Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: War and Peace (not about the book) (07/07/11)
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TITLE: A New World Order | Previous Challenge Entry
By Loren T. Lowery
07/13/11 -
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Three of the astronauts were seated and looking through a crystalline portal situated at the bow of the spacecraft. The one in the center shook his head.
“What should we do, General?” the Lieutenant on his left, asked.
The General continued to peer down at the earth. Brilliant golden sparks sporadically dotted its surface followed by white plumes of smoke.
“They persist in killing one another.” A woman, a Colonel, offered.
“An affliction not easily overcome,” the General answered.
“Affliction?” The Colonel said. “You speak of it as something put upon them grudgingly and not by their own choices. If we allow them to continue, they will eventually re-infect us by their constant chaos.”
“And how do you propose to not allow these earthlings to continue?”
“Annihilate them of course. It would serve as hallmark to where anarchy and un-peaceful co-existence leads.”
“Kill them all,” the Lieutenant interjected sardonically, “that would surely show them and certainly bring peace to the planet.”
Ignoring him, she continued. “It’s a simple plan. Easily executed with our weaponry,” she glanced at the red launch button the to the General’s right, “and justified by the Supreme Commander himself.”
“Only by extreme prejudice on our part,” the General answered; his hand wavering over the launch button.
“But in killing them have we not then become already infected by what we wish to rid ourselves of?” The Lieutenant added.
“Indeed,” the General said. “It is a paradox.”
“Irony can only exist if the outcome is totally unexpected.” The Colonel defended. “Surely, you’d not argue that the destruction of these earthly beings could hardly be called unexpected. No, to me we are simply fulfilling the destiny they’ve charted for themselves when they began warring one another.”
“Why do you consider this?”
“Our own history, thousands of years without war or conflict speak for me.”
“But this was only after our ancestors left earth to start a new world order. Founded,” he ended, “solely on Christian principles.”
“In due respect, Sir, our ancestors were above those beings we’re observing. Our heritage - to be maintained - must be protected; and, by this, these earthlings with their relentless arrogance and singular ideals must be destroyed.”
“You speak of their pride?”
“It’s an unpardonable offense witnessed by what we see below. Its demise can only be accomplished by the death of its hosts”
“Ah, another paradox, I fear.”
“That their pride should be the means for their own destruction?”
“No, Colonel, I speak of our own arrogance, yours in particular, in contemplating these people to be inferior to us or our ancestors. By such thoughts you become one of these, lesser beings yourself.”
“Acknowledged, General; but we do have the power. And history has taught us as that the one who holds the power are rightful of their position.”
“Strength is for service, not status.”
“Sir?” the Lieutenant asked.
“Yes, Lieutenant?”
“Are you suggesting our people - superior in all ways measurable - are to serve these self-destructive beings?”
The Colonel coughed into her hand.
“I’m saying that if we are a superior race as you and the Colonel have nobly concluded, then it more rightful that we bring a means to peace to these beings rather than destruction.”
“But how? These creatures are fallen at inception; conceit is imbued with their nature.”
“They’re still our kinsmen, their nature; no matter how far distant in time or space, still steeps in our sinews.” He paused. “Let me ask you, what would be of our people and its planet had it not been for someone as ourselves to offer us grace?”
“He has a good point, Colonel,” the Lieutenant smiled, seemingly enjoying the tete-a-tete between the two officers.
The Colonel looked out the portal, down to earth. Light from a distant bomb flickered in her eyes. She sighed. “Our free will would have been taken from us – truths of ourselves stunted by premature death. Our souls denied the chance to determine their own destinies.”
“Indeed, free will; a magnifica and primary tenant of the Bible.”
“What then do we do?” The Lieutenant asked.
“Participate in the greatest paradox of all,” the General answered, “and do as God has done throughout time – stay our hand with grace and watch and wait.” He closed the cover over the launch button and ordered his spacecraft back home.
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