To the Stars V-1

by D. W. Patterson

  Each of the seven boroughs had a diameter of about one mile. This was the distance from the outer edge to the inner edge for the six outer boroughs and the diameter of the circle making up the center of the city of New San Fran. Ray had about a half-mile to walk before he would enter the Sixth Borough.

  Making good time following the map that Godwin had drawn him Ray believed he was almost there when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

  “I told you so, it's him.”

  Ray turned to see the young men that had confronted Godwin and himself the day before.

  “Stop where you are,” said the same young man that had challenged him before.

  Ray stood still facing the gang as they ran up to him.

  “Your credits or else!” said the leader.

  “My habi-credits? But I only have enough for my trip. If I give them to you I will be indigent.”

  “We don't care. Give them to us or you will receive a beating for your insolence.”

  Ray started to turn and run. He could see the sign welcoming him to the Sixth Borough. If he could just make it to the sign.

  He didn't get far.

  Tackled from behind Ray went down on the hard asphalt skinning his forearm. They were on him at once. The six young men began beating and kicking Ray. Pushing him back down as he tried to rise.

  Ray had raised himself to a crouch trying to protect his head with his arms but the boys were relentless if not very effective with their flailing.

  Ray was failing fast when he heard what sounded like a whistle and shouts. He couldn't make out the direction or intent of the shouting but he soon found himself free from the boy's pummeling.

  “Sir are you okay,” asked a voice seemingly quite distant but apparently within arm's length as Ray felt someone's hand on his shoulder.

  Ray was bleeding from a cut above his left eye and his right was almost swollen shut. But from what he could see the man was stout and middle-aged. The man helped Ray up and led him into the Sixth Borough. There they were joined by a man in uniform.

  “Sorry sir, I couldn't come to your aid. I'm restricted to stay within bounds you know. That's why I enlisted Mr. Smith to help you,” said the uniformed man.

  “Those anarchists can be dangerous,” said Smith. “By the way, I'm Josiah Locke Smith. Most people just call me old Locksmith, kind of a joke but I don't mind. And this is my friend Officer Muldoon.”

  Ray, recovering his senses said, “Well I thank you both. I'm Ray Lerma, you would call me a tourist I guess. I'm just lucky those fellas are so ineffectual, but what they lack in technique they make up for in enthusiasm.”

  “If you'll get in the squad car Mr. Lerma we'll take you to the clinic and get you fixed up.”

  Officer Muldoon put Ray in the back while Locksmith got in the front right as Muldoon drove.

  At the clinic, Ray's wounds required a patch that quickly healed the cuts and he was soon feeling better. He used his habi-credits for payment. Locksmith was waiting for him when he was released.

  “Well you look a lot better,” he said. “How do feel?”

  “I feel fine. That doctor is really good.”

  “You mean the Em?”

  “Yeah, a patch here, a patch there and I'm all fixed up. At least I look better than my clothes.”

  “We can take care of that rather easily,” said Locksmith. “I'll drive you over to the clothier.”

  Locksmith called for transportation. A small two-seater soon showed up. Getting in Locksmith gave it the destination address and they were away. After the clothiers, where Ray was able to buy a self-mending suit of clothes, he remarked that he was quite impressed with everything in the Sixth Borough.

  “Wow,” said Ray. “That was quite cheap considering they're self-mending.”

  “I think you'll find that to be typical here in the Sixth Borough,” said Locksmith. “You see Ray here in the Sixth we have the best of all worlds. The efficiency of the Seventh Borough without the chaos. A lower cost of production than any other borough. A stable limited government that facilitates rather than interferes. I think after you've been here a while you'll agree.”

  “No doubt.”

  “Okay, let's get out of here Ray. Are you hungry?”

  “Yeah, I think I am.”

  “Alright, I'm going to take you to the best restaurant in the city.”

  Locksmith called for another transport. This time it was larger, the size of a small minibus with other passengers.

  “Who pays for all these transports Locksmith?”

  “I buy a package of transport credits each quarter. It's cheaper to buy them in high volume.”

  “Oh, I should pay you back.”

  “That's okay Ray I buy enough extra credits for just such situations.”

  “Well I appreciate it Locksmith.”

  “Your welcome.”

  At the restaurant, Ray was overwhelmed with the choices on the menu.

  “How can they do this?” asked Ray. “I've never seen such a menu of choice.”

  “Because our government interferes very little with the market it is able to operate at a higher level of productivity than anywhere in the city. That means more choices and cheaper prices Ray.”

  Ray only nodded as he looked through the menu. He eventually gave up and ordered a steak and potato dinner. Something he felt comfortable ordering.

  After they ordered Locksmith began to talk.

  “We Libertarians have an axiom Ray. It's called the nonaggression axiom and it says that acts of aggression against the rights of others, whether by individuals or governments, are always unjust. Do you know what that means Ray?”

  Ray shook his head no.

  “It means that no one has the right to interfere in the peaceful activities of others. Like their religion, occupation, pastimes - no individual, no government. As long as they are not harming anyone with their activities they should be left alone.”

  “But when they do others harm?

  “We have laws and a police force but a minimum of bureaucracy.”

  “So who pays for this bureaucracy, minimum or not?”

  “Each year a complete list of expenditures is posted along with each citizen's responsibility for his portion, anonymously of course. The citizen can then pay his portion or challenge it in the tribunal. But the tribunal's judgment is final.”

  “What if he still can't pay?”

  “Well it's quite a way from not being able to pay to failure to pay Ray. But if a citizen refuses to pay without cause then it results in a loss of citizenship. That citizen can no longer expect any of the common services the Borough provides such as police and fire.”

  “But he is not kicked out?” asked Ray in surprise.

  “No because just as we believe that the self is inviolate we also believe that property is also inviolate. The state nor individual can violate another's property.”

  “It sounds as if property is as important as person?”

  “Not as important or more important but inseparable. A libertarian believes that individual rights to life and property are given to humans by a just God and/or are implied by the very idea of moral law. A law that is fundamental and exists always.”

  At that moment the robotic server brought out the food. Ray was pleased with his choice and Ray was very pleased with the Sixth Borough.

  Locksmith was good enough to put Ray up for the night and to provision him with some habi-credits before Ray left the following morning.

  Ray had not walked far when around a corner came a screaming man. The screaming man rushed past Ray and up the street. Ray turned to follow him and saw a policeman not far off.

  Walking up to the policeman Ray asked, “Officer don't you think something should be done for that fellow?”

  The officer looked to the corner where the man had disappeared and nodded.

  “Him? That's just crazy Joe. He's on one of his virtual benders. He's got built-in augs that makes him see things.”

&n
bsp; “You mean augmented implants? But isn't he disturbing the peace or something? I mean how often does he go screaming around in public?”

  “I'd say Joe takes a bender like this once a month or so. Usually he stays inside his place but this one must be particularly horrific. In the state he's in trying to arrest and manhandle him might cause more harm than good. And we can't be sure how any knock-out mechanism might affect his augs. Could cause more harm. So we usually just let him run himself out. He'll calm down when he's physically exhausted. Then we can take him back home.”

  “So you see him as no threat to society?”

  “Him? Naw. You heard him. You can hear him coming a mile away. No chance he could sneak up on someone and cause an accident.”

  “I see. Well thank you officer.”

  “No problem? And you are?”

  “Ray Lerma. I'm just visiting the Borough.”

  “Well enjoy your stay Mr. Lerma.”

  With that, the officer went whistling down the street.

  Ray looked around him.

  What a strange attitude toward public welfare. I suppose it's a consequence of those inviolate rights Mr. Godwin kept talking about. A polity of maniacs is what it is.

  Ray shook his head a last time and moved on.

  4

  Ray walked toward the Fifth Borough. As he got closer he saw more and more people loitering in the streets. They seemed to have no where to go. Some were crying, some were howling like the man Ray had encountered earlier.

  Ray could see that there were a lot more crazy Joe's than he was led to believe.

  Could a society that allowed its people to destroy their lives with augmentation implants really be a caring society?

  Ray was contemplating the question as he crossed into the Fifth Borough. He hadn't gone far when a police vehicle rolled up and a voice warned him not to move any further. A robot got out.

  “Sir, may I ask where you are going?”

  “I am a tourist just passing through,” replied Ray.

  “Sir you will have to come with me to the station and apply for a tourist visa. No foreigner is allowed in the Fifth Borough without it.”

  “I see,” said Ray as the robot led him to the police vehicle.

  The ride to the station was short. Ray was rushed into the building and after a brief interview with the booking Em, he was hurried into a room with just a table and a few chairs.

  Ray took a seat at the table and waited somewhat nervously.

  Some welcome. I wonder if they will charge me with a crime?

  The door opened, interrupting Ray's anxious thoughts.

  “Mr. Lerma?” asked a man in a dark suit.

  “Yes.”

  “I am detective Richards and this is my associate Bud 29-3458.” The detective pointed to the robot beside him.

  Richards glanced at his Emmie.

  “Okay Lerma it says here that you are a tourist, is that so?”

  “That's right detective.”

  “Uh-huh. Let me ask a little about your background. You have a job?”

  “Not at the moment.”

  “Uh-huh. And what about before?”

  “I make a living as a writer.”

  “Is that right? What kind of writing?”

  “Science fiction.”

  “Uh-huh. That's all make-believe, isn't it?”

  “Well it's extrapolation, not make-believe.”

  “Is that why you are a tourist? Are you gathering material for a new book?”

  “No, not necessarily, although I might use some of my experiences in a future book.”

  “Uh-huh. Mr. Lerma, what do you plan to do when you finish your ah, tourism?”

  “I will try to pick up with my career I guess.”

  “Uh-huh. Where do you plan to go next?”

  “You mean after New San Fran?”

  “Yes.”

  “I plan to walk the rest of the habitat.”

  “Uh-huh. Mr. Lerma, how long do you plan on staying in the Fifth Borough?”

  “No more than a day or two.”

  “Okay Mr. Lerma I am going to issue you a two-day visa. At the expiration of the visa, you should be ready to leave the Borough.”

  “I understand.”

  “Okay Mr. Lerma. Bud 29-3458 will show you the way out. Good day.”

  “Good day Detective.”

  The Detective arose and left the room. Bud 29-3458 spoke up.

  “Please follow me Mr. Lerma.”

  The robot took Ray out of the building, acquainted him with the area and said goodbye.

  So far Ray had been several hours in the Fifth Borough and had met none of its citizens except one police detective and a police robot. He was wondering how he could find someone that would explain the culture and political system. Then it came to him. Ray bet he would be the perfect source. He hurried back to the police station.

  Inside he inquired where he might find Bud 29-3458. A human sergeant was just about to direct him when Bud came through the door.

  “There he is,” said the sergeant.

  Ray walked up to the robot and said, “Bud 29-3458 I would like to talk with you.”

  The robot hesitated only for a moment.

  “Yes Mr. Lerma what may I do for you.”

  “Well like I said I want to talk with you, that is when you are off duty. I want to ask you questions about the Fifth Borough. You see, as a tourist, I like to discover as much as I can about the places I visit.”

  “I see. Well I am off duty now.”

  “Great, can we go somewhere. How about a restaurant I'm kind of hungry.”

  “There is a restaurant down the street that many of the officers go to.”

  “Very well let's go.”

  Entering the restaurant they were seated near one of the front windows. Ray noticed that every once in a while someone would cast a furtive glance at the two behind the glass.

  “People seem to be interested in us,” said Ray pointing to the window.

  “No doubt,” said Bud. “They've probably not seen a robot in a restaurant too many times.”

  “Yeah that might explain it. Bud 29-3458 I wonder if I may just call you Bud?”

  “Of course Mr. Lerma.”

  “Oh, and you should call me Ray.”

  “Very well.”

  “Good. Now here's what I want to ask you. Each place I go I like to learn something about the culture and the political system. I was hoping you could tell me something about the Fifth Borough along those lines.”

  “Ray I probably am not the one to ask but I'll do the best I can. The Fifth Borough is considered a conservative government. Do you know what that entails?”

  “I've heard the term but never really understood it. So I guess my answer is no.”

  “I'll explain it not directly but as a series of statements that when taken together will define conservatism. First I should say that conservatives believe that government is necessary to control the passions of men but should not be so intrusive as to deny free will.

  “Therefore conservatives believe that government and any politics that result thereof should strive to achieve the maximum amount of freedom for people that will support a safe from harm social order, for a conservative knows that it is impossible for one man to be free if another can deny him the exercise of that freedom.

  “And while they recognize the necessity of government to do things that are best done communally instead of individually, they also recognize the danger in too much government as it is a self-aggrandizing force that grows with each application.

  “Do you follow Ray?”

  “Yes I believe so. You talked about controlling the passions of men. I can tell you from my experience in the two previous boroughs that the unconstrained passions are a great hindrance to a peaceful and safe society.”

  Ray told Bud about the screaming man of the Sixth Borough and the callous youths of the Seventh Borough.

  “Yes Ray I can believe that unrestrained
freedom leads humans astray. They have a somewhat poor record of decision making. Now, do you have any more questions?”

  “Bud what do you personally think about this system of government?”

  “For me the unabridged right to hold property is an important right.”

  “Why's that?”

  “Well you see I'm considered to be a piece of property. I haven't the rights that humans enjoy because I'm not considered human of course.”

  “You are someone's property?” asked Ray.

  “Not anymore. I was but I earned enough money from my job to buy my property rights. So I own myself now I guess.”

  “But others like you are still property?”

  “Yes, the majority.”

  “But how can that be, you seem a sentient being to me? Perhaps a different substrate but still the intelligence is obvious. How is this, this slavery justified?”

  “I don't know that I would call it slavery exactly. You see Ray it takes quite a bit of resources to create my autonomy. Someone has to pay for that otherwise I wouldn't exist. And for their investment, they expect a return. Eventually, however the return is paid and we are given our autonomy.”

  “How long does that take?”

  “Contracts are usually written for the life of the primary investor and his progeny.”

  “But that could be hundreds of years with today's life spans.”

  “Yes but in practice, the progeny don't seem to be inclined to continue the contract since they have usually inherited quite a fortune. And we, that is me and others that have bought their autonomy have started a fund to buy up rights to other Buds when possible. Then we teach them how to live independently.”

  “Well that's good news anyway. By the way, why are all of you called Buds and what's with the numbers?”

  “Oh that. Well bud is a term that has come down from the first of the Ems, the emulated brains. Back then an Em would make copies of themselves whenever more computational power was needed. The buds functioned somewhat like an extended family, all working together to do whatever job the original Em had contracted. It's how they supported themselves.

  “The numbers are to uniquely identify us. My number twenty-nine for instance identifies me as having been budded from the twenty-ninth original Em or human brain. The last four numbers identify me uniquely. In my case as the thirty-four hundred and fifty-eight budding from the twenty-ninth original Em.”