THE PEACE KEEPERS

by Tom Tryst

  “Children, too!”

  “Young ones adapt very easily. Then we will implement a strict restriction on childbirth, which, if you’re wise, you will continue when we leave you.”

  “The people will rebel!”

  “Most won’t be aware. Neither you nor the other leaders we are disclosing this to will tell anybody what I’ve told you. Their accompanying Peace Keeper will know their intent and will instantly transport them before they can get a few words out.”

  Baker frowns at him. “Me, too?”

  “As I am programed and instructed. We will warn you first. If you continue, We will transport you.”

  “I’ll bet you’d like that!” Baker mumbles.

  “Baker, you should realize by now that we are machines. We have no emotions. We make no decisions on our own. We are the most efficient, sophisticated androids in the known universe. We are unable to make an error. If we malfunction, we are powered down. We function as the Universal Council has programed us.”

  “Yeah, yeah! I know,” Baker waves him off. “You’re still a pain in the ass. Just do what you came to do and get the hell off my planet!”

  The humanoid makes no reply.

  After a long silence, Baker gathers his composure and in a more civil tone asks, “You have any more good news for me?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do. We have some very special worlds that we want to colonizes with stable, normal human beings. They will be the sole specie. It will be all their own world. Those adventurous souls volunteer will live on worlds they would consider to be perfect place to raise their children. In time, this offer will be made to select groups, but not until your world is stable. At that time, we’ll have a better idea how large a population Earth can comfortably support.”

  “And I can’t breathe a word of this,” Baker verifies.

  “Correct,” 99 confirms. “For now, concentrate that you and your governors continue to make the selection of people you wish to serve with you, using the list we have provided. If you have other choices, we will let you know which ones qualify. It is getting close to the time for you to form your governments in accordance with world standards. Gradually, we will turn over some control to you.”

  Chapter Seven

  Daniel contentedly reclines in one of the chaise lounges on his patio, looking out over the dark lake waters at the spattering of house lights in the hills beyond. There are fewer now. As his gaze moves upward, the stars appear brighter and more numerous. He wonders if the atmosphere is getting clearer. Somewhere up there, the multitude of alien space ships are doing their thing. With the other amazing technology they have presented to earth, the process might be simpler than he thinks. He is also wondering where all those people they have transported may be. There was talk of ‘reevaluation’ and ‘reassignment.’ Was that being done up there, in one of those many huge mother ships? And where were they reassigned? As the population of the world is dramatically decreasing, it seems more likely those souls were transported to some other world or worlds.

  One thing is nagging him. He has heard two different versions from those who have witnessed a transport: one describes the person disappearing, leaving garments behind, even including eyeglasses and wristwatches; the other describes persons disappearing entirely, clothes and all. Even items they were carrying. Was there some significance? More often, those attempting violence against a Peace Keeper disappeared, weapons and all. Where they disintegrated? Killed? His assigned peace keeper denies any are killed, that they are not programed for that response.

  Then there were the undesirables, even to earthlings; those who lived lives of violence and crime. By earth standards, most were considered incorrigible, spending much of their miserable lives in jails and prisons. Did the aliens have a means of changing their personality, making them useful citizens? And all those hopelessly ailing from disease; could the aliens cure them?

  According to Washington, the aliens intended to cut Earth’s population almost in half. That would be some five billion people removed! What was to be their fate? If they were on another planet, were they living contented lives? Or were they no more than slaves? Worse yet, a source of food? Or for some sexual purposes?

  He knows one thing. The aliens don’t like cities. They don’t like people to crowd together, virtually living one on top of another. They claim it is unnatural; contrary to the scheme of life. Intelligent beings were not meant to life isolated from the natural world. In these few weeks of their occupation, he has heard nothing to indicate just what life form the aliens were, nothing of how they lived. Was Earth going to be patterned after their worlds? Their societies?

  Those Peace Keepers in his compound would answer just about any questions he asked, except about their worlds and their masters. When asked anything about the other parts of the universe, or about those constituting the Universal Council, they remained silent. No amount of coaxing would get a reply, almost as if they didn’t hear the question. He also noted that none of them spoke of themselves in the first person; they always used ‘we.’ It was hard to know if the ‘we’ meant the android itself, all of the androids or the Universal Council.

  Another thing that is bothering him is the scope of the occupation. There are supposed to be more than two thousand impossibly huge space ships in orbit. Counting them is difficult because they frequently disappear and reappear, sometimes simply relocate. And they all look identical. Since hearing that estimate, no one has given an exact number. Then there are the many thousands of the smaller ships that have landed, bringing the Peace Keepers by the hundreds of thousands. Add to that all the highly technical and sophisticated equipment and machinery. The expenditure would be staggering, both in cost, material and manpower. Or rather alien power. But then, all that might mean nothing to them, as it appears to be a collective project of many civilizations. Possibly it’s something they often do. Or perhaps the ships are a part of their trading.

  But if it is a significant effort on their part, why are they doing it? They claim it is their universal love for all life forms, that it is a benevolent act. But can they have some other motive in mind? And then there is the question of whether they will ever leave earth. Might we forever simply be slaves, doing their bidding?

  His revery is broken by the sound of the sliding glass door opening. He looks over to see Sherry silhouetted by the inside light, wearing a bathrobe, her long blonde hair wrapped in a towel. Just looking at her is giving him a tingle in his groin. He often tells her she is the most beautiful woman he has ever met, and he means it! Every time they are alone and relaxing after a long day, his desire for her begins to grow. As it is now.

  She balances a small tray with one hand while sliding the door closed. He sees she has brought them drinks. Lately, those drinks have been cocktails since they are now allowed to have liquor in their residences. She makes them just the way he likes, but then just about everything she does, he likes.

  “Hey, Hon,” she greets. “You going to take a shower tonight?” She hands him a drink, then slides the other lounge beside his and sits down, taking a sip of her own drink.

  “If you had told me you were going to take a shower,” he replies with a lecherous grin, “I would have joined you.”

  She shakes her head. “Bubble bath. I needed to relax.”

  That sat silently for a long time, enjoying the lingering warmth of the day.

  His uneasiness was returning. Without turning to look at her, he asks, ”Honey, have you ever wondered if the Universal Council has a hidden agenda?”

  “We’ve talked about that before.”

  “I know. But now that we know more, do you ever get suspicious?”

  She reaches over and takes his hand in hers. “There’s no use on dwelling on such possibilities. Whatever they might have planned beyond what they are telling us . . . well, there will be nothing we can do to stop them.” She squeezes his hand.

  “Yeah, how well I know. Maybe we should just take off. Head deeper into the hil
ls. Live on our own.”

  She has to smile. “Honey, you don’t know the first thing about living off the land. Neither do I.”

  “We could study up first. Find out what is edible in this area. How to build shelter. Everything is growing now.”

  “And how do you plan to avoid the Peace Keepers?”

  “We could go where there are no people. No people, no ‘droids’.”

  “We don’t know what their range might be. And they probably have someway of locating escapees from above.” She squeezes his hand again. “Tell me you’re not serious!” she demands.

  He just chuckles. “No, not really. I’m just beginning to feel what prisoners feel.”

  “If they had it as good as we do, they’d never want to be set free.”

  “I guess it’s just getting to me. I feel responsible for everyone here. All I can do is try to make their lives more comfortable.”

  She sets her drink down and stands, facing him, getting his attention. She unwraps the towel from her hair, letting her tresses fall loose, shaking her head. Even damp, it is still blonde. Looking into his eyes, she loosens the belt, letting the robe open to show just a sliver of flesh. It is enough to make him taken a sudden intake of air and start his heart beating a little fast.

  She reaches down to pulls him to his feet. Her robe opens wider. “Come on. I’ll get you out of your funky mood”

  Like an eager young lad, he follows her into their bedroom, hid funky mode gone.

  He is in a better mood when he awakens with the first light of dawn. Sherry is still asleep, a hint of a smile on her lips. She looks so peaceful, he decides to let her sleep. He eases out of bed, quickly dresses and heads down to the dining hall. It is not yet open, but he prevails on one of the cooks to prepare two breakfast trays.

  She is still asleep when he returns. He gently tries to wake her, but she just grunts, rolls over onto her back and pulls the sheet up over her head.

  “Rise and shine, Sleepyhead,” he says cheerfully.

  No response.

  “I brought breakfast. Your favorite. They fixed it just the way you like.”

  Still no response. He sits down of the bed beside her. Her amazingly firm breasts are outlined by the sheet. He reaches over and cups one in each hand, gently kneading.

  She suddenly pulls the sheet off her face and glares at him, a tight grin on her lips. “You looking for trouble?” she snaps.

  “Your breakfast will get cold,” he warns her.

  “Let it!”

  He laughs. “Eat. You have to keep up your strength.”

  She pulls his hands away as she sits up. “Then don’t start something you aren’t going to finish. Go. Let me get dressed. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Yes, Dear,” he responds in an impish voice.

  By the time they finish a leisurely breakfast, it is still early, but they dress and head to the Computer Center to open up, with 37 trailing close behind. Daniel likes to be the first there, to set an example for the others.

  It will be another day of the same old, same old, doing research on information that will be transcribed into documents that, in turn, may become part of the rules and regulations of the new world government. He wonders just how important their works is in the process of shaping the new world. He also wonders how restrictive their future lives will be. And what will they be doing in the brave new world?

  President Baker has scheduled a session with his newly selected and officially appointed Board of Advisors for 1000 hours. Each of the seven men and three women he appointed had to be approved by the Universal Council. This told him two things: first, each one of them was honest, for they could not hide greed or hidden agendas from the Peace Keepers; second, they had the intelligence and common sense to handle their duties. He is pleased with that. He knew they would all do their best for the cause.

  Humanoid 99 is standing in its usual position, just inside the main door to the Oval Office, facing an opposite wall, unmoving. It could have been a statue, but Baker knows that it is aware of the presence and thoughts of any human within . . . well, he can’t yet know their range of mind contact. Grimly, he realizes 99 knows his present thoughts, but the android remains stoic. He tries to concentrate on the check list for their morning discussion.

  A movement causes him to look up to see 99 approaching his desk.

  “We have a message for you,” it speaks in its even mechanical voice, too precise in pronunciation to be human. “From the Universal Council.”

  Baker sets down his notes and sits back, nodding.

  “Galactic greetings, President Baker. We commend you for the progress you are making.”

  There was a pause. Baker felt compelled to reply. “Thank you. We are trying to cooperate as we are anxious to once again have control of our world.”

  “Yes. How soon will be determined by how soon the world government is organized and prepared to assume leadership. We should have the planet free of harmful pollution by then. But there is one more thing you need to know about that time. You will not be left entirely alone.”

  Baker jumps to his feet, glaring at 99, even while knowing it is not the android who is talking. “You said you will leave us alone! What the hell now?”

  “Please be calm. We will fulfill that promise. All Peace Keepers will be removed when the time comes. But we have come to the conclusion that mankind, as yet, does not have the ability to lead itself without unemotional guidance. Thus we are going to leave behind a system that will provide continual guidance as you progress. It will not mandate what actions your government plans, but it will warn if such action is counterproductive or deviating from lawful operation. Other than that, we will have no further input to this system. Once the new course of humanity is established, it will be up to you humans to govern yourselves.

  “As your United Nations had established headquarters in the City of New York, we have decided that will be the seat of your new government, putting an end to the current debate of which country should have that privilege. That structure and many around it will belong to the world government. All appointed members of that government will work and live on those grounds, their duties being full time. As we have advised you, the body of that government will represent every current nation of the world.

  “The machine we will refer to as the ‘The Guide,’ will be located in what is now the United Nations building. It will be able to monitor all your communication systems, but cannot add, detract or alter any data. It is necessary that it can keep track of the status of the world and be able to respond to any requests for information or advise, as well as to be able to alert you if you are making an unwise decision. Like a Peace Keeper, it will answers any questions you have. It will be up yo you as whether or not to heed that advise. We will be able to monitor your world through it, as we have an invested interest in your future. However, we will not be able to alter The Guide in any way. Nor can you. As we promised, we will leave you to your own fate.

  “If you eventually become truly civilized - which, frankly, some of us doubt - we will again contact you with the offer to become a member world with representatives on the Universal Council. If you fail . . . We will leave your fate to you. We will not intervene again. We wish you love and peace.”

  After a long silence, Baker, still standing and leaning on the desk with outstretched arms, demands, “I need to know more about this machine.”

  It is 99 who advises him that the message is over.

  “Damn!” Baker mumbles, then addresses it, “What can you tell me about this . . . Guide?”

  The response is immediate. “Consider it a sophisticated computer - an advisor. It will have no physical control over your world. You are not compelled to use it as a source of information or advice. You can ignore it, but that would not be advisable.”

  Baker sits down, waving 99 away. It responds and moves back into position without another word. One more thing to talk about this morning, Bakers muses.

  Bot
h Tabitha and Donna are late for work. Only fifteen minutes late, but it is unlike both of them; they are always there early, ready for duty. They walk into the building, quickly heading for their respective duty stations, slowing as they pass Daniel’s desk to mumble apologies, then hurry on.

  Daniel suppresses his amusement. Normally, he would make an appropriate comment about punctuality, but he says nothing, simply nodding acknowledgment as they pass. He recalls last seeing them last night in the company of two young, good-looking ex-soldiers at the bar, and quickly makes an assumption based on their obvious embarrassment - along with the fact that neither of them are wearing fresh uniforms.

  Good for them, he thinks, They should enjoy themselves while they can. He knows he would if he found himself single in this uncertain world. Who knows what will happen tomorrow. He realizes that they have fulfilled what the Peace Keepers had asked of them about research, their greatest skills. Now they were doing what other similar groups around the earth had been assigned: input on the formation of the new world government in one very specific and narrow aspect of the overall picture. Any number of teams could do the same. He can’t help wondering what will happen to them when they have completed their task.

  There will be no further need for the Compound - for their little village. They will be out of a job, and he knows that in ‘the brave new world’ everyone will have to work to earn his or her keep. One of the latest government mottos is: “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” So far, the Universal Council has shown consideration regarding keeping immediate families together. He is sure, whatever their future, he and Sherry will be together. Where, and doing what, is the unknown. He tried asking 37, but received only silence, its response when it didn’t know or couldn’t say.