Dawn of Modern Man

by Nick Plastino

  Alceon leaned away from the doc and guided her feet down to the ground with her empty hand. She then looked to the doctor and said, “I say we let them know your hypothesis on the research so far. I trust you aren’t completely wrong. If you are wrong and they don’t live forever, well we’ll probably all be gone by then, right?”

  “No, no, that needs to wait. Here you are talking about hundreds of years. But you know what? A few weeks from now, we will run our models and prove it. Making a claim like that needs more validation, people will like it, but I think people will be happier with some evidence and we’ll have some in a couple weeks,” the doc said.

  “Look, I think we can start to leak your ideas, and then you prove it. You do, what it is you do. Do what gets you respect in the scientific community. But I can tell that you know you’re right,” Alceon said. “I can see it now, people born and raised in the Cloud will have the choice to live forever.”

  “The choice to live forever?” the doctor asked.

  “Yes, choice. If you are right, then people ultimately will be given that choice, do they want to live in the Cloud forever or live in the real world and die?”

  “I haven’t thought about it like that yet. I’m more focused on the results of the research,” the doctor explained. “I see what you are saying, though. If it is true and people that are born and raised in the Cloud can live forever, then they will have to make the choice; live in the Cloud forever or leave and die. It’s poetic really, one life or the other. One lasts forever and the other you die in. Is one consciousness more real than the other? And you’re right; it’s up to the children of the Cloud to choose.”

  “It’s amazing, James. I hope you’re right about this, but like I said, even if you aren’t, nobody is going to know for a long time. It’s already been proven through your models that people will live much longer in there. I think we let the people know that if they have a child in the Cloud that child will have a choice to live forever or go live outside the Cloud and eventually die. It’s a choice I think many of us would like to make and what parent wouldn’t want to give their child that option?” Alceon said.

  “Live as long as the Earth… that’s how we should put it. If we want to be technical,” the doctor said.

  “I imagine when those days come they may have different options to live forever. So no, I think we keep the message simple. Give your children the chance to live forever. Yeah, that sounds good. People will love it, and the message isn’t your children will live forever. The little disclaimer of chance is in there. You know better than me, they do have a chance to live forever,” Alceon said. She then stood up and looked at the news.

  “It took a segment of pundits trying to scare the crap out of people, but they finally stopped showing replays of the helicopter,” the doctor said.

  “Yeah, looks like they’re going to go on and on now about teleporting,” Alceon said as she watched.

  The doctor got up and looked at his empty wine glass. Alceon stocked his drink of choice in her free standing wood bar near the couch. She reached down and opened one of the crystal paned doors to pull out a new bottle of red wine.

  “I can open that,” the doctor said.

  “Will you quit,” Alceon said as she used a gadget that uncorked the wine bottle. “Why is it men think we need their help for stupid little things?” Alceon asked.

  “We just want to help, Ally.”

  “Clearly I do too, now come over here. Let me fill your glass,” Alceon said. She was smiling at the doc.

  The doc smiled back and made his way towards Alceon. She filled his glass and set down the bottle. The doc took a long sip and set down his glass. He reached both arms around Alceon’s waist and said, “I think you’ve just about done it, Alceon, made a name for yourself in the history books. Just like you’ve always wanted and now it’s happening.”

  “It feels right, doesn’t it?” Alceon asked.

  The doc agreed. He pulled Alceon in close and then they kissed. Alceon leaned back in his arms and smiled at Dr. Celsus.

  “James, you know our little project here is going to create millions, if not billions, of lives. We will never have children, but we sure will have created a lot of life,” Alceon said with a smile. She then started walking backwards towards the door to her room. The doc was still holding on to Alceon as they shuffled their way across the floor towards her room. They looked like an eager young couple that could barely keep their hands off each other.

  Once they reached the door Alceon flipped off the light. The window in Alceon’s room was open and the light from the full moon shined through. Alceon backed up to her bed and pulled the doc down with her. They began to kiss and undress. The doc unbuckled his belt and slid his pants down as he was leaning over to kiss Alceon. She slid her panties off under her skirt and pushed the doc away as she removed her blouse. The doc took his shirt off, threw it to the side and pulled off Alceon’s skirt. They pressed their nude bodies together and began to kiss again.

  A hum that turned into a thick chop of the wind became apparent. The sound got louder and louder. “Chop, chop, chop, chop,” the noise from the window kept getting louder.

  They stopped kissing and rolled next to each other on the bed. “It’s a helicopter,” the doc said.

  “Aseaka, notify security we are under attack!” Alceon yelled out. The computer complied with the request, “Security will be notified.”

  Alceon and the doc moved to the edge of the bed as wind started gusting into the room. The curtains were blowing around and the noise kept getting louder, “CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, CHOP.”

  The bare doc hustled to shut the window. Alceon stood next to the bed. There was a thud from outside that came from above the window. The doc reached up to pull the window down. Thud! He was greeted with two feet to the chest and knocked down. Somebody repelled down from the helicopter, jumped off the wall above the window and swung through. The doc was on the ground, naked and scooting away from the intruder when he looked up and recognized the pale bald man from the news.

  Zeek let go of the rope that he repelled with and stood over the doc. Zeek grabbed a cord from his utility belt and leaned over the doc, arms stretched out holding the cord. The doc struggled to fight back from the ground and kicked Zeek in the shins. The kicks didn’t faze Zeek. ROG’s warrior took the cord and kneeled over the doc. The doc struggled, but was manhandled by Zeek and flipped on his stomach. Zeek tied the doctor up, he synched the cord around the doc’s hands and tied off his feet. The doc was lying on his belly helpless and screamed out, “Run, Alceon.”

  Alceon scampered out of the room, naked. Zeek dashed across the room, he was fast. She made her way to the living room, but was still visible to the doc through the doorway. She didn’t move fast enough. Zeek grabbed her with one hand by her hair and brought her to her knees. Alceon reached with both arms, gasping, fighting to unleash Zeeks hands. Zeek was too strong. He turned her around so she faced the doc. Alceon’s naked body was helpless. Her struggle was useless. Zeek was too strong.

  The doc was contorting his body, trying to get free. He was flopping and witnessing in horror a freak as he unsheathed a sword strapped to his back. The doc looked into Alceon’s eyes and screamed out as he struggled, “Alceon!”

  Zeek was holding the katana sword above Alceon’s head. He closed his eyes and mouthed words to himself. Alceon screamed. Zeek brought the sword to Alceon’s neck. With a swipe of the blade he cut through her neck. Alceon’s lifeless hands fell away from Zeek’s wrist as her body thumped to the floor. Zeek stood, holding Alceon’s severed head by the hair. As the head dangled, Zeek looked at the doctor and said, “It is in the name of God and protection of humanity that I kill, forgive me almighty.” He dropped the head which hit the body and rolled onto the floor. The eyes on the severed head were wide open, staring at the doc.

  The doc had drool spewing from his mouth as he wept. He yelled, “Why?”

  Zeek sheathed his sword and ran towards the window.
Security was slamming on the door and making their way in. Zeek sprinted and didn’t look at the doc as he ran by, he just jumped for the rope and swung out the window.

  C H A P T E R 1 9

  News spread fast, it was later said that the world knew of the assassination by the time Alceon’s head hit the floor. She had become a well known figure in society; the face of reproduction research and by all accounts the woman that spearheaded the cause. The news of the beheading was not taken lightly by citizens.

  Parker and the guys witnessed the news moments after it happened. The bar irrupted with vulgar shouting against religion. “Those nuts and their God,” was overheard in its various versions. The outrage was followed by a solemn calm. The bar continued to watch the coverage.

  Some patrons were sobbing; the chatter was soft and heartfelt.

  Parker was visibly disturbed. He and the guys seemed to be shocked by the news. “How the hell did that happen? I thought there was security around there?” Parker said.

  “There is, but not for an attack from a helicopter…” Cad paused. The news moved on to the pursuit of the helicopter and its eventual demise over Lake Pend Oreille. It exploded mid air from an unknown source. Cad continued, “Look at that, the helicopter was brought down by the army or something.”

  “Looks like they waited for the helicopter to get over the lake before they brought it down with a drone or satellite or whatever it is they’ve got up there. I’m sure they didn’t want to risk civilian casualties so they waited until it was over water to bring it down,” Parker said.

  “Oh, is that why?” Cad responded, “No shit, Parker. Why didn’t they bring it down when it was flying over the woods towards North Mountain? I’m sure Alceon would still be alive if that were the case, she wouldn’t have been beheaded in her fucking room at her fucking house, right where we go to school, nonetheless.”

  “How was the government supposed to know? It’s not illegal to fly a helicopter in Idaho and it sure as shit isn’t okay for the government to just shoot down a helicopter because one group of people thinks it’s suspicious. In hindsight, they fucking should have, but they launched a sneak attack. What the hell is wrong with them? It’s… It’s… It’s” Parkers eyes were reddened and his face was flush, his chin quivered. He appeared to gather himself, “It’s fucking ridiculous they think they can get away with this.”

  “I think a lot of people are going to be pissed off about it,” Dunc said.

  “Yeah, they’re not going to get away with this, Parker, looks like the government already stepped in and I bet we’ll get extra security around campus,” Cad said.

  Parker was quiet, his eyes were watering. “We should have a toast to Alceon.” Parker got the attention of the bar tender, “Three shots of bourbon, please.”

  “To an impressive woman that had the future in mind,” Dunc said as the guys raised their shots and clanked them together. They all finished their shots fast and slammed them down on the bar.

  “The alcohol helps,” Parker said. Dunc nodded.

  “Sure does, now I wonder if we get class off on Monday,” Cad said.

  There was no response from Parker or Dunc, just an uncomfortable pause.

  “I can’t believe this shit. You either, Cad,” Parker was visibly distraught.

  “Is it too soon for you to wonder?” Cad asked, “You know Parker, we got to look at the silver lining and maybe part of it is some time off class so they can beef up security and ensure the cadets it’s a safe campus.”

  “You’re right, they probably will do that. I don’t know what to make of all this. Why do people think the answer is violence or killing someone?” Parker asked.

  “It’s human nature,” Dunc said.

  “To kill each other? I’m not sure if it is. We’ve made it this far and I would say the majority of people know killing each other is one of, if not, the worse things one human could do to another fellow human,” Parker said.

  “Yeah, but then you still get people killing each other and wars. I’d say it is still part of human nature. Not everybody is a killer, but some people clearly are,” Dunc said.

  The screen in the bar playing the news showed footage from different cities around the country. In some cities people were setting fire to community churches and in others people were storming the streets in protest of ROG.

  “Holy shit, lots of people are pissed off. Look there’s people rioting around the country,” Parker said.

  The guys watched the coverage and saw complete chaos in the Sun Belt of the country. Neighbors were shown fighting in the streets and vandalizing property. Others were shown en masse crying at makeshift memorials for Alceon Fudore. The coverage was overwhelming. The entire country seemed to be moved by the assassination. There were shots of people praying in their place of worship and more coverage of people intimidating worshippers. Cities around the country were taking to the streets. The coverage switched to an area much less divided, it showed a peaceful candlelit memorial at North Mountain Academy back in Sandpoint. The coverage zoomed in and panned the memorial vigil.

  “This whole thing makes me sad. How dare they cut off her head?” Parker brought his hands to his face and said, “It’s a sad day for the UAN and a sad day for religion.”

  “I think I see Hauser, yeah, look!” Cad said as he pointed at the screen they were all watching, “Mike Hauser on national coverage. Parker, do you see him?”

  There was no response.

  “Parker, right there, do you see him. It’s Hauser.” “Yes! I think we all see him, Cad,” Parker said.

  Cad’s eyes got big as he glanced over at Parker and then proceeded to lean back on his stool and said, “What’s your problem?”

  “This whole thing pisses me off. And yes, I saw a bunch of people I recognized. Sorry I wasn’t quick to respond that I saw your boyfriend Cad,” Parker said.

  “Shut up, Parker,” Cad said.

  “No, fuck you, have some decency and realize there’s a bunch of people we know there. Show some respect for the magnitude of what’s happening,” Parker said.

  “Some lady we don’t even know got her head cut off, she had it coming. She tried to play volleyball with a hornets’ nest. I’m not surprised she got stung,” Cad said.

  Parker got out of his seat, “Stand up, Cad, look me in the eyes when you say that shit.”

  Cad stood up, they stood chest to chest, “Stop acting like a whiney bitch.”

  Parker pushed Cad in the chest, “Fuck off, Cad.”

  Dunc got in the middle before Cad could retaliate. “Real mature, Parker…” Cad said

  Dunc interjected, “Shut up, Cad, both of you guys shut up. You guys don’t need to be doing this right now.”

  Before the tension subsided the bar tender yelled, “Get these guys out of here.”

  Two large men were already making their way to the scene of commotion. One of them grabbed Cad in a headlock and forced him towards the door. The second bouncer asked Dunc and Parker to leave and they made their way towards the door. Cad was in the arms of the bouncer and without being gentle he shoved Cad into the street.

  “Come on man, you could have just asked me to leave,” Cad yelled.

  “You were the aggressor,” the bouncer yelled back.

  “No, no, no I wasn’t,” Cad said. He was fuming.

  Dunc came to his relief, “Fuck these guys, Cad.”

  The three of them started walking down the street towards downtown. They merged into a crowd of moving people. Cad and Parker were walking with a drunken gait. Dunc kept pace a step or two behind them. People were loud and moving with a purpose.

  “Sorry buddy, I didn’t mean to get so mad in there. I didn’t realize how drunk I was until I stood up,” Parker said.

  “No, it’s alright, I’m drunk too. Of course though, you push me and the bouncer takes me out in a headlock,” Cad said.

  Parker laughed softly and said, “Sorry man, it’s not fair is it?”

  “That bouncer was
a dick,” Cad said. He turned back towards the bar entrance and waved his middle finger back at the bouncers, “Yeah, fuck you man.”

  Parker looked back and sighed in relief that the bouncers weren’t taking notice, there were too many people in the streets. Cad wasn’t the only one yelling profanities, dozens if not more were displaying all sorts of antics. People all around were yelling in all directions. At that moment the guys realized they were in the middle of a riot or protest or something.

  The streets were filled with emotion. People were marching towards the city center. They were leaving bars and restaurants, nightclubs and apartment buildings, flocking to the streets in angst over the assassination. The city’s trolley grid didn’t look to be functioning properly. Traffic was moving slow, and even slower on the outside lanes, where pedestrians were weaving in and out of the trolleys. People were slamming their hands on the trolleys and banging trash cans and thumping store fronts. The streets were loud, and full of people.

  “This is insane, people are enraged. We should see where everybody is going,” Dunc said as he reached his arms around Parker and Cad. The guys agreed and marched with the flow. By the time they got downtown, after twenty minutes of marching, the crowd was even larger, trolleys weren’t moving at all and the streets were overrun with people. People were heading towards the Space Needle. For the most part, the guys kept to themselves and did their best to avoid confrontation, but it didn’t seem too dangerous unless you were against the UAN. The general feeling of the crowd was that they were pissed somebody was killed in the name of religion.

  People were also upset at the government. Conspiracy theories galore were presented in various ways during their march. For a good period of time the guys were behind a group of people that seemed to be in cohorts. The makeshift group had a marching band drummer dressed in colonial drag; he had a patriot hat, blue coat and fishnet leggings. The group’s apparent leader wore an American flag bandana and carried a stick that he thrust into the air as he led chants that the rest of the ragtag group would respond to in unison. The guys overheard the leader chant as the drum beat, “What do we think of the government’s might?”