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 – 50 – Chapter 28

Posted on by Opher

Getting near the end now. The Judge arrives. It seems that despite all the corruption intergalactic law can be brought to bear.

Chapter 28 – The Judge

When a Judge says jump you fly.

‘Come in,’ Judge Booghramakegra ordered, an icy edge to her voice.

Grrndakegra entered the room, taking note of Chameakegra and Ron who were sitting to one side; she stood before the judge outwardly composed, though her green and black scutes were testimony to the pressure she was feeling inside. She’d been summoned but still retained the cocky assuredness of someone who believed they were immune.

‘Take a seat,’ Judge Booghramakegra said curtly.

Grrndakegra sat.

‘I have brought you here to answer some questions,’ Judge Booghramakegra said sternly, looking at Commander Grrndakegra with a fierceness that was disarming. ‘I must warn you that any incorrect answers or obfuscation would have serious consequences. This is a formal court of law. Do you understand that?’

An involuntary multi-coloured wave signalled Grrndakegra’s distress but she retained her decorum. ‘I do.’ Inside her mind was spinning. Had she and Beheggakegri covered all the weaknesses? She hoped they had.

Judge Booghramakegra laced her wicked claws and began the interrogation. Her eyes sent lasers into the centre of Grrndakegra’s being. ‘Tell me, have you taken the agitator Billy Smythe in for rehabilitation?’

‘No,’ Grrndakegra replied quickly, wondering where this was going. An unexpected twist. Inside a snaking eel of doubt began swimming to the surface.

‘Why is that?’ Judge Booghramakegra asked in a dispassionate manner.

‘Because, as I indicated to Commander Chameakegra, it was felt that the Hydrans needed a safety valve.’

‘Did you have any plans to abduct this Billy Smythe?’

‘No.’ Grrndakegra was floundering but still brazening it out.

‘Did the idea of him being a safety valve come from someone else?’

Grrndakegra hesitated before answering. She had no idea what evidence Judge Booghramakegra had acquired but she suspected it had to be substantial or she would not be here. There was nothing to be gained from prevaricating. ‘Yes.’

‘Was that someone the Head of UFOR Beheggakegri?’

Again, that hesitation. ‘Yes.’

‘Let us go back to the Clacton riots,’ Judge Booghramakegra suggested. ‘Did you apprehend any of the troublemakers directly responsible for the violence?’

‘Yes,’ Grrndakegra felt she was on safe ground here. ‘We extracted over two hundred protestors and placed them in rehabilitation centres.’

‘I repeat,’ Judge Booghramakegra’s eyes narrowed as she glared at the Commander, ‘did you arrest any of the protestors directly responsible for the crimes?’

Grrndakegra looked flummoxed. ‘I’ve already said yes. We…’

‘Allow me to show you a number of clips.’ She proceeded to show tridees of various incidents and scuffles from early on in the violence. She highlighted a number of individuals who could be clearly seen to initiate the violence. ‘Did you apprehend any of these distinctive individuals? Notice that they are all wearing identical armbands.’

‘I have no idea,’ Grrndakegra was becoming more nervous. Her scutes were shimmering. She was beginning to get an inkling of where this was leading. That eel had turned into a giant anaconda and was thrashing around in her head. ‘I’d have to go back and check the records.’

‘No need,’ Judge Booghramakegra informed with breath that was surely approaching absolute zero. ‘I’ve already done a check. We identified all of those with armbands, the ones who can clearly be seen to be orchestrating the violence. Strangely, not a single one of them was detained. Why do you think that was Commander Grrndakegra?’

Grrndakegra’s integument was now doing rainbow impressions.

Judge Booghramakegra stared her down but did not relent. ‘Let us move on to the even more extreme London riots.’ She brought up a series of clips showing the beginning of the violent episodes.’ Can you see all these individuals wearing the beige balaclavas?’

‘Yes,’ Grrndakegra assented, fighting to control the beast in her head. There was no doubt now. She knew exactly what was going on. They had her. But if she was going down she’d take Beheggakegri with her. That piece of slipus filth.

‘Would you agree with me that they are the ones initiating the violence?’

‘I, er, don’t know,’ Grrndakegra hedged, hoping for a miracle, ‘I’d have to study this more closely.’

‘Allow me to put your mind at rest. We have studied the images closely. They are the ones instigating the trouble.’ The Judge’s icy demeanour hardened even more. ‘How many of these distinctive individuals do you think were detained?’

‘I have no idea,’ Grrndakegra blustered pathetically.

‘Aaah but Commander Grrndakegra I believe that you have a very good idea. I believe it was you who gave the orders and when I interrogate the officers charged with keeping order on the streets I believe they will tell me what those orders were.’

Ron and Chameakegra exchanged glances. This was approaching the crux of the matter. What was Grrndakegra going to do? She must be realising by now that the game was up.

‘I will warn you once again – to prevaricate or obfuscate in a court of law is an exceedingly serious matter. It would greatly exacerbate the penalty for any other wrongdoing. I will extract the severest penalty. Do you understand?’

Grrndakegra nodded.

‘Please acknowledge your reply verbally for the record.’

‘I do,’ the cornered Giforian uttered in a hushed whisper.

‘The answer is precisely none.’ The Judge leaned forward menacingly. ‘We have identified all the individuals in both incidents. Some are present at both. We are now bringing all of them in and will follow the trail back to where they came from and who was behind their hire.’ She paused to allow the implications to sink in. ‘Our preliminary enquiries have given us the answers to that. We will confirm this beyond all doubt.’

By now Grrndakegra’s plates were vibrating with iridescence as the panic set in.

‘Commander Grrndakegra, before I proceed any further I would like to give you the opportunity to explain yourself. This is your chance to make things easier for yourself. I shall take into account any admission on your part.’ She waited.

Grrndakegra sat with her head bowed. Inside that head her thoughts were chasing each other in a swirling tempest. They knew. They had the evidence. She looked up and met the Judge’s gaze. ‘I was brought in to do a job.’ Grrndakegra admitted.

Chameakegra and Ron both caught their breath. This was it.

Grrndakegra looked round at Chameakegra. ‘Beheggakegri wanted Commander Chameakegra bringing down and the Hydrans disposed of. He ordered me to facilitate that.’

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

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I hope some of you might be tempted to purchase a book or two after reading these extracts.

Thank you!

The Cleansing – 41 – Chapter 21

Posted on by Opher

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

A polite confrontation between two rivals with opposing views:

Chapter 21 – Changes

‘Come in,’ Chameakegra said, indicating a seat next to a low mense on which were two tumblers of synth.

Grrndakegra had not been invited into these private quarters on the Neff. She looked round at the room with some curiosity. It was strange, so very strange. The walls had these oblong structures on them with strange shapes and colours. The mense seemed to be made of some natural substance. There was a peculiar noise wailing away.

When Chameakegra had messaged her and invited her for a casual evening of relaxation she had not known what to make of it. What had Chameakegra meant? What ploy was this?

The two of them might have had joint command but they had been operating autonomously with the minimum coordination or contact – particularly following Chameakegra’s outburst. Grrndakegra had been supervising the extraction process, the decommissioning of all military equipment and overseeing the setting up of lunar facilities. Chameakegra had been working on the Hydran government with its various departments. The two of them had been involved with the new energy grid but once the decisions had been made that was running itself. The need for them to work together was minimal. Then this. Out of the blue she’d received this invitation. What was going on?

At first Grrndakegra was going to decline but her curiosity got the better of her. What was Chameakegra up to? It felt as if it might be best to go along and find out. As Beheggakegri had suggested; there might be something to be learnt that she could use against her, something to be found out about her peccadillos. What was there to lose?

Chameakegra looked relaxed, dressed casually with a pleasant blue hue to her scutes. Grrndakegra found herself hoping that her own scutes were suitably friendly. She daren’t look but doubted they were. This visit was making her feel uncomfortable.

‘I call this my Hydran room,’ Chameakegra remarked, seating herself opposite Grrndakegra.

Grrndakegra peered round at the weird room. There was a soft covering underfoot. The walls were coloured and muted lights created a relaxed atmosphere, not that Grrndakegra was at all relaxed; she remained fully on guard.

‘Try the synth,’ Chameakegra suggested.

Grrndakegra took a sip and very nearly spat it out. The stuff certainly wasn’t synth. It tasted like liquid fire.

Chameakegra chuckled at the Giforian’s reaction. ‘Sorry. I should have warned you. Just the barest sip.’

Grrndakegra grimaced and put the tumbler down. Was her host trying to poison her? Was that the plan? She glared at her hostess.

‘It’s Hydran,’ Chameakegra explained. ‘An intoxicating beverage they call whiskey. It certainly has a kick. Probably a bit of an acquired taste. It’s the ethyl alcohol that gives it that kick. I’ve grown to like it. When you get more used to it you can make out all manner of flavours and nuances. Great to relax to.’

Grrndakegra eyed the beaker suspiciously. She did not know if she’d ever want to get used to that burning fluid.

‘I thought it might be an idea to have an evening of Hydran culture,’ Chameakegra explained, sipping her whiskey.

‘So that’s what that noise is,’ Grrndakegra remarked, beginning to twig what this was about.

Chameakegra nodded. ‘You see, I find this culture more fascinating than any other I’ve ever visited. While it is obvious that these Hydrans have some extremely unpleasant attributes I feel it is good to understand that there is another side to them; they are extremely creative.’

‘Well, judging from the taste of that whiskey and this wailing sound I can’t say that this Hydran culture is something I’d be particularly interested in exploring.’

Chameakegra laughed. ‘As with all new things, it takes time to understand something as different and complex as this. I have an advantage. I have been here a long while carrying out the assessment and completely immersed myself in their culture.’

Grrndakegra was impressed with how relaxed and cheerful Chameakegra seemed. She must know that she was in cahoots with Beheggakegri actively working against her, yet here she was being friendly. Nothing made sense. She did not seem to have taken umbrage at his lack of appreciation or derogatory remarks. The past confrontations and harsh words seemed to have been put to one side. This was a complete charm offensive. What was she hoping to achieve? She allowed herself a little smirk. Whatever it was it was doomed to fail.

‘I hoped you might give it a try and come to appreciate a little of what makes them tick.’

‘I doubt that very much,’ Grrndakegra replied. ‘They seem like a bunch of primitives to me; primitives with nasty habits.’ But a little part of her was intrigued. So this was Chameakegra’s ploy. She had invited her round to try to win her over to the Hydran’s side. Well that wasn’t going to happen, was it?

Chameakegra did not seem to be in the least put off. ‘What you are standing on is an Indian rug. It was handwoven by Hydrans from animal fur.

Grrndakegra looked at the rough material with its strange designs. Her eyes went a little funny. The scrolly shapes seemed to draw her in to its rich coloration.

‘The sound you are listening to is called classical music. Hydrans regard it as a sophisticated pinnacle of their culture.

Grrndakegra found herself listening to the sounds. She could distinguish a number of different types of noises blending together. There was a rhythm to it, a distinct flow. ‘Sounds like a noise.’

‘Come, look at these,’ Chameakegra rose from her seat and led Grrndakegra over to the oblong shapes on the wall. ‘These are works of art. The Hydrans use pigments to create representations of other Hydrans, animals, landscapes or scenes.’

Chameakegra’s obvious enthusiasm was wasted on her. She peered at the squiggles of colour. ‘I can’t make out any images what-so-ever.’

Chameakegra chuckled again. ‘That’s because this one is an abstract by a Hydran artist called Miro. He drew out imagery from his subconscious and was famous for his bold use of colour and strange esoteric imagery.’

‘Certainly vivid colours,’ Grrndakegra admitted. ‘Can’t make any sense of it though.’

‘Here,’ Chameakegra pointed, ‘That’s a very stylised bird. Joan Miro was well known for his use of child-like imagery.’

‘I can certainly agree with that. A child could certainly have produced that.’

Chameakegra led her along her collection of art and photography then shared a couple of poems. She summoned up the tridee to show some dance and changed the music to a raw simple sound as they wandered through her large collection. ‘They call this rock ‘n’ roll,’ she explained, and this,’ the music changed to a droning sound ‘Indian classical’. They roamed around the room with Chameakegra picking up artefacts from alcoves, encouraging Grrndakegra to handle them, feel their texture, and appreciate their shape and colour, while providing some commentary on their history and importance.

Despite her misgivings Grrndakegra found some of this fascinating. These Hydrans certainly had a range of artistic creations. She could see that, even though most of it was crude and vulgar, others rather repulsive or strange. Chameakegra explained how each of the hundreds of cultures had created their own styles of music, dress, artefacts, dance and art all resulting in an amazing richness. ‘As imaginative as their multiple ways of killing and maiming,’ Grrndakegra retorted.

They returned to their seats and talked. Chameakegra sipped her whiskey and, after a little while, Grrndakegra picked up her tumbler, sniffed the contents and took a tiny sip.

The Cleansing – 36 – Chapter 19

Posted on by Opher

I was looking to create an honest, competent Head of State, who wasn’t in it for himself, didn’t want the position, wasn’t interested in wealth or power and was trying to make the world a better place. I’m sure they’re out there!

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

Chapter 19 – Plans

The meeting in Ron’s office seemed more urgent than usual. Chameakegra entered and took her seat at the table, unwrapping a thin laminated sheet that was apparently her computer. She looked over expectantly.

Ron came over and took his place. This was more formal than usual. They had usually relaxed in the more comfortable seating – his a softly cushioned armchair and hers a specially designed seat to accommodate her tail.

Ron gave Chameakegra a quizzical look. ‘Would you like a drink?’

‘We have to get things moving fast,’ Chameakegra explained, indicating that they did not have time for niceties.

‘But what you are trying to do is extremely radical,’ Ron protested, taken aback at what he took as implied criticism. ‘You cannot implement changes of this magnitude overnight. Even with your technology and workers it will take time. We are talking about changing peoples’ mind sets. That’s massive.’

Chameakegra regarded him with a cool quizzical expression and sighed deeply. In her opinion these Hydrans seemed worse at accepting change than drangling Drefs.

‘The protests, at camps and on-line, are beginning to build and create a groundswell.’ Chameakegra observed looking concerned.

‘So I noticed,’ Ron had been appalled at the scenes he had witnessed in Clacton. ‘I suggest that it would be a good thing to get the camps emptied and all those people processed and returned,’ he observed, taking an adversarial stance. ‘Those camps are the focus for a lot of this trouble and the missing people are a cause for all manner of conspiracy.’

Chameakegra eyed the Hydran and wondered if it wasn’t time to level with him. Could he be trusted? A lot more information might serve to bring him firmly on board but what might his reaction be? It was so hard to tell with these aliens. All species were different and, despite all her studies, Hydrans remained unpredictable. She made her decision.

‘The things is Ron, you don’t realise how important this is.’

Ron frowned.

‘This is existential.’

Ron raised his eyebrows.

‘I was sent here to carry out an assessment.’

‘I know that.’

‘But I do not believe you fully understand the gravity of the situation; that assessment was to decide whether your race is worthy or not. If they are deemed too violent they will be exterminated.’ She waited for the impact of that stark statement to register. Then she proceeded to explain. ‘The Federation sets out to protect itself. We are a tolerant equal society spread right across the galaxy. We cannot afford to incorporate races that will spread violence and disorder. If we come across a race that is likely to cause the Federation trouble we simply erase it. That’s been our policy.’ She frowned across at Ron, her facial plates taking on a pink, sincere colouration. Not that he could have interpreted that. ‘You Hydrans were very nearly erased and everything is still very much in the balance.’ She did not mention her own part in saving them from annihilation. ‘There are powerful forces out there who would like to terminate this experiment and put an end to all this. That is the process. Time is not on our side. If there is much more of this violence it will tip the balance.’

Chameakegra watched Ron’s reaction. His face had blanched. ‘I thought that assessment had already taken place?’

‘It has,’ Chameakegra stated. ‘You were found wanting. It came very close.’

‘So, if these changes do not result in a drastic improvement you are telling me that all humanity will be wiped out?’ Ron was shocked. He had not contemplated this. He’d thought the assessment was over and they were building for the future. He did not know that future was still in the balance.

Chameakegra did not need to respond.

‘How long have we got?’ Ron’s worried face searched Chameakegra’s scaly face seeking an answer.

‘With every passing protest we have less time.’

Ron’s mind was racing. ‘Re-educating a population takes a long time. We can’t get results overnight. The idea of a global government is bad enough. We can alleviate some of the unrest by promoting cultural differences and giving people their national identities.’

Chameakegra looked sceptical. ‘I’m not against keeping some cultural identity. Perhaps a gradual move to a global identity is alright, as long as we eliminate this tribal culture that is so damaging. But that is by the by. Right now we have to prevent further outbreaks of violence. That is fuelling Beheggakegri’s position. Much more and he will act.’

‘Beheggakegri?’  This was all becoming increasingly hard to comprehend.

‘Beheggakegri is the head of UFOR…’