone would record a local call from his nearby home. No one would ever be able to prove that the Martins and Director Naïr had talked.
“Such a pleasure to hear your voice again, James,” said the Director. His voice was crystal clear, as if he were in the room. Cygnian technology again.
“I’m here with my son, who will soon be running things, Abdullah. He needs to be in on everything.”
“I understand. I hope you can still trust me after that meeting we had with the energy dinosaurs. You can rest assured that I won’t be the one to order your assassination!
The elder Martin laughed, but Miles’ face froze into a look of alarm. James Martin said, “You just scared the bejeezus out of my son, Abdullah. And to be honest, I got my doubts about you. You’re back’s against the wall same as the rest of them. What’s the upside of protecting me?”
There was a very short silence before the Director responded, “In my culture, friendship and shared experience count for more than they do in yours, James. I had to present a united front with them, but I am truly conflicted. Tell me truthfully, do you think their plans to destroy the Cygnian factories can succeed?”
Miles responded. “There’s someone else in the room, Mr. Naïr. He’s an alien, but not a Cygnian. They call themselves Sirians, a species that’s been visiting the Earth for millions of years, and they know the Cygnians well. I’m going to let him explain how the Cygnians will prevent any attacks. His Earth name is Jason Wise.”
“Yet another group of aliens is on Earth? This grows more confusing by the day.”
“My apologies, Mr. Director,” said Jason. “Our presence is strictly need-to-know, and you were just classified as being in that category. I’m afraid that there are actually at least two other species operating on Earth in addition to us Sirians and the Cygnians. I say at least, because even we may not be aware of everything.”
“What does it all mean then?” asked Abdullah. “And why are these changes happening now, when you say that you Sirians have been here for millions of years?”
“The Cygnians changed everything,” said Jason. “We were content to make very minor changes silently when needed, but mostly we stayed in the background and took home some things from Earth that we particularly like. But then the pushy Cygnians came and wanted to start selling their wares on a grand scale. Now we’ve decided we have no choice but to get involved and keep things from getting completely out of control.”
“I see. Do tell me, Mr. Wise, is there any chance that the energy dinosaurs’ plan can succeed?”
“None,” said Jason. “The Cygnians, who are already aware that their plants need extraordinary protection, will simply respond by making the plants invulnerable, which they can do in such a way that those dinosaurs, as you call them, will be unable to counter.”
“But that will only enrage them more,” said Abdullah. “They may turn from sabotage to murder, or even to war.”
“Yes,” said James Martin, “I’ve thought of that. I have another idea.”
“I hope it’s not as successful as the one you and Miles presented to us in Dubai!”
They all laughed. “Odd, isn’t it,” said James Martin, “how success can sometimes be failure.”
“What would happen,” Martin continued, “If the conspirators thought their plan had succeeded? Yeah, eventually they’d figure out it hadn’t but, meanwhile, we’d have had time to evaluate their tactics and undermine the organizations they’re using. We’d be able to gather evidence to put most of them in prison for life, or even get them executed. The few beyond justice would be isolated, and we could pick them off one by one.”
“How could you deceive them into thinking they’d destroyed a Cygnian factory when they really hadn’t?” asked the Director.
“It can be done,” said Jason. “But we have to know the details of their attack plan. If you could give us those...”
They heard a sigh through the speaker phone. “I am crossing a line here, gentlemen,” said Director Naïr. “But I suppose I always knew I would. You may want to write this down.”
Doing What Appears to be Nothing
Guard-Robert again stood in front of the projection screen of the secure-side conference room at UZPG. But this time, the image displayed was of Manufacturing Plant Number 1 of the Botswana and Southern Africa Clothing Company. It was an aerial view, taken from a military satellite, able to focus on objects as small as the words on a single piece of notebook paper. For his discussion, Guard-Robert kept a wide view, making visible the entire scope of the operation, including the new rail line that had just been added.
“Based on the information from Mr. Martin, they plan to explode two trucks simultaneously, one parked at each of the loading docks located at opposite ends of the facility — here and here — and also ram a train containing a one-kiloton tactical nuclear weapon obtained from Russia — a major oil producer of course — into the heart of the facility as close to the same time as possible.”
McDermott stared intently at the diagram. “So how much damage would that do?”
“Production would surely be halted, but the goal is to disrupt all shipments. If nothing can get out of the factory, they will be unable to fulfill orders, their supply chain will be disrupted, customers will give up on them. At least that’s what the conspirators are hoping will happen. And of course, they also wish to kill some Cygnians. This is vital because the ultimate goal of their plan is to convince us that Earth is not worth the risks.”
Gerry Landis nodded his head. “A good plan, from their perspective. How do you plan to stop it?”
“The dilemma,” said Guard-Robert, “is that if we effectively stop it, which we surely can, the conspirators will know that they were betrayed. Mr. Martin would be compromised, probably soon murdered, and next time, we won’t know what their plans are. I think we have a better idea.”
Guard-Robert couldn’t resist a dramatic pause, annoying McDermott who finally said, “Alright, enough with the theatrics. What are you going to do?”
“Absolutely nothing, Mr. McDermott. Nothing at all. It is imperative that the attack succeed, and that that success be widely publicized.”
“Nothing? That’s crazy,” said McDermott. “You’re willing to sacrifice lives, product...”
“No, we are not,” said Guard-Robert. “Let me amend my statement. We will do what appears to be nothing. This is Cygnus Prime Security Corporation’s operation now and, to assure secrecy, I’m sorry to say that I cannot even tell you, my most trusted friends on Earth, more. It’s strictly need-to-know until it’s over.”
Copyright © 2019 by Bill Kowaleski
