One

Compared to the purple Landinianodan’s, we are pathetic. The Landinianodan people were purple, tall, beyond muscular, telepathic, and spoke an entirely different language. Luckily for us, we had our bio-organism translator chest plate or we wouldn’t have understood their threat. “We will be back soon.” We knew that was more than a threat; it was a promise.

Humanity always had a fascination with things that are different. First, it was the animal hybrid experiments, then the cybernetic humans (cyborgs), and now, the Scientists wanted to combine human and Landinianodan biologies together. Without the restrictions imposed by Kaleidoscope, the policing force that rose to power in the early 2090’s, the Scientists were running wildly out of control.

In early 2102, the Scientists retaliated against Kaleidoscope with a series of hyper-intelligent bombings- they left no trace of any agent. The pace and the scope of their actions was getting out of hand. Their escalation of experiments were making our world slip into a new chaotic embodiment. They wanted to combine Landinianodan biology with human biology by cutting up and splicing our DNA together… while we were still alive. They said it was the only way to get it properly done. I could think of an easier, more enjoyable way.

There were councils, committees and subcommittees with human and Landinianodan voices getting louder and louder. They could have won, too, but it didn’t matter after the incident of 2103. The Scientists were studying the Landinianodan’s closely. They said they would never do anything to harm our visitors but some of the Scientists are mad with power and didn’t care what was said. They didn’t care that these life forms are people, too. In order for the Scientists to transfer their psionic powers permanently, they ripped these people to shreds to figure out what made them tick. However, one brave member of the Scientists came forward and told a bar full of people what was happening.

He raced to tell somebody, anybody, screaming loud so everyone could hear. His people tracked him down and heard what he was saying by an implanted device in his head. They imploded a bomb that was in the same device. His head blows up at the front of an old Kaleidoscope bar. It was full of friends and family honoring their fallen loved ones who were once a part of the once beloved police force.

Everyone screams in terror, the Landinianodan ambassador was there and ran to the other side of town where his purple compatriots were located. This information incited a battle to the death between them and the Scientists. The battle lasts 24 short hours before the last ten Landinianodan soldiers stand at the foot of their ship. They would be back. That was their warning. The imminent and impending danger of stronger and more agile Landinianodans without an official police force or army is terrifying. Our committee, once for the outlandish ideals of the Scientists, turned into a coalition called The People.

The People gathered together and made broadcasts so everyone could be prepared for what was about to happen. “The Landinianodan people have been brutally attacked by a small militia of the Scientists forces. They were left to suffer a substantial loss. To any Landinianodan survivors: Hide now! Trust no one who doesn't know the phrase. Humans of Earth, we must unite! We will dismantle the Scientists and their hideouts piece by piece until there is nothing left. After this, we will prepare for the inevitable invasion. Hopefully the Landinianodan spacecrafts will show us mercy upon their arrival. We call for the head of the Scientists! You will be found and put down. This is not a threat. This is a promise to any Scientist who dares stand in our way!”

My grandfather had a hand in bringing the end of global warming. He made specialized vehicles that ran on sunlight and moonlight. The units were carefully crafted to have an operational engine that ran off of water. He set them at an extremely reasonable price. He didn’t want the extra money, he just wanted the world to have access to affordable and economically responsible vehicles. Poppa Jay has always been energetic, despite his ripe age of 90. Though not an official part of the Scientists, he knows the oldest member of the faction.

“JV, I heard you on the radio! You sounded like a real soldier! A chip off the old block,” Poppa Jay says enthusiastically. I reply, “It’s just that ‘Justin Mapes blood’ running through my veins. Thanks, pops. Anyway, I came by to ask you about the scientists and the impending war... and also your old… friend. Hildega…” He wouldn’t let me finish before he jumps in with, “I’ll do it. Anything for my country.” He was a patriot through and through. “Poppa, it will be dang…” before I can finish, he interrupts me again, “Son, I said I’d do it.”

“Let me finish, Pops,” I say calmly with a small giggle. He puts his arm out and swipes it in front of him to let me go on. I continue, “The People need you to talk to Hildegardicia about possible entree… Just for one person… You. Then, when she says yes because you’re such a looker…” Interrupting once more, he chimes in with, “It’s the Justin Mapes way.” As we laugh together, I finish, “You can let us all-The People-into the building to scoop up their leader… We know the leader is in that building from our intel. We are just not sure who it is but hope to learn quickly as we split up and look in every direction.”

Poppa looked a little less enthused when he heard the rest of the plan, “You don’t have a better plan, do you?” A bit guilty, I replied, “We have to strike hard and with no mercy.” His somber smile shows me that he’s pleased that I remembered something from his childhood. “You forgot a part there but I noticed the effort. I can do this for you, but Justin…” his grim look has me worried, “war isn’t fun. It’s hard, complicated, messy, and not something to be romanticized.” The vibrations in the room shifted severely but all I told him was, “Thank you.”

The next day, Pops did it. He was going on a date with his old girlfriend, Hilde. In the same restaurant as him, I listen carefully to their conversation. From their table, I caught endless iterations of 'I miss you,' 'How has life treated you,' and other saccharine exchanges. Finally, lunch is served and Poppa Jay gets to the dirty business. “Hilde, you are a beautiful human being. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to call you since the death of my beloved Sabrina. Since the end of the world is nigh-for the millionth time in our short lives-” They both laugh at the sentiment and poppa continues, “I was wondering if I could get into that laboratory of yours.”

Hildegardicia looked nervous when she said, “I really shouldn’t… it’s against the rules but… if you came after hours, no one would ever know.” Poppa didn’t miss a beat when he said, “or what about before hours? Tomorrow morning? We could… do some experimenting,” he wiggles his eyebrows seductively at her. “I don’t know if it’s my old age or if it’s the way you make me feel like I am 15 all over again but yes. Come tomorrow morning at 4:00 AM.” Poppa kisses her forehead as they say goodbye. When she leaves the foyer, he turns to me, cracks his knuckles backwards and out towards me and says with his head nodding, “Still got the rizz.” I laugh out loud and reply, “Alright, Rizzler, let's go tell The People.”

After a lengthy debriefing and planning session, Poppa assures us he’ll keep her company while we all get into positions to defeat the entire 40 story tower. Thankfully, our transmissions reached many and The People has grown multitudinously. Millions of people are now a part of the faction and are willing to die in support of the Landinianodan’s.

Poppa is already up and ready to lead us into a victory. He meets Hildegardicia at the ground floor behind the building. He promises to distract her enough that she will drop her card for us to get into the building. After five minutes of waiting, I lead the alpha and beta teams to the back. Pops did what he said he would. Ten people to each floor is what we agreed upon; five alpha, five beta. The whole area is surrounded by the remainder of our omega and gamma troops.

When the final group and I reach the top floor, we find an indisposed Poppa and Hilde. He winks as I pass him carefully and quietly. I never thought I’d see my great- grandfather’s naked bum and be proud. Time to commence Operation: Grandma’s Coming. We lie in wait, dressed in their uniform, for the first Scientists to arrive. As they begin to fill in the building, I say the code phrase to a real Scientist, “Hey there, how are you doing today? My grandma is coming to visit us before the impending invasion, so I am excited!” That phrase lets them know to assimilate into their positions.

Hildegardicia comes in from the only elevator on this floor with my grandfather and every single Scientist stands at attention. We all copy them as she passes each member, they utter the cult- like phrase, “Grow or succeed, no one can lead.” My eyes go wider than a river and I finally realize that she is their leader. That’s why it was okay for her to break the rules… They were her rules. Was my grandfather now a part of this brainwashed bunch?

After they walk away, everyone returns to their daily tasks. Finally, an hour passes and I calmly but deliberately add to my conversation I’m having with this Scientist about my grandma coming to town, “Oh, I forgot to mention, Pops is coming, too!” The man looks annoyed as he tells me, “Yes, that’s fascinating.” He doesn’t notice my deadly laser gun aimed directly at his head, none of them notice. When he looks up ten seconds later, he wets himself and screams, “I surrender. Hilde is up there!” They all surrender quietly… I was expecting more of a fight. A joyous cheer is heard throughout the entire building. An unfortunate, anticlimactic victory left me feeling weary and uneasy. Beta team ties up the men and women while Alpha team charges into Hilde’s office.

The leader looks at me and defiantly says, “Yes, two tables down. Very nice try but many better and more tactical people have tried before. I’m just happy that good ol’ Justin was willing enough to go all the way with the ruse. It was extremely satisfying. This 87 year old really needed that. Well, anyway, we’ll be leaving now.” The men unflinchingly raise their weapons at her as my brow burrows in confusion. “How did you…” As she interrupts me, she raises her hand to look at her freshly painted nails, “How did I know? Dear… I am an 87 year old leader of an unwanted faction. I have spies. I mean, come on, Justin. You should have taught your kin to be more observant. Of course, you weren’t too keenly observant yourself, though. Old age getting the best of you?”

Hildegardicia looks irked and ready to leave. She grabs my grandfather by the hand and leads him to the door. One man blurts, “Sir, waiting for orders!” Poppa looks at me and mouths the word, “Cobra.” I knew exactly what he meant but this meant him possibly dying and I couldn’t be the cause of his death, I demand, “On target. Hold fire!” Hilde, with all the sass and condescension in the world says to her minions, “Untie yourselves and defend this building with your lives.” Ninety percent of the Scientists then stand to their feet, break the metal cuffs in half, and use their semi-machine gun arms to begin the fight. Cyborgs!?

A flurry of bullets whip past us as I scream, “OPEN FIRE!” My grandfather was right… War is ugly. We won the building battle with many casualties but Hildegardicia still has my grandfather. How she got past the Omega and Gamma teams are beyond me. That isn’t even the worst news, the Landinianodan spacecraft can be seen in our galaxy. We have weeks, maybe days, until the possible death of our planet. Over a broadcasting network that we know for sure the Scientists can not use-because this tech is from the year 1999-I utter the phrase. “Sod ot edo gima nu. Come in, come in. Sod ot edo gima nu.. Attention, more troops are needed. More troops are needed. Human and Landinianodan alike. Come to the front and help us end this between the Scientists and The People.”

With that final transmission, the war began. No one was safe. We all fought for our lives and it was grueling. The Scientists were cunning and knowledgeable. Much of the fight was against cyborgs but The People beat them into submission. We fought until we couldn’t and then we fought some more against the human Scientists. I will never be safe from the torment that this war has brought. The things that I saw, experienced… the things that I’ve done… This was unforgivable.

When the Scientists gave up, Langshine demanded they continue to fight but they wouldn’t so she finally came to the surface with my grandfather. She encouraged them to fight more and when that didn’t work, she brought out a device with a big yellow button. “I didn’t want to resort to this archaic device but you all have left me no choice.” She dramatically raises the device to the sky and then my great grandfather lets out a, “WAIT!” She pauses, looks down with only her eyes, and he pleads with her, “This is the reason I chose Sabrina. This. Right here. Don’t control them. Don’t…” She cuts him off with a scoff and presses the button.

All at once, the Scientists stand at attention as she-seemingly in slow motion-barks the order, “ATTACK! Don’t stop until they are dead!” There is an overwhelming cry as each Scientist wants to stop but can’t help themselves. You can hear tortured apologies as their laser weapons begin to wipe out person after person. Suddenly, you can hear something cutting through the entire world.

BZZZZSHAP

BOOM

Not a soul noticed the Landinianodan ship pass through the first four layers of Earth. They said they would be back but not until it entered the troposphere did anyone notice it. The craft was hurtling hundreds of thousands of kilometers an hour. The Scientists had no choice but to continue to fight. It was then that my great grandfather stood up, ran to a large tank, seemingly prayed in a whisper, aimed at all the incoming Scientists and took a big breath and cried out loud, “FOR THE PEOPLE! AHHHHHHH!” After that, The People began to fight for their lives once more.

We won the fight against the Scientists but at great cost. My great grandfather was shot from behind-between the eyes by his ex-girlfriend, Hilde. After she did that, I had no problem slitting her throat. She made it personal, and so did I. The Earth trembled when the Landinianodan spacecraft landed. We reached the site and when our Landinianodan friends boarded the ship, they reported back that no one was on board.

Out of nowhere, we heard a glass- shattering announcement-a countdown, confirmed by the Landinianodan’s. “Z’ied,” I was never going home to my wife. “Eve un,” My daughter will not feel my embrace as we pass on to the beyond. “Oh’ co, Et e’is,” I sat down with my fellow people, human and Landinianodan alike, and we held hands in the sobering reality life set before us. “S’ies.” My entire life passes me by in a second. “Oc nic,” my friends. “Ort a’uc,” my family. “Sert.” The fact that this is happening is completely unfair because we fought the adversaries and won the war for their entire species to be safe on Earth. “S’od,” The last word we all heard before all of humanity was lost was a hauntingly taunting, “One.”