The Callers by Michael McDonnell

Author:Michael McDonnell [McDonnell, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical fiction, Political Fiction, Science Fiction
Publisher: Entanglement Press LLC
Published: 2021-03-13T22:00:00+00:00

_ CHAPTER 25

Casey never met Ben for lunch that week. As far as Ben could tell, he hadn’t been in the office either, which was fine. Doing pinch-hitting with Timmy and his old group was really okay, as far as Ben was concerned. He relished the normal, the clarity of his old routines. The meeting with the Callers, with the President and the Secretary of State, seemed now to take on a sepia tone, even though it had only been a few weeks before. Maybe the Callers – the aliens – would decamp soon, Ben often thought to himself, making life that much less complicated for the United States, the world – and him. Ben surprised himself that he actually wanted such a resolution, such closure, or that at least part of him did.

He was thrilled to be in Casey’s confidence – in the Callers’ confidence as well, for that matter. He was proud, even though such knowledge as he had could not be shared with anyone. Ben knew this and appreciated it. He also drew some satisfaction, deep satisfaction, that by working with Casey he was doing good work, God’s work – a mitzvah, as his dad might say when commenting on good deeds done. Ben was part of a great effort – from Nixon and now to President Rasmussen – almost sacred for humanity. Ben would smile at his own grandiosity, but still felt it – the sacred satisfaction to be part of this conversation with something or someone from parts unknown. That was one side of it for Ben, but there was also something dreadful. He felt the instinctual vein of unease that ran through his consciousness and his thoughts about the Callers. It was a basic misgiving that he couldn’t, and didn’t want to, shake. Thoughts of the Callers closing their book on activity with humanity acted like a palliative, relieving Ben’s mind, masking that unease he felt. The little human settlement would then be left alone, untouched, floating – if not, perhaps, so serenely – in the deep cosmic expanse. Part of Ben hoped for this, the other part told him to just relax about it.

_

“Man, I love time off!” cried Brenda, eyes wide and colorful.

She and Ben were seated at a café table in historic Charleston. On the spur of the moment, they’d decided to take a long weekend trip. Charleston was close by, and Brenda had managed to call in a marker or two to get some time away from Bloomberg. For Ben, there was no problem in getting away from the office. Another week had passed by and although his interactions with Casey were pleasant, everything was pretty cursory. Casey had been smiling and amenable about Ben’s request, ribbed him about getting away somewhere with his “girlfriend”. Of course, Timmy was ready with the green light, being the co-conspirator with Carole to cinch the Ben and Brenda union. Matrix reporting thus taken care of, Ben could go. Brenda had made all the arrangements – airfares, reservations made at a boutique hotel.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.