As they walked in, Cecil took both of Freda’s hands. “Good luck.”
“To both of us,” she replied. She had no more time for debate with him. Her real battle would be with Loretta.
She watched as Cecil scurried through one of the side doors that led into the Council Chamber. She would not enter until summoned and sat down in a chair that molded to her shape comfortably. She admitted to herself it had been a long time, probably around seventy years, since she felt nervous about entering a Council meeting.
“Planet Reviser Freda, the Council awaits you,” said a young, professional blond cadet. A podium stood prominently to the right of the door. Freda placed her hand on the podium’s biometric scanner plate. The computer scanned her entire body, looking for anything suspicious that could indicate infiltration or duplicity.
The plate lit up green.
“You may enter,” said the polite electronic voice. The Council doors opened slowly, and Freda walked in with her trusty folder held under her arm. Most would feel small entering such a grand chamber. Humans would call it large and dull, bar the plush royal blue carpet. A single metal table sat before the imposing Council bench, with the four Council members sitting behind it, continuing to work.
“Here we go,” she whispered silently to herself.
Chapter 4
Loretta was a very pale, tall humanoid with penetrating blood-red pupils and short-cropped gray hair tied in a tiny tight bun. “This meeting will now come to order.”
The computer system locked the doors and began a complete recording of the meeting for official records.
“We already know you’ve been given the preliminaries,” said Loretta as the other three Council members, including Cecil, looked on. “Cecil, I suppose I should thank you for saving us some time. This will be a long session.”
Cecil squirmed in his seat. Freda knew he feared Loretta. Without his Council position, Cecil had very little left to do in his old age.
“I’ve cleared my schedule,” said Freda.
“The overview Cecil provided you is accurate. This Council now intends to take action to save the species from genetic extinction.”
“Loretta, I feel…”
“I’m not finished,” said Loretta, cutting Freda off in mid-sentence. “Despite your repeated arguments about giving humanity time to fix their own problems, this Council has decided to overrule you and take swift action. Funding has already been sought and approved.”
“May I speak?” asked Freda with a hint of sarcasm. She loathed Loretta, and the feeling was mutual. The head of the Council had waged a powerful campaign against Freda when the post for Earth came up 140 years ago. She knew Loretta considered her a troublemaker and far too well connected.
“You may.”
“I urge the Council to succumb to reasoning. Cast your minds back, hundreds of thousands of years ago, when we were at the technological level of the human species. You will remember every race on the Council experienced extinction threats. Each race here had to overcome significant issues technologically, evolutionary, and socially in order to survive and later thrive. Earth must be allowed the same chance as was provided to us.”
“It is our responsibility to assist those who are in need of help,” said Loretta.
“We have no right to play God,” replied Freda.
“If only what the humans believed was true, that there was a God and we could rid ourselves of this problem.” Killinger, of the Telson species, finally spoke up. Freda had wondered when he would. Apart from Loretta, he was the most vocal on the Council. His species were, in the past, legendary warriors. But after warring with neighbors for centuries, their economy was bankrupt, and they then sought entry into the Grand Alliance.
“Just because we haven’t discovered a species superior to the Alliance does not mean one isn’t out there.”
“Freda, really?” asked Loretta.
“We’ve seen scientific evidence, some of which argues that there is a more uniform design to the galaxy than we previously believed.” Freda knew they were surprised she would even mention it.
“Freda, let’s keep on course,” rebuked Killinger. He shook his head dramatically, his long graying locks flowing with him.
“Yes,” agreed Freda, “let’s go back to interfering with a species and disregarding their fundamental right for self-determination.”
The Council was silent to that remark; usually Freda was more respectful to such a powerful group of individuals.
“As I was saying,” growled Killinger, never known for his eloquence, “the human gene pool is crippled. Our best scientists are in agreement that the species is devolving, and extinction through genetic mutation is not a matter of if, but when.”
“Freda, there are only six junior species in this alliance. Considering how rare intelligent life is, they must be given the chance to flourish. We are only proposing to give them that chance,” said Loretta.
“By imposing your will,” said Freda. “Like a dictator.”
“This is different,” said Loretta.
“The population of Earth has not reached many simple milestones the other, much younger races have,” said Killinger. “Earth is the only planet not united under one world government. How can a species operate under so many different governments? They are meant to be one.”
“Institutions are developing that could one day evolve into large world governments,” said Freda.
“The European Union is on the verge of collapse,” said Killinger. “It seems that human society is not going forward anymore.”
“Nearly 200 countries,” added Loretta, “all governed with separate agendas and problems. The species is severely lacking on every measurement tool we use to gauge progress.”
“I find it humorous for Killinger to pass comment on a species not moving forward,” said Pluto.
Freda knew that while Loretta would disagree with Pluto’s remarks, she would not publicly rebuke him. Pluto represented the Kbantu species, who were the wealthiest of the Alliance. Kbantu wealth funded over sixty percent of the Alliance, and those who held the purse strings tended to wield powerful influence.
“Freda, can you give this Council any option, other than asking for more time, that would correct this problem?” Freda got the impression that he would indeed support her if she could present him with something, anything.
“If the Council had informed me of their grave concerns and the setting up of a laboratory on Earth, I would have sought out alternative solutions,” said Freda. She bit her lip, stopping herself from going into a rant.
“Then I am sorry, Freda, but we cannot afford to lose a civilization that we have invested so much into,” said Pluto. “Unless we intervene, they will never become a space-faring civilization and will be unable to be the caretakers of this region of the galaxy.”
“I think our nerves are getting ahead of us here,” said Freda. “This word devolve is dangerous. It has you all considering eugenics. Humans have experimented with this before with dire consequences. Remember Adolf Hitler? We cannot allow ourselves to go down this murky road.”
“All humans have genetic mutations. We have to help them weed out the bad ones,” said Loretta.
“How many humans possess only beneficial genetic mutations then?” Freda asked.
“0.005 percent.”
“Five hundred thousand people?” said Freda in shock, standing up. Cecil refused to look at her, instead focusing on his papers. Killinger and Pluto looked on regardless, following Loretta’s lead. “So what should we do? Just kill ninety-nine percent of the human race, then convene for lunch and discuss the results?”
Loretta ignored her sarcasm. “Freda, a large percentage of the population either has a high chance of developing illness due to genetic mutations, was born with an illness, or
are on lifelong medication. The human economy is crumbling around them. Their world will fall.”
“Loretta, this is barbarism. They need to learn to fix their own problems. Who will do that when we’re gone?”
Pluto put his hand up. “I would like to presume that when we are not here, they will have developed to such an extent that they can be left on their own.”
“Loretta, if you begin treating them like children, then they will never grow up,” said Freda.
“The Council agreed before you entered the chambers that a planet-wide intervention is necessary. As we’ve said, funding has been allocated.”
“To use a human expression, humanity has become a victim of its own unique success,” said Freda.
“Explain that,” said Cecil, speaking up.
“I don’t think this Council has ever fully understood humanity. Life is a precious gift to humans, and they treasure it. The belief that there is more to this gift than achieving total biological or scientific excellence is ingrained into the human psyche. The exclusive societal elements only present on Earth—love, family, local community—have created a powerful culture that even the might of this Council cannot challenge. Human parents don’t see their offspring as simply another life to contribute towards the civilization. In fact, that would be their last thought. This Council needs to understand,” Freda continued gravely, “while most humans know something must be done, they won’t accept what you propose—an outside alien force dictating to them. Denying them the right to give birth will cause planet-wide disruption and violence.”
“I agree with Freda,” said Cecil. “There are too many variables. The Eugenics Virus experiment did fail after all.”
“Yes, it did,” replied Loretta. “But we gained invaluable experience from that experiment, and the Bernay are now in a position to implement a planet-wide intervention. Such an act will eventually allow for the birth of genetically perfect humans.”
Freda shook her head in disbelief. “You want to create a super race.”
“Not a super race, Freda, but a healthier one. The human gene pool is not beyond repair, but time is running out. Too many genetic mutations have been allowed to thrive,” replied Loretta.
“Then what do you propose?” Freda glanced across the bench at all four Council members. The chambers seemed colder than ever now. They felt like execution chambers.
“Sterilization,” said Loretta without expression.
“What did you say?” said Freda, refusing to believe what her ears had just registered.
“Sterilization,” she repeated. The word echoed around the room and sent a shiver down Freda’s spine.
“I want immediate clarification on that,” said Freda. “Not a report tomorrow or next week. Now.”
“Considering we plan to begin this process almost immediately, it is essential you are informed now anyway, so Section 51 can make the appropriate preparations on Earth,” said Pluto.
“I’m waiting, then.”
“We plan to biologically sterilize every human on the planet who possesses a genetic mutation,” said Loretta, slowly rising from her chair.
Freda struggled to speak, the color draining from her already-pale face. Makeup was no use now.
“You can’t do that.”
“We can,” replied Killinger. “Loretta, if you will.”
“We will leave only those humans who are genetically suitable with the ability to procreate.”
“Which is—what did you say—0.005 percent?”
“That is correct,” agreed Loretta, sitting back down. “Only 500,000 humans will be allowed to procreate. Within 200 years, there shall be a cleaner gene pool than humanity has seen for tens of thousands of years. Nearly all genetic illnesses will be gone, along with mental disorders and physical disabilities. The human race will be able to evolve and advance at an unprecedented rate. Within 1,000 years, they should have caught up with the others.”
“While the sterilized die out, like a disease,” said Freda.
“You’re making this sound colder than it is,” said Loretta.
“Denying people the right to procreate is an act of God. This is a massive undertaking.”
“Humanity needs to grow up!” shouted Loretta. “This debilitating family unit the human species clings on to—Freda, how did your society deal with this problem?”
Freda fumed.
“I’m waiting.”
“We terminated every birth that showed signs of a defect.” Freda spoke the words quietly. She didn’t agree with the policy then or now. Unfortunately, back then, she wasn’t in a position to influence government policy on her world.
“You terminated every birth. Hundreds of millions, from what I remember. It gave your species enough time to weed out nearly all your genetic defects.” Loretta continued on, the other council members listening without interruption. “The eugenics of your species is required reading at Bernay genetic academies.”
“We didn’t have a society based on family. That’s a huge difference.”
“Freda,” began Loretta in a condescending tone, “we are offering to meet humanity halfway. Instead of killing all defective newborns for the next 200 years, we’ll just sterilize those humans who are at risk of passing on defective genes, directly or indirectly, to their offspring. This idea of a mother, a father, grandparents. It’s holding the species back.”
“We won’t be able to change that. It is the basis of their society. The very core.” Freda sighed. It was clear she was getting nowhere. “If you want to override law, you do so at your own risk.”
“Loretta,” said Pluto loudly. “We must seek approval. Freda?”
“That would be from President Thomas Morgan. The United States was the original signatory allowing us to become involved with Earth. They have to agree to sterilization, or we would be in violation of Alliance law. That means the Supreme Court could become involved.”
“Well, seek his permission,” Loretta ordered. “Warn him that noncompliance will lead to consequences in the future. If the human president will not agree to something that will be for the long-term benefit of his race, then we may have to consider proprietorship.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Do I sound like I’m joking?”
“That goes against everything this Council was created for, which was to guide and advise new races, not take control.” Freda wanted to explode. Taking total control of the planet and installing a planetary governor was an extreme measure in the Council’s power, only to be used in times of emergency.
“I agree,” said Pluto. “Taking control of a planet would be deeply expensive and deplete Council funds. More funding would be required, which my people would have to pay for. No. Freda, get the president’s authorization for sterilization. We don’t care how, but get it.”
“I will submit the question to him,” replied Freda. She knew cooperation kept her in the game, where she could still affect things. If she refused to obey their orders, they would try and replace her.
“Thank you, Freda,” said Cecil. She had noticed how unusually quiet he was in this session. While never much of a debater, Cecil tended to launch himself into impassioned speeches when the situation was this extreme.
“What is the timeframe?” Freda finally asked, quietly.
“The starship Reason has already been dispatched and should be arriving in seven days. Around two hours after that, we will begin the program. After that, we will take more specific actions for those humans who reside underground, underwater, and in secure compounds.”
“Then phase two will begin,” said Pluto, reading the plan of action and the cost of each phase.
“Yes,” said Loretta. “Phase two will be the destruction of all genetic material held in gene banks across the planet. The final pha
se will involve cataloguing every birth for the next 200 years to ensure the gene pool is repairing itself before beginning the process of evolution again. Those at birth found to possess a mutated gene will be sterilized immediately. We are not terminating one individual in this process. We are merely restoring the concept of survival of the fittest. One year from now, those humans born may be genetically perfect.”
“May I leave?” interrupted Freda. She closed her folder and buttoned her coat. “I won’t even ask if the Council has voted on this motion, because it is clearly happening regardless of any arguments I present. For the record, this is wrong. Morally, scientifically, diplomatically, legally. Everything.” Freda put her gloves on and turned her back on them as she began to walk out.
“Freda,” said Loretta coldly, “you will receive an instruction document to your office. I expect it enacted at once. You will inform a forum of world governments once the process has been completed, not before. You’re dismissed.” Loretta lowered her head and began reviewing some more papers.
There was much to be done before the Reason arrived.
Chapter 5
Bernie busied herself behind the counter, preparing a fresh batch of double chocolate caramel brownies. They had become a patron favorite since she trialed them in the 1990s, but they were darn difficult to make. Getting the caramel just right was always the hardest part for her.
“Freda, you put a smile on my face each time you walk through those doors,” she said, stirring a pot of hot golden caramel.
Freda smiled, but Bernie saw through it in an instant.
“That bad?” she asked.
“Ever want to freeze time? Or go back in time?” asked Freda. She accepted a teaspoon of warm caramel to taste, as the two women stood behind the shop counter talking quietly.
“Freeze time? No, never. I’d still come back to glasses in need of washing,” replied Bernie. “Wouldn’t mind going back in time, though.”
The White Death Page 4
