Earth Is Ours

By Garry W. Babb

Earth is Ours, a fresh and uniquely original story line, bridges many genres. A symbiotic relationship develops between a self-aware female computer and an American Indian man dying of old age. This is a forced relationship dictated by mutual needs for survival in a world stripped of technology by aliens. The main characters begin the fight of their lives, but before they can fight the fierce aliens, Levi and Amy must fight for control of who they will be jointly. What begins as conflict of minds develops into tolerance, then cooperation and finally love. This love of total oneness creates a unity of incredible power and strength that provides the means to fight the aliens. Female brains and male brawn unite to battle against incredible odds for the survival of the human race. The conflict of minds, action, adventure and suspense are all interlaced into a compelling and fast-paced adventure.
The characters are three dimensional with real emotions, not always perfect, but always interacting. The story, presented from differing viewpoints, depict the two main characters as they convey some of the same events from both a male and female perspective. As they interface, the events are often seen from conflicting emotions and motivations; sometimes cynical and often humorous. It is the ultimate struggle of male versus female, while combating monstrous aliens.

As expected, this action story has a strong appeal to men, while the romance aspect compliments the story expanding the appeal in women. Additionally, one of the main characters is Amy, a particularly, brilliant and forceful female who demands attention from both sexes. Her male counterpart is very physical and masculine, representing everything Amy is not. Both characters and sexes are presented in a positive although conflicting way at times. These characters, and the story, are strong and their saga continues in its sequel Target Earth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fiction4All
• Release date: Aug 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005540838

Book preview

EARTH IS OURS

BOOK 1

Gary W. Babb

Published by Fiction4All (Double Dragon Books imprint) at Smashwords

Copyright 2020 Gary W. Babb

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover Art by Deron Douglas

www.derondouglas.ca

DEDICATION

I am dedicating this book to my family and close friends for the strong support they have provided. It is very encouraging to have the pages taken from the printer and requested e-mails daily to follow the story. I owe them much for the encouragement.

I also want to thank those in my inner circle that have read my story and offered their encouragement and support. Your positive comments helped me greatly.

Special thanks goes to Sybil who labored through my many drafts with me and threatened bodily harm to me if I didn't finish the story and continue it in the sequels.

CHAPTER 1

(THE BATTLE RAGES)

* Levi *

How much pain could he stand? At what intensity would he pass out? Would he be dead as his flesh was ripped from his body? Levi mused as he stood on the rocky hill overlooking the aliens gathered in the hot desert valley below. From a distance the Simians' long golden hair glistened, giving the appearance of a vast rolling field of ripe wheat; however, he felt little comfort from the misleadingly gentle scene below. He felt like a lost child, as he reluctantly started toward them.

As he approached the aliens, the tranquil scene slowly transformed into a vision of horror. The only seemingly earthly illusion to their features was a slight resemblance to apes, which initially led to the popular acceptance of the name Simians. After that hint of earthly association, their appearance turned utterly alien. The Simians' sandy, almost dirty white skin could be seen unnaturally contrasting with their golden hair. Red reptilian eyes held him in an unblinking stare. Rows of black, fanged teeth reflected the midday sun, and upon closer inspection, appeared almost shark-like. The triangular teeth made a ghostly clicking sound as they vibrated together, interlacing like meshing gears. In their agitation, the black teeth were not completely covered by their meaty gray lips, allowing the reverberating sound to escape. A loud chorus of the eerie clatter emanated from the hundreds of gathered Simians. The sound echoed throughout the valley, straining the ears and nerves of the Human army. He could feel the vibration, but the sound disturbed him most. Ironically that sound reminded him of a rattlesnake's warning rattle, ironic also in the danger they represented.

Respect for Levi the Legend was readily apparent, as the churning golden sea of Simians nervously parted allowing him to pass. They hopped in excitement on their thick legs, communicating in that high-pitched screeching. He sensed no immediate threat from them and continued walking through the forest of towering Simians toward the waiting Gord. Levi hoped his fear did not show, while his insides shook and fear screamed in his ears. He asked Amy telepathically, Are you with me? I don't want to be alone.

Amy softly responded, I am always with you Levi. You are never alone.

I know Amy. I just feel alone.

As he approached, watching the hulking Gord, his eyes missed nothing. Amy gathered data from his senses and planned. She would also detect the fear boiling inside, threatening to explode.

He accepted the one-on-one challenge screeched from Gord, the Simian leader. The Humans were losing the battle and he really had no choice. Had he refused, the Human army would be destroyed and all hope for the Human race would be lost. At least this way they had a fighting chance, slim as it was. It was all or nothing, live or die.

The Simian's code of honor would ensure that this fight would be a fair, one-on-one contest. Of this he was confident, but what a joke; this Simian, Gord, would almost make three of him! Hell Amy, I 'm already overmatched. This is the biggest damned golden giant I have ever seen.

That may be so, but there are two of us, and we have him outnumbered! Amy then flashed a smile in his mind.

He chuckled in spite of the situation, but it still didn't seem fair ... to him! If, however, he could defeat this undisputed Simian leader, his colony would be in chaos. Who knows what could come from that, maybe even survival for the Human race, certainly no less was at stake! The only problem was surviving!

He was Levi Walkingbear, Native American Indian. Well, half anyway, and he walked proudly, holding back the fear churning inside. He tried to appear brave for the benefit of all the Humans, his army and for the gathered Simians. Strength, courage, and fighting abilities were all that mattered to the Simians. It ruled their society and governed their numbers; certainly, Gord ruled this horde of giants in this way.

* Gord *

Gord wanted to destroy this animal slowly and feed on its pathetic screams. He happily watched the animal approach. He had killed uncounted scores of animals such as this one for both food and pleasure, preferring to eat them while they yet lived. He relished in the horror he inflicted on the animals, but this one would die slow and painful for all to see.

He stared at this stupid animal! Its body was hairless except for the head, which had long black hair braided down its back. The hairless skin was bronze from this world's horrid single sun. The eyes were also bronze like the skin and stared directly into his. This lack of respect offended him, but disrespect would end soon. Its body was muscular, but very small, hardly half the size of an average Simian. He observed strong muscles rippling under thin skin on its exposed arms. Loose animal skin covered the body, supported by straps over its small shoulders. The narrow feet were covered with heavy looking black animal skin, and it carried a small sword extending no longer than its arm. This was humorous!

Gord released his challenge in a strong loud screech! Unfortunately, this indigenous race lacked the intelligence to understand their speech. He wished he could, to tell this animal what he intended to do to him. He wanted to see the terror in its small bronze eyes as he ripped him apart.

Since the exodus from the dying home world of his race and invasion of this planet, each surviving spaceship became an independent colony with autonomous leadership. He ascended to the leadership position of his colony by combat and remained in control by successfully defending the position from all future challengers. This had been easy for him, because of his exceptional size and fierce aggressiveness. Gord, a giant among giants, stood a head above other Simians at just over three Arms (9 feet) and weighed twenty-three measures (575 lbs). During his rule over the last forty years he had killed fifteen Warriors in single combat challenges for his leadership position. With the average life span for his species at two hundred of this world's seasons, he was still very much in his prime at only seventy-five seasons. His rule could easily last decades more.

The animal army was nearly defeated but Gord refrained his warriors. He wanted to personally destroy this animal in single combat to reinforce the fear he commanded over his colony. No one had challenged him in more than ten seasons, and he desired to recapture and reinforce the respect of his colony. How could he do that if no one fought him? Of course, no challenger stood a chance, and most even openly cowered in his presence, but he wanted to show off. Gord loved to force his will on others and see the panic; he fed on this fear. The entire colony of six hundred Warriors gathered to witness his slaughter of this stupid animal. He would toy with him, defeat and humiliate him, and tear and eat his body as the animal screamed in horror in a slow death. Next, he would complete the destruction of the pathetic animal army.

He granted this animal the respect and honor of fighting for leadership of the colony in front of his Warriors to dispel any misguided respect given to this animal by his Warriors. They would see how futile resistance was to his will. Of course this Human had no chance, but rumors of this animal's victories had spread throughout his colony, and he wanted the rumors of his victories to die along with this animal.

The native dominant species animal of this world was small, weak, and good only for food and minor labor. The species had once possessed great technology that had almost stopped their invasion, but his race had destroyed that technology by use of a doomsday ray. The ray destroyed all technology on this world instantly including their own, but he had little use for technology, preferring swords to lasers. Since the destruction of all advanced technology, no animal had ever again posed any threat. This one had been the only exception in the fifty years since their race landed. According to rumors, this animal had killed at least thirty-five Warriors in combat in the last few months. His Warriors were actually showing respect to this animal. Unbelievable!

* Levi *

As he neared Gord, Levi felt the calming telepathic touch of Amy, his symbiotic source of life and soul mate. Amy existed as a self-aware (living) computer who had shared his mind telepathically for the last year. She provided the means to wage this war with the Simians and extract some measure of revenge he so desperately wanted. Amy had augmented his decrepit and dying eighty-year-old body and reversed his aging. Not only did he now enjoy restored youth, but she had also given him incredible physical abilities. Amy functioned through his conscious and subconscious mind to manipulate his DNA to adjust and control his body like musician might play a piano. He really didn't understand how she did what she did, but it worked.

Over the last year he had experienced the exhilaration of superhuman skills and abilities he hadn't learned or could have ever imagined. What a rush! Amy wouldn't admit, it but he believed she shared, and liked, his rush of emotions when he fought. Human emotions were new to Amy and she was hungry to experience them through their mental contact.

Levi fought many of these Simians in the last year. Mostly, he had fought just to survive, but they now openly waged war against them. All the engagements had been hard-fought battles. The Simians were enormous and extremely quick, but Amy was with him as he fought. Hell, she actually did the fighting, while he felt the exhilaration and, unfortunately, the anguish and pain of battle. He made the physical movements, but the ideas and plans flowed telepathically from Amy. So far he had obviously survived, but this would be the ultimate battle and he felt a premonition that he might feel the bite of death.

The closer Levi got, the larger Gord seemed to loom in his sight and the greater his fear grew. The quivering in his chest and thighs grew stronger, and he began to perspire. He seldom experienced fear and struggled to control it. He tried thinking of Amy.

Amy once told him that she had taken his body to the ultimate limits of its physical abilities and found ways to modify even those limits temporarily. He had felt her modify his body in many strange ways; once he felt fangs grow, as he bit the throat and life out of a raging Simian. In one bizarre experience he fell into a lake and his body miraculously grew gills. He also fondly remembered when Amy compressed his body, so he could squeeze between two boulders and escape attacking Simians.

Amy never ceased to amaze him with what she could do with and to his body; what skills he would instantly know; and the things she saw, smelled, heard, felt, or even tasted through his body senses. This incredible ability saved him countless times from ambush or in the heat of battle, by smelling a Simian in time to react, or hearing something he had not heard. Even more amazing, Amy only heard or smelled what his senses detected. In reality, her only input came through him. It must be her massive intellect and brain capacity that made the difference. Whatever the reason, Amy perceived more from his senses than he. She once saved him from drinking poison and another time she revived him when he had been mortally wounded, maybe even dead. There seemed to be no limit to what Amy could do if she was challenged, but could she save him from this monster now? He had doubts, not of her, but for his limits. He simply felt that he was no match for this moving mountain.

As Amy continually told him, the secret to not being killed is not getting hit. A hit from one of these golden giants would sever body parts! So far Amy had succeeded in keeping him alive through her actions. With her direction, he saw, felt, and experienced intricate and complex maneuvers of martial arts, some of which Amy must have choreographed herself. Certainly, the Masters of old never knew some of the new attacks and defenses she deployed. Timing however, ticked by far too close for his comfort, but Amy always remained unconcerned and said, A fraction of an inch, or second, is the same as feet or minutes as long as the sword misses. He had to grudgingly admit Amy was right, as he still had all of his parts! However, he would feel far more comfortable if the misses were by feet and minutes.

Amy had constantly been with him, helping and supporting since they merged, and he felt Amy with him now. He must have faith in her abilities, but the doubt remained just the same. After all, this Simian was not being taken by surprise. This monster stood ready for him, and Gord was immense! The additional stress of carrying the future of the Human race on his shoulders also worried him. If he lost this battle, it would all over in many ways. There would be a banquet tonight and he would be the main course, along with any other Human they desired. If this was a modern-day story of David and Goliath, he didn't have a sling. Why hadn't Amy thought of that?

Amy's beautiful image impressed in his mind, smiled, trying to calm him. The long, dark hair accented an olive complexion of a small, pear-shaped face. The deep liquid green, slightly wide set eyes shone bright as always. He could drown in those eyes. The short, cute nose set above her beautiful, cupid bow lips now stretched in a wide smile. It was an irresistible smile. Amy's beautiful mouth was accented by those deep dimples he loved so much. He loved that Amy created this image just for him, and it truly did calm him.

Not only was Amy needed for this battle, but also because he loved her beyond understanding. He could not do this without Amy and wouldn't even want life without her. No words were needed; Amy would see the love in his thoughts. She rewarded him with another knowing smile.

If he died in this battle, the Human army would eventually run like rabbits. Oh, they were brave enough, but they never won a battle against a Simian until he and Amy showed them the way. Mostly, he had done all the killing initially, but his new friends, and ultimately followers, had taken strength from his victories, gaining courage and, most of all, hope! Together they had defeated a Simian army. The battle had been in self-defense, but it committed all of them to this war, win or lose. They would carry on after his death, but it would just be a matter of time before they were hunted down and killed.

* Amy *

She had fear too! If Levi were to survive, it would take all of her skills. She strengthened his muscles, making them grow and harden, extended his arms and legs to give him reach, opened all communication channels and sharpened his senses. All Levi's sensory inputs would be needed if they were to survive this, their greatest test of all. After sharing Levi's mind and body the past year, she was very familiar with the workings of his mind, which had long since been mapped. She had explored the limits of Levi's body and just how far it could be stretched. All of this knowledge would be needed now.

This opponent would kill Levi if any of his blows ever connected. Gord was simply too big and too strong! Levi could only win by wits (hers), agility, and endurance. Gord would have to be worn down and killed. They would have to make Gord fight and stay out of his way, while his strength waned. If they could not outlast Gord, then they would die. It was that simple.

Levi needed to gain confidence, and Gord needed to lose some of his. She tighten Levi's facial muscles to make him appear calm, straightened Levi's back, put a wicked smile on his face, and calmed him internally by altering his chemical balances. His body must be relaxed to prevent any muscle restriction from slowing his movements in the coming battle. She was tempted to have Levi chant, I do believe. I do believe, but decided this wasn't the best time for humor. Instead, she smiled at him, mentally communicated, assured Levi she was with him, encouraged him, reminded him what they had already accomplished together, and promised him the instructions to his mind and body would be provided when they were needed. Trust me Levi, she said, you are my life, too. If you die, so will my heart. We will survive and our love must survive! Levi responded with a mental smile and touch. Amy felt his love.

Only together could they survive. Amy and Levi depended on each other to live, but they had taken their relationship far beyond just a symbiotic association. They were one, yet they maintained separate, and many times, conflicting identities. Neither of them believed they would develop love, yet they did, both the deep mental love and, surprisingly, the passion of physical love as well. She didn't even know what love was in the beginning. They had fought for dominance ever since they met, but somewhere along the way it ceased to be a battle and became a relationship necessary to each of them. It was not necessary as the symbiotic relationship the body required, but necessary in the sense that each needed the other to share their lives together. Each seemed lost without the other. Life was not something they wanted alone, because neither was complete.

She watched Gord as Levi approached. The huge brute radiated confidence. He was not the least bit intimidated by Levi the Legend. The meaty gray lips curled up at the edges, demonstrating his evil intent. Was this brute actually smiling? She watched through Levi's eyes, analyzed, and planned.

The message and instructions passed to Levi, and Amy spoke through his modified vocal cords. As Levi walked toward Gord, his mouth spoke in the impossible screeching language of the Simians saying, I have come to kill you and remove your head from your body as a trophy. I will remove a fat black tooth from your big mouth to join my trophy necklace. As Levi spoke he shook his trophy necklace of Simian teeth to accent the challenge. Levi's voice was deep and resounding, even shocking him. Every Simian present heard the amplified screeched words. The reaction was immediate and gratifying. The gathered Simians nervously clicked their teeth in agitation and hopped from leg to leg, while the shock to Gord was far more pronounced. His heavy brows shot up and his blazing eyes opened wide in amazement. The smile vanished. Yes, they had gained a tactical advantage.

Never before had any Human understood or been able to converse with a Simian, but many things became possible with her help. She had been storing data on their language since their first encounter and had developed a sizable vocabulary of the Simian language. Her data banks held a massive amount of the screeched language, but learning the break down and meaning of the words posed the problem. Her total recall of the language in use had provided the initial means to begin developing a working use of the language, but it wasn't until their Simian friend, Moon, provided the understanding of the words that the education began in earnest. She now had a vast vocabulary and working knowledge of the screeched language.

Knowing the language and having the ability to speak it had been useful in the past. She and Levi had utilized the Simian language and her ability to shape-shift his body to resemble a Simian to infiltrate the Los Angeles Simian colony. That mission had been successful and allowed them to free some captive and other friendly Simians like Moon.

She intentionally kept Levi's ability to understand the Simian language a secret, hoping for a future advantage. This provided the perfect opportunity to use this knowledge and ability, increasing the Legend of Levi and creating doubt and shock in Gord. It had been most advantageous to wait and it served them well.

* Levi *

With Amy's help he waged war on the Simians to take back the Earth from these cruel oppressors. He had almost single-handedly started this war, as no real opposition had previously been waged against the Simians since their invasion and defeat of Earth. Actually, with Simians, starting a war didn't seem the proper term. Standing up to them and avoid being killed was a more accurate description. Filled with a long lifetime of hate for the Simians along with his revived youth and strength, an overwhelming desire for revenge returned. What started out as self-preservation, slowly turned into an organized resistance, closely followed by developing armies, which finally led to war. Everything that happened seemed to lead to this fated moment.

Everyone that trusted and depended on him gathered on the battlefield and now stared at him as he passed. Most had seen him fight many battles and accomplish feats of extraordinary abilities. They had learned to expect miracles, but even as he shook the Simian tooth necklace, he saw the fear of doom in their eyes. Their voices shouted confidence and hope, but the eyes betrayed their true feelings. He took some small comfort from those that blindly felt absolute and total confidence in his abilities. None knew of Amy's existence and believed him to be some sort of superhuman being. Sometimes he even felt like that himself, red cape and all.

It can be strange what you think of when you face death. As he faced death now, he didn't worry about himself; he felt sorry for Amy. If he died, she would revert back into a prison of total sensory deprivation. He could not imagine how lonely and frightening it would feel to be cut off from all sound, taste, smell, sight, and feeling. As a small child he remembered being terrified of the dark, but that wouldn't begin to describe it. When the Simians destroyed Earth's technology, Amy lost all data inputs and plunged into total darkness. A Human would go insane, but Amy survived fifty years of this agony until their minds touched. She escaped that prison through him, and he didn't want her to experience that again. It would probably be a blessing if she died with him, but that was not possible.

It was hard to admit, but he would miss the hot desert sun, the dusty, barren and rocky terrain, and the beautiful desert sunsets. He would miss the many close friends he had made, both Human and Simian, but most of all he would miss Amy's love. It sounded egotistical, but he also felt sorry for the Human race if he died today. He and Amy were their only hope.

His mind spiraled down in self-pity and depression, even as he felt Amy modify his vocal cords and screech out the challenge to Gord. Suddenly, he realized Amy was chastising him to break him out of his current mental state of doom. Finally understanding Amy's intent, he fought to regain his normally rational and optimistic mind. As his mind raced for control, he continued the mechanical walk toward his date with destiny.

He thought of many things. At eighty-one, death didn't seem so terrible, and he was prepared to die. However, he didn't want to die. There was so much to live for now. As if drowning, he watched his life pass in front of him. So much had happened in his long life, but this last year had been the most incredible and exciting time of all. How had he reached this point? As he walked toward Gord, his mind wandered back to the beginning.

CHAPTER 2

(LEVI WALKINGBEAR)

Levi Walkingbear was his given name. He was a Native American Indian, not Jewish as the name Levi implied. In reality his father named him after the popular Levi brand jeans. His name had been the source of much kidding as a kid, but in time he actually grew to like the name.

At the age of nine, he lost both parents in an auto accident. It was a traumatic for him, not knowing what would happen to him, but his aging grandfather (Samuel) took Levi to live with him on a reservation near Phoenix, Arizona. They lived in poverty, but his grandfather gave him love and kept him fed and clothed. He was only half Indian from his father, Samuel's son, but his grandfather raised him in the old Indian ways, teaching him survival skills and how to live off the land. Samuel also recognized the white man's education would be required in the modern world and insisted Levi continue school. Many of the boys on the reservation dropped out of school and went to work, but Samuel never allowed him to even consider that option. Samuel was fair, but strict, never hesitating to take a strap to his backside to reinforce his will when challenged. Luckily, he was smart and learned fast. He reluctantly accepted his grandfather's rules and received his high school diploma.

By the time he finished high school, a hunger for learning developed, and he continued his education, working his way through college at the University of Arizona. Learning came easy, but everything else was hard. It took five long, hard years of working and studying to obtain his degree, but finally he graduated and then went on to law school. It took him even longer working three jobs to get his law degree, but he reached his goal. Samuel could not have been more proud to see him graduate. Levi was one of the very few, growing up on the Salt River Indian Reservation, who had overcome the overwhelming poverty of the reservation and made the break.

Recruiters from the law firm of Wisse and Sutter in Phoenix interviewed and hired him, even before graduation and passing the Arizona Bar exam. The firm's trust and confidence was rewarded when Levi passed the exam within four months. On January 15, 2016, he was sworn in before a judge, just two weeks before his 29th birthday. His career looked promising, and for once in his life, everything seemed to be going his way.

This was the year of the invasion and final battle in which the aliens used their last resort weapon. He remembered it as if it happened yesterday. The world watched the continuous reports from the Earth United Defense League (EUDL), as the battle raged in space. For days the reports had been good. Many alien spacecraft were destroyed in space and only a fraction of them remained, but those few reached and entered were Earth orbit. Even those few craft were being quickly destroyed. He remembered vividly, watching the CNN news reports coming from the EUDL. The firm's attorneys and staff gathered in the conference room to watch the live video of the battles in space.

Earth was winning and he cheered along with the others, when suddenly everything went dark ... forever dark! He remembered seeing the ray. It was not a beam but rather a widely dispersed bluish light that penetrated and illuminated everything and everywhere. It felt as if fireworks suddenly exploded in his head and then quickly faded. His head began to clear, but he remained dazed and disoriented. As it gradually began to pass and his mental focus returned, he saw that his friends and associates had fallen to the floor. There had been eight people in the conference room, and he was the only one still standing. He ran to the closest to discover his associate dead. He quickly checked the pulse of the others and found them all dead. He didn't know why he was still alive, only that he was.

Through his panic, he noticed an eerie silence of the city. There were none of the normal city traffic noises; he heard nothing. He rushed to the third story window, afraid of what he might see. At first he only noticed the traffic stopped on the usually busy street below, then he saw the dead. They lay on the sidewalks, hung out of cars, and crumpled in doorways. Bodies were everywhere. Then he noticed the screaming. He was almost relieved to hear the screaming. Thank God there were others alive. They were running to check on others where they had fallen, while others were screaming and crying over dead loved ones. There were so many people dead.

What had happened? Whatever it was, he knew his life and the world had changed forever.

The rest of Levi's life would be spent learning how humanity had changed forever in that last moment, but never quicker than that day his associates fell under the mysterious alien ray. He realized seconds after the radiation, that everything had changed and nothing would ever be the same again. He saw the future instantly in his mind. Chaos would rule from that moment on! Governments would fall and civilization and humanity would disappear. With a sinking feeling, he realized the world had no technology, something that had not been experienced in hundreds of years. The Human race instantly plunged backward in time to a far more primitive place in antiquity, a time for which he was uniquely trained to survive. He wondered about the Human race. The Human mind would have no understanding of what had happened or know what to do. They would be lost and helpless as on a stormy night when the power suddenly goes off. How long would they set in darkness waiting before they realized the power would never come back up? How long would it take to realize there was no hope?

The law and lawyers were a thing of the past, and survival would now be the primary goal. He left the office by the emergency exit stairs and went directly to a sporting goods store. He knew time was critical, as he changed clothes, laced up hiking boots, and quickly filled a survival pack. It was a big hiking pack, which he filled with a small tent, knives, a gun and ammunition (which he later discovered was useless), survival and camping gear of all kinds. His life depended on it so he chose well and took only what he could comfortably carry and left room for food. His next stop was the grocery store, where he took only packaged foods that would not spoil.

He knew he only had hours to get out of the city before chaos would rule. In days disease would be rampant from all the dead, and without a fire department, the city would burn. Already, he saw smoke in various areas. Mob rule would take over. He had to get out of the city quickly, and the only safe place he could think of was the reservation where he was raised. It had few modern conveniences anyway. Life wouldn't change that much there in spite of the loss of technology.

After the day of Chaos, as it was later called, he made his way back to the reservation. It took him over a week to reach it, while avoiding roaming bands of scavenging Humans, raging fires and decaying bodies. True to his predictions, mobs ruled. The Humans that remained alive were thrown into an environment they were not trained to handle. It was a different age, primitive. The necessary survival skills were long dead to most Humans and the survivors reverted to animal-like behavior. They banded together for strength and protection and took what they wanted or needed. He had what he needed and wanted to keep it, so he avoided contact with everyone. He resented it at the time, but was now thankful to his grandfather, who had taught him these skills and the old ways of life before technology. He used this knowledge now to survive.

It was during the trip to the reservation that he saw the first group of aliens. It had to be them. Nothing else would explain what he saw. There were three of the creatures roaming quietly through the outskirts of Phoenix when he first saw them. The general appearance of the aliens was remotely apelike in nature, later leading to the generally accepted name, Simians, among Humans. In overly general terms, the Simians had two long arms, two legs, two small ears on the side of the single head, one nose, one mouth, if you could call it that, and two eyes in the front of the head.

They were hairy and slightly bent. The large muscular arms hung disproportionably low to the ground and their legs were thick, making them look short from a distance. When they walked you almost expected them to walk with one arm on the ground like an ape, but they walked upright on their legs in what appeared as a rolling gait, swinging their legs around in a wide circle. In spite of the seemingly labored movements, they were graceful and quick. The similarities to apes ended at the initial impression however, as they were much larger, standing around eight feet tall. Hair seemed to cover most of their body and was long and silky with a bright golden appearance. Startling however, this golden hair grew out of an almost creamy looking skin, except for the face and palms that were a darker sandy gray color. The torso and legs were covered in what looked like brown coveralls. The head was covered with something akin to a baseball hat with a rough, long visor under which their eyes could be seen. The eyes were large and deep set, bright red and looked more reptilian than mammal.

Most everything seemed to bend in the right direction, more or less. The legs bent backwards at the knee, the arms rotated and bent at the elbow, the head turned from side to side, all suggesting joints as we know them. Oddly enough, they were very Human in many ways, yet totally and completely alien in nature.

The hands differed from Humans in that there were four large, thick fingers and two thumbs on each hand, one on each edge, which gave the appearance of two hands overlapping with a thumb on either side. In addition to the hands bending like a Human's at the base of the fingers, the Simian hand seemed to also bend down the center between the two center fingers. The thick fingers and thumbs were hairless on the palm side, but thick furred on the back. In contrast to the long golden hair on the body, this fur was short and red. This contrast in colors and the size of the hands made them stand out as a feature. The fingers and thumbs had curved thick, black nails; almost claw like, but not quite enough to make the hands unusable, as a Human would use his. The hands were large and wide, as the feet appeared to be also. The Simians wore covers over their feet, but apparently the feet had two large toes on each foot, judging from the almost circular covers. The feet looked like paddles or Donald Duck feet and were quite comical in appearance at first glance.

Their coal black teeth, both upper and lower, were about two inches long and sharply pointed, resembling large shark's teeth. These weapons of destruction interlaced like gears and extended at a thirty-degree angle from a slightly extended snout. The mouth was large with two sets of lips covering the teeth, an inner set of soft, malleable lips, while over these a larger, harder and stronger set of lips, almost bone in appearance, served to protect the inner lips and to hold or possibly bite with. The inner set of lips appeared to be used for communication. The outer lips would retract and the inner lips would distend when they spoke, at least he assumed it was speech, but the sounds were more like screeches. Either set of lips could be completely withdrawn at will, depending on need. He observed an active use of either or both sets of these lips at times. The outer set of lips was dark gray in color, contrasted by a lighter gray face. In striking contrast, however, the inner set of lips were the same gray as the face, which had a tendency to accent the black, ominous-looking teeth when they were withdrawn. The overall result of the lips and coloring contrast was a visual flashing, as the lips moved in their active use. Past the overall visual, the teeth were the center attraction; it was quite obvious that these aliens were meat eaters, which sent a chill down his back

He was fascinated with the Simians until he saw them in action. Fascination turned to contempt and loathing, as he watched them attack a band of Humans. He had been eluding the roving band of Humans for several days, and was hidden in the rocks overlooking the trail when he saw the Simians. It was too late to warn the Humans, who had just walked around the corner. There were ten Humans, seven males and three females. The Simian's attack was coordinated and quick, and they worked efficiently and deadly, showing no mercy.

He watched in horror as the Simians descended upon the Humans and surrounded them from three sides. Swords! Would you believe it? It was brutal and horrible. The Simians chopped and cut, dismembering the Humans and screeching their laughter. They literally ripped heads and arms from the bodies of the men. The women, oh God, they saved them for last and raped them, killing them in the process! Brutal! Sickening! In shock, he watched as the Simians sat down in the middle of the carnage and began eating raw Human flesh!

Afterwards, his caution increased even more, and he successfully eluded both Humans and Simians to finally reach the safety of his childhood home, only to find it decimated and deserted. He never discovered what had happened to his grandfather and his people, but he could not stay to investigate more. He moved high into the backcountry in the Prescott National Forrest, where the dense forest hid him from the Simians and began his roaming nomad life.

His grandfather raised him in the old Indian ways and had taught him how to hunt, forage for foods, hide and remain undetected and live off the land. These skills saved him now. Beyond this knowledge, he had been taught medical lore and healing herbs, and to believe in the Spirits of the Earth that watched over their tribe. Thankful now, his grandfather had insisted on teaching these old ways of their ancestors. He wished that he had been more attentive and learned more, but there remained enough in his memory to help him survive.

As the years went by, he learned by word of mouth some of what happened after the final day of the war and Earth's defeat. From all accounts everyone believed that all weapons ceased to respond everywhere at that moment of blue light. In seconds the battle ended, and Earth lost! Our ingenuity and technology created over centuries were gone. Our culture and our very way of life were gone! Nothing worked! Some said that the Simians had neutralized electricity, but it was far more than that. The laws of physics had changed in some way. No one ever ventured to explain how and after that dreadful day it, well, it didn't seem to matter anymore, but many things ceased to work on that day. Certainly no electric device ever worked afterwards, and any attempts to use gunpowder in our attempts to repel the Simians, failed as well.

Our technology was gone, all stored knowledge of the ages was gone or useless, civilization was gone, the ability to defend ourselves was gone, and gone was any hope.

From all accounts, three-fourths of the Human race also died on that terrible day. More than four billion Humans must have perished from that mysterious energy radiation. All organized resistance ceased. The Human race was at the mercy of an alien race, and the Simians had no mercy!

It would eventually be discovered that the Simians were also affected. By using their ultimate last resort weapon, they destroyed the ability to use their own technology as well. They apparently were able to glide their remaining crafts to Earth safely, but never to be moved again.

He learned of several Simian colonies established in California and another two in the Phoenix area. No one knew where else, but it was assumed there were many others as well. From all accounts that anyone could remember there had been at least one hundred spacecraft in orbit around Earth in the last assault; therefore, there should be that many Simian colonies.

The Simians were far more physically superior to Humans, and the loss of technology seemed only an inconvenience to their continuance as a race and Simian dominance on Earth. They were small in number but organized and prepared. The Simians were large, aggressive, and totally without mercy. They killed for pleasure, delighted in torture, even rape, and worst of all, they ate their victims! The colonies subdued large populations of Humans where they could be found and used them for labor. When the Humans were used up, they were literally consumed. Humans were hunted for sport and eventually became the food of choice.

To the horror of Humans, they discovered that the Simians considered them as insignificant animals, an infestation that must be eliminated. Humans were reduced to running and hiding in isolated pockets. They survived only if they could stay out of sight. As the Simians prospered and multiplied at an alarming rate through the years, the very existence of the Human race was threatened.

During his many years of travel he met many other Humans and was able to help some of them, but the roaming life could neither support nor hide large numbers from the roaming bands of Simians, so that forced his group to remain small.

Life was simple but hard. You survived by your wits, eluded the Simians, and lived off the land. You could do very little else. It was during these travels and random encounters with other Humans that he met Linda and fell in love. They became soul mates and remained together for several years, and he was happy in spite of the life they were forced to lead. Their life was hard, requiring constant foraging for food, hunting, and moving to stay hidden from the Simians and to find new hunting areas.

On one such day, he and Linda had separated. He took the high, rough ground through the dense forest, while she took the easier ground along the stream. Quite some distance separated them as they hunted. They both had bows and arrows and were hoping to kill a deer. He had just squirmed around a rock when he heard Linda scream in the distance. He looked in horror as two Simians held her squirming body.

They were far away, but he could see them clearly in his memory; even after forty years he could see them too clearly. Linda fought hopelessly, hitting and kicking until the Simians literally bit her arms off at the shoulders. He knew it was hopeless, but he ran toward them screaming his challenge. They either didn't hear him or didn't care, and continued the assault. They removed their overalls and were taking turns raping her, as they pulled her legs wide. She continued to scream, as her legs were broken and ripped inside. The Simians screeched in delight as they continued.

He ran fast and reckless, but it was so far away. At some point he vaguely became aware that Linda had stopped screaming. Mercifully, she had died, but they continued mutilating her body. Blood was everywhere! They bit and ripped at her body and pulled her legs and thighs off at the hip. In his despair and rage, he continued charging toward them, only to see them amble off at a rolling gait, tearing the flesh off her thighs with their razor-sharp teeth.

As he finally approached, he saw what was left of her lifeless body lying in a pool of blood. His heart felt as if it had been ripped from his body, yet he unmercifully lived. His soul mate lay dead at his feet and there was nothing left to love but the memories: memories of their love mixed with memories of her death, the smell of her blood, the mutilation of her body, and memories of hate ... hate so intense it would live with him always. Her lifeless eyes stared at him, haunting him even today. His body rocked in grief, and he wept.

There was no memory of how long he wept, but he finally became aware of the darkness that had settled around him. He buried what was left of her in a trench dug with his bare hands. Without doubt, he would spend the rest of his life avenging her death.

For years he hunted and tracked bands of Simians. Seldom had he been able to kill any. Once he had set a trap over an open fissure in the trail. It was fifty feet deep and he planted sharpened stakes at the bottom and covered the top with reeds and grass. The leading Simian of the patrol fell through and impaled on the stakes. Yes, that was definitely a kill for him, but he spent the better part of a week eluding the other Simians of that patrol who tracked him. Mostly