Adopted Son Read online

  Nick:Oh God no. This is playing right into their hands. Loyalty oaths and concentration camps! If you put these children in concentration camps of course they are going to rebel. They are going to feel less and less human. The more resentment that is shown towards them, the quicker they will give up on their forefathers. They must be embraced, made to feel that they are natural members of our civilization. That’s the only hope we have left.

  Richard:Until a cure for the virus is found of course.

  Nick:More like if a cure is found. The so-called ‘Senate Panel for HS Research’ is spending all of their money on scientific research. No one is prepared to address the social problems of this thing. And they are just getting worse and worse. The number of HS cases in this country is rising rapidly. In a few years it may become too late to reverse the effects. One day we are going to have to answer for how we treat these children of ours. And not a dime is being spent on that issue today.

  Richard:Unlike you Dr. Boyd, I have faith in our medical community. I am sure that a cure for this virus will be found. Once that happens the human population will be vaccinated against this threat. At the current rate of infection, my models predict an alien population of two to three percent maximum by the time the cure is found. While significant, that does not represent a level high enough to present a serious disruption to American society. We should take the example of those African countries that are quarantining all aliens from birth. Those countries have a much lower infection rate than here in the U.S. where we allow those people to walk among us like normal human beings.

  Nick:They’re committing genocide over there! Thousands are being murdered every day!

  Carlos:Well, I hate cut off this fascinating discussion, but we’ve just got to go to commercial. We’ll be back with more of Dr. Nicholas Boyd and Dr. Richard Violin on Pundits!

  Fade to black.

  Farmland outside of Monmouth, NJ. Eight months after Bill Potter took the oath of office.

  “I’m not sure about this speech Ron. I wish that you would have given me a copy before now.”

  “Don’t worry about the speech. It’ll go over great. Just trust me.”

  “It seems a bit... well, a bit extreme is all.” Ray flips past some of the pages. “The people elected Bill and I because they thought we would deal with this HS problem. The first part is great, but it starts to get pretty far out near the end. Some of the stuff in this speech is just going to cause panic.”

  “Look, who’s the speech writer here, you or me?”

  “You’re not a speech writer, you’re the Chief of Staff Ron.”

  “I know, and how did I get that position? I was the one who ran Bill’s campaign. I approved all of his campaign speeches. I’m telling you, don’t worry about this. No one is going to take everything you say seriously anyway. They expect you to be alarmist. They expect you to be way over the edge.” He poked a finger at the speech. “Very little of this is going to actually happen. There are enough people opposed in Congress to keep all this wrapped up in committee. All you’re going to do is rouse people up a little. The more excited they start to get, the more they’ll appreciate you. Trust me.” Ron Willins smiled with his perfectly white teeth. A cheer can be heard from outside of the limo. “Listen to them out there Ray. They’re chanting for you. You’re on, it’s too late to fix the speech.”

  Ray opens the door and begins to step outside. “I’m going to give this speech Ron, but we’re going to talk about this more when I get back. I want to approve these speeches at least a day beforehand from now on. I’m the freaking Vice-President, I should have some say in what I’m telling people.”

  Two Secret Service agents in dark suits wait patiently as Ray steps out of the limo. A path is cleared for him. About three hundred people have shown up here today, along with some news media. Standing at the front of the crowd is the Governor of New Jersey and a Catholic priest. Behind them are some hangers on and staffers. To the left is a small gallery of children, all HS positive. They stand meekly, wary of the attention. Some in the crowd carry signs that denounce the children as aliens, or invaders, or worse. Police have combed the crowd and taken away some of the more offensive signs, this will be televised of course, but perhaps in order not to antagonize the crowd, perhaps because the police have some of the same feelings, or perhaps on the advice of the Chief of Staff, some of the signs and banners remain.

  The Vice President steps up to the Governor and shakes his hand. He places the speech on a thin podium. There isn’t much wind today, so it’ll be ok to read from notes. A staffer steps up and hands Ray a chrome plated shovel. Ray holds up the shovel and leans in to the microphone. The crowd grows silent in anticipation.

  “Citizens of New Jersey,” he begins. “Today is a great day. I have come here with Governor Peterson to break ground on the first of what I hope will be many new facilities that will be built as part of our new initiative against HS. As you certainly must know, the Senate panel on HS has handed us three recommendations, a three-pronged approach to fighting this terrible and debilitating disease. The first and most important prong is to develop a vaccine, a cure for this plague that has been thrust upon us. The second prong is prevention. Millions of federal dollars are now being distributed to the states to start testing campaigns. People who have been infected with the virus will soon know, and will be able to decide for themselves whether or not to bring another HS child into this world. This identification program alone is predicted to lower the number of HS positive births in the U.S. by a factor of two to three.” A cheer comes for the crowd. Ray takes the opportunity to clear his throat.

  “But I’m not here today to talk about those two programs. I’m here to talk about the third prong of our war against HS, and that is convalescence. As the number of HS cases has grown, so has the hardship on America’s families. Raising a child in the best of times is a difficult and time consuming effort, but when the added pressure of raising an infant with this terrible disease... well, it’s just more than some people can bear. The incidence of abandoned children in our country is reaching epidemic proportions. Not less than 25,000 HS positive infants have been abandoned this year alone. And the number is growing. It is understandable that certain people would not want to raise such a child. There is fear of an alien invasion and what these children might become. There is a decreased maternal bond since the child is not the true progeny of the parent. There is fear of possible reprisals by the community. And there is fear of violence from that community. I can’t tell you how many reports of violence against HS children and their families have reached my ears. And that is sad. Sad that we as a people can’t conduct ourselves with more decorum. Let it be said that the government will not under any circumstances condone vigilantism of this nature.”

  “But of course, we can’t be everywhere, the police can’t be everywhere, family counselors can’t be everywhere. And that is why I have sent forth legislation which has resulted in the construction of this new orphanage. Here, out in the countryside, away from the general populace. Here, at these houses of love, HS children will feel accepted. They will get to play with other children suffering from the same disease. They won’t have to feel like outcasts, strangers, freaks. They will get the acceptance and the education that they need to survive. They’ll also be safe. Safe from vigilantes, safe from criminals who would exploit them. Safe from parents who don’t have the strength to provide the increased amounts of love that they need and deserve.”

  “And although we call this an ‘orphanage,’ it is more than that. Call it a ‘sanitarium.’ It is my vision that this place will not just be used to house those children that have been abandoned by their parents, but will also be a place of healing. Psychologists will be on hand to ensure that every child grows up loving America. Research scientists will be on hand to care for the unique health issues that HS brings with it. They will examine these children in hopes of reversing the disease and its spread. The children that will grow up here wi
ll provide an invaluable service to humanity, even if they aren’t human themselves. They will be treated with the utmost care, and with full oversight by both the American Medical Research Ethics Board and the Senate Panel on HS.”

  “It is my belief that this building, and those like it, will become a beacon of hope. I believe that in the future, parents will not abandon their children on the streets. They will take them to this place lovingly. They will know that the United States does care about these children, that this government will not turn a deaf ear to your problems. It is my vision that parents will one day see that placing their child in a facility such as this will be superior, yes superior, to raising the child in their home.”

  “I’m excited about the future. I hope you are too. Now, let’s get this show on the road!” A cheer comes from the crowd. Ray reaches down with his shovel and digs the ceremonial first shovelful of dirt.

  In the background, the children stand shoulder to shoulder. They watch and listen as the Vice President speaks about their new home. One small child stirs. He looks about, fidgity. There are an awful lot of policemen behind him. Some in the crowd are holding signs. Enoch can’t read very well just yet, but he does get the message. A lot of the people in the crowd seem mad at him. He wonders what he has done. He’s always tried to do what the Father has taught him. He tugs at the sleeve of the boy next to him. Franklin is like a big brother to him. He is much older and smarter. “Franklin, Franklin. What’s happening? Why is everyone mad at me? What are they saying?”

  Franklin continues to glare straight ahead. He is older than his small roommate. He was there when the mob attacked Father Blythe. He knows exactly what the Vice President is talking about. He balls his fists in frustration but remains silent.

  Four months after the Dallas Orphanage for HS Research opens its doors. The Watley family residence, Tyler, TX

  Lorraine watched the wisps of steam rise from the coffee mug. “Well, maybe you should just think about it, that’s all I’m saying that’s all. It’s an... option you know?” said Joyce in her deep booming voice.

  “I don’t know Joyce, I don’t think so.”

  “Hey, I know how you feel, heaven help the person who suggests that I give up any of my kids. I love those darlings to death, even though they’re such a pain in the...” Something made of glass crashed in the living room. Joyce didn’t even get up. “Of course on the other hand, maybe you’re the lucky one.” She turned her head to the kitchen door. “Don’t make me come in there!” she shouted.

  A disembodied, “Sorry Mom,” came from the living room, followed by a second child’s voice, “It’s Tim’s fault. I didn’t do it.” “That’s a lie.” Then another crash. Finally, the sound of one boy chasing the other out into the yard followed closely by a slamming door.

  “Sometimes I wish I’d only had one kid Lorraine. With one you always know who broke it.” She tried to smile. Lorraine was still stuck on the previous subject.

  “I mean, it would make things a lot easier, but I don’t know if I could give him up like that. It don’t seem right, you know? Plus, he’s almost 12 years old now. I don’t think he’d adjust well. Those camps are for little kids. Jim’s too much part of our family.”

  Joyce snapped back to the conversation. “It ain’t like you’re going to be giving him up for good. It’s sort of like boarding school. He’ll just be going to Dallas that’s all. You could visit him every weekend if you want.”

  “It just don’t seem right Joyce. Sure Jim’s got his problems, but he’s our kid you know? God gave him to us to bring up. I don’t want to forget my duties. I don’t want to give him to the government to raise.”

  “There you go again with that ‘my kid’ thing. Jim’s a good boy, but he ain’t your kid. He’s some alien thing,” Joyce said nonchalantly, as if she was speaking about a pet.

  “Hush Joyce. You weren’t there. I was there. I carried that boy in my belly for 9 months. He’s as much my kid as Tim and Larry Jr. are your kids. I care about that child more than you could ever know. I don’t care what he looks like, he’s mine. I can’t even believe that I’m talking about giving him up.”

  Joyce took a drag on her cigarette. “If that’s the way you feel Lorraine, you’ve got to give him up. I mean it’s the safest place for him. Hell, you saw what happened that day when Larry got drunk. And he’s stupider and more weak-willed than most. Ray Johnston says that it’s going to be hard for people like us to protect these kids.” She leaned in a little and whispered. “Larry’s in this ‘Patriot Brigade’ now Lorraine, and I, well I hear things. These people are serious. One day they’re going to do something, and you and Tom ain’t going to be able to stop them.”

  “But I’ve heard horrible things about what goes on in those places. Don’t they do experiments and stuff in those places?”

  “I wouldn’t worry about none of that. I mean, we are trying to cure this disease. All they do is take some blood samples maybe. Those kids are ok. Plus, they get to hang out with their own kind. When was the last time Jim even met another HS kid?”

  “I don’t think he’s ever met another HS kid.”

  “See, that’s it. He’s going to grow up warped if he doesn’t get any friends. None of the normal kids want anything to do with him. He doesn’t go to school. He just spends all day cooped up in your house reading books and playing on that computer. That ain’t no way for a boy to live.”

  “Joyce, I know that you mean well, but it ain’t going to happen. There’s no way. I know it’s trying for us, but we’ll pull through. We live way outside of town, I don’t think anyone’s going to bother us. And I know that Jim’s lonely, but I don’t think that putting him in one of those prisons is going to make things better. Plus, there’s no way that Tom’s going to give him up.”

  “You may not have a choice one day Lorraine. As I’ve said, Larry’s one of them Patriots. I think he does it just to get free beer, but some of them guys are real serious. They say that someday the government is going to come and round up all the HS kids. You’re not going to have a choice.”

  “I don’t think that it will come to that Joyce.”

  “I hope not Lorraine, I hope not.” From outside, the sound of a truck pulling up could be heard.

  “I better go Joyce, I know how Larry feels about me.”

  “Hush, don’t you worry none about old Larry. If he says anything I’ll slap him in the mouth.” She got up and peered through the curtain at the front yard. Larry was getting out of his truck. He had been drinking again, which wasn’t that surprising. Three other men got out with him, some of his new friends. They were also drunk. “Actually, you know Lorraine,” said Joyce trying to keep her composure, “Maybe you’d better go after all. Your car’s out back right? Go out the kitchen door.” She smiled nervously.

  The Senate Subcommittee on Handel’s Syndrome Research, Washington, DC. Three weeks after Ray Johnston’s groundbreaking ceremony.

  “The chair will hear from General Hudson.” Chairman Walker banged his gavel twice for effect.

  The General stood up. Lieutenant General Hudson was career military from birth. He had been hardened in combat and was raised during the paranoia of the Cold War. His face was grizzled and cracked from his time overseas. “Senator Walker, Members of the Committee, thank you for letting me speak today,” he said in a gravelly voice. I have been tasked by the Vice President to provide technical support to this panel. Not in scientific terms of course, as I could never hope to match the luminaries that sit on your board in terms of biological education. But Vice President Johnston came to me and asked me to look at other areas of the HS problem. He wanted me to present my findings to you, and for you to expand your role from just a scientific organization, to one that examines all of the consequences of the HS virus. Up until now, we’ve treated this solely as a disease, a serious disease to be sure, but just a disease. It is now time that we face facts gentlemen. HS is more than a disease. It is a plan, hatched by aliens, for some nefa
rious purpose we can only guess at. It is a threat, a threat to the American way of life, to the ability of the human species to propagate itself, and a threat to the very authority of the United States government.”

  “We have spent years now looking for a cure, and for a way to stem the spread of the disease. We’ve gotten nothing from that effort. HS infection rates are still climbing. Even by the estimations of your own epidemiologists, it may be too late to save the majority of the population. We need to look at new solutions. We need to look at stronger, harsher measures to ensure the survival of our society. This has gone beyond just a disease gentlemen, this is a national security issue now. That’s why I’ve been picked to join this panel. I won’t interfere with any of the scientific research that you’ve been recommending. Hell, I’d love to see you find a cure and find it today. But I will be here to examine your decisions from the national security viewpoint. I’ll make recommendations on that basis. Some of you won’t like what I have to say, but I don’t care. I’ve faced tougher foes than you. That’s why I was picked for this job. Hopefully we will be able to work together smoothly and effectively. We all have the same goal here gentlemen, to stem the tide of this virus and to ensure that the human way of life continues on this planet for some time.”

  The General sat down stiffly. Senator Walker resumed control of the floor. “Let me be the first to welcome you to this august body General. I’m sure that your input will be greatly appreciated and that we will all be able to work together smoothly. I understand you have a report to present.”

  The General leaned into his microphone. “Yes Senator, I do. I took the liberty of tasking my staff at the National Security Council to look at possibilities for how we could deal with this threat. I’ll pass those out now.” An army Major walked around to each panel member and handed them a small, bound report. It was titled, ‘Handel’s Syndrome: The Emerging Military Threat.’ Colin paged through the document incredulously. He could tell that Senator Walker was eating this stuff up. The man had been campaigning for these ideas ever since the committee was formed. Now that Johnston was the VP, it looked like political influence was going to outweigh scientific research. He wanted to speak up, to say something about this new turn of policy, but he felt intimidated. He was just a glorified lab technician really. He didn’t have the clout that a lot of the other people in the room had. His eyes darted about the room looking for allies.