Greg Krojac - The Schrödinger Enigma

Enak and Jason sat down in the motel office to chat, although the word ‘chat’ seemed too trivial for the conversation that was about to take place. They knew that the others wouldn’t interrupt them – Enak and Jason were the main reason why they were still alive, and nobody wanted to upset the balance of the group. Enak had requested the meeting, so he got the ball rolling.

“Jason, there are certain additional things that you need to know about the Argon.”

Jason’s knew the importance of reliable intel. Any information that Enak could give him was important.

“Go ahead, my friend.”

“After such a long time away, I do not believe that we have a legitimate claim to Earth. I came here as part of an advance force, to pave the way for an invasion and the colonisation of your planet. I am a scientific historian.

“My people are unlike any people you have met before. They are completely ruthless and will stop at nothing to get what they want.”

Jason knew the type.

“We’ve had plenty of people like that in our history. Adolf Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot…”

“I have no idea who those people are, but I am talking about a species with absolutely no empathy. An entire race of beings. Empathy has been bred out of my species.”

“But you seem like a good person.”

“If they knew about my empathy, I would be considered deficient by my own people. I have spent my life hiding my empathy from Argon society. If they knew that I had compassion, I would be considered broken, something to be repaired or destroyed. Thankfully, I am not the only one. There are others. I know of three others that arrived with my part of the vanguard force. There are others hiding in plain sight, embedded in other units. I left in an effort to meet members of your species and help you resist the invasion.”

“Do you intend to try to meet up with these other three Argons?”

“If possible. We are working on a solution that may save your people. There is nothing we can do about those that have already died, but the survivors may have a future. It is by no means certain of success, but I am sure that you would prefer that we at least try.”

“But if the Argons are as advanced as you say they are, how can we defeat them? And your people are much stronger than ours – I saw how you pushed over that heavy racking back in the warehouse.”

“We scientific historians do not only study past technology – our technological evolution, although more rapid, mirrored that of your own – but we also do our own private research. [33] needs to be broken up We believe we have discovered a way to make our people feel empathy once more. Our victory relies not upon strength, or even numbers, but guile. But, saying that, we need to be prepared for any eventuality.”

The two went back to the reception area and rejoined the group, who were chatting amongst themselves. Jason attracted their attention.

“Can we have quiet please? I have important information. Enak has told us about his people and their intentions. We are now faced with a dilemma, which is whether we should resist this alien invasion or whether we should accept the situation and try to survive by keeping our heads down and hoping that we don’t get noticed. But this has to be a personal decision. I know that you see me as the leader of this little band of misfits – and I’m honoured – but this is something I can’t decide for you. You have to make your own decision.

“Enak has told me that the Argon, as a species, have no compassion or empathy. Of course there are exceptions – Enak himself is one – but, as a rule, they value your lives no more than we value the life of a cockroach.”

Sitara looked at Enak and back again at Jason.

“So, what you’re saying is that Earth is being invaded by a race of psychopathic killers?”

“You could say that, yes. I wanted you all to know the nature of our enemy before you make a decision either way.”

Jacob raised his hand.

“May I take a few minutes to discuss it with my family, Jason? For us, any decision needs to be as a unit.”

Ruth shook her head.

“That won’t be necessary. Jacob’s the head of the family. We’ll do what he decides. He knows best.”

Jacob took his wife’s hand.

“I can’t make this decision for the family this time, Ruth. Whatever we do, it will be dangerous. Either way, if I make a decision for the family as a whole, I could be sentencing you to death. No, this has to be an individual choice. Stay and fight or become fugitives.”

Miriam had had a lifetime of doing what her parents had told her to do and was unsure as to how to react. She didn’t know what her father wanted her to do. But she knew that she would feel safer if she stayed with Jason and Enak. She grasped her new-found freedom of choice with both hands.

“I’m going to stay. This is our planet, our home. We had to leave our farm but I’m not going to let them take our planet without a fight.”

The rest of her family looked at her, stunned. They weren’t used to seeing the mouse roar. But this was what Jacob had really wanted, to be relieved of the onus of deciding things for his family for once. Samuel put his arm around his sister.

“So am I. I wasn’t much help back at the farm...”

Ruth stopped him in his tracks.

“Don’t say what I think you’re going to say, Samuel Miller. You couldn’t have done more than you did, and you still have the bump on your head to prove it.”

Suitably admonished, Samuel continued.

“…I want to fight too. [34] doesn’t make complete sentence when put with the first half We can’t give in.”

Jacob looked at his wife.

“Ruth?”

“Well, Jacob. I would have agreed to whatever you decided, you know that, but – since you’ve told us we have to make up our own minds this time – I agree with the children. We saw our community destroyed by these evil people, we saw friends and family die in the most horrible way, and someone must stand up to these creatures, someone must punish them. And besides, God is on our side.”

Given new information, Jacob wasn’t entirely sure that God was indeed on their side, but he was pleased that his family had decided to stay and fight the Argon. It was his choice too, but saying it out loud was easier with the knowledge that his family agreed with him.

“So that’s it Jason. You’re stuck with us. The Miller family will fight.”

When the chips are down the value of other human beings cannot be underestimated. Sitara had experienced the fear of thinking that she was helpless and all alone, when she had been trapped in the isolation room at the hospital. She didn’t want to go through anything like that again.

“I’m not going anywhere. I mean, not without you. A family isn’t formed by blood alone. You’re my family now. We’re family. Wherever you go, I go.”

There was no point in asking Enak what he wanted to do. He had already made his allegiance perfectly clear. Jason picked up his rifle.

“I suggest everybody gets their stuff packed up into backpacks, especially food – energy bars and the like – and be ready to move out in thirty minutes. Lock and load your weapons. We don’t know what we’re going to come up against out there.”

Samuel’s brow furrowed.

“Why backpacks, Jason? We’ve got a big SUV.”

“Because I’m pretty sure it’ll be impossible to drive all the way to our destination. We haven’t seen any Argon yet…”

He glanced at Enak.

“…present company excepted, but they’re out there and if we stay on the road too long, in a car, we’ll be sitting ducks.”

Jacob asked the question that was on everybody’s minds.