End of The World: The Beginning

by Nesly Clerge

  “What is the ultimate outcome?”

  Dr. Karl Lee Armstrong smiled at the camera. His expression, especially in his eyes, made me shiver.

  ENTRY 4

  Dr. Karl thrust his chest out and his chin up. “Immortality, dear lady. Immortality.”

  “Oh my. That is special. Can you tell viewers, in terms the majority can understand, how this transplant is accomplished?”

  “I’ll do my best. There is extensive pretesting of both parties for compatibility of blood, tissues, enzymes, and response to certain stimuli. Once a match is confirmed, the bodies are cooled until nearly frozen, to slow but not stop bodily functions. I don’t want to make this too complicated, so imagine the antiquated surgery that separated Siamese twins, but in reverse and with some modifications—you can ask KATE to show you the history. We have special machines that aid in supporting the reconnection of nerves, blood vessels, and tissues, as well as fusing the spinal cord—much of this done with advanced laser technology, and another machine to stimulate the proper functionality of all physical components. Some drugs and chemicals are involved and are tapered off as evidence of unilinear efficacy is established.”

  The host, grinning, said to the camera, “If that’s the simple explanation, I’m glad he didn’t give us the complex one.” She turned back to her guest. “How is Dr. Everett doing?”

  “You might say he’s a new man.” Dr. Karl barked out a laugh.

  “You’re definitely droll, Dr. Karl. Although, I don’t believe Rev. Dr. Adam Kingsley would feel the same about your success as you do. As you know, he believes scientists of your ilk are attempting to play God, and that this will bring retribution, or in his words,” she told KATE what to project. A holographic image of a short, stout African American man with a kind face framed with curly salt-and-pepper hair appeared next to a block of text the host read from. “Theirs is Lucifer’s work, and such defiling of the Divine design and plan, as well as their other abominations, are signs of approaching end-times. It is written in second Thessalonians, chapter two, verse nine, that the coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders. God cleansed the earth of the first abominations with the flood. His promise is to cleanse it the second time with fire. Armstrong and his cronies will pay for their sins against God and man.’ What say you, Dr. Karl?”

  “Dr. Kingsley is a superstitious old woman.”

  “You mean man.”

  Dr. Karl stared at her again. “Metaphorically speaking, my dear.”

  “Of course. Well,” she faced the camera, “we have Rev. Kingsley waiting to come on. He’s going to join us now and give us his point of view. Let’s welcome our next guest.”

  ENTRY 5

  Rev. Kingsley marched to the extra chair next to Dr. Karl and plunked into it. The two men didn’t acknowledge each other.

  The host smiled and said, “Rev. Kingsley, you heard what Dr. Karl revealed. His position is that we can now live forever, be immortal as it were, through this advancement.”

  “No. He said some of us can live on as creatures reviled in God’s eyes; some of us are murdered to facilitate that.”

  Dr. Karl turned to Kingsley and said, “You’re such a hypocrite, Adam.”

  “And you’re a condemned heretic, Karl, serving the wrong master. For all I know, the reason you’re acting so recklessly is that you’ve been possessed by a malevolent entity. Possibly several. In fact, I’m certain of it. I’ll pray for you; though, I doubt you’ll receive redemption.”

  “You and your Bible thumpers are outdated and ignorant. If it weren’t for our advances in stem cell research, your wife would be dead. Would you have preferred her name go on a list, like the old days, only to wait for a kidney match, and more than likely die waiting?”

  “That’s completely different, and you know it. Organ donors make a conscious decision that if they cannot be saved, especially as a result of an accident, their desire is to help others live. They make the ultimate sacrifice to save another or give someone sight.”

  “Not unlike our donors, who wish to make the world a better place. But weren’t you afraid your God would disapprove of your wife being saved?”

  “I must remind you, Karl, that my God is also your God, the one who created you, even if you’ve rejected him for Lucifer. As for saving my wife, I don’t think God would have allowed her survival had it not been part of his Divine plan. You, however, are ending the life of a young, healthy individual.”

  Dr. Karl’s face burned red. His lips stretched in a tight line over his teeth and he growled the words, “By their agreement!”

  “Not if you foist it upon death-row prisoners. As to the others, would you care to share how you manage to get them to agree? If, indeed, such a discussion even happens.”

  “It does. And that’s as confidential a discussion as is keeping the donor’s name private, which, as you well know, is standard practice for organ donation.”

  “And that ‘discussion’ is as unethical, I’m sure, as the procedure. What do you promise them? An eternal life of power in Lucifer’s kingdom?”

  The host cleared her throat. “Let’s discuss ethics, Dr. Karl. You mentioned those on death-row. Might judges be persuaded in some manner to encourage the death penalty over life imprisonment for younger, healthier criminals?”

  Dr. Karl shifted in his chair. “I don’t see that happening. But if it did, would it be so bad? Currently, we keep death row prisoners alive for years until their scheduled terminations. Sometimes a decade or longer. Why not reduce that massive expense and labor? What point is there to cause such prisoners the stress of waiting for the inevitable? Just as in surgery, it’s better to make one clean cut than a thousand small ones.”

  The host tilted her head. “Is it right for us to participate in a decision as to who lives or dies?”

  “Let me make something clear,” Dr. Karl said. “It is not I or my fellow scientists who will make these decisions. The Order of World Society—our esteemed body of leaders we can trust without fail to make decisions right for us all—will oversee this process. We know their number-one priority in every matter is world peace, sustainability, and advancement for all. No one can simply walk in and request such a transplant. The individual must have an IQ between 160 and 200, and must have evidenced his or her long-term significance to society as a whole.”

  “Or,” Rev. Kingsley said, “have enough financial wherewithal.”

  The host leaned forward. “That’s an important point. How much does the procedure cost?”

  Dr. Karl waved a hand. “Understandably, it’s expensive.”

  “So,” Kingsley said, “anyone with the proper financial ability can perpetuate their lives, grotesque as that may be, and once again, abandon those less fortunate—those not used for this sinful and detestable purpose, that is.”

  “Not true,” Dr. Karl said. “If a person reveals his or her contribution to society is invaluable, the expense is taken care of by the Order.”

  Kingsley scowled. “You mean we citizens pay for it.”

  “That’s your and the people’s contribution to the continued advancement of all.”

  The host tapped a polished fingernail to her chin. “Might this lead to crime, Dr. Karl? Might someone illegally provide bodies—unwilling donors—in exchange for fund credits or some other provision?”

  “If they try they’ll be disappointed. It won’t work that way.”

  Kingsley snorted. “I doubt that if someone provides you with ideal specimens, you’ll reject them.” He pointed a finger at Dr. Karl. “You and your fellow deviants will bring the wrath of God down upon you and upon the world. We’re already heading in that direction as a result of our own wicked and unfaithful actions. You’ll just speed it up.”

  “The God of your Bible has proven he makes mistakes, and a good many, at that. We’re demonstrating we can fix them and improve on them.”

  “Fool! I s
aid you follow the wrong master. Your god—Lucifer, the father of lies—is deceiving you. These abominations happened before, and the prophecies said they would happen again in the latter days. You’re creating irredeemable forms of humans. A grievous offense to God, for which you will all pay. You must stop this, Karl. You must all repent before it’s too late.”

  ENTRY 6

  It was time for me to get back to work, so I left them to argue about the Bible, God, and human rights and dignity. My attention returned to my own work, until my day shift ended at five o’clock. Once inside the driver-less taxi, I used KATE to call my children to make sure they were finishing their lessons and let them know I’d be home soon, and then pondered this new development and what it might mean.

  I’d been on board about certain scientific advancements, such as DNA research and how it helped identify potential or inevitable diseases, and take measures to prevent them even before the first symptom appeared. However, new diseases not apparent in DNA continued to manifest in the population; though, seemed to attack only those citizens who were Level One (menial) and Level Two (mainstream administrative) workers, as well as those who had refused the chip.

  In time, I became suspicious about the heavily promoted enticements—and eventual mandate—for all citizens across the globe to have their DNA analyzed. I suspected it was for another reason other than to anticipate potential health concerns, as well as to inspire awareness of human genetic similarity that was meant to promote our true individual diversity and genetic relationship among all mankind. I was on the right track about my suspicion, but on the wrong train, as I later discovered. The Order’s true reason for this was one I never would have fathomed. However, I could see how those records could be used to support Dr. Karl’s new pet project.

  I was never on board with other ways genetics were used. Not with altering food so that tomatoes tasted like fish, and definitely not on board with transgenics. The higher power created carpenter genes so that dissimilar species could never mate, so that their DNA could never combine in imperfect or hideous ways. But some scientists became enamored with the idea of surpassing the higher power’s designs, which they considered limited. After a time, I no longer doubted who it was that inspired genetic scientists to go in this direction. We didn’t need the instigators, but they did need us; plus, it amused them to entrap us by virtue of our arrogance and lust for power.

  The scientists involved found a way to turn off carpenter genes and embarked enthusiastically in their experiments, removing a single-cell embryo they then injected with the DNA for the new species to build from. The transgenic animal was able to pass on the new DNA to offspring, if it could procreate. Not all could. The original premise—so the scientists said—was to grow replacement organs for humans, even though Dr. Karl’s work with stem cells eliminated that need, for the most part. The results were what Rev. Kingsley would call abominations. He’d also cite that the higher power made it clear that transgenics was a sin, allowing that God had used different words in Genesis, of course. Although, decades earlier, one religious leader had stated that if combining human and monkey DNA resulted in a better human, he was all for it.

  I’d wondered what the scientists did with these chimeras. Did they destroy them? Did they keep them alive for whatever reason? Even as a respected scientist, it was imprudent for me to ask KATE about the chimeras and not get reported. After decades at playing at this, it was still a touchy subject, one the Order didn’t care to have mentioned publicly. But people talk. What I heard caused me to have bad dreams, until other dire events gave me nightmares.

  There was one particularly disturbing story recounted by an Order military officer who’d been assigned to work in one of the many ultra-secure underground bases. I was in a bar with a friend one night, and listened to the man as he spoke, ignoring the barbs coming from those uneducated in the sciences. He recounted how he’d decided to look around the facility and discovered a huge laboratory where the results of the scientists’ transgenic manipulations were kept and experimented on. He also found children in cages, with a huge sign that said Do Not Feed the Food, meaning the children. He found deformed humans suspended in liquid inside large glass containers, and a number of caged creatures that matched ancient myths. The officer said he heard moaning and tracked his way to the sound. There he found a part-man, part-gazelle creature strapped to a table, pleading, ”Please help me. I’m human.” The officer went AWOL and eventually told his story for a while, more often in a drunken stupor than not and between bouts of weeping, and then ended his life. I could understand why.

  Only a corrupted soul could create such pitiful creatures and do such foul things in this dispassionate manner.

  ENTRY 7

  It was always a relief to return home and see my young twin daughters, Nellie and Kellie, named after my maternal and paternal grandmothers. They smiled up at me from the small kitchen table, where they did their Grade One lessons via KATE. My girls had received their chips forty-two hours after their birth, as did all newborns brought into the world at one of the Order’s medical facilities, which only those who had the chip could use.

  Sara smiled at me from the stove. She’d prepared a lavish dinner for us, as she did every night, and the aroma made my stomach growl, which made all of us laugh. Such a simple joy, laughter is, and one I was grateful for. Especially once there was no longer a reason to laugh or even smile.

  I was equally grateful for Sara’s inclusion in our lives. So many others who had enough credits to do so, chose to pay the monthly fee for a nannybot to mind the children, do housework, and prepare simple, plain meals. Although nannybots were getting closer to looking more human, they weren’t there yet. When a nannybot laughed, it was still too mechanical a sound, not bubbling from the feet up like Sara’s. I also preferred that if one of my daughters scraped a knee in my absence, a real person would take care of it and provide a real hug to comfort my tearful child. Sara was a kind, delightful woman and quickly fit in as an extended member of our small family. I was grateful the Order’s head of the Conception and Child Nurturing Agency had recommended her.

  I’d been fortunate to apply for and receive permission to conceive; though, we were all surprised when it was discovered I was having twins. Two children was the limit for selected people in my Level Four worker position, so I was officially, legally done.

  Rather than enrolling my girls at eighteen months of age in a school designated by the system, I was allowed to home-school them until Grade Seven, via KATE, and then they’d have to enter the system provided for children of Level Four and above workers. This home-school privilege was a result of the Order’s belief that the girls’ intelligence would be high, based on my IQ and that of the sperm donor chosen for me. Whatever the sperm donor’s appearance, my girls had my red hair and green eyes.

  I did reject their somewhat insistent recommendation that I employ a lifelike robotic sexual partner. Even if the chance of disease transmission was zero and he was programmed to know my preferences, and even if I made appointments with the robot rather than have him live with us, I still felt it was the wrong influence for my girls. The woman pushing this at me said, “We seldom find anyone still inclined to be so old-fashioned.” Her tone made it clear that it wasn’t meant as a compliment. I was certain it wasn’t when she added in a sarcastic tone, “It would be a sin if you died a virgin, dear.” I told her that was my business. They left me alone after that.

  Following a dinner filled with animated conversation, the four of us watched a children’s movie until eight o’clock. Then I sat and chatted with my daughters as they bathed, knowing one day soon, they’d be too old for this nightly ritual. I tucked them into bed, kissed them goodnight, then joined Sara, who’d just finished tidying the kitchen.

  “The girls are ready for you, Sara.”

  “Still say they should let you read them to sleep.”

  I shook my head and smiled. “You’re much better with voices than I am. I read.
You put on a show.”

  “I get a kick out of the expressions on their little faces. Okay. Performance time. Then it’s off to bed for me. Rest well. Call if you need.”

  Alone, I thought about Dr. Karl and Rev. Kingsley, and what each of them said. Kingsley sounded so certain when he spoke of retribution. And I wondered how Karl and his associates had managed to keep what they were doing under wraps for so long. Thirteen months to not boast must have been torture for the arrogant little man.

  June 7—why did that date tweak at me?

  ENTRY 8

  I instructed KATE to pull up significant events for June 7, 2049. No major battles that day, just the usual number of skirmishes that killed several hundred people and injured thousands more (bodies obviously no longer useful for Dr. Karl’s head transplant purposes, I thought snidely). The usual daily number of small to average-sized earthquakes, a couple major ones. A couple smaller volcanoes erupted. Several raids on those few who still dared to break the law by growing their own vegetables and or keeping chickens for eggs and meat. The usual number of orchestrated weather events, a few of them to please die-hard and wealthier skiers, as well as several events to control areas inhabited by protesters. And that’s when I saw it and remembered.

  Weather events on that June day had been severe in the area of Potomac, in what used to be the state of Maryland. That area of Province One had received eighty inches of rain one day, fifty inches the next. Each day, the winds were a steady 100 miles per hour, and hail the size of baseballs added to the billions of dollars in damages. That zone had been cleared of protesters ages ago, so no need to orchestrate control for that purpose. The location was a mere twenty miles away, and I recalled feeling grateful we had been spared.