From the Ashes

by Mark Tufo

  “They’ve gone nuts,” the Sergeant added. “At least forty Genos bought it in the blast, seven of them were young. They’ve gone on a rampage, saying that they’ve got the right to protect their borders. There have already been a few skirmishes, with some outlying folks who haven’t fared so well. The General sent an emissary and they shot him. Without Tantor they have no one to settle them back down.”

  “When’s he planning on bombing them?”

  “They were in the middle of their strategy session when Mrs. Ginson came and got me.”

  “What’s his plan?”

  The Sergeant looked a little torn. It wasn’t like we were buddies and now that I was no longer in the service there was a chance he could be brought up on charges for talking to me about this.

  “Bomb them into submission.” Beth bailed him out.

  The Sergeant nodded his head in agreement with her words.

  “They will not submit, Michael. They will all die attempting to defend what is theirs and to also protect themselves from what they would feel was an unprovoked attack.”

  “I know that, Dee. We cannot allow him to perform what will ultimately become genocide.”

  “And what exactly are you planning on doing? I cannot allow you to harm the General. In fact, I cannot allow you on a shuttle no matter what you threaten to do to me.” He looked over at Dee as he said the words.

  “Shit, you’re right. As big of an ass as you are, I don’t want to be responsible for getting you shot.”

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “At least he is somewhat concerned with your well-being. That is more than most get,” Dee explained.

  “Beth, you need to go up there and convince him to give me a chance to stop this before it gets any worse.”

  “How will you get out to Arizona? I believe he will want to strike soon.”

  “Sergeant, can you have the shuttle swing by Arizona first before going up to the Guardian?”

  “I could have some plausible deniability .The pilot owes me money from our last poker game.”

  “You’re not that bad. Now I kind of feel bad about your balls.”

  “Kind of?”

  “Take what he has given you, Sergeant, and run with it. I am amazed he apologized at all.”

  “You’re really starting to become a pain in the ass, Dee.”

  He laughed. If you didn’t know what it was you were hearing, you’d swear that he was coughing up a whole cat. The Hummer swerved and Beth tried to meld into her seat.

  ***

  We were in the shuttle and halfway to Arizona when Dee finally quit. It wasn’t that he had such a long laughing bout—it was more a testament to how fast the shuttle was. It had easily shaved five hours off of any conventional flight time.

  “I can’t get any closer,” the pilot told us as we looked out over the horizon, which was glowing the red of a setting sun. Unfortunately it was only about noon. “It’s restricted airspace.”

  “On whose command?” I asked.

  “The Genogerians. They’re shooting down anything that gets within five miles of them.”

  “Where are they getting this type of weaponry?” I asked Dee.

  “Do not look at me. I am not an arms merchant.”

  “What are all those experiments you’ve been doing in your garage?”

  “These men will not think your false accusations humorous.”

  “Fine, but where could they have gotten anti-aircraft guns?”

  “Sir, they’re using alien technology,” the pilot told me. Obviously he hadn’t gotten the memo yet about me not being active military anymore.

  “Well, isn’t this interesting? Dee, any theories? Is this something they’ve been working on?”

  “If so then they were keeping it secret from me. I saw no such endeavors.”

  “Something stinks here. We have a bomb that goes off nefariously and then somehow the Genos have been equipped with some heavy duty weapons. Seems like someone wants this little side drama to play out. Who gains from a Geno war?”

  “Land owners?” the Sergeant offered.

  “Normally I might agree with that, but no one was particularly interested in this land before the Genos came so why would they be now? Plus, there’s more than enough acreage to go around.” The rapid depopulation of the planet had left vast areas devoid of people the likes of which hadn’t been seen since the ice age. I kept talking, hoping that at some point I would strike across a chord that rang true. “Paul? Could this be a set-up on his part to wipe out a populace he’s not overly fond of? Why go through so much trouble? He could strafe the shit out of this place and no one would be the wiser.”

  “He would never do such a thing,” Beth protested.

  “No? He’s told me numerous times about the resources he has to use to defend and supply them. Makes life a lot easier if they’re gone. Now ultimately I don’t believe he’d do it, but right now he’s a suspect. Beth, just have him hold off for a little while.”

  “I’ll try, Mike, but if they keep attacking villages he’ll have no choice.”

  “All right.”

  “Be careful.”

  “That’s my middle name,” I smiled.

  “Is that sarcasm?” Dee asked.

  “Over confidence or sarcasm—either work.” We landed, I grabbed two rifles from a rack as Dee hopped out, I joined him before moving away from the shuttle as it took off again.

  “If there is indeed a war going on, the shuttle is surely going to attract attention.”

  “Do we have something to worry about?”

  “It is my understanding that there are casualties in war.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Will the General abate?”

  “Doubtful. We may have bought twelve hours or so. If he doesn’t do something soon to protect people he will be seen as weak and possibly a traitor to his species. Even if he didn’t want to squash this uprising he will be compelled to do so.”

  “Then we must get moving.”

  I had a lot to thank for my son; he’d kept my cardio at optimum performance. Even so, keeping up with Dee without an engine of some sort was difficult. He was holding back on his full gait but by the third mile I was beginning to lag and flag.

  “Should have paid the extra fare to get closer,” I said between intakes of air. Dee had stopped again and was waiting for me. He looked like he was out for a leisurely stroll on a nice fall day. I, however, was covered in sweat and dragging in breath.

  “You would have never defeated me in the games.”

  “Really, Dee? That’s what you’re thinking at this very moment? Not cool man, not cool at all. Maybe you should just put on a clown outfit and really terrify the shit out of me.”

  “I do not think I could find a red nose that would fit.” The bastard was smiling.

  “I wonder if they could make footballs from your hide? I’d sure like to get in a little punting practice.”

  We thankfully began walking the closer we got. Fires were raging, flames leaping from building to building. We were traversing a pile of rubble when we came across the first Geno since we’d landed. He was a younger one, adolescent maybe, he still dwarfed me. He had a pipe in his hands, looked like it was a signpost once, it still had the bulb of cement attached to the bottom. Thing had to be close to a hundred pounds yet he wielded it like a kid does a plastic sword. The cement ball whistled by the top of my head, if it had connected, I wouldn’t have had enough time to even register my death. Dee shouted something and the young Geno took off.

  “Dee, he nearly took my head off.” I rubbed the top of the head expecting to feel some stickiness there. I shook away a couple of pieces of gravel that had come loose from the makeshift mace.

  “Yes, that would have been unfortunate.”

  “That’s it? That’s your response?”

  “You are still alive and unhurt, is that not good enough?”

  “You’ve got to work on your empathy a little bit. I just had a near dea
th experience. I was expecting a little more solace.”

  “I am not your mate.”

  “Keep talking like that and you never will be.”

  Dee snorted.

  “He’s going to tell his friends.” I once again rubbed my head. One does not get over nearly having their skull caved in too quickly.

  “We have to find some leaders and stop this madness. I fear for my safety as well.”

  “What do you have to fear?”

  “I am traveling with a human; that will make me a target.”

  “Is that supposed to be funny?”

  “No, I take my personal safety seriously.”

  “Why do you always show these obtuse sides of yourself when we’re in danger?”

  “It is nice to see you expanding your vocabulary. Come, we must move away from this place.”

  Another half mile went by. The streets preternaturally quiet as if the encroaching tension was pushing noise out of its path.

  “I believe we are surrounded,” Dee said, looking around at the structures to either side.

  “What are they waiting for?” I was looking around for any sign. I was in agreement with Dee; I could feel the eyes upon me, I just couldn’t see them.

  “It is possible that you and I have been recognized. It is my belief that now would be a good time to put our weapons down.”

  “I hate this part,” I told him as I pulled the sling over my head and slowly bent over to place the rifle by my feet. I made sure it was pointed outwards with the safety off. If I needed it I was going to make sure I could have it up and firing in a moment’s notice.

  The young Geno that I must have pissed off in a former life showed himself. He still had his weapon of choice and was standing across the street. He had come out from behind a large blue dumpster. He ran towards us, more specifically, me.

  “Dee?”

  “Do not move.”

  “That’s easy for you to say.”

  My aggressor had halved the distance.

  “Dee, man.”

  “If you reach for that rifle you will be shot.”

  “Better that than split-pea brains.” I moved nearly imperceptibly.

  “Michael.”

  “Fine but I’m not going to watch. Mom, save me a spot.” I outstretched my hands and leaned my head back, my eyes closed. “My Father, who art in heaven...”

  The young Geno was screaming, sounded like a war cry. I’d heard those enough to know.

  “Stop!” Dee said forcibly. “We mean you no harm.”

  I could hear the wind being pushed out of the way as the cement ball arced through the air.

  “This is going to fucking hurt…” my teeth were gritted.

  The impact as the club smashed into the ground, lifted me off my feet a good three or four inches. I opened my eyes, fully expecting to be standing in front of St. Peter, desperately trying to explain why I warranted a spot on hallowed ground. What I got was a snarling greenish mask of teeth and hate not more than half a foot away, looking down at me.

  “I am Drababan, young one. We have come to seek peace and to stop further bloodshed.”

  “There can be no peace with the hu-mans!” the Geno raged.

  “Do you know who I am?”

  “I know you as Drababan, Champion of the Games, leader of the rebellion and friend to the Earth Champion. Should that make me quake in my feet? Should I grovel before you like a worm begging for your attention?”

  “Teenagers are teenagers no matter the species,” I said through gritted teeth.

  The young Geno got closer, his growling punctuated with long ropes of spittle.

  “I said that out loud?”

  “I am not asking for your obedience. If you know me then you know I would not come here with the intention of harming my people.”

  “Your people? You live with the vermin. One word from me, Drababan, and you will both be spilling your innards onto this accursed ground.”

  “Then why have you not already done so? Your words are beginning to bore me.”

  “Let him talk some more,” I bemoaned.

  The Geno raged for a moment longer and bounded off.

  I let out a breath I’d been holding since seemingly the whole thing had started.

  “Now what? King of bright ideas.”

  “We wait.” Dee sat down and unwrapped a granola bar.

  “Got another one of those?”

  “You should be more prepared.” He didn’t offer me one or a bite of his as he ate with some lip smacking satisfaction. “That is payment for the last diaper you made me change.” And with that he began his humming and chanting as he went into a meditative state.

  I sidled closer to see if I could look in his small backpack. A large eye rolled open to look at me.

  “You’d think they were made of gold.” I moved away, doing my best to scan the area without making it appear as if that was what I was doing. The Genos now seemed less concerned with stealth because I caught sight of at least a half dozen, most of them armed. “Well, this is a good time.”

  Dee was just stretching out of his last session when my new bestie showed up again. He was dragging his face smasher behind him, an older Geno by his side.

  “Drababan.” The older Geno bowed slightly.

  “Jurtillion, it is good to see you.” Dee returned the nod of respect.

  “It was not wise of you to bring a human here, even one as worthy as him.”

  “It was he who brought me here.”

  “Hmmm, most unusual. We should get out from the open. There are some among us that will shoot first and deal with the consequences later.”

  “I like his idea, Dee.”

  “Hello, Michael.” Jurtillion nodded in my direction. The young Geno scoffed. “Forgive my son Cythion, he does not fully understand the role you played in the freeing of our people.”

  I thanked the stars that he didn’t. If he knew that freeing the Genos was more a means to an end he might hate me more.

  “The bomb that destroyed our gathering place extinguished the life of his mother, my mate.”

  “I am sorry for your loss,” I told him solemnly.

  “It is your kind that did it!” Cythion exploded.

  “The act of a few does not condemn the many!” Jurtillion shot back.

  Cythion scoffed again and bounded off, taking that friggen street sign with him. I was going to shudder every time I came across any kind of traffic sign for the rest of my days, although that really didn’t seem like any type of extended sentence.

  We walked relatively slowly but with a purpose. Jurtillion was tense, he might be a leader but he did not have absolute control. There was a physical relaxation in him as we entered into what used to be a gas station.

  “Step away from the windows, please,” he said, urging me forward. “It is customary on this planet that I should offer you a beverage. Prune juice, perhaps?”

  “What the hell is it with Genogerians and laxatives?” After Moxie, prune juice reined in the number two spot on Dee’s favorite drinks.

  “I thank you, Jurtillion. I would like some please,” Dee said as he walked past, making sure to bang the back of my head with his hand.

  “Make sure his has pits.” I rubbed my skull.

  “Is it true that the Progerians have returned?” Jurtillion asked, handing Dee a pitcher of the purplish liquid. My stomach gurgled wildly just looking at it. Watching Dee quaff it down almost had me running to the bathroom in sympathy elimination.

  “It is. They returned with a Cruiser and a Destroyer.”

  “Then time is short.”

  “Not as short as you may think. The one whose life your son tried to end has destroyed them.”

  “This human has beaten a Cruiser and Destroyer? This is not possible! This is cause for celebration!”

  “Got anything better than prune juice?” I asked once I was able to stand straight again. Jurtillion had nearly knocked me over.

  “The battle is not quite
over, Jurtillion. There are more pressing matters to be concerned with. What has happened here?”

  Jurtillion’s earlier merriment evaporated quickly. “It was the time of our prayer. As a leader of the community it was my mate’s duty to get things ready. There were some others there as well. She had just sent Cythion away to get more supplies when the truck carrying the humans and their bomb arrived. Dozens died.”

  “Was it normal for humans to come here?” I asked.

  “About once a month your kind would come, sometimes with seeds or equipment for farming.”

  “Same truck every time?”

  “Same truck, and the same two men.”

  I watched in fascination as Dee placed his now empty pitcher down, my thoughts racing from bomb to stomach, with both seemingly on the edge of explosive results. (Sorry—prune juice does this to me.)

  “Wait...you’re saying this was also the same truck AND the same men?”

  Jurtillion nodded. “Most humans want nothing to do with us and quite honestly we prefer it that way.”

  “Something stinks.”

  “It is not I, Michael!” Dee raged.

  “Whoa, Dee, I meant metaphorically, not intestinally.”

  “That is acceptable,” he said, calming down.

  “Why would two men who have been doing the same supply run for years all of a sudden go suicidal? I won’t deny the fact that potentially they harbored some deep hatred for your kind, but why wait so long to exact revenge and why take themselves out as well? They may have not known the bomb was on the truck. And that seems more likely, given that they did not have an opportunity to escape. Dead men tell no tales.”

  “It still begs the question, why?” Dee stated.

  “Well I think it’s fairly safe to rule out Paul. He would have just leveled this place. Who would dislike Genogerians even more than humans?”

  “Progerians?” Dee asked. “But how? They are across the country in Florida and heavily guarded.”

  “More like heavily watched. Paul placed them in that location with the hopes that the territory would be more of a barrier to their movements.”

  “I agree with your premise that the Progerians have no love loss for Genogerians but it still comes down to why? They must have known their bomb would cause only minimal casualties.”