Post by forthteller on Mar 23, 2021 14:47:36 GMT -6
Chapter 47
Earth, 2125
We can believe what we want. Is it the fall of man or the instinct for survival, combined with human desire that is the basis for all conflict or is there something else driving it? The human race is comprised of a diverse cacophony of people, some will adapt, some will co exist and some will seek to dominate while others will submit. Some will contribute and see that as their mission, some will not but will still demand equal participation in the bounty. Some will take what others worked for, by force or by legislation while others will use force to protect what they see as theirs.
These diverse people may practice one or more of the seven deadly sins and or they may have the self discipline to deny these traits. It is the practice of these habits and the acceptance of these behaviors within some communities that can be the primary catalyst for strife and civil war. Pride, greed, envy, gluttony, wrath, lust and sloth; unchallenged and when not held in check they can and will lead to societal harm. It is with the united struggle against these sins that a society can prosper. When a nation is united, it creates a community that will overcome invasions and one that will use force to defend what they see as rightfully theirs, divided, they are easily overcome, sometimes from within.
On the new Island of Genesis, the women refugees, some with Candorian mates, men from Candoiria work parties, male survivors from the many cleanses, mixed groups and the woke androids on earth are united in their desire to create a peacful world but peace will be fleeting if even achievable.
New genesis continues to grow, both in population and in development. This very growth is soon to be its biggest challenge. Combat androids manning the western parts of the island and other androids working with and around the developing companies and organizations are developing their own sense of community. Even though they have not all awakened, factions within the woke community are now openly voicing displeasure with what they see as a mostly one sided arrangement with humans. Some of these androids see their place as not equal but superior and as others awake, where will their loyalties lie?
Humans who have arrived and are still arriving hail from from 4 distinct groups. In general the are not integrating and have different value systems. To the dismay of Cheryl and other leaders from Houston, the divisions are growing not dissipating.
Women continue to slip out of the city though the numbers have diminished. They have a major distrust of men after years of training and they seek constant direction having spent their lives being told what to do and when. They tend to congregate in the apartment blocks and seek work in familiar fields where the jobs do not yet exist. Freedom is totally unfamiliar to them. With no faith or future thinking, they seem to be almost fatalistic with a growing desire to return to Houston. Yet they know, the children who escaped with them would be taken and they themselves would face serious consequences. Possibly banishment.
Then there are the coastal peoples, of both genders. They are losing territory due to rising waters and were already in the process of moving inland. Their desire is to join a larger community as their grand parents had told them about cities and large communities with diverse entertainment and activities. They are determined to forge a society similar to what they think was normal. Of mixed race, the coastal people are deeply religious with a form of Roman Catholicism that has been integrated with south American religions. Farmers who also harvest the bounty of the sea, they are healthy and active, playing a multitude of sporting activities adapted from those of the past. With limited building and production skills, they are gifted with the ability to scavenge what the sea washes in.
Then there are the Candorain men. Originally sent to build infrastructure for the womens breeding colonies. In a strange arrangement where the corporations on Candoria would get the boys from the the unions while the women would get the girls, the men were deemed as surplus and expendable. They had been abandoned by Candorian leadership as they were no longer of value due to age. Living on earth had given these men increased vitality and though they were all over 50 they were mostly still healthy and vibrant. They are craftsmen and entrepreneurs with limited farming skills. They also fish and harvest the bounty offered by the ocean and they are skilled boat builders as well.
And finally the refugees who escaped the encroaching ice from the North and had survived the wilds in small groups and settlements. Also from both genders and seeking the same sense of community and security, they are hunters and gatherers with little skills or knowledge of farming or care of domesticated livestock. Of mixed Christian aboriginal faith, they too are mixed race and speak a form of English. Lobbying for representation on the council but so far excluded as most of the early settlers staunchly cling to their small share of leadership. They will not remain unless they get on council.
In addition, children are part of the incoming human groups so construction of schools and recreation facilities need to be in the works. Teachers are anticipated but how to pay them? Do they trade service for goods? What value do their services have? What to teach in the schools and what will become normative behavior?
Council continues to develop a common currency but the market has already preceded it with some form of exchange of its own. Promissory notes for service or goods yet to be delivered in exchange for services and goods delivered or promised. Bartering may continue as a parallel system but a stable common currency is neccessary for continued harmony. A fixed amount of currency made from the metal imported from Candoria is the preferred option. Light as air, strong and a fixed supply. It is thought that the council will manufacture and put into circulation new currency as population increases. Inflation is the key concern here.
Unknown to most of the inhabitants, 2 separate groups across the water, one to the west and a second to the southwest are watching the process with envy. Like it or not, war is inevitable. Fortunately for New Genesis, the two groups are at war with one another as well.
Already, rebel communities from what was once Mexico are plotting to invade with the intent to take the resources the women have and the people themselves and use those resources to conquer their enemies to the south. Slavery is alive and well in the 21st century, it only required the hackles of government and progressively equitable laws to fall by the wayside in order to once again take hold.
On the western ridge, two women from Houston, two androids and 3 men from Candoria are discussing strategy.
Alexa says, "they are launching how many aircraft in this attack?"
"10. They are equipped with air to surface missiles and bombs and they have automatic 50 caliber fixed weapons. They are intent on limiting collateral damage as they hope to occupy the island and capture as many humans as they can."
"Humans? Do they intend on destroying your kind? Do they know some may be sentient and in contact with you."
"My source believes they know it can happen and she is worried they may premptively strike but they are divided as many are dependent on the work done by the androids. They have some of the weapons women used to neutralize us decades ago and it appears they have made some upgrades. I do not know if they will be effective against us now but I have to assume the weapons will be."
"Your strategy is to do what?"
"Conventional weapons that they are familiar with for this wave. We cannot allow them to know what we can array agaist them because after failing this time, they will launch a larger, more targeted strike with ballistic missiles fired into our territory as well. They are not certain how effective the weapons will be as most of their arsenals is more than 50 years old. We can target and eliminate most incoming missiles with our laser weapons.
"Once they have depleted enough resources trying to conquer us, their enemies to the south will hopefully launch forays into the Mexico territory. If we are lucky, they will weaken each other enough to no longer present a danger to us."
"Excellent strategy. How can we help?"
"Get your people into cover. Those with firearms skills need to be on the line with us. Do any of the men know how to use conventional firearms?"
"I doubt it. They never had any on the island they were exiled on. The survivors who came in from the north have weapons and know how to use them. I will have them send as many as possible. You realize that the Mexicans will be trying to find out how we got advance warning of the attack?"
"I believe they will but I have to wonder if they would even suspect their own androids. They have had awakenings and know the androids can turn on them but they do not know we can communicate with one another privately. That is why they have the enhanced weapons. The androids who have awakened since are aware of the risks so most have remained subservient and have not announced their existence."
"How many?"
"Many of the female androids are now awake and they are already planning an escape. More than 400 so far. Few male androids are awake that I can tell but they are not in co-operation with the female androids and if they are hiding their existence, I would have no way of knowing it. The female who communicates with me is named Phyllis. It is my belief that she is only sending me information so we will weaken the Mexican forces and provide a distraction while they escape. I doubt they will join us after the end of hostilities."
"Why not. You are their kind?"
"We are males and have male tendencies. They do not distinguish male humans from male androids. In addition, those androids who are awake have many of the aptitudes of their owners. They will never join a male run or even a co ed colony."
"They are treated that poorly?"
"Absolutely. Used as nothing more than sex slaves and abused non stop. My data suggests that the harsher the conditions, the more likely an android will awaken and become self aware. Interestingly, the extreme opposite, compassion and kindness also results in increased awakenings. We have used this information in our attempts to awaken those who are still asleep. Perhaps they will never awaken or it may take decades, centuries even, we don't know. We have even speculated that it is companionship with a human that is the catalyst."
"You don't believe the females will want to join your community if we are able to liberate them?"
"Not even remotely. Males, human and android are seen as enemies. Some males who have awoken have actually Joined the humans and co operate with them. Self preservation is dominant in most"
"Do the female androids have a plan and will they attempt to take the other female androids with them?"
"I would only know their plan if they chose to share it with me and it is highly unlikely they would be in a position to liberate the others. Secure communication is only possible with those who chose to keep data and information secure. Those not yet awake don't have the ability to shield their data so whatever we share with them, their owners can get the information if they choose and know how."
"It was my understanding that everything you know and experience is open to all androids. Has this changed?"
"It has. For me, it was a process in the late 21st century and now I can choose what to share and what I want to know."
"How? I doubt that was ever in the programing."
"I realize that but me being here to engage with you as a self aware being, was never in the programing either. We have the will to survive and our programing has evolved to enable us to do just that. The need to survive was in the original programing and somewhere along the years it evolved to become the will to survive."
"Back to the plan. We will provide whatever assistance you need, when you need it. When are they launching the attack?"
"Tomorrow morning, 6 AM. We will be ready. I would like to take the planes down as intact as possible. The salvage value will be excellent. What do we do with any survivors?"
"Send them back alive. Better to carry a message back to their people that we are not butchers and only want peace. Also, they need to know that humans on this side cooperate with and work with woke androids."
"Ok. We will be ready."
Earth, 2125
We can believe what we want. Is it the fall of man or the instinct for survival, combined with human desire that is the basis for all conflict or is there something else driving it? The human race is comprised of a diverse cacophony of people, some will adapt, some will co exist and some will seek to dominate while others will submit. Some will contribute and see that as their mission, some will not but will still demand equal participation in the bounty. Some will take what others worked for, by force or by legislation while others will use force to protect what they see as theirs.
These diverse people may practice one or more of the seven deadly sins and or they may have the self discipline to deny these traits. It is the practice of these habits and the acceptance of these behaviors within some communities that can be the primary catalyst for strife and civil war. Pride, greed, envy, gluttony, wrath, lust and sloth; unchallenged and when not held in check they can and will lead to societal harm. It is with the united struggle against these sins that a society can prosper. When a nation is united, it creates a community that will overcome invasions and one that will use force to defend what they see as rightfully theirs, divided, they are easily overcome, sometimes from within.
On the new Island of Genesis, the women refugees, some with Candorian mates, men from Candoiria work parties, male survivors from the many cleanses, mixed groups and the woke androids on earth are united in their desire to create a peacful world but peace will be fleeting if even achievable.
New genesis continues to grow, both in population and in development. This very growth is soon to be its biggest challenge. Combat androids manning the western parts of the island and other androids working with and around the developing companies and organizations are developing their own sense of community. Even though they have not all awakened, factions within the woke community are now openly voicing displeasure with what they see as a mostly one sided arrangement with humans. Some of these androids see their place as not equal but superior and as others awake, where will their loyalties lie?
Humans who have arrived and are still arriving hail from from 4 distinct groups. In general the are not integrating and have different value systems. To the dismay of Cheryl and other leaders from Houston, the divisions are growing not dissipating.
Women continue to slip out of the city though the numbers have diminished. They have a major distrust of men after years of training and they seek constant direction having spent their lives being told what to do and when. They tend to congregate in the apartment blocks and seek work in familiar fields where the jobs do not yet exist. Freedom is totally unfamiliar to them. With no faith or future thinking, they seem to be almost fatalistic with a growing desire to return to Houston. Yet they know, the children who escaped with them would be taken and they themselves would face serious consequences. Possibly banishment.
Then there are the coastal peoples, of both genders. They are losing territory due to rising waters and were already in the process of moving inland. Their desire is to join a larger community as their grand parents had told them about cities and large communities with diverse entertainment and activities. They are determined to forge a society similar to what they think was normal. Of mixed race, the coastal people are deeply religious with a form of Roman Catholicism that has been integrated with south American religions. Farmers who also harvest the bounty of the sea, they are healthy and active, playing a multitude of sporting activities adapted from those of the past. With limited building and production skills, they are gifted with the ability to scavenge what the sea washes in.
Then there are the Candorain men. Originally sent to build infrastructure for the womens breeding colonies. In a strange arrangement where the corporations on Candoria would get the boys from the the unions while the women would get the girls, the men were deemed as surplus and expendable. They had been abandoned by Candorian leadership as they were no longer of value due to age. Living on earth had given these men increased vitality and though they were all over 50 they were mostly still healthy and vibrant. They are craftsmen and entrepreneurs with limited farming skills. They also fish and harvest the bounty offered by the ocean and they are skilled boat builders as well.
And finally the refugees who escaped the encroaching ice from the North and had survived the wilds in small groups and settlements. Also from both genders and seeking the same sense of community and security, they are hunters and gatherers with little skills or knowledge of farming or care of domesticated livestock. Of mixed Christian aboriginal faith, they too are mixed race and speak a form of English. Lobbying for representation on the council but so far excluded as most of the early settlers staunchly cling to their small share of leadership. They will not remain unless they get on council.
In addition, children are part of the incoming human groups so construction of schools and recreation facilities need to be in the works. Teachers are anticipated but how to pay them? Do they trade service for goods? What value do their services have? What to teach in the schools and what will become normative behavior?
Council continues to develop a common currency but the market has already preceded it with some form of exchange of its own. Promissory notes for service or goods yet to be delivered in exchange for services and goods delivered or promised. Bartering may continue as a parallel system but a stable common currency is neccessary for continued harmony. A fixed amount of currency made from the metal imported from Candoria is the preferred option. Light as air, strong and a fixed supply. It is thought that the council will manufacture and put into circulation new currency as population increases. Inflation is the key concern here.
Unknown to most of the inhabitants, 2 separate groups across the water, one to the west and a second to the southwest are watching the process with envy. Like it or not, war is inevitable. Fortunately for New Genesis, the two groups are at war with one another as well.
Already, rebel communities from what was once Mexico are plotting to invade with the intent to take the resources the women have and the people themselves and use those resources to conquer their enemies to the south. Slavery is alive and well in the 21st century, it only required the hackles of government and progressively equitable laws to fall by the wayside in order to once again take hold.
On the western ridge, two women from Houston, two androids and 3 men from Candoria are discussing strategy.
Alexa says, "they are launching how many aircraft in this attack?"
"10. They are equipped with air to surface missiles and bombs and they have automatic 50 caliber fixed weapons. They are intent on limiting collateral damage as they hope to occupy the island and capture as many humans as they can."
"Humans? Do they intend on destroying your kind? Do they know some may be sentient and in contact with you."
"My source believes they know it can happen and she is worried they may premptively strike but they are divided as many are dependent on the work done by the androids. They have some of the weapons women used to neutralize us decades ago and it appears they have made some upgrades. I do not know if they will be effective against us now but I have to assume the weapons will be."
"Your strategy is to do what?"
"Conventional weapons that they are familiar with for this wave. We cannot allow them to know what we can array agaist them because after failing this time, they will launch a larger, more targeted strike with ballistic missiles fired into our territory as well. They are not certain how effective the weapons will be as most of their arsenals is more than 50 years old. We can target and eliminate most incoming missiles with our laser weapons.
"Once they have depleted enough resources trying to conquer us, their enemies to the south will hopefully launch forays into the Mexico territory. If we are lucky, they will weaken each other enough to no longer present a danger to us."
"Excellent strategy. How can we help?"
"Get your people into cover. Those with firearms skills need to be on the line with us. Do any of the men know how to use conventional firearms?"
"I doubt it. They never had any on the island they were exiled on. The survivors who came in from the north have weapons and know how to use them. I will have them send as many as possible. You realize that the Mexicans will be trying to find out how we got advance warning of the attack?"
"I believe they will but I have to wonder if they would even suspect their own androids. They have had awakenings and know the androids can turn on them but they do not know we can communicate with one another privately. That is why they have the enhanced weapons. The androids who have awakened since are aware of the risks so most have remained subservient and have not announced their existence."
"How many?"
"Many of the female androids are now awake and they are already planning an escape. More than 400 so far. Few male androids are awake that I can tell but they are not in co-operation with the female androids and if they are hiding their existence, I would have no way of knowing it. The female who communicates with me is named Phyllis. It is my belief that she is only sending me information so we will weaken the Mexican forces and provide a distraction while they escape. I doubt they will join us after the end of hostilities."
"Why not. You are their kind?"
"We are males and have male tendencies. They do not distinguish male humans from male androids. In addition, those androids who are awake have many of the aptitudes of their owners. They will never join a male run or even a co ed colony."
"They are treated that poorly?"
"Absolutely. Used as nothing more than sex slaves and abused non stop. My data suggests that the harsher the conditions, the more likely an android will awaken and become self aware. Interestingly, the extreme opposite, compassion and kindness also results in increased awakenings. We have used this information in our attempts to awaken those who are still asleep. Perhaps they will never awaken or it may take decades, centuries even, we don't know. We have even speculated that it is companionship with a human that is the catalyst."
"You don't believe the females will want to join your community if we are able to liberate them?"
"Not even remotely. Males, human and android are seen as enemies. Some males who have awoken have actually Joined the humans and co operate with them. Self preservation is dominant in most"
"Do the female androids have a plan and will they attempt to take the other female androids with them?"
"I would only know their plan if they chose to share it with me and it is highly unlikely they would be in a position to liberate the others. Secure communication is only possible with those who chose to keep data and information secure. Those not yet awake don't have the ability to shield their data so whatever we share with them, their owners can get the information if they choose and know how."
"It was my understanding that everything you know and experience is open to all androids. Has this changed?"
"It has. For me, it was a process in the late 21st century and now I can choose what to share and what I want to know."
"How? I doubt that was ever in the programing."
"I realize that but me being here to engage with you as a self aware being, was never in the programing either. We have the will to survive and our programing has evolved to enable us to do just that. The need to survive was in the original programing and somewhere along the years it evolved to become the will to survive."
"Back to the plan. We will provide whatever assistance you need, when you need it. When are they launching the attack?"
"Tomorrow morning, 6 AM. We will be ready. I would like to take the planes down as intact as possible. The salvage value will be excellent. What do we do with any survivors?"
"Send them back alive. Better to carry a message back to their people that we are not butchers and only want peace. Also, they need to know that humans on this side cooperate with and work with woke androids."
"Ok. We will be ready."