In Search Of Elysium

Chapter 17

Television news and stars

The next morning, all the staff members gathered in the auditorium. Kevin and Darden sat on the stage and there were tables set up along one aisle. Darden took the podium and spoke first.

"I want to welcome you to the base. As you know, we have begun our Revolution For Freedom from the church-government. I have gathered many images you will enjoy seeing."

A huge video monitor, the size of a theater screen, lowered behind the two. The screen, separated into four sections, was showing live footage from the spy insects. In the upper left corner, a group of ten overweight, old men talked. The man at the head of the table said, "We have to stop these damn rebels or they will ruin us. We should crack down on every suspected family member and hold them hostage until they return the people taken by their ships. Which reminds me... where did those spaceships come from? I thought they destroyed all flying machines years ago. Now our enemy has them? Jallex, why can't you stop these rebels? You have over two million police at your command."

The younger man stood, "We have the men, but I don't think they will continue killing their brothers and sisters. Everyone is tired of this battle, including my officers. Perhaps we should talk with these dissenters, try to make peace?"

The oldest and fattest god yelled, "No! This is my world and I will let no one destroy it. I have all the riches I should ever need, and all of you are rich because of our system of government. We are the gods; it is our god-given right to control Elysium. No one can stop us."

The younger man looked down and then said. "I fear you may not have a choice. We no longer control the video communication system, and without that we cannot control the public. On the national video feed there is only a video of my troops killing a group of rebels, with the message, The true God will stop the killing and free Elysium. Tell your family and friends to keep the vigil. The true God of ancient Elysium is back. Many of my troops want to heed the messages of the true God. They are rumbling and, if we push them, they may abandon us."

"Then kill them too!" yelled the old man. "Kill them all. We will not give up our riches so some other God can come back. We are the gods now. Jallex, I command you to find these rebels and kill them, kill anyone who follows them, and kill any of your soldiers who desert their posts. Do you understand?"

Jallex lowered his head and said, "Yes, my god. I will do your bidding."

The other screens showed people marching with the government-police standing by. They were not killing people, but letting them march. Banners flew with slogans like, God is love, love will set us free, and Elysium is our home, let the true God enter, and Stop the killing! Start the healing! All other images on the screen were similar.

Kevin took the podium. "I have a roster of people who I want to work on the television broadcasts. Cody, we want you to create a weather program using weather information our spaceships gather from the satellite. Set up hourly reports and then repeat every fifteen minutes. Kathy, you can organize several cooking and home shows. Use the kitchen in the café, and we will broadcast three meals a day. You and your ship, Cloe, can come up with the recipes. Linda, I want you to do several home and fashion shows. Let the Elysians know they can wear whatever they want. Darden has lined up scientists, religious teachers and historians to present lessons on Elysium's past glory. We will teach the Elysians because education is the key to our revolution. Darden will also take responsibility for broadcasting the news, and will flash segments from the spy insects. We will use care because we don't want to disclose how we are gathering this information."

Kathy reminded the team they should not try to do everything themselves. "Please remember, recruit or audition talent for these shows from among the new arrivals, many who have experience in broadcasting. They will take over these broadcasts when we leave, so remember, it is the Elysians who should be the stars of the broadcasts."