The Doomsday Conspiracy   ::   Sheldon Sidney

In the mothership, floating high above earth, there was great joy. All the lights on the panels were flashing green.

We have found her!

We must hurry.

The huge ship started to hurl itself toward the planet far below.

For a single instant, time was frozen, and then it shattered into a thousand pieces. Robert watched, stunned, as Susan stepped out of the helicopter. She stood there for a second, and then started toward Robert, but Monte Banks who was right behind her, grabbed her and held her back.

“Run, Robert! Run! They’re going to kill you!”

Robert took a step toward her, and at that moment, General Milliard and Colonel Frank Johnson stepped out of the helicopter.

General Milliard said, “I’m here, Commander. I’ve kept my part of the bargain.” He walked over to Robert and the woman in white. “I assume this is the eleventh witness. The missing alien. I’m sure we’ll find her very interesting. So it’s finally finished.”

“Not yet. You said you would bring Janus.”

“Oh, yes. Janus insisted on coming to see you.”

Robert turned toward the helicopter. Admiral Whittaker was standing in the doorway.

“You asked to see me, Robert?”

Robert stared at him, unbelievingly, and there was a red film before his eyes. It was as though his world had collapsed. “No! Why …? Why in God’s name?”

The Admiral was moving toward him. “You don’t understand, do you? You never did. You’re worried about a few meaningless lives. We’re worried about saving our world. This earth belongs to us, to do with as we please.”

He turned to stare at the woman in white. “If you creatures want war, you’re going to get war. And we’ll beat you!” He turned back to Robert. “You betrayed me. You were my son. I let you take Edward’s place. I gave you a chance to serve your country. And how did you repay me? You came whining to me to let you stay home so you could be with your wife.” His voice was filled with contempt. “No son of mine would ever do that. I should have seen then how distorted your values were.”

Robert stood there, immobile, too shocked to speak.

“I broke up your marriage because I still had faith in you, but …”

“You broke up my …?”

“Remember when the CIA sent you after the Fox? I arranged that. I hoped it would bring you to your senses. You failed because there was no Fox. I thought I had straightened you out, that you were one of us. And then you told me you were going to quit the Agency.