The Independent Worlds (The Sixteen Galaxies Book 2) by William Drayman

too slow, wasteful and awkward, I’m afraid.”
    “Well,” Becky replied, “I guess we all have a lot to think about on that subject. It’s certainly going to see a lot of comment in the days to come, I bet.”
    “In the end, Becky, it is all up to you people. The Independent Worlds is keen to assist, if we are asked, but we can do naught but suggest. I can promise to be open, honest and frank at all times. However, the counsel we give may, at times, seem rather unpalatable. Humanity must choose whether any change is worth the cost. Otherwise, we would interfere in your development, and that must not happen.”
    “Unfortunately, Kestil, that’s all we have time for tonight. I’d like to thank you for agreeing to talk to us, and I hope we’ll have the opportunity to have you back in the near future; I’m sure there’s a whole raft of subjects our viewers would like to hear about.”
    Kestil smiled his thanks. “I’m more than happy to help wherever I can, Becky. Thank you for having me here.”
    *****
    Nuthros’ ship
    Truly put the ship back into its previous orbit of Earth. She scanned the space around the planet, but detected nothing out of place. Reception of broadcast signals presented no threat, so she could still monitor activity there. Her sensors were more than capable of deciphering which signals should be replicated and passed through the ship, so to speak, and which could simply be absorbed. It did not take her long to pick up a relay of the broadcast of Kestil’s interview; it was on high rotation in whole, or in part, right around the world.
    She replayed it for those on board. After it finished, Jack Short shook his head. “And I thought I was good at deception; this guy is a damned master at it. The two-faced lying son of a bitch is so twisted he must have to screw his hat on.”
    “He is playing a multi-level game,” Nuthros said. “On the one hand, in public, he wants to give the appearance of a simple ambassador, here to help in whatever way he can. On the other, behind closed doors, I have no doubt he will threaten the world’s leaders to conform or get squashed, in order to force them to restructure politically. When he required governments to purchase Vincent products, he had no qualms in the use of a strong arm in both China and a number of other recalcitrant countries.”
    “The question is,” Truly said, “How will he do this? To eradicate so many levels of government and absorb them into the United Nations could take centuries. I doubt he wishes to wait that long. Every minute it takes is another minute we have to calculate a counter. He is on a tight time frame, and he knows it.”
    David sighed. “I guess we ought to focus on preparations for our activities on Earth; perhaps then we can get some answers. With Truly unable to connect to Earth’s technology in any meaningful way any longer, we’re impotent while we sit up here.”
    “Well,” Jack said, “you can count me in.”
    Ron smiled at him. “Looks like I got me a partner, then.”
    Jack shrugged. “It was you that changed my mind for me. Well, that and seeing Kestil’s smug face again. The next time I see it, it’ll be down the sights of a weapon, that’s for sure and certain.”
    David gestured for Jack to follow him. “Let’s get you ready for your enhancements, Jack. They will take some getting used to, and we’re on a tight schedule, too.”
    *****
    Global News Update
    “…The growing political unrest that followed calls from the Independent Worlds galactic society representative Kestil to globalize world governments has been inflamed even further today by mass protests from anti-globalization activists in New York, London, Paris, Madrid and many other state capitals around the world. Riots erupted between police and protesters in seven major cities. New York City saw injuries and bloodshed on an unprecedented scale as riot police were deployed to control protesters who threatened the security of the