Judgement
Multnomah Falls, August 30, 2156 -- 7:49 a.m.
"Good morning Robert. This morning's weather report suggests that this will be a glorious day to die."
Unity
"Good morning to you Henry. You are quite cheerful for one that has so little time left among the living."
"Robert, perhaps you should reflect upon the words of your mother when she said, 'Robby, you have so much to learn.' Our little journey of yesterday offered proof that your definition of life may be altogether too narrow. Speaking of learning, I hope you are prepared to listen to me for a change."
"I am indeed. After all I did come to you seeking your judgment?"
"No, Robert, you came seeking absolution, something I will not provide. Instead, I intend to prove that you have foolishly professed guilt for the sins of your fathers. Robert, how can you submit yourself to my judgment when I am clearly your mental inferior?"
"Henry, you are not my mental inferior. The telepathic and other enhanced abilities of the new people do not assure us of a superiority of either logic or vision."
"I see. Tell me, how old were you when the operation to inoculate everyone with what you called 'the product of our genetic research' began and who decided to do so."
"I was nineteen when the New World Government ordered the commencement of this operation. At the time, both Doctor Butler and I had serious reservations regarding the wisdom of implementing our plan."
"Who was behind the misinformation campaign to blame the Z-RETS for the appearance of the new people? Did either you or Doctor Butler openly oppose this intentional deception?"
"Again, this was a decision made at the highest levels of government. Doctor Butler expressed a strong opposition to this plan while I remained silent."
"Please explain your role in developing this 'product of genetic research.' Surely you did not develop this witches brew all by your self."
"I served as Doctor Butler's assistant at first and equal partner at the last. The staff and facilities of HEP One supported our research effort though the ultimate goal of this project remained a closely-held secret."
"I have found it quite easy to assume a dominant role in our present discourse. Would you care to dispute this assertion Robert?"
"Of course not. However, I do not see the relevance of this statement."
"Excellent. I feel greatly reassured by this proof that you truly are not omniscient. Now tell me, how old was Doctor Butler when the genetic assault against the old people began? Also, would you please describe your relationship with the Butlers after the death of your parents."
"Doctor Butler was sixty-two at the time and the Butlers offered me their warmth and support through the difficult time after the death of my parents. I quickly came to accept them as my foster parents."
"Moments ago you stated that you did not believe that the new people were assured of a superiority of either logic or vision in regards to the old people. Also, you did not dispute my recent assertion that I found it quite easy to assume a dominant role in our present discourse. Robert, I seriously doubt that you, at the age of nineteen, would openly question the plans developed by a 62 year-old man you regarded as both a mentor and a father figure. Now please explain Doctor Butler's misgivings regarding the implementation of this genetic assault?"
"Touch�, Henry. Doctor Butler's computer model of the operation's outcome suggested that what you so aptly called our witch's brew could render up to eighteen percent of the population infertile. He argued for more time to improve the quality of our concoction."
"Now we come to the crux of this issue. Please explain your misgivings regarding this matter."
"I shared Doctor Butler's concerns also. I just did not think we should have proceeded with this operation."
"Come on Robert. We all know you are equivocating now. I want to know about your misgivings regarding this plan."
"Henry, I believed it to be an enormous mistake. The medical community, including Doctor Butler, failed to understand the lesson inherent in the successful resolution of the viral outbreak known as the 'Red Death.' The future of humankind was not dependent on the genes of man, but upon his genius.
"Everyone focused on their fear of the emerging viruses and ignored the obvious. Humankind possesses something far more adaptive than the mere mutational ability of a virus to enhance its deadliness. Humanity can think, reason, and learn."
"Robert, did you share this bit of wisdom with anyone else?"
"Regrettably, I did not."
Gently, Henry now asked, "And why was that Robby?"
With an unusual emotional content, Robert replied, "I was lonely. I could no longer bear to be the only one of my kind."
"Did the coming of the new people ease your loneliness?"
"Unfortunately, it did not. I could not form a close relationship with others, as they would learn how I selfishly concealed my opinion that the genetic enhancement operation was a tragic mistake. Also, knowledge of my true opinion would wrongly denigrate the new people who had no say in this matter."
"Thank you for your cooperation Robert. I would like to break our meld for now while I consider my response to your visit."
Later
"Well Doctor, your machines will soon have a well-deserved rest. Please let Robert know that I am ready to continue."
"Of course, but before I do, I want to offer my sincere thanks for what you did for Robert and our people today. It is now quite clear that Robert is more a victim of circumstance than the guilt-ridden villain he proclaimed himself to be. We can help him now that you have so skillfully cast aside the shroud of mystery regarding his role in our creation."
"I fear that I have merely scratched the surface regarding the dark secrets of the new people. Doctor, do the new people practice the custom of marriage?"
"Yes, some do. I have never found time to take a wife myself, but I do have a married friend."
"Doctor Gould, please give me an estimate of how many people you know that are not married."
"Offhand, I would guess that would be close to a hundred or so. Marriage is not a common event among the new people. Please remember that we live much longer and can afford to take our time in finding a mate."
"Is it customary for the new people to have sexual relations on a casual basis or do they restrict this activity to a steady partner? Please answer my question honestly as I need this information before I address your people."
"The answer is, neither! Our standards of conduct are much higher than those of the old people."
"Please do not take offense to my next question. Doctor, are you a virgin?"
"Of course I am. I already told you that I never found time to marry. May I ask why you are pursuing this line of inquiry?"
"The answer to your question will soon be quite apparent. Can you tell me what percentage of the new people are married?"
"That is an issue of great concern for Robert although I do believe that the last official estimate shows an increase bringing the total to nearly twelve percent."
"Doctor, I must ask you another personal question. How would you describe your relationship with your parents?"
"Quite appropriate under the circumstances. I was well fed and had a room of my own."
"Did you have any brothers or sisters? If you did, were they like you?"
"I did have an older sister that was of the old people. We were never close which is natural under the circumstances."
"Just what are these circumstances you continue to mention?"
"Well, no one spoke of it outright, but they could not keep it from me. My parents never really accepted the government's assurance that the Z-RETS bore no responsibility for the arrival of the new people. After I was born my father, like so many others, had a vasectomy performed."
"Doctor, did your parents ever show any affection for you? Did they hold you, did they caress you, did they say they loved you?"
"Henry, I think it is time for me to bring Robert in. Your questions are raising issues that I no longer care to consider or discuss."
Later
"Henry, what on earth did you say to Doctor Gould? His agitation was quite apparent when he told me you were ready to continue."
"I offered him the opportunity to view himself as a patient. Robert, I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to be of service before I begin my long awaited journey."
"Henry, I lack the ability to adequately express my gratitude for what you have done for me. I feel like you have lifted the weight of the world from my shoulders. I wish I knew of a way I could repay you."
"Robert, there is something you can do for me."
"Anything you want Henry. Anything at all."
"I am still a bit afraid about when, when the time comes to turn off the life support machines. Robert, I do not want to share my final moments of life through a mental meld. But, I would like you to hold my hand when Doctor Gould turns off his machines?"
"Of course Henry. I would be honored to hold your hand."
"Well then Robert, let us begin."
Unity
"Please excuse my acute sense of stage fright. I have never had to address an entire world before. On top of that, you all know that my qualifications for this high honor merely consist of being the last of the old people. Although these credentials are quite meager in scope, they did come at a high price.
"I will not insult your intelligence by offering a rehash of what we have so recently discovered together. Instead, I will state that the passing of the old people is a direct result of the deficiencies inherent in our nature. Your ancestors could not communicate among themselves well enough to reach a true consensus on issues such as the implementation of the Human Enhancement Program. This lack of ability ultimately led to their common practice of letting the few speak for the many, often with tragic consequences. Regrettably, while I find that the new people possess this essential ability of communication I am disappointed to learn that you use it quite reluctantly.
"I call upon you to remember the circumstances of your arrival as the strange children of your badly traumatized parents. Most of your parents wrongly viewed your arrival on the scene as a sign that they had somehow managed to lose the war with the invaders well after their costly victory. This was a direct consequence of the old people's inability to communicate effectively and thereby separate fact from fiction. Each and every one of you should employ your precious talents to their fullest extent and ensure that you do not repeat the errors of your ancestors.
"Until Robert entered my life, I expected to die alone and afraid. Unless you overcome your reluctance to use your mental abilities, each of you may face a similar fate. I believe that most of you harbor the hidden pain of parental rejection while erroneously believing your difficult childhood to be uniquely different from that of your peers.
"Please, put an end to your isolation by reaching out and sharing your pain with another and thereby lift his burden as he lifts yours. My people will have lived their lives in vain if you, our children, deny your inheritance.
"I further call upon each of you to honor the old people with your achievements, but mourn not their passing as it was clearly time for your appearance on the stage of life. The unfortunate circumstances of the past have provided you with three worlds to nurture and fill with your happy children. I, the last of your forefathers, know that you, our wondrous children, are equal to this task. Now I must keep my appointment with destiny as you venture forth to assume yours. Fare thee well, my children, fare thee well.
Later
"Well Robert, I did my best. Do you think my words will have any lasting benefit?"
"Henry, thanks to you I think the new people will now enjoy a future free of guilt and full of promise. Several members of the staff have asked if they can join us now. Do you mind if they do?"
"Of course not Robert. Invite them in."
After many of his recent care givers gathered around his bed, Doctor Gould softly asked, "Are you ready Henry?"
Henry responded with a tremulous nod of ascent and heard the doctor's machines grow quiet. As his life ebbed away, he watched with fading vision as Doctor Gould reached out to embrace his nurse after years of self-denial. Now secure in the knowledge that all would be well, Henry managed a final smile of contentment.
Later
"Tell me Jason, did everything go as planned?
"Yes Robert, I can continue my work. One thing troubles me though. Isn't this a classic example of what Henry warned us about?"
"What are you talking about Jason? Henry knew nothing of your plans."
"True, but remember what he said about letting the few speak for he many. After all, we are keeping this endeavor a secret."
"As well we should. Please keep in mind that the consequences of your actions will be limited to the participants. On another subject, I am available to share your pain and lift your burden if you would like to join me in a meld."
"Robert, I would rather kiss a frog. Besides, I finally found the courage to approach a nurse that I have admired for years. We have decided to follow Henry's advice together."
"Jason, that is wonderful news though I suspect I should offer this young lady my condolences."