The Cleansing – 53 – Chapter 31

Posted on by Opher

The moral of the story is becoming clear – it is better to work together than be divided. Populism with its divisions, hate and simple black and white answers makes things worse. Together, united we can build a better world. Divided we only make matters worse. There are many good things in ALL human cultures and a number of very bad human traits. The future has to be about building from the best and learning how to get rid of the unpleasant side of human nature.

This isn’t quite the end.

The Cleansing – (The Sequel to Judgement) eBook : Forsythe, Ron: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Chapter 31 – Endings

Beheggakegri’s time was up. His tenure at UFOR was terminated and not before time. The administration on Gestor took a very dim view of his shenanigans. He left in ignominy. Goodbye to Lomi. The slender years were looming. The wilderness was his punishment. He was one lucky Dref.

Grrndakegra was decommissioned as an H-craft Commander. Running freighters between disparate planets did not carry the same cache but it felt like a reprieve. Judge Booghramakegra had shown great leniency. There were many on Gestor who thought banishment was far too good a fate for him. The disgraced UFOR boss would never hold a position of power again.

Billy never did another podcast. The nook at the Ashley Arms never recovered the friendly ambience of its former days but they did continue to meet and argue. As for the protest movement – the damage had been done and the fractured protest movement collapsed. Without the circulating conspiracies and stirring it lacked momentum and simply fizzled out. Nobody rose up to take on Billy’s mantle as leader of the protest movement. The internet opposition lacked coherence and consistency. It subsided. The greatly improving standards and positive-minded returnees hammered the last nail into that coffin.

Commander Chameakegra’s experiment was left to run its course. The simple things took little time. The new quantum energy plants transformed life. With virtually free pollutionless energy to draw on the world was transformed but it did not stop there. The new technologies transformed industry. The dismantling of the military and unification into a global perspective freed up wealth for distribution into more positive areas – health, education and leisure all benefitted. Peoples’ lives were greatly improved. Thanks to the exclusion zones and absence of pollution the ecosystem quickly recovered. The new education processes maximised student potentials. Within a short period of time the whole world was greatly improved. The returnees from the rehabilitation centre on the moon came back as different, better people eager to positively contribute to the new world.

But all that was not important. Commander Chameakegra’s experiment hung on one thing and one thing only: could the violent and greedy nature of Hydrans be successfully treated or were these negative characteristics built into their DNA. Would the violence and greed reassert itself?

The early indications were that the therapy worked and a new elite did not automatically rise up to replace the malevolent hierarchy. Empathy and compassion could replace narcissistic greed and violence. The negative traits weren’t endemic to Hydran nature – but only time would tell. You could not hurry things. Did the therapy only have a short-term effect or did it last? And what about the next generations? Would the greatly improved education process nurture empathy and compassion? Could Hydrans develop altruistic characteristics or would the Federation H-craft have to return to finish the job?

Hydrans were placed on trial. Their progress was to be monitored – only when everyone was certain would they be admitted to the Federation.

Commander Chameakegra was placed in charge of the ongoing experiment and she was one happy gillybagger. She couldn’t imagine anywhere she would rather be. She’d just discovered 1950’s blues and these incredible canvasses of Kandinsky. She was digesting the great literary works of the twenty first century and had just feasted on Ron Forsythe’s entire output, including the seven books that had been nestling on his computer unreleased. But she also had another role, an unexpected new position.

As for Ron he found he loved the role he’d found himself in. People said you grew into a new post. He certainly had. When, at first, he had floundered and felt an impostor, he soon blossomed and came to enjoy the work. He was the figurehead for a totally new, improved world. That felt great. Instead of trouble-shooting he was overseeing great strides forward in all arenas. Everything was going so smoothly. All the right people were in the right places and he grew to love the public speaking – passing on all the good news.

The mood around the world had totally changed. Nearly everyone saw the lizards in a positive light. Who could argue with the massive improvements? The galaxy was opening up to mankind. Everything promised was being delivered.

The longer it went on the better it got.

The implications for the future of both humans and the Federation were immense.

The Cleansing – 51 – Chapter 29

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Approaching the end game. The fate of humans is being determined.

Chapter 29 – The interruption

The order, signed by Beheggakegri, came through to the bridge of the Quorma but Commander Grrndakegra was no longer there to receive it. TThratakegri, Grrndakegra’s Dref second in command, listened to the instructions. They were very clear. The experiment was to be halted. Commander Chameakegra was to be relieved of all duties and the Hydrans were to be eradicated.

TThratakegri was placed in a dilemma. Should he proceed or wait for Grrndakegra to return? The instruction was not open to interpretation. He had been attempting to contact her Commander for many hours now without success. This instruction was clear and marked urgent. He surely had a duty to begin implementation? Beheggakegri was clear that he wanted it acted on straight away. He knew that was what Grrndakegra wanted to do. She would not have hesitated.

Beheggakegri was heading another committee meeting, more of the usual, organising an assessment of a new intelligent race in some far-off reaches of the galaxy – nothing extraordinary – all very straightforward and tedious – more of an administrative task than one requiring any discussion. Normally these tiresome arrangements would have bored him to death but he was feeling particularly buoyant this morning. Rather than leave it all to Sang he’d decided to take an active role. The Hydran conclusion was fresh in his mind and had lifted his brain chemistry no end. Even this dreary mundanity had not deflated his effervescent mood.

After having thrashed out the details he was finally about to pass the business over to Sang to sort the mind-numbing details out when the portal dilated with its customary hiss. Beheggakegri was startled by this unprecedented intrusion. He looked over towards the portal to see who might dare to interrupt their session, ready to give them a blast.

 Judge Booghramakegra strode into the room.

The viewing figures for the latest Billy Smythe podcast continued to go through the ceiling as it was copied and relayed by millions of people. Not many people failed in viewing it. The fall-out was immense.

‘Friends, I have good news to report.’ The familiar smiling face of Billy Smythe peered out from millions of screens. ‘I have been in close discussions with Commander Chameakegra, who is overseeing the operations across the planet. I have impressed upon her the need for us all to keep our national identity and culture. The good news is that Commander Chameakegra accepted this and assures me that she fully means to implement my suggestions.’

Billy looked pleased with himself, though in truth that looked a little forced and his face had lost its normal ruddy glow. ‘I have had the privilege of visiting the starship Neff and looking through the plans that Commander Chameakegra has drawn up. They are extraordinary and I must say they have changed my mind in regard to the nature of this intervention by the Federation.’

Billy was choosing his words carefully, though those words didn’t sound quite like Billy. It was looking as if he might have had a little help.

‘I must admit that I have come to trust Commander Chameakegra. I believe her when she assures me that this is not so much an invasion as assistance.’ Billy tried to put an expression of honesty and trustworthiness on his face, though the features were in danger of rejecting such a foreign set of emotions. It just wasn’t like the Billy Smythe of old to accept anything on face value. ‘The Federation is made up of a large number of intelligent races from all over the galaxy. They work in cooperation with each other.’

Billy looked as if he might be reading from some autocue. The words were a little stilted and lacked the energy and passion of his normal effusive outpourings.

‘We have an opportunity to join this Federation. From what I have seen the technology and science of these advanced races far exceeds the level we have reached so we have much to profit from.’

Here Billy looked apprehensive.

‘Commander Chameakegra is tasked with helping raise us to the level of the other advanced races that make up the Federation. She is sharing new technology and science to enable us to progress. Education and the environment are being targeted to improve our lives.’

‘We can already see signs of improvement. Over the next years I believe there will be much much more. I believe that we will benefit greatly from this relationship.’

The camera zoomed in on Billy’s face. ‘Friends, I have been one of the harshest critics of these aliens,’ Billy stated, the steely gaze of sincerity hanging like a shroud on his features, although those eyes looked tired and dull, ‘but I have come to realise that this could be the best thing that ever happened to us. We are being offered a partnership – a partnership that will benefit us greatly. I believe that if we work closely with these aliens we can enable them to realise and retain the things that are important to us. We can still have our countries as well as all the benefits that come from this relationship. Instead of losing we will be gaining, gaining enormously.’

A jaded, defeated Billy Smythe, valiantly tried to look as trustworthy and sincere as required.

‘Today friends, I am changing my tune. I am asking you to give them a chance. I don’t believe this is a ploy. I have seen their power. If they wanted they could make mincemeat of us.’ Billy put on his best imploring face. ‘Let’s try working with these aliens to make a better world for us all.’

Billy’s face faded.

‘Fuck me,’ Denby remarked, turning to Cheryl. ‘Billy’s changed his tune. That sounded like a party political broadcast on behalf of the Tory Party. They’ve done a fucking job on the guy.’

‘Came over very stilted,’ Ron remarked to Chameakegra as they watched the podcast from Ron’s office in New York.

‘It’ll do,’ Chameakegra murmured.

The Cleansing – 49 – Chapter 27

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The Cleansing – (The Sequel to Judgement) eBook : Forsythe, Ron: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Chapter 27 – Repercussions

‘Did you see any of those masked individuals being picked up by the Giforian squads?’ Judge Booghramakegra asked with an air of exasperation.

Chameakegra looked at Ron.

Judge Booghramakegra replayed scene after scene of Grrndakegra’s Giforian squads plucking violent Hydrans out of the rioting crowds. Not once did they see one of the youths with the distinctive balaclavas being snatched.

‘What does that tell you about who is involved?’

Ron rang the doorbell and stood on the step impatiently waiting.

Charlene opened the door and had a start to see him standing there. She was about to slam the door but Ron stuck his foot there and held it open.

‘We do it this way or another,’ he snarled. This time he was in no mood to be messed with.

Charly hesitated and then held the door open. Ron strode in. This was a different man to the one who had visited before. The anger was oozing out of him.

Billy was sitting in the living room and rose out of his seat in surprise at the man barging into his house. ‘What the heck!’

Ron stood glaring at him, all the frustrations and anger spilling out. So much made sense now. ‘Billy Smythe,’ he growled menacingly. ‘Which side are you on?’

Billy stood facing him, anger brewing. ‘I’m on our side, you Judas! You…’

‘Billy!’ Charly snapped sharply. ‘Listen to the man!’

‘Fifty-eight dead!’ Ron snarled. ‘That number’s likely to rise! That’s all down to you Billy!’

Billy visibly blanched and Charly gasped, a stifled sob in her throat. She gripped her jumper and grabbed hold of Billy’s arm.

‘You’re lucky it’s me,’ Ron growled, leaving Billy to fill in the alternatives. Charly tightened her grip. She knew.

‘You come with me!’ Ron ordered grim-faced.

‘I’m going nowhere.’ Billy’s jaw jutted out in defiance. ‘You want me you’ll have to drag me out.’

‘Billy, please…’ Charly pleaded, her face screwed up in anguish.

‘Billy,’ Ron said in a furious but controlled voice, his steely eyes fixed on the agitator. He’d only been in post for a short while but he was a different man. The Ron of old would not have had this resolve but he’d been through a lot and developed new facets of himself that he never knew existed. He spoke in an icy measured voice that was as hard as granite. ‘Either you come with me of your own accord and I take you on a little trip that’ll open your eyes and then bring you back to your wife unharmed,’ he nodded towards Charlene. ‘Or I summon up a Giforian or two and have you dragged out of here kicking and screaming, carted off to the rehab centre and open your eyes that way.’ He studied the man with an unflinching stare. ‘I’m easy.’

‘Billlyyyy…’ Charlene pleaded.

Billy considered it for a moment or two before realising that he really had no choice. ‘I’ll come with you,’ he glowered at Ron, ‘but you’ll not get me to change my mind.’

This committee meeting was as smooth as an Alcran’s arse. Beheggakegri was in jovial moody which was totally at odds with the material he was sharing. This time there was no dissenting voices; no calls for the process to be concluded and no objections to a termination. The committee had fallen over themselves to reconvene.

When the viddies of the riots had been dispensed with, without much in the way of a preamble Beheggakegri proposed the motion and it was passed unanimously.

The Hydran experiment was to be terminated immediately.

The Hydrans were to be eradicated. Grrndakegra was to be reallocated as terminator and the Quorma and its crew reassigned to their original brief. Chameakegra was to be stood down and the Neff returned to Gestor.

Beheggakegri hadn’t felt this good for a long while. Job done. Short and sweet.

A contented Beheggakegri sauntered out of the committee room, leaving a disconsolate Sang to tie up the formal ends, and disappeared to reacquaint himself with Lomi.

Chameakegra was waiting at a shuttle when Ron arrived with a sullen and subdued Billy. Without an audience he was a shell of a man probably internally realising how powerless he actually was.

The shuttle ride was not quite the ecstatic experience for Billy that Ron’s trip had been. Despite Ron’s reassurance he still remained anxious about the outcome. His fears were plastered all over his face. He was not certain that he would return or at least not as the man he was. He spent weeks spreading conspiracy theories about blank-minded returnees, now he had to sweat about the veracity of what he had been broadcasting.

The approach to the Neff was hair-raising. Ron watched as Billy took in the immensity of the giant H-craft. The reality of the situation finally hit home. He could see what he was up against.

‘That is what you are dealing with,’ Ron rammed home the message. He could see Billy visibly blanche. His saucer-like eyes scanned the alien craft from end to end. ‘This is the Neff – Commander Chameakegra’s ship. We can’t see the Quorma Commander Grrndkegra’s yet. It’s just as big and that’s packed with Giforian and Dref troopers equipped to carry out a rapid extermination.’ Ron fixed him with a withering glare. There was no need to spell it out further. By now Billy was turning green and his hands were quivering.

They docked and the silent Giforian Commander took Billy Smythe on a quick tour of the working areas with their comulator terminals. This was no congenial demonstration; the silence made it all the more intimidating. Billy stared in horror at the sheer enormity of the operation. His whole body had turned to jelly so that he could hardly stand, looking as if he was about to pass out at any minute.

‘This is where the assessment of Earth was carried out,’ Ron informed him. ‘This is where details on every human being on the planet is being constantly updated. They have everybody’s profile.’ Ron turned to Billy – ‘Including yours.’

After the whistle-stop tour they returned to the shuttle. A subdued Billy sat queasily in his seat looking extremely frightened.

Chameakegra took them close to the Quorma and parked so they were overlooking the second enormous H-craft.

‘This is Commander Grrndakegra’s craft – the Quorma,’ Ron informed Billy. Billy hardly dared look at the gigantic craft. ‘We’re not going in,’ Ron informed him. ‘You’ll just have to take my word that it’s packed full of Giforian troopers. The ones you disparagingly call lizards and dragons.’

Billy gave a terrified glance towards Chameakegra who was studiously ignoring him. Billy had been keeping up a sullen silence throughout the trip but he had no need to speak. His face was an open picture.

‘Commander Grrndakegra and many in the higher ranks of the Federation want to eradicate humans altogether. They call us space vermin. They are looking for an excuse.’ Ron spoke quietly, the anger in his voice making the words more barbed. Ron held his eyes with piercing fury. ‘You made their case for them.’

Ron could see Billy visibly flinch as if struck with a fist. It was one thing being all brave and gung-ho in front of an adoring crowd, putting out podcasts decrying the alien invasion. It was quite another being faced with the physical reality of what they were up against.

Finally the huge Giforian Commander turned to face Billy. Chameakegra studied him with razor-sharp eyes that cut into him like blades. She had no need to say a word. Her face did the talking.

‘Time to make a choice Billy?’ Ron said coldly.

‘Commander Chameakegra here represents a positive future, a future of prosperity and growth, a future where we are offered a lifeline to prove ourselves and flourish. An opportunity you threw back in her face. Commander Grrndakegra offers the extermination of the entire race.’ Ron’s eyes searched for an answer. ‘What have you got to lose?’

‘Our country’ Billy blubbed pathetically, on the verge of tears but still clinging on to his feeble excuse.

‘You’ve already lost your country,’ Ron reminded him bluntly. ‘They took over without a shot being fired. Just look.’ He nodded towards the giant H-craft. ‘Do you, a humble man from the council estate in Hersham, backed up by rent-a-mob, really think you can stand up to the might of the Federation?’

‘It’s a matter of principle,’ Billy squeaked ridiculously, staring down at the floor.

‘No,’ Ron asserted coldly, ‘it’s a matter of stupidity.’ He pulled Billy’s chin up roughly and forced him to look straight in his eyes. ‘You’ve been used by powerful people you have no comprehension of. All those hits on your podcasts were engineered. They used you. You are a silly fool. They are using you. Can’t you see that? Are you too stupid? All that violence on the marches you organised was planned. They want us eradicated and they used you to make their case for them. For fuck’s sake – wake up!’’

Billy looked as if he did not believe it. His eyes kept flicking between Ron, Chameakegra and the huge H-ship blotting out the stars in front of them.

‘It’s true,’ Chameakegra spoke for the first time in a clipped monotone. ‘You’ve been duped.’ She was looking at Billy like he was a piece of bhufes excrement.

Ron gritted his teeth. ‘As I said Billy, it’s time to choose.’

The Cleansing – 48 – Chapter 26

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The Cleansing – (The Sequel to Judgement) eBook : Forsythe, Ron: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

In the aftermath of the march with all its violence and bloodshed, the human President and alien Commander are gloomily discussing if there is anything they could have done. The alien judge points out that the violence was orchestrated by the populist politicians. It had been deliberate.

Chapter 26 – Grim Reality

The mood was gloomy as showers of rain swept the London streets clean of gore. The clean-up crews were out in force, boarding up windows, dousing smoking embers and sweeping up the glass and debris. Burnt out cars were being towed away and the police and stewards were licking their wounds.

Fifty-eight dead – mainly from crushing. It could have been a lot worse.

Ron and Chameakegra were morosely reviewing the aftermath. It was no use pretending that it was not too bad, that it could have been worse. This was every bit as bad as they could have imagined in their worst nightmares – the sight of such hate-filled faces, open mouths and unleashed fury – the blood and death – the hate and pillaging. It could not have been worse.

‘Where do we go from here?’ Ron asked, looking for guidance from the large Giforian Commander.

Chameakegra seemed to have slumped into a swamp of despair, her scutes a dark black. She shook her head. This outburst of violence had undone all the good they had worked so hard on. Just as the infrastructure projects were beginning to bear fruit, the education changes were bedding in and the first batches of abducted were returning with positive outcomes, this had to happen. It was no good looking to throw any blame on Grrndakegra for the heavy-handed ending of the riots; the riots should never have happened in the first place.

Both Ron and Chameakegra were full of recriminations. Could they have stopped it? Should the march have been banned?

Chameakegra racked her brain. Grrndakegra had been adamant – a safety valve. Well that safety valve had failed to prevent a full-blooded explosion. This had gone nuclear and it was out there for all to see. Plain as a supernova, these Hydrans could not be trusted; they were every bit as bad as Beheggakegri made them out to be – crazy, psychotic apes, completely incapable of being fully civilised, not worthy of being admitted into the Federation. Even she had to finally admit that.

The experiment was over.

‘I never even got to speak.’

‘You stupid great fucking lunk!’ Charlene raged. ‘Look at what you’ve fucking done!’

‘It’s not my fault,’ Billy protested irritably. ‘We had to make our voices heard.’ He was adamant.

Charlene was distraught. What if Ron was right? What if they decided that this was the end and decided to wipe everyone off the face of the planet?

What had Billy gone and done?

Judge Booghramakegra stomped through the portal into the atrium on Neff. Commander Chameakegra had been summoned. Ron stood crestfallen to one side. This was it. He could tell from Chameakegra’s sunken crest and ebony black scutes that it was over. This judge was coming to wrap things up. They had failed.

Judge Booghramakegra stood fuming within the great H-craft and haughtily ignored the welcoming committee. Her entire integument was white with anger. Not a word came out. She glared at Commander Chameakegra and Ron, who visibly shrank into himself at the ferocity of her glare, wanting to melt into the wall. A white Giforian with fully raised crest was a terrifying sight for anyone to witness. Ron wanted this fiasco over as quickly as possible but it looked as if they were both going to have to pay. Judge Booghramakegra was here to deliver vengeance in person. Who could blame her? She’d been badly let down. Ron felt distraught as if he was personally to blame. He should never have sanctioned that protest march on the capital.

With barely a glance at anyone the judge strode purposefully past the senior crew gathered there to greet her.

Ron threw Chameakegra a frightened distressed glance before the two of them trailed in her wake.

Judge Booghramakegra knew exactly where she was heading and they had to scurry to keep up. Arriving at Commander Chameakegra’s private quarters she stormed in without waiting to be asked, the portal barely having time to dilate. Chameakegra followed her in and Ron took a deep breath before plunging through the portal. This was it – the final reckoning.

Inside the judge had already ensconced herself at Chameakegra’s mense and was busy concentrating on engaging the comulator. Only when she had linked in the tridee and brought up the files she was after did she finally turn to face the two of them. They stood like naughty schoolchildren in front of the Headteacher waiting for the inevitable.

‘What the drangling hell are you playing at?’ She directed her fire on Chameakegra. The anger in her voice was hot enough to melt lead.

Ron took up a position behind the Giforian Commander. ‘We did our best,’ Chameakegra explained lamely. ‘It appeared to be going well.’ Her multi-coloured scutes clearly displayed her anguish. ‘We thought it was bearing fruit. The infrastructure, the education programme, the rehabilitation. It was all proceeding nicely. We underestimated the depth of Hydran flaws. They are intrinsically violent. It was probably a mistake from the very start. Beheggakegri was right.’

Judge Booghramakegra turned bright green in disgust and outrage. She waggled her crest in impotent frustration.

Ron was just glad that he had the large body of the Giforian Commander between him and the incandescent Judge. His body felt like jelly.

‘I thought you were meant to be a highly competent commander!’

There was nothing that could be said. Ron watched as the ebony colour in Chameakegra’s scutes impossibly deepened. Chameakegra was suffering a unique embarrassment. Everything she had bet her career on had crumbled before her eyes. This was the ultimate humiliation. The Hydrans had proved themselves unworthy. Grrndakegra would shortly be engaged to finish the job. She had let Judge Booghramakegra down. Her career was in ruins. Her reputation impossibly tarnished. She lamely waited for the sword to descend.

Ron watched in horror. In his head he could see the whole scenario playing out. Grrndakegra and her Giforian troops would soon swoop down and that was it. Humanity was doomed. The judgement was over. The brief reprieve had come to a premature end. He had only himself to blame. He should have found a way to deal with Billy Smythe and ban that stupid ‘Freedom March’. He had known it would end in disaster. That was obvious to a fool. All that talk of safety valves was bollocks. He was personally to blame. Judge Booghramakegra was right. He felt embarrassed to be human. They were a disaster of a race.

Judge Booghramakegra was here to deliver the coup de grace. It was over.

The judge cast a withering glare in Ron’s direction before returning her attention to the Giforian Commander. ‘You are an utter fool!’ she snarled. ‘Watch this.’

We stood there like prize idiots as the judge brought up the excruciating images of the terrible rioting. We watched the horrific scenes unfurl with sinking hearts. This was really rubbing it in. Why couldn’t she just make the pronouncement and get it over with? Why put us through this? They both knew the extent of the horror. They’d watched it a hundred times.

‘What do you see?’ she demanded angrily, scutes flaring green. She glared at Ron first.

‘I see the terrible rioting,’ Ron stammered.

Judge Booghramakegra shook her head in despair and turned her vitriolic gaze back to Chameakegra. Ron felt sorry for the chastened Commander. He had let her down. She had gone out on a limb for them, now she was being eviscerated in front of him.

‘I know,’ Chameakegra said firmly, pulling herself into an upright stance with defiant crest and as much decorum as she could muster, her scutes an apologetic yellow. ‘I should have been more objective. I should have realised what their true nature was. I had enough warnings. The flaws run too deep. They are beyond redemption.’

Judge Booghramakegra snorted with deep displeasure and glared. ‘Idiot – look again! Don’t you see what I see?’

They watched again as the horrendous rioting took place. The familiar violent scenes were utterly depressing.

‘I don’t know what to say,’ Chameakegra mumbled, staring at the images above the tridee set. ‘It’s just terrible.’

Judge Booghramakegra expelled a lungful of air. ‘I despair of the two of you. Can’t you see? Are you both utter imbeciles?’

The pair of them studied the images of violence and fury completely at a loss to understand what else they could possibly be expected to see. It was awful. Full stop.

‘You fools,’ Judge Booghramakegra muttered, grim-faced, scutes bright yellow. ‘It is obvious, as plain as can be. Look here.’ She indicated a group of balaclavaed youths hurling rocks at the heads of people in the crush. ‘And here,’ more balaclavaed youths smashing in windows. ‘And here,’ another group of balaclavaed youths attacking a line of police. ‘Now what do you see?’

Chameakegra glanced at Ron. ‘I see Hydrans venting their rage in horrendous acts of violence.’

Judge Booghramakegra turned green with disgust. ‘You are both idiots? Look again.’ She flicked through scene after scene. ‘Now what do you see?’

Chameakegra was as totally befuddled as Ron. ‘I see gratuitous violence.’

‘No,’ Judge Booghramakegra replied with an air of exasperation, ‘what you are seeing is an orchestrated campaign. Those violent thugs, the ones with the similar face masks, have been hired to do the dirty work. You have been set up, taken for fools. Someone has deliberately used that demonstration to create a violent disorder. Someone wants the Hydrans disposed of and wants to bring you down. Isn’t that obvious?’

Chameakegra turned to Ron an expression of realisation lighting up their faces as if the sun had just emerged from behind a cloud.

The Cleansing – 43 – Chapter 22

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Doubts and challenges beset the aliens.

Chapter 22 – Musings

Grrndakegra had been told that Chameakegra was a dangerous eccentric who had a few synapses short of a network. Beheggakegri had portrayed her as a maverick fool who had no regard for the process that had kept the Federation safe for hundreds of years. He had depicted the Hydrans as worthless space excrement that required disposing of.

Now Grrndakegra wasn’t quite so sure. She’d been brought in to do a job on both Chameakegra and the Hydrans. Beheggakegri knew she was a stickler for the rules and would do his bidding.

His evening with Chameakegra had left her feeling confused. They were never going to be friends. That was certain. They hadn’t bonded. She found Chameakegra strange. As Beheggakegri had suggested; she was an eccentric. She was a complete maverick too. That was also certain. She hadn’t followed the process, but did that mean she did not believe in the process or was looking to undermine the Federation, as Beheggakegri had indicated? She hadn’t picked up a scent of that. Chameakegra certainly had a different way of working, that was for sure – but she seemed to want the same outcome – a thorough assessment. She couldn’t make her out: she just seemed to have fallen under the spell of Hydran culture which was downright peculiar. But had she learnt anything from the evening that she could use against her? That was questionable.

As for the Hydrans; Beheggakegri had been adamant that they were crying out to be exterminated and Grrndakegra had completely agreed. What she’d seen of them completely backed up Beheggakegri’s assessment. They were everything he’d called them – violent greedy space rats.

That evening of being exposed to the creative side of Hydrans had affected her. Grrndakegra knew that she did not have a single scute that was sensitive to aesthetic awareness. She could not appreciate a masterpiece of a work of art if it came to life and bit her on the tail. But that did not mean that she couldn’t see that others might find certain creations life-affirming. She wasn’t as much of a Philistine to believe that, just because she could not appreciate it, all art had no value. She could at least appreciate that Hydrans did have a rich culture.

Chameakegra had shared the entire gamut of Hydran culture with her and she’d pretty well hated every moment of it – apart from a few things. That whiskey had tasted vile but she’d acquired a little bit of a taste for it. She liked the way it burnt her palate and sent her taste buds crazy. She’d even gone and commandeered a few different bottles of it. There were a lot of subtle nuances of flavour in amongst that first fiery explosion. Certain of the rhythmic noises that Hydrans called music were interesting. She’d found her body jerking around to it. Not that she’d procure any of it. As for the rest; well, she could not find anything good to say – daubings of colour on canvas, anybody could do that – she could ask Quorma to produce artworks that were more pleasing than anything she’d seen the Hydrans come up with. Still – they had a child-like quality that was vaguely interesting. Hydrans did have another side to them. She could see that the spoken word and stories were interesting for some but she found them boring, she couldn’t see the point of any of the sport and while it was interesting to see the way the Hydrans performed complex steps and contorted their bodies into unnatural shapes the dancing just seemed bizarre – either stylised coitus, weird rhythmic moves or peculiar poses. She could not see any purpose for it. Chameakegra had failed to sell it to her even if it had tweaked her interest the tiniest bit.

That wasn’t to suggest that there wasn’t any value to it. She might have hated it but others might have got a lot from it. What had impressed her was that Chameakegra had obviously totally immersed herself in it. Her appreciation of all the Hydran creative arts was genuine. This was no act or subterfuge. Chameakegra one hundred percent believed that this creativity was worthy and worth preserving. Of that there was no doubt.

What Grrndakegra had to decide was whether the creative side of Hydran nature made up for the violence and greed and whether they could ever be acceptable to the Federation. Clearly it didn’t.

But things did not stop there. If it had been as simple as that the judgement would have been clear. The Hydrans would undoubtedly no longer be here. Chameakegra had believed that the Hydrans were redeemable. She had come up with a plan and Judge Booghramakegra had decided, going against normal procedure, to try the experiment out.

That’s where they were.

Beheggakegri had a private vendetta going with Chameakegra, despised the Hydrans, and wanted her to sabotage the operation. That’s what she’d been brought in to do. Beheggakegri was using her to settle his own private vendettas.

Grrndakegra did not like being used. She was beginning to feel conflicted.

‘Was that wise?’

Ron winced and gave Chameakegra a grim look. ‘I don’t know. Liz’s idea. I thought it was worth a risk. I was hoping to at least try to make Billy think.’

‘Is he capable of rational thought?’

Ron chuckled ironically. ‘Yes,’ he looked Chameakegra in the eye. ‘He’s not as stupid as he seems. None of them are. They have their own rational way of looking at things; it’s different to our perspective, that’s all. Billy and his friends are very patriotic and more than a little xenophobic, even racist. Even if they won’t admit it they believe that British people are intrinsically superior to any other breed and that Britain and its culture is worth fighting for. They can’t help that it’s inherent in their upbringing and education. They’ve been taught that everything we’ve done and stand for is better than anything anybody else has done. They have immense pride in Britain.’

‘But surely they can see that this is just shallow tribalism?’ Chameakegra responded, not able to grasp how anybody could think that way. ‘That’s like me saying that Giforians are inherently better than Drefs, Achecs, Marlans or Xercs. That doesn’t make sense. It’s obvious that different races have certain abilities that may be better suited for some tasks but are inferior in other ways. We Giforians understand that all Giforian history is not covered in glory. Our ancestors did not always follow a morally exemplary way of life. We accept that.’

Ron chuckled. ‘That’s not how Billy and his mates think. They’ve been brought up to believe everything British is better. They think the British Empire was the greatest thing that ever happened to the world and that our little island has always been better than any other place on the planet. That makes them think that it is worth fighting for. They want the present to be like some idealised version of the past. The irony is that the past was an absolute nightmare for most people. But they don’t see that. They think they can take you on.’

‘But can’t they see what they are up against? Surely they can see the superiority of our technology. We took over the whole planet and nullified the armoury of every single nation. We can eradicate the whole Hydran race in an instant if we wanted to. There is nothing you can do if we decide to act.’ Chameakegra was mystified.

Ron chuckled again. ‘You might have studied us but that doesn’t mean that you understand us. Billy runs on idealism, not rationality. Humans have an inbuilt desire to fight for what they believe in, even if that is against all the odds, even if that leads to their inevitable demise. It’s called martyrdom and we’ve got a long tradition of self-sacrifice. It’s considered highly honourable.’

‘That’s senseless.’

‘But that has been a factor in human behaviour throughout history. Some of us have always been prepared to face certain death for the sake of a principle or belief.’

Chameakegra struggled with understanding this bizarre concept. ‘So explaining to Billy Smythe that Hydrans are being assessed and if they show signs of violent behaviour they might be eradicated might prove a useless exercise?’

‘Probably,’ Ron conceded, ‘even if he believed me, which I don’t think he did. But there is always the outside chance that something might stick. He might be prepared to give us a little more time. Besides, I could see that Charlene was more pragmatic. Maybe the women might bring some sense to the argument?’

Chameakegra looked confused. The more she learnt about Hydrans the less she understood.

Thursday nights were back to normal now that all restrictions had been lifted. The Ashley Arms bustling with its usual bustling trade. It appeared that everybody wanted to escape the claustrophobia and fear of the alien occupation. Alcohol flowed liberally. Secure in their snug, away from the din, the gang had ensconced themselves safe within their old familiarity.

‘Are you sure it was the Ron Forsythe?’ Denby asked disparagingly. He didn’t believe a word Billy and Charly were feeding him. They were having a laugh.

‘Of course I’m bloody sure,’ Billy replied indignantly. He was getting fed up with Denby’s attitude.

‘It was,’ Charly added. ‘I can vouch for that.’

Everybody still looked a little sceptical, though they gave Charly’s opinion a little more credibility than they did Billy’s. The idea of Ron Forsythe, steward of the planet, dropping in on Billy Smythe, arch big-mouth, seemed a little far-fetched.

‘Anyway,’ Billy pressed on, looking a little hurt and annoyed, ‘he’s only telling me to lay off and give the fucking lizards a chance.’

‘He says that the lizards are assessing us to see if we’re worth saving. If we don’t make the grade they’re going to bump us off,’ Charly informed them.

‘Why’s he siding with them?’ Denby remarked angrily, grudgingly accepting that it might be true that he visited them in person.

‘He says that we should give them a chance to improve things so that we can see that they mean what they say,’ Charly added. ‘He says that we should trust them.’

‘Trust them my arse,’ Denby replied, taking a big gulp of his beer. ‘I’d rather trust a grizzly bear.’

‘Well they’ve done everything they said they were going to do,’ Debbie stated, a little huffily. ‘They’ve introduced cheap electricity and food prices have dived.’

‘If you want to eat that alien muck,’ Denby snarled, rounding on her.

‘There’s nothing wrong with the food they’ve brought in,’ Debbie protested. ‘Me and John like it and it’s supposed to be real healthy.’

‘I like it,’ Foxy chortled. ‘Tastes real good.’

Denby turned and glowered at him as if he was a right old traitor,

‘Perhaps they will make things better?’ Kathy suggested. ‘There hasn’t been a shot fired since they arrived. All them wars. They’ve put a stop to all that.’

‘Taken away our means of fighting back, more like,’ Denby added cynically. ‘Once we’re helpless they’ll change their tune.’

‘Fat lot of good our armies made,’ Debbie pointed out. ‘They took over without any bloody effort. Not a shot fired.’

‘Debbie’s got a point,’ Kathy observed. ‘Even if we had control of all of our armies and airforce and stuff they’d be useless against those bloody lizards. It’d be like slings and arrows against tanks. They brushed us aside as if we didn’t exist.’

‘Resistance is futile,’ Foxy added, doing his best Dalek impression.

‘So what do you think we should do?’ Billy asked, not sounding anywhere near as sure as he had at the beginning.’

‘I think that if we annoy them they’ll probably wipe us out,’ John remarked miserably.

Billy looked nonplussed.

The Cleansing – 40 – Chapter 20 continued

Posted on by Opher

It seems that the dirty tricks, political scheming and intrigue is almost as bad in aliens as it is in humans.

The Cleansing – (The Sequel to Judgement): Amazon.co.uk: Forsythe, Ron: 9798278914952: Books

With rising annoyance Grrndakegra flicked her communicator on. The image of Beheggakegri consolidated as she prepared herself for another infuriating session.

‘I thought we need to get our heads together to work out some tactics,’ Beheggakegri said in a far more conciliatory tone.

‘I’m open to ideas.’ Grrndakegra noted the more satisfactory blue scutes and lowered crest. Seemingly Beheggakegri was in a better mood.

‘We got some good evidence together out of that last protest action even if it didn’t quite produce the desired effect.’

‘So what do you want me to do? I’m promoting the dissent and enabling protest. I arranged the violence. I can’t do much more.’ Grrndakegra was still angry at the way she had been treated.

‘Well, more of that wouldn’t go amiss,’ Beheggakegri mused, ‘but I was thinking that we need to find a way of undermining Chameakegra.’

Grrndakegra stared at the image above his tridee. ‘How do you mean?’

‘Couldn’t we find a way to demonstrate that she is closely in cahoots with the Hydrans? That she is getting some personal gain?’

‘What profit can she possibly be making from an arrangement with the Hydrans?’

‘I don’t know,’ Beheggakegri seemed to be floating ideas, ‘maybe it would indicate some psychological character flaw that we can exploit. Perhaps she has a predisposition to enjoying violence or has developed some Hydran-like lust for possessions? Anything that would explain her obsession with these vermin?’

Grrndakegra considered Beheggakegri’s suggestions. Was there any mileage in anything like that? She thought not. But then…

The Cleansing – 39 – Chapter 20

Posted on by Opher

The Cleansing – (The Sequel to Judgement): Amazon.co.uk: Forsythe, Ron: 9798278914952: Books

Trying to talk rationally with populists is similar to arguing with a newt.

Chapter 20 – Reactions

‘I don’t know what the hell this is,’ John muttered as he dug into his dinner, but I like it.’

‘It’s that new stuff they’ve brought in,’ Debbie explained. ‘Virtually giving it away down at the supermarket. Meant to provide everything a body needs.’

‘That alien stuff then?’

‘Probably. Nobody seems to know.’

John shrugged. It tasted alright to him. ‘I’ve been given a big pay hike,’ John remarked. ‘Seems the busses are getting big subsidies.’ He looked up from his plate. Alright with me. We’ll probably be able to afford a lot of those things we’ve had on hold.’

‘Particularly as the energy prices are through the floor. Our electricity charges are almost non-existent.’

‘They trying to buy us off?’

‘Who cares?’ Debbie replied. ‘As long as we’re doing OK.’

The door bell sounded.

‘Don’t worry!’ Charlene shouted, ‘I’ve got it.’

She opened the door to find a man standing on the doorstep. She looked him up and down. ‘You know, you look the spitting image of that guy the lizards have brought in to run the government, Ron something or other.’

‘That’s because I am him – Ron Forsythe,’ he held out his hand.

Charlene stood completely flummoxed. It’s not every day that you get a world leader turning up at your front door; even if they are some bogus puppet put in place by an alien invasion. She was flummoxed.

Ron allowed his extended hand to slowly return to his side. ‘I was wondering if I might have a word with Billy, Billy Smythe?’

Charly finally managed to get her brain back into gear, shut her mouth, all agitated, she nervously brushed herself down with both hands, not taking her eyes off him. It was quite one thing to see someone on the telly and something else when they unexpectedly turn up on your doorstep. Her natural hospitality kicked in. ‘Of course. Of course, do come in er Mr Forsythe. I’ll, er, I’ll get him.’ With that she stood aside and ushered him into the house.

Charly hustled him through to the front room and sat him down. ‘Would you like a drink Mr Forsythe,’ she simpered.

‘Cup of tea would be nice. Milk two sugars.’ He smiled. It was a tactic well-used by salesmen. If you were nursing a drink they couldn’t throw you out.

Charly rushed off. He heard her shout up the stairs: ‘Billy! Billy! Someone to see you!’ Then there were sounds from the kitchen. He heard Billy tramp down the stairs followed by voices in the kitchen, a few expletive-ridden exclamations and clattering.

A simpering Charly reappeared carrying a tray with three cups, a jug of milk, a teapot and small plate of chocolate bourbons. ‘The biscuits were all we had, I’m afraid.’

Billy trailed in behind her and  scowled at Ron as if this was some kind of a joke.

Charly placed the tray on the coffee table. She poured Ron a cup of tea in a china cup on a flowery saucer, adding the milk and sugar as requested. Then she pushed the plate of biscuits towards him and sat down next to Billy.

Billy had sat himself on the sofa opposite not taking his eyes off Ron, a suspicious frown on his face. He wasn’t sure it was really Ron Forsythe not that it really mattered. He was not going to be fazed by that stooge.

Ron rose from the armchair he’d been directed to and extended his hand to Billy. ‘Ron Forsythe.’

Billy regarded the hand with a tight-lipped grimace  but half rose from the settee to give him a cursory shake. ‘Billy.’

The two men studied each other. ‘Charlene said you wanted to see me?’

‘That’s right,’ Ron lifted his teacup and took a sip. ‘I think we need to talk.’ He carefully placed the cup back on its saucer.

‘What have we got to talk about?’ Billy asked belligerently, not anywhere near as unsettled by Ron’s presence as Charlene had been.

Ron took a slow measured sip from the tea again, never taking his eyes off Billy, and then deliberately placed the teacup and saucer back on the coffee table and leaned forward, lacing his hands together. ‘I think we’ve got lots to talk about.’

‘Is that some kind of threat?’ Billy had turned bright red.

Charlene was sitting nervously watching this confrontation not sure which way it might go. She could see Billy was all riled up. He didn’t like being bossed around.

Ron sat back and smiled. ‘No threat Billy. I haven’t come here with threats. I’ve come to talk things through. To ask you to give us some time.’

‘Some time?’ Billy looked like a giant squib that someone had just lit the blue touch paper. It was his turn to lean forward and look menacing. He poked his finger at Ron. ‘I’m not having a bunch of lizards taking my country off me! If they think they can waltz in and send some fucking lackey round to get me off their backs, they’ve got another think coming.’

Charlene watched wide-eyed, half horrified and half really proud of her Billy. He was standing up to the newly appointed world leader. Who would have believed that? Good for her Billy.

Ron sat back and pursed his lips deep in thought as to how he was going to defuse this. It was no surprise. He’d expected it. He could see that Billy was a fiery, combative character. He knew this was not going to be a picnic. It was a forlorn hope but he’d figured that it couldn’t do any harm.

Ron spread his hands in surrender. ‘I haven’t come here to have an argument, Billy. I was hoping we could have a talk and reach some kind of compromise.’

‘You can’t compromise. There isn’t a compromise when it comes to giving up your country.’

Charlene was looking from one to the other.

‘Can’t you just give me a few minutes of your time and listen to what I have to say?’ Ron spoke in a quiet conciliatory tone.

Charlene was fixed on Billy, waiting for him to decide. The tea was untouched. A pregnant pause hung in the air.

‘Alright,’ Billy muttered grudgingly, finally leaning back, ‘I’ll hear you out. But I’m telling you right from the start; I’m not going to give an inch to these fucking lizards.’

Ron nodded. ‘Thank you Billy,’ he said in a soft voice. ‘I’ll try to keep it short.’ He lent forward in a conspiratorial manner, elbows on knees and hands together, fingers interlaced in a non-confrontational stance. His eyes sought out Billy’s. ‘I know you think I’m some kind of tool appointed by the lizards.’ He shrugged. ‘In truth I’m just a writer. I don’t know how the hell I’ve found myself in this position.’ A little smile creased his lips. ‘But this has put me into very close contact with Commander Chameakegra who is head of this occupation.’  He paused to check Billy was still focussed on what he was saying. ‘And I don’t shy from calling it an occupation. That’s what it is.’

Billy made a tight-lipped grimace.

‘The thing is Billy, you have to know what you’re up against,’ he pressed on despite seeing Billy’s expression darkening. ‘These aliens are from a massive galactic Federation. They have powers we can’t imagine. Their technology is incredibly advanced. They make us look primitive. As you put it – they simply waltzed in and took over without a shot being fired. They nullified all our military capability just like that.’

‘If you think that…’

Ron raised his hand. ‘No. Please hear me out. This is too serious. There are things you should know and consider.’

He could see Charlene’s eyes flash Billy a signal. Billy took a deep breath and controlled himself, subsiding back into his seat.

‘This Federation seek out intelligent life around the galaxy,’ Ron explained. ‘They assess it and either incorporate it into their Federation or,’ he paused for effect, seeking out Billy’s eye, ‘or… they exterminate it.’ He watched for Ron’s reaction and could see Charlene looking startled in the background.

‘That’s right. We were and are being assessed. They will wipe us out if we are considered too violent.’

‘Are you really saying…’ Billy blustered.

‘That’s right,’ Ron interrupted. ‘They have the power to wipe us off the face of the planet as easily as removing a smudge from a window pane. With ease. Nothing we can do about it. They are here trying to make a decision. There are those among them who already think we are too violent. They’d do away with us just like that. There are others, like Commander Chameakegra, who want to give us a chance.’

‘How do you know this?’ Charlene asked, a startled look on her face. Looking from one to the other.

‘How do you know this?’ Billy asked aggressively, leaning forward. ‘I don’t believe you.’  Charlene touched him on the arm.

‘I know this because I have been meeting regularly with Commander Chameakegra,’ Ron explained. ‘That’s the way it is.’

‘You would say that,’ Billy blustered. ‘She picked you. She put you in place. She’s using you. Spinning you a yarn.’

Ron nodded. ‘Yes she did put me in place. But she’s not using me.’ He held Billy’s eyes with an intense stare that he hoped came across as sincerity. ‘And I believe her.’

Billy glowered at him. Charlene looked scared.

‘You’ve seen their power. You’ve seen what they can do.’ He left that hanging. ‘What is dangling in the air is our whole future. If they find us ‘worthy’ they will take us into their Federation and help us to develop. They offer us a future where everybody has a great life; there’s no poverty, no wars, we have clean energy and new incredible technology.’

‘They won’t give us our country though, will they?’ Billy spat the words.

‘We will be free to govern ourselves and take an equal place in the Federation and we will be at liberty to exercise our cultural values.’

Billy made a silent sneer.

Ron ignored that. ‘If we are deemed too violent then they will simply eradicate us all.’ Ron sighed deeply. ‘We have a clear choice. It’s on the edge of a knife. What we do in the next days and weeks will determine whether we live or die.’

Charlene was staring at Billy with a terrified expression on her face.

‘Billy, I’m imploring you,’ Ron leaned forward and fixed Billy with an intense glare. ‘That violence at Clacton played right into the hands of those who want to get rid of us. We have a delicate situation. Commander Chameakegra is running an experiment that has never been attempted before. She believes in us. She wants to give us a chance.’ He saw Charlene’s fingers tighten on Billy’s arm. He pressed on. ‘She has initiated an experiment. The people who are responsible for the terrible state of our world have been removed. Chameakegra is trying to see if the violent, greedy and power-mad can be reprogrammed and rehabilitated. She believes they can. She wants to prove that with good education, sound government and a new positive philosophy we are capable of being much better than we have been. She believes that humanity has a good side – a side that is empathetic and compassionate – a side that is creative and worth saving.’

Billy did not look convinced by Charlene looked like a frightened rabbit.

Ron sighed and slumped back in his seat, spreading his hands. ‘All I am asking is that we give her a chance. We give her some time. That we judge her by the fruits of her efforts.’ His pleading eyes were meeting a stony resistance. ‘Let us see if the rehabilitation process works and those violent and greedy people come back changed for the better. Let us see if the new energy system, the technology and education bring real improvements. Let’s look to a bright future and see if we can’t banish war and poverty.’

‘So we sit back while they consolidate their control? That’s what you’re asking?’ Billy growled. ‘So they can take our country away.’

The Cleansing – 22 – Chapter 8 continued

Posted on by Opher

Even among superior aliens there is political intrigue and emotional dislike, vying for position and ignoring rules and laws. Even with a benevolent take-over of a planet there is an inevitable backlash and populism is not logical.:

‘We are working with your scientists and technologists to improve your knowledge and understanding so that your horizons can be greatly increased.’ She did not add that this knowledge would be restricted until such time as the species were considered worthy. ‘This will have a huge impact on all walks of life, from energy production, transport and infrastructure, to your appreciation of the universe and how it operates.’

She peered out of their screens with a severe frown and green hue of displeasure. ‘You as a race have badly damaged the ecosystems that create stability in the planet, replenish air, water and soil, and ultimately enable all life to prosper. It is an ecosystem that has been billions of years in the making. Nature is not something apart from yourselves as your modern urban lives seem to suggest; it is a vital element in all your existence. Nature nurtures everything. You are part of it and dependent on it. It cannot be allowed to disintegrate. Even if you could live by artificially producing the necessary elements to live, your lives would lack a vital spiritual ingredient that would prevent you from being whole and living a satisfying life’. Her eyes shone with revolutionary zeal. ‘We will restore your ecosystems. For a while stretches of habitat will be protected and all Hydrans will be excluded from those zones to enable the food webs to rebuild. We will aide that recovery.’

Her face softened.

‘As part of this process we will enable new clean energy production technologies and non-polluting mechanisms to upgrade your industries. This will produce a revolution in manufacturing that will benefit all while also protecting your planet.’

Chameakegra drew herself erect and raised her crest, her scales a shimmering effervescence of blue satisfaction and gold authority. She seemed to speak directly to each and every one of them.

‘Fellow humans, we are poised at the edge of a new future, one that is congenial and prosperous for everyone. By the time we leave you there will be a new age, a new future and better life for everyone. We will go forward together.’

The picture faded away to pleasant views of meadows, sunrises and animal life, families playing in the midst of beauty, majestic landscapes and beautiful scenes; all carefully selected to create a positive vibe.

Grrndakegra’s leering face appeared hovering over her tridee messaging. ‘Another masterpiece,’ she remarked jeeringly. ‘I’m sure that’ll help pacify the brutes, make my job a lot easier. Much more of that and we’ll have all the fugitives handing themselves in for reprogramming.’

‘How’s the round up progressing?’ Chameakegra replied, ignoring the sarcasm.

‘Very well,’ Grrndakegra replied, looking smug.  ‘We’re doing a great job. We’ve now run down ninety-five percent of the despicables. We’re hunting down the rest and are winkling them out of the holes they’ve secreted themselves into. My troopers are getting good at extracting them. We’ve had to deal with a number of conspirators who were deliberately helping the fugitives escape. Perhaps you could have a word with your Hydrans about not hampering the cause, or getting in the way of the operation. After all, you could tell them that handing in the criminals is for the greater good. I’m sure they’ll all take notice of you.’ She chuckled mockingly. ‘Failing that you could warn them that we’ll add them to the list. That might do it.’

Chameakegra thought it best not to enquire too much about what was happening to the conspirators. Presumably they were already being added to the lists of those in need of adjustment for their antisocial ways.

‘How are the camps?’

‘Overcrowded, but we’re cramming them in,’ Grrndakegra replied jovially. ‘Always room for a few more.’

‘I hope to get the Lunar facilities completed soon then be can begin work on housing them properly and rehabilitating them,’ Chameakegra said, still attempting to treat Grrndakegra cordially as if she was trying as hard to get things right as she was.

‘I wouldn’t shut down your respiratory tract,’ Grrndakegra grinned, ignoring the question posed. ‘From what I’ve seen most of these dranglers they are well beyond rehabilitation.’

Chameakegra repressed a shudder. Were they on the same team?

‘We’ll see,’ she replied, trying to appear matter-of-fact and unflustered.

‘While you’re at it, I can see the value in painting an idyllic future for these dranglers but from where I am sitting I’m not seeing it. It appears to me just as Beheggakegri called it, these dranglers are a bunch of violent psychotics. It’s genetic. They can’t be cured. In my opinion they need eradicating and put an end to all this nonsense.’

‘Well thanks for your opinion,’ Chameakegra said coldly before breaking the connection.

‘That lizard’s got a great voice,’ Debbie remarked. ‘She speaks perfectly. How has she learnt English so quick?’

‘I bet it’s all done by technology,’ Denby suggested cynically. ‘I bet if you were to go to any other part of the world you’d hear it speaking in the local dialect.’

‘You reckon?’ Debbie replied, looking amazed. ‘I was wondering how that blue forked tongue and hard scaly lips could form words so perfectly.’

‘Did you hear what the fucking reptile said,’ Billy snarled. ‘She’s not only taking our fucking country off us, she’s banning us from going on our own fucking planet!’

Debbie looked confused.

‘All that shyte about allowing nature to repair so we’re not allowed to go places,’ Billy snarled. ‘Banned by a bunch of scabby lizards from going where we want in our own bleedin’ gaffe!’

‘I quite liked some of it,’ John muttered. ‘Sharing that technology and making life better. Perhaps they will make a difference?’

Billy and Denby both fixed him with withering stares.

‘The world is in a bit of a mess,’ Debbie remarked in a feeble voice, not wanting to bring their wrath down on herself.

‘What’s all that fucking shyte about putting this fucking dimwit writer, Ron Force or whatever his fucking name is, in charge? What the fuck does he know about running the world?’

‘Can’t do a worse job than the bunch we’ve just had in,’ Foxy quipped.

‘He’ll be running nowt,’ Denby asserted. ‘He’s just a face, a puppet. Those lizards’ll be pulling the strings.’

‘Right on,’ Billy nodding his agreement.

‘Well I like the idea of taking the money from the military and bunging it into schools,’ Cheryl asserted, glaring defiantly at Denby, daring him to turn on her. ‘About time the kids got a better deal.’

‘Bloody indoctrination centres, more like,’ Billy didn’t hold back with his glares. ‘They want to indoctrinate them, that’s all. It’s not about fucking education.’

‘If they overhaul production and make it more efficient that might bung a bit more in my pay packet,’ Foxy remarked cheerfully. ‘I could do with enough for a week or two on the Costa Brava.’

‘I for one aren’t going to be pushed around by a bunch of alien lizards,’ Billy asserted vehemently. ‘Just wait until that meeting this evening. I’ll tell it like it is?’

‘Your task will be to bring them together, to create a global community,’ Chameakegra explained. ‘You have to engineer building a society based on fairness and equality, one that works for everyone.’

‘Bloody hell,’ Ron looked aghast. The longer this went on the greater his suspension of belief. ‘Fucking Ada. That’s all? What am I meant to do in the afternoon?’

‘I have received your report,’ Beheggakegri’s image hovered above Grrndakegra’s tridee receiver looking suitably smug. ‘Good stuff. Do your best. This Hydran rehabilitation scheme looks like a recipe for disaster. Your troopers are doing a great job. I’ve been watching the Hydrans on their communications systems. They are becoming more and more irate. The camps are working too. Put a bunch of psychos together, pack them in and they’re bound to feed off each other. Before long they’ll be big trouble.’ He chuckled, scutes flashing blue with pleasure. ‘See if you can’t find a way of delaying those lunar facilities. The longer we have them cramped up in the camps the better. And tell the troopers to be even rougher when they drag them out. It would be good if we can inflame the families and lookers on. Make sure that the most troublesome, violent arrests find their way on to their communication networks. That’ll stir them up.’

Grrndakegra nodded assent, as if she needed telling how to do her job.

‘Make sure that your abduction teams steer well clear of the resistance groups,’ Beheggakegri added. ‘We don’t want any of them getting picked up. If possible we need to allow all that protest to ferment, some more widespread scenes of violence would play into our hands. You could try funding more of those prehistoric thugs that you used at the protests. They really created mayhem.’ Beheggakegri was obviously delighting in all this. His whole demeanour was glowing.

Grrndakegra watched the obese Dref flicking dainties into his buccal cavity with disdain verging on repulsion. He so obviously relished the thought of the Hydrans fighting but was enjoying the thought of Chameakegra’s downfall even more. It was easy to see that Beheggakegri totally despised the Giforian Commander. This business left Grrndakegra feeling disgruntled. That Dref Beheggakegri was incredibly annoying, giving out his instructions like this. She didn’t need telling.

‘I have slowed things down on the lunar facilities,’ Grrndakegra explained with a touch of exasperation. ‘Didn’t take much. I had a word or two with the Minorian in charge. We exchanged a few scenarios. He rapidly came round to my point of view, particularly when I informed him that you were on the case.’

Beheggakegri found that amusing.

‘So, the lunar facilities won’t be available for a long while yet. The camps are as full as a Breffta’s crop and the Hydrans are becoming feisty. We’ll see how lady Chameakegra copes with that. Keep up the good work Grrndakegra.’

‘I’ve already employed more provocateurs and am funding various media agitators, really stirring up the division and hate. That’ll all pay off. My troops have been instructed to leave our agitators alone. I have it all in claws.’ Grrndakegra wanted her obese boss to know that he certainly did not need to keep checking up on her.

Beheggakegri seemed suitably impressed.

Grrndakegra flicked off and stared at the space where Beheggakegri’s obscenely obese form had been. She felt like spraying the tridee with disinfectant.

The Cleansing 13 – Chapter 4 (The Broadcast)

Posted on by Opher

I wanted to use the novel to take a dispassionate view of humanity – our successes and failures – to look at us with an objective eye as a superior alien might do.

Chapter 4 – The Broadcast

‘People of Hydra,’ unlike Grrndakegra’s frightening image of herself, Chameakegra had carefully chosen a shot of the solar system in all its glory as the backdrop to her broadcast. She hoped the beauty of the stars and planets might produce a soothing effect. The last thing she wanted was to scare the life out of the Hydrans.
‘My name is Chameakegra and I am the Commander of the Federation mission to the planet we call Hydra, the water world. The Federation is an intergalactic association of intelligent life. I work for UFOR – the United Federation of Races. Our intention is to find intelligent life, nurture it, and incorporate it into the fraternity of the Federation.’

This was at least partially true. There was no need, at this point, to terrify them by mentioning judgements and the weeding out of unsuitable species.
‘We are aware that this intervention will have caused you great stress. I would like to assure you that we mean you no harm. This is not an invasion. The people of the Federation are peaceful. We are here to assist you to a better future. We want you to prosper and will restore your full autonomy in due course. For the next day or two we would like you to stay at home, stay off the streets, and not go about your usual business. We will inform you when it is time to go back to work and get your lives back to normality. For the time being schools, shops, and offices will be closed. This will only be for a day or two. Do not worry. Things will soon return to how they were.’

Chameakegra paused to allow what she had said to sink in. There was a lot more she wanted to convey, but she did not want to overload them. In their shocked state they were not likely to be receptive, but she figured some explanation was better than none. If nothing else, the positive message and soothing tone might allay fears.

‘For a short time we will be taking control of your planet so that we can improve your institutions, education, manufacturing, science, and technology. We bring many wonderful gifts. You will shortly see that your lives will run on a far better footing. You will be more prosperous. The quality of your lives will greatly improve. When that interim period is over we will return the planet to you and hope that you may wish to voluntarily join our Federation and take your place as equal members of our galactic community.’

She thought it best to confront their fears directly, and Grrndakegra’s broadcast, full on.
‘We are aware that our appearance might seem frightening to you, but I would like to assure you that we are not at all scary. We are people just like you, and our intentions are friendly and peaceful.’

Chameakegra’s voice was so low and smooth it almost purred.
‘In the short term some of the things that will happen may seem frightening, but I would like to reassure you that they are for your benefit. You might not fully understand or appreciate how this will help you, but we are hopeful that in time you will come to see the wisdom of our actions.’

She had decided to tackle the thorny issue of the military and attempt to turn it into a positive.
‘We have already completely nullified all military bases across the entire globe. There will no longer be wars or conflict between nations.’

She allowed that to embed itself into their minds. Surely that had to be a big plus. War was the most terrible scourge. Nobody liked it, yet she could understand how the removal of their defences would leave the Hydrans feeling vulnerable. Could she turn it into a plus?

The next issue was one that had to be addressed – probably the most difficult of all. Hydrans were tribal and, at a stroke, she was telling them their tribalism was over and that they had lost all jurisdiction over their own destiny. That was hard for them to take, but it was best to state the facts and face it head on.
‘We have suspended all governments and political parties. There will no longer be any artificial division into nations. All Hydrans will be united into one global community. In a short while we will enable a world government to be constituted. We know that this will help you to prosper.’

She knew this part of her announcement was a possible negative for many Hydrans, but that goylit had to be grasped. Now she was poised to come up with a proposition that might prove even harder for them to take. She had to prepare them for what was about to happen in the hopes it might soften the blow.
‘In a while we shall be removing those elements we have identified as holding your progress back. I can assure you all that nothing unpleasant will happen to these individuals. They will be removed in order for us to enable their rehabilitation. The overly greedy, the belligerent and violent, those maddened by lust for power, and those with criminal intentions will be re‑educated and returned in a form preferable for themselves and for the good of your world. We aim to leave you with a fairer, friendlier, and more pleasant society based on compassion and equality.’

Chameakegra hoped that sounded suitably vague and positive. She now had to leave things on a positive note. Her purring voice was laden with sincerity.
‘Once again we apologise for the short‑term distress we have caused. I can only reassure you that this will be temporary. We in the Federation look forward to a bright future in which Hydrans are welcomed into our fold. We promise a future of prosperity and the sharing of science and technology that can only be dreamed of. We ask for your cooperation during this difficult transition. We hope that you can understand and bear with the disruption of these early stages. Thank you.’

The vista of planets and stars continued for a short while before fading away.

Chameakegra played back the broadcast and grimaced. It was crap. But at least it was five hundred times better than the one Grrndakegra had made. While it might not win over many Hydrans, at least it was unlikely to send them into fits of terror. She pressed the button to put it out.

The Cleansing – (The Sequel to Judgement): Amazon.co.uk: Forsythe, Ron: 9798278910817: Books

The Cleansing – out now in 4 formats!!

Posted on by Opher

Yes! – You can purchase it in Hardback, Paperback, eBook or Audio! How great is that!!

What do you think of the cover? I used AI to put a photo of me in and it transformed me into that handsome dude (not the one on the left! Silly – I’m the one on the right!). As I have woven myself into the story it seemed appropriate.

This Sci-fi novel is rooted in today. A fast-flowing story of social commentary, intrigue and tall tales.

The Cleansing – (The Sequel to Judgement) eBook : Forsythe, Ron: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store