The reptilian commanders swiveled in their chairs. The soldier glanced back at them, seeming to read their minds before flipping a switch on his control panel.
The holographic screen in question zoomed away from the wall, moving to the center of the room, becoming life-size. The projection showed the band of travelers, two women and two men, wearing heavy coats and scarves that flapped in the strong winds as they trekked up the hazardous mountainside. The three-dimensional image was so life-like that Haruto and Zachary could almost feel the bitter cold nipping at their faces.
The commanders viewed the scene, then simultaneously nodded at the soldier, who pushed a button.
On the monitor, everyone saw a laser beam shoot down from a satellite, striking the travelers. The mountainside exploded. Flames shot up, and a cloud of smoke mushroomed over the site.
Haruto and Zachary instinctively ducked, unaccustomed to such realistic holographic technology.
When the smoke cleared, it was obvious the travelers had been vaporized—only their ashes remained within the blackened crater.
The commanders nodded in unison, indicating the task had been satisfactorily completed. The soldier pushed another button, and the holographic image shrank, returning to its original spot on the wall. Everyone resumed their normal duties.
Distressed, Haruto and Zachary slowly stood up from their crouched positions. He expressed his dismay, Man, that was terrible. They were just trying to survive. Haruto solemnly nodded. Let’s get out of here, Zachary suggested. I’ve seen enough.
Agreed. But where?
I’m not sure, but I was thinking these Dracos must have something, somewhere, relaying these camera transmissions. We could check that out.
Okay. Let’s go.
Barren ice. Brutally cold winds. Although it was summer in the Northern Hemisphere, here, in Antarctica, it was winter and perpetually dark until springtime. The temperature was currently -80 degrees Fahrenheit or -62 degrees Celsius depending on which scale one used. A man’s skin would be frostbitten in less than a minute if he was foolish enough to lose a glove or expose his face to these harsh elements.
High above this forlorn continent, the shimmering Aurora Australis light show danced—spinning shades of green, yellow, orange and purple nearly 150 miles high. The Solar Wind collided with the magnetosphere to create a luminous tango between the upper and lower energies.
When Zachary and Haruto arrived, they were so captivated by the light show, it took them a while to notice the manned outpost right in front of them. Interior lights glowed through the thick-paned round windows in the futuristic, heavily insulated pods supported by sturdy steel legs. Stationed behind the pods were twenty-foot-diameter, white faceted balls, which emitted a strange hum. Generators, the size of train cars, churned nearby. Several heavy-duty snowmobiles were parked out front.
In order to take a closer look, the pair instantly transported themselves inside one of the pods where military engineers, dressed to stay warm, sat at computers with holographic screens that resembled the ones at the Dracos’ military base. On the screens were similar images of cities and remote areas under surveillance.
Looks like a sophisticated operation, whispered Haruto.
Why are you whispering?
She talked louder, I keep forgetting they can’t hear us. This place obviously sends and receives transmissions. And being so remote makes it even more suspect. It’s literally the end of the world. I wonder if that’s how they went undetected for so long.
Well, now that we know about this place, what are we going to do about it?
Right now, nothing. We need to rescue the others before we do anything that attracts attention. But it’s good to know they use satellites for surveillance. It’s something to keep in mind when choosing a place. Are you ready to scout for locations?
Yeah, but before we go, could we visit the South Pole? Those Aurora lights are so cool. I’d like to see them closer. It’ll just take a minute.
Haruto hated to waste the time. We should start scouting.
Just for a minute, Zachary pleaded. Please…
All right, just for a minute.
Thanks!
The pair left behind the military engineers, who were none the wiser they had been spied upon.
When Haruto and Zachary arrived at the South Pole, traveling hundreds of miles in a blink of an eye, they immediately noticed something even more captivating than the southern light show. They were standing on the outskirts of an enormous hole, which was so vast, the other side could not be seen over the curvature of the earth. The snow-covered edge sloped downward, like a funnel, until it reached the mammoth opening. Awestruck, the pair stared at the natural phenomenon.
Zachary said, Come on, Haruto, let’s move closer! See what’s inside. She nodded. Even she couldn’t contain her curiosity.
Bypassing the mile-long slope, the pair instantly went to the edge of the icy rim. The two of them looked like ants peering into a bottomless pit.
Zachary thought to himself, This was definitely omitted from the geography books. How could Google Earth have missed this? Probably another cover-up.
The two of them barely had time to take in the view when a ball of light emerged from deep within the mysterious tunnel, growing bolder and bigger as it rushed into the colorful night sky, hovering above them. The radiant sphere split into five orbs—zipping, soaring and intersecting with each other until they formed a perfectly spaced row over the crusty snow, which glistened like diamonds. The orbs pulsed as their audible voices simultaneously spoke in a monotone, synthetically generated voice, “Greetings! We are the Guardians. We welcome you.” It was obvious the orbs had detected Haruto and Zachary’s presence despite them being invisible.
Haruto stood in awe. She had seen a lot of things in her life, but this was the first time she had seen orbs. She responded, Who are you, again?
“We are the Guardians. We have come from another galaxy. We are here to help mankind.”
Against the Dracos?
“Yes.”
Why would you help us?
“We are pleased with the question. We come from a solar system where the planets were taken over, much like yours. The invaders plundered our natural resources and kept the indigenous people as slaves and a food source. It is a barbaric system used by heartless races. We wish to prevent the same fate from happening here on earth, although it may already be too late.”
How can you help us?
“We can advise you, and offer a safe haven,” replied the orbs as they pulsed in the night sky, maintaining their formation. Their monotone voices continued, “We know you are searching for a residence where the Dracos cannot find you. To help with this, we have set aside a territory for you and your people in inner earth.”
Your offer is most generous, but living underground sounds dark and depressing to me.
The orbs bounced around as if chuckling, then realigned themselves in a row, speaking once more, “As above, so below. We believe you will find inner earth to be quite beautiful. Would you like to see it for yourselves?”
Zachary was as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning. The explorer in him burst forth, Of course!
Haruto rationalized the orbs couldn’t hurt them unless she or Zachary became physical, so she agreed as well.
The orbs responded, “This is good. Please let your minds join with ours.”
A mist filled Zachary and Haruto’s minds, swirling and gathering, turning into cumulus clouds floating over an amethyst ocean. The red-hot lava sun, held in place by centrifugal force, spun in the center of the lavender sky. The vision zoomed closer, showcasing a Mediterranean city hugging the sea. A Parthenon-styled capital, the crown jewel, was built into the cliffs. Its white columns complimented the lush green backdrop. Closer to the expansive bay, Greek-styled homes with tiled roofs, ornate facades and domed cupolas occupied the shoreline.
The orbs explained, “This is one of a thousand cities here in inner earth. You are wel
come to take a closer look.”
Deciding to see it for themselves, the Earth Sentinels left the snowy tundra and transported themselves to the market square where the Grecian storefronts displayed merchandise, such as baked goods, shoes and bolts of cloth. A centaur trotted down the cobblestone street carrying a basket of apples. A short distance behind him was a human mother wearing a toga, escorting her two children past the shops.
In the center of the square was a water fountain with marble statues of the Greek Gods: Alpheus, the river god; Delphin, the leader of the dolphins; Poseidon, the Olympian god of the oceans, seas, rivers and storms; and Pan, the patron god of fishing. The mythological figures stood back to back holding vessels that poured life-giving water.
The ball of light, having traveled from the Antarctic surface, flew into view, then, once again, broke into five smaller orbs that hovered over Zachary and Haruto, speaking in unison, “We would like to invite you and your people to live here in inner earth. If you agree, you will receive your own region where you can prosper.”
Haruto felt she needed more information in order to properly inform Cecile and Tom about the possibility of bringing their tribe here. Your offer is very generous, but is it safe from the Dracos?
“We are pleased with the question. We understand safety is your main concern, and without it, you cannot fully focus on the agenda at hand. To answer your question, inner earth is the safest place in, and on, this planet.”
Haruto was still wary of relocating the others here, wondering if it was a trap. These orbs might be working with the aliens. She couldn’t be sure.
The orbs read her mind, responding, “We understand your concerns, but you do not have the luxury of time you once had to discern friend from foe. Perhaps an old friend of yours can persuade you.”
Bechard appeared out of nowhere, standing on the cobblestone street, looking as handsome as ever. Giggling fairies fluttered around him before flying away.
It seemed rude to remain invisible in Bechard’s presence, so Zachary let himself become semi-transparent, saying, “It’s good to see you.”
Bechard smiled. “Good to see you as well.”
Haruto reluctantly followed the young man’s lead and became semi-transparent, then she scoffed, “Really? Bechard? You’re the one who’s supposed to instill trust?”
He chuckled. “Ironic, isn’t it?”
The orbs patiently waited to see how the interaction would play out.
Zachary asked Bechard, “Why didn’t you tell us about this place?”
“You had to find it on your own.”
“Like the Holy Grail?” he joked.
“That’s actually a good analogy.”
Zachary badgered him, “But what about the tribe? Do they have to find it for themselves as well?”
“As their ambassador, you’ll do.”
The orbs interjected, “We realize you do not completely trust Bechard, but he has helped us for millenniums—forging alliances and creating a sanctuary that has benefited all of us here. He is not perfect. None of us are. But he has been true to his word. Again, we invite you to bring your people here to live for as long as they like—forever if need be. This will allow you to work with us, without impediment, to overthrow the Dracos.”
Zachary whispered in Haruto’s ear, “Where else would the tribe, and Billy, and Eva be safe?”
She whispered back, “What if they’re lying?”
The orbs grew antsy waiting for an answer, flickering.
Haruto’s question made Zachary hesitate. After all, the decision was a matter of life and death. He couldn’t afford to be naive, so he quizzed the orbs, “How do we know we’ll be safe here?”
“We are pleased with the question. We have protected the southern region of inner earth, Alteria, for over 200,000 years. We have numerous armies for defense.”
“But how do you keep the fallen angels out? Can’t they come here like Bechard does?”
“Again, we are pleased with the question. The fallen angels’ power to ‘come and go’ as Bechard does was lost eons ago. The fallen angels’ affinity for dark energy has drained their powers. They have become reliant on human flesh to restore themselves, rather like the Dracos, who are also slowly dying. Without you, they would have perished long before now. It’s a strange and illogical concept that both the Dracos and fallen angels reject the divine energy, yet rely on humans to furnish it through their bodies.”
“Can the Dracos be stopped?”
“We believe with your powers and the wisdom of the Galactic Council, we have a chance at overcoming the dark force that has been thrust upon this planet. However, should you decide to become citizens of Alteria, you must meet with the Galactic Council before taking any further actions or interacting with the Dracos. There is no negotiation on this matter. This includes the rescue of your tribe members. The reason for this is your actions could impact all of us here in Alteria. We think you can understand that.”
Haruto requested, “Could you show us where the tribe would live if we agreed to come here?”
“It is our pleasure. Please connect with our minds.”
A vision burst forth, displaying an ancient forest, its lush canopy filtering the unending sunlight. Spotted deer grazed on the grassy knolls that gently fell into a plum-colored lake framed by willowy grass. Mountains stood in the distance.
The orbs narrated, “Clean water. Plenty of game. We believe you will find this region more than suitable. We will ask the gnomes and fairies to explain the customs of Alteria to help you acclimate yourselves. One day, you will do the same for others. Are there any other questions?”
Haruto and Zachary shook their heads.
“Please let us know your answer soon. Time is of the essence.”
Cecile and Tom nervously waited around the fire pit for Haruto and Zachary to return. The logs had long since burnt out. Tom’s legs nervously shook. He wanted to save the tribe. Now. There was no doubt in his mind that it needed to be done as quickly as possible. To pass the time, he took a pinch of tobacco out of a plastic pouch, packing it into his elk-antler pipe. He flicked a lighter, holding the flame over the bowl. He took a few gentle puffs. The tobacco swelled, glowing in the center. He took a deep puff, embracing the sacred plant spirit, then released a cloud of smoke.
“Feel better?” Cecile inquired.
“A little. I hate waiting.”
“I know, but it must be important, whatever they’re doing. Just be patient.”
A blue jay landed on a nearby branch, shrieking as if warning the other creatures in the forest of these people’s presence.
Tom asked the bird, “What’s wrong, little fella? What are you afraid of? Have I invaded your home? Or you mine?”
The blue jay cocked its head, then shrieked once more before flying away through the trees.
Cecile reminded Tom, “It’s home for all of us.”
“Not for long.”
Fortunately, at that moment, Haruto and Zachary appeared, both wearing smiles. A good sign.
“How’d it go?” Cecile asked.
Haruto answered, “I believe we found a place.”
Tom set his pipe down. “Good. We found a few as well, but tell us about yours.”
“Sure. But let me start at the beginning. Initially, we went to a Draco military control center. It was a horror show. Terrible. We watched them kill travelers with a laser beam from a satellite. They had detected the people using heat sensors. With this type of technology, there’s no doubt in my mind, they will eventually find us—no matter how remote our hiding place is on earth.”
Cecile’s heart sunk. “If that’s true, is any place safe?”
“I believe ours is,” Haruto replied. “After we left the control center, we went to a Draco outpost in the Antarctic, which led us to the South Pole where we stumbled upon a gigantic opening.”
“How big?”
“Oh, it’s hard to say. We couldn’t see the other side, but five orbs flew out of
this hole—“
“Orbs?”
“I know it’s strange, but stay with me. These balls of light knew all about the Dracos and the fallen angels, and offered us, all of us, sanctuary inside inner earth—”
Tom interrupted, “Inner earth? I’ve never heard of such—”
“It’s true!” Zachary backed up Haruto’s claims, “The hole was a tunnel that led to the earth’s core, except there is no core. Instead, there’s a whole world inside our planet. It was unbelievable! Oceans…and mountains…and forests…”
“That is hard to believe,” Cecile commented.
“I agree, but we saw it for ourselves,” said Haruto, who continued, “The orbs claimed they have successfully kept the Dracos out for hundreds of thousands of years.”
“How?”
“They mentioned having their own armies. If true, inner earth would be the safest place for us. The only drawback, if you can call it that, is the Galactic Council wants to oversee our actions.”
“Who?” Tom was annoyed because each answer only brought up another question.
“The orbs mentioned a council that oversees inner earth. I didn’t meet them, so I really can’t tell you more than that, except they want the ‘final say’ on how we save the tribe, and how we interact with the Dracos. But, since they know more about them than we do, that might not be such a bad thing. However, my main concern is, ‘Can we trust the orbs and the Galactic Council?’ Bechard vouched for them—for what that’s worth.”
Cecile grimaced. “Bechard? I can’t say he breeds trust.”
Haruto suggested, “Perhaps we should meet the council before making a decision.”
“Perhaps.”
Tom said, “I say let’s go ahead and meet them. It might be…”
A flapping sound was heard, as if a great bird was approaching. Everyone looked up and saw Bechard descending from the sky, his indigo robe fluttering as his great wings flapped. The fallen angel landed on the other side of the fire pit, stirring up the cold ashes. He tucked his wings, greeting them, “Hello, Earth Sentinels.”
Earth Sentinels Collection Page 30