Human existence in the year 2040 became forced based on run away radiation and biological misuse of the years past. Modern outposts yielded in the process of this eradication. Yielding to this disintegration mode of living, the region remained overcast and lifeless. One lonely contemporary sized E-Store showed signs of activity. The internal construction of this building had to meet a clean room class environment and existed contamination free. The atmosphere had that rancid air floating with high level of contamination.
Run away radiation and biological misuse created a new outlook on human existence. Life became hardened and constrained in the year 2040 and the bases for that were simple. Energy of all forms, including oil, natural gas and down to plant life became outdated.
Only the sky symbolized a contemporary presence of despair by replacing what was once considered fresh and clean air. Micro-spheres of rare earth oxides continued as the only memory of what was once a meaningful existence.
Desertfield like many modern outposts had depleted its resources and stood visibly abandoned. This town once symbolized that ever increasing abundance of prosperity, but because of its own carefree attitude, this progressive society among many others was in the process of eradication. Yielding to this disintegration mode of living, the region remained overcast and lifeless.
Approaching the outskirts of Desertfield which had typically flourished through the Twentieth century, one lonely contemporary sized E-Store showed signs of activity. The internal construction of this building had to meet a clean room class environment and existed contamination free. In order to help buffer the rancid air floating in the atmosphere, a double door combination entry system was a requirement.
Shawn and Jill Billings stood together stocking their limited merchandise. Both appeared tired and drawn out as they labored to arrange miniature vials of different colored grains.
Inside, the few people naturally shuffled by the long narrow but empty shelves. With old habits from the past everyone looked for those distinctive commodities once known as edibles. Finding nothing but grains didn’t help them understand what had happened to their once plentiful lifestyle.
Shawn and Jill had worked in this establishment for years. Living and existing in this present caustic earth environment, caused many accepted by-products. Both slightly resembled what humans once represented. Hanging over their worn frames, was a simple washed out looking cloth material. These coverings were crude, drab, and plain. Neither of them had any remaining visible hair left on their bodies.
Each human entity during the turn of the tenth year of the century was issued one lifetime type poncho outfit and all were forced to wear. That familiar pull over section was designed to cover their heads for protection, was removed by decree.
Shawn prior to the disaster of 21st century had run a small convenience store and was able to secure a large quantity of the space like material. This fabric now helped cover the populations’ sore and aching bodies. If it wasn’t for that, people would be left wearing only fragments of cloth.
Distinguishing any life forms like sex was impossible, but more important all physical excitement had been eliminated. Thus any type of relationship was no longer required or in fact practiced. Grains replaced not only food supplements, but all spark of emotion and desire.
Jill spoke to Shawn, “Our EMO (EMOtional) grains are running low. When will we be getting a new supply?”
“I really don’t know, but a transport should arrive through the tubes of supply any minute.”
“Shawn, can you remember the last time we ran out of grains?”
“You have an interesting question.”
They continued sorting and stocking other vials. Jill gazed through the front opening and asked, “Do you think Alan is surviving in that desert?” Pointing to the vast view of nothing, but there was that thick haze covering the horizon.
“I sure hope so.”
“That observation station has been his home for many years. Remember when he signed up for that extensive training program?”
“Yes.”
“It should be complete by now and should be in shape for his first mission.”
“Do you think there is a mission?” Without waiting for an answer she continued, “I can remember how excited we became when he received acceptance into that Boundless Future Group.”
“I remember, and their mission statement was to explore the universe. With one basic goal, and that was to find another planet for our future.” Stopping for a moment, then he continued, “Do you think they knew what was going to happen, here to us? Look how important that could have been.”
Not wanting to dwell on the present Jill said, “It has been many years since he entered his training program. You know we have had limited contact, if it wasn’t for those video cube exchanges, we would be lost.”
“You know our society began fading quickly, right after Alan left.”
“True, but who knew how hostile the outside environment would become? Few people had the proper outer protective gear required for survival in that caustic environment.”
“Can you recall that we had no idea this would become our destiny? Look how our clothes crumple and disintegrate and we have been lucky because of our limited outside exposure.”
“I know that it was all based on the take over by the LEL (Law Enforcement League). The LEL even today dominates and controls all of the garment supply. If it wasn’t for the material we had hidden and made available to all that we trusted, we would be without cover.”
“Even with that, our skin has become bleached and hardened. Hair that was once plentiful became only a memory.” Both reacted with the same action by automatically running their hands over the tops of what remained a circular tight skin. “Our facial hairs including those eyebrows could not endure.”
“True, down to our legs and arms cannot support new hair growth.”
Out of the blue Jill said, “You know dear, we should have had more children.”
“I know how you feel, but look what has happened to our society. Remember that professed saying `A better way of life’, how quickly that concept faded. Compared to what we now have, our life goals were simple in the turn of the century.”
“Yes, survival during that era became easy and yet complicated. For example, birth has become an out of body experience. Can you remember when the last time we had physical pleasure?”
“In answer to your question, yes, how can we ever forget that joy? I know it is forbidden to speak about that past era. Couples are prohibited to touch or kiss, mainly because of the diseases that hit our world population. We were close to being whipped out, but were it real?”
“It had to be because the epidemic of Two Thousand devastated our physical culture. At first robots replaced our critical work tasks, but slowly by design they learned to serve all our needs, in fact to the point that all our other functions were taken over.” Stopping for a second, “Do you feel all this was a part of the systems master plan?”
Jill spoke softly changing the subject, “shall we borrow a minute?”
“Sure dear, and for what purpose?”
“I want to hold your hand.”
“You know that is taboo.”
“What can they do? We are but skeletons of the past and serve very little for their future.”
“You do have a point that I can agree with. You know we can never again feel the sensation from the past.”
“I know, but we can see each other today and sadly that is all we have left.”
“Except for these dam gains, nothing.”
“You know, without them, our lives would not exist.”
“Would that be so bad?”
“No, I guess not, but who would run these supplies?”
“The system would find replacements. Everything they do is controlled.”
“I have an idea. Why don’t we close shop and try finding Alan?”
“It is strictly prohibited to close any emporium, never mind wandering out into that hostile caustic environment.”
“True, but it has been a decade since our son left home. During all that time, we have not seen him. In fact it has been a long increment of time since we heard anything from that facility. Our lives can’t be worth that much to the system?”
“You are getting to rationale. You know that all of the remaining human species are being systematically eliminated.”
“I would guess at this instant your feelings might be accurate. Let’s not think to long about it.” Trying not to hear, “I know, but if we do anything it should be quick. There is one window of opportunity and that would be to dash out between patrols.”
“Not bad dear, but first we should make a detailed plan. Why get punished for something stupid?” Shawn placed his hand on hers. Deep inside a slight spark of hidden emotion surfaced.
Jill asked, “Do you want an EMO grain?”
“No, I can’t stand taking all these grains for every little thing. It just isn’t right.”
“To be alive has to be good.”
“I don’t know if you want to call this living?”
“Now dear, you are getting all worked up.”
“You know we no longer have control over this fragmented society or in fact anything in our lives.”
“Oh, here comes the LEL’s.”
“Those LEL’s are ready for their daily hand outs. Get some EMO grains ready.” Jill gathered a hand full and placed them in a clear vial.
Meanwhile inside what was once a clear modernistic modular tube buried in the side of a mountain range, Alan Billings watched the decaying atmosphere outside? Violent storms constantly pounded the earth, at times, off in the murky distance Alan thought he could see faint sparkling lights glowing through the atmosphere.
The dry winds continued blowing around without that once familiar moisture. Without water there never was any real cleansing action, only opaque acid vapors could be seen mixing within those heavy dark filled atmospheric clouds. This once clear tube extended from the mountain range and touched the desert and that view of the outside environment began slowly disappearing from his grand panorama. Alan sat deep inside the once clear tube thinking, “It must be day time.”
All normal communications had ceased, so he was forced to use his portable scanner and with it he was able to pick up some waves and that helped him understand his situation. Except for entertainment, most of his equipment became out dated, but it offered little information. He managed to save a box of old storage devices; they held hundreds of past transmissions, including both video and audio programs.
Sitting deep in thought, he didn’t want to move. “Here it is Monday, and the first of July and another storm became activated. What would the Fourth of July bring this year?” Closing his eyes mind, rest came easy.
In Desertfield, Jill’s concentration was distracted with a sharp sounding rap on the side door.
Shawn asked, “You want me to check?”
She forced a weak smile through her dried flat skin, “Yes, even with these increased patrols it hasn’t been safe, a good thing that we have no sustainers right now.”
“I know.” He hobbled to the door, wondering why anyone would be using the side door. It hasn’t been used for years. Stacked near the opening were boxes filled with residues. Waste had to be shredded and kept, tossing some of the bails aside; Shawn reached for the door knob and slowly opened it. The air rushed through the opening.
A form with piercing eyes stood there. “Are you going to let me in? Or do I become a part of this migrant waste? You know it could strip me of my remaining life.”
“My dear sister, come on in and close the door. Why are you using the side entrance, when the front was more accessible?”
“Right and become a statistic.”
Walking through the safety door, Shawn makes sure it is secure.
“Your timing is very good Sandra. We were talking about leaving this place and try finding Alan.”
“You what? Wander out into this pit of degeneration and low life? Never mind those. They are again on the rampage. Killing, for the pure pleasure and watching the human’s suffering has been their sport. I walked through the shadow of a waste dump, when an LEL found this degenerate demanding money. The LEL used his electro-prod, and stuck him a couple of times until he became lifeless. Then the LEL removed what cover remained and dumped him onto the steaming chemical pile. I watched this once human form being consumed, like he was a spec of dirt on the table. And you want to go out there?”
Jill came to Shawn’s defense, “It’s not that we want too.” Stopping for a moment, “We have no real purpose left in life, only to keep on sorting and arranging these dammed grains day and night. This has left our life with little to do. Granted we are lucky the Director is allowing us this opportunity to live comfortably and yes they have protected our operation.”
“That is because they need our building with its supply, not who you are.”
“There you go again.”
“Sandra, we remain weary and no longer want to endure or stay a part of this system.”
Sandra said, “You have my vote on that Jill. So what do I have to do?”
“We have extra cloth and you will need to assimilate my features. Should they ask about Shawn? Tell them he has taken ill and once he recovers from the side effects of these bio-grains, then he will return. So, you really have decided?”
“Just about Sandra, why don’t you change?” Grabbing the cloth, Sandra went into back section and slipped on the new cover. Being younger her body had not degraded or hardened as much. It felt soft and almost normal.
She came back, Shawn said, “You are different looking in that outfit. I see one area that we have to change. The cloth is too tight around your top, exposing those oversized breasts. That sight is forbidden and it would give you away and in turn us.”
“Who will notice, all males have become de-tuned and . . . What if an LEL spots those differences? They ravage all human forms just for the destructive pleasures they can achieve.”
“You might be right Jill. I will return in a minute.”
Jill asked Shawn, “Do you think it is such a good idea leaving Sandra in charge?”
“Sure, but I think you should fear what might happen to us, if we get caught.”
“That too!”
“Let us look past our remaining living element and remember our existence has become limited.”
Shawn agreed, “True, but why do we continue fighting the system? Those of the Boundless Future Group are not really human when it comes to compassion.”
Jill asked, “What created them?”
“A long time ago, well it doesn’t really matter.”
Sandra quietly returned looking like a plain Jane Doe, with no outstanding features.
Shawn commented, “What a difference! I see you bound yourself with cloth to mask your fine breasts. Not bad, but I still enjoy the sight of the female body.”
“Thanks, you are sweet, but Jill did I over hear you ask about the Boundless Future Group? How did the Directorate get control of our planet?”
Shawn responded, “It all began in the 1970s”, with some basic genetic experiments. First rats and then controlled animals, the outcry was so over whelming, especially by the do gooders, that secret testing started. This select group dominated new forms of testing by transporting samples out of the states.”
“Leaving the impression on the surface that all experiments had stopped was never real. In real terms it began to accelerate and people were used from what was then called the third world.”
Jill broke in, “Perhaps we should sit and look like we are counting these worthless grains?”
Slowly Jill and Shawn moved to block Sandra. Shawn continued, “A new company was formed, known as Bio Genetic Engineering or more commonly the BGE. They dominated world wide testing and operated these new research labs.”
“Not that same BGE? It is still regarded as number one in the world.”
“The very same.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“They are into all those pleasure modifiers and the largest grain producers in the world.”
“You got it. They secretly experimented with people, because they were in abundant supply. What was surprising, no one ever missed them. It was characteristic in the third world societies, were famine existed, and at the same time overpopulation. At first complete family units would become assimilated and many perished. Even the do-gooders helped finance these experiments, because the money and food supplies never reached the actual victims.
“By the turn of the century, the BGE had developed a genetic system of birth. This process was out of the body and gradually their cloning process began, because of a killer virus strain, which by the way was controlled by the BGE.”
“You got to be kidding? You mean all these viruses were man made?”
“Yes and that was why all sexual acts were outlawed and illegal. A little later in the century birth in humans had been eliminated.”
“I never realized while we growing up happy and carefree, that all this was happening right in front of our noses.”
“You got it, in the early months of 2010 the BGE returned to the states. It had proven that their system would work on all kinds of people. Then they began aggressive assimilation experiments on a selected populace. First came the homeless or street people, because they were plentiful. Gradually the homeless started disappearing, sad but this group was never missed, so naturally their project progressed with limited success.”
“You mean that monumental cleaning up of the cities and rural areas was a part of this experiment?”
Understanding all this now doesn’t help because at first new genetic creations dominated the cities. This accelerated into an instantaneous evolution, and these human species only required grains for survival, that was their food supply.”
Sandra had a hard time understanding, “I find this difficult to believe or understand even today, but I know it’s real.”
Shawn looked at her, smiled a little and went on, “What made all this easy, was our free running society. Sad as it now sounds, our run away culture felt in control. Political intercourse helped the BGE get power, slowly at first but then they gained complete command. This group not only allowed but controlled the total destruction of our emotion and this degenerated society. Letting it self destruct became the result of a master plan. Sex, crime, drugs and desire for fun proved to be the easiest element to control.
“The Directorate gradually regulated this planet by gaining authority. Power was their tool, but not until 2030 when they openly guided destruction as their only goal.”
Sandra asked, “Why did we allow this?”
Jill easily responded, “My poor child, it became overpowering and no one ever believed it could happen.”
Sandra said, “Why did we in the US, the free generations become the center of everything? Now we can’t even show a female bulge.”
“Our bodies have not been spared because we are wasting away. I can remember the days when the sun would warm our bodies. Sitting outside in the air within nature’s element was normal. We had the warning, and all believed it would never happen. Our culture trusted everybody because it was there and easy.”
Jill broke in, “You know, I have been feeling tired lately, even these grains don’t help any more. They must be weakening its strength or we have become immune to its effects.”
“It looks like they (the Directorate) are making them less potent, wanting to reduce the few remaining earthly workers. You know our survival within this new harden core of life, can’t be a part of their master plan. Remember when we first heard of the Bio-grains (B-G’s), the gossip papers ran stories about how new life forms came out of the B-G’s and we all laughed.”
“We knew that creation could never become controlled. Spiritual guidance would always give us the power to survive. Human conception and natural birth would be ours forever.”
“Sad, but true two humans can never mate, even slight contact is against the rules that govern our lives. We have no desire for communication, be it emotional or physical. In the last ten years, free life as we knew it has changed. Fifty percent of the world’s population disappeared, mostly by a stated form of disease that caused massive self destruction.”
“Eruptions of volcanoes were common, oil fields burned out of control, nuclear generation systems blew up and other forms of power creation were destroyed. Leaving our planet in a cloud of doom was the result.”
“What we didn’t know became clear. The BGE caused these massive acts by penetrating each government with promises of money and an easy life. After that we could not see a patch of blue sky anywhere. Even the common form of light was no longer visible. Only these strange glowing power sticks that are feed by a peculiar shaped capsule.”
“The fall out was, instant loss of hair, and cloth began disintegrating, leaving our flesh exposed, this happened one day while walking around outside. What we believed was a normal thundershower, began eating our bodies and at the same times our moral fiber.”
Sandra spoke in a low whisper, “I hear that there are a few that have not been affected.”
“Yes, there was one group that had predicted a new form of degradation would come. These quickly retreated into the hills and to date none have ever come out.”
Sandra became exited, “What good can a hand full of people do?”
Jill said, “Maybe we shouldn’t go out into this cesspool of robots and chemical destruction?”
Shawn smiled, “What good are we doing counting grains till they come out of our ears. Can you tell me if its day or night?”
“You are right, but at least we are comfortable. By the way, have you skipped taking your grains?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know, but your actions are not normal, like you are losing control. In fact . . .”
“Look. I don’t feel different. Taking these so-called master grains, is a waste of time, especially at our age.”
“Don’t let the BGE hear you say that.”
“We are family.” At that instant a gigantic spike of light opened in front of the store. This event parted the darkness and an image flashed in front of the emporium, like an old neon sign.
Shawn jumped, “Did you girls see that?”
Both women responded in unison, “Yes, you mean that enormous flash of light?”
“No, it’s not that.” He raced toward the front door, “A figure was inside the light.”
“You better start taking those grains, because it is impacting your vision.”
“Very funny, come here and look into the outside darkness.”
Both women moved between Shawn as he spoke, “There, look at the sand, it formed a tunnel and next to it, there is figure standing.”
“You’re kidding. That’s no figure. Maybe a huge tumble weed has mixed within the sand or even picked up some loose reminisce of cloth.”
“Why then is it moving? Like a human, not a robot or LEL?”
“I don’t see anything. Do you Sandra?”
“It is dark, but I guess it’s nothing.” Both turned and walked way.
“Come here dear, have a grain, it will help you relax. It will make you feel better.”
“Na, that’s all right, I know what I saw. No grain will make it go away. You know that we better leave before the next patrol. They always come in here for their EMO supply. So remember Sandra, these vials must be kept separated for them, because if they are not, you could become displaced.”
“You know there are many poor souls out there that would kill for our jobs.”
“True, but we have survived because of our generosity to those dammed LEL’s.”
“I think covering for both of us, will be hard. We had learned to split our labor into two six-hour shifts. Sometimes we had to work together.”
“Don’t worry about me. You better go if you are going.”
Shawn and Jill decided to rush through the overcast covering and disappeared into some old catacombs. These tubes emptied into the arenas of their past life and spilled out into what was once an open desert.
Walking, Shawn broke the silence, “Are you sure Sandra can handle our operation?”
“How else could we have gotten? If we just left the store, well we would have been discovered and tracked. You know we had to look for our son.”
“I know, but this is still very risky.”
“Only if we get caught, Sandra’s life is secure, but she must continue handing out those EMO grains to the LEL’s. That isn’t hard to do.”
“I think we better rest for a while.”
“Are you all right dear? You know cutting down on your grains has modified your stamina.”
“I am fine, good thing we weren’t allowed many outside walks since we modified our outfits.”
“Yes and these caustic clouds appear stronger. Remember when the rising sun would burn away the dew. Now we have nothing but chemical residue and foul smelling air that is harsh on our skin and lungs. We can’t even tell if the sun is out or its night time. Here we are in the elements, wandering around lost, looking for our son.”
“At least the protective cloth we had wrapped around us helps to reduce the contaminants floating around and reduce the effects of penetrating our skin.”
“True, but it is getting harder to walk.”
“The reason for that is simple; the residue is attaching itself to our fabric. Plus the murky footing doesn’t help.”
Slowly Shawn and Jill struggle on what remained of the earth’s surface. Both knew that sinking deeper into the muck and mire of decay was their destiny. But they accepted the fact that their life was now hanging from a thread.
Shawn spoke, “You know dear, I feel like we are being watched. You know we can be caught whenever `they’ want too.”
“What do you mean? If that is so why aren’t we?”
“The LEL’s are closing in, but not attacking.”
“Yes, they are allowing us our freedom.”
“For what possible reason would they spare our lives? We have seen them use their power sticks and carry those poor human forms to their bio-pits.”
“You are right, but it doesn’t make sense and yet it is true .”
“You don’t think they know about Alan?”
“Shh, that is quiet possible.”
“What do you mean?”
“He might have gone un-detected for some reason and maybe we are not under their dominate control.”
“You really think so?”
“What other reason would they allow us free travel?”
“Then that means, the Directorate wants our son. They must feel he is a treat to their system?”
“If you are right we better be careful, but there is one thing I don’t understand. How can one man, our son be a treat to this massive organization? And how do they know he is hidden?”
“That my dear, is an excellent question. I don’t think we will ever find out. What time element do you think we are under?”
“My guess is the second twelve. Why?”
“I feel tired.”
“I told you cutting out all those grains would come back at you.”
“True, but when was the last time you felt tired?”
“Good point. It is sad to see all this destruction and decay first handed. How did we allow ourselves to get into this mode?”
“You know what dear? I have a strange feeling we are tracked. Don’t look around.”
“I can’t feel or see anything.”
“Believe me, I do.”
“What now?”
“See that old structure with the large B on it?”
“Yes.”
“Once we get around the corner, we will duck inside.”
“You know if we get caught, we are goners.”
“If they wanted to catch us, we would have been caught.”
“Right, let’s move.”
Once around the corner they rushed through a small door and quickly sat behind it panting.
“We haven’t had this much excitement in eons.”
“Yes and it feels good at the peak of our final hour.”
Once they got accustomed to the bleakness, Jill asked, “What is this building?”
“It looks like what was once called a bank and later the barter exchange. Look at that old vault.”
“Do you think it is open or closed?”
“Well, let’s check it out.”
Getting up, both were astonished how much all this reminded them of their past. For some reason the inside of the building was not damaged. Only particles of sand had become layered on the floor. Both kept down low, half walking and crawling trying to hide from the LEL’s.
“Are you sure it is the second twelve element of time?”
“Why?”
Stopping he said, “I feel drained.”
“You had best consume one of these grains. You seemed drawn out and flushed.”
“I’ll be all right.” Shawn rested against the old vault door, and then he slid to the floor.
“Do you think it is open?”
“Only one way to find out.” Shawn grabbed the door handle but had a hard time standing. Once up he twisted the large shaped handle. It spun like an old wagon wheel of the past. Stopping by itself, Shawn played with the small dial, twisting the door handle.
“Whala, it’s open. Do you want to enter?”
“Why not?”
While pulling the giant steel door enough for them to slide inside, Shawn quickly dropped to the floor. The door began to slowly shut, but stopped short of closing.
“Wow! What a set up.”
A small light glowed and it looked like it was battery operated. Shawn said, “This light must have been off for many years, but it still has power. You know dear it should be safe to walk around inside, because their tracking system will not penetrate these walls.”
“Why is that?”
“As I remember, these old vaults were steel and cement lined for protection. As you can see, the inside has survived most of the destruction of our planet.”
“I see the compartments and drawers were pried open.”
“I am sure someone raided this vault at the very beginning. The wealth of each town and the country was secured in these types of buildings, when the BGE hit, these were first to fall.”
“That makes sense; it looks like this B might have been the first.”
“Why do you say that?”
“It has signs that whoever entered, was in a hurry. The inside looks destroyed and yet very little had been taken. I hear that later in the campaign of terror, all buildings were stripped clean.”
Feeling tired Shawn remained resting against the door. Jill asked, “Do you think the LEL’s will find us in here?”
“No way, their sensors will not be able to penetrate these walls of concrete and steel.”
“You look tired dear; please take one of my grains.”
“No thank you. I know you are trying to help, but I can’t.”
“What if you get ill or die?”
“Sooner or later we all will, but until then I want to feel the pain in my old bones. Nothing else really matters.”
“You might be right.”
Jill walked around admiring what was once so elegant. She found some old green paper money scattered over the floor. “You know there are no metal coins laying around, only these odd shaped bills spread like confetti.”
“The BGE needed all the precious metal they could find for their Repro Patrol. I sure hope the first twelve hour will allow us to get out of here.”
Sliding onto his side Shawn rested, while Jill continued to explore the inner most chambers of the vault. After awhile she began pacing, waiting for Shawn to wake.
The first twelve hour finally came and she knew that they had to continue their journey into the desert, if they wanted to find their son. Having walked by Shawn’s relaxed features, Jill became concerned. He had not moved much in the last few hours. Not wanting to disturb him, but it was time for them to move on.
Jill began struggling with herself, “A good rest will help him for the long trip ahead. He hasn’t been feeling that good, but his spirits remained high.”
Sitting next to him, she realized he didn’t look right. Touching his head, it was cold. “Oh, my God! Shawn wake up, Shawn my love! Why? Why?” She embraced his cold body and whimpered.
After what felt like a lifetime, Jill stood. She spoke to herself, “All his life he worked hard to find comfort and here he died in a building of old. It was only fitting that he finally had his peace of mind.”
Jill decided to leave the building, but looking out through the small window, a sand storm had begun. The intensity was increasing and she knew one fact about the storm. It would help her escape their tracking system. Pushing her frail body through the giant vault door, she peaked in and saw Shawn resting on the cold ground in peace. Pushing the door shut, she walked toward the front door. The gale force had increased outside to the point where her small body could not budge the door enough to get out.
Sand and dust had swirled through the cracks and wedged the door shut. In a panic Jill ran to the side door, “Maybe this side didn’t get the same pounding?” Taking one last look at the vault door, she whispered, “Peace be with you my love, I will soon join you.”
To her surprise the side door opened into an eerie void. Then without warning, Jill became instantly covered with many of the course sand particles. These fragments began attacking her from all direction, like she was the enemy or a foreign body.
This massive force surprised her, as she stumbled down on the ground. Covering her eyes didn’t help, because she had been instantly blinded and could not see. In an attempt to reduce the impact of this driving force, she slowly inches forward on her hands and knees.
Breathing became labored and the only protection she had was her durable clothing. Finding the side wall of the B building helped her break some of the force. Moving forward until she made contact with an old type bench. Pulling herself up, she sat and stretched the material over her head.
After what felt like hours, the winds gradually subsided, but her vision remained limited. When she tried to move her feet that was another surprise, they were trapped. Sand had wedged them in place, movement remained difficult and labored. Even her hands felt heavy to move.
Trying desperately to force her eyes open didn’t help, because they hurt with a new burning sensation. A fear crept through her mind, What if this blindness is permanent?
Using all the power she had, Jill forced one eye lid open. There was a green glow next to her, something like the power of the sun would give off, but it was different. Straining to overcome the pain, her other eye opened. Now she was able to focus on this unique mass and the color green dominated her imagination.
The pain became overwhelming and her head pounded. Quickly closing her eyes didn’t reduce the agony. For some unknown reason the green glow had the ability to penetrate through her closed eye lids. Trying to overcome the stress, she thought, “I might as well continue looking at whatever is affecting me.”
Opening her eyes even with the pain, she was able to distinguish a human outline sitting next to her. Straining she carefully lifted her hand and was able to touch the shadowy profile. “Is it real or is her pain forcing this vision into her sub-conscience?” That thought raced through her mind.
Rita, the sitting entity became aware of an unusual amount of pressure being placed on her shoulder and jumped. Within those on going flying particles of sand, she also forced her eyes open. She began concentrating and working hard to visualize what was touching her. Once Rita had focused on the object next to her she was even surprised. It was this curious pink human pattern. “How can they be?”
The winds began to subside and Jill was able to concentrate on that stationary green glow, she appeared to have a limited but it was human in appearance. While the particles of sand kept floating around this green light, Jill’s vision became clearer. She thought that this shadow was human and female. “I wish my figure had those well-endowed features.”
Concentration harder Jill said, “Maybe I am dreaming, because that skin pigmentation can’t be human. When I was a little girl, my mother had these earth jars and they had the same type mosaic design. She has to be a human species of some form. If she isn’t, what is happening to me?”
Both figures were in the same form of suspended animation. A mutual bond of respect kept their bodies in check. The probability of this chance meeting produced a twist of destiny. Neither recognized how one simple error altered the threshold of their consciousness. Both of their visions appeared abnormal, but they continued working hard to assess their situation.
Trying to speak neither had the clarity of meaning. Words were ambiguous and missed being significant, almost like they were from another medium. Both felt stressed and astonished with what they saw.
A dry thunder echoed through the dotted valley and the distant sky revealed fresh spikes of brightness. This forced an animation of back scattering light, which focused a new primitive image icon. Defying any logical explanation gravity kept both pinned down and motionless, neither could move nor speak. Vision for both burned deeper into their mind, and then without warning a new speckled edge-emitting pattern of light appeared.
Jill and Rita couldn’t believe or understand their inner feeling of that external beauty. Such a magnificent phenomenon left them with a majestic boundless union of mind and soul. Rita felt somewhat altruistic and with that she knew that the union of her spirit would not be denied. Finally she was able to accept that another human form sat next to her.
Waves of fresh sand blasted against their bodies slowly abrading their clothes. Both were feeling a new type of pain and it was slightly above their point of awareness and pain. At the same time they became buoyant and accepted each others form.
These two abnormal configurations became forged into one species. Sand particles had imbedded into their skin, causing an irritation as they twisted and turned. Reaching out blindly for guidance, their hands made contact. Like an aberration, an alienable restoration occurred.
Jill needed a sign of her past, while Rita was looking for her future. Jill’s youth had departed years past and now she had only one remaining desire. Breathing became labored as Jill felt tired and wanted to rest. Rita had accepted that situation, by recognizing the weakness of Jill’s human form. Rita began the vibration of communication, “Are you all right?”
Jill strained but for some reason was able to translate those audible sounds into her own speech patterns. “Yes, but this atmosphere is more caustic then I had ever imagined. Now I see why, Shawn, God rest his soul, couldn’t take it any longer.”
“Where is God?”
Jill responded with this odd expression, “In a location of eternal beauty, where there is life after death.”
“Oh, Omniam.”
“I have never heard him called that.”
“In our universal presence, `The Book’ speaks of total restoration. Our people are in that temporal anagenesis. I had been chosen to lead the way into another measure, which will offer eternal and everlasting peace.”
Jill responded, “In our after death we believe in a form of restoration, but not until all of the people perished. On that final day we become one and free of all bounds and sins.”
Rita questioned, “When would that be?”
“Our species really doesn’t know.”
“Then how can you have faith in this belief?”
“That is all we have. Faith is God and that contains its own reward. Admittedly our culture has come upon hard times.”
“Then why does your God allow the destruction of the human race? How can you still look up to him?”
“We call it faith, blind faith, but that is all there is. Very confusing, I know, but that’s all we have. We were taught to accept this.”
“It sounds like your species had a fruitful life.”
“Yes, but we lost sight in what the true meaning of faith meant. By allowing material substances to rule our lives, greed changed our planet and then law and order failed us. From within all this, one group prospered, because they continued gathering material possessions. Wanting the ultimate life, drove them beyond reasonable acts.”
“Our planet became a testing ground for their own future reward, while normal people no longer desired or were capable of sustaining any type of physical labor. Only the desire for a good life dominated their activities. No one wanted the responsibility of guarding their own life. All felt that the others were responsible and with that all decisions were easy, and doing nothing became the source of life.”
“Around 2030 all hell broke loose, as the ultimate payback surfaced, the objective was simple. Our dwindling past would never become the legacy of our future. I am sorry Rita, we should be moving on. If we don’t, we will become targets for LEL’s.”
“LEL?”
“Yes, they are the so-called peace keepers of this planet, known as the Law Enforcement League.” Stopping to think at Rita’s reaction she asked, “You mean that your society has no controls?”
“Our society worked in the mines gathering `colors’. The male mate was the worker. We would live together once the selection process allowed us too.”
“Very interesting but bizarre it looks like we both ended up the same, without our culture.”
“My spirit accomplished its goals, except for that final restoration. We better find some new cloth for covering. Our outfits are quickly disintegrating in this highly toxic air.”
Jill agreed, “I know. You are without any real protection, but your skin appears resistant to our environment. In fact it doesn’t look bleached and you have your full length of blond hair.”
“Yes, I noticed your texture is no longer as pink as I had remembered from the past. Plus your features are odd without hair.”
“You have seen into our culture before?”
“I had been active with my mother. We were trying to break into your society.”
“Why would you? Stopping to think for a moment what this implied, “This is confusing. Break into our world!”
“Everything began well before your decaying process. I was conceived by one of your pink forms. My mother is the only other member of our society still alive. She is somewhere in these local mountains. Her mate was one of your pink skinned men. My conception and birth was never sanctioned by our society.”
Jill had become fascinated in her story, “When were you born?”
“On your calendar year 1960.”
“How can that be? You are so young and very much a classic figure of a female. I was born eight years after you and I am just about holding my life together in this wrinkled shell of a human. With no hair, or skin texture, even my body configuration has become outdated. My bones are ready for the decaying process.”
Rita could not understand or comprehend this line of conversation, “My life cycle is only half complete.”
Jill was in shock as she said, “You’re what? My body never looked that good at thirty. How can that be?”
At that moment, the spike from a power stick penetrated through Jill’s body. With pain she cries out, “Stop!”
Two LEL’s had surprised them, but Rita went undetected leaving Jill to their pleasure, as she continued absorbing the energy through her weakened body. Rita recognized the danger and pulled Jill closer to her body. Huddled together Rita used her body effectively to protect Jill. With this action, any further punishment was eliminated. They were able to stand and both rushed around another building, effectively vanishing from the scene.
The LEL’s couldn’t understand how anyone could disappear so quickly. They reported this to their command, “Yes, we somehow lost that one human.”
The response came back quickly, “Impossible!”
“We do not see anyone. All is clear.”
“Look at the indication on your helmet screen. A form is close.”
“Yes, we see the radiating energy, but there is nothing at the physical area that is visible.” Both had carefully scanned the region by probing, but found nothing. The LEL’s felt that this was insignificant and continued their patrols.
Meanwhile Jill couldn’t believe how Rita’s body protected her. “How did you know that your body would protect mine?”
“You forget I came from your world and have mastered the art of transformation.”
Both sat up and began shaking the clinging dust particles off their bodies.
Standing Rita said, “We had best get out of here.”
“Yes, that was too close, even for me. I would have died if I didn’t meet you.”
Hurriedly, they pushed toward the open desert and the canyon mountain area. Here they figured getting spotted would not be that easy.
Alan was pacing while watching the strangeness of the storm. Knowing deep down that it has been much too long without any real word from his command post; he began to walk his measured thread in the tube. Excessive time had passed without him getting any new direction. “My training program has been successfully completed. Now what? I never got my flight instruction for my mission. Nothing but walking, something has to be wrong.”
Alan’s training had been set for interplanetary flight. The positive results were. He had been shielded from all of the outside hostile activity. Preprogrammed stimuli of harmony had been piped in around his facility. Plus a set of self-generated computer icons were in place for his visual sensation. All other world information became blocked, leaving him with that one factor, isolation.
His seclusion had become intense and now he was ready for the next phase, but there was only silence. Not being able to break the code of silence added to his predicament, for some reason his monitors had failed during the very start of his training. Pushing the final red button did nothing. He decided to wait much to long and now he was finally forced to break down his code of disaster.
He knew the length of his tube like the back of his hand. Being partially set into the mountain, allowed him some variation. The time had come to investigate what was really happening to his life.
He had a micro disk that could be used. Placing the disk carefully into the transponder, a miniature screen instantly activated. The message began blinking with a modular sound, “Enter your code number.” Alan entered his assigned sequence numbers and waited as the silence dominated his brain.
Deep in what was once a modern control center, only mounds of rubble became distinguishable. A weak blinking beacon was activated, but there was no command post. All traces of human life became extinct and the blinking light went unnoticed in the massive decay of the past.
Looking around Rita was ready to leave, but Jill had fallen asleep with a smile on her face. Jill began dreaming of her son and the day he was accepted into the Inter Galaxy Space training program. This was sponsored by the prestigious World Space Exploration Agency (WSEA).
Alan entered his isolation type training during the time when violence and savagery began to modify all human existence. Earth’s population was being challenged and unknowingly the process began to systematically destroy all the nations. The flight he was trained for was to have mapped the galaxy in search of locations that could be useful for future colonization.
Beads of perspiration rolled freely off Jill’s forehead as her nightmare produced memories of Shawn running from the mines locking all the doors and shutting off the power generation system. She became so upset that he had to shake her until she calmed down. Jill was deep in her dreams as her body vibrated with her past fears. She heard that panic cry, “The world has ended! The world has ended!”
She woke startled and called out, “Shawn!” She could only hear her own echo as she opened her blurred eyes.
“No, it’s Rita. I am sorry I had to shake you, but you became violent and when that moisture started seeping out of your skin, I became concerned.”
“I’m all right. I had a dream that took me back many years. That was the early part of history when the world showed signs of falling apart.”
Rita touched Jill’s cheek, “This feels like water.”
“You mean your skin does not perspire?”
“No, for some reason this event never occurs in our system. Oh, we better move, I feel tracking has spotted our location again. We have to leave.”
“Good idea. The last thing we want is to get captured. First I must see my son.”
Slowly Jill stood, weak but strong at heart. They headed for the security of the mountains. After a while Rita’s vision allowed them entry into this unseen cavern.
“How did you ever find this opening? I saw nothing but a solid wall of rocks.”
“Our ability to see beyond your human bandwidth is natural.”
“Okay, I guess, but I know one thing for sure, it feels more comfortable to be out of those caustic elements.”
“True. They sat on a slab of gray.”
The icy breeze of darkness bounced off the rocks that hung over the opening. This immense maze of earth became balanced between what had slowly decayed through time. Rita knew the true value of darkness because she could see her old world returning mixing in with what was once her home. Sitting she concentrated on the source of the low burning lights. Just like they began, they ended melting into the vastness.
A form of elemental heat radiation then pierced the darkness. Jill was not comfortable without some visible light. She asked, “Are you sure we are safe?”
“Of course, why do you ask?”
“I feel like someone or something is watching us. Do you see anything?”
“No, but I do feel it. Sometimes a false vision can reach beyond the limits of the mind.”
Rita was straining to distinguish what the source of the radiation was. She knew it resembled her once dominate society and not wanting to alarm her new friendship, she tried to diminish Jill’s concerns.
“With my sensitive cells I can’t see anything worth concerning yourself about.”
“If you say so, but I would be more comfortable with some light, this way I can prove it for myself.”
“You might be seeing some sparkle reflecting off these long lined caves. They once harvested minerals in here.”
Gradually sleep overcame both bodies, even with that rest was not easy. Two human spirits of different societies were united in the struggle to survive in what has become a fruitless drive to hide. Sleep of sort also controlled Alan’s senses, as he sat trying to relax.
Without warning sharp sounds echoed throughout the vastness, Alan did not expect to hear this type of noise. Jumping he began scanning his active screen. The perimeter showed nothing visible. When the sound repeated, Alan cautiously located the source of the pounding. A video indication showed that neither human nor robot appeared visible, but the sound would not cease.
Turning on his spectral isolator, it revealed nothing. Now being more cautious then ever, he used his Laser Sensitive System camera to record the source of the noise. Still no visible image, but an unknown element did register. This indicated that someone or something was definitively at his least used opening. In fact it was an auxiliary type escape exit, which was never used and he had almost forgotten its location.
Puzzled, Alan approached the area through the tunnel, until he found the chamber. Testing the inner cell door, he found it safe. His main concern was to insure that his facility remained pure. The outside environment had that venomous contamination that would infect his air and thus his safety.
There was an anti chamber locking mechanism that he activated. This captured whatever entered his escape sector. Carefully opening his shielded window, he could see for the first time into the room. Shock and surprise came across his mind, because he recognized a frail image and that he thought could be his mother. Puzzled he thought, “How could that be?”
Turning on his intercom, “Mother, is that you?”
Jill started sobbing with joy, “Alan, it can’t be? You are alive.”
“Mother, how did you ever find me in this isolated mountain hideaway?”
“I can explain everything, but first why don’t you let us in?”
“Before I can open my section, I must disinfect the anti chamber and that will take time.”
Then it hit him. “Us! Mom, who else is with you, I can only see you.”
“Son, trust me, there is another person with me and she is a safe element and will be no threat to your safety.”
“I believe you, but I can’t see anyone else.” Quickly scanning his spectral isolator, Alan began looking closer for other images. There was a slight flicker of a reading. Normally this would have no real meaning because he could not identify its source.
“Are you sure? My equipment can’t identify the origin of this person.”
“It is a very . . . almost human person. Her name is Rita and if it wasn’t for her, I would not be here. I was about to be captured and transplanted to the bio-pits for . . .”
“Yes, I have seen some of these results. I guess Dad didn’t survive this holocaust?”
“He did, in fact we both started many elements ago. He just couldn’t survive the hostile environment. We stopped to rest on the way out here, and he fell asleep. His rest is now ever lasting, no, and one will ever disturb him. He wanted very much to see you.”
“I am sorry you all had to struggle like this. Try to relax; it will take a few elements to reduce the caustic ingredients before you can make that safe transition inside.”
“Not to worry, we don’t want to contaminate your living environment. You look healthy, all that hair, nothing like what we have turned out to be.”
When the door finally opened, Jill rushed to greet her son. “I missed you Alan!”
Alan said, “I am sorry the family had to go experience life like this.”
“Alan my boy, you are alive and normal looking.”
“Mother please rest. You look beat. You know I tried to make contact, but the rules were simple. I feel bad that I worried both of you.”
“Your father was so proud of you. We never knew if you really had survived, but we always had faith in your ability to protect yourself. Oh, I would like you to meet Rita. She was the source of my guidance. If it wasn’t for her, I would be with the spiritt of your father.”
Alan looked at his mother and he had tears in his eyes knowing that he would never see his family. “Mom why don’t you rest and then you will feel better.”
“You are right but I can’t stay.”
Surprised, “What are you saying.”
“My life is with our people and that is where I belong.”
Jill stood holding on to her son, “Take good care of yourself and Rita.”
“Mother, are you sure that you must leave?”
“My life has reached its conclusion and you have the opportunity to reshape this planet. You and Rita can still have a life out there.” Pointing toward the murky sky.
“But mother . . .”
“Please open the door for me son. I must leave you two together. I love you.”
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