Genetic Drift

by Martin Schulte

  “That’s the way he is. Anyways, he’s likes you for some reason,” Ethen said. Ben snapped his fingers to stop Ethen’s gaze.

  “What do you mean by that? What’s wrong with him?” Ben demanded. Ethen broke his stare and lifted up his hands trying not to cause a confrontation.

  “No, no, no, seriously. It’s something with your dad. They were friends,” Ethen said.

  “Let’s just say things the way they are, please,” Ben said.

  They entered the building and walked down the stairs to the first level. Ben entered the communications center. The elevator was to his right. He briefly watched it move through the floors, “G,” “-1,” “-2,” and then it stopped. He broke his attention away from the elevators to see a huge switchboard in front of him.

  There were hundreds of plugs on the switchboard and each one was labeled and in alphabetical order. Each label was connected to a town or station. Charlottesville was still labeled but it had been crossed out. Roanoke was the same way. There were several locations that were still normally labeled. There were around thirty numbered outposts with many of them crossed out as well. Ethen was beside him.

  “Outpost 7 is where we were yesterday,” he informed Ben.

  “So how does this work?” Ben asked. Ethen pointed to the plugs and his fingers moved around the board as he explained.

  “We have these lines to prevent our emissions from being intercepted by the aliens. Each militia has a hardwired line to here. They all call us Supreme Command but there are several call centers throughout the country. We are “Camp Phoenix.” We are able to patch calls between militias or just call direct. Like the old days of telephone,” he explained.

  The Augusta plug started to light up and an operator patched into it. “This is Supreme Command. How can I direct your call?” It was a simple system and Ben understood it clearly.

  “Got it, so this is the planning area?” Ben asked, and pointed to a table with a large TV horizontally set in it.

  “Yeah, and this is where we’re going to meet the General,” Ethen said. Ben looked at the TV. He placed his finger on Augusta and an information box displayed. Distance, population, and contact information showed in the box. The status was flashing “Active” in green font. The General entered the room and approached the table. Ben noticed and removed his finger from the screen and the information box disappeared.

  “It’s much better than you had in Charlottesville, isn’t it?” the General placed his finger on Camp Phoenix and its information box appeared.

  “Much better is an understatement, way better than maps and tables,” Ben said as he read the information in the box. It was flashing “Active” and Ben was listed as a contact. Ben turned to the General and before he could make a comment, the General interrupted.

  “Yes, you told Ethen you wanted to help and this is where I need you.” Ben’s lips shifted to the side as thoughts rushed through his head.

  “What exactly am I doing?” he asked. The information box disappeared.

  “You’re a lot like your father. He was the best tactician I have ever known. He and I followed your career until you left the service. Now, it’s your turn to defeat the enemy. You run the battle from here,” the General said. Ben was concerned.

  “But I couldn’t even run the Avalon Militia.”

  “Ben, you didn’t even have a tenth of what you have here. Do you know how many of these places didn’t have a chance?” the General asked, and pointed to the switchboard. “Over 70 militias have been obliterated, completely wiped out, in the past month. They, the aliens, are getting smarter, faster, and bolder. If I don’t put the right person in the right place now, we will become the extinct species in a year, if not sooner.”

  Ben was thinking that there had to be another way to approach the attack, “Why not retreat and go to another Camp?” The General thought about what Ben had said.

  “Ben, I don’t think you understand. There is no place for us to retreat. The initial attack was to take out our large cities but they also targeted military sites and got rid of most of our defenses. Then the bunkers landed and started to take out the remaining cities. They have been herding us to locations that group us together. Now that they have us corralled at the camps, all they have to do is attack.”

  The General showed Ben one of the security camera screens. It displayed the wall that was being built with the remains of the bunkers. “We have been collecting every alien resource that we can get our hands on. The walls in their bunkers absorb the blasts from the orbitizers. That’s the only thing we have that can shield us.”

  Ben thought about what the General said and told him, “Let’s see, the odds are against you, inevitable defeat is on your doorstep and you want me to make the final stand against the aliens.”

  “Yes and no. Yes, I want you to defend the camp but no, I want you to make sure that this isn’t our last stand. All pride aside, you are our best option to turn these aliens back,” the General replied.

  Going from his Dad being so bull-headed to General Huxley wanting him to make the decision left Ben wanting to say “yes” even though defeat was the most likely result.

  “Well, General, we will need to reposition the tanks and artillery. And yes, I will be right here when they attack,” Ben said.

  “Then you need to get hot, the aliens aren’t taking a break,” the General said, and he left Ben to his work.

  DAY 282

  OMEGA

  THE ELLIPSE

  Omega stood in front of the computer interface. Two large poles came out from the floor and the circuitry resembled the flow of the nanocytes with blue fluid running through them. Omega placed its hands around the built-in handles. The interface began:

  Ellipse computer system interface initiated…

  Identifying user…

  Welcome Omega, update in process.

  Omega continued to hold the interface poles. Its head would flutter and tilt as information was loaded into its body. A display of the data projected on the wall in front of Omega. Omega didn’t pay attention to the display. All the information it needed was flowing to its disfigured head.

  Update complete. The current status of Phase One is as follows:

  Land coverage of planet: 59%.

  Percentage available for Phase Two: 57%.

  Probable success of Phase Two: 78%.

  Awaiting confirmation to commence Phase Two?

  The computer waited for input from Omega. Red highlights covered the land to indicate the areas that were defended for the terraformers. Omega continued shaking and twitching as it analyzed the data. Since Omega had emerged from its vat, the desire to expand and move from the damaged and marooned Ellipse had fueled its desire to conquer the planet a short distance away. It knew that the planet was capable of an environment suitable to its body.

  Urgency filled Omega and the decision was made. The projection on the wall flickered with the update.

  Commencing Phase Two. Estimated time to launch: Two days.

  The sound of pistons filled the room as the ship prepared for another launch. The next phase of pods would make the planet more alien to the humans but more suitable to the Syrsyrians.

  DAY 283

  PREPARATIONS

  CAMP PHOENIX

  Maddie sat in the Sanitarium with her elbows resting on her knees. The padded wall provided support for her as she leaned back. She looked toward the ceiling with her eyes closed, wishing things were different.

  “All I wanted to do is be with Bryce,” she sobbed as her palms planted on her face. “And now I’m here and I don’t even know why.” Her torso spasmed as she tried to breathe. “How did I get here?” Maddie stood up and went to the door with tears smeared on her face. She put her ear up to it and didn’t hear anything. She balled up her fist and punched the door. A deadened ‘thud’ sounded. Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud. Maddie’s fists connected with the door but the sound was no louder than a whisper.

  Coming to the realizatio
n that punching the door was getting her nowhere, she stopped and pushed her forehead against the padding. She resigned herself to being stuck and sat in the corner out of view of the door. She lifted her head and stared at the ceiling, “I will find you. I just have to get out of here first.”

  * * *

  Ben stood behind the General as the leaders of the defense gathered in the communications center. Once all of the leaders were accounted for, the General was short and factual. “This is very simple, there is no place to go. No place to run. Behind me stands the Second in Command, General Ben Hawkins.” General Huxley moved to the side and ceded his space to Ben. Ben coughed to clear his throat.

  “As the General said, we are standing with our enemies in front of us and the edge of a cliff behind us. Either way, people will die. But there is only one way to survive. Make sure your people know that.”

  Ben talked about the positioning of tanks and artillery along with the utilization of the wall of alien metal to their advantage. “Who’s in charge of building defense?” Ben asked. Marcus stepped forward.

  “I am sir,” Marcus announced. Ben looked toward the familiar voice with a grin.

  “From what I see, you will need three more bodies,” Ben said to the group. Marcus handed Ben his new plans.

  “I could use the bodies but here is what I was thinking.” Marcus pointed to the map and showed Ben the unmanned positions. Ben’s plans were based on what was given to him before Marcus took over the defenses.

  “Yes, you have this covered well,” Ben said.

  “If I had one more body for here,” Marcus pointed to the stairwell leading to the intake lab, “it would give me the best coverage of the building.”

  “Does anyone have someone for this post?” Ben asked the other team leaders. Greg stepped forward.

  “I have one,” Greg said, and he knew who would be perfect for the job.

  “Have him report to Marcus immediately after we break,” Ben ordered him.

  The leaders all listened intently as Ben discussed the details of the defense. Near the end of the brief, Ben informed the leaders, “If they reach the control building, we’re going to blow the dam. It will be the last ditch effort to kill every one of them.”

  “What about us?” one person asked. Ben pointed up to the ceiling.

  “Find the high ground. The water isn’t going to wait for you,” he said. There was a little bit of chatter after Ben’s comment. The leaders were leery of that part of the plan. Ben ended the brief with confidence and tried to give each leader that same confidence he felt. Once the leaders were dismissed, they went to brief their troops.

  Marcus went back to the second floor and addressed his defenders. During his brief, the extra soldier walked into the room. “Come and join us.”

  A raspy voice came with the body. “Thank you,” Quill said. Marcus saw the man he knew as Will.

  “Will, please come here,” Marcus invited him.

  “Please, call me Quill,” the raspy voice answered as he took his place beside Marcus.

  * * *

  Dr. Snodgrass directed Barron to observe Maddie at all hours of the day. Barron was only to sleep when Maddie slept, eat when she ate, he was even told to only breathe when she breathed. Maddie had been awake since she had been thrown in the Sanitarium and Barron was feeling the fatigue of maintaining his vigilance. The video feed from the camera inside of Maddie’s cell began having longer periods of darkness every time Barron blinked. Barron saw blackness as he closed his eyes and gave in to sleep.

  * * *

  Hope had woken up for the day and was roaming the third level. Since the commotion from yesterday, all Injects were confined to the floor. They were allowed to leave their rooms but had to stay on that floor. She knocked on Jay’s door, “Time to wake up, Monitor.” She could hear Jay rustling in his room. His footsteps hit the floor as he approached the door. As the door opened, he poked his head through the crack. It was apparent that he had been sleeping on his left side as his hair was sticking straight up and pillow marks scarred his face.

  “Give me a second,” he said with his eyes nearly shut while he showed Hope the number one.

  It was early and there was no one walking around on the level. Jay exited the room. “What do you want now?” he asked Hope.

  “I saw that her monitor was asleep and I want to go to the Sanitarium to talk to Maddie,” Hope said. Jay was still tired. He was extremely groggy as his feet shuffled, joining Hope in the corridor.

  “Okay, but you have to make it quick. I don’t… we don’t want anyone to see us there,” Jay said, and he tried to keep Hope’s pace as she whisked away.

  Maddie heard a faint knock on the door. She sprung to her feet and talked into the door, “Who is that?” Then she punched the door and yelled, “Let me out! Let me out!” Hope had bent down to speak through the little door used to feed the occupants of the cell.

  “Maddie. Down here. It’s me, Hope,” Hope whispered. She giggled because she thought it was funny that “hope” was right outside of Maddie’s door. Maddie bent down, as Hope made sure that she didn’t rouse anyone.

  “Hope, I need to get out of here,” she whispered.

  “I told you not to piss off the Doctor,” Hope reminded her. “I’ll see what I can do but you need to show that you are not a threat. Blame it on hormones or something. They think that you’re going to snap. That’s why you’re in here.”

  Maddie looked down to gather her thoughts. “So they just want to see that I’m not a threat?” she asked. Jay noticed someone else was coming and grabbed Hope.

  As she was being pulled away, Hope said, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, show them you aren’t dangerous.” The door hinge shut as Jay pulled Hope away to begin a casual walk. Dr. Snodgrass walked around the corner and met the two.

  “Early morning,” she said to Jay as if she knew what they were doing.

  “Yes, Doctor, Hope wanted to walk around,” he replied as they kept walking by the Doctor.

  “Does that woman ever sleep?” Hope asked Jay. Jay looked at her as they walked.

  “I don’t think so. She’s probably a robot.” Hope exhaled to show her laughter. She was thinking about how to get Maddie out of the Sanitarium.

  “I wonder where they keep the key for that room,” Hope said, hoping that Jay would give her the answer. She was looking at the floor in front of them for ideas.

  “All of the monitors have access to it. It’s in the lab,” Jay said. Hope pushed him but he didn’t budge.

  “I’m here thinking of things to do and you had the answer the whole time,” she scolded him. Jay shrugged his shoulders.

  “You never asked me. And I don’t want you to get any ideas,” he said. Hope asked even though she knew the answer would make her angry.

  “Let me guess, the keys to the stairwell are there too?”

  “Yeah, of course. It isn’t top secret here.” Jay gave her the answer she was expecting.

  Her teeth clenched, her fists balled up, she could feel the muscles tensing in her back. Hope was livid. He had access to more freedom and he never even offered it to her. “Forget about Maddie for a second, why wouldn’t you ever let me out if you always had access to the keys?” she snapped at Jay. He stopped and looked directly at Hope.

  “If you would have left then you would be in the Sanitarium or worse. I told you that I’m never going to lose you again and I meant it,” Jay told her. Hope’s anger subsided as she realized her brother was only protecting her, even though she did not think he needed to.

  “Will you break Maddie out tonight?” Hope asked him.

  “No, I won’t,” Jay said. He was absolute. “Even if she gets out then she’ll be caught and put right back in there.” Jay directed his concern to Hope. “Even though you haven’t seen it, Injects that try to escape don’t get another chance. Her best place is in the Sanitarium.”

  * * *

  Dr. Snodgrass walked in to see Barron’s eyes closed and Maddie sitting in view
of the monitor. She put her hand on his shoulder. “Barron,” she pushed his shoulder, “Barron. Wake up.” Barron came to and realized he had dozed off. He jumped forward and began to stare at the video feed.

  “I’m sorry, I must’ve fallen asleep,” he said. Dr. Snodgrass leaned over him to capture his attention.

  “Barron,” she said as Barron’s eyes left the video and focused totally on her and her beauty. “Barron, has she been consumed by the Specs?” Barron slowly turned his head back to the screen.

  “She isn’t any different than I have seen in the past days. She has fought against the Trolls and has never done any harm to anyone except one person,” he said.

  “Except one?” the Doctor asked. “Why was there one?” Barron looked back at Dr. Snodgrass.

  “She was taken and I think she was protecting herself,” he said. She looked him straight in the eye.

  “Do you think it was self-defense or the Specs?” the doctor asked. Barron was at a loss for words.

  “I… I… don’t know,” he stuttered. It was the only thing that he could manage to get out. The Doctor stood up straight, keeping within Barron’s view. He became distracted as his eyes watched her body rise.

  “Regardless of the reason,” she said as her voice thundered, “you should be awake to watch her.” Dr. Snodgrass turned quickly and left the room. Barron sat there, staring aimlessly at the door. He turned around with a frown on his face and started watching the video again. His pen connected with his pad and his note writing recommenced.

  * * *

  Ben had taken a quick nap. He wanted to be as fresh as possible for anything that might happen. It was the middle of the afternoon and the plan was in place. “They’re going to attack tonight,” he said to himself as he watched over his TV monitor.

  An alarm sounded. Ben looked around to see everyone in the communications center jump up and start making their way to different areas. Some repositioned to different seats, some went out of the room, and a few grabbed guns and stationed themselves at the entrances.