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Counter Earth Chronicles

Chapter 62: Alex Winter / Undercover

Day 200 (evening)

"So how are your mashed potatoes Alexander?"

"Outstanding ma'am, err mom!"

(Damn, I have to be careful I almost blew my cover.)

But I was busy focusing on the mission Lord Tiger had tasked me with- pose as Alexander and infiltrate the Winter's home to ascertain if they, like their son were dissidents working for the rebellion. Given the fact that Alexander and myself looked exactly alike, it wasn't hard. The hard part was hiding my Gaian accent and figuring out Alexander's interpersonal actions he had with his family that weren't in the file I had read about him.

"We should feel really privileged dear." Mrs. Winter said to Mr. Winter. "Our son disappears for months at a time. There is no nothing, no communication at all and them boom! He shows up on our doorstep one evening for dinner!"

"What do you think about of the roast beef son?"

"It is fine dad- a little stringy, but fine." I said looking at Alexander's father and then the microscopic home they lived in. Their entire dwelling was a 30' x 30' one room apartment. Kitchen table, sink and micro appliances at one side of the room, rug and bed on the other side. It was half the size of my mistress' great room. I couldn't believe that people lived like this! "I am sorry for not visiting more but, I have been busy."

Mr and Mrs. Winter were the spitting image of my parents down to their blond hair and freckles. In a way it was comforting to see them again in the flesh and not on the other-side, even if I knew in my heart that they weren't MY OWN beloved parents.

"Well, that's interesting you never used to think your mom's cooking was that good to begin with. What happen living with the resistance changed your view of a home cooked meal?"

(That was also not in Alexander's file.)

"How did you know that dad?"

"Really Alexander, that is the only explanation for your lengthy disappearances- you have no fixed address to come home to. So the only explanation is that you joined the dissidents to remove the dictator and his beastials." He said looking up at me.

"Alexander? You are a rebel?" Neil asked.

Neil was Alexander's younger teenage brother. About six years younger. That was the one thing that was different with my doppelganger's family. I had a sister- not a brother, while Alexander had a brother not a sister. My sister's doppelganger on this world was an entirely different person. Professor Dawn Stern who was investigating the lost city she had discovered months ago for Lady Ursa in secret.

"Precisely, runt it is hard living by yourself or in a rebel unit." I said to him.

"So how is the rebellion?" Mrs. Winter asked me.

(Wow, they knew about Alexander's activities?)

"I better not say too much, just in case they are listening. The High Evolutionary's forces are cracking down on dissidents especially those that are hurting innocents and if they can't get to the rebels personally they will through the families."

"We know you are out there fighting for equality and change brother." Neil said standing up from the kitchen table. "No one should be forced to live like this." He said gesturing to the room and table we were now seated at in the Winter's small apartment.

Neil rose from the table to open up the curtains to look outside. I joined him looking at the view of the street below. Alexander's family lived in the basement on the outskirts of World Three. Old, dark overcrowded buildings (those that weren't boarded up) were as far as the eye could see. Many buildings had been there since before the start of the empire.

"Neil, your mom and I have provided for you and Alexander as best we could given the circumstances and era in which we live. Now times aren't perfect, but they are better than the chaos that preceded it before."

"Yeah dad. But it is still not fair. We shouldn't have to live like this- no one should; but there aren't opportunities to get out of this situation unless you are one of the animals." Neil countered closing the curtains.

"There are." I countered. I have met a few people that have managed to reach middle class status in the current climate. Hopefully there will be more as the dissidents force the empire to move toward treating humans and the animal people equally."

"I think the animal people are starting to wake up; they are realizing we humans are unhappy." Mrs. Winter said as she started clearing the table.

"What caused that to happen?" I asked Alexander's family innocently.

"I think it was the movements that have started over the last seven months including the last one- um the Liberate Counter Earth Now movement that was demanding that beastials leave the planet." Mrs. Winter said to me.

"I heard about that. That was a particularly violent one attacking beastials through out the five cities demanding they and the dictator leave or else. But they ended up being crushed by the knights."

(I know, I was there.)

"You weren't involved with them were you Alexander?" Mr. Winter asked looking up from his dinner plate.

I was taken back by the question. Alexander was indeed involved with that group and was the only one from it to survive. It was a shame that his family didn't know his true whereabouts, but then again that was for the better. I don't think they would have reacted well learning that he is now Sir Ram's new and favorite play thing.

"If I was dad I wouldn't be here right now. That group was wiped off the face of the planet."

"Well be careful. There will be other movements that will continue to push for equality between first class and second class citizens. Some peaceful others not." Mrs. Winter said.

"Really mom? What have you heard?" Neil asked.

"The animals are holding a public meeting in a couple of weeks something called the Consortium for Mutual Coexistence. It sounds to me like they are trying to foster better relations between us and them." Mrs. Winter said standing up from the table.

"Don't concern yourself about it dear. It is probably another ruse to further subjugate us after offering bleak promises of hope, prosperity, fairness and equality." Mr. Winter huffed.

"Still it sounds very, very interesting." I said to Alexander's parents. "Where is it being held?"

"That is still being determined." Mrs. Winter said picking up the plates from the table in the small, kitchen. "I think it is being run by three beastials, the buffalo calves whose father was murdered by rebels and some hyena."

(Really? I wonder what they hope to accomplish?)

As we were finishing up there was a knock at the door.

"I will get it!" Neil said rising from the table. "Alexander there is someone who wanted to see you!" Neil said returning with a wicked smirk on his face.

"Alexander! You didn't tell me you were back in town!" A semi attractive brunette said walking into the kitchen.

I looked at her weirdly. Then made an educated guess based on Alexander's file and my conversations with him during our first encounter.

"Hey Aurora."

"Hey yourself. You disappear with no word for months at a time and then suddenly just appear again. What is wrong with you?" She said punching me in my shoulder.

"Owie!"

"That's what we said." Mr. Winter said getting up from the table.

"Hi Mr and Mrs. Winter."

"Hi Aurora. Nice to see you as always." Mrs. Winter said. "Come on dear you can help me with the dishes."

As Alexander's parents were leaving Aurora and I looked at Neil.

"Um, I have to go and do- something." He said getting up and leaving. "You two catch up."

"Sorry for not contacting you. I was just back in town- spur of the moment thing and decided to stop home for dinner."

"So how is the rebellion?" She asked me point blank.

(She knew Alexander was a rebel too?")

"Tough. The dictator still will not listen to reason and our leader thinks he will have to do something to make him listen. Uh, How have you been?"

"Frustrated." She huffed.

"Is it my favorite type of frustration?" I teased.

"Not that type of frustrated. I am having a difficult time supporting myself. I still can't find work."

"What about your parents?" I asked.

"Alexander you know my parents abandoned me to join the rebellion when I was young. I have been on my own ever since. That's was why I was against you joining the rebellion too."

(Whoops!)

"I guess I have been away too long." I said grinning. "It must have been very difficult."

"It has been unbelievable! I mean I have gone to interview after interview. The jobs that are here in the basement don't pay nearly enough and those that are in the city."

"So expand your focus to the city then."

"I have, but the employers are all animals who aren't interested in hiring a human secretary no matter how qualified." Aurora moped. "They will chose any beast with no experience just so they won't have to hire a human. It is completely unfair."

"So how have you been getting by?" I asked.

"I haven't- I have been drifting place to place to place, sleeping on couches, staying with friends. It is really pathetic and depressing. I am just about at the point of giving up."

"Sounds like you are defining your life based on your occupation or lack thereof. Don't. You just need to find someone out there that is tolerant of humans and is willing to hire humans." I said trying to cheer her up.

"Do you know anyone like that?" She asked me point blank.

"Well not in World Three."

There was a extreme pregnant pause as she looked down at the floor.

"I have an idea- why don't we go out? It is a nice enough night."

"You mean on a date Mr. Winter?" Aurora asked me.

"Yeah something like that." I replied trying to cheer her up.

"Where to?"

"Um, I think there is a hover vehicle show near the city center why not there?" I suggested.

"Can I come too?" Neil asked perking up.

"You like hover cars?" I asked Alexander's little brother.

"You have been away too long bro. You know I do!"

"What do you say if we have one more?" I asked Aurora.

"Sure why not."

It was around 6:30 when we left the Winter's apartment and started walking toward the city center. I was once again confronted by the poverty in the outskirts of the city. Abandoned dilapidated buildings, vacant store fronts, people on the porches, looking out doors and poking around.

(Were they that way because they were enjoying the summer evening or was it because they had nowhere else to be?)

As we left the slums and the quality of the neighborhoods started to improve. Of course that meant we were no longer in the human zone.

"Hey aren't you three out of your area?" One of three teenage alligators said approaching us.

"What area is that?" Neil asked.

"Back that way." The the smaller of the three reptiles said pointing. "This is OUR area."

"What exactly makes it your area?" Aurora asked.

"It is not dilapidated, barren or depressed." The tallest of the three said.

"You three really believe that? We may not live in this neighborhood, but we have just as much a right to be here as you do." I shot back.

"I don't think so you don't have paws, claws, fur, scales or tails." The third alligator said getting right up in my face. "So you don't belong here!"

"However we will over look this offense for a bribe." The smaller of the three said showcasing his sharp teeth.

"Yeah, think of it as a toll you have to pay when leaving the bad area to enter the good area." The taller of the three said to us.

"Now wait just a minute you three say that every time I pass through here on my way downtown." Neil growled at the three teens.

"So what of it? It is our territory! We do what we like!"

"You mean pick on those whom you deem are inferior?!" Aurora said stepping in. "I am getting sick and tired of being pushed around by you three and your type in general!"

"You mean us beastials no fur?" The tallest of the alligators said.

The situation was escalating these three young beastials who confronted us were prejudiced and quite territorial. I didn't think they were going to let us pass through their neighborhood without a hassle. I looked to my left and right as Neil and Aurora looked like they were going to give these three a beat down. Neil might have been able to take the smaller of the three and Aurora the maybe the middle one, which meant I would have the tallest.

But looking at the tallest one- it wouldn't have ended well for me. My PDA would probably have been damaged which was the only thing hiding my Gaian accent from Alexander's girlfriend and brother. I did not want to risk blowing my cover.

It was then I remembered a conversation I had had with Lady Ursa some months ago:

"Alex what do you think is the most powerful weapon a Knight of Wundagore or knight of the five cities possesses?"

"Ah...."

"The most powerful weapon I possess. The most powerful weapon you possess is this!" She said pointing to my brain. When fail to use your brain you get into trouble....

(Thank you mistress.)

"Neil, Aurora stand down." I ordered.

"Alexander what are you talking about?" Neil asked looking at me.

"I will handle this. Which one of you is in charge?" I asked the three teenage alligators.

The three looked at each other and the tallest answered first. "I am."

"Then let's have a word." I said as we moved away from his group and mine.

"So what do you want to talk about no scales? A discount?"

"You beastials are the ultimate lifeforms am I right?" I asked looking the alligator right in his eyes.

"Yeah so what about it?" He replied.

"You three supposedly represent the pinnacle of evolution, The High Evolutionary's greatest masterpiece his greatest achievement."

"What are you getting at?" He asked me again.

"As such you have a responsibility to prove to nonbeastials that you deserve the right to be called first class citizens of the empire because you are the superior class."

"Yeah...."

"So what the hell is this?" I said assuming a confrontational tone. "Picking on those whom you deem inferior, demanding tolls and tribute from humans trying to pass through your neighborhood. Is that really putting you beastials in a good light? Especially in the eyes of us nonscales?"

"Um..." He replied.

"What type of example are you setting for that little teen there?" I said pointing to Neil. "When he returns home from his outing tonight what do you think he is going to say? Man beastials are awesome! I wish I could be one of them! The are so kind cool and generous! Or I hate beastials all beastials! They are a blight on the planet constantly picking on me reminding me how inferior I am because I don't look like them! I hate them so much, I am going to join the rebellion and hunt down as many as I can."

The teenage alligator couldn't argue with my logic. (You have to love teens.)

"Is that the kind of future you want for your kind? For the planet?"

"Thud, Screech! Let them pass!"

"Why Snap?" The youngest asked.

"Because I said so. That is why!" The leader of the trio said.

We were allowed to pass through the teens' neighborhood and continue our way downtown without incident.

"Alexander what did you say to them?" Aurora asked me when we were out of earshot.

"Oh I just reminded them that they are representing all first class citizens of Counter Earth and need to put their best paw forward in their interactions with second class citizens. Otherwise they are fueling further animosity which is further fueling the dissidents and the rebellion." I said folding my arms behind my head.

"Stupid beastials." Neil huffed.

We walked the remaining blocks to the City Center of World Three where the Hover Car Show was being held.

"Nice building!"

"Alexander you have never been down here?" Aurora asked.

"Not that I can recall." I said nervously looking at Neil hoping he would agree.

"Yeah this is a relatively new building. I think they finished building it only a few months ago." Neil said.

(Phew!)

"It is quite a distinctive looking building."Aurora added.

The City Center was a two story read triangular building consisting of three sides about a city block long. I marveled at its unique architectural design as Aurora, Neil and myself made our way inside.

"I thought it was going to be crowded." Neil said surprised.

"Not so much runt. It is the final night of the show. Everyone has mostly come and gone except for a few stragglers like us."

"Come on then let's see what we can see." Aurora said grabbing my hand.

The entire show consisted of two floors- the lower level was comprised of hover cars, vans, sedans and trucks that were available for purchase today while the upper floor consisted of concept cars that might be developed in the coming years.

"Look at that one!" Aurora said turning her attention to a red sedan that looked very futuristic -like with its angular pin-striping and pointed front nose. "I could see myself in that easily."

"MEH." I said to the two. "I have seen and ridden in better."

(Especially a certain blue coupe that has nasty offensive capabilities. After riding in that, all other vehicles just can't compare.)

"Can I help you?" A sales representative asked approaching us.

"Oh not really." Aurora said wistfully. "I was just dreaming about that car. Maybe one day I will be able to afford something like that and not have to walk everywhere."

"Well it is a good choice. The vehicle is quite reliable and energy efficient- give it about six hours of sunlight and when it's charged you are good to go." He said giving her a winning smile. "So miss-"

"Aurora."

"Yes, miss Aurora what do you do for a living?"

"Uh I don't." Alexander's girlfriend said blushing.

"Well we do offer an incentive program for you human types if you are interested."

"Uh thanks but no thanks. We gotta go bye!" Neil said pulling Aurora away by the arm. I quickly followed.

"Neil what gives?!" She asked the teen annoyed.

"You didn't notice that sales person?"

"What about him Neil?" I asked.

"Come on bro he is a weasel! You can't trust them!"

Aurora just laughed. I guess this was the first time all night that she seemed to be enjoying herself.

"So where to next?" Alexander's girlfriend asked.

"Why not check out the concept vehicles on the upper level?" Neil suggested as my PDA started flashing.

"You two get going. I ah, have to hit the boy's room. I will catch up."

"Oh ok. Don't be long." Aurora and Neil said leaving.

I returned to the room we had just left and found a big brown van. I climbed in, sat down and pulled out my PDA, pressed a button and was greeted by an image of a tiger on the screen.

"Yes commander."

"Alex, it looks like you are starting to appreciate the upgrades Mara made to you PDA." The tiger warrior said to me.

"Yes the communicator is a nice addition." I replied.

"How goes the mission?"

"Satisfactory. Alexander's parents, brother and girlfriend have not seen him in sometime; he has a bad habit of disappearing then re-appearing, then disappearing again." I said to the Commander of the Knights of Wundagore.

"That is consistent with one who is in the rebellion."

"Correct sir."

"Are his parents aware of his affiliations with the dissidents?" Lord Tiger asked me.

"Actually yes. They figured out that he had joined the rebellion some time ago."

"Do they support it?"

"Well, they didn't say he couldn't join. So I guess that would be a yes." I said to the he beast.

"Alex are they affiliated with the rebellion?"

"Not to my knowledge commander. They are just a disgruntled family trying to get by. I was aware of the poverty here but my time with them really put it front and center. Commander, I can see why the master's rule is so controversial."

"Well the master ended hunger as we know it. Perhaps poverty will be next. Good work Alex. I will check in later."

"Right commander. I have to get back before I am missed."

"Where are you now?" The tiger warrior asked me.

"I am at the hover vehicle show at the City Center. I ended up taking Alexander's brother and girlfriend out after dinner."

"Very well. Don't enjoy yourself too much on this mission." He said ending the transmission.

I carefully looked around to see if anyone had seen my conversation with the Knight of Wundagore. The attendees- who were mostly beastial were oblivious to my conversation.

Quietly and discreetly I left the room for the upper level to join Aurora and Neil. As I searched for my companions, I noticed that there weren't many humans attending the show. Had they come in previous days or were they like Aurora and just couldn't afford anything that was being showcased?

I caught up with Aurora and Neil in the middle of a concept exhibit. They were seated with other attendees in front a large numeric display.

"What's going on you two?" I asked sitting down.

"It is a contest for show attendees." Neil said happily showing me a pad that had a sequence of six numbers on it. "They are picking numbers at random if your number matches the selected numbers on the display- you win the grand prize!"

"What is the grand prize?" I asked the two of them.

"That." Aurora said pointing to a small angular white hover car next to the display screen. "It is isn't as big as some of the other vehicles here but it would be nice basic transportation.

"Alright everyone are you ready for the drawing?!" A rather ecstatic gecko said as he stepped out in front of the display.

The crowd that assembled for the drawing nodded in agreement.

"As a reminder, our contest is proudly sponsored by Beastial Beauties, who also donated the grand prize- nice of them wasn't it? Well here are the winning numbers!"

The numbers on the display shuffled between 0- 9 for each of the six spaces before stopping.

"9-8-4-6-7-8"

There was a hushed quiet on the room as everyone checked their pads to see if they had won.

"Damn, I didn't win." Neil said disappointed.

"I don't think you are old enough to drive." I said to him.

"But I did!" Aurora shrieked standing up. "I won, I won!"

"We have a winner!" The gecko said approaching Aurora. "What is your name ma'am?"

"Aurora, Aurora Cross!" Alexander's girlfriend exclaimed gleefully.

"Well congratulations! Take your pad to the white booth over there to claim you prize!" The lizard said.

"Well it looks like my luck is finally turning around."

"Way to go!" Neil said.

"Congratulations babe!" I said as Aurora grabbed my arm. Neil followed as we approached the white booth to claim our prize.

"This is going to make getting around a lot easier! No more walking." Aurora said approaching. "Hi, I won the grand prize." She said to a male baboon was wearing a white clothing.

He looked at her pad. Then the three of us. "Ah yes through these doors right here."

"That was odd why the weird clothing for an hover car show?" I said to Aurora and Neil as we walked through the doors into the rear of a padded panel van?!"

(!!!)

No sooner had we walked through, those doors closed.

"What is going on here?!" Neil asked as the vehicle took off knocking us backward onto the padded floor.

"Hello Ms. Cross and... friends." The image of boar appeared on the back wall of the truck.

"What's going on here? Where is my grand prize?" Aurora said to image of the creature driving the vehicle.

"So sorry the contest was a ruse. There is no grand prize. But if it makes you feel any better you are ours! Ha! Ha! Ha!"

"What are you getting at?" I asked.

"We are giving you poor, unemployed, directional-less humans lives' meaning and purpose."

"What kind of purpose?" Neil asked.

"Employment." The driver responded criptically.

"What type of employment?" Aurora said walking to the rear of the padded van.

The door had been locked from the outside.

"Lab animals at the Beastial Beauties testing, development and research facility." The driver snarked.

"Beastial Beauties?" Aurora asked.

(That didn't sound good.)

To Be Continued....