Recapitulations and Reflections

Recapitulations and Reflections

     Raemus initiated the magnilift and ascended into the blinding heights of Central Core. The core of Central was an infinitely dense mass of stilerium, dwarfing any building previously created. The architects of Central Core had been, at the time, obsessed with astronomy and black holes. They had modeled Central Core after a black hole's singularity - the point at which all its mass is accumulated. While the mystery of a black hole's singularity had not yet been solved, the Genetian people believed that singularities were gateways to other parts of the Universe. They theorized that when the mass of a black hole was crushed into nothing by its unbelievable gravity, the infinite density of the singularity created would set off an explosion that was so powerful it would tear a hole through space-time.  In Central Core the same process was being carried out on a much smaller scale. The Core was the literal brain of the Genetian civilization and housed the world's technological nerve centers, which linked all of Genetian humanity together. The mass of metal, wires, pipes, and people that pulsated here in Central Core was almost beyond imagination. To describe its glory, one could say that the fabled mountain, Everest, would be overcome with envy when stood side-by-side with the Core.

     As he shot into the sky, Raemus fidgeted nervously. Raemus, unlike most Genetians, had emotions that complemented his intellect. The Council had devised that emotions, while not a desired trait amongst the lower Genetians, suited the Elites well. It had provided the Elites the opportunity to learn and grow, coalescing their experiences and building newer neural pathways. Each Elite was unique in this sense. However, these variables would be difficult to manage if every Genetian was equally as free. Because of this, the Council had enacted a massive genetic engineering system that permitted free-thinking and experience-assimilation to a chosen number of people. From these individuals, the Council had harvested DNA needed to continue the species.

      For example, the Nomans, or slaves, were only permitted to direct their thoughts to their duties and needs of the flesh. The idea of a Noman thinking about what he would do once he was finished mining ore from an asteroid was unheard of, and literally impossible, because the Nomans lacked the ability to think.

      This kind of intellectual engineering was also applied to any workforce or military personnel. To lose focus of your responsibilities meant that something or someone you were responsible for could suffer from neglect or mismanagement. This was an unacceptable situation when multiplied by the billions of people who inhabited Genetia. So instead of handling each situation individually, the Council decided to solve these problems before they ever revealed themselves. In the same way that human DNA programmed cells in the body, Genetian DNA programmed each Genetian for specific functions. Much like human bone cells’ inability to create heart muscle, the majority of Genetians were unable to think for themselves or even know.

      This meant that Genetian society was free of crime, as that there were no "idle hands to perform the Devil's work.” Each person performed a function specific to their creation and nothing more. No being was created to be a criminal, and so there was no crime. It was a spectacular achievement.

      Raemus chewed his mottled lip as the magnilift continued its 20 minute journey. He was troubled and had been lost in thought since seeing that boy in the recreational grid. There was no good reason why the "burial" of Elias should have coincided with the recreational study of that boy. Raemus tried to see into the future, guessing how this one event was going to affect that boy wearing the polycovers. It was impossible that this was a mistake. Elias' decomposition had been timed perfectly and the jettisoning of his remains was right on schedule. It made no sense why the ACA, who knew of this, would schedule recreation for an acolyte at the same time. What did it mean and, if it was intentional, why had he not been informed? These questions disturbed him.

      As the magnilift door hissed open, Raemus stepped into the Council Hall, drowning in questions. In a few moments, he would have the chance to ask them...provided he felt it was necessary.

© Christopher Robert Dawson 2000-2013