by Karl Morgan
"So, Mr. Dixon, Josh isn't here just yet, but we can chat a while before he arrives, if that's okay?"
"Of course, and please call me Ted. You have a lovely home."
"Thank you, Ted," Maggie said as she returned with a tray and set it on the coffee table. "Please help yourself to coffee, if you like."
Ted pulled a small tablet from his pocket, pressed a button and set it on the table. "If you don't mind, I'll be recording this for later."
"No problem, Ted. Just tell us what you want to know."
Ted sat back and considered the couple across the table. He could tell from their eyes that they were modified like him. "Okay, let's just cut to the chase. I understand that your son is a NEM. That is very unusual in this country and especially in San Diego. Why did you choose not to modify him?"
"Are you a believer, Ted?" Maggie asked.
"What?"
"Do you believe in God?" Joe asked.
"I don't understand what that has to do with anything," Ted noted.
"We both had visions during the pregnancy telling us not to enhance or modify our son," Joe said. "And believe me, we were not true believers before that, but since we had the exact same experience, we decided to follow it."
"Now we both are true believers, Ted," Maggie interjected. "When you meet Josh, you'll understand."
The front door opened and a thin, young man entered. His hair was black and cut short. He walked over and kissed his mother and father on the cheek and offered his hand to Ted. "Hi, I'm Josh Carpenter."
Ted stood and shook his hand, saying, "I'm Ted Dixon from the Lower California Tribune. You can call me Ted." He turned to the parents and said, "Now, I'm confused. Your son appears to have modified eyes."
"I'm wearing contacts, Ted. Most people are uncomfortable around NEMs like me, so I wear these to avoid any uncomfortable situations. I'll go take them out and be right back."
"What kind of situations is he talking about?"
"Ted, you know how things are nowadays. Most of the people in the world are NEMs, but not in this country. Everyone thinks they are inferior humans, even though that is how we are all created before the modifications were invented. I spent a few years in the Army and I've been in countries where modifications are illegal. Believe me; modified people like me are not appreciated in those places. Here, it's the exact opposite. People like Josh are looked down upon."
"I appreciate what you're saying, Mr. Carpenter, but I don't think that NEMs are treated badly in North America."
"Ted, you just can call us Joe, Maggie, and Josh. There's no need for formality in our house," Maggie said.
Josh reentered the room and sat next to Ted on the couch. His eyes were sky blue and clearly natural. "What about the term APE?"
"That's a great point, son. Why did someone come up with an acronym comparing normal human beings to gorillas or orangutans?"
"I think it was an old term when enhancement and modification began. Doesn't it stand for Absent Personal Enhancement?" Ted asked.
"It doesn't matter what it stood for," Joe argued. "It was created specifically to demean natural human beings, nothing else. That's why Josh wears the contacts. The last thing we want is a bunch of hoodlums to beat him for being normal."
"Josh, how old are you?"
"I'm twenty-two."
"You have the right to get enhanced or modified now. You're an adult. Why don't you?"
"I like myself just the way I am, Ted. If my eyesight worsens, I'll upgrade my contacts. If someday I need augmentation to survive, I probably will do it, but not for now."
"Do you think you're on a mission for God?" Ted asked.
"We didn't say that, Ted," Joe said. "We only said we had a vision."
"That's okay, Dad. Yes, Ted, I am on a mission for God."
"Wow! That's quite a revelation, Josh."
"I don't think you understand, Ted," Josh replied, placing his hand on the other man's shoulder. "We're all on missions for God. We each have our life given to us so we can do the things we were meant to do."
"And what were you meant to do, Josh?"
"I don't really know, yet. I just graduated from college. I expect life will lead me where it wants me to go."
"So, you're just hanging out, waiting for God to tell you what to do?" Ted queried.
Josh laughed and replied, "Not exactly that, Ted. I think I've already taken the first step on my path by talking to you."
"I don't understand what you mean."
"It's pretty simple, Ted. All my life, I've lived in blessed obscurity. Now, you're going to write a story about me, telling your readers about my status and my world view. That will open a door that I will walk through to begin my journey."
Chapter 2
Josh Carpenter walked out of the Main Library on the opposite side of the park from City Hall. There was a large crowd of people standing in a group in the center of the park, so he walked in that direction to find out what was going on. He noticed several news teams recording the event and making comments, and wondered if Ted Dixon was out there somewhere too. He stood next to a tree and listened intently.
Five hundred people gathered in the broad expanse of grass outside San Diego City Hall. The perimeter of the park was lined with tall broadleaf trees, which were in turn edged by a wide walkway, separating the park from the skyscrapers surrounding the area. A woman stood on a small stage speaking to the group. "Brothers and sisters, we are humans too! We do not need to hide in shadows and pretend to be something we are not. They call us APEs or NEMs, but it is not we who are inferior. Our minds and bodies were created in God's image! They are the ones who have corrupted His creation by assuming the mantle of false creators. Every body part or modified string of DNA is an affront to everything true and decent about humanity. Now, they claim they are better than us, but each of us knows that is not true. They have begun the long march into idolatry and slavish devotion to Satan. They renounce us, but I say no. We forgive them for their sins and we will reach out and try to mend their ways. Say amen with me!" The crowd erupted in cheers and chanted "Amen!"
"This can't be good," Josh said. He turned and walked toward a pedestrian tunnel leading away from the area. He kept up with the news and knew these gatherings were never well received in Evolved Cities, the self-proclaimed title of places where enhancement was ubiquitous. Soft music filled the two hundred foot tunnel which was almost empty at this hour.
Ted held his tablet over his head to record the events in the park. After the speaker stopped, he lowered it and spoke, "Ted Dixon, Lower California Tribune reporting. There you heard it. Shirley Cambridge of the NEM Alliance is calling for forgiveness for enhanced and modified people."
Josh was halfway down the tunnel. He knew there was a Starbucks half a block away and tried to hurry his pace to get there, and off the street before anything else happened. Dozens of men surged into the tunnel, headed straight towards him. They seemed angry and looking for trouble. More and more pressed their way into the tunnel and Josh had to back up against the wall to let them pass. One of the first men grabbed Josh by the shirt and held him up against the wall and pulled back his fist, prepared to strike. "Stop it, man!" another said. "Look at his eyes, he's not an APE."
The man set Josh down and apologized, and then turned to catch up with his comrades. Josh was panting for air, panic coursing through his bloodstream. More men followed the first group until several hundred had passed by. Shouts and screams arose on the park side of the tunnel. Josh hurried forward and stepped out of the tunnel just as five police floaters set down on the street, blocking the entrance to the tunnel. Twenty officers wearing battle armor climbed out of each floater and rushed into the tunnel, with a few others guarding the entrance. Josh moved slowly and deliberately down the sidewalk with his head down. Seconds later, he stepped into the coffee shop and sighed. He was trembling as he took his place in line. Another man entered and got in line behind Josh. "What the hell is going on out there?" the man asked.
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"There was a NEM gathering in the park and some thugs went to break it up, I guess," Josh squeaked.
"Damned APEs!" the man exclaimed. "Why can't they just stay in their place?"
Josh considered a response, but it would have been futile, so he ignored the man. He stepped up to the barista, a youthful female robotic with dark skin and piercing black eyes. Her name tag read, "Sylvia." A green light flashed in his face. "How can I help you, Mr. Carpenter?"
"The usual please," he replied.
A panel on the counter slid open and a small tray holding a steaming cup of coffee and a pastry rose up to the surface. "One large sweetened cafe latte and a chocolate croissant. Thank you, Mr. Carpenter!" Sylvia smiled.
He took the tray and walked away to find a table. He located an armchair in a quiet corner with a small side table. He sat and took a sip of coffee, the warmth and sharp edge comforting him after his brush with the men in the tunnel. There were no other customers nearby, so he pulled a small device from his pocket and pushed it into his ear. He covered his mouth with his hand and whispered, "Local news feed."
The earpiece linked to his right contact lens, which acted as a viewscreen. A woman's voice spoke softly into his ear. "All residents are cautioned to stay away from Central Park for the next several hours. There has been a riot caused by an angry group of NEMs. The police will clear the area shortly. We will announce when the park reopens. A rash of terrorist attacks is occurring in the Asian Republic in retaliation for the invasion of the Indian region of the Eastern Caliphate. Lord Nmanbe of the African Empire is cautioning both the Central and Western Caliphates against escalation of violence in their territory."
"LIFE," Josh whispered. The animated logo of the LIFE's Fullest Experience, the all encompassing online social media system flashed across his right eye. "San Diego Central Park," he said quietly.
A sign read, "This location is currently offline. Please try again later." He pulled the earpiece out and slipped it into his pocket again, and then took a bite of his croissant. The sound of the store door slamming shut caught his attention and he looked to see Ted Dixon walking up to the counter. His suit was disheveled and a trickle of blood slipped down his forehead. He took a napkin to wipe up the blood and then placed his order. Josh hoped the other man would take his coffee and leave, but it was not to be. As soon as he turned to find a seat, his eyes focused on Josh and he walked over to him.
"Can I join you, Josh?" he asked.
"What the hell happened to you?"
"I'm glad you weren't in the NEM crowd. It got really ugly. You weren't there, right?"
"I came out of the library and saw the group, so I walked closer and listened to what their leader said," Josh replied. "When I did, I knew I had to get out of there, so I ran and barely missed being beaten up or arrested. What happened?"
"More than a thousand people rushed the NEM crowd and attacked them," Ted reported. "A lot of the attackers were highly enhanced, so the NEMs didn't stand a chance. Then the riot police showed up, and I swear they waited around for a while to let the NEMs get beaten more before they moved in."
"What happened to you?"
"I was just caught in the middle. I had my press badge, but mobs don't respect badges. Thankfully, the cops pulled them off."
"So, were the bad guys arrested?"
"A few were, but mostly the NEMs were hauled away in cuffs. They were just protesting. I don't understand what's going on anymore."
"Human nature is going on, Ted. Everyone is out for their own best interest and no one likes it when some other group says bad shit about them. The bionics have the power and the advantage of numbers."
"But most people in the world are NEMs like you?"
"Well, here they are not. You heard what my dad said yesterday. In countries where enhancements are illegal, bionics are hated and reviled. Why? Because the NEMs have the power and the advantage of numbers. Can't you see where this is going to lead?"
"You've lost me, Josh. I have no idea what you're talking about."
"The current cycle of history is almost over, Ted. A couple hundred years ago, there were hundreds of countries and power was spread thinly among them. Then, the Integration began. Countries merged, either peacefully or through war. The races and languages did the same thing by the same means. Now what do we have? There are eight political entities on the whole planet, and none of them trust any of the others. Even the caliphates, who share so many similarities, hate each other and claim the others are false regimes. The war is coming; Ted, and you and I are going to be caught in the middle. Only God knows if anyone will survive."
"So, it's Armageddon all over again, is that it?" Ted laughed. "You're beginning to sound like that woman in the park. What was her name? Shirley Cambridge, that’s right. She was so self-righteous, talking about the NEMs forgiving us for our sins. Are you one of her followers, Josh?"
"No, I never even knew her name until you said it just now. I don't believe bionics are sinners or anything like that, but she is entitled to her opinion and didn't deserve to be attacked by that mob."
Two men walked into the coffee shop. The man who had assaulted Josh in the tunnel was one of them. He shouted, "Any damned APEs in here?" The other man was pounding one fist into the palm of the other hand and glowered at the small crowd.
"We don't want any problems here," Sylvia the robot said.
"Shut up, you damned machine!" the man screamed. "I'll only ask nicely one more time. Are any of you APEs?"
Josh smiled and stood up, saying, "I am a natural human, if that's what you mean."
Ted touched his arm and asked, “What the hell are you doing?” Josh did not respond or even turn to look at him. The two men hurried over to their table, the hatred pouring from their eyes.
Ted rose and stood between the thugs and Josh. "He's just kidding, guys; look at his eyes."
"You're the punk in the tunnel," the man noted.
"Yes, it's me again. I'm wearing contacts to conceal my natural eyes."
"Hey, let's all just calm down, okay?" Ted urged.
The man pushed Ted down to his seat and grabbed Josh by the throat. "I knew it when I saw you in the tunnel. Steve, why didn't you let me bust him up there?"
"Sorry, Jack, I guess the contacts fooled me."
"You two know all of this is on LIFE already," Ted said. "The police will be here any second to haul you away."
Steve slapped Ted across the face and yelled, "Shut up, sympathizer."
"So, how do you want it, APE?" Jack asked.
"I want you to let me go," Josh said calmly. "If you do, I won't hurt you."
The two thugs laughed and smiled at each other. "How the hell do you plan to hurt me, APE? I have a bionic skeleton and enhanced muscles. You're just a stupid orangutan." He tightened his grip on Josh's throat. "You ready to meet God face to face?"
"Don't say I didn't warn you, asshole." Suddenly, the man's hand opened, releasing Josh, and his arm fell limp to his side.
"What did you do to me?"
Josh reached down and touched Jack's knees, which promptly buckled, sending him crashing to the floor in a pile. Steve swung his fist at Josh, but he ducked and touched the man in the back. He fell to the floor, paralyzed and groaning.
"What just happened here?" Ted asked.
"Let's just say you have witnessed why I don't have any implants," Josh said as he rubbed his neck. "Call me later if you want." He walked out of the store and disappeared down the street.
§
Shirley Cambridge lay quietly in her hospital bed with several panels behind her displaying her deteriorating condition. Her doctor had left twenty minutes earlier, and the prognosis was not good. She had many broken bones, including most in her face. Several organs were heavily damaged after the crowd of bionics knocked her to the ground and began kicking her. Her only chance for survival was a series of operations to replace her skeleton and organs with bionics. With no other choice, she had agreed to the surgery, alth
ough it was a direct repudiation of everything she believed in. She sighed heavily and said, "While there is life, there is hope. Please forgive me, God."
There was a knock on the door and a nurse stepped in. "Ms. Cambridge, you have a visitor from the press. Should I let him in?" She nodded slightly, unable to speak through the tears, overcome by sadness.
Ted Dixon walked into the room carrying a large box of chocolates. He set it on a small table and came over to the bed and looked at her eyes, the only thing visible under the bandages. "I am Ted Dixon of the Lower California Tribune. I'm so sorry, Ms. Cambridge. I was at the park earlier and was appalled by the attack. I apologize for all bionics. Can I ask you a few questions?"
"Sure, why not? I'm going to be one of you soon enough unless I die overnight."
"I'm sure the surgery will fix everything, ma'am. You'll be good as new in no time."
"Let's get on with it, okay?"
"Everyone knows that San Diego is an Evolved City. Didn't you think your speech might be considered extreme here?"
"The truth may be extreme, but it remains the truth, Mr. Dixon," she replied.
"In your opinion."
"Yes, in my opinion. Mr. Dixon, don't you think free people have a right to express their beliefs without fear of being beaten to death?"
"Please, don't get me wrong. I deplore what that mob did. The police should throw them all in prison for a long time."
She chuckled and said, "We both know that won't happen, Mr. Dixon. A few of them were detained, along with all of my peaceful friends, whose only crime was to get in the way of their fists."
"Do you think bionics are inferior to NEMs like you?" Ted asked.
"No, I don't believe that. Those who choose to augment their bodies and minds are misguided. They are degrading the magnificent creation that humans are. Over time, the bionics have become more angry and bitter in their lives. They are slowly losing their connection to God. Soon, they will become more machine than man, and then the slope accelerates until only soulless, egomaniacal machines remain."