King draws his extended Kalibar and I close my eyes awaiting the ‘swish’ of the blade.
But I hear the Ex-Kalibar dig into the grass and see he is leaning upon the hilt.
“We are leaving the valley now to bring peace to Krella and all her different races. I want you at my side,” he pauses before addressing me formally, “Gwinn-e-Veer.”
I reply in kind, “It will be a pleasure, King-Earther.”
From ‘The Encyclopaedia Krellania’ Vol. II published in Time Period 4856;
The suborning of local planetary leaders was well practiced by the Krellan Diplomatic Corps. Indeed it is this aspect of slavery/recruitment that enabled the ‘Empire Of The Green Sun’ to effortlessly expand over several hundred years. Until the ‘ScoutKaptain Drec Mistake’, of course.
THE OWC’s RETURN
The Rt. Hon. Anthony Graham Lyndon Cromwell, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom stood at his bedroom window looking over his estate. The smooth, manicured gardens had been designed by the famous Landscape Architect Capability Brown in 1762 and melded very pleasingly into the distant tree line, creating a superb view.
“Except for that damn Krell Tower!” he thought.
The only Krell Tower on the whole planet Earth was indeed visible although it was seventy miles away, on the other side of London. From its three miles wide base it ascended into the sky for a height of thirty miles. At its top the constant arrival and departure of alien starships could be seen with a good pair of binoculars. A wonder of alien technology!
Cromwell had now been Prime Minister for twelve years and had been instrumental in enabling the Krells to build their Tower. Behind his back, some brave souls called him worse than corrupt and indeed he had been involved in many ruthless schemes to get the land cleared for those he secretly regarded as his patrons.
#
The Krells had originally landed their Emissary ship in Australia during the time when the British Commonwealth Ministers Conference was taking place in Sydney.
The Conference was thrown into a frenzy of political posturing and backstabbing as the assembled politicians squabbled and conspired against each other to be seen with the Alien visitors. A lucky minister photographed with a Krell would see his political profile head into the stratosphere!
As the political bickering reached a fever pitch the Krell Ambassadors suddenly made a bee-line for an insignificant junior member of the U.K. contingent called Cromwell, disregarding everyone else. The rest of the Ministers and their numerous aides were aghast that such an inexperienced and relatively low-ranking person should beat them to such a juicy plum!
The Krell ignored all entreaties because somehow they had decided that Cromwell was The One. In years to come, Cromwell’s contemporaries would suspect the Krell had some kind of telepathy or empathy that had allowed them to sense the most ruthless, amoral Earthman at the conference.
When the Krells finally had Cromwell alone, they surrounded him, baring their fangs in the many-times-used ‘Ritual of Subjugation of Inferior Races’. Outlining their needs, barely restraining themselves from demanding he acquiesce they thought they could intimidate him using the same procedure that had worked on a dozen primitive worlds before. Their black uniforms made them seem even more malevolent.
The Krells had an average height of a little over seven feet. Of humanoid form, their skin had a greenish tinge, no bodily hair was evident and their heads were covered with short green snake-like fronds. The eyes twice as large as the Earth norm were mounted over a delicate nose and a lipless mouth filled with lots of sharp canine teeth. As a result, most earth people found them repulsive and not a little frightening.
The future Prime Minister was totally oblivious to any personal threat from the ruthless, demanding creatures with their drooling fangs and foul odours. He had suddenly recognized his superiority and advantage over all of the other earth politicians. He would rise above them all! Consequently the assembled Krells were taken aback as Cromwell opened his arms and embraced several of them and smiled the greasy insincere smile that would become popular with the British and American public. He now knew he was a man of supreme destiny, feeling at ease with these creatures from the Green Sun, his mentors and kindred spirits!
On a personal level, Cromwell had few attractive qualities but in politics where it mattered, he was clever, devious and soon to be very dangerous to all that crossed his path. He knew that on his return to England he was to be the sole point of contact for the Krells on Earth. The impending power he would wield in the Party would give him the means of settling old scores and clearing his path to the top job! Prime Minister Cromwell. How wonderful!
It should be noted that at no time did the thought of Public Duty and Obligation to the Electorate or Country ever impinge upon his thoughts.
Once back in London Cromwell refused all demands and requests to share his access to the aliens. He talked expansively about the Krells, why they had chosen him, what his plans were and at the same time managed to impart little actual fact or detail. The supreme politician!
It proved surprisingly easy for him to manipulate his fellow members of Parliament of all political parties. Privately, he viewed them all as greedy, selfish and incompetent! Never the less, the Right Honourable Members were only too eager to put themselves in line for the vast rewards that would flow from the coming Krell Tower. That they would be lackeys for Cromwell, they did not care.
Money speaks its own language, it is said.
#
In England, every Wednesday when Parliament is in session, Prime Minister’s Question Time takes place at Twelve o’clock in the afternoon. It is an opportunity for the opposition parties to come face to face with the Prime Minister and criticize his response to the current crop of Important Matters live on television.
Cromwell had been Prime Minister a matter of weeks when the Krells had erected force-fields and began to build the base of the Krell Tower using only Krell Overseers and imported alien labour.
The Leader of His Majesty’s Opposition Party, The Rt. Hon Nicolas Farquharson, stood up from the Opposition Bench and faced Cromwell who sat and smirked at him from the Government bench opposite.
Farquharson glanced at his notes then looked straight at Cromwell The Upstart, whom he hated and loathed with a vengeance and said, “Why does the Prime Minister allow the Aliens, these Krells,” he loaded the last words with venom, “to build their construction without our workforce, whilst knowing that we suffer thirty two percent unemployment in most industries?”
The Opposition Leader sat down confident that he at last had that pretender Cromwell on the ropes! He would show the electorate what a callous-hearted leader Cromwell was; indifferent to the plight of the unemployed, responsible for the demolition of whole villages and the consequent destruction of entire communities! And an Alien-Toady as well!
Cromwell stood up looking relaxed, perma-tanned and a picture of good health. A man who was at the peak of his power and supremely confident he could handle these pathetic fools! He had his fingers on all the buttons and could not be intimidated! How he loved and looked forward to Prime Ministers Question Time! Yet another opportunity to humiliate his enemies!
“I would inform the Honourable Opposition Member that I am well aware of our unemployment rate and that it is due in no small part to his policies in the previous administration!”
The Opposition members, some standing and waving their Order Papers, screamed and shouted abuse that was returned in kind by the Government Members. It was not a very dignified performance for the public watching at home but the political class was held in low regard anyway after a series of money-related scandals! Cromwell held up one hand and the noise subsided.
“This morning I met with Gengar, the Krell Representative of Technology Transfer”.
From the Opposition members there was a moan of frustration. They sensed that Cromwell was about to make them look like out-of-touch idiots, again.
“Gengar has assu
red me that there is a large demand for human labour on their Off World Colonies and Earth people would be most suitable. Two Year, Three Year and Four Year contracts are to be offered for work on a range of Agricultural and Mining planets. This will give employment and training in a wide range of disciplines from Farming, Construction and Engineering. Flights and accommodation supplied by our generous Krell friends, of course.”
The whole House erupted! The Opposition Parties were screaming in outrage and everyone else laughing in admiration for Cromwell. He had done it again! He was the best Prime Minister ever!
Again the house went silent and Cromwell continued, “It is for this reason that in the coming weeks The Government will submit to Parliament, ‘The Off World Labour Supply and Taxation Bill’. This will enable our Government to receive taxes and payments from the Krell for the supply of labour etc.”
The Opposition sank into despairing silence. Cromwell was Invincible.
Well hidden in the small print of the ‘Off World Bill 2026’ as it would be known was a section for the compulsory enlistment of anyone who had been unemployed for more than six months or was deemed to be guilty of antisocial behaviour. The Bill would also extend to non-British residents and also anyone from another country presenting themselves for an Off World Contract.
When in full swing, The Krell Tower would suck Europe and beyond empty of the ambitious, the poor, the gullible and the desperate.
#
Cromwell continued staring out of the window thinking of how easy it had been to ramrod the ‘Off World Bill’ through Parliament. Bribery and coercion had been used on all who opposed him. The now ex-Leader of the Opposition sat in Pentonville Prison on Child Pornography charges, his career and life ruined. False charges true enough, but easily generated by Cromwell’s small Inner Circle of Chum’s.
After the ‘Off World Bill 2026’ was enacted, there had been twelve years of a very enjoyable Premiership for Cromwell. The OWC’s (Off World Contractors) disappeared into the Krell Tower for transportation by the frequent Interstellar Transports and out of the Tower came new materials for industry and minor technology to be funnelled through Cromwell’s private company ‘Krell World Technologies Ltd.’
‘Krell World Technologies’ ran all Krell related business for the British Government. Filled with Cromwell’s lackeys it made a fortune on the transfer of Krell low-level technology to Earth Industries. Well hidden behind a series of holding and shell companies, Cromwell ran it as the sole owner making billions of pounds for himself. Other billions entered the British Economy every year but only because Cromwell had to show Parliament and the British people some benefits of interaction with the Aliens.
A sudden “Thunk!” from downstairs disturbed Cromwell from his reverie. Probably one of the house staff or security team, he thought.
He continued to stare at the Krell Tower. Apart from the OWC’s, he was the only Earthman allowed in. The Krell had promised to eventually transfer the high technology of the Faster-Than-light Drive to him when their manpower requirements had been fulfilled. Cromwell didn’t really believe that, but kept quiet and went along with them.
“To hell with you” he said out loud, smiling, “I don’t need your empty promises”.
The previous evening he had had a telephone call from Rodgers at MI5. An empty Krell spacecraft had been found floating off the coast of Wales, empty. Where the twenty four occupants were, no one knew but the Spacer was now being taken apart in an aircraft hangar at Cardiff Airport by engineers. From ‘Krell World Technologies Ltd.’ of course!
#
It had not been all plain sailing for Cromwell and lately he sensed the end of his very successful career was coming. Not even he could continue indefinitely with what he had been doing. There had also been whispers of late, then mutterings then articles in the newspapers asking why was it that not one ‘OWC’ had returned to Earth in twelve years.
Cromwell’s influence had up to now kept such dissent out of the media, but the flow of wealth and technology from the Krells had slowed dramatically of late. Also, the taking of new OWC’s had slowed to a trickle.
The Krells would not give Cromwell a reason for the downturn, but during his frequent visits to the Tower he sensed anxiety and fear barely suppressed within his hosts. There were occasional mentions of someone called Kondor and Kondor’s Legions, but no explanation was offered. Cromwell came to suspect that there were serious problems on some of the Krell colony worlds. He kept this knowledge to himself, not telling any other members of the government. It wouldn’t do for the sheep to panic before he had left and distanced himself from any subsequent trouble.
Yes, it was definitely the time to resign as Prime Minister and ‘go’ with a capital ‘G’! He would leave Westminster and to use Parliamentary language, ‘Enter Private Life’. Arrangements for a swift departure were nearing completion and unsuspecting dupes positioned to ensure that he could not be blamed for any problems that arose concerning the Krells or the OWC’s. Over the last six months tons of incriminating documents had also been shredded by his Chums.
There was another noise from below, a muted scuffling then silence. He dismissed it from his mind and promised himself to discharge several staff tomorrow. That would keep the rest on their toes! Nothing worked better than the threat of a compulsory Off World Contract to keep people in line!
Overall, he felt content with his achievements, regarding himself as the best Prime Minister the country had ever had! A trifle smug, he also regarded himself as untouchable by any means, political or personal. No one could enter his estate through the only privately-owned Krell force field in the world!
A movement at the edge of his vision caused Cromwell to turn quickly in time to see a dark figure materialize out of a dark corner of the room. A tall man wearing a Krell Military Darksuit! Where the hell had he come from? What was it that he had in his left hand, pointing at Cromwell? The small device shone and Cromwell briefly experienced the darkness between the stars.
#
The Prime Minister came back to consciousness slowly, groggily and realized he was firmly secured to a chair facing the window and the far Krell Tower. To the right of the window the stranger sat, staring at him.
He struggled for a moment with his bindings until The Stranger said, “Save your energy, Tony. Those are Military restraints designed by your Krell buddies”.
“Tony? Who the hell are you calling Tony? I’m the Prime Minister! And how did you get in here? My security people will be here at any moment!”
The Stranger laughed, “Your security people lie forever still! They were no match for an experienced Krell Attack Squad Leader of twelve years’ experience! Who the hell am I indeed? I’m one of your first Off World Contractors or as we like to say, one of the first people you sold into alien slavery!”
Cromwell’s brain moved into overdrive as he digested the words. The concept was incredible, but oddly, not a surprise to him and it would be best if the concept wasn’t aired in public. Words were his weapons and could be manipulated to mean whatever suited him. Using his best Parliamentary voice, the one he used to cower his opponents, he said, “That’s surely cannot be correct. You must be mistaken. And also, who is ‘We?’”
As fast as lightning The Stranger was off his seat and painfully pressing some kind of device into the soft tanned skin of Cromwell’s face, the face loved by millions, “We are the people you sent to be the mercenaries of the Krells and this is a standard issue plasma pistol, you bastard!”
For the first time, Cromwell experienced a twinge of physical fear. Maybe he would not be able to talk the stranger down.
“Mercenaries? I’ve seen the 3D’s sent back by the Krells showing happy workers on their agricultural planets enjoying an enviable lifestyle compared to their counterparts here on earth. There is no mention or hint of mercenaries!”
The Stranger removed the pistol from Cromwell’s face and moved closer, nose to nose. Cromwell could see the green flecks
in the whites of the stranger’s cold eyes and the greenish tinge of twelve years under an alien sun on his skin.
“3D’s. you’re being purposely obtuse, Tony. You’re not in Parliament now so don’t tell me you swallowed that bloody propaganda!”
Cromwell squirmed, for indeed he knew the 3D’s gave a ‘too good to be true’ view of Off World life. The truth was he had never cared enough to pursue the matter with the Krells in case his personal gravy-train was interrupted.
The Stranger continued, “Twelve years ago I had finished university and was about to become an Architect. I had a fiancée, and good career prospects. Until it took too long to get a job! Now I am the most experienced Krell Attack Squad Leader those damn aliens have. Or should I say, had. I’ve come home now with lots of my friends!”
“Talk sense, man! Friends, what do you mean, friends?”
“I mean that there were far more Drop Ships than the one your men found off the coast last night.”
Cromwell squirmed around in his seat, looking at the lights on the desk Vid console. Each one for a government department and at the moment, most importantly, one for the military.
“They’ll be lighting up soon, Tony. Mark my words. We’ll wait here together. The Stranger smiled a cold venomous smile, “Whilst we wait, let me tell you my sad, Off World tale of inhumanity and deprivation!”
#
Year 1 of Off World Contract UK A00100EH.
Location: Alien Combatants Training Facilities, Epsilon Eridani B5.
We were herded down the spacecraft ramps and marched towards the training camps where we would survive for the next six months or so. A few of the ‘Barrack Room Lawyer’ types, who didn’t quite ‘get it’, tried to argue with the Krell guards. They received a fatal jab from the ‘Stinger’ that all the Krell Overseers carried. Our trail to the camps became littered with bodies.
We were given the usual training that you would receive on Earth or any planet, to make you into a soldier. The forced marches, weapons training, spacesuit warfare tests etc. The Krells, or ‘Greenies’ as we came to call them kept well back behind personal force fields, weapons ready.
EMPIRE OF THE GREEN SUN Page 3
