Black Box
Page 2
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Josef is sitting at the Black Box, using audio commands and the touch of his hands to sort through files. It seemed strange to him that only two months prior, he had been supervising Louis on how to operate the machinery. Louis, who he’d sent through upper echelons of education, was completely amazed by what the technology represented. That was before. Josef pushed his thoughts away; he didn’t want to reflect on that meteor collision. I can’t linger on my past. Josef smacked a balled fist down on the machine, ‘Damn it!’ This is all that’s left for me. He straightened his back. He sorted through Egyptian culture to a speech by Abraham Lincoln. From behind him, there was a knock. Josef clenched his hands. Ever since providing Earth survivors with the ‘hope-filled’ mission to repopulate and learn from the archives, he’d been burdened with an onslaught of questions or reports on rising tensions.
Josef was glad to see Louis waiting there. He, at least, could be reasoned with. The others are dangerous, desiring to use the Black Box for their own means. Josef pressed a finger to the scanner at the door. Louis pushed it open and followed behind on Josef’s return to the machine. ‘Father,’ he said, ‘Michael has stopped people from studying.’
‘He’s been nothing but a nuisance. What the hell is he saying this time?!’
‘Nothing but—.’
‘What!’ said Josef, ‘Why did you bother—?’
‘He’s dead.’
‘What!’
‘He entered the shuttle bay and he...’ said Louis, he paused and took a subtle breath before continuing, ‘he opened the arrival hatch on himself. Everyone is miserable, and Isaac has convinced the others to stop and pay tribute to him in prayer.’
‘Well then, tell them that they are not functioning as a group,’ Josef sighed. ‘It’s ridiculous that I must regulate all of this! Tell them they need to continue or they will perish and no progress will be made.’
‘I can’t question any beliefs.’
‘Yes you can! It’s what we do,’ said Josef frustrated. ‘We are scientists or inventors; it’s in our nature to question everything!’
‘They need a leader, and you’re the one with a background in leadership.’
‘Deal with it boy,’ said Josef, ‘My mission is what’s important.’
Louis stepped forward with an eyebrow raised, ‘what happened to “our” mission?’ he said. ‘I thought the reason you finally brought me to the base was for me to take over.’
‘Originally,’ said Josef.
‘I’ll take over with this research, you really need to be on floor one,’ said Louis. ‘It’s chaotic down there. Over the last weeks, some people have been resorting to the last of the alcohol. Some survivors are making sexual advances on others or getting violent...’
‘Fine,’ said Josef.
‘What?’
‘They are doomed regardless.’
‘Wait a minute!’ Louis flew passed Josef and reactivated the Black Box supercomputer. A video appeared with Josef introducing them as Earth’s human race. In the video he held a dictionary. Afterwards a montage sequence began showing images and footage throughout history.
‘That’s enough!’ barked Josef, who cancelled the video out.
Louis started taking steps toward Josef, ‘you’re not trying to keep our race alive, you’re trying to simply leave our mark and...’
‘It is too late for us.’
‘...How could you not give survival a chance?’ said Louis, ‘What happened to your speech, the day we lost Earth? The “blueprints” you were talking about?!’ Louis looked around and spread out his arms, ‘It’s all here!’
‘I couldn’t handle eighteen people if they revolted,’ said Josef. He watched Louis flash an expression of pure disgust. ‘Now get out!’ Louis walked to the desk in the server room, ‘Didn’t you hear me? Go, and chase your dream without me.’
‘I can’t do that,’ said Louis. He turned and revealed a sidearm; Josef’s gun. Louis raised his right arm and levelled the firearm with Josef. With his left hand he pointed at the supercomputer. ‘Those memories are probably the key to our survival,’ he lowered the hand, ‘I’m sorry, but I have to take over now, for the good of everyone.’
Josef stood menacingly and fearlessly walked towards Louis. ‘If you killed me,’ He smirked, ‘You could be stuck in here or locked out forever.’ He walked forwards and twisted his smirk further to appear more fiercely, ‘besides, I’m also your father.’
‘Our future depends on this one shot,’ said Louis.
‘Well said.’
‘I—’
At that moment, Josef lunged at Louis and fought him for grip of the weapon. They struggled over it, together crashing from the desk into the Black Box. Louis regained control of the weapon and accidently fired it. The bullet grazed Josef’s shoulder. Josef recovered and again collided into a struggle. Louis swung them both around but tripped and smashed into the black box. Their collision caused a sensation in Louis’ palm, activating the trigger. A single bullet passed through Louis’ heart and he fell back. Josef watched him slide lifelessly down the side of the computer to the white tile below. ‘No! Louis!’ Josef sunk to his knees and let tears blur his vision. ‘My son...’ All he could do was kneel and watch his world die; he had been impacted a hundred times more than the destruction of earth. For once, he should’ve thought about the past.
******
Three children sit in front of a ‘Black Box’ computer system, chatting about it and staring enthusiastically. They are amazed at the information appearing on screen and look to their teacher for an explanation. Other children were seated and sharing similar computers. ‘For most of you,’ said the teacher, ‘this is the first time you’ll be learning on a Black Box,’ they smiled. ‘For a star, does anyone remember who built these machines?’
‘I do, I do!’ said a student, who raised their hand before their other classmates.
‘Yes?’
‘Louis Hanson,’ they said, while pointing at a painting in the room.
The teacher smiled, ‘Correct, well remembered.’
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About the author:
Brendan James Parsons, known for the cinematic scope of his work, has led a mostly peaceful career as a student writer. He is an aspiring author; currently furthering his talents within his Bachelor of Arts and Communications degree at Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia. From every course, unit and lecture comes an ever expanding plethora of ideas. When not in leisure, distracted by pets or otherwise engaged with work, he lets his creative mind wander to other areas of artistry; his many interests across multiple mediums, which fuel his love affair for telling compelling stories that, excite and inspire. Over the years he has won prizes for his talents in low-key writing competitions, and is looking forward to what the future holds. His narrative sense draws him to action, comedy, drama, fantasy and thriller genres.
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