FOREVER AUTUMN A Story by Thomas Mills
Methuselah
Arboreals function as an expansive neural network spread across the surface of the entire planet.
Forever Autumn Copyright © 2017 Thomas Mills • All Rights Reserved
Prologue
Characters
2017 – An ancient alien race (Arboreals) inhabit planet earth, existing symbiotically and peacefully with humans, the preeminent species, who are rapidly approaching irreversible ecological disaster as a result of ignorance, stupidity and denial. These aliens differ substantially from the human race, existing in a vast, interconnected, mutually supportive environment. They nurture each other throughout the diversity of their species. They venerate their elders and are masters at deception, adaptation, self preservation and defense. Their presence on Earth is a monumental tribute to survival. Living for eons – these creatures eat, sleep, breathe, touch, taste, smell and see. They have sheltered us, circumnavigated vast oceans with us, sacrificed themselves as resources for our survival and watched us kill each other. Non judgmental, they observe and exist. But now, they sense a tipping point, where the human species has taken too much for its own benefit, to an extent where humans must now die for others to live. The survivalist Arboreal culture must act to save the planet, to save their human cohabitants and to save themselves. Deforestation, global warming, political dysfunction, unmitigated material waste, overcrowding and human disrespect for planetary resources have not gone unnoticed.
Alessandra Garrett (Alix): Main Character Gerek McGovern: Symbiosis Fighter Methuselah º Arboreal (Statesman) Prometheus º Arboreal (Venerated Elder) Professor: Avery Weston “Wes” Dark State Politician: Gavin Slayton Radical Military Advisor: Arlen Yueh Black Ops Specialist: Alec McClaren “Mac” Parents/Alix: Teagan & Walker Garrett Parents/Gerek: Jinny & Hunter McGovern
It is time. A time that will catalyze global change, survival of the few, and an unbelievable future for those who can adapt and evolve.
Alix/Chrysalis
– Thomas Mills Artist/Entrepreneur
FOREVER AUTUMN A four-part science fantasy that is all too likely to come true. º Forever. Autumn º Terra Incognita º Terra Redux º Terra Firma
ARBOREALS Aliens live among us.
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Images are licensed through Adobe Stock Images. FOREVER. AUTUMN Copyright © 2017 by Thomas Mills All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
They were here long before we crawled from the oceans.
Methuselah Groaned Winter 2017 º California - White Mountains º Inyou County Methuselah: Great Basin Bristlecone Pine º (4,848 years old) A sonorous moan erupts from the aged Arboreal...mournful, pitiful, the epitome of unmitigated, soulful angst. Methuselah’s bitter anguish pours out as he fully realizes a fateful decision has been reached, and a course of action now fully planned, that will mean the mass extinction of billions of humans. His lengthy groan of distress is a sound never experienced in all of human existence. It is heard around the globe – causing a complete cessation of activity for the duration of the soul-searing rumble – and is magnified in amplitude by 3 trillion Arboreals, who are all painfully aware of the irreversible path humans have taken, leading them to a point of no return. Cataclysmic action and the certainty of its ghastly results are the abhorrent basis for Methuselah’s anguished emanation of pure pain and resignation.
co2
fossil fuels
temps: 120º+ emissions
greenhouse effect Glaciers in certain areas have been undercut by warmer ocean waters, and the flow of ice is getting faster and faster. Justin Gillis - Antarctic Dispatches May 18, 2017 The New York Times
Water vapor • Carbon dioxide (CO2) • Methane • Nitrous oxide • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Some scientists fear that Antarctica’s ice sheet may have entered the early stages of an unstoppable disintegration. Because the collapse of vulnerable parts of the ice sheet could raise the sea level dramatically, the continued existence of the world’s great coastal cities — Miami, New York, Shanghai and many more — is tied to Antarctica’s fate. Written by Justin Gillis Excerpt: Antarctic Dispatches May 18, 2017
gas oil coal
Methuselah Groaned Spring 2017 Methuselah: Great Basin Bristlecone Pine • º White Mountains º California º (4,848 years old) Prometheus: Great Basin Bristlecone Pine º Wheeler Peak º Nevada º (5,000+ years old) A cacophony of thoughts, ideas, arguments, debates, innuendos, verbal jibes and insinuations flooded Methuselah’s consciousness much as a tidal surge inundates an estuary, river or bay. Every aspect of the Arboreal collective was available for assimilation. But using the ability to silence the trivial or inconsequential by concentrating on a highly focused train of thought, was a finely practiced art developed to perfection by Methuselah over nearly 50 centuries of existence. Today, he had accessed the vast Arboreal network with a singular goal. He sought another similar to himself, an aged and highly respected Arboreal of great distinction and jurisprudence. Focusing intently on the name and features of the Arboreal called Prometheus, he recalled these memories with purposeful emphasis. After a few moments, the gravelvoiced, wizened Arboreal permeated his senses, infusing Methuselah with confidence and comfort, aspects he often found lacking in Arboreals of considerably less stature and experience. “Methuselah...my old friend,” responded the venerated Prometheus. Methuselah could never again be in the collective presence of the elder Arboreal statesman without a discomforting reminder of the aged being’s deformation and dismemberment. He felt renewed feelings of anger and disgust over the destruction and removal of the corporeal form of Prometheus from the face of the planet. Though he was literally destroyed by humans, Prometheus remained a dominating presence in the Arboreal collective due to the dedicated support he received afterward from new growth Arboreals, continually providing his root system the nutrients required to sustain Arboreal life. Though his upper torso and limbs had been severed, leaving only the base of his obscenely ravaged stump, his conscioussness remained. Diminished in size, he was emboldened in spirit. Logical thinking and that indomitable spirit were exactly what Methuselah urgently needed from his elderly compatriot on learning of the collective’s concensus and the approaching launch of Forever Autumn.
Prometheus) “Seeking me now, suggests you may harbor concerns stemming from our very contentious and lengthy debates about the planet’s deteriorating ecological environment and the role humans played in this process.” Methuselah) “You know me well my friend. Both of us frequently took very different, and sometimes diametrically opposing positions and viewpoints relevant to the utterly horrendous course of action we’re about to undertake.” Prometheus) “Do you question the collective’s decision, or is this something personal?” Methuselah) Did not answer the query, “When large numbers of our own Arboreal subspecies expressed moral indignation over the majority decision...and then withdrew from our preliminary caucus...I admit that I was taken aback.” Prometheus) “Situations dictate action!” Methuselah) “There was never a dispute over the protracted negligent behavior of the human species, nor arguments attempting to exonerate their baffling attitudes about the finality and potentially disastrous effects of global warming.” Prometheus) “Nor were there any among us who failed to ascertain a rapidly approaching point of no return for this planet.” Methuselah) “No, you’re right! But this means mass extinction! Billions of humans will die.”
...and all life from irreversible destruction!” he stated, curiously anticipating Methuselah’s reaction. Methuselah) “The underlying dissention offered by the opposing faction of thousands of Arboreal conifers, is the price extracted by the actions we are about to take! The results will irrevocably remain in our collective consciousness.” Prometheus) “Our species does not live under highly restrictive laws, nor do we embody the attributes I alluded to previously that humans are affected by. We cannot take this action dispassionately. Nor can we assume any responsibility for the actions both taken and not taken by humans, over many generations, that created the complex ecological issue that must be faced today...now, or never! Eternity hangs in the balance! Or, death for all. No Methuselah...the truth is that no price is too high to pay to save a planet from the willful misuse of natural resources that lead inexorably to the destruction of all life. Ecological change will be exacerbated by Forever Autumn, of that... there is no doubt. There will be significant climatic changes, mass exodus, violence and a high probability of illness, pandemics and death. But, survival is possible. There is hope. We are taking steps to foster a new world and a re-birth that will include humans and identify additional sentient species living among us. The resurgent challenge will be to achieve a life of balance and a new symbiosis. We’ll go forward in a future that prevents the use of natural resources in ways destined inevitably to damage our cosmic home beyond repair,” adding softly, “This isn’t the first mass extinction suffered by an Earth-bound species.” Methuselah) “No, but it’s also not a random cosmological event.”
Prometheus) “Now you’re right,” sighed the ancient Arboreal... sadness overwhelmingly apparent in his tired voice. “But, Arboreals are not malevolent, vindictive, judgmental, murderous or even amoral. We simply exist, based upon an ancient understanding that clearly states our prominent and very permanent role in managing and maintaining the ecological balance required to support all life on Earth.” Methuselah) “We support life for eons? Now, we indiscriminately take life?” he uttered dejectedly. Prometheus) “Indiscriminately? We are not passing judgment or acting as executioners. We realized this was an action we must take – the one and only one – that would, and will, save the planet...
Prometheus) “Random? Who’s to say what’s random Methuselah, and what’s not? I again say, if only to assuage the guilt you seem intent on shouldering. Forever Autumn is not a willful act. It is an inevitability! Perhaps we are a random act?” Methuselah was silent. “Or, maybe we were placed here, expressly for this purpose at this exact juncture in time. I share this heavy burden with you Methuselah, as well as with our entire Arboreal culture. I hope you will come to see that we were faced with a decision that had absolutely nothing to do with choice. Choice was a privilege offered to humans, one they simply chose to ignore.”
Summer 2017
FOREVER AUTUMN
State Address to the Arboreal Collective
“Leaf retention is purely symbolic. But, if Earth survives it will be remembered as Forever Autumn.”
“The effects of our actions will exact a terrible price...Forever Autumn” will cost billions of human lives.”
– Methuselah
– Methuselah
Methuselah) “Since the dawn of time, Arboreals have existed in myriad subspecies, widely dispersed both above and below the surface of this planet, directed by our forebears to support the development of life on Earth by serving as environmental stewards.
Earth is in extreme jeopardy. It is rapidly approaching a point of no return. The misuse of natural resources by the human species is propelling the planet to an ecological tipping point which has long been clearly recognized by the Arboreal collective. We have debated the causative effects and interrelated catastrophic events that will soon take place.
We communicate globally, maintaining our individuality, while supporting each other through a vast interconnected network. We use harmonic vibration to share our thoughts, ideas and beliefs. Low level sonic waves emanating from our expansive root systems is the basis of the Arboreal collective voice.
We are now united in agreement. There were dissenters among us, and their objections were seriously considered, but now we must move forward taking decisive, definitive action. As our sun passes between solar seasons, Arboreal leaves cascade from our limbs when the Earth begins to cool...a natural rhythm of our growth process and nutrient generation cycle. But, this season will differ. We will retain our leaves through the winter months. Though photosynthesis will stop and our foliage will assume hues of golden yellows, orange and red, they will remain in place, to be released only when the sun rises higher once again, in its natural course, bringing warmth again to the soil and sky.
High frequency vibrations are created through our leaf structures, enabling us to signal each other over shorter distances. Pheromone emissions allow us to alert the collective to significant climatic changes and threats to our continuing existence. These attributes enable us to play a critical role in the ecology of Earth, both as contributors of oxygen to the atmosphere and as gatherers, or filters, absorbing damaging pollutants and returning clean air to the ecological realm in which we reside. I remind you of our role here now to underscore the seriousness of the decision we’ve made to preserve this world and all the life forms it hosts. As well as what that fully means.
“Terra Incognita will exist as the devastation of an over-heated world.” – Methuselah
Forever Autumn is the action we agreed to take...to save our world, our cohabitants and ourselves. It is an act of mass defoliation that will greatly accelerate the global warming process which has already begun. We predict that by the end of the ensuing decade, Earth’s ecosystem can be re-set. But not without Arboreal assistance. Mass re-forestation will be necessary to re-oxygenate the planet and initiate the age of Terra Redux.”
Methuselah Groaned “Not all humans reject the existence of global warming. Unfortunately it’s now a matter of too little, too late.” – Methuselah
“You can’t have freedom and justice in this country if you can’t breathe your air, if you can’t open your window because of the toxic smells,” – Senator Corey Booker New Jersey Democrat
Methuselah had expected nothing less from Prometheus. Clarity of thought and objective, pragmatic resolve was all he could reasonably expect. Arboreals all knew that Forever Autumn would be difficult to endure and that humans could only be helped once ecological reversal and a return to natural balance between all species and nature itself was attained.
“Global devastation can be survived. The few who do will exist in a new world, an age of symbiosis and ecological balance as recipients of an unbelievable gift .”
The two had parted...each knowing they would re-visit this issue many, many times during the coming years of death and despair.
Epilogue: The human race has endured extreme adversity, plagues, global warfare, natural disasters, racial hatred, ethnic cleansing, genocide and terrorism.
“There is hope.” – Prometheus
But, the continuing use of natural resources that erode a thin layer of the Earth’s protective and life-sustaining atmosphere cannot, and should not be sustained. It’s a crucial oversight of unbelievable proportions. A fatal mistake.
NeverFall Methuselah Groaned – A Forever. Autumn Episode – “To be continued.” – Thomas Mills