Once-Other

by Lawrence M. Nysschens

  I note the counter again—one and a half million marching by—must be worrying for them inside the Hub.

  My Supervisor is suddenly behind me.

  I sensed him at first and then got a whiff of coffee and tobacco.

  He leaves after patting my shoulder.

  It’s 2:00 pm and two-and-a-half million people march.

  The police remain at attention, ramrods awaiting orders.

  New motion grabs at me. A figure emerges from the Hub via a side door obscured by shadows. I lean in closer.

  It’s Mister McPeters! He climbs into a black limo.

  Where’s he going? Will he come home to LA? To his wife? How’s she doing? A non-stop flight can deliver him home in four hours. You’d think he’d want to be at the Hub.

  What’s so important to make him leave? On the other hand, is he headed for his Red Zone home and safety?

  My Supervisor places a hamburger, fries and soda at my elbow. Stomach growls a response to the enticing aroma. Wait. What’s gotten into him?

  Okay. Never mind.

  I eat, check around and find everyone still riveted to his or her displays. Day marches on, silent as never before.

  Eventually, when I notice the crick in my neck, there are three-and-a-half million people marching by the Hub...and my mouth drops open.

  Hundreds of policemen drop their shields, their truncheons and with hands held high, join the parade of marching citizens. Folks offer them signs, which the police eagerly grasp.

  Many walk by and slap each officer on the back.

  It seems not all public servants just obey orders.

  I glance up.

  My, it is 11:32 PM and the place is deserted except for my Supervisor, still smoking, still coffee-ing. The counter keeps going as I turn Transcribing off, grab my coat and head for the elevator.

  My Supervisor leaves at the same time. He lingers on the sidewalk when I get on the bus. I wave to him through the window as we drive away. He waves back. Weird.

  I sit down and look around. A strange calm is present—a new quiet. Even the empty streets feel different. Yet I’m afraid Government will use their Here-Born attack strategy against us—there’s a lot at stake for them—especially since so much of what’s happening on Earth was revealed to us.

  Despite this, people I see out and about are more relaxed and talking to each other without that regular furtiveness. Is this the calm before the massacre? I hope not.

  Yes. Life is going to be bad, real bad—for a while.

  The bus turns the corner and I glance back, but he’s gone. I should get his full name someday. He hasn’t been with us long. He is kind of aloft but not in a bad way. Attractive as well, in a sort of devil may care fashion.

  I’m having weird thoughts tonight.

  I sit back and about to relax when a chill breeze wafts by.

  I freeze up tight as the hairs at the nape of my neck snap to attention. I snug my collar down and scrutinize the passengers, but no one else does so. I go over each commuter one at a time then the street and sidewalks for danger but find none.

  I run a hand over the tight knot of hair calming it and whisper, “Something needs doing here, Agnes. Yes! Something needs doing.”

  All the reading I’ve done and monitor screen images I’ve watched since Here-Born’s invasion, rest heavy within me. But I can’t put a finger on what’s with myself. Hope I do so soon.

  It’s time for me to get off the bus. I hasten down the aisle. The doors whoosh and slide open. I step off. Urgh. Gum stuck to the sole of my left shoe. Urgh.

  I fiddle the key in the slot and those nape hairs jump to attention once again, but it is too late. Something hits me square between the shoulders with the driving force of a bus traveling at fifty miles an hour.

  I’m thrown forward. The front door snaps open in two halves, left and right—so much for security I think and sprawl to the floor taking the skin off both knees.

  The sound of soup being slurped. I glance up.

  The TV displays millions marching at the Hub.

  He’s come out the closet good and proper at last and is sitting on the couch drinking straight from a frying pan. He peers over the rim at me. Glances at something behind me, fear flashes in his eyes, but it is instantly vanquished by the fires of anger.

  A blur of motion to my left far too fast to perceive what. A flash of movement at the couch and then all motion stops. Oh, my deepest wowness.

  Mister Warrent McPeters crouches at the far side of the lounge his arm crooked around the neck of...oh...he’s still holding my pan in his hand.

  Two more blurs rush by, one to either side of me.

  McPeters moves and becomes a blur. The pan falls and slithers across the carpet. Soup splashes on the carpet and on the walls. Loud thuds and bangs echo. The coffee table breaks. The couch tilts backward then rights itself. Another loud noise stuns me. A groan of pain and all motion ends.

  I stare more amazed than I have been these last few days.

  My Supervisor kneels at McPeters left fixing handcuffs to him. Once-Other kneels at McPeters right attaching the other end of the handcuffs.

  Done Once-Other looks up and the happiest smile I have ever seen lights his eyes. “You alright Karrell?” he asks being polite and all by speaking out aloud.

  “Knew you’d come, Dad,” Karrell whispers hoarsely. Well, he has recovered enough to speak a little—well done on his part. They hug a long time.

  My Supervisor helps me to my feet and brushes my coat off while frowning down at my knees. I don’t dare look down. Nice of him though and anyway who is this guy?

  “Well Agnes,” he says. “You’re one for the records.”

  What’s that mean? I stare him in the eye and they smile at me. Okay. Not an insult. Okay. Good. Now, what? I gaze about a little overwhelmed.

  McPeters groans but no one pays him any mind except for Karrell who picks up the frying pan and looks a long silent moment at McPeters. Suddenly he swings the pan and smacks McPeters on the back of his head. Dead silence as McPeters tips forwards and falls flat on his fact.

  Karrell grins and says, “Take that! Property D-101!”

  Laughter explodes from all of us.

  Wiping at his tear filled eyes, Once-Other comes over, shakes my hand, keeps a hold of it and says, “Thank you for what you did. It was very brave.”

  “Anyone would have done it,” I reply.

  “No,” he says. “And please...don’t make less of yourself. That man is, was the most influential person on Earth-Born. He writes legislation in real time and approves it for the whole Hub and could have sent a thousand Poip to your door upon a whim.”

  I swallow against a tight throat but manage to say, “I know. But Karrell...when...what McPeters did. I had to help. And. What all they had paid for their New World. No!”

  “You are brave,” my Supervisor says matter-of-factually.

  In all that just happened I had missed something or maybe it missed me. Now it hits home and I blurt out, “Once-Other? How do you come to be here? You were left for dead out in the desert...by him. How?”

  “Well dear me Ms. Soulone. That is a long story. One for the books I’d say, altogether. What all we have done here these last weeks may never be revealed. Perhaps history my eventually demand answers.”

  “No answer eh?” I say and look about, mind racing as questions spring to life.

  Once-Other smiles and says, “I do have one answer for you. Seek out a Jonathon Andrew…work with him to evolve to a new political civilization here on Earth-Born.”

  I look for more but he just smiles broader. “Okay. I’ll find him. Oh? So where’s Madsen? You were the masked one with him doing the burn a pipe thing.”

  “I ordered him home,” Once-Other says.

  “Ordered? Wasn’t he your senior?” I gasp.

  “He was. Circumstances changed. No, well I made them change. He needed to go home...for a while,” Once-Other murmurs.

  I nod and reply, “I
understand.”

  “I figure things are going to be a little chaotic for a while General,” my Supervisor says.

  Once-Other nods yes.

  “You a General?” I ask rather ill mannered.

  “Certainly,” he replies.

  “Right,” is all I can say. “There’s a new certainty about….”

  “She sounds ready,” Once-Other says.

  A little afraid to ask for what exactly I am prepped, I glance from him to Karrell and back and wonder how they came to be here and it hits me clear as daylight. I turn to my Supervisor.

  “You saw Karrell on that Happiness Monitoring at the McPeters place and followed what I’d done. Right?”

  “She’s perfect,” Once-Other says in answer to my Supervisor and me.

  “For what?” I ask.

  Behind me, boots scuff on the carpet fuzz. I turn and recognize the D’elti family standing just inside the front door with two police officers behind them.

  “We’ll take him off your hands, Madam,” the larger Officer says as they move past me.

  What’s he call me Madam for I ponder and why has no one answered my question?

  My Supervisor hands me an eChip and says, “Here’s the evolution that occurred after our people won and declared Independence from Earth-Born, the first time.

  “You’ve read everything we displayed over screens these last few days and as always you’ve kept records. On this chip are links to all the documentation you will need. It includes direct contact info for everyone in this room, except him.”

  He nods at McPeters and turns back to me. “Agnes, keep in mind that the techniques used at this time to free you are the last resort save for a violent overthrow.”

  He stares hard at me. I nod I get it. He nods in return. “It is far better to build what we of Here-Born have alongside what currently exists no matter how bad it has become.

  “So! Allow what is to continue while quietly building a new Political Civilization parallel to it. Never bother asking permission to do so. Never fight the old for you will, like every revolutionary in our history, naturally become exactly like that which you’ve set out to fight.

  “Oppressive regimes are born in revolution.

  “You must evolve to a higher Political Civilization to avoid destroying the lives of every citizen via revolution. It’s tough. It feels wrong. It takes a little longer but it’s the right way.”

  He raises an eyebrow.

  I nod agreement as some of my recent thinking falls into place. I sigh happily for tomorrow shines a new light upon all those of Earth. Yet the unpleasant.

  “What will I do with him?” I ask as McPeters is walked out the door.

  Once-Other turns to me and says, “Our prison system and penalties are included on the chip—you will find those who commit Treason don’t get a firing-squad. They do get to spend the rest of their lives making up for that Treason, though. Find some Dung Duty for him.”

  He smiles and says, “You will also find links to your own history. What may interest both you and most all citizens could be your own history. It is listed chronologically—and visual as can be got. It should untangle the mixing up and hiding of dates and who’s who for you.”

  While he was talking, I’d held onto a burning question but can’t anymore and ask, “The UWMD? Which one? Fraggers? No longer supporting something via your wallet or your vote? Wait! Building the new alongside the old? Wait! The unelect and repeal websites? Wait! All? No! Never mind Fraggers. Humm? Oh! Takes three to create! One, your Constitution. Two, your Bill of Rights. Three, the Letter to all Citizens. Right?”

  “You’re ready,” Once-Other says and they all smile, turn and head for the door.

  “Keep in touch,” I manage to say.

  Karrell comes back and hugs me long and hard almost as long as Roses hugs Once-Other.

  Benwarr and Dew smile a lifetime’s worth of joy at Roses then at me.

  “Don’t suppose anyone cares to clean up the mess you made?” I ask.

  They check the place over and look to me.

  “You’ll be able to hire someone to do that by tomorrow,” Once-Other says.

  “You sure will,” they all chime and one of the Police Officers steps forward and volunteers with a smart salute.

  I feel strangely elated and terrified all at the same time.

  Dear me, what is to become of Agnes Soulone?

  Once-Other comes back, leans close and whispers in my ear. Nothing anyone has ever done has placed that much trust in me before nor since.

  I gasp, peer into his eyes and he adds, “Never make less of yourself, Agnes. Ordinary people are more often extraordinary people and most will rise to the occasion.”

  CHAPTER 83

  Of Rights Forever

  Editor’s Note: What does not come across well in this edition is that during this speech and the following excerpts screens both at the event and across Earth displayed many different aspects of Earth’s real history during the ceremony. This included actual dates of the events. So! Imagine! We’d been taught that Independence from Electricity Day was first celebrated in 1401!

  There was no electricity back in 1401!

  History we have since discovered has been but an ocean of lies.

  ***

  From the Archives, Library of Congress, Washington DC.

  Inaugural Speech, First President of the United Countries of Earth.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen. Citizens one-n-all. Your First President, Agnes Soulone.”

  Footsteps, muttered greetings, microphone noise as it is bumped.

  Cough.

  “Thank you. Thank you All. I am so glad at the almost complete absence of those awful uniforms. You look incredible today. Agnes Soulone is pleased.”

  Applause.

  “Welcome one-n-all and thank you again. I do admit to having some trouble finding the words especially the ones I would most like to say. A sense of being overwhelmed I suppose. But not as much as I first was. I’m sure many of us feel the same.

  “Thank you for all you have done.

  “However, a thank-you will never do it justice.

  “Well! Here we are! I dare say many of us were surprised to discover we live here...in the US of Axis. Ah-ha! And that where I previously worked in Los Angeles...the coast there is not the Pacific coastline of China. On the other hand, we were told what is now again actually China was the United States of America. We’ve removed that old Axis title. Dear me! Education...gone awry.”

  Roars of laughter, hoots, cheers.

  The President waits for silence.

  “About our previous elected officials...I will never mention their deeds nor discuss them in any way whatsoever. To do so gives life to what they did and who they are. The cold facts will be in all history lessons.

  “Now let’s get to the matters of today.

  “First off I confess that when Once-Other and the others left my old apartment I felt very lonely, terrified really. I went to work the next morning with no idea of what needed doing.

  “Pete, my Supervisor, ex-Supervisor, was still there smoking and coffee-ing as usual. He handed me what I thought was a new Happiness recording to work with—but it wasn’t one. What it was, was a copy of their entire Constitution and Bill of Rights and Letter to all Citizens.

  “And now it’s ours. And we all know what it really is.

  “I read it all. I asked him what I should do. Being from Here-Born he smiled and walked out.

  “Well...I spent a lot of time working with them and others—long distance. During that time, I picked up a great deal of information. Much had to do with our invasion. There was interesting data as well as news both saddening and disheartening.

  “As many of you have already read the details. I would like to touch on something that speaks of why war and violent conflict should be avoided. And of why communication between groups must not be torn asunder when our apathy allows people of ill intent to make us slaves once again.

&nb
sp; “And so I make my point though I would have much preferred having no example by which to make it.”

  There’s a long silence and then the President continues.

  “Possibly the worst news I received was that Maggie Schwartzlauda was killed during our invasion of Here-Born. Droght D’elti I’m told is inconsolable. They were working together in the Mall of Sand Lake Flats at the time.

  “When the Walmer sounded they headed out the Mall but on the way heard some children calling for help. They went back in and found several tourists from Earth trapped in the elevator that takes you underground. Working together, they got the door open and those people all made it out.

  “Droght and Maggie did a double check to ensure they had found them all. That is when the rain of fire from our forces leveled the Mall and left only the gold mine museum intact. To my horror, I witnessed it on screens as it happened.

  “She had been close to Once-Other. I know how much he liked her as I had worked with the Happiness Monitoring records on which she appeared with him.

  “I regret that invasion and am still angry it was done in my name...in our name. But you know? They of Here-Born will not tell us how many of their own were killed. They merely ask how I’m doing and now I can tell them damn fine and altogether.”

  A few people laugh.

  “Staying sober for another moment I’d like to inform you of something I still have trouble believing. No matter how many times I’ve asked, the Here-Born government will not reveal how many of their soldiers were found by Poip here on Earth and imprisoned or worse. No records of that exist or are missing. Let us have a moment of silence, please.”

  Silence.

  “Thank you. And now. A moment of humor is called for.

  “It has come to my attention that the sight of our invasion troops standing proudly upon Here-Born and in the next instant completely naked is making the cyberspace rounds in a viral fashion. It’s garnered many comments and some of them very amusing indeed. I too was stunned at the manner in which our invaders were conquered by Here-Born.”

  For the first time in hundreds of years, thousands laugh as one.

  Laughter fades.

  “For myself...I hope to live up to your trust. I thank you for your Yes-vote on my program and proposed legislation which encompasses getting rid of the old and, in particular, the endless reams of regulations that accompanied previous legislation—and which is now illegal.