Wicked Messenger by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview
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Chapter 11
ELI, 6-15-98476. 6-15-2058 EARTH CALENDAR
Cronos thought that it was probable that Joshua had killed Ares, but didn’t want to confess to the murder of a Very Important Person, as would be reasonably expected from a competent player. But he also knew it was possible that Ares never made it to Earth and if he did, he might be wandering around with a lost memory. In any event Ares was out of the way for now and expediency dictated that it was time to recoup losses. He couldn’t determine if the rocket that Joshua now had was equipped with three transmitters or one until he got to Earth, unless he wanted to risk petitioning the freaky Completions. Further reflection on the matter made him decide that the “facts” were irrelevant and of primary importance was that his man was back on the heroic job. ....................
Yet, there was something disturbing the hair at the base of his neck.
Since he, at least temporarily, did not have the ability to shrink and get in the rocket Joshua had no way of knowing that he mistakenly retained Ares’ rocket with three transmitters. His reports of Earth weaponry and locations suited the Eli predisposition of eradicating the monkeys as they had nothing to compete with Eli “silver bullets” of varying sizes. The most potent of the Earthling arsenal were weapons capable of blowing
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up huge territories; property destructors, like the one which probably caused the Eli “First Great Disaster;” all the more reason to dispatch of them. Cronos was unaware that he was being fed publicly known information, readily available on the Internet, while Joshua maximized his time with Becky and Grandpa. He was enjoying himself immensely and tried to forget the realities of superior Eli power. So did they.
After Ares was not located for three days, Cronos launched his media campaign, aimed at advertising the success of “his”
program. An Eli could not go anywhere without being reminded of how Cronos Titanby and the Eli Galactic Department were primarily responsible for ensuring their safety. It was on TV, installed as a public service announcement prior to movies, shown as “news” on internet search engines, written on buses, billboards, and public garbage cans. In their minds the cynical Elis guessed that this was an obvious oversell, but with the fear for their lives firmly in place, they were ready to grab at any lifeline straw.
On prime time Eli TV, Cronos sat with interviewer Katy Smilowitz; his self-satisfied countenance only besmirched by his constant fidgeting with his thin and below-the-belt-buckle tie.
Katy gave him a smile which seemed to cover half her otherwise bland face, then glanced at and shuffled her cards. She said; “I understand that the mission is going well.”
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“Yes, Katy. Joshua Foucalt had a temporary bout with amnesia, most likely caused by the rigors of the flight. But he’s fine now and has been issuing regular reports.”
“Is there any news concerning Ares Jarrod?”
Cronos shook his head sadly, looking at the floor and said;
“No, Katy. I’m afraid not. Though we still hold out hope, we think it likely that he didn’t ever make it to Earth. In any case he is a true Eli hero and I am nominating him for membership in the Patriots Hall of Fame. Kids should always remember.” He scratched his cheek and tried to give the impression that he was holding back an anathema emotion.
“Do you have any information as to what happened?”
“Nothing the least bit concrete. Ares did not have the flight experience of Joshua and going at that speed he might not have been able to avoid one of the many obstacles in uncharted space. While we were always in contact with Joshua, even when he wasn’t making any sense, we have lost all contact with Ares.”
“What are we learning of Earth?”
“Many things, some best left out of the public arena for a while. But, I can tell you that regarding armaments they are still in the ‘explosive era,’ much like we were prior to The First Great Disaster.”
“That could be a problem, correct?”
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“Not really. Their storage sites are publicly known. We might be aware of all of them already through the work of Joshua. All we have to do is ‘go in small’ and undetected in our rockets and annihilate them all at once with our ‘silver bullets.’” He shrugged confidently.
“You make it sound easy.”
“It will be. They’ll be completely disarmed before they know what hit them.”
“But, they’ll have the knowledge of how to rebuild.”
“Without a model to copy, building those kinds of weapons takes an extraordinarily long time, unlike ours which can be rolled off the duplication machines in a matter of hours. But, to be completely safe, in addition to their violent nature this is another reason why we will eliminate them.”
“I don’t mean to sound unpatriotic, but isn’t that a bit harsh?”
“Katy, it’s a tough universe. How would you like it if you lived next door to an Earthling who went crazy with his gun?”
Katy put her hand on Cronos’ knee and said; “I’m sorry I asked that. It was written on one of my cards.” She angrily peered at someone off stage.
With a straight face Cronos said; “Perhaps you will give me some names after the show?”
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“Yes. ...... Yes. ...... Of course. Well, how is the building of the evacuation ships coming?”
“Very well. We are near finishing the first ‘Mass Transport,’ if you will. Once the first is done it won’t take long to get it into mass production. Our technology can duplicate anything, with only the slightest of possible glitches.”
Has any thought been given to seating priorities. Some
“Darky” editorialists have suggested that .........”
Cronos cut her off, mildly saying; “I’m aware of the malcontents fussing at a time of global crisis, when cooperation is the order of the day. The prototype vehicle seats three thousand shrunken Elis. If my math is correct, this means that the escape ships will be about sixty feet long, seating four across. We’ll be quickly making ten thousand of them at no great cost so that every Eli has his very own seat. We’re not even considering the possibility of one ship making multiple trips. There is no reason for anyone to worry. The main priority is being assured that all Earth mass weapons are eliminated shortly after our peaceful population arrives. And as I’ve said, the information regarding that mission is coming in well and to our liking.”
Katy made a wide ingratiating smile and said; “Thank you for being with us.” When she incorrectly thought they were off
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camera she said; “I have a few names for you. Some of the writers are so ******* liberal it’s embarrassing to read their garbage.”
ESPERANZA, ARIZONA, 6-15-2058
Becky turned ten. Her Mom and Dad threw a little party for her also attended by Joshua, Grandpa, Miguel and Anna; two migrant workers from Mexico staying at the rooming house. At 12PM the tiny tornado descended the stairs dazzling in her blue and white polka dot dress. Her long brown hair was tied back with a red ribbon and she had attached recently cut lavender chrysanthemums above both her ears. The guests were waiting, seated at the kitchen table, with the head seat of honor waiting for her. She sat to the off-beat rendition of “Happy birthday,”
and graciously thanked the vocalists. She made a wish which Joshua correctly guessed and blew out the ten tiny blue candles in two tries.
Becky looked to Joshua and said; “I think I earned my wish.
Am I correct?”
Joshua was startled by the question, didn’t expect to hear it in mixed company and hesitated before answering; “Maybe not today. But, it will come soon. I promise”
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The interchange puzzled Dad. But, he chose not to bog down the festivities in arcane inquiries, got up and said; “I’m going to cut the cake. Don’t you want to see your presents?”
Becky said a lackluster; “Yes,” and proceeded to open the fancily wrapped boxes on the table.
Mom looked at her strangely, wondering why her daughter wasn’t more enthused on her special day. As far as she knew Becky had gotten everything she asked for.
Joshua felt terrible about the likely eventuality and wracked his brain to come up with something. He sat silently and watched Becky watching him. He felt like both inadequate and a liar and averted his eyes from the child’s unmitigated clarity.
He thought about Becky and Grandpa; more specifically he kept imagining their obliteration. Though he tried to keep that image out of his head, matters were not entirely in his control. After the party he went directly to the desert to be alone and let his mind wander in a purposeful way. He thought; “What would stop the Elis from obliterating the people of Earth? ......... That they were peaceful? ....... They know that they’re not. There’s no way to hide that. And even if they were it might not stop them. ........ That there was something to be gained from Earthlings? ........ What? ....... By definition, their existence dictates compromises. ....... At best. ....... That some, like Becky and Grandpa are heartwarming? ........ If
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important Elis wanted their hearts warmed, they’d push the red button. Others don’t have any say so over matters of policy.
...... That Earth has comparable or superior weapons? ........
Elis understand power and subterfuge better than anything else.
...... That would make them back off, as under no circumstances would logical Elis initiate a conflict without the certainty of a pre-determined and overwhelming victory. ......... But, Earth weaponry consists of items suitable for an Eli museum. ........
But, Cronos isn’t certain of that. ...... That’s why I’m here.
....... Supposedly. ................................. Maybe I can make the Elis think that Earth has comparable weapons.”
Joshua got an idea. He thought it through, amended it, considered the possible results, amended it again and again, and then settled on it. He decided that it was his best chance at keeping his promise and that it couldn’t make matters any worse.
He needed some trustworthy help with a flair to pull it off and he rushed back home to find Grandpa.
Grandpa was sitting on the porch as usual and Joshua sat next to him and blabbered like Becky. “I’ve got it, but I need your help. You have to say that you saw a light streak down and land in the desert on the day of Ares’ flight, June ninth. You investigated and found a tiny man wandering around. The little man had some kind of potent weapon, seemed deranged and didn’t want to be bothered. You saw him blow away a prickly pear and
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decided it best to leave him alone. You told no one because you were afraid of being labeled senile. However, you have recently seen some destruction near the house and are fearful for the family safety.”
Grandpa chuckled, wondered if Joshua buried the wine bottle in the sand, was nonplussed, politely waited to hear more and when he didn’t flatly said; “What good is that going to do?”
“It will become public knowledge. It’ll be news. People will come to investigate. Of course they won’t find anything, but I’ll have it documented that something happened. I can tell the Elis that it’s very possible that Ares has been captured and that America may now have his “silver bullet.” It’s easy for them to duplicate on their Warhols and if the powers that be on Eli think they might meet a formidable opponent they will not risk an attack.”
With an air of disbelief Grandpa said; “You really think this will work?”
“It’s the best shot we have and there isn’t a thing to lose in trying.”
Grandpa looked into the desert a while, shook his head, then said; “I don’t know. It seems like drawing at imaginary straws.”
“Versus certain annihilation of your species? Becky won’t live to grow up. You want that?”
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“I wish there was something better.”
“The Elis are a pragmatic uncaring people. All they understand is power and their own interest and you are overwhelmingly outgunned. They think they are gods. My boss is named Cronos and the President is Zeus.”
“I’ll report the sighting to the State Police tomorrow and try not to let the laughter bother me.”
Joshua slapped him on the knee and said; “Good man. Think of Becky. I’m going to tell her right now and then I’m going to get to Waco.”
“And leave me holding the bag?”
“I can’t be associated with this place. It would raise a lot of suspicion about the story on Eli. Besides, I’ve told Cronos that I was in Waco.”
Grandpa glumly nodded and Joshua went to Becky’s room. He knocked at the closed door and Becky faintly said; “Entre vous.”
She sat in the center of her bed surrounded by her favorite birthday present; a six volume set of “Honeywell’s Film Guide,”
which purported to give a brief synopsis and rating of every film of significance made in America. Foreign films which received American distribution were also covered. She closed the volume in her lap and said; “The French don’t make movies like us. They’re more personal.”
“On Eli Darkie movies tend to be despairing.”
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“Darkie? Like noir?”
“Yes and no. I guess I never told you of the two groups of Elis; Sunnies are always in the light and are cheery and Darkies dwell in the shadows and are glum.”
“Let me guess. You’re a Darkie.”
Joshua smiled and said; “Actually I’m a Sunny. If you think I’m bad, wait till you meet a real Darkie.”
“Your skin is on the dark side. That’s probably why Dad first thought you were a migrant farm worker.”
“It’s strange. Real Darkies actually have pale skin.”
Becky stared at him.
“Many surface things are different there, kind of like Earth in a warped and discolored mirror. But, so what? Eli is a thing of the past. Earth is the future.” He squeezed her bare knee and she giggled, while he continued; “So, tell me more about French movies.”
“Well, I just started to learn about it ten minutes ago.
They’re just different. Different actors. Different directors.
And the stories are more personal and adult.”
“And at the grand old age of ten, you like that better?”
“I didn’t say that. I just said different.”
Joshua elevated and said; “I stand corrected, my princess.”
When he saw a hint of a smile, he said; “I have something
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serious to tell you.” He went on to tell her the plan he had just worked out with Grandpa and that he had to leave for Waco.
Becky got off the bed and hugged Joshua. She cried into his stomach. He knelt and she saw that he too had moist eyes. Becky tearfully questioned; ”I hate to see you go. I knew it would happen one day. It always does. Why does it have to be a lie?”
Joshua held her left hand with his and answered; “I don’t understand either. We didn’t create this mess. We just have to figure out some way of living in it. Maybe it’s something like fighting fire with fire.”
“I’ve heard that phrase, but I’ve never heard of any firemen actually doing that.”
“Well, maybe I’ll be the first.” Joshua smiled and continued in a childish voice; “After all, I was the first Eli on Earth, and that wasn’t an easy thing to do either.”
“Will I ever see you again?”
“I hope so. ....... I mean, sure. I want to see you grown up, married, with kids and dogs all over the place. But, right now we have to pretend that we never knew each other to give the lie a chance of being effective.”
They both breathed deeply while holding hands. Joshua kissed her cheek, left her room, picked up his belongings, rented a car and started for Waco in the dark silence. Becky lay
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in bed and for the first time thought that she hated the universe.
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