with their fund-raising efforts and the airwar crisis.
General scientific consensus was airwars were a genetically engineered species. Scientists weren’t sure if this was intentional or accidental, but a worldwide search was underway to find the person or persons responsible.
In John’s condominium, he and Cassandra watched the crisis unfold on television with undivided attention. Cassandra finally took a break to make sandwiches in the kitchen. John shouted new statistics to her as they appeared on the news.
“The Secretary of State just reported the fifth airwar sighting, and the death toll is now seventy-eight.”
“I thought she said earlier the death toll was twenty-five thousand,” said Cassandra.
“No, not from airwars. That’s the number killed in the riots. Matter of fact, I’m feeling the urge to go rioting right now. Sounds like a good solution to the problem to me,” said John facetiously.
Cassandra walked back in the room with a plate of sandwiches. ”Well, you’ll have to riot by yourself. I think I’ll take my chances with the airwars. The odds are better.”
“Not if airwars keep reproducing,” retorted John.
The destruction of the five airwars resulted in the same outcome as the first. Torn air sacs, which were now known to be filled with hydrogen, released thousands of young into the sky. One of the airwars, shredded by incendiaries from a fighter jet, ignited with images reminiscent of the Hindenburg’s fiery collapse. It was spectacular, but even with many juvenile airwars perishing in the fireball, scores escaped.
John and Cassandra stayed up late following breaking news reports. Around midnight, a female senator from Massachusetts, accompanied by other politicians and scientists, conducted a press conference. John and Cassandra watched the senator speak to the press.
“We believe, earnestly, that personal attacks on airwars must end immediately. Furthermore, the United Nations is obligated to create a multinational crisis team to address this epic disaster that—”
“John,” interrupted Cassandra, “it’s late. Let’s do some end-of-world lovemaking.”
“I knew there had to be a silver lining to this airwar crisis,” said John. He clicked the television off.
On the second day of the airwar crisis, military sightings confirmed hundreds of full-size airwars. Sightings appeared limited to Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad, and northern Venezuela. No new information was forthcoming on the source of the airwars. The human death toll from attacks elevated to the thousands. Confirmed destruction of seventy-five airwars was reported, but release of thousands of juveniles resulted. World leaders and scientists, who initially appealed for restraints, now demanded attacks on airwars surcease and recommended penalties for violators.
On the third day, John spent most of the morning watching the United Nations emergency session on television. Cassandra had gone shopping.
The U.N. president addressed the assembly, “The number of airwar sightings is now in the thousands. The death toll from direct airwar attacks is above forty-thousand. We have an unprecedented world crisis, and world leaders demand an immediate United Nations response. Although we haven’t found the source for the original airwars, it’s clear they only reproduce by destruction of an adult form. Therefore, we have no choice but to call for a worldwide ban on attacks on airwars.”
A representative from Jamaica began throwing papers and files. He had to be escorted from the room by guards. Several other countries with confirmed airwars inside their borders also dissented.
Cassandra came in with a frazzled look. “The traffic is unbelievable for a Sunday. I’ve been sitting on I-4 the whole time. Stores are overrun. Everyone is hoarding. If I can’t get coffee, there’ll be a Cassandra crisis making the airwar crisis look like small potatoes.” She smiled at John. “Anything new on the airwars?”
John looked up from the television, “Yeah, the United Nations has formed an emergency council to disseminate world policy to all governments.”
“Can the United Nations do that?” asked Cassandra with uneasiness in her voice.
“They just did. Someone selected a bunch of scientists, politicians, and military to run this Airwar Scientific Council.”
“Who decided who gets on this Council?”
“I don’t know, but not everyone is happy,” said John and he pointed toward the television.
The ambassador from Lichtenstein was pounding his desktop as he was yelling. Scattered around the U.N. chamber, several other ambassadors were standing and yelling as well.
“Well, I’m sure it’ll take weeks for them to get organized and make recommendations,” said Cassandra, “Plenty of time to add anyone worthy who’s been overlooked.”
“I’m not too sure about that,” said John. “For a new political organization, it seems pretty structured, and based on the rhetoric I’m hearing, it appears the Airwar Scientific Council is a closed club. Plus, the council has already voted on one action that, frankly, I’m a bit uncomfortable with.”
“What’s that?”
John tapped the keyboard of his computer tablet and said, “Look at this logo.”
On the screen was a red square with the letters ASC in white in the center.
“This is the Airwar Scientific Council logo,” John said with a frown. “Its now required on every press release dealing with airwars. ASC determined there’s too much misinformation about airwars. It decided, as a matter of world security, press reporting on airwars must be limited to ASC-approved reports.”
“Sounds like a violation of the first amendment to me,” said Cassandra.
John shook his head, “This is the U.N. talking, not the United States. America, Canada, Britain, Australia, Japan, and a few other free press countries are having a cow, but the rest of the world press are marginalizing this opposition.”
John stopped speaking and pointed to the television.
The lady senator from Massachusetts, who was now apparently an ASC member, was addressing the press. “I can assure you that everyone has complete freedom of the press. You just must report factually. I am sure none of you have a problem with reporting the truth.”
A bald reporter wearing wire-rimmed glasses and a bow tie stood. “Who decides what’s the truth?”
“ASC does, of course,” replied the senator, with a slight roll of her eyes. “ASC is a highly qualified group of world scientists and leaders who are more than capable of discerning the truth.”
Several other reporters stood and shouted questions, but the senator waved them off and walked off stage.
John looked at Cassandra and said, “Somehow I feel we’re being required to ask the fox how the chickens are doing.”
“Well, at least someone is doing something; that’s somewhat reassuring,” said Cassandra.
“Doing something and doing the right thing are frequently unrelated,” retorted John.
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