by Greg Krojac
Enak nodded.
“Agreed. It is more important that you know why Voyager One returned to Earth, than how. Again, I ask you to not judge me for the actions of my species. I do not agree with their actions.”
Jacob took Ruth’s hand and squeezed it tightly. What he was listening to didn’t tie in with his beliefs, but he found himself engulfed by curiosity. These were most certainly not normal times and he wanted to know everything possible about this new world in which they now found themselves. Enak took another sip of Dr Pepper.
“This drink is very pleasant. I like it.”
He paused before continuing
“Anyway, to us, Voyager One was a container, a vessel to transport a deadly virus to your planet. Our planet has become overcrowded and we need to colonise others. We stumbled upon your space probe and it was like - to use your terminology - a gift. No modifications to the planet would be necessary. The spacecraft Voyager One carried a very primitive disc containing information about your planet, and our historians soon realized that it had originated from the very same planet from which we had been forcibly exiled forty thousand years previously. We knew that the atmosphere and gravity would be acceptable to our bodies.”
Jason needed clarification.
“So what you’re telling us is that this pandemic is an act of biological warfare?”
Enak looked down, his serious face being replaced by one of deep sadness.
“I am ashamed to say that this is true.”
“But why?”
“You were in the way. An inconvenience[a30]. The Argon have no desire to share the planet.”
Jason had served in the British military, he was an ex-Parachute Regiment Captain, and was trained in the skills of conventional warfare, but biological warfare was a completely different kettle of fish. Just as conventional warfare uses airstrikes to soften up targets, the invaders had used an organic weapon of mass destruction.
None of the group knew how they should react. They felt anger, a lot of anger, but to rain that anger upon Enak seemed wrong. He had already said that he was different from others of his species, and his actions seemed to support that statement. He hadn’t needed to tell them about this. He could have said nothing and allowed them to walk into danger like lambs to the slaughter. Sitara wanted to know more about the disease.
“How did you know that the disease would work?”
“A stroke of luck, or misfortune, depending upon your viewpoint. There was a small sample of blood embedded on the inside of one of panels of the spacecraft. Add to that, the disc attached to the side of the space vehicle contained two images of your DNA structure. It was a simple task for my people to duplicate the DNA and create a targeted virus in our laboratories.”[a31]
Samuel wanted to know more.
“If it’s the perfect virus, then why are we alive?”
“Do you know your blood type?
“Yes. B negative. Like the rest of my family.”
“Sitara, what’s yours?”
“B negative.”
“Jason?”
“B negative.”
“There is your answer. The virus is ineffective on people with B negative blood type.”
Jason wondered how the scientists hadn’t come up with the answer before, it didn’t seem that obscure reason for immunity, but the disease had an incubation period of seven days during which both infected and immune showed no symptoms whatsoever. The speed with which the plague had spread, coupled with the collapsing infrastructure, had left research resources severely limited. Identifying enough immunes in time had been impossible, and Sitara had been their best hope. He was becoming impatient for answers to more pressing questions.
“Forget about the blood types. We’re here. We’re alive. That’s what matters. What I want to know is, how many of you are here - and why aren’t you with them?”
“There are several groups of us dispersed all over the world. And, yes. I was a member of one of those groups.”
“So you’re the enemy.”
“I am what you would call a deserter. I am now an enemy of my own people, what you would also call a traitor. But sometimes you have to support the side that is right, not just the side that shares your ethnicity or culture. I may well be seen as being on the wrong side in the eyes of my people, but I am sure that in your history I shall be seen as choosing the right side. And I am content with my decision. I do not believe in what my people are doing. I believe in the concept of what you call humanity. We can find another planet to colonise, another planet that is devoid of intelligent life. Or a planet that can be modified. We have the technology. Taking your planet is simply the easiest way to solve a problem. This planet also seemed more attractive, due to our history, but we do not have to be here. I want to help those of you who are still alive take back your planet, before the main invasion force arrives.”
After what had happened back at the farm in Mechanicsville, the group decided that it would be best to have someone on lookout duty during the night. Although everybody still felt the smallest hint of suspicion about Enak, they had also all benefitted from his presence, none more so than Jason, who owed the alien his life. Jason, Enak, Samuel, and Jacob were to keep watch during two-hour shifts, although Sitara insisted upon taking Jacob’s shift so that he could get a full eight hours sleep and keep his wife company. Besides, she could keep watch just as well as any man could.
Enak took the first shift, and was looking down the road when he heard a noise behind him. His hand moved towards the trigger of Jacob’s hunting rifle which was resting on his lap. A female voice put his mind at ease.
“It’s alright, Enak. It’s only me, Sitara.”
She settled herself alongside the Argon and looked up at the stars. Was Voyager One up there, still travelling through interstellar space, exploring the unchartered heavens?
“Is it still there?”
“Is what still there?”
“Voyager One. Is it exploring space?”
“I doubt it. Not now.”
“But it was, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was.”
“At the same time as it was back here on Earth?”
“Yes.”
“How did that work?”
“You do not need to know. It’s very complicated.”
“Enak. I’m a NASA scientist. I get - I got - paid for understanding complicated. It’s what I do. And I think I deserve an explanation.”
“Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”
“I couldn’t sleep. Not without knowing how Voyager One could be in two places at once. You’ve told us why it was here on Earth, but not how. I don’t know if I’ll ever sleep again if I don’t know how. Call it my natural scientific curiosity.”
Enak didn’t want to be the cause of her never sleeping again and reluctantly began to tell her how the phenomenon had occurred. It felt like explaining a law of physics to a young child, but he understood the reason why she had to know - he was a kindred spirit. He was a scientific historian, whose job was to use his knowledge of primitive technology in order to get certain infrastructures functioning as a temporary measure until more advanced equipment could either be constructed or brought from his home planet. So he decided to grant Sitara’s wish, to a small extent at least.
“Has your species succeeded in manipulating subatomic particles yet?”
“We’ve made a start, yes. Photons and electrons have been manipulated to be in two locations at the same time. I seem to recall that a glass sphere, 40 nanometres in diameter, was forced into a quantum superposition using a laser.”
Enak allowed himself a silent chuckle at the pride that the human scientific community held in its ability to perform rudimentary simple quantum tasks, but he felt that he should try to encourage the humans’ efforts.
“And how about coupling electromagnetic and gravitational forces? Can you harness and manipulate gravity yet?”
“That’s impossible isn’t it? I don’t know if anyone
is even studying that kind of thing at the moment.”
“You are trapped in this small part of your solar system until you do. Interstellar space travel will remain a dream for you until you understand the essence of gravity and can manipulate gravity. I do not even know if your planet possesses the materials capable of creating the necessary current density that is required to create the kind of engine that powers our spacecraft. Perhaps you will never break free of your cosmic neighbourhood. But you’ve started to make progress with quantum mechanics – that is a good start.”
It seemed a little like a back-handed compliment, but Sitara was grateful for any shred of information that Enak was willing to give her. Not that there was much that she could do with it – NASA and all scientific research no longer existed. Enak continued.
“But you have a long way to go.”
Sitara was hooked and wanted to know more.
“You’re saying that Argons have managed to superposition larger objects?”
“You have seen the Voyager craft yourself. You have seen the evidence.”
“So Voyager One was simultaneously billions of kilometres away from Earth? We thought one of them must be false. At first we thought that the one on Earth was fake, but - “
“Both were the same object.”
“So how did you do it?”
“Are you sure that your time would not be better spent trying to sleep?”
“Please, Enak. I need to know.”
“Very well. I will explain it as simply as I can. Primarily, the environment surrounding the object must meet specific criteria, namely the object must be in a vacuum and very cold. And what better vacuum is there than outer space?”
This seemed logical to Sitara. Research on Earth bore these facts out.
“So what else needs to happen?”
Enak knew that he was about to leave the scope of mankind’s current understanding of quantum mechanics.
“It will be pointless going into great detail. It is something that cannot be explained sitting by the side of a road outside a motel. But I will give you something to think about.”
“But I want to know.”
“Your species is not sufficiently advanced to comprehend the processes fully.”
Sitara was disappointed. Enak picked up a small stone and placed it on the upturned palm of his hand. He turned his hand over and the stone dropped to the ground. He looked at Sitara.
“That is your problem.”
Sitara understood immediately what he was demonstrating.
“Gravity?”
“Gravity. The pull of gravity must be overcome. Even at a subatomic level, gravitational forces are trying to create order. You need to control and manipulate gravity. This is why we do not need wheels on our vehicles. The whole process also requires immense amounts of energy. Fortunately we have access to boundless amounts of energy. You do not.”
“Can you tell me more about that?”
“I could, but I will not. It would be akin to allowing a baby to play with a grenade. At the moment, you would destroy the entire planet[a32]. I can tell you no more. Just know that gravity and the ability to manipulate it is the key.”
“May I ask you one last question?”
“You may.”
“Why did you remove the antennae and other parts?”
“To cut down on the energy required. That is all. We needed only the main body of the vehicle for our plan to be a success. That and your curiosity.”
Sitara went back to bed, falling into a deep sleep until it was her turn to keep watch. Her curiosity had been sufficiently satisfied for one night’s sleep at least.
The rest of that night was peaceful. The bikers from the Amish farm were in no position follow them, their bikes having been made useless, and nobody else came near the motel. Apart from taking a breather and collecting their thoughts, Enak had another reason to wait before entering Washington DC - he knew what would be waiting there for them.
DAY SEVENTEEN
10 May
After breakfast, Enak took Jason aside for a private word. The whole group had a right to know what they were letting themselves in for, but he wanted to talk to Jason first. With Jason’s support, they could hopefully avoid a confrontation with the other Argons until it became absolutely necessary. Simply surviving wasn’t an option; if something wasn’t done soon, the main invasion force would arrive and then the remaining vestiges of humanity would be wiped out, unless they could prove themselves useful to the invaders. The choice would be between death and slavery.
Enak and Jason sat down in the motel office to chat, although the word ‘chat’ seemed too trivial for the conversation that was about to take place. They knew that the others wouldn’t interrupt them - Enak and Jason were the main reason why they were still alive, and nobody wanted to upset the balance of the group. Enak had requested the meeting, so he got the ball rolling.
“Jason, there are certain additional things that you need to know about the Argon.”
Jason’s knew the importance of reliable intel. Any information that Enak could give him was important.
“Go ahead, my friend.”
“After such a long time away, I do not believe that we have a legitimate claim to Earth. I came here as part of an advance force, to pave the way for an invasion and the colonisation of your planet. I am a scientific historian.
“My people are unlike any people you have met before. They are completely ruthless and will stop at nothing to get what they want.”
Jason knew the type.
“We’ve had plenty of people like that in our history. Adolf Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot…”
“I have no idea who those people are, but I am talking about a species with absolutely no empathy. An entire race of beings. Empathy has been bred out of my species.”
“But you seem like a good person.”
“If they knew about my empathy, I would be considered deficient by my own people. I have spent my life hiding my empathy from Argon society. If they knew that I had compassion, I would be considered broken, something to be repaired or destroyed. Thankfully, I am not the only one. There are others. I know of three others that arrived with my part of the vanguard force. There are others hiding in plain sight, embedded in other units. I left in an effort to meet members of your species and help you resist the invasion.”
“Do you intend to try to meet up with these other three Argons?”
“If possible. We are working on a solution that may save your people. There is nothing we can do about those that have already died, but the survivors may have a future. It is by no means certain of success, but I am sure that you would prefer that we at least try.”
“But if the Argons are as advanced as you say they are, how can we defeat them? And your people are much stronger than ours – I saw how you pushed over that heavy racking back in the warehouse.”
“We scientific historians do not only study past technology – our technological evolution, although more rapid, mirrored that of your own - but we also do our own private research. [a33]We believe we have discovered a way to make our people feel empathy once more. Our victory relies not upon strength, or even numbers, but guile. But, saying that, we need to be prepared for any eventuality.”
The two went back to the reception area and rejoined the group, who were chatting amongst themselves. Jason attracted their attention.
“Can we have quiet please? I have important information. Enak has told us about his people and their intentions. We are now faced with a dilemma, which is whether we should resist this alien invasion or whether we should accept the situation and try to survive by keeping our heads down and hoping that we don’t get noticed. But this has to be a personal decision. I know that you see me as the leader of this little band of misfits – and I’m honoured – but this is something I can’t decide for you. You have to make your own decision.
“Enak has told me that the Argon, as a species, have no compassion or empathy. Of course t
here are exceptions – Enak himself is one – but, as a rule, they value your lives no more than we value the life of a cockroach.”
Sitara looked at Enak and back again at Jason.
“So, what you’re saying is that Earth is being invaded by a race of psychopathic killers?”
“You could say that, yes. I wanted you all to know the nature of our enemy before you make a decision either way.”
Jacob raised his hand.
“May I take a few minutes to discuss it with my family, Jason? For us, any decision needs to be as a unit.”
Ruth shook her head.
“That won’t be necessary. Jacob’s the head of the family. We’ll do what he decides. He knows best.”
Jacob took his wife’s hand.
“I can’t make this decision for the family this time, Ruth. Whatever we do, it will be dangerous. Either way, if I make a decision for the family as a whole, I could be sentencing you to death. No, this has to be an individual choice. Stay and fight or become fugitives.”
Miriam had had a lifetime of doing what her parents had told her to do and was unsure as to how to react. She didn’t know what her father wanted her to do. But she knew that she would feel safer if she stayed with Jason and Enak. She grasped her new-found freedom of choice with both hands.
“I’m going to stay. This is our planet, our home. We had to leave our farm but I’m not going to let them take our planet without a fight.”
The rest of her family looked at her, stunned. They weren’t used to seeing the mouse roar. But this was what Jacob had really wanted, to be relieved of the onus of deciding things for his family for once. Samuel put his arm around his sister.
“So am I. I wasn’t much help back at the farm...”
Ruth stopped him in his tracks.
“Don’t say what I think you’re going to say, Samuel Miller. You couldn’t have done more than you did, and you still have the bump on your head to prove it.”
Suitably admonished, Samuel continued.
“…I want to fight too[a34]. We can’t give in.”
Jacob looked at his wife.
“Ruth?”
“Well, Jacob. I would have agreed to whatever you decided, you know that, but – since you’ve told us we have to make up our own minds this time – I agree with the children. We saw our community destroyed by these evil people, we saw friends and family die in the most horrible way, and someone must stand up to these creatures, someone must punish them. And besides, God is on our side.”