The Great Amelioration

Chapter 1

Ethan

Approaching the landing that leads towards Ataraxis's palace, I couldn't help but recognize how they earned their Name. Once stepping on the pristine Cream white stone, which was said to have a rare gem sprinkled in to magnify your inner peace, is when you felt as though you walked on air. Every step further into the city left you forgetting any hardships congesting your thoughts.

When I enlisted in the military I can verily say I never imagined I'd be gliding through a city such as this. Being 18, fresh out of high school, with no yearning to pursue a blue-collar career, the Army seemed like the best verdict to keep me out of trouble.

They say I broke a national record climbing the ranks so quickly. The CIA built a top-secret case against me only after four years of being in the service. The officers on the file claimed I was an immigrant trained and switched into another guy's life, dispatched to the states to take down their military forces along with smuggling secrets back to my "homeland".Which wasn't surprising those kinds of incidents happen often when you're in the special forces. A DNA test discovered as an infant proved they were wrong, the case got dropped.

Not long after the investigation, our government fell. During the initial moments there was a wave of silence flooding over our country. News stations couldn't retrieve the correct information as to how, why, or what will be next. Millions of upper-class families disappeared the night preceding the urgent news broadcast indicating our market had crashed from empty bank accounts, pulling money from investments, and reported millions were found dead throughout the night with no lead as to who executed the individuals beside their families.

Very few of our forces were held together by threads. Regiments flew in from all edges of the states to conduct a meeting preparing to protect our people. We merged all our military branches, all of our high ranking coming together to conduct a plan. Less than 20% of our nation's forces were left including politicians. Those left of our senate, and other state politicians such as Governors and their Legislatures, came together to create a new order in time of the crisis. A straightforward game plan, put together by the best generals who still stood with us, Organized by levels of instability. The first task, keep necessities flowing through the states, for instance like food, freshwater, gas, second was to contact all our allies. The third task, to spread out battalions in every street attainable.

After executing our nationwide order terrorist attacks started happening left and right. Rural areas of the continent, but well-known cities for their cabins, skiing resorts, and tourism. National parks were being wiped off the map in flame, nothing was left to even investigate the cause, but it was certainly unnatural. To close together to be a coincidence, our missing upper class begin to appear on footage visiting supermarkets, only using cash, all across the country. Every single one of them with a different hair color, a different shape of their original face, and never appearing twice in the same spot.

" How lovely it is to see you, Captain Anluan " Without fail the welcome committee greeted me, before getting within 10 feet of the threshold. Her name was Edme, a tall and slender woman whom I assume to be an assistant of sorts. " Hello, Edme " trying to stay as flatly toned as possible. They had an open-door policy here, meaning no front door to the palace but a large arched threshold detailed with light eccentric detailing. Towering cream white and gold pillars being the foundation of the simple living place for the few who reside here.

The few individuals I've spotted wandering the grounds had been praying or gathering water along with leaves from the many potted plants surrounding areas. The fragrance of some kind of herb or flowers always burdened me with a migraine for hours after my update. This was the furthest id ever come into the city however each female mien to one another. Very fair-skinned, having close to white hair, many extremely lengthy.

" To what do we owe the pleasure ?" Edme, always being cool and soft-spoken but seemed to be on her toes during every encounter we had. " I've come to speak with Imani, regarding the hunting season," I said with as much confidence as I could build up. Since their reign, only 500.00 pounds of meat were allowed to be slaughtered for consumption every year. Though these women were elegant as much graceful, they were lethal and keen. Seeking out any reason to punish than control more of our world.

Edme escorted me to Imani's office which was just across the foyer. Imani's features were piercing in any lighting, giving her a primordial aspect. She did not refer to herself as queen or leader, she just introduced herself as Imani. We were in no position to ask questions upon introduction leaving us to decide for ourselves what she was. But she stood as the point of a triangle, did the talking, anything of importance went through her for review and submission.

Any event I get to see Imani's face...look into her silvery-white eyes. I can't help but feel frustrated, remembering their descent. When I was third from the point in the triangle listening to their excuses, promising to help rebuild our country. Imani explained they were the source of the terrorist attacks, attempting to diminish the Red Eyes. The Red Eyes, our new allies informed, was a sizable group of the wealthiest families to exist. Until these supposed Red Eyes scattered, Imani and her people destroyed countless miles of preserved wildlife.

"Hello, What can I do for you, Ethan? " Her voice felt like it was grinding against my bones. " I'm here to ask you- to lift the restrictions on hunting " just cut to the point, no need for small talk, get your answers and leave. Sighing she said " The population numbers have not increased enough to re-determine the restrictions and guidelines for hunting nor slaughtering" what I would do for a burger that didn't cost 100$ " The vegetation growth has been expanding greatly enough to sustain the current population; and the answer for the question you're not asking yet to determine what kind of mood I am in... The answer is no, the state in this country's market, crime rate, the education system has us predicting involvement in the governmental system for well over another 50 years " with that she gave a polite smile. "Will that be all Mr. Anluan?” After letting the blow to my ego settle I said " Yes, thank you for the update Mrs. Nikolaou. I look forward to next time." getting up to stand I- " Just Imani, is fine. You may stay and visit the city if you please, till next time. Edme will see you out".

It was no surprise she'd given the invitation to roam Ataraixs, she did every time I came for a report. No way in hell i'd stay and sight-see, this place was filled with celestials like Imani and her husband. Always a plastered smile on their flawless faces. Significantly hopeful type of people, reassuring you "everything will work out", Not to mention id get crap for it at base. My men would be counting down the seconds I'd be late as a precaution. I would never abandon our country to socialize, I'd be deemed a traitor to myself. Although, I wouldn't mind spending a few extra minutes with the peace in my head.

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The week before our allies descended to the states, we were preparing for the worst. None of our other allies overseas had responded to our plea for assistance. We had a strange feeling, a sixth sense that something big was coming. The most we could do, what was left of our dying country, was to prepare for war. My Captain caught wind that the Elite allied with an opposing country, giving room to suggest that they orchestrated this to crush the market of the states and move countries. However some things didn't add up, for instance, why were the Elites still here? were they not able to get out on time? Assuming how much wealth these opulent individuals had they were more than able to survive in hiding off their remaining funds.

During the brightest hour of the day, there was a pulse in the air and then the Bending of the sky as they manipulated the magnetic rays that hold our universe together their city appeared. All of our camp stood out of our tents to look up...none of us ran. Our Captain called for formation and we obeyed standing tall and strongly backing our Leader. The Sky shifted from its blue to a tangy pink, shadowing the clouds to purple color. Appearing out of the dust that was rustled, they too stood in formation. Our Captain, not showing a hint of emotion. The gentleman I mirrored to be a man showed no fear. Our skies haven't been blue since.

Our so-called new allies forced new laws on us concerning our meat intake, water usage, energy usage, technology use. As if the original government issue wasn't enough we were forced to rationalize when our allies descended. Told that this program will work in growing our economy, and keeping our Citizens well-fed. There was no ultimatum given, knowing what Imani was capable of we had no choice but to agree. Subjects began tracking the Red Eyes claiming to acquire vengeance for dooming everyone. Eventually, our allies declared it illegal to take matters into their own hands, punishable by death. Quickly our Population and birth rate drastically decreased due to public executions. As troops dedicated to our country, often than not were expected to follow through with the punishments ourselves. Technology was taken, police became soldiers, and Marshall law fell into place.

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I walked down the street in the once city of New Orleans looking for a woman's shop who was known for the history lessons she gave of the other cities in the universe. Anything I could learn on their kind without asking them directly was an advantage. And I had already ruled out that they couldn't read minds, just had great intuition. No city or town was the same these days, barley a soul on the street, a party was rare, street lights were out.

Allegedly there are 9 great cities like Ataraixs, Ataraixs was created by the parents of Imani, and given to her and her husband. Both of them nurture the world and by their side so does their daughter. I plan to approach Imani to ask if she was sent here and maybe even befriend her daughter for more information...

My weekly reporting cycle came up, Preparing myself to begin asking Imani questions concerning why they came here; and if they're also controlling other countries. 147 stairs up, from the ground to their palace. I was appointed as communications to keep them from snooping. Later being declared general, making sure none of my men associated with Imani or her people.

Finally making it to the peak to be addressed by Edme, we made our way through the foyer. Attempting to create small talk between Edme and me "So, what do you do for Mrs. Nikolaou?" Smirking, she responded with "Plenty of assignments, tasks I excel in" peaking my curiosity I asked " And what do you excel in Edme? do you - " my sentence halted, as a beheld the most striking creature stationed on the platform of the imperial staircase. Eyes blazing towards Edme and I, she wore a sheer gown along with the only jewelry she wore, a heart-shaped locket falling delicately on her breastbone.

To be continued...