First Contact (Terran Chronicles)

by James Jackson

  Regent Voknor spends time with a few individual leaders as he works diplomatically to achieve his own goals. He almost seems to relish in the political maneuvering that takes place. Without a single Gamin casualty, he has achieved much this day. The world’s main governments have capitulated, making his task so much easier. Better to have the indigenous willingly provide what they need rather than being coerced. Force takes so much more effort and is very inefficient.

  As soon as the talks are over, Regent Voknor assigns his forces their various tasks. He ponders the planet below as he considers the needs of his people. A few of these mighty spacecraft descend toward the planet below, each with its own agenda.

  The Russian President is not alone in wondering what has transpired during the individual sessions.

  Chapter Five - Arrival.

  Location:

  Manhattan Island

  New York

  One of the massive landing crafts head for the devastated area in Manhattan. The spacecraft is beyond enormous, with massive armor plates covering the entire craft. Some of these are pitted and dented, while some are scorched. Fully two miles wide at her midsection, and at least five miles long, this craft casts a menacing shadow as it approaches. Its nose section is narrow, sleek even, her mid section plump, followed by what would seem to be monstrous engines filling her rear. A shimmering can be seen beneath the ship extending the entire length and breadth and as it approaches. The sound that accompanies the alien spacecraft sends shivers up and down the spines of those too few survivors in Manhattan. It's a humming sound, but an odd humming with a varying pitch, mixed with sudden clangs and loud screeches that accompany the spacecraft as it descends. Gases seem to be venting from the descending monstrosity as it gets ever closer. Sections of armor plating retract, exposing what could only be described as windows. This human element suddenly brings home the fact that these creatures may not be as alien as they seem. Beneath the spacecraft, huge sections slide away revealing dozens of landing struts. Each the size of a skyscraper, they begin to extend noisily downward. Once they make contact with the ground they open up allowing strange looking tracked vehicles to exit from ramps. At about ten feet wide and over thirty feet long, the mighty craft dwarfs them. Even before the vessel has fully landed, these vehicles start to collect debris from the ground then head to the spacecraft’s mid section. Here, another area has opened up with a massive ramp revealing a dark maw into the vessel’s innards. As these small ground vehicles go about their task it is impossible to tell if they are manned. With a final volley of clangs, squeals, and hisses, the spacecraft finally comes to rest, lowering itself onto the landing struts. The ominous humming stops in an instant, so suddenly and completely it's almost a shock unto itself. The main sounds now come from the numerous smaller ground craft, which do not look too unlike bulldozers. Dual blades bend inward and upward, diverting material into the midsection where, judging from the dust emanating, this material would seem to be getting pulverized. From there, the material disappears further inside where presumably it’s stored until unloaded.

  An alien sounding voice pierces the air as unintelligible noise, which drones on for a short time then it too, stops.

  Onlookers from far away, armed with binoculars, peer in awe and wonder as more sections of the upper hull retract, revealing additional windows. Finally, a huge section of the ship’s central mass rises up, revealing even another array of windows.

  A single gunshot rings out from the distance, as a citizen fires at the alien craft. This is followed by another, then another, as more people seem to be joining in. The alien craft seems completely oblivious to the hostility directed at it. Soon the shots diminish then cease altogether.

  The New York City police department set up road blocks preventing the curious from approaching the destroyed bridges. Media crews that arrive are allowed to film and conduct interviews of the survivors, but none are permitted to try and cross. New York City is declared a no fly zone, effectively trapping any would be survivors.

  Within an hour, large swaths of debris have been removed. Within four hours these cleared areas start to merge, until the entire region under the mighty space craft is clear. Nightfall sees these 'dozers' still busy as they constantly clear an area, head up into the ship’s main ramp, then return shortly thereafter. The morning light reveals how industrious these creatures are, as massive bridges now extend into the city proper. May buildings can be seen near the space ship, some single story, some up to five stories high.

  The morning also brings about another surprise, a transmission interrupts New York's radio, cable, and satellite television to bring a brief message.

  “We of the Gamin herby inform the citizens of New York, replacement quarters are being constructed. All that require residence, need to register at a bridge crossing. Designations are, resident, worker, and education.”

  At first people ignore the message but as the day wears on, a few, mostly the curious and homeless, head to the new bridges. Each bridge is open, no walls, no gates, with a scattering of small buildings resting off to the sides. The New York City police now allow people to cross in either direction unhindered. The few survivors from Manhattan are ferried under police escort to hospitals for treatment and questioning by authorities.

  George’s family finds that after the brief media circus they too are still homeless, and with all their possessions gone, they find the aliens offer worth investigating. With most of their friends and family missing and presumably killed by the asteroid George has no one left to turn to for help. Without a place to live and nowhere to work, George has little choice but to seek the only option left to them. With a sour taste in their mouths George and Lisa lead Johnny across the bridge and into the Gamin Quarter as it’s fast being named by the media.

  George enters the nearest building and is surprised to find a room with many chairs and a desk that encompasses one corner. Behind the desk, a wall plaque shows a grotesque alien face inside a multicolored circle. There is no-one behind the desk, though a closed door resides next to it. As George approaches the desk an alien appears, materializes, or perhaps it’s a projection, he can't tell for sure. The off green colored alien is a little taller than the average person, with what looks like bony projections on the underside of its forearms. The six inch snout full of teeth and the vertical yellow eyes are quite disconcerting. A hand full of curious people have followed the Stantons inside, two of these people now scream and flee in terror. George is not frightened, nor is he angry at them, even though he feels as though he should be.

  “I am a representative of the Gamin, welcome. Are you here for a residence, work or education? Please state your complete name, your preference, then place either hand on the scanner.”

  Indeed, the top of the desk has a clear area easily within reach. George looks to his wife.

  “I have worked all my life, as did my father and his before him. I will earn whatever offerings these aliens have. I will not accept charity, even from these destroyers.”

  Lisa smiles and nods as she gives her support. She also selects the work option, but makes sure that Johnny's selection is residence only. Once done the desk displays a simple diagram showing the three of them in one box. They each tap a 'Yes' option, after which the nearby door swings open revealing a number of colored lines. The desk instructs them to follow the yellow line. The mighty spacecraft, though far in the distance still dominates the skyline as a reminder that these aliens are here for a purpose.

  When the first few people to approach the desk are not zapped, blown up, or have some other strange experience, others start to turn up. Once 'scanned' each person is instructed to follow one of the colored lines which start at the back door.

  The yellow line leads George's family toward a nearby apartment block. The line stops at the metallic looking front door. Entering the foyer, the family spots a list on a nearby wall. Most of the numbers have blank spaces next to them making the word 'Stanton' stand out even more. They fi
nd their assigned work quarters consist of five distinct rooms. Two bedrooms, bathroom with a shower, toilet and hand basin, a kitchen and a lounge area with a large wall panel that seems to serve as a TV screen and a communications system. George looks at Lisa and wonders what the future will hold. Johnny runs off to claim his room and to check out all the ‘cool things,’ as he calls them. Looking about their assigned quarters, George does wonder what these Gamin could want. First they destroy, then they build and offer work, an unusual situation. Though George and Lisa have selected the work option they find no happiness at the idea of working for these alien invaders.

  The first day sees very few people taking up the offer of hospitality. The following morning George and his family find they are free to leave without hindrance. George tests a few doorways and happily discovers that he, Lisa, and Johnny are able to open their own door, but none of the others. They head to the city to shop for some basic necessities for their new home. Word spreads quickly about these comfortable apartments that are not only free, but the people in them are able to come and go as they please.

  George notices that each building contains many units that are seemingly denoted depending upon choice. It also becomes clear that residents have smaller rooms as opposed to worker or education selections. Smaller accommodations consist of a single main room which doubles as a lounge and bed room. The kitchen area occupies one corner of this room. A small bathroom is the only additional space. Some people are assigned quarters with separate bedrooms, and once families start to take advantage of this offer they are pleased to find even larger offerings. The variety seems bountiful and yet quite efficient, as no one has too much space. Lighting is quite subdued, indeed the entire ceilings seem to brighten upon entry. Each unit has one wall that doubles as a massive display. Occupants throughout slowly figure out how to use everything.

  One huge single story building is what can only be described as, a ‘mess hall.’ Vacant at this time, but clearly designed to feed a lot of people, hundreds at a time. More similar buildings are being constructed by various machines. Some of these machines are robots, androids, or aliens in special suits, it's not possible to tell.

  The morning of the second day finds many more people taking up the alien’s offer of a place to stay. Those that selected work or education get messages on their wall screens informing them that the following day will see them busy. Some people are excited by this, others scared, so scared they leave never to return. George and Lisa are quite apprehensive about what is to happen to them and their son Johnny.

  Newscasters give reports of trucks starting to arrive at both the Saint Petersburg, and New York sites. They follow this with replays of the two spacecraft that landed. They point out the differences and similarities of these two mighty craft as these intrepid reporters try to outdo each other's reports. Some go as far as to focus on damaged sections of each spacecraft, as they continue to theorize how the Gamin came to be in this neck of the woods.

  Many New Yorkers notice the massive convoy of semi trailers, with a heavy police escort, as it makes its way nonstop through the city towards the Gamin Quarter. The convoy is trailed by a pair of military trucks along with a few military hummers. Once the convoy stops, troops disembark, and start the process of unloading box after box from the semi trailers. By the end of the day the mess hall is stocked with all manner of food, utensils, portable generators, ovens, microwaves, and the list goes on.

  That night a lot of hungry people get their first real meal in days. George and Lisa keep Johnny close by, as they find a table. Perhaps as many as forty people sit in small groups inside this large mess area. People that turn up from the city are turned back, these facilities are only for people registered with the Gamin. The semi trailers and police leave while they are still eating, but the soldiers remain.

  After eating, George leads his family back to their quarters as he wonders what is in store for them next. Nearby a group of people are talking excitedly about upcoming training as they follow a blue line to their destination. George is a little disgusted at their exuberance. He looks to Lisa as he says quietly. “The price for their excitement has been paid for in blood.” His eyes follow the group angrily.

  “I know, but let’s not concern ourselves with them. We will look after our own for now.” She gives her husband a loving smile hoping to dispel his unusual anger.

  He catches her smile and finds his anger dissipating. “You are quite right.”

  As they continue the walk back toward their quarters, George can see the soldiers setting up a perimeter. George is most surprised, for the soldiers are setting up facing the city, as if to defend the alien space ship. He has no time to ponder this, as the three of them reach their assigned building.

  Once inside their own room George is overcome with exhaustion. The three of them had eaten very little the day before, just the last of the sandwiches from the television studio. George had been getting quite stressed over what to do for his family as today’s foray into the city netted them very few supplies, and no food. With that stress now gone, and the three of them having full bellies, they all retire early and sleep very well that night.

  Location:

  Outback

  Western Australia

  The landing craft comes in without fuss or witness, not as large as either one in New York or Saint Petersburg. Being less than a mile wide and about two miles long, this craft is one of the smaller in the fleet, but just as efficient. Within minutes of landing, an array of land based vehicles depart its hold. A couple of these vehicles are very odd indeed, long road trains, easily the length of a passenger train. They, like their counterparts in the cities, scoop up material from the ground. These vehicles though, lay behind them a solid wall, some thirty feet high and ten feet wide. The following morning sees an area covering many square miles cordoned off. Within these walls are many vehicles, performing a variety of tasks.

  By the end of the second day the makings of buildings dot the landscape, with support struts reaching for the skies.

  A solitary civilian heavy aircraft flying far overhead is completely oblivious to the activity below them. The 747 is being buffeted by strong winds, shaking the plane, crew and passengers alike as it is pushed far off its plotted flight plan.

  “We need to get back on course, this area is designated a no fly zone.” Captain Jones of the 747 wipes a bead of sweat off his brow. “Set the seat belt light to on. How the hell did we end up so far off course?”

  The copilot looks out and down, but heavy clouds obscure his view. “Captain, descending through nine thousand meters, these crosswinds are very strong, we must descend further to get below them.”

  Captain Jones considers his briefing that very morning. The military has designated a number of new 'no fly' zones. The penalty for trespassing was defined as ‘worse than prison’, he wipes another bead of sweat off his brow. “Negative, turn into them if you have to, climb to thirteen thousand meters, we must get out of this area now.” Jones considers how he almost turned down the offer to fly today. Having flown with the same crew for many months, he felt obligated.

  Amor plating slides back on the grounded spacecraft, allowing a single object to rise up. It swivels around and points menacingly upwards.

  “Thirteen thousand meters, sir that’s above our recommended flight altitude.” The copilot complies as he lodges his verbal complaint. “Engines to maximum, ascending from nine thousand to thirteen thousand, Captain.”

  Radio operator 'Sparks' is jostled in his chair as the aircraft is again buffeted by strong winds. “Sir, an incoming message. We are in restricted airspace, and must leave immediately.”

  Captain Jones looks at his co pilot then to his radio man. “You don’t say Sparks. Tell them we know and are making all efforts to comply. These damn crosswinds are horrendous.”

  Sparks listens for a few seconds then looks to the captain and copilot, his jaw slacking a little. “Please repeat, did you say 'shot down?'“ The copil
ot looks at the captain, eyes wide as he realizes why Jones was getting more nervous than he has ever seen him before. He looks back to his controls, almost willing the plane to find more speed.

  “Prime, we are tracking the air unit. It is slowly gaining altitude and has altered its heading.” The weapon operator’s clawed hand hovers directly above a control on his console. Looking at the clouds above, he and the rest of the command crew await the order to fire.

  The Prime stands up from his command chair and moves to the front of the bridge. He looks out through the many windows to scrutinize the facility that is fast springing up from the desert floor. Looking upward he studies the clouds, as he considers the implications of his own situation.

  “The air unit is very basic in design, leave it be.” The Prime turns to head back to his chair, stopping he looks at the weapons operator. “Should any armed air units approach, eliminate them immediately.”

  The passengers on the 747 are oblivious to their close call with death as they complain about the turbulence, the food, and just about anything they can think of. If only they could see the ground below, they would be astounded at the speed with which these newcomers construct. Fortunately for all concerned, the heavy clouds between them and the ground obscure their view.

  Many hours later, the 747 lands safely in Perth. The flight crew is met by a special group of men and taken for questioning. Another crew gets to work on the underside of the plane.

  At about the same time, the people of Saint Petersburg and New York are discovering what the work and education choices mean for them, these new buildings start to take shape. This is not some scattering of individual buildings, but instead one monstrous structure. It extends along the ground, and once completed will be almost one mile wide and just over two miles long. Being without a roof, the structure looks very much like a partially built dry dock. But with the nearest ocean many hundreds of miles away, the purpose of this complex would be a baffling mystery to any onlookers.