Left Behind
Two short chapters for a story I was playing with about a group of people leaving earth because it was too violent. My writing needs a lot of work but hell it’s good for the soul. Partially inspired by Atlas Shrugged’s idea on a group of people forming their own society while the rest of the world decayed around them.
——————————————————————————
Left Behind
Chapter 1: Before the Storm
Bob awoke to a splitting headache and a roaring alarm clock. Turning over he rolled out of bed as he turned over the night before. Too much drink, too much celebration- for tomorrow we might die. The old drinking mantra of people everywhere. ‘Perhaps it’s that the hangover makes us wish for death’, Bob thinks sarcastically to himself while pulling on a wool robe. Finding only one slipper during a quick search he makes his way unsteadily to the kitchen.
“Coffee strong”, he calls out before telling the lights to come on dim. Waiting for the coffee to brew, Bob reclines in front of the television and sighs for a second before calling up the news reports. He knows it will be the same as every day, skirmishes in the demilitarized zones that wrap like hundred mile long canyons across the globe. At least the great wars were over. The world’s been at war so long no one really remembers why, or at least the reasons they started no longer exist.
They first called it the century war. One hundred years of raids, land falling-then being recovered by the losing party. Lost again to a civil war. When battles are on all fronts it isn’t easy to target an enemy. A few nukes were used, but they weren’t effective very late into the game. Large nations had quickly broken up into smaller states, the day of a large centralized army were history. Each small state had too much need for the resources, and the lands of invaded territories, they couldn’t risk destroying it. Eventually major corporations won out as the movers of the world-they grew proportionately to the diversifying political bodies. It’s an irony that with modern technology most resources can be reproduced, or have an alternative version created in a lab. Still the political bodies, near impotent now continue to act as if they have reason to exist-even if they are more controlled by the major corporations than kids viewing toy advertisements on television. What good is controlling an oil well or any natural resource when the same product can be churned out cheaper from small factories? Once corporations grew to the point of having greater capital than the nation-states it was basically over. Yet politics still comes into play even when it’s meaningless.
‘Good thing Unity Corp keeps politics out of here,’ Bob thinks to himself while puzzling over images of the short-lived battles that took place the night before. Unity Corp is to corporations what the U.N. shortly was for the world before the century war began. The conglomeration of businesses formed out of necessity, it was either work together or set the city-states off on one another. War is only good for business so long as nations could afford it, and by the time Unity Corp formed-nobody could.
Bob crosses to his high tower window and gazes out upon the ruins below. Sipping his by now brewed coffee, he can’t help but to think of where they went. For as far as the eye can see half dismantled highways and great buildings dot the landscape. A garden emerges here and there to serve as reminder of human origins. The several hundred-mile once city is under the protection of Unity Corp, and only a few are allowed to enter. The whole nation sized city is considered an archaeology dig-though is in all honesty treated more as a treasure map. Most modern technology has emerged from these ruins, left behind accidentally by the Humanists.
The Humanists emerged early during World War Three. The whole globe had erupted into a firestorm. One of the first major civil wars, while the United States was busy with battles overseas the Humanists seized the Northeastern States in a bloodless coup. Martial law had long been declared for the war effort, but local elections had still been tolerated. After strategically placing their own in key positions overseeing several important missile silos, a standstill was reached where they were left to their own devices. Press releases by the United States made it clear they would deal with the Humanist party when they had the opportunity to do so, but the opportunity never came. After several migrations of people to the Humanist controlled territories the borders were closed and little information emerged about them. With their arsenal of seized weaponry, and after the large governments were broken up, it would have been foolhardy to challenge them in a direct engagement. Besides that, they were remote and didn’t become involved in outside conflicts. This was still early on before Unity Corp formed and quieted down the warring nations. About twenty years ago the Humanists broke their silence and issued one press release to the worlds media networks, that they would no longer share a world at war and were going to head to a new world. While the rest of the world had been busy at arms, the Humanists had developed technologically to unprecedented levels. Truly many of the greatest minds immigrated to the Humanist controlled Americas rather than be drafted into military service. Within an hour of the press release, several giant ships powered by unknown means rose up out of their hidden nests and took to the sky. The power vacuum left the perfect opportunity for invasion, but before a day had passed several explosions rocketed from the formal Humanist territories. They had essentially destroyed any technology or weapon that would be of any use by those they had left behind-except for the few the Unity Corp archaeologists managed to uncover.
No one knew where the Humanists have gone. Many damned them for leaving a world at war when they had the power to stop it. Rather than simply taking over or forming a new world government, they left us behind to kill each other in suicidal pointless conflicts. They could have given the people the technologies to stop the reasons for the war, but instead they simply left. It took a decade longer for the corporations to have enough power to essentially put World War 3 in a state of perpetual controlled conflict, but by then millions had already died.
‘And I’m supposed to be the one that finds them’, Bob glances down at his coffee cup then back at the city before him. This time however not taking in the buildings and roads, this time he stares at the cloud-covered sky.
——————-
Left Behind
Chapter 2-Waving GoodBye-2070
President Samantha Carter paced impatiently in her office waiting for the message that preparations to get underway were ready. The office was actually a small room near the bridge of the ship Icarus bordering that of the captains. It has been the Presidents office since plans to leave the earth were put into works ten years ago under then president Daniels. Thankfully by the time she had taken office, most of the work on Icarus was complete, but still she was thankful for the thick walls that offered a moment of escape from busyness when the door was closed. A brief knock and an airlock hiss and the presidential office opened to let a well-dressed officer enter. The Humanists were not much on costumes, for it reminded them too much of the militaristic culture they wished to get away from. Normal attire was desired, save for slight pyramid shaped clothes on their shoulder to designate office. His was black, the highest a non-elected official can wear-it was Captain David Johnson at the door. Personally hand picked from the flight pilots to handle the Presidents lead vessel-and a close personal friend. “What a surprise David, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Samantha asks as if nothing was going on today. Before the startled Captain has time to reply she raises an eyebrow and asks, “care for a seat and some drink?” “On any other day President it would be an honor however …”. “Oh, straight to business I see. I guess it can’t be avoided. It’s a shame that all pleasantries have to be put on hold for such important matters. Sometimes I think we’re little different than the savages who are destroying this planet.” “Surely you jest Madam, to compare our great undertaking with waging unjust wars and wasting resources for murder.” Samantha Carter holds up one hand to silence her wounded friend. “Of course, you know that I wasn’t a big fan of this voyage of ours-but as time has passed and still the nations around us battle it has become increasingly clear this is our only option.” Pausing for breath the president turns from her captain and gazes at a picture on the wall. It’s of one of the first photographs of earth from high orbit. “Times were simpler then weren’t they David? People looked towards the heavens for answers, not ground beneath their feet.” Turning back towards the stalwart Captain, “It would only be a matter of time before our own society would be at risk. I do know the currents of dissent amongst the Humanists who want to get involved, thinking that we can do something to stop the wars.” Looking the captain in the eye almost pleadingly for agreement, “and if we got involved it would change what we’ve been trying to do this past half century. Go ahead Captain, give me the good news.” Standing almost as if in salute the Captain simple states, “We’re ready to get underway Ms. President.” “Very good then, I guess I’ll make my radio address.” As the Captain heads back out the door towards the bridge the president silently adds, “think we’ll be back one day?” “A better question Ms. President; is will there be anything to come back to.” For a moment the office doors let in the hurried preparations as random people run back and forth calling to each other. When they close Samantha calmly reaches for her notes and switches on the intercom. “I’m ready for the address, please patch me into the world media network”, she voices into the speaker set beside her. “Just a moment please madam president, I’m attempting to hijack the signal now,” the communication officer says with all deliberate reverence. Within the half buried walls of the Icarus a series of encoded transmissions are bounced from one satellite to the next. “Piece of cake,” mutters the communications Officer as he plugs in the hijack protocol made just for this purpose. Several popular sitcoms and even more popular real time war broadcasts are suddenly turned to black screens. The humanist logo of a human head surrounded by a ring of stars takes over billions of television screens around the world. Radios, even those by military personnel are coated in hissing static. “Ready when you are President.” Samantha collects herself and turns to face the mounted camera on the wall, trusting that the video techs will add in a proper background. “People of earth. We only interrupt your daily activities for a moment to give word of our leaving. As you may or may not be aware, I am President Elect Carter for the Humanist controlled territories. Your constant warfare stands as a direct threat to our way of life. We will no longer sit by and wait for you to self-destruct and quite probably take us with you. I hope, no I pray-that one day we can rejoin our fellow humans on earth and in the stars. Until they day, I can only ask of you to think on what you are doing to yourself. Human societies on earth have become stagnant due to the constant war. Where once we looked towards the future, now you obsess over the past. We will carry humanities legacy onward to the stars. While you may die, be assured that the human race will live on.” Samantha gives the cut video signal and the world around them resumes its misbegotten pace. ‘Perhaps that last bit was a bit harsh’, the president thinks to herself, but knows it’s what resides in her heart. “All hands brace for take off.” Blares over the intercom as ship wide lights dim and a brief reoccurring orange pulse echoes off each video screen. The Icarus shudders as the surrounding earth is flung off violently. After that first few minutes the craft is as calm as if it never left the ground. Hovering over the Humanist territories several hundred similar craft rise to meet the Icarus. Cheers erupt throughout the population holds as the moment they’ve been working on comes to life. Knowing what is about to come, Samantha makes her way to her chair and pulls the soft harness around her, buckling in for the moment of zero-G that will happen when breaking earth orbit. She had some training in zero-G simulators but is mildly concerned about the other 18 million humanists who did not. “We will enter zero-G roll over in three minutes. Please make arrangements.” The intercom again interjects into the president’s thoughts. ‘Just three minutes to say good-bye to earth’, Samantha tries to think of something noble but all she can think of is what is left behind. Her childhood home, however many extended family members currently in war zones, the great Humanist city her people had slowly built up and put so much effort in. The city stood as a monument to the Humanist ingenuity, the largest ever constructed-a city that had to be mostly destroyed. Samantha herself had originated the plan. At first her cabinet had been horrified, ‘destroy the city? Never!’ It was at that moment, Samantha decides, that most of the Humanist leaders realized that they were truly leaving. It was rational and made sense. While the rest of the world had decayed the Humanists had driven onward. ‘Our technology would only cause more harm to the people, while we used it for good-they would use it to kill.’ Samantha remembers those impassioned pleas. Some amongst her cabinet felt technology was a solution; sympathizers who felt the Humanists should stay behind. ‘Old habits die hard, even if we ended their dependency on old technologies and resources they would still find reasons to make war. It might not be new reasons, but they’d certainly sustain old ones.’ An answer only half-felt President Samantha offered, but it was enough. The cabinet agreed and set explosives throughout the city. Public announcements were made reminding people to take any form of technology either with them or to a proper disposal site. It was accepted they could not totally wipe their city clean, but it was a risk they would have to take. “Breaking the atmosphere, one minute for ship roll.” The intercom didn’t have to tell Samantha who suddenly felt her lunch do summersaults in her stomach. Papers and pens hovered over her desk and the President mentally kicks herself for not putting everything away. ‘ah well, you can’t think of everything’, she cajoles herself. The ship is about to enter a roll to induce gravity, it wouldn’t be as strong as Earths, but it would be enough to keep people healthy. Much time and effort had been put into artificial gravity devices, but nothing useful had panned out. The best ideas would have required far too strong of an electromagnetic field, not to mention the health risk posed by anyone even within one for a brief interval. Research as always was ongoing, but it was clearly not going to be in time. “We’re clear of the Earth. Congratulations everybody and job well done,” this time the Captains voice echoed over the system. Removing the buckle and harness the President gains her balance and heads onto the deck of the ship. Past her door two Security officers ask her if she needs a hand and she gently waves no. Emerging on the deck the main window shows the earth below, Samantha can’t help but think of how much it reminds her of the old 1960’s photo in her office. “Welcome to the deck of the Icarus President Samantha, I hope you found the take off successful,” the Captain turns and bows to the President. “It was, unique Captain.” The Captain turns towards the communications station; “Put me on fleet wide.” After a brief pause, “All ships, set sail for the Haven.”
