by M. Modak
Chapter 10- four years later
“Hello and welcome to my trillion viewer audience,” The android announcer said using its most gracious program. “I’d like to introduce, … the Moving Forward Party’s final nominee, Mr. and Misses. Fael,” Holograms of thousands of people, from all over the galaxy cheering and clapping filled the virtual room Drahca saw through his neural viewer. He adjusted the transparency on the device with a quick eye gesture so he could also view the mountains and the sea from his home’s balcony.
Two, elegantly clothed avatars of him and Emyeu stood among the crowd shaking virtual hands and kissing holographic babies. On dozens of worlds, robots made to look just like the Presidential Candidates and her husband were mimicking their actions. Their robes shined different colors with each movement reflecting power and serenity as they circled the room and waited at the designated place for the questions to start.
The android motioned for everyone to settle down, it was time to begin. He said, “Mrs. Fael, I would like to first congratulate you on the conception of your first child.”
Emyeu’s smile broadened into a proud grin as she looked at Drahca. “Thank you Sam, and thanks to all those who have sent me messages of encouragement over the past year.
Sam gave a curt nod then gestured to a young woman from Kcans6 system who stepped forward. Emyeu smiled at the lady. She looked away from Emyeu and at Drahca. A look of ahhh crossed her face as she asked. “Mr. Fael, are you a god?”
“I would like to refer you all to my book. In it, I explained in detail everything about myself and why I came here. Nevertheless, for those of you who hate reading I will give an abbreviated explanation. First, there is only one of us, the multi-universe and all that is, is one thing. Therefor God and I must be one. That idea includes everyone and everything else, therefore I’m not alone in this oneness with God, you are to.
But specifically, I’m a blue Dragon bound inside a Human body. My life changed hundreds of your standard years ago when I was still a dragon I discovered that a family of whales that regularly visited my home, under the ice caves, had gone missing. I searched my world and discovered that a Prophet of God had been named, The Last Protector of TOL. The Tree of life is what we call a very large tree that has grown on TOL for a very long time. That Great Tree is the source of my power. Its fruit was a part of my diet since I was conceived as a zygote in my father’s loins; it was also a part of the person’s body that I now occupy. So, to answer your question, I am a human man.
“When I learned that the youngest of the whales, Singa, had been taken by a large red dragon who lived in the north. Her family and I had been friends for a very long time, so when I heard that they were searching for her I set out to find out what had happened. Nothing like this had happened on TOL for tens of thousands of years. That was when I uncovered a horrible crime. The Red Dragons had been kidnapping animals, humans and other beings from around the world and using them in energy experiments. They were rearranging the channels of energy that flow through all animated life forms, so they could create powerful monsters. We are not sure what they intended to do with these suffering, mutated creatures but I suspect they were to become an army.
“When I learned that Singa was dead and that her death had been caused by the clan of Red Dragons I decided to do all I could to stop them. As you know, the Dragon Exiles who were found guilty of terrible crimes were also from my world. In fact, they were all a part of the same Red Dragon clan.
“After joining forces with powerful allies we hunted down the leader of the Red Dragon clan and killed him. His death was not intentional but a result of his resistance. It took many more years to find all his disciples. We temporally confined them and tried to convince them of another way to be. Some chose differently, the others were converted into humans. The humans were set free, we believed that without their powerful dragon forms they would be of little danger to life on TOL; we were very wrong.
After hundreds of years passed we learned that those same humans were stealing, killing and destroying all life. They did this quietly within the separated districts where they had been assigned. When we knew this, we recognized that they could not be allowed to stay alive on TOL. We had no way to keep them from creating more harm. Out of deep compassion, Lavar persuaded the elders to allow him to teleport the whole lot, including others, to a barren world far away from any other living creatures where they could do no harm. We chose to send them to this universe because if they stayed in the realm where TOL is, they would still be unstoppable.
“After several years passed some of the elders started having dreams depicting the Dragon Exiles, and the possible futures, they were likely to create if removed from exile. I volunteered to be the one to come here and try and stop them before this could happen but I was too late. The rest you know.
“So, you see I possess great power due to the world I lived in. My world exist within a compressed state of time/space, it’s located at the end of time. That phase has given rise to additional physical effects this body had adapted to during the long time I lived there.”
Another virtual woman approached, she asked him, “How did you fall in love so quickly with Candidate Fael?”
Drahca turned red but before he could speak Emyeu said, “Who understands love? Only the heart knows this phenomenon though I’m not sure it understands it.”
“Mrs. Fael,” the robot host said, “What are your plans for the galaxy if you’re elected President?”
Emyeu straightened a little, “I intend to make education the highest priority. It is my goal that every person receives the highest level of training they wish to obtain, for free.”
“What about those who will abuse such a liberal system. How can we sustain them?” The robot asked.
“As long as they’re willing to work hard and maintain passing grades, they will be allowed to learn as much as our Galactic Educational Systems can offer.”
“How will this benefit the Republic?”
“I am the captain of a Starcruiser Class Spacecraft. Over the years, I’ve had all levels of educated people working under my supervision. I observed that the most educated weren’t always the ones who did the best job. Instead, it was the most willing to learn and grow, those who loved their work, were the ones who contributed the highest. Give those people, the willing, the chance to rise to the highest levels of learning they can achieve and you will see exploration, trade, science, health care, politics and education advance like never before.
When that happens the whole Republic will progress. This will take a reformation of our educational system. I understand that it will upset the status quo but it has to be done if we want lasting prosperity.
“I don’t intend to stop there. I want to educate the so-called second level intellectual beings across the galaxy. I’m talking about the birds, snordiggers, horses, gengalas, whales, dolphins, dogs and so on. First, we must better understand them. Then I want them to learn to communicate their desires with us, ideas and preferences regarding their lives. We are all well aware of their innate intelligence. They have needs and preferences. We can all see that in our pets. They like one kind of food, perhaps a treat, and dislike others. They get excited about certain foods and shun others. They feel pleasure and pain. Once we achieve an understanding of them, it will be time to have a galactic discussion about what rights these creatures have.
“I will also encourage the study of matter as a living thing.” The robot looked from Drahca to Emyeu. He seemed to be trying to ask a question but couldn’t form the proper way to word it. He sputtered, “But, but matter is defined as the stuff mass is made of. It is not considered alive.”
“I’m alive!” she declared, “Most people I know fall into that category and we are all made of matter.”
“Organic matter, you are made of organic matter,” the robot corrected.
Emyeu’s smile broadened. She said, “We are made of uncountable tiny force fields that bind and separate in certain
ways and at certain times, a dance of energy. Somehow, that dance produces awareness and conscience. The inorganic matter is a part of life just as the ground, gravity and electromagnetism is a part of a chair. These forces come together in unique ways that, when taken together, make for the experience of sitting.”
Sam asked, “What purpose will this study serve the citizens of our galaxy?”
“What if the thousands of worlds we mine to death are actually alive on some level? Our current relationship with them would be described as Exploitative. I will remind you of how the Galactic Government formed. It was the product of a peace treaty that ended a 1000-year war. It was a war between the indigenous peoples and the mining conglomerates who would settle on their occupied worlds. They took resources without permission in most cases and without just compensation in nearly all cases. Eventually, the locals got tired of it and started demanding that the worlds they evolved on be protected. The situation quickly turned violent and war began.
After the peace treaty, all occupied worlds within the galaxy were re-categorized as protected lands with rights defined by the indigenous peoples.”
“The robot’s head twitched. “But the unoccupied worlds have no voice. They cannot protest our mining operations or start a war.”
Emyeu nodded. “Before we begin talking about moons and stars as living beings I suggest we study the relationship between matter, energy and life. We should at least identify the boundaries of these materials for sustaining our resources, as is, for our children and their grandchildren’s children. The researchers at the Institute of Geological Surveys have long stated that at our present rate of excavation the inner worlds will begin to have a reduction of resources in about 1000 years. That may seem like a long time from now but on the grand scale; it’s comparable to a Galactic Standard Day. When I become President, I intend to shift the Republic’s focus to long-term solutions. However, I don’t want to propose new legislative actions before we have accumulated more evidence suggesting correlations between what we now consider inert matter and life. I want a bill crafted with current facts that covers the whole industry.”
“What has brought you to this line of thinking? Why are these issues your focus? The other candidates seem more concerned with legislation that will define interspecies relationships, banking deregulation and other problems regarding the markets.”
Emyeu smiled, “I have opinions on those issues too. Considering the level of attention the media has given them, it is important I address them. You can see my position on all those topics in interviews I’ve previously given. But, the goals of my Presidency surpass these …political themes. After meeting Drahca, I have learned to think long term. He has a perspective that spans eons. I now see that just because we don’t speak the same language, because we can’t understand the squawks and groans of something, it doesn’t mean it’s not trying to communicate. We are a part of everything. The universe, God, Life, everything has given rise to us and has provided the conditions for us to live. We, being conscience of that, should listen when it speaks.
“Whether we are talking about sterile worlds made of metal and rock or second level intellectual beings, when you listen to their vibrations or look them in the eyes, really look, you may find someone looking back. That first step to understanding is just a look. It’s the beginning of a relationship that could develop into a friendship. I propose that the life forms of our galaxy begin a friendship with each other that will last until the end of time. That friendship can begin with a few simple questions. [Are you there? Who are you and what do you want?]” The audience and robot host sat still as they stared at her.
Emyeu breathed lightly and went on, “There are many other basic and complicated matters dealing with trade, energy, transportation, food and a lot of cultural wars that need solving.
I will enforce the Treaties and protect the Union.
My administration will bring our ears to hear at every trade and negotiation. I will attend each conferences with the objective to reach a compromise and solve conflicts.
I will honor the People’s Veto.
I will choose solutions where everyone wins. My solutions will have, as its long-term goals, outcomes that reflects our citizen’s highest ideas about who we are. These highest ideas start with freedom for all, free energy and a love of life, joy in our actions and peace between solar systems. It’s recognition that we are all alive and we are sharing this life. Moreover, there is enough for all. 300 years ago, we found a way through the darkest time of history and formed a Constitutional Democracy. A new era of interstellar prosperity will start when we begin to act as one people for all life.”
Chapter 14 Development
After serving 4, 12 year terms as President Emyeu resigned before they could change the constitution, and reelect her. The view of government had greatly changed under her leadership, though there were bitter battles.
Her most recent election was going to be the last time any Presidential Candidate could be reelected. The people of the galaxy had voted the new bill directly into law. However, the Senate was already trying to change that bill, so they could extend her term one more time. They wanted 20 more years! She thought that four terms was too much to begin with and the idea of another one made her sick, besides she didn’t want to start that kind of new trend in politics.
Since congress passed, the Presidential Term Act, the Presidency had been limited to a 1term election. However, it had nearly doubled the term limit to 20 years. The idea was, instead of an elected official spending half their time campaigning about what they might do if elected again, they could devote their full term to goals that spanned decades. If the elected official didn’t work out, there was always the Peoples Veto, and recalls. It was a good idea until last year when the citizens of the galaxy started petitioning that the 1 term limit be put on hold, “Just one more time for Misses. Fael.” But Emyeu was done and was glad the constitution took a two thirds majority vote by the population to change.
Emyeu and Drahca’s four children had grown up during what was being called the Galactic Renaissance. Whole worlds had been reclassified as nature reserves and large, new construction was restricted to a few cities. Many of the new cities had no impact on their global ecologies. New types of living environments, designed to integrate not separate people from the land, were developed using the highest technologies available.
Most of the populace considered this latest generation the highest educated generation of all time. An assortment of engineers, architects, physicist, athletes and doctors, including artist, writers, entertainers, environmental creators, ecologist were graduating every day because of her political efforts. And virtually all the families wished to live simply. And, they all participated in their societies like never before.
Most possessions were second hand now and cheap but everyone had nice things. The manufacturing of the highest quality goods in history was due to her second term bill, which allowed a tradeoff of lower taxes with deeper government regulation- or – higher taxes but less regulation. The incentive led to long lasting, quality products. The move had a rippling effect for years to come as assets, which could be re-credited to other individuals over and over again reinvigorated the economies of each new world they were traded on. This made their journey to the recycling vat take much longer than ever before.
With all the newly educated people in the galaxy, technology and the standard of living increased quickly for everyone. However, it all happened with long-term goals in mind. New medicines and machines had been developed with the service of all life as their highest priority, not the company’s limited short-term profit gain. At some point, most companies became democratically owned and managed. Large grants were given to anyone, group or company that could show sustainability, and modest growth from their idea or business over a 20 year period.
By the time Emyeu’s second term had ended, “There Is Enough,” became her campaign slogan for the next election. Her actions won h
er the highest percentage of the popular vote in history.
Drahca worked with engineers for the first ten years of Emyeu’s Presidency, teaching them esoteric controls for inducing a force to flow within the crystals he and the exiles had created. After he had helped them increase the present technology’s efficiency, and learning the ins and outs of their mechanical construction, he built the first energy converter which could grow gigantic crystals on the scale of ten Dragon Exiles combined. From the voids within the crystals emerged virtual masses, which produced a force, endlessly, that exponentially accumulated a tremendous electrical charge. It wasn’t magic leaping through those vacuums in-between the cracks within his crystals but quantum effects and induced virtual particles, though he had to admit it seemed like magic. He installed his first ten crystals into the ten latest models of Starcruisers Emyeu had chosen. These ships went so fast it took them another ten years for the scientist to figure out that none of the laws of physics had been broken.
The many patents’ he owned generated an income that rivaled the whole mining industry. With that profit, he designed a new type of spacecraft specially fitted to take full use of his new generators. His new ships came in only two shapes, a perfect sphere or pyramid. However, the next version he created could morph between the two shapes depending upon environmental needs. These two basic forms amplified the current of the crystal’s output potential taking the ships into the trans-dimensional cyclone, for long distance travel, and past the speed of light. For the first time the exploration of the whole galaxy became a possibility.