The Other

by Matthew Buscemi

  Sahaan approached the group. “What’s going on?”

  The entire group stood upright, moved away from the center of the enclosure of people, to reveal a young man with brown hair, glasses and freckles gazing into a holographic computer display. No one spoke.

  “I asked a question,” Sahaan said.

  The man at the computer screen gulped, cleared his throat, stood and looked at Sahaan. “They’ve replied. Sort of.”

  “Sort of?”

  “It’s just data,” a woman near him said.

  “Data for what?”

  “Tell him about the header,” the woman said.

  “Mr. President,” the young man began, “I could be misinterpreting this, so it’s really not ready.”

  Sahaan lowered his head and gazed down at the young man. “What do you believe it to say, at this moment?”

  “We think it’s schematics. For a communication device. A real-time communication device.”

  Sahaan nodded. “Communications team, science team. This is now your top priority. Everyone else, back to your assignments, please.”

  The crowd dispersed to other desks.

  “If it is schematics,” Sahaan said. “Can we verify the device isn’t dangerous?”

  “It looks like they’ve gone out of their way to send us schematics rather than a computer program for nanite assembly. It will take us a bit longer to build one, but I think we’ll be able to verify the safety fairly easily.”

  “Could they transfer a program into the containment zone with this?”

  The man shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

  “I want us to be absolutely certain.”

  “Yes, Mr. President.”

  Sahaan looked around him. Everywhere around him people were typing at computers, talking into handhelds, or conversing with one another. The room felt alive with energy, but he himself felt spent. And for the first time since leaving the hospital, his left side felt worse rather than better. He would have to push through. For Lachel and Jaan, for the people trapped in the containment center, for the entire Reclamation. All his responsibility now. From here on out, there would be no second chances for any wrong decisions.

  ~

  For the next four hours, Sahaan dealt with all the paraphernalia of minor problems that cropped up and needed solving. The other news agencies contacted them with a complaint that View Seven was being singled out for favoritism, and Sahaan had the venue was moved to a neutral location, an intersection in the business district now abandoned. The science team’s research adjuncts also needed help gaining access to a number of online systems, which only senior staff were normally allowed to access.

  Before Sahaan knew it, Mrs. Aapada strode into their makeshift office, looking fully rested and ready to go, despite the fact that she must still have been exhausted. Sahaan gave her a rundown of their situation, primarily with regards to the science team’s discovery.

  “They’re still at it,” Sahaan nodded toward the scientists, all of them poring over their monitors.

  “I’m sure they’ll make absolutely certain it’s safe first.”

  “Naturally.”

  “How do you think they’ll respond to your message? The Pinnacle, I mean.”

  She’d intuited his great fear. “My hope is that they will want to discuss the terms of a non-aggression treaty. Can you take things from here?”

  “Absolutely, Mr. President.”

  “Thank you.” Sahaan retreated into his office, closed the door gently, sat down in his chair, and leaned back into it as far as it would go. His side was killing him. And was he sweating? Damn it. Of all the times…

  He dialed Mrs. Aapada’s handheld.

  “Yes, Mr. President?”

  “I need you to find me a doctor. Please do not tell any of the staff.”

  “Yes, sir. Right away.”

  He set the handheld down on his desk and put his head in his hands. He told himself that we would pick the handheld up again if he felt lightheaded or woozy, or anything else. The pain in his side flared, and he leaned back again. Far from picking up his handheld, he drifted off into a morass of pain. Somewhere in his head, he registered himself slumping against the desk, then part of him hit the floor, but after that, there was merely nothing.

  ~

  Sahaan awoke prone, horizontal, an oddly familiar face filling his entire field of vision.

  “Mr. President?” Dr. Darshak asked.

  “Yes?”

  “Good to see you again.”

  “Good to see you, too. You’re in Portal City?”

  “You’ve been unconscious for some time. Please don’t try to get up.”

  “Is Mrs. Aapada—?”

  “I’m here.” Mrs. Aapada’s voice was nearby, but he could not see her.

  “I need a status update.”

  “Mr. President.” Dr. Darshak exhaled. “You’ve worsened your condition by driving your body to exhaustion. You need to rest.”

  “No,” Sahaan said. “Absolutely not. Do we have the device, Mrs. Aapada? And is the doctor cleared?”

  “To the extent that we can reproduce the procedure, he is cleared. We have the device ready to go, but we have been waiting for you, sir. I should say, we have figured out how to route their communications protocol through our own computers. The scientists think it should be even safer than building the device outlined in their schematics.”

  “Good. Then we can do it from my office.” Sahaan recognized the ceiling and walls. He was still in his small office in the back of the meeting hall.

  “I don’t recommend that,” Dr. Darshak said.

  “Is my life in danger?” Sahaan asked.

  “Not now, but if you continue to exert yourself—”

  “Can I sit up?”

  “Only if you do so carefully. Let me help. Mrs. Aapada?”

  With the two of them at his side, they first raised his torso, so he was sitting on the floor, then helped him rise to a stance, hobble on weak legs to his desk, where he fell more than sat into his reclining chair there.

  “We’ll do it here,” Sahaan said to Mrs. Aapada. “Can you have them prepare that?”

  “Right away.” No sooner had she said the words than she was out the door.

  Dr. Darshak crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall.

  “Thank you, doctor,” Sahaan said softly. “I have to be strong around all of them.” He nodded toward the door. “And even her. In a way, especially her. She’ll have a long and fruitful career after this. But only if we can make productive contact.” A pain shot through his side and he winced.

  The doctor shook his head. “You need a proper recovery. In a hospital.”

  “I need to do this.”

  “Can’t you leave it to her?”

  “No. I sent them the invitation to talk. It has to be me.”

  Dr. Darshak bit his lip. “Any responsibilities that you can give up you give to her. And you let me know immediately if your symptoms get worse.”

  “I will.”

  An awkward silence descended upon the room, but fortunately, Mrs. Aapada returned just a few minutes later with the brown-haired scientist Sahaan had spoken to earlier that day.

  “One more thing,” Mrs. Aapada said, while the scientist began setting up a computer on Sahaan’s desk. “It’s one in the afternoon. The polling has started.”

  Sahaan nodded and even managed a small smile. “This will certainly be an election cycle for the history books.”

  “All ready, Mr. President,” the scientist said. “When you’re ready, just hit this button.”

  “And then I’ll be connected to them?”

  “If they’re receiving, yes.”

  “Well, let’s get started then.” Sahaan tapped the holographic button in front of him. It expanded into a window showing two horizontal lines. “Hello?” Sahaan said. The left line burst into a waveform. The right line remained a line.

  “Hello?” Sahaan tried again. “This is Sahaan
Ekeer, President of the Reclamation.”

  Nothing. They waited for ten, maybe twenty seconds. No sound emanated from the computer. Sahaan looked at the scientist with a raised eyebrow. The young man leaned in toward the computer hands reaching toward the keyboard—

  “Hello.” The voice was monotone and androgynous, giving the impression of ancient voice synthesizer technology. “This is… This is Charles. I am a… a citizen of the Pinnacle. Please forgive me. I am translating. I am doing my best. Catherine’s message was prepared.”

  “Is this… your own voice?” Sahaan asked.

  “We do not have voices. One hundred and six years ago the mouth and voice box were removed from our species. They were no longer necessary. It was decided.”

  “It’s good to talk to you, Charles. Thank you for making this communication possible. Please tell me, what has been the reaction in the Pinnacle to my message?” Sahaan asked.

  “Argument. Debate. The leftwards parties, they are afraid. Some want to talk, though. They still worry about the portal universe. The right is eager to talk. So we can talk.”

  “I appreciate the opportunity. And I have a proposal for the Pinnacle.”

  “Yes?”

  “I would like you to tell me if you believe it will be viable. If the Pinnacle will accept the proposal.”

  “I am listening.”

  “I am proposing an agreement called a non-aggression treaty. It will have stipulations. Things that each side must agree to. Do you understand so far?”

  “Yes.”

  “The Reclamation will agree to the following three things. Number one. We will select twenty-five different floral organisms from the parallel universe and send them to you. Number two. We will make a selection of pre-war history and literature available to you. Number three. We will agree not to expand our wall system for a period of no less than ten years, with provisions to extend that time frame. Any questions?”

  “No, President Sahaan Ekeer. That is clear. Please continue.”

  “In return, the Pinnacle will agree to the following three things. Number one. Visitations in the form of walls transforming into people must cease completely for a period of no less than ten years. Number two. The Pinnacle will provide access to a selection of your history and literature of the last one hundred and twenty years. Number three. The Pinnacle will provide us with a means to un-evolve the Reclamation citizens who were transformed by Samantha’s nanites.”

  Silence.

  “Charles?”

  “Numbers one and two are easy. Number three… It will be difficult here.”

  “My number three will be difficult for me as well.”

  “Your Charles… Has he told you yet what my job is? Does he remember at all?”

  “He has said that you’re a physicist.”

  “I was a physicist.”

  “You are not anymore?”

  “I broke our law.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I sent you Charles.”

  Sahaan had to blink a few times as he processed that. “But, is this discussion authorized?”

  “Yes. This new position is part of my… There’s no word. Let’s call it parole.”

  “I see.”

  “Can I speak to Charles?”

  “I’m afraid he’s in another city. But I assure you he’s quite well.”

  “I would like to be able to speak to him. Tell me, have you shown him a library?”

  “Not yet. I’ll be sure to find a way to do that.”

  “I have digressed, President Sahaan Ekeer. I apologize. I will deliver your proposal to my government, and they will discuss it.”

  “Thank you, Charles.”

  “President Sahaan Ekeer?”

  “Yes?”

  “Your speech to my country. It was more memorable than your country’s previous communications. You have given the impression of a strong country, united and determined. It is commendable.”

  “Thank you, Charles. I hope we get to learn more about the Pinnacle in the near future.”

  “I hope so, too. Goodbye.”

  “Goodbye, Charles.”

  Dr. Darshak stood leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed. “I presume you’ll need to be available when he responds.”

  “Yes,” Sahaan said. He slid his computer down the desk to the young scientist, who was clearly eager to begin analyzing whatever data it had collected from the call with Charles.

  “And then after that can we get you to a hospital so that you can heal properly?”

  “I suppose it depends on what the reply is.”

  At that moment, acting Vice President Aapada took a call on her handheld and excused herself into the hallway.

  “I can oblige one more call, perhaps even a few. But this cannot go on for days. You need better medical attention that I can provide for you here.”

  “And our country needs to survive this crisis. This is bigger than just my life now—”

  Khatra Aapada stepped back through the doorway and walked to the side of Sahaan’s desk where the scientist sat busily typing at the computer.

  “Pull up View Seven on there. Quickly.”

  The scientist hesitated only a moment before

  “What’s going on?” Sahaan asked.

  Aapada nodded toward the computer monitor, which the scientist was now spinning around for the whole room to see.

  An anchor sat behind a stylized graphic design with the words: “Guardian, Reconciliation— Cooperation?”

  The anchor sat poised, affecting a concerned and deliberate countenance. “A rough estimate at this time is that the Cooperation party has received eighteen percent of the vote. It is important to note that, at this juncture, only twenty-nine of a total of two hundred forty-seven districts have reported their ballots, and so this may still be only a temporary aberration. However, imagine that Cooperation write-ins were to receive a majority of the vote. The party has no officials, no established procedures, no council of delegates, none of the political infrastructure required in order to allow it to function. Presumably, President Ekeer would be the obvious choice to carry our government into the next term, but who would be his vice president? Who would compose his cabinet? We will continue to bring you live election coverage as the votes are confirmed. Again, at this time, the standings are Guardian 42%, Reconciliation 41%, Cooperation 18%.” Aapada reached down to the computer keyboard and stopped the video.

  Sahaan was awestruck. He had been simply needed people to set aside their political differences long enough to keep the generators running. But, of course, people weren’t that simple. They’d heard him. His message had come through loud and clear, and now… He looked at Dr. Darshak and had the sudden memory of telling him in the train, just two days ago, that politicians should be able to count on the political apparatus to correct the consequences of their decisions in the long term. Well, this was quite decidedly short term.

  “We leave this alone,” Sahaan decided. “It’s tomorrow’s problem. I added the Cooperation bit to keep us unified in our defense of the power grid and the containment zone. If I walk that back now, the results could be disastrous. If ‘Cooperation’ wins the election, we can deal with that in a month.” He glanced at Aapada. “What do you think?”

  “I agree. As you say, at least people have unified to protect the walls and the power stations. The election is a secondary priority.”

  “Good,” Sahaan said.

  The computer monitor began oscillating a waveform pattern and emitted a ringing noise not unlike a bell.

  “That would be the Pinnacle,” the scientist said.

  Sahaan took a moment to collect himself, then nodded to the scientist, who pushed a button on the computer and pushed the device toward Sahaan.

  “This is President Sahaan Ekeer of the Reclamation,” he said.

  “This is Charles.”

  “Hello again. How can I help you?”

  “My government has issued a response to you
r proposal.”

  “Your government is expedient.”

  “I was going to apologize for the delay. This particular decision caused much debate.”

  “I see. What is the response?”

  “To items one and two of the Pinnacle’s terms, there is no debate. Those two terms are accepted completely. We need to discuss the… means of the third. The Pinnacle is not willing to share with you the nanite programs which are capable of… changing one of us into one of you.”

  “I see. Is there a counter-proposal?”

  “The Pinnacle realizes this is a crucial term for the Reclamation. We would like to let the provision stand, with a modification. One of us will administer the execution of the nanite program that will change your citizens back. I should be clearer. The proposal is that I will enter the Reclamation, go to the containment zone, and restore your citizens to their original forms. I will also reprogram all Pinnacle nanites to return with me to my country.”

  Sahaan nodded. “We will need some time to discuss this. We do not operate on your time scale. We will need at least an hour.”

  “I understand. I will make that clear to my country.”

  “I will be in touch soon.”

  “Goodbye.”

  “Goodbye.” Sahaan ended the call.

  “Absolutely not,” Darshak said.

  Sahaan looked at the Aapada, who wore the same bemused smirk on her face that Sahaan had. It was a frightening prospect, but imagine if it worked. A Pinnacle citizen walking through the Reclamation, restoring humans to their original form. It would be a powerful symbol. It might even be powerful enough to push past the fear that war had ingrained upon Reclamation hearts and minds.

  “You’re considering it…” The doctor looked between them, aghast.

  “The only question,” Sahaan said, “is whether or not we can be reasonably certain that we can keep ourselves safe.”

  Sahaan gave Khatra instructions to find the most senior remaining military advisor and member of the Engineering Corp as quickly as possible and bring them to his office. Khatra nodded and was out the door without another word.

  “Why are they so opposed to just giving us the program?” Dr. Darshak asked.

  Sahaan was poised to answer, but the scientist poked his head up from the computer. “Probably because it would let us do to them what they’ve been doing to us for the last two centuries.”