New Earth
The Entire Series
This post contains all the posts for the New Earth series. It will be updated with the latest entries as I make them over the coming weeks. Be sure to subscribe to not miss the latest entries.
New Earth
This flight to New Earth was unlike any other. Sure, the first of hundreds of flights happened almost three years ago, but this was the first flight with Earth multinationals to begin the transition to a unified society. Something not possible back home on Earth. The question at hand was, which form of government to establish.
Anarchists were already on New Earth protesting The Corporation. So the space flight consisted of individuals hoping to enact their preferred form of government: Monarchy, Communism, Democracy or Republics. Passengers greeted one another with excitement and some caution–there was rumor of a dictator making the trip as well.
Once the path was clear, the hyper jump was instantaneous, moving from one point in the galaxy to another. The ship gradually slowed as New Earth grew in size, until it reached its precise coordinates.
The interior lights flashed. Orbit was achieved.
Tao Lynn looked on at the giant blue, green and brown planet. Is this the beginning or the end, he wondered.
Tao Lynn often thought of his own beginning in a village on a small island off the coast of the mainland. It was here where Tao learned discipline. His father would instruct seven year old Tao daily on their way to ocean fishing, hunting, camping and surviving the outdoors in the humid jungle and rain.
“You cannot rely on others, Tao,” his father would say every morning. “You must live on your own terms. Without reliance on anyone or anything.”
Young Tao stared into his eyes. “Yes, Father.” Their heads slightly bow. Their focus quickly turned to catching lunch and cast their fishing lines into the calm morning ocean waves. They secured their poles into the ground and waited for a pole to bend.
Sun rays burst from the ocean’s horizon. “Father,” Tao said, “are there two of me here now?” He moved his arm slowly in a circle.
His Father laughed. “You are blocking the sun from touching the Earth. You are seeing your shadow.”
“But the other kids say…”
Tao stopped when his Father ever so slightly turned his head, looking from the sides of his eyes. “Always remember, there is only one Tao.”
Every day, Tao’s father said those words to him. He did so to keep Tao from the enticing experiences of other kids. “Reliance on anyone or anything other than yourself can be practical,” he would tell Tao, “but also dangerous.”
Still, by the time he was a teenager, technology had infiltrated the everyday life across the island, even Tao’s. It was now easier to predict and prepare for severe storms. Deaths were minimized. Sickness was detected sooner and typically cured.
Technology advanced at blistering speeds and duplicate versions of people were everywhere. Tao’s father still told him, “There is only one Tao.” At least as far as they knew.
But Tao’s father grew more concerned. As he pretended to sleep, Tao would listen to his mother and father worry. “It’s not the right time, Lyza.” His father’s voice turned more stern when he said the full name of Tao’s mother. “We’ve stayed on this island for a reason. I have to protect the family. We have to protect the family.”
“Zheto, it’s time.” Tao’s mother said one night. And when she used his full name, Tao’s father knew there was no use fighting. “We’ve done what we were meant to do. The time is now to prepare him.”
“Of course Leez, you are right,” he replied. “I still think of him as that little boy. The Formation must be put in place to protect us.” His mind quickly searched for another solution. Even though this next step was all part of the plan, he didn’t want to let go of his son. He looked away. “It is the only way.”
“We will return to the mainland, Zhee.” Lysa walked over and hugged him. “We must protect humanity. Even from itself.”
Tao remembers those words at this very moment. Now a master of The Formation, he stands on the space ship looking out at the giant New Earth with the weight of his mother’s words upon him.
A new government was the only way. But now it was Tao searching for another solution. Perhaps people can still be trusted to rule themselves? Tao searched for the answer.
He quickly found it. “They had their chance,” Tao whispered. “I must stick with the plan. It is the only way.”
It was a short flight to the Welcome Station. Shuttles formed a line, floating in perfect unison with one another until a docking bay was available. Tao sat, looking out the window, holding his drink. He frowned with every sip.
“It tastes better cold,” a man approaches. His boots slam against the floor as he drops in the seat next to Tao. “You don’t like ice cubes, Tao?” He swirls the liquid in the cup and the ice clinks against the glass.
Tao looked at the man. “I had no such luxuries growing up.” Turning back to the window he says, “No reason to start now.” Their shuttle began to thrust forward when a docking bay opened up.
Tao stood up and asked, “How did you know my name?” Before the man could answer, Tao began walking.
“Let me guess,” the man said following Tao into the open area of the shuttle. “Communist?” Tao ignored him. “Well, you don’t look like a Monarchy type. Look at those shoes.” He points to Tao’s feet, which were wearing simple flat slip on shoes.
Tao pointed at the man’s feet and looked up at him. “And what do your boots say about you?”
“Well, these boots will take me anywhere I want to go. These here are freedom boots!” He smiled at Tao and put his hand out. “Rex Reed, Republic delegation.” He leans forward and whispers, “At least that’s what I’m saying. You never know!” He lets out a large laugh and slaps Tao on his back.
Tao crouched down and in one sweeping motion, had the cowboy falling back into his arms. With Reed balanced on his leg, Tao shifts the man’s glass to catch each ice cube back in his drink. He shakes his head at the eagle etched on Reed’s boots. Leaning forward, Tao whispers to Reed, “Be careful here. You never know.”
The crowd that gathered looked on as Tao walked towards the shuttle exit with Reed running to catch up. “Hey, what was that back there? We’re all here to start a better planet. This New Earth is a second chance for humanity, for real freedom. We’re here to work through our differences to get there.”
They stop at the shuttle door with a blinking red light. The blue, green and white colors of New Earth take up the entire window next to them. “You overestimate people’s willingness to share,” Tao said. “If you think that planet has anything more than a 1% chance of being free, you must be from another solar system.”
Tao and Reed stared in awe at the beautiful planet. It was a miracle find that happened nearly ten years ago. Humanity worked together so diligently to find a way to travel here and to live in harmony. Colonization went smoothly. Miraculous materials not present on Earth were found. New metals allowed new realities in crafts, robotics and construction to take place. Free energy was within reach. Discoveries of new species and plants led to new treatments and cures almost every day.
Because of all the energy and new materials, AI Duplicates were more easily developed on New Earth. AI algorithm capabilities increased exponentially and at a fraction of the cost. The military minds began to visit New Earth and decided that a government was needed to manage this amazing new planet.
The blinking red light turned solid green. Tao, Reed and the rest of the passengers entered the Welcoming Station, joining the hundreds of others from the delegation already there.
Even though they were in space, walking through the Welcoming Station had the same gravity levels as that of Earth. Each wall had windows and each room had bright white lights. The rooms were long and narrow, funneling passengers to the assembly room.
A woman smiled at Tao. “This way, please,” she said, pointing to the open door. She wore a white uniform and hat, the same as many others waving people inside. “An orientation meeting will be underway shortly. Your belongings will be waiting for you in your assigned room.”
Tao sat down in an empty row. He eyed each person as they sat down. Each glance brought the same question: what were their real motivations for colonizing New Earth? It will take all his training to not only answer this question for each person, but to know how to react and, most importantly, execute the needed action. It is what is required for The Formation.
“So, what brings you here?” A woman says, surprising Tao. He turns around. “Was it the view?” Her pale white face smiles, framed by straight black hair.
Tao smiles, “You could say that.”
“I’m from the Freedom Delegation,” she says. Putting her hand out, “I’m Liberty.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” He shakes her hand. “Tao.”
“I assure you, I’m not kidding. We take freedom seriously. Just like your delegation. Where is your delegation?”
Tao looks to each side. “I guess I’m it.”
“You’re alone?” Liberty asks, surprised.
Something hits Tao’s back, jarring him forward. “Heck, no, Tao ain’t alone!” Reed says, winking at Tao. “Tao here is an honorary member of the freedom loving, Republic delegation.” Tao shakes his head as Reed’s hand grabs his shoulder.
The lights dim low and letters begin to fly around the room. Ultimately, they stop and hover at the front, leaving the words “New Earth: New Freedom.”
A female voice begins to speak. “New Earth delegation, please welcome, the CEO of The Corporation, Mr. Maxwell Rhodes.”
Chapter 2
With his arms crossed standing before the crowd, Maxwell Rhodes observed the crowd. He smiled out of the side of his mouth and snickered. “I’m not going to just talk about New Freedom,” he said. The room went dark. Tao tried to move out of his chair, but couldn’t. He looked around and everyone else remained seated. “Relax. Close your eyes.”
Tao didn’t trust many people. He only had distrust for Maxwell Rhodes whose company’s technology was everywhere and in everything on Earth. Even Tao’s island was overcome by the Max mantra–“making everything better.” The islanders became entirely dependent on Life Bots once they arrived. They did everything a person could do, only better.
The crowd shut their eyes. Tao refused to shut his eyes even as they grew heavier and heavier. They were nearly shut–only slits of his eyes remained–until, finally, they closed.
“Welcome to New Earth,” Max said.
In a few seconds and in spectacular detail, the entire delegation found itself on New Earth.
“Incredible!” Reed said to Tao. “Max built a digital New Earth!” The floors were of one never ending piece of seamless metal. Tao could see his own eyes in his reflection as he looked down. “Only possible from good ol’ fashion capitalism.”
“Need I remind you,” Tao said, “that your capitalism has trapped us in a chair inside a space station right now?”
Reed shrugged. “Well, that’s just Max being Max. He’s a showman. Comes with the territory.”
Tao struggled to move his real body but couldn’t break free. “I don’t like it,” Tao said.
“Just calm down,” Reed said. “It’s part of the show.”
Liberty appears behind Reed. She says, “Just Max being Max.” She takes her finger in her right hand and pushes into her left hand. “Incredible. It feels real.”
They began walking in the structure that seemed to go on for miles. Light from the nearest star beamed in yellow rays through the windows on the giant walls. The ceiling curved hundreds of feet above them.
Max’s voice came into all their minds. “You are in the capital city of New Earth: Rhodes.” Tao shook his head. Of course he would name it after himself. “It is a self sustainable structure built to contain all of the old Earth elements. People, foods, products, equipment–even the air we bring. The Corporation promises not to contaminate New Earth. It must stay pure until we know what is safe to introduce into the ecosystem.
“This transformative technology that you are experiencing allows travel throughout New Earth in an environmentally safe and sustainable way.”
Liberty said, “The Freedom delegation applauds your efforts, Mr. Rhodes.” She steps forward towards Max. “Ultimately, freedom requires careful use of resources.” She looks at the rest of the women in her delegation who nod. Tao noticed the striking similarity of each of them.
Maxwell Rhodes walked away. “Good. I was hoping you would understand.”
A member of the delegation shouted, “Understand what?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Max looked at the blank stares. “Why, the need for your bodies to stay in the Welcoming Station until you’re properly cleaned.”
Reed and Tao looked at one another. Reed shouted, “For how long?”
“Until the next release of New Earth.” Max shrugged. “Two, three–five years or so.”
The delegation was in an uproar. Max ignored all of them and pointed forward, continuing to lead them through the virtual capital city.
Tao paused and focused. Next release? What is he talking about? While back on the Welcoming Station, Tao’s real body struggled in his seat but couldn’t break free.
Maxwell Rhodes was very pleased with himself. He had pulled together just enough resources to launch an exploratory space mission on a hunch. And a hunch for Maxwell Rhodes was as close to certainty in this day and age. Sure, he wanted profits. But he believed how you make profits matters and should be focused on things that, ultimately, make humanity better. Flight suits, folding space to shorten flights, and cheap power generation were his innovative steps that supported his personal tagline–“Making everything better.”
No matter the crazy idea, Maxwell Rhodes was able to convince others to believe. And most importantly, invest. That’s how he discovered New Earth. And he wasn’t going to let the rest of humanity destroy his plans like they try to do with all his innovations. The delegation had to be dealt with. They were here to formalize rules, laws and regulations to twist things in ways that primarily benefit those in power. Humanity’s inherent greed, immorality and political aspirations always threatened his plans. Any government run by such people had to be stopped. And he knew just how to do it.
Maxwell turned around and faced the virtual delegation that was following him on the tour through the capital city of New Earth. He smiled. “As you can see with exquisite clarity, the Capital is enormous.” His voice echoed bouncing up and down the giant walls and arching ceilings. “All forms of commerce will take place–fresh food, household purchases, clothing–will all be in here.”
A large group of tall men and women approached Maxwell. “How will such things be earned? Shouldn’t the government be the one to disburse such things? To make sure everyone gets the correct amount.”
Reed turned to Tao and whispered, “Those are the commies.” He shook his head. “Watch this.” He smiled and winked at Tao. As Reed ran to the group, Tao noticed that even the virtual version of Reed wore cowboy books with eagles.
Reed said to the man, “And just what is the correct amount of food?”
The tallest man from the group said, “The government will figure that all out. The government will make sure that everything is distributed fairly. Very simple.”
Reed looked up at him and asked, “And just what is your name, stretch?”
The man replied, “Jin.”
“Simple question for you, Jin–why can’t people work that out for themselves? Have a free market. Make people earn their food through labor and creating businesses.”
Jin said, “People cannot be trusted to be fair.”
“Isn’t the government made of people?” Reed said.
“The government will make people be fair.”
“The only thing the government will do is allow government employees to use that power for their own personal gain.”
“You cannot trust people!” the rest of Jin’s group shouted.
Reed looked back at Tao and winked. He turns to Maxwell and shouts, “The only thing you can trust is people’s desire to acquire and own things. If they have to work for it, they will figure out a better way to do it. Free market capitalism drives efficiency.” Reed looks at Maxwell, “Am I right?”
Maxwell went to speak but was interrupted. “This is why we should establish the correct form of government,” a woman said. It was Liberty, the woman from the Freedom delegation that was sitting next to him and Tao on the Welcoming Station. “A democracy would keep government workers in check because of free elections. If they aren’t doing a good job, the people will vote them out.”
The rest of the delegation surrounded the discussion, shouting at one another. Tao stood next to Reed, shaking his head. This is why The Formation was needed, he thought. All of these people are doomed unless I act. There is only one Tao. His mind stretched millions of light years away.
But Maxwell Rhodes believed in his own ultimate solution to save mankind–a new humanity was needed. And he was going to rule it.
Chapter 3
Maxwell Rhodes remained on the stage in the conference room at the Welcoming Station, orbiting New Earth. He looked at the delegation strapped into their seats and seemingly asleep. Of course, they weren’t asleep. He knew that because, like everything else these days, he created the technology that allowed your mind to travel to realistic worlds that was also created with his technology. The entire delegation was consciously on a tour of Rhodes—the capital city of New Earth—using this technology.
While on this stage, Max lead the virtual tour. His consciousness, in effect, was split into two. A new feature he has been testing and not ready to release to the masses. Max walked into the rows of the audience with their eyes shut, looking at each person with contempt. How could they think forming a government would do any good for New Earth?
“I’ve tried to tell you,” he said, his voice echoing in the conference room, “but you will not listen! But I don’t blame you.” Max quickly scanned the room from end to end. He brought out both his arms toward the delegation as if he was to give them a hug. “It’s because you can’t understand. I’ve tried to guide you. All of you and everyone else back on old Earth, but your eyes were closed to whatever I showed you. Your ears, shut, to my words. Your weaknesses targeted. Your attention assaulted with false promises. You were misled. I won’t let that happen again.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Rhodes,” one of his workers said to him. “You have a call from Earth.”
Max was annoyed. “Well, I’m sort of in the middle of something.” He trained his clones himself and thought they should know better. He proudly designed their white uniforms and hats with the planet image and ring halfway around it signifying the ongoing work needed to make New Earth not just a habitable home, but the most obvious choice to live for every human. The economy on New Earth will double that of Earth’s in less than five years, he was certain.
“It’s JJ,” she said. Max turned toward her and nodded. He watched her exit the conference room.
Max was still leading the virtual tour of the capital city and had two or three more hours left. Probably more with the continued debate amongst the delegates about the appropriate form of government for New Earth.
Besides, JJ handled all of his important relations on Earth. And with all the industries Max entered across the world, that meant a lot of matters to address. Everything was regulated on Earth and getting anything done required a combination of expert focus, knowledge and people management. Especially politicians. Max would make time for this call.
Scanning the seated delegation who remain still with their eyes shut, Max tapped just in front of his ear and was connected. “Julian Jacobs, this better be good news.”
“Uh-oh,” JJ said. “Using my full name—you must be in some mood. Max, you know I’m your interplanetary brother, right?” he said.
“Just lay it on me, JJ,” Max said. “You don’t need to manage me. I don’t have time for it.”
“Manage is why you pay me the big bucks,” JJ said. “Especially to manage you.” Max smiled. “But I’ll get right to it. The U.S. isn’t approving Power—“
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I take air and create electricity."
“It’s not what you create, it’s—“
“There are no negative byproducts. It’s the cleanest energy ever produced.” Max was pacing the isles of the conference room. He looked at the resting faces of the delegates. He was showing them the wonders of New Earth and all it had to offer humanity. “Try harder, JJ.”
“I will. I’ll try harder but—“
“This is why I pay you the big bucks!” Max paused and thought of the immense opportunities of New Earth and all its resources. “Make sure they understand the magnitude of resources that I have at my disposal on New Earth. It would be a shame if the U.S. found itself at the end of the line when The Corporation starts delivering shipments of lithium, cobalt and graphite.”
Max waited for a response. He knew precisely what governments needed and their reliance on him was not something he particularly liked bargaining. But this delegation pushed him over the edge. These people from Earth, think they know how best to run a new planet? They have screwed up one planet already and he would not give up control of this planet. Or any other planet for that matter.
“Understood,” JJ finally said. “I’ll be in touch.” Max touched near the front of his ear, ending the call.
Max looked at the flat, slip on shoes of one of the delegates. “How inappropriate,” he said. “Tao is your name, I believe.” Max smiled at the unconscious Tao sat motionless strapped in his chair. “Well, Tao, I hope you’re enjoying the tour of the capital. I know I’m being an excellent guide. More will be revealed but it will be too late for all of you delegates.”
Max closed his eyes and his mind went elsewhere. Far away from the Welcoming Station, New Earth and Earth. His mind kept reaching and reaching further and further until…
Tao’s eyes opened and locked onto the motionless Maxwell Rhodes.
The delegation members continued petitioning Max in the Capital. Reed grew weary of arguing the points of free market capitalism over and over again. He thought of his philosophy courses he took in school and about the nature of man. The real nature of man wanted freedom.
Reed turned to Tao. “How could communism even be mentioned—” but he was gone. Reed looked in every direction—where did Tao go?
Reed walked to the women at the Freedom delegation. “Liberty, have you seen Tao? He was right here a second ago and he seems to have vanished.”
The woman smiled and pointed to the side. “That’s Liberty,” she smiled. Each woman seemed identical to Reed. He looked closely at each one. They were identical.
Liberty stepped in front of Reed. “You seem lost, cowboy.”
“Tao’s gone,” he said. “He was right next to me and he just disappeared.”
Liberty looked around and whispered to her members. “We’ll figure this out,” she said. Reed looked on as the women scattered in different directions of the Capital.
“What’s the matter,” Max shouted from above at the podium at Liberty, “has the Freedom delegation given up on Democracy already?” Silence took over the room and all eyes were on her.
Liberty’s steel eyes locked onto Max’s as she stepped towards him. There was a slight flicker in her digital persona when she began to speak. “We seem to be missing someone from the ship.”
“Funny,” Max said. “Looks like everyone is here to me.” He begins counting the delegates with his finger. “Yes, that’s right. All are here and accounted for.”
“What about Tao?” Reed shouted. “Where is he?”
Max nodded. “Oh, him. Of course, well, there is a very small glitch. Now, he’s accounted for and is completely fine and safe on the Welcome Station.”
Reed grew concerned. He said, “You mean the place we have to stay on for five years to be ‘cleaned’?”
The delegation shouted at Max again. The crowd was not pleased and, thanks to Reed, Max had to calm them down about this for the second time. “Don’t forget—” Max tried to shout over the crowd. But his voice couldn’t break through the angry and loud words.
Max made a short swipe of his fingers and the delegation became quiet. But their mouths were still moving. Their eyes grew large as they pointed at each other.
They had all been muted.
Max walked down from the podium and into the crowd. “Look, there are critical decisions that need to be made for humanity’s expansion into New Earth. Eventually, you will have a say on decisions. But right now, I am that decision maker.” He stepped back onto the podium. “The only decision maker.”
The delegation members froze and stared at their sole decision maker. Max caught a glimpse of Reed, standing below him with his eyes shut. Reed’s lips were moving and his hands slightly touched.
Max became alarmed.
Was a Seeker picked to be part of this delegation?