The Crisis Masters

by Gerry Hart

  BH.Pulp Vol. 1

  Presents

  The

  Last Humanity

  Book I

  By

  Gerry Hart

  Dedication

  To my father, Bob Hart, a man who tried for success but never reached it. Hopefully, this series will give him some small measure of a legacy

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Conan, Solomon Kane, John Carter, Warlord of Mars, Tarzan. These iconic characters first appeared in Pulp Fiction Magazines, monthly anthologies presenting tales that peaked curiosity and let imagination soar. Two of my favorite pulp fiction writers among many were Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs. It is these two men and other creators of iconic characters such as The Shadow, Doc Savage, The Spider, and Zorro that I give honorable mention. Also, A nod to writers, Stan Lee, Stephen King, Phillip K. Dick, Richard Matheson, Chris Claremont, Marv Wolfman, Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, Bill Mantlo, Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, and Grant Morrison who’s influences egged on my muse.

  There is a universe where….

  …. The Ape man still rules the jungle.

  …. The Barbarian is the noblest warrior of them all.

  …. The Masked Avenger strikes out against oppression.

  ….. Ghouls, Goblins, and creatures that go bump in the night still frighten.

  …. The Knight still battles the dragon for the damsel in distress.

  …. the Sherriff faces the Outlaw at high noon.

  …. Ray Guns and Rocket ships to the Planet X still exist

  …. the Gumshoe still walks the dimly lighted streets, alleyways, and backrooms looking for justice.

  This is a universe where Pulp Fiction still exists.

  The Universe is…. B. H. Pulp

  PROLOGUE

  In the year 3980, scientists on Earth learned that the sun would go supernova within two months. The catastrophe was sudden. The sun's energies had suddenly cooled and began slowly to degrade. No intellect could explain the cause. Was it natural? Had the sun reached its peak? Some believed it was not a natural occurrence, but could not prove it. The only definitive fact was, in two months, humanity would cease to exist.

  With the aid of a mysterious traveler the world nicknamed "Moses" and an alien race called the Baldurans, a small part of humanity was rescued from the doomed Earth. “Moses” told the remaining populace of a hidden paradise and vowed to lead them there. It was an arduous journey. It seemed the Four Horsemen themselves, War, Pestilence, Famine, and Death, lined up to take their prizes from the exodus. However, there would be nothing so bitter than a fifth Horsemen, Betrayal, rising from within the ranks of the pilgrims not once but twice! Twenty-three years later, "Moses" led the exodus population to a hidden galaxy where four worlds circled a sun amidst a starless void. There would be a heavy price to gaining entrance to the galaxy itself.

  There were many questions about the galaxy. “Moses “claimed the galaxy was hidden inside a man-made tessract. Who created it? Why was the sun the only star? Many decades later, these questions would still be unanswered by philosophers and scientists. However, religious factions would surface identifying a being named the Teacher as the universe’s creator.

  Three of the planets were found to be habitable but devoid of life signs other than animal or aquatic through long range scan taken from the exodus ships. Finally, scans revealed human life on the fourth planet as well as many anomalies that could not be classified as mammal, vegetable, or mineral.

  The population was settled on one of the planets while survey teams were sent to explore the other three. The survey ships were built during the course of the twenty-three year exodus. Meanwhile, the natural resources of the populated planet were mined for metals in order to gain supplies needed to build a colony. The provisional leaders decided that, due to the advancements in Earth technology, information given by Moses, and technology gleaned from the Baldurans, the colony could become a technological paradise where most labors could be handled by machines and computers.

  Months later, two of the survey teams returned to report the worlds they surveyed were similar to Earth in geological structure and weather patterns. The third survey team, lead by Commanders Phillip Tork and Travis Obee, returned confirming the fourth planet was taken from a page of Earth's fantasy myths. Creatures similar to dragons and other mythological beasts reigned free in coexistence with a huge city-state that seemed to combine elements from Sumerian, Egyptian, and Medieval cultures. The survey team warned that any attempt at colonization might lead to culture shock and extinction for the world's inhabitants and any who try to colonize the planet. They recommended that diplomatic relations be built up during a period of time. The final decision was to leave the planet, dubbed Legend, alone.

  The quarantine of Legend left the question of what to do with the remaining three planets. The provisionary leaders decided to continue to establish more technologically advanced colonies. Unconventionally, the decision caused uproar. Factions had been formed to protest. The opposing factions dictated that technology was the reason civilization fell. However, these factions disagreed on what kind of standard of living a colony should have. Some say humanity needed to return to the wilderness or to some simple period in time like the Old West or the Puritan age. Some said a return to a more structured society, like Medieval or Egyptian society, was needed. A few minorities insisted their race must return to their roots. An overwhelming faction claimed society had lost its familial and community values established in a hometown or village setting like the town of legend called Keene, New Hampshire.

  The provisional leaders were stymied. Some were clueless because subconsciously they were reluctant to give up power. Finally, one of the leaders came forward. He claimed the answer was simple. The three worlds would be divided as follows:

  The current inhabited world would remain technologically advanced. The colony would be for those who value technology. The world would become known as Techno-World.

  The second would be open to any colony wishing to construct a society based on old or totally unique values. If a colony wanted to return to the Old West or Feudal Japan, it was granted. If a colony considered Medieval, Puritan, or Egyptian society a perfect template, it was granted. This world would become known as The Continents.

  Finally, the legendary city of Keene is recreated on the third planet and repopulated. Other colonies spring up around it and throughout the world. These colonies are dedicated to villages and towns of Earth. The planet would become known as Hometown.

  On Techno-World, a building space was designed to hold meetings occupied by representatives of every faction. It was similar to the United Nations of Earth. Their first meeting was to give a name to their little corner of the universe.

  They named it.... The Last Humanity.

  PROLOGUE II

  September 3, 4072, 1:45 a.m.

  It always seemed to rain on Techno-World. It was the price for turning the ecology of a world into pure technology. Nature would not allow a planet to be totally industrialized. Technology had to combine with the planet's structure to form the first cyborg planet. Plate tectonic buffers were created to reinforce the planet's various crusts. A nuclear fission generator was used to support the planet's core. As technology flourished, many types of gases were released into the air: Freon, coal, exhaust fumes, etc. It became apparent something had to be done about preserving the world's ozone layer and breathable air. Orbital platforms were created to attract the harmful gases and dissipate them into space. However, clouds were often seeded, resulting in oily, slimy rainfall.

  It was on such a night that an alien being known as a Dahlia sat in his meditation chamber contemplating his universe, more than a hovel made of sheetrock and hardwood floor. The hovel w
as part of a brownstone unit. Brownstone units were a chic architecture used to recall the Yuppie period of Old Earth. These units were implanted throughout the spires of Techno-World. They were usually found in the Middle class level and served as the Dahlia’s preference of choice. Due to trade agreements made with a multitude of planets, the last human colony is visited by many alien species for trade and tourism. However, Dahlias are the only alien race offered citizenship.

  It is an unfortunate fact that, to any other race, Dahlias all looked alike. It was one of the great mysteries in life how they distinguished between themselves. A Dahlia had a thin yet bulky torso, spindly legs, and exaggerated feet. A Dahlia’s head is shaped like a pine, but is fluffier in texture. The tip of a Dahlia’s head is coiffure. Their eyes are big and wide with small black irises sans corneas. Their nose is not unlike a cat's while the mouth is featureless having no lips. The Dahlias used to be considered cute furry animals not unlike the creations of Theodore Seuss Geisel(In fact, the Dahlias would later reveal they were behind the children stories of Dr. Seuss. Geisel thought his stories were delivered by muse when, in actuality, it was the Dahlias’ hive mind trying to communicate with him). This belief was ended when Dahlias began striking back at poachers who massacred Dahlias for their pelts and heads. The Dahlias’ revenge almost caused an interplanetary war.

  However, the massacre is a story for another time. The Dahlias proved themselves to be intelligent. They did not communicate with humans at first because they thought they were above us. They considered us a curiosity like we would consider a bunny rabbit. After the poacher incident, the Dahlias concluded that the human race was intelligent after all but on a savage level. They opened communications with us but still considered themselves our superiors. Dahlias communicate with each other by telepathic means. They speak verbally to humans but only through hyperbole and metaphor thus the Nome` du guerre, "Dahlia", after the Dahlia Lamas of Tibet who were only known to offer advice through riddles. The actual race name of the Dahlias remains a secret.

  In 4050, law and order suffered a breakdown. Law enforcement and the justice system became too corrupt and amenable. If the colony was to survive, a whole new method of upholding the law and dispensing justice needed to be found.

  The Crisis Masters were born.

  However, early incarnations of the Crisis Masters were judged to be too violent, carrying law and punishment out in an almost vigilante style. The Dahlias were approached to reign in the Crisis Masters. Surprisingly, The Dahlias agreed, looking at the opportunity as an opening for the Human race to ascend to their level. They telepathically bonded with appointed Crisis Masters, guiding the official as he upheld the law and dispensed justice. However, if a Dahlia bonded Crisis Master overstepped his boundaries, he would be punished according to his Dahlia mentor. The Dahlia mentors, in turn, are regulated by a council of elders. The integration of the Dahlias into the Crisis Master organization didn't sit well with some members.

  Hence, the night mentioned....

  The Dahlia’s meditation becomes interrupted by movement in the room. The Dahlia turned himself around while still in a sitting position to face his intruder.

  "You know why I'm here." The intruder states.

  “Two children are playing a game. Will one of them be able to accept loss?" The Dahlia asks in metaphoric terms.

  The intruder smiled as if getting confirmation for his intentions. "Very well. We'll do this your way; one last time. It would depend on the nature of the two children and the game they played." A lowered hand came out from behind the intruder's back to display a pocket device. Through the action of a thumb and forefinger, the pocket device was revealed to be, in actuality, an antique shaving razor. The intruder lost his smile. "However, you shouldn't consider our time together a game. Because if you did, consider me....

  The Dahlia broadcasted his last thoughts. It was of a razor being raised then descending.

  ".... A SORE LOSER! "

  1

  September 3, 4072, 2:30 a.m.

  “Crisis Master Terrain. " An impassive voice called. "Crisis Master Terrain?”

  “Everything’s fine Ori. Go back to sleep. " Mender Terrain mumbled half asleep. Terrain was in his late forties. He had graying hair but managed to retain its black hue through a follicle stimulant beam. Terrain was a little overweight for his height (160at 5'5"). He was muscular but exhibited more brain than brawn.

  “Your daughter, Orianna, is still asleep in the adjoining room, Crisis Master. She is being monitored by a nanny-bot.”

  Terrain was a single parent. His wife, Margaret, passed away five years earlier due to an alien virus called Lomotics disease. Since the colony began, medicine became acquainted with a whole new strain of various diseases never accounted before on Earth. Lomotics Disease was actually the "kinder" of the sicknesses. The description does leave a question of how bad other sicknesses could be. Lomotics Disease is a virus that eats up a person's internal physiology, starting in one area then spreading outward. A victim's chances of survival depend on where the disease starts. In the case of Mender's wife, the disease started in her lungs. After two days, she was suffocated. It is still being determined if the disease is actually a form of bio-warfare used by some alien race. Every morning when Terrain wakes up, he is reminded of his wife and the circumstances of her death.

  “You are needed, Crisis Master Terrain.” O.B. spoke again.

  “Then who --?!” Terrain woke up suddenly then calmed down as he realized who it was. It was the Crisis Masters' pet computer, O.B.S.E.A.C.C. (Omniscient but Servile Efficient against Crime Computer or O.B. for short).

  “What is it this time, OB? "

  “A Dahlia has been murdered.” The computer said impassively.

  Terrain was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as OB spoke. He dragged his hands down his face. His eyes were wide momentarily in response to the announcement. A Dahlia turning up as a homicide victim was very rare. It wasn't because they were a likeable race. They were an "acquired taste" because, to know a Dahlia, a person would have to get pass the hereditary arrogance all Dahlias' share. Dahlias who are citizens of the Last Humanity form few or no friendships outside their own species. The only contact a Dahlia would have outside its own species is the Crisis Master it bonded with and the associates the Crisis Master deals with. Dahlias choose to live a reclusive lifestyle outside their association with their Crisis Master. It is inconceivable for a Dahlia to kill one of its own. There has been no war or crime amongst the Dahlias that is known to outsiders. Barring robbery, the list of suspects in a Dahlia’s murder becomes very small.

  Terrain quickly dressed and inhaled a cup of coffee. Before he left, he checked on his daughter, Ori, in her bedroom. Ori was lying on her back, snuggled up in her covers. As he watched his daughter, Terrain thought being asleep seemed to bring out the innocence in children. Ori's hair was braided into two pony tails and spread out on the pillow. Her eyes hid her beautiful hazel corneas. Her slumber brought a smile to her pout lips.

  Terrain thanked God for Ori's eight hours of sleep. Ori took her mother's death hard. No smile has appeared on his daughter's face since her mother wasted away from Lomotic's disease. The Nanny-bot sat next to Ori's bed. She turned out to be a god-send for Ori. Terrain purchased a nanny-bot because he had become buried in his work as a Crisis Master or purposely buried himself. He couldn't decide which scenario fit. A nanny-bot could pass for human if it had the drive programmed into it. The nanny-bot Terrain purchased to watch over his daughter was very beautiful. It had dark, raven hair, black alluring corneas, supple body. Terrain was told by the seller a nanny-bot's beauty is part of its charm with children. The 'bot's charisma makes the child more malleable to the nanny-bot's commands. A nanny-bot is also one of the few models of robots actually programmed with emotions. The nanny-bot's emotional program corresponds to the child's behavior. If the child is disruptive, the robot is stern. If the child needs attention, the robot loves. If the child needs guidance,
the robot is compassionate. This Nanny-bot seemed more special. The 'bot seemed to pay as much attention to Terrain as to his daughter. Terrain told the 'bot about the circumstances surrounding the death of his wife - how she died, the effect on Ori, the effect on himself. The Nanny-bot seemed to adapt to his needs as well as Ori's.

  The Nanny-bot rose from her seat and approached Terrain. She guided him into the hallway and closed the door behind her.

  “Do you sleep?” Terrain asked her.

  “I am artificial. I don't need sleep. "

  “Stupid question. Couldn't help myself. "

  “You wish to equate human qualities to me, to placate your desire.”

  Terrain took a step back. “What?”

  “You have needs. You wish to satisfy them. It has been too long since you've associated with a woman. You wish to feel loved, wanted. However, since it took you so long to find Margaret, you don't know if you can start over, play “the game" as you once named courtship to me. "

  Terrain was at a loss for words. “Since when did you become my psychiatrist?”

  “I have not chosen to analyze you. Your daughter asked me to make you happy like I make her happy. That is impossible because she is a child and you are an adult. However, I am programmed to conform to a child's wishes so long as the child is not put in danger. Therefore, I have observed you. Our conversations have given me much insight on you. "

  “And you believe I'll be happy with you as ... my lover?”

  “Lover? Please define? "

  “Uh... Companion. "

  “Mate?”

  “Yes. Uh.. No. I mean.... "

  “If we mated, I would not be able to procreate. "

  “Okay. I need to go to work. We will talk later. "

  As he walked out of his apartment door, Terrain asked himself what had just happened.