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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Fairy Tales & Fantasy
- Subject: Culture / Heritage / Lifestyles
- Published: 07/07/2020
Captain Powett-Jones, and his second in Command, Irena Vilonovich, were nervous. They had a right to be. It had been nearly a decade since the United States was quarantined by the World. No one, and I mean no one in their right mind wanted to cross the border into a country that was reporting more than a million cases a day - followed by a breakdown in the Government, and a bloody Civil War that decimated the Country before it went dark.
All of its mighty Military Power was brought back home. There wasn’t a single US Military presence outside the borders of America. That had been true since late December in 2020. The world watched in Shock. Total Shock. As the only country to ever use Nuclear Bombs - used at least seven on themselves. It was then that the World took steps. Drastic Steps. The USA wanted a Wall, well, they got one. Ironically enough, in the South- the Mexican’s built it. In the North- the Canadians did. Not walls like the person who brought down America wanted. These weren’t physical barriers, they were simply the Social pressures to keep whatever was happening in the USA… in the USA.
High Technology, Drones, and Self Preservation make a formidable wall. Even in the Spring of 2021 - when more than forty million Americans tried to flee their country. They were all turned back. Another seven million were sent “home” from the countries they lived in as Ex Pats. It wasn’t a pleasant homecoming. When the last two shiploads of Citizens of the USA were returned from overseas (under a flotilla comprised of ships from forty countries- The World wasn’t fooling around) America went dark. Nobody outside the borders knew anything about the internal conditions. Since July of 2021, the USA had been blockaded, quarantined and sanctioned by the entire rest of the World. NO one in. NO one out. That simple.
Now, it was 2030. A ship Captained by Power-Jones, and Irena Vilonovich was steaming into New York Harbor. She wasn’t alone. Almost a 100 ships from the rest of the World’s Navies dotted the entire East Coast of the USA…just in case. One ship. Only one. Steamed into New York Harbor. The first ship to enter the harbor in nine long years. Everyone was tense. Those in Command were nervous.
The broadcast was short and to the point:
“Dear World. We apologize. The Untied States of America no longer exists. We... the People of New Beginnings... invite you to meet with us in New York City on the First of June 20, 2029. We understand your hesitation. We ask that you just come visit us. We have changed. We have no Navy, no Army, no Marines, no Air Force. We do have the Civil Service. And it means exactly what it says. Civil…Service. Please, we entreat you come talk to us. We have grown up.“
There was much debate about what to do. The end result of weeks of thought and meetings- was to send a single ship, commanded by the most level headed people in the Armed Services of the World (no individual Nation has its own Army, Navy or Air Force…the World learned watching America Fall Apart).
As Peacekeeper One sailed up the Hudson River, the shores were lined with many people. Not millions, like the old New York had, but certainly enough to qualify as “throngs” of people. They waved at the ship as it went by. Many signs saying: “Welcome!" were flying from poles, held in hands, or draped over walls and dock sides. There were no flags. None. Not one. The Untied States didn’t exist anymore - and flags were considered part of the reason why. The country of New Beginnings had only an emoji as a symbol.
It was a smiley face with a Peace sign belt. On one side of the emoji was as sheaf of grain, on the other a book. Underneath was a motto: Science and Nature.
Captain Powett Jones and his second in Command: Irena Vilonovich, stood on the bridge as they edged into the dock assigned them. It was a tricky maneuver with the currents in the river, the wind off the land, and their unfamiliarity with both in this setting. But a Pilot Boat with a person who knew the waters well, had come aboard from a tiny launch. She had cried when they hauled her up the rope ladder onto the deck. She kissed everyone on the cheeks saying over and over again: “Welcome my friends. Welcome!”
Then she went to the bridge and guided them in with a casual expertise that impressed the crew. The first challenge came almost as soon as they tied up to the Dock. Armed Sailors were about to escort the Captain and Irena down the Gangway. The Pilot spoke up:
“I am so sorry. Weapons of any kind are not allowed in New Beginnings. None. You are welcome in peace. We thought your first ship might be a ship of war. But we ask you to beg the world to only send Commercial Ships to our Country from now on.”
“What happened to your warships?”
The Pilot grimaced.
“I guess you know about the Nuclear Explosions during “Puberty” ?
“We know you used several Nukes, but what is Puberty?”
The Pilot looked down, and then looked back up and met their eyes:
“Puberty is what we called the transition from the USA to New Beginnings. It was painful, mixed feelings, new emotions, and it didn’t always go well…but we came out the other side as new human beings…adults. (She smiled a gentle wry smile.) It hurts to grow from children to Adults, but it is worth it. We think so anyway.
Five of those Nuclear bombs took out five of our biggest cities…including Washington DC, LA, Seattle, Houston, Miami, and Indianapolis. The last two Hydrogen Bomb Blasts were done by us. We took every weapon of any kind, put them on the ships and planes of our former Military, and blew them all up. We have no weapons of any kind- Police, Military, or Personal. No weapons. None.“
Eyebrows raised on the Captain and Irena both. If this could be verified…it would go a long way to smoothing open relations with the World…again.
“What about…well…the Health of your country? I mean Medically?”
The Pilot turned beat red. Straightened her shoulders and blurted out the numbers in a staccato of terrifying briefness, directness, and honesty:
The former United States lost nine million, eight hundred thousand, four hundred and seventy two citizens to the Virus. The Civil War - which lasted from November of 2020 until the dissolution of the United States of America, lasted almost two years. It ended in the year 2022. Ninety four million people died in that conflict. 23 Million in a single day. The day the last of the die hard militants used Nukes on Five Cities. Our current population is heavily skewed to the young. Most of the Men between the ages of 20 and forty five …are dead. The Virus took out most of the old, and about twenty percent of those men and women still in their prime.
We are a young country now. Very young. Both literally and figuratively. As you can plainly see…”
She waved her hand to point down to the Dock. A Commission of about forty people was waiting patiently to greet the first people to step foot in the old United States of America, or more accurately, to step foot onto the soil of New Beginnings, in over a decade. Only one of them was over thirty, most seemed to be in their late teens, or very early twenties. None of them had weapons. The bridge had reported that there we no weapons anywhere. One of the few who had visited the USA back before Corona Virus mentioned over the open channels: “They used to have an Aircraft Carrier with all kinds of planes on it just two docks up from here…I wonder what they did with it?”
The Pilot overheard the comment.
She laughed out loud.
“It is gone. Along with all the planes that were on it. No weapons in our Country. None.”
The Captain and Irena locked eyes. It was almost as if the same thought came to them both at the same time. The Captain Nodded. Irena turned to the Armed Sailors:
“Put all your weapons in the Armory. Dismiss all the gunners from their positions. Stand down the missile battery. Now.”
Once they were all unarmed, the Pilot escorted them down to meet the Committee at the bottom of the gangway.
Forty smiling faces looked up at them.
The Captain spoke out the side of his mouth so only Irena could hear him:
“This looks like a New Beginning. “
Irena nodded. She wasn’t nervous any more. Not at all.
Nervous.(Kevin Hughes)
Captain Powett-Jones, and his second in Command, Irena Vilonovich, were nervous. They had a right to be. It had been nearly a decade since the United States was quarantined by the World. No one, and I mean no one in their right mind wanted to cross the border into a country that was reporting more than a million cases a day - followed by a breakdown in the Government, and a bloody Civil War that decimated the Country before it went dark.
All of its mighty Military Power was brought back home. There wasn’t a single US Military presence outside the borders of America. That had been true since late December in 2020. The world watched in Shock. Total Shock. As the only country to ever use Nuclear Bombs - used at least seven on themselves. It was then that the World took steps. Drastic Steps. The USA wanted a Wall, well, they got one. Ironically enough, in the South- the Mexican’s built it. In the North- the Canadians did. Not walls like the person who brought down America wanted. These weren’t physical barriers, they were simply the Social pressures to keep whatever was happening in the USA… in the USA.
High Technology, Drones, and Self Preservation make a formidable wall. Even in the Spring of 2021 - when more than forty million Americans tried to flee their country. They were all turned back. Another seven million were sent “home” from the countries they lived in as Ex Pats. It wasn’t a pleasant homecoming. When the last two shiploads of Citizens of the USA were returned from overseas (under a flotilla comprised of ships from forty countries- The World wasn’t fooling around) America went dark. Nobody outside the borders knew anything about the internal conditions. Since July of 2021, the USA had been blockaded, quarantined and sanctioned by the entire rest of the World. NO one in. NO one out. That simple.
Now, it was 2030. A ship Captained by Power-Jones, and Irena Vilonovich was steaming into New York Harbor. She wasn’t alone. Almost a 100 ships from the rest of the World’s Navies dotted the entire East Coast of the USA…just in case. One ship. Only one. Steamed into New York Harbor. The first ship to enter the harbor in nine long years. Everyone was tense. Those in Command were nervous.
The broadcast was short and to the point:
“Dear World. We apologize. The Untied States of America no longer exists. We... the People of New Beginnings... invite you to meet with us in New York City on the First of June 20, 2029. We understand your hesitation. We ask that you just come visit us. We have changed. We have no Navy, no Army, no Marines, no Air Force. We do have the Civil Service. And it means exactly what it says. Civil…Service. Please, we entreat you come talk to us. We have grown up.“
There was much debate about what to do. The end result of weeks of thought and meetings- was to send a single ship, commanded by the most level headed people in the Armed Services of the World (no individual Nation has its own Army, Navy or Air Force…the World learned watching America Fall Apart).
As Peacekeeper One sailed up the Hudson River, the shores were lined with many people. Not millions, like the old New York had, but certainly enough to qualify as “throngs” of people. They waved at the ship as it went by. Many signs saying: “Welcome!" were flying from poles, held in hands, or draped over walls and dock sides. There were no flags. None. Not one. The Untied States didn’t exist anymore - and flags were considered part of the reason why. The country of New Beginnings had only an emoji as a symbol.
It was a smiley face with a Peace sign belt. On one side of the emoji was as sheaf of grain, on the other a book. Underneath was a motto: Science and Nature.
Captain Powett Jones and his second in Command: Irena Vilonovich, stood on the bridge as they edged into the dock assigned them. It was a tricky maneuver with the currents in the river, the wind off the land, and their unfamiliarity with both in this setting. But a Pilot Boat with a person who knew the waters well, had come aboard from a tiny launch. She had cried when they hauled her up the rope ladder onto the deck. She kissed everyone on the cheeks saying over and over again: “Welcome my friends. Welcome!”
Then she went to the bridge and guided them in with a casual expertise that impressed the crew. The first challenge came almost as soon as they tied up to the Dock. Armed Sailors were about to escort the Captain and Irena down the Gangway. The Pilot spoke up:
“I am so sorry. Weapons of any kind are not allowed in New Beginnings. None. You are welcome in peace. We thought your first ship might be a ship of war. But we ask you to beg the world to only send Commercial Ships to our Country from now on.”
“What happened to your warships?”
The Pilot grimaced.
“I guess you know about the Nuclear Explosions during “Puberty” ?
“We know you used several Nukes, but what is Puberty?”
The Pilot looked down, and then looked back up and met their eyes:
“Puberty is what we called the transition from the USA to New Beginnings. It was painful, mixed feelings, new emotions, and it didn’t always go well…but we came out the other side as new human beings…adults. (She smiled a gentle wry smile.) It hurts to grow from children to Adults, but it is worth it. We think so anyway.
Five of those Nuclear bombs took out five of our biggest cities…including Washington DC, LA, Seattle, Houston, Miami, and Indianapolis. The last two Hydrogen Bomb Blasts were done by us. We took every weapon of any kind, put them on the ships and planes of our former Military, and blew them all up. We have no weapons of any kind- Police, Military, or Personal. No weapons. None.“
Eyebrows raised on the Captain and Irena both. If this could be verified…it would go a long way to smoothing open relations with the World…again.
“What about…well…the Health of your country? I mean Medically?”
The Pilot turned beat red. Straightened her shoulders and blurted out the numbers in a staccato of terrifying briefness, directness, and honesty:
The former United States lost nine million, eight hundred thousand, four hundred and seventy two citizens to the Virus. The Civil War - which lasted from November of 2020 until the dissolution of the United States of America, lasted almost two years. It ended in the year 2022. Ninety four million people died in that conflict. 23 Million in a single day. The day the last of the die hard militants used Nukes on Five Cities. Our current population is heavily skewed to the young. Most of the Men between the ages of 20 and forty five …are dead. The Virus took out most of the old, and about twenty percent of those men and women still in their prime.
We are a young country now. Very young. Both literally and figuratively. As you can plainly see…”
She waved her hand to point down to the Dock. A Commission of about forty people was waiting patiently to greet the first people to step foot in the old United States of America, or more accurately, to step foot onto the soil of New Beginnings, in over a decade. Only one of them was over thirty, most seemed to be in their late teens, or very early twenties. None of them had weapons. The bridge had reported that there we no weapons anywhere. One of the few who had visited the USA back before Corona Virus mentioned over the open channels: “They used to have an Aircraft Carrier with all kinds of planes on it just two docks up from here…I wonder what they did with it?”
The Pilot overheard the comment.
She laughed out loud.
“It is gone. Along with all the planes that were on it. No weapons in our Country. None.”
The Captain and Irena locked eyes. It was almost as if the same thought came to them both at the same time. The Captain Nodded. Irena turned to the Armed Sailors:
“Put all your weapons in the Armory. Dismiss all the gunners from their positions. Stand down the missile battery. Now.”
Once they were all unarmed, the Pilot escorted them down to meet the Committee at the bottom of the gangway.
Forty smiling faces looked up at them.
The Captain spoke out the side of his mouth so only Irena could hear him:
“This looks like a New Beginning. “
Irena nodded. She wasn’t nervous any more. Not at all.
Gordon England
08/26/2020Outstanding story Kevin. This is your best that I have read. A powerful lesson for terrible times. Your insight is amazing
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Sandeep reddy
08/24/2020I had been enjoyed and you have a good creative insights.
It was so abstruse factor to predict the future. However , your insights were So fascinated.
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Kevin Hughes
08/23/2020Oh my gosh, Jd,
I am speechless. So many Awards...I am going to need another Wall to put them all on! I am humbled beyond belief. Smiles, and Thanks, Kevin
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JD
07/12/2020I'm glad I could lift your spirits the day before your big day! We will all miss you very much while you are recovering, but I hope you come back better, stronger, and faster than ever... being bionic and all! BIG Smiles, Hugs, Dark Chocolate and a maple covered coffee rolls to YOU TOO! And lots of WELL wishes! :-)
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Kanishka Roy
07/09/2020The Mexicans built a wall.... Gold!
This felt so real I'm secretly afraid that you're part of the illuminati :D
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Kevin Hughes
07/10/2020Nope, the only group I belong too is the super saver club at the local Grocery Story. Thanks for the kind words Kanishka!
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JD
07/08/2020The USA seems like a place where only crazy people can live these days. And there being SO many crazies on both sides of every issue is making the rest of us crazy as well. Who knows where this is all going... but your story certainly poses an interesting case scenario, Kevin! Thanks for another great one! :-)
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Gail Moore
07/07/2020Wow Kevin, that is an awesome story. The world at the moment is hard to make sense of.
You just cleaned it up :-)
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Kevin Hughes
07/07/2020Thanks Gail,
Hope springs eternal in the human breast, and now that I am old and fat and have breasts...hope has room to grow! Smiles Kevin
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Martha Huett
07/07/2020Thanks for that, Kevin. Grim but hopeful. So often I feel like we're not gonna make it, so I really appreciate your story that maybe we will. :)
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Kevin Hughes
07/07/2020Aloha Martha,
I think the transition is going to be rough...some folks are going to have to be pulled into the new future resisting the whole way...but once the dust settles...I do think we all live in a world we can't even imagine...like life before smartphones!
Smiles, Kevin
COMMENTS (8)