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Avapithecus — Horizons: Chapter 11
#arlie #arnolds #assassin #bromden #choose #cold #coldwar #creed #fanfic #fitzgerald #go #jack #john #kennedy #macha #moon #president #race #space #spacerace #speech #war #we #assassinscreed #wanbli
Published: 2019-03-13 18:47:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 1915; Favourites: 0; Downloads: 0
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September 12, 1962; Houston, Texas“Dad come on, we're gonna be late, come on!”
Wanbli enthusiastically tugged on Bromden's arm as they walked the streets of the university towards the stadium. Bromden couldn't help but laugh and assure his daughter that he was catching up. Macha stifled a chuckle behind her palm as well.
“She gets that stubbornness from you,” she whispered to her husband.
“Oh please,” he laughed back. “She gets it from both of us.”
“Mom! Dad! It's starting! Come on!” Wanbli pleaded.
“It'll be alright, honey,” Bromden assured her. “The first few minutes will just be introduction. We won't miss anything important.”
Rice Stadium was in their sights, just down the road. They joined the crowd that was bustling in and finding their seats. Bromden made sure his wife and daughter were comfortable in their seats (or in Wanbli's case, bouncing up and down from her seat), then turned to catch a glimpse at what they had all come to see.
He looked down past the cheering people in the bleachers, barely able to hear over the chatter of the crowd. There was a podium that had been set up on the edge of the field below, with its own crowd made up of uniquely dressed men and women. Some of them were from the university staff, some from the band and sports teams, and a select few were in dark suits, the kind of suits that practically radiate business. They flocked around the man at the center of this entire celebration: the man whom Bromden had come to know quite well over the past year, the man who trusted him with the fate of the world.
Kennedy stood from his seat, away from the suits, strong and proud despite the ungodly Texas heat. He smiled at the crowd, waving as he got situated at the podium. Bromden could've sworn he had caught his eyeline out of the crowd, just for a brief moment, before finally looking down at his notes as the crowd sat down and slowly came to a silence so that the President could speak.
“President Pitzer,” Kennedy spoke into the microphone, his voice echoing through the stadium, “Mr. Vice President, Governor, Congressman Thomas, Senator Wiley, and Congressman Miller, Mr. Webb, Mr. Bell, scientists, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen: I appreciate your president having made me an honorary visiting professor, and I will assure you that my first lecture will be very brief. I am delighted to be here, and I'm particularly delighted to be here on this occasion. We meet at a college noted for knowledge, in a city noted for progress, in a State noted for strength, and we stand in need of all three, for we meet in an hour of change and challenge, in a decade of hope and fear, in an age of both knowledge and ignorance. The greater our knowledge increases, the greater our ignorance unfolds. Despite the striking fact that most of the scientists that the world has ever known are alive and working today, despite the fact that this Nation’s own scientific manpower is doubling every 12 years in a rate of growth more than three times that of our population as a whole, despite that, the vast stretches of the unknown and the unanswered and the unfinished still far outstrip our collective comprehension.”
He reached into history for his speech. Bromden listened to him begin to explain how far and how fast human progress had been advancing. He thought back to the Apple in his office. He wondered how much of the past few thousand years Kennedy really knew.
“No man can fully grasp how far and how fast we have come,” Kennedy went on, “but condense, if you will, the 50,000 years of man’s recorded history in a time span of but a half-century. Stated in these terms, we know very little about the first 40 years, except at the end of them advanced man had learned to use the skins of animals to cover them. Then about 10 years ago, under this standard, man emerged from his caves to construct other kinds of shelter. Only five years ago man learned to write and use a cart with wheels. Christianity began less than two years ago. The printing press came this year, and then less than two months ago, during this whole 50-year span of human history, the steam engine provided a new source of power. Newton explored the meaning of gravity. Last month electric lights and telephones and automobiles and airplanes became available. Only last week did we develop penicillin and television and nuclear power, and now if America's new spacecraft succeeds in reaching Venus, we will have literally reached the stars before midnight tonight.”
Bromden leaned back in his chair a little, pondering. Kennedy went on to appeal to that great American drive to be on top of the world. Bromden listed as he began to compare space to the great frontiers of the past, to that idea that there's a place out there where all the dirty and bloody sins of the past can be left behind for good, where there are no borders or prejudice: just the human species and their drive for understanding. A hope that space will be filled with tools of learning, not tools of war. A reality that Bromden truly hoped would come about, one that he hoped his efforts here in this decade could help create. One where the Templars are finally knocked off their high horse once and for all, and his daughter can grow up safely.
“I do not say that we should or will go unprotected against the hostile misuse of space,” Kennedy's speech eventually trailed into, “any more than we go unprotected against the hostile use of land or sea, but I do say that space can be explored and mastered without feeding the fires of war, without repeating the mistakes that man has made in extending his writ around this globe of ours. There is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet. Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity for peaceful cooperation many never come again. But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas?”
The crowd got a laugh out of that one. Bromden could see Macha stifling another giggle. Kennedy seemed pleased with himself.
“We choose to go to the moon,” the President declared. “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too. It is for these reasons that I regard the decision last year to shift our efforts in space from low to high gear as among the most important decisions that will be made during my incumbency in the office of the Presidency. In the last 24 hours we have seen facilities now being created for the greatest and most complex exploration in man's history. We have felt the ground shake and the air shattered by the testing of a Saturn C-1 booster rocket, many times as powerful as the Atlas which launched John Glenn, generating power equivalent to 10,000 automobiles with their accelerators on the floor. We have seen the site where the F-1 rocket engines, each one as powerful as all eight engines of the Saturn combined, will be clustered together to make the advanced Saturn missile, assembled in a new building to be built at Cape Canaveral as tall as a 48 story structure, as wide as a city block, and as long as two lengths of this field.”
He went on, describing the many accomplishments of the space program, and, Bromden thought, the many thorns that their efforts had jabbed into the Templars’ sides. All the satellites and missions, many of them without the Templar stamp on them. Many of them out of their control. Bromden could only imagine how badly that must ruffle Abstergo's feathers. He wished he could see some of their faces.
“We have had our failures, but so have others, even if they do not admit them. And they may be less public. To be sure, we are behind, and will be behind for some time in manned flight. But we do not intend to stay behind, and in this decade, we shall make up and move ahead. The growth of our science and education will be enriched by new knowledge of our universe and environment, by new techniques of learning and mapping and observation, by new tools and computers for industry, medicine, the home as well as the school. Technical institutions, such as Rice, will reap the harvest of these gains.”
A man on the Moon within the decade. Our species officially a space-faring race before New Year's 1970. Strong words for big goals. It made Bromden a little nervous deep down, and yet confident at the same time. Templars hated strong words and big plans. And they especially hated it when someone like the President of the United States is the one expressing them. And not only expressing them, but making them happen. Zooming right past the Templars. If there was anyone who could keep Abstergo on a tight leash, it was Kennedy. Bromden could only imagine how angry or scared they must be at Abstergo right now, listening to the broadcast of this speech. That made him want to smile. But what made him want to cast away that smile was the thought of how hard they would bite to get off that leash.
Kennedy continued, approaching the end of his speech. More strong words, more big goals, more jokes to get a laugh from the crowd, until finally he brought his address to a close.
“Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked why did he want to climb it. He said, ‘because it is there.’ Well, space is there, and we're going to climb it, and the Moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. And, therefore, as we set sail we ask God's blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked. Thank you.”
The President took a step back, and the crowd erupted in applause. The stadium stood from their seats and clapped, filling the field with noise. Kennedy smiled and waved at them as he returned to the protective cloak of his men in suits, who began to lead him away into the depths of the building. Bromden watched him go as he too clapped alongside his wife and daughter, the latter of which was clearly enjoying her chance to see the President in person. Bromden looked at her bouncing giddily, and it brought that smile back to his face like she always did.
“Dad, I wanna go to space someday!” she told him. “I wanna be one of the first people on the Moon!”
Bromden chuckled and ruffled her hair. “I hope you get to reach the stars, Wanbli,” he told her.
“Maybe that'll be some inspiration to start doing your homework, hmm?” Macha smirked to her daughter, who promptly responded by turning away with a blushed scrunched face.
“Hey,” Bromden said as he bent down to his daughter's eye level. “Your old man has to go speak to someone really important down there. You wanna go say hi?”
Wanbli's eyes lit up as she realized what he meant and she started frantically nodding her head yes. Bromden smiled, and motioned for her and Macha to follow him.
The family made their way down the bleachers with the other people who were shuffling around the stairs and seats. They made it to ground level, and Bromden led them down a beeline to the stadium entrance that Kennedy had disappeared into. They were glad to feel the cool rush of air conditioning once again after sitting in the heat for a good 20 minutes.
Bromden scanned the halls, his eyes landing on the cloak of men in suits he had seen earlier. He approached them, and flashed an ID when one of them outside the gaggle held up a hand to stop him. Bromden promptly thanked him, and pushed on through. The President was chatting with who Bromden assumed to be university staff, lighting up a cigarette and placing it in his mouth as he laughed with them. Then he cast a quick glance to his right, and saw Bromden there waiting to get his attention. Kennedy smiled, and politely waved away the staff members to tell them he had business to attend to.
“That was a nice speech,” Bromden said to him.
Kennedy smiled and took the cigarette out of his mouth. “I simply said what the country needed to hear,” he shrugged modestly.
Bromden laughed. “Well, you've definitely done a good job at inspiring my daughter at least,” he said, waving a hand behind him for Wanbli to follow.
“That so?” the President asked. “She here with you?”
Bromden turned around, and his daughter suddenly inched forward out of the crowd, clearly nervous as she looked up at the President. Kennedy offered her a kind smile, however, and knelt down a little to meet her gaze.
“Hey kiddo,” he said to her. “Enjoy the show?”
“Yes sir,” the little girl stuttered.
“Wanbli here wants to be an astronaut someday, Mr. President,” Bromden smiled as he watched.
“That so?” Kennedy asked, his tone a little exaggerated for the girl. “Well you make sure you study hard and never give up your goals then, understood Ms. Arnolds?”
Wanbli frantically nodded, her lips pulling themselves into a giant smile. “Yes sir, Mr. Kennedy sir!”
“Atta girl!” Kennedy said, ruffling her hair. “Our country needs as many bright kids like you as we can get in order to get to the cosmos. Just remember: always aim for the Moon, because even if you miss, you'll still end up amongst the stars.”
“I will, Mr. President,” Wanbli promised. “I wanna be like you and dad when I grow up. I wanna protect people.”
“And I have no doubt that you will. Now, your old man and I have some important business stuff we need to talk about. So how bout you go join your mother while we do that, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you, Mr. Kennedy!”
“You're welcome, kiddo.”
Wanbli giggled with glee and then ran back past the suits into the arms of her mother, whom Bromden gave a wave to let her know he’ll catch up when he's done. Once they were alone again, he turned back towards Kennedy, who put his cigarette back in his mouth.
“Arlie,” Bromden suddenly said.
“Pardon?” Kennedy asked.
“Wanbli's last name is Arlie. Her mother's last name. Not mine.”
“Why's she got her mother's name?”
“It's a cultural thing. The Apache and Lakota are both matrilineal people. Kids take their mother's family name.”
“That so? Well, you learn something new every day. I hope she won't mind I used your name then.”
Bromden laughed. “I think she was too ecstatic to even notice,” he said, prompting a chuckle from the President. “So, how have things been so far?”
“Pain in the ass as always,” Kennedy chuckled. “I've got the Soviets with a knife in front of me and the Templars with one at my back. Normal Wednesday.”
“That sounds about right. Negotiations with Khrushchev still going rough then?”
“Unfortunately yes, but it could be worse. I've been meeting with the man in private, still trying to get him to get on board with the joint mission plan. Unfortunately the man seems more focused on measuring up our country's missile lengths than the advancement of humanity if you catch my drift.”
“I've seen a lot of people like that.”
“Let's just hope we keep them out of office.” Kennedy paused, taking another puff on his cigarette. “Khrushchev's been gloating about his missile launch capabilities ever since Sputnik. He's actually arranged to set up a few small missiles in Cuba.”
“Nuclear missiles?” Bromden asked nervously.
“No, thankfully. Just a few defensive missiles. When we met in private, he made sure to let me know they're just that and nothing more.”
“And you believe him?”
“I don't believe anything I'm told, Major Arnolds. That's why I didn't leave that room without letting him know that if Russia puts any nuclear weapons in Cuba, I will take action.”
“That's some thin ice you're walking on, sir.”
“I know. But I'm willing to navigate the cracks if it means we can prevent nuclear war. I will not be the man who ends the Cold War with the end of the world.”
“Anything you need me to do to make sure the Cold War stays in the freezer?”
“Actually, yes.”
“What's my mission briefing then, sir?”
“You remember those new facilities being built that I mentioned in the speech? I'm worried our friends the Templars are trying to get their fingerprints on them.”
“Do you have any names?”
“I only know of one man so far: Phil Billings. You heard of the man?”
“I've seen him, never encountered him personally before though.”
“Based on what my intel can gather, he's the man that Abstergo’s put in charge of their entire Space Race operation. Stubborn and vicious, just like the lot of them. And I've heard word that he's been lurking around Houston here.”
“Name a place and I'll give you blood, Mr. President.”
“The NASA Manned Spacecraft Center is the newest facility constructed in this town. It's about a 30 mile drive southeast of here.”
Bromden nodded, and started turning to leave. “I'll make sure Abstergo ends up with another kink in their armor tonight,” he said.
“Excellent. Meet me in DC when you're done. I've still got a lot on my plate I need to address.”
“Yes sir, Mr. President,” Bromden nodded.
“Good man. Godspeed.”
The two of them shook hands, and Bromden left to join back up with his family. He made sure to get them back to their hotel before he set out on his mission, and gave his wife and daughter a big hug for the best of luck. And once that was all sorted out, he pulled up his hood and made his way out the door, hopping into his car to carry out the executive order.
