The Ark Series (Book 3): The Ark of Alliance

by Kotrous, Scott

  She stops directly in front of a door. “I’m actually kind of shocked to hear that from you, John . . . it’s been a while since you’ve thought that way—” She abruptly grabs her ear. “Wait, hold up . . . I’m receiving a transmission. Stand by.”

  She stands there for a minute, obviously listening to someone over her comms. She nods her head and smiles. “Copy that.” She looks at John. “My people have discovered a cure and are preparing an antidote as we speak.”

  Chapter 38

  John’s adrenaline spikes once he rushes into the garage with his rifle up and comes upon what looks like a blood bath covering what used to be a priceless car collection.

  Ena gets up beside him, scanning for something before checking her wrist tablet. She puts her arm up to halt and then whispers, “Hold up. Get down. I’ve got two heat signatures coming from the level above us, heading for the ramp.”

  They both crouch down, and a bubble forms around them.

  “What is it? What were you looking at?” He looks around the room.

  “Your glasses are calibrated to reveal images at a slower rate than mine. Stare in that direction.” She points.

  He stares for a few seconds and then sees what Ena sees. “Oh, okay . . . got it.”

  “Good. Let’s go . . . on me.” She pulls her tablet off her wrist that quickly changes into a gun-shaped device as she moves ahead of John just before the bubble disappears.

  They get to the ramp and see Maggie running down it. John yells, “Maggie . . . over here.” He waves his arm and his rifle in the air.

  Maggie looks up and sees him, right when Peter turns the corner while firing his weapon.

  John moves toward them frantically waving his arms. “Wait, stop . . . stop firing . . . there’s a cure . . . there’s a cure! Stop shooting them!” He runs past Maggie and gets near Peter. “Stop killing them! They can be saved!”

  Peter turns his head toward John and then turns back and lowers his rifle to fire some shots into a few legs before turning and running.

  Ena yells for them to come to her, and as soon as they are near, the bubble forms around them. Infected slam into the side of the bubble like hitting an unbreakable pane of glass. Peter, and then Maggie, raise their rifles, but Ena reminds them that they are safe.

  Maggie lowers her rifle and then turns to hug her uncle and Ena.

  “I’m so glad you guys are safe; I’ve been so worried about you.”

  They un-embrace and then Maggie looks at Ena right after she looks around the bubble that’s now completely surrounded by Infected. “Okay, now what . . . wait,” she turns to her uncle. “You said there was a cure, right?” She looks at Ena. “But how’s that possible? Nye said the blood sample was negative.”

  Ena taps on her tablet and then glances up at Maggie. “That was before my people were able to obtain Peter’s father’s research. Nye and Tye used it in conjunction with the blood sample to come up with a cure.” She looks up at Peter and smiles. “Your father’s a hero, kid. You should be very proud of him. If he had been able to continue his work, he would have come up with a cure much sooner.”

  Peter does his best to hide his face, obviously not wanting anyone to see him looking as though he’s about to cry.

  Ena taps on her tablet and then glances at Maggie. “But, to answer your question of what do we do now, my answer would be that now we wait for them to administer the antidote. That should be within the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. In the meantime, we should get some sleep.”

  Maggie points to a corner in the bubble. “I’m just glad we’re near a drain hole, because it sounds like we could be here a while.”

  Ena doesn’t look at the drain hole and just smiles. “Bathroom breaks will be coordinated and privacy will be provided.” She moves toward Peter. “I need to take care of your wounds.” She holds her tablet up to his wounds and it quickly heals them. She then sits on the ground and pulls some things out of her bag. “Here, eat these. They’ll help recoup your bodies.” She holds up something that resembles the packaging of a granola bar. “It’s like a Powerbar, just without the energy boost.”

  John sits down next to her and grabs one of the bars on the way down. Maggie and Peter do the same, and they all sit in a circle eating their bars, which taste exceptionally good.

  Classical music starts to play as the bubble gets dark, and the sounds from outside soon become inaudible. They lay their heads on whatever they can find; everyone is asleep within minutes of finishing their bars.

  Hours later, John wakes to the sight of a starry sky and a half moon, and he’s confused for a second before he gets his bearings. He looks around and sees everyone else still asleep except for Ena, who appears to be doing something on her tablet.

  John gets closer to her and then whispers, “So why did you seem so surprised when I stuck up for this country . . . what, you don’t think I love America?”

  She hesitates for a moment. “I’m not sure anymore, John. You took pretty drastic measures to get away from it, to say the least, by building this place. So honestly, I’m really not sure.”

  “Well, make no mistake, I love this country . . . and because I love this country so much, it kills me to see what it’s turned into . . . like before the Apocalypse and all. It destroyed me so much that I had to get outta there . . . I couldn’t take it anymore. It was too far gone for anything to ever change, and I just gave up and wanted to get away from it all.” He exhales while he lowers his head to his chest and then shakes it.

  “John, you’ve spent so much of your life pushing people away and keeping them at a distance that you lost sight of what there was about this country that you loved so much . . . its people . . . and you gave up on them.”

  John starts to lift his head, but then drops it again when she continues.

  “But the true irony in all this is the fact that, instead of continuing to want to kill the rest of the Infected, I think a part of you finally realized how important each and every one of them are . . . and that they can be saved . . . I just think you’re confused by who exactly is going to save them.”

  John looks up at her like he has just had some kind of revelation. “You sure do have a strange way of looking at things, and this is coming from someone who probably looks at things the strangest.”

  “But it’s not just a way of looking at things . . . it’s just how things are, plain and simple. See, John, life has a way of teaching us lessons, even in tragedies and catastrophes. Because, unfortunately, that’s how most of you people learn; you need the bad along with the good so you can appreciate the good more, because without it, you just take it for granted.”

  John bobs his head and then lowers it.

  They continue their conversation for a while before Peter and Maggie suddenly both pop up and move away from Ena and John as Peter gets in front of Maggie with one hand on his rifle. “What the fuck are you two talking about . . . who the fuck are you!?” He looks directly at Ena.

  “Calm down . . . no need to get excited . . . but there’s definitely something we need to talk about.” John looks at Ena and then back to Maggie and Peter.

  Peter looks at Maggie, who looks just as confused as he does, before he looks at John and then Ena. “I’ve been listening to pretty much everything you’ve said, and you need to tell us what the fuck is going on. So who the fuck are you?”

  “I heard most of it too, and seriously, what the hell are you guys talking about?” Maggie looks at them, confused.

  Ena looks at John and shakes her head. “John, I’m not sure if they’re ready to hear this . . . some people just aren’t capable of comprehending this sort of thing. Maybe you and I should discuss this?”

  He furrows his brow when he looks at her. “You want people to learn, yet you don’t want to explain things . . . yeah, that makes sense.” John rolls his eyes when he looks away.

  Ena hesitates for a second before proceeding to tell them what she’s told John about not being from Earth, whic
h they take surprisingly well.

  After a while, Maggie thinks they are caught up, so she waits for Ena to take a drink. “Okay, so, this evil force from planet Opock for some reason wants us all on their planet or something, right? Explain that more.”

  Ena looks at her. “Yes. To mine their planet.” She looks around at everyone. “So, like I mentioned before, they destroyed their planet with their version of a nuclear war, turning the entire planet into a mass of various minerals which they use to turn into different metals such as iron and steel. So once they figured out how to travel to Earth around the turn of the twentieth century, they soon started pushing their metals onto the superpowers, because now they did not only control the metals they pushed, but the oil to power them as well. So they began creating conflicts around the globe in an attempt to achieve one thing . . . war . . . because the easiest and quickest way to use up metal and oil is war . . . cars and other machines just don’t use them nearly as fast.”

  “Okay, so let me get this straight. You’re sayin’ they want us all to go to war so we use up their metals and oil, but then who’s going to go to war and use their metals if we’re all dead?” Maggie raises her hands and shows her palms before dropping them. “Oh, wait . . . I get it . . . they want our planet because they destroyed theirs.”

  It’s silent for a moment before Ena speaks.

  “They see it as you’re either enslaved on Opock to mine, or on Earth. Either way, they will enslave your souls in any way they can, whether it’s through war, your job, imprisonment, debt, or even education. And they had a virtually foolproof system to get you to sin in any way they could, and had five patented ways of achieving that, which we referred to as the Fatal Five.” Ena takes a drink of water.

  John looks at Maggie and Peter, who both look confused. “Five ways . . . that’s it . . . seems like there’d be more. Anyway, what are they?”

  She counts off with her fingers. “Sex, drugs, alcohol, fame, and, of course, money. Between those things, the Opocks have been able to infiltrate every level of government, big business, education, and even some religions, as well as the media, along with, well, pretty much everything else.”

  “I can see that . . . people are pretty weak in general, but when you tempt them with pretty much any of those things, especially money, sex, and drugs, you can probably change even the strongest-willed person.” John bobs his head.

  “A person will sell their soul at a drop of a dime just so they can get the things they want in hopes that people will like them . . . because what people really want is to be liked, accepted, and above all, cool. They just want to be cool, cool and rich, which usually leads to Opock . . . so sad.”

  John softly chuckles while bobbing his head.

  “But that’s why we aren’t holding any average citizen responsible for almost destroying Earth . . . it wasn’t your fault; the blind were leading the ignorant, who in turn taught the naive not to care about anything but themselves and money and to ignore the hypocrisy that surrounded it . . . Not to mention, almost ninety-five percent of US citizens were addicted to some sort of stimulant or depressant such as alcohol, pills, drugs, or cannabis . . .” Ena takes another sip of water.

  Peter’s face scrunches as he sits up. “So, wait, drugs or cannabis? So, like, weed’s not a drug?”

  Ena looks at Peter. “Cannabis is just a plant . . . an herb . . . a natural resource, not a drug . . . and it is absolutely beneficial when used in moderation . . . because everything is bad in excess . . . but the plant contains cannabinoids . . . the human body has cannabinoid receptors . . . enough said, there in lies your proof.”

  John slightly chuckles. “You’re preachin’ to the choir, sister.”

  “But everyone needs to realize that.” She looks directly and Peter. “Open-mindedness, is what’s needed to change the world. That, along with erasing most of what’s been drilled into your heads your entire lives.”

  Peter furrows his brow. “Not really sure where that came from, but o-kay?”

  “Because the world’s going to need the intelligent free thinkers, working along with world leaders, together with the protectors of humankind, for making sure everyone always does the right thing when guiding the sheep of the world. Because you all have the choice, for now, to either be shepherds, sheep, or wolves. And if all the good shepherds run off and hide, then the balance of the world gets thrown off and the wolves take over. That’s why the Apocalypse was able to happen . . . the good people of the world just gave up and abandoned the sheep . . . evil prevails when good does nothing.”

  Peter drops his head and doesn’t look up.

  Chapter 39

  Maggie stands with arms crossed. “We haven’t all just given up . . . I don’t think we’d be alive today if we all just gave up, so obviously that didn’t happen!”

  Ena looks at her and smiles. “Oh, I know you haven’t, Maggie. You and your friends were right there protesting when it all went down . . . so I know you’ve tried. But for the rest of—”

  “And look what happened to most of them . . . they all died because they thought they were standing up for what was right, and now they’re dead! So what difference does it make if we try and they kill you for it!? Huh, what then?!”

  “People didn’t die because they were standing up for their rights . . . they died because you all let the Opocks take over.”

  “Now if that’s not the biggest copout—”

  Peter stands up and steps slightly in front of Maggie, cutting her off mid-sentence. “Okay, back up, Ena . . . you just said that evil prevails when good does nothing . . . but they actually did do something by protesting, and evil still won . . . so what’s the point of standing up for something when the system is so rigged that it doesn’t matter what we do anyway? Seems like either way we’re fucked! The truth of the matter is that if there never were protests in the first place, then none of the teargas would have been released, and society would probably still exist!”

  “What can I say, revolutions are usually pretty messy, and, sacrificing yourself for the greater good is sometimes more powerful than the actual cause itself, because you’ve now shown others how to do it.” Ena continues to look at the three of them.

  “And die in the process.”

  Ena looks right at Maggie. “Throughout history, people have risked their lives, and have died, just so people like you can live in a world without evil people like the Opocks . . . some live, some die.”

  “Seems like a lot more died than lived.” Maggie looks at the ground

  After a short silence, Ena clears her throat. “Well, for one, no one ever really dies, only their bodies . . . and, I don’t know what else to tell you, but you’re just going to have to take further steps to show us . . . not just say it . . . but actually show us . . . as well as show each other, that you’re even capable of things like non-violence and peaceful ways, because my people don’t think you are.”

  Maggie throws her arms up. “What’re you talking about? We’re not violent . . . well unless we’re defending ourselves from things like freagin’ zombies!”

  “I was referring to your people . . . your society . . . not you specifically.”

  Maggie drops her arms while looking around the room. “But we can’t change other people, nor do we have a say in what our government does . . . we’re not politicians, ya know.”

  “You have a voice don’t you.” Ena looks at each of them. “Don’t you!” She shows her palms. “So then use it . . . your government works for you, the people, and not the other way around, and every citizen of this great nation has the right to stand up and use their voice.”

  “And say what . . . do what? We’re innocent victims here, you said it yourself . . . and I don’t wanna die, so if we can’t safely protest, what do we do?!” Maggie puts her hands on her hips.

  Ena looks at all three of them. “I wish I could answer that, but I’m not from your planet, so I can’t. But I suggest you come up with something . . . some
thing that will better the world. Something that’s going to make a difference . . . something unconventional . . . just make sure it’s something that not only tells people, but also shows them that you are, in fact, a good person and do, in fact, care about others. Because when you show it as well as say it, you may just someday inspire others to do the same, which might just remind someone the reason why they’re here . . . their sole purpose in life.”

  She cuts them off before anyone has a chance to respond. “And it’s easy, all you have to do to show others how to be good is follow a handful of rules that pretty much equate to just leaving each other alone, is what it basically boils down to . . . just be nice to each other . . . whether it’s another country, or a family member, or a classmate, coworker, whoever . . . just leave each other alone . . . that’s it . . . it’s not that hard . . . but all your people do is fight, fight, fight, that’s it! So if you show people how to be good, maybe next time, they won’t break commandments.”

  Peter sits up. “Hey, some of us choose not to believe in this so-called Creator, or your religious commandments or rules or whatever. My dad and I stopped going to church when my mom died, so don’t force your ideas on me. As Americans, we have the right to choose not to believe in a higher power or an afterlife or anything . . . and I really don’t think this Creator would allow my mom or dad to die or any of this to happen if he really did exist, so why should I even listen to you right now?! Tell me why I should do that?!”

  Ena slightly tilts her head and smiles sympathetically. “I’m sorry for your parents, I truly am, but sometimes people are just needed somewhere else, or they’ve fulfilled their life’s purpose . . . and to answer your question, again, I’m sorry, but ignoring the truth is not an option anymore . . . and you have to live by these rules or your soul will literally go to a horrible planet that’s literally bursting with flames and seeping lava, whose inhabitants are forced to mine minerals in scorching hot conditions until they can sometimes possibly actually learn from their mistakes, stop their sinful ways, and stop hurting each other both physically and mentally . . . because people aren’t inherently bad, they learn it along the way because that’s what they’re usually taught.” She drops her head and then looks up at them. “Life is all about choices, and if you choose to embrace Opocks instead of Enocks, and if you choose to do evil instead of good, and if you choose to hate instead of love, and kill instead of help, then you have chosen for yourself where your soul ends up, and our Creator then doesn’t need to make that decision . . . you made it yourself. See, no matter how much this world tries to tell you, or treats you like you’re bad at every chance it gets, it makes no difference, just as long as you don’t sin. So, Peter, it doesn’t matter if you choose not to believe in what I’m telling you, because that choice no longer exists.”