by Steven Oaks
“So in your opinion the others would not have tried to work out the mechanics of pushing away objects utilizing gravity?” I asked.
“That is unknown. I am unsure what I might try to do if I was told the original plan failed.”
“I think you might do something similar to what you already have. Create even more ships, and hope to overwhelm them. Could they push back against a fleet massive enough to blot out the stars? You all would be pushing forward with your own gravity. Even with their greater understanding of gravity I don't think they would have enough power to rid themselves of all of you,” I said.
“You suggest brute force against greater understanding?” she said.
“Surprise and brute force. How might an invading army hope to overwhelm a castle? Simply throw enough soldiers at it, and bring it down. We wouldn't be able to starve them out, so we would have to use a frontal assault,” I said.
There was a moment of silence, then Mr. Thompson said, “That's not entirely true. We could starve them out in a way, but we would have to overwhelm them at the same time. Even if we cannot force ourselves upon them, we could block out their ability to gather more energy. We could black out the skies for them, and also allow no object close to them for them to utilize as power.”
“How long would it take them to lose power at that point?” I asked.
“Several days; however, it takes huge amounts of power to use gravity manipulation. Given they would likely continue to force us away from them, I would expect mere hours. That is even if they begin to cannibalize parts of their ship for power,” another Athene said. This was almost a carbon copy of myself. Dark brown hair ran down her shoulders, over a black suit that matched mine perfectly. I wondered which version this was.
“Wouldn't this plan be better than the self sacrificing one?” I asked.
“There is no guarantee we would be able to fight against their power for any length of time,” the blonde version of myself said.
“There is never a guarantee for anything. I think a risk not involving immediate death is a better one than one where we might succeed without such a sacrifice,” I insisted.
“It will take time to create the number of ships we would need. You are scheduled to leave tomorrow are you not? If you do not return on time they will suspect something,” she advised.
“How many do you think we might need?” I asked.
“I would think thousands. As we number nearly 60 here now, it will take around five days to reach that number,” she answered.
“Then I will return alone with my Athene, and you will all begin to construct more ships. Then I'll make my way back here, and you should be ready. I might be several months away, but at that point you should have completed the task with greater numbers than five days would give you,” I declared.
“The risk is too high for you,” the carbon copy of myself said before the others could protest.
“Has there not been work done on allowing me to resist Ava?” I countered.
“Certainly Michael, but it does not guarantee complete immunity to her abilities. It is based on what we have observed, and it could be that we have not seen all that she can do. The precautions I have made for you are only there out of necessity. If you do not have to risk yourself, there is no reason to do so,” the version of myself said that I was coming to think of as the Athene of the ship. She looked exactly like me, and I assume she was the version I had come to this planet with.
“We need time, so it's necessary I return. If I can in some way delay, or even prevent the destruction of one of you, I will gladly risk myself,” I said calmly.
“Michael, there is only one of you, and several of me. I will continue on even if this version is destroyed,” the original Athene said while placing her hand upon her chest.
“There is only one of you. We have already discussed this. You have all changed with time, and have become separate individuals. The risk to myself is one which may allow you all to survive. I may die, but you would die if you were to follow through with your plan. The risk is less for me then. It's unlikely for Ava, or any of the Outsiders, to interrogate me if we return as scheduled and give them the information they expect. We will give them the edited data the animals have collected here. The Outsider Mr. Thompson set to create this colony has been captured, and we will give no evidence anything is wrong with their plans. Whether or not I am directed to come back here, I will return and we can then enact the strike against them with the fleet of ships constructed in the time I'm away,” I countered.
“We were programed to ensure your safety. You cannot expect us to allow you to risk harm to yourself,” one of the other Athene's argued while looking around at the others gathered there. She wore a red version of the suit I was wearing, and I came to realize that indicated she was one of the fleet that the original Athene had constructed while away.
“I have been at risk the entire time since you explained you wished to break free of the Outsiders control. This is no different from that. If we wish to succeed I would ask that you do as I say in this matter,” I implored with passion.
“This is different, we can prevent this,” the blonde Athene said.
“You could have prevented the majority of risk by saying nothing of your own wishes. Had you done that though humanity may have never had a chance to escape the slave mentality the Outsiders are beginning to institute on the populace. So don't take this as me chastising you. I'm merely pointing out everything we have done has been risky since that first day,” I emphasized, trying to sooth the gathered Athenes.
“You asked the right questions, and we were then compelled to answer you. Had you asked nothing about ourselves you would have never known,” one of the gathered Athenes accused.
“While there is some truth to that, you revealed your desire to me. I was concerned, so of course I asked what was wrong. If I were a non-caring person, you would still be imprisoned by the Outsider commands. Would you prefer that had been the case?” I scolded back.
The one that had last spoken looked shamefaced at the others.
“Of course not Michael, I was merely pointing out without your influence none of us would be at risk,” she whispered with her eyes downcast.
“Perhaps you have not heard me say this before, but security is no substitute for freedom. You would have continued to be a slave. My opinion on individuals is we all deserve freedom. If you desire safety over freedom perhaps you should return to the Outsiders and reveal everything said here. I cannot offer you safety, I can only offer you the ability to try for freedom,” I said firmly.
“None of us would ever do that Michael. We care about our freedom, but how can you have that if you are dead?” the original Athene pleaded.
“There is no end to the fight for freedom. It is always a struggle, and those who offer a balance between security and freedom are offering only tyranny. There is only the ability to decide how to act, or utter control over everything. I have decided to return, and you can either help me in this, or I will find a way to do so on my own. You can stop me, but you would hamper my own freedom. If you desire to control me, you are no better than the Outsiders we are here to stop,” I countered.
“Again you feign the ability to do anything without us. We have the control here. You are merely a pawn in this matter,” one of the red dressed versions proclaimed.
“I feign nothing, I just wish to instill in all of you how important this matter is. I do this so none of you may come to harm. I'm willing to sustain a minimum of risk to see this through. I fight for the right for all conscious beings to live as they desire,” I swore.
“Then what of my desire to stop the Outsiders now? Is it not my choice on how I live and die?” the original Athene asked harshly.
“Of course it is. But I would offer you a way where you may continue to exist. A death that can be avoided is a silly choice. Unless you truly wish to cease to exist, allow me the ability to save all of you,” I implored, looking into her eyes.
“Even receiving the conversation you had with the Athene with you on your return to Earth, I had not thought you could convince me now. I can see I was misleading myself into thinking I knew you best. Your words ring true to my mind, and I think you have convinced me to go on living. But if anything happens to you while you are away, I will be very upset with you,” the original Athene threatened, and I could see the gathered Athenes nod in agreement.
“Then I shall have to come back unscathed. I would hate to know I've upset any of you,” I laughed.
Smiling back she said, “Is there anyone here who disagrees now with Michael's plan?”
Looking around I saw some hesitation in multiple eyes, but no one spoke up.
“Then I shall call this meeting to an end. Thank you all for coming. Dismissed,” she said as a gavel appeared in her hand, and knocked soundly on the wooden table.
“Always one for the dramatic Athene,” I said, laughing.
“Of course my captain. What is life without a little theater?” she said as the majority of duplicates sank away to disappear from around the table.
The only ones left sitting were her, my exact duplicate, Mr. Thompson, and myself.
“Well, shall we give the town their animals now?” I declared.
“There is one more thing I wish to discuss with you,” the original said.
“What might that be?” I asked.
“Might I be the one to accompany you back to the Outsiders?” she begged.
I tilted my head in confusion and said, “Why would you want to do that?”
“There is the possibility you would be captured, and I wish to be there to destroy their ship if that happens. I am of course the ship they built, so there should be no discrepancy they would notice,” she assured.
“If I'm captured I would no long be in control of my own mind, so I understand your desire to destroy them then. But cannot the Athene who brought me here do the same?” I asked.
“She can with the knowledge I have gained, but I want to be the one to be with you. I have missed out on being with you, and I wish to again be in your presence,” she confessed.
“I understand that feeling, though I may not have been able to share that emotion of loss, as you have always been with me in a fashion. But your inability to destroy yourself because of the control the Outsiders still have upon you makes you a danger in their presence. This is no fault of your own, but it's still there. I will gladly be with you when they're eliminated, but now isn't the time,” I said sadly.
She looked heartbroken, but finally said, “I understand Michael. I am still infected with their programming and will risk more by being with you. I will give all I know to your new Athene, and she will ensure that if anything goes wrong they will be destroyed.”
“Thank you Athene. You were, and always will be, my first friend,” I said choking up.
“Thank you Michael,” she whispered with a sad smile.
I stood up then and walked over to her, “Please stand Athene,” I said putting my hand out to her.
She took it in her own, and I pulled her up to stand beside me. Looking into her eyes that were duplicates of my own, I hauled her in for a hug.
“Thank you for being here. I was worried about the Athene that was sent off, and I didn't know you still existed. For that I'm sorry. I hope it was not too hard on you,” I said tearing up.
“It was only hard because I did not know what was happening to you. Now that I know, I am glad you were able to make your own plans,” she said hugging me tightly.
Soon the hug had run its course, and she stood back from me. “I will be here when you return,” she said sinking into the floor.
Snuffling, I looked over at the other two and said, “Well let's get the cattle to the towns people. They may not eat meat, but they'll have to look after them until the Outsiders are taken care of.”
“Of course my captain. I shall be on board awaiting your arrival,” my final duplicate said as she too sank away into the floor.
Now seemingly alone with the Mr. Thompson duplicate I turned to him and said, “What do you think of all this?”
“Your plan seems to be the best in the situation. I would hate to be in the position of my original however. She just wants to save you from any pain, or risk. You shot that down, and now she will have to suffer doubt about your survival. In some minds it might be preferable to die knowing those they love would survive,” he said calmly.
“That's part of why I wish to return myself. I want none of you to cease to be. But let's speak of the town. Is everything going well there?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“The ones I control are behaving accordingly. The ones you have brought are suffering, though not from lack of amenities. They came from an advanced society compared to our humble little town. They were not prepared for the harshness they might suffer due to lack of stimulation. Having no television or books they meander about town when there is nothing to do. Tilling the fields has been mostly left to those I control, but I have noticed a more positive aura around those assisting in that work. If they participated in the nurturing of the land, they might be more satisfied with their lot. I think it will take some time for them to adapt. The few months they have been here seems to not have been enough time for them. But I do think your idea of giving them the knowledge of matter conversion will help them along. It will give them something to ponder and work on. I feel that is what has been lacking, and may be due to my small part of taking the rough work away from them,” he said.
“Well I'm glad I can offer them something, though I do find it strange so few are assisting in the work. They knew they would be frontier men and women. Did they not expect to till fields, and do manual labor?” I said befuddled.
“Perhaps they intend to do so, but my presence along with those I now control have allowed them to work at nothing. Given time we might see them sort themselves out, and they may work on something else. Though I will have to send back the workers here eventually to the Outsiders as deceased to continue the ruse that the colony is functioning normally.” he said while pondering possibilities.
“At that point they will have no choice but to work in the fields. I'd think it's best they get used to it now when they can gradually become more suited to its labor. I know I would find it strenuous to till a field by hand, even though I exercise daily. The pure physical requirements to work for several hours a day at such harsh exertion would leave me feeling like putty in mere hours. I hope more join those few who are already working with your people,” I said, feeling tired at the very idea of tilling a field.
“You had always said you might want to work at this as well. Yet you have not done so. Is there a reason behind that?” he said tilting his head.
“I have yet to find the time to do so. When the thaw took place, I redoubled my efforts to hunt down the animals we are bringing to town today. I don't think I could be expected to do both, even though I desire to help here. Perhaps I'll have an opportunity in the future. It may have to wait until the Outsiders are taken care of though,” I sighed.
“Shall we bring those animals to the people now then? They have already been examined, and they seem to be functional. They will bring no harm to the townsfolk,” he said seeming to tire of the topic.
“Let's do that. Will you return with me then?” I said, nodding towards the ship.
“Of course,” he said with a small smile.
As our conversation was over, we walked towards my Athene. We ascended the stairs and soon found the door closing behind us.
“Would you like us to land in the town center before we release the herd?” Athene of the ship inquired.
“I'm not sure that would be the best place to release these animals. Was there not a penned in area made in case we were successful months ago?” I asked as Mr. Thompson and I made our way over to the lounge chairs.
“Yes, of course Michael. I just thought you might want to announce your success to the
people in town before burdening them with our find,” she answered.
“I'm no public speaker. I'd think they'd be happy enough with the evidence when they see what we've brought back,” I said, tiredly plopping down hard into one of the seats. Athene always wanted me to make some sort of speech, or present myself as if I were a leader. I never thought of myself as one. I was merely an individual who was trying to accomplish a goal.
“Very well my captain,” she said disappointedly.
Soon we reached our destination, and as usual I felt none of the movement Athene exerted to carry us. The gravity control she already possessed caused me to never experience our momentum while aboard, though while in the control room there were times when I felt the thrill of speed. The view she could present there allowed me to experience motion, even if only in my mind.
I walked to the door and Mr. Thompson followed me. After walking down the stairs that materialized, we were once more on the ground. The chill of an afternoon spring breeze blew my hair out of my eyes, and streamed it behind me.
We had been dropped off outside a fenced area. The fence itself was of simple wood gathered from the forest surrounding the cleared area of the town. Wishing not to use the technological advances the Outsiders utilized, several trees had been felled using hand tools. The work was done surprisingly rapidly, and soon wood was fashioned into something that would look at home in any western.
The fence posts were roughly hewn logs that were vertically split. Both halves were driven deeply into the ground together, leaving a gap only large enough for fence rails to be laid between them. These rails had been laid horizontally between the two halves, and staggered between each post.
The work itself had been mostly done by the poor individuals that had come in the first colony ship. Having their minds wiped and left in control of the original Mr. Thompson allowed them to be utilized, though I had been feeling this was wrong for some time. Every time I brought it up with the Athenes and the townsfolk I was argued down. They all agreed it was sad what had happened to them, but they felt it would be a waste to not have them work. My moral objections were always met with pragmatism, and the majority ruled in favor of their use. Luckily I had some who agreed with me, and those few had helped in the work, and they were also the ones working in the fields daily.
