Chapter 14
“Nine days”, Liao Si said to the assembled audience. “It was just nine days back when our friends landed their craft in Dali County – as planned”. Some small applause could be heard in the front of the audience, with a number of the Welcoming Committee members on the stage with Liao nodding their heads in pride.
“And today we are gathered to send our remaining volunteer colonists onto the ship that will begin their journey not just to their new home, but to a new opportunity for our proud nation.”, Liao continued, waving his arm in recognition of the 500 people sitting in seats to the right of the podium, all dressed in matching red comfort suits and red cotton shirts. “Today these brave volunteers will help establish a new frontier for the nation of China and will provide a shining example to the rest of the world on how to live sustainably, peacefully, and happily on our new planet.”
Louder applause started in the audience, with the people on the podium joining in this time. One of the volunteers sitting in the front row stood up, bowed to the podium, bowed to the audience and sat back down.
The Chair of the Welcoming Committee continued his speech, “Yesterday we saw the first group of our fellow citizens go to our friends craft and we are proud to say that every one of those 500 volunteers opted to remain on board and continue with the journey. Not a single other site has had that occur yet, and many of those deemed ready and reliable by other nations have, at the end, not been the appropriate choices for this most important mission. While each of these individuals will make their own decision tomorrow morning after having visited with our friends for the rest of today and overnight, I fully expect to see the same result from those volunteers gathered here today. They have gone through rigorous physical and mental evaluation to ensure the highest chance of success for us and for our friends hosting the voyage.”
“We have witnessed the care and the effort our friends are extending from their side to ensure a successful journey. The custom-built transfer craft that was assembled inside their lander and revealed in the amazing unveiling earlier today speaks to their intention of understanding us and creating methods and equipment that best suits our unique human needs. The discovery of the interstellar craft created from off-planet materials speaks to their desire to minimize any further harmful impact of using precious Earth-based resources for construction of equipment not to be used on Earth.”
“So it is with a proud sense of accomplishment with our achievements to date, a firm understanding of the strong bonds of care offered by our new friends, and a recognition of the benefit that awaits humanity by colonising a new planet, that I am pleased to make the following announcement. We have offered to work with our friends to support the continued transfer of up to 1,000 volunteers per week that wish to make a voyage to the new planet to aid in the growth of our colony there. And our friends have gladly accepted this offer and have agreed to support the movement of these volunteers to their desired new home with weekly transfers.”
“I personally do not understand the trepidation that leaders in other nations are taking towards our friends. Or the way those same leaders are ignoring the pleas of their people begging to be allowed to start a new, fresh life in a manner that can only benefit those of us remaining on Earth.” Liao turned to face the camera casting this speech. “I and the other Members of the Chinese Welcoming Committee urge those leaders to reconsider and follow the lead of China in listening to the voice of our people and support the transfer of additional volunteer colonists from your own countries as well.”
Turning towards the volunteers, Liao continued. “And for you, my fellow citizens, I give you my heartfelt gratitude for accepting the offer made by our friends, and for listening to your inner voice seeking your future adventures and the start of, if you will pardon my poor attempt at humor, a clean beginning.” Soft, and mostly fake, laughter could be heard. “You represent the fearless spirit, the sense of wonder, the hope for a brighter world, and the knowledge of self-readiness that can be found in all Chinese people. We look forward to the exciting reports you’ll be sending back to us of the wonderful opportunities that await those of us that will follow you to our new sister planet.” Again, loud applause rang out, the lead volunteer stood and bowed, and then motioned for the entire volunteer corps to rise. Like a well-trained military company, they stood, bowed in unison towards the podium, turned and bowed to the audience, and sat down again.
“Know that our hearts are with you and our minds will be thinking of you on your voyage and as you begin your new life. Of course, any of you that feel this trip is not best for you will be welcomed back to Chinese society where you will continue to help our great nation succeed in making this planet a better place to live every day.”
“May your journey be smooth and your future full of good fortune.” And with that, Liao Si left the podium and took his own seat.
A few other speakers stepped up to the podium to extol the virtues of the volunteers, the wisdom of establishing a new start on a new world, the multitude of ways in which modern Chinese society has prepared them for this opportunity, and hinting in no small way how China will be an exemplary leader on the new planet well beyond the role they currently held on Earth.
Finally, the Lead Volunteer was invited to the podium to speak. He thanked the previous speakers and the crowd for their kind words and well wishes, and reiterated how only in China would it be possible to be fully prepared for this once-in-humanity opportunity. He then went on about how the volunteers will be creating a welcoming place for future colonists and look forward to a day when the two planets will be sharing knowledge of how to make each world better to live in. He also emphasized how every volunteer would sincerely consider the opportunity ahead of them and their life on Earth and each will make their own informed decision about whether to continue on the trip or remain on Earth. With that, he invited the volunteers to stand and take their first steps towards an unimaginably bright future.
Liao Si and the others on the platform followed the Lead Volunteer down the platform steps, formed five columns and shook the hands of the volunteers as they left the assembly area and walked (almost marched) towards the alien craft.
After the volunteers had gone beyond the perimeter fence, Liao and the rest of the Welcoming Committee returned to their on-site command center for a staff meeting. Liao and the Central Committee Communication Liaison talked quietly in the corner, looking at the communication screen the Liaison held, before joining the rest of the group.
The Welcoming Committee stopped talking when Liao sat down at the table. “I believe that was a very well executed event, everyone. Thank you for organizing the ceremony, Bai. Who knew someone so good with technology had such a flair for the dramatic as well.” The Technology Sub-Chair smiled and nodded her acknowledgement of the recognition.
“At this point, we will reach a small lull in activities for the next day. We will suspend any direct activities at this site until the alien craft has successfully launched. Then we will begin processing the next batch of volunteers on site.”
“Before we proceed with section updates, I have some news to share from the Central Committee. Wei Yang, the head of the CNSA, has been dismissed from his position. The announcement indicates they are disappointed at his ability to make new discoveries relative to the aliens, in keeping with the success achieved by other national space agencies.” Liao looked up from his comm tablet. “I myself am embarrassed by the lack of success the CNSA has had in being the first to learn about the events unfolding at this time. We were beaten by the ESA in discovering the initial craft approaching Earth, by NASA in noticing the two follow-up ships, and again by the ESA yesterday in learning the aliens are building ships in the asteroid belt and moving two asteroids towards Earth. We simply cannot be seen to be trailing behind these other nations, and must do what is needed to take our place in front of and even controlling events that unfold. I personally will not allow our work to be seen as ‘second best’. It is critical we maintain a crisp level of efficiency as we proceed with our mission.”
“What will happen to Wei Yang?”, the Landing Site Sub-Chair asked.
“It is likely he will be one of the volunteers on an upcoming shipment to the new planet,” Liao responded.
“Ms. Peng, please proceed with your report”, the Welcoming Committee chair said as he turned to the Sub-Chair for Volunteer Identification and Selection.
“I’m happy to announce that enough volunteers were identified from the people interviewed for the first shipment that we have 80% of our quota for the second shipment already in the volunteer village,” Peng Zhongyun said proudly.
Liao spoke up. “Please remind the rest of the staff what are the requirements for our volunteers.”
Ms. Peng nodded and proceeded with the list: “Age between 23 and 34; no prior issues with disease or illness; no family of their own, children or spouse, specifically; all must be given and pass a genetic test, no matter what their medical monitoring bio-tag may report. We cannot have any non-mod volunteers, as this risks genetic contamination of our population on the new planet. We expect the majority of volunteers to be party members, and prefer ex-military personnel. Each volunteer will also be given mental and personality reviews, as we wish to maximize the propensity for following orders even in the absence of authority figures. And, finally, all volunteers will be expected to sign a loyalty oath to support the mission and further the cause of Chinese society and our Communist ideals.”
Many around the table nodded approvingly as she read this list, Liao noted, and he smiled as he thought he had done well in his committee sub-chair selections. “Landing site preparation and maintenance report, please, Mr. Luo”, Liao requested.
“Building on Ms. Peng’s comments, we have had thousands of people who actually want to be a part of the colonization movement showing up in the past week and there is difficulty in managing the crowds at the county periphery,” Luo Shen said in a somewhat complaining manner.
“Interview them, and bring in those that may make appropriate candidates,” the Committee Chair directed, “and use them to fill in the remaining 20% of the second shipment. We also want to keep the impression that we support the desire of the people with this work, and having stories of those who arrive looking for opportunity actually be selected will help in this message. Let us have a goal to fill one-fourth of subsequent shipments with those that meet the criteria.” Liao looked at two of the others at the table. “Technology & Volunteer Identification teams – can you screen for any non-mods on a fast enough scale?”
“Yes,” they answered in sequence.
“Excellent!”, Liao responded. “Materials and logistics report, please.”
Liu Ruiqing began, “We are ramping up local food storage for on-going activities and volunteer housing. Based on current activities, we will need to evacuate the rest of Pingminzhen to make room for the needed space for volunteers and additional staffing, as well as storage requirements for food and materials.”
“Do it,” Liao nodded.
Mr. Liu then asked, “We are building up a large amount of personal effects the volunteers bring with them and then have to leave behind.
Liao directed, “Don’t let them bring it with them when they are picked up from their homes. Anything that does arrive can be shipped back out on the transports used to bring in food, and can be incinerated in the same waste location that other trash is dealt with in the next county. As for those arriving and requesting to leave on the alien ships, ensure they don’t bring in any personal items past the county checkpoints.
Peng Shaoqi spoke up. “Are you sure we have enough staffing for our facility? We are beginning to experience burnout by using our existing workers so heavily.” The Staffing Sub-Chair turned to Liao Si and asked, “With your permission, Chairman Si, I propose we set up three shifts of workers and rotate people out for two weeks after having worked for two weeks.”
“That will easily triple the salary requirements!” exclaimed Mr. Liu, who was also in charge of managing the budget.
Liao interjected, “We’ve been given no limit to our actual budget at this point. I’ll worry about expenditures, you find the workers, Mr. Peng.” He turned to the next person around the table, “Monitoring report, please.”
“We are working closely with Technology to determine the contents of the landing craft. Drone, imaging, nano-bot and sonic evaluation methods are failing, as the structure of the composite material used on the hull of the craft is different than anything we’ve encountered before, and its density appears to be over eight times that of anything our technology is able to penetrate. We are working on possible implants into future volunteers to broadcast information, and will have two ‘plants’ in the week three volunteer batch who will be returning from the ship to report their findings. We have also sent agents to question returnees from other sites in the coming week.”
Liao nodded his approval. “Technology?”
Shen Bai said, “We are working closely with Monitoring.” and grinned ever so slightly. A few others at the table chuckled.
The Central Committee Liaison, who was not smiling, spoke up, “In case you haven’t heard, a number of Central Committee Members, including the Vice-Chair, will be here next week to send off the second batch of volunteers. It is important that we maintain a professional demeanor and set the example for all of our teams.”
Liao had worked with Chen Dehuai before, after the Tongchuan earthquake from two years ago, and had mixed feelings about him. He was very effective at keeping the proper amount of information flowing so that nothing was ever a surprise for the Central Committee, and he was very able to keep interruptions or unnecessary demands from the Central Committee from interrupting critical activities. However, with this mission, he felt the liaison was spending a lot of his time wandering about, talking to more people than Liao felt necessary, and likely sending numerous reports back that Liao had no idea what information was being shared. Even with that in mind, Liao knew that any request he made to the Central Committee had been granted without hesitation, and his personal communication with the National Vice-Chair who had oversight responsibilities for this site had been pleasant and the Vice-Chair had been very complementary of the results to date. So all that gave Liao Si more confidence in his position.
“I’m confident everyone in this room maintains a professional approach to their job each and every moment they are working with their staff,” Liao said, as he looked around the table at each of his Sub-Chair selections. “We are all looking forward to the visit from Vice-Chair Bian. Has he accepted our offer to stay with us the night before the departure of the transport craft?,” he asked the Central Committee Liaison.
“I’m afraid not,” Mr. Chen replied, sounding genuinely disappointed. “Vice-Chair Bian has a prior commitment the evening before that he cannot change.
“Well, we will be sure to maximize the value of the time he spends with us. Bai, can you arrange the events for launch day and our visitors?”
Shen Bai gave an excited nod.
Liao’s assistant, who had been sitting quietly next to him during the whole meeting, both taking notes and reviewing communication channels, leaned over to Liao, and pointed to her comm tablet with excitement.
Liao reviewed the message while everyone looked at him expectantly.
“Thank you, everyone. I must excuse myself now, but please continue with the schedule review and daily objective alignment. Mr. Chen, would you be kind enough to lead the remainder of today’s staff meeting?”, Liao asked the Central Committee Liaison, who solemnly nodded his agreement.
Chen Qing, who was Liao’s chief assistant, was also the backup to lead the Monitoring division, and was probably the most informed of anyone in the landing site activities. She reviewed the majority of the Welcoming Committee Chair’s messages, and, as the person to step in for the Sub-Chair of Monitoring, was aware of most of monitoring activities on site as well as those of the MSS, including message receipt and intercept with any alien craft, ships, or landers they could listen to.
In this instance, however, the message from the MSS was fairly vague. “Please contact MSS for an urgent message relayed from the alien orbiter.”
Liao and Qing returned to his office and established a secure communication line with MSS headquarters. After validation activities, they were talking directly with the National Head of MSS Operations.
“Good afternoon, Committee Chairman Si,” said Zhao Juizhang, from the other end of the comm screen. “I appreciate you responding to my message so quickly.”
“Absolutely, National Head Zhao. It’s always a pleasant opportunity to get to speak with you,” Liao replied. “How can I help you today?”
“We have a new message from aliens that I’m sure you will find interesting,” Mr. Zhao said. “Tomorrow the aliens have told us they will announce their expansion of landing sites from nine to eighty-one locations. They have asked if the Chinese government is interested in assisting with hosting additional sites. Without hesitation, we replied we would be most happy to assist them.” The National Head paused to let this message sink in.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity for our great nation,” Liao said quickly, realizing this was significant news on many levels. “How may I be of assistance to the Chinese people?”
“Thank you for offering your continued service, Mr. Si.”, Zhao Juizhang responded. “I and the majority of the Central Committee have seen how the Xian landing site has been a great success and source of pride for our nation. We feel the nation would benefit by having you be responsible for all Chinese sites.” Again, the Central Committee Member paused.
One of the traits that made Liao very effective at his job was his ability to quickly and calmly assess unexpected information. With what seemed like very little hesitation, he responded “I am honored by the confidence you have in my skills and the skills of my team. I would be happy to accept that responsibility.”
It was Mr. Zhao who appeared taken aback. “You don’t seem surprised by this news, Mr. Si. Nor have you asked for any additional details on the assignment, such as the number of sites, the number of people you will oversee, or any other details.”
“Please pardon my lack of humility, National Head Zhao,” Liao responded with a slight bow of his head. “A significant part of my former job is to anticipate the various ways in which a scenario may play out so as to best prepare for how an emergency could turn. If the aliens have a goal of removing enough people from Earth to reduce the perceived burden on this planet, then one of my thoughts is they will surely be looking to transfer more than nine-thousand people per week from the globe. Even if it is one-thousand people per day per site, one of the scenarios I imagined was an increase in the number of sites in order for them to meet their goal. So while I was not directly expecting this information from you, I would be lying if I said I am surprised by the news.”
Zhao Juizhang laughed and said with a smile “I will tell you that I was slightly hesitant with this decision, Mr. Si, but others on the Central Committee insisted you would make a good choice. I can now admit they were completely correct with their assessment, and am happy to say I am now fully supportive of having you in this position.”
Liao Si nodded towards the screen.
Mr. Zhao continued, “I would like for you to also develop a closer relationship with the Ministry for State Security. I feel it is important for you to stay in closer contact with the aliens. Perhaps you can establish a personal dialogue with them. We must continue to take advantage of having early access to alien decisions and …, help influence those decisions as much as ‘humanly possible’.” Zhao chuckled at his own joke.
“Of course, National Head Zhao. I will begin that effort today. And while I will fully read any additional details of the expansion details that will be delivered in the next MSS report, may I ask how many sites they are looking to place in China?”
“Six”, Zhao answered.
“And one final request, if I may. I would like to keep Ms. Qing as my assistant in this new role. She has proven to be invaluable to me here in Xian and her current connections with the MSS agency will help me strengthen the already positive relationship we have.”
“Of course, Mr. Si. You are responsible for the role, effective immediately, so you have full choice to request whomever you would like on your team. Submit the names of those whom you would like and we will quickly reply with our answers. We would also like your assessment of which locations to use for the remaining six sites by noon tomorrow. We would like to finalize that decision so we can announce the final selections as soon as the aliens have shared their plans to expand their operations. The full MSS report of the conversation with the alien ship and additional expectations from the Central Committee should be arriving in your possession within the next hour.”, Zhao said with a tone that indicated their conversation was ending.
“Thank you again for your vote of confidence, National Head Zhao. We will show the world how China is a leader today on Earth and into the future on our new planet.” Liao Si said as he stood and bowed towards the screen.
Zhao Juizhang nodded, reached towards his desk, and ended the communication.
Liao turned to his assistant, who was looking a bit overwhelmed by the conversation that just concluded, and said “I think you had better make plans for a move to Beijing, Ms. Qing. Pack what you will need for a few days, and I’ll have arrangements made to move the rest of your items within the week. Tomorrow I would like for us to visit your friends at MSS headquarters so you can help introduce me to the appropriate people. And you should consider who you would like as your own assistant and what sort of staff you will have for your own needs. I’m not going to afford you looking at comm screens all the time like you do today.”
And with that, Liao walked out of his office, already jotting down notes of who else he was going to ask to help him with his new mission.