New Earth, Part 6
In the next entry in New Earth, you learn more about the tech genius, Maxwell Rhodes who is currently in charge of the resources on the new planet. Tao, Reed and the rest of the delegation that has zoomed across the galaxy find themselves tied down in a conference room in a space station orbiting New Earth while they virtually tour the capital city on the planet.
It is here where the delegation discusses the way forward to populating and organizing the future society that will live on New Earth. Meanwhile Tao and Maxwell have their own ideas on how humanity should proceed.
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Now, to the latest entry for New Earth.
New Earth, Part 6
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.
-End Story (for now)-