DS02 Night of the Dragonstar Read Free Page B

cameras were set up.
    “Believe it or not, it’s actually green,” Kate said, an attractive laugh in her voice. “And there’s someone here I believe you know, Colonel Kemp. Oh, Becky dahling,” the woman said, doing a Katharine Hepburn imitation. “The colonel’s come to call. Now you two please excuse me, I’ve got a dozen things to do in the next half hour.”
    “Hello, Phineas,” said Dr. Rebecca Thalberg, getting up from a chair. She gave him a chaste peck on the cheek, which felt strange coming from a former lover. “I’ve decided to accept your invitation.”
    * * *
    The news conference was as large as any the Sheraton had ever given, though representatives from the media had been restricted to one reporter per magazine, TV station, or newspaper.
    As per Colonel Kemp’s request, he and Dr. Thalberg were announced as simply as possible. Kemp and Rebecca made their way through a blaze of flashbulbs to the podium. Becky assumed a straight-backed seat nearby while Kemp instinctively grabbed the podium, letting the applause die down.
    “Thank you,” he said. “I would like to read a statement first, and then I’ll welcome your questions.”
    Kemp pulled a piece of paper from an inside pocket, unfolded it, and carefully placed it before him.
    “I’m sure you are all acquainted with the essential facts provided by the IASA concerning the discovery, the exploration of, and the subsequent conflict aboard the alien artifact popularly known as the Dragonstar. You also no doubt realize that as the Chief of Deep Space Operations for the IASA, Artifact One, the Dragonstar, is my direct responsibility.
    “At the present time, I am also responsible for introducing the world to this incredible discovery. This is quite a complicated task and one that I do not take lightly; the Dragonstar and the discoveries we have made aboard it are potentially monumental in our race’s development.
    “Therefore, rather than content myself with a skimpy report, I have taken upon myself the task of producing a documentary in conjunction with some of the finest individuals in television and science today.
    “This documentary, produced by World Media Corporation, will be shown May 15, 2028, and will be made available to all networks or television stations capable of receiving a signal from the TranSatNet, which will beam our partly recorded, partly live telecast.”
    Kemp looked up to see what response this announcement had brought. The reporters were literally sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting to hurl questions.
    “The purpose of this telecast will be threefold:
    “First, to show to the people of Earth the scope of the cylinder in audio and visual terms. Our cameras will take a tour of Artifact One, exterior and interior, complete with coverage of the denizens of the interior, both intelligent and nonintelligent.
    “Second, to fully document and describe all of the events from astronomical location of the cylinder in its cometary orbit through the numerous misadventures, tragedies, and conflicts experienced before the successful placement of Artifact One in a stable position relative to the Earth and the Moon.
    “Finally, to introduce, live, the intelligent life-form we have come to call ‘Saurians’, and to discuss the implications of what was discovered in the control sections of the ship, which are even now being explored and analyzed by the IASA scientific team headed by Dr. Robert Jakes.
    “The IASA feels that the people of Earth are owed more than the basic facts, facts which hardly disclose the depth and scope of our experiences with the ‘Dragonstar’ and barely touch upon its future.
    “This is a privilege and a challenge, and to undertake such an endeavor takes time.
    “We ask only your patience. I can personally assure you that you will be amply rewarded.”
    Kemp smiled for the first time.
    “Thank you. I’d also like to thank my colleague Dr. Rebecca Thalberg for joining me today. We will now