[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Humans who refuse to serve them will be treated as criminals and rebels against the new lawful authority on Earth.I have been charged with making the process of human assimilation into their society as smooth as possible.There is no other hope for the survival of humanity.The aliens rule the skies.Long-term resistance will only result in the deaths of millions of humans.“Accordingly, I am ordering all civil servants and policemen to report for service at once,” he continued.“Those who do not report will be treated as deserters and will face the consequences when they are caught.Our priority must be the reestablishment of law and order within Britain.Those who do not submit to their rule will be punished.”There was a long pause.“We have grown used to human despots concealing their true motives behind fancy language,” he concluded.“The Eridians do not seem to share our attitudes.They wanted Earth; they took it.Their attitudes will not be swayed by pleas or protests.They believe that might makes right.Do not, for the sake of all humanity, seek to challenge them.They will respond with deadly force.”A moment passed, and then the message began to repeat itself.“Turn it off,” Robin snarled, savagely.He couldn't believe his ears.There was no way to doubt that Beresford had sold out to Earth’s new masters.They’d probably promised him wealth and power if he served them.“What the hell do we do now?”One of the constables put their choice into words.“They seem to want us to work for them,” he said.“If we do that.”“Collaboration,” someone else growled.“If we work with them,” the constable continued, “we would insulate the ordinary people – the people we swore to protect – from the aliens.If we refuse.we put our lives and those of our families in danger.We all know how the aliens react to challenges.”Robin nodded, bitterly.A group of louts – if he could be excused a moment of political incorrectness – had attacked an alien patrol with glass bottles and little else, apart from bad intentions.The aliens had opened fire and killed many of their attackers before the remainder fled for their lives.It hadn't been the only encounter between the aliens and humans who had tried to fight either.The aliens didn't seem to care that the humans were young, barely armed, and powerless.they’d seen a threat and dealt with it.They didn't have lawyers and politicians in uniform holding them back from handing out a good thrashing.“There’s another possibility,” Sergeant Singh suggested.“We join up – and prepare ourselves to turn on the aliens if necessary.They might have told us that they’ve crushed all resistance, but we know that that might not be true.”“I won’t push anyone into the decision,” Robin said.He’d made up his mind.“If anyone wants to leave, they can do so now – without fear.I will go and see if I can shield humans from them.”“Maybe,” Sergeant Singh said.“Or perhaps they’ll expect us to do as we’re told.And we might be told to do something truly awful.”***Fatima rubbed her eyes as she pulled herself from the depths of sleep.She’d just run out of energy – after seeing so many patients she’d lost count, she’d ended up finding a quiet corner and just collapsing into an uneasy sleep.Never in her worst nightmares had she imagined having to help so many people – and watch others die though lacking the supplies to save them.Maybe it had been a dream.she shook her head, cursing her own weakness.It had been no dream.They were still in the makeshift hospital and she could hear patients moaning in pain.She pulled herself to her feet and headed towards the corridor.It was crammed with patients, lying on the floor; only the lucky ones had blankets to insulate themselves from the cold.The sight appalled her; the NHS hadn't been the best medical service in the world, but it wouldn't have allowed such conditions in a hospital.Now.now there was nothing they could do for their patients, but try to make them as comfortable as possible [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]