Unbelievably, Director Ives was grateful. The master understood that some things were not under his control. He also understood that sometimes the hated Nazarene did things that nobody could do anything about. This was one such case. He hadn't been blamed for the loss of the Russian soldiers along the east coast. And after all, the master was happy that more of the Americans were dead. Over all, a country that had started out with over three hundred million and was now down to about one hundred and forty million was something even the master had to be pleased about.
Then again, the thing that bothered Ives the most was the fact that they were getting closer to that damned number that the Nazarene seemed to love so much. They were closing in on only ten per cent of the population. He didn't know why, but ever since the beginning, that Nazarene seemed to have some kind of thing about ten percent of the population. Every time he and his people moved against them, at least ten percent survived. It didn't matter where or when. Ten percent or more always got away. It was infuriating. That number had gotten out of Jerusalem in seventy A.D. when the Romans had leveled the city to the ground. Where ever they went after that, or even before, ten percent always got away.
Even in Germany in the nineteen-forties. So many had been killed. But some had escaped. Ten percent. There was something about that number.
Well, He would show that person. Ives decided that the best way to prove Him wrong was to beat that number of ten percent. If he could only knock out enough of the followers of the Nazarene, so that the number fell below ten percent, then the master would not only be pleased, but he would receive untold rewards.
He knew the first thing he had to do was to slow down the American advance. Since the tsunami had so badly damaged the reserves in the Russian rear, the Americans had been taking advantage of the situation by pushing back the invaders, who no longer had the support they were used to having. After the disaster in Montana, the Russians were also losing ground in the Dakotas. Not much, and not very fast, but with the losses, they were finding it harder and harder to hold on to what they had taken.
To make matters even worse, the fantastic advance they had made, first getting to, and then down, the Mississippi River, had to be halted. They now had an extended front with very little in the way of support. They hadn't taken that many casualties, but resupply was becoming a problem. The original plan called for them to break through the American lines in the mountains, and be resupplied by them. Now that was entirely out of the question. Most of those supplies had either been destroyed by the tsunami, or washed out to sea as the flood waters flowed back into the Atlantic. The Mississippi force might still be able to break through the lines, but there wasn't anything there for them. In fact, they might have to lend aid, rather than receiving it.
This was not a good day. As he continued to study the maps, his mood became more and more foul. To give credit where it was due, at least his new secretary knew better than to disturb him as he worked on the problem, unless he had important information.
At that moment, he knocked timidly at the Directors door.
"What?" Was all Ives could get out.
The door opened. "Sir, there is something I think you should see."
"For your sake, I hope it isn't more bad news."
"Actually Sir, I think this is something you might want to use in solving this problem. Or perhaps to, at least, amuse yourself."
Made curious by the statement Ives looked up from the maps for the first time. In the secretaries hand was a piece of paper. He recognized the paper as one that had come from the ones calling themselves 'space brothers', whom, Ives knew were in fact servants of his master in disguise. The secretary handed the Director a piece of paper.
As he read, his mind began to work overtime to keep up with the possibilities presented by what he read. There were endless possibilities here. It read;
From the Asended Masters, returned to Earth.
To the people of America.
It has come to our attention that because of the losses suffer by your people in this war, that the male population has been severely reduced.
It is not our desire to see the population of America reduced to levels from which they can never recover. It is our desire to see America become a strong and vibrant part of the global community, THEREFORE;
After much thought and consultation between ourselves, and those of our home planet, the female population is to be offered the opportunity to re-populate the American Nation by joining with us. We are willing to help any willing woman in this country conceive and bare any number of children that she may want to have.
Our medical sciences are just as advanced as the rest of our technology, and any woman who wishes it can be impregnated, and the amount of time normally needed for carrying a child, can be reduced by two thirds.
Additionally, the amount of time needed to raise the child to adulthood would be equally reduced.
We can, and are willing to do this for your people. All that is necessary is for willing human women to receive our genetic material. We will help with the rest.
All women who are interested in this offer should report to the nearest landing site of any of our craft. All of our people have been notified of this plan, and are in agreement with it. They will help you, no matter where they, or you, are currently living.
Ives was taken by surprise that the master decided to play this card so soon, by could see how it fit in the overall plan. It was just like in the time of that monkey, Noah, and his family. That had been a very pleasant time. There was a lot to be said for these human women. They could be very pleasurable, he knew. Of course back then, they could only use seduction. But this plan would have them asking to be impregnated. After that, it was simple. Corrupt the human genome, and then the master would defeat the plan of the Nazarenes' Father. In doing that, there was no chance that He could be in complete control. That meant that the master would at long last win his throne.
Ives actually smiled.
It was decided that Lieutenant Busby and Alex would be the ones to find and make contact with the thirty-nine people that had been left behind.
"Let me come with you. I can make sure that everything goes smoothly." Dennis Heath said.
"No offense, Mr. Heath. But I think that we will handle this on our own. After all, so far all we have to go on is your word about how things really are. And we don't know you." The Major said. "If what you say is true, I'm certain you will understand. We are Christians, and we've met a lot of people that have claimed to be like us, but weren't. We need to make sure, before anything else happens."
"I understand, but tell whoever you send to be careful. We've had some tough times lately, and some of them are a little trigger-happy."
It was shortly after that, when Major Ferguson spoke with the two of them.
"Gentlemen, I think it wise to borrow a page out of Heaths' book. I want you both to leave your long arms here. Take only side arms with you. I don't need to tell you this isn't an aggressive action, but I want to stress caution. These people have been fighting the Russian forces for some time now. Busby, you know what that means, so make Alex understand."
"Yes Sir."
"Alright, get going. Try to make it before the sun comes up, but under all circumstances, be careful."
As Alex and Lieutenant Busby moved out, Alex questioned him.
"What was the Major talking about, with that fighting Russians comment?"
Busby sighed, and simply answered, "The Russians take prisoners only when ordered to do so."
"What if you surrender?"
"They take prisoners only when ordered to do so."
"You mean they'd shoot someone who gave up?"
"Yes, I do. Alex, come down off the crest of the ridge. You are providing a target to them."
"It's dark. I don't think they would see me, and it is easier walking up here."
"I'm sure it is an easier walk, but even in star light, you will show up like you wouldn't believe to someone with good eyes, not to mention night vision equipment. Come down here on the slope."
"Alright. So why did we have to leave the rifle and shotgun?"
"It's real hard to attack people out in the open with just handguns. Long arms can reach out and touch them. This proves that we aren't trying to attack them. O.K. Lets' quiet down. I think I see something ahead."
As quietly as possible, Alex and Busby moved into a position to look down on the encampment. Busby was trying to figure how many people were there, in order to verify what they had been told. It wasn't possible. Certainly some people were asleep in the wagons down below, and he couldn't be sure that there weren't any guards posted. He turned to Alex and said,
"Alright. It looks O.K. I think our best bet is to just make our way down there, and announce ourselves from a safe distance."
The sound of a shotgun wracking a round into the chamber came from behind them. A voice said,
"I think your presence is already known. DO NOT reach for your weapons."
BW, Vietnam Vet