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WAKING GODS Sylvain Neuvel was born in Quebec and dropped out of school when he was fifteen. Since then he has sold ice cream in California, peddled furniture across Canada, and taught Linguistics in India. He has also worked as a software engineer, journalist, certified translator and received a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Chicago. He is an amateur robotics enthusiast and life-long fan of all things science fiction. Sleeping Giants, his debut novel and first in the Themis Files series, was published in 2016. Waking Gods was his second novel and Only Human is his third.

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BY THE BY SAME THE SAME AUTHOR AUTHOR Sleeping Sleeping Giants Giants Waking Waking GodsGods

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WAKING WAKING GODS GODS BOOK BOOK TWO TWO OF OF THETHE THEMIS THEMIS FILES FILES

SYLVAIN SYLVAIN NEUVEL NEUVEL

MICHA EL JOSEPH an imprint of

P EN GU I N B O O K S

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First published in the United States of America by Del Rey 2017 Published in Great Britain by Michael Joseph 2017 Published in Penguin Books 2018 001 Copyright © Sylvain Neuvel, 2017 The moral right of the author has been asserted Printed in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library HARDbACk isbn:

978–0–718–18170–3 978–0–718–18171–0 978–1–405–92192–3

oM pApeRbACk isbn:

oM pApeRbACk A FoRMAT isbn:

www.greenpenguin.co.uk Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.

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To Barbara To Barbara and Han and Han Solo.Solo. Look, Look, Bara,Bara, you’re you’re my rock, my rock, my everything, my everything, but Han but Han died!died! You You don’tdon’t mindmind sharing, sharing, do you? do you?

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WAKING GODS

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PROLOGUE PROLOGUE PERSONAL PERSONAL JOURNAL JOURNAL ENTRY— ENTRY— EVAEVA REYES REYES

Melissa Melissa mademade fun of funme of at meschool at school today. today. She’sShe’s all about all about boysboys now.now. EnzoEnzo and and his friends his friends started started calling calling me La meEvita La Evita LocaLoca againagain and and she she joined joined in. She in. said: She said: “Look! “Look! Crazy Crazy Eva’sEva’s gonna gonna cry!”cry!” I hate I hate her. her. She was She was my last my good last good friend. friend. Angie Angie goesgoes to Baldwin to Baldwin nownow and and I I hardly hardly ever ever hearhear fromfrom her. her. EssieEssie moved moved to Bayamón. to Bayamón. TheyThey werewere the the onlyonly onesones I sawI saw outside outside of school. of school. MomMom keepskeeps telling telling me to meget to out get out moremore but there’s but there’s no one no to oneplay to play with.with. We used We used to look to look for rocks for rocks by by Rio Rio Piedras. Piedras. EssieEssie lovesloves rocks, rocks, especially especially thosethose blue blue ones.ones. I think I think they’re they’re called called kyanite. kyanite. I went I went by myself by myself the other the other day and day Iand found I found tons tons of them. of them. I toldI told her I’d herbring I’d bring themthem whenwhen I visit, I visit, but Ibut don’t I don’t know know whenwhen MomMom will let willme letgo. meShe go. says She says I have I have to get tobetter get better first.first. I’m seeing I’m seeing that that psychiatrist psychiatrist againagain tonight. tonight. He thinks He thinks I’m crazy, I’m crazy, like like everyone everyone else. else. TheyThey keepkeep telling telling me it’s menormal it’s normal to have to have bad bad dreams. dreams. But IBut know I know they’re they’re not dreams. not dreams. I have I have themthem whenwhen I’m awake I’m awake now.now. I I saw saw it again it again today today at school, at school, and and I started I started screaming. screaming. It’s the It’s same the same one one I’ve I’ve beenbeen having having for months. for months. Everyone’s Everyone’s dead.dead. There There are thouare thousandssands of them, of them, deaddead on the onstreets, the streets, a whole a whole city ficity lledfiwith lled with corpses. corpses. I I see my see parents my parents lyinglying in blood in blood inside inside our house. our house. I haven’t I haven’t told told themthem that that part.part. Today Today therethere was was something something new.new. I sawI saw a robot, a robot, like Thelike Themis, mis, a bigametal big metal woman woman falling falling into into the clouds. the clouds.

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PARTPART ONEONE

KITH KITH AND AND KINKIN

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FILEFILE NO.NO. 1398 1398 NEWS NEWS REPORT— REPORT— JACOB JACOB LAWSON, LAWSON, BBCBBC LONDON LONDON Location: Location: Regent’s Regent’s Park, Park, London, London, England England

A twentyA twentystorystorytall metallic tall metallic figure figure appeared appeared in the inmiddle the middle of Regent’s of Regent’s ParkPark this this morning. morning. Caretakers Caretakers at the at London the London Zoo Zoo werewere the fithe rst fitorst to notice notice it at itaround at around 4 A.M 4 .AStanding .M. Standing on one on one of the of Hub’s the Hub’s football football pitches pitches at the at north the north end of endthe of park, the park, the fithe gure, figure, or robot, or robot, bearsbears a re-a resemblance, semblance, in both in both size and size shape, and shape, to the toUN the robot UN robot we now we now know know as as Themis. Themis. ThisThis new new giant, giant, however, however, appears appears to betoa be man, a man, or shall or shall I sayI say is made is made in the in image the image of a of man. a man. It is It much is much moremore muscular muscular thanthan the the slender slender feminine feminine titantitan that that visited visited London London less than less than a year a year ago, ago, per- perhapshaps tallertaller as well. as well. Its colour Its colour is also is also different, different, a lighter a lighter grey grey thanthan the the UN UN robot, robot, and and it is itstriated is striated withwith yellow yellow light,light, in contrast in contrast to the to the turquoiseturquoiseveined veined Themis. Themis. According According to early to early witnesses, witnesses, the robot the robot appeared appeared out of out thin of thin air inair in the middle the middle of the ofpark. the park. “It wasn’t “It wasn’t there, there, thenthen it was,” it was,” said said one of onethe of the zookeepers. zookeepers. Fortunately, Fortunately, the football the football pitches pitches at the at Hub the Hub werewere de- deserted serted at this at hour, this hour, and and not anot single a single casualty casualty has been has been reported. reported. It is It is unknown, unknown, of course, of course, whether whether this early this early appearance appearance was deliberate, was deliberate, as as we do wenot do know not know where where this robot this robot camecame fromfrom or who or who sent sent it. If it. this If is this is indeed indeed a robot a robot like Themis, like Themis, and if and it isif controlled it is controlled in the insame the same manner manner as she as is, shethere is, there couldcould be pilots be pilots aboard. aboard. If pilots If pilots therethere are, are, are they are they Russian, Russian, Japanese, Japanese, or Chinese? or Chinese? Or are Orthey are they fromfrom somewhere somewhere else enelse en-

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tirely? tirely? We can We only can only speculate speculate at this at juncture. this juncture. There There might might be nobeone no one at allatinallthis in this giantgiant structure. structure. In the In four the four hours hours it has it been has been standing standing here,here, it hasit not has moved not moved an inch. an inch. The The EarthEarth Defense Defense Corps Corps (EDC) (EDC) has yet hasto yetissue to issue an offi ancial offistatecial statement. ment. Dr. Rose Dr. Rose Franklin, Franklin, headhead of the ofscientifi the scientifi c division, c division, was was reached reached in Geneva, in Geneva, where where she was she was to give to give a speech a speech laterlater this this morning. morning. She She would would not speculate not speculate as toasthe toorigin the origin of this of second this second robotrobot but has but ashas assuredsured us that us that it is it not is part not part of the of UN the planetary UN planetary defence. defence. If true, If true, this this would would suggest suggest that that either either a second a second alienalien robotrobot has been has been discovered discovered on on EarthEarth and and keptkept fromfrom us orusthat or that this this one one doesdoes not come not come fromfrom our our planet. planet. In New In New York, York, the EDC the EDC has scheduled has scheduled a press a press conference conference for for threethree o’clock o’clock London London time.time. The The EarthEarth Defense Defense Corps, Corps, which which was was founded founded nine nine yearsyears ago by ago by the United the United Nations Nations following following the American the American discovery discovery of the of Themis the Themis robot, robot, is tasked is tasked withwith extracting extracting new new technologies technologies fromfrom the alien the alien arti- artifact for factthe forbenefi the benefi t of mankind t of mankind and to andprotect to protect this planet this planet against against ex- extraterrestrial traterrestrial threats. threats. OnlyOnly timetime will tell williftell weifare wefacing are facing suchsuch a threat a threat today. today. No word No word yet from yet from His Majesty’s His Majesty’s Government, Government, but sources but sources say the say the Prime Prime Minister Minister will will address address the nation the nation within within the hour. the hour. The The British British people people will will not have not have to wait to wait to hear to hear fromfrom the other the other side side of the of aisle. the aisle. The The official offiopposition cial opposition was was quickquick to issue to issue a statement a statement earlier earlier today, today, immediately immediately calling calling for the for Prime the Prime Minister Minister to offer to offer somesome reassurreassurances. ances. Opposition Opposition leader leader Amanda Amanda Webb Webb tooktook to the to air the about air about an an hourhour ago, ago, saying: saying: “There “There is anisalien an alien device device withwith potentially potentially devastatdevastating power ing power standing standing in the inmiddle the middle of London of London and all andthe allPrime the Prime MinisMinister has ter seen has seen fit tofido t toisdo to isrestrict to restrict access access to one to city one park. city park. Can Can he tell he tell the thirteen the thirteen million million people people whowho live in live the inGreater the Greater London London AreaArea that that they they are safe? are safe? If heIfcan, he can, he owes he owes the British the British people people an explanation, an explanation, and and if heifcan’t, he can’t, I forIone for would one would like to likeknow to know why why we aren’t we aren’t talking talking about about evacuation.” evacuation.” The The former former Foreign Foreign Secretary Secretary wentwent on toonsuggest to suggest that that Central Central London London be evacuated be evacuated first,fisomething rst, something that,that, by her bycalcuher calculation, lation, couldcould be accomplished be accomplished in aninorderly an orderly manner manner in less in than less than fortyfortyeighteight hours. hours. Londoners, Londoners, for their for their part,part, appear appear in noin hurry no hurry to gotoanywhere. go anywhere. Perhaps Perhaps as surprising as surprising as the as robot’s the robot’s appearance appearance is theis utter the utter nonchanonchalancelance the population the population has displayed has displayed since.since. The The towering towering figure figure is visiis visible from ble from mostmost of London, of London, and while and while one might one might expect expect civiccivic unrest, unrest, or or a massive a massive exodus exodus fromfrom the city, the city, Londoners, Londoners, for the for most the most part,part, havehave gonegone about about theirtheir business; business; manymany havehave eveneven mademade theirtheir way way towards towards

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Regent’s Regent’s ParkPark to see to this see new this new titantitan up close. up close. The The police police havehave closed closed off the off area the area southsouth of Prince of Prince Albert Albert and and northnorth of A501 of A501 between between A41 A41 and and Albany Albany Street, Street, but some but some havehave managed managed to escape to escape theirtheir attention attention and found and found theirtheir way way into into the park. the park. The The police police eveneven had to had evacuate to evacuate a a family family that that was was preparing preparing for afor picnic, a picnic, a mere a mere few few stepssteps fromfrom the the giantgiant metallic metallic feet of feetthe ofintruder. the intruder. It’s hard It’s hard to blame to blame Londoners Londoners for seeing for seeing a creature a creature similar similar to Theto Themis as misa as friendly a friendly figure. figure. TheyThey havehave beenbeen told told that that a race a race of aliens of aliens left left her on herEarth on Earth for our for protection. our protection. Her Her metalmetal face face and and backwards backwards legs legs are on arethe on telly the telly almost almost everyevery day day and and havehave mademade the front the front pagepage of of everyevery red top red for topnearly for nearly a decade. a decade. There There are Themis are Themis tee shirts tee shirts for sale for sale on every on every corner, corner, and and young young Londoners Londoners havehave grown grown up playing up playing withwith Themis Themis action action figures. figures. Themis Themis is a star. is a star. Her Her visit visit to another to another one one of of London’s London’s Royal Royal ParksParks a year a year ago felt ago more felt more like alike rock a rock concert concert thanthan first fi contact rst contact withwith something something fromfrom an alien an alien world. world. ThisThis is a is defi aning defining moment moment in the in short the short history history of the of EDC. the EDC. The The fruitfruit of a of very a very fragile fragile coalition, coalition, the organization the organization has been has been called called a a publicpublicrelations relations stuntstunt by itsbydetractors. its detractors. Many Many havehave argued argued that that a sin-a single robot, gle robot, no matter no matter howhow powerful, powerful, couldcould not defend not defend a planet a planet against against an invader. an invader. By adding By adding a second a second robotrobot to itstoarsenal, its arsenal, or forging or forging a for-a formal mal alliance alliance withwith another another race,race, the EDC the EDC would would comecome a long a long way way in in silencing silencing its critics. its critics.

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FILEFILE NO.NO. 1399 1399 PERSONAL PERSONAL JOURNAL JOURNAL ENTRY— ENTRY— DR.DR. ROSE ROSE FRANKLIN, FRANKLIN, HEAD HEAD OF OF SCIENCE SCIENCE DIVISION, DIVISION, EARTH EARTH DEFENSE DEFENSE CORPS CORPS

I hadI ahad cat.a For cat. some For some reason, reason, no one no remembers one remembers my having my having a cat.a I’ve cat. I’ve beenbeen picturing picturing her curled her curled into into a balla on ballthe onkitchen the kitchen floor,floor, slowly slowly starvstarving to ingdeath to death whilewhile waiting waiting for me for to mecome to come home. home. I keep I keep forgetting forgetting that that RoseRose Franklin Franklin camecame homehome that that night, night, that that she—she— the other the other me—me— nevernever left. left. I’m glad I’m glad my cat mydidn’t cat didn’t starve, starve, but part but part of me ofwishes me wishes she’dshe’d waited waited for me forby methe bydoor. the door. I miss I miss her. her. My apartment My apartment feelsfeels incredibly incredibly empty empty without without her small her small presence. presence. Maybe Maybe she died. she died. She wasn’t She wasn’t that that old, old, though. though. Maybe Maybe I gotI rid gotof rid of her when her when my job mybecame job became too demanding. too demanding. Maybe Maybe she didn’t she didn’t recognize recognize the person the person whowho camecame homehome that that nightnight pretending pretending to betome be and me and ran ran away. away. I wish. I wish. She’dShe’d probably probably be afraid be afraid of me ofifme sheifwere she were still around. still around. If there’s If there’s a “real” a “real” RoseRose Franklin, Franklin, chances chances are I’m are not I’m it. not it. Thirteen Thirteen yearsyears ago, ago, I gotIinto got into a traffi a traffi c accident c accident on my onway my way to work. to work. Strangers Strangers pulled pulled me out me of outmy of car my and car and I woke I woke up on upthe on side the side of the of the road,road, in Ireland, in Ireland, four four yearsyears later.later. I hadn’t I hadn’t agedaged a day. a day. HowHow is that is that possible? possible? Did IDid travel I travel to the tofuture? the future? WasWas I . . .I frozen, . . . frozen, cryogenized cryogenized for four for four years? years? I’ll probably I’ll probably nevernever know. know. I canI live can with live with that.that. WhatWhat I’m having I’m having a hard a hard timetime dealing dealing withwith is that is that I wasn’t I wasn’t reallyreally gonegone for those for those four four years. years. I—someone I—someone like like me, me, anyway— anyway— was was here.here. RoseRose Franklin Franklin wentwent to work to work the next the next day. day. She did She adid whole a whole bunch bunch of of

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things things during during thosethose years. years. Somehow, Somehow, she ended she ended up studying up studying the giant the giant metalmetal handhand I hadI had fallenfallen ontoonto as a as child. a child. She became She became convinced convinced that that therethere werewere moremore giantgiant bodybody partsparts lyinglying around around and devised and devised a method a method for unearthing for unearthing them. them. She pieced She pieced together together a giant a giant alienalien robotrobot called called Themis. Themis. ThenThen she died. she died. It was It was a busy a busy four four years. years. I don’t I don’t remember remember any of anyit,ofofit,course. of course. I wasn’t I wasn’t there. there. Whoever Whoever did did all those all those things things died.died. I know I know for afor facta it fact wasn’t it wasn’t me me. me Rose me. Rose Franklin Franklin was was twentytwentyeighteight whenwhen she was she was put in putcharge in charge of the of research the research teamteam studying studying the hand. the hand. She died She died at thirty. at thirty. A year A year later,later, they they found found me. Ime. I was was twentytwentyseven. seven. Themis Themis ended ended up with up with the United the United Nations. Nations. TheyThey created created a planea planetary tary defense defense branch, branch, called called the EDC, the EDC, withwith the robot the robot as itsasmain its main asset.asset. I wasn’t I wasn’t therethere for that for that either. either. One One of me ofhad me had died.died. The The otherother hadn’t hadn’t beenbeen found found yet. yet. TheyThey put me put in mecharge in charge of the of EDC the EDC research research teamteam about about a month a month afterafter I reappeared. I reappeared. The The otherother RoseRose mustmust havehave mademade quitequite an impression an impression because because I wasI was probably probably the least the least qualifi qualifi ed person ed person for the forjob. the job. I hadI never had never eveneven seen seen Themis. Themis. As far AsasfarI was as I was concerned, concerned, the last the time last time I hadI seen had seen any part any part of her ofwas her was on my oneleventh my eleventh birthday. birthday. TheyThey didn’t didn’t seemseem to care. to care. Neither Neither did I.did I really I. I really wanted wanted the job. the job. I’ve I’ve beenbeen at it at foritnine for nine years. years. NineNine years. years. One One would would thinkthink that that would would be be enough enough timetime to get to over get over whatwhat happened happened to me. to me. It’s not. It’s not. I hadI had four four yearsyears of catching of catching up toupdo, to and do, and that that keptkept my mind my mind busybusy for afor while. a while. But as ButI settled as I settled into into somesome sort sort of routine, of routine, got more got more comfortable comfortable withwith my new my new job, my job,new my new life, Ilife, became I became moremore and more and more obsessed obsessed withwith whowho and what and what I am.I am. I realize I realize that that if I did if Itravel did travel through through time,time, I probably I probably don’tdon’t havehave the the knowledge knowledge to fully to fully understand understand it, but it, there but there shouldn’t shouldn’t havehave beenbeen two two of us. of Move us. Move an object an object fromfrom pointpoint A toApoint to point B, logic B, logic dictates dictates you you won’t won’t find fiitnd at itpoint at point A anymore. A anymore. Am IAm a clone? I a clone? A copy? A copy? I canI live can live without without knowing knowing whatwhat happened happened to me, to but me,Ibut have I have to know to know if I’mif .I’m .. ... me. That’s me. That’s an awful an awful thingthing to doubt. to doubt. I know I know I don’t I don’t belong belong here,here, now.now. I’m .I’m . . out . . . of outsync. of sync. It’s aIt’s famila familiar feeling, iar feeling, nownow that that I think I think about about it. Every it. Every so often— so often— maybe maybe two two or or threethree timestimes a year— a year— I would I would get this get anxiety this anxiety rush.rush. I’d usually I’d usually be really be really tired,tired, maybe maybe had had too much too much coffee, coffee, and and I’d start I’d start feeling feeling . . . I. never . . I never knewknew howhow to describe to describe it. Every it. Every second second that that goesgoes by feels by feels like nails like nails on on a chalkboard. a chalkboard. It usually It usually lastslasts a minute a minute or two or two but itbut feels it feels like you’re like you’re just ajust tiny a tiny bit—bit— half half a second a second or so— or so— out of outsync of sync withwith the universe. the universe. I I was never was never able able to really to really explain explain it, soit,I don’t so I don’t know know if I’mifthe I’monly the only one one

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whowho ever ever felt this. felt this. I suppose I suppose not, not, but that’s but that’s howhow I feelI every feel every minute minute of of everyevery day now, day now, onlyonly that that half half second second is getting is getting longer longer and longer. and longer. I have I have no real no real friends, friends, no real no real relationships. relationships. The The onesones I have I have are are based based on experiences on experiences I didn’t I didn’t share, share, and and the ones the ones I lostI lost havehave beenbeen damaged damaged by events by events I didn’t I didn’t live through. live through. My mother My mother still still callscalls me me everyevery otherother night. night. She doesn’t She doesn’t understand understand that that we hadn’t we hadn’t spoken spoken in in overover a year a year whenwhen I came I came back.back. HowHow couldcould she? she? She’sShe’s calling calling that that otherother person, person, the one the who one who isn’t isn’t still dealing still dealing withwith her father’s her father’s loss,loss, the the one who one who everyone everyone liked.liked. The one The who one who died.died. I haven’t I haven’t talked talked to any to of any of my old my friends old friends fromfrom school, school, fromfrom home. home. TheyThey werewere at my at funeral. my funeral. That’s That’s suchsuch a perfect a perfect ending ending to a to relationship, a relationship, I wouldn’t I wouldn’t wantwant to to spoilspoil that.that. KaraKara and and Vincent Vincent are the are closest the closest thingthing I have I have to friends to friends now,now, but but eveneven afterafter nine nine years, years, I’m somewhat I’m somewhat . . . ashamed . . . ashamed of our of friendship. our friendship. I’m an I’mimpostor. an impostor. TheirTheir affection affection for me forisme based is based on a on lie.aThey’ve lie. They’ve told told me what me what we supposedly we supposedly wentwent through through together together and and we all wepretend all pretend that that we would we would havehave shared shared the same the same experiences experiences had had the circumthe circumstances stances beenbeen different. different. We keep We keep pretending pretending I’m that I’m that otherother person, person, and and they they like me likefor meit. for it. I don’t I don’t know know whatwhat I am,I but am, Ibut know I know I’m not I’m .not . . her. . . . her. I’m trying I’m trying to to be. Desperately be. Desperately trying. trying. I know I know that that if I could if I could just be justher, be her, everything everything would would be allberight. all right. But IBut don’t I don’t know know her. her. I have I have gonegone overover everyevery pagepage of her of notes her notes a thousand a thousand times, times, and and I stillI can’t still can’t see the see world the world as she as she did. did. I seeIglimpses see glimpses of myself of myself in some in some of her of journal her journal entries, entries, but those but those fleeting fleeting moments moments aren’t aren’t enough enough to bring to bring us any us closer. any closer. She was She clever, was clever, though; though; I’m not I’mcertain not certain I could I could do what do what she did sheifdid weifwere we were looking looking for for giantgiant bodybody partsparts today. today. She must She must havehave found found somesome research research I don’t I don’t know know about, about, probably probably something something that that was was published published whilewhile I was I was “away.” “away.” Maybe Maybe I’m an I’mimperfect an imperfect copy.copy. Maybe Maybe she was she was just smarter. just smarter. She She certainly certainly was was moremore optimistic. optimistic. She She believed— believed— was was utterly utterly convinced— convinced— that that Themis Themis was was left here left here as a as gifta for gift us fortousfind to fiinnddue in due time,time, a cominga comingof-age of-present age present left to leftantoadolescent an adolescent race race by a by benevoa benevolent lent father father figure. figure. Yet they Yet they buried buried all the all pieces the pieces in the in far thecorners far corners of of the Earth, the Earth, in the inmost the most remote remote of places, of places, eveneven under under the ice. the Iice. canI see can see why why I might I might get excited get excited by aby treasure a treasure hunt,hunt, but Ibut can’t I can’t find fiand good a good reason reason for the foradded the added hurdles. hurdles. My gut My tells gut tells me these me these things things werewere hid- hidden .den . . well, . . . well, just that. just that. Hidden, Hidden, as inas not in to notbetofound. be found. MoreMore thanthan anything, anything, I can’t I can’t imagine imagine why why anyone, anyone, however however ad- advanced, vanced, would would leaveleave behind behind a robot a robot that,that, in allin likelihood, all likelihood, we wouldn’t we wouldn’t be able be able to use. to use. Anyone Anyone withwith the technology the technology to build to build one one of these of these

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things, things, and and to travel to travel light-lightyearsyears to bring to bring it here, it here, would would havehave had had the the power power to adapt to adapt the controls the controls to our to anatomy. our anatomy. TheyThey would would havehave had ahad a mechanic mechanic aboard, aboard, someone someone whowho couldcould fix the fixrobot, the robot, or ator least at least Mac-MacGyver Gyver theirtheir way way out of outsmall of small problems. problems. All itAll would it would reallyreally take take is is theirtheir version version of a of screwdriver a screwdriver to turn to turn the knee the knee braces braces around around so we so we couldcould use them. use them. TheyThey couldn’t couldn’t havehave expected expected us tous mutilate to mutilate ourselves ourselves in order in order to pilot to pilot this thing. this thing. I’m aI’m scientist, a scientist, and Iand have I have no proof no proof for any for of anythis, of this, but neither but neither did did the other the other RoseRose whenwhen she assumed she assumed the opposite. the opposite. Without Without evidence, evidence, eveneven Occam’s Occam’s razorrazor should should nevernever havehave led me ledinme that in that direction. direction. The The ironyirony is that is that they they builtbuilt this entire this entire program program based based on my onfimy nd-findings.ings. If I had If I told had told themthem howhow scared scared I amIof am what of what will come, will come, they they nevernever would would havehave givengiven me the mefreedom the freedom to dotowhat do what I’m doing I’m doing now.now. The lab The lab is theisonly the only placeplace I findI fi comfort nd comfort in and in I’m and grateful I’m grateful for that. for that. I’m grateI’m grateful for fulThemis, for Themis, to betoinbeher in company her company everyevery day. day. I feelI drawn feel drawn to her. to her. She isn’t She isn’t of this of world this world either. either. She doesn’t She doesn’t belong belong here here any more any more thanthan I do.I We’re do. We’re bothboth out of outplace of place and and out of outtime, of time, and and the more the more I learn I learn about about her, her, the closer the closer I feelI to feelunderstanding to understanding whatwhat reallyreally happened happened to me. to me. I know I know everyone everyone is worried is worried about about me. me. My My mother mother told told me she me she would would praypray for me. for You me. You don’tdon’t do that do that for someone for someone who’s who’s doing doing great. great. I didn’t I didn’t wantwant to upset to upset her, her, so I so saidI said thank thank you.you. My faith My faith has never has never beenbeen reallyreally strong, strong, but even but even if it were, if it were, I know I know there’s there’s no God no God coming coming to help to help me. me. There’s There’s no redemption no redemption for what for what I’ve I’ve done.done. I should I should be be dead.dead. I died. I died. I wasI was brought brought backback by what by what I assume I assume is advanced is advanced tech-technology, nology, but you but might you might as well as well call itcall witchcraft. it witchcraft. Not Not too long too long ago, ago, the the Church Church would would havehave burned burned someone someone like me. like me. I may I may believe believe in God, in God, but I’m but at I’mwar at war withwith Him.Him. I’m aI’m scientist, a scientist, I I try totryanswer to answer questions, questions, one at one a time, at a time, so there’s so there’s a little a little less room less room for for HimHim as the asanswer. the answer. I plant I plant my flmy ag, fland ag, inch and inch by inch, by inch, I take I take awayaway His His kingdom. kingdom. It’s odd, It’s odd, but none but none of this of has this ever has ever occurred occurred to me tobefore. me before. I I nevernever eveneven saw saw a real a real contradiction contradiction between between science science and and religion. religion. I I see itsee now, it now, I seeIitsee clear it clear as day. as day. I’ve crossed I’ve crossed that that line we’re line we’re not supposed not supposed to cross. to cross. I died. I died. And And I’m I’m still here. still here. I cheated I cheated death. death. I took I took awayaway God’s God’s power. power. I killed I killed GodGod and Iand feelI empty feel empty inside. inside.

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FILEFILE NO.NO. 1408 1408 INTERVIEW INTERVIEW WITH WITH BRIGADIER BRIGADIER GENERAL GENERAL EUGENE EUGENE GOVENDER, GOVENDER, COMMANDER, COMMANDER, EARTH EARTH DEFENSE DEFENSE CORPS CORPS Location: Location: Waldorf Waldorf Astoria Astoria Hotel, Hotel, NewNew York, York, NY NY

—You —You should should hurry, hurry, Eugene. Eugene.

—How —How longlong havehave we known we known eacheach other? other? —Fourteen —Fourteen years years this September. this September.

—Fourteen —Fourteen years. years. And And in allinthat all that time,time, havehave I ever, I ever, once,once, givengiven you you permission permission to call to me callEugene? me Eugene? —“General” —“General” seems seems . . . inappropriate . . . inappropriate afterafter whatwhat we have we have beenbeen through. through.

—It — does, It does, doesn’t doesn’t it? Imagine it? Imagine howhow it feels it feels to have to have absolutely absolutely nothing nothing to call to you. call you. —Not —that Not that I do Inot do enjoy not enjoy hearing hearing you you ramble ramble endlessly endlessly about about my my anonymity, anonymity, but you but you are addressing are addressing the United the United Nations Nations General General As- Assembly sembly in less in less thanthan one one hour.hour. I know I know howhow much much you you loathe loathe speeches, speeches, so if so you if you require require my help, my help, nownow would would be abe good a good time.time.

—Then —Then why why don’tdon’t you give you give the address? the address? You’re You’re the one the who one who got me got me into into this mess this mess in the infithe rst fi place. rst place. —Let—me Let hear me hear youryour opening. opening.

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—Where’s —Where’s that that damn damn piecepiece of paper? of paper? Oh, Oh, here here it is.itHave is. Have you you seen seen my—my— —They —They are on arethe on nightstand. the nightstand.

—Thank —Thank you.you. It goes It goes like like this: this: “I know “I know manymany of you of you are afraid. are afraid. I I know know you want you want answers.” answers.” —I meant —I meant whatwhat is theis beginning the beginning of your of your speech? speech?

—That —That is theisbeginning the beginning of my ofdamn my damn speech. speech. —Eugene, —Eugene, you are you not aretalking not talking to cadets to cadets at the atacademy. the academy. This is This theis the UN General UN General Assembly. Assembly. There There is protocol. is protocol. You You normally normally begin begin by by naming naming everyone. everyone. Mr. President, Mr. President, Mr. Secretary Mr. Secretary General, General, members members of the of General the General Assembly, Assembly, ladies ladies and and gentlemen. gentlemen.

—Fine. —Fine. I’ll start I’ll start withwith that,that, thenthen I’ll say I’ll “I sayknow “I know manymany of you of you are are afraid. afraid. I know I know you want you want answers.” answers.” —No, —you No, have you have to say to something say something profound profound ﬁrst, something ﬁrst, something inspiring. inspiring.

—Something —Something inspiring? inspiring? There’s There’s a giant a giant goddamn goddamn robotrobot in the inmiddle the middle of London. of London. WhatWhat people people wantwant is forisme forto meget torid getofridit.ofThere’s it. There’s noth-nothing profound ing profound about about that.that. —Then —Then say something say something completely completely unrelated unrelated but profound. but profound. The last The last address address I heard I heard in person in person was was fromfrom a USaPresident. US President. He said He said somesomethingthing like: like: “We “We come come together together at a at crossroads a crossroads between between war war and and peace; peace; between between disorder disorder and and integration; integration; between between fear fear and and hope.” hope.”

—Very —Very well well then.then. Mr. Mr. President, President, Mr. Mr. Secretary Secretary General, General, members members of of the General the General Assembly, Assembly, ladies ladies and gentlemen. and gentlemen. Those Those of you of who you who know know me know me know I amI aam man a man of few of words. few words. Those Those whowho know know me well me well also also know know howhow muchmuch I loathe I loathe speeches. speeches. So with So with youryour permission, permission, I willI will stealsteal my opening my opening remarks remarks fromfrom a former a former president president of the of United the United States. States. He said: He said: “We“We comecome together together at a crossroads at a crossroads between between war war and and peace; peace; between between disorder disorder and integration; and integration; between between fear fear and hope.” and hope.” —That —That is— is—

—I was —I was joking. joking. I have I have a quote a quote fromfrom another another fellow fellow whowho had ahad better a better way way withwith words, words, I canI just can move just move it up.itAfter up. After that,that, you’ll you’ll havehave to settle to settle for some for some words words of my ofown. my own. His name His name is Thomas is Thomas Henry Henry Huxley. Huxley. He He was was a scientist a scientist in the in early the early daysdays of modern of modern biology. biology. He said: He said: “The“The

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known known is finite, is finite, the unknown the unknown infinite; infinite; intellectually intellectually we stand we stand on an on an islet islet in the inmidst the midst of anofillimitable an illimitable ocean ocean of inexplicability. of inexplicability. Our Our busi-business ness in every in every generation generation is toisreclaim to reclaim a little a little moremore land.” land.” Almost Almost a a decade decade ago, ago, whenwhen Themis Themis was was revealed revealed to the toworld, the world, we realized we realized that that ocean ocean was was a lota bigger lot bigger thanthan we thought, we thought, and and whatwhat transpired transpired this this morning morning in London in London has made has made our islet our islet of certainty of certainty feel so feelsmall so small that that we may we may wonder wonder if weifeven we even havehave enough enough roomroom to stand to stand on. on. NowNow can Ican sayI it? say it? —I know —I know many many of you of you are afraid. are afraid.

—Don’t —Don’t makemake fun of funme. of me. I know I know manymany of you of are youafraid. are afraid. I know I know you want you want answers. answers. Let me Let me be blunt, be blunt, I don’t I don’t havehave the answers the answers you’re you’re looking looking for. for. Not Not today. today. I I also also havehave a confession a confession to make. to make. I . . .I am . . . also am also afraid. afraid. I’m afraid I’m afraid be- becausecause I don’t I don’t know know whatwhat that that thingthing is, oris,what or what it wants. it wants. I don’t I don’t know know if there if there are more are more coming coming and Iand really I really don’tdon’t know know if weifcould we could do anydo anythingthing about about it if there it if there were.were. There There is a lot is awe lotdon’t we don’t know. know. A little A little bit bit of fear of fear is only is only healthy healthy if you if ask you me. ask me. —How —How reassuring. reassuring. I feelI feel better better already. already.

—We —can’t We can’t let fear let fear stop stop us from us from doing doing whatwhat we must we must do. We do. also We also can’tcan’t let fear let fear dictate dictate our actions. our actions. We must We must exercise exercise patience. patience. WhatWhat we’ve we’ve got here— got here— —What —What are you are you trying trying to say? to say?

—That —That everyone everyone should should waitwait before before doing doing something something reallyreally stupid. stupid. —Such —Such as? as?

—You —You know know that that therethere are those are those in England in England whowho wantwant a show a show of of force. force. I also I also know know that that NATO NATO is considering is considering military military action action of itsof its own.own. I want I want everyone everyone in that in that roomroom to use totheir use their influence. influence. I want I want themthem to use toevery use every means means at their at their disposal disposal to make to make sure sure that that doesn’t doesn’t happen. happen. —Why? —Why?

—You —You know know why!why! ThisThis second second robotrobot is probably is probably eveneven moremore powerful powerful thanthan Themis. Themis. It’s doubtful It’s doubtful that that British British ground ground forces forces couldcould put aput a scratch scratch on it.onAnd it. And this is this London. is London. In anInurban an urban environment, environment, therethere is is simply simply no way no way to concentrate to concentrate enough enough firepower firepower withwith a ground a ground as- assault.sault. An allAnout all-air outstrike air strike has more has more potential, potential, but we’d but we’d needneed a joint a joint operation operation between between our biggest our biggest air forces. air forces. We’dWe’d also also levellevel the city the of city of

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London. London. If that If that doesn’t doesn’t bringbring the robot the robot down, down, a higha highyieldyield nuclear nuclear bomb bomb would would be our be best, our best, and last, and last, option, option, though though it would it would meanmean re- relocating locating mostmost of England’s of England’s population population afterafter the fact. the fact. Is that Is that clearclear enough enough for you? for you? —If that —If that is what is what you want you want people people to leave to leave with,with, thenthen you should you should say say it likeit that, like that, in those in those words. words. Make Make themthem understand understand therethere is nois“bestno “bestcasecase scenario” scenario” if they if they attack, attack, that that theythey cannot cannot “bluff” “bluff” theirtheir wayway out out of this. of this.

—You —You don’tdon’t thinkthink it’s ait’s little a little rough? rough? You You asked asked for profound for profound and and inspiring. inspiring. —You —You openopen with with profound profound and and inspiring inspiring so that, so that, twenty twenty years years fromfrom now,now, people people can can feel feel clever clever quoting quoting you you around around the dinner the dinner table. table. If there If there is something is something you you wantwant people people to understand to understand today, today, say itsay it like you like you are addressing are addressing youryour grandchildren. grandchildren. Half Half the people the people in that in that roomroom will hear will hear you you through through an interpreter, an interpreter, and and mostmost havehave the atthe attention tention spanspan of a of ﬁvea ﬁyearve-yearold. old. When When theythey leave leave the room, the room, these these people people will call will home. call home. TheyThey will probably will probably talk to talk their to their defense defense min-ministers, isters, theirtheir top generals, top generals, theirtheir chiefs chiefs of staff, of staff, people people with with an army an army at their at their disposal disposal whowho are itching are itching to use to it. use You it. You are asking are asking themthem to to trust trust a group a group of scientists of scientists before before theirtheir ownown military military advisors. advisors. Make Make sure sure the reason the reason for that for that is notis lost not in lost translation. in translation.

—I had —I had another another paragraph paragraph that that mademade me sound me sound reasonably reasonably intelliintelligent.gent. —Let—me Let hear me hear it. it.

—What —What we’ve we’ve got here got here is notis anot London a London problem. problem. It is not It is anot British a British or or a European a European problem. problem. It’s certainly It’s certainly not anot NATO a NATO problem. problem. WhatWhat we’ve we’ve got here got here is anisEarth an Earth problem. problem. It’s aIt’s problem a problem for all forofallus, offor us, every for every nation nation represented represented in this in this room, room, and and we must we must find fiand solution a solution to it,to it, together. together. ThisThis institution institution was founded was founded in theinwake the wake of the ofmost the most devasdevastating tating war in war human in human history, history, to promote to promote peacepeace by allowing by allowing nations nations to to resolve resolve theirtheir disputes disputes here,here, in this in room, this room, and not and on notthe onbattlefi the battlefi eld. It eld. It was was also also created created so that so that we could we could poolpool our knowledge our knowledge and resources and resources and achieve and achieve greatgreat things things nonenone of usofcould us could dream dream of achieving of achieving on our on our own.own. Today Today we have we have a chance a chance to dotoboth: do both: prevent prevent war war on aon level a level we’ve we’ve nevernever imagined imagined and bring and bring humanity humanity to a whole to a whole new new frontier. frontier. If If therethere has ever has ever beenbeen a time a time for the for United the United Nations, Nations, it is now. it is now. If there If there has ever has ever beenbeen a reason a reason for the forEDC, the EDC, this is this it. is it.

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—Put—that Put that at the atend the end for when for when theythey havehave stopped stopped paying paying attention. attention. For now, For now, you you should should talk talk about about youryour military military career career so they so they can can relate. relate.

—I say —I asay few a few words words somewhere somewhere . . . Here . . . Here . . . I. also . . I also know know manymany of of you you havehave doubts. doubts. The The decision decision to create to create the EDC the EDC was was not anot unania unanimousmous one. one. WhyWhy should should you you trusttrust the EDC the EDC and and not your not your ownown mili-military?tary? ThatThat is probably is probably the only the only question question I canI answer can answer today. today. I’m aI’m a military military man,man, havehave beenbeen for over for over fortyforty years. years. I canI tell canyou tell this: you this: Mili-Military tary people people needneed intelligence intelligence ... ... —You —You needneed to say to more say more thanthan that.that. Tell them Tell them about about howhow many many warswars you you havehave beenbeen in, how in, how many many people people you you killed. killed. Make Make themthem see see the blood. the blood. Make Make themthem thinkthink of you of you as aas warmonger a warmonger whowho would would dropdrop a bomb a bomb on London on London at the atﬁthe rst excuse. ﬁrst excuse. OnlyOnly thenthen will they will they be- believelieve you you when when you you tell them tell them theythey should should not. not.

—What —What can can I say? I say? I amI aam Brigadier a Brigadier General General in the in South the South African African Army Army and Commander and Commander of a UN of a military UN military force. force. In South In South Africa, Africa, I wasI was in charge in charge of the ofArmy the Army Armour Armour Formation, Formation, that’sthat’s a harda hardto-pronounce to-pronounce way way of saying of saying lots of lotstanks. of tanks. I fought I fought in a in segregated a segregated unit unit during during the the Border Border Wars, Wars, I have I have beenbeen part part of peacekeeping of peacekeeping operations operations in Sudan, in Sudan, I have I have led forces led forces for the for UN the Intervention UN Intervention Brigade Brigade in the in Democratic the Democratic Republic Republic of Congo. of Congo. I have I have beenbeen in one in army one army or the orother the other for all forofall my of my adultadult life—life— —Perfect. —Perfect.

— . .— . and . . . Iand canI tell canyou tell this: you this: Military Military people— people— people people like me— like me— needneed intelligence intelligence to betouseful. be useful. We need We need to know to know what’s what’s goinggoing on. Without on. Without intelligence, intelligence, take take my word my word for it, foryou it, you do not do want not want youryour fate fate in the in the hands hands of the ofmilitary. the military. We do Wenot doimprovise. not improvise. We’re We’re like an likeelephant an elephant in in a china a china shop,shop, we can we make can make a bigamess big mess of things of things if you if have you have us chasing us chasing our tail. our tail. I amIalso am also the Commander the Commander of the ofEarth the Earth Defense Defense Corps, Corps, technically technically another another military military forceforce withwith a single, a single, gigantic gigantic weapon. weapon. As ComAs Commander, mander, I have I have two two soldiers soldiers under under my command. my command. Make Make that that one solone soldier.dier. The The otherother is technically is technically a Canadian a Canadian consultant. consultant. I also I also havehave sixty-sixtyeighteight scientists scientists working working for me. for me. TheyThey didn’t didn’t exactly exactly phrase phrase it it like that like that whenwhen they they offered offered me the mejob thebecause job because they they know know I don’t I don’t like like scientists. scientists. Scientists Scientists are like are children: like children: TheyThey always always wantwant to know to know ev- ev-

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erything, erything, they they all ask all too ask many too many questions, questions, and and they they nevernever follow follow or- orders ders to the toletter. the letter. That,That, people, people, is theisEDC. the EDC. A bigArobot, big robot, one soldier, one soldier, a linguist, a linguist, and and a whole a whole lot oflotdisobedient of disobedient children. children. WhatWhat we need, we need, whatwhat the world the world needsneeds rightright now,now, is them, is them, my insubordinate my insubordinate kids.kids. TheyThey know know moremore about about alienalien technology technology thanthan anyone anyone on Earth on Earth and and they’re they’re learning learning moremore everyevery day. day. ThatThat is what is what they they do, they do, they learnlearn things, things, constantly. constantly. TheyThey claimclaim landland for our for little our little island island of knowledge of knowledge so that so that we can we have can have roomroom to breathe. to breathe. —Touching. —Touching.

—I remembered —I remembered the speech the speech you you gavegave me when me when you you triedtried to sell to me sell me this job this the jobfithe rst fi time rst time around. around. —You —You said said no. no.

—I did, —I but did,itbut was it awas good a good speech. speech. ThenThen I have I have a fewa paragraphs few paragraphs about about whatwhat we know, we know, mostly mostly about about whatwhat we don’t we don’t know. know. —What —What do we doknow? we know?

—Not —Not much. much. Here’s Here’s whatwhat I have. I have. We’ve We’ve only only had ahad fewa hours few hours to look to look at theatdata the data that’sthat’s available, available, and and our people our people haven’t haven’t beenbeen onsite onsite yet, so yet, this so is this what is what we know. we know. The fi The gurefigure in London in London is roughly is roughly ten feet ten taller feet taller thanthan Themis, Themis, and about and about 10 percent 10 percent moremore massive. massive. We’re We’re calling calling it Kronos. it Kronos. That’s That’s it. The it. rest The is rest conjecture. is conjecture. There There might might be nobeone no in one that in that big metal big metal man.man. It might It might be remotebe remotecontrolled, controlled, it might it might not even not even be a be robot; a robot; it hasn’t it hasn’t moved moved sincesince it ar-it arrived. rived. We feel We this feel this is rather is rather unlikely, unlikely, but it’s but not it’s something not something we can we can blindly blindly discard discard as anasoption. an option. There There might might also also be humans be humans in there. in there. ThatThat would would meanmean another another robotrobot was was buried buried somewhere somewhere and was and was dis- discovered covered by one by of one the ofnations the nations represented represented here here today. today. ThatThat also also seems seems unlikely unlikely but not but impossible. not impossible. Given Given whatwhat we know we know about about Themis, Themis, the most the most probable probable scenario scenario is is that that therethere are two are two or more or more alienalien pilotspilots on board, on board, and since and since the fithe gure figure in London in London lookslooks a hella of hella of lotalike lot Themis, like Themis, our working our working assumption assumption at this at point this point is that is that it was it was builtbuilt by the bysame the same race.race. ThatThat doesn’t doesn’t necesnecessarilysarily meanmean that that we are we dealing are dealing withwith the people the people whowho builtbuilt Themis. Themis. TheyThey left one left giant one giant robotrobot on this on planet, this planet, it stands it stands to reason to reason they they couldcould havehave donedone the same the same thingthing on another on another inhabited inhabited planet, planet, and and it might it might be these be these people people visiting visiting us. Like us. Like I said, I said, we don’t we don’t know know much. much.

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Assuming Assuming we are weinare fact in dealing fact dealing withwith aliens, aliens, they they might might be friendly. be friendly. TheyThey didn’t didn’t comecome out guns out guns blazing— blazing— that’sthat’s usually usually a good a good sign— sign— and and our current our current theory theory about about Themis Themis is that is that she was she was left here left here for us fortous to defend defend ourselves. ourselves. TheirTheir intent intent might might very very well well be hostile. be hostile. It would It would be be odd odd for afor foea to foegive to give us this us much this much timetime to prepare, to prepare, but its butpresence its presence might might be abe prelude a prelude to a to fulla scale full-scale invasion invasion or attack. or attack. Another Another very very reasonable reasonable explanation, explanation, the one the we’re one we’re leaning leaning towards, towards, is that is that they’re they’re still trying still trying to figure to figure us out. us out. TheyThey would would havehave no way no way to know to know whether whether we mean we mean themthem any harm any harm or how or how we’llwe’ll reactreact to their to their presence. presence. But enough But enough speculation. speculation. All I All canI offer can offer you right you right nownow is a lot is aoflot ifsof ifs and maybes. and maybes. I wasI was asked asked to come to come here here and make and make a recommendation. a recommendation. For now, For now, it’s ait’s very a very simple simple one: one: SendSend Themis Themis to England, to England, that that will will take take sevenseven or eight or eight days.days. Let my Let kids my kids do their do their job for jobanother for another weekweek and we’ll and we’ll reconvene. reconvene. In the Inmeantime, the meantime, I willI ask, will ask, implore implore all ofall you of to you to exercise exercise restraint restraint and and let this let process this process take take its course. its course. ThisThis is not is the not the timetime for impulsive for impulsive action, action, no matter no matter howhow tempting tempting it might it might be. be. That’s That’s it. That’s it. That’s my speech. my speech. Is that Is that longlong enough? enough? —It will —Itdo willjust do ﬁjust ne.ﬁne.

—Of— course, Of course, it didn’t it didn’t help help that that I hadI to had write to write a whole a whole new new one for onethe for the presspress corpscorps afterafter RoseRose lost her lost goddamn her goddamn mind. mind. —What —What did she did do? she do?

—You —You missed missed that?that? She went She went on television on television and told and told the whole the whole world world we shouldn’t we shouldn’t be involved. be involved. —Who —Who is we? is we?

—The —The EDC.EDC. She said She said sending sending Themis Themis would would be our be biggest our biggest mistake. mistake. I know I know you like you her, like her, but you but know you know she hasn’t she hasn’t beenbeen thinking thinking straight. straight. ThatThat girl isgirl hanging is hanging on by ona by really a really thin thin thread. thread. —She —has She been has been through through some some . . . unsettling . . . unsettling events. events.

—I get —Ithat. get that. WhatWhat I don’t I don’t get isget why is why you put you her putin her charge. in charge. She could She could havehave beenbeen on the on team the team without without running running the show, the show, you you know. know. She She doesn’t doesn’t like me likebecause me because I’m the I’mbig thebad big military, bad military, but what but what she’sshe’s doing doing reallyreally isn’t isn’t helping. helping. Sending Sending Themis Themis overover therethere is theis only the only way way I canI can buy buy somesome time.time. Without Without that,that, there’ll there’ll be troops be troops in Regent’s in Regent’s ParkPark by by morning, morning, and we andboth we both know know howhow that’ll that’ll end. end. —Let—me Let hear me hear it. it.

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—What? —What? —What —What you you prepared prepared for the for press the press corps. corps.

—Fine. —Fine. You You may may havehave heard heard the Head the Head of our of Science our Science Division, Division, Dr. Dr. RoseRose Franklin, Franklin, speak speak to the tomedia the media this morning. this morning. She had She ahad lotatolot say, to say, but, but, to summarize, to summarize, Dr. Franklin Dr. Franklin believes believes we should we should do nothing, do nothing, sendsend no one, no one, not even not even the EDC, the EDC, and hope and hope that that the robot the robot eventually eventually leaves leaves of itsofown its own accord. accord. Dr. Franklin Dr. Franklin is a brilliant is a brilliant scientist scientist and and she isshe ceris certainly tainly entitled entitled to her to opinion, her opinion, eveneven if sheif doesn’t she doesn’t speak speak for the forEDC. the EDC. As you As you may may know, know, Dr. Franklin Dr. Franklin was was almost almost killedkilled in aninaccident an accident in- involving volving Themis Themis in Colorado, in Colorado, and and I believe I believe the incident the incident has left has her left her unnecessarily unnecessarily cautious. cautious. While While I disagree I disagree withwith her conclusion, her conclusion, she did she did say asay lotamore lot more thanthan “we “we shouldn’t shouldn’t sendsend the EDC.” the EDC.” She made She made a fewa few goodgood points points this morning. this morning. We’re We’re making making first contact first contact withwith an alien an alien species. species. No matter No matter howhow it it goes,goes, this will this be willa be defianing defining moment moment in human in human history. history. We should We should all all stop stop for afor minute a minute and and realize realize howhow signifi signifi cant cant and and far-reaching far-reaching thesethese events events are. are. WithWith that that in mind, in mind, Dr. Franklin Dr. Franklin pointed pointed out that out that sending sending an aran armored mored division division and aand fewa thousand few thousand armed armed soldiers soldiers is probably is probably not the not the best best way way to make to make a good a good first fi impression. rst impression. I findI fi itnd hard it hard to disagree. to disagree. She did Shesuggest did suggest that that sending sending Themis Themis would would be anbeeven an even bigger bigger mis- mistake.take. Tanks Tanks and foot and foot soldiers soldiers might might be perceived be perceived as a as sign a sign of aggresof aggression,sion, but they but they would would mostmost likelylikely posepose no serious no serious threat threat to the torobot the robot if if it’s anything it’s anything like ours. like ours. Themis, Themis, on the onother the other hand, hand, couldcould possibly possibly give give ’em a’em runa for runtheir for their money. money. I believe I believe that that showing showing the aliens the aliens a familiar a familiar face face might might be a be good a good way way to open to open a dialogue, a dialogue, but there but there is anisarguan argumentment to betomade be made that that sending sending the only the only thingthing on this on Earth this Earth that that couldcould hurt hurt thesethese guysguys might might not be notsuch be such a great a great idea.idea. —Concise. —Concise. Decisive, Decisive, yet supportive. yet supportive. I likeI it. like Grab it. Grab youryour jacket. jacket. It is It is timetime to go. to go.

—Do—you Do remember you remember whatwhat you told you told me the mesecond the second timetime around around to get to get me to metake to take this job? this job? —I do. —I do.

—You —You said:said: “I found “I found you you a military a military post post where where you’ll you’ll nevernever havehave to to kill anyone kill anyone ever ever again.” again.” —I know. —I know. I still Iintend still intend to keep to keep that that promise. promise.

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FILEFILE NO.NO. 1416 1416 INTERVIEW INTERVIEW WITH WITH CAPTAIN CAPTAIN KARA KARA RESNIK, RESNIK, EARTH EARTH DEFENSE DEFENSE CORPS CORPS Location: Location: Somewhere Somewhere in the in the Atlantic Atlantic

—Good —Good morning, morning, Ms. Resnik. Ms. Resnik. I hope I hope I didI not did wake not wake you.you.

—Holy —Holy shit!shit! No! No! I justI got just out got of outthe ofshower. the shower. I wasI was running running laps laps on on top deck. top deck. WhyWhy doesdoes it feelit like feel we likehaven’t we haven’t talked talked in a decade? in a decade? —It has —It has beenbeen eighteight years years since since our last our last conversation. conversation. CanCan you you talk?talk?

—You —You meanmean can anyone can anyone hearhear me? me? I doubt I doubt it, Vincent’s it, Vincent’s still asleep still asleep in in his bunk. his bunk. —I meant —I meant are you are you busy? busy?

—I missed —I missed this. this. —What? —What?

—This! —This! — . .— . ...

—No, —No, I’m not I’m busy. not busy. I have I have timetime to talk. to talk. —Where —Where are you? are you?

—In— the Inmiddle the middle of the ofAtlantic, the Atlantic, but you but know you know that that already. already.

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—I meant —I meant on the on boat. the boat.

—In— our In our quarters. quarters. We have We have a little a little . . . It’s . . . like It’s like a very, a very, very very smallsmall apartment. apartment. We have We have a couch, a couch, a TV, a TV, kitchenette. kitchenette. —I am —Ipleased am pleased to hear to hear that that you are youcomfortable. are comfortable. I requested I requested some some amenities amenities when when the UN the acquired UN acquired youryour vessel. vessel. I know I know howhow much much you you disliked disliked the previous the previous one.one.

—Oh, —Oh, it’s night it’s night and and day, day, sir. The sir. The boatboat we took we took before before was was carrying carrying grain, grain, we were we were like stowaways. like stowaways. ThisThis one’sone’s beenbeen overhauled overhauled just for just for us. Itus. doesn’t It doesn’t do anything do anything else. else. We still We sleep still sleep in bunk in bunk bedsbeds though though I’m I’m not sure not sure why why that that is. How’ve is. How’ve you been? you been? I betIyou’re bet you’re bored bored out of out your of your mindmind without without us. us. —Believe —Believe it or it not, or not, therethere are things are things in the in world the world that that do not do revolve not revolve around around you.you. Not many, Not many, but enough but enough to keep to keep me reasonably me reasonably occuoccupied.pied.

—I was —I was just just asking asking howhow you you were.were. I haven’t I haven’t talked talked to you to you in eight in eight years! years! —You —You werewere asking asking about about my personal my personal life? life?

—God, —God, I missed I missed you!you! WhyWhy has ithas been it been this long, this long, though? though? I know I know you you talked talked to Dr. to Franklin Dr. Franklin a bunch a bunch of times. of times. —You —You and and Mr. Couture Mr. Couture appeared appeared to be todoing be doing well.well. I didI not did see not see the need. the need.

—You —You couldcould havehave said said “Hi”! “Hi”! —Chitchat —Chitchat requires requires some some formform of reciprocity, of reciprocity, which which I cannot I cannot offer.offer. But, But, as I as said, I said, I requested I requested some some amenities amenities when when the UN theacquired UN acquired youryour vessel. vessel.

—You —You meanmean you thought you thought of me of. me . . once. . . . once. SomeSome yearsyears ago. ago. —Exactly. —Exactly. WhatWhat was was it you it you called called me in me Puerto in Puerto Rico? Rico? All mush All mush in- inside?side? HowHow is Dr.isFranklin Dr. Franklin doing? doing?

—Well, —Well, you you know, know, you you spoke spoke to her. to her. She’sShe’s a little a little darker darker thanthan she she usedused to be. to Ibe. thought I thought it would it would go away go away afterafter a while, a while, but it’s but been it’s been nearly nearly a decade, a decade, so I think so I think that’sthat’s the new the new her. We her.still We get stillalong get along great, great, me and me and her, her, though. though. She She likeslikes Vincent Vincent too. too. Everyone Everyone else, else, not so not so much. much.

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SYLVAIN SYLVAIN NEUVEL NEUVEL

—She —has She been has been through through trauma. trauma. That That is to is betoexpected. be expected.

—You —You meanmean she died. she died. I know; I know; I wasI there. was there. I killed I killed her. Then her. Then she came she came backback four four yearsyears younger. younger. She never She never told told me how me how she came she came back.back. DoesDoes she know? she know? —She —does She does not. not.

—Do—you? Do you? —I do —Inot. do not.

—You —You wouldn’t wouldn’t tell me tellifme you if did. you did. —Probably —Probably not, not, but Ibut really I really do not do know. not know. And And to betoaccurate, be accurate, she she is only is only missing missing threethree years years of her of life. her She life. She was was dead dead for the for fourth the fourth one.one.

—Remind —Remind me never me never to come to come to you to for youreassurance. for reassurance. No wonder No wonder she’sshe’s not coping not coping well.well. I’m not I’m the not one the one whowho died died and and camecame backback and and I’m I’m freakedfreakedout. out. I mean, I mean, me and me Vincent and Vincent spentspent hours hours withwith her every her every day day before before she died. she died. WhoWho did we didspend we spend all that all that timetime with?with? —Dr.—Rose Dr. Rose Franklin. Franklin.

—Well, —Well, that that Dr. Franklin Dr. Franklin died.died. The The RoseRose Franklin Franklin we spend we spend timetime withwith nownow doesn’t doesn’t remember remember any of anyit.of it. —I realize —I realize howhow confusing confusing this is. this I am is. Ias ambewildered as bewildered by the bysituation the situation as you as you are. are. I willI provide will provide answers answers when when I have I have them. them. MayMay I inquire I inquire as toas the to status the status of your of your relationship relationship with with Mr. Couture? Mr. Couture?

—Have —Have you been you been watching watching us these us these past past few years? few years? —As— far Asas farI as know, I know, neither neither you you nor Mr. nor Couture Mr. Couture are under are under surveilsurveillance. lance.

—How —How nice.nice. I meant I meant on TV. on TV. Do you Do you eveneven know know whatwhat we’ve we’ve beenbeen doing? doing? You You weren’t weren’t kidding kidding whenwhen you you said said it would it would mostly mostly be pabe paradesrades and photo and photo ops. ops. We spend We spend a couple a couple hours hours a daya in day the inlab thetrying lab trying to learn to learn moremore about about Themis. Themis. That’s That’s ten, ten, fifteen fifteen hours hours a week a week tops,tops, and that’s and that’s whenwhen we’rewe’re in New in New York. York. When When we’rewe’re on tour, on tour, thenthen there’s there’s no research no research whatsoever. whatsoever. The rest The of rest the oftime the time is what is what you said you said it would it would be. There be. There aren’t aren’t manymany parades— parades— the logistics the logistics are just are insane, just insane, she deshe destroys stroys everything everything she steps she steps on, even on, even roads. roads. There There aren’t aren’t manymany citiescities willing willing to deal to deal withwith the expense the expense and the andsecurity— the security— but we butsure we sure take take a a

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lot oflotpictures. of pictures. Human Human interest, interest, mostly. mostly. We visit We visit schools, schools, hospitals; hospitals; children’s children’s hospitals hospitals are the are best. the best. Vincent’s Vincent’s greatgreat withwith kids.kids. He does He does the knee the knee thing, thing, that that helps, helps, but he’s but he’s reallyreally goodgood withwith them. them. We’re We’re a a circus circus act. act. —You —You mustmust hatehate every every minute minute of it. of it.

—You —You thinkthink I would, I would, right? right? But IBut don’t. I don’t. It’s aIt’s nice a nice routine. routine. We eat We eat well,well, hotelhotel rooms rooms are great. are great. Jenny Jenny takestakes goodgood care care of us.of us. —Who —Who is Jenny? is Jenny?

—The —tour The tour manager. manager. She handles She handles our bookings, our bookings, special special requests. requests. LikeLike I said, I said, we’rewe’re an act. an Iact. thought I thought I would I would quit quit afterafter a month a month whenwhen we we started, started, but I’m but sort I’m sort of enjoying of enjoying it. I’m it. horrible I’m horrible at it,atthough. it, though. TheyThey havehave to record to record my interviews my interviews in advance in advance or have or have someone someone readyready to to bleepbleep half half of what of what I say.I say. Vincent Vincent doesdoes mostmost of the of talking the talking now.now. I’m I’m not very not very goodgood withwith kids kids either. either. TheyThey havehave no sense no sense of irony of irony whatsowhatsoever.ever. I made I made a sick a sick kid cry kid once. cry once. She had She had leukemia, leukemia, I think, I think, and and I I mademade her cry. her cry. —I fail —Ito fail see to what see what you you ﬁnd ﬁ enjoyable. nd enjoyable.

—The —The P.R. P.R. part part is bad. is bad. If it Ifwere it were just just that,that, I . . .I It’s . . . what It’s what comes comes withwith it. We it. work We work a fewa hours few hours a day. a day. Jenny Jenny thinks thinks she’sshe’s overworking overworking us, but us, she butdoesn’t she doesn’t know know we used we used to pull to pull sixteensixteenhourhour shiftsshifts in Denin Denver. ver. HowHow do I do putI this? put this? We travel We travel together. together. We have We have lots of lotstime of time to to ourselves. ourselves. We haven’t We haven’t triedtried to kill to each kill each otherother yet. yet. I don’t I don’t know. know. It It feelsfeels ... ... —Normal? —Normal?

—Yeah. —Yeah. That.That. —Did —Did you you manage manage to keep to keep Mr. Couture Mr. Couture fromfrom proposing proposing all this all this time? time?

—I guess —I guess I did.I did. To be Tohonest, be honest, I haven’t I haven’t reallyreally beenbeen trying trying the past the past couple couple years. years. —What —What made made you you change change youryour mind? mind?

—Oh. —IOh. haven’t I haven’t changed changed my mind. my mind. I justI didn’t just didn’t feel the feelneed the need anymore. anymore. I think I think he’s he’s givengiven up on upme. on me. —Does —Does it bother it bother you?you?

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—Maybe —Maybe a little. a little. I guess I guess part part of me ofwas me was hoping hoping I would I would change change my my mind. mind. I know I know howhow muchmuch it matters it matters to him. to him. He should He should be with be with somesomeone one whowho wants wants kids kids as much as much as heasdoes. he does. I think I think he fihe nally finally realized realized that’sthat’s not me. not Anyway, me. Anyway, it doesn’t it doesn’t matter matter now.now. —What —What do you do you mean? mean?

—I don’t —I don’t know. know. We’re We’re goinggoing overover therethere to face to face that that alienalien robot. robot. We’re We’re . . . back. . . . back. I’m back. I’m back. That’s That’s howhow it feels it feels anyway. anyway. Am IAm a horriI a horrible person ble person for feeling for feeling that that way?way? —You —You are likely are likely on your on your wayway to a to quick a quick death death at the at hands the hands of a of a superior superior enemy, enemy, and and this somehow this somehow makes makes you you happy. happy. Horrible Horrible is is not the not ﬁthe rst word ﬁrst word that that comes comes to mind. to mind.

—Maybe —Maybe not happy, not happy, moremore . . . alive. . . . alive. I feelI more feel more like like myself myself thanthan I I havehave for afor while a while is what is what I’m trying I’m trying to say. to Maybe say. Maybe normal normal isn’t isn’t for me. for me. Maybe Maybe I wasI was trying trying to betosomething be something I’m not. I’m not. —I do —Inot dowish not wish to impede to impede youryour journey journey towards towards self-discovery, self-discovery, but but I amI reasonably am reasonably certain certain that that therethere are ways are ways of being of being yourself yourself that that do not do require not require a global a global crisis. crisis. Did you Did you consider consider the possibility the possibility that that you you might might simply simply be scared be scared at the at prospect the prospect of a of family? a family?

—Hmmm. —Hmmm. Let Let me think me think . . . No. . . . No. I haven’t I haven’t considered considered that.that. But But enough enough about about me. Let’s me. Let’s talk talk about about you .you . . Good! . . . Good! Now, Now, can you can tell you tell me anything me anything new new about about that that big alien big alien fellow? fellow? Dr. Franklin Dr. Franklin told told us us he’s he’s bigger bigger thanthan our girl, our girl, but that’s but that’s about about all we allknow. we know. —I just —I left justan leftEDC an EDC brieﬁbrieﬁ ng. Dr. ng.Franklin Dr. Franklin and and her team her team are still aregathstill gatheringering data. data. There There is nothing is nothing newnew to report. to report.

—Has —Has it moved? it moved? —It has —It not. has not. Its light Its light output output is also is also stable. stable. It does It does not appear not appear to beto be receiving receiving or emitting or emitting any any signal. signal.

—So— what So what are we aresupposed we supposed to do? to Just do? Just walkwalk up toup him to him and shake and shake his his big alien big alien hand? hand? —It might —It might be as besimple as simple as that. as that. For now, For now, you you will land will land at the atLondon the London Gateway Gateway Port Port and and assemble assemble in the in clearing the clearing behind behind it. There it. There you you will await will await instructions. instructions. Hopefully, Hopefully, we will we know will know moremore by then. by then. I do I do not wish not wish to appear to appear pessimistic, pessimistic, but Ibut would I would like to like know to know moremore about about youryour combatcombatreadiness readiness in the in event the event a conﬂ a conﬂ ict should ict should arise. arise. Dr. Dr.

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