One such object hurtles along a clear trajectory. A massive volley of nuclear explosions high above the atmosphere damages, and slightly deflects the asteroid. Slowed, but still with tremendous speed, the mindless hunk of material continues on its deadly course. Heating up in the atmosphere, small pieces of its damaged outer shell peel away. The hurtling object appears a little smaller at each passing moment.
“Look Mommy!” says an energetic eight year old boy, excited as he stands high inside the Statue of Liberty. He looks up at his parents with all the joys of a little boy filled with wonder. “Wow it’s bright !! Is it getting bigger?” His hand is squeezed a little tighter than necessary by his mother, but in his excitement he does not notice. Looking down he adds with puzzlement. “Daddy, why are all those people running? Will it get us? The news said we were safe. Are we safe Daddy?” Johnny looks up with all the faith every little boy has in his parents.
“Johnny, when your grandparents arrived here from Italy, the first thing that stuck in their minds was this statue. They saw other signs of New York City, but this statue really gave them hope of a better future.”
George looks down at his son, their hazel eyes meet making George smile. He looks over to his slender wife Lisa, with her long black hair, and striking European features as he continues.
“Today we too, stand here in hope, for our future.” George holds his hand out for her to hold.
She looks back at her husband who, at five feet nine is tall for an Italian. She reflects on how his dark complexion only adds to his charisma, and she steps closer to hug her man.
The asteroid can be heard now, its speed so great, as it seems to come straight down upon them. People run, horns blare, and cars collide at intersections, all adding to the mayhem. Total panic now seizes the citizens of New York. Police and Fire sirens can be heard from all over the panic stricken city, but with the streets a virtual gridlock they have little to no chance of helping.
The fiery asteroid, though only about sixteen feet in size, leaves behind a trail of thick smoke as it blazes its way earthward.
“Ohh wow. Daddy it’s going behind those buildings. That’s Manhattan, isn't it?”
The last of Johnny's words are drowned out by the sound of the tremendous impact as the asteroid strikes somewhere in Central Park. The lake, along with the nearest buildings, are literally vaporized by the staggering impact and its ensuing blast wave. Five blocks away, buildings instantly crumble into piles of dust and debris. Ten blocks away the shock wave fully lifts pavement fifteen feet into the air, flinging vehicles higher still. Buildings collapse as the blast wave causes support structures to flex impossibly, then snap like matchsticks. Twenty blocks away buildings crumble as though pushed over by some invisible force. Nothing is left standing in its wake as the destructive epicenter expands in all directions.
The three people in the Statue of Liberty can only watch in awe as multi-story city buildings are devastated in seconds. Their home, along with the small furniture store that was George's place of work, is reduced to dust in a split second. As the blast wave continues to travel outward, and ever closer, George shouts out over the din of destruction. “RUN !!!!” Holding Lisa's and Johnny's hands he leads the way, flying down the steps. Faster and faster he runs as the massive shock wave continues to expand outward enveloping and consuming all in its path.
As if the power of this impact needs to be further demonstrated, a wall of water races up and down the Hudson and East rivers. The Lincoln tunnel collapses, massive bubbles rise momentary to the surface, to be swept down river along with its cache of those who sought refuge, their deaths mercifully quick. Forty blocks out, windows are blown in one side and out the other. These buildings then also collapse, leaving large piles of debris as the blast wave continues its deadly outward motion. The Hudson tunnel fares no better than the Lincoln, as it too, is smashed apart adding its contents to the ever growing wave of debris.
George looks back to Lisa as the realization hits him that the water between them and the impact may not save them. He falters and slows, as he now realizes why no one came out here to the Statue. Quietly to himself he can't help but mouth the words. “We are trapped, I have just killed my family.” He shudders as the thought stays with him.
Fifty blocks out, buildings sag into each other before they also succumb to the energies released by the impact. Smaller explosions can be seen and heard as gas lines and fuel tanks explode adding their brief fiery moments to the cataclysm. Many of these fires extinguish themselves, but many others continue to rage, burning that not already destroyed. Smoke from the many fires swirls upward into the air, adding to the haze created by the asteroid’s impact.
George slows his futile running. He looks back again at Lisa as she mouths either silently or not, he can't tell over the horrendous din. “I love you darling.” He completely stops his suicidal running and, picking up their son, holds both close to him. Tears fall freely down his face as he prepares for the end.
The impact to the statue is staggering. A massive blast of suffocating hot dust blows down the stairway. Seconds later, a powerful wave of debris filled water smashes into the tower’s pedestal. The tower groans under the tremendous onslaught, its iron framework sorely tested, it starts to lean, to fall. The torch once held high in the sky succumbs, and crashes to the ground below.
Sixty blocks out finds some buildings surviving with only the windows facing the maelstrom being blown in, slicing and cutting any occupants. Those curious enough to want to watch the spectacle are shredded to grisly pieces where they stand.
The effects are felt as far away as four miles as an odd breeze that stops as quickly as it starts. There is a strange smell to the air upon its passing. Onlookers from far away can only stare incomprehensibly at the total destruction before them. There is no easy way of getting to the fires or the damaged areas. Every bridge and tunnel has either been destroyed, or is in such a damaged state that its integrity is questionable. As the dust starts to settle it becomes quite apparent that Manhattan is once again an island.
The pedestal around the still standing, but now leaning Statue of Liberty is littered with debris. Reaching the base, George still holds Lisa and Johnny's hands as he picks his way out carefully, climbing up, and over the debris left behind. Dazed but alive, George looks across at what was until moments ago, Manhattan.
Johnny looks up at his parents and starts to cry, “I want to go home.” George and Lisa gaze toward the devastation with a numbness that only a holocaust survivor could relate to. They too, wonder what will happen next. They also want to go home, but it's gone, as is the rest of their neighborhood, just gone. George knows he should feel anger or sadness at the calamity, but he is in too much shock to feel anything but numb. His father, along with every other relative, friend, and neighbor that stayed behind is most certainly dead. They had tried to convince him that it was madness, wanting to watch the light show from the Statue of Liberty. Looking at Lisa, he is ever so grateful that her family lives in Europe. She looks across at the destruction and starts to sob as the magnitude of the situation sinks in. George hugs his sobbing son and wife as a single tear rolls down his right cheek. He quietly wonders what is to become of them, all of them, as he gazes upward.
Location:
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colorado
“Mr. President, with all due respect Sir, this is not the safest place for you right now.” General Walker is genuinely concerned with the President being at the mountain complex.
“General, our scientists said this facility is not a target, and even if it were it’s doubtful that an impact could harm us. Besides do you know of any place better suited?” He raises his eyebrows at the question.
“Very well Mr. President. Your staff is assembled in the main meeting room.”
The two men walk into a room that resembles a classroom gone wild. People are literally shouting at each other,
throwing crumpled paper notes and accusations alike.
General Walker, in an effort to restore decorum, says loudly, “Ladies and Gentlemen, the President.” The room quickly settles down. The President of America, arguably the most powerful man in the world, now hunkers down in an underground facility, he almost smiles at the irony of the situation.
With authority he starts asking questions. “What do we have in regard to communications?” Pausing he looks up and down the rows of people, awaiting an answer.
A military man in his mid forties, covered in medals and ribbons, glances about, then reluctantly speaks up. He is not used to addressing the President of the United States. “Mr. President, as expected satellite communications are down, or spotty, at best. Many ground relays are not reporting in and are presumed lost. We do have reports that Manhattan is the only US city hit, thus, our infrastructure nationwide is, for the most part intact. We have ground based communications nationwide, possibly worldwide, if impacts have been confined to areas previously plotted. There are still some satellites in orbit, but for how long we do not know.”
“Very well.” continues the President, “What of our military assets?”
Another older, medal laden man speaks up. “Well Mr. President, we either used or lost our land based nukes. Our Trident Submarine fleet has been ordered to run deep and silent, they await further instructions. Yuma and Miramar were both hit, effectively eliminating these airstrips. Neither site is repairable in the foreseeable future, however all air assets at these facilities had been moved and spread out among smaller airfields. Our carrier based fleets are returning at full speed, or are already in place to provide air cover. Most of our ground forces are currently stationed overseas with little possibility of recalling them in time to be effective. I am not even sure what they could do in this situation in any case, Sir.”
“Have they,” The President points upward, “responded to communication attempts?”
A man nearby shakes his head slowly from side to side. “No sir, not a thing.”
“What of the other nations? We know Saint Petersburg in Russia was also hit, any others?”
“Sir, to the best of our knowledge these have been the only major cities hit, though some areas have suffered damage due to a few of the nuclear blasts being a little closer than desired. As for the ground strikes themselves, we seem to have been the last continent hit by these asteroids. It looks to be all over for now sir.”
“So,” says the President, “All we can do is wait and see what it is they want. In the meantime, contact the Mayor of New York City and find out what they need and get it to them via ground transport. Also, get National Guard units to these other damaged areas and get them repaired as quickly as possible.”
The President looks about the room with a grim determination. “We must be prepared for whatever comes next people. It is still their move.” Again he motions a finger upwards as he involuntarily glances to the ceiling overhead.
Chapter Four - Contact.
Location:
Times Square
New York
A few brave reporters gather together in New York City and though numbed by events and armed with limited information, they do what they do best, report.
“What we now know to be a fleet of space faring vessels have made orbit above our planet. Where they are from and what they want is not known at this time.”
The newscaster looks at the teleprompter and wonders if anyone is actually receiving the transmission. He tries hard to be professional, and not look scared as he continues.
“The impacts around the globe are over and seem to have been focused on military targets and various radio telescope facilities. Some exceptions to this include Manhattan, which was totally devastated by an impact earlier today. The loss of life from the Manhattan strike is in the hundreds, if not thousands, with the real number perhaps never to be known. We have an eye witness account from the Stanton family who were at the Statue of Liberty at the time of impact. The Russian city of Saint Petersburg, once known as Leningrad, has also been struck, and from the information we have at hand, has suffered as devastating a blow as Manhattan. As a people….” The newscaster drones on, clearly numbed by the events unfolding around him.
High above Earth, a variety of space faring vessels take up orbit, some are geostationary, some not. Two of these vessels are stupendous in size, while others are relatively smaller and more purpose built. One specialized spacecraft has a massive opening in its forequarters. It orbits, collecting the debris left over from the thousands of satellites that used to circle the planet below. The debris, and any still operational satellites, disappear into the craft for reasons unknown. A few of these spacecraft head downward, toward the planet. Yet one more truly immense spacecraft trails behind this armada, approaching slowly, cautiously. In all, twenty-three alien space craft now dominate the skies over Earth.
Though almost all the satellites have been destroyed, the ground stations are for the most part, unaffected. With a few exceptions, global communication is still possible to the delight and surprise of all. Satellite based systems however, do not work at all.
Surprisingly, television and radio stations around the globe start to receive an unusual signal. Within a short time all media is effected, reducing all stations to one signal, no matter the channel or frequency selected.
Static filled television screens the world over come to life. A screen appears, it’s a picture, a banner really, showing a grotesque off green colored face inside a multicolored circle. The face is long and profiled to show a six inch long snout full of teeth, in what may or may not pass as a smile. The face itself has small horizontal slits where a nose would be, and tiny little ear flaps that droop down on each side of its head. The snake-like eyes are a giveaway to any human as to the genetic origins of this species, bright yellow with a vertical iris. Some racial or genetic imprint within causes all that see the image to automatically be wary at least, the image even invokes pure terror in some.
A sound accompanies the image now, almost like drum beats. Boom, Boom, Boom.
“Be prepared to receive the words of Regent Voknor of the Gamin.” The voice sounds artificial, metallic even, but clearly understood. People in various nations around the globe receive the message in their native language. As the seconds tick on into minutes, more people stop what they are doing to find out what's happening.
The image is replaced by what looks like a live feed of an alien seated on a throne of sorts. The alien looks just like the preceding image, but even more frightening, as this creature is clearly alive. The creature is draped in multi colored garments, has rings on the three, long clawed fingers that clasp the ends of the armrests on its raised chair. Gazing at the screen the creature blinks, vertical eyelids close, then open, the slits on its snout open and close with each breath.
“I am Regent Voknor. In the name of the Gamin, I pronounce this planet a part of our hegemony. Welcome and rejoice in your new found prosperity. The loss of life to your citizens has been unfortunate, and was completely avoidable.”
The creature stands, and slowly walks in a strutting motion toward a large window. In the star filled background Earth seems to float in space. Looking through the window at the planet below, Regent Voknor continues. This act is not missed by the many watching, we are but one puny planet in the eyes of the watcher.
“I could easily order a global assault that would leave you little time to respond. To prevent loss of life, we gave your planet ample warning. Your rulers and governments have failed you, they have lied to you. We come to share our knowledge and wisdom and can do so in peace, if you so choose.”
Regent Voknor points at the planet before him, Earth, as he continues on.
“Two Landers will be arriving shortly at locations you call Saint Petersburg and New York. These facilities will start the rebuilding process to repair the damage caused by the unfortunate strikes. The targets were nearby military installations however, the m
any missiles launched by your planet changed the trajectory of our pounders, causing the unnecessary loss of life.”
Pausing, while moving back to his throne-like chair, Regent Voknor sits down, then continues.
“I am generous and have instructed my crews to clear the damaged areas and to start rebuilding immediately. Your way of life as it was before, can continue with a few exceptions. All of your military will stand down. Your non military units may continue to function as normal. Any action against us will be responded to harshly. We will provide educational facilities and work for those that desire it. We are not here to enslave, nor destroy, merely to acquire various resources. Instructions will follow as to how they will be provided to us.”
Regent Voknor looks down his snout straight into the camera, leaning forward slightly he says with great confidence.
“Your planet is but one of many we have visited. In time you may come to see us as friends and look forward to our visitations. Your planet has many that call themselves leaders, both in government and religion. Shortly my council and I shall receive them to pass on instructions for a peaceful transition. In the meantime, I insist that all of your various military units cease operations. All military air units are to land, and all military water units are to head to their home lands. Ground units may continue to assist in preventing civil disorder. I look forward to meeting your leaders.”
With that the screen fades to the banner first received. Shortly thereafter, text appears giving instructions for a video conference. This text is also received in the native language of each country.
All that witness this are stunned, so unexpected. Many had been waiting for the alien ships to appear and start destroying cities and killing people. The minutes tick by and still nothing else happens. People around the world look up to the skies and wonder what will happen next. The use of the word peace after such a massive orbital bombardment perplexes many.
First Contact (Terran Chronicles) Page 6