CHAPTER 29

"Burns!" The Director of the FBI, seated at a large conference table, turned from his sweating analyst to face the glare of the Secretary of Defense. "We get contacted by aliens, and the first I hear of it is when the U.S. Government has been asked for comment by a dog-gamn local television station?"

"Good morning, Mr. Secretary," Douglas Burns said, expression relaxed. "Everyone is waiting for the President; explanations of what we know and when we learned it will be part of the briefing."

The SecDef pointed his scowl around the room, noting the Director of the NSA, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State. His eyes narrowed at an unfamiliar woman leaning over a laptop. "Who's that?"

"Her name is Carla Velasquez; she's on NASA's first-contact protocol list. She has multiple PhDs, in anthropology, psychology and political science."

Cyrus grunted, then turned his stare to the analyst seated by the FBI Director. "And who's this?"

"He's with me. Mark Tyler, FBI evidence analyst."

Mark gulped as the Secretary of Defense's expression darkened. "So you knew about this?"

"Uh... Director Burns ordered me to verify a recording several days ago-"

"Days." The hissed word cut off the analyst, who swallowed again, looking between Cyrus' expression of fury and his boss.

"I told him it was Top Secret clearance," Douglas said. "He's an analyst because he doesn't talk."

"I know why HE didn't say anything." The SecDef shifted his glare to the Director, to the analyst's relief. "That's his job. Part of YOUR job is to make sure security threats don't blindside us!"

"Yeah, it is. And that would be easier if, on reporting those security threats, I didn't get responses ranging from "your jokes need work" to "do you need a psychiatric evaluation?"

Douglas returned Cyrus' glare, and the Secretary of Defense blinked first. "Understood, Director." He shook his head and sighed. "But if these creatures had been hostile... People would be calling for our heads, too, asking how we'd been surprised by attackers from INSIDE the United States, in our own dog-gamn back yard."

The Director nodded, his own expression easing. "I know, and you're right. Re-evaluating our communication channels is an obvious recommendation. But in fairness to the system, this is a pure black swan event. NASA is supposed to have a first contact procedure in place, but all of their assumptions were based on extraterrestrials, not, ah, intra-terrestrials. The closest scenarios they have are for crashed spacecraft, and those assume limited numbers of aliens, not a small city's worth."

"That many?" Cyrus' eyebrows shot up. "How'd we get that number?"

"Mr. President!"

"It'll be part of the briefing," the Director said quickly, as everyone rose at the President's entry.

The President, Manuel Ortega, took a seat at the head of the conference table. "All right. Shall we begin?"

The FBI Director stood and cleared his throat. "Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen. The FBI was informed ten days ago about the existence of unknown creatures, calling themselves monsters, living underneath Mount Ebott in Washington State." He looked around the room, but saw only attentive faces. "I assigned one of the FBI's top evidence analysts, Mark Tyler," he said, gesturing at the analyst, "to examine the video and audio recordings submitted to us with the initial report; Mr. Tyler finished their verification within 12 hours. Since then, that evidence has been checked by another senior analyst, who confirmed his results."

"You say that the FBI was informed ten days ago," the President said. "We're here because a Washington television station sent the White House Press Secretary a recording of an interview with these, ah, monsters, asking for the United States Government's official response. They assumed that we already knew about the situation." Ortega's expression was neutral, but his voice made his displeasure plain.

"Yes, Mr. President." The FBI Director nodded. "There has been a regrettable delay in distributing our information, mostly because of disbelief in that information. Virtually no one the FBI has contacted prior to this meeting was prepared to accept that non-human, intelligent subterranean creatures had suddenly made themselves known in Washington State. The only organization willing to consider the matter seriously was NASA, who contacted Doctor Carla Velasquez." The Director gestured at her, and Velasquez returned the looks now pointed her way. "Doctor Velasquez met with us and was briefed yesterday. She immediately began working on an analysis of the data we could provide for her, as well as providing suggestions for seeking further information."

"You say your reports weren't believed." The President leaned forward. "What reports?"

"Mr. President, the FBI has treated this situation as having Top Secret classification from first receiving reports about it. We have strictly controlled information distribution, which limited the channels we used to contact other agencies. The FBI has sent classified reports and made requests for secure briefings to the Secretary of Defense, the Director of the NSA, the White House Chief of Staff, and the Director of NASA." Douglas took a deep breath, jaw clenched, before continuing. "Responses from the NSA and the Secretary of Defense's subordinates were to treat these requests as a joke."

The Secretary of Defense grimaced, and the NSA Director nodded, poker-faced, before speaking. "Regrettable. We obviously need to re-examine our intelligence communication arrangements."

"What was the Chief of Staff's response?" President Ortega asked.

"To recommend that I submit to psychiatric examination."

The President sighed. "I see."

The FBI Director nodded. "Yes, Mr. President. I was considering other channels of notification, still treating the situation as Top Secret, when the White House Press Secretary received the recording of a television interview with the monsters' royal family." He coughed. "That, of course, changed the security considerations."

"Yes. So, Director, what information does the FBI have? And how did the Bureau first learn of this situation?"

"The sheriff of Norcott County, Samuel Abrams, is a former FBI agent; I worked with him personally before his retirement. My knowledge of his character and ability persuaded me to take his initial report seriously." Douglas gestured at the folders in front of each person at the conference table. "Doctor Velasquez and analyst Tyler have written a summary of current information about these creatures, and are here to present their analysis and answer questions. Doctor Velasquez?"

"Thank you, Director." Velasquez nodded to Burns, then stood, closing her laptop, as the people around the table opened their briefings. "Our initial report is limited by information currently available, but we believe that what we have been told to date is accurate and reliable. So far the 'monsters' have been completely open, responding promptly to our requests for information. In all honesty, the current situation is a near-optimal first-contact scenario. We're dealing with friendly, intelligent beings who are at a similar technological level, use human language and, apparently, share human psychological traits to an astonishing degree."

"What language? And how did they learn?" Howard Cullum, the Secretary of State, asked.

"So far, all reports are that the 'monsters' both speak and read English," Velasquez said. "As for how, you could call it cultural contamination. It seems that the Ebott River flows through the caves these 'monsters' live in, and their prior knowledge of humanity came from garbage carried down from surface. That should be in the 'Cultural' section of the analysis."

The Attorney General, John Taylor, snorted. "Huh. So they live on garbage?"

"Hardly." The doctor shot an irritated look at Taylor. "If that were the case, they would have died out long ago; check the 'Economics' section. The 'monsters' have used the debris falling into their caves not for subsistence, but as supplement and inspiration. They've adopted many human cultural and technological ideas, and adapted or improved others. They have created a local cell phone network and internet, and much of their cave network is supplied with electricity generated by a geothermal installation they call 'the Core.' These installations were designed by a 'monster,' a 'Doctor Gaster,' and built using materials and devices created by the 'monsters.'"

The Secretary of Defense leaned forward. "They have some industrial capacity, then?"

Doctor Velasquez inclined her head. "Some, but without anything resembling mass production. Their industry is based on artisans and hand-crafting. Given their limited population, large-scale production would be superfluous for them."

"And what is their population? How many monsters are we talking about?" the President asked.

"Between three and four thousand, with 3,700 as a rough estimate," Velasquez said. "The 'monsters' don't take census measurements. Our basis for those numbers is in 'Statistical Estimates.'"

"What's their governmental structure? How are they organized as a society?" The Secretary of State said.

Velasquez turned to face Cullum as she replied. "Despite being a notional monarchy, the 'monsters' have a high degree of personal freedom. The King of the Monsters, Asgore, rules through personal authority and consensus more than positional authority; questions of authority, and attempts at rebellion, have apparently not arisen since the 'monsters' were confined several hundred years ago. Their society resembles some pre-European Native American tribal structures, with authority held through consent and tradition rather than force or coercion."

"About that," President Ortega said. "How did these monsters get under the mountain in the first place? And why has no one heard of them before?"

"By their accounts," Velasquez said, "humans and 'monsters' lived together peacefully for several human generations. However, the two societies grew apart; humans became fearful of the 'monsters,' both for their use of magic and their legends about 'monsters' ' ability to, ah, absorb human souls, increasing their power."

"So they were driven underground because of superstitious fear?" The Attorney General shook his head. "But that doesn't explain why they haven't been heard of before this."

Doctor Velasquez took a deep breath. "Sir, those 'superstitions' were... mostly correct."

"What?" The exclamation was a confused chorus, as the President, NSA Director, Attorney General, and Secretary of State spoke at the same time. The FBI Director, evidence analyst and Velasquez herself remained silent, as did the Secretary of Defense, who was leafing intently through the pages in his briefing folder.

Velasquez raised a hand, and waited for silence before continuing. "The 'monsters' are able to use magic, which they define as 'the power of the will to directly affect the physical world,' as opposed to effects caused through what we would consider normal, physical processes. They do not consider magic to be supernatural; to them, magic is a known and understood phenomenon. That's covered in the sections titled 'Magic' and 'Monster Biology.'"

She waited for comments, but the only sound was the rustle of papers as everyone at the table turned to the 'Magic' section of the brief, followed by mutters and gasps. The next question came from the Secretary of Defense. "So, the monsters can... absorb human souls, and that makes them more powerful, but that turns the monster into a kind of... Jekyll and Hyde creature, with control shifting between the two?"

Doctor Velasquez shook her head. "Not... exactly. It isn't a case of either-or; both individuals in the arrangement, human and 'monster,' are able to exert control at the same time. At least, that's the information we have."

"And how reliable is that information?" The President was looking up from his own folder, brow creased. "This sounds like a potential threat to national security, especially the part about 'godlike power.'"

"Agreed." The SecDef looked grim. "Doctor?"

Velasquez took a deep breath. "Our... information source is the account of the Royal Family's children; their natural son, Asriel, and the two human children they've adopted, Chara and Frisk. The children's description of what happened to them is Appendix A, and includes what they've called a 'press conference' at which they told their story to the 'monsters.' That story is consistent with everything they've told us so far."

"Excuse me, Doctor." Heads turned as the Attorney General spoke. "But after reading your briefing summary on monster biology... I can't believe this."

"Why not, sir?"

"Because it's incredible. You say that these creatures don't excrete, effectively live on good intentions, reproduce through 'special hugs' – it sounds like a description of something from a children's cartoon!" Taylor shook his head. "And practicing magic? 'Absorbing' human souls? Preposterous."

"All of our information will be verified by further study, of course," Doctor Velasquez said. "Medicine is not my area of expertise, but it would be foolish beyond belief for these 'monsters' to both declare that they intend to be completely truthful and open, and then to lie about basic facts of their biology that are unconcealable long-term." She paused, then chuckled. "And their method of reproduction is actually a logical evolutionary development, given what we've been told."

"Oh, really?" The AG raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." Velasquez nodded, smiling. "Given a way to convert food into energy without creating waste products, the 'monsters' would have no need of excretory organs. Sexual intercourse and reproduction in most complex species makes use of those organs, an efficient dual-purposing by nature. The 'monsters' had nothing similar to repurpose, and so evolved another method of doing the same thing. Their 'joining' has the same result as human reproduction, a new child that shares traits of both parents, just accomplished in a different way."

"Ah... yes. I'll take your word for it," the AG said, his face a bit red.

The NSA Director, Conrad Hadley, coughed. "This is fascinating, but if we could return to a more urgent question?" He looked down at the briefing for a moment, then looked up and continued. "According to their account, the monsters' cave was sealed by a barrier which admitted humans, but prevented exit by humans or monsters. This explains why the monsters went unreported for several hundred years. Correct?"

"Yes, that's right."

"And destroying the barrier required an, ahem, 'godlike' force, which could be exerted by a monster who took seven human souls or their equivalents."

"That's what we've been told, yes." Velasquez nodded. "The full account is in Appendix A, and has an attached video file of the children explaining what happened."

"Thank you; I've skimmed it, and read your summary. The point we need to consider, however, is whether something similar could happen again, and what kind of threat that would pose to the United States."

"Agreed." The President looked at Velasquez' frown and sighed. "I understand your position, Doctor Velasquez; these creatures have an unfortunate history and a claim to our sympathy. But our job is protecting the welfare of our country and its citizens, and we have to keep that in mind."

"Yes, Mr. President," the SecDef said. "Taking the stuff in this brief as real, the idea of one of these monsters taking multiple human souls – well, it would be in the WMD scenario category, or worse. You were talking first-contact scenarios earlier? I'd say that a soul-snatching monster lines up with a hostile, more-advanced alien race contact scenario." He looked around the table, face grim. "The commonly held assumption for that scenario's conclusion is that humanity would be destroyed or enslaved."

"That assumes hostile intent."

"And the monsters' king said himself that he had planned to go to war with humanity after breaking the barrier!"

"He ALSO said that he regretted his actions, and offered his own life as a sacrifice to demonstrate that he meant it!"

"Calm down, both of you!" The President rose, interrupting the increasingly loud disagreement between the Doctor and the Secretary of Defense. "Secretary Norton, we are NOT going to launch a preemptive strike on a group of people whose leadership, as Doctor Velasquez has pointed out, is offering their lives in atonement for past actions. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Mister President." The SecDef sat slowly, face still red.

"Doctor Velasquez. We will respond appropriately to these creatures; so far their words and actions have been friendly, and that will be honored. But!" The President said, cutting off Velasquez' smile. "We ALSO have to consider possible events and make plans to deal with them, however unpleasant or unlikely. We will not attack without cause, but we must be prepared against potential threats."

Velasquez sighed, letting her shoulders relax. "Yes, Mister President."

"Good." The President nodded and took his seat. "Now, we need to decide on plans and priorities. The Department of Defense's role is an obvious one, to start making contingency plans in case of hostile actions, by either monsters OR humans. I don't want to see a genocide on American soil under my watch."

"Yes, Mr. President."

"Director Burns, Director Hadley. I want you to start planning operations to gain information about the monsters; their abilities, their intentions. Also, plans for detecting any group that might intend to attack them, from xenophobia, fear, or any other reason."

"What about the CIA? Shouldn't they be involved?" Doctor Velasquez said.

"No, Doctor." The NSA Director answered her. "The CIA is only authorized to monitor activities outside of the United States; the FBI is in charge of domestic intelligence activities, with the exception of electronic sources. Those are the NSA's responsibility."

"So we're considering the caves of the 'monsters' American soil?"

"Well, they ARE in Washington State." The FBI Director shrugged. "And if we do treat them as a sovereign nation, precedent with Native American reservations still says it's the FBI's ball game."

The President grunted. "That brings up another point. We need to consider legal and diplomatic issues - whether the monsters have a claim to Mount Ebott, how we handle human contact, sightseers and tourists, land transfer for moving the monsters above ground..." He trailed off.

The Attorney General shook his head. "That's going to be complicated. I can tell you right now, if they can demonstrate several hundred years of residency, they've got a solid case for right of possession. Definitely of the caves, probably of the mountain, questionably of some of the land around the mountain. I'll start checking precedents."

"We'll need to appoint an ambassador," the Secretary of State said. "Did I read the brief correctly? The monsters' current ambassador is a child?"

"Yes," Doctor Velasquez said. "We need to confirm whether that's a permanent arrangement; I suspect that it was a selection born of necessity, since Frisk was one of a very few people familiar with both humans and monsters. He might transition to a more ceremonial role as a 'good-will' ambassador, or take on an advisory role, after relations are formalized." She shook her head. "From what we know of his background he's an exceptional child, but I hope they don't intend to keep him as ambassador permanently; it's more responsibility than a child should have to carry."

"Doctor Velasquez?" The President waited for her attention. "I want an investigatory committee to study the monsters, and I want you on it, possibly leading it. Would you accept?"

"Certainly. If my university objects, which they won't, then I'll resign. Any researcher, any academic with an atom of ambition or curiosity, would give their favorite arm for an opportunity like this. Doing primary research on a previously unknown species, who have the ability to practice objectively verifiable magic?" Doctor Velasquez laughed. "The problem will be keeping them away!"

"We'll need to come up with something for that." The President looked around the table. "Remember, we still have to go through Congress for authorization. All we can do for now is start planning. But we need to be ready to act as soon as possible; we're already behind on our reaction to this. We're lucky that TV station didn't go straight to air with their interview and leave us looking like slack-jawed idiots."

"Dog-gamn lucky." The Secretary of Defense stood. "Doctor, Director Burns. I hope you'll keep the Department of Defense informed of any new developments with the monsters?"

"We'll keep you updated, Mr. Secretary. Just make sure it's treated seriously this time."

"Count on it." Cyrus nodded at Burns, then picked up his briefing folder and began moving around the table as the others did the same.

"Mr. Secretary?" Doctor Velasquez said, approaching him.

"Yes, Doctor?" The SecDef turned to face the academic.

"I know your responsibility is to protect the United States, but..." Her voice trailed off, and Cyrus grimaced.

"Ma'am, let me try and save you some time. What you're trying to say is, please don't hurt the monsters if I can help it. Right?"

"Yes! They've already been through enough, we shouldn't-"

The SecDef held up a hand, interrupting her. "I understand, ma'am. I even agree with you. I don't know if you hold the same view of the military as some academics-"

Velasquez chuckled. "My primary interest is human behavior, Mr. Secretary. And I accept that violence is a historic and natural part of the human condition." She frowned. "An unfortunate part, but one that must be acknowledged."

"Yes, ma'am." Cyrus nodded. "And I agree with you on that, too. I do my job because it's necessary, not because I love war. I'm not eager to attack a new species, especially when one of their first actions is to offer their leader's life for peace. But their ability to take souls..." The SecDef grimaced again. "It sounds like every one of those monsters is a potential WMD."

"It's not that simple. Control between the monster and human is a shared experience, and it's unlikely that a human would allow their 'monster' partner to attack without restraint. Both I and Mr. Tyler are certain the children were telling the truth about their experience, and they were quite definite about their shared control over actions."

"So, you'd need a human and a monster who both agreed ..." Cyrus shook his head. "Sorry, ma'am. Doctor. Just running scenarios. Believe me, I'll be as happy as you if it turns out the monsters aren't a potential threat."

"My email address and phone number are on the last page of the briefing, Mr. Secretary. I'll be glad to answer any questions about the 'monsters' that aren't explained in our analysis."

"Thank you, Doctor. By the way, why do you keep saying 'monsters' like that?"

Velasquez grimaced. "Because I detest the implications of the word, and they are completely unfitting for the creatures who are calling themselves 'monsters.' They are no more cruel or violent than humans, and I consider them more fascinating than frightening."

"So, monsters who aren't monstrous. Not-monsters." The SecDef paused, then grinned. "Non-sters?"

"You have a talent for word-play, Mr. Secretary."

"Thank you. Comes in handy with my wife; she doesn't like cursing, so I compromised."

"And so you created 'dog-gamn'?"

"Yep." The SecDef looked towards the Secretary of State, who was gesturing at him. "Seems I need to go. Thank you for your for work, Doctor Velasquez."

"And thank you, Mr. Secretary." Velasquez walked back to her laptop and sat down. (Hmm. Nonsters... yes, that would do nicely. First impressions and associations are important. And Jerry wanted to try that 'spreading a new word' project again...) She smiled as she began an email to her friend, the Professor of Media Studies at UC Berkeley.