THE PEACE KEEPERS

by Tom Tryst

  Private interest groups were presenting bills to Congress that would make modifications in the laws to give them greater control. Few passed. Those that did, were vetoed by the Co-Chairmen. The days of the wealthy buying beneficial legislation were over - at least for the time being.

  The government was now owner of all real estate, including single family dwellings, and was now responsible for their maintenance. Where possible, the previous home owners were allowed to keep them as their residence, but the government still had the responsibility of keeping them inhabitable.

  With the elimination of personal wealth, the government also found itself owner of many mansions, luxury accommodations and sprawling estates. Many were converted for public use: Schools, health clinics, hospitals, orphanages, day care facilities, retirement complexes and recreational facilities. Others were converted to multi-family units. But most remained vacant and unused for the time being, for under a true communal system, none could have more luxurious accommodation than others.

  Plans were made to expand the railroads, making them the primary source for both long distant travel and the transport of goods. New rail lines were already being installed.

  Cities were a growing problem. The normal populations of urban areas had been more greatly reduced by alien transporting than rural areas. Most manufacturing jobs went away. Many cities, large and small, had become almost abandoned, as agriculture was now the largest provider of jobs. People who used to work and live in the cities found that their new jobs required them to move to small towns and even into the countryside to be close to work. With increasing frequency, older buildings were being stripped and demolished. Entire aging neighborhoods were being razed, leaving block after block leveled.

  Adding to that was the fact that while private ownership had been eliminated, local governments were proving to be poor landlords. Due to both vacancy and neglect, buildings were quickly deteriorating, becoming uninhabitable and hazardous. Local governments were being overwhelmed with the problems, lacking both equipment, materials and manpower to provide resolutions. The quickest and cheapest way was simple to demolish unwanted buildings and leave the unsightly piles of ruble. Many were simply blown up.

  Too often, it was fires that destroyed the vacant buildings, often taken inhabited structures along with them. And, too often, entire blocks were destroyed by fire. With the passage of time, vacant buildings would deteriorate and collapse on their own.

  Governments were just beginning to realize the growing problems they would face with the passage of time.

  Most of the citizens of Glen Haven were content with their new life style, knowing that they had it better than most on the outside. They no longer considered themselves ‘locked in’, but rather that the world was ‘locked out.’ They felt protected. The few incidences of trespassing were generally kept from the people. There was no longer reason for the people to leave the Compound, for there was no tourist trade. No night life. No shopping centers. And most considered it too dangerous to venture out, an unfounded fear that Daniel left uncorrected. He was quickly aware of the importance Washington and the Pentagon placed on their espionage - and took advantage of it. To keep his select crew contented (along with all those supporting the operation) he made sure that they had everything they needed or might want. Special requests by citizens were quickly accommodated.

  Listening in on what other governments had in the works was proving to be a great advantage to the United States. Even though all treaties and trade agreements were null and void, the government could be kept aware of any planned aggression against the United States. The data the Computer Center gathered, either from what was left of the internet or from hacking computer systems, was quickly transferred to the Pentagon, who in turn would brief the government.

  The team worked around the clock, for they were monitoring all points of the globe, all time zones. It was at the end of the day shift that Director Daniel Davies had a briefing of all supervisory personnel, partly for their own knowledge of what was happening on the outside, and partly to identify areas that warranted closer surveillance. They often had news well before the government released it to the public - if they ever did.

  Present were Tabitha Wells, Sherry Davies, Charles Durwood, now the night shift supervisor, Carol Durwood, and Victor Wells, who had just dropped in to take his wife to dinner. As Commandant of the Base, Victor was always allowed access to the information they were gathering.

  “It looks like the USSR is back in business,” he reports to his people, now off duty and relaxing, their minds more on dinner than on the outside world. “Ukraine has sued for peace with Russia, apparently without a shot being fired. They simply saw the advantage of having trade with Russia, one more step to giving them access to the Mediterranean Sea. The Pentagon wants us to concentrate our efforts on monitoring Turkey, for they feel that Iran will allow Russia to possess the northwest corner of the country if they can have the majority as part of the Muslim State. That will give Russia the shipping access they want. Our job is to find out if there is to be such an agreement.”

  “Another step is the dividing of the Middle East and Eastern Europe between Iran and Russia,” comments Charles. “Looks like they’re going to do it without conflict.”

  “Do you think the United States will protest?” asks Carol.

  Daniel shakes his head. “We are in isolation mode. The official response is that it is none of our business . . . which it isn’t! For the first time in two centuries, our government has stopped being the world’s bully. Western Europe, Cuba, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria - all were none of our business. Now that we are giving our own country 100% of our attention, maybe we can resolve some of our own problems.”

  “China is doing the same thing,” Charles adds, “peacefully taking in poorer bordering nations in the Far East, using their agricultural and manufacturing might as a lure.”

  The Director continues, “So, we just continue sticking our digital nose into the world’s business. I hope it’s just for the purpose of recognizing any threats to us. Let’s put a top priority on Turkey; try to verify the potential of such a merger.”

  “Sometimes, I wish we were still under the control of the Universal Council,” Tabitha says softly, almost thinking out loud. “At least the world was at peace and everybody was being cared for.”

  Victor seldom attended these briefings, and when he did, almost never spoke up. It is to comfort his wife that he did now. “Things are getting better out there. Nobody is starving. Now that we are independent, we can do a better job of distributing food and medicine.” All know he is referring only to the United States.

  “And as far as the rest of the world,” Daniel advises, “The culling by the Peace Keepers eliminated most of the aggressive people. And greed isn’t much of a threat anymore. Not to mention reducing the population and heading off the ruination of the world. We have a better chance for world peace than ever before.”

  “And their elimination of the scum bags in the world,” adds always cynical Charles.

  “So just be glad we have our little haven here and that we are doing our part in striving for a peaceful world,” suggests Daniel in closing the meeting, setting his notes down and rising. “Let’s eat.”

  In Washington, Co-Chairman Baker is discovering that he is having a much easier time in heading the government compared to past presidents. With the detrimental influence from the wealthy, Congress is able to pass laws that benefit the citizens rather than powerful lobbies. Political parties have fewer areas of disagreement. Elected officials have less concern regarding being reelected. With extremely limited campaigning, they realize that the best way to get elected is to do a good job.

  Under the communal system, there is no money for bribes. Under a new Constitutional amendment, all campaign costs are covered by the government, with strict campaign rules. There is no campaigning allowed until a month before the actual voting, whether for primary or final elections. All camp
aign workers must be volunteers. No advertising is allowed, including signs. The conducting of polls is eliminated as being influential. Candidates are limited to town hall type meetings and personal contacts. No more campaign trails. For each elective office, two debates are allowed, both administered by the government and broadcast on public television and radio, with a limit as to times being re-broadcast.

  There is no media advertising, other than reporting on a candidate’s qualifications and his proposed agenda, with the requirement that all candidates for a given office be given equal time and/or coverage - as dictated by law. The content of every broadcast relating to an election must be reviewed and approved - word-for-word - by the Elections Bureau. No newscaster can express personal opinions concerning a candidate.

  On the day of an election, there can be no further campaigning. Nor can the media announce the progress of an election, for it is recognized that how others have voted can influence ones who have not yet voted. No voter will know the outcome until the final votes are tallied and the results are official. There is no absentee balloting, with arrangements for a person to vote when outside the jurisdiction involved.

  Campaigning on the street or door-to-door is allowed only by the candidate in person. Telephone campaigning is forbidden. Campaigning by mail or carrier is prohibited.

  Further, the amendment makes every United States citizen age eighteen or older eligible to vote; with no exceptions. It also standardizes times for voting sites to be open, from 0800 hours Eastern Standard time to as late as 2000 hours Hawaii time; no matter where a voter lives, they can vote anytime between eight in the morning to twenty at night, their time. No voter would know any results before casting his or her vote.

  The same amendment also establishes minimum qualifications for each federal and local office, assuring that a candidate has the knowledge and experience necessary to handle the job before being allowed to campaign for that position. It also requires each candidate to pass a background check to assure he or she is of high moral character, with nothing in their past which would disqualify them from holding office. And it sets eight years as the maximum time a person can serve in any elected office, virtually eliminating the professional politician.

  Finally, all election outcomes, whether federal or state, will be determined by popular vote. The candidate who gets the most ballot votes is elected to that office. For the first time in decades, money will not buy an elective office. For the first time in decades it will be the vote of the people that will put a person in office, not appointed parties nor private interest groups.

  Congress passed a bill - almost by unanimous vote of both houses - that establishes the office of a senator and the office of a representative as full time jobs. For the term they are to serve, they are expected to meet in session at least once a week and be available to their staff every weekday. All must live in housing provided by the government, all in Washington, D.C.. Like citizens, they will have vacation time and sick leave, but their personal freedom to travel will be limited. They are permitted to return to the state they represent once a month, for a period no longer than three days. At all other times their constituents can contact them electronically.

  The only reason the bill was passed is that almost every Congressman is new to politics, and, as citizens, were sickened by the corrupt conduct and lack of agreement by past Houses. The Co-Chairmen quickly signed the bill into law, but most political observers prophesied that it would soon be repealed.

  Two new Departments were created: The Department of Nutrition and the Department of Housing. The Department of Nutrition has the responsibility to gather and distribute food and medicine under the communal system introduced by the Aliens, making such modifications as needed to make it work. The Department of Housing has the responsibility of providing housing for all citizens, facilities for public service, the facilities for manufacturing and the maintenance of government real estate. The operation of both departments will be by trial and error, as such circumstances are new to a country that has operated under capitalism for centuries.

  By Executive Order, a committee was formed to work out details for gradually returning the country to a monetary trade system; the reestablishment of the dollar. Most everyone believes the present system is untenable and must be changed. In the mean time, there is a constant scramble to react to situations of crisis, increasing the Oval Office’s ability to lead a proactive government. Most experts believe it will take years to establish a new, functioning society and renew relationships with the rest of the world.

  As expected, spring came early to the Hill Country of South Texas, much to the joy of the children of Glen Haven, tired of being cooped indoors for so long. There were enough children in the community to have seven classrooms, each accommodating two grades: 1st and 2nd; 3rd and 4th, 5th and 6th, 7th and 8th, 9th and 10th, and 11th and 12th. An eighth unit provided for preschool and kindergarten age children. In addition to the classrooms, there are the physical education area and gymnasium, student cafeteria and various science and math labs. By their completion of the tenth grade, students will have the equivalence of a high school education. The 11th and 12th grades will be the equivalent of an associate degree, two years of college. Upon graduation, the teenagers will be assigned on-the-job training in an area that they were both interested in and have the aptitude to learn.

  Perhaps by then the nation will have stabilized, the Compound will be shut down, and families once again living in an open society. But for now, the playground is active during school and the park active after school. Soon lake waters will be warm enough for swimming; all children will be taught how to swim. The laughter and excited sheiks of playing children add a degree of normalcy to the town. Some citizens are wondering if they can remain living in the town after the military pulls out. They are beginning to love their little village of Glen Haven.

  While civilians can request to leave the compound to resume their lives on the outside, very few even considered that choice - mostly because they have no where to go. By now, eight local women and one local man has married a soldier, including Victor and Tabitha. The soldiers are able to live with their spouses when off duty. Some will soon complete their enlistment; they will be allowed to stay as new citizens. Any citizen wishing to marry a person from the outside can petition to have their fiancé move into the Compound, with the condition that he or she can pass a rigid background check. So with citizens marrying soldiers, citizens marrying outsiders and new childbirths, the population of Glen Haven will gradually grow. So will be the need for feeding the additional mouths.

  Victor responds to a call from the main gate security team. They have retained a man who is trying to get into the compound. Soon after the Colonel arrives and is briefed on the situation, he in turn calls Daniel to the front gate.

  As Daniel rolls up to the gate in his freshly painted royal blue electric cart, another victim of Sherry’s village beautification program, he sees Victor talking to a young man sitting on the ground, his hands secured behind his back. The two soldiers assigned to work the gate stand back, while a third soldier is searching an old, travel-worn sedan parked at the gate. When Victor sees Daniel’s arrival, he walks around the closed gate to meet him.

  “What’s up?” Daniel asks, looking first at him, then at the young detainee.

  “This guy wants in; says he’s here to marry one of our ladies.”

  The young man sits quietly, head bowed. He appears to be just a teenager, hardly old enough to be driving a car. He is casually dressed and well groomed, hair shorter then what is now common with youngsters. Then Daniel notices the Indiana license plate on the old car.

  “That wouldn’t happen to be my niece, Debby, would it?”

  Victor nods. “Says they’re engaged.”

  Daniel shrugs. “Not that I know of. She had a boyfriend, but he dumped her. She was pretty shook up about it. I don’t even know what his name was.”

  “This guy’s name is Eddie Campbell. H
is ration chip gives a Kentland, Indiana address. The car is assigned to Kentland as well. I don’t know yet if he’s supposed to have it.”

  “That’s where David lived before coming here,” Daniel confirms regarding his brother, Debby’s father. “But he looks too young to be her boyfriend.”

  “He’s twenty, but looks younger,” Victor advises, then adds. “There is no authorization for his admittance. You know I can’t let him in. I thought I’d check with you before sending him away . . . or arresting him. There’s still the question of legal possession of the city-owned vehicle.”

  “Don’t know anything about him. He’s not on my list of relatives seeking entry.”

  Victor just nods almost unperceptively, looking over at young man. “Just thought I’d check with you. If they actually were engaged, I know you could make arrangements for him to join her. Seems like a nice enough guy. Traveled a long way to get here. I can’t imagine how he managed to get gas.”

  “Can I talk to him?”

  “Be my guest.”

  As the two approached, the young man looked up, his desperation etched into his face, eyes bleary from lack of sleep. He didn’t seem old enough to even have to shave very often, but he was clean shaven now.

  “My name is Daniel Davies, the Director of this facility. How do you know Debby Davies?”

  The young man’s face brightened and he sat straighter. “You’re Debby’s uncle!” he exclaimed. “Please. Tell her I’m here. My name is Eddie Campbell. We were engaged to be married before she left to come here.”

  “Are you the one who broke up with her just before they left to come here?”

  “Yes,” Eddie admits, “but not because I didn’t love her. I knew they were going to leave and I couldn’t come with them. I broke up with her so she would forget me. I did it to make it easier on her. I still love her. I always will!”