by N. Y. Weaver
factors, increased intelligence and better living standards for example.”
“Sure,” Daniel said nodding, “But I was always scared of being sent here as a kid. And now I’m here by my own choice!”
“You may find it interesting that the people of this planet tried a similar plan in sending prisoners to a far off land, not to detour crime but to alleviate overcrowded prisons. They sent great ships full of convicts to a distant continent called Australia. I have spent a great amount of time with these people, we are not so different.”
“So if there aren’t many crimes occurring and there are only a few prisoners alive, your job must be pretty easy right?” Daniel asked as the luxurious car glided from Manhattan to Queens across Queensboro Bridge.
“The problem we face is that the original hundred or so people we sent to the island centuries ago had kids. And then they had kids. And with every generation they grew more savage minded, consumed with hatred for our planet because in their eyes their ancestors were unfairly treated. They want vengeance.”
“This is horrible, how come I’ve never heard that this was happening?”
“Ignorance is bliss, as the human saying goes. But beyond that, the reason you don’t know about them is because there was no real threat, everything was under control. Then the humans came. They came to the island by boats two centuries ago and at first they were welcomed. The humans saw them and took them for some exotic tribe and decided to civilize them. Slowly the descendants of the prisoners on the island adopted human culture, learning English, wearing clothes and making human weapons. And then once they had weapons they killed every single human on the island. Humans did not return for over a century. And then once the massacre was forgotten humans returned. And now they were tested. If they were proven unworthy they were eaten. If they proved worthy they were morphed into hybrid beings. The descendants of those prisoners so long ago now had a plan. Seize power. And once they were in power enslave a portion of the human race and wage war against our planet. ”
“Sounds mad, how did they plan to take power?” Daniel asked looking out the tinted window into thousands of gravestones from the cemeteries that littered the part of Queens they were passing through.
“One of the kings on the island, an old man, the oldest person on the island was always made king, came up with the plan. He was the one who orchestrated the massacre. Using the boats that were left behind after the massacre the smartest and strongest on the island would leave the island and reach positions of power on Earth. Along with the people who landed on the island that were morphed into hybrids they began to infiltrate into human society and build a powerful network. You would be surprised how far they have reached. Drug lords, mayors, even an Emperor. They stockpile an immense amount of the world’s wealth in a vast underground labyrinth under the island, which they use to acquire anything they desire. Our planet was in danger, so I took action. There happened to be an astronaut observing strange occurrences in the atmosphere last year, which if he rightly discovered to be caused by our extraterrestrial technology would have disastrous consequences. Why not kill two birds with one stone? I investigated the astronaut being sent on the mission and found he was at his breaking point. So I sent him back in time to the island knowing he would crack and cause a little chaos. And then I steered a few treasure hungry pirates there as well and threw in a samurai for my own amusement. It was quite fun really. Ah, we’re almost there. We’ll have to walk from here, follow me.”
Together they walked down a spacious pathway lined with flags from numerous countries which rested alongside a long calm reflecting pool accompanied by small fountains. Daniel looked around himself soaking in the unfamiliar environment.
“My job is to move pieces on the chessboard, they do the fighting. We control time. Nothing is at stake. They can’t win.” Michael said triumphantly.
Finally they reached the Unisphere, the twelve-story high silver globe built for the World Fair, water rising and falling, flowing eternally from the fountains that surrounded it.
“It is almost comical that humans believe they are the alone in possessing life.” said Michael suddenly.
He gazed at the globe pleased knowing its fate was decided by him.
“So what happened to the rest of the people on the island, they weren’t all killed were they? And all the people that made it into human society?” Daniel asked.
“It’s inconsequential really. I am becoming rather bored of this planet. There is interesting universe I have found where matter has no mass and time flows backwards and forwards through itself. I’m thinking of starting a new prison on a world there. Of course Earth will have to be purged to make sure all loose ends are dealt with.”
“How would you do that?”
“Maybe an asteroid collision, they tend to do the job. And they look nice from a distance.” Michael said imperturbably.
“So all this,” Daniel said looking up at the giant Unisphere, “Will just end?”
“Nothing ever ends.” Michael replied.
“Yet everything does.”