Jason was excited. This was the first time he had ever been invited to appear on television. The host was known for favoring sensational stories. And Jason's was such.
The story had exploded on the internet. Conspiracy theorists spread it, embellished it, argued over it. In some of the stories, Jason became a Chinese agent, in others a whistleblowing hero. In all he was famous.
Jason was being prepped in makeup. Beside him was Colonel Sloan, one of Jason's former sources of information. He would be arguing against Jason's conclusions. And Jason knew that Samuel Sloan could make a good argument.
Jason was determined not to reason with the viewers but to play to their emotions. He knew his story was not tight enough to stand up to Sloan's objections. But he also knew that he only had to present himself as the reasonable party and Sloan as the nutcase to win the debate.
As they were finishing with makeup, Jason and Sloan rose from their chairs simultaneously and couldn't avoid making eye contact.
“Well Jason,” said Sloan. “I guess we are going to see how well your story holds up to inspection.”
“Colonel, I assure you my story will hold up under inspection as will I.”
“We'll see,” said the Colonel.
Jason found the lighting on the sparse set much brighter and hotter than he expected. Maybe a result of lighting the studio for the 3D super-high-definition broadcast. The set included just the three chairs and a high desk. The host on one side, his two guests on the other. Jason was afraid he might start sweating.
The host started, “Welcome to Your Voice on the Talk Network. This is your host, Robert Rich, and I have with me today Jason Bigley and retired Colonel Samuel Sloan. Jason, as most of you know, wrote the article published on the website The Whole Truth! which has everyone talking. In that article, Jason takes to task the United States government for its failure to inform citizens of the dangers presented by Chinese militarization of orbital space.
Looking directly into the camera he said, “According to Jason, ladies and gentlemen, we are all at the mercy of our Chinese overlords.”
The camera caught Colonel Sloan wincing at the hyperbole.
“Also with me is former Space Command Colonel Samuel Sloan. Colonel Sloan is here to argue against Jason's conclusions. I would like to start the discussion by asking Jason for a quick rundown of his remarkable reporting.”
Jason began well, providing a quick review of the main points of his web story. He closed his comments by assuring the viewers that each major point of his story could be confirmed by an independent source if necessary.
Rich turned to Colonel Sloan and said, “So Colonel from what I just heard, Jason's reporting seems to be sound. What exactly is your objection to his story.”
“My understanding of journalism is that you print the facts. And the facts are two. First, the hypersonic fleet of the United States has been placed on alert, but this is not unusual. Second, that the Chinese are intending to conduct a system-wide review of their military forces, sometimes called war games, this is also not unusual.
“Now Mr. Bigley has decided these two events are connected. But I can assure the viewers that besides the coincidence of these two events they have no other relation. I repeat they are only coincidences, there is no rational connection between the two. Everyone I know in the military or formerly in the military will say the same thing.”
Rich said, “Thank you Colonel, that was a bit much, but I think we all understand your position now. Jason, do you have a response to what the Colonel has just said.”
“Yes, I would point out that the Colonel did not deny the main points of my story. In fact, he confirmed them. I would also like to point out that though he calls the timing of these two events a coincidence, he does not deny that the timing is unusual. To put the hypersonic forces of the United States on high alert is not an inconsequential event. To call for massive war games as the Chinese have done is also not of inconsequential significance. Are we to believe that these two countries, now allies but formerly enemies, have by coincidence essentially put their military forces on high alert? Are we to believe there is no connection? Isn't it more reasonable to assume that the two events are connected? Isn't it safer for the security of this country to assume there is a connection? Isn't it patriotic to assume such? Is the Colonel such a patriot?”
“Now wait a minute young man. Your insinuation is too much for me to take without objection. Tell me, what branch of the services did you serve in?”
Rich smiled.
“Colonel Sloan knows that I did not have the honor to serve my country. However, I do not see how that impacts the truth. My story ...”
“Your story,” said the Colonel interrupting. “Your story is not based on truth but conjecture. The connection between the two events in question has no basis in fact but only in fiction. Your fiction Mr. Bigley.”
“Colonel let me ask you a question. Were you not at one time a source of military information for me?”
“When you acted in a responsible manner, yes I shared information with you.”
“Then do you deny that you were contacted by someone in the US military ordering you to not share any more information with me when I started trying to find out the reason behind the US hypersonic forces being brought to high alert?”
“Yes, and I did so because I am, unlike you, a patriot.”
“Oh,” said Jason. “So, it's patriotic to withhold information from citizens and unpatriotic to tell those citizens the truth? Is that the position you are taking?”
“Before you answer Colonel,” said Rich. “We need to take a break.”
Turning to the camera Rich said, “We'll be right back.”
Rich turned to his guests and said, “I thought that was an excellent segment gentleman. Keep it up in the next segment and we should get great ratings.”
Just then Rich's assistant ran up and handed him a note.
“Damn!” said Rich after reading the note. “Damn it, I can't believe it. The show didn't go out. The satellite is down. Something is happening up there.”
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