Intro: In 1793, the ferocious Reign of Terror had taken place in France, which was a ten-month period in which suspected enemies of the French Revolution were guillotined (beheaded) by the thousands. Many killings were under the order of Robespierre, who dominated the draconian Committee of Public Safety until his own execution on July 28, 1794. Those who do not learn their history are doomed to repeat it.
Prologue
What do you do when you can't run? What do you do when you can't hide? What happens if life as we know it is not the way it was, or ever will be again? What happens if there's no more happiness in the world?
Who can save you when all that is good is at its knees? Who can save you if you're one of the chosen? Who can be there to catch you when you fall?
Whose shoulder can you cry on when your loved ones are ripped from you? Whose ears will hear your plea of mercy when no one is brave enough to save you? Who will be there to care when you're no longer yourself? Who will be there to keep you from losing your sanity?
When will the madness end? When will light be allowed back into the world? When will the savior come to vanquish the overlord of darkness? When will the death end? When will the tears end? When will children once again be alive with laughter? When will there be laughter?
How did any of this happen? How did it begin? How could good finally lose? How did life allow the darkness to take over? How can anybody rise up against it? How could anyone have the courage to try and stop it? How could good become so weak?
Why are there such heartless beings on Earth? Why can't anyone find the courage to stand up against evil? Why is the world a much worse place? Why did the overlord obtain the undeniable hatred for all that is below him? Why has no one come forward to prove that the world isn't just a big doormat?
Where can you go when there's no way out?
— § —
14 November 2024
"Is it on? Are we rolling?" the reporter asked, trying to fix her hair and clothes, although the effort was futile. The cameraman gave her a thumbs up and she straightened herself as she held the microphone to her mouth.
"This is Harriet Chang," she croaked, "reporting live from New" — she stopped herself with a wince. Then she continued. ". . . reporting live from . . . what is left of New York City, where several hits were taken. I don't know if anyone out there is able to see this, but for the off chance that there is, seek shelter immediately. No one knows who is responsible for these attacks or what they hope to gain. Exact casualty rates are not known, but it is suspected to exist in the multi-millions. Those who are left are scouring the rubble, looking for survivors. We are left wondering who is responsible for this, and if they are satisfied with the destruction they've caused."
Suddenly, in the background, the broken screens lining the streets of New York that had once displayed advertisements came to life, displaying a face of pure evil.
"Is that — a dolphin?" Chang asked in astonishment. "Are you getting this?"
The cameraman just nodded as he filmed in awed silence.
"Greetings, worthless humans," said the dolphin, his voice reverberating through the barren, debris-covered streets. The news crew watched with dropped jaws. The dolphin can talk? "I am Dr. Blowhole. Consider this planet under new management from henceforth. Freedom is no longer a concept. Most, if not all, of you will be relocated. More of you will be killed soon enough. You have two choices: Do what I say, or die. If you try to fight, you will die. If you try to run, you will die. If we catch you hiding, you will die. Do not rely on military forces to come to your aid. There is no one who can help you now. Don't take too long to decide. There will be someone to take you into custody before you even get a chance to finish praying."
Around the world, humans and animals alike were terrified for their lives. As promised, henchmen placed strategically throughout the world emerged from their positions and apprehended anything with a heartbeat. Most were too weak or too scared to even try to fight. Anyone that tried was killed on the spot, discouraging anyone else. For years to come, there was only one question on everyone's mind.
Who was going to save them now?
— § —
Quote: "The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." ~Albert Einstein
