Dawn of Modern Man

by Nick Plastino

  Cad and Parker spent a solid ten minutes staring at the farm system. They were impressed and Dunc was happy to show them what he was a part of.

  They got back in the elevator and went to the basement level, the farmed fish floor. Dunc explained how the fish were processed down to create a natural fertilizer for many of the plants and that the oils and some of the proteins were abstracted from the fish to go into the nutritional formula.

  “Sounds disgusting,” Cad remarked.

  “I’ve never tasted outside the Cloud, but some of the guys I work with have. One guy said it wasn’t that bad. But Dan, he’s funny, he said it tasted like fishy cow dung,” Dunc said as he cracked a smile.

  Parker and Cad both smirked in disgust.

  As the guys were traveling down in the elevator, Parker asked, “So does each floor have different crops and proteins?”

  “Most floors do, but some of the floors are considered top secrete and not many people know what goes on up there. Algae are another important one, but that’s kind of boring to look at,” Dunc said.

  The elevator doors shot open.

  The fish floor was dimly lit and filled with the sound of moving water. The guys stepped onto the floor and walked a few feet towards the giant fish silos.

  “Each of these babies goes down underground eighty feet or so,” Dunc said with some oomph, as he talked through his ventilator mask and over the loud movement of water.

  The guys were standing at the edge of a silo that came up to their chests.

  Dunc looked down into the silo and said, “Looks like this one is rainbow trout.”

  “Looks like this thing is full of rainbow trout,” Parker said.

  Dunc waved his gloved hand across, gesturing as if to talk about all the silos. “There’s dozens of different types of fish in here. Different trout, salmon, sardines, and tuna that feed from the intricate algae system. It’s called a closed circuit water system because it essentially runs on a loop of water that gets recycled. It runs around from the fish to the mutated algae that feed off the fish waste. Then I’m not quite sure, but the water gets some natural fertilizers from the algae and fish. The plants drink some of that water, but a large amount is then filtered and put back into the fish silos.”

  “It’s like a food growing machine,” Cad said.

  “It’s impressive. Crazy what goes into feeding people,” Parker said. “Oh, look,” Dunc pointed above the silo they were standing in front of. “We should step back.”

  The guys took a couple steps back and watched as a giant tube came out of the ceiling. The sucking machine plunged into the silo and started gulping fish and water out. The powerful pump from above made a low, solid whine as the silo water started draining down, like a soft drink getting sucked up out of a straw.

  Dunc looked amazed. “I haven’t seen this before.”

  The guys stood and stared for a few moments. The tube retracted back into the roof after siphoning off the top layer of fish. From the same area as the tube a mechanical door opened, a large spout came out of the ceiling. It started filling the silo with water. The water level was rising slowly. The guys stood and stared. The sound of the water pouring out of the large spigot numbed the moment.

  “Alright guys, I could look at this stuff all day. But I think we should go,” Dunc said as he made his way back to the elevator.

  “Yeah, I’m losing my buzz,” Cad said.

  “Yeah, well I’ve been working all day and I haven’t even started yet.”

  Cad and Parker scoffed, as if to say, you lucky bastard. “You got a good gig, Dunc,” Parker said.

  The guys made their way to the ground level and headed for the exit. They took off their sterile suits and got their mobile devices back from the security station and made their way to the exit.

  Parker immediately ordered a trolley car to come pick them up and said, “Time to go to the city, guys.”

  As they were walking out and gathering information from their mobile devices, one by one, they got wind of the breaking news.

  C H A P T E R 1 6

  “What the hell was that? A declaration of war?” Alceon was alarmed by Hagar Abraham’s introduction of Zeek. She went on, “That guy in the black was just called a warrior of god.” Alceon shook her head and said, “What was his name, Zeek?”

  Dr. Celsus gently shushed Alceon. “Hold on, listen to the rest,” the doctor said.

  Alceon and Dr. Celsus were sitting side by side, on one of Alceon’s plush red couches in her quarters. They were both holding their drink of choice, Alceon with her brown liquor and Dr. Celsus with his red wine. They looked like a happily married couple, kids out of the house kind, watching TV together. Since that night, the one when they hatched the idea for the media campaign, things were different between them. Things were better. They were good for each other. They had rekindled their lost fire. What they had in the past seemed to reignite and their special romance for one another was yet again something to be desired.

  Dr. Celsus was enamored with Alceon. He had a controlled enthusiasm about his demeanor around her in public. The doc did, though, let Alceon know his feelings in several ways. He would etch pictures of her, some of her slender nude back and others just of her eyes and nose. The doc would write little love notes to the drawings. He tended to be explicit and attempted to be erotic. The notes would be scribbled in the doc’s best handwriting. He always wrote them next to the sketch, all of which would be on a torn out piece of parchment. He was an old dog trying to impress with old tricks. They would read sappy things like:

  The sparkle of your green eyes Makes me yearn for the center of your thighs

  When you look at me and they flutter It makes my heart melt like butter

  Alceon wasn’t particularly impressed with his poetry or she didn’t think it was good poetry. She felt she was not the one to judge it though. She wasn’t keen on literature. Reading lengthy stories or abstract poems just didn’t do much for her besides, of course, Ayn Rand. She did, however, have a soft spot for the doc and found his poems flattering. She didn’t tell him she thought they were silly. He seemed to know it himself, but also had a seriousness to him when presenting them to her that made her wonder. She didn’t spend too much time questioning his level of aptitude or the seriousness of his work. Above all she enjoyed the attention.

  Alceon showed her appreciation for the doc in a different way, her own way of course. Never would she act surprised or even happy to see Dr. Celsus. Initially this hurt the doc, but when they were alone she would confide in him with anything on her mind. She would share moments in her past, particularly those when she felt vulnerable. The doc immensely enjoyed this side of her and felt privileged to be a part of it. He never knew her confidence wavered. The side he saw of Alceon seemed to be a much humbler one. Dr. Celsus felt he had her trust and that meant a great deal. Alceon did hold Dr. Celsus’s opinions in high regard and it was this respect she gave to the doc that let him know she cared for him.

  Their affection for one another was more of a treat the second time around. They’d been too focused on career life to pay much attention to their personal desires. And now both of them were hungry for affection in their dignified ways. They came to the conclusion life was better with some satisfaction outside of work. They had grown as people since those college days when they were sweethearts. Things didn’t work out before because they were too goal oriented and their goals seemed different. Now they realized what they should have known all along, they were a good match and they were happy it was relit. They set guidelines for their relationship and agreed on terms of how they would proceed with their new found love. Alceon set the rules, which essentially were that work comes first and details of their relationship would be kept to themselves. The doc was more than happy with this. He was proud about it.

  They sat there watching the announcement together, enjoying the moment with one another. After the introduction of Zeek and the doc’s shushing of Alceon they were both intentl
y focused on the coverage. Dr. Celsus was visibly distraught, the news made him nervous, his knees bounced up and down. He reached for his medicine container in his pocket. He opened the canister and took a small round pill. He washed it down with some wine and a grimace. Alceon didn’t even notice. She was listening closely.

  Hagar Abraham was speaking. He went on about the rise of ROG and the importance of the movement, what it meant for the believers and how their support was crucial. He said, “Public opinion would win this battle and nobody should discount their Judgment Day.” The speech he was making garnered praise from the peasants that formed a crowd in the uncovered foyer below the balcony. They would cheer his remarks with a quiet mannerism unique to their community. They would join their finger tips together as they rolled their eyes upwards and looked into the sky. They would mumble something silently that looked like, “Thank you, God.”

  From the screen Alceon and Dr. Celsus were watching, each person lifted their head back as they looked up showing the tops of bonnets and male heads, some of which had thin balding hair. After their fifth or so prayer, the doc murmured, “Brain scrubbed.”

  Alceon was not amused. “Shush…”

  The doctor wasn’t quite finished talking though, “I don’t get it.” “Shush.”

  “I mean what are they looking to the sky for?”

  “Will you be quiet, so we can listen?” Her tone suggested she was serious and the doc quietened.

  Hagar Abraham asked Zeek to kneel before him. The large pale figure in black military fatigues kneeled on one knee and bowed his head. Hagar Abraham began a prayer, “Oh blessed one, guide our warrior.”

  As he was speaking another robed clergy member walked out onto the balcony. He was carrying a long sleek sword that resembled a katana. The blade was sheathed in black wood. The clergy member was holding it by the sheath and presented the intricate gold handle to Hagar Abraham. He paused, then reached for the handle with one hand and grabbed the sheath with the other. He unsheathed the sword which made a metallic wince.

  Hagar Abraham tapped each of Zeek’s shoulders with the blade of the sword. He continued his prayer, “We ask of you, Almighty One. For all that you have done for us. Given us air to breathe, ground to walk on, fish to eat, wool to keep us warm. You have not overlooked anything, oh Holy One. We do not ask for much.” Hagar Abraham paused. He then lifted the blade above Zeek and tapped him on the head with it. Hagar Abraham continued his prayer, “I present you, Zeek. He is here to protect our way of life. Those that wish to worship you, my Holy One, have come under public attack. The ones questioning our way of life and our faith in you have found a new way to spawn. They threaten our very existence as we know it. We only ask that you bless Zeek with good fortune in his endeavors. Give him strength, Almighty One. Give him courage, Almighty One. Guide him into eternity.”

  The entire crowd of villagers lifted their heads in prayer.

  “Bless his sword, Almighty One, for he shall fight in your name, Almighty One.” Hagar Abraham lifted the sword above Zeek. He was holding it with one hand on the handle and the other hand on the sheath. His lose robe sleeves were hanging down, making a winged shape in his shadow over Zeek. He sheathed the sword. A hallow throng sounded throughout the community; the bell was only rung once by the clergy member.

  Zeek looked up towards Hagar. He then reached for the sword as Hagar brought it down towards his opened palms. Zeek accepted the sword. He stood up with it in his hands and turned, peering over the crowd. Without saying a word, he lifted the sword above his head with both arms and held it still for several moments. The crowd was silent. He began to mumble something under his breath, “Protegas me, Dominus meus.” He repeated the phrase several times, each time he spoke louder, “Protegas me, Dominus meus… Protegas me, Dominus meus…PROTEGAS ME, DOMINUS MEUS.” He looked directly into the sky above him with wide open eyes. They were an eerie bloodshot pale, with hints of blue and green. His ghost white hands were a stark contrast to the sword sheathed in black with a gold handle.

  The crowd was silent. Zeek’s gravelly deep chants echoed off the quiet trickle of the moving stream.

  A monk sounded the community bell. It had a heavy ring that rippled through the village. The ringing continued and its silence coincided with the sun disappearing behind the mountain. The village was in the mountain’s shadow with just a red strip of sunset that tapered the mountain ridge.

  Hagar Abraham continued his sermon, “Bless our warrior, Almighty One, for he shall protect your honor with vengeance.”

  The news coverage zoomed in on Zeek. His jaw was clenched and his eyes closed as he held the sword above his head.

  All of the peasants got onto their knees as Hagar Abraham finished his sermon. “Almighty one, we are at war, we only ask that you continue to bless us and guide us. Amen.”

  “Should I be worried?” Alceon said to the doctor.

  “I don’t think so. They gave that albino guy a sword. They’re living back in time out there.” The doc paused and they watched more of the coverage.

  A young pretty blond was at the scene. She spoke up, “Wow, it looks like ROG has just made their most threatening remarks yet. Tom do we have confirmation from ROG headquarters that this is their message as well? Or is the Golack community considered a rogue organization?” She asked the news anchor back at the headquarters.

  “Jenny we do. ROG has sent their official message over the airwaves. Shortly after the introduction of Zeek they issued this statement, ‘Those for reproduction research are against God and will face their judgment day. Religions of God need to fight for their beliefs or forever be seen in the eye of the maker as cowards. It’s time to stand up for what you believe or be damned to eternal hell. Today marks the beginning of the Religious War.’ I think I speak for a lot of people that this statement is a surprise and a shock. The message was sent from ROG headquarters in the Holy Land. We have no response yet from the government. These are chilling words to hear for the majority of people that agree with the research. Jenny, what’s the atmosphere like in the Golack Yurt Community?” Tom Browns, the CRN news anchor, asked Jenny Albertson.

  “Tom, people here have been quiet since the announcement was made. The sun has gone down and people have been lighting what appear to be torches. Hagar Abraham has gone back inside the temple. He was followed shortly after by Zeek and the robed monk. Some of the villagers are talking amongst themselves now,” Jenny said as she looked into the camera.

  “Are you seeing any signs that the people of the community are not on board with the new direction their leader has taken them? Is there any indication of dissent?” the anchorman asked Jenny.

  “It’s hard to know what everybody is thinking Tom, but it does appear they are on board with the new direction,” Jenny was cut short with another question from Tom.

  “Do the people know that they are now in a war against the science of reproduction research? That ROG has declared war on the UAN?” the anchorman asked.

  “Tom, I think these people understand well what was said. There doesn’t appear to be any sort of shock from the announcement, the community…” Jenny paused as a villager came up to her and whispered something. “Tom, the press has been asked to leave. It does appear some villagers are heading for the trail. No word yet from any of the villagers if they are leaving the community because of the declaration of war or just ensuring that we are leaving.”

  “That’s some fine reporting, Jenny. Next we’ll go live to…” The sound of the screen drifted off.

  The doctor and Alceon didn’t say anything for a matter of moments, moments that felt like more than a dramatic pause.

  “Well, what do you think?” Alceon asked.

  “Well, if you want to poke a beast in the eye, you better expect it’ll bite back,” Dr. Celsus said. He continued, “You knew this was high risk stuff to mess around with?”

  “Of course I knew and I still know it. Winning the minds will always be a dangerous game.”


  “These people scare me with their beliefs, they seem to think they know all the answers, but based off of what?” the doctor asked.

  “Not everybody can think like a scientist, James. But I agree. Who can claim to be a moral authority on the likes of god or a creator? People need freedom to think for themselves and not get their arm twisted as children to believe in a myth created to control people. I know there have been enlightened people in this world that have sprouted out of this earth throughout history. They’re the kinds of people that teach a great deal of people something about humanity. There the kinds of people that are born in just the right moments of history and lead men and women into the future. Their power was so great that their story lives on forever. Then the wrong people get their hands on the story and manipulate the teachings for power.”

  The doctor was stunned. He never knew he could love a person as much as he loved Alceon Fudore.

  She continued, “I certainly know I don’t have the answers. But we know they don’t have the answers either. Nothing is certain.”

  “Science is certain,” Dr. Celsus said.

  “Damn it. You’re missing the point. We are not guiding them with false hope. You are right that science is certain. And with a fair amount of certainty you can say miracles of the past never happened. But you can’t answer what the creation of life is. So until then, there will always be hope that we are a part of something greater.” Alceon paused.

  The doctor contemplated and took a sip of his wine. Alceon took a stiff sip of her bourbon.

  She continued. “I believe we are a part of something greater. There’s more to life that we don’t understand. The children born in the Cloud will be the best equipped to ever find the true answers in life. And now we know we can create them. Every indication from the research has shown that life can flourish in the Cloud. They could be the healthiest, smartest generation of humans ever. So, what I’m saying is that we are fighting on the right side of this issue and we are doing what it takes. Our biggest threat is religion and we have created a division between theists and reproduction research.” Alceon finished, talking and took another sip of her brown liquor.