Ascension

by Jeannie van Rompaey

  Lizzy asks if the park has a name and when I tell her that as far as I know it hasn’t, she says in that case we will name it. She finds a twig, pointed enough at one end to write in the soil of a flowerbed, and writes the word PEMBERLEY, the name of Mr. Darcy’s estate. She looks up at me, her eyes shining, and I nod my approval.

  And that, dear Journal, is the highlight of our first date.

  Journal

  Stella has made an intervention. Not just on screen as Ra did when he stopped the fight between Kali and Sati, but in person. She transported herself to Earth as Father did when he came to find me. She has interviewed all the prospective candidates for the post of CEO and is to announce the name of the new controller tomorrow. I didn’t see the private interviews but I do have an opinion.

  A quick run-down of my thoughts on the matter. First the definite No-nos: Heracles, too clever by half, a wild card, impulsive, untrustworthy, a danger to his fellow mutants; Odysseus and Brahmin, too old and stuck in their ways; Durga, another impulsive wild card, willing to risk other people’s lives for her own glory; Sati, a selfish, scheming alley cat; Jaga, a selfish traitor, not to be trusted. Only two possibilities left: Athene, cool, calm and clever, but I don’t really know how her mind works (maybe Stella has found out); Kali, firm, authoritative, straight as an arrow, caring, honest, a good leader….

  OK, dear Journal, I know I’m biased and I know well enough that Kali has her faults but I will be thrilled if Stella chooses her. Just think. My two mothers, one as CEO and the other as Managing Director of Worldwideculture. I’d be so proud.

  Not going to happen. Can you imagine it – Stella appointing Kali? No way, José.

  Journal Entry

  A bulletin from the Symposium to all inhabitants of Oasis is posted online. The new CEO of Worldwideculture is to visit us tomorrow. Wow! I’m so excited. Imagine: the first mutant humanoid to be invited to visit Oasis. (Apart from myself, of course, but that’s a different story.)

  The stun-gun device in the teleport is to be switched off. My father and several other government officials are to escort the CEO to the Symposium building in the main plaza. I intend to be in the crowd to witness the historic arrival and Lizzy is coming with me. Who is to be the new chief controller? I don’t know. No one knows. It’s top secret. Even though Stella likes to think of herself as my mother she doesn’t confide in me. Actually, I’m not sure she really likes me. In fact, I don’t think she trusts me. And, to be honest, I’m not sure I really like or trust her.

  Journal Entry

  The streets are packed. Lizzy and I have a good spot near the transporter. I’m loath to stand too near the front as I don’t want Lizzy to be exposed, but we’re both short and someone pushes us forward and there we are in the front row. I am so keyed up. I can’t wait to see who emerges from the teleport. Lizzy clutches my hand. She has no idea why I am so interested in this momentous occasion but she catches some of my excitement and is happy to share it with me. There’s a real buzz in the crowd. I see Jonathan and Susie on the other side of the prom but I don’t wave. Better not attract attention to myself. He might remember Lizzy and disapprove of my being with a girl from the Project.

  At last the moment arrives. The members of the official welcome party stand by the teleport. Apart from Father and Stella I recognise Orlando Wolfe with his sleek-backed hair and mean eyes.

  The teleport lights up, flame-coloured, purple and green. A rustle of anticipation in the crowd and, a moment or two later, out comes – Athene.

  She’s as beautiful in the flesh as on screen. Tall, classically dressed in a long white gown, she resembles a Greek goddess. Her only mutation, as far as I can see, is the extra eye in the centre of her forehead, but that eye is marine blue and serene and, to my mind at least, does not detract from her beauty. But then I’m used to mutant humanoids. It must be different for the real completes.

  Stella greets Athene and introduces her to the other members of the welcome party. Athene shakes hands with each of them in turn.

  They escort their guest through the city to the Symposium. Athene moves gracefully with a calm self-assurance that suggests she will be a decisive but balanced CEO of Wordwideculture. Stella walks beside her, head held high, confident she has chosen well.

  The people on either side of me stare at the phenomenon before them – a mutant humanoid on the streets of Oasis – but they are well behaved. I note that there is a substantial police presence in case of an incident. Someone begins to applaud and others join in and soon the clapping becomes louder and there is even some cheering but, thank Zeus, none of the jeering or crude comments that so horrified me in the museum. All is quiet and controlled. For once I can be proud of being a complete.

  As Orlando Wolfe passes, I see his eyes scrutinising the crowd. Perhaps it’s his job to make sure Athene arrives without mishap. His eyes alight on me and rest on me for a little longer than they should. Is it my imagination? I don’t think he and Father get on very well and Wolfe would be delighted to find fault with his son. Pulling Lizzy along with me, I weave my way through the crowd to the back. By the time I look up again, the official group has moved on, Orlando Wolfe with them. It gives me a bit of a scare seeing him gaze at me like that. I believe he was involved in the interrogation of Heracles. Could Heracles have mentioned me?

  A big screen has been erected in the Plaza. The conference in the Symposium is to be relayed there and online. What a break-through. Negotiations usually take place behind closed doors, but these are not negotiations, they are opening speeches and, in the name of transparency, it has been decided they will be televised live. How democratic can you get?

  Oasis is very proud itself today and so it should be. Lizzie and I make our way to the Plaza to view the events on the big screen with everyone else. We look up and view the modern high tech interior of the Symposium building with its members sitting in a wide semi-circle.

  Journal Entry

  What is to happen? An enlightening exchange of ideas: the start of a better relationship between Earth and Oasis? Or a revelation of how far the two sides will have to compromise for any changes to take place?

  A representative of the Oasis Symposium, Stephen Giles, a tall man with a long face and beaky nose, kicks off the proceedings with some suggestions. I will list them for you, dear Journal, with my comments in italics.

  1) To show goodwill, the ten hostages, the captured golden warriors, will be returned immediately to Compound 98 where Jaga is now in charge. Excellent news.

  2) Certain artefacts and paintings from the Oasis museum will be transferred to the principle museum on Earth, also in C98. These will be gifts, a further sign of good relations. Excellent again. Odysseus will be thrilled.

  3) The technology in the compounds will be updated and all further technological advances will be shared. Equality is on its way. Whoopee!

  4) Human beings will keep the satellites for themselves but offer to share all resources and ideas with the mutant humanoids on Earth, provided the humanoids promise not to attack or attempt to infiltrate the satellites. As the air on Earth is no longer toxic, the Oasis government suggests that the humanoids could – should they wish – leave the compounds and build their own towns and cities on Earth. This would be strictly for mutant humanoids. They could use designs based on Oasis if they so wished and receive advice about the construction of roads and buildings including schools, universities, hospitals and theatres. In fact, Oasis is willing to supply any kind of help needed. Very magnanimous. A bit patronising?

  To summarize: the Oasis government intends to keep the satellites as an autonomous zone for themselves but in return the humanoids are offered their own autonomous zone, the Earth. Big deal. Very little is being offered here.

  Athene listens to these suggestions in silence, her expression inscrutable. In a clear firm voice she thanks the Symposium of Oasis for the return of the warriors, the gifts for the museum and the offer to share resources, ideas and technological updates wi
th those left on Earth. She pauses, smiles and adds that she can’t help comparing the gifts being offered with the brightly coloured necklaces given to natives to placate them when colonising their land. She thinks, as I do, that it’s patronising to suggest that the mutant humanoids can be bought with a few gifts that should have been shared before now.

  She also thanks the government of Oasis for giving them the sole rights to develop Earth, but as they already live there, possession being nine tenths of the law, she suggests it’s not much of a concession. Note my comment above – Big deal. Athene and I are on the same wavelength. Fantastic.

  The help in designing and constructing cities might well be useful, but the Symposium might be surprised to learn that the sectoids have their own talented, skilled architects. Great. She’s proud of the mutant humanoids.

  Her main objection to the ideas put forward is that it will take time for such cities to be built. Meanwhile, all they have been offered – apart from a few token artefacts for the museum – is the status quo, segregation as before with the complete human beings remaining on the satellites and the mutant humanoids on Earth.

  A few exchanged looks as the Symposium wonder what alternative plan she is about to suggest. I note the stern set of Orlando Wolfe’s mouth as he leans to make a comment to a colleague sitting next to him. Is she is going to suggest that mutant humanoids should have a satellite of their own? Not a bit of it. That would be apartheid. Athene argues the case for integration.

  ‘I understand that we look different from you, that some complete human beings look upon mutant humanoids as freaks, but our mutations were brought about by human error. The inhabitants of the satellites can count themselves lucky that their bodies have remained intact and should concede that part of the blame for our mutations lies with them.

  ‘We mutant humanoids are not asking for pity. All we are asking is to be treated as equals.

  ‘I realise that complete integration will take time. Attitudes will have to change so that people learn not to treat those who look different from them as inferior. A step in the right direction has been made today when I walked down the main street of Oasis. It was my suggestion to do that and you were gracious enough to agree. You could say I asked you to invite me! What I propose is a series of similar experiments for you to become accustomed to seeing us.’ Integration. Exciting news. I squeeze Lizzy’s hand. She looks up at me – yes, she’s even shorter than me – no doubt wondering why I’m so pleased.

  Athene smiles. ‘As a matter of fact, we will have some adjusting to do too. We find you strange to look at. Yes, really, but I invite you to visit us on Earth so that we can become used to looking at each other. Why not start with a trip to Compound 99? I assure you we will make you welcome and try not to stare at your lack of mutations!’

  A ripple of laughter runs through the chamber. Witty as well as beautiful.

  ‘Clearly, you have more amenities here on Oasis than we have on Earth. From what I’ve already seen today I’m very impressed by your city. Naturally we are a little envious of your facilities and would like to share them. I make no secret of that.

  ‘Now for a couple of specific requests. Firstly, Hos-sat. If we have humanoids in need of special treatment we’d like to be able to send them there. As a matter of fact, this privilege has already been awarded us in the case of our previous CEO, Ra, and I thank you for that. I visited him there and was impressed with the quality of both the staff and the facilities. That Ra died in Hos-sat is no reflection on the quality of care and treatment he received. Ra would have died wherever he was. It was his time. As far as I know there is no one dangerously ill on Earth at present. We are well protected from germs and viruses, shut up as we are in the compounds.

  ‘But we do have a pregnant woman in C98. As you can imagine, this is a thrilling occasion for us. No one on Earth has given birth for years. I would like your permission to allow her to go to Hos-sat to give birth to give her the best chance of a successful delivery.’

  I suspect that Athene’s request is likely to be answered favourably and that she knows this and so has chosen to ask for this favour first. Her later appeals may be more difficult to grant. My respect for her grows by the minute. I hope this will be granted because the mother-to-be is my old mate, Isis.

  Her next suggestion posits that intellectually gifted mutant humanoids should be allowed to apply to attend Oasis university. A little stir of consternation from her audience, but Athene continues regardless. She refers to her arrival today again and says again that the more often mutant humanoids are seen here the quicker attitudes are likely to change. ‘Surely in the enlightened world of the university the integration of humans and humanoids would be excepted, if not with ease, at least with respect.’ Fantastic. Having fellow mutants at the university would be excellent.

  Athene finishes by conceding that not all mutant humanoids are of good character. ‘We have flaws just as I’m sure some of you have – present company excepted naturally,’ another titter of laughter, ‘but we are used to communal living and to having consideration for others. I said just now that we are not greedy but, on the other hand, we do envy you your lifestyle – your high standard of living – and would like to share it. It will take time to build new cities on Earth. We feel we’ve been shut up in the compounds long enough and are entitled to share some of the facilities on Oasis and other satellites. We are the same species as you. I’m sure when you get used to the diversity of our appearance you will find we’re not so very different.’

  By the time she has thanked Mr. Giles and the other members of the Symposium for listening to her and for their hospitality I believe she has charmed them enough for them to at least give her proposals serious thought.

  Oh brave new world indeed if we can really begin to integrate. If this change had only come earlier perhaps I could have avoided those operations and the torture of physiotherapy and speech therapy! But I am aware that it will take a long time for attitudes to change and for the society that Athene envisages to be realised, but it could happen. It must happen.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Elizabeth and Darcy

  (according to Michael)

  Journal Entry

  ‘Did you see the eye in the centre of her forehead? A bit creepy that.’ Lizzy and I are walking back along the central prom towards the project.

  I realise that Athene must be the first mutant humanoid Lizzy has seen. I’m determined to educate her, to make her see things differently. ‘I don’t find it a bit creepy. I think she’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.’

  ‘More beautiful than me?’ Lizzy says, raising her blue eyes to mine. She’s flirting with me and I can’t help but respond – but not in words. There, in the middle of the prom, I take her in my arms and kiss her. Our first kiss. Afterwards she opens her eyes and smiles at me. ‘Oh, Mr. Darcy, that was real special!’

  I have to agree that it was and we repeat the experience.

  A voice makes us spring apart. ‘Excuse me, Sir, can I have a word?’ And with that Lizzy is off, running away as if her life depends on it. The police officer starts off after her. He’s in no hurry. He knows where to find her.

  I promised Lizzy that if the police stopped her I would deal with it, that she wouldn’t lose points for being in Oasis City without permission and that her family wouldn’t lose the house. But everything happens so quickly. I’m in a state of shock, still knocked out by that kiss. I can’t move. I can’t say a word.

  I come to life at last, rush after the officer, catch up with him and find my voice. ‘Please Officer, let her go. She hasn’t done anything wrong.’

  He gives a short laugh. ‘Soliciting on the main promenade of Oasis? That’s enough for me. ‘

  ‘Soliciting? I don’t understand….’

  The officer stops and looks me straight in the eye. ‘Take my advice, Sir. Not a good idea to have anything to do with the prostitutes from the Project. You don’t know what sort of diseases
you might pick up.’

  The colour rushes up my cheek. ‘She’s not a prostitute. She’s a really nice girl.’

  ‘I’m sure she is, Sir,’ he says evenly, ‘but my advice is the same. Keep away from the Project. Find yourself a nice girl in Oasis City.’

  I ring Lizzy about five times before she answers.

  ‘Where are you? Are you all right? Did the police constable catch you?’

  ‘He let me off with a caution. Don’t know why. I’m back home now.’

  ‘How are you feeling?’

  ‘Fine.’ She hesitates. ‘Look, Darcy. You mustn’t come looking for me no more. It won’t do you no good. Thank you for giving me a nice time and for treating me right. But you must forget me. I’m not for the likes of you.’

  ‘Did the officer tell you to say that?’

  ‘Yes, and my brothers. They saw the cop talking to me on the edge of the Project. I can’t see you again, Darcy. Forget about me. For your sake as well as mine.’

  ‘I can’t forget you, Lizzy. You must know that.’ No answer. ‘Lizzy, can you hear me?’

  We’ve been cut off. I ring back but there’s no answer. I try again and again. The line’s dead. I’ll try again later. She can’t keep her mob-fone switched off forever.

  I sit on a bench and think about what’s happened. The officer called Lizzy a prostitute. I’m furious. How dare he say such a thing? I’ve a good mind to report him for defamation of character but even as I have the thought, I know I can’t do it. If I did, Father would become involved and that wouldn’t do at all.