by Tom Tryst
Peace Keeper 99 remains with Chairman Baker as inconspicuously as possible, yet always available simply by his mental requests.
The same applies to The Pentagon, with General McFarland, as Commander of the Armed Forces. The aliens did not get involved with the question of who ran the country. The Peace Keepers are present to implement and maintain the global communal trade system, but as a bonus, they made international communication much simpler.
So far, everything is going smoothly with the United Nations in command, perhaps the first step toward creating a world government.
Little Tommy Hebdon is the first villager to be buried in the newly established village cemetery, a pleasant small meadow in the woods a quarter mile for the village. For now, a section has been mowed and enclosed by a low fence, to be maintained for future burials. A simple gravestone was provided by the City, along with a memorial plaque placed on the wall of the reception area of City Hall.
Victor was given permission to deactivate the electric charge on the perimeter fence, two days after he took it upon himself to do so. As to the lookout posts, it is left to him to decide if and when they will be manned, but they will remain available. For now, they will be unmanned unless there is an emergency.
However, his request to ease the other security measures is denied. For the time being, at the insistence of Pentagon, they will remain a secured facility, with access and egress only under strict guidelines. Citizens of Glen Haven will have freer movement in and out of The Compound - that section enclosed by the security fencing. Any future expansion of the City outside the fence will not be the concern of the Pentagon. And they advised that, after future evaluation of the civilian population in The Compound, security could be eased. That is just fine with most of the people, still feeling that some places outside would be unsafe. In addition, there is really no place to go; there are still no restaurants, no hotels, no entertainment. Day trips for sightseeing were the only options, taking with them refreshments. For the most part, he buses remain idle in the motor pool parking area.
Global temperatures have not returned to what was considered normal before overpopulation. As a result, some areas experienced severe climate changes that might be permanent. Many areas that were once suitable for agriculture are now too arid for farming without irrigation systems. Often sufficient water is not available. Other areas became too wet for most crops. In other areas, climates were becoming too extreme to support agriculture. But overall, more areas suitable for agriculture are becoming available for future generations. Climates the world over are becoming milder, storms less frequent and less severe.
With the approval of the governments of affected areas, the Peace Keepers start helping in the relocation of some people to more inhabitable regions, this time using small spaceships moved into an area for that purpose. Those to be relocated step into one ship and almost immediately step out to find themselves in their new land. Often they didn’t even know where they had been sent, only to know it wasn’t Earth. When the transporting is accomplished, the ships leave.
While summers are warmer than normal around the globe, winters extremes remain close to years past. The excessive melting of remaining glaciers and polar ice has stopped in the higher latitudes, but it would be centuries before they can rebuild to their prior levels - if they ever do. But in the lower latitudes, annual snow fall levels in the mountains fail to maintain the snow packs necessary to provide summer runoff at previous levels. This is causing severe water shortages in some areas. The gradual sea level rise has stopped, but will not begin to slowly lower for decades to come. Flooded land and cities will remain unusable for centuries to come. All populations affected had been relocated during the alien occupation.
Nothing more has been heard from the Universal Council. Peace Keepers come and go as needed, presumably under the control of the aliens, doing that which they were supposed to do. If each unit still had a force field protecting them, at least a human could touch them without being shocked into unconsciousness. No one dared to test if their phasers could still incapacitate them.
Things worldwide are beginning to go more smoothly, so much so that many are beginning to doubt if it would be wise to abandon their communal system. It is only a few in positions of power and the members of government they support - who still advocated the smooth transition promised by the aliens. Unofficial polls show the vast majority of the people are satisfied with their current lifestyles, especially as more and more nonessential items are once more becoming available; those items they really don’t need, but still want. Most find the for the first time in their working life they have time to enjoy living.
The question is: will the governments of the world abide by the wishes of the people?
For the citizens of Glen Haven, the unanimous desire is that the status quo continue. They are content. Any concern of what will happen to them when the government no longer needs nor supports the village has eased.
The small population is becoming close, with many personal friendships being formed. Most no longer think of their presence as a temporary assignment. The thought of being possibly being separated from their neighbors, co-workers and friend is unpleasant. Under the old system, it had been doubtful to most that they would all be relocated together.
And yet, there was the vague, nagging suspicion that the aliens would not do as they promised - that of leaving them in peace.
While life was good, there is still some anxiety.
Baker sits at his desk in the Oval Office with little to do - as usual. His almost constant, but less demanding companion, quietly stands by. At Baker’s request, it remains off to the side, not facing him, for having the ‘droid constantly looking at him, unblinking, was disturbing.
“I know you can’t tell me much about the world’s out there,” he addresses 99 aloud even though it can read his thoughts, “but can you at least answer one question?”
“All worlds are on a communal system; all citizens share equally,” it answers before Baker voices the question.
“Yes, but should we continue with our communal system?”
The android does not answer.
“You know, on our world it is considered rude not to answer a question, even if the response is not to answer,” Baker snaps with annoyance.
“One moment,” is the response.
It seems like 99 would remain silent, but them it turns to face him. “It is the recommendation of the Universal Council that you maintain your current communal system with the help of the processors.”
Baker stares at it. “Just like that?”
“Like that.”
“And you will still leave us be?”
“Yes. All the governments of your world have just been advised the same.”
“And just when will you leave?” Baker demands.
After several minutes of silence, Baker knows that the conversation is over. He had been told what the aliens want him to know. Resigned, he vaguely wonders if 99 routinely relays his thoughts to his masters. If so, he is currently telling them to do something he isn’t sure they can even do. That alone makes him feel a little better.
As usual, Daniel is in his office when the first of his people begin arriving. He waits, watching through the glass wall separating him from the work area until all have arrived. Only then does he step out, standing quietly until he has everybody’s attention. By the stern look on his face, they know something is wrong.
Without greeting, he gets right to the point. “People, I’m afraid I have bad news.”
No one responds, waiting for him to continue.
“It seems we may be out of a job.”
This sudden announcement elicits a chorus of questions, all talking over one another. He waves them down.
“I have been advised that The Pentagon is planning to close down our operation. They advise that more information is forthcoming, but in the meantime they are putting us on 30-notice. Thanks to the personal androids assigned to each world
leader, there are no secrets; the military no longer needs our service. I have made an inquiry to Washington as to our status, but to be realistic, I can’t think of any other need for our service.”
“I knew it was too good to last,” Charles comments with disgust. “They’ll close the place down. Probably scatter us all over the country.”
“We can ask them to let us stay here,” another suggests.
“And do what?” spat Charles. “What would we do to earn our keep? ‘If you don’t work, you don’t eat.’ Remember? You want to be a farmer?”
Soon many were adding their voice to a growing discussion, again talking over one another. Daniel loudly slaps his palm on the nearest desk for silence.
“Knock it off!” he almost shouts, although all went silent at the loud retort. “We won’t know until we get orders from Washington. And I suspect that might be a while. For now, it’s business as usual, but just monitoring our current contacts. No new hacks. Document and submit, but I’ll hold reports until Washington responds.”
There is murmuring, but no one voices objection.
“Does the Mayor know this?” one asks before remembering the Mayor is his wife.
Daniel nods. “If we close down, she thinks she can find jobs for everyone. But she can’t promise we will like them. And until further notice, I’m putting us on four-hour days. Half will work the morning shift; half the afternoon. I’ll post a schedule. No sense knocking ourselves out. We’ve been having some beautiful autumn weather. Enjoy it.”
He dismisses them and retreats to his office, not wanting to answer any questions; questions for which he has no answers. Charles follows him in.
“I guess we all knew this would be coming,” Charles comments, making himself comfortable.
Daniel plops onto the office sofa, leaning back. “You want the morning shift or the afternoon shift?” he asks, hoping to ward off the questions. One would supervise each shift.
“You choose,” Charles replies, “I don’t care either way.”
“OK, we’ll let the wives choose.”
Both were quiet for a while. It is Daniel who breaks the silence. “I just got the word last evening. Maybe I should have waited to let the others know; at least until I had more information.”
“Nah. Best to be up front. There’s bound to be rumors.”
“Victor’s keeping it quiet. His troops don’t need to know right away. Anyway, they still have a job. Plenty of work for the military.”
Charles, looking out the glass into the workplace, sees many of the crew on their cell phones. He points. “You aren’t trying to keep this confidential, are you?”
Daniel sighs, seeing what Charles is looking at. “I was. I guess we should put out a statement - on the Bulletin Board.”
He is wondering what the loss of the steady, preferential supply of goods from the military will have on the City. Will the civilian allotment be nearly as good? And what services will we provide in exchange?
Maybe his wife will give him a job.
Chapter Twenty-three
With the implementation of the global network of Processors, and the main unit regulating the territory of the United States being located in the White House, the Pentagon realizes that the aliens have effectively cut off their authority. Or for that matter, their need to maintain control over distributions. The Federal Government has been back in control of the program for the past three months, with the Pentagon providing security. By default, the coup is effectively over, with The Pentagon officially returning rule to Washington, along with the reassignments of those senior officers involved in the coup - all to better duties.
President Baker had rejected all offered resignations, asking them to continue serving their country, citing that circumstances made their actions understandable. In actuality, the terms agreed upon between the military and the government prohibited him from taking any action against the instigators of the coup or those supporting it.
The Medina Lake Research Center has another reprieve.
Peace Keeper 37 is back in The Compound, appearing as the androids usually did, unannounced. But he wasn’t unexpected. Only a week after Washington had suspended the research teams’ operation, Daniel was advised by Washington that The Compound would continue as a government facility, now to be known simply as the ‘Lake Medina Research Center.’ The team’s new duty title is ‘Distribution Oversight.’ Daniel Davies will continue as the Director of the team, and as such, is once again in command of the Center.
His old ‘sidekick, 37, has been assigned to him in the sole capacity of an advisor. It is there only to coordinate the adaptation of the current, extensive computer network to be compatible with The Processor’s network, an alien system they will have to learn. They will review all activity in an attempt to identify any potential problems; as the system itself quickly identifies developing problems. Acting simply as a project superintendent, it will take orders from Daniel. And like the others, its power to ‘transport’ humans has been removed, as well as its protective shield. It has been programed to take orders from Daniel and coordinate the necessary modifications to the facility’s computer network to inter-phase with The Processor. When completed, the team will monitor the functions of the nation’s distribution efforts, finding and resolving problems created by the human element - hopefully before it effects the system.
The news that there would be a continued - and a very important - purpose for the team was joyfully received by all, for it meant that they would continue as citizens of Glen Haven, possibly indefinitely.
For Daniel, it created another problem; a personal problem. The Compound had officially been incorporated as city property, the City of Glen Haven, under the control of the elected mayor and city council, operating under city, county and state law. The Federal Government was now declaring that The Compound was still federal property, under federal law, with Daniel as the Director.
He was putting his wife out of business. And he had not yet told her.
Daniel decides that the best way to resolve the problem is to meet with those involved in an attempt to hash out some sort of compromise. He also decided that the meeting should take place on neutral grounds. He chose The Tavern, reserving a back booth, and set the time for midmorning, when there would be few patrons. He invites his assistant, Charles Durwood and his wife Carol, the current Chief of Police Victor Wells and his wife, Assistant Chief-of-Police Tabitha Sullivan-Wells, and, of course, his own wife, Mayor Sherry Davies. He orders 37 to stay in his office, something it would not have done before. All but Carol have arrived, with Charles citing illness as her excuse.
“I thought we should have a little toast to the revival of our team,” he begins, not having formed a formal presentation. He doesn’t even have notes. He will play it by ear.
“We did that last night,” Charles advises, “Several times.”
“I’m on duty,” Victor adds.
“OK. Bad idea,” Daniel continues. “Anyway, the five of us have been involved in this thing from the gitgo. Our duties have changed over time. Command has changed. But the important thing is, we have managed to stay together, as a team. We’ve come to love our little world here in the Compound. Now we know we can stay. For how long, I can’t say, but it looks like for a goodly time to come.”
Sherry speaks up, “Why do I have a feeling that there is a ‘but’ to come?”
Daniel nods, takes a deep breath, then continues, “But . . . there are going to be some changes. That’s why I’ve called you together.”
“I know we just incorporated, making the entire compound city property. I was hoping that we could simply lease the property we will need for the new ‘Distribution Oversight’ team to the federal government. I’m not sure that will be possible now.”
“What do you mean, ‘not possible’?” Sherry demands.
“Well, the government indicates that they may pre-empt the incorporation. They want the entire facility to remain federal property and under
the military security.”
Daniel holds up a hand to silence the protests. “Nothing definite yet. That’s why I called us together. I want to be able to offer a workable alternative that they will accept.”
“Let me see if I understand this,” Sherry interrupts. “They want to take away our town and self-rule and make it another damned military facility, with soldiers running the show?” She glances at Victor, remembering he was the one running the show, and quickly adds, “No offense meant, Victor.”
He shrugs. “None taken, Boss. I’m civilian.”
“If we don’t offer an option,” Daniel admits, “It probably will go back the way it was. I don’t see that’s necessary.”
“We just got the last traces of the Army erased. The old camp is now a maintenance yard for the city.” Tabitha reminds them.
“And the city jail,” adds Victor.
Charles has to put in his two cents, “Why don’t they just set up their damned military camp somewhere else and leave the citizens of Glen Haven alone?”
“And how would we support ourselves?” asks Sherry.
“Same as before,” Charles insists. “They want our services, they pay for it. They could set up a new camp outside our city limits and maintain an outside perimeter defense, controlling who comes and goes to the Government’s satisfaction. Leave us alone inside.”
Daniel wants to get right to the issue facing them and raises a hand to silence them. “All the government is concerned with is that the new team has the facilities it needs along with the protection of the military. A big part of that support is security. And I don’t think the security need is so high we have to call in the military. Our own police department has been providing that same level of security for the past months. They can continue to do so.”
“Why can’t we just modify the current lease agreement?” Sherry asks. “It could be adjusted to meet the new needs. Our police department could be expanded if they wanted a higher level of security.”