CHAPTER ONE
Phineas
ISTOOD IN a darkened corner of Global Media Network’s famed studioC-121, doing my best to stay clear of the swarm of producers and techniciansbuzzing around the space. My pulse was racing, my stomach was in knots, I hadthe worst case of cotton mouth ever, and I wasn’t even the one who was about tobe broadcast live to a billion people.Thathellish honor would go to myolder brother, Liam, and if I’d ever held an ounce of envy in my heart for hislife, it had since evaporated along with the moisture in my mouth. Liam, likeour father, was suited to a life of public service while I, like our mother,was happiest in the lab.
‘Solvingpuzzles,’ was how my mother described our work. To her ear, the words ‘researchscientist’ were dull, stuffy, and lacked the conveyance of wonder andplayfulness of those in our field. She viewed the lab as her sandbox, in whichshe could freely build castles as high as she wanted even if only to knock themdown. Already a brilliant scientist when she met my father, she was nowrecognized as the leading hematologist in the world, and among the best who’dever lived. But my mother was my personal hero long before she invented BlueFang and changed the world for everyone.
For the past tenminutes, I’d watched two grown men argue over which lighting scheme best hidthe show host’s double chin. A or B? B or A? Back and forth they bickered as ifit mattered. By now, the face of Chuck Larson had been burned into the retinasof every single American. Love him or hate him, Larson had become the closestthing to a ‘centralist news anchor,’ the nation had seen in decades. They couldshoot the show in the dark and it wouldn’t make a single difference. Besides,everyone in the room knew what all the extra fuss was truly about, even if noone was saying it aloud.
Tonight’sinterview with the prince, and future king, was sure to bring Larson’s show itshighest ratings ever. But of course, Larson couldn’t simply sit down for aone-on-one interview with my brother. He had to invite a panel of talkingheads, including members of the clergy, the US government, and the president ofthe Hand of the Cross, Gavin Trask, to give their thoughts about the past fiveyears.
No mind given tothe fact that Gavin Trask was a militant cult leader who was hellbent on thetotal annihilation of our people. I not only took exception to his seat at thetable, but to his presence in the building. However, my brother outranked meand had already given his approval for the show’s final panel selection. Traskand his sycophantic congregation members could be found protesting at justabout every publicly held event involving our people. Protests which werebecoming more and more heated on both sides of the line.
“We’re goingwith B, Hal, and if you don’t like it, you can quit,” the director yelled,pulling me from my thoughts, as he stomped back to the control booth.
I watched insilence as the panel members fidgeted in their seats, each displaying their owntell, some more noticeable than others. Mary Charvel, Assistant Secretary ofHealth and Human Services, drummed her fingers on her lap, while Gavin Traskcompulsively straightened his tie and shirt cuffs. In fact, my brother was theonly one on the entire set who looked as though he didn’t have a care in theworld. Nothing could be further from the truth, but you’d never know it bylooking at him.
Ninety secondsbefore showtime, Chuck Larson himself was led onto the set by an attractiveyoung assistant.
“It’s so nice tosee you all,” Larson said, giving a polite smile to each panelist beforestopping and bowing before my brother. “Your Royal Highness.”
“Thank you forhaving me, Mr. Larson. I look forward to our conversation,” my brother replied.
“Okay, people,places!” the director’s voice came over the talkback speakers and Chuck Larsontook his seat.
“We are live infive…four…three…” After two and one were silently counted down, the light ontop of the camera turned red, and the show’s dramatic theme song beganpulsating throughout the studio. Next came the iconic voice of the show’slongtime announcer, Willie Best.
“Live from GMN’slegendary studio C-121, in New York City. It’s the Larson Report with yourhost, Chuck Larson.”
“For decadesmankind has been fascinated with the possibility of intelligent life beyond thereaches of our planet. We’ve long imagined visitations by hyper intelligentbeings who possess fantastic abilities far beyond our own. Superman, DoctorWho, and my granddaughter’s favorite, E.T., all came from beyond the shores ofearth. Helpful aliens who chose to partner with humanity to ensure a betterlife for all of us. The truth, as we now know it, is that such beings do existbut rather than coming from beyond, they’ve been here on earth long before us.”He turned to face the second camera. “Good evening and welcome, once again, to theLarson Report. I’m Chuck Larson and I’m honored to present tonight’s episodecourtesy of our sponsors, Stone Tree Foods, makers of everybody’s favoritesnack, chocolate Yum Yums. And of course, by Keeler Technologies. Because‘everything works better with Keeler.’” Chuck turned to the panel and smiled.“Tonight, we have with us four very distinguished guests, including a member ofthe Cauld Ane royal family. But first, please let me introduce, from theCoalition of Life, Dr. Spencer Groth. The United Sates Assistant Secretary ofHealth and Human Services, Mary Charvel. Next, we have Pastor, best-sellingauthor, and newly appointed president of the Hand of the Cross organization, PastorGavin Trask.”
It made my fleshcrawl to hear Trask referred to as a distinguished guest, not to mention howclose he was sitting to my brother.
“And finally,making his first appearance here on the Larson Report, we’re honored towelcome, His Royal Highness, Prince Liam Gunnach.”
“Thank you somuch for having me. The honor is mine,” Liam replied in what I jokingly callhis ‘Kade’ voice.
My older brotherhated it when I said he was like our father. Not because Liam didn’t love andrespect him, but because it reminded him that one day the crown would be takenfrom my father’s head and placed on his.
Larson continuedwith his introduction, “This February third will mark the fifth anniversary ofthe very first New Era Day. The day we learned humans were not the onlysentient creatures on earth. The day we learned of the Cauld Ane. The ancientspecies that predates the arrival of homo sapiens. A people whose connection tothe planet has helped usher in a new era in science and technology. Tonight, wehope to gain a better understanding of the Cauld Ane. To not only look back atthe past five years, but also gaze ahead into what we expect will be a brightand prosperous future together.”
Lighting cue Bcame up and Larson turned to face the panel again. “Prince Liam, I’d like tostart with you, if I may.”
“Of course,Chuck. I’m looking forward to speaking with all of you tonight,” he said,scanning the panel, locking eyes with Gavin Trask, before turning back to thehost.
“As a member ofthe royal family, I’m hoping you can share with us, from the Cauld Aneperspective, how you feel about these past five years.”
“I’m happy toshare my thoughts, but I can only answer from my own personal experience. Icertainly can’t speak for all Cauld Ane any more than you could for everyhuman.”
Chuck nodded.“Of course, but I would think, with you being the prince and all, that you’dhave a better perspective than I regarding the thoughts of the average CauldAne on the street.”
Liam smiled.“Believe it or not, not even our family knows every Cauld Ane on the planet.”
“Then let me askyou this. How doyoupersonally feel about the past five years in regardto living openly among humans for the very first time?”
“Thankful is thefirst word that comes to mind. I’m thankful to the millions of people who’veshown their support to our people over these years. Grateful to those who’vetaken the time to listen to our story and welcome us into their homes andhearts.”
“You certainlyhave your fans, don’t you?” Larson asked, knowingly. “I don’t suppose we’veseen the type of hysteria surrounding the Cauld Ane since sixty some years agowhen the Beatles first arrived in America.”
