Escape Scenario
Hmmm. There hasn’t been a Modo sighting for months now. Time to blacken 2021 with the first blog of the new season. This is a summary of a science fiction novel I have been working on. It would appear to be inspired by the current pandemic, but dates from the time when H1N1 was the word. Progress is plodding. These things run 250 to 300 pages, so Lord help me. The theme song is written however and here is the first verse:
Who are you; jet black or razor blue?
It’s time to learn but there’s a cost.
Some will reach the stars but most are lost.
In time I found my ocean.
Learned to kill without emotion.
Learned to forget their faces
Take my mind to special places.
I hide the monsters in the spaces now.
Scenario: World Gone Mad
Pandemic after pandemic is appearing on Earth. Society is disrupted. Economies are shattered. Systems are overwhelmed. Why is this? Internet conspiracy paranoids crow about the Illuminati and other such ridiculous tripe. Reality is much more sinister. Organisms are being deliberately introduced from off world. Just when things appear completely hopeless and no solution is near, a Starship delegation appears. “We come in peace.” Earth leaders are not worried. Show them everything. They have no immunity to the ravages of these terrible diseases. Nature will cure our alien problem. But no! They show great interest in invalids. They approach and examine without PPE and yet they are unaffected. We are doomed! Last year 3.1 million humans died, yet they are untouched. Perhaps these are the real Illuminati? The authorities beg, “How do you do it? Tell us the secret. Please, please.” “Ah, we have a vaccine that provides immunity to all of these organisms and many more.” “Have mercy. Please provide us with the cure.” “There is a problem. We do not know if it is effective in humans. Also we have signed the Galactic Space Covenant and we are not allowed to interfere by law, unless there is trade of fair value. It has been established over millennia that this is the only equitable way to proceed. You have nothing that we need, I’m afraid.” “Please consider more carefully. We will happily show you our entire planet. Anything is negotiable.” “Fine. We sympathize with your plight.” The tour proceeds through all corners of our World. They are shown many wonders, but none are suitable. The newly formed World Space Council is in despair. “Anything! Our way of life is disappearing. Our resources and infrastructure useless. Our care systems are strained far above capacity. Panic and starvation cannot be far off.” “Hmmm. We will consult with our Councils. They are brilliant minds and may find an answer.”
Weeks pass. Helplessness thickens. Finally the Bingle return. They meet in Council. “There is a chance, but we do not suggest this lightly. How many of you are dying each year from these sicknesses? Over 3 million you say. Many of our member species are brilliant intellectuals and technologists. But they are physically weak or handicapped in many environments. We have noticed that your biggest asset is your young, strong, healthy generations. Therefore with reluctance we propose the following trade. We would accept 500,000 of your young ones each year and deliver sufficient vaccine to protect the remainder of your planet. This arrangement can continue until it no longer suits you. The potion is very powerful and may even increase your lifespan? This work force would be distributed amongst the planets to aid in the running of the more physically needy societies. Do not fear. These are civilized beings, not savages. We would have an effective work force and they would be finding adventure and learning the secrets of the Universe. And even with their loss, you would be saving 2.6 million of your brethren each year.” Of course there is much hue and cry and whining and carping, but human greed won out and the deal was sealed. Thus began the Universal draft. And this is how humans became the willing slaves of the populated Galaxy.
But this is only the beginning. The Exodus is difficult for most. But some adapt and prosper. Any child whose parents were rich or privileged did not get picked in the draft lottery. This was one of the miracles of the process. So only the strong, the experienced and even the clever were transported. Of course the authorities felt obligated to include any of the reprobates and outright villains they could round up, so it was quite the diverse crew. The bottom line was that in general, survivors were sent to the stars rather than the dead wood. This was to play a vital part in the success of the departed on other planets and the degeneracy that flourished on Earth. At first they are hard-working menials. But their life span is enhanced and the wonders of the Universe are all around. Some become trusted servants and even lively companions. They are taught the meaning of some wonders and a few absorb this quickly and want more. The Aliens think, “Let them breed. They can be clever and resourceful things.” Thus they become intertwined in the cycle of life. But there are always small-minded individuals. A cult develops. They see themselves as the natural heirs to power on Earth and wish to return and conquer their Kingdom. Fools. Eventually they become dangerous rather than simply annoying. The Enlightened humans must track them down and eliminate these pests. There will be no killing, except in battle. An altering drug will be administered that plays the individuals prejudices into a new reality, far changed from the previous dangerous one. The Enlightened humans have no wish to return to Earth. They have been granted the greatest gift; knowledge rather than power. They no more wish to conquer Earth than a New York billionaire wishes to return to his birthplace in rural Saskatchewan and become mayor. The rebels will not be easy to locate scattered across dozens of worlds of various stages of development. The leadership falls to Special Agent Armand Fuego to locate the bad seeds and infiltrate their lair. A surprise tip from Puppy McDonut leads through a chain of stranger and stranger worlds to a showdown at the edge of the inhabited Galaxy. Stay tuned.
