"So what are you?" Sean asked. "Your speed and reflexes. Are you... more evolved?"
Gresson shook his head. "Many of us may like to think so, but we are no greater human beings than you. Our abilities are due to genetic manipulation and mechanical augmentation. Our implants were destroyed by the signal, but so far we have yet to see any negative effects of that. Most implants were temporary in our time, anyway. Regardless, our bodies are still unnaturally advanced. I wish I could say the same about our minds."
"So, the Exterminators have been brainwashed?" Michael asked.
"They are all more than capable of making their own choices. I don't doubt that many are going through an internal crisis as we speak. This was all supposed to be easy, painless, and quick. Now they have to do the dirty work by hand. But understand, they all see you as a problem, the problem that almost caused the end of our race. Your descendants made the technology that turned our air toxic. The 'Exterminators' have been told for years that leaving any of you alive will result in the eventual destruction of Earth."
"But that can't be the only reason, can it?" Lash asked. "Why do they want us dead so badly?"
"They are angry. Before plans for the Last Resort were made, almost everyone blamed their suffering on their ancestors. To them, all of this is some kind of justice for that."
"That makes no sense!" Sean exclaimed.
"Can you name me one war in human history that has been started for reasons that do make sense? They have been told again and again that you are the enemy. Destroying their fleet may have only added fuel to that fire. Do not expect to be able to negotiate or reason your way into peace. It will not happen. I know these people far too well."
"So what happens now? How do we fight back?" Adam asked.
"I do not know. But I should go back to New Salvador now. We are preparing for our first target."
"What?"
"There were hundreds that attacked last night. That many of them being mobilized so quickly means one thing. There is a ship nearby. And we are going to destroy it."
Gresson put his coat on his arm and walked toward the door. "Keep safe. And please, at least for now, keep this all to yourselves. Our alliance is already on shaky ground. Let me first help my people understand that you had a right to know." With that, Gresson walked outside.
Everyone looked around at each other, still unsure how to process all they had heard.
"Well. That was... eye-opening," Jake said.
"I'm not sure which is harder to believe. That they're aliens, or people from hundreds of years in the future," Michael said.
"Whatever the case, I think it's time we trusted Gresson, or 'Almier,' or Alexander, whatever you want to call him," Lash said. "He's done more than enough to earn it."
"How do we know he's telling the truth?" Adam asked.
"C'mon, Adam. You know he is. He obviously believes in us. It's time we believed in him."
Adam shrugged, still uncertain.
"What all this also means is that New Jacksonville has become much more important," Lucas said. "Our city has become a beacon of hope for all of humanity."
"And our only line of defense," Lash said. "Gresson's right. They need our help."
"Especially if the people at New Salvador are the only ones in the world who know what's going on and have the means to stop the Exterminators," Alice said.
"Is it going to be enough?" Marie asked.
"We'll need more help than we have now, I think," Sean said.
"We have to start finding more communities to join us," Michael said. "Chances are the Exterminators aren't just here. They could be everywhere. If we want any chance to stop the Exterminators, we'll need a global presence. We'll need a massive army. We'll need a world-wide resistance."
Adam nodded his head. "Then let's get started."
Chapter 57
International Space Station - December 19, 2072
Andre was alone in one of the pods. The rest of the crew had gone to sleep. He floated relaxed in the air, pondering one of the walls. He was certain by now he could have memorized every inch of the station's interior had he tried. He longed to return home, but knew it might never happen.
He drifted over to a nearby console. He found the message they had received hours ago and pressed play, watching it once again. It was from a man with messy black hair, pale skin, and dark green eyes. He was standing alone in a metal-walled room.
"I only have about a minute until the interference comes back, so this will have to be quick. My name is Marcus, and I need your help. If you don't know, there are... 'things' here trying to kill everyone. Everyone's given up hope, but I think I can stop them. I need access to government files, files that now only exist on your space station. If I can get these, we might have a chance. Here's what I need..." The man quickly listed a range of classified files, most related to top-secret weaponry and national defense. "Now, I doubt you will be able to send it back to me in time before the interference comes back on. Just wait until I make contact and be ready to send it. Make sure it goes to me and me alone. No one else." He looked to the side for a moment. "Uh... You are not alone. Assuming you get this message, it's good to know we aren't either." He concluded the message with a forced smile.
The message had come as a bittersweet relief to the station crew. There really were aliens and they were attacking people on the planet. But, at least someone was alive. And this "Marcus" had a plan. It was enough for hope.
Andre wasn't sure what to make of the man who had sent the message. What could the information on those files possibly do to help stop the invasion? he thought. He knew they would send it, nevertheless. Regardless of how classified it was, they were sending it to a fellow human. For now, that was enough to trust him.
Andre moved away to the console and rested his head against the pod's window. As he looked out over the pale blue planet below, he smiled. At last, he had a purpose. For the first time in what seemed like forever, there was hope.
Message from the Author
Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear your feedback, so please put up a review on Amazon. Keep updated on what's coming next at derektpeterson.wix.com/books where you can sign up for my newsletter. Be sure to check out the three short prequels for this series: Lights Out, The Takers, and Automation.
Table of Contents
Part One
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Part Two
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Part Three
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Part Four
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Message from the Author
Darkness on a Pale Blue Stone Page 28
