The Prometheus Effect (17 page)

Using well designed graphics and a calm, soothing voice-over, the programme began to unravel the events of the very beginning of the 'invasion' as it was touted. World maps criss-crossed with shooting red lines depicted the times of the events which led to the collapse of society as it was known. The loss of satellite feeds, cyber hacks, unusual sightings, radar detections of 'anomalies', political events and irregular movement of monies around the globe all seemed to indicate some kind of attempt to reorganise, disrupt and breakdown global processes. The programme followed that information with the news that was not unexpected, that governments around the world had been investigating and tracking possible alien threats for some time. It was revealed that a secretive Whitehall based office had been compiling data which had at least in some part prepared them for the attack when it came, hence the emergency measures that were put into place were somewhat planned in advance. Joshua had wondered for sometime how the communication networks were dismantled with such apparent ease.

The crucial part of the broadcast was yet to come however, and as the sensationalism reach a fever pitch, Kettley struggled to remain dulcet as he coolly commented over footage obtained after the downing of some wandering alien craft who had been shot out of the skies by a military jet of unknown origin. Proudly warning viewers that graphic scenes were imminent, millions of viewers inched closer to the edge of their seats as they longed to see the torn and mutilated remains of the alien protagonists. Indeed, the nation was not to be disappointed as a number of stills and limited moving imagery of the internals of the alien craft were broadcast. Joshua stared at the screen, his jaw resting on his chin, his mouth agape. The craft was small, tight and claustrophobic. The lighting was poor and the camera's lights scanned the damaged instrumentation panels as the camera operator panned nervously around the vessel. Considering the craft had been captured, the footage was hurried and brief but undeniably fascinating and compelling. The familiar grey and functional interior reminded Joshua of a submarine or underwater vessel, thick bulkheads, cramped confines and functional panels. The absence of seats and other 'human' comforts was also noted.

Despite Joshua's intellect and moral standing, he could not help but feel a deep desire to now see the crushed and battered bodies of the vessels crew, the recent events had undeniably hardened him in that respect. A modicum of vengeance would not go amiss at a time like this. He wanted to see the face of his enemy, he wanted to know what drove them to bring this hardship upon his kind and he was not to be denied this macabre lusting.

The film began by announcing that the alien crew had been killed outright in the crash which had apparently happened over the Atlantic ocean, hence the intact nature of the vessel. Perhaps it was for the best as Joshua pondered over the fate of these creatures if they had not perished in the fall. Their bodies had been deeply scrutinised and images began to be screened of the cadavers laying upon a stark white and sterile looking autopsy table. Abstractly at first, a limb here and there, lacerated and torn, the film makers were slowly introducing the horror to the viewers. It came as a surprise then when finally the facial features were shown that no warning was forthcoming and the whole screen was suddenly filled by vacuous black eyes in a screen-shot that would no doubt go down in history as the most profound and horrific moment in the country's collective consciousness. It was almost as if the director wanted to shock the audience, to suddenly jar something loose in their psyche. The haunting dark orbits dominated the large, bulbous cranium and instantly, this image was recognisable and familiar to everyone who dared to watch. It was the same 'grey' alien form that Jimmy had described, the same that countless others had recalled the world over to the scepticism and ambivalence of others, the same iconic shape that had dominated comic book, small and large screen and video game market for the last fifty years. The image was familiar but in many ways far more disturbing than anyone could have expected. Joshua instantly recalled Jimmy's tale and felt a need to call him and see how he faired. Unfortunately, Jimmy had Joshua's mobile number only and the network was still down. Joshua could only imagine what torture Jimmy was now going through as his experiences were once again made fresh by this news.

The documentary continued at a pace, introducing more questions than answers it pondered the aliens origins, their motives and their abilities to further inflict damage upon society. What did seem clear to Joshua was when all considered, the aliens had probably not made as big an impact to the detriment of society as the government had done in trying to contain their threat. What was the potential of the alien actions going forward? That is what the documentary appeared to revel in, the conjecture, the pessimism. Joshua felt that after the two weeks the British public had experienced, perhaps some optimism was required, it seemed strangely unfamiliar for a government statement to be so dour. Perhaps for once the voters opinion polls and the forthcoming planned elections were in the back of the ministers minds, a worryingly rare thing in itself. The film once again reiterated the aliens abilities to covertly infiltrate the human population, it did delight however in lauding the virtues of the Census and confirm that it had been 'extremely useful in revealing dangerously concealed alien operatives' in considerable numbers. The film did not discuss the fate of those detained in the course of the process, it seemed inconceivable to Joshua that any harm would come to Sarah, surely the interrogative process would be lengthy and detailed enough for them to finally determine her innocence?

If the documentary's purpose was to enlighten and inform the nation, then its mission was successfully achieved. If the films purpose was to rally the people of Britain and strengthen their resolve, it too succeeded. It did not however, answer some of the burning questions that needed to be asked, it did not mention the darkened blood red skies, the number of casualties as a result of direct alien action or indeed the predicted number who had perished as a result of starvation in the previous torrid weeks. Those of a more cynical disposition might argue that the governments of the world had somewhat overreacted to the crisis and perhaps a more measured approach could have been taken. Joshua had the feeling that there was far more to this than was forthcoming. He could not wait to get back to the office, back to his research which now seemed more pertinent than ever. He yearned the resumption of the free press, he wanted to know the opinions of others, share their stories, their knowledge. He wondered how long the Internet would remain down for and on its return, would it ever be the same again? The people of the world had changed, their beliefs and values had been brought into question and their resolve tested. It remained to be seen however if the worst of it was over or if this was just a taste of what was to come.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

The Messenger, Fleet Street

December 6
^th
2020

Joshua sat at his desk, the office quiet and feeling rather empty. Of the staff who had remained at the office, only he had returned so soon. The remains of the home comforts he and the others had arranged still adorned the large open planned room and Sarah's coffee still sat proud upon her desk, a mouldy growth beginning to form on the half finished contents. The management team had mustered finally and they sporadically and individually wandered through the office looking flustered as they struggled to come to terms with the mighty task of resuming normal business.

The paper's production was reliant upon communications, the printed section reliant upon a tried and tested distribution network. Neither was in place, not now nor in the foreseeable short term. It was clear that it would be some time before a single copy could be produced. This did not deter Mr Fernandes from his aim of being the first national newspaper to resume its daily output. Joshua could detect his presence long before he came into view. The larger than life character could be heard from the next room, bellowing orders to the beleaguered section heads. Fernandes ambled into the office and made a beeline for Joshua who suddenly looked busy tidying his desk.

“
Regan. I hear you were one of the few. Commendable effort in every respect. Back on the job so soon, excellent. I told you the public were interested in aliens did I not?” The giant round faced man was suited in grey, a narrow tin of Café Crème cigars jutted out of his white shirt pocket. His magnanimous nature and pompous arrogance suited his position. Joshua was yet to experience any meaningful contact with him on a professional level and was clearly nervous.

“
Glad to see you in good health Mr Fernandes.” He replied respectfully. Fernandes grunted and raised his eyebrows.

“
We've all been through some terrible times... my mother passed away last week I am informed.”

Joshua reeled in the sudden candidness of his employer who stood steely chinned and emotionless at the announcement of his personal loss.

“
My God, I'm so very sorry.” Joshua stuttered, not knowing how to interpret the news or what condolences to offer.

“
So am I. These things bring things into perspective. Makes you appreciate what you have and what you have lost. That is why I am giving you a new role.” Fernandes seemed to succumb a little to the wobbly voice of someone struggling to come to terms with their loss.

“
A new role?” Joshua inquired.

“
We've lost one of our own, we want her back.” Fernandes said, avoiding using Sarah's name in case of any further emotional twinges.

“
Yes, Sir. I haven’t quite come to terms with it yet. I'm convinced that it's a mistake.” Joshua proclaimed with conviction.

“
Absolutely, just like this whole damned episode.” Joshua mused over Fernandes' statement. Perhaps his recent loss had tested his belief in the government's part in the crisis?

“
You believe there is more to this than we are being told?” Joshua asked cutely.

“
By God, we didn't employee you for nothing did we?” Fernandes boomed with more than a touch of sarcasm.

“
As we no longer have our company mail system running and it appears that you lot used up most of the paper supplies for your toileting needs, company memo's for the time being delivered in person. Latest news, government looking into resumption of media services, looks like there will be restrictions in the short term, local distribution at first, logistics an issue naturally. All copy to be reviewed by new government office before going to print; was expected, nothing surprising there.” Fernandes blurted his statement out as if summarising the blurb on the back of a shampoo bottle. Joshua tried to interpret the garbled announcement.

“
So we are being censored?” He asked candidly, rudely interrupting Fernandes' spiel.

“
You didn’t see it coming? Over estimated you, I did. End of the free press this is, everything changes now. Get your thumb out of your ass, take of the blinkers and put your cynical head on man! Get out there and find some truth... just do it quietly, we've already lost one of our best.”

Joshua nodded as Fernandes turned and strode away clicking his fingers to gain the attention of another one of his sub-ordinates. Joshua slumped back on his chair and allowed the news to seep in slowly. He had allowed himself to consider the future of independent media but maybe had not envisaged full blown censorship. It was obvious now that the government had required full control all along, repressing the television and radio stations, denying the population access to the Internet, the most useful tool ever devised for the sharing of knowledge and opinion. The excuse for this desecration of civil liberties being the threat of impending doom by a third party. The addition of the citizen chips and the suppression of mobile phone communication's did little to convince the libertarians that the governments intentions were purely for the good of the people. Were the powers that be justified in taking such drastic actions and at such costs and if so, how long did they intend to remain with such omnipotence over the lives of the people of the nation? Joshua allowed himself to snort in ironic mirth. The people of the country had gleefully accepted their loss of freedoms for the hope of victory in the coming war, he wondered how long it would be before they realised that they were repelling one set of would be masters for another?

Without the aid of the Internet and with little ability to communicate over great distance, Joshua wondered how he was going to go about finding the facts at hand. He smirked as he realised that like much of the country and possibly the world, a new age had begun which more than shadowed the past; a time where the only way of communicating was travel and face to face contact. He would have to take to the streets and engage the people like journalists of old. It was a challenge that he relished and of course the end goal had more than a personal flavour to it. A simmering romance in Sarah had vanished before it had begun, he missed her sharp tongue and her well concealed fragility. To ask too many questions in the wrong circumstances could prove dangerous, this would have to be an investigation carried out with a great deal of tact and caution.