THE PEACE KEEPERS

by Tom Tryst

  At one point in his political career, having the party nomination for the presidency was his dream, but that dream faded with time. Being talked into running for vice president, and winning, he had a brief period of hope that being second in command might lead to the top office. He soon discovered that it would never happen; the powers that pulled the strings were already behind another man for the next nomination. After his term of office was over, the best he could hope for was to run again for a Senate seat or an appointment as a department head.

  How long he will serve as Chairman of East America is unknown. No time frame has been established. He is just another puppet, this time for the aliens instead of the wealthy privileged class. He feels like the unhappy little child who wants to run away, but can’t do anything more than walk around the block, being prohibited by his parents to cross a street. He doubts that 99 will ever let him out of his sight. At any time, he could be transported and another puppet put in his place. More and more, instead of feeling he is a part of a glorious program which will save mankind, he is feeling that he is a part of their demise.

  Humanoid 99 surely knows how he is feeling. Might that be grounds for him being replaced? He is so demoralized, he really doesn’t care. Maybe being transported may be a better way go.

  So far, 99 has said nothing to him about his attitude.

  Charles and Tabitha asked Daniel for a private meeting, advising him it would be just the three of them.

  “So, what’s on your minds?” he asks once they settle into chairs in his office, all facing one another.

  Charles glances at Tabitha, who nods for him to begin. “As you know, right here on the compound there has been a lot of so called ‘transporting’, which the Peace Keepers say are relocating people to other locations. It’s supposed to be part of decentralizing population centers, spreading out humanity.”

  Daniel simply nods.

  Charles continues. “Look, we’ve known for some time now that the problem with climate change, the warming of the atmosphere and its pollution is caused by the activities of mankind. We try to blame it on the burning of coal, oil and natural gas for electricity; the burning of petroleum for transportation and air conditioning; the excessive number of farm animals for food, and their methane gas passing; the deforestation which is reducing the number of trees to clean carbon dioxide from the air and producing oxygen; human waste products making their way into the oceans, reducing their ability to create oxygen. But the bottom line is there were just too many people.”

  Here he pauses, knowing he isn’t telling Daniel anything he doesn’t already know. “So the logical step in reducing the negative effects - is to reduce the population. I think . . . “ he says, then corrects himself. “We think that what they are leading us to believe isn’t the complete truth. We think that reducing the population is an integral part of their solution. While they claim they cannot lie, and that they are programed not to harm humans, we suspect both are lies. They can lie, and they are lying. And they are harming people.”

  “What makes you think that?” Daniel asks.

  “Two things,” he continues. “First, remember the four soldiers who resisted and were transported? Their clothing and weapons were left behind. Others who were transported disappeared, clothing and all.”

  “So?”

  Tabitha answers. “So there are apparently two types of transporting. At first, we suspected that those who resisted were simply dissolved. Evaporated, leaving only their clothes and such. Their molecules sent into the universe. We think hey were killed.; all living cells just vaporized. Probably the same for those they deemed imperfect and incurable. And those who disappeared clothes and all were actually being transported to another place. Maybe here on earth. Maybe to one of the orbit spaceships. Maybe to another world.”

  “Then,” Charles takes over, “we began looking at the people being transported. It appeared that the strong, young and healthy were being transported with what they were wearing; while it was the resisters, and the older, weaker people who disappeared leaving clothing behind. We have come to the conclusion - merely suspicion at this point - that the stronger are be sent to other worlds as labor, and that the weaker are terminated. Apparently, the force they are using to kill only destroys living tissue, while the force they use to transport will transport both living matter and solid matter.”

  Daniel looks at Tabitha. “Do you concur with this?”

  She nods.

  “Well, that makes three. So do I. And so does Sherry.” He pauses for a moment, then asks, “Have you discussed your theory with anyone else?”

  Tabitha shakes her head. Charles answers for both of them. “No. It would just alarm others. And we can’t be sure.”

  “How about your wife?”

  “No. Carol couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it.”

  “Good. For now, let’s keep it a theory among the four of us,” he advises, then adds, “And 37. I’m pretty sure he knows our suspicion, and that puts us on dangerous grounds.” He looks out the office window at the back of 37, standing as if on guard. “Don’t you, 37?”

  He sees no reaction of the ‘droid, and continues, “Anyway, even if what we think is the truth, there is nothing we can do about it. The minute we start planning any kind of rebellion, we would be dead meat. Same if we stop cooperating. And we could be wrong. There just might be two ways of transporting a human from one place to another. And we could even have it backwards; maybe they see the strong as a threat and the weaker as passive.”

  Both Daniel and Charles are in a position to see 37 standing outside. Tabitha has her back to it, and resists the urge to look back over her shoulder.

  Daniel continues, more for 37 than for them, trying to be sincere in what he is saying. “At any rate, they are the saviors. They have come to save the Earth from the follies of mankind. How they do it - well, that’s up to them. We have no say in the matter. We should just be glad they are here and hope that they do what they say they will do.”

  “I agree,” responds Charles, again for the benefit of the ‘droid standing just outside, and yet acknowledging their situation. “There is nothing we can do about it. Whatever world they leave us is better then the destruction we faced.”

  All realize they are fooling 37; it knows exactly what they are thinking. They also know that it knows they realize they can do nothing about their fears. As long as they don’t form an intent to take some kind of action against the Universal Council and its Peace Keepers, they can fell however they feel.

  Daniel knows it is best to change the subject. “So Tab, how’s the love life?”

  She blushes, but is glad for the diversion.

  “Great,” she replies. “He’s asked me to marry him.”

  “And?” he urges her to continue.

  “I told him no. For one thing, we haven’t known each other long enough to make a lifelong decision.”

  “Life may not be as long as you think,” interjects Charles. “Make hay while the sun shines.”

  “Charles,” Daniel advises with a grin. “They are making hay!”

  “You know what I mean,” he grumbles.

  “Anyway,” Tabitha reminds them. “We no longer have a chaplain. He was transported. There’s no way we can get married.”

  “Have you even asked one of the ‘droids if it’s possible?”

  “No. I told him we will just live as if we were married. That’s a serious commitment. With time, things might change. We can make the decision then.”

  “Smart girl.” Daniel is hesitant to ask, but does anyway. “How’s the situation with Donna and her beau, Reilly?”

  “Bill. Bill Reilly. They’re doing fine.” She is obviously reluctant to talk about them.

  “Well, if they don’t know by now, both I and the ‘droids have no objections. However, keep this in mind: if a woman starts sleeping around, they may see her as undesirable and transport her.”

  She doesn’t respond, and there is a moment
of awkward silence which Daniel finally breaks. “But just one other thing. You know the ‘droids can read your minds. I want everybody to start trying to communicate with them without speaking. Think your questions. And why I’m ordering that, is so everybody will fully realize they know every thought we have. That might make them more cautious of what they think.”

  “Gotcha, Boss,” Charles acknowledges for all.

  “Back to work.”

  As the environmental scientists warned over the last four decades, the earth’s atmosphere had begun to make chemical changes as more and more noxious gases were being released by the activities of some ten billion souls. While many people thought that the basic problem was the increasing percentage of carbon dioxide and the decreasing percentage of oxygen, the real danger was from the other heavier gases that stayed in the lower atmosphere. Some were from emissions, but most were chemical reactions between the gases incited by the increasing heat. Long before the atmosphere was depleted of oxygen to the point of suffocation, or poisoned by excessive carbon dioxide, all human life would die of other chemical poisoning.

  There had been two persistent schools of thoughts from the world governments: one was that over a long period of time (time that varied from 30 years to a hundred years) all would perish from lack of oxygen; the other was that as the population was being dramatically reduced, so would the activities causing the pollution. After perhaps half of humanity died, the air would start clearing, allowing the other half to survive.

  The warnings given by the scientific organizations at the 1997 Kyoto meeting were true: if mankind didn’t start making significant reductions in the emission of the various ‘greenhouse’ gases, there would be a point of no return, a point where nothing they could do would reverse the chemical changes in the atmosphere. Mankind had passed that point. Hundreds of millions were already dying each year, mostly in the densely overpopulated urban centers around the world, with most of the victims being the weakest: the elderly; the very young; the ill. While there were no safe zones, people living in remote areas with low populations and people living at high altitudes were suffering less. Healthy teenagers and young-to-middle-age adults in the country were not yet feeling the effect of pollution.

  But now they had their saviors - the Peace Keepers. They would save the world. Their sudden appearance was alarming and overwhelming. The military were quickly neutralized, as were local law enforcement agencies. Governments were disbursed. Communication was controlled by the aliens. No one knew what was happening in other parts of the world, save but what the Universal Council wanted them to hear. All humans could do was hope that the aliens would save the world, then leave as they promised.

  However, they never said how they would save mankind.

  Or when they would leave.

  Chapter Nine

  Those living in Kentland, Indiana, a small farming community whose very existence was to provide for the needs of the numerous surrounding farmers, tried to continue their pastoral life styles as if nothing had happened. In fact, other than the fact that their small local government has been taken over by a small platoon of Peace Keepers without violence - and the notable loss of some citizens followed by an influx of new citizens - little has changed.

  They were led to believe (or chose to believe) that those of their neighbors who disappeared were simply transported to other parts of the county where they were needed. Most that were in a position of leadership, including peace officers, were replaced by the Peace Keepers. For many who were living frugal life styles out of necessity, often struggling financially, the change to a communal form of society has been a blessing. For the privileged few who were living privileged life styles, the change is devastating.

  Families have been kept together, with the man being considered the provider. He is assured a job that meets the needs of the family. And the key word is ‘needs’, not ‘wants.’ The woman is considered to be the nurturer, providing the home and meals for the others, and raising the children. If the husbands’ job goes away, he quickly is assigned another. Schooling of the children continues.

  Houses suddenly vacated are gradually being occupied by families relocated to the village by the aliens. In true country fashion, the new comers are warmly welcomed. The attempt to continue their way of life is often bordering on desperation, but most are adjusting to the changes. Those among them who are chosen to take the lead (with a Peace Keeper advisor at his side), assures the people that the Peace Keepers will leave them with a pristine world. Patience is urged.

  David and Janet Davies are quickly adjusting to the dramatic changes in their lives. They have settled in, resigned to what may be a long wait for the world to get back to normal - whatever that may be after the aliens leave. There is yet no way for him to call his brother Daniel in Texas; their twice monthly telephone visits are initiated by his brother and are limited in time as well as what they discussed. David is well aware that his brother’s ‘droid, number 37, will be listening in. However, they are soon aware that neither of them know what is really going on in the country, much less in the world.

  It is Sunday evening, and David sits with his phone in his hand, expecting Daniel’s call. He answers before the second ring.

  “Hey, Dave,” Daniel’s voice comes over clearly, “How’s it hanging?”

  “Hey, Dan. I’m putting you on speaker. Janet and the kids are here.”

  “Same here. Sherry’s here.”

  “Hi, Dan,” Sherry says louder than necessary, “Hi, Janet, kids.”

  The women dominated the conversation, mostly about how Debby and Darrel are doing in school. Sherry also has a lot of questions for the kids.

  When there is a pause in the conversation, Daniel’s voice comes over the speaker. “How would you guys like to move here to the Hill Country?”

  “What do you mean?” David asks.

  “Don’t get excited, but I’m working on getting you assigned to my team here in the compound. That is, if you’re interested.”

  “I don’t know,” Davis casually responds, trying to hide the sudden light surge of adrenalin, “I’m getting to like my cows.”

  “Smart ass. But, really, do you think you and the family would prefer the rolling, wooded hills of South Texas as opposed to the flat nothingness of central Indiana?”

  David looks over at Janet, who just shrugs, then at the two kids.

  Debby, the teenager, nods enthusiastically, “Yes! Yes! This place really sucks!”

  Her younger brother, Darrel, says nothing.

  “It’s two in favor and two uncommited,” David advises. “But what makes you think you can pull it off?”

  “A lot of my people were transported. Their replacements are from all parts of the country. The job I’m lining up calls for expertise that your degree supports. No promises, but I’ll try hard. Think it over. Give me an answer next Sunday.”

  “We’d really like to have you and the kids with us,” Sherry chimes in. “It’s beautiful here. And we miss you and worry about you.”

  Daniel adds, “And think how long and cold the winters are there.”

  “Of course we’ll consider it. But tell me more about that job.”

  Between Daniel and Sherry, they give the family a glowing description of life in the compound, trying their best to entice them. By the time their allotted call time is up, they hang up with the feeling that they will accept the invitation.

  Now all he has to do is convince humanoid Peace Keeper 37 that David would be the man for the job.

  Things are not going so well for many parts of the world, for the global warming has had a dramatic effect on the worlds polar caps, glaciers and high mountain snow packs. The floating Arctic ice has completely melted, with only thin surface-freezing each winter that lasts only a few months. Hugh icebreakers keep the a passage open the year around. In the Antarctic, most floating ice shelves, some as big as Greenland, have melted, allowing grounded ice, hundreds of feet thick to start sliding into the sea.
Half of the thick ice pack of Greenland has melted and is not being replace by winter snows. Few glaciers remain. In the Himalayas, melting snow provided water for a vast area having 40% of the world’s occupation. Now rivers almost dry up by midsummer.

  Even the seemingly unlimited assets of the Universal Council are overwhelmed. Whether by the magnitude of the need to redistribute populations, or by design, the relentless inundation of land by the seas displaces hundreds of millions.

  The world’s oceans have risen 12 feet, inundating coastal areas; higher in some parts of the world. As 40% of the world’s population lives within 40 miles of an ocean or sea, parts of many cities have had to be abandoned. Almost as soon as some coastal cities have built dikes to keep the rising ocean waters from inundating them, each exceptional high time is flowing over them. By the time the Peace Keepers will have begun lowering the heat of the atmosphere, stopping the accelerated melting, Earth’s population will be reduced to some five-to-six billion humans - the aliens’ target. They have to take the aliens’ word for those figures.

  Out to sea from the new coastlines, where magnificent cities once gathered people from the surrounding countryside, buildings and skyscrapers thrust out of the waters, like tombstones for humanity. They will remain for centuries before they crumble with time, becoming nothing more than monuments the failures of mankind - and navigation hazards. It will take centuries before sea levels would significantly lower. Glaciers will not reform until the next ice age.

  Five years have passed since Tabitha joined the group at the Compound. Not much to their surprise, the Peace Keepers have again changed their function - now to an information center for all West America. Skies are once more clear, the air clean. There is no longer the need for fossil fuel burning for power plants. Almost every home is now self-sufficient, creating all the electrical needs from amazingly simple roof top panels and efficient nitrogen cell units for air conditioning. All communication is wireless. Drinking water is extracted from the air.