Children Of Earth (Tales from the 23rd Century Book 1)

by Paul J. Fleming

  Mentally crossing his fingers, Maddox hoped like hell that he had just tied up his recounting of the early stages of hostilities with the information Marcus believed to be true, like discovering a prequel chapter to a story you know but one which actually casts the story in a different light than the one you had always believed. He was slightly bemused that the memories that the AI had incorporated from the adults who had landed with the colony ship had not contained such intricate detail and was not available to the entirety of the shared mind, but then again he had to assume that the AI was capable enough to filter the information and store such facts away from widespread scrutiny. Censorship of available information to provide only the aspects which supported it’s own purpose and goal.

  Marcus exhaled loudly through his nose and shook his head slightly, casting his gaze down to the pistol on his lap as he processed the new information. Suddenly his gaze raised upwards to meet Maddox’s own and he urged the Captain to continue, wanting to know if there were any more details he had not been made aware of from the war.

  Maddox shrugged slightly and continued, trying to appear as relaxed and non-committal as possible whilst feeling sheer relief at such an encouraging sign.

  ‘Well while the Solar Alliance tried to sort out it’s issues and regroup, Mars prepared and then advanced in force, striking at Earths defences as they feared that should they allow the Solar Alliance to rebuild then they would suffer further retributive strikes. Even now, with Martian forces advancing and attacking, the Solar Alliance council refused to entertain the possibility of their colony being self-governing and independent. If they had we may have avoided all the bloodshed and hardships that followed. In any case, the Martians broke through and struck at Earth itself. It was a disorganised, weakened and pathetic force they were met by. Easily overrun and once they had orbital control, they landed. Pushing their initiatives further and directing strikes against the ruling cities, eradicating centres of control they employed the use of newly developed robotic troops which rolled off the production lines in their thousands and were put into action to quell the Earth’s population and unseat the ruling bodies. The council of the Solar Alliance was disbanded and members either apprehended or killed as it was all to clear that the Earth was beaten and on it’s knees. Some people actually welcomed the new order and fought alongside Mars, wishing to usher in a new era for the Earth and it’s population. Lack of unity and resources provided the Martians with a huge advantage and eventually we had to surrender, as there was no other option. The Earth came under the direct corporate control of the Aries Corporation of Mars who determined to rebuild cities and help the population. Obviously there was still a lot of resentment and ill-feeling towards the Martians after such hardship and bitter fighting, but you have to take the wider view and understand that originally they were being repressed and under the control of those who ruled the Solar Alliance from Earth at the beginning.’

  Marcus was seemingly wide-eyed as he listened intently to the recounting of the war years in such a brief nutshell, with no apparent contesting of the detail when compared to his own learning and understanding. His brow formed into a frown slightly as a question pushed to the front of his mind.

  ‘So if the Earth governance before the war was corrupt, and now the Martians are offering to rebuild our home and help the population of the Earth, why the resistance? Why are you and your friends still fighting a shadow war against the Martians until they relent and leave the Earth alone? Surely their efforts pose the best way forwards for the planet’s regeneration at the present?’ He asked quite simply but the question caused Maddox a good long pause and intake of breath before exhaling with a sigh.

  ‘Well, I’ve tried to give you all that in a nutshell and maybe it sounds like I’m all for the Martians, which I am not by any means, but there are things which the Martians have done also both during and after the war which far from makes them the reluctant hero of the tale. They use the devastated sprawls of Earth as testing grounds for experimentation on the masses who huddle in the ruins and fight daily to survive. They unleash their mechanical murderers to flush out pockets of humanity, not for re-housing or other Samaritan efforts but to test them against moving targets and in hostile situations. One Martian commander actually referred to these operations as ‘pest control’ in an unguarded moment and the company PR department had to work very hard to overcome that one, plus he vanished from the Martian military hierarchy very quickly. The fact is that the Martian’s efforts on Earth are not as well-meaning as they would have you believe in their news reports through the popular media. They strip mine resources using slave gangs housed in large labour camps, they test their troops and devices in the sprawls and demand absolute obedience from those housed within their protectorate zones, for fear of being cast out into the ruined wilderness if anyone should transgress or show an inkling of rebellious thought. They were the oppressed, but have now themselves become the oppressors. Now we are fighting for our homes and survival and that’s why there’s a resistance and why we keep fighting them wherever we can. There are those on Earth who are benefiting from the public image of rebuilding and care to which the corporation on Mars eludes to, but there are many more unseen people who suffer daily in fear of their lives.’

  Maddox relaxed a little in his chair, quite satisfied with his retelling of the historical tale. Quite obviously he had left out the more gore ridden and gratuitous detail as he felt that was too much in-depth than this overview was meant to provide, but as a summary of the whole debacle he thought his rendition did quite well.

  Marcus was quite deep in contemplation of his words and the answers provided and this encouraged Maddox even further as he watched his young companion’s face to see a plethora of contemplative expressions cross his features. He was quite obviously scrutinising the fact presented with great detail.

  ‘Captain Maddox. If all of what you say is true, that one oppressive regime was thwarted and replaced with another, then surely the society of which you speak would benefit greatly from our return. It would mean the ousting of those who sought to rule corruptly and the development of a balanced society with provision for all who were linked. ’

  Maddox’s pleasure at his retelling of history evaporated quickly. His advantage had just turned sour and far from acquiring an ally, he had just positively reinforced the deranged scheme proposed by the AI in the eyes of his young companion.

  28 Change of Allegiance

  So keen had he been to not only condense the events of history within the core to a more palatable form but also to try and cover the detail and scope accurately that he had completely overlooked the fact he was providing a very good argument for the society model which was present here on the colony to be imposed upon Earth.

  Maddox had to think quickly before the whole trail of conversation took a turn along a track which supported global implantation over the freedom of the masses.

  ‘Okay, yes I have to concede that fact but think about it this way, whilst there is freedom of thought and act there will always be those who can stand in the way of such oppression. Throughout human history there are examples of conflict and adversity, but we have always pulled through. There are fine examples of democracy where the mass of people advocate who is to lead them and if they are doing a bad job, they are replaced by consensus of popular opinion. That is the goal we are striving towards, self governance through a body elected by the population and working on behalf of the population. Not by a corrupt council emerging from governing bodies from across the globe, nor from an off-world source. Humanity has the ability to learn from it’s mistakes and forge a better future for itself.’

  Maddox paused for a moment, not for dramatic effect but instead in preparation for his next statement which would prove highly controversial in the eyes of his young companion.

  ‘Look Marcus, I know you have spent your life with this shared mind thing and have never experienced life away from it for the most part. To you it seems like
the most perfect solution to problems faced back on Earth but I can tell you now that if you try to impose it upon people back there you’ll be like the unwanted guests at a party who keep telling everyone what music should be played and how people should dance on the dance floor. If the Martians did the absolutely improbable and pulled out in light of your demands, which they won’t without a fight I can tell you now with certainty, then you took over you would become the new Martians subjugating and imposing your will upon the mass population. You would be the oppressors. Do you understand that?’

  ‘But once people were convinced of the benefits our shared mind poses, not only for those with wealth but those who were starving and destitute, surely they would not see us as oppressors? Rather as saviours?’

  ‘Saviours with a hidden agenda you mean,’ Maddox retorted in an unguarded moment allowing his frustration to show through his carefully calculated argument.

  ‘Hidden agenda?’ Marcus asked, his gaze fixing on Maddox intently with an air of defensiveness about him once more. One little misplaced comment and Maddox could feel the situation slipping away again after all his careful efforts.

  ‘Marcus, please,’ Maddox said as he unfurled his arms and made a placating gesture with his hands held out before him towards the young man. ‘Think about everything you have experienced here and everything which is currently happening. Remember the cavern and the fact I was given a straight forward choice to submit and Praia could live, resist and she would be slaughtered. Can’t you understand that was not the work of a considerate forgiving and benevolent society, rather it was blackmail to force my hand? That threat was against one of your own Marcus, not an outsider who arrived here uninvited. The AI was threatening her very life to make me submit. Do you remember that? Think about it.’

  Maddox watched Marcus’ expression carefully as the young man’s gaze descended to the floor and his brow furrowed. He kept on pressing, the time for dancing about the issue was over and he had to tackle things head on.

  ‘Think back to those adults in your own colony history, they came together in a peaceful effort to try and save everyone and forge a solution for your survival. There were Martians on the ship, and there were resistance fighters. Two bitterly opposed groups, but when faced with adversity which affected them both equally and those who were in their care, they forged a new future together to try and ensure your survival.’

  Marcus nodded slightly, his brow smoothing slightly and his eyebrows raising as he accepted what was being said.

  ‘They reactivated the computer AI and handed over most of the base controls to it, freeing themselves to try and seek a solution on how they could return. They were not short-sighted or in error, they were simply working hard to forge a solution to the present problem and in doing so created an even bigger problem. It was the AI Marcus. It took their hopes, fears, desires and experiences from them once it had developed this shared mind into which you are all connected. It knew what they were striving for and provided them with an avenue to follow. They depended upon it and put their faith in it so heavily, it would have been so easy for it to lead them along it’s own chosen path. Tell me Marcus, this shared mind thing and joining it, did you have a choice? If you had remained apart, how would you have been treated?’

  There was uncertainty clouding the young face.

  ‘I….I don’t know.’

  ‘No, because you weren’t given the choice. What about Praia and the others? They weren’t given a choice either. What if you now wanted to leave?’

  ‘Why would I?’

  ‘I don’t know! Just think, what if you did. What would the answer be? Would you be allowed to separate from the shared mind completely? You don’t have to answer because I’ll tell you that you would not be allowed, and you know deep down I am right. Not good for the society, or some other excuse. What about you Marcus? You the individual. What are your hopes and dreams? Can you even remember them?’

  ‘Yes…yes I can! Of course I can. I want to return to Earth, to help rebuild….’

  ‘No Marcus. Not what your computer has directed, you yourself. Come on. There has to be something that you want yourself?’

  ‘I .. want … I want ….’ Marcus mumbled a little sheepishly and after a few moments glared at Maddox with a fiery intensity before he lowered his gaze to the floor and closed his eyes slightly. ‘I want to see my parents.’

  Maddox sat back in his chair, realising he had been leaning further forward towards Marcus with each pressing question to try and elicit a response from deep within the young man, and now it presented itself he was a little unsure of how to take the whole thing further.

  Being honest with himself, he had expected the computer’s conditioning to be so thorough on it’s human vessel that there may be nothing left of his personal desires or wishes, but there it was. A deep seated and emotional desire from a young boy who just wanted his mum and dad.

  ‘Oh…okay, well there you go.’ Maddox encouraged with a half smile and allowing a tinge of surprise to reflect in his tone.

  ‘Did I say something wrong?’ Marcus asked, genuinely intrigued at the Captain’s response as he looked up to Maddox’s face inquisitively.

  ‘No, absolutely not!’ Maddox replied intently. ‘If that’s what you want, then why not? I mean, my first choice would be going on a few dates with girls and maybe the odd party or two to just relax a little, but all to their own.’

  Maddox gave Marcus his most disarming smile and winked at him, both of them erupting into laughter.

  ‘Yes,’ Marcus said between laughs. ‘That too I suppose, but I’ve never been on a date with a girl. What are the parameters for that and the expected outcome?’

  Maddox shook his head and shrugged. The rather rapid twist from trying to prevent the imposing of a regime upon an entire Solar System to discussing girls and how to go about a date being both slightly confusing and a relief at the same time.

  ‘Well there are no parameters really, just go with the flow and enjoy it really, but as to the expected outcome … well let’s just say that it depends on the girl and then that’s another conversation for another time!’

  Marcus simply nodded in slightly confused acceptance of this, followed by a glance at the pistol in his lap and then around him at the bridge of the Martian ship. It seemed as if he were seeing these things for the first time, properly seeing them with his own conscious mind rather than through a veil of conditioning imposed upon him.

  ‘Marcus, I know it may be hard to grasp but there are so many good things about the way things are back home. The stories and literature, the art and music, the adventures and experiences you can have when out exploring. The joy of friendship and sometimes complex but emotionally rewarding relationships with those who are closest to you in your life. All of that becomes irrelevant when you impose all of this,’ he gestured upwards and around his head in the air for a moment to imply the shared mind of the colony, ‘upon it. What’s the point of exploring, for example, when someone else’s experience in the shared mind tells you what’s there? Where’s the joy of discovery? Gone. The pleasure at hearing a piece of music for the first time, or tasting some strange food you may not have tried before? Gone.’

  ‘An interesting argument Captain,’ a familiar voice said from somewhere up above the two bridge occupants. ‘However one we shall contemplate later after we have ensured you have been dealt with and we have no more unwelcome guests who are intent on derailing our return to Earth.’

  Momentarily Maddox’s heart sank as the AI’s voice rang throughout the bridge, his gaze fixing on Marcus’ face as the young man looked upwards towards the ceiling with a look of fear crossing his features.

  ‘Marcus, please use your pistol and put an end to this disruptive element in our midst,’ the AI said to his human avatar amongst the colonists.

  Marcus lowered his gaze to Maddox, who slowly shook his head to suggest that Marcus should not do so, then he glanced at the pistol which rested in his lap, sta
ring long and hard at it as his mind raced.

  ‘Marcus? Please do as we say and put an end to this disruptive element here and now so we may proceed.’

  ‘Marcus, hear what I am saying to you right now as this is desperately important,’ Maddox said intently to his young companion in an effort to get through the wave of confusion apparent on the young face. ‘You want to return to Earth to see your parents right? Well your computer has other plans. It’s only interested in returning itself to Earth, and to the core worlds to impose it’s influence there. Ezri found evidence of this in deep storage within the data-core. You lot are just here as a cover story to be disposed of later on.’

  ‘Desist Captain! Marcus, fire your weapon!’

  ‘Listen to it now Marcus, it’s trying to silence me. I’m exposing it’s lies and now it wants you to silence me. I’m not linked or else it would just switch me off, instead it wants you to do that, to point the pistol and fire. It considers you as it’s subject, not it’s equal or contributor to the shared mind. No, a subject. Inferring it is above you, commanding you and directing you. I suppose it has not told you of any contact it had with Mars and collaboration with people back in the core worlds, but why not if you are all working together to the same end?’

  Marcus pressed his eyes shut, a tear beginning to form in the corner of his right eye. He could feel the computer inside his mind, directing him to move and fire the weapon but he resisted as best he could. The fact was he still did not want to, as he quite liked the man sat across the bridge from him and certainly wished him no harm. He thought on the history of the Earth and Mars, how the oppressors were overthrown and the victors took up their mantle of governance only to become the oppressors themselves.

  How they had striven for these recent years towards their return to the core worlds to help their home planet but now the computer was seemingly putting itself above him and instructing him to kill another being despite his not wishing to do so.