[ WP ] The US Federal deficit is actually due to a super top secret massive R & D program the US government pours billions into . You are the newly sworn in President and are being briefed ...

`` Are you okay John?'' 
 
 `` Mr. President? John?'' 
 
 `` Let me get this straight.'' 
 
 He stared at the slides until the silence became painful. The Joint Chiefs shared a look but no one spoke. 
 
 `` So just to be clear.'' The President said slowly rubbing his eyes. `` This is n't some sort of prank?'' 
 
 `` Jo- Mr. President, this is very real.'' 
 
 Adams stood in the center of the room waiting. The President blinked at him a few times then indicated with a wave of his hand that the man should continue. 
 
 `` As I was staying sir.'' Adams continued as if there was n't a pause in his presentation. 
 
 `` The Cartorniums, as we call them, wished to proceed with real time communications. We went ahead with their designs and in'87 had the first long distance FTL communication with another species. In conjunction with our partners we have moved onto phase nineteen. Mater transmission or rather matter-pattern transmission,'' He paused at his own joke but noticed the looks from others and continued. 
 
 `` is viable for several AU. The Lunar base-'' 
 
 `` We have a fucking moon base?'' The President asked. Adams turned to look at him and blinked twice. 
 
 `` Well no sir, according to the treaty that is the Russians. We have Mars and Io. As I was saying longer trips have proven... troublesome. The project we are currently working on uses several new satellites as well as the ansible array with mars to better triangulate the local gravity wave distortions and allow a more cohesive data transmission.'' 
 
 `` So there are aliens.'' The President said flatly. `` Why am I not telling the American people?'' 
 
 `` Ahem, the Kennedy accords sir.'' Adams said softly. 
 
 `` What?'' 
 
 Adas looked around the room but no one seemed willing to speak. 
 
 `` Until the, errr, dominate lifeforms, that would be us sir. Until they put aside, and we believe the word here is silly or foolish or the like, notions of fate / gods / or destiny and come to understand their actions are theirs alone...'' Adams trailed off slowly suddenly remembering someone said they feared what another died-in-the-wool family-value republican would do to the working budget. 
 
 `` Ca n't sir.'' Adams said into the silence. `` They worry what so many.... religious people, would do with that knowledge. As Clinton said, `` If the world learns the world burns.'' Though... That is we are not allowed to tell the general population at this time.'' 
 
 `` They have an issue with God?'' The President asked quietly. Adams always the literal, logical, scientist smiled. 
 
 `` Oh no sir, no problems with any Gods, only those that believe in them.'' 

