TROPHY

by Paul M. Schofield

  “Why haven’t you been able to stop him?”

  “Chiefly because he had Franelli working for him, technologically staying one step ahead of us.” Guardian X paused, allowing her emotions to calm. “Now that we have Franelli in custody, we hope the balance has shifted. Bestmarke is rich and has powerful friends, it is difficult to pin down a man like that.”

  “So now the Empire can destroy him and his ship or execute him if he's captured.”

  “It is not that easy. Your way of thinking, the ancient way, is one of vengeance. In your day, wars and ethnic strife continued for generations, even centuries, because people and nations had to 'get even'. Under CENTRAL's rule, all life is important, including humans and animals. No animals are unnecessarily killed and no humans are executed.”

  “But what about justice? You can't let killers like Bestmarke off the hook. That's not right. Think of all the heartache and misery he has caused, somehow he has to be held accountable. I want to kill him myself. You probably feel the same, don't you?”

  Guardian X raised one eyebrow and looked at Martin. “You are very observant, Martin. You have sensed my feelings about men like Bestmarke. But to break the cycle of hate and retribution we have to hold to a higher standard and set aside our own personal feelings, no matter how strong they are. The rule of CENTRAL directs us to think of the greater good, the overall needs of the majority, and not our own personal problems or vendettas.”

  “Well, if men like Bestmarke are not executed, what do you do with them? They just can't go free. What justice does CENTRAL provide?”

  “Men like Bestmarke are often killed in battle because they will not surrender. But if they are captured, the Empire has a successful program of rehabilitation which can include neurological micro-enhancement – a program that enhances positive areas of the brain while retarding the negative areas. In most cases that is all that is necessary for the individual to assume a safe and constructive position in society again.”

  “You said most cases – what if that doesn't work? What about someone like Bestmarke? You know he'll never give up or cooperate.”

  “Sometimes we have to do a full neurological reconstruction. Simply put, their brain is wiped clean of all the bad and only good things are put back in.”

  “But doesn't that make them a different person? Aren't they kind of like a happy vegetable then?”

  “Interesting analogy, Martin, but essentially correct. Now, however, they are no longer a danger to society and can live out their lives in tranquility. The cycle of vengeance and death is broken, peace is restored, and permanent healing for all involved can begin.”

  “So, really, hasn't their old personality been executed?”

  “Perhaps, in a manner of speaking, but they are still alive and no longer pose a danger to the majority. There has to be some expense in order for justice to be satisfied.”

  Content with the answer, Martin asked another question. “How many countries are there on earth now?”

  “Countries? There are no separate countries. The whole earth is one entity, or as you say, country.”

  “Well, where on Earth are we now? Where would we physically be right now, back in my time?”

  “If my ancient geography is correct, we are at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains – what used to be Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia in your time. Before that, it had another name. We are inside the mountains, underground.”

  “Why are we underneath the mountains? Is the air poisonous and polluted outside?”

  “Not at all, Martin. In fact, the earth is like a paradise – everywhere,” Guardian X said. “These mountains are among the oldest and most stable on earth. They are the safest location for our form of governmental operations. Here is where CENTRAL, our government, is located.”

  “Are you part of a ruling class? You seem to have a lot of authority.”

  Guardian II stepped forward to continue the explanation. “The manner of rule now is somewhat different than in your time. You had many nations with different types of rule. The rule in your country was by democracy, I believe. Other countries had monarchies, with royal families passing down the power. Others were dictatorial or authoritarian. Some types had more personal freedom, but less security – others had the reverse. All of them were subject to the thinking, attitudes, and qualities of those ruling. Even good and beneficial rulers eventually died or were replaced by those of less noble character,” she said. “Couple that with wars, natural disasters, overuse of natural resources, as well as common human greed, and you have a recipe for disaster on an unprecedented scale.”

  “But that’s the way it’s always been,” Martin said. “How can you change such ingrained thinking?”

  “By removing most of the human element,” Guardian II said. “We are now governed completely by a giant computer and operating system. As Guardians, we protect and maintain the system called CENTRAL. As humans, we do not rule, CENTRAL rules.” She paused for this thought to sink in. “The study and history of all forms of government was used as a basis to derive the program for CENTRAL. Logic, stability, relative equality, and quickness in problem solving are some of the key principles in CENTRAL’s makeup. It is not a perfect system, but it provides peace, stability, security, and freedom from want for ninety-eight percent of the inhabitants of the Solar System.”

  “How many other places besides the earth do people live?” Martin said. “Have you traveled to the stars yet or around the galaxy?”

  “We have recently established new colonies on planets around the nearest stars, the Centaurus system,” Guardian X said, stepping forward again. “We have not yet discovered how to warp or fold space, so we are limited to less than light-speed travel. Even to the closest stars it takes many years of space travel with the crews in suspended animation. But someday that will change. Once we learn the secret of folding space, the galaxy will be ours to explore.”

  “Wow! How soon do you think that will happen?” Martin said.

  “Hopefully within a generation,” Guardian X said. “We have made progress in faster-than-light communications, which is the first important step. Progress may seem slow, but on a cosmic level it is rapid.”

  “How far is the Centaurus system? How long does it take to get there?”

  “Those stars are just over four light-years distant,” Guardian X said. “On deep space travel we can achieve speeds approaching ten percent of light speed. The one way journey took about fifty standard years. We recently received our first communications back from the new colony.”

  “You said ninety eight percent, what about the other two percent?” Martin said, narrowing his eyes.

  “Some people have chosen to be renegades, to live free from the regulations and rule of CENTRAL,” Guardian X said. “That is their choice, by their own free will. Some are lawless and have been driven from society, or have escaped from the law and rehabilitation.”

  “Men like Bestmarke?” Martin said with a sneer. “So far all I’ve seen are women. Has something happened to the men?”

  A silence ensued. Guardian X glanced at Guardian II who continued the history lesson with their ancient pupil.

  “To answer this fairly, we need to go back to the beginning, the beginning of the New Victorian Age, four hundred and seventy five years ago,” Guardian II said. “In the Ancient Calendar, your calendar, Martin, that was the year 2065. At that time a great catastrophe happened on Earth. The partial collapse of the ecosystem created a host of diseases including some new or mutated forms of plague. These spread through all the Earth without exception. All the men died!” Guardian II took a deep breath and looked intently at Martin. “Yes, all the men on Earth fell to the disease as did many women, although they seemed more naturally resistant to this particularly virulent strain of plague.” Her tone became more subdued, her hands dropped to her sides.

  She paused and looked away for a moment as if recalling a painful memory. Looking back at Martin, she continued, her voice so
mber, her face less animated. “We called that time the Great Sadness. Words cannot express the grief and sorrow for the entire world of that day. It appeared that chaos and despair would drive the world of that time, all the human race that remained, into extinction – total extinction,” she said, her eyes downcast. Looking up she continued. “But some far-seeing women, notably scientists, computer specialists, doctors, engineers, educators, politicians, and artists, to name a few, collectively worked together earth wide to save humanity. In short, their efforts succeeded after much effort and many tears. They all vowed to never let the Earth return to its divided, corrupt, and greed driven governments that led to this great cataclysm. The idea of an earth wide government by a centralized computer system was born in that same year. Although it took many years to complete and begin perfecting, the start of the New Victorian Age had begun with that brilliant concept and much hard work.” She closely watched Martin as he digested this completely unexpected and profound scenario of prophetic events that now were history.

  “But how have humans reproduced if all the men died?” Martin said.

  “The practice of artificial insemination was a fact of life in your time,” Guardian II said. “Semen banks around the world stored frozen sperm cells at near absolute zero. At such low temperatures the cells were protected from the plague that killed all the men. A smaller number of egg cells had been stored, too. But for some reason, they did not resist the disease and became contaminated. Only the male cells survived. By carefully preserving them, the human race has continued to this day. Because all the women were exposed to the disease, all the children born after the Great Sadness have been affected. To this day, all males born have been sterile, unable to reproduce, as well as having no naturally occurring body hair. All females born are fertile, have hair, but pass on the inherited traits of their mothers. Their own male children continue to be sterile and hairless.”

  “Holy cow!” Martin said and the Guardians glanced at each other. “This is unbelievable! Do men and women still marry and have families? Artificial insemination was a moral issue and very controversial in my time. Is it now? And what about men? Do they govern, do they work? What do they do?”

  “They still marry, help raise families, and continue to work,” Guardian II said. She looked directly at him, her tone serious. “But they do not govern or work in positions of authority. Not anymore. In the New Beginning, the Founding Mothers, in their great wisdom, determined that now that they had the power to rule, they would never give it up in a return to the old male dominated governments that had been so warlike, corrupt, and ineffective, ultimately leading to the Great Catastrophe and Great Sadness. Some freedoms would never be allowed again.”

  “Wow,” Martin said. “This is a lot to take in.”

  Guardian II gazed affectionately at Martin and continued. “To answer your first question, Martin, artificial insemination is still a serious issue and not taken lightly. However, it is no longer a moral issue when you consider the alternative. Extinction is not a viable choice. The fact that women and men can marry and raise families is still a blessing. They can be happy and lead productive lives within a safe and secure government, CENTRAL.”

  “But if women rule, won't they have the same problems that men did? Won't some of them be warlike or tyrannical and try to dominate others? Aren't women as imperfect as men?”

  “Yes, they are, and if women ruled we would have the same problems as in ancient times. But remember, Martin, women do not rule – CENTRAL rules. Women only serve in positions of authority under the direction and rule of CENTRAL.”

  “But how can a computer rule? Isn't it just a complicated machine? Does it really think? This is going to take some time to understand,” Martin said, his face full of uncertainty. He looked at them all in turn. “Here’s my last question for now. What happens when all the semen banks are empty? Is that the end of humanity, as we know it?”

  Guardian II paused before she answered. “You are a deep thinker, Martin Charles Bucklann. You see our ultimate dilemma. Our civilization – our race – is finite. And yet, you have brought us the most hope. Seeing and talking with you shows us that time travel is possible. If done with the utmost care and planning, it is possible to once and for all solve our dilemma, and naturally continue the human race forever, as it should.”

  Chapter XXX

  “Guardian, how is the ancient man progressing? Did he agree to a new android body?” Rogerton said, sitting in the spacious control lab.

  “He was enthusiastic about the prospect,” Guardian VII said, curled in her black neo-leather chair. “We first started the design after we learned of his existence, as the Fleet was returning to Earth. We anticipated his acceptance and continued on at full speed. We could only do so much, of course, until we were physically able to examine Franelli’s handiwork in person. Our ‘new man’ is close to completion now. We are very anxious to restore his mobility, and he is, too. We do not know how much training or therapy will be required before he is back to normal, but so far the results have been exciting.”

  “Did you begin a new body for the panther at the same time?”

  “Yes. In some ways it was simpler because we were forced to make many decisions ourselves instead of waiting to ask questions of the recipient. Overall, the human brain is more subtle than an animal’s. In some areas, however, the panther’s brain is exceptionally complex. Those functions that involve hearing, vision, stealth, patience, and shear ferocity are amazing,” she said, looking at the Lieutenant. “For both, the interface between the living tissue and the androidal network has been challenging in the extreme. We are making rapid progress with the panther, as we did with the man. Soon we will be ready to restore the panther, if that is his choice.”

  “And that's what I need to help him understand.” The Lieutenant stood and wrung her hands. “How soon can we install the link for both of us? I'm sure it will be different than a guider/pouncer program. From what I know, that program is more like a game.”

  “True, Lieutenant. This will be much more intense as it will be mind-to-mind with no game-program situation. We will place buffers in the link to try and reduce the effect of his ferocity. We expect that to be severe,” Guardian VII said. “It will also be a frightening and threatening feeling for the panther. He will not understand what is happening. You will understand, however, and it will be up to you to somehow calm him, gain his trust, and mentally bond with him.” She looked at Rogerton with compassion. “It will be a very difficult task, it may be impossible. On the other hand, it may happen quickly. We really do not know.”

  “I'm anxious to try as soon as we can make all the arrangements,” Rogerton said. “The waiting is usually more difficult than the actual task.”

  “You may think so most of the time,” Guardian VII said, staring at the young Lieutenant. “This time I fear it will not be so.”

  **********

  “The head-gear needs to be somewhat tight, Lieutenant, so any quick movement of your head will not disturb the interface at your brain-stem.” The Guardian adjusted Rogerton’s head-gear. “Emotions and feelings will become visible, as it were, to both of you. If you panic, you will be completely overwhelmed. We will closely monitor you both. If you start to panic, I will end the link. We know the panther will panic. Total calmness on your part is a must.” She walked back into the control room and sat down at her instruments.

  “I understand, Guardian. I will be as soothing and patient as I can,” Rogerton said, trying to convince herself and calm her own anxiety.

  “It will be necessary to search his mind and memories, finding areas he will respond to favorably. We do not know how to guide you in this,” Guardian VII said over the intercom. “We have no definite procedure yet – it is still abstract and ill-defined. As you move in certain directions or areas, we will attempt to monitor what part of his brain you are stimulating. We will try to identify where you are and what feelings or memories you are affecting. Perhaps in th
is way we will be able to offer a measure of guidance.”

  “The unknown can be fearful, Guardian. Let's proceed with the hope of finally helping this poor creature, no matter how fear inspiring he may be. We as humans owe him that dignity and respect. Let's get started.”

  The Lieutenant sat in the lab research room two meters from the pedestal with the sleeping panther head. She did not directly face the big cat, but looked away to appear less threatening. A holographic jungle environment encircled them making it as life-like to the panther as possible.

  “We are awakening the panther, Lieutenant,” she heard in her thoughts. “We will allow him to stabilize his thought processes before we engage the link. We will count it down for you.”

  “Thank you, Guardian,” she thought back.

  The adrenaline was flowing strongly now as she braced her mind for this totally alien and unknown experience before her. She felt as if she was standing on the edge of an abyss.

  “He is awake now. Do your best, Lieutenant. We will be with you constantly.”

  The panther stared at the familiar figure that was now closer, but showed no alarm. He had accepted her sitting close to him and no longer viewed her as a threat. A mild level of comfort showed on the monitors in the unseen control room. Guardian VII said: “The link will be established in ten seconds, nine, eight – three, two, one.”

  Lieutenant Rogerton felt the dream-like confusion of multiple emotions trying to focus as the interface gently pulled her thoughts and those of the panther into the same flowing stream of consciousness. It felt like a river, frighteningly deep, clear, and vaguely greenish, with currents and eddies along the edges. She felt shapes in the depths that were undefined and formless, but one seemed to be growing, like a hidden storm coming up from unseen depths. It was totally black with glowing suns like burning yellow eyes, and a form like a wide, gaping mouth, blood-red and hideous, constantly changing shape. The river all around was churned into brown mire and black whirlpools as the shape rose ever closer, boiling up the darkened waters into huge and frightening waves. Howling winds groaned and growled with merciless intensity, swirling and screaming in their combined consciousness. The monstrous shape continued to well up from the depths, completely engulfing her, spinning in a vicious frenzy within her mind.