This Verdant Earth: Erica's Tale

by Mark K. Akita

Art by Francine Lee

Nanotechnology has existed for centuries: we call it Chemistry!

Calculus was used to solve complex problems before computers were invented!

Einstein laid the foundation for the creation of lasers!

The ancient astronaut theorists were flat wrong!  Early humans already knew more than space aliens could impart.  By the early 21st century mankind had solved Fermat's Last Theorem and detected the God Particle.  We had reached for the heavens with probes to the farthest fathoms of our solar system and beyond. 

But it wasn't utopia.  Aside from progress there was pollution, crime, and ignorance.  A new dark age had descended in spite of massive technological strides.  Then came the Unknowns.

They struck without warning, disabling every manmade satellite in orbit.  Then the nature bombs landed; smart weapons that broke down structures and left plants in their wake.  What frightened mankind most was that the vessels the invaders came in were flying saucers.

This is a chronicle of life after the invasion.

2018

The Greater Treehugger Camp

Sierra Madre, California

Erica was excited about her coming-of-age ritual.  You only turn 18 once and Erica planned to make the most of it.  The Treehugger community was also celebrating the anniversary of the departure of the mysterious invaders.  The terraforming technology that made their way of life possible had also killed billions.

Here in fertile Southern California the mix of imported trees and native fauna had flourished.  Where once had been houses, there now grew all manner of vegetation.  The saucers had leveled 7 out of 8 buildings and the remainder were overgrown.  In the clearing, Erica sat on a downed log and listened to birdsong.  The log was thick and the sunlight warmed her.  A pair of squirrels bounded into view and chased each other.  It was another idyllic day in the foothills. 

A clear voice rang out.  "Hello you!" It belonged to Rob and before he could reach her, she had risen and ran into his arms.  They hugged for a moment then shared a deep kiss.  When they drew back he asked "Are you ready for your big night?" "Waiting this last year was the hardest part!" she answered.  Rob had been Erica's boyfriend for a year and they were inseparable.  She loved him for his quirks and flaws as much as his strengths.  He was artistic and studious while she was daring and adventurous.  They were close in height, his 6' to her 5' 10", though a study in contrasts otherwise.   He was dark haired while she was blonde and fair.

Erica and Rob walked hand in hand  through the wooded grove to one of the surviving houses.  Erica paused and gave Rob a stern look.  "You walked with me just to get near the girls’ quarters!"  "You caught me" he laughed as he wrapped an arm around her.  "I need to see Professor Kim.  Can you meet me later?" "Yes! I'll see you at the school."  She gave him a smile and a quick nuzzle before entering the ivy-covered structure.  

Lili, Carol and Fern, the other residents of the house, were waiting.  "Surprise Erica!"  The beaming girls handed her a gift-wrapped package and Lili said "In honor of your last day in Girls Dormitory C."  Erica opened the box and inside was a new pair of pre-invasion jeans.  "They're wonderful! I'll wear them to the ceremony."  Carol said "You'll still be my partner in the martial arts class, won't you?"  Erica nodded.  "We're the team supreme.  Even Master Shimamoto would think twice before separating us!"  Shy Fern softly said "Will you miss us when you're in the adult quarters, Erica?" "Every day Fern dear!"  Lili hugged Erica and whispered "You'll always be my best friend!"

Erica took time to pack her belongings then left for her meeting with Rob.  Rob was in the courtyard of the school building, deep in conversation with Professor Kim.  The gray-haired botany and history instructor was a favorite among the teens of the settlement.  "Miss Oakgrove!  Good of you to join us."  "Professor!  Did Rob give you a hard time?"  He chuckled, "My best student is well worth the petty annoyances.  Mr. Broadleaf is helping me with my presentation about the reversal of the Greenhouse Effect."  Rob blushed at the compliment.  "Professor, will you excuse us?"  "Of course, lad!  Don't forget that the wizards at Caltech want the botanical findings from our woodland group this week.  You two give an old man new hope!"

The young pair made their way through numerous avocado and citrus trees that had been carefully cultivated to form a rough path.  The path diverged but the branch that they followed led to a place the Treehuggers called the Flower Bower.  Bent branches entwined and were interwoven to support a staggering array of floral beauty.  He took her in his arms and she grasped him tightly.  For a long while they embraced, taking each other in.  A lingering kiss was followed by several shorter ones.  Rob's arms felt reassuring.  "We've a good hour before sunset.  Do you want to cuddle more or go back?"  "Silly question!  You know I could stay like this all day." He responded with a kiss that curled her toes.

The waning day had faded to rosy traces as Erica and Rob made their way to the back to the main part of the settlement.   A circle of bonfires was already being stoked and a number of people had gathered.  Rob spotted professor Kim and Lili near one of the glowing fires.  Elder Jones, the head of the camp gestured.  "Erica Oakgrove, step forward."  As she approached the platform in the center of the circle, the assembled throng lit candles and torches from the bonfires.  She gave Rob's hand a squeeze before she ascended.

The crowd cheered and Elder Jones raised her hands.  When silence fell, she handed Erica a torch and spoke.  "We are the survivors!  When the dark times descended, we made our way into the foothills to dwell with nature.  The city dwellers derisively called us Treehuggers but we made that name our own.  In the months and years that followed the invasion our numbers have grown.  We now are inducting one of our young women into her new place as an adult in our community.  Erica, do you promise to always respect Mother Nature and to aid your fellow humans and all animals?" "I do Elder Jones".  Erica stood tall and proud.   "Then I proclaim you an adult from this day forward!  Be the best one you can Erica!"  The crowd cheered again and Erica raised the torch high.  The future had arrived!