Solutions: The Dilemma of Hopelessness - James Gerard (novel books to read txt) 📗

“He was up for reelection next year, and it is well known that he was next in line to chair the finance committee.  He would have taken the place of a staunch political ally of yours,” he said strolling back to the seat.  “Could your concerns over my presence just be an excuse to subdue his power?”

 

“Not at all,” answered Senator Richards.

 

“Then could you be concerned that the president is dissatisfied over the failure of this center to produce one substantial solution?”

 

“That has no bearing on this proceeding.”

 

Of course it did not, thought Charles.  He knew the proceeding was meant to scrutinize the proposal, not the proposer—at least not until the end.  “He has put a considerable amount of faith in this center to secure the world’s balance of power with a successful solution,” he said.  “He intends on using such an event to emerge as the first world leader.”

 

“You are babbling Charles.”

 

“I apologize.  I will try to be more succinct.”

 

“Please do.”

 

“The odds of you attaining a prominent position in the new leadership council are rather remote if the president should maintain his health in the coming years.  But in the event that opportunity becomes a reality, just think how effective you will be without Senator Sorensen backing your destructive policies at the start of what you believe will be the onset of your reign of power.”

 

A smile cracked open on Senator Richard’s face of rock.  “It will be his own undoing if he does not retain his power.”

 

Right, Charles thought, but strongly believed otherwise.  “Really?”

 

“Thank you so much for information concerning circumstances I already am aware of.”  She smiled, then stated, “Still, I do not trust you.”

 

“And if someone informs the president of this proposal?” asked Charles.

 

“This discussion is bordering on monotony.  Make your point,” she countered.

 

Charles heard the smugness in the reply, which he believed was meant as a signal directed at him.  It was a signal that indicated she was in control over the proceeding.  He smiled.  “Please, indulge me.”

 

“I have the authority to withhold information concerning any of these proceedings,” said Senator Richards.  “He simply will not be informed.”

 

“How can you be certain he will not attain knowledge of this proceeding?  He might approve it; have his decision recorded for future disclosure.  In the event it leads to a positive end, who knows, he could reveal that it was his decision to proceed with the solution.”

 

“For what purpose?” she asked.

 

“He is relatively young.  In the event of meeting with an unforeseen…mental lapse shall we say, it is possible that the citizenry will think of him fondly for providing a safe haven in the time of crisis.  Who knows, they may demand his return to power regardless of his memory abilities,” answered Charles.

 

“The quality of life has not improved significantly during his tenure.  The citizenry does not think of him as an effective statesman.”

 

“Not in your eyes, I am sure.”  Charles grinned.

 

“And you expect me to believe otherwise?”

 

“I am citing facts.”

 

“Your point?” she asked.

 

“The only chance you have to repeat his success—if that time should come—is to assure that Senator Sorensen is rendered powerless.  And if you are not concerned with him….”

 

“Senator Sorensen,” she blurted out.

 

“No, the president.”

 

“Charles enough.  I do not have time for this.  Your solution will not be approved.  You will be removed from this center immediately.”  She rose to her feet.

 

Charles swiveled the chair to track her march towards the door.  “Oh Senator,” he said cheerfully, “what if the president has attained knowledge of this solution and finds out that you rejected it?  He may not appreciate your actions.”

 

She whipped around then marched directly over to Charles.  “To reiterate what you have noted, nothing, and I do mean nothing leaves this center without scrutinization first.  That includes the personnel expelled for their failures.”  She smiled.

 

There it was, thought Charles, that streak of spite that ruled her emotions.  Of course it would be approved, and would be carried out immediately.  He looked at the smirk breaking up the rigid countenance.  “A threat Senator?”

 

“No.  The price of failure,” she answered.  “Besides, I did not say your proposal lacks merit.  I would just feel more…more comfortable with someone other than you presenting it.”

 

“What are you afraid of Senator?” he asked, believed the brunt of the discussion neared the true objective.

 

“Certainly not of you,” she answered with a laugh.  “I do find it curious, however, that the timing of your arrival coincides with the discovery of the Observer.”

 

Charles shrugged his shoulders.  “Coincidence.”

 

“Coincidence?  It is apparent that you attained knowledge of the Observer the day after you arrived, yet confirmation of the facts involved were released three weeks later.

 

“Between that time you have devised, researched, and constructed a rather detailed plan.  You have worked outside the scope of this facility, taking it upon your own to contact individuals in various fields of expertise, and all within a three week period.  Rather remarkable for a man of peace who sat in the shadow of those making decisions.  Would you agree to that Charles?”

 

Now that pompous attitude he loathed so much burned his thoughts.  “True,” he countered.  “However, I would find it an amusing situation to watch members of the soon to be former Senate flounder without the assistance of such individuals as myself.”

 

Senator Richards leaned over Charles, stopping just short of going nose to nose.  “That includes Sorensen?” she asked.  “Do you believe he is incompetent?  That the man you worked for is incapable of making decisions without the influence of others?”

 

“No,” answered Charles.  “I am just speaking about you.”

 

He watched her face of rock crack into plates of red as the sounds of snickers interrupted a pause of silence.

 

She whipped her attention to the doctors.  “Shut up!"  Her eyes darted back to Charles.  “How did you find out about the Observer?”

 

“Connections.”

 

“Who is your contact at NASA?”

 

“A friend.”

 

“You will not undermine the objective of this facility or my authority.”

 

“Of course not.”

 

A thud sounded as she pounded a clenched fist on the tabletop.  “Your plan is disapproved.”

 

What a self-important leader, thought Charles, knowing the decision does not rest solely on her shoulders.  He grinned.  “It is not.”

 

“Disapproved!  You will be censured!  Donald!”

 

“Before you consider your decision final, I suggest you check with the president.”  He smiled, strolled over to the camera.

 

“Donald,” she screamed.  “Again, I have the final authority concerning the decision making at this facility,” she insistently said.  “The president will not know of this proceeding or your proposal.”

 

The door flew open.  “Yes Senator.”

 

“Get sentries in here now!”

 

“Yes ma’am.”

 

“According to my contact within his administration,” said Charles, “the solution has been approved.”

 

“Impossible.  I am the only one other that the president who has the authority to approve or disapprove a solution.”

 

“Connections Senator.”  Charles laughed.  “It seems a copy of my proposal found its way to the president’s desk.”

 

Suddenly Donald returned with two sentries, their pistols drawn.

 

“Wait,” she abruptly said.

 

Charles directed a leer at her, knew from past experiences that she never cared for him.  There you go, he mused, think about your spiteful intentions now.  “How will the president react when you fail to go to him with your stamp of approval on this plan?”

 

She said to the sentries, “Go.”

 

Donald maintained his protective posture.  “Senator Richards, do you require further assistance?”

 

“No…no Donald,” she responded.  “Just wait outside.”

 

“Yes ma’am.”

 

Charles let him know with a wink of an eye that everything was fine.  Donald nodded in return.

 

“Now Senator Richards, I strongly suggest you cease this nonsense, sit down, and ask any questions concerning any doubts you may have concerning the proposal—only,” suggested Charles.  “That way you will be able to fake sincerity in front of the president.”

 

Charles was amused as she dragged her feet to the chair, flopped herself into it, and rubbed the sting of apparent frustration from pounding eyes.  He now felt the scale of power dipped in his favor, which he would use to his advantage in assuring the solution would be approved as planned.

 

Senator Richards raised her head.  “You state in your report that Timothy fills the requirement for this mission.  However, I am concerned about his suitability for the job.”  She looked at the report.  “It is paramount that we send a representative who can be trusted, controlled.”

 

“Granted,” admitted Charles, “Timothy is not your typical military automon, but he has succumbed to the affects of the personality medication, and has proven the ability to survive for lengthy periods of isolation.  Besides, all he has to do is arrange a meeting.”

 

“It is true,” Doctor Collins added.

 

“What is?” asked Senator Richards.

 

“What Charles said about Timothy being able to survive for lengthy periods of time in an isolated setting?”

 

“He may be able to physically, but how do you know if his mental capacity had not deteriorated during his,” she looked to the report, “during the experimentation?”

 

“He has survived in the basement for three years, and has shown no signs of unacceptable behavior,” answered Doctor Collins.

 

“What exactly do you mean by ‘survived?'”

 

“Others have been escorted from this facility literally kicking and screaming from what we have done to them if that answers your question.”

 

Charles spotted a momentary quiver at the corners of Senator Richard’s mouth, as if signaling her approval of Doctor Johnson’s experiments.

 

“And exactly why is he at this facility Doctor Collins?”

 

“Doctor Johnson had been performing research using him as a subject for a solution plan he has been working on.”

 

“Then why has he consented to release him to Charles?  After all,” continued Senator Richards, “it stands to reason that if Doctor Johnson had invested a considerable degree of effort and time into his solution, he would not transfer him so easily.”

 

Doctor Collins shrugged his shoulders.  “He is disappointed because Timothy has failed to live up to his expectations.”

 

She opened her copy of the report.  “Again, what about his emotional state?  From what I understand, he has always had the option to leave this center by simply asking.  And even if he is provided with synaptic memory inhibitors or erasers during the mission, he may fall apart without supervision, or simply become crazed in the confines of the ship.”

 

“You must excuse his ignorance,” said Charles, “for he has never asked to leave this facility because Dr. Johnson has manipulated Timothy’s newfound enthusiasm for attaining normal citizen status.  And in regard to his emotional state, I find him to be rational, in charge of his emotions, and highly susceptible to acts which we require of him.”

 

Senator Richards looked to Doctor Collins.  “Well?”

 

“Charles is more qualified to judge Timothy in that respect.”

 

“How so?”

 

“Well….”

 

“They communicated with him by correspondences.  They never spoke with him face to face,” said Charles.

 

“Charles, you must admit that your selection of him could be construed as highly suspicious,” she said.  “After all, he has required repatriation.”

 

“But we simply do not have the time to thoroughly test another individual under the conditions Timothy has been subjected to,” countered Charles.

 

“Maybe so, however, I would feel more comfortable with a disciplined member of the military for this mission.”

 

“You may, but again, we do not have the time to test such an individual.”

 

“You are well aware that such experiments have been undertaken in the past,” said Senator Richards.  “It is possible that there may be an individual within our control capable of meeting the objective of the mission.”

 

“I disagree,” argued Charles.  “Those individuals have had the same option as you say Timothy has had.  Any of them would have removed themselves from the experiments upon request.  And keep this in mind, Timothy was more or less abducted under false pretenses; he did not resist his capture.”

 

As Senator Richards confirmed the revelation with Doctor Collins, Charles sensed deception once again.  She knew as well as he did that all that was required from Timothy was to function as a messenger and the key to that had nothing to do with his past citizenship status—it was the survival aspect that was of utmost importance.

 

“If I may,” Charles spoke up, “I also considered the fact that he maintains no ties with family, friends, or anyone for that matter who might question his whereabouts if he disappeared for a lengthy