Chapter 2

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When Marie opened her eyes, it took her a minute to recognize her surroundings. The world seemed bathed in crimson twilight, the sun’s death frozen in golden-red rays that barely pushed back the encroaching darkness. It was not true daylight, but rather a flash of life before the inevitable black void covered all.

She sat up, surrounded on all sides by other passengers. They appeared to be inside the airport, or at least underneath the main terminal. Planes lay open and empty, gaping holes where luggage belonged, now scattered by the shaking of the world. A small group of people stood in a circle, hushed voices still carrying across the open space.

Standing, she forcibly swallowed the pain shooting from her leg and skin. She probably looked half-dead, and she certainly felt like it. But she needed to know, to understand. Limping slowly over, she met the gazes that rose from the group and was surprised to see no one objecting to her arrival.

It was certainly an odd assortment of people. Young and old, crew and passengers. Several dozen people, at least those currently awake, now gathered to watch the end of the world.

An older gentleman, Native American in appearance, was talking in a quiet voice to a man Marie suspected to be the captain, judging by his torn and dirty uniform.

They turned to the group, the captain rubbing a palm across his beard. He paused, staring at the dried blood covering his hand, before shaking his head and speaking up to everyone nearby.

“It won’t work. We’ve already tried. Electronics are down, radios aren’t responding and even if they were, there’s nobody out there listening. You all heard the message. The rest of the planet, everyone… they’re gone. It’s just us.”

“No! That can’t be right.” An older lady was clutching a kid’s hand, gripping it so tight her knuckles were white. “It can’t be. There has to be something, someone…”

The voice trailed off, tears trickling down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry.” The captain hung his head, shoulders barely shrugging. “There’s nothing we can do. This is the end.”

No one said anything for a time, each lost in thought. Then, the airplane captain cleared his throat. His fingers tightened on a flight cap, crumpling it with sudden emotion. He almost snarled out the next words.

“Here’s the long and short of it. Obviously aliens exist. In one swoop, they’ve effectively destroyed this world, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we all end up slaves or dead, simply because we register so low on the scale we’re inconsequential.”

He paused, gazing out at the still burning wreckage. Slowly, he took a breath and continued.

“So here’s the hard truth. Most of humanity is gone. Maybe there are other people out there like us, but we can’t count on them. Hopefully we’ll find other planes, other people; but until then, if we’re going to survive, we have to work together. Ya, I know it sounds cliché, but look around. This is the endtimes folks. It’s now our reality. So understand this … we’re it. All of us, we’re what’s left of humanity. Forget the past. Forget your plans, your dreams. Now, right now… all we can do is survive. That’s it. That’s our only goal.”

He straightened high, eyes blazing.

“My name is Bryson Jeremiah Schreier. I’m fifty-two years old, a military veteran and commercial pilot, and a…” His voice caught for a moment, a sob choked back, then he continued.

“I’m a husband to a wonderful wife and a father to two beautiful girls. So here’s my promise. This might be the end of the world, but I’m not going out without a fight. I won’t give them the satisfaction of an easy death. I’m going to make them, whoever they are, hurt before the end. They’ll know all our names, one way or another.”

His expression was fierce, hard lines etched on stone. Those individuals nearby straightened just a bit, various emotions showing. Pain of loss, fear of the new world, and anger at whoever had done this. Captain Bryson nodded and held up a quick hand. His voice was firm once more, shoulders squared, bearing straight.

“Now, let’s work together and figure out a position to hold up in, and grab as much food as we can carry. Obviously, we need water and medical supplies. Those in good enough shape, get together and start forming teams. We need to move the wounded to a safer place. Everyone else, get to raiding the terminals for supplies. Think long-term, so grab the perishables first. Does anyone else here have military experience?”

Several people raised their hands.

“Alright, you guys are currently on protection and guard duty. I have no idea if we’re going to be left alone or not, but I’d rather not get shafted by the first alien with a ray gun that lands here. Figure out a rotation and get back to me. Everyone else, let’s get to work.”

He immediately moved to where most of the still-living passengers lay on the ground and began checking over each of them. The crowd split up, some following him while others gathered and began discussing plans.

Marie let them drift past, her eyes remaining on the still smoldering plane wreck. Multiple plane wrecks. Apparently, not everyone in the sky had been so lucky, or had such an experienced pilot in the cockpit.

Slowly, she limped over to where a random luggage cart lay motionless. Pulling herself up into the seat hurt a bit, but once there she settled back and continued watching the flames in the distance. After a few minutes, someone else pulled themselves up to sit beside her.

They stayed together like that for some time, not saying anything. Eventually a voice, deep in tone and simultaneously melodic and mesmerizing, spoke aloud.

“I warned them. I told them with no illusions, ‘There will be consequences.’ They didn’t listen.”

In a daze Marie turned her attention towards the individual sitting beside her. He was well dressed. Too well dressed. Unlike the rest of the passengers on board Flight 1781 there were no rips in his clothes, no cuts or scrapes on his skin. No bleeding wounds, or burnt clothing. He appeared to be in perfect condition.

His clothing was something of a cross between a robe and business suit. His salt and pepper hair was long and tied behind his head, his well trimmed beard enhancing his jawline. The man would be tall, if standing. Somewhere over six feet, with long and lanky legs. He seemed wiry, taunt muscles revealed under sleeves that had been rolled up.

He sat on the cold seat, legs up, gazing out over the remnants of the destroyed airport, not saying anything else and not looking at her, just seemingly in deep thought.

“Who… who are you?” Marie asked.

He sighed, and then began to speak. “I am a concerned… well, citizen might not be the most appropriate term. I am an individual who is concerned with the nature of this event.” One hand waved in a circling motion. “I had given detailed explanations on what I thought might happen, and I warned the participants of this atrocity that there would be repercussions, but like normal no one listened to me. So now I am faced with a Choice, one which I do not fully know if I should make. After all, once I confirm this Choice, this act, there will be no turning back. How does your world say it? There will be no putting the genie back in the bottle, for Pandora’s box will have already been opened. Or something to that effect. In that moment, the destiny of this world, this galaxy, and perhaps this entire reality will be forever changed.”

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He paused, hand out and palm open, as the first drops of rain began to fall. Marie stared at him, her mind still woozy and not fully trusting the words she had heard.

“I don’t… I think…” She stopped, collected herself and tried again. “You know who did this?”

“I do.”

“And you… don’t agree with them?”

“I don’t.”

Marie turned away, feeling the rain begin to splatter against her skin and shivering at the sensation. “Is the rest of humanity… are they all dead? Is it just us then?”

“No, actually.”

In surprise her head jerked up at his response, a flicker of hope rising. “No? They’re not? But, I… I thought…”

The man’s lips pursed, an grim smile showing few teeth. “They were taken, but they’re not dead. At least, not yet.”

Marie’s heart stuttered, barely able to contain her hope. “If they weren’t killed, then where are they?”

He shrugged. “I don’t fully know the answer to that. Or rather, I do have an idea, but I’m not able to do anything about it at the moment.” He noticed Marie shifting, and quickly continued. “Of course, like I said earlier, if I make the Choice I am currently contemplating; then you’ll be able to figure that out for yourselves.”

Now Marie turned completely towards the alien masquerading as a human, fully awake and energized as adrenaline began to flow. She tasted the rain as it streamed down her face, blood mixing with dirt and sweat on her lips.

“Who are you?” Her voice was firm, the fear replaced by excited interest.

The man chuckled softly. “As I said, I am a concerned citizen. And what I am concerned about is the future of this reality.” He looked at her, fully meeting her gaze for the first time. His eyes were orbs of sleek gray, each containing silver iris’ slowly spinning. They were the first truly alien things about him she had really noticed, and Maria found herself unable to completely meet them. There was something… off about those eyes. Not just unusual, but wrong on a visceral level. He watched her, matching her gaze, and judging her in way she could feel, but not explain.

Once again, he spoke. “Do you truly believe humanity could overcome everything done to them today? Do you believe your fellow men and women remaining on this planet can actually fight back against the encroaching hoard? Do you trust that there will be those willing to sacrifice everything, just for a chance to save your race?”

“I…” Marie stopped. She focused, trying to grasp the words, the meaning of all that had been asked. “I don’t know about everyone else. I can’t answer for every person. But for myself… if there's a way to see my family again, I'll do whatever it takes. Whatever… it takes.”

A genuine smile lit up the man’s face. “That's what I wanted to hear.” Standing to his feet, he slid gracefully out of the cart and flicked the rain off his shoulders; leaving his suit dry and untouched by the downpour.

“Very well. It was a pleasure meeting you, Marie. And I hope that you don't blame me too much for what is to come.”

“What will come?” Marie crooked her head, still watching him. “You know the future?”

He chuckled again, a dry, hoarse laugh that didn't quite contain humor.

“I can surmise it. I can estimate, or guess, if you will, but I do not truly know what lies beyond the horizon of today. However, it’s not that hard to imagine there will be a few of you who break all the rules.” He pointed at the sky and the red sun that burned with it’s alien light. “That's a good thing though. Rules are meant to be tested, even broken. How else would we learn what’s possible?”

With those words, he smiled at her, tipped an invisible hat, and was gone.

Marie gaped at the space in the air where the unnamed man had so recently stood; watching as dark raindrops splattered against the ground, and puddles formed around her. Then a voice, not quite the same as the man’s had been, spoke out. It filled the world around her, loud and commanding.

“To all remaining members of humanity still on the planet formerly known as Earth. I have decided to turn the tables on those who so recently disposed you of your family, friends, and home; but in doing so, I am committing the most treasonous of crimes. Of course, I do not care, but it must be said that in taking this action, I am the only help you will likely receive, and I will not be able to do any more than this initial act.

I recognize that you might not understand what is happening. Allow me to elaborate. Right now, your planet is in the process of converting to be of “better use” for the Galactic Union, who controls much of the explored galaxy. This is a common practice, and the planet you call home is not the first nor will it be the last world that is taken in such a manner.

Currently, even now, there is a device terraforming your world, changing its function into one of pure resource gathering. Those of you still alive on this planet are simply nothing more than biological material ready to be harvested. But I am tired of the actions committed by those individuals thinking themselves untouchable. I have watched you and I know what humanity is capable of. I believe that if given a chance, you can be more.

So this is me, tossing my cards in, stacking the deck in your favor, and hoping my gamble will be worth it. As I stated, there is an AI currently in charge of the materials converting your world. The method by which it does this is best described as akin to nanotechnology controlled through psionics. It has already subsumed every single aspect, every single particle of your world on a molecular level. While this is probably disturbing to you, know that the rest of the galaxy, the rest of the universe even, utilizes this technology to impower themselves to levels you would consider impossible. Normally, it would be unthinkable for a native “slave race” to develop anything other than a basic control of psionics, but I am changing the structure of this world’s AI. Instead of it tearing apart your planet, it will now be utilized in your favor. This will be the manner in which humanity grows out of its cradle.

Still, this will be a struggle. You will have to fight for every step. Access to psionics does not immediately give you power, it simply allows you to increase it. You must train with weapons of your old history; with sword and spear, shield and bow. It does not mean that your guns and your modern technology will not work. It just means you must find a new way by which to incorporate them.

This nanotechnology, called Orior, is so far and advanced of your current level of civilization that you might as well consider it magical. I know you have stories, television shows, movies, and books that reference such things. What is the quote a member of your species once said? “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Consider that to be the case here.

Now, even as I send this message to every member of your race, there are other civilizations gathering. They are preparing to invade your world, to utilize what resources have already been gathered and to consume the rest. They believe the process of terraformation has already been started.

Well, it has. It started the moment the rest of your species disappeared off the surface of the planet following a mass temporal teleportation. Even now as I change its directive to instill power into the native race of this planet it has also begun to effect the flora and fauna of your world, including the animals and the continents upon which you've lived. Very likely you will find that small changes have already begun to happen. Lands will continue to disappear and entire countries will slowly sink beneath the waves, while mountains and islands form as tectonic plates shift. In a little over eight years, the world you once knew as Earth will look completely different. That is the deadline for it to be harvested.

During those eight years, there will be millions of aliens landing and hunting. They will be seeking out the native animals and any remaining sapient species to use for either target practice; or to capture and enslave. Some of these aliens can be bargained with. Most will try to kill and eat you. Do not let them do so. Instead, you must seek them out, to use and take their power for your own. Defend your world and your home, and grow strong enough so that you might take charge of the technology affecting it. If you are able to do so, if you manage to find and reach the Central Node; then you will control the destiny of this world.

And perhaps, at that point, you will be able to find the rest of humanity. For they were not killed but taken, enslaved, sent somewhere else in this vast universe. Right now they are undoubtedly being integrated into some form of slave planet. But… when you have gained enough power to control this world, you might just be able to rescue them.

When this message completes, you will see in front of you a personal holographic screen. It will contain a basic summary of your current physical, mental, and psionic potential; it will also calculate and determine the results of your natural-born abilities and any skills that you create. Use this adaptation, but do not become restricted by it.

I welcome you, Humanity, as you step foot on the first path of a journey long and treacherous. I look forward to seeing what your race becomes, and I hope as your benefactor, to one day be vilified in my choice to trust you all.

Good luck, and may you ever follow the Horizon’s Call.”

And with that… silence reigned on a world gone mad.