Gardens of Destruction

The dim glow of a small night lamp struggled to illuminate the modest interior of the bungalow. Late into the night, its inhabitants were wide awake, their nerves on edge, anticipating any news or developments. The sounds of movement and commotion from outside were unmistakable, suggesting the operation was imminent.

“General, it seems there’s an unusual amount of activity outside, doesn’t it?” Professor Bernstein’s voice broke the tense silence.

“Yes, it does. According to my original plan, everything was supposed to commence at dawn, but it seems they’ve decided to advance the attack.”

“You surely don’t plan to deploy ground forces in there, do you?” Andrey inquired, his voice tinged with concern.

“I intended to use them as a protective perimeter in case of... an escape from within. But as for Schwarzer, I’m uncertain if he’ll adhere to my initial strategy,” Patterson murmured, his head bowed in thought.

“Don’t fret, General. You’ve done all you could. The situation is beyond your control now. At least that burden is lifted from your shoulders,” Bernstein tried to offer some consolation.

“I can’t, Joseph, and I know you can’t either. How can I relax when I see everything at stake? Even now, I’d contribute anything for the operation’s success.”

“I know that’s just who you are, and that’s why you have my respect, despite my general disdain for the military!” the scholar responded. “Such integrity is rare these days. Despite your flaws, it’s been an honor to work with you.”

“Bernstein, have you been drinking?” Patterson inquired, raising an eyebrow in mild amusement.

“Only a little, Andrey offered me a swig of vodka, just for courage,” Bernstein somewhat defensively explained.

“I wanted to help; he seemed tense and needed to unwind!” Andrey sheepishly admitted.

Patterson responded with a smile.

“Just don’t give him any more, Lieutenant; he doesn’t handle his liquor well. And where was I when you two were indulging?”

“Well, Sir... in the restroom!” Bernstein joked, laughter in his voice.

As the voices outside grew louder, the sound of a key turning in the lock startled them. Someone was coming. They all rose, surprised by the unexpected visit. The door swung open to reveal two soldiers.

“General Patterson!” one of them announced.

“Yes?”

“I have orders to take you to the command center. General Schwarzer and the Secretary of State want you to observe the operation.”

“How magnanimously condescending of them,” Patterson said, his voice dripping with irony.

“General!” the soldier hesitated, “I’m just conveying the orders.”

“I know, son, don’t worry,” the seasoned soldier sighed. “But may I decline this honor?”

“I’m afraid not, Sir. They were adamant about your presence.”

Patterson glanced at Bernstein, who could only offer a disgruntled shrug without uttering a word.

“It seems I have no choice,” the general spread his arms in resignation.

“Let’s go then. And you two, stay here and wait for me. Don’t leave this bungalow!” he tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but his companions remained somber.

As they led him to the command center, the place he once commanded, Patterson reflected not on his demotion but on the power plays at the top. The chosen successor was clueless about the operation’s scope. They reached the entrance to the center unnoticed. Inside, he was greeted with covert smiles, warming him with the realization that he still had support among the ranks. The command center was abuzz, everyone flitting about monitors like bees around their hive, or so it seemed to Patterson in the midst of the frenzy.

General Patterson was escorted to the far end of the room, where the others awaited his presence with veiled anticipation.

“Ah, Patterson, welcome to the spectacle!” the State Secretary greeted him with a tone dripping with condescension.

“Is that how you see this? A mere diversion to alleviate the ennui of your existence?” Patterson retorted, not one to hold his tongue.

“Let’s not start this again. See how amiable I am at the moment,” the Secretary forced a smile, his face a mask of faux cordiality.

“And where’s your pet hound?” Patterson scanned the room.

“Pardon? I don’t follow...” At that moment, the Secretary recalled whom Patterson was referring to.

“Schwarzer will be here shortly. He’s currently motivating the troops outside.”

“How heartwarming!” Patterson muttered through clenched teeth.

After a brief silence, he inquired, “Why summon me?”

“You know full well. To witness the might of the American military triumph over... what shall I call them? The malevolent extraterrestrials!” The Secretary’s laughter was coarse and unrefined.

“This is no cinema, Sir!” Patterson glared, frustration boiling within. “We’re gambling with lives here, possibly even the fate of our entire planet.”

“Oh, please, don’t overdramatize. Our military arsenal is more than capable of handling a mere hundred-kilometer asteroid, regardless of its contents.”

“I envy your optimism! I wish I could share it. But my experiences thus far indicate we’re facing grave issues with this, as you put it, ‘ordinary asteroid’, including several ghost towns in its wake.”

“That’s on you, Patterson!” the Secretary accused. “You should have initiated the assault from the get-go, not let them play their hand. Your scientific forays were a farce. We could’ve concluded this much sooner...”

At that moment, a flustered General Schwarzer burst into the room, heading straight for the Secretary without acknowledging Patterson.

“We have a situation, Sir!” Schwarzer exclaimed, his voice heavy with dread.

“Don’t tell me the operation’s delayed!” the Secretary shot him a warning glance.

“It’s not that, Sir! The issue has escalated globally!” Schwarzer shook his head in dismay.

“Speak plainly, don’t mind Patterson. Let him be privy to the news.”

“Sir, there’s more...”

“What more? Speak up!” The Secretary’s patience was wearing thin.

“Satellites have just detected several other objects appearing out of nowhere in space, similar in size and structure to this one.”

Patterson rose from his seat, urgency in his voice. “What’s their trajectory? Where are they headed?”

“I’m the one asking questions here!” the Secretary snapped.

Yet, surprisingly, Schwarzer responded, though his gaze was fixed on the Secretary. “We’re still pinpointing the exact locations, Sir. But if they maintain their current course and speed, one will definitely land in Asia, another in Europe, a third in Africa, and a fourth in South America. It seems there’ll be at least one on every continent.”

“Will any land here?” the Secretary inquired.

“No, Sir, as per initial reports, none!”

“Then all is well! We’ll handle ours shortly, and let the others deal with their own. We’ll offer assistance if requested, given our newfound expertise,” the Secretary concluded briskly.

Patterson buried his face in his hands, as if struck by a sudden migraine.

“Schwarzer, let’s commence the operation; it’s getting late!” the Secretary commanded.

“Yes, Sir!” Schwarzer moved to issue the orders.

The Secretary turned to Patterson, still slumped over. “Worried, are you? Why?”

“If you can’t figure it out, I doubt I can explain,” Patterson bit back.

“Always the cynic, Patterson! I won’t debate further; we’ll watch the operation unfold on the screens.”

Patterson remained silent, shaking his head before whispering, “Fool.”

***

The Garden was about to bloom. Joy! Fulfillment! Silence! Yet, the Other One was absent again. They longed for her, they suffered! The Transformed were supposed to bring her. She was Different, one of them, or perhaps not? They did not know, but they hoped! And the Garden wept... for her!