Page 64 - Extraterrestrials, Foreign and Domestic

SIFTING’s End

our own populace, a massive disinformation campaign designed to
conceal the second plan. Both activities will only exacerbate the crises
we face, wasting resources and undercutting what’s left of our open
society.”
South shook his head. “I don’t get it. Can’t they see the
pointlessness, the counter-productivity of such a reaction?”
“No, of course not! Do you suppose we’d be in this pickle
otherwise?”
“So, if the aliens really wanted us to collapse, they’ve already won?”
Vyelle shrugged.
“It all depends on how you look at it: if the ecosystem’s survival
depends on our stopping the mad dash to extinction, then they
cannot fail to help us: either way, through their good advice, if taken,
or our paranoid response to their alleged threat, if not—things will
change sooner than if SIFTING had never found anything.”
“But most people will never know we were contacted!”
Dorrance Vyelle raised his hand in warning. They were almost to
the end of the breezeway between buildings. The large open parking
lot lay ahead.
“Yes, they will. Automated dispersal procedures with a three-
month time lag are part of the ‘verification and security’ procedures
you triggered earlier. I couldn’t let anyone else know about them,
obviously. At the end of that period, all the pertinent data will be
spread over the inter-university network to colleagues in thirty
countries. More than enough time for us to go home, act like good
little boys for a few weeks while we transfer our assets to another
country and then disappear before the lid blows off. Now go home
and get some rest. You’re on your own: I trust you to follow through
on what I’ve said. Our communication henceforth must be minimal
and presumed monitored. Perhaps we’ll meet again somewhere.
Good luck!”

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