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  The expression on Ryan's face changed, his burdened shoulders lifted and the futility drained from his face. His feeble plan was becoming more possible as he repaired the many loopholes it contained. Finally a mature plan was born within the confines of his brain. His lust for revenge pushed his determination to a point that crushed all futility from his soul.

  "We'll build an army mightier than Zardon's, and when he comes we will crush him like he did my world. We can't use the living because any interference with them could be hazardous to the future, but we can use the dead!"

  Charlie was so horrified that all he could come up with was the single word. "What?!"

  "On board the Eagle is the complete data from the general records computer on Carillia. Amongst those are the complete records of every death ever recorded, and with the accuracy of this age, knowing where and when someone would die would be easy to determine...." Ryan was getting excited like his father when a plan was unfolding. "....Just before they go we beam them up to the Eagle. We would have to screen them prior, we can't pick up just anyone. They would have to be trustworthy and reliable. Also death by accident rather than by illness would be preferable."

  "You can't be serious?" Charlie felt the plan was getting crazier by the minute, but then nothing seemed sane anymore.

  "I am very serious. Look it can work. It must work, there is no other way."

  "What if they refuse to help, what then?"

  "I haven't solved that part yet. I suppose the only solution is to kill them if they don't want to help."

  "They will be really impressed when they find out that you saved their life only to have to rub them out."

  "Well it will increase the chances of their approval."

  "An offer they can't refuse. Hell, it worked for the Mafia, why not us? At least it’s for a good cause."

  "What is the Mafia?"

  "I'll explain some other time." Charlie sat down next to him and put his hand on Ryan's shoulder. "I was always a sucker for a hard luck story. I will help in any way I can. Besides, this sounds much more exciting than fishing."

  "Thank you Charlie." His burden seemed to lighten a little with the knowledge of Charlie's aid. "There is still one other problem. To get this all started I need more than your help. Is there anyone that can be trusted to provide an initial large source of manpower and keep it a secret, won't ask too many questions, and when I have finished with them will leave no trace of their services?"

  Charlie sat back in the chair racked his brain for an answer. "That is almost impossible to achieve. To use a large work force and to leave no trace?" He contemplated for a short while and an idea came to mind. "The army could be a solution, but there is no use going to the Australian Government for help. They leek information out like a sieve. But the American Government has kept some very good secrets for many years, you could try them."

  "Are they a big country?"

  "Son, the United States of America is one of the most powerful countries in the world, and has more secrets than you can poke a stick at."

  "What is the name of their leader?"

  "The President, Mr Ronald Reagan. He lives in a building called the White House in the state of Washington D.C."

  Ryan stood up and said. "Excuse me Charlie, I have an appointment with the President of the United States of America."

  "He is a very important man Ryan, you can't just walk into the White House without an appointment."

  "I won’t need an appointment." He turned then walked out the door.

  ********************

  In the lavishly furnished office of the President of the United States, Mr. Ronald Reagan and the Secretary for Defence were having morning tea. They sat in an antique lounge setting situated in the corner of the large room. They were currently in idle conversation when a long narrow light formed in the room before them. The light expanded to one metre in width, and in the centre formed a humanoid body. Within a few heartbeats the light had disappeared leaving a figure clad in dark grey armour. The light from the opposing window shone onto the suit and the resulting reflection made the highlighted surface appear white. The surfaces that were subjected to very little illumination, appeared almost black.

  The Secretary was first to react. He jumped from the lounge and shouted, "What is the meaning of this. Who do you think you are?! The individual’s magical appearance baffled the Secretary, though he did his best to conceal it. If there was one thing he learnt from years in the military, was to show no fear.

  The President secretively reached around to the underside of the lounge arm and pressed a hidden button.

  The figure did not reply to the Secretary's question, instead it reached for what looked like a belt around its armoured waist, and removed a black coloured sphere. It held the sphere out in its left hand and pressed a small button on the topside of the sphere. A transparent ball materialised around the hand held object and grew in size until it engulfed most of the office. As the transparent wall passed through the President and the Secretary, they felt a strange tingling sensation that sent a shiver down their spins.

  The Secretary removed a revolver from his chest pocket, then pumped the entire cartridge into the armoured figure. Bullets ricocheted off the armoured suit like tiny rubber balls off a wall. The dark figure stood firm oblivious to the assault. It released the button and the transparent wall appeared to solidify to a glass like state, then let go of the device. It remained in the centre of the room as if it were held up by an in perceivable pillar.

  Three armed guards stormed into the room and ran straight into a clear wall. The first guard struck the wall so hard that he fell unconscious to the floor. As soon as they recovered from the unexpected impact, they fired at the wall sending bullets in all directions. Moments later they realised the futility of the attack and lowered their pistols.

  The President finally spoke. "It would appear that you have us at a disadvantage!"

  "I mean you know harm, the force field is only a precautionary measure."

  The Secretary looked about at the unusual phenomenon about them.

  "Who are you and what are you doing here." Mr. Reagan said calmly.

  "I am from the future and have come to the past to save Earth."

  "Save it from what?"

  "Earth will be attacked by a lethal force of aliens."

  The two looked at each other in disbelief.

  "When will this attack occur?" The President wasn't sure if this was a hoax or the real thing, despite the amazing performance the individual had given.

  "In the year nineteen ninety five!"

  "You're a bit early aren’t you?" The Secretary said with a smile. He was far more pessimistic.

  "I am alone in this quest and am here to seek your aid." Ryan was reluctant to give out too much information.

  The secretary continued his sceptical interrogation. "Are you human?"

  "Yes."

  "Then why do you keep your face concealed?"

  "I wish my identity to remain anonymous for reasons you would not understand."

  "Your presence here is not enough to convince us that your claims are real. May be you could show us your spaceship?" The Secretary felt sure that would call the bluff of this charlatan.

  "If that will persuade you?"

  "I think that would convince us. Do you think so Mr. President?"

  "Yes, that would be enough."

  Ryan lifted his left arm to his face and whispered into a small mike attached to his wrist. "Beam us up, Lucy."

  The three individuals that occupied the office were engulfed in white light and quickly dissipated into the air. Left behind was the unusual sphere that continued to generate the force field.

  ********************

  In the matter transporter, three disks of light increased in brightness to a point that was almost blinding as three figures materialised. Two were dressed in twentieth century suits and one in dark armour.

  The Secretary of Defence caught the President a
s his senses lost control from the sudden change of environment.

  "The vertigo will recede quickly." Ryan stated. "You can step out of the matter transporter." He motioned them towards the centre of the room.

  They gazed around the interior of the Eagle and marvelled at the technology surrounding them. The Secretary no longer wore a smile of amusement upon his face.

  The President spoke first. "I feel like I've walked onto the set of a Star Trek movie!"

  "This is phenomenal, I would never had believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes." The Secretary looked out a porthole on the far wall and saw the Earth below. "My God where in space! How far up are we?"

  "Five hundred kilometres."

  "Why aren’t we floating around?"

  "The ship can generate an artificial gravity."

  "Amazing!" The President was totally astounded. "You say you are from the future, what time exactly?"

  "The thirty first century!"

  The President was trying to come to grips with situation. "Astounding! This technology is simply astounding, the knowledge you possess must be incredible."

  "Are you convinced?"

  They answered simultaneously. "YES, YES."

  The President asked. "What is it that you want?"

  "I need five thousand reliable men. No scientists, just normal foot soldiers."

  "What for?"

  "To help me build an army that will intersect and repel the aliens."

  "Why soldiers?" The Secretary was curious.

  "The people of this time are not ready for this technology, and I need men who can take orders and not ask questions. I require their services for only twelve months."

  "But you said you were building an army. Are there others like you coming?" Asked the Secretary.

  "No."

  "Since you are the only one of your kind here, where will you get the other people?"

  "That does not concern you."

  "Why are you the only one here?" Inquired the President.

  "That does not concern you either."

  "Doesn't wish to divulge much does he?!" The Secretary was getting annoyed.

  "Mr. President, for your aid I am willing to help you with any single problem your country is now burdened with." Ryan was putting himself out on a limb, but he had a pretty good idea on what aid the President would choose.

  The Secretary cornered Mr. Reagan. "Be very careful in your decision Mr. President. An opportunity like this comes once in a lifetime. You could ask for the cure for cancer, or a new economic structure that would bring the United States out of recession. Please, on behalf of your advisers, make a wise decision!"

  The President thought carefully about his options. Prior to this he never made a decision without the aid of his advisers. Now he was by himself with the biggest decision of his career. But the answer was obvious. "Our country has been at cold war with the U.S.S.R. for the past forty years. Our country wastes billions on defending borders where no battle is ever fought, meanwhile the homeless remain without a roof over their heads and millions are without employment. The continual threat of nuclear annihilation has afflicted the world for too long, and I ask you to diffuse the cold war so the world can live in peace." Mr. Reagan looked straight into cold dark helmet for an answer.

  The Secretary for Defence gaped at the President as the repercussions of his choice sank in. "There goes the defence budget!"

  "You have chosen well." Ryan expected such a request from the President. After examining the political issues of this age, the threat of nuclear war was the pinnacle of concern for the President. But little did he know that in five years the Russian communist empire would collapse. This way he could answer the request without changing history at any great margin. It was a gamble that paid off. "There is one other thing I ask. All that you have seen here and the task I require is to be struck from all records and never to be divulged to another living soul."

  The President stuck out his hand. "You have a deal!"

  The two shook hands and formed the first bargain between the present and the future.

  CHAPTER FOUR - THE GATHERING

  DATE - DECEMBER 21ST 1986 TIME - 2.30 PM

  LOCATION - SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

  Adam Moore pulled back on the joy stick causing the Cessna to instigate a sharp climb. The aircraft's engine groaned and lost revs as it performed the loop-the-loop. He levelled out the aircraft and contemplated his next aerial manoeuvre. Adam was eighteen and had one great passion in life - flying. Without his father's permission, he had taken the Cessna for a joy ride from an air field, three kilometres from their home. Adam was never allowed to fly without his Dad because he had no licence and he never let Adam perform the stunt manoeuvres he enjoyed so much - Dad was such a square! His father had great hopes for Adam. His natural gift for flying was amazing, he could perform manoeuvres as well as any great stunt his Dad knew. Though that was no reason for allowing him to do such stunts until he had passed his flying test and became a qualified pilot. But Adam couldn't wait that long. He told his father that he was going to his friend's place for the day while his father was stuck at home painting, and he had the perfect opportunity to take the plane for a spin.

  Adam pushed forward this time on the joy stick and drove the aircraft towards the ground. The speedometer increased to three hundred knots and open countryside rushed up at the windscreen. When the altimeter read four hundred feet, he pulled at the joy stick and levelled out the Cessna. Suddenly the windscreen was smeared in blood and feathers. The force of impact cracked the glass before him and the engine noise that echoed through the cockpit went silent. Adam fought with the controls to complete the levelling off but to no avail. The Cessna plummeted towards the field below. As the altimeter read fifty feet, the cockpit became illuminated by an unknown light source. His whole body tingled and the scene around him vanished.

  After a second of darkness, light re-illuminated his sight as a totally different view came into vision. A strange white room with bazaar fixtures was presented to his eyes. Adam stepped off the unusual apparatus into the room and looked about his new environment. A strange whistling sound confronted his ears and he turned to the lavishly furnished end to locate the source. A seat with its back to him shot from the ceiling to the floor, then slowly rotated to reveal the individual who occupied it. Adam gazed at the armour-clad occupant as fear entered his mind. He had seen many science fiction movies and concluded that he was in a spaceship and this was its pilot. What reason this creature wanted him for, Adam could only guess.

  "Do not be afraid. I mean you no harm."

  "Who are you? What are you?"

  "I am from the future and have come to save the past."

  "Are you human?"

  Ryan laughed, "Yes of course."

  "Then why do you hide your face behind a helmet?"

  "Sorry, but I wish to remain faceless until we come to an agreement."

  "Thank you for saving my life."

  "Don't thank me just yet." Adam became more concerned about this masked individual's purpose. Ryan continued. "As far as the world below is concerned, you are now dead. You can never return or see any of your family again."

  "Never, but why?"

  "If you return, the effects on the balance of time could be catastrophic. I am risking a great deal in keeping you alive."

  "Then why did you?"

  "I have saved your life because I am building an army to fight an alien force that will attack Earth. I want you to join that army."

  "How could I be of any use, I am only a kid?"

  "First of all, you have an extraordinary talent for flying. I also have such a gift and with the right training, you too could become a great starfighter pilot. Secondly, the battle won't happen for quite a few years, so you won't be a kid then."

  The word ‘pilot’ particularly caught Adam's attention. "Are you saying that I can fly a real spaceship?"

  "The most advanced spaceships ever created by man. They can travel fast
er than the speed of light and manoeuvre in ways you could only dream of."

  "Sounds great." There was a distinct lack of enthusiasm in his reply. The great loss of his family and friends came down on him like a mighty blow. There must be an alternative. "What if I refuse?" He said with great caution.

  "Then I will have to return you to the world as you left it - DEAD!"

  "That's not fair, how could you do this to me? Now I'll never see my Mum and Dad again! How could you make an eighteen year old kid make such a decision?"

  "I am sorry, I wish there was another way. Think of it like this – it’s a chance at a new life, a life full of wonder and excitement. Though it will be dangerous. The Aliens that you shall battle against are experts in warfare. But you will have the finest training in the galaxy and when I have finished with you, you will be able conquer ten of their best pilots.

  "No, I can't imagine life without my family and friends."

  "Then you decline my offer?"

  "NO, No. Oh I don't know. No more family, why is it so hard to decide? But I don't want to die."

  "Then say yes!"

  Adam scrutinized the offer as he paced back and forth. After a while he stopped pacing as he came to the only sensible conclusion. "All right then, you've got yourself a pilot." He stuck his hand out for Ryan to shake.

  Ryan stood up walked over to Adam. Then removed his helmet. When Adam saw the typical features of a man in his mid twenties, he was greatly relieved - at least he was human. The idea of meeting an alien sounds great until you’ve confronted by one.

  "Welcome to INTERSECT!"

  The two shook hands.

  ********************

  DATE - JANUARY 12TH 1987 TIME - 10:30 PM

  LOCATION - SOUTH LONDON

  Sarah Everley locked the door to the video store where she worked, then proceeded to walk to her car that was parked around the corner. In her twenty one year old hands she carried her purse and some other personal belongings. Her high heel shoes clicked on the stone pavement as her wavy shoulder length blond hair swung from side to side. Sarah’s hazel coloured eyes stared at the damp footpath before her when she turned the corner then preceded to her car. The mini minor that Sarah headed for was parked five cars away in front of a black Bedford van. As she passed the open side door of the van, four brawny arms appeared and pulled at her blond hair, arms and slim waist until she was entirely within the back of the vehicle. With a screech of tyres the van sped off down the narrow ally.