AFTER THE END

CHAPTER ONE

The Package and the Pendant

So, my story begins sometime after the unexpected ‘disease,’ a virus unlike any other worldwide with unprecedented death and infection rates wiped out the general population and afforded random chaos and anarchy to reign. And reign it did, as now the world is made up mainly of various Kingdoms occupied by those who took control of that area, created their own agenda/government, and either forced or allowed others to live under that rule.

I’m Carter Edge, a lone transporter who up until today had a simple yet adventurous life delivering goods, mainly canned food, parts, some drugs, and other items normally not found but needed to run these ‘kingdoms’ comfortably. I do well at this and have had my share of run-ins with nefarious rogues, highwaymen, and extraterrestrials. Oh yeah, did I fail to mention that once the world found itself totally vulnerable, aliens who have been eyeballing the planet for centuries decided it was their time to make themselves known, and known they did. But that’s something for later in my tale. For now, let me introduce the dregs of humanity that still flourish for dregs always flourish no matter the calamity.

Once all the hospitals became filled to beyond overcapacity and unable to help those ridden with the ‘disease’ they just shut their doors and turned people away. Electricity was scarce and the few power players still alive at the time decided they needed it more than anyone else and cut access off to everyone else. But I jump my introductions. Those doctors and nurses formed a type of Mash Unit and have now become the few that actually can dictate their own living conditions as they are in wide demand in all the kingdoms.

Shortly after the onset of the virus all states shut down and quarantined the populous. This did nothing but create further chaos and civil uprisings which in turn opened the anarchical doors for the development of the “kingdoms.” There were some who hunkered home in fear, watching with great trepidation as the NEWS from all sources warns of certain infection should you go within 6ft of another person. The application of bio-hazard protective gear was declared mandatory to be worn with threats of financial or other dire consequences for those who break this ‘ordinance.’

It didn’t take long for the general population to become divided into essential and non-essential groups with privileges for one and restrictions for the other. All this happened blatantly with the population condemning each other for not following these new protocols. People were greatly divided; some were blamed for deaths that they had nothing to do with only because they didn’t believe the media and refused the protocols set in place and were publicly lynched by vigilantes. There was no law other than power controls powerless. Absolute hell broke out, but in the long run, none of this mattered. Here we are, still divided and mostly conquered and subjected to the various ‘rules’ of the various ‘kingdoms.’ But alas, I digress.

A quick recap for those who just haven’t been paying attention. There are Kingdoms run by some otherwise questionable folk, those who make what they can from the remnants of the planet in hopes they can survive among all the other factions, and the aliens, yeah, and the fricking aliens. The aliens are running rampant, creating a new protocol, and you may not wish to believe this but have a plethora of humans who have teamed up or should I be more specific, have subjugated themselves to be the muscle and voice of the oppressive alien faction. And there’s me. A man who only wants to stay alive and of course make a dollar in the process.

Ok, with all that said, I found myself on the outskirts of the Kingdom of Ohio where I was messaged of a run. I was to pick up a package and transport it to the Kingdom of Miami. A simple run one would think until I showed up for the ‘package.

I took my customary precautions and surveyed the layout of the palace prior to my approach, and all looked as safe as could be in these times so proceeded to come down the hill towards it and into the city.

I met with Queen Wallayne, an ex-prostitute and ex mainly because she is way overweight, sloppy, and a bit of a pig when it comes to etiquette. These thoughts I kept to myself as they would certainly serve no one, especially me. I needed this run as it had been a year since I did a Kingdom to Kingdom run. These runs paid the most if you weren’t stiffed by one side or the other. And when it came to working for Queen Wallayne I could only hope she wouldn’t. The king of Miami, Francois was otherwise known to be a straight shooter, so his end wasn’t as great a concern.

I waited in outer chambers for my audience with her highness under stern scrutiny of the guards. Guards is a term I use merely because of their pay scale but these were some of the dirtiest rogues who would otherwise be those one would encounter on the road somewhere attempting to steal all you had. They eventually escorted me into chambers.

Upon meeting with Queen Wallayne, I was informed I would pick up my package at the North Gate of the city and was to deliver it “without hesitation and post haste” to King Francois in Miami. The only other requisite of this run was that the package would include a heart shaped pendant, which under no circumstances was to fall prey of thieves, rogues, or any hand beside the King’s.

“As a matter of fact,” Queen Wallayne insisted, “No one is to even know the pendant exists.” That part of a run was not unusual but my concentration fell on the fact that now my package is two parts, so I negotiated for more pay. Not an easy negotiation but satisfactory so I left chambers and proceeded back to my van where I would prepare, change into traveling gear, and go to the North Gate to pick up my package.

Upon arrival at the gate, I noticed no guards, I discovered later that even the guards were not to be trusted with any information of this run. What was there waiting on me was one female with a small case on her belt, which I immediately presumed was my package and also contained the infamous heart shaped pendant. This could not have been easier if it were true but also was not further from that truth. The ‘package’ turned out to be the young Lady Reacba, the Queen’s daughter. My outrage was only curbed slightly by her astonishing demeanor, how she held herself, and how impossible it seemed that the pig queen Wallayne could produce something so beautiful. Be this as it may, my rules are sound and the main one is, no people! I told her that I was not a babysitter nor was I in the business of transporting people. Cans of food, weapons, an occasional supply of medication or even other recreational drugs, a pendant or two, but no people.

“I am no baby in need of a sitter,” came sternly from this beautiful mouth. She continued, “Your job, which you have already agreed upon, is to deliver me and this pendant to the King of Miami. So basically, you are my ride.” Reacba informed me most assuredly. “And, unless you wish to piss off the queen, I suggest we get underway.”

Well, piss off the queen was certainly the last thing I wanted to do but still I have my principles. “I’ll go back and speak with your mother…” I started only to be cut off abruptly.

“No, that is not a good idea. Look. All you have to do is drive, I am more than capable of handling myself and any situation that may arise. More than anything else, you don’t want word to get out that you are transporting royalty. Why do you think there are no guards here? No one is to know of this trip or the pendant. Think of the resistance.”

So, I agreed to the run, reluctantly, and pointed toward my van parked up on the hill. “It’s gonna be a long ride, your highness.”

“Reacba! You shall not address me by any other title for I would hate to have to protect you from those who wish to harm the Queen by intercepting this payload.”

“Look, lady!” I declared defensively. “I don’t need your protection, I’ve been making runs since after the end, and I’ve been remarkably successful. Afterall, that’s why I get the big bucks!” I said with a certain bravado to my voice showing her who was going to be boss on this run. “And the first thing you need to realize is, if you want to live and make it to the Kingdom with your little present, you have to do what I say without question and when I say it without hesitation. You got that?” The last thing I needed was a hoity-toity princess causing trouble on the run.

She agreed and we started our walk up the hill towards my parked van. As we walked, I contemplated this run, how it was against all my good sense, and the various things going on in the world that would be a factor. First off, the random groups of people not in the Kingdoms were becoming increasingly active in factionary events, some with violent ideologies about what’s theirs is there’s and what’s yours is there’s too. Let’s throw in all the rumors of an impending war between the Kingdoms for greater power and we have yet another distraction. Then let us not forget those few ‘survivors’ who feel there is a chance to re-create the world’s civilization without the monarchy and totalitarianism of feudal reign. They normally hold strict confidences and only with each other. These survivors feel that if they garnered more with like mentalities and created their own cities, things could start to return to normal, yeah I’ve always loved that word, normal. Well, as much as that sounds like a great idea, it’s actually an idea out of 1950’s sitcoms and they are often zealots who believe that all means are useful and necessary to add to those numbers. But alas, this too has not gone very far other than creating themselves as targets and therefore fodder affording those of us working the land a chance to go from under the watchful eye of the rogues and alien thuds who run the passes, roads, and byways of the land. Yeah, I’ve had to pay more than one toll to cross a line. Let’s hope it isn’t one unaffordable this run.

I couldn’t help but think of the alien influence that was gaining momentum exponentially behind the scenes. Yes, this old eye had not missed those signs of a future for humankind that no one else is noticing while playing power ball with other kingdoms and factions across the planet. An agenda to completely dominate humankind with Artificial Intelligence and stimulations of lifestyles desired. But my thoughts? We are cattle, food for a race of beings that are far more advanced and far more dangerous than any army or other enemy Earth has ever experience. Yes, I am not closing my eyes to this one and I’m just really not sure what I will do when the proverbial hits the fan.

At the van I noticed we were not alone. As a matter of fact, we hadn’t been out of sight from an unknown since we started up the hill. No one in their right mind would attempt an attack on the soil of a Kingdom, would they?

TO BE CONTINUED