by Jon State
“If what you say is true, then we’ll send a drone to see this expanse for ourselves. As for respecting the land, we can seclude ourselves as long as we have enough space. We will obey the voice and refrain from infringing on the land.” Ben’s gaze fanned those gathered.
Mirra’s hard gaze poised on Ben’s serious expression, “The land wants our interaction, as long as we respect and abide by its rules,” Mirra’s voice pitched a few decibels higher than she’d desired. I said nothing about isolation? Mirra thought puzzled.
“Mirra, the facts are clear. The land wants us to isolate ourselves from it. If it has chosen land for us—impossible as that may sound—it’s because we are to remain confined in it, and if, as you say, the land is spacious and fresh water runs across it, then we have all we need there. We can introduce trees and plants for fruits and vegetables. Our rations are running dry, despite the few fruits and vegetables some plants are willing to part with. We need to move to an open area where we can allow friendly plants to move in. In time, we can learn to cooperate with the flora to create a system whereby we harvest enough, even for harsh seasons ahead. We have refrigeration units and enough solar panels to run them. We cannot rely on our expeditions because we find it tedious to even come up with a handful of fruit. " Ben turned and gazed at Dr. Spencer. “Any thoughts, Spence?”
“Plenty,” Dr. Spencer said. I wonder when Ben went on an expedition. Oh, that’s right, he hasn’t, he chided to himself. “I think you’re missing Mirra’s point. We need to embrace the land, and it will embrace us. We need to keep an open mind. In time this superior being could come to trust us, and we could come and go as we please. I think isolation is a mistake. Humans are curious, and seek to explore whenever possible. We can learn and grow together with the land," Dr. Spencer urged.
“I agree. We are here for a reason. Hiding is not the answer. Psychologically, it can impair our natural desire for interaction with the world outside. Please vote wisely,” Malica said, her eyes pleading to the mostly vacant-eyed crowd.
“Mathew, you’re our tech guru, and you’ve seen a lot of footage from the drone. Can you give us your perspective?” Ben said.
“Sure,” Mathew stood, favoring his right leg, and rocked back and forth as he spoke. “The land is no doubt beautiful, but let me set up an analogy for you. For centuries we’ve tried to puzzle out the Triassic period. The rulers were Clade Dinosauria, some as small as a fingernail and some longer than two semi-trucks. It was a ferocious period. Primates were confined to trees and the like. We are not primates, but we are facing monsters, and I say we head for the trees. If we don't, I can guaranty more deaths." Mathew hesitated as if to add something, but instead, he flopped back into his seat.
“Now we will adjourn the meeting so all the delegates can deliberate and vote,” Ben said, happy to end the meeting with Mathew’s cautionary statement.
The delegates remained still for a moment as if they'd rather hear more statements, but one person stood to leave, and the others followed. No mumbling ensued, each one quietly considering how to vote. They filed from the chamber as if whipped into silence.
***********************************
Ben, Malica, and Dr. Spencer walked toward the Chamber the next day. A solemn silence lingered among them.
Finally, Dr. Spencer spoke, like a hissing kettle. "How long did you and Mathew rehearse his little speech yesterday? Seems he had trouble with it, or he possibly felt uncomfortable being coerced into reciting it? As far as I can tell, he was far from his element of expertise."
Ben turned on him. "What the hell's the matter with you? I can't believe you're accusing me of such a thing," Ben said, his face darkening in the pale light.
“Don't play games with us. You've been Manipulating things from the very begging, from the very moment you discovered David Gem had not made it," Dr. Spencer said, trying to suppress his tone, but some people nearby still turned their heads to regard him.
“Now I know what you’ve been moaning about lately. You think I want David’s position?” Ben scoffed. There was a time we trusted each other, and I could say, for my part, we were good friends. After all that we’ve experienced these past weeks, you want to call me out on something like this?” he said, turning away from Dr. Spencer, shaking his head.
"I still say we're friends, but lately your making decisions based on what you think is best. Those delegates can be easily persuaded to do what you want because they're scared. I wage that they are in need of a protector and would do anything to feel safe, and there you are, ready to pamper them, nurture them. What—are we going to build a big cage to hide from the world? I know—here’s an idea—put everyone in a big cage so when the Bisonon come back, they can be entertained by the human zoo. I laugh at your plan to hide humanity from this world,” Dr. Spencer said, brushing by Ben.
Malica stared coolly at Ben.
“Don’t say it. You think he’s right, huh?”
"I know what the vote will be. Given a chance to fight or hide, most people will hide. In fact, they'd trample their fallen in order to flee." She dropped her gaze and followed Dr. Spencer.
***********************************
To Ben’s surprise, the quest delegates had arrived earlier than expected. He headed towards the podium feeling Dr. Spencer’s sharp, hot gaze on him.
"I'm glad we all could make it. Does anyone notice anyone missing?" a brief mumbling ensued... "Then I take it everyone is here. I know it's been a long night, so we'll get right to it." Has the elected ballot holder finished tallying the votes?"
"Yes, Ben, I have," said a man that sat beside Sally. She looked sullen, her eyes downcast.
“We the people, choose to remain on the soil which we are to receive, and we shall respect this newly evolved land by separating ourselves from it. We will only abandon the compound when we become self-sufficient. At which time, we will permanently secure our border…" the man read each sentence slowly, as to make clear the wishes of the delegation. He finally shrugged to indicate nothing followed.
There was some muttering, mostly by those delegates with gloomy expressions, naturally not in agreement with the majority. Hands were being shacked vigorously, but between all the felicitations, few noticed the somber expression on the faces of Dr. Spencer, Malica, Mirra, and Sammis. Who shared a mournful glance at each other.
“As soon as we have everything in order, we are to leave the caverns for the clearing. Thanks to Mathew’s drone, we have located the clearing. It was precisely where Mirra Asis said we would find it. Our engineers are already adopting ideas from Old Earth to aid us in our journey. Our people are resourceful, and we have plenty of ways to move our equipment. We will prevail have not doubt about that, so let's get moving," Ben said, adjourning the meeting with a slap of the gavel on its wooden plate.
Malica approached Ben. “We know you better than you think,” Malica whispered, the edge in her voice like poison.
Ben could almost sense the heat exuding off her. Her words made his jaw tighten.
“Thanks for the cage. I wonder how you are going to enforce it: imprisonment, lashes, capital punishment. I guess you’ll have to get creative,” Dr. Spencer said, not waiting for a reply.
Chapter 35
Exodus
Manta, Ecuador, Rosa Mountains
May 30, 4067
Ten Ionic Vera—IV—walkers made their way down the mountainside, their long, sturdy legs easily managing the rocky slope. Their simultaneous striking heels sounded like massive raindrops on a tin roof. The IV's toted the more burdensome supplies, while smaller drones carried patients and unsteady humans.
"Are those the last crates the robots are carrying?" Dr. Spencer asked while trying to haul a bulky metallic case and an oversized backpack.
“Yes, but it seems your hauling more than they are,” Lt. Pierce said, patting the doctor on the back.
“This I will not trust to a robot. This equipment is irreplaceable. Even with the technology found in 2
065, only a couple of robotic facilities manufactured these delicate surgery drones.”
Lt. Pierce frowned, "Is that the AI med-bot you’re constantly talking to?”
“Charlie 4,” the doctor said nodding. "He was the prototype, you know? They relegated his program as substandard—as far as AI's go, that is—and assigned him to perform ultrasounds and similar duties. One day, I came across an excited nurse speaking about this new computer called Charlie 4 who'd become her friend. She said he'd enhanced her ultrasound’s computer, allowing her to find the minutest conditions at the embryo level. Of course, I relocated Charlie 4 to surgery. No other Charlie program could surpass Charlie 4. Charles Leaven Bruce, the program’s father, couldn’t even replicate the complex program, it had become so vast,” Dr. Spencer said, glancing at the silver case.
“That’s what happens when you write a self-taut algorithm,” Lt. Pierce said, signaling someone over.
"What the salamander did to Mark's leg would be impossible to repair by human standards, but Charlie had him well enough to leave the clinic in a weeks time.”
Dr. Spencer saw Sergeant Gonzales approach. “Anyhow, I’ll catch-up with you later,” he said, turning away from the lieutenant.
“Oh, Doc! Mathew’s looking for you,” Lt. Pierce called out. The doctor waved in response.
************************************
“Are we clear up there, Sarge? Lt. Pierce said.
“Yes, sir. We’re leaving a lot of shit down there that could be useful, like the toasters in the main cavern—they’d make great beds. Permanent beads would be much better than cots. Some of the older citizens are complaining of back pain. My butt and back are not faring any better,” Gonzales said, rubbing his buttocks.
"Getting soft on me Sarge?
No. I just miss my bed, which is one of my favorite things to look forward to following a mission, where I've been sleeping on the ground for weeks and even months."
"Sorry, but the toasters are too bulky and, as for your rear end and back, take up yoga." The lieutenant smiled.
“Funny, but a man’s sleep is his castle… I don’t care what the real cliché really says, I’m sticking with this one,” Gonzales muttered.
“Alright, let’s get everyone ready to move out. Rock hard, Ranger,” Pierce quipped. “I’ll take the lead. You keep it tight back there. If there is an issue, link to my secure channel. All COM lines are synced and open so we can have immediate, coordinated info and response. I don’t want a cluster-fuck of chatter on there, so keep it down,” Lt. Pierce saluted.
Sergeant Gonzales hesitated. Isn’t this like war, sir, where I can expose my superior to an enemy sniper?”
“I don’t think the creatures on this New Earth know the difference, Sarge" Lt. Pierce said, sweeping his hand from his brow.
Sergeant Gonzales saluted in return. He was more concerned with an alien observing the salute than plants or animals. “Despite how screwed up war and conflicts are, I’m going to miss fighting what I’ve been trained for.”
“Hooah that, Sarge.”
************************************
“Mathew, were you looking for me?" Dr. Spencer said. He'd allowed a robot to carry his backpack, but he still hauled Charlie 4's hardware.
“Hi, yeah." Mathew placed the drone on hover and removed his virtual-googles. "Put this on," he said, handing them to Dr. Spencer.
“What am I looking for?”
"You'll see. I know you saw the clearing on the screen yesterday but seeing it with these will fascinate you."
Dr. Spencer overlooked the sweat that surrounded the frame and lowered the chrome plated, odd-shaped goggles on to his nose and positioned the extended lens over his eyes and squinted. There he saw it. "Is it the path Mirra mentioned?”
"Yep. Move your eyes up slowly."
The doctor moved his eye ahead, and the screen followed. "Is that the clearing we’re heading for?” Dr. Spencer said.
"Sure is—sixteen clicks away. It's amazing. Someone's looking out for us. I've been scanning the area since yesterday, and there are no large predators nearby, even the larger trees have pulled back," Mathew said excitedly.
“Mirra was right—we have her to thank for this. She said the voice told her it had felt compassion for her tears," the doctor said, not taking his eyes off the sight.
“Even I’m starting to believe,” Mathew said. “Believe me when I say this—God and I had no relationship back on Old Earth.” He said, patting his gimp leg.
“What happened?”
Mathew seemed to mull over whether to give him an answer.
“I don’t mean to pry, Mathew.”
"No, it's not that. I haven't spoken of it in a long time, which usually happens when you have friends that only care about tech and games. I feel like this is poetic justice for me. You see, I risked my life to save others when a piece of equipment shorted-out and started a fire when I worked at VRG Megaworld. I, the non-heroic tech-freak saved a dozen people still wired to VRG's. I got eight people out, then, while freeing the last one, I was struck by a high voltage line that seared me from torso to foot. I nearly lost this leg and." His eyes hardened. "Let's just say I made an involuntary vow of celibacy," Mathew said, his gaze fixed on the road.
That’s terrible, the doctor thought. “I’m so sorry Mathew. Did you have proper care?”
“They tried to reconstruct what they could, but I’m pretty much a lame-horse in that vicinity. Doctor-Patient Confidentiality, right, Doc?"
"Naturally, but better yet, how about a friend-to-friend secret?"
“Thanks. Ya’ know, I loathed God and his supposed doings. I saved a dozen people's minds and bodies, while others ran, and this was my reward."
“But here you are, a witness to a new world.”
Mathew shook his head. “Exactly.” He looked up and said, "I forgive him, her, or it not only for this opportunity but also for not taking my life the night of the fire on Old Earth."
“I know we saw the clearing last night with Buzz’s help, but let's tell everyone else how close it is. Right now the tension is pretty high among the people,” Dr. Spencer said.
"You know I can't, Doc. I mean, this may pass at any minute, and we're back on the defensive," Mathew said, looking away.
Dr. Spencer handed Mathew the V-wear, gazing at him curiously, “I see you need clearance from Ben before making decisions.”
"Come on. We've been through this. I didn't sell out. He used what I said to push the delegate's hand because Ben knew how I felt. Hell, I thought there would be more speakers.”
Dr. Spencer saw no deception in Mathew’s eyes. He sighed. “I believe you. Sorry for bringing it up again. You’re a good man, Mathew. Let’s hope I’m right in trusting the land, and that you and the delegates are wrong in fearing it."
“In this matter, I hope you’re right, too.”
***********************************
“We’re moving,” Malica said. She'd worn jeans and a yellow blouse and decided to wrap a scarf around her neck in case the breeze picked up. The days were usually warm, but sudden gusts of chilly air would sometimes come down from the north as if the ice still crouched somewhere near.
“I am so glad to be out of those retched caves. I’m a Botanist, not a troll,” Sammis said.
“I don’t know about that,” Mirra countered. “You sure snore like one.”
“It’s a family trait,” Sammis said, laughing genuinely. For the first time, he felt as if he wasn't riding a roller-coaster. The doctor said the alien seed had cleared his system and that had only been mere hours ago, which added to his euphoria. Mirra had stayed by his side at the clinic while he waited for the final results.
“Well, I am more than happy to feel the fresh air in the open for a change. I was raised in the Pannonian Plains, and the mountains were far away. I used to want to see them up close, but now I never want to see another mountain in my life,” Malica said, crinkling her nose. “As for where we are going
, were there any building materials visible?” Malica said, addressing Mirra.
"No. The terrain is mostly flat, with some hillocks, and it sloped towards the center. Otherwise, there were no trees or caves, but there is a small river which crosses the clearing, shallow but wide. Before we reached the clearing, we had to cross a huge river, though." Mirra said.
“How did you cross it?” Malica asked surprised.
“There is a makeshift bridge made of cables and thick pipes. Sammis said they look like they were once buried and emerged from the ground,” Mirra said.
“Do they look sturdy enough for the IV walkers and their load?” Malica said.
“I believe so. I think they were water and treatment mains for a large city. This pipeline is dense and seemed as sturdy as the day they constructed it," Sammis said, shrugging.
"But if we are traveling west, that would be impossible. Manta was a fishing community, not a metropolis, plus there were no large cities nearby," Malica said, placing a piece of dry fruit on her tong.
“It got us across,” Mirra shrugged, “and we were just as puzzled when we came across the amazing pipeline.”
“Perhaps I can see if they’ll allow us to do a little investigating while we are there,” Malica offered.
"I doubt it. I spoke to Ben about it, and he said …not to deviate from the path, no matter what…” Sammis’s good humor darkened as he remembered his conversation with Ben.
Malica noticed the sharp edge of his tone. “You don’t like Ben too much, do you?”
“No. Neither do you or the doctor. I think he is an opportunist. He’s all talk and no show,” Sammis said, his nostrils rising as he spoke.
“I agree with you, but I’d say that the word dislike compromises my position, so I would rather say he is disagreeable,” Malica said, between clenched teeth.