Eximus

by Marcus Wearmouth

  By the twenty first century we soared to new heights in our pursuit of excellence, slowed only by social decay.

  Many rejected our collective ideals or turned inwards. Others gave up, happy to take all they could in a world of plenty. We lost our collective identity, our collective goals and our collective strength. The duty of supporting billions of people, using the dwindling resources of our planet, fell to a minority.

  We cured disease and prevented famine. Every reduction in human risk hailed as a breakthrough led to social unrest, an enormous consumption of resources and tension across the globe.

  Statistical, sociological, religious and economic predictions all arrived at the same precise conclusion. The human race could not survive this century on its current trajectory. We entered the Anthropocene Epoch.

  Disease, poverty, famine and war kept our collective world balanced. It is perhaps paradoxical to think that our advances in science and philosophy led to this extinction point. However, as leaders of the free world, we would be negligent to disregard the inescapable conclusion. Action is required to save our planet and to save the human race.

  For many years, financial and political leaders have combined their collective resources to actualize a renaissance. Preparations have been made in full view of an unsuspecting but ultimately uncaring and selfish world. All quarters of the globe have been involved, in the knowledge that their success would bring with it personal hardship.

  The world population must be reduced to approximately ten percent of its current figure. Without the burden on our earth’s resources, ecology, or reliance on fossil fuels, the Earth will repair the damage we have caused. In time, the ecosystem will reclaim vast swathes of the planet.

  Unhindered by interference, we will push the boundaries of science. To create a technological utopia. A civilization dedicated to research, human improvement and discovery.

  We must improve our bodies and prolong our lives to survive in any terrain. We will establish a moon base, which will become our first colony away from the earth. Mars will be our second colony. In my lifetime, I hope to see a manned vessel go beyond our solar system.

  The earth is a seed and we will plant that seed across the universe, safe in the knowledge that Earth is an ecological haven. We are no longer Homo Sapiens, we are Homo Eximus.

  Avery played the video again, fingers drumming on the screen. This man and others had fooled the whole world. Led us all by the nose into believing they were helping us. She remembered the paramedic calling her a puppet. Her face reddened, he was right. All she cared about was following orders, promotion, advancement and a good posting. She never cared about an actual end game.

  “When you hear it verbalized-“Burns said, trailing off.

  Avery stared at the screen shaking her head.

  “The powerful have always made life or death decisions over us,” Burns said, reaching for his screen. “I could do nothing to prevent it. Anyone who spoke out either disappeared or was killed.”

  Avery laid her head back and stared at the ceiling. She couldn’t fight it anymore. There was little point to fighting when you’re a grain of sand in a desert. “Why are you here?”

  “It’s out of control,” he replied, his expression pleading. “Billions of lives….”

  She slanted her head towards him. “That guy may be wrong. As you said, science modeling goes wrong when humans are involved.”

  “There are scientists now with IQs of over two hundred and fifty. All nano enhanced and cold as ice.”

  Avery snorted in reply but couldn’t speak.

  “The nanos are controlled by a supercomputer. All our brains are connected to it. But who controls the computer? I don’t know if we caused the apocalypse or it was orchestrated by a prediction programme. It’s out of control.”

  Avery gave him a spiteful look, causing Burns to stiffen and glance quickly towards the door. “So you’ve opened Pandora’s Box and now you want to close it?”

  “We need to destroy Haarp.”

  “Shall I start packing?”

  Burns looked up then understood her sarcasm. “Haarp uses the ionosphere and planet as a giant brain. High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program.”

  “I thought that was shut down years ago?”

  “If you believe the administration then I wonder how you got this far. Or perhaps that’s the reason you have got this far.”

  Avery stiffened at the slight. She followed orders because she had taken an oath and was fighting for freedom. She swallowed and sniffed to disguise her expression.

  “Nanos are controlled by Haarp. It controls the ionosphere, all communications, weather, everything. If we can disable Haarp, we can slow the progress and examine our data.”

  “I can’t even function in here. Do you know how hard it is to keep control when you have none?”

  “You and others rejected nano control, in a similar way to an early test group. They all rejected the connection but kept control of their nanos.”

  “What happened to them?”

  “They became a terrorist cell called Ghosts.”

  Avery’s mouth hung open, eyes blinking. She walked back to the kitchen and poured herself more water. Taking long slow pulls as she tried to filter the information. In the dark for so long and now she was overloaded. “Ghosts.”

  Burns nodded then rubbed his face with his hands.

  “Can you disconnect my nanos permanently?”

  Burns reached into his pocket and pulled out a syringe filled with a yellow fluid. “I can disrupt your nanos with this.”

  “Hold on,” she said, pulling back. “I’m not letting you inject me with anything.”

  Burns waved the syringe in his right hand. “If I wanted to kill you or poison you, I wouldn’t need to tell you first.”

  He was right. If he wanted her dead, this was the most elaborate possible way to achieve it. But she needed answers and he was her only hope. She pulled up her sleeve.

  Burns finger tapped her arm then injected the contents of the syringe into her bloodstream. “It will need a few moments to take effect.”

  She breathed in waiting for a reaction. The room swayed and she threw out an arm to balance against the wall. Closing her eyes as the nausea increased. Burns stood beside her, his hand on her shoulder.

  The nausea eased and she returned to the sofa, ignoring Burns while she settled. Ghosts, Haarp, nanos and soldiers spun around her mind. There was no certainty or truth to anything she knew. Lies and deception, death and disaster. She touched her dead zone, the part of her mind that reset her feelings.

  “Hypothetically, if we build up a force, take down Haarp and succeed. What happens next?”

  His brow furrowed. “We examine our data and draw conclusions.”

  “Then start it all again?”

  “This is our big filter. We either survive or become extinct.”

  “Why.”

  It was Burns’ turn to look puzzled. “It’s Fermi’s Paradox. A species-“

  “Why did you have to push us towards this end?”

  Burns nodded, rubbing his face. He reached down to pick up his flexi. He rose on swaying legs and ambled to the door. “I should leave.”

  His mouth opened to say something but shook his head and sniffed.

  Avery walked slowly to her bedroom. The weight of knowledge pushed her down onto the bed and into a dreamless sleep.

  Chapter 18

  Logan lay on his beach letting the ocean roll in and out, over his body. The cool water soothed away his pain and licked his wounds. Although the sky was dark, he could see clearly enough, like a badly lit mine passage. He slipped into the water on his back until there was enough room to swim.

  Crawling back onto the sandy beach, he let water fall away until he was dry. There were no wounds on his body, it was smooth and hard.

  A movement caught his attention.

  A bird in the sky.

  It soared above him, flapping its wings to change direction an
d fly away. He watched it go until it became a speck on the horizon. He tried to shout but couldn’t form a word. When he looked down he began to fall through the beach and into darkness.

  “I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do,” Sarin said.

  A hand touched his arm and lips kissed his forehead.

  “Wait,” he managed to croak. “I’m not dead yet.”

  “You’re in the hospital,” Sarin whispered. “Stay calm, we’re doing everything we can.”

  He tried to speak but only released a soft puff of air. Sarin shouted at him to stay awake as he drifted off into darkness again.

  Logan awoke to the sound of muffled conversation, a short laugh and a closing door. He lay naked on a hospital bed. A white sheet draped across him and a drip connected to his right arm.

  The remainder of beds were unoccupied and the door to the consulting room was closed. A bottle of water sat on the table beside him. He drank it down with five large pulls. An urge for the bathroom made him climb out of bed. He stood with a sheet wrapped around him, thinking of where to go.

  A nurse opened the door, walked into the room then froze. His hand shot up to his mouth to muffle a squeal. “You’re alive. I can’t believe it. Let me fetch Dr Sarin.”

  “No its fine, I’ll see him later. Do you have my clothes?”

  The nurse returned with neatly folded blue scrubs, placing them on the bed. “Yours were a bit bloody.”

  The drip needle was disconnected from Logan’s arm and a small plaster fixed on the puncture wound. The nurse examined his wounds and gasped. His hand rubbing at Logan’s shoulder and back.

  “What happened?” Logan asked.

  The nurse backed away, shaking his head pulling on his lower lip. “You were stabbed in the back and shoulder. Doctor Sarin said you wouldn’t survive without surgery. How?”

  Logan climbed into the pants then pulled the top over his head.

  “Less than fifteen hours later you’re completely healed. It’s a miracle.”

  “Who stabbed me?”

  “It was Dandy. He went crazy. Slashed five other people before they shot him.”

  Logan took a breath and nodded in reply. He closed the hospital door and glanced up and down the empty tunnel. Dim light led away in both directions. In the real world it was early morning. In the mine there was no difference between morning and night. He walked towards Adam and Gregor’s accommodation block, stopping half way to lean against the rock face.

  There were no lights on in the block Cate’s parents shared with another family. Adam and Gregor shared their own room and there was even a spare pod for guests. He eased open the entrance door and crept towards their bedroom. They were both asleep and breathing deeply. He sat gently down and stroked Adam’s hair.

  “Mom?” he said.

  Logan carried on stroking the boy’s hair making shushing noises. Adam reached out his arm and Logan bent to cuddle him. For a moment he allowed emotion to take over and his mind ran free with memories and regrets.

  “Everything’s going to be okay, go back to sleep.”

  He stayed in position until Adams breathing became regular. Ruffling Gregor’s hair, he left them to sleep.

  Logan slipped outside into a dark and soundless tunnel, gliding along with the airflow. He could sense the collective presence of all the miners. Safe below a mile of thick rock, like a colony of ants.

  He walked on impulse through the quiet central cavern, gazing at the empty cable drum tables.

  “It’s so peaceful during the night.”

  Logan turned to see Heather walking from the barracks tunnel. She was dressed in a black cape and hood, her face flushed and brown eyes gleaming. She threw her arms around him, head against his chest.

  They stood in a silent embrace until Heather released him. Holding him by the arms and staring into his face. “I knew you wouldn’t die.”

  “I still have nanos.”

  Heather shook her head and smiled. “It’s a sign. You’re blessed.”

  Logan detached himself and smoothed down his scrubs. “Not sure about that.”

  “It’s going to strengthen everyone to see you alive. Use it. The mine miracle.”

  Logan nodded, glancing around to see if anyone else was watching. “Are you working in the barracks?”

  She laughed and reached forward to kiss him on the cheek. “Sometimes you’re the sweetest.”

  Another hug and she was walking away. Logan glanced back in her direction before heading towards the barracks.

  A guard saluted him as he entered. Another detached to inform Ortiz. The guard passed him a cup of hot brown liquid then led him to a briefing room, in a makeshift tent.

  Ortiz was waiting for him, watching him duck into the tent. Taking long pulls from his flask, grimacing and swallowing. He placed the flask on the table between them and gestured towards a chair for Logan. “That wound should’ve killed you.”

  “I’m just lucky, I guess.”

  He took a deep breath and straightened his back. “I’m sorry.”

  Logan swirled and sniffed the cups contents. It smelt of tea but looked like tar. Like a hot version of Jack Daniels. “For what?”

  “Dandy escaped from his guard and took a knife from the armory. We failed to protect you. I can recommend a suitable replacement for my position.”

  The mask on his face slipped a fraction as Logan stared in disbelief. “That wasn’t your fault. I have nothing but respect for you.”

  “Your protection is my duty.”

  “It’s okay to have feelings you know.”

  Ortiz looked away and Logan’s skin prickled at the sight. He had relied on the Sergeant to carry on without emotion. They all had. But even Ortiz had feelings, mashed up and split apart by their new world. For the first time, he seemed young and vulnerable.

  “You’re a fine soldier Sergeant Ortiz and a finer man.”

  “I’m your man. Now and forever.”

  Logan maintained eye contact and nodded. “Just don’t call me sir.”

  Ortiz took another pull of his flask, grimaced and placed it down. “Heather and I have become close in the last few months.”

  Logan took a small sip of the foul tasting brew. He swallowed with effort to mask his surprise at the pairing of Ortiz and Heather. “I see. You’re a lucky man.”

  Low music drifted out of the workshop. Light from inside spilled out around the closed door. Inside, Sean sat hunched over a bench, spooning a red soup into his mouth.

  “Any news on the cloak?” Logan said.

  Sean jumped two feet in the air and dropped the bowl he was holding. It clattered to the floor and smashed into a mess of soup and ceramic. He gaped, lost for words for the first time.

  “Only a flesh wound.”

  “Holy shit,” Sean breathed. He mouthed a curse, fingers pulling on his chin.

  “It’s the mine miracle.”

  Sean ran forward and folded him in a hug that lifted Logan from his feet. “Jarod is gonna shit when he sees you.”

  “So will everyone else by the sound of it.”

  Sean shook his head, smiling at Logan until he appeared to remember the question. “The cloak is a work of pure art. Some kind of graphene polymer with an electrical charge generated by the wearer. It’s a Faraday cage that deflects heat. And wearing it you’d be practically invisible at night.”

  “It was Caspar’s.”

  “I knew it. I fucking knew it. He was a shonky bastard.”

  “Listen, things have gone a bit off track in here. I need some of your energy to bring people together. Only some. Any ideas?”

  “I’m an ideas man,” Sean replied. He walked towards the bench and turned the volume of his music up. “Let’s have a party.”

  #

  “I’m working on it,” Fox said, wiping sweat from his forehead.

  Logan picked dropped a handful of nuts into a bowl of porridge “We all need some kind of release.”

  “I’ve kept a bulk of salted Beef i
n reserve. We can have that with dauphinoise potatoes, peas and carrots. Then apple pie and custard.”

  “Fantastic.”

  “I think it’s a great idea. I mean it,” Fox said.

  With his breakfast in one hand and spoon in the other, Logan left the kitchen and began his weekly rounds of inspections. He smiled and nodded at people he passed.

  “Hey Laura, how’s arm?” he said.

  She turned and gave him a crooked smile. “I’ll be pitching soon”

  Her smile spread to up to her eyes and down to her twitching mouth. He gave her a toothy grin in response.

  Their smiles were the most human of virtue signaling. Open and friendly connections that said more than a thousand words. He had only spoken to Laura a handful of times but they were connected by small words and gestures. A shared smile could put a spring in your step, straighten your back and look at the world in a different way.

  In the weeks since his stabbing, the miners had seen his recovery as a sign from god. They believed it even more when he spoke to them about their sadness and fears. Spying in his Ghost cloak led him to know much more about people than they thought. He used his Ghost cloak to wander the mine late at night. It superseded his nights of drinking.

  Thinking back, Logan could see how the general mood had fluctuated since their arrival in the mine. They were thankful and hopeful at first. After a few weeks fear and resentment began to fester. Finally, they reached an acceptance. It was a community of equals. All of them were acting as teachers, parents and friends. Even the soldiers no longer wore their uniform, grew their hair and beards and mixed freely with everyone else.

  He watched the hospital before entering. Out of all the areas of the mine, this was the most difficult for him. His relationship with Sarin had grown so far apart, they could be divorced. He wanted it out of the way before he met with Heather.

  Sarin was writing at his desk and grunted a greeting as Logan entered.

  “I’m doing my rounds, couldn’t miss you out.”

  “Look at you,” Sarin said, gesturing with his arm. “A picture of health.”

  “I’m just lucky.”

  “Don’t Logan,” Sarin said, shaking his head, nostrils flaring. “Look at me. I’m wilting down here without nanos. Look at everyone else apart from you. Then tell me you think we should stay down here.”