SWNOVELS Chapter 11: S.W.A.T. Part 2
The lecturer let the noise die down, and then he continued. “As I said it was high lord Carbonetti of the Spindleywick Empire, who gave the order to eradicate every Human from Earth’s surface. Not a wise move, as within a century from his fateful decision, the ancient empire of Spindleywick was utterly destroyed. And the race wiped out. Only to be replaced by the very Humans they intended to snuff out. And as you are all no doubt aware, this nouveau empire is the most successful in the universe.” He let the words sink in, before walking to the exit.
Jake was only one day away from his sixteenth birthday. “Tom says they’re cowards, for not wanting to fight.” His father put down the book he was reading. “Jake, those who choose to be uppers are probably the bravest people on the planet. Just think; to walk openly in to the jaws of death, and lay down your life without raising a finger. Just to keep our enemies occupied.” “But”, Jake tried to answer, but the book was already back up. He knew the conversation was over. Jake would just have to learn the truth at the induction day tomorrow. At the end of which, the youth would have to choose between toiling in the sun, or joining the biggest underground army the Earth had ever supported. It was that simple, there was no in-between. He finished supper; tomorrow would be a long day.
Jake woke early, and was neatly turned out in his school uniform by the time his tube arrived. It wound through the series of tunnels on its way to recruitment control, or at least to the local branch. Here he would learn the facts of life. Every school child knew the rough story of Mankind’s moment of crisis, and how the Human race adapted. As any species must, if it is not to become extinct. But today Jake would finally be given the whole story. And then he would have to make the informed decision, about what role he would play in his world.
The doors slid open and Jake joined the end of the queue, as the boys and girls filed in to the lecture theater. Todays batch was particularly large, and so Jake had difficulty finding a seat. But he finally found one halfway down on the left. Then the lights sank, and a white flickering appeared on the screen in front of them, before the film began.
“Imagine a world divided” the voiceover began. An image of a globe appeared on the screen. There were the continents every school child knew about, but for some reason the landmasses were sub divided with different colored sections. “What you see here were the various countries of the world. A country was a part of the world, where different sets of values and laws governed the people, who lived just in that area. This was a world divided, and each country wanted to preserve and even expand their values in to other countries. This meat war, and often whole generations of people were killed in this eon old practice.”
There suddenly appeared on the screen a kindly faced man. “When Bernard Travis was alive, the countries of the world were in an uneasy stalemate. Where agreements between similar ideologies, made it difficult but not impossible for all out war to occur. It was Bernard Travis who found out the crisis Mankind faced, and alerted the Human race to the course of action that was needed to be taken. If men like Bernard Travis hadn’t had the foresight and conviction to act when they did, you would be slaves.” Up came an image of a group of Humans in chains as a creature with tentacles flicked a whip over them. “Or even worst.” The audience gasped as the same alien tucked in to a human cadaver, slavering over the corpse.
“At first Bernard Travis’ claims weren’t generally accepted. Back then he was the head of the Bureau for Alien Investigation of America. Which was why he had psychics on hand, at the famous lizard costume party. These same psychics were to become the genesis of the Psycorp. That was when he got the evidence that aliens were farming us, and just waiting until the time was right. If it weren’t for one of Travis’ psychics picking up on the space net out past Pluto, that stopped all forms of intelligent communication, he would have been ridiculed into obscurity. As it was, he had a friend in S.E.T.I. who was able to look for this net of devices. And given some good pointers from Travis’ team, the proof was finally found. That was the day the world changed. In the past people imagined such an event, would be precipitated by actual contact with beings from another world. But to just find the ring fence, like cattle wondering up to the boundary of their field, catalyzed world powers to accept the truth.
But how could Humanity withstand alien forces, with the power to do this in so casual a manner? Again Travis stepped in, with the most audacious plan of Human unity ever conceived. Above a population, seemingly easy to conquer, thus reducing loss by warfare, and yet useless to any invasion force. And below waiting like a spider to pounce, was the balance of Humanity. Every man and woman would be fighting fit, and ready for action. And the beauty of the plan was that once an invasion force was down on the ground, trying to make some use of the uppers, as they were to become know as. The Psycorp and other sections of the world army, could study the enemy. Even surreptitiously capturing some for study. So we could take our time to develop special weapons and tactics, specifically tailored to our enemy.
Of course the job of uniting the world itself was no picnic. There were many factions, and even countries that dissented at first. But when the world government introduced a device that pacifies the dissenter. Or terminates them if necessary, in the shape of an armband. All resistance to the plan was finally eliminated. This vast army of Uppers helped the Downers, as the rest of Humanity was to be known, to build the deep cities of the world. With self-sustaining geothermal power, Hydroponic food, and even the air recirculation systems needed to keep Humanity hidden from view. In time the Uppers then turned the surface in to the rural world we know today. Each one sterilized, so a child didn’t have to run the dangers the Uppers would face. And with their memory of life below wiped, least they inadvertently let slip the true nature of our world. Then the population above was kept up, with volunteers ready to die passively for the cause. And criminals sent up to keep the Downer’s world relatively crime free.” As the voiceover explained all this, there had been portrayed a visual of the key scenes in the story. “Which leads you to the decision you must make.”
At this point the film ended, and a spotlight fell on a figure at the front of the auditorium. He took up the dialogue. “Made more poignant by the fact that true to Bernard Travis’ prediction. An alien force now stands on the surface of our world.” The audience gave a gasp as one. “Yes at this very moment the brave Uppers are being sacrificed. While we gather vital information about the Spindleywick Empire, and analyze its weak spots. So very soon those of you who choose to join the world army, will get a chance at actually fighting one of the alien races; that had us pegged as a resource to be simply picked.”
The lights came up, and Jake followed the crowd in to the next chamber. They were sub divided in to groups of twenty. The man in charge of Jake’s group led them in to a brightly lit room, and Jake raised his hand to his eyes to shield them. The floor underneath seemed to sink slightly under him. “You are now experiencing what it is like up on the surface. It’s muddy and bright, and you have no control of the temperature or humidity, or as it’s called the weather. I wouldn’t describe it as fun, but then that’s why I’m down here. Take a look around.”
The walls were painted to give the impression of a wide expanse of fields, stretching to the horizon. There were a number of simple farming tools for the group to handle. “And at night you get to see this”, the room dimmed considerably. Above him Jake could see a myriad of white pinpricks scattered over the black sky. “Can’t you see that all the time in space?” Jake asked. “Yes I suppose your right. Jake isn’t it?” the guide checked Jake’s badge. “So if we join the army, we might see this too. As we fight aliens off the planet?” The guide gave him a shrewd look. “Yes Jake a good observation.” He made a note on a pad he’d just got out.
Another lad raised his hand, “Is it possible to join the Psycorp?” One or two at the back of the group snickered. But their guide answered the question, as if were a natural thing. “No son, its Jeremy isn’t it? Observers pick up the candidates for the Psycorp during their youth. You have to be born one. Besides it wouldn’t do to have someone with that skill mistakenly becoming an Upper.”
Then the group moved on. Their guide showed them various areas they could be of use in, for the different branches of the army. And finally they broke for lunch. “I want you back at this spot by one p.m.” Jake got chatting with a brown haired girl called Selene, who wanted to work in communications. “I want to do my bit, but when it comes down to it, I don’t know if I could really face an alien.” Jake nodded in agreement, not too sure what path to choose himself.
After lunch they were led in to a large hall full of desks. Jake found one with his name on it and sat down. At the front a huge man in combat fatigues waited for the hubbub to die down. Then he addressed the hall. “Ladies and gentlemen, you will now complete the theory part of your induction process. Answer truthfully, and it will help you in your decision at the end of the day. You may begin.” A hush had fallen over the hall, disturbed only by pen scratching, and the occasional chair scape.
Jake stared down at the multiple-choice questions; each answer led him to a different page. As if he were being led through a virtual maze of his dilemma, as to what role he should take. Some questions tested his skills learnt in school, and others were of a more moral nature. But finally Jake turned to a page with the legend. “Congratulations you are best suited to be a marine. Following a batch of physical tests, you will be graduated to a section. Good luck in your future career.” Jake raised his hand and an invigilator glanced at the sheet, before directing him to a door at the other end of the hall.
Through it was a long line of men in doctor’s uniforms. Jake passed down the line quickly, as he was the first to complete the exam that went through that door. In various states of undress, he was prodded poked and examined more thoroughly than he had ever been. The doctors had numerous samples taken from him. Then he was directed to another room full of chairs, and asked to wait.
He started up several times as the door opened again, but it was only to admit other boys of his age, as they slowly filled the room. Finally when almost all the chairs were taken, another door opened and a man with a clipboard marched in. “Congratulations men, you will all become elite members of the world army marines. Sworn to protect our planet from the evil forces, that would enslave or eat every member of your family. The following names will go through door one.” He indicated the door he had just come through. Jake’s name was on top of the list, and he leapt proudly to his feet before passing from that room.
In the next room was a desk. Behind it sat a man in a dress uniform; he looked up and smiled when Jake entered. “This is the time of choice son. If you want to fight the enemy, then sign here.” He held out a pen for Jake to take. The lad looked down, and saw the declaration he was about to sign. It clearly stated he was willing to kill the enemies of Earth. Jake took the pen and signed. “Good decision son, now you are part of the United World Force.” He directed Jake out through another door to a room, where other raw recruits were filtering in to be equipped with uniforms. “This will be your personal identification number, learn it.” The clerk handed him a laminated card. Then ladened down with clothes and equipment, Jake was led to his barracks.
The months that past flew by, as Jake was kept busy every working hour. Until he could hardly remember the youth who joined up, keen to fight the dreaded Spindleywicks. In unarmed combat, he could disable one of those tentacled fiends, before it got to raise the alarm. The exo-vivisectionist had done a fine job at finding the weak spots in the enemy. The range of weapons designed to combat the various types of Spidleywick troops and vehicles, which Jake was now expert in gave him an impressive arsenal to draw on in the upcoming fray. And he had to be well versed in the psychology and chain of command this enemy employed, and how to disrupt and use the Spindleywick tactics against them selves. Jake was thoroughly prepared to play his part in the first wave of the counter attack, on this enemy who had taken the surface of his planet. So it was with relief that he received the news that the zero hour would be that night. He spent the remaining time memorizing his orders, newly arrived from central command. For the attack must be swift, and no enemy must escape to warn the home system. This was all or nothing.
Jake was in command of a team of ten men, who would play a vital part in knocking out local communications. Thus blinding the enemy fleet to the fact that all their ground forces were being annihilated, and the Earth bound ships used against them. Jake and his team waited in the assent shaft, for their appointed time. Then they swiftly rose in pitch black. Twilight hit them, and at a silent command by Jake, the team rushed forward. A swift glance over his shoulder told him his team was clear, and he pressed a button on his uniform. Instantly the next team shot up, and then the next. Until troops were scurrying like ants over the surface, each headed for a predetermined target.
The second Jake blew open the communications room door, all power cut off. Another team had done its job. The emergency lighting came on for a second, and then it too failed. Jake flipped his night vision goggles on, and within seconds the marines had slaughtered the aliens as they sat at their desks. Then Jake’s team moved out, to help the team set up to ambush the expected counter attack. But the reserve Spindleywick troops were busy else ware. “All communications disabled here” Jake reported on the secure channel. “Very good, move to Delta two to assist in pull down.”
This next mission would secure one of the ships of the fleet. If communications were lost, an assault force orbiting above that area would descend to investigate. What the Spindleywick crew didn’t know; was that far from being backed up by other ships of the fleet. Their communications were being jammed; and they were just talking to Humans versed in their language. By the time they were down; they thought they were just there to help repair the base station, as part of a well-planned maneuver. So the swift and silent attack by the U.W.F. of Earth took them completely by surprise.
And so the plan continued, until every ship was captured. Only officers of any use to the next stage in the campaign were left alive. “No message or stragglers escaped sir.” The sub commander reported back to Earth command center. And thus Earth began its campaign to defeat one of the old empires, which almost wiped out those brave souls who tended the surface. And would have enslaved the entire population. If it had but known it lay under their very feet.