• • •
There were more than six hundred guards left behind at the trucks but there were six thousand archers pursuing them. The final outcome was never in question. After it was done, Arie ordered the archers to bury the dead and then head back to the city; one of the engineers had checked the tunnels and they didn’t leak. Maranda walked up and stood beside Arie staring at the long line of trucks. Arie turned to her and said, “Are you here for a reason?”
“Not really.”
Arie turned back to the trucks and then, after a few minutes he said, “Don’t you have something to do?”
Maranda smiled, “I understand that the Archers are being disbanded and will be full citizens.”
“That’s right.”
“That means you can now have a family.” Arie stared into Maranda’s face and she smiled, “I was just wondering if you had anyone in mind.” Arie continued to stare at her and Maranda smiled, “You need to cheer up; you’re much too grim for a brother-in-law.”
Maranda walked away and Arie’s eyes flew wide open, “WAIT! WHAT DO YOU KNOW!!”
Maranda just smiled and knew that Loree had picked him out years earlier and had been waiting for this moment…and when Loree chose someone…She laughed and knew he didn’t stand a chance.
• • •
The eleventh year of the Suppression ended with the city having expanded outside the walls. Houses were being built and the population was growing. Maranda held her baby and watched Ryan running a tractor through a field on their farm. He was so remarkable and for the first time in a very long time, he was able to smile and laugh again.
She remembered back to the day when their baby was born, and Ryan’s expression showed how much he loved both of them. He had turned to her and asked, “What will we name her?”
“There is only one possible name, Ryan. We’ll name her April.” She had never seen Ryan break down, but he did at that moment. “She will replace the one that died too early and you will protect her and make sure she’s safe.”
April ended his nightmares. Now he was alive again and in a few more months, another one would be joining their family. Maranda’s nightmares ended when she killed Wooly. Now her dreams were filled with April, the man she loved, and the new baby.
• • •
Nicole looked at Maranda on the monitor holding her baby and sighed. Charles smiled and said, “All’s well that ends well.”
“I never really believed they would survive, especially that last attack.”
“The means to survive were always present,” Charles replied. “They were wise enough to use them at the appropriate time.”
“It appears the center of the United States is now living in peace. That’s a huge success.”
“But there is still a long way to go before the rest of the world catches up Nicole.”
“But things are getting better!” Charles hesitated and nodded. “Why are you so determined to look at the worse?”
“Because I’ve watched humanity since they were first intelligent, and I know what they’re like inside. The issue with huge bands of former soldiers appears to be winding down but there are still killers in the large cities.”
Nicole shook her head, “The way they’re being handled is barbaric.”
“Yes, but they aren’t just killing them except in extreme circumstances. This is going to take a long time and you need to learn patience. Admit it, you wanted to intervene in the attack on that city and kill all of the killers attacking it.”
Nicole rolled her eyes, “The idea did cross my mind.”
“And what would have happened if you did?”
“Why don’t you educate me,” Nicole replied testily.
“Word would have gotten out and every community on the planet would have expected us to step in to save them. They would ultimately hate us for it.”
“Why?”
“Because they would know they aren’t free. That we control them, and they would see us as an enemy.”
“And they don’t now?”
“No, they do not. They see us as a beneficial force stopping their worst behavior and leaving it up to them to determine their future. They know that it’s up to them to move toward a glorious future.” Charles paused and shrugged, “I suspect they resent our intrusion but stopping the atomic war is something they appreciate. We can’t force them into their future; they have to find their way there.”
Nicole blew out a breath, “We have all this extraordinary power and can’t use it.”
“That’s the human side of you talking. That’s why we had to put the suppression field in place; to remove the temptation to use great power against each other.”
“I know you’re right. It’s just frustrating.”
Charles nodded, “We have all the time in the universe. Try to sit back and enjoy what’s happening.” Charles looked around, “Where’s Merry?”
“She’s having a conversation with the computer about quantum physics.”
“Why?”
“I guess it’s the only thing she finds entertaining on this ship.”
“I think it’s time you started taking her out to visit places on the planet.”
Nicole’s head went back, “You can’t be serious! You know how dangerous it is down there.”
“Nicole, Nicole, Nicole; you and she will have personal force fields and I’m pretty certain you know how to keep trouble away. Besides, killing doesn’t happen everywhere at all times. She’s going to have to learn how to live among humans and fit in. Now is a good time to start. If you want, I’ll take her down…”
“No! We’ll go together initially and then we can take turns showing her around Earth.”
Charles smiled, “We still have the camper.”
Nicole laughed out loud, “Now that is a good idea.” Nicole paused, “You don’t think we would cause an issue showing up after being gone so long?”
“I’ve been there a lot.”
“Where was I?”
“Staring at the monitor. You need a break.”
Nicole blew out a breath, “You’re right. Let’s do it.” She smiled and said, “Merry, please come to the bridge.”
“Awwww…can it wait? I’m at an important place in solving an equation.”
Nicole looked at Charles and he chuckled, “She needs to get out more.”
“When you get to a braking point, come and meet us about going down to Earth.”
Merry showed up a minute later, “Did you say we were leaving the ship?”
Charles laughed, “Yes. We thought we’d move down to the planet and spend some time there.”
“When? Can we go now? What do I need to take? Where are we going?...”
“Slow down!” Nicole interrupted. “We’ll discuss it and then decide.”
“Can we discuss it now?”
Charles raised a shoulder, “We can leave now and discuss it at the camper.”
Merry’s head tilted, “What’s a camper?”
Nicole sighed, “Merry, you’ve been watching Earth on the monitors since you were three years old.”
“It’s not the same thing as seeing things in person Mom!”
Charles smiled, “It looks like our eleven-year-old is full of curiosity; she reminds me of you when we first met.”
Nicole smiled, “She comes by it honestly. Let’s go pack.”
Chapter Seven
Twelfth Year of the Suppression
The three large men drove up the dark neighborhood and stopped the car. They looked around and after a minute, one of them got out of the car and looked around. He nodded at the others and they stepped out of the car. One of them was dragging a teenager by the arm with him. He handed the boy a sword and said menacingly, “Don’t drop it!” They walked quickly up to the door of a house and two of the men looked at each other. One of them raised his foot and slammed it into the door. It cracked but didn’t give in. He slammed it two more times and the big man standing behind the boy said, “
Let me give it a try.” He took a hop and slammed his foot into the door knocking it out of the frame. The three men rushed in and were instantly impaled by three pikes. A man a woman and a teenager hit them in the midsections as they rushed in and stopped them in their tracks. If they continued to push forward, the pikes would have been driven through them. A young girl stood outside of the room speaking on a cell phone.
The moment the three men rushed through the door, the boy threw down the sword he was holding and turned to run; he was confronted by a man with a pike extended toward his chest. He fell to his knees and put his hands behind his head. The man threw him on the ground as other men came rushing up and entered the entrance. They stabbed the three men in the back with their spears and pikes and they collapsed to the floor. The man standing over the boy had the point of the pike on the boy’s back as a police cruiser came roaring in with lights flashing. Two officers jumped out and the man said, “I think this is the only one still alive.”
One officer ran into the door with a Taser raised in front of him and the other said, “I’ll handle this one.” The man removed his pike from the boy’s back and the officer raised his Taser and hit the boy between the shoulders. He instantly convulsed and was knocked unconscious.
• • •
The Judge had a bad day. He was junior in seniority and was thus given the late shift to handle. He had few cases that day and spent his shift bored to tears. Suddenly, two police officers entered, and he saw getting off on time just went out the window. “Your honor, we’ve just come from a home invasion and three of the intruders were killed by the neighbors. Only one of them is still alive.”
“Where is he?”
“He’s still unconscious in a cell, your honor.”
The Judge rolled his eyes. Since the case was presented to him, he would have to remain to handle it. He blew out a breath and said, “Read me your report Corporal Jiles.”
• • •
The young boy woke, turned over, and an officer threw a green jumpsuit at him, “Put that on!” The boy staggered to his feet and the officer blew out a breath and helped him get undressed and put on the jumpsuit. “Come on! The Judge is impatient and that’s not a good thing for you.”
The officer dragged the boy into the courtroom and stood him in front of the Judge’s bench. The Judge glared at the boy and looked up, “WHERE’S HIS FILE!!”
“It’s after midnight! Getting into the computer isn’t easy at this hour!” a woman’s voice replied.
The Judge’s expression turned angry and he said, “What’s your name?!”
The boy looked up at him and answered, “Gregory Jennings, Sir.”
“How old are you?”
“Fourteen, Sir.”
“You are charged with home invasion and attempted murder. How do you plead?”
“Not guilty, Sir.”
The Judge blew out a breath and glanced at Corporal Jiles, “Did you expect anything else?” The officer shook his head. The Judge turned back to Gregory, “What do you have to say in your defense?”
“Sir, I was told by the three men that if I didn’t go with them, they would kill me and my mother.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes Sir.”
“Are there any witnesses to this threat?”
The boy raised his hands, “Other than them, no Sir.”
The Judge slammed his gavel and said, “I find you guilty of the crimes you’re charged with and you will spend the rest of your natural life working in the docks.” The Judge looked at Jiles and nodded.
“But your honor! I was forced to go with them!”
“So has every other murderer that’s been caught in the act! Put it on him!”
Jiles walked over and put a metal band around Gregory’s neck. He sized it and Gregory heard a snap. Jiles looked at him and said, “Just to make sure you don’t cause a problem.” Jiles raised a small device in his right hand and pressed it. Gregory instantly passed out from the electrical shock to his nervous system.
The two officers carried him out and a woman walked into the court, “I have his files.”
The Judge turned to her, “Anything interesting?”
The woman opened the folder and started reading, “Gregory Jennings, fourteen years old, all A student, IQ above genius level.”
The woman looked at the judge and he shrugged, “Even the smart ones can be dangerous.” The woman handed him the file and he put the recording of Gregory’s sentence in it. He handed it back to the woman and she walked out of the court. He wondered if he would have ruled differently if he had that file before he ruled. He shook his head; the evidence was overwhelming. He stood up, left the courtroom, and put the case behind him.
• • •
Gregory regained consciousness and found himself lying on a cot in a small room. He struggled to lift his head and gave up; it hurt too much. He lay still and after a few minutes, he heard a noise. He turned his head and saw a man sitting at a table writing furiously on a tablet. He squinted and saw the man was old, at least sixty or seventy. He blew out a breath and closed his eyes. He heard the man say, “Keep your mouth shut and there won’t be any problems!” Gregory blew out a breath and the memory from the court filled his mind. This had to be the Docks. He shook his head slightly and felt a wave of vertigo hit him. He remained still and then realized he was incarcerated for the rest of his life.
He thought about his mother and knew he wouldn’t be there to call the ambulance the next time she overdosed. She hadn’t been kind to him, but she was still his mother. Now her odds of surviving were greatly reduced. At least the three thugs she owed money for drugs wouldn’t be coming around looking for her to collect. But it was only a matter of time until she overdosed or took some dangerous drugs. He closed his eyes and wept. She was his only family; he never knew who his father was, and his mother told him often that she didn’t know either. She sold herself for money to feed her addiction and there was no way of knowing who he might be. His life was over, and he wondered what the morning would bring. He finally fell asleep aching in every joint.
• • •
The next morning, he felt someone grab his arm and put their hand over his mouth. His eyes jerked open and the man had his index finger over his lips. He removed his hand and waved for Gregory to follow him. Gregory stood up and saw he had worn the green jumpsuit to bed. The man waved again impatiently, and Gregory followed him out of the room. The man gently closed the door and said, “Lou has thirty more minutes to sleep and he needs his rest. Come with me.” Gregory followed him out of the tall housing structure and to the end of the walkway. The man stopped and pointed at a building next door, “This is the cafeteria. Each morning, you will enter the cafeteria promptly at six in the morning. You will have one hour to finish your meal before you report to your work assignment. If you’re late, you don’t eat; understand?” Gregory nodded.
The man pointed toward the fence a couple of hundred feet away and nodded toward it, “Start walking toward that open gate.” Gregory’s eyes narrowed and the man smiled, “Go ahead. If you can make it out of the gate, you’re a free man.” Gregory continued to stare at him, and the man waved him toward the gate. Gregory started walking toward the gate and after thirty steps, he felt his collar start to vibrate. He stopped and the mans smiled and waved him forward. Gregory started walking toward the gate and after a few more steps, the collar started to sting his neck. He stopped again but the man continued waving him forward. After ten more steps, the pain in his neck grew to be unbearable. Gregory stopped and the man waved him forward again; Gregory shook his head hard. The man smiled and waved him back. Gregory ran back and the pain disappeared. The man smiled, “That is a demonstration to show you that the electronic field surrounding the port is not something to be played with. Unlike the Tasers used by the police, this field can kill if you move too far into it. We don’t need bars or locks to keep you here; this field does the trick. Any questions?” Gregory shook his head
and the man said, “Follow me.”
They walked to a long dock leading out into the port. They arrived beside a huge ship lying in dry dock. The man stopped beside a large machine and turned to him, “I’m the Port Manager, Mr. Jennings. See this large metal cart?” Gregory nodded. “Notice the insulated handle on top of it?”
“Yes Sir.”
“Open the lid.” Gregory grabbed the handle and the man said, “STOP!” Gregory released the handle and the man smiled, “If you grab that handle so close to the uninsulated end, you’ll get third degree burns. Grab it at the end.” Gregory grabbed the handle at the end and raised the lid, then lowered it. “Very good, Mr. Jennings. Now pay close attention. See that red light on the hopper?” Gregory nodded. “When the light turns green, you pull the handle on the side of the hopper.” The man put his hand on the handle. “Give it a go.”
Gregory grabbed the handle and the man yelled, “YOU’RE DEAD!!” Gregory jerked his hand back and the man pointed to the cart, “If you pull that handle with the lid closed on the cart, you will be burned to death by the red-hot rivets coming out of the chute. Understand?!” Gregory nodded. “That wouldn’t have happened now because the light isn’t green but that’s why I’m explaining this to you now in a safe environment. It wouldn’t look good to lose a man on his first day. Now show me you know how to do this.”
Gregory opened the lid on the cart, made sure it was under the chute, went to the handle on the side of the huge machine and pulled it down.
“Very good, Mr. Jennings. Hold that handle down until nothing else comes out of the chute, then you can release it. Close the lid on the cart and push it down to the welding team further down the dock. Since you’re not that big, or strong, this will be your first job on the docks. When the cart is empty, roll it back to the hopper and refill it. Once breakfast is over, you will report here and start your work. When you arrive the green light will be illuminated, and you can start immediately. Any questions?”
“No Sir.”
“You have three minutes to report to the cafeteria for your morning meal. You should get moving.” Gregory turned and ran off the dock. The man blew out a breath and shook his head; this kid was so young; the port was going to age him quickly. He shook his head and walked off the dock. He saw a man standing at the end of the dock and he stopped, “John, keep an eye on the kid. I don’t think he’ll hold up.”
The Watcher II: The Time of Suppression Page 8
