“Oh great. First the bad guy said I was important, now the good guy is saying it. Am I going to be on a new reality show or something?”
“Ms. Hayes I don’t think you understand.” Somers looked up at an American flag that was illuminated at the top of the hill. “I’m one of only a few people in the entire country that know this right now. But tomorrow at noon you are going to be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. Ma’am you’re my commander-in-chief.”
Emma laughed hysterically. “Dude c’mon, don’t joke around with me. I’m still loopy from Soren’s drugs.”
“No I’m as serious as a heart attack Ms. Hayes. And you hear those people on top of the hill? They already consider you to be their president too.”
Emma was shaking her head as Somers tried to apply the last bit of eye shadow and adjust her blonde wig. She squinted. “This is all completely crazy sauce. So I’m guessing that somehow my little Vegas vamp look isn’t for my first press conference?”
Somers was amazed at the composure and comic timing coming from this remarkable seventeen year old, and he felt even better about being assigned the mission of freeing her.
“That’s correct Ms. Hayes. It’s to help get you to the M’s. But we can’t just walk directly to the other side because I’m sure they’re on the lookout for that. And yes, it’s loaded with garch supporters between here and there so if we’re sighted, they will kill us for sure. We need to blend in, so our next stop is to spend a few minutes over at the fountain.”
CHAPTER 18
SRENYI LIVE
Srenyi and Karooch had just finished their morning studies when they passed Asphar in the Hall of the Coastal Caves. “I don’t suggest that you two go to the reeds in the lowlands no matter how weary you have become of the cold,” warned Asphar. “There’s much chatter of an impending conflict and the residue level from the kuri is unusually high.”
“Thank you Asphar. By the way I must say that your class this morning on mindfulness was simply superb.” Asphar ignored the compliment. “I implore you both to exercise great caution.”
Today their walk due south was about far more than escaping the steady wind or observing some of the Allanze becoming enamored with dandelions. Instead, Srenyi would be utilizing some of the kuri byproduct at the reeds to help power his 18 second transmission to earth.
“Srenyi I must say the people of earth will be treated to some spectacular background scenery during your performance. My yote is showing three most beautiful sunsets with only the slightest wisp of clouds.”
As they pushed farther south, the pair discussed a possible way forward for inhabitants of earth. “It’s been over a million years since parspermia was successfully accomplished here, and I must say there’s been some impressive progress in non-locality since then.”
There has,” said Karooch. “Though, I do worry about the physics. It’s dramatically different there.”
“Yes it’s a curious business this Milky Way physics. Though the scientists at the earth’s Minigrail have finally detected frequency modulations from gravitational waves, so that’s at least a start.”
“So succinctly, Srenyi, mankind’s only hope is to become accomplished in an astrophysics that’s still foreign to them?”
“Correct. They have roughly 2500 years to achieve the technology necessary to transport 75 breeding pairs via a bridge to an alternate universe. And I’m afraid the final days will be marked by a most brutal 200 year storm.”
Srenyi had a momentary surge of perplexity. “I’d add that Miss Emma was concerned about the monumental collaboration that would require. She remarked that the humanites could never agree on which type of breeding pairs— not at this moment anyway.” For all of his ability to decipher language and transmit images using gravitational waves, Srenyi could not comprehend the divisions on earth.
“I relayed to Miss Emma that the perceived differences among the humanites was something that I’m not sure I understand.”
As the pair drew closer to the reeds, a pervasive turquoise tint in the air began to become visible. Fledglings could be seen at the bottom of the hill excitedly awaiting nightfall. However, today it wasn’t just fledglings that were ripe with anticipation. The reeds and surrounding dandelion fields were teeming with Allanze, including elders who were summoned by Eynak to transmit visions. As the long stems flowed over their thick chords of hair in the warm early night, thoughts of opposing this idealistic new world espoused by the M’s were destined to seep into the faraway minds of garch controlled humans.
“Karooch! Look at the extraordinary aggregate of kuri being produced this night. The Allanze are emitting an incredible amount of flow through the reeds.”
“Srenyi, at least the excess kuri will assist your transmission. The sun is beginning to set. Let us soon transmit your message.”
Going south to the reeds was a release of sorts for young Quittu like Srenyi and Karooch who sought a brief respite from the near constant cold winds of the northern climb. If they insisted on needing more than trying to find solace in the frozen darkness that surrounded their homes, they were reminded of the importance of keeping a sacred space, even at the turquoise gates of the reeds. On this night there was a palpable tension in the air. Asphar’s warning about venturing south entered Srenyi’s mind as they positioned themselves on a side of a lush hill, not far from a massive and unsightly mountain of kuri.
“Srenyi, I think we should depart immediately and return at a more opportune time. Danger hangs thick in the air.”
“But Karooch I implore you, Miss Emma is at great risk, and the future of her humanite race hangs in the balance as well. I simply must transmit the 18 seconds to earth as promised to her dear friends. It may be the only way to save her.”
Suddenly a blood curdling sound echoed throughout the reeds. It was a clarion call produced by the towering Enyak. Bands of startled zants dashed out from their burrows with rapidly fluttering wings, and tonight for the very first time their large faces reflected fear.
Terrifying shrieks produced by hundreds of crazed Allanze could be heard drawing closer. The hills were now teeming with angry, twelve foot figures that began to surround a terrified Srenyi and Karooch. The two friends clung together and were quickly grabbed by the sharp-clawed Allanze. They grabbed them with their multi-colored talons and wrapped them up into thick reeds. They unceremoniously hurled Srenyi and Karooch into a pile of accumulated kuri, and it was subsequently dented by the force of their fall. As they lay within the great radioactive stacks of tin, they could hear tiny fragments of never ending transmissions being returned from earth.
“Karooch, I fear that visions from the Allanze are willfully being accepted by an unspecified number of humanites, all of which exhibit no filter! And as we are held here against our will, I am not at all able to appear before the screens of their world to save Emma!”
Sensing danger, a magnificent red zant circled overhead. Its worried face revealed a cruel shamelessness interpreted from the quickly expanding stacks of kuri. This time it was not the face of an Allanze that the zant displayed. It was the face of Soren from earth.
CHAPTER 19
THE M’S
Emma and Somers began their slow walk into the crowds. Once they were just a few hundred feet from their shelter under the bridge, they had to pass through hundreds of garch partisans. Most were too mesmerized from staring into the small screens of their smartphones to notice them. Emma was still adjusting to walking in heels as she felt the gaze of a few older men walking all over her. Women also glared at her, and judgingly inspected her clothes and hair. She locked arms with Somers as the two pressed deeper into the crowd. Somers spoke to her in a whisper. “You’re doin’ great.”
Emma whispered back. “Thank you.”
“We’re going to stop over at that big fountain so it doesn’t look like we just walked straight through from the trees in the valley up to the M’s.”
Emma squinted and tilted her head in
inquisitive fashion. “The M’s?”
Somers smiled. “Yes ma’am. As in The Emma’s.”
She shook her head in amazement. “There’s one thing I’m confused about though. How did everyone suddenly know I was telling the truth?” It never occurred to Somers that Emma didn’t know what happened.
Somers explained. “Asphar. His name was Asphar. And when he appeared on every screen on earth he shocked the world to say the least. I mean just look around.” Emma immediately had great concern for Srenyi.
“Have you heard of Srenyi?” she asked. Somers nodded. “Well, I just know from your video that he was the one who first made contact with you.”
“Yeah, he’s so awesome, and I just know something’s wrong. The first thing I’m going to do is find out all I can about gravitational waves and warps in space time.”
“With all due respect I don’t know anything about that kind of stuff, but you’re right about there being a whole lot wrong. Once we make it through through this crowd and up to our side, we’ll have the leader that has been demanded by the real people. She’s scheduled to make her first address to the nation later today in fact.”
Emma slowly shook her head and stared into the fountain. “I’m going to find out what happened to him.”
Somers was still talking about the decision. “I mean it makes sense when you think about it. Your Srenyi didn’t exactly call the visitors bureau for a brochure or something. He chose you. Then, obviously, so did we.”
“Wow. For once I’m speechless. Well no pun intended because apparently I’m giving a speech like eight hours from now. Ugh, that was a stupid joke. Please tell me I’m dreaming all of this.”
“You’re not dreaming Ms. Hayes, and the people are waiting for you. But we’ve got one more little hill to climb first.”
Emma had been thus far unrecognizable in her disguise and was playing up the role impeccably, even as hundreds of garch supporters were right in their midst.
Emma snapped her gum and looked over at a woman who was staring at her and she wondered if her cover was blown. After a few seconds she addressed Somers to try and help remedy the situation. “Can you believe them M’s up there, babe? So stupid.”
Somers was ready to give the go ahead to make a move from the fountain when the woman seemed to be sneering at Emma with righteous indignation.
The woman continued to stare at Emma as she walked a few feet slowly backwards towards her two companions, a woman and a man. The three looked to be about twenty five. One of the women hadn’t looked up from her device in an hour, and the first woman tried to get her attention. “You guys, you guys. See that blonde chick over there? I think that’s space rabbit girl. They told us to be on the lookout for her, and I think it’s her because I’m almost positive I heard her say something about finding Srenyi to that older guy. He’s probably her bodyguard.”
The three glared over at Emma and she suddenly remembered the kids who ridiculed her at school. The woman called over to Emma. “Hey excuse me, can I just ask you something?”
As Somers sat up from his seat on the fountain, the three began walking closer to Emma. The woman spoke again, this time with pure disdain in her voice, “Well if it isn’t the basic bitch.”
Somers instantly surveyed the steep hill. He quickly deduced that they were about 300 hundred yards from safety. He could hear the sound of a verbal exchange between the two competing groups up at the barricades. It was time to make a run. He sauntered over to Emma and whispered in her ear. “Take your heels off and keep one in your hand. We’re going to need to run straight up that hill.” Emma looked at him with wide brown eyes then up at the hill. The three suddenly made their move. “Hey everyone—look! It’s space girl. Get her!” The woman was on Emma before she could even run. Emma smashed her in the side of the face with her shoe. Somers then caught the man square in the face with a side kick. The action bought them a few seconds to make a mad dash for the hill. The first woman was screaming now. “IT’S EMMA! IT’S EMMA! GET HER!”
The fountain area instantly became pandemonium. Hundreds of garch partisans began to converge on the area from their fires along the river, and a sea of camera phones lit up the dark in search of viral fame.
Just as Emma and Somers reached the base of the gravel covered path, another man jumped out in front of them from behind a parked car. “You dirty M’s!” As he screamed he began to take wild swings and Somers’ Special Forces training was again put on display. He blocked the man’s punches and then knocked him down with a straight arm to the face. He looked to Emma. “Stay in front of me – run straight up the path!”
As they ran, Somers pulled a flare from his vest and quickly set it off to alert the M’s who were now just a hundred yards above them. As a dozen or so garchs were closing in on Somers and Emma, they could see hundreds of M’s that had already crashed the barricades and were running down the side of the great gorge. Clashes immediately occurred along the path and in the woods as a search light duel from competing helicopters began.
Somers grabbed Emma’s hand and exclaimed, “This way!” They detoured over a horizontal path instead of dashing directly up the hill. Emma fought for her breath and held her side as they neared the top. Screams could be heard as small battles were raging all the way down the hill. As Somers stepped over collapsed barricades he knew they had finally reached the safety of the M’s. They were now about a hundred feet from the main encampment where there was an old cabin made from wood. It was originally built by the first settlers and the two collapsed down onto one of its wooden benches. Emma was regaining her breath. “So was that my welcoming committee or what? I’m guessing I didn’t get a big percentage of the garch vote?” Somers cracked a smile. “Not really, no.”
The two were silent for a few minutes as the fighting on the wooded hill below them began to subside. Somers reached into his vest for a thin cigar and Emma shook her head. “Those things will stunt your growth.”
“Yeah, except, I’m already six-two,” Somers said with a half grin. “But I guess it’s the kind of bad habit that gets picked up after too many eighteen hour battles. I have to say tonight was just as interesting.”
The two leaned over the log fence and they could see dozens of M’s making their way through the mist as they were returning up the hill.
“Sean, um can I call you Sean?”
“Of course, Ms. Hayes.”
“Do you have any kids?”
“Yes. A boy and a girl, ages 3 and 5 named Jaxson and Maizey. My daughter’s only 5 and I swear she already takes care of my little Jack Hammer. Man, I already miss those two little knuckleheads.”
Emma smiled. “Somehow I could tell you were a great dad. I’m sure you’ll see them very soon.
Sean, here’s another question for you. Why are so many people insistent that we don’t at least try to save the human race?”
Somers pictured the garch partisans staring into their screens as they lined the fountain and seemed to think before answering. “Because they no longer even seem human, it’s like their minds are now being controlled from somewhere else.”
Emma remembered the Allanze woman and the orange lights. She paused for a second before her next revelation.
“Okay I get it now. The feed, it’s the feed. Yup it all makes perfect sense. And apparently the orange lights are being part of the first connected extinction.”
“Orange lights, Ms. Hayes?”
“I’ll explain later. Hey give me some of that, will ya’? It’s been a long day.”
“You’re too young,” said Somers.
“You said I was the president.”
“Yeah, but not until noon tomorrow.”
“Close enough.”
Emma adeptly breathed a big plume of smoke into the night air.
“Let’s go Mr. Somers. It’s almost show time.”
CHAPTER 20
THE ADDRESS
Emma was receiving last minute preparations from her brand new staff. She
had just five minutes before it was time to stroll out in front of the cameras and address the highest number of viewers in the history of the world. Tears that had so frequently streamed down her face from teenage situations did not come. Also gone were the glittery Vegas T-shirt and four inch heels that helped her escape just hours before. The new president was now smartly dressed in an impeccable two-button wool jacket and fitted pants with pinstripe that she had been given earlier in the morning.
Among the invited guests were two familiar young people and after finally catching sight of Emma one of them exclaimed, “Oh my God! I’m going to friggin’ faint!”
They were seeing Emma for the first time in what seemed to them all like an eternity. She was pointed in their direction. “Darci! Ranger! Holy crap! Get over here!” Seconds later a serious woman walked over to the three musketeers who were now collectively jumping up and down and hugging as if one of them had just hit a game winning homerun in the World Series.
“Do you guys like my outfit or what?” Emma asked them.
“Yeah we love it bae!” exclaimed Ranger.
Sam Burkmire was her new Chief of Staff and he had helped Emma prepare her speech. He quickly made his way over to the ecstatic trio. “I’m very sorry Madam, but it’s time.” Emma looked at him and then back at her friends.
Ranger reacted to his friend’s new title. “Madam? You go girl!”
“I know, it’s all so crazy! Listen, I love you guys, but apparently they want me to say a few words. Now don’t go anywhere!”
Emma took a deep breath and addressed Sam who was now making last second adjustments to her clothing. “Okay I’m ready.”
“Madam President?”
“Yes Sam?”
“Remember…it’s your show.”
As Emma was grabbing two hours of much needed sleep earlier in the day, she was also receiving 404 votes from members of the House of Representatives. She was elected president under a series of extraordinary rule modifications. The remaining members of the House that had voted for congressman Mitch Grayson in the special election were abstaining from her first address before Congress. Some of them were also attending counter-protests organized by Grayson.
The Million Day Forecast Page 7
