Slaves of Mercury

A spacefarer returns to Earth after a perilous voyage and finds his world altered by alien presence: disk-shaped craft in the stratosphere and extraterrestrial overseers patrolling cities, while many humans suffer mutilation, sensory loss, and forced servitude. He travels across mechanized conveyors toward loved ones and authorities, discovers terrified, bound survivors, and joins with a hidden ally who risks concealment. With limited ammunition and few allies, he adopts cautious resistance, gathering evidence and preparing to confront the occupiers, as the narrative examines survival, loyalty, and the effort to reclaim human autonomy.