Part 16

The helo settled and the pitch and noise went off the rotors as the engine was cut. The handle on the side went up and down a few times and the doors remained firmly shut.
Suddenly a window on the cockpit was shattered and a gun poked out. “Lay down your arms and put your hands on your head.” The loudhailer from the chopper made a racket on the quiet roadside. I didn’t move except to pick up my cup and take another sip of my tea. “Put your hands on your head or I will fire.”
I turned round to the window some 20 yards away. Watching the guy with the gun, I watched him flick off the safety, and take more careful aim. Then I stopped his heart.
The gun wavered as he fell back into the cabin. The gun fell from the window before someone else could take his place and it fell to the tarmac.

I rose to my feet and walked over to the gun and picked it up *Molly reactivate this rifle please*.
*Done*
The replacement sniper at the broken window couldn’t depress his gun to bear on me and the two agents at the table watched helplessly as I re-cocked the gun and fired up into the air. I wanted to give them time to consider their actions before I let them out. I just emptied the gun then dropped it back on the tarmac.

I walked over to the front and broke off the air speed and altimeter sensors. Then opened the tank fuel testpoint/drain and ripped off the engine cover. Fuel began to run onto the gravel. The pilot realizing I was disabling his aircraft tried to restart it. But it won’t start with the fuel drain cock open. Soon it would be too dangerous to start it. The fuel would be too volatile.

“Pilot, open your door and get out.” I could see he was going to fire at me as soon as the door was open enough. I saw another gun ready to fire over his shoulder as well. I walked a little closer to the cockpit so I couldn’t be seen from the door. I allowed it to unlatch and it was flung open as the pilot and another man flung themselves out of the hatch. They didn’t land as they thought they would. The door slammed shut again as the two men tumbled onto the deck. Both of them landed on their shoulders their guns flying from their grasp as the bones crunched under the impact. They lay stunned on the deck looking up into space. Both going into shock as they lay broken on the ground.

“Now you two, are you going to try to hurt me some more or are you going to be good boys and play nice?”
I looked over at the table where Susan and David were seated. Tears ran down Susan’s face as she watched what she thought were her colleagues being hurt.

I walked over to her and put my hand on her shoulder. “I’m not doing this Susan, they are. I haven’t so much as raised a finger to them there’s more men in there who want me either locked up or dead, they don’t care which.” I looked into Susan’s eyes and she looked back at me.

“I didn’t know what they were going to do. I promise. I was just told we were going to do a stake out on you for a few days. I looked over at David. He was totally unapologetic.

“Are you going to tell me why?” I released his voice.

“You’re a threat, you’re dangerous. We’ve been watching you since you had that run in with the Social Services. There was something not right. Those kids were way too far advanced and your butler has no past. You keep disappearing for days at a time.”

“So what? Do you watch everyone who isn’t where they’re supposed to be?”

“It goes back further than that, the drop in crime rate the bad guys that keel over or get bumped, you’re always on an intercept with them before or after. Always in the area, too coincidental…”

“I still haven’t committed a crime, have I ?” I could see that quite a bit of resource had been put into this.”You’re not telling me all of the reasons, are you?”

Try as he might, he couldn’t keep me out of his head so I looked.

The jumble of thoughts surrounding my ‘case were like a thicket, no real definition but there. Until I came up with a picture from an infra red camera through the walls of my apartment taken from somewhere across the road — which showed me disappearing. One of the times I went to Luna base I suppose. Then another, more recent. Only one person on the boat.

*Molly, why haven’t you been able to intercept this stuff?*

*It wasn’t done through electronic media — it was word of mouth only* Molly sounded rattled as well.

*I want all the personnel connected with this here in ten minutes — this is to stop.*

*Very well Helen.*

I turned to the chopper and opened the doors so fast that they came off the hinges and flew across the parking lot. The occupants tumbled out, cocking their guns and circling round to get their bearings.

I shouted, “Stand down!” Atten-shun, Fall in, shortest on the left, tallest on the right.”

All but one moved to obey, he turned toward me and cocked his gun grinning. I looked him in the eye. He raised his gun and then froze. I walked over and removed the gun from his immobile hands. His fingers snapping off as I broke it from his grip. I gave him a push and he fell with a sound like breaking pottery.

*Molly could you tidy that up please. Space it.*
The remains sparkled and disappeared right down to the last molecule. I felt vindicated —he was about to murder me.

The lined up soldiers had seen nothing — their eyes glazed over in obedience. David was white and shaking. Susan aghast with the revelation that I seemed omnipotent.

A minute or two later men and women started appearing on the tarmac, one with his pants round his ankles — it appears Molly hadn’t waited for him to finish. The looks were panicked but under control, I’m sure I wouldn’t have been in the circumstances, but more credit to them.

“Could you all gather round please.” I called out to them.

They couldn’t work out where they were or what was going on. Until they saw me.
Then some tried to draw weapons (Molly had not transported them) or they became aggressive and started to attack. One or two tried to get the soldiers to shoot me. One even grabbed a rifle from a private. And got a fist for his trouble from the private — I had to grin.

“I’ve called you here today, to give you the news, I’m not vulnerable to your attacks, I have vast resources and a lot of power. I am here to lead this world out of it’s stupid warmongering and disgusting attitude — one which you have well demonstrated today.”

I paused for a moment. I wanted this to stop and I wanted these people on my side but it was a side that didn’t need guns or stealth — it needed openness, kindness and care.

“Sit down all of you please, on the ground if you will. I want to be able to see all your faces. I motioned to the soldiers as well. Presently they were all seated round me.

I called out to Ruth and Paul. “Children come out and present yourselves.” I sent a thought. *Just walk, please don’t float yet.*

Ruth and Paul walked like two miniature grown ups, straight and tall and hand in hand. They were not waddling like babies, they were young people.

A murmur told me that this wasn’t so much a shock as it might have been.

“I would like you to meet Ruth and Paul, two people who will spend their lives in your service. Helping you to come to grips with becoming better humans.”

I rose slightly off the ground while everyone was looking at the kids.

My feet were about a foot from the ground when the first person noticed. It was Susan.
“My God what are you?” The children looked over.

Ruth spoke, “She is my mummy. She is the one person you will take note of in this world. She is the power, she is the leader of all men. She will take us to the stars. She is the most powerful person ever to have lived and you WILL obey her.” As she spoke her voice got louder and louder she rose up several feet and seemed to grow. Then she giggled, sank back down and resumed her wide grin.

“Sorry mummy, I just thought it was so funny.” I shook my head and smiled.

Some of the people sat at my feet were frightened some were in shock. Others were about to panic. None seemed really able to grasp what they were seeing was the beginning of a new world order.

“From this day forward you all work for me.” I paused, thinking; then, “unless you don’t want to work for humanity and reason?”

“Who is in charge of the military? Front and centre if you please.” A rough old sergeant marched round to the front of the troops.

“No Officer?”

“He was here ma’am, I don’t see him now.” That was obviously the idiot who beat my command with his hi-tech ear defenders but not my ire.

“Nor will you again, I am sorry to say. He raised his weapon at me.” I looked around at a lot of guilty looking men and women and quite a few were really worried.

“Andy, please ask each of these gentlemen and ladies for their side arms or rifles if you will?” Some looked defensive, most resigned. “Could you also tend to the two who fell from the cockpit please?” I added as my eye caught them in passing — they looked very unwell.

“I will ask you individually for your allegiance and you will swear duty and honour to me, I shall know if you are lying. If you swear loyalty to me, I shall look after you, if you don’t, you will be back in your office in a trice. If you lie to me, you will die here and now. The choice is yours.
Move off to the other side of the car park and await my call. You may discuss what you will. Any with family, do not be concerned — your family will be with you if you join me.”

I turned away to my seat, I looked at Susan first.
“Would you like to work for me Susan? You’re young enough to really go somewhere. A lot of these guys are too old to change — I’ll have to send them back. Like your erstwhile companion here.” I looked over at David, he seemed almost catatonic. I looked a bit deeper, he was in deep shock. The reality of his world had slipped.

I wiped his memory of me and sent him back.
As he disappeared, Susan nearly screamed. “It’s Ok Susan, he’s back in his office. Honestly.”
She looked at the space where he’d been, disbelieving. I passed her my phone. “Phone him.”

I heard the call connect and a “yes, who is this?” I terminated the connection.
“See?” I smiled, “I’m not a murderer.” Though I did feel guilty for offing those stupid, blind, men.

“Ma’am, these men with broken bones are bleeding internally, we really need to patch them up.” Andy stood by quietly.

*Molly can you fix them from there or do you need them up there?*

*I can beam them up and down in a few seconds they won’t know what happened, I’ll turn off the portroom lights.*

*Right, thanks Molly I’ll give you a signal.*

“Andrew, bring those men before me.” I played it for all it was worth. Andy led them before me. Both looked weak pale and shaky.

“You men deliberately tried to murder me while I was trying to negotiate, you fell foul of my ire. You nearly paid the ultimate sacrifice, but I am not vengeful. I shall restore you. If you will serve me, I will reward you. Will you serve me?” I looked each of them in the eye. ThePilot said “I will serve you.” The other said, “Never.”

*Now Molly, make the one that serves me stronger.*

People were milling around looking at what I was doing. The men flickered where they stood and then became whole again.

My new recruit stood taller by two inches and looked like a poster for the Army Recruitment drive. The one who said ‘no’ was just like his former self just not in pain. He looked very relieved. He came to attention flexing his hand and breathing deeply.

“Stay by me Pilot — and join Susan.”

The murmurs from the crowd (and it seemed a crowd; there were nearly 40 people stood there) were akin to those of cavemen watching a magic show. They didn’t know what to believe.

“Right,” I called, “Who’s next?” looking at the milling and fearful.

“Susan, and you Greg, please go over and tell them to make up their minds or they’ll all be going back to the farm.” It seemed a shame; I would have liked to recruit some more personnel.

Susan and the Pilot Greg walked over to the group who looked at them like they were pariahs. I realised they were too steeped in their own form of power to be able to accept my governance.

‘Right,’ I thought. One by one I looked them over and then called my new duo back to me. “No good, just you two I think, the rest can go back. I called them to line up and as they stood before me I dismissed them.

“You had an opportunity to be the beginning. You had the opportunity to be part of the rebirth of mankind. Now, you will go back to your offices and you will forget what happened here, and you will never trouble me again, you will destroy every piece of information on me that you have. That is an order that you will obey.”

*Molly, send this lot back.* I was quite disappointed. *Could you send the helicopter back as well please.*

One by one they flickered into nothing and eventually the Chopper disappeared too.

*Monitor ASIO comms — and plant a bug would you? — I don’t want to be caught out like that again Molly.*

*Yes Helen, it was quite unexpected. I know ultimately it made no difference, but it should never have happened, I should have been aware of the situation.*

“Right, what to do with you two? Better hop in the car, we’re going on holiday. No, leave the Holden, get in the Ford. *Molly please return the car to the car poo… no, better than that drop it in a deep water trench somewhere*.” The car flickered and was gone.

Susan and Greg looked at each other and at me and Andy and shook their heads. Two hours ago they had been Secret Service operatives, now they had a new job and were going on holiday.
Susan grinned and said, “Yes ma’am.” Greg opened the back door for her and made to follow.
“No Greg, you’re driving. Andy will be in the trailer with the kids. I need to talk to you for a while before you settle in. There’s a lot you don’t know. Oh and there’s a few things I’ve missed as well. We can learn from each other.”

The rest of the holiday went by with not one strange incident.
Susan and Greg decided that as part of my ‘entourage’ they should be minders, but they were aware that they couldn’t mind me as well as the children could.

On the third day I decided to bring them fully into the fold and under cover of darkness, leaving Andy to mind the shop, I took my babies and my new acolytes up to meet Molly.
They needed training and they needed to ‘know’.

“Wecome to Luna Unit 1” Molly beamed as we appeared on the transport plate. Greg looked a little ill.

“Molly are we still having problems with the male of the species on that transport plate?”

“Sorry Helen it’s a scripting bug, some y chromosomes are badly transported, I can fix it if you’ll give me some time. I’m sure it’s not a permanent fault — it just hasn’t been fixed since the previous tenant. Every time I transport a male, it makes an adjustment. Eventually it will sort itself.”

“Very technical Molly” I shook my head. The most advanced machine in 10 parsecs and it has to let the old adage, ‘physician heal thy self’ reassert itself.

Susan looked around at the monitors which showed the lunar surface and Earth rising.
Much like that stupendous photo taken by Buzz Aldrin so long ago.

She squeaked in excitement. The kids hovering just behind her. “Boo!” Ruth said in her ear and giggled. Sue spun round and nearly fell over when she realised Ruth was 4 feet off the ground. “I’ll never get used to that.”

“Molly, do a full workup on our new team members and help them achieve their potential.”

“Yes Helen.”

“What do you mean full potential?” Greg queried knitting his eyebrows.

“Well until last year, I was just another person on the ground until Molly (our host here) found me and I was brought here — then I was told what I could do and set about becoming who I was meant to be.”

I had explained a lot of this during the previous drive after the showdown with the MIB.
I knew that most of it would be taken with a pinch of salt even though they had witnessed the exchange with the ASIO troops and the severe put down.

“Could Sue and Greg please follow the red line to the sick bay please?.” Molly asked brightly. “I shall need them for about 2 hours Helen.”

“I shall be in my state room thanks, c’mon kids, nap time. I’m exhausted.” My babies drifted behind me as I sauntered towards my cabin and mulled over the immediate future.

I have staff, human staff, who know about this base and who Molly will allow back and forth, that I am responsible for. It was progress of a sort. I hope their potential is higher than they are at present. Greg was nice looking, but not mating material — Maybe he’ll hook up with Sue I thought as I turned off the light.

An insistent beeping made me crawl towards wakefulness. Goodness all this excitement sure takes it out of me. I thought as I stretched.
The babies were in the bathroom taking a shower — looking for all the world like Michelangelo’s cherubs. Maybe he knew something we didn’t.

“Would you like my report on S & G now or after breakfast Helen?” Molly quietly asked me from the nearest monitor.

“If it’s not complicated, now is fine — if it needs a reading session, after breakfast.”

Greg’s results are better than Sue’s, they both have some potential but neither attain level 2. Greg is now faster and stronger and has an IQ of 150, Sue is similar, but also has some telekinetic ability. Greg’s big bonus is some telepathy and hypnotic ability.

Helen was happy that she had some company — and suddenly there’s a nice nucleus to start the long slow climb to civilization.