THE DRUID STONE

Tara Corbet stood up to greet Kane and shook his hand, motioning him to sit on the chair in front of her desk. “Before you ask, I don’t know the exact words the President will use when he addresses the nation at one o’clock.”

“I’m sure he’ll present some objective statement about Iran that will be noncommittal in terms of direct condemnation. What I want to ask you up front is, have you heard from any Middle East country about the scheduled Iran missile test?”

“No, Morgan. I’m sure some will be scared and demand protection. Others who side with Iran will make a declaration of the missile testing being a pure protective posture signature.”

“My question about the President then, is will he therefore support identification of those countries with such attitudes after all his media reports to the contrary?”

“I hope not. He will, however, ask my opinion on the matter.”

Kane maintained his eye contact with Corbet. “And what is your opinion? Off the record and it will never be in the New York Times unless you agree.”

“I’m going to come across in the media as the representative of the United States delineating which side the President favors.” She kept staring into Kane’s eyes. “Which is a situation and decision he will deliver abstaining from making any commitment.”

“But Tara, how are you going to advise the President, as Secretary of State, in this matter?”

“Morgan, as much as I hate to say it, the United States has to take a stand against Iran and that means to stand along with those countries who oppose terrorism.”

“We both know this will call for a United Nations opinion and poll which could make both factions verbalize fears of aggression and war.”

“Morgan, it’s beyond my control.”

“No it’s not. You could suggest to the President that the United States remain neutral.”

“Come on Morgan, it’s my job as Secretary of State to advise the President of the United States as to which countries we should recognize and side with on any issue.” Corbet’s eyes continued in alignment with Kane’s. “Morgan what’s happening to your eyes? They’re turning bright yellow…”

Kane’s eyes lost their discrete irises and pupils and turned into brilliant yellow suns. Bright yellow beams shot directly into Corbet’s eyes transforming them into sister suns. Corbet could not finish her sentence. She was transfixed and connected to life only by the yellow rays linking their two brains and excluding the outside world.

Kane spoke. “Tara Corbet, a global cataclysm can result from the United States agreeing to an alignment of aggressive Moslem states taking an opposing stance against defensive Moslem and non-Moslem states.”

Corbet felt transported into a blackness which excluded Morgan Kane’s presence. Instead, a bright yellow light filled her vision as a man in a very dark purple robe, long white beard and bright yellow eye sockets appeared.

“You must heed Morgan Kane and verbalize that each United Nations membership stands independent and speaks only for its view on peace–not war or aggression. Countries must not take sides on issues that will take them into physical combat. Listen to Morgan Kane as he represents the voice of a higher power dedicated to the preservation of humanity. You will go forward to your President with these views and not remember from whence they were initiated.”

Holthar’s visage dissolved into mist and was replaced by Morgan Kane. The yellow beams disappeared and Corbet shook her head from side to side as if shaking water from her hair.

“Oh… Morgan… I lost my train of thought. Yes, you’re correct. I will go to Holmes and present to him that the United States expresses its views in the best interest of promoting peace. I will also suggest to the Director General of the United Nations that each of its membership does the same.”

“Would you be able to do this in my presence with the President?”

“Standard procedure would be for me to ask his permission to do this. My past experience with President Holmes, depending on who else was in the room, was usually affirmative.” Corbet looked at the tiny clock on her desk. “We should go now. He’s expecting us.”