Shells

By Roy Stevenson

It was business as usual on Earth 2026. Humans were still racing towards their extinction with the hope it would not happen in their own lifetimes. Then the meteorites came, pulverising the Earth. Extinction was now within their grasp. Governments retreated underground, leaving a scattered population on the crust to fend for themselves. Someone decribed the next six months as a disaster movie a day. A ragged few fought a losing battle to keep a fractured world from reverting to tribalism. What they need was a miracle. It came from Space. Her name was Sabina.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roy Stevenson
• Release date: Mar 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224962082

Book preview

Chapter 1

04 11 2026. It was a good day on Earth today: an occasional meteorite strike. Air, a slight bite and acidic aftertaste. Ash, light swirls to none falling from the sky. Temperature, a moderate thirty five degrees Celsius at eighty percent humidity.

***

The morning flurry of ash had settled, giving the New York United Nations grounds and buildings the look of winter. The main building was not the majestic tower of its glory days. The front facing the East river was peppered with small holes, resembling a large shotgun blast. Some holes continued through to the Chrysler building side.

A small group of UN workers had stayed, making the UN buildings their base of operations. Having access to possibly the last large working satellite in orbit gave them a global view, a slight advantage over other groups competing for resources in a broken world, and a thin thread of hope keeping tiny islands of humanity around the globe connected and informed, in a constantly changing world.

William Baldwin a tall thin man with a buzz cut, a decision to end his encroaching loss of greying hair under the pretence of efficiency, sat in a low, soft, dark leather couch in the United Nations Security Council foyer. Regretting sitting down, the moment he kept sinking into the soft dark leather until his knees were at chest height. He stared out at the courtyard. The odd bit of green poking out from the ash covered bushes made him smile. A welcome break between dark doubts of the future, and of himself as a leader. Remembering when the remnants of a government asked who would volunteer to take on an enormous challenge. The brash and confident took a quick step back from the line and disappeared under a shattered world, leaving him volunteered.

Matt, a young man, also tall, with a physique of a rugby player emerged from the crowd in the foyer, Wow, when you said you were having a hair cut you really meant it.

Yeah, Pamela got a bit carried away.

You let Pamela cut your hair, what is she eighty?

She is not that old, maybe seventy five. Think she misread the comb size. Anyway, it feels good.

Really brings out your hazel eyes.

Funny.

By the way. Good luck at getting up from there.

Seemed like a good idea at the time. How are we progressing?

Not bad, he said, looking out through the large window in front of Will, do you think they will come down? Brian said there was an eruption not far from here. Heavy ash on its way.

Its better than meteorites, Will said, thinking back nine months when the first meteor skimmed the atmosphere, carving a huge black scar through the sky, the sound of them ...did you ever watch the movies of the Apollo rockets taking off, the crackle ...shear power. Breathtaking, he paused, taking in a long breath, shaking his head and speaking softly, how could we believe protecting ourselves from an extinction event was just a part time job?

I don’t think anyone could have stopped the hundreds of small meteorites following the big ones, and those marble sized ones, Matt said, sitting on the arm of the couch.

Maybe these, people, would have done better than our hollow men in their hallowed halls, Will said, struggling to pull a hand sized flat white object from his pocket. Giving up in the end.

Do you believe Brian? Matt asked, quietly.

Brian may be a bit out there, but he is totally dependable when it comes to tech. He calls it a communicator, says it is alien-

Matt stood up to see what Will was smiling about, Speak of the devil.

They are at it again, thieving bastards, Brian said, looking up at Matt, trying to hack my satellite.

Will laughed. He appreciated his stocky, fiery haired chief technician. The day was never complete without a rant or a discussion on the latest conspiracy theory.

Will held his hands out, To be expected. It is the only one we know about left up there Brian. I am sure you sent something, those bastards, would appreciate.

Brian and Matt grabbed a hand each and extracted Will. The couch squeaked and creaked, reluctantly letting go of him.

Speaking of communications Brian. Did we ever hear back about the poisonous gas cloud? Will asked, straightening up to his full six foot two.

Yes, and no, he said, running his fingers through his thinning red hair, then stroking his bushy red eyebrows and pulling at his motley beard. Will and Matt waited patiently as Brian went through his thinking routine.

The breach of Mount Fuji was huge, I mean really big. The meteorite came out of nowhere, thought we had seen the last of those months and months ago, it ripped away half of Fuji. They said the gas it released traveled through Japan, China and was heading towards Russia. Millions are in its path, we just don’t know what is happening now, the area is dark until I reposition the satellite. If I don’t run out of fuel after those bastards tried to take it. Months and months I have been nursing my baby.

Anyway, did you find out where that container ship was going to end up before all this?

Yes Will, just. If the winds keep up, it will be blown aground on Fort Tilden beach. We can intercept her before that and wait until dark to tug her into Bayonne for unloading.

Matt rubbed his eyes and yawned while speaking, Whats the status of the militia?

Closest, biggest one to worry about is in Philadelphia. By the time they know what is happening, we will have what we want, and they will be left with the fluffy toys ...I have the ship’s manifest this time.

OK, lets go over the details, generators, trucks, all that stuff, after this meeting, Matt said, before heading towards the large doors of the Security Council Chambers.

All our problems may be over today, Will yelled after him, tossing up the communicator and catching it.

Brian frowned, Nothing is for free, especially from Aliens.

Will turned and followed Matt, yelling over his shoulder, Lets see what they have to say Brian. Can you help gather the heads of departments to hear the news.

***

Will stood before a few dozen of his group in the Security council chambers. The central table and twenty chairs were the only intact furniture. Remnants of chairs and tables were stacked in the corners, a reminder of how close they were to running out of things to burn during the big freeze, when the ash in the atmosphere was at its thickest. They would not survive another one.

This appeared on my desk a few days ago, its an alien communicator. Brian has confirmed the source of the signal and it has a high probability of being extraterrestrial, Will said, holding up a small, smooth, white pebble shaped object, about the size and shape of a standard computer mouse, they signaled us. They want to help. Group leaders will come with me to meet the Aliens down at the gates. I have no idea of what to expect, so best we keep the party small. Any questions?

Will waited for a few moments, Ok, inform your teams about what is going to happen. We will gather in the foyer.

Matt looked for the group leaders in the crowded foyer. His seven very tired and dedicated misfits trying to keep a little bit of hope alive on a ravaged Earth.

Will, where is Pamela? Matt asked, scanning the foyer, and Zac?

Pamela is looking after Zac. He didn’t feel too well. She was also trying to rustle up some bottled water for our guests. Unopened. Not sure what they drink or even if they do.

Its his birthday soon, if I remember rightly.

Yes, seven years old in a few days, Will paused, its the first one without his mother.

Matt’s face contorted in mock pain, You have go to be kidding Peta.

A petite bright red haired young woman dressed in a multi-coloured tie dyed t-shirt under a pair of yellow dungarees, finished off with red Doc Martins, stopped in front of him. Matt waited for the reasoning, always a long explanation shot at him like a machine gun.

Look Matt, who is to say these Aliens are all efficient like. What if they are Star Hippies. They have come to save the Earth you know. Sounds green to me. Do all Aliens have to be strict and smart? She paused. Matt sighed with relief. Then she started again. Oh no, I got visions of my old Head Mistress now.

Ok, Ok. Where are the others? Matt said, quickly cutting her off, before she regained momentum.

I saw Jan in Lederhosen. Seriously. Everyone wants to make a good impression.

No. He’s Norwegian, isn’t he? Matt stopped and hung his head down, he is not wearing Lederhosen is he?

Gotcha, she said, turning to go outside.

Matt sighed, Are they going to take this seriously Will?

Don’t be fooled Matt. Peta was our best operative in Russia for three years. She was so noticeable, she was forgettable. Bit like a barman. People just talk like they are not there.

Matt watched her disappear outside before taking the roll.

Yeah well ...Peta one, Will two, Jan three. Oh crap, not now, he said, spotting the top of Brian's balding head making its way through the group. Brian was heading towards him with the look. The look that proceeded a deep conversation about any conspiracy going. He needed to deflect him.

Brian, I see you are not quiet ready.

Hey, what have I forgotten?

Your tin foil hat, Matt said, and continued to count, Brian four, Russell five, Sarah six

The truth is but ten minutes away Matt. Ten minutes, Brian yelled to the ceiling, as he headed out to the front of the building.

Sarah, a plump South African woman followed him, God is the truth Brian. Not your little green men.

How did we even survive this long? Matt mumbled.

***

Will stood on the bottom stair in front of the United Nations Secretariat building waiting for the last stragglers to arrive. He was still taller than most of those standing on the second step. The shoulders on his black suit jacket were already spotted with ash. He pulled at his collar trying to get some relief from the heat of the dull afternoon sun and the humidity.

Not sure we needed to wear suits for this Matt.

First impressions Will, first impressions, Matt said, brushing down his own sleeve, and finger combing his short black hair, damn ash is falling again.

Brian stepped off the steps to get closer to Will and Matt, and whispered, Do you really think a suit is going to have any affect. They have probably been watching us for decades. Wouldn’t be surprised if all this was them, he said, waving his arms around.

Whoa Brian, enough theories. Will said, looking Brian in the eye, You are going to behave. Yes. Is that a yes, Brian?

Brian shrugged and put on a cap to cover his balding head. Matt smiled when he heard the crinkling sound of foil. His smile disappearing when he saw the slogan ‘Trust no one’ on the cap.

I could do with another ice age about now, Jan said, in his thick Norwegian accent, ending with a small chuckle.

They can take me how I come Matt, Will said, undoing his top button and removing his tie, why black suits?

Men in Black, came a comment from the back of the group.

Will took a few strides out and turned to the group, Look, this may all be someones idea of a big joke or something more sinister but it all looks very credible. As I said before, the communication-, Will searched his pocket and pulled out the flat white oval communicator, -disc is of alien technology, and as far as we can tell the instructions came from space. And yes, it would have been nice if all your teams could come to greet whatever is coming, but more people would be a distraction, and they requested the meeting be kept quiet, Will said, giving a small wave to staff peering down at them through the shattered glass front of the building. Thinking it mirrored the world as it was now, islands of people within shattered borders, in a sea of black. He felt a mixture of pride and futility for his crew.

The communicator glowed. One word appeared in front of Will’s eyes. Arrival.

Looks like we have some visitors to greet, Will said, taking a deep breath and bunching up with the group.

There! There! just above us. Little gray thing. Here they come, Russell said, pointing.

I see it! Its coming in a bit quick isn’t it? Jan said, looking around for confirmation.

What do you mean, compared to what? How many spaceships have you seen? Brian said, brushing ash out of his bushy eyebrows.

They watched the small gray dot became larger and larger. Matt recognized the looks on their faces. The cavalry had arrived in the nick of time. It was over now, no matter what happened. If a deal was not made, they would not have the energy to go on. They wanted it to be over. He didn’t like to admit it but lately he felt only a miracle was going to save the Earth.

Matt put his arm over Will’s shoulders. He was the only person as tall as Will in this group of misfits.

Well my friend, lets put on our best poker faces.

Yes, lets do that. It’s all we got.

A flat disc one metre thick, and the width of two road lanes, slowed and hovered above United Nations Plaza outside the large steel security gates, thirty metres from them. A large screw uncoiled out of the bottom of the disc. There was a soothing hum coming from the disc.

Peta sighed, and took a sip from her silver hip flask, Very pleasant sounding machine.

Sarah covered her face with both hands, and sobbed silently. We are saved. Look at what they can do. We are saved.

Yes Sarah. I think we are being saved, Will said, giving her a short hug.

The disc rotated and lowered at the same time. Screwing itself in, until the bottom of its sloped sides were tight against the tarmac.

That doesn't look like its temporary. They are planning to stay awhile I think. Russell said, turning to Peta.

I’m too tired to bother. They can eat me for all I care, she said, taking another swig before handing the flask to Russell who took a long sip.

At least we will taste better now.

Must be quiet small beings, maybe they are lying down, Brian said, scratching at his motley red and black beard.

I don’t think we are finished yet, Will said, pointing to a bright white disc falling in the same trajectory as the disc.

Within seconds, the white disc was hovering above the landing pad. The security gates and railings rattled violently, loose glass from the buildings outside the gates crashed onto the streets.

Will turned to tell everyone to move away from the main building but they were already gravitating towards the disc.

There was a final raise in the pitch of the hum, before the disc fell silent. Odd pieces of glass fell for a few moments after. The disc stood silent. A smell of freshness, like a sea breeze, invaded their senses.

Brian spread his arms out,Thats more like it. Four metres high, ten metre diameter I reckon.

Familiar is it Brian? Matt asked.

Looks like a giant white M&M doesn’t it? Peta said, but they don’t do they?

What? What don’t they? asked Russell quietly.

Make white M&Ms ...well not on purpose, she whispered.

Brian shook his head, This machine comes down here humming, rattling rails, breaking windows, and you lot are whispering. I thought I was the mad one.

Sarah gasped, Something is happening. Look there, they are coming out, she said, her shaking finger pointing to the disc.

A rectangular segment of the disc revealed itself. Pushing out from the side and lowering from the top, like a landing craft on a beach assault, crunching broken glass as it settled onto the tarmac.

Stairs. At least they will not be hovering around. I don’t think. Jan said, when he saw the moulded stairs on the back of the hatch.

Will smiled. Their reaction to all this was more like watching the arrival of a celebrity, than the arrival of an Alien species. Had they become so numb to life? He had to admit to himself, it was hard to care sometimes.

Two Aliens emerged from the dark interior, dressed in dark chrome one piece suits.

Grays. I knew it. Grays, Brian said, excitedly.

Their appearance, the large teardrop heads, big black eyes and tiny mouths were a familiar sight of any science fiction convention.

They are quiet tall really. Clothes? Don’t usually have clothes, Brian said.

Matt opened his mouth to say something.

Will nudged him, Do not go there.

The two Grays walked down the stairs and each stood to a side of the stairs, their dark blue chrome suits and matching satchels slung over their shoulders, shone brightly in the subdued light.

A tall elegant Alien with jet black, stranded, thin boot lace hair, reaching down to just above the collar of a chrome blue one piece suit emerged. It stood at the top of the stairs for a moment, surveying the scene through chrome blue eye coverings, slightly convex, moulded snugly over the eye sockets, extending over the eye brows and sweeping back, narrowing, stopping at the top of the jaw in line with the middle of the ear.

Oh crap, its my head mistress. I know that look. Peta said, moving behind Russell.

Russell let out a long quiet whistle. All the curves are in the right place ...shee iiiss beautiful. Nefertiti. Thats who she is. Russell said, moving forward to get a better look.

She touched her left temple and caught the falling eye covers in her right hand. They clinked like metal.

Her sparkling light green eyes were a stark contrast to her creamy brown skin and black boot lace hair. The chrome blue suit had no defining lines. It seemed the boots were part of the suit.

The second Alien emerged from the darkness of the disc. His suit was chrome black, and his eye covers were silver, which he left on. His hair was smooth and jet black. It was Peta this time who let out a low whistle, partly to mock Russell. Definitely a man. Is everyone tall where they come from?

The Aliens walked down the stairs slowly and headed towards the gates. The Grays followed.

Matt and Brian opened the gates as they approached. Will walked out to the front.

Here we go, he said, moving his hands behind his back, then in front of him several times, before finally settling with hanging them loosely by his sides.

Welcome. I am William Baldwin, he said, with his hands by his side, not knowing which one to offer his hand to first. He saw a beauty he had not encountered since his wife. Although there was a rawness missing. Perfection, he thought, the spoiler.

I am Sabina. This is Ravar my assistant, she said, taking Will’s right hand in both hers. Her soothing and enticing voice enveloped Will. He was captured. Her eyes. Emerald green segments like a cut lime laid on large black pupils surrounded by light green. He was drowning.

I am Ravar, Ravar said, waiting for Will to take his extended hand.

Sorry, hello Ravar, glad to meet you, Will said, reluctantly pulling his hand away from Sabina and turning to see his twisted, distorted reflection in the silver eye covers. A panic washed over him, doubts about what he was about to do flooded his mind. It was the first time he let the true gravity of the situation weigh him down. Ravar smiled slightly.

Commander Ravar, he said, with a crushing grip and a quick sidewards glance towards Sabina.

Will winced and cleared his throat, Welcome both of you.

Sabina and Ravar walked past the rest of the group towards the Security council buildings. Will hurried to their side.

I will introduce you later.

Well, they seem to know where they are going, Matt said, reluctantly accepting the inevitable. The cavalry had arrived, and it was obvious now, they were the Indians.

Sabina, Ravar and Will walked abreast, ahead of the group. The Grays dropped behind the group to follow last. Brian deliberately lagged to be nearer the Grays. He judged their height to be around his chest height and their bodies were about the size and proportion of a ten year old child, not the extremely thin limbed beings everyone had envisaged. He was curious about how one of them walked in a slow cowboy swagger like John Wayne. Was John Wayne an alien he thought.

The Grays observed Brian with some amusement, pausing now and then to watch him pretend to tie his shoelace or check a dead plant’s dry leaves.

***

Zac and Pamela sat inside the Security Council Chamber, left of the main door, against the wall. Pamela looked at her reflection in a small piece of plastic mirror. She huffed and smiled at her grey hair and wrinkled skin, knocking off the ember from her half cigarette before pocketing it and the small mirror, when she heard the visitors approaching.

Not much to improve there, hey Zackary my boy?

Zac half smiled, What’s to improve hey?

OK, Zachary my boy, stay here until everyone is finished. Be brave, she said,  ruffling Zac’s mess of black hair on her way to open the doors. Zac rearranged his hair, patting it down flat and stared at the floor.

Sabina entered the chamber first, signalling everyone else to wait at the doors. Stopping at the end of the horse shoe table to look up at the mural above the head of the table for several minutes.

My. The famous security council mural, she said, pausing before turning to the group, all about you ...I see. Nothing about the Earth.

I’m sure you know all about us, Brian said, pushing his way through to the front, looking up at his distorted image in Ravar’s eye covers.

Ravar ignored him and joined Sabina, placing his hand on the table. An open ended table, not round? No Knights to save you Brian?

Why would we need Knights, now you are here Ravar? Brian asked, raising an eyebrow, fighting back a feeling of dread, wondering how Ravar knew his name.

Sabina ran her fingers along the back of the chairs, Commander Ravar shall sit here at the head. I shall sit here, she said, sitting several seats away, facing the main door.

The two Grays joined Zac, against the wall, one on each side of him. Zac stared at the floor, his dry mouth clenched shut, heart pounding, and hands tightly gripped in his lap. Trying to be as small as possible.

The Grays reached across in front of Zac and touched their hands together for a moment. Zac saw the small four fingered gloves give off a slight blueish glow when they touched. His brown eyes took on a hazel hue. The Grays removed their gloves a put a hand on his tightly gripped hands. He turned his head and gazed into the Gray’s big black eyes.

I am Zac, he said, gasping and shaking, his mind caught in a whirlwind of fear and excitement.

She put her finger to Zac’s lips and then to his head. I am Cas and this is Hagh. Breath Zac, we are your friends, Cas’s gentle voice said in his head.

Zac’s eyes lit up with excitement and he took in several slow breaths.

Matt sat close to Will, who was opposite Sabina. Brian sat a chair away from Ravar, mostly to annoy him. Peta sat at the end on Sabina’s side, using Russell as a shield to Sabina’s intense stare. Sarah and Jan were the last to take their seats at the open end of the table.

Ravar looked at Sabina. Are we all ready to discuss an agreement?

Oh, Ravar, do shed your Oc-Teq. Show us your cold blue eyes.

As you wish Gorvaal, Ravar said, touching his left temple, knowing she did not like her official title, an ugly sounding guttural word in any language. The metallic sound of the Oc-Teq landing in his hand echoed in the grand setting.

Matt poked at the communicator in Wills’ trouser pocket. Will took it out and leaned forward, holding the communicator in front of him on the table. He and Matt had just realised the communicator was with them at all their latest meetings. So, I am guessing you know all about us and who we are. No need to tell you our names, he said, taking the communicator off the table and placing it on the empty chair next to him.

How about telling us who you represent. Will said, making it clear, that he considered Sabina and Ravar representatives, and not the real power. Sabina could not stop a slight narrowing of her eyes. Matt swallowed hard, he told Will to play hard but this was more than he expected from the Will he knew.

Ravar was unmoved, and started the introduction.

We, represent, the Quorum, Ravar said, emphasising the word represent, The Quorum are made up of delegates from all known Galaxies. The Quorum govern to ensure everyone prospers in peace.

Jan put up his hand. Sabina and Ravar stared at him. The hand gesture was not familiar to them.

Ravaaar. The Quorum are a powerful peoples, yes?

Yes.

Why did they not come before people die?

Well may you ask Jan, Brian said, raising both eyebrows, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair, funny how all the Governments, and the powerful were driven into mountains and tunnels to be drowned or crushed. Do you think that is strange Ravar?

Yes Brian.

You speak very good English for someone who only came to know us a few months ago.

And you speak very good Alien, Brian, Ravar said, looking down at the table, reluctantly taking a deep breath before glaring at Brian, your ignorance. No. Arrogance astounds me. We are here to save you. You have nothing to give.

Sabina smiled. Brian you have done the impossible. You have upset the Commander, she said, mimicking surprise, but let us continue. People are dying in every moment.

She tapped her lips a few times with one of her Oc-Teq, Ravar is incorrect. You have ownership of Earth and therefore the right to give it ...the Quorum respects the rights of ownership and the blood code. But. The Quorum will not let a commodity destroy itself.

Ravar looked over at the Grays. Hagh approached with his cowboy like swagger and offered him his satchel. Ravar took it without acknowledging him. Opening the satchel to remove a single parchment and a thin white pad, both the size of an A4 piece of paper. He placed the satchel to the left side carefully and precisely square to him before addressing the group. Hagh returned to his seat.

The Quorum were aware of your impending situation. We are powerful, but we never anticipated the rate of your stupidity, or your aversion to logic. Your Earth ...sorry ...the Earth is not close to us. It took time to arrive, he said, perusing the parchment.

Your Grays have been visiting us for decades, Ravar, Brian said.

Scouts. Built to travel great distances. To report, not negotiate. You would not respect them. They have no stature.

Matt raised his hand. Stature, power. Is this what it is all about. Are you manufactured to negotiate?

I have a long line of blood code. I am a result of family. Not ...manufactured.

Sabina sat silent. Staring past Will at the two Grays and Zac holding hands.

Zac was smiling, laughing and nodding.

She stifled a sigh and returned to the noise of the table. Ravar was still lecturing. She let him finish.

Maybe you would already be a member of the Quorum, if your arrogance did not destroy worlds, Ravar looked around at everyone at the table and shook his head, You live on a rock. In a bubble. In space. What did you think would be the end result of tainting the very reason for your existence?

It was always someone else's problem, until it was everyones problem. Then it was too late, Brian said, quietly.

We did not destroy the Earth, Jan said angrily, the meteors did this.

The meteors saved us the pain of watching you slowly choke on your own-.

Enough Ravar. We are here to tell them how we are going to fix the Earth, Sabina said, pointing to the documents in front of Ravar, William Baldwin is the blood code we will use. Any objections?

The silence was broken by Will.

"Am I