The Last Invasion
Chapter One
It was the beginning of autumn. The leaves had not yet started to fall but the nights were occasionally crisp. The morning dew was cold but not yet frosty. That early morning, Martin was getting ready to leave the group-home after being on his feet all night. He had said goodbye to Rory, Carlson, Metty and Franklin, who had just woken up after their nights sleep, and had already gotten Charles ready for day school after his morning art lesson with Grace.
This group-home for Developmentally Disabled adults, like many others, was set up to run smoothly as long as routines were followed and the daily emotional and physical problems were not allowed to get out of hand. There were good ways and bad ways to handle the personality disputes that regularly occurred among these disabled folks. Grace handled them the very best of anyone he had ever seen. After ten years of experience, Martin was finally learning how to get a handle on this profession, being privileged to work with Grace.
But, it had been one hell of a shift. Last evening, Metty had tried to run away once again and had gotten clear down to the 7-11 before Grace caught up with her in the House-van and brought her back home. Carlson had thrown another tantrum because they ran out of peanut butter and Rory had come close to swallowing draino, probably to get attention, he wasn’t even particularly unhappy. He thought it was cute and funny. Some of these developmentally disabled folks had no idea of the consequences of their actions. Teaching them these things was part of Martin’s job. It was not easy but often very rewarding.
Fortunately, Martin caught Rory just in time before he put any of the poison into his mouth. After that near tragedy, he and Grace agreed that all cleaning supplies should be put under lock and key. Grace wrote up a memo to email immediately to all the co-workers that came into the group-home on various shifts. She also sent one to Director Brice Simmons to be sure that the other group-homes being run by Empower Care were aware of the possible danger of not having all cleaning supplies and poisons well secured at all times.
It had been a very hectic and sometimes terrifying twelve hours--a typical night shift actually. It was 8 A.M. and Martin was finally ready to go home and rest. Being sixty years old didn’t help but he got plenty of exercise and usually felt pretty good for a sexagenarian.
But it was true. These nightshifts were getting long. They were always difficult, but having a fine co-worker really made things easier. At least you had someone to share the stress. Grace was one of the finest co-workers he had ever had the privilege of working with. She was a beautiful round African woman from Kenya in her late forties, kind, compassionate and steady as a rock. Martin coordinated so well with her that they could be working in opposite ends of the group-home and just intuitively know if the other needed assistance. It was telepathic. This was very unique and satisfying to Martin and certainly not his normal experience with the other co-workers.
Martin fumbled for an American Spirit to light up as he went out the door. It seemed like most of the caretakers of the developmentally disabled and mentally retarded smoked, and usually like a chimney. Not Grace, of course. She had originally been sent over from Kenya by her local Christian church for training. She was to be a missionary in Zambia but instead became an American Citizen, getting a degree and ministering to the developmentally disabled in Kansas City. “This is where God wants me,” she said. There was really no doubt about that.
The main thing Martin didn’t like about the night shift in this particular group-home were the constant emergencies that seemed to happen at least every other night. First it was one thing and then another. As soon as one problem was dealt with, up came another. First, someone would make a mess on the floor or someone would get mad at a housemate or someone would get unhappy over some unknown. It was always something. But, this morning, all that now remained was for Martin to drive down 435 on the tiring trip home and then... sleep, sweet sleep.
Martin bid goodbye to Grace, got in his old Plymouth and started home. I’ve gotta find a way to fix this window, he thought, surely I can get it so that it will roll down a little further than that. He lit up his American Spirit and turned on the radio to the soft FM station. There was unusual static, so he just turned it off and concentrated on driving. He thought of stopping for a quick breakfast, but changed his mind. I just need sleep.
And finally there it was, Riverview. Now, all he had to do was wind his way home and hit the sack. As he sailed along he felt some bumping and wondered if he’d hit a chug hole. These highways in Missouri are the nation’s worst. It happened three more times and he slowed down. Then there was a lateral shaking. A small crack opened up in the highway just in front of him, but he went right over it without a problem. Just a little bump and rattle.
Wow, he alerted himself, must’ve been a small geological slippage, or maybe they were setting off explosives nearby underground, or something. "Oh well, its probably nothing," he muttered.
When he arrived at his little house on Palmer, he sleepily dragged himself to the front door and let himself in. Laura was just getting up. Martin smiled and greeted her. “Hi, darling, how’d you sleep?” “Not very good. The pain in my feet kept me awake again most of the night. Finally I just gave up and decided to get up.”
“I’m so sorry, dear, is there anything I can get for you?”
“No, but thanks anyway. I think I’ll make some coffee and watch the news, if I can stand it.”
“Well, goodnight sweet, I’m headed for the sack. See you in a few hours. I’m really beat. I have tonight and tomorrow night off, if they don’t call me in when someone doesn’t show up.”
Martin peeled out of his boots, sweat-shirt and jeans and was just starting to get under the covers when he heard Laura’s voice. “Marty, come here quick. Something has happened. It’s on the TV news right now!”
Martin knew by the sound of her voice that she was extremely concerned and this wasn’t like her. She was not a hysterical person... well usually. There had been moments, but usually her angst was at least partially justified. He looked for his bathrobe.
“I’ll be right there, I’m putting on my slippers and bathrobe.” Martin was concerned because of the sound of her voice.
He quickly ran the comb through his hair and went out into the living room. It was hard to compute what he was hearing. The newsman was terrified. His voice was almost shaking as he announced that the Madrid earthquake fault had just had an 8.3 quake and thousands if not millions were already dead. There were tens of thousands of injured, some very severe. Two U.S. cities were totally destroyed, St. Louis and Memphis.
“My God,” Laura whispered. She just sat shaking her head.
“That’s a major cataclysm,” Martin said, “we need to follow this, the Madrid fault is nearly 500 miles away but I felt something driving home. A tremor. Wow, we felt it clear up here in Kansas City. I read once that earthquakes in this part of the country are different than those in California because the geology is not rocky. More earth slippage is possible and earthquakes here in the eastern half of the United States produce a much wider sphere of damage. There might even be some here.”
“This is horrible,” said Laura, “I wonder about rescue, homeland security and if the authorities can do anything. I am going to call Marci and Ken to see if they know what’s happening. I’m worried about them.”
“Yeah, you’d better do that right away.”
Laura talked to her daughter for only a couple of minutes. Marci and her husband Ken were shocked too and wanted to listen to every word coming over the TV to keep up with what was happening. “We’ll talk later okay?”
“Yeah mama. I’ll call you and daddy after while.”
For the next hour Martin and Laura listened and watched intently. They found out that the casualties, especially in the large metro areas, were now estimated to be nearly a million. Homeland Security was doing everything as fast as they could but the tremors were continuing and there was severe obstruction of the highways, as well as terrified refugees pouring out of the cities on foot blocking all roads.
Panic was widespread. Government helicopters were the only way to access the injured and there were so many casualties that evacuation of them all was literally impossible. Medical care would have to be done on the spot. It was a nightmare. The medics begin practicing triage from the beginning. The rescue workers started digging people out of the rubble, most of them already dead. The dying were simply given a shot to relieve the pain when possible. Often it wasn’t possible. Too many casualties, too little medicines. Of course, this had been long predicted as overdue for years, but the last one in the 1800s occurred when there was very sparse population along the Madrid fault. Nobody was prepared. Neither St. Louis or Memphis had any earthquake building codes at all, like they did in California.
After an hour of hysterical national chaos, Martin turned the volume down. “Wow, I wonder what this means to us.”
“Me too.”
“I had better phone the group-home and see if they need me.”
Martin picked up the phone and dialed. Grace answered. “Hi Martin, surprised to hear from you. I thought you’d probably be sleeping. What’s up?”
“Haven’t you heard? St. Louis and Memphis are completely wiped out... a huge 8.3 earthquake. The whole nation is in chaos. Turn on the TV.”
“Oh my Lord, just a second just a second... okay, okay... oh my Jesus.”
“I thought we might be called upon to... do something... if nothing more than comfort the clients when they get up? I’ll drive back to the home if you want me to.”
“No... no Marty. Not just yet anyway. Sarah hasn’t come in yet for her shift, so I may be calling you back. Let me phone Director Simmons and inform him about what’s happening. Empower Care probably has some contingency plans for such an emergency. I’ll call you right back.”
“Okay.”
Martin hung up and turned the TV volume up again. Laura brought the coffee and they sat down to hear what was going on. The cameras from helicopters showed the devastation. It was unbelievable. The great arch in St. Louis had collapsed. The cities were in rubble. The towns and rural areas mostly leveled too but without as many casualties. Fires had started but there was no one to extinguish them. The Local First Responders, the Army, the Navy, the Marines and the National Guard were all mobilized and units were beginning to trickle in but traveling anywhere was so difficult that many were having to be picked up by helicopter just to get to the mobilization points. A National Emergency had already been declared. After awhile a spokeswoman for Homeland Security came before the camera. She was ashen. “As you know, this is by far the biggest disaster the U.S. has ever experienced. It is so huge and beyond everyone’s ability to cope with, all anyone can do to make a difference is try their very best and that will not be enough. But everyone here is dedicated to do whatever is necessary and do it to the very best of their ability. Please excuse me right now, I will report back later. There is a major rescue operation going on and we have to get over there.”
The phone rang. Martin picked up the phone, “Hello Grace, how are things going?”
“Director Simmons was floored. He doesn’t watch TV so he didn’t know anything at all about it until I told him. He was shocked. He immediately turned on the radio and had to sit down to keep from fainting. He said he really doesn’t know what to do, except keep everyone inside today and try not to frighten them. No day school this afternoon. They’ll love that. He said he was glad the homes were well stocked up with plenty of supplies just in case.”
“What will you do?”
“Probably have a big breakfast... play some games... try to create an atmosphere of fun... I really don’t know. We’ll have to just take it as it comes. Oh... Sarah just came in for her shift. She’s late but I’m sure glad to see her. You just stay where you are for now and either I or Director Simmons will call you with an update on any contingency plans that Empower Care may have.”
“Okay, peace to you Grace. Let me know as soon as there’s anything.”
“I will. Bye for now.” Martin hung up.
“What will they do?” Laura asked.
“I... I don’t know,” said Martin, “Director Simmons hadn’t even heard about it until Grace called him. But, the shift replacement arrived... so, they’ll be okay. They will call me with any updates.”
“What should we do?” asked Laura.
“Just sit tight and keep informed, I guess. This doesn’t happen every day, thank God. In fact, 911 and Hurricane Katrina were the last times any huge disaster of such major national significance occurred. This 8.3 earthquake makes both of them pale in comparison. I don’t know what all this will bring.”
“Me neither, but it is terrifying and heart pounding.”
“Sure is.”
Martin and Laura stayed glued to the television. About two hours later an announcer came on.
“The whole nation is in lockdown mode and everyone is being strongly advised to stay in your homes. Do not go out. The highways already have too much traffic and most of it is terrified people trying to locate love ones but not knowing where to go. Everyone will be much safer to simply stay inside and listen for local news. Right now we switch you over to your local stations for the announcements in your area.”
The local announcer came on and said, “President Obama is giving full authority to all local police, firemen and medical first responders near the earthquake and throughout the surrounding states to do everything possible to care for the injured and also prevent panic and the resulting chaos. We want to keep accidents to a minimum. You are all are being strongly advised to stay in your homes, offices, hotels or wherever you may be. Phone lines are down in many areas and the ones not destroyed are completely jammed so you will probably not be able to get through to anyone for some time. And above all... pray if you are a praying person and, if not, at least be sending good thoughts to the survivors and the brave first responders on the front lines of this terrible disaster.”
The crisis went on and on. In the afternoon, Martin had become so sleepy that he was nodding.
“Why don’t you go lay down,” Laura said, “I’ll wake you if any big change happens. Okay?”
“Sure, I guess I’d better. I’m about to fade away and certainly of no use in this condition.” Martin went back to the bedroom and flopped down.
It took him awhile to get to sleep and his dreams were disturbing. He kept seeing the pale and ashen faces of the authorities and their great efforts of frustration to make things even a little better. But, as he dreamed on, things grew more and more tense and hopeless. Five hours later, he came suddenly awake and yelled out to Laura. “What’s going on?”
“It’s bad and getting worse Martin. I’m so scared.”
“Just a minute, I’ll be right in. I can’t possibly sleep anymore. I’ve been having some very bad dreams.”
He went into the living room and hugged his trembling wife. “Laura, as terrible as this is, we will get through it somehow. Those poor people who are being so traumatized need our prayers. Let’s take a moment and pray.”
“Okay,” she said.
They bowed their heads and prayed silently. Martin thought of praying out loud but it seemed that this should be a private moment between him and God and so they embraced while they prayed each in their own way. At one point Laura whispered out loud, “Father, help us...” That’s about all she could say. Martin noticed that Laura had been crying a little when they finally sat down. “It’s going to be all right,” he said, “you’ll see.”
At 6 P.M. the phone rang. It was Grace. “Martin, is that you?”
“Go ahead Grace,” he said.
“Martin, director Simmons was over and now cannot get back home because the police have a roadblock set up where he needs to go. So, Sarah, me and director Simmons will just spend a day or two right here until things normalize a little.”
“Wow, that’s heavy duty,” said Martin, “... okay. I might not even be able to make it there myself if the roads are being blocked. Why is that anyway?”
“I don’t know... but maybe they don’t want panic or people moving around at this point.”
“Probably,” said Martin, “okay, I’ll let you go for now. What kind of a day did you have?”
“Oh... it wasn’t bad. We played video games and ate candy. They don’t get to do that very often. Everyone loved it and I kept the news off so they wouldn’t get scared. We actually did pretty well. They knew very well something was up because of the change in their routine, but all in all they were quite happy.”
“Well, that’s good. Okay, stay in touch.”
Martin hung up and just shook his head. Laura heated up some fish sticks, mashed potatoes and peas and they ate a small dinner. Neither of them was hungry. Watching the TV all day nearly wore them out in spite of the constant reassurances that everything would soon be brought under control. At one in the morning they both went to bed and fell into troubled sleep.
Martin woke up and rubbed his eyes. It took awhile to focus until he could see the bedroom clock. The hands showed 9:27 A.M. He immediately got up and went into the living room and turned on the TV. Laura was still fast asleep. Only white and gray buzzing static met him. He changed channels. It was the same. He tried every channel and there were obviously no stations broadcasting. He felt icy cold in his stomach. Something is wrong, he thought. He picked up the phone and dialed the group-home.
Grace answered. “Hello?”
“Grace, what’s happening? Laura and I have been asleep all night and there is no TV this morning. Apparently no stations are broadcasting.”
“I’ve been sleeping too but just got up. Let me switch it on.” There was a pause. “Martin, all I get is static too. Something is wrong. No stations are on.”
“No kidding,” Martin said. “Well... I tell you what, you call around and see if you can find out anything and I’ll do the same. Call me back in about thirty minutes, OK?”
“That’s what I’ll do, see you soon.”
Martin hung up and immediately dialed his friend Larry who was sleeping late. “Hello?” Larry was cotton mouthed and still half asleep.
“Hey Larry... sounds like you just woke up. I suppose you know about the disaster. What is going on? No TV broadcasting this morning.”
“Huh? Just a minute, let me look.”
Martin could hear Larry getting TV static on the other end and switching channels.
“Hey man,” Larry said, “I found one. It’s channel 37. Turn it on. This is horrible, huh? What the hell are we going to do?”
“I don’t know Larry. Hey, I’ll call you back later, I want to see what channel 37 is saying.”
“Okay... later.”
Martin was already searching for 37, not a normal channel and in fact, he had never thought it was a channel at all. When he finally bypassed the channels programmed into the TV, he found it.
It was a picture inside of a hall and people were taking their seats but there was no sound. It looked like hundreds of people crowding into a large conference room or studio or something. He turned the sound up and down to be sure the broadcast sound was actually out and just watched. The people were coming in, milling around and then sitting down. They looked horrified beyond belief. Some were crying. Some had obviously been up all night and looked terrible. They were all talking among themselves. Many were embracing and comforting one another. Something was happening and it was being broadcast.
Martin was still watching the people on TV come into the huge room when Laura came out of the bedroom. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. All the stations are out except for this one which is not programmed into the TV. Channel 37. There is no sound and it seems that people are all gathering in... some huge... hall somewhere. That’s all I know at the moment.”
Then the sound came on. “Citizens, ladies and gentlemen. Please find your seats quickly. I am here to inform you about what happened at 2 A. M. this morning eastern time. It breaks my heart to speak to you on this terrible day and I will try to not break down emotionally in this short address before... someone else talks to you.
“This morning, the United States of America is no longer a nation.”
Martin heard a gasp from the audience.
“We have been invaded overnight by the People’s Liberation Army of Communist China and in only a few hours, they are now fully in control of our country.”
There were more gasps and some mournful crying coming from the audience. “It is obvious that they used our moment of greatest weakness to launch this surprise attack which was completely unexpected and caught our military and the entire nation off guard and they did it at our weakest hour, while we were reeling from the devastating 8.3 earthquake along the Madrid fault. The People’s Liberation Army of Red China was able to do this so quickly because they are using very advanced weaponry. In only a few hours, they completely disintegrated Washington D.C. and murdered all the government officials who were in town, all politicians, finance people on Wall Street and finally disintegrated most of the citizens of Washington D.C. They also completely destroyed New York City, Detroit, Chicago, Boston and on the West Coast, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and even Phoenix Arizona further inland. The Pentagon was completely vaporized and all underground facilities were breached and were either totally destroyed or taken over by the Reds.”
The audible moans and sobs grew louder coming from the audience as the speaker paused, shook his head and was obviously trying hard to not break down in tears. “Oh my God. Oh my God.” Laura was white as a sheet. Martin embraced her. He felt as if he was about to explode.
The voice continued. “Our captors, who call themselves “liberators” have demanded this broadcast in order to speak to the former nation. They wish for law and order to be reestablished as soon as possible and they have stringent protocols to be carried out according to their supreme orders. So, in a moment we will hear from Chairman Won Li Wu who will address us. He is right here in our studios, having actually been flown over during the invasion when their victory was assured. It will be about five minutes from now. So try to relax as much as possible and just listen to what he has to say. Thank you... and I am so sorry for this terrible day...” The tears ran down his face and he was shaking. He could barely get his words out. “We are all pretty much in the same boat now. So, all we can do is what we can, and especially try to help each other... We are all in the greatest peril of our lives. Remember to comfort and reassure the children. Do not panic. If you do, then you will make things worse... much worse. In comforting the children, try to find some comfort for yourselves amidst this tragedy of tragedies. Thank you. And remember, as the Holy Bible says, ‘hope waxes eternal in the human breast.’”
“That’s Shakespeare, I think,” said Martin, “but its certainly true nonetheless. True at least for those who do not allow outward circumstances to destroy them completely. But this is by far the biggest challenge of our lives, no doubt about it.”
Neither Martin nor Laura could say anything for awhile. Laura was just holding her head in her hands and rocking back and forth. Martin sat gaping wide eyed, his thoughts were incoherently rushing through his mind and a fear unlike anything he had ever experienced before was rapidly spreading out from the icicles in his stomach and numbing his entire body. There was no “fight or flight” for Martin, only “frozen in fright.” Inside, he was panicking.
America, oh... America. Outside, he was immobilized, eyes like dinner plates. Finally, he got it together enough to realize that both he and Laura were in extreme shock. He breathed deeply and tried to meditate a little. It did help enough for him to have the presence of mind to turn off the phone so that no calls would come through when Chairman Wu spoke his address to the public.
A hush fell over the audience. A Chinese man in a powder blue uniform stepped up to the podium. His uniform was without decoration and looked like a pair of well starched and pressed pajamas made of very sturdy material. His trousers were tucked into black military boots. The bottom part of the boots resembled heavy-duty black sneakers. They reminded Martin a little of the old Viet Nam jungle boots. On his head was a powder blue cap. On the cap was a crisp red star.
“Dear people...” he began in perfect English, “dear people, we are the People’s Liberation Army and we have come over from China to set you free from tyranny.”
A very hypocritical statement, Martin thought. “I realize that is hard for you to believe,” the Chairman continued.
“Not only hard but impossible,” said Laura to the TV.
“We have been quite severe because it was entirely necessary to quell all resistance. Unfortunately, until we get your new nation up and running we will have to continue to be severe.”
“Oh brother,” Martin whispered.
“And... that we will do. How? How are we able to do this? How were we able to completely destroy your Military/Industrial Complex in only a few hours? We did it with highly advanced military technology, dear people. Your Military/Industrial Complex was simply... outgunned. Fair enough? And yes, I confess. Our scalar interferometers set off the earthquake. It was ready to go anyway and we only... tickled the geology a bit. Your nation experienced incredible shock and awe last night. Turn about fair play, wouldn’t you say? Your military fought bravely. Of course, they were not evenly matched. I have asked Colonel Fung Shu to explain some of our excellent capabilities to you, so that our presence will not be misunderstood and so that you can see that armed resistance is completely futile. Colonel Fung?”
Chairman Wu stepped aside and Colonel Fung took the podium. He was dressed in a powder blue uniform exactly like the Chairman. On his cap was that stark Red Star.
“Hello. I am Colonel Fung Shu. Dear people, what we have had to do in order to liberate your country is very distasteful indeed. No civilized people enjoy such slaughter. It is abhorrent to us and we would only do it because there was absolutely no other way. We simply could not allow your Military/Industrial Complex to continue its criminality any longer and in the battle last night we could never allow them to get the upper hand at any time, so we had to come down hard with well designed and carefully thought out... finalities.
“To familiarize you with some of our capabilities, let me tell you about a few of our military weapons. For decades Norenco and the People’s Liberation Army have been in top-secret scientific development of some very advanced technologies. The criminals in your own government also developed some of these in top-secret, but they failed to develop countermeasures at the same time, arrogantly thinking that they and they alone knew about these things. Surprise, surprise. And, among your leaders, there were personally ambitious individuals who only cared for their own personal greed and nothing at all for their country. In China we call such people... traitors, and they are immediately dealt with. No quarter given. These criminal leaders of your country are now dead. Good riddance.
“We possess beam weapons. These are small individual weapons carried by our soldiers but they also exist in much larger versions mounted on tanks and other vehicles. All of these are capable of disintegrating any atomic matter and can do so over a wide area, if necessary. That’s how we were able to destroy several of your cities completely. No nuclear devices were used. We don’t need them. Besides, the residual radiation would be far too dangerous for occupation. There is little radiation from what we did last night and the nuclear facilities destroyed were completely vaporized. Now, there will be some problems from radiation downwind but not nearly what nuclear weapons would have produced. When later some of your children are born with terrible birth defects, remember, your tax dollars, which you so willingly donated, paid for Depleted Uranium munitions used almost daily in your Corporate Afghanistan occupation and were used also in the Iraq occupation. Those people already well know what radiation does. Come about fair play.
“We are not here to kill everyone as you may think. We only seek societal co-operation among you. And, in order for you to understand, re-education will be required for one and all. We will begin that program immediately. Within a few days in fact.
“For many decades your country was addicted to oil and coal. From now on, we Chinese are no longer hooked and have no more need to participate in that international game where the poor get poorer and the rich get obscenely obese. Our science has thought outside the present conventional scientific model and we have now developed the use of cold fusion to power our vehicles. It was totally secret up until now. This wise action on the part of the People’s Liberation Army will not only revolutionize your nation but China as well and eventually all other countries. And just two years ago we developed permanent magnet motors that require no fuel at all. None. They run entirely on magnetic processes.
“Our aircraft, which most of you have not yet seen--those who have are now dead--use electrogravitic technology and make all the trillions spent on your military boondoggles a complete farce. The Germans began to develop these electrogravitic craft during the twentieth century and your government knew all about them but, again, did not want you to know. No more lies. Your airpower is useless against our military craft which are capable of flying at thousands of miles per hour up to the edge of space, while nestled within their own electromagnetic fields which makes them capable of right angle turns and a wide variety of complicated maneuvers. And yes, these will eventually become the way we colonize space. But, first, we must take care of business at home. These anti-gravity machines can come to a complete stop and hover also. Their specialty is to disintegrate an entire city with one blast from their onboard death rays, the idea of which came to us from your Serbian born American genius, Nicola Tesla--a very creative man whom you did not appreciate. One of your most creative thinkers whom you suppressed and then stole his discoveries after your government had him murdered and put a public cap on his years of work.
“These electrogravitic flying machines are very sophisticated. You yourselves could have had these technologies. Oh yes you could have... The whole world could have had them and transformed planet earth. But, your slave masters would not allow it because the oil game is what they play. They exist in a state of tunnel vision and cannot see beyond their own appetites. Your secret black military projects that did develop this Tesla technology into beam weapons and electrogravitic craft just sat on them to keep them completely out of your hands. Why? They didn’t want them to get out and eliminate oil, coal and gas completely. Bad for business.
“Why? Why such stupidity? To do the bidding of your masters who have long controlled you, mostly completely unknown to you. No more. You see, elements of this invasion are taking place all over the world. The ones in Europe who arrogantly called themselves “illuminated Ones” have now been liquidated and all the multi-national corporations have been leveled along with those misguided souls who controlled them and survived for so long by sucking blood from your veins, by deception and by out an out thievery. Most of you remained completely duped throughout many decades while the entire agenda of your would-be controllers was being incrementally foisted upon you bit by bit, often with the full complicity of your US President and Vice President. Like a frog being heated up in a pan of water, the temperature was turned up slowly, degree by degree until you found yourself boiled. Oops. Of course, most of you didn’t notice at all. Only a very few of you ever had any idea, or even the tiniest clue, as to what was really happening. You did not realize your utter slavery in which you daily participated like automatons. You were so easily propagandized into actually believing you were “free.” It was a complete joke, of course. The whole world laughed at you and knew you were finished when you demonstrated how much you actually despised your own constitution and would so easily sell out all its high principals for the sake of momentary greed and sheer power over other beings weaker and more impoverished than you. The truth of a bully is that there is always a much bigger bully. It never ends. Well, you may now call us the bullies but we are the last bullies you will ever see.
“Now... I realize that America is the land of home-gun ownership. I want you all to know that with our beam technology we can adjust them easily to explode all conventional ammunition, even over large areas at one time. The beam comes...the powder in the weapons explodes... and there is a loud bang, usually several loud bangs, destroying the weapon as well as the one using it if the weapon happens to be loaded, which most of them are. (What good is a firearm that is not loaded?) Ammunition dumps are merely blown up leaving nothing but a hole in the ground. So, all you Americans may keep your guns to maintain your false security. That is perfectly okay and you may sleep with them if you want to. They are completely useless.
“Many of you may want to use them to end your own life. Do so, if you wish. You have the full green-light for that. However, for those of you who are still capable of learning something new, stick around. The people need your talents and contributions to society. And now, all... will make a significant contribution according to their abilities. It is a new time and the old things are now passed away. Let them go.
“Within a couple of days troops of the PLA will be arriving in your hometown or city. Welcome them. They only mean to do you good. Our people’s army are the best trained military troops the world has ever seen. These are highly trained experts and thy are much better than the very best soldiers that any country has ever been able to produce... up until now. All our troops speak perfect English and have been thoroughly taught all aspects of American culture in order to understand every nuance of the people in your land.
“We have been planning this liberation of America for many many decades. Once the rest of the world knows what is happening, they too will gladly submit to order and sanity. Our invasion here in the United States of America is to set a perfect living example of our capabilities to the rest of the world. Other countries will fall into line without incurring the devastating damage to their infrastructures that you have. They will find that marching to the new beat is a necessity. Why? One good reason is because the world financial system is now no more. The dollar is no more. The Yen is no more. The Euro is no more. Instead, we now replace it all with an entirely new money based entirely upon resource productivity which, for the American financial world, we have named, “The Cash.” “The Cash” is the lubricant of the new American society. We open our People’s Banks next Monday.”
Colonel Fung Shu held up a bill with a large red star on it surrounded by red roses. He turned to the right and then to the left so that everyone could easily see.
“The Cash.” We thought Americans would feel comfortable with that terminology. In other areas of the world we will call it something else. Something more palatable to other populations. And now, I turn this presentation back over to Chairman Wu.”
The audience did not clap when Chairman Wu resumed the podium. People were crying and groaning. Chairman Wu lightly applauded the Colonel. “Thank you Colonel Fung, very enlightening.”
Then he turned back to the crowd. “I do not expect you dear people to clap at this point and fully understand why. Now, let us move on and finish this up. I want to make this next point very clear. Your entire oil infrastructure is permanently eradicated. Yes, I know some of you have gas in your automobiles and trucks. However, as of right now it is highly illegal for anyone, other than our People’s Liberation forces, to drive a vehicle at all. Eventually, someone will be around to drain your tanks. No driving. That’s anyone, dear people. No driving to go anywhere. Is that absolutely clear? Anyone violating this edict will be summarily disintegrated. There is no need for that. Just do not even think about driving your car. Within a very few days, the PLA will be at your door. Actually we want to mostly stay out of your neighborhoods and our presence there will dwindle as you become more efficient living life as the human beings you were designed to be. We and we alone will be in the various seats of government, courthouses, police, firemen and overseers of your labor. Some of the professional people among you will be allowed to live, such as lawyers, that is, those lawyers whom we do not immediately liquidate, judges... those judges who wish to be honest and care for the people and, of course, each and every member of the clergy of all religious cults and sects. We wish to demonstrate to them that we are all one and show them how to teach their flocks likewise. In fact, we insist because we cannot waver in the slightest on some very fundamental issues. “All of you will be required to register. Your identification will be your DNA. You will not have to undergo the feared biochip that your illuminati masters had long planned for you and your account from which “The Cash” is dispersed for your hours of hard labor is entirely yours and yours alone for your own family benefaction. There will no longer be any income tax nor taxes of any kind.
“Each residence will receive a booklet which clearly outlines all the social and civil laws you will be following. They are simple, natural, easy, not complicated, wise and even beneficial to your health. This includes your mental, emotional and physical health, your entire well being. We will heal your disease even before it gets started. Why wait? Nip it in the bud right away before it becomes a Frankenstein’s monster and... perhaps... gets out of hand. There has already been far too much liberal waywardness here in America and, you might even agree, the time has now come for drastic change. Complete change. Big change. A very thorough house cleaning, so to speak. Consciousness Dry Cleaning.
“So, for now, that is all... except to say that you will all be receiving your booklets tomorrow, or the next day, and you will be reading the booklet and understanding what is required of you and the great benefits of assuming personal responsibility for yourself and for the people. Then, you will be prepared when the People’s Liberation Army arrives. Peace to you all. And, my sincere apologies for the inconveniences. You will eventually come to fully understand.”
With that, Chairman Wu stepped down from the podium and went out the side door. He had no visible bodyguards.
Martin and Laura were completely stunned. They couldn’t believe their ears. Could any human being be such a comfortable, arrogant, reprobate and hypocritical despot? A person who wantonly slaughters men, women and children for some political idea or quasi-religious ideal, arrogantly talking down to them while lashing them with a psychological whip? It was completely frightening.
“I guess this is the classic totalitarian mindset,” said Martin. Laura let out a great sigh. “Yeah, no doubt. The classical totalitarian mindset... but highly perfected.”
They knew very well that they hadn’t been told everything and most probably had been told a complete pack of lies. It was pure propaganda without even attempting to disguise itself. It was the only product to be sold. Great rewards if you became a buyer. Sudden death if you didn’t. Martin and Laura well knew that they had been told only enough to get them in line for the moment. There would be more to come later, they were sure of that.
Martin plugged the phone back in and immediately it started to ring. It was Marci. “Daddy? Oh my God. What is happening? I am going insane. Oh daddy... Ken is here with me. We need to see you right away.”
“Yes, mom and I need to see you also. The sooner, the better. But Marci... the roads are blocked and no one can get anywhere.”
“Oh my God. Oh my God.” Marci was beside herself.
“Honey, take a few deep breaths... listen to me. I don’t know how... but things are going to get better. This type of totalitarian regime can only succeed temporarily. This is history and history repeats itself. These brutal despots and murderers will eventually wind up on a lamp post like Mussolini and his mistress.”
“Daddy, I know that’s true but what are we going to do right now? What are we going to do? I am completely confused and terrified. Our plans... our lives are completely ruined.”
“I know, I know. But listen...”
Just then, the telephone line went completely dead. Martin clicked the receiver to check the connection. When he reached over to turn on the lamp, there was no electricity. He looked at the electric clock. It’s hands were frozen at 12 noon.
High noon is now here, he thought.
“Now what?” Laura was suspicious. “How is she? How’s Kenneth?”
“Apparently the power is out. It has probably been... discontinued.” Laura immediately went into the kitchen and turned on the faucets. Nothing. “Marty, they have cut all the utilities. There is no water pressure.”
Martin was already checking the hot water heater in the washroom. “You’re right. There’s no gas either.”
“Well, if you want to keep people terrified in their homes, that is certainly the way to do it!” Laura almost shouted in her frustration. Martin didn’t say anything but just went out on the front porch to smoke a cigarette.
Laura came and sat down beside him. “So, how are they?”
“Just like us. Very scared and confused at the moment. Laura, it is most likely that we won’t get to see them anytime soon. We will just have to stay connected to them in our hearts and with all our prayers. We’re in for a rough ride. The only question is ‘how rough?’ and we won’t know that until the situation develops. Whatever it is... I love you and our children... more than my life.”
She nodded but didn’t cry. She wanted to.
Chapter Two
Chp. 1 : Chp. 2 : Chp. 3 : Chp. 4 : Chp. 5 : Chp. 6 : Chp. 7 : Chp. 8 : Chp. 9 : Chp. 10 :
Chp. 11 : Chp. 12 : Chp. 13 : Chp. 14 : Chp. 15 : Chp. 16 : Chp. 17 : Chp. 18 : Chp. 19 :
