Verron_Birth of a Nation

by Douglas Varnell

  He asked General Z and Colonel Hall if they would be offended if he took the liberty to show them something different. Neither of them had seen Paul’s talents and knew him to be a really good athlete but not a soldier, but he was King, so they thought he couldn’t do any harm and hopefully he wouldn’t get hurt. General Z introduced Paul as King Verron and told them he had a few suggestions on ways to improve their hand-to-hand techniques. Five-foot nine-inch, 170 pound Paul stepped into the middle of the training mat surrounded by former Marines, Navy Seals, Special Forces and more than a few from Delta Force, as well as numerous career soldiers. He had the instructor come to him in the middle of the mat and asked him to do his best to incapacitate him like he had just been teaching. This Marine and former UFC heavy weight competitor was not about to have Paul show him up, king or no king. He attacked as if he were going for a defeat in the ring. General Z was in a panic when he knew this man was intent on not being outshined. It was over before it got started. Paul did not even use his full capability, just enough to outmaneuver his opponent. The Marine was absolutely petrified. He literally could not move, no matter how hard he tried. While the instructor stood frozen, Paul asked for six more to attack him. Soon there were seven frozen men in the center of the mat. He allowed them to stay where they were, and said, “This is Jxansa Gha, it is an ancient fighting form used by an Army that no longer exists. The name means Death Hand, and as you can see, at this point I could do anything I chose to my enemy and there is absolutely nothing he can do about it. The Dragon Guard is being instructed in this style and I believe it would be beneficial for you to learn it also. If General Zarman does not mind, I will have my instructor come here to begin training my army.” He walked over to each man and with a simple touch in the right spot they immediately regained control of themselves. He shook the hand of the man who had been instructing soldiers in hand-to-hand for more than 25 years and said, “We all must be prepared to learn new things if we are to be the best military in the Universe. I have no doubt that this group will be.” No one there could quite figure out what they had seen, but were anxious to learn how to do it, including General Z and Colonel Hall. As he was leaving Justice joked, “I’m sure glad you didn’t know that stuff back when you didn’t want me dating your daughter.” General Z laughed and commented, “When it comes to daughters, retribution is never too late.” Paul told them both, “I’m not certain who will come, Gljarne or Xhing Li, but they are the ones who taught me. Treat them well.”

  Paul had almost abandoned his evening news and security reports and decided that after dinner he would settle-down on his sofa and at least watch Robin Meade. The Mansion had begun to settle down. Only Paul, his mother, 99 and the Xhondarians still lived in the spacious residence, but it did tend to be the gathering place for family meals, socializing and music. There was often music and singing as they gathered around the sitting room or the terrace after a meal. Paul had been practicing his guitar as much as he had time, but he knew he would never match the talent of his two brothers, and he was pleasantly surprised to see that his nieces and nephews, as well as his grandchildren had become accomplished musicians. He and his brothers agreed that they were going to get their mother a grand-piano for her up-coming birthday. She had to give-up playing because of her arthritis, but now she could enjoy one of her greatest pleasures once again. Paul looked around at this group of people hanging out at his house. Joe, who worked his way through medical school as a studio musician, could play a dozen instruments, Kary could play a guitar like Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Hunter could play guitar but preferred the bass, Amber could also play guitar but was addicted to the drums, Katelyn, played guitar and banjo, Chase played guitar, keyboards and dobro, Daniel played piano, guitar and violin and Tala played guitar but was really good on a mandolin. With a great-grandmother who taught piano and voice and a grandfather who taught guitar, they had no way of escaping learning how to sing and play. The Xhondarians often sat around fascinated as the whole family enjoyed themselves.

  After playing for a few hours, Paul retired to his room. He immediately called Lucy and asked her to bring him up-to-date on what’s happening on Earth. The local news was primarily the usual crime reports, racially motivated cop killings, and drug raids. Then they would talk about the state of the economy and the latest unemployment figures and report on factory closings and lay-offs. CNN, FOX and the Networks were each doing investigative reports about the missing people. As best as the government investigators and news people could determine, almost 100,000 U.S. citizens had disappeared. Some family and friends reported they had been abducted by aliens, others claimed they had all moved to a place called Verron, but no one seemed to know exactly where this Verron was located. There had even been reports of old people who had been abducted from nursing homes running around looking forty years younger. There were houses on the market for sale or rent and no owners to be found, hundreds of farmers from the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-south where nowhere to be found. The Federal Government was looking into it, but with millions of people unemployed and the Nation struggling to stay solvent, a few hundred thousand people more or less was not as big a problem as trying to kick-start the economy. Of particular note, was one report by an NAACP representative, making it perfectly clear that the black community had nothing to do with the sudden disappearance of a bunch of white people. On the international news, the reports were not much better. All around the world the economic situation was not good. Paul noted that Russia, Poland and most of Europe had especially been struggling and adding the food shortage in Russia, people would be dying soon if something didn’t change.

  Meanwhile, the Fundamental Islamic Terrorists were not slowing down their assaults on other Muslims and non-Muslims. Iraq and West Africa were the worst areas at the present time. Paul noted that there had not been any hostage taking of non-Muslims in Iraq for a while, but there had been a group of journalists gunned down in Libya, and Boko Haram had killed thousands in Nigeria again. No one is certain if they did their usual kidnapping of young boys to train as fighters or young girls to be sold as slaves. What really got Paul’s attention was satellite surveillance that Lucy had acquired in real-time, showing a five vehicle convoy moving at night across the border of Afghanistan into Pakistan. She was once again tasking a Russian satellite since they always seemed to know when a U.S. satellite or drone was in the area. Paul thought, “Someone is leaking information to them.” The convoy was allegedly transporting Ayman Al-Zawahiri. The FBI had a 25 million dollar reward offered for him. Paul decided to move fast. He really wanted to get this guy off the street. He was heading for the closet to change and 99 walked into his room with only a courtesy knock. Paul thought, “This is getting ridiculous. I guess I need to post security at my own door, or stupid me, maybe try locking it.” As soon as 99 saw that Paul was dressed, he escorted in the rest of the Dragon Guard. Paul did not have time to talk or explain. He simply kept walking toward his closet as he said, “I’ve got something very important to do and it can’t wait. Either wait here or come back later. It doesn’t matter to me.” He soon returned in his dark gray commando gear and backpack. He was putting on his mask as he walked past them, telling them, “Since you’re sticking around, ask Lucy to show you what I’m doing.” Then he stepped through a gateway and was gone.

  He came out the other side on an abandoned dirt road surrounded by snow-capped mountains. It was very cold, he thought, “Probably the Toba Kakar Range.” He could see the approaching vehicles only a mile or so away. He realized they must be using night-vision goggles since there were no headlights visible. He decided that since the children were watching and he did want the man alive, he would try to do this differently. He couldn’t be certain which vehicle contained his target so he couldn’t simply begin blowing things up. Just as the convoy approached an area where it would be difficult to turn around, he made the ground explode in front of the lead vehicle. It didn’t have time to stop and dropped into the six foot hole. He immediat
ely did the same thing just behind the trailing vehicle. With mountain walls on either side, they had no place to go. Al-Zawahiri’s security immediately came out of the vehicles heavily armed and prepared to fight-off an ambush from the high ground to their right and left. Paul stepped forward and repeated what he had done to the county deputies at his uncle’s house. Every one of the terrorists was as stiff as a department-store mannequin. Paul walked right past them, knowing they could see him but could do nothing about it. He searched each vehicle and the third one was the only one with all of the doors locked. Paul knew it was probably bullet proof so he decided to try something he had not attempted before. He looked at the door and immediately heard the locks click open. The frozen men inside had terror in their eyes. He reached inside and drug out the man sitting between the door and Al-Zawahiri. He knew that every one of these men was probably important to the organization, but he had the one that really mattered. He picked-up the terrorist, threw him over his shoulder, and stepped through his gateway directly into FBI Director James Comey’s executive office. He was relieved to see that the boss had left early. He immediately injected his captive with a full dose Kahlan, informed him to stay in the chair where he was sitting, and that if he didn’t do everything he was told or if he told a lie, he would die. He left a note on the director’s desk, saying, “JUSTICE has been served. Give the 25 million to the families of the victims of 9/11.” He then thought a moment and added a smiley face and “Have a nice day!” He then realized he had forgotten to unfreeze the people back in Afghanistan. He wasn’t certain just how long the effect would last, but he wasn’t about to go back. As Paul reentered his suite on Verron, 20 Islamic Terrorists were being snowed on in the Toba Kakar Mountain Range. Little did Paul know that they would all be frozen for real before the effects of his telekinetic mental manipulation wore-off.

  As soon as Paul came back into his room, Hunter asked, “What did you do with that man, and who was he?” Paul walked over to his small refrigerator and took out a can of Diet Coke. He then answered, “That man is Number 1 on the FBI Most Wanted List. His name is Ayman Al-Zawahiri, and he has actually been indicted for the 9/11 bombing of the World Trade Center. None of you were around then, but I’m sure you’ve studied it in school.” Amber asked, “Weren’t they all terrorists? Why didn’t you kill them?” For a moment Paul was surprised by her reaction and then realized the other kids felt the same way. Their fathers and grandfather had been wounded while fighting terrorists. Justice, Hunter and Amber’s Dad, had made it his life’s work. Paul explained, “I didn’t have to kill them and besides I needed one of them alive in order to get to more of them than just those few. I delivered that man immediately to the office of the FBI Director. I gave him a full dose of truth serum. He’ll sing like a canary. His terrorist group will suffer more damage with him revealing everything he knows to the FBI than they would if I had simply killed them. I have no doubt saved a lot of lives by doing it the way I did. Besides I knew you were watching and I didn’t want to expose your youthful eyes to excessive violence.” Chase said, “I was hoping you’d blow them up.” Followed by Daniel’s, “Yeah!” and then Tala saying, “It was really pretty boring to watch, next time blow somebody up, OK.”

  They raided his little refrigerator, clearing out his bottled water and Diet Cokes and discovered his box of Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies, which they also polished off. Daniel began exploring through Paul’s backpack and asking about the little thermal grenades and the two larger plasma grenades that were in it. Tala wanted to play with the Nylon restraints. Chase was checking out his sword and dagger and Katelyn had to see his Randall Made Fighting Knives. Amber was wearing his boonie hat. He sent Hunter to his closet to get a box of hats he had purchased. He was going to wait to give them to this gang, but now was as good a time as any. Hunter laid the box on the table in front of the sofa and Katelyn and Tala grabbed for it immediately. Paul made them wait. He took out one of his Randall’s and slit the tape. The box contained 24 Charcoal Gray Houndstooth 3-Paneled Military Caps, with adjustable sizing strap. They each had an embroidered red dragon about the size of the Marines ‘World, Anchor and Eagle’ symbol. The dragon actually looked like Zeus, not like some image imagined from centuries past. As Paul handed them out, the Dragon Guard hastily adjusted the headbands and put on their caps. Paul informed them, “No one will be allowed to wear this style cap with the red dragon on it, only the Dragon Guard. I will most likely add a few to your number in the future, but this should be enough caps for now.” Amber looked at Paul’s commando outfit and asked, “Where can we get a uniform like that?” Paul called out for Lucy, “If I give you these clothes as a pattern can you have the drones make five uniforms each to fit this bunch?” Lucy’s reply came back immediately, “Boots as well?” They as one answered yes. She continued, “Leave them in the dressing area and the drones will retrieve them.”

  Paul looked at his Guard and asked, “Why did you guys come by here in the first place?” Hunter spoke for the rest of them, “We decided that even if it may be premature, we want you to start teaching us to use The Power, even if it is just a little. Now, after watching what you just did, I’m sure we all want to learn how to use it even more. We really want to do the things you did up in the mountains when you showed me and Amber what you could do. We all want to do what you do.” Paul replied, “I’m honored that you feel that way, but I don’t want to teach you to do something until you’re ready to know how and when to use it. I’ll think about it and discuss it with those who taught me. If they agree it’s alright, then Zimuel and I will ease you into it.” He looked at the seven anxious faces and knew they could learn to use it, but questioned whether they were ready. “Now, get out of here.” As they were leaving, Hunter turned to Paul and told him, “I’m not much for the news, however, Robin Meade is pretty hot, but I’m partial to Elisabeth Hasselbeck on FOX and Friends.” Paul made a mental note to see which woman this was, all the female anchors on FOX looked alike to him.

  Paul got involved in the business of running a planet for the next few days and did not have a chance to talk to Zimuel or the others about the Dragon Guard’s desire to begin working on their use of The Power. In fact, it had been the farthest thing from his mind. He was now faced with his first violation of Verron law. He wished it had been something as simple as drunk driving or a fight or some other lesser issue, but it wasn’t. Two of the construction workers involved in building the capital were caught cooking crystal meth. They had in their possession four Ziploc freezer bags full of their merchandise. A neighbor smelled them cooking it and turned them in. Paul and the Xhondarians were notified and everyone was waiting to see if King Verron would actually put them to death. With a dozen witnesses present, he had Kahlan injected into both of those accused and they confessed not only to making it and trying to sell the meth, but both had been doing it on Earth before they came to Verron. It was obvious they didn’t want a clean slate and an opportunity to start all over again like everyone else on Verron. One of the men was single. The other had a wife and young child. The wife was asked if she wanted to return to Earth since her husband would no longer be on Verron. To everyone’s surprise, she began to talk about how he had promised he would stop dealing drugs and how they were going to have a new life on Verron. It had been his last chance to prove himself and save his marriage. He blew it. She wanted to stay on Verron and raise her child. Paul really didn’t want to execute these two men who obviously had a real problem with obeying the law. He thought about what to do over night and made his decision the following morning. He checked his Ironman and decided now would be as good a time as any to take care of the matter. He went to where the two men were being held and had the meth they had manufactured given back to them. They both had 2 large freezer bags each. He verified that the men were both on parole for drug dealing in Tennessee and decided to take them back. They were smiling when they were being sent back home with enough merchandise to support themselves for a while. Pau
l made a gateway and escorted them through; directly into the deserted recreation yard of Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Tennessee. It was well after lights out and there was no one stirring about on the grounds, but Paul knew that very soon the guards in the tower would see two men dressed in street clothes walking around in a secured area. This time he doubted they would be paroled so soon. He later told the wife what he had done and she actually seemed relieved; first of all because he had not been put to death and secondly because he was out of her and their child’s life. He let everyone else just wonder what had happened to the two men.

  After the incident, he decided that even Verron needed law enforcement, so he recruited his son-in-law Glen, who had served as a County Sheriff for 20 years and his father who was FBI retired, and asked them to establish the Verron Security Police. He decided he would need them for more than keeping a watch on drug dealers and drunk drivers, he realized that there was a lot of technology on his planet and he didn’t want any of it getting into the wrong hands. The Verron Security Police would be responsible for screening new arrivals to determine their intentions on Verron and to monitor the current residents to make certain none were stealing or selling his secrets to others. He wanted to control the release of the technology on Verron. In the wrong hands it could be disastrous. One thing agreed upon by Paul and his other leaders was the implementation of a small dose of Kahlan being given to each new arrival along with their mandatory vaccinations. So far, only a few people on Verron had received the antiviral and antibacterial vaccines. It did need to be done and he just now had enough manufactured to meet the requirement. Only enough Kahlan to last 20 minutes or so would be administered. Questions would be asked of each while under the influence. If someone did claim to be stealing secrets or spying on Verron he would do nothing more than recover whatever they were planning to steal then send them back to Earth where they could do no harm. He didn’t like to do things this way, but he also knew that he couldn’t be totally trusting with people, even if he wanted to be.