by Peter Ponzo
Part 15.5
By late morning, after a light breakfast of toast, jam and coffee, David announced that we were on our way to Burlington. He warned us that we should not expect much. It was devastated by the solar flare and there were no survivors except, perhaps, mice or moles. Every building was demolished and every road swallowed by earthquakes. Nevertheless, there was still a beach and the water in the lake was clear and potable and the lake even had a large population of small fish. I was delighted. I knew that, in years to come, things would be much different, we would accomplish something that would last, something to leave for our children and their children. I was confident that the androids…that Adele and her kin, they would rise to the occasion and populate the Village with strong young citizens, perhaps with gills.
We all gathered at the alcove to observe our departure: Susan, David, Hydra and me. It seemed strange not to have Gill or Tiesha with us. We were like family and it was difficult to accept our separation. But there was excitement in the air as we saw the Godships recede to the horizon, guiding the enormous Aquadome. On the ocean surface, I could make out a school of leaping dolphins. It was a beautiful sight, but even more beautiful was the horizon to the west. That's where we were heading. There was land, there. I didn't know what land, but it didn't matter. We'd soon be home.
"May I join you?" someone said, behind me. I could feel someone leaning on my back and Susan looked about.
"Adele," she said. "How nice of you to join us." I could tell that Susan wasn't really that happy. I turned and Adele stepped back.
"Uh, Adele, yes, please join us," I said, looking sideways at Susan. Adele immediately snuggled up to my side and the window widened. David was smiling. "Where are the other…uh, people?" I asked.
"They are studying the geology of the region where we are headed," she said. "Apparently there are several large lakes, an extensive escarpment, an impressive waterfall and–"
"Yes, Niagara Falls," I said. "We must go there."
"Yes," Susan snorted. "We most definitely must."
"Have they chosen names…from the list we supplied?" I asked. "I always liked William, my uncle's name."
"No, not from your list. They chose names from the history books."
"I see," I said. "That's great. Names like…what?"
" Napoleon, Cleopatra, Caesar…"
David began to laugh. "That's delightful," he said, then he pointed out the window. "There's Newfoundland." We all looked and saw an island appear out of the mist. We'd be home very soon. I couldn't be happier.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Part 16.1
We traveled along a river. It was foggy, but I assumed it was the St. Lawrence River. Our Godship seemed to be just a few hundred meters above the river, but I didn't recognize anything. There were no signs of animal life or large trees, although there were plenty of low plants, green and brown and rust colored. It was difficult to see straight down, but looking across the river I could see the broken remains of large buildings. I leaned against the clear window panel and enjoyed the view. It must be just a matter of minutes before we saw our beautiful lake.
"Isn't it exciting," Susan said, standing by my side and leaning over to look down–as well as one could look down. "I think that's the lake, don't you think?"
It was suddenly clear, the mist having been driven out by what seemed to be gusts of wind. I saw the river widen, the shoreline become irregular and I knew for sure that we were now over our beautiful lake. We both watched in silence, looking for any recognizable sites. Nothing, until we saw a large assortment of structures, all devastated, on the north shore of the lake. That must be Toronto, once a proud city, the fourth largest in North America. It was sad to see it in shambles. Together, we both looked west and saw the end of the lake and Hamilton Harbor–and our beloved Burlington. The walls of our Godship hummed for just a minute then our ship came to a halt, hovering above the Burlington shoreline as it had done many, many months ago when David, Susan and I had come on board for the first time.
David was now standing at the window. "We can transport down, if you'd like," he said. "There will be little to see, but we can walk about and make plans and–"
"Yes, please, let's do that!" Susan said eagerly.
"Fine, let us meet at the transport room. It's something new, that room, but in the future we will always gather there to transport back and forth. You needn't look for it. Gilgamesh will simply open the walls to guide you. Shall we meet there in a half-hour? You may want to dress warmly because it's a little chilly."
Susan and I went to our bedroom, quickly dressed in socks, boots, a warm sweater and a cap whose sides we could pull down over our ears. When we turned to face the wall, it dissolved and we walked through to a curiously large room with multiple windows and partitions and shelves loaded with what looked like small CB radios. David was already there. He was elegant, with what looked like a tight-fitting avocado-colored ski outfit, a French beret and riding boots. He pointed to the CB radios.
"Grab one, just in case we get separated. They're communication devices, CDs. Just press the red button and talk."
No sooner had Susan and I taken a CD, we started to fade, the usual short dizzy spell, then we three were standing on the shore of our beautiful Lake Ontario. There was a cool breeze off the lake, the water was rippled, the sky was a splendid azure blue and there were just a few wisps of high flying clouds. The ground was mostly moss, but it seemed to be quite soft.
"I think we can have a garden," Susan said. "The small shrubs over there look quite healthy and there's plenty of water."
"Gilgamesh has extracted botanic information from his data banks and will be able to supply whatever vegetable varieties you wish."
"You mean seeds?" Susan asked.
"Yes, seeds or small plants. Whatever is your wish."
"And flowering plants, like petunias and–"
"Ah, Susan my dear," David said, "you must know that you can ask for anything and Gilgamesh will provide."
I began to walk along the shore. This was too good to be true.
"Can we call the others down?" I asked, looking back over my shoulder. "Adele and her friends–at least a few of them, so they can see what's to be done."
David and Susan smiled. "You're the boss," Susan said.
"No, he's the Supervisor," David said.
"I hate that name, Supervisor. Can't we say something like…uh…"
"Big cheese?" David said.
"Poobah?" Susan giggled.
"No, I meant something like Premier? I don't like the idea of having to supervise. I have a feeling the synthetics–our clan, they're smarter than I am. I'll probably be the one who needs supervision."
"Okay, Premier it is," David said. "Please step back Premier Blend."
Suddenly the entire shoreline became blurry and I stepped back just in time as a hundred or more members of our clan materialized. They were all dressed in pale gray outfits, except the gals who had a slight blush of pink. They immediately crowded around as though they were awaiting instructions. Susan nodded her head. "Say something," she whispered.
"Okay, gang," I said, loudly. "This is where we'll build our Village by the Lake. We'll live in the Godship and transport down each morning to construct our homes. I think we can begin with…uh, mud and straw or maybe–"
One female came forward. I recognized Adele.
"If it is your wish," she said, "However, we can ask Gilgamesh to provide concrete blocks and mortar," she said. "And, if it is your wish, Gilgamesh will provide whatever tools you feel are necessary. Also, if it is your wish–"
"Yes, yes," I said with some hesitation. "Let's spend some time just planning the structures, what they'll look like, where we put them, how tall, how…how…"
Susan came to my side. "Premier," she said. "I think Gilgamesh has a plan. You may want to pass judgement on it. It may suit our needs. You can decide. In the meantime," Susan continued, looking at the group, "Let us prepare the soil for planting. In a few we
eks it will be warm enough to begin our vegetable garden."
Susan pointed to a point a few hundred meters from the shore. There I saw what appeared to be a great collection of shovels, rakes, spades and several large machines. How did she do that?
"Does any one know how to operate that machine?" I asked. A hundred hands went up. "Then go to it my friends." I never saw such haste. By lunch time at least five hectares of land had been cultivated. The clan was so efficient and seemed to operate as a single entity, everyone knowing exactly what to do. I could even hear them singing. I couldn't hear the words, but they all seemed quite happy. Susan, David and I just watched in awe. As if by magic, the cool wind vanished, the sun came out in full force, the soil was warmed and we all cast off our outer garments.
"Time for lunch!" I shouted, and the clan stopped and walked toward the shore. David had arranged to have several dozen picnic tables sent down with red and white tablecloths and assorted sandwiches, fruit and nuts and cold drinks.
"This is for you," David said, handing me a glass of greenish liquid. I sipped it carefully. I couldn't believe it! It was rapple, my most favorite drink!
"How did you…nevermind," I said. "Gilgamesh knows the chemical composition, right?"
David nodded. I looked about and saw the clan busily munching on sandwiches and talking and laughing. I couldn't be happier.
Part 16.2
It took most of the summer to complete the garden, grow a multitude of vegetables and fabricate several concrete structures. The 'homes' were simple, one level dwellings with windows, simple plastic furniture and old-fashioned kitchen appliances with which one could cook up a storm. Well, only when we could supply electricity, which we couldn't, not yet. However, Susan demonstrated their use to chef-members of the clan. In addition to chef-members, there were artists, musicians, doctors and nurses, construction specialists, botanists and a host of other vocations. I never knew how it was determined who did what, but they all seemed content with their lot. I suspect Gilgamesh had something to do with the determination of who had what talent. Gilgamesh had, after all, observed human activity for years.
The chefs were delighted to serve us with vegetables fresh from the garden, cooked the old fashioned way, over a campfire: broccoli with melted cheddar cheese, mashed potatoes with garlic, kale and bacon…I think I gained a few pounds. However, I was exercising. How could I not? There was so much to do. Susan, on the other hand, just watched. She was huge with child and I think our daughter must be ready. I was pleased to discover that our three-month-child would take five months. As a kind of reflection of the fact that she was pregnant, Susan's complexion was a delicate pink.
In late June, Susan had our baby. She was the most adorable child one can imagine. In the past, I always thought newborn kids were ugly, but not my baby girl. And she was special. I always thought kids cried all night, puked on your shoulder, filled their diapers then, when you changed them, they filled 'em again. Not my baby. She was special.
Susan never did tell me the 'special and appropriate' name she had chosen–not until I was holding the baby in my arms. We were in our Godship, after a day of furnishing some homes in the Village. The light was low and we were sitting side by side on the couch.
"Isn't she beautiful?" Susan said. "She is a gift from God."
"Well, I helped," I said, half joking.
"Godiva," Susan whispered. "Godiva, it means a gift of God."
Did she say Godiva? That was the name of my baby girl? The only thing I could think of was Lady Godiva riding naked through the streets.
"No, you're kidding, right?" Susan looked hurt. "Come to think of it," I stammered, "it's a beautiful and most appropriate name. Gift of God, you say? Yes, Godiva. For short, we can call her…uh, Godiva." I kissed Susan on the forehead with little Godiva looking on. Godiva gurgled so I handed her to Susan and she breast fed the baby. Now that was a splendid sight to behold.
Just then there was a knock and David walked through the wall. I immediately thought of covering Susan and the baby with a bedsheet, but Susan looked pleased.
"Isn't she beautiful, David?" Susan murmured. "Gordie and I intend to have many, many more." David nodded and stared at the baby, a naked breast and then Susan, probably in that order.
Did Susan say 'many more'? I never said that. I wouldn't mind, of course, but where did Susan get that idea? We didn't need to be the population source for the Village. We had hundreds of the Clan who were doing their best. In fact, there were already a dozen babies born over the summer, all with gills. The water by the shore was warm now, and the children spent hours playing there. When a baby, no more than two months old, crawled into the water and vanished for several minutes–that was scary.
Part 16.3
There was no source of heat in the simple homes we had built, so we spent the winter in the Godship. During the cold months, however, we continued to build. In particular, a power plant with electricity generated by solar panels and wind generators. All the wiring and heating ducts were already installed in the homes. What was really nice was the orchard. Small fruit trees had been contrived by Gilgamesh: apple, pear, plum and cherry. There was a small park with lots of green grass.
Actually, I don't think it was really grass, more like short green weeds. There was also a playground for the children. I thought it was a mite early since the kids were still infants, but the Clan insisted that we be prepared because their children would grow up quickly. I didn't argue. In fact, I never argued.
When spring came, we were out in force, enlarging the gardens, planting vegetables, connecting the electrical so that all the kitchen appliances were powered. The generators hardly seemed sufficient to supply the electrical needs of an overgrowing society, so Gilgamesh assisted in the construction of a power plant run by nuclear power. The materials needed, its design and the location were provided by our Godship–to the Clan. Clan members seemed to know exactly what was to be done. That was a relief, because there was no way I could supervise the construction.
However, the thought of a nuclear plant nearby was a little scary, but David assured me that Gilgamesh had everything well in hand and there was nothing to worry about. Besides, the plant would be far from our Village, hidden by a grove of trees, so no one would even know it was there. Eventually, David said, Gilgamesh would introduce dark energy generators…but that would take some time.
Over the next few years, Susan and I had three more children, all girls. When Godiva was seventeen she introduced us to a Clan member whom she wanted to marry. What? She was just seventeen! Surely teenagers didn't get married. Yet, Susan agreed, so I did as well…reluctantly. The boy's name was Archimedes. I had a hard time adapting to these strange names from ancient history, but I could see that Godiva was very happy and I was easily swayed by my beautiful daughter. Besides, the boy was so clever and good-hearted, Susan and I were charmed by him after just the first meeting.
They were married in the fall, just as the leaves were turning red and gold. As the daughter of the Premier, everyone was expected to join the wedding celebration. The standard words for marriages, something about 'love, honor and cherish', were provided years ago by Susan. I preferred the 'love, honor and obey' version, but that was outmoded, I was told. They didn't even use that in my youth, centuries ago, I was told. Further, couples always 'sampled the wares' these days, I was told…so Godiva and Archimedes lived together for months before the wedding. I didn't like that one bit, but Susan said everyone did it. Did that make it right?
It was a delightful ceremony, with banners waving and a fresh warm breeze off the Lake and tables filled with small, sweet edible things and huge punch bowls of rapple. Our surprise visitors were Shatoya, Gill, Lucas and Tiesha. Susan and I were very happy to see our old friends and they seemed happy to see what we had achieved. Apparently, the Aquadomes were thriving and people were living longer. We were pleased to see Gill, Lucas and Tiesha getting along so well. I never thought it'd work–but it did.
&nb
sp; That was a memorable day, the wedding of our firstborn. The next day, Chicago arrived. I was shocked to find that the scar that had run down his cheek was now barely visible, his teeth were even and white and he was dressed in slacks and sweater. He embraced me with a bear hug and whispered in my ear that life was good and it was all my doing. He told me that Aquarius Atlantica celebrated my birthday each year with fireworks and a holiday.
A year later, when Godiva and Archimedes had their first child, it had gills! However, unlike the clumsy gills of old, the newest rendition was almost invisible, lying flat against the neck when out of water. It was a boy and they named it Gordon. I swear I didn't even remotely suggest that name, but I was very pleased. I learned that David, now slightly infirm and almost bald, was consulted and he suggested the name. Curiously, although we had very pleasant quarters provided for David, he continued to live in the Godship, transporting down for special occasions or whenever Susan invited him for a special dinner.
Part 16.4
It took almost ten years for our Village to be self sufficient, without the need to rely on Gilgamesh for things material or technological. Our energy was now entirely obtained from dark matter, confined to what was once the nuclear power stations. I never understood how that worked; dark matter was converted to energy which generated the electricity that ran our Village. The trees now grew quite tall and the shade they afforded was a joy.
The vegetable garden was now a large farm and some way from the Village and the clan-farmers were excellent in maintaining the crops. We had annual celebrations on the anniversary of our first landing and the finest image was of the children at play, on the beach and in our beautiful lake. There were streets paved with flat stone, lots of green space and bicycles everywhere. Indeed, bikes were the only mode of transportation. Our Village stretched over five kilometers along the Lake with a population approaching five hundred thousand. The Clan had been busy!
It was Susan who suggested that we give our Village a name. As Premier, I could just make an announcement, but I preferred to ask for approval. In the past, all of my suggestions had been approved so I didn't expect any problem this time. Although we talked to David, he had little to offer in the way of a name. In fact, we saw less and less of David. He looked very old, his skin creased, with dark blemishes. Even his voice was much weaker. His android companion, Hydra, was always by his side. She was a very sweet girl, always clinging to David and always helping him with his daily chores.
