THE SWORD AND SICKLE

CHAPTER FIVE: DEBRIEFING

THE SWORD AND SICKLE

PART ONE

CHAPTER FIVE

PRESS DEBRIEFING

Secretary of State McDowell said, "That's not like Levi; he is usually very gentle and polite to everyone he meets. I am very surprised."

Hammett said, "Claire, I am not sure that is Levi; I am not sure they are even human. It might explain why we have not been in contact with our guides. Levi and Laida have been on the ship, and he tells me he controls it. And from what I have witnessed, I am sure he is telling the truth. I recorded everything, but I doubt it will help us, because as I heard him speak, his lips didn't move. I believe he is from another dimension and is here to overthrow this world. It would explain his book and his knowledge of dreams."

William Alderman said, "I would like to see the recording, sir."

"Yes, by all means, we will all listen to it."

Pushing on the intercom button, he asked Sue to bring in the recording from interview room two."

The President received the recording from Sue and closed the door. As he played the tape, everyone listened intently. As they listened to the first part of the conversation, they realized Hammett had handled the interview with skill, but they also realized how cleverly Levi and Laida played off each other. The last words they heard from the two were when Laida interrupted the President and said, "You have no idea just how connected we are," and then they heard Hammett plead for their citizenship and cooperation, and next, nothing but the sound of many babbling brooks. Each member of the group wore a face of astonishment and asked him to play it again.

Jim said, "Holy crap! What in hell was that?"

"I do not know. I did not hear it when I was in the room."

"What do you remember?" said Jim.

"He said to me that it was with great authority that he was on the ship to brief the crew. He also said it was under his control and no attack would happen until I was out of the office. I do remember some type of riddle. He told me the ship was not alien and not of the earth, and if we could read, we could figure it out, and I remember he told me a parable. It went like this – don't be like the fisherman who after finding a valuable pearl put it in his pocket and went home, only to discover he had a hole in his pocket, and the pearl was missing; he added, if the man were wise he would put on good clothes, and then find the pearl of great value."

"What else can you remember?"

"He threatened us by saying we would be unable to contain him or his family, that they could walk among us and we would not recognize them, and we should tell the people to prepare themselves, for he would be coming soon."

The head of the FBI asked, "Sir, I would like to have that video so my experts can go over it and see if they can detect anything."

"Certainly, take it! I don't want to hear it again, unless you can make some sense of it. So, what are your impressions of this situation? Who do you believe we are dealing with, and what do we tell the public?"