THE PEACE KEEPERS

by Tom Tryst

  Cities have shrunk to a fraction of their original size, with abandoned buildings gradually being dismantled for reusable building materials, their previous occupants long since disbursed to small towns and villages.

  Instead of building new communities on precious agriculture land, they were relocated to areas unsuitable for farming or ranching. More areas are being laboriously cleared of all traces of civilization, preparing them for agriculture.

  Water is no longer such a precious commodity, for the mountains have heavy snow packs each winter, providing ample melt to feed the rivers all year long. Weather patterns are providing ample rainfall. With less need for well water, water levels of aquifers are gradually rising.

  Worldwide communication has been reestablished as the aliens ease up on their isolation tactics. They apparently have nothing more to hide. Governments are running efficiently, all centrally coordinated with New York City, the Capital of the World. A majority of the Peace Keepers have been removed from the streets, supplemented by civilian peace officers, all designated as World Peace Officers. Those androids remaining are apparently able to maintain thought control.

  There are no military organizations.

  There is no longer such an thing as a corporation. All businesses are small and run by the local government. From the top managers down to the trainee, salaries vary only by a small percentage. All earn enough to live comfortably on the credit they earned, for there is still no legal tender. All transactions are conducted by computer, with each citizen have a ‘credit chip’ implanted in their right palm, between the thump and finger. Each person is provided shelter, clothing and sustenance according to his or her needs. There is an allotment for entertainment, recreation and personal interests.

  There is no poverty. There is no wealth. The rule is: share and share alike. There are no beggars, homeless nor lazy, for every able-bodied man and woman knows that the consequences of not preforming assigned duties are severe: transporting. Humanity still does not know the fate of those who have been transported, never to be seen or heard from again, but all recognize that while it is not a desirable thing, it is necessary.

  While there is little crime, almost all crimes that do occur are crimes of passion, for mankind has not yet controlled its savage tendencies. Most potential incidences were curtailed by a Peace Keeper, often sensing the passion before the person acts, suddenly appearing where needed. Instances of violent crime are rare, for the penalties are swift and severe. Apprehension is a given, and justice is sure. There are no criminal courts; a Peace Keeper immediately knows all the circumstances leading up to the crime, the actions taken and the violators’ intent. All know: if you commit a crime, you pay the price. That price is transportation, often in public view as an example.

  As a result of healthier diets, more physical activity, and better health care, life expectancies for both man and women are increasing and becoming more equal. It is becoming more common to see people in their eighties still active, although probably not by choice.

  More and more, the Peace Keepers are turning control over to the people, keeping a low profile. The number of Peace Keepers continue to dwindle, replaced with human peace keepers armed with non-lethal weapons that are seldom used. Only the occasional mentally disturbed individual becomes a problem; the peace officers quickly stun him into submission with no lingering harm. Drunkenness and family disturbances are still an occasional problem, but most people are afraid to step out of line. It is the remaining Peace Keepers who judge the future of anyone taken into custody. ‘Relocation for treatment’ is most often the judicial decision, sometimes temporary, sometimes permanent.

  All the landed spaceships have long since left; replaced by strategically placed transport chambers for the delivery of material and supplies. The number of alien ships in orbit has been drastically reduced. And more and more, local governments are learning (primarily due to less censuring Peace Keepers) more about conditions in the other parts of the world. While peace and modest prosperity reigned worldwide, entire populations no longer exist. And not all civilizations have attained the standard of living of the industrialized nations, such as the Americas. But all have improved. Primitive tribes from areas in African countries, Indonesia and Australia can no longer be found. Entire areas where civil war had become a way of life are deserted, the people moved to other areas - or simply unaccounted for. Areas where the environment was hostile to human life are likewise abandoned.

  All this was accounted for by the necessity of reducing the world’s population. The least desirable of humans had to be culled if the world was to survive. Despite the Universal Council’s insistence that all had been transported to other worlds where they were thriving, the growing feeling was that they had simply been disintegrated. This growing train of thought was not alarming; the survivors were living well and the world was beginning to clean itself, little by little; few cared about the past.

  Even though the Peace Keepers have removed any restriction on human reproduction and longer life expectancy, the population of the world seems to have remained static since stabilizing. Able young couples were being recruited to colonize newly discovered earth-like planets, tempted by documentaries showing the beautiful new worlds, ideally suited for human habitation. Many were signing up, to be taken by spaceship to their new homes.

  The Peace Keepers are careful to avoid using the word ‘transported’ in their recruiting efforts.

  The five-year anniversary of the aliens’ arrival came and passed with few taking notice.

  Life in rural Kentland, Indiana had returned to much as it had been before the occupation. Being a small town serving the surrounding farmers’ and ranchers’ needs, they had become a close-knit community. By their bringing-up, they were docile in nature and had a strong social bonding. Accustomed to what would have seemed a lower-class standard of living, they actually lived better than most of the dwindling middle-class of America. And there was no poverty. The town took care of its own, wanting no outside interference.

  Thus the changes dictated by the Universal Council and enforced by the Peace Keepers were not all that different from the way they were accustomed of living. And they were one of the communities to first notice the reduction of Peace Keepers and the reorganization of civilian peace keepers, once being the local Sheriff’s Office, working out of Kentland, the county seat.

  In the past, the youths left town as soon as they were old enough, seeking a more exciting life in the big cities. Others left for college with few returning. So Kentland’s population remained fairly static. Now, unable to leave, disgruntled youths often acted out and got their wish. They were transported. While the town’s population had always been predominately older, the Peace Keepers were bringing in younger people, mostly couples with children to balance out the population. David and Janet Davies are typical of the “new blood.”

  Debby is now 19, a very pretty and outgoing girl, popular with the school boys. She graduated somewhere in the middle of her class (only 19 in number), deciding college was not for her. She was given a job in the cheese plant at the dairy where her father worked. She has a boyfriend, and lover, whom she wants to marry, but they have yet to obtain the necessary permission.

  Her little brother, now 16, is no longer ‘nerdy’ and is popular in high school. Soccer has become the local sport; he is the captain of their small team. He is getting good grades and was counseled to attend college, which offers free room and board. There is no tuition. They suggested that he major in animal husbandry. If he completed his studies, he would eventually have his own ranch. There aren’t a lot of girls his age, yet he has managed to date most of them, never getting serious about any one girl.

  Before the family would be separated, David desperately wanted them to be relocated to the Compound in Texas, but his brother, Daniel, had not yet been able to arrange it. The Peace Keepers had assigned them to Kentland, and there they would stay until they were given permission to leave. It is not possible to
simply load up the old sedan provided them and drive to Texas. The first Peace Keeper to spot them would stop them and return them to Kentland - or worse.

  The county clerk they had to deal with at the courthouse was sympathetic, but it wasn’t up to him. The same with Debby and Eddie Campbell, her fiancé, regarding their getting a marriage license. The excuse given the couple: they were too young. David is given no reason for the inaction on his request to relocate.

  Occasionally, he and Janet would discuss their situation, usually after one of their Sunday phone calls to Daniel, but more often it is a subject they avoided.

  David sits back on the sofa in the parlor, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, his head back, staring at the ceiling. They had just hung up with Daniel, and the two teenagers quickly went to their rooms.

  Janet scoots closer to him and snuggles to his chest. “Sounds like they’re doing fine,” she lamely offers, knowing his frustration. Daniel still did not have any encouraging news.

  “Yeah, suppose so,” he responds, putting his arm around her and planting a kiss on her forehead. “Some time I think it’s never going to happen.”

  She knows he is referring to their relocation request. “I know,” she soothes, “but we have it pretty good here. I’m getting to like it. And the people are great. Everybody helps everybody else. I like that.”

  “The winters suck,” he grumbles.

  “Yeah, but the springs are great,” she counters.

  “And the summers are too hot and humid!”

  “But then there’s fall and all the beautiful colors of changing leaves. It all balances out.”

  “You don’t have to be out in it like I do.”

  She doesn’t respond.

  “Sorry, Homey,” he quickly apologizes. “I didn’t mean that you don’t have a hard job. Besides taking care of the kids, house cleaning and cooking, there’s all the gardening - which I know I don’t help with often enough - and the food processing. Canning, preserves, freezing.”

  She doesn’t look up at him, but is smiling.

  “Any way,” he continues, “Kentland is kind of nice. Laid back. Almost like going back to the early 1900s. Hell, most of these houses are over a hundred years old, but they’ve all been well cared for. Built to last. You don’t see abandoned houses. A couple of gas stations, yes. And the old fuel oil depot. Most of these places were built with oil furnaces.”

  “I think of as quaint. I’m getting to like it here. We’ve made so many friends,” she paused for a while, then looked up at him. “Honey, I’m not sure I want to leave here.”

  He sits up, pulling his arm free, obviously upset. “You’ve always said you want to leave. What’s changed your mind?”

  “Time, I guess. The longer we’re here and the more friends we make - well, I’m just not so hot for the change.”

  “What about the kids. They want out.”

  “They’d also want out of the Compound,” she quickly advises. “Besides, they’re going to be on their own soon. Debby is already considered an adult. Both could go off to college in Indianapolis, if they wanted.”

  David bent forward, elbows on his knees, staring at the braided throw rug at his feet - one that Janet had made. He is silent for so long, she nudges him.

  “You OK?” she asks.

  He nods. “So what do you want me to tell Danny?”

  “Let’s just see what happens. They may never let us leave,” she earnestly pleads. “If the opportunity arises . . . well, I’ll do whatever you want. Promise.”

  He sits back and takes her into his arms, holding her tight. “You’re right, Babe. Let’s not worry about something that may never happen. Kentland’s OK. I can think of a lot worse places.”

  They sit in embrace for a long time, their reverie broken only by Darrel’s voice blaring, “Mommmm!” They can hear Debby saying something to him, but they can’t make it out.”

  “Whose turn is it to kill them?” David asks with a sour grimace.

  Life in the compound is also becoming routine. Tabitha and Victor finally received permission to marry. As leader of the project, Daniel was given the power to civilly unite couples, which constituted a legal marriage. Victor is responsible for the ongoing security of the Compound. The two share governing of The Compound.

  Donna and her boyfriend Bill broke up just months after he moved in. Since then, she has had three boyfriends; none lasting long. Daniel had to counsel her about getting a reputation of sleeping around, one that might cause the Peace Keepers to transport her. She promised to be discrete, but was warned that their captors knew everything she was doing, even behind closed doors

  Christmas is just a week off. The rainy season is about over and the temperature at night often drops below freezing. Most are looking forward to the first snow, just for a change. The fall colors have passed, with just a few brown leaves stubbornly hanging fast, leaving the surrounding forests dominated by the dark green of the oaks, with touches of brighter green from pine. They know that snow falls are infrequent and the snow doesn’t last long. There had been little but a dusting of snow for the past two winters; the climate was just too mild. But temperatures worldwide were slowly, very slowly, falling. Maybe this year they would get a good snowfall.

  Two days before Christmas, they have visitors.

  It is mid-afternoon, and Daniel has called for a break. He and 37 are the only two still in the building. Two strangers enter the computer building. He has never seen them before. His first reflex is to look at 37 for its reaction. There is none.

  Daniel assumes the ‘droids have arranged the visit and relaxes.

  Both are in their fifties and carry themselves with the poise that suggests they are ex-military. Both are dressed like mailmen. Both wear gray caps with ear flaps. The caps were common for cold weather, but it is the eyeglasses they wear that seem strange. Both wear strange-looking heavy framed eye glasses.

  Gathering his composure, Daniel asks. “Can I help you?”

  The taller of them raises a warning finger across his lips, pointing to 37, then brings out a stack of index cards. He writes, then holds the first out for him to read. “Don’t speak. We will communicate in writing.”

  The other man hands him a similar cap, motioning him to put it on. Then similar glasses. Daniel complies. They are very heavy and awkward, but soon he is adorned just like the two.

  Daniel almost responds verbally, but stops as the second man also signals him to be silent. Neither look menacing.

  The second card reads “I am Colonel Wright. My companion is Colonel Pennington.”

  The next card reads “With the cap and glasses, your brain waves are blocked. The Peace Keepers cannot read your mind. They will pay no attention to you.”

  Daniel looks at 37 standing twenty feet way, facing them. He is bewildered by all this and, as a test, mentally asks, “37, what time is it?” There is no response from the android.

  The next card reads “We represent an underground military force dedicated to drive out the Peace Keepers. By force.”

  Daniel grabs a note pad off his desk and scribbles, “What do you want from us?”

  Another prepared card is shown. “We need your help.”

  Daniel motions them to take a seat, then writes, “How can I help?”

  Col. Wright hands him the first of the three pages, motioning him to read.

  Daniel reads:

  If you are reading this letter, you have been selected to be part of a campaign to rid the world of the alien intruders. The cap and glasses shield your thoughts from being read. To a Peace Keeper, it is like you are napping without dreaming. Do not utter a sound. Communicate by motion and writing. As with any military action, some danger is involved. Some may die. If you are willing to take the risk to free mankind from captivity, nod yes.

  Daniel looks up at the two men. His thought is not on his role, but concern for his wife and the others who have become so close. Would she be willing to take the risk?

&
nbsp; Did he even have the right to make such a request? Then he realizes that as soon as he removes the cap, 37 will be aware of the visit and what transpired; it would immediately deal with the two intruders.

  He nods yes.

  Wright writes another note, “Can you trust at least three others?”

  Daniel again nods yes and is handed the next sheet. He reads the pages slowly, often rereading parts to make sure he understands. He has doubts that such a mission would succeed, but he reads on.

  The written message is a brief description of what the two mens’ group has been doing since the invasion. At the start, it quickly became obvious that any resistence was futile. Politicians world wide, accompanied by their military aids, retreated into the underground bunkers that almost every government had built to survive even a nuclear attack. They were sealed with lead to block radiation. All who had knowledge of these bunkers were thus enclosed. When the Peace Keepers didn’t try to dig them out, they realized that the lead lining blocked their thoughts from the Peace Keepers. The bunkers were designed to sustain a specified number of humans for years, initially until the anticipated nuclear winter had subsided.

  They used this time to work on devising a way they could travel among the ‘droids without their intent being discovered. After some failures, the developed the cap with flaps and glasses. They were patterned after popular caps worn in cold weather. The caps were lined with lead, the glasses lead rims and leaded glass. They worked and they soon developed other brain shielding devises. As long as they didn’t speak their intent, they could move about freely. To the ‘droids, it was as if they weren’t even there. Thus they were able to start gathering the equipment and material for developing a weapon with which they could attack the orbiting spaceships.