by Tom Tryst
Many areas of the earth were considered unsuitable for supporting human life. They were abandoned for the time being. Those who had been trying to scratch out a living in such inhospitable areas where relocated, for there were many unpopulated areas suitable for supporting life. New technology was making them inhabitable. They were beginning to be populated. It was slow process, for it was the humans who were doing the work under the supervision of the Peace Keepers, with tools and equipment best suited for the various tasks.
By alien standards, more than half of earth’s manufacturing was devoted to things humans really didn’t need. Existing factories dedicated to the manufacturing trivial items were refurbished for the manufacture of things earthlings truly needed, not what they thought they needed or simply wanted.
Priority was on worldwide standardization in manufacturing. There would be one model for any item, designed for the greatest durability and efficiency in use, often incorporating innovations provided by the aliens. For any given item, all parts would be interchangeable, no matter where it was manufactured. Durability and reliability were stressed. With time, all outdated and outmoded items would be replaced, all using clean energy through innovations provided by their occupiers.
Logging was severely restricted. As both aluminum and iron were plentiful on the earth, new small structures were framed with aluminum, larger structures with steel. As the demands for petroleum as fuel diminished, plastics would be more extensively used in construction. Unwanted structures were not simply demolished; they were salvaged for reusable materials. Glass was reformulated to be resistant to fracture, while at the same time having the ability to reduce thermal transition and block harmful solar rays.
As soon as one habitat was vacated either by relocation or transporting, another family would be moved in, one assigned to work in that area. As populations dwindled the world over, cities were being emptied to vacated suburban and rural area dwellings. Eventually, only those working in the remaining city facilities will live there. Numerous factories around the world were retooled to build the electricity generating solar roof panels and power storage units using alien technology and earth materials. Eventually, every habitat would generate its power, heating and cooling needs from the sun.
Structures needing more energy would be powered by the nitrogen generators, now being duplicated in retooled factories.
The grand plan was to eventually eliminate all electrical power lines. Wire would be recycled. Utility poles would be milled for dimension lumber, reducing the need for cutting down forests.
Most automotive plants were being geared to manufacture the alien designed nitrogen-powered engines, a more sophisticated and more efficient version of the latest nitrogen engines that earth had started manufacturing in small numbers. There will one standard size for the few needed passenger vehicles, other sizes for trucks and farm equipment.
And there was always the promise of more innovations to come, but first, humanity had to be stabilized.
Due to the drastic reduction of employees in the Compound, less than half the original number, the Army camp closed the dormitories. Those few soldiers not transported were moved into the village to occupy one of the apartment complexes. Except for the farmers, their families and the full-time farm hands, all now have their meals in the dining hall. There are enough vacated apartments for everyone, but the farmers chose to stay in their homes on the farms.
At Tabitha’s request (for it seemed she still had some clout), Donna is given the one-bedroom apartment across the hall from her. They have bonded, forming a close relationship. They work together, dine together, and spend most of their off-duty time together - most often in the company of their new ex-soldier boyfriends.
Daniel is aware of the relationships, that the men are often spending the night with the two women. It would have been a serious infraction of corporation law, but now he just didn’t care. If they are happy - and it doesn’t affect their performance - he’s happy for them. And the Peace Keepers haven’t put a stop to it, nor did they didn’t interfere with the numerous late night comings and goings throughout the apartment complexes.
The young man, who Daniel still refers to as ‘Tabitha’s man,’ had been a buck sergeant and a military policeman, assigned the boring duty of circling the perimeter road at least twice an hour, carefully not establishing a time table that would-be intruders might use to gain access. The fact was, the 6,000 acre compound was off the main road; few would stumble across it. Locals avoided the area. Rumors were rampant as to what was going on inside, and all were bad. Nobody wanted to enter, or for that matter, even get close. The fence even kept out all but the smallest critters and birds.
His name is Victor Wells. Now a civilian, he is still serving as security, working three 12-hour shifts in three days, then three days off. He was now working day watch, 0800 to 2000 hours. When on duty, he can have early breakfast with Tabitha, for they both start duties at the same time, then have a late diner with her. Even though he is seven years younger than Tabitha, there appears to be little difference in their age when seen together. Like most military, he has kept himself in good condition, quite muscular. Darkly handsome, he is a contrast to the fair skin and blonde hair of Tabitha. And much taller.
Donna’s man works the same shift, but has different days off. Still, the four can spend late evenings together and all will occasionally have the same days off. His name is Bill Reilly, also an ex-sergeant and close friend of Victor. Like Victor, he is well built and quick on his feet. Not as handsome as his buddy, he is still an attractive young man, being two years younger than him. Both no longer wear their Army uniforms and gear, but wear the same khaki shirt and pants as the civilians. The only difference is the word ‘SECURITY’ blazoned in large letters on the back of their shirts, and they wear a black armband with white ‘SECURITY’ letters.
Even though the Camp has been shut down, those soldiers selected to remain in The Compound were still government employees, designated as Security. On duty, they wear a utility belt with radio, plastic ties and a stun gun. The gun is non-lethal, provided by the Peace Keepers, and will harmlessly incapacitate a suspect for a minute or two, long enough to secure a suspect. The range seems to be limited only by how far away they can see a suspect and set the bright red aiming beam on the intended target. Neither man has had occasion to use them. The radio communicates only with the nearest Peace Keepers; they are never out of radio range as long as they are inside the compound. When off duty, they change to the normal civilian clothes. Neither Daniel nor their captors care what they wear off duty. As a test, one daring ex-soldier stripped naked and walked by a Peace Keeper; it paid no attention.
As having the most seniority of those military selected to remain, Victor Wells was designated as head of the security detail, still taking orders from the government - which never conflicted with instruction from the Peace Keepers. They were essentially the law enforcement for the compound.
Since the Peace Keepers took over, no one has been able to leave without their permission. The occasional visits to San Antonio came to an abrupt stop. No outsiders are allowed inside the compound. There are few deliveries from outside, but those that did come are stopped at the gate. The driver remains at the gate house while security drives the truck inside and delivers the goods, returning the empty truck to the civilian driver. Most equipment and supplies were provided by the aliens, delivered by space ship.
The Peace Keepers can come and go at will. No one knows where the local space ship is located when it is not on the grounds. Most of the day-o-day orders relating to security come from a Peace Keeper, apparently coordinated with the other androids.
The work schedule of their men works well with for Tabitha and Donna, for they can still take their long walks through the woods and can still be at the dining hall when their men get off.
Tabitha and Donna go to the dining hall early. Both their beaus are still on duty. They just have coffee as they wait.
B
oth have something on their minds. It is Donna who first gets serious. “Bill wants to move in with me,” she blurts. “He wants us to live together.”
Tabitha just laughs nervously. “Vic, too. They must have planned it together. What did you say?”
“What do you think? He’s there most of the time, anyway. How about you?”
She shakes her head. “I need more time. I think I love him, but how can I be sure? Nothing is normal anymore. Anyway, I stalled him by saying I didn’t know if it would be allowed.”
“Good God, Girl!” Donna exclaims in frustration. “Nobody gives a rip anymore! Live it up while you can! So what if you don’t ‘love’ him. Do you like him enough to shack up?”
“Yeah, I think I’d like that. But if it didn’t work out after a while - well, I hate breakups.”
A food server approaches the table, two coffee pots in hand. “Refills?” he asks.
Both nod and hold off on their conversation while he refills their cups, remembering who drank decaf and who regular. Everybody was a return customer here.
Donna continues once the server is out of earshot. “You know our time is limited here,” she speaks softly, but earnestly. “There will be the time we will be reassigned . . . Or transported. Who knows what after that? Our lives could be short . Live it while you can.”
“You’re right, of course. Now is not the time to be picky.”
Donna leans forward, speaking even softer. “Look, both have their own apartments. They will still have them. If either of us get tired of them, we’ll just kick them out; they’ll have a place to go.” When Tabitha doesn’t respond, she commands, “So just do it! Tell him tonight!”
“It would be kind of nice, always waking up with him beside me.”
“And getting that morning quicky,” Donna adds with a grin. “But take advantage of it now. Some day they’ll be rotated to night shift. We’ll have early dinner with them, then have to sleep alone three out of every six days. We can have breakfast together, then of to work - and them to bed.”
“You’re right. If he asks again, I’ll say yes,” she said with sincerity.
“If?’ Donna exclaims. “I’ll bet you he asks again tonight.”
“OK. But you stay out of it. It’s between me and Vic. No coaxing.”
“Deal.”
After a few drinks at The Tavern, the two couples go their own way. At Vic’s suggestion, they go to her apartment, as they both like to have an intermission on the deck, enjoying the night air and the view. His view is of another apartment building.
“So have you given it any thought?” he finally asks.
She knows what he means, but replies, “About what?”
“Come on, Girl! About us living together.”
“I have.”
“So what do you say? You know I’m crazy about you! I love you so much. I would ask you to marry me if there was still such an arrangement.”
“I know. And I love you, too.”
“I’ve been patient,” he reminds her. “I’ve given you plenty of time to make up your mind. I promise you . . .”
“Yes!” she interrupts.
“Yes!” he echoes, jumping up from the lounge and pulling her up to embrace her tightly, kissing her tenderly, then more urgently. “You won’t be sorry, Baby. I’ll treat you good. Like a queen!”
“Just treat me like you have, and I’ll be happy. That means no other women.”
He made the two finger boy scout sign. “I haven’t even looked at another woman since I met you!”
“Nor I another man. But there’s one other thing.”
“You name it.”
“We continue safe sex. A pregnancy could mean transporting for me.”
They retire to the bedroom to celebrate their union, then make plans for him to move his personal gear in the day after tomorrow, his next day off.
Two days after Vic moved in with Tabitha, Bill has his first day off and moves in with Donna.
Baker (now officially Chairman Baker) soon realized that he was little more than a figure head, at least for the time being. He and his Cabinet are given the task of filling governmental positions under the new structure of a world government, in which the United States of America ceased to exist. It is now divided into two countries: the states east of the Mississippi River, including Wisconsin, now comprise East America; the states west of the Mississippi, including Minnesota, are now West America. The City of Washington, D.C. is now Columbia, the Capital of East America. The City of Denver, Colorado is now Denver, the Capital of West America.
Baker is the Chairman of East America, a position he would hold until the aliens leave, and the procedure for elections by the people has been implemented. Thomas Ryan, one of Baker’s cabinet, was reassigned and placed in the position of Chairman of West America, doing the same organizing for his area that Bake has been doing for own. Under the Universal Council’s restructuring of the world, both are independent countries.
New York City (Now only that area covering Manhattan Island) is now the Capital of the World. The old United Nations building is the Headquarters.
Unknown to him until just lately, Ryan had been busy organizing the government of West America for some time. Humanoid 99 prohibited the two men from comparing notes, advising each new chairman that they could coordinate only through the Peace Keeper assign to them.
Baker was beginning to understand the past growing frustration of the people, only able to vote for the individuals selected by the powers that be. That was one of the major problems of the past, only now it was the aliens rather than the privileged class doing the dictating. He can only make his own appointments from a short list provided by the aliens. Most of names were persons unknown to him, but he quickly realizes that all men and women on the list, for any position, are fully qualified. Not the case in the past. He also realizes that with the power brokers influencing Washington a thing of the past, greed for money and lust for power are no longer issues. He can be assured that each candidate is honest and dedicated; the Peace Keepers would have eliminated any with a hidden agenda, for nothing can be hidden from them. He also notes that each list contains an equal number of males and females.
He got the message; his Cabinet now consists of five men and five women, with him selecting a woman to fill Ryan’s vacated seat. AS Chairman, he makes the eleventh member.
For now, the only task of each newly established office, department or agency is to train employees in the various positions. It is the various Peace Keepers who are supervising the government employees as they continue the necessary day-to-day operations of the various departments and agencies. By the time the aliens will allow them to begin taking control, (under their guidance, of course), they will be able to do so efficiently.
What was happening in East America and West America is being duplicated in every country in the world. It is becoming apparent that the national and local established boundaries will, in the new world, simply be a means of designating geographical areas. All would be citizens of the world. Every large nation is being divided into more manageable sizes, much like they did with the United States. Very small bordering countries are combined into one new, larger nation. Existing borders are often altered to follow more logically the geology of the land, such as rivers, bodies of water or mountain ranges.
The Universal Council had quickly realized that Earthlings had two main problems: the delegation of people into class levels in almost every aspect of life, and the great number of different religions that divided the people and often radicalized their lives. And they have two remedies for the problem: rehabilitate their religious beliefs to be in harmony with all others religions, bonded in brotherly love and the belief that all people were equal - and to transport those unable to adjust.
The impact is the greatest in the middle east, where differences in religious beliefs had fostered civil wars that had festered for centuries. More often than not, transporting is the only solution, often with entire region
s left almost abandoned. The message from the aliens is clear: worship whatever or whoever you wish, but do not try to force others to think the same. Love whatever God you choose, but also love your fellow man. Violence has no place in religion and will not be tolerated.
By creating a global communal arrangement, they have eliminated all of the world’s money, widely recognized as the root of all greed and evil. No one person can profit from the labors of other persons. All have jobs suitable to their abilities; all received an equal reward of sustenance. If you don’t work, you don’t eat. If hunger doesn’t eliminate laziness, transport will.
That have also eliminated the power and influence of the religious leaders of the world, where religion had been dwindling in many countries long before the arrival of the aliens. Where a religious guide met the standards set by the aliens, he or she could continue as a spiritual leader, but only at a local level. The vast bureaucracies of major religions are broken up. Each remaining house of worship serves a local community with a local leader for conducting services having the central theme of universal love. Attendance continues to drop.
Baker has long since ceased to try to outwit 99; it was hopeless. Not only can it read his mind, and the minds of every other human around it, that information is apparently instantly known by every other Humanoid, as well as by the Universal Council. The memory capacity of each of the machines appears to be limitless. He wouldn’t be surprised if each ‘droid held the accumulated knowledge of the world, for each could instantly answer even the most technical of questions. And he is quick to point out when mankind’s version of knowledge is wrong.
Baker’s knowledge of the intent of the Universal Council to drastically reduce Earth’s population is tormenting him. Not only is there nothing he can do about it, he can’t even tell others; the minute he tried, he would be transported. Even if he managed a method to warn the world without 99 being aware, they had cut off all communication with the rest of the world. He suspected the same is being done throughout the world. He now knows the procedure the Peace Keepers are using to reduce the World’s population, transporting those humans deemed least desirable. He suspects that this means extermination for some, for why would such a superior race of beings want our rejects? Slave labor? Body parts? Or maybe human beings were considered a delicacy on the Universe’s menu. He was certain that he isn’t the only one who has such doubts, but nobody is going to talk about it.