Traveller Manifesto
61. Israel - Today

Israel – Today.

The United Nations Inspection Group was promptly greeted with news of an official appointment. After all, any group led by the illustrious Professor Adrian Taylor, the genius behind the Traveller missions, and supported by Mike Hurley, the first Traveller, Zak Chandler, CEO of Woomera Technologies and owner of the Transporter, and Colonel Tony Osborne of Byzantine Traveller, had enough star power and influence to demand serious attention. Add to that the famous faces of Travellers Sean Leishman of Saxon Traveller and Mississippi Traveller, and Steve Morris of Saxon Traveller, any Government would see their presence as most welcome. The added influence of a United Nations envoy was almost an afterthought.

Someone knew why they were there. It was impossible for Israel to deport them or ignore them. Media exposure of any such action would cause an international backlash. All it would take was one Instagram image, one Facebook post, one email to the right editor and the whole issue would be laid open like a gutted fish. Israel cared nothing for the vacillating world opinion on the latest Palestinian crisis, but the politicians did care about their financial support from US Government and industrial giants. Too much bad publicity could cause highly valued and educated Israelis to return to Europe or the United States. Naturally, any Israeli wanted peace and security for their own families. Too much negative press would only increase the current international disquiet and possibly affect all concerned.

It was only after two days of wandering around the City of Jerusalem that their meeting was confirmed. They met in the former home of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, in Froumine House, a building that had seen better days. In a tiny office, General Alon Goren, Officer in charge of Israel Traveller, agreed to meet the delegation. Hurley suspected it was a temporary office designed to reflect the importance of their meeting. There was barely enough room to seat them.

“You must excuse me,” the General apologised with barely a look of contrition. “My office is yet to be confirmed. As you will be aware, the Israel Traveller mission is still in the process of development and approval by Traveller Corp,” he reminded them as he smiled to Professor Taylor. The building appeared to be under renovation, for outside of the General’s office, builders leisurely painted. Hurley suspected they were more than painters. As the UN representative, Valeria looked embarrassed, while the former Travellers looked on with barely a word. They all knew they were being stonewalled.

Zak sighed, which caused the General a fleeting look of irritation. “Perhaps we should tell you a little more about why we are here,” he explained. “As you’re aware, the companies I represent, which are Helguard Security and Woomera Technology, own the intellectual property for the Transporters used in the Traveller missions. While the world knows about two of the Transporters currently in use, we in fact have possession of three operational units. There are only three units because they are so darned difficult to duplicate.” He paused and shrugged with his hands open and smiled broadly. “I must admit the technology involved in duplicating the Transporters is nothing short of brilliant, if I must say so myself.”

“Yes?” replied the General with a disinterested shrug. “And while I’m honoured to meet you and this most august assembly of Travellers, surely we could have met at a function where our hospitality would be better represented. What does such a hurried meeting have to do with me?”

“Most are not aware how a Transporter works,” continued Zak as if he had not heard the reply. “It has been proposed that the device creates a bubble in Space-Time, a bubble that emits a unique signature or radiation, a radiation that now can be detected by us.”

General Goren said nothing, but his eyes narrowed a fraction. Having worked for men like General Goren for most of his life, Hurley took a silent delight in how the old soldier so quickly evaluated what might become a fluid situation.

“Look, let’s not beat around the bush,” continued Zak, suddenly all business. “A Transporter has been activated in one of the uninhabited wadis located on the property of the Hatzerim Airbase near to Be’er Sheva,” he continued reasonably, but this tone indicated there was no shred of uncertainty. “Because neither of our operational Transporters have been shipped to Israel, we deduce that the Transporter used has been developed as a result of the theft of our intellectual property. We know of a combined hacking of our systems by contractors from Russia and China and the development of alternate systems thanks in part to the efforts of my colleague, Professor Phil Walker, who formerly led a research team for the United States DARPA under commission from Senator Ruth Benton.”

“This hadn’t entirely been without result,” added Professor Taylor. “You might have heard that we have already taken action against China, who was slated to be next in line for an approved Traveller project. They have, as you will know, been replaced by Japan’s Kyoto Traveller project.” He paused to look at the General. There was no hint of their host’s original cordial demeanour. “They weren’t pleased, but when faced with our evidence, they opted to save face and wish the Japanese project all success.”

At the allegations, the General’s face turned a beet red. “What is this? Baseless! How dare you insult me and suggest that we are using a stolen Transporter? This is a ludicrous, unfounded, untrue allegation!”

“I’m sorry to say but this is not a baseless accusation,” replied Zak quietly. “We have enough supporting evidence to take both the US and Israeli Governments to court, which of course is a silly option that will only cause a lot of bad press”. He sighed and then shrugged. “If it was known that a delegation of inspectors, led by Professor Adrian Taylor, the owners of the Transporter, a representative of the United Nations and some of the most famous Traveller faces were in Israel to follow up such allegations, why, I can only imagine that the global news networks would eat it up, baseless or not.”

General Goren’s face had gone from beet red to a significantly paler hue.

“Now, let’s cut through the bullshit,” continued Zak quietly. “We know you have at least one Transporter. We suggest that one Transporter would be useless for such a clandestine mission as it would place your Travellers into just after 1000AD. What good would that do for anyone? So it has been suggested that, either you are just testing a Transporter with US backing, or you have a few Transporters which could be integrated into a chain that could take a team back in time to, say, at least 1000BC and the reign of King David, isn’t that right Professor?”

Professor Taylor nodded in confirmation. “Yes, yes it would be an audacious project,” he affirmed. “I’m not sure, mind you, but let’s suggest that but I suspect an eminent colleague of mine, one of the quorum of Historical Research International by the name of Professor William Cowen, a renowned specialist in the study of the lands commonly referred to as the Holy Land, could be involved.”

The General sat quietly and shook his head in irritation. “Lies and supposition. You have no proof,” he sighed. “I repeat, this is a baseless accusation which, I suggest, you take up with the United States Government, if you accuse them of being involved.”

“We do have enough proof General,” repeated Valeria gently. “But I must advise that the purpose of our visit is not to halt to your research. Ultimately, we are interested in the success of any Traveller missions.”

“Then why are you here?” asked General Goren. He had a look of cunning, of believing he could manoeuvre or shoot his way out of the situation for which he was all too unprepared.

Zak smiled and handed him a legal document. “These are our demands. All Transporters remain the property of Transporter Corp. All Traveller Missions are undertaken through the management of Transporter Corp. All data, footage, images, and replaceings are the property of Transporter Corp. We will inspect your site for our property and establish command and control. You - is it you? - will of course retain command of the structure under which the mission has been developed. But ultimately this is now a Transporter Corp mission, under permission from Helguard Security and Woomera Technologies.”

The General barely glanced at the document. “This is ludicrous!”

“General Alon, perhaps I can explain further,” added Valeria. “As a representative of the United Nations, I have been included on this inspection mission because there is enough evidence to suggest that Israel possesses at least one operational Transporter.” She paused for effect. “This situation would not bode well for any nation in possession of a pirated Transporter. While I and the United Nations will make every effort to ensure any issues in relation to a Transporter are resolved in a diplomatic manner, we do not have any power to limit the actions of the Transporter owners, or those who manage the device.”

The General sighed and shook his head angrily. “I will pass this baseless accusation to my superiors and it will be given the consideration it deserves,” he responded curtly. He seemed to have regained control.

“Very well,” continued Zak. “Just so you’re aware, we’ve already prepared and sent a full outline of our Inspection Team rationale, demands, and backup documentation to the offices of the US President and the Israeli President. They have been informed that full media disclosure will take place by the end of today if we hear nothing or are ignored. Naturally, we’ll target WikiLeaks and all forms of media and, considering the august assembly in which I replace myself, I doubt that our allegations will not be broadcast throughout the world.” He paused with a frown. “I imagine that many of the Jewish community within the United States might not be impressed, both at the clandestine nature of the mission and in the fact that the US and Israeli Governments appear to have engaged in theft.”

“Again,” responded the General angrily. “You have no proof. There is no truth in this!”

“Truth?” responded Zak with a chuckle. “My dear sir, when has any Government, ever been concerned with truth?”