In Defense of Earth (Science Fiction Story)

[Proteus]

* Please ICQ me if you would like to participate. I will be writting this by posting only two or three paragraphs at a time so I can develop and play with my writing style.

Late in the 32nd centruy mankind had spread across the Milky Way Galaxy with little regard or thought for what else could be out there, on the verge of space in the places between the stars. Justice Marks, an asatronomer for the United Corporations of Earth (UNC) was the first one to spot the "comet". Measuring 36 miles in diameter, it's trajectory led it straight towards the Outer Ring and then towards Earth.

Time passed and the comet grew closer. Hurridly world leaders worked to prepare the race of man for the destruction of natures wrath but then on June 13, 3198; a message was recieved that could have only come from the "comet". It was easily translated for it used a simple code of numbers and clicks.

Species called Man, you are arrogant and proud. You take what is not yours to take. We have returned to reclaim that which is ours. Fear not death for it is already to late. We are the Warlords.

It seemed that the "comet" was more than that, it was an alien invasion of human space. Warfare with the Warlords was something that Earth and her colonial planets were not prepared to engage in. Anger, aggression, fighting, even swearing had all been psychologically and, when possible, genetically removed or unabled.

Only a few abberations remained that possessed even an inkling of what had been human agression. The scientists of the colonies pooled thier knowledge and discovered that maybe just maybe there was something that could be done. It was radical, unethical and illegal but it offered a way out for the Race of Man, a chance at survival.

[Proteus]

Traveler Magnusson poured over the printouts in his hands as his assitants continued to monitor the excavation. Ten years had passed since the message form the Warlords had reached Earth. Traveler had been a student at MIT Vega IX then and now here he was on the banks of the Euphradies at the most important site to date in the search for an answer to the problem presented by the Warlords.

The discover of a massive underground tomb had sparked minor intrest to many but to those in the genetic replecation field, it had been miraculous. It was rumored ot be the tomb of Alexander the Great, the worlds first and greatest warrior. While many in the UNC hoped to forge a compact witht he Warlords upon thier arrival, Traveler's employeers hoped for a more direct outcome.

Mankinds successful defeat of the Warlords and the protection of thier species as a whole.

Traveler was the fore most expert in genetic replication on Earth, as such it was his hope, and those who backed him, that he would be able to find a viable source of genetic material as well as usable brain case scrappings from the mummified remains of Alexander the Great to ressurect the long dead warrior and provide for mankind a leader to follow against the Warlords.

So far the tests haad been inconclusive. None of the physical material that had been salvaged was available for replication. Traveler made a few notations on the printouts and then vacum sealed them into a courior pouch headed for the Darius Hylar at the UNC. With a heavy sigh he stood and stretched. At least we are improving the historical record, he thought.

[Proteus]

He stepped from his tent that was positioned above the dig. From where he stood he could see the tumbled remains of minirets, city walls, homes, and market stalls. All buried under a layer of fine sand. It was only with the great wind storm of 3226 that this site was actually revealed. It was breathtaking.

Magnusson surveyed the site as he shielded his eyes form the glaring sun. Far to his left something caught sparkled in the rubble. That puzzeled Traveler, it wasn't in the temple zone or in the newly mapped out bazzar. In fact that was an area that had been deemed not worth investigating. Perhaps they had been wrong.

Quickly he slid down the embankment, loose gravel and dirt cascaded around him as he hit the floor of the valley running. His assitants surprised at the actions of thier superior dropped what they were doing and followed him thorugh the maze of ruins till Magnusson reached the spot that he had seen from above.

"Look around this area for soemthing metallic. I saw it flashing from my tent." Magnusson said between gasps for breath as he searched the ground around him with his eyes.

[Proteus]

"Here! Over here I found something!!" shouted Yahama, one of the assisstants on the dig. She was digging with her hands around a metal spike when the others gathered around her.

Magnusson dropped to his knees beside her and begain to dig while some of the others were sent after various tools. They were digging through soft sand, the wind storm from the previous night must have swept away the layers that had covered up the spike. As they continued to dig it soon became evident that they were really on to something becasue the metal spike wasn't ending.

"I think this is writting." Magnusson said as scoope dout another handful of sand. "It is writing, Greek if I am not mistaken. Quickly someone bring us some shovels and the brushes. We have a lot of digging to do and not a lot of time to do it in!"

Magnusson knew that whatever this spike was and whatever it had written on it, they would have to free it from its tomb of sand and grit before they could even begin to guess at what its true meaning was. Time stood still while the crew of the Euphraties dig held thier breath and they gradually uncovered a treasure from the past that might, might be a gift to thier future.