by RWK Clark
Their clothing appeared to be a standard military type, gray and black in color. The only way to differentiate between the outfits was by the variety of ‘medals’ which the different Oppressors wore. It could be safely assumed that these items told which being held which rank in their ‘army’.
All three were very muscular, and coupled with their taller height this feature gave them an appearance which made them look much larger than humans in general. This, too, was a bit disturbing to the countless human men who stood before them, as did the unknown weapons at their thighs.
“President Mason,” said the Oppressor in the middle. “My name is unpronounceable to you. I will accept you referring to me as ‘Superior’. I am the leader of my peoples.”
President Mason cleared his throat and focused on keeping his voice steady and even. “As you know, I am President Andrew Mason. I am the leader of this country on planet Earth.” He gestured to each of the three men by his side. “This is Henry Whitaker. He is my second in command. This is Miles James, Director of Homeland Security for the United States of America, and this is Carson Wood, Secretary of Defense.” He turned and cast his eyes over the vast groups of military men and women who stood at attention behind him. “These individuals make up our military teams in the United States.”
Superior nodded, taking it all in. He looked back at Mason. “To my right is Secondary, and to my left is Subordinate. We will discuss the facilities, the testing of your people, our expectations, and your outcome. Will we talk here? We would rather sit as to not intimidate.”
Mason was at a bit of a loss. The last thing he wanted to do was separate himself and his men from the military forces who stood waiting to protect them. He looked to his right and his left, making eye contact with the three who accompanied him, completely unsure of the wisest course of action.
“Since we are all strangers I believe our meeting should take place in the open. To be honest we do not feel a rapport with you. From our standpoint your visit is completely hostile. You are here to take our freedoms and eliminate us from our own home planet, by your own admission.” He turned to Whitaker. “Call and have someone bring a long a folding table and the appropriate number of folding chairs right away.” Whitaker immediately got on his cellular phone and carried out the president’s order.
Mason continued. “In the meantime we can begin if you would like.”
A slight smile played at Superior’s narrow mouth. “Very well. The testing facilities all over this planet have made wonderful progress in their construction. These facilities are vital to the process of determining who shall continue their lives and who will lose them by elimination. We are pleased that your people have been so expeditious in carrying out our commands, and because we are pleased we have granted certain peoples here leniency, such as your governing workers.
“Know that while you refer to us as ‘hostile’ you should also credit us with what we deserve. The strongest and most intelligent of yours will be granted survival. This will enable you to continue your lives at the distant place which has been prepared for you. We are aware that you have questioned whether we were making determination for the weak or the strong. It is sincerely not our intention to completely eliminate your race. We will give you the opportunity to start over. The only people you will lack are those who will serve only to slow down the Process.”
Now it was Secondary’s turn to speak. This being’s voice was even deeper than the first’s. “The testing will have a number of aspects that you should be aware of as the leader of your peoples. It will be you who will control the level of panic and chaos which will inevitably take place as the herding begins today. Know that families will be separated for the sake of efficiency. Know that many will not see each other ever again. Most in fact. This is the herding process.”
Right then three human men approached from the rear. They carried a long, conference-type folding table and seven gray metal folding chairs. Mason and his crew stepped back a few feet to allow for the setting up of these items, as did Superior and his men. Within moments the seven were seated, and the conversation resumed.
“We must have sun,” Superior began.
Mason waited expectantly for him, or one of them, to elaborate. Finally, he broke the silence. “What does this have to do with taking our planet and killing our people?”
Subordinate explained, “We are far too many to cohabitate with you; you are all using your own resources at an alarming rate, even wastefully. A period of two Earth-months ago our sun disappeared from our skies. The end result is death of the planet we call home.” He paused and looked upward, and seeing only his own ship, he looked back at Mason and continued. “Your planet has what our people need. It is simple. Our people can continue to thrive here.”
“Why not just make a new one for yourselves? The same way you are supposedly making one for us? Nothing you are saying makes any sense, and this is why we doubt your word.” Mason’s voice was a bit stern in his delivery.
Suddenly, Superior slammed his fist down on the meager folding table, making it shake violently, and he raised his deep, gravelly voice to fever pitch.
“We are merciful! We did not opt to simply destroy you all, as we well could have, and perhaps should have, done! There will be no questioning! You will simply comply.”
The President’s hands, woven together atop the table before him, began to tremble slightly, and his stomach lurched at the thunderous sound of anger in Superior’s voice. “So tell us you plan, Superior.”
“The people will be herded from each area incrementally, and they will be taken to the facilities determined by us as we see fit. This will begin as soon as this ‘meeting’ is over.” The word ‘meeting’ dripped with sarcasm as it came out of his mouth. “Tests will consist of physical strength determination, intelligence, physical health, including testing of your biological make-up. These will help determine the strongest and most viable humans for transfer. You will all also be tested to determine the most creative and educated. You will need physicians and individuals who can design and build if you want to grow and thrive in your new home. Those who are transferred will need to be skilled in hand to hand combat; there are native creatures on the planet of your future, and you will need to defend yourselves and your new families against them. You will be given no automatic weapons of any kind.”
President Mason began to feel strong nausea as the reality of the situation set in. “With whom will you begin?”
“Those living on the streets. The homeless, the addicted, and those who we deem weaker than the rest. Next will be the common man, the everyday human drone, or worker, as you may call them,” stated Secondary firmly. “Your government and authorities will be very last. Those who are prosperous and living well obviously have strength of some type. They will be herded toward the end. Believe that we have an established Process. Our peoples have had to go through this for countless Earth-years.”
Mason shook his head in disbelief. He wanted to pinch himself so he would wake up from this nightmare. He wanted to jump from the roof of the White House, swan-dive, just to make sure he didn’t live. He needed to pull himself together and clear his head.
“How will survivors be transported after they have been determined?” He asked.
Subordinate replied, “We have a fleet of ships to transport them in. The trip will take nearly one Earth-year. Each ship will have everything needed to sustain life for those determined who will be living on board for that period.”
Silence fell over all of them. The three Oppressors kept their eyes on the Earthlings before them. Superior shifted in his seat. He was anxious to get started. They had waited patiently enough for too long, in his opinion.
“We will call our forces down and prepare for the Process. It is time for you to address your people and give instructions. They are to return to their homes, all of them. We will check places of business and successfully clear them, but in consideration of time you need to keep them calm. Repr
esent us properly. Do not make us out to be heartless monsters. If we were, you would have never seen this coming, Mason.”
The President pondered this and finally nodded. “I will have a televised press conference to address my fellow citizens.” With that he stood, followed by the other six individuals. Superior held out his hand, as though to shake that of Andrew Mason’s. Mason simply nodded and turned, walking away.
Chapter 13
Josh rubbed his eyes and went back to diligently tapping on his keyboard. Kamryn had paced back and forth since five minutes to eight, at which time she had left the office. She returned at eight-fifteen pushing a television on a cart. She plugged it in, hooked up an old-fashioned digital adaptor box, and turned it on, keeping the volume on silent. An old re-run of ‘Three’s Company’ danced across the screen, followed by another.
Just after nine a newscaster appeared on the screen.
“Josh, it’s time I think.” She jumped up and turned the volume on the set up as Josh turned his desk chair to watch.
“In only moments President Mason will address the nation regarding his conference with the Oppressors. He will fill us in on what all of us can expect in the future.” The screen went to the traditional podium, which was flanked by flags. Microphones with a variety of news channel logos were perched atop the podium. The television was silent, with the exception of a few scattered whispers which could be heard from the reporters who were there in person.
Andrew Mason appeared.
“My fellow Americans. Today I and my men have met with the Oppressors face to face. We have been told what their plans are in regard to our country, our world, our existence, and our future. Before I begin I want you to be aware that we have hope. The key to ensuring any future is full cooperation on our part. This will be vital to our existence.
“We will all be tested. They have established another planet, which will be our new home. Testing facilities and the tests they give will determine who will be granted relocation privileges. Survivors who are granted relocation privileges will be determined by these tests. Do the very best you can on all aspects.
“As I have stated: The Oppressors are firm in the Process and the implementation of it. They will be the sole future inhabitants of Earth, but they have graciously made a way for a specified number of individuals from our population to survive. Do the very best you can to be in that number.
“DO NOT PANIC. Directly after this broadcast they will begin herding us, beginning with those found on the streets and in homeless shelters, to the testing facilities. To put up a fight is to sign your own death warrant immediately, eliminating any chance for your own survival. They will conduct the herding in a chain of sorts: next will be smaller, less fortunate residential districts, and they will work their way up. Anyone employed in any manner by any level of government will be last. Continue to do your jobs diligently, as this is the only reason you are going last; your positions, authoritative and otherwise, are needed by them to expedite the herding process.
“Once more, do not fight. Cooperation is essential at this time.
“I will be taking no questions. Thank you, and God bless America and the rest of planet Earth.”
Those who were listening to him in person went into an uproar. Chaos broke out in the room where President Mason and his men stood. The last thing Josh and Kamryn saw before she shut the set off was the President being rushed from the conference by Secret Service.
The two sat in silence. Neither was surprised by his words; they were essentially what they were already aware of. After a period of thought Kamryn looked at Josh and spoke.
“I don’t know how long an individual battery of tests lasts, but we need to really get busy, Josh. We don’t have a moment to spare.”
He replied, “You’re right. Let’s get to it.”
∞
President Andrew Mason sat hard in his desk chair in the Oval Office. He wove his fingers together on the desk before him and stared at the picture of his wife, Sharon, and their children, now teenagers. He wanted to see them. He wanted to hold them and tell them how much he loved them, because he was unsure of anything.
Wood, James, and Whitaker sat in what had become their regular chairs on the other side of his desk. No one knew what to say, and they were afraid to speak. Finally, Miles James broke the silence.
“Now what?”
It was amazing that such educated and highly-trained men could be so utterly lost and confused, but this event was unprecedented. It had caught them all off guard. To put it simply, there were no words.
“We are going to depend on those two kids down at the Pentagon, and we are going to hope for the best,” Mason finally stated. “For now we will go home and comfort our families as best we can.”
∞
The herding began.
In the Washington, D.C. area the Oppressors’ main military leader for that sector stood before his men, who were lined up uniformly in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue, and were facing toward the more shoddy area of town. They would begin marching, herding as they went. They had very specific methods of determining who would be part of the first group of test participants. They would be the transients, anyone found loitering or living outdoors. They were told these individuals would be dirty, with dirty clothing and far-away eyes. The hair upon their heads would be unclean, as well. They would have no purpose.
‘Leader’ was the general for this sector’s military. He stood before his men, who filled the street for eight full blocks, and his eyes scanned a computerized clipboard-type device he held in his hands. He took in the information, scanned it again, and then looked up at his men.
“The first battalion will take the first assigned quadrant in the initial radius. The second, the third, and so on. Men, let the herding begin!” He beat the air with a clenched right fist, and his men all followed suit, a battle-cry emitting from their lips.
Initially they marched, but each battalion soon separated from the others. The first to be taken was a man with scraggly hair sleeping on a bus stop bench. The second was a prostitute, barely dressed, who was hiding between two small storefronts trying to get one final fix. Each battalion would herd until each battalion member had one individual. They would then take the people to a wheeled ground transport vehicle, which would take them to their assigned facility to begin testing.
The first day was the easiest the people of Earth would see in regard to the herding. The people gathered had no families to speak of; they were the dregs of society, the ‘losers’, the unloved and unwanted. The vast number of military Oppressors made the herding of these individuals easy. It wasn’t until it was time to go into the rundown residences in search of the poor and lowly that things would begin to get very serious indeed.
∞
Kamryn picked at a green salad. She had no real appetite. Why eat? She had left Josh to continue writing the golden code she so desperately needed, partly because she didn’t want to distract him, but mostly because if she had to listen to those keys tapping for another second she would go off the deep end.
She picked up her iced tea and drained the glass, thinking about the latest news updates. A chill ran through her body. The herding had ceased as the facilities became full with the first ‘batch’ of test subjects: the homeless and addicted. Oppressors lined the streets, waiting for the initial tests to end, and maintaining order. Mostly, they were observing, learning, and planning, like a cat watching a mouse.
The first battery of tests had ended after one week, and the herding began again. This time they were herding people from the worst part of town. They dragged them from the apartments. Some went willingly, other kicking and screaming. Children were taken forcefully from their welfare-recipient parents, and the news showed the dirty tear-streaked faces of toddlers and young children as they held out their arms to their parents, sobbing and crying.
That herding process lasted a day and a half. Gathering those who occupied residences was much like shooting
fish in a barrel for the Oppressors. Television cameras picked up video of the herding, and their faces bore humorless smiles which seemed to go entirely against all that was taking place.
The press had been directed to limit the reports given to the public due to the fact that the Oppressors were all eyes and ears. The video was the only thing that gave the people any idea of what to expect, and it was horrifying for all to see.
Kamryn took her tray with all of her salad, virtually untouched, and tossed it in the waste receptacle nearest the door. She threw away the paper cup which had held her now-drained iced tea and she left the cafeteria. The elevator ride seemed to take forever, and the silence within only emphasized her feeling of helpless suffocation. She needed release.
She entered the office and locked the door behind her. Coming up behind Josh she began to gently massage his shoulders. He moaned, his typing halting momentarily.
“Hi. Did you eat?” He asked.
“Not really.” She let her hands creep down to his chest, massaging their way. He finally stopped typing and allowed himself to enjoy her touch. She bent down and kissed his neck, following that gesture by running her tongue down his nape. She continued with tiny licks and light kisses until he gave in and turned in his chair.
“I need this, Josh. Don’t say no. We have time.” He didn’t say no. Instead, he stood to his feet and began to undo the buttons on the blouse she was wearing. She reciprocated. Soon, both of their shirts lay on the floor behind them. She planted her lips firmly on his, invading his mouth with her tongue almost violently. She pressed herself forcefully against him and grabbed handfuls of his curly, dark hair. He kissed her back hard.
Finally she pulled away from him, unbuttoned her jeans, and dropped them to the floor as well. He simply watched her, a small smile on his face. She removed her bra and tossed it like the annoyance that it was. She then dropped to her knees before him and began to work on the button on his Jeans. Within seconds she took him in her mouth, and a long groan escaped his lips.