The Christ Clone Trilogy 01 - In His Imagery
By
James Beau Seigneur
When Leaders Fall
Wednesday, July 10,2019 — New York
It was three days later before search parties spotted the Secretary-General's
helicopter, forty-five miles off course and crumpled like tissue paper among a
stand of trees southwest of Gujranwalfi, Pakistan. There were no survivors. It
was the second time a Secretary-General of the United Nations had been lost in
an aircraft crash, the first being Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold in 1961,
whose plane crashed in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia), killing all on board. The
earlier crash, though tragic, hardly carried the impact on the world and its
peoples as did the deaths of Jon Hansen and three members of the Security
Council. In 1961 the position of Secretary-General, like the United Nations
itself, had little if any influence on the lives of most people in the world.
Now, it seemed, the world revolved around the United Nations, and its
Secretary-General was at the center of it all.
Not since the assassination of the American President John Kennedy or the death
of Princess Diana of England had there been such an international outpouring of
emotion. At the United Nations, the General Assembly adjourned for two weeks to
honor the man who had led them for nearly fifteen years through some of the most
remarkable times in recorded history.
The members of Jon Hansen's staff struggled to get through each moment while
attempting to carry out their duties. Few attempted to hide their tears as they
spoke of him. It was not unusual to see small groups huddled closely together,
weeping openly as they reminisced.
As much as anyone else, Decker Hawthorne grieved the loss of his boss and
friend, but for Decker there was no time to commiserate with his colleagues. At
this moment the world waited for him. As Director of Public Affairs, he had to
put aside his own mourning in order to coordinate the funeral and numerous
memorial events. His staff was inundated by calls from the press and from
mourners wanting to share their grief. Thousands called requesting photographs
of Hansen, and hundreds of dignitaries wanted to be included in the many
memorial ceremonies. Of the latter group, each believed that Decker should take
their call personally; and in many cases he did. Staying busy was probably the
best thing for Decker at the time and he knew it.
But the lust for power never ceases, and it was during this period of mourning
that Decker saw the first indications of the odious dealings that were afoot to
replace Hansen. The once-united members of the Security Council each called upon
Decker, requesting special favors with regard to the funeral or the ceremonies
surrounding it. Canadian Ambassador Howell wanted to be the final speaker to
eulogize Hansen at the funeral; the ambassador from Chad wanted to be seated
near the center of the dais from which the speeches would be made; and the
ambassador from Venezuela wanted to escort Hansen's widow. The request that
angered Decker most was made by French Ambassador Albert Moore, who, though he
had never said a kind word about Hansen while he was alive, now wanted to be a
pall bearer for the Secretary-General. Worse, he also insisted that he be given
the right lead position among the bearers. Though he wouldn't say why, Decker
understood the reason: in that position, Moore hoped to be able to be most
frequently seen by the television cameras.
As one of his more pleasant duties, Decker sent a limo to pick up Christopher at
Kennedy Airport, but could not spare anyone to greet him. Christopher, like
hundreds of other diplomats and hundreds of thousands of mourners, had come to
New York for the funeral, filling the already crowded streets to capacity. In
the sixteen years since the Disaster and the devastation of the Russian
Federation, the population of the world had grown very quickly. Overall, world
population was still more than a billion less than before the Disaster and the
war, but one would not have guessed it to look at New York on this occasion.
As Decker emerged from his office after a long meeting, he called one of the
senior secretaries to be sure that the limo had left to get Christopher.
"No sir," the secretary answered, quickly adding, "Alice Bernley called during
your meeting and said she and former Assistant Secretary-General Milner would
meet Director-General Goodman."
At Kennedy airport, Robert Milner and Alice Bernley waited patiently for
Christopher's flight. When Christopher arrived he seemed genuinely pleased to
see his mentor waiting for him at the gate and the two embraced in a warm,
extended hug. "How are you, Mr. Secretary?" he asked.
"Just great, Christopher," he answered.
"And Ms. Bernley. It's so nice to see you again."
"How have you been? It's been nearly a year since I saw you last in Rome,"
Bernley said.
"Yes, it's been a very busy year. But what are you two doing here? I didn't
expect a greeting party."
"Well," answered Bernley, "when we heard you were coming in, it just didn't seem
right that you should have no one to greet you but a driver."
Christopher smiled. "I'm so glad to see you both. Thank you for making the
effort."
"Besides," added Milner, now getting to an additional reason for the airport
reception, "there are some things we need to discuss before your arrival at the
U.N."
Christopher looked curious.
"We'll discuss it in the car, where we can talk more freely."
Once in the car, Alice Bernley reached for the switch that closed the tinted
glass barrier between them and the driver. When the seal was made and their
privacy ensured, Milner wasted no time getting to the matter at hand.
"Christopher, it is the double curse of wars and politics that when a great
leader falls, those who mourn most his loss must, at that very moment, also be
most vigilant to defend against the encroachment of those who have lost the
least and who see in our adversity an opportunity for their own gain. So it is,
even at this moment of loss."
"It's started so soon?" Christopher asked.
"It has," Milner said. "There is more power up for grabs at this moment than at
any single moment in world history. The first order of business for the U.N.
will be for Europe and India to elect new members of the Security Council to
replace the ambassadors who died with Hansen in the crash. In India there are
two strong contenders including the current Alternate, Rajiv Advani, and the
Indian prime minister, Nikhil Gandhi. Gandhi, who, as you know, is half Italian
and was educated in the United States, is clearly more reasonable and would be
easier to work with than Advani. But if Gandhi wins, which appears quite likely,
Advani plans to return to India to run for prime minister. I don't know how
familiar you are with Indian politics, but polls indicate that without Nikhil
Gandhi to head it, the Congress Party's coalition will not be able to hold
power. If the polls are right, Advani's Bharatiya Janata Party could win enough
of a plurality of the five hundred and forty-five seats in the Lok Sabha (the
Indian parliament) to easily form a solid coalition with a few of the minority
parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party is a Hindu revivalist party which appeals to
Hindu pride and has as one of its goals to revoke all privileges for the Muslim
minority.
"So, while we would welcome Nikhil Gandhi's election as a member of the Security
Council, if it results in the election of Rajiv Advani as India's prime
minister, it will have come at a very expensive price. There can be no doubt
that the hostilities between Hindus and Muslims in India will sharply increase
under Advani, and the border tensions with Pakistan will grow even worse.
"In Europe the most likely candidates are Ambassador Valasquez of Spain and, of
course, Ambassador Albert Moore of France. It's my guess that Moore has his eyes
on something much bigger."
"Secretary-General?" Christopher asked. It was a rhetorical question: there was
only one position more powerful than that of Primary member of the Security
Council.
"Exactly," Milner answered.
"That's quite a jump from being an Alternate member of the Security Council."
Christopher said. "He can't possibly think the Security Council is going to vote
for a second consecutive Secretary-General from Europe."
"I didn't say it was likely he could win, just that that's what he's after . . .
along with half a dozen other people, I should add."
Alice Bernley had been sitting quietly but it seemed to her that the
conversation was getting off track. Milner continued, "Before the new
Secretary-General is elected, there will be an election to replace the Alternate
from North America and if either of the Alternates from India or Europe are
elected to become Primary members, then there will be an election to replace
them as well."
"Christopher," Milner said, growing even more serious, "Ambassador Moore has
asked me to support his candidacy to replace the late Ambassador Heineman as the
Primary member from Europe."
You refused, of course."
"I told him I would."
"What?! But why?! Isn't Moore the very person you were talking about when you
said we needed to defend against the encroachment of those who least mourned the
loss of Secretary-General Hansen?"
"Yes. He is. But there is more to this than you may realize. As unfortunate as
it may seem, Ambassador Moore will succeed in his bid to replace Ambassador
Heineman on the Security Council; there is no way for us to prevent it."
"But, why?"
'Two reasons. First, as I said, the only other candidate capable of getting
enough votes is Ambassador Valasquez of Spain. No one else has nearly enough
support. Frankly, Valasquez is a fool to run against Moore. His closet is so
full of skeletons that it's a miracle none of them has fallen out before this.
As soon as Moore's people get around to investigating Valasquez's background
they're bound to start uncovering something embarrassing. If they're smart
they'll wait until the last minute and then get Valasquez to pull out, in
exchange for not releasing the information to the press. At that late date, no
one else will be able to mount a serious candidacy. The second reason is that,
as you know, Alice has certain abilities, certain insights into the future, that
come to her through her spirit guide, Master Dj wlij Kajm."
Alice Bernley took this as her cue. "I am absolutely certain that Ambassador
Moore will be elected as the Primary member from Europe to the Security Council.
However, we must view this not as a loss, but as a short-term setback."
"And we must make the most of the situation; find a way to use it to our
ultimate advantage," Milner added. "Since we know that Moore will be elected
with or without my support, it is best that I offer him my support in exchange
for something we want. That's where you come in, Christopher."
Christopher seemed a little unsure of the whole situation, but he was always
quick to recover. "Whatever I can do to help, just let me know."
"Good," said Milner. "I was sure you'd have that attitude. Now, instead of going
directly to the U.N. you will go first to the Italian Mission."
"As an Italian citizen, assigned to the U.N., I would do that anyway, as a
courtesy to Ambassador Niccoli."
"Good. When you arrive at the Italian Mission you will be informed that three
hours ago Ambassador Niccoli resigned his position as the Italian ambassador to
the United Nations in order to pursue other interests."
"What?! What other interests?" interrupted Christopher.
"A very well-paid position as a director of the Banque of Rome. A bank in which,
not coincidentally, David Bragford owns a twenty-two percent interest. But as I
was saying," Milner continued, "at the Italian Mission you will be given a
sealed packet and a message to immediately call the Italian president on their
secure line. When you reach President Sabetini, he will direct you to open the
packet. Inside you will find documents to be presented to the U.N. Credentials
Committee naming you as the new Italian ambassador to the United Nations.
Christopher stared at Milner and then at Bernley. Bernley smiled, but for a
moment no one spoke. Finally Christopher held his hands out in front of him,
gesturing for them to stop. "Hold it a second," he said. Could you repeat the
last part of that last sentence?"
"You heard me right, Christopher. You are going to be named the new Italian
ambassador to the United Nations, assuming, of course, that you're willing."
"But this is crazy. I've only been an Italian citizen for five years."
"And for much of those five years," Milner answered, "I have devoted myself to
preparing you and the people of Italy for this moment. That's why I urged you to
become an Italian citizen in the first place."
"But how could you have known?"
"We did not know the specifics," Bernley answered. "Obviously, if we had known
that Secretary-General Hansen was going to die, we would have tried to prevent
it. But what I know and don't know about the future is not something I get to
pick and choose."
"It did not take Alice's clairvoyance," Milner interjected, "to know that one
day Hansen would step down. And when he did, we knew we would have to be
prepared to preserve the advances he had made."
"I'm sorry," Christopher said, "but I still don't understand. Why would
President Sabetini name me as the new ambassador? And why would the priministro
agree?"
"There are several reasons," Milner said. "No doubt they like you and trust you.
They believe you care about Italy and the Italian people. As for the president,
my guess is that he is hoping that you will someday become his son-in-law."
"His son-in-law?! Why do people keep saying that? Tina and I are just friends,"
he said emphatically.
"That's fine, Christopher. I'm just listing a few possible reasons. But,
doubtless, the biggest reason the president would name you as ambassador and
that the prime minister would back his decision, is that Italy wants a voice on
the Security Council."
"Hold it," Christopher said. "I think I've missed something. How does my
becoming the Italian ambassador give Italy a voice on the Security Council?"
"That's why I have agreed to support Ambassador Moore's election as Europe's
Primary on the Security Council," Milner answered. "Presently, five European
nations have committed their support to him. For my part, I am to provide him
with the three additional votes he'll need to be elected as Primary. In exchange
for these three votes, Ambassador Moore will support my candidate to replace him
as Alternate member. You, Christopher, will be my candidate. And that will give
Italy its representation on the Security Council."
Christopher took a deep breath and shook his head in wonderment. "But how can
you promise the votes of three countries?"
"Well, one of those votes will come from Italy; that is, from you," Milner
answered.
"And the other two?"
"Christopher, Alice and I are not without some influence among the members of
the U.N. I've quite a large number of chits which I may call. And Alice, well,
let's just say that there are many people in the United Nations who greatly
value her opinions."
They rode for the next few minutes in silence, but as they pulled up to Two
United Nations Plaza where the Italian Mission is located, across the street
from the U.N., Secretary Milner sought to reassure Christopher. "Christopher, I
don't know what you're feeling right now, but let me assure you, you should not
for a moment feel like this position was bought. In very few countries can
ambassadorships still be bought and sold. Instead, you have been sold to the
Italian president as the best person for the position and for Italy."
"Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I'm glad you put it that way. I just keep expecting
to wake up and find out this whole conversation has been a dream, or maybe for
someone to yell 'surprise' and tell me this is all a practical joke."
Milner knew Christopher well enough to know that no response was necessary, but
Alice Bernley answered, "It's no joke, Christopher."
As Christopher got out of the car, he had one more thought, "I'm supposed to
meet Decker in his office."
"I'll call and let him know you'll be late," Milner volunteered.
"Yeah, thanks, I'd appreciate that. But that's not what I'm thinking about. I'm
wondering how I'm going to explain why I'm late."