The Peace Deal

Star of Wonder

It just seemed like a star at first, only noticed by a few in observatories around the globe. It brightened perceptively in the autumn but by then few were looking as the situation between the Kingdoms of Kosandria and Lanamos was worsening by the day. Both countries were on red military alerts and the respective governments had been moved to underground bunkers.
Lanamos’s President Siko was in an emergency briefing with top Intel officers. There was obvious troop deployment on the Kosandrian border and a stealth fighter had been shot down over Lanamos airspace just an hour ago. Retaliations would be imminent. What form they took would enlighten them as to how quickly the war was likely to escalate.
It was at this time that a young Lanamos schoolboy tugged his Father’s arm in Cape Muffy planetarium. “Dad look!” His Father came across from the western side of the observatory and went to peer through the telescope his son had vacated. “No Dad, look!” Canila pointed out into the planetary sky to a bright light, clearly visible to the naked eye, just left of Planet Vebuvian.
“What the hell is that?” Growcher asked and they watched as the sphere glowed and rolled, basking them in light. One old timer from NASA had also noticed it and was calling a buddy in the next frontier post. They watched for some minutes before Humber picked up the phone and called the Presidential Palace. He might have been put out to pasture but in his time he had been the most respected astronomer of the age and he was still listened to by some of his peers.
The Kosandrian President was in his war bunker, with his top men when his senior scientist, who had bunker clearance, was shown into the room. He handed the president a memo and watched the man’s face sink into even more frowns. You could have lost a biro in some of those deep furrows
“Are we investigating it?” President Askiro barked.
“Yes Sir, we’ve sent up our rocket fighters. “He paused.
“And?”
“The thing just seems to retreat.”
“Do the on- board camera’s show us anything?”
“No Sir. As it retreats it just gets brighter so it’s impossible to get a fix on anything.”
“Are you telling me that with all our great advances we can’t make out what a bright light is in the sky?”
Clovian hung his head. “I’m afraid so Sir.”
It wasn’t to be the last of his war room visits although the President was absorbed in a successful raid on a Lanamos airfield. With split second timing his air force had waited until enemy Aquaplanes had taken off before striking the airfield before the Dome could be reactivated. President Askiro was predicting that the retaliatory strike would be to the general populace, who were, against all orders, outside in their millions watching the great star which radiated over the Planet. It pulsed out light from its very being and despite being told to go to shelters or into their combat rooms it drew the populace out. The light bathed them, and, some said, soothed and comforted them.
Identical scenes were being witnessed in Lanamos. People stood on roofs, in fields and just watched the star’s light. Canila was as absorbed as the rest. His Father was in constant touch with his Grandfather Humber who, himself, spoke with the Palace every hour. It seemed that the old boys still had their uses. Word was that the President was going to try to shell the light. People were urged to go indoors but none obeyed. They knew the end was near whichever way you looked at it.
The latest, most powerful rocket bombs failed but as they exploded in the atmosphere the watchers were treated to the most expensive firework show ever. There were smiles on faces for the first time in an age.
“So the Lanamosian rocket bombs failed General?” President Askiro asked his senior man at the midnight briefing.
“Yes Sir. If anything the star is even brighter.”
“Well I’ll be damned. Do we have any other ideas?”
The General shook his head, utter tiredness showing in every nuance of his body. He was used to controlling things but he had no answers for this.
Canilo phoned Grandpa Humber. “Grumps, do you think the star is trying to tell us something? “
Humber always listened to his grandson who was wise beyond his years. “What idea you got down there Cani?”
“Maybe it’s been sent to stop the fighting?”
Humber heard the wistful tone in the young boy’s voice and felt his eyes fill with tears.
“And how will it do that. Son?”
“Can’t you talk to the President, Grumps. If we all put out heads together maybe we could work out how best to tackle it.”
Humber signed. If only. His days of talking directly to Presidents were long gone. New men had filled his shoes, and in his opinion, men without a conscience. He gazed around him at the rapt faces gazing skyward and knew he had to give it a shot. He said goodbye to Canilo and phoned the palace again.
Half an hour later Groucher’s phone rang. He listened for a moment, his eyes glancing back to Canilo. “Son, it’s for you.” Canilo reached for the phone and Groucher watched his son’s mouth drop and his cheeks colour up.
“Well Sir, his son faltered, catching his Father’s eyes. He held them, and nodded. “Well Sir, why don’t you give President Askiro a call and see if he has any ideas. You are the two most powerful kingdoms on the planet. Sir.” He added as an afterthought.
He listened for a moment and then ended the call.
President Askiro had to sit down when his chief of staff put through the call from president Siko. After a few minutes and to the fury of his staff he cleared the war room. The two Presidents were still talking after 20 minutes.
At which time General Aventa came back into the room and waited.
“Well what is it, General?”
“Sir, the light has been fading ever since you’ve been on the call with the President.
“You hear that Barl?” the President barked down the phone.
“I’ve just been told, Laffet. Well I’ll be damned.”