Chairman Hughes looked hotly at this man, not sure whether to hear his idea or have him arrested. She looked from him to Russ Carlin to Jeff to Dr. Hopewell. They all seemed interested in hearing him. Finally she looked at Sackett “you asked my permission to have Dr. Chambers here Professor, have you heard this plan?”
“No, I haven’t,” said Sackett, “but Walt Chambers is no crank, I suggest you let him speak, if you still feel he’s insane later that’s your prerogative. I vouched for him earlier and I’d do it again,” said Sackett.
“Very well Dr. Chambers, we will hear your plan. Let’s hope it merits the respect Professor Sackett affords you,” said Hughes.
“Thank you, Madam Chairman,” Chambers began, “I would not have called upon my old mentor if it did not merit his respect. Through the last three days, our computers have been picking over ADAM’s brain, literally. All of Deneb’s science has been made available to us and much of the Shapers technology as well. What ADAM has not revealed however is how the Shapers clone their warriors so quickly and how their skills are attained with such great speed. If we knew those things Madam Chairman, humanity could do exactly as you yourself suggested here today. We could, using the time displacement, travel back in time and collect genetic material that the Shapers have no access to, grow our own armies and obliterate the Shaper Empire. At the same time we can spread varieties of the humans throughout the worlds we liberated, their reward for serving us in this desperate war. Also this would prevent another warrior race from filling the vacuum once Shaper power is crushed. Madam, our race will become the most numerous and prosperous in the universe committed to peace always but ready and able to fight when needs be,” Chambers concluded.
“What specifically do you mean Chambers, What genetic material from our past?” Hopewell asked.
“The best and bravest of course, our ancient heroes, generals, kings, soldiers, knights, and nobles from races of man long since extinct. We have almost twelve million men on Mars too many to evacuate in time and none have fought before, even against humans much less these monsters. A few ships firing rays and bombs from orbit will kill many but the first to die would be the Deneb slaves, hardly a good idea since we need them as allies. No, I favor the gas attack Captain Carlin suggested, but I need the information I ask of ADAM also.”The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“What you are suggesting is little better than the enemies own methods, Chambers, but if you can convince ADAM it is worth doing I will do what I can to help you get started.” Hughes replied. Chambers turned to ADAM, the machine rested on the table before Doctor Hopewell.
“ADAM, you have been aboard their vessel for four hundred years now, you’ve seen them murder, kidnap, and vivisect your creators people, you have witnessed by recordings all of Shaper history, if they can be destroyed, do you believe this plan could do it?” asked Chambers.
ADAM waited almost a full minute before answering, then said, “After reviewing all of Earths historic record available and realizing how cunning, vicious, and tenacious your predecessors were in warfare, I agree with Doctor Chambers, his plan can work.”
“Then,” said Chairman Hughes “What should we call your project Doctor?”
Chambers looked at Sackett then back to Hughes “I call it The RACE Alternative Chairman, it stands for Resurrected Ancestral Clones Enhanced.”
“How enhanced Doctor?” Hughes inquired.
“Anything we can give them to help defeat the Shapers, Madam Chairman, anything, but no monsters I assure you.”
Linnette Hughes rose from the conference table and added “I had wondered why Professor Sackett authorized the large number of new specialists now in the old Sac-Norad Base.” Hughes said. “Now I don’t need to ask, Emmet always was a maverick anyway. Until further notice, ADAM will work with you Chambers, and lets hope you’re both right. Commander Calan and Captain Carlin you and your ships will also be at Chambers assistance until the attack of course, hopefully with your time jump system his job will go quickly. This meeting is adjourned gentlemen, ADAM.” As she walked down the corridor to her own quarters she felt as if maybe she would be written into history as the most immoral of Earth leaders for this one decision. But if history survived past her time, that would be her triumph and her justification.