The soil was turned, flipped over, and ground into a fine dust as the large rolling plates of the disk sliced through the Earth.
Hearing the beeping noise of the autosteer, telling me to turn, I regained focus. Pulling back on the hydraulic switch to raise the implement out of the ground, I turned the steering wheel. The massive, heavy rubber tracks churned the ground, as the machine rotated to face the other direction. After pushing the autosteer button, I pushed the hydraulic switch forward, lowering the disk as it once again cut into the soil. The autosteer straightened the tractor out as I continued with my round.
This is how farming is nowadays. Long gone are the days of old, where guys would spend all day long on an 80 acre field, where if you planted the straightest you where a good farmer. Now if your rows are even a little crooked, people think you were half drunk and didn't set the GPS lines. An 80 acre field can be done in about a couple of hours. One man in a new tractor can do as much in one day as a team of old farmers could do in a week.
Really does blow your mind doesn't it? The way technology has advanced, the work of many can be completed by the few. The only place where numbers somewhat matter is the military…. Or food services….
Anyways, even in those two, technology has advanced to the point where a force of a thousand trained individuals, equipped with the best gear, with all the drones and high-tech weapons available, can take over a small country, completely outclassing a traditional force, even if they have decent equipment.
That's just the times we live in. Hell, there's supposed to be this device hitting the market that can input information in your head, it works by making an electrical connection with your bring and transmitting frequencies that mimic what your brain uses while processing information. This allow information to be essentially broadcasted into your head, and your brain will relay the information into memories. This would essentially make traditional schooling obsolete.
I shake my head, not knowing if it would be a good thing or if peoples heads' would start exploding left and right either while using them or after.
The autosteer beeped again as I turned the tractor around. I reset the line and turned on the radio, switching to the AM stations to listen to the daily market report. The reporters voice came over the radio in a staticky tune…
"Yesterday, mass protests erupted across many major cities. Police have been overwhelmed up to this point with the National Guard being brought into certain areas. The situation is falling out of hand in states that have a more left-leaning population. The President has declared martial law for the states of New York, California, Maryland, and Oregon. However, that is to be updated shortly with at least ten more states joining the list."
I shook my head, "What the hell? What is going on out there? Have the people lost their fucking minds?" I say out loud as I listen to the report.
"Right leaning states have experienced outbursts in major cities, however, the state responses have been more swift, and in many cases, brutal. After protestors started a department store on fire, police used fire hoses and non-lethal firearms to push protesters back. Protesters rushed the police line and according to preliminary reports, an officer was shot dead by someone in the crowd. Police switched to lethal weaponry and used it to devastating effectiveness. As of now, the death toll are two officers, one National Guardswoman, and around 300 to 400 protesters. The governor has publicly stated that while he supports the police and National Guard's decision to use of deadly force, the mayor of the city has criticized the governor and asked that all National Guard troops lay down their weapons and refuse their orders. This had very little affect on the troops as they have already lost one of their own. The governor, seeing that federal help will be of no use, has ordered the arrest and removal of the mayor. It is worth mentioning that the mayor had been supported by many major companies which is certain to cause long term damage to the state.
Given the mounting pressure for a federal response the President had this to say…
"My fellow Americans, we are at a turning point in our nation's history. A divide that hasn't been seen since the Civil War, nearly 200 years ago, is tearing the nation apart at the seams. Neighbor is turning against neighbor, brother against brother, we are seeing a truly troubling time for all Americans. That is why I have decided to issue Order #006, complete and total martial law. Curfews will be decided based on the amount of violence in the afflicted areas and I am ordering the US armed forces to begin deployment on US soil. It is time that those who would rather see our nation torn and broken, to feel the weight of their actions. May God have mercy upon their souls, and God Bless the free men and women of this great nation."
After delivering that speech, US army tank columns were spotted moving into Times Square, protestors began to flee but a rocket hit one of the tanks. While it seemed to cause no damage, Army personnel responded with a swift and deadly approach, opening fire with small arms and heavy machine guns, killing many.
Across the country we are seeing the same thing happening in multiple states and cities. What look to be protests that only amount to property damage and a few injuries are being blow up by a few members of the crowds. This in turn provokes a more violent response from the officials and personnel on scene. Many unarmed bystanders have also been shot dead in the streets, including a number of children."
….
….
….
"My….. Fucking….. God…" I say, not even knowing how to react or even begin to process what is happening.
The news continues to play over the speakers…
"We have now received word of an announcement, being broadcast to all corners of the globe, we will play it in real time as it occurs…"
The broadcast begins as a man's voice comes over the air…
"The world of the past is crumbling around us, the pillars of the old world are weak and fragile. Old men in power for far too long dictate the way we live, the way we exist. I am here today to tell you all, the time has come. Throw off the shackles of the past and fight for a more perfect future. We are the Knights of the New World, and we are calling upon everyone to join our righteous struggle. Fight…. And tear the fabric of this world at its very seams…."
The broadcast was cut off. I made another turn, 'Knights of the New World huh? I wonder who leads them all? It has to be someone with a lot of money and a lot of influence.'
"We have breaking news….."
"The President of the United States has been assassinated."
…
…
…
Huh?
Wait, wait, wait, what the fuck is going on? Are we at war? Did the fuckin Ruskies finally grow a pair and pull off a miracle? Did the Chinese decide to attempt to become the world's superpower? I had a million thoughts running through my head as the broadcast continued…
"We have received confirmed reports of the Presidents death, Air Force One was shot down by a hypersonic surface-to-air missile. The Pentagon has confirmed the deaths of all those on board, including the President. The Vice-President is now the highest power in the US. We can confirm that the US military has been deployed on the home front as troops overseas are beginning to retreat from bases and deployments. We expect that within about 72 hours, all remaining US forces will be on US soil, beginning securement operations.
In other areas of the world, Europe has fallen into chaos as full blown war has sparked between the supposed 'Knights of the New World' and various governments' forces. Multiple nations have completely lost contact with the rest of the world as Africa has become a dark continent, with no news coming out of the area. Russia is in full blown revolution as the Kremlin announce that the situation is under control. However, we have reports flooding in from the ground that Moscow is a warzone. Over half of the Russian military deserted and the remaining soldiers are committing mass atrocities in the name of national security. We have reports that thousands lie dead in the streets of the Russian capitol, with the remainder of the country more or less the same.
In Asia, Chinese officials have reportedly begun a string of brutal retaliations in the name of national security. They have marched troops into the streets of Beijing and Shanghai. Also, China has taken advantage of the global chaos and has sent forces into Hong Kong and started amphibious landings on the nation of Taiwan. However, besides China, India, Japan, and South Korea, Asia has mostly fallen out of contact with the rest of the world.
As we continue to monitor the situation, it is becoming all too clear that a large, very well-funded organization is instigating these outbreaks of violence and strife. Though we realize that they call themselves, 'Knights of the New World', who backs them or who is funding them is yet to be seen. There have been many prominent figures, businessmen, and fringe politicians that have announced their support for this new organization. Almost instantly these supporters had warrants out for their arrest, leading many of them to go into hiding. Yet, we do not believe that these people are the real supporters and masterminds behind the uprisings. It would have to be someone with a lot of influence and cash and the ability to move undetected. In today's world, that is almost an impossible feat to accomplish, leading many to point the finger at some of the wealthiest people in the world. While these people have denied all responsibility, the FBI and CIA are supposedly conducting raids on properties held by these members of the wealthy-elite. Though we have little to no concrete reports, the general consensus is that they were unable to find any incriminating evidence. These individuals have now claimed that the government abused it's power and falsely incriminated them, leading to the government to fire back with accusations and promises that the truth will be found out. A representative from Wolf Inc. had this to say…
"Our owner has been falsely targeted and will not stand for this. There is an old saying, 'Don't go looking for trouble where there is none. Well, the US government has gone looking for trouble and found none at all, so there will be consequences for their actions!"
He went on to state that if the US government does not cease their actions immediately, Wolf Inc. will pull all support and all company holdings from the United States. This would create a massive loss in jobs and infrastructure across the nation. Realistically, with everything that is occurring in the US, the loss of Wolf Inc. would in turn add a very large problem on top of the already growing list of issues that the nation is facing.
As the situation evolves, we will attempt to update you on reports and developing stories….."
*Bzzzzzzttttt*
I hear nothing but static over the radio as the station cuts out, I try to look up the station on my phone but all that greets me is the same static.
'Huh? That's weird…'
After putting my phone away and realizing that I'm almost done with the field I was in, I shake my head. Knowing that the world is going crazy and you can't see any of it happening is an odd feeling.
'My god….. what is all of this going to mean in the long run?'
I was thinking to myself when I realized something….
'Abbi….'
Shit, was she caught in the middle of all this? Is she safe? Are there protests and battles going on near her? Did Elon try something?
With a million questions flying through my head I pulled out my phone and pushed her name in the recent call list.
It seemed to ring for an eternity before it was sent to voicemail.
Right as I was going to call her again a text came through….
"Hey! Sorry, I can't talk right now. Everything is going crazy! Don't worry though, my dad has us locked down and we are going to fly out by helicopter to our retreat up in Vermont. I'm safe and I'll call you when I get the chance or find out something new. I love you!"
…
…
I reread the text about fifteen times, just to make sure I didn't miss anything. After that, and well, my heart stopped racing, I sighed and thought, 'At least she is safe.'
Finally pulling to the field approach, I began folding up the disk, waiting as the hydraulics folded the massive implement of iron so I could drive to the next field.
Once it was ready to go, I put the tractor in gear and the large tracks slowly started to move, propelling the multi-ton monster onto the gravel, and I began the drive to the next field.
As I shifted into higher road gears, my mind drifted….
'Maybe I should listen to the radio a little more often….'