Dan Neumann

(Science Fiction)

orlobooks@verizon.net

Indigenous Residents

            Humanity, although predominate on their proud speck, were as organized as water to oil. One hundred and twenty-nine separate civilizations guarded their own meaningless wealth amongst themselves like rats to a single grain. No one could cast a more honest judgment then the M’ Puhnahdu, who viewed the shattered society as a potentially harnessed crumb. Nonetheless, humans found the audacity to name their superiors as “the Invaders.”

           It did not begin with rebellion, however. There was a miniscule hope for peace, which was grossly over-exaggerated. They came in large corporate ships, with the morality of capitalism as a sidearm. Those representing humanity could sympathize with their seemingly decent intentions.

“May we compress your ‘Saturn’ into a star? We have so many in need of a sun in freezing solar systems. Please, we can trade valuable technologies. You don’t even require the planet for yourselves,” the M’ Puhnahdu bargained.

The M’ Puhnahdu, also referred to as “Puhns” in peaceful times, appeared humanoid. They stood erect in posture, with heads heavy enough to cause burden. Earth scientist speculated their eyes evolved to be on their forehead for that reason, since they had always been seen with their heads slumped over. Besides the lack of joints in their arms (more like tentacles in nature), all else seemed quite similar to human physique.

The United States and Russia claimed ownership of the planet, since they had come the closest to reaching it. Trade partners of all kinds were welcomed, so they both gladly replied, “Yes.” The reward would be distributed to all nations in this deal, however.

In exchange for Saturn’s gasses, humanity received three devices. The first was a fusion reactor, with assembly coming at no charge (compliments of Rushoo, ambassador of the Puhns). The second was air recycling/circulation plants constructed all over the globe. The final invention, delivered as payment, was an atomic density manipulator, projecting enough neutrons to create exotic isotopes (intended for deflecting incoming asteroids, of course).

Within weeks, Saturn imploded and became an artificial star. The water and minerals, once suspended as crystals in the rings surrounding the ex-planet, melted and were discarded. It took the duration of a month to tow the star out of the solar system. It was a spectacle stargazers never grew weary of and solemnly missed when gone.

The M’ Puhnahdu, before retreating back into the void they had embarked from, held a brief conference with world powers. Rushoo recommended that the United Nations should gain more support, so the process of unification could be eased.

 Yet, strangely, a new war sparked in spite of the magnanimous gesture of peace. Apparently, the United States (the current world power) had engineered a plague they released into Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Syria for oil. “Why would we strike you now, of all times? We have fusion reactors that make petroleum-use foolish,” President Rice defended.

The superstitious countries rebutted, “With the recycling plants, the green-house effect has no bearings! Why wouldn’t you seize the opportunity?”

Death multiplied faster than birth, as the anonymous disease spread. In an act of desperation, the most infected nations banded together in an alliance. They modified the atomic density manipulators to serve their purposes. They entitled the new weapon, “Dirty Cannons.” It projected poisonous radiation from long distances. The United States, after being bombarded, released their vast nuclear arsenal until the launch sites of the new, unseen artillery were eradicated.

More bereavement followed until the Puhns returned for another trading proposal. “We need Jupiter. There is a star burning out in Sector F, solar system T-Seven. If they don’t get a new sun soon… well I just don’t even want to consider the repercussions,” Rushoo, the favored ambassador, requested.

The first country to respond was China, the new world power. Yoshi Xiaopong inquired, “What would be the price for this deal? This is not only the last gas giant we have, but the grandest. Besides, the only benefit the last inventions brought us was a war. A new type of war, I might add, concerning no men. I choose to fight a brother in arms than to slowly decay from radiation poisoning, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Sure, I can appreciate that. But, listen for a minute. We need that planet and you’re not using it, so let’s make that deal please.”

“What if we don’t?”

“I’m quite sure that would hamper our relationship if I disclosed that information.”

“Is that a threat, sir?”

“Yes it was, but it was meant to be taken subtly.”

“China doesn’t respond to threats subtly.”

Rushoo then bestowed all power to Canada, in order to secure, “the prosperity of the human race.”

Needless to say, Canada gladly accepted. China, on the other hand, became increasingly sour concerning the debate. Nonetheless, a deal was made that presented the Puhns with Jupiter. In exchange, Richard R. Blake (current Canadian ambassador) demanded and received an antidote to the disease, including the machine that can synthesize more.

Again, the Puhns left humanity. Just that this time, they did so with a certain haste that only a thief would generate.

Earth began, in their invader’s absence, to scheme spectacular maneuvers that should combat the new threat. The first act of defense was to dissolve the United Nations and replace it with the first Global Confederacy, affectionately identified as “the G.C.” This new government then aggressively pushed the development of space-faring vehicles.

Next, humanity began finding productive uses of their inventions. They implemented the fusion reactors to propel their own ships. They focused uses of the density manipulators to crush Puhn spacecrafts. They even managed to reverse-engineer the air recycling plants into shield generators, tricking the system in thinking the hydrogen ions were air and that the ship had an atmosphere. Although America’s shuttle fleet was not scrubbed, it was reserved only as back-up to the superior G.C. warships. A formidable fleet emerged.

A search began with probes hunting for any non-terrestrial radio signals, which were relayed back to Earth vessels. The honor of first receiving a non-human, non-Puhn transmission was held for the flagship, “Validus Navis,” which meant “Strong Boat” in Latin.

The Capitan of Validus Navis, Josh Kanoff, will go down in history henceforth after being quoted saying, “I saw the incoming radio signal, watched the needle scribble, and witnessed the pursuit of freedom evolve into the success of liberty, firsthand.”

The contact was traced back to a solar system ten light-years away. A ship left, using engines that incrementally gained more velocity, and never came back. The scientists warnings were true, relativity will not allow for faster than light speed while traveling across space; but, it may be able to do so traveling through space.

New “wormhole pocket” technology provided a plausible means of travel. A second party was launched, this time coming back with good news. This new race called themselves, “Snaidanac.” They were not only happy to provide sanctuary, but also saw ethical issues with the Puhn’s doings. Conversely, they choose neutrality and made no promises to defend Earth.

Men and women across the United Earth began chanting, “Death to the Invaders” in their music, movies, television, and books. Even terrorist organizations began cooperating to face this new mutual hazard. The world was at peace while heads looked towards the sky, seeing a far worse fate than domestic quarrels.

Ironically, the century beforehand cried, “Global warming will end us all. Surely we must unite!” Now that air-recycling plants were installed, that was no longer an issue. It was the shipping and handling that they had to worry about. humanity, indeed, could transform into one cohesive community.

Unfortunately, this single risk was short-lived. Scientists soon discovered that the lack of Saturn and Jupiter had drastically effected gravitational orbital rates. Pluto was scheduled to slowly orbit the Sun closer and closer until it would eventually collide with the Earth, during a pass, in fifty years. The warships commissioned by the Global Confederacy had their first target.

“Success!” proclaimed the combined efforts of the Validus Navis, Lacertus and Astrum Traba. Their battle-worthiness was finally proven; the comet-like planet was annihilated easily. Nevertheless, swaggering proves vulnerability, not venerability.

The Puhns returned. They viewed the uniformed government in disgust. “You are converting our gifts to you into weapons against us!” Rushoo argued.

This time the rejoinder was that of all of humanity represented. The G.C. made the official statement, “Not only was the technology paid for fairly, with reverberations almost destroying us, but our Space Navy is to secure our sovereignty. We have every right to our actions.”

Rushoo did not reply to the announcement for five days of bitter silence. Eventually he avowed, on M’ Puhnahdu’s account, to, “Immobilize your military if you lay an appendage on these settlers!”

The G.C. riposted, “What settlers?”

“We are terra-forming Mars and Venus within this month. The colonist will arrive shortly thereafter. While this transaction is completing, we will work on relocating Mercury and then terra-forming it as well.”

“You can’t relocate Mercury, the last time you tampered with the solar orbits we almost died! We will not make the trade!”

“What trade?”

“Well I am glad we have that all sorted out, now please go on your way. Our people no longer value your presence.”

“We have no intentions of leaving.”

“But… you said, ‘What trade?’ Why else would you— “

The representatives of the G.C. then began to decipher the ill-mannered message: Not only are they going to do this against their wishes, but also without compensation. The only option, that the G.C. could procure, was to declare war.

As the drums of battle sounded their spiteful beat, equally the propaganda spread. On the news, you could hear, “Invaders responsible for disease,” or “Puhns intentionally delivered unsafe technologies,” or even, “Invaders wish to tear our unification apart.”

The first battle fought was in orbit over mars. It was seven versus fifty, but the G.C. ships knew their home solar system well. It began with idle threats. “Stand down or we will open fire.”

Then a refusal, “This is the territory of the Global Confederacy of the Unified Earth. If you do not desist your pursuit, we will be forced to defend ourselves.”

The Puhns did not heed the admonition. The Validus Navis, Lacertus, Astrum Traba, Pacific, Xiaopong, Gator, and Bedrock aligned themselves appropriately. Josh Kanoff warned, “This is your last chance to back down, we will fight for Mars.”

An unknown Puhn Capitan said, “You’re bluffing.” And denying Josh Kanoff of a spine became the definite variable to the enemy Capitan’s downfall.

“Fire all batteries!” Josh commanded.

Perhaps it was the effectiveness of the human ships, perhaps it was the hidden plasma cannons searing up through Mar’s atmosphere, or perhaps it was simply the hasty action of engaging in combat, but some deed triggered the retreat of the Puhn ships.

Josh and his squad of ships followed the fifty enemy vessels into the asteroid-belt. Twenty of the Invaders were destroyed there, with no loss on the human side. In the Kuiper Belt, the second ambush ended the Invaders, with only one ship, the Gator, lost. The astonishing victory meant hope to humans, but the Puhn defeat provided a cold conviction.

An overwhelming army assembled under the command of Rushoo, guarding prospectors extracting titanium on Earth’s moon. All seventy human warships met the force, including retro-fitted American shuttles. Although they knew all the tricks of their home, seventy versus one thousand proved too challenging; the G.C. Space Navy vanished.

As Puhn settlers landed on Mars, Venus, and the relocated Mercury, the G.C. initiated a last resort plan. They sent half of their population to the allied Snaidanac, for amnesty from the war. Two ships, of the fifteen, traveled at light-speed, so relativity would make their capture implausible. Meanwhile, all of the G.C. infantry organized.

The Puhns finally invaded the Unified Earth. human troops failed miserably against the awe-inspiring Puhn armament. The G.C. was completely immobilized, just as Rushoo promised. The Global Confederacy signed a treaty forcing all of humanity into a reservation land. The war was lost.

There was experimentation with human slaves, but they proved to be far too flimsy for the labor. The Puhns decided to just force all humans onto a planet in an unfertile solar system, with a severely ageing star. Most of humanity died on that foreign world.

Even the ships sent to the Snaidanac were sent back to the reservation, save for the two traveling in light-speed. It actually would have cost less resources to allow them to refuge themselves with the Snaidanac; but, the Puhns thought the principle of breaking the treaty was reason enough. The humans pleaded, “We didn’t even sign the treaty; please don’t punish us!”

It was an undignified end to a proud species. Some survived, but were forced to adopt the culture of the Snaidanac. Far as I am concerned, humanity died. Oh, and who am I? Well, I am Chief Warbond of the Susquehannock—an extinct race of humans. Retribution is a bitter thing.

____________________________________________

    Dan Neumann (Editor): I'm the writer of this piece. Please send your comments. I'd love to read them.

    Dan Neumann (Editor): My English teacher dared me once to write like Poe (a friendly challenge). He is the best English teacher I have ever had. He helped me with Scholastic Writing (other teachers never even told me about the program!). I owed him the attempt. And so, I present, my first gothic story. It is not my usual genre; and it made me sad writing it. I did, however, feel accomplished after its completion. So, it isn't out of the question to write another in the future.