by E M G Wixley
“If the purpose is to find our way out of a game we’re creating as we go along how do we know leaving the planet will end the nightmare.”
“You don’t.” Its eyes burnt with fury and a storm of rage spewed from its jaws. “The problem is humans provide some of the props. The brittle and fragile race of creatures has too many limitations – it constantly repeats its mistakes. It's too predictable, boring. We will give them the expected ‘End of Days’.”
Dante wanted to leap from the bed an attack the omnipotent Gods, but he couldn’t move. “We’ll survive and return to this planet, and next time we’ll make it our own.”
“This is why we must end it all. You can’t choose to remain in the simulation, it defeats the object. There are many more games to be played.”
A wind blew through the room blowing the dust off the bones of the forgotten dead. Not a trace of life was left. Water dropped from the ceiling and plopped into the dirt. Under the downpour, the shadows melted into the water and flowed into a drain on the other side of the room.
“The Game is over,” the voice boomed.
Remembering Earth
Chapter Thirty-three
“Dad, so many days have passed since we last saw you,” Felicity said taking her father's sinewy hand in hers and noticing how warm it felt. “They said you’d been taken seriously ill and were in intensive care. We weren’t permitted to visit.” She glanced at Irvin who was sitting on the other side of Dante’s bed. He regarded the reclining old man with anxious eyes. Elley remained standing by the door unable to engage with the family she hardly knew.
“I’m so sorry I neglected you both pursuing my unimportant dreams,” Dante said softly. “Suffering mutes, the heart and makes a person silent.”
“It’s okay, dad. We’ve all put up barriers and haven’t given each other time. Nobody is to blame,” Irvin said.
“It was all circumstance,” Felicity added. “From now on we will walk together through the difficult times.”
“You’re looking well,” Irvin smiled.
Dante’s face lit up with delight. “Pretty much completely renewed. The doctors have done a good job and say I’ll be fit to travel.”
“I think we should spend our last few days saying farewell to the friendly familiarity of the Earth we once knew,” the old man continued drowsily. “Spend some time dwelling on the good times. Do you remember the soft days of summer? I’ve been recalling our trips to Dartmoor. I suppose most of them were before you were born. Your mother and I used to sit on high, on the rocky throne on top of our favourite green and golden hill watching you play. Josie would languish in the long grass beside me, she was so beautiful.” Dante said closing his eyes. “As I turn my head the magnificence increases, I see the eloquent rolling fields lined with hedgerows supporting myriads of life. The bright red of Poppy fields and dappled perfusion of yellows, blues and white are scattered all around. Bird song floats from the cooling shadows of the trees, and I hear the rhythm and hum of all living things.”
“I only remember going there once, and I think it wasn’t long before Elley was taken,” Felicity said.
“I Imagine for one more time that my soul is flying over the vast glistening blue-green sea. Beams of sunlight strike its breeze rippled surface. I see my children on the beach scooping up water and watching it seep between their fingers. They lick the salt off their lips and breathe in the fresh, clean air.”
“I’ll have some of whatever you’re on dad,” Irvin said. “There’s no sunlight in here.”
“The lights all imitate natural light. The doctors said it’s vital for our health.” Dante added.
“I’m serious, please don’t forget the intoxicating magic we once knew.” Tears coursed down Dante’s cheeks. Felicity kissed them away. “I’ve always loved you all. The pulse of love is real not simulated, and they can’t take that from us.”
“Elley where are you?” he said his eyes springing open. “This all applies to you too.”
“I’m over here, dad,” she said in an unforgiving tone. “I don’t blame you for anything, but I don’t remember the birds building nests in spring, the dew on the grass, the stars hanging from the sky, the chatter of friendly voices or the square of light in the window guiding me home on a winters night. I remember men like packs of wolves threatening to tear out my soul. Being held captive and abused. Constantly ducking to avoid the stones thrown in my direction. Trumpeting Gods, proud of their cruel actions, lightning storms and the horsemen of the apocalypse. While some dwell in heaven others struggle to survive in hell.”
“Soon, hopefully, my memories will be overcast with a sheet of grey cloud. My past is to be avoided, a single drop of time in the vastness of eternity. It’s the future I want.”
Their eyes fastened onto Elley. Guilt stabbed into all their hearts, and they all fell silent contemplating the young woman’s wounded words. Felicity sensed tension radiating between them as they all visibly struggled with her sister’s incurable hatred and resentment.
“I wonder who had the highest score when they played that part of the Game,” Irvin said. “I mean the Gamers. What are they if they create such cruelty?”
“Irvin, that’s inappropriate,” Felicity said shooting daggers at her brother.
“At least he's honest,” Elley said. “And neither of you are at fault here. You were the only ones who cared enough to try and find me. I want nothing more than to strive for a new future with my siblings at my side.”
“I’m sorry. We all did our best from our own perspectives – with the partial knowledge we were given,” Dante said. Felicity saw a tinge of foreboding in his eyes.
“Father, you appear changed,” Elley’s unkind eyes were locked on the old man. “You wouldn’t be deceiving us - your heart is reading false.”
The Guests
Chapter Thirty-four
The human guests arrived in a large group. Craig directed members of the seven to their seats on the stage while their wives and children were shown to the front to join the audience of cyborg-aliens and humans. Dante reluctantly sat down on the straight back chair in the centre of the platform, leaned over the table and pressed his knuckles into his cheeks.
Sebastian Maynard, the self-appointed leader of the ‘Monolithic Helix Foundation’, filed past people and was being introduced to those of importance for the success of the project. He stopped in front of Dante and held out his hand. Dante hesitated to acknowledge the man and continued to look down.
“Dante,” Craig interjected. “I would like you to meet Sebastian Maynard. It is his foundation that has funded all these projects. The Helix foundation has been behind us all the way of ensuring the finances were in place for everything we’ve created. None of it would have been possible without these six men plus me as I was once to be counted amongst this group of benefactors.”
“I’m sorry,” Dante spluttered. “I was daydreaming.” He rose to his feet and extended his arm. “It’s good to meet you,” he said gazing up at the long-faced man with his broad, toothy grin.
Sebastian took the seat next to his and Dante was sickened by the reek of his aftershave. The man shot him a sly look. Dante nodded and stared out into the audience. He saw his son at the back fidgeting through his pockets for his cigarettes for the moment he could escape the boring but compulsory meeting. Next to Irvin stood Felicity and Jonah with their arms linked. A pleasant smile broke on his daughter's face as she chatted happily with her boyfriend. I’m doing this for them, Jonah thought. He looked around and directed his attention on Elley who was standing alone at the back of the room. She was strikingly exquisite, her face and demeanour placid but her eyes were intense and vengeful.
Dante sensed Sebastian rise to his feet. The noise in the room stilled. The man cleared his throat. “It is wonderful for us all to finally be here amongst friends. We are honoured to be a part of this unique and ground-breaking project,” he announced in a clipped English accent. “As much as we all desire to escape
Earth, the goal for some of us will be to one day return and to build a new planet with no more death and pain.” He paused for effect and glanced around at his witnesses.
“Our new planet will be our sanctuary. We will lead ordered lives respect our hosts, learn from them and have them guide us to a better way of life.” Sebastian's unconvincing words ate into Dante’s mind as he realised Earths disease of corruption and lies were about to be transported to another planet.
“Are there any questions?” Sebastian asked.
“Many of us here don’t want self-appointed leaders,” an elderly looking man said in an unsteady low voice. “If we return to Earth or when we arrive at our new home, how will things be done differently?”
“Allow me to reassure you all, once we’re established, I promise you every member will have their say and elections held. We’re a united group of equals.”
“I’m sure some will be more equal than others,” the man mumbled.
“No, we will all go to great lengths not to repeat the disappointments of the past. The dark memories of our old world will be replaced by something different. We will be borne anew with a shared identity. Each individuals’ talents, hopes and achievements will be recognised. I can assure you the state of play will change. We will reach our goals as a united force. If that is all, we have much to prepare.” Sebastian sat down resolutely.
The meeting was called to a close, everyone relaxed and chatted together. Dante was about to leave when glancing up he saw the doors at the back of the hall open. He watched as a group of people entered. They moved as one with a purpose in his direction. He recognised Elley and another dressed as a ballerina. The chilling sound of gunshots reverberated around the room. Sirens shrieked, and the air was filled with screaming. Blood spurted onto his face. Dante dived under the table and peering out from beneath searched the crowd.
People were panicking in the tightly packed hall. They pushed against each other and shuffled towards the exits. Some fell and were clambered over. He spotted Jonah holding onto Felicity to prevent her being crushed. Irvin was hemmed in and throwing punches to make space, but those retaliating were far stronger. As he was about to fall Jonah grabbed his arm and shielding them both forced his way to the main door.
Everything was clear to Dante, the veil had been lifted, and he could hear the connected minds of the cyborgs. They wanted revenge and were acting quickly because they knew at any moment, they could be prevented from committing their intended carnage.
Sebastian fell to the floor. Bullets had ripped through his flesh lacerating vessels, so the growing pool of blood seeped around Dante’s crouching form. Animalistic moans came from his enemy, and Dante felt pity. He slid towards Sebastian’s head to see if he could help. Then another blood-soaked body slammed onto the wood. More yelling for the seven to run as people realised, they were the intended target and being picked off one by one. Dante had nowhere to hide and waited for the peppering bullets to strike him down.
Dante lay still with his head down and turned to the side. He saw legs sliding in front of the table making their way around the far side to make sure everyone was dead. Somebody was standing beside him he looked up and saw the stiff pink netting of a tutu. As he stared into the barrel of the gun, he heard her communicate to the other with her mind, not this one, he released one of the alien-cyborgs.
The incomprehensible carnage was over in a matter of minutes, but to Dante, it was a lifetime. Slowly he stood and steadied himself against the table. The room was empty except for Craig and a group of alien-cyborgs. Elley and the other escapees dropped their weapons. “We needed justice – we despaired of ever having revenge,” Elley said calmly. “These men are murderers. You can’t take them with you. They allowed our capture, imprisonment and torcher. Unlike you we didn’t choose our fate, we were stolen, and they knew it.”
“We know your case and understand you have less control over your human personality trait than us but as you yourselves have said the human streak of ruthlessness can’t be permitted to continue,” Craig said. “I was one of them once but have been enlightened through my changed state. They would have been watched closely, but they paid for a place on the ship. You will be detained and held prisoner until we leave.”
The assassins put up no resistance as they were led away. Dad, I didn’t know it was you who freed Jonah. A desperate voice trickled into Dante’s mind. As they dragged the bodies away, he stepped through the blood and gore and climbed down from the stage.
Selection
Chapter Thirty-five
Dante rooted himself to the spot as knocks and bangs vibrated up through the ground. He looked at his daughter through the glass cage. Their hands reached out palm against palm. Blonde locks framed her sombre face, and he realised how much he loved his daughter.
“I can’t stop my body trembling it comes in repeating waves,” Elley said as tears incessantly flowed down her cheeks. “None of us wanted to do it to them – kill them. They know we could escape, but none of us chooses to – our guilt is not in doubt – we must be punished.”
“I will speak with Craig and the others,” Dante said. “I’m sure I can persuade them to relent and allow you onto the transport.”
“Our anger and pain will be of no use in your new home. “We grew up under a crazy avalanche of horrors. There was no guidance or love. If there was a God, he cut us from his heart and threw us to the barbarians.”
“Please give us a chance to show you what it’s like to be part of a family – to be held in safe arms.”
“I belong with my fellow captives. Once you’ve left, we will return above ground and help regenerate the Earth.” She wiped away her tears and smiled. “I witnessed it all from within, through our connected minds. It’s grim out there. The Earth is swollen, shaking, breaking, a spitting fury of rocks and polluted air. All is either fire and water or embers and ash. Streamers of blood flow over the land and mothers cradle their dead children. Summer won’t awake for many years, but we can make a difference to those who remain.”
“It is all destined to be destroyed,” Dante whispered. “Utterly wiped out. My information comes from a reliable source. You need to come with us.”
“Dad I’m grieving for that peaceful summers day you spoke of,” she said wistfully. “I would like to climb up that hill one day and sit high up on those rocks. Besides, they needed to be selective, and murderers won’t be on the list.”
“If humans survived what would your influence on them be? Your presence will modify their behaviour,” Dante said firmly. “Technology changes people’s interactions with each other. Your manipulated body and mind make you too powerful.”
“They will accept that not all life is biological,” Elley retorted. “Organic beings are flawed isn’t that why you chose a new body. Why have you spent so much of your life creating machines with deep intelligence because you were put on this Earth to do just that? We’re the next stage in evolution.”
“There’s more to people than destruction and hate. I’ve always believed humans transcend beyond time-affected biology through their art and ability to create. Some are good beyond anything, unique and able to touch the heavens,” Dante said.
“We won’t change their emotions and creativity,” Elley said. “I feel and cry.”
“You will alter Earth beyond recognition. Your place is with us. We need to build, advance and make a new home on another planet. Besides Earth is beyond repair.”
“We need to find our own place.” Elley bowed her head.
“I wish you’d come to us first,” Dante said wondering if he should hold his tongue. “We could have been a united force against the Helix Foundation and prevented them from escaping the planet. They are the type of beings who are obsolete.”
“Do you scratch an insect bite until it becomes infected or do you wipe the creature out first?” she whispered.
“Times up,” a voice commanded. The guard reached for a switch.
“I love you,�
� Elley mouthed as the glass turned opaque. “Thank you for releasing my friends.”
“I’ll be back, and I will get you on that transport,” Dante called.
The End Game
Chapter Thirty-six
Boredom and frustration created a restless atmosphere. Most of the occupants of the facility were engaged in various mundane tasks whiling away the time until their departure was announced.
Felicity and Jonah were in the dining hall with Irvin who was trying to persuade them to stay.
“You can’t give up on our planet,” he said. “Things are probably not as bad as they seem. Who can you really trust anyway – they all have a story to sell, and it’s always to suit their agenda? It’s been a long time since people worked for the benefit of the group.”
“You’re coming with us and so is Elley,” Jonah said yawning. “How would you get out of here – I doubt they’ll just let you go.”
“I have my whole life to live, and I would rather take my chances here.” Irvin's brow creased with frustration.
“After all you’ve been told and experienced you still think there’s a chance, they won’t flick the switch,” Jonah added in a frantic lowered voice.
“What I heard was from within a game, and I can’t visualise myself stepping onto alien soil – it’s all to out there.”
“Go and speak with the board then,” Jonah added impatiently. “You’d need help and equipment.”
