The Meek Shall Inherit

Reg couldn’t explain why he retrieved the envelope from his recycling bin, or why he opened it.

“Congratulations, Reginald Wilson! You are one of a small number of persons from around the world to be invited to receive a one-month, all-expenses-paid vacation to Vatulele in the Fiji Islands. At last, you can get away from it all! Simply scan the back of your ticket to begin your registration process. Pack your bag. Tranquility awaits. In two weeks, you will begin your tropical island fantasy. Please, don’t be concerned about the cost. A reclusive billionaire has agreed to pay for absolutely everything. What’s the catch? There’s only one. Your benefactor merely wants to meet with you and discuss the future of the planet.

“If you are concerned about the current pandemic, as you should be, we want to reassure you that every precaution will be taken. One of a small fleet of custom-designed private aircraft will fly you from a major international airport to Suva, Fiji. From there, a private helicopter will fly you to Vatulele. Any expenses resulting from medical testing or quarantines will be paid for by your benefactor. Rest assured, your health and safety are important. All accommodations are state-of-the-art.”

The limo driver texted Reg from the street in front of his apartment. “Hello. My name is Marie. I’m your driver. Are you ready to go to Chicago?”

Reg looked out the window. So, this is the lifestyle of the rich and famous, he thought. I could learn to live with it.

“Be right down,” Reg texted back. “Doing final check.”

“OK. You have a plane to catch.” She smiled as she hit send.

Reg walked towards the limo. Marie stepped towards the rear door and opened it.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Marie. I’m Reg Wilson.” He held out his hand.

“Sorry, no contact.”

“I knew that,” Reg said, shuffling his feet.”

“Marie Murray. Just call me Marie, or Murray, otherwise it’s a tongue-twister. It seems my Father named me in a moment of…whimsy.”

Reg laughed. Ice broken, he thought.

Marie placed his suitcase and duffle bag in the trunk. Reg noticed she was a tall, attractive brunette in her mid-thirties – about his age – poised and confident, wearing a black turtleneck and a tan tailored suit. She hoisted his bags effortlessly, as if she thought nothing of it. Maybe she was like him. His teachers had called him an “old soul” because as a child he had expressed opinions well beyond his age. Well, at least I have four hours to find out, he thought. Their destination was a private hangar at Chicago O’Hare Airport.

“So, Marie,” Reg began. “Who’s your billionaire boss?”

“I’m not allowed to tell you that, Mr. Wilson. Please ask me another question,” Marie replied from in front of a plexiglass partition, her voice emanating through a high-end Bose sound system.

“Sorry. I should have known better. Please call me, Reg. Let me start again, “ Reg paused. “So, Marie, how long have you worked for my mysterious benefactor?”

“A few years. I hope all your questions aren’t going to be this boring, Reg. It’s a long ride.”

“You’re right. It’s hard to know where to start. Where do you think we should start?”

“OK, I’ll start. Why did you accept the invitation?”

“Most of my friends think I just wanted to go to Fiji. That’s nice, of course. But I’m more interested in meeting the person who offered someone like me a free trip to a tropical paradise in exchange for a mere conversation. It’s like having someone accept you for who you are, you know, like Mr. Rogers or something. The letter made me feel valued somehow, or at least like someone cared what I thought about something that matters. That’s not something that happens every day. Maybe only a few times in your life. Don’t you think?”

“Yeah, like when your parents tell you they’ll love you no matter what, or your best friend says they’ve got your back. And you got that from a short letter?”

“Well, I took a long look at the letter and the ticket. At first it seemed a little too much like Willy Wonka and his Golden Ticket. But this wasn’t a typical slick contest. There was no hint of flimflam or snake oil. I thought about it for a while, and I decided it would be worth it to find out who this person was and what he or she wanted. Besides, if they knew anything about me, which they should, given the internet, I don’t have any money to invest in real estate or anything else. All I have are ideas and a few opinions. So, what have I got to lose, right?”

“First, do you realize you used flimflam and snake oil in the same sentence?”

“I guess I did. Is that a problem?”

“No. I just noticed those are quaint, anachronistic words.”

“Wait. You used quaint and anachronistic.”

“So, what? How else would you describe flimflam and snake oil?”

“You have a point. And you said, first. What’s second?”

“Second, what if my employer is about to sell you into slavery or feed you to some pet sharks?”

“Then, I’m screwed, I guess. But at least we’ll always have Indianapolis.”

“And Chicago.”

“It was sure nice to meet you, then,” Reg laughed.

“Likewise, I’m sure,” Marie smiled.

“All kidding aside, Marie, why are you driving a limo for one of the richest people on the planet?”

“I get free dental insurance.”

“Good one. Somehow, I think there’s more to it than that.”

Marie brushed her hair back. In the rear-view camera, she noticed she had Reg’s full attention. “You know, my Dad was a college professor. He used to tell his students, like it or not, it was up to them to solve the future. That was one of his catch phrases. ‘Your generation will need to solve the future,’ he said. He also said his generation had pretty much screwed things up and young people would one day have to clean up their mess. But he told them he was optimistic. He saw young people as being more tolerant, more willing to seek justice and community, and less interested in profit for profit’s sake. He said if humans were going to survive, baby boomers would either need to step aside or die off, so the next generation could take over.”

“What’s that got to do with driving a limo?”

“I think many of us are biding our time. You probably are. I know I am. I’m working as an assistant to a person who agrees with my father. My employer is searching for the right moment to act, and the right people to work with. So far, the talent pool is mainly young people. Most boomers are too set in their ways.”

“It’s interesting you would say that. Dr. Reed, my old philosophy professor used to say, ‘each generation must rediscover the moral principles and values necessary for humanity to survive, and possibly thrive.’ He was a smart man. He taught us that our choices matter. And everything involves choices. For example, cultural traditions only mean something if they’re thoroughly questioned and adopted in ways that make sense to each succeeding generation.”

“He would have gotten along well with my Dad. So, Reg, you chose to go find out who my employer is and what he or she stands for?”

“That just about sums it up, with the exception that meeting with this person will also help me understand more about myself. Dr. Reed also said that sooner or later all knowledge turns out to be self-knowledge. If I am impressed or inspired by your employer, it will be up to me to choose what to do about it. If I am disappointed, I may need to realize the future is in my hands – our hands – more than it is in his, or hers.”

“Hmm. I think we’re on the same page. I also think when you meet him or her, you will not be disappointed.”

“Are you sure you can’t tell me who this mysterious person is?”

“As sure as I am of needing to avoid that semi.” Marie took evasive action as a tractor trailer crossed the median and headed straight for the limo. In another half-second, her reaction would have been too late. Reg grabbed the back of the seat as she threaded the needle between the oncoming truck and the truck to their right. The limo swerved hard to the right and accelerated beyond the reach of the second semi who braked as hard as he dared to avoid them. The first truck crossed the oncoming lanes and rolled on its side in a cornfield.

“Mother of Pearl!” Reg called out. “Where did you learn to drive like that, the Bob Bondurant School?”

“I tested race cars before I got this job.” Marie dialed 911 and reported the incident.

“It seems I owe you my life.”

“If I had missed my opening, you wouldn’t owe me anything. By the way, who taught you to say, Mother of Pearl? My Dad used to say that in moments of exasperation.”

“I used to play gigs with a guy who said it, rather than swear outright. I guess I just picked it up.”

“So, you play an instrument? Which one?”

“Played. Trumpet. But I had to get a so-called ‘real job’ after the Pandemic of 2020.”

“Too bad. Were you any good?”

“I was OK. Played some lead, a little jazz, brass quintets, regional orchestras. I have a master’s degree in performance from IU – that’s Indiana University. But I have an undergrad degree in mechanical engineering from Duke.”

“Is your real job in engineering then?”

“Yeah. They let me take a month off for this trip.”

“Duke, huh? Did you know that heartless, smarmy troll, Stephen Miller?”

“Uh, no. Not my department. I’m embarrassed he graduated from the same place I did. Duke is a diverse school, though. Everything from tree huggers to right-wing trolls.”

“So, were you a tree hugger then?”

“No. I spent most of my time in either the Engineering Building or the Music Building. I didn’t have time to hug trees or be a pompous ass.”

“Glad to hear you have no time for him either.”

“None whatsoever. Heard he works for some right-wing think tank now, if you can call what he does, thinking.”

“My employer thinks people like him are part of the problem. Maybe people like you are part of the solution.”

“I don’t know about that. All I can say is that ideologues scare me. Too much dogma and not enough circumspection. I like to think I’m more like Socrates, aware that I am definitely not wise, and I certainly don’t have all the answers.”

“I think your blog is pretty good.”

“You’ve actually read it?”

“Oh, yes. It was required reading.”

“Well, thanks for completing your assignment. You probably singlehandedly doubled my reader base.”

“Don’t joke. My employer is familiar with it as well.”

“Oh…I wonder how he or she found it.”

“So do I, but I have it on good authority that my employer is very well informed.”

“Now, I am even more interested in meeting him, or her.”

“As well you should be.”

“I take it you have met the big boss.”

“In a manner of speaking. We video conference quite a lot.”

“Are you impressed?”

“Would I be here if I wasn’t?”

“Good point. Let’s change the subject. Where did you go to school?”

“Cal Tech.”

“Now, things just got interesting. What was your major?”

“Astrophysics.”

“And you drive a limo?”

“It’s a long story.”

“We still have over two hours.”

“Buckle your seat belt. Sit back and relax. Here we go. During my last two years of high school I went to a special residential academy for gifted students. I won a couple of awards for physics and math. Decided to accept a scholarship to Cal Tech. They needed more women in STEM programs and I needed the money, so I went. Even with scholarships, women were still like unicorns in fields like astrophysics. It was difficult to exist in a man’s world, but it was cool to meet famous people like Neil deGrasse Tyson at conferences. I always knew it would be an uphill battle. Nevertheless – I like that word, ‘nevertheless’ – I persisted. I was on track to get my doctorate when the 2020 pandemic hit. Within a couple of years, there was a lot of retrenchment in academia, and you know that’s where most of the jobs were supposed to be. And the government cut back on science jobs too. It was either teach high school, continue to jump from job to job, or take a job with my current employer. Like I said, they have a great dental plan and the pay is good. And by the way, driving is only one of my jobs.”

“Don’t tell me you’re an escort too,” Reg joked.

“Very funny. Keep in mind I also know Karate. There is a wonderful Dojo near the university. I even taught there for a while. If anyone – and I mean anyone – tried to make me do anything I didn’t want to do, he would be singing soprano through a broken jaw while cradling at least four broken ribs.”

“Umm. Good to know,” Reg swallowed hard. “You do know I was just kidding, right?”

“You’d better be.” Marie faked a stern expression and then cracked a smile. “I had you going, didn’t I?”

“You sure did.”

“I really do know Karate.”

“Oh, I believe you. I’ll try to stay on your good side from now on. What are your other jobs?”

“I’m not at liberty to say.”

Marie let about a minute pass, just for effect. “It looks like both of us were affected by the first pandemic.”

“Yeah. If only everyone had known the Pandemic of 2020 was just a dress rehearsal for the current pandemic,” Reg sighed.

2.

“Did you ever wonder what the rehearsal notes for 2020 would have sounded like?” Marie asked.

“I saw an old video of a comedian ranting on this a couple of weeks ago. Pretended to be an irate director giving notes and called out cast members on their pathetic performances. Sounded like a cross between Perry White and Jonah Jameson to me. The guy yelled at the cast the whole time. It would be funnier if some of those in charge in 2020 hadn’t screwed up so badly. Still it was still pretty funny.”

“I’ve seen that one too,” Marie began to recite the bit. “Attention everyone! Eyes front. No talking! As your director, Quentin Kubrick Fauci, I’m required by contract to give you my notes on this so-called dress rehearsal. First, if the play looks this bad on opening night, I swear to God I’m resigning as your director and throwing you to the wolves you were obviously raised by. You’ll get what you deserve. A painful death, I hope. There’s no way on God’s green Earth I want to be associated with such a pathetic production as this! You call yourselves actors!? You all need to pull yourselves together. Period. What the Sam Hill were you doing during the rest of the rehearsals? Smoking crack? Standing around pretending to be in a wax museum? Where did you get your acting diplomas? From the back of a cereal box? Judas Priest, people! I’ve seen better middle school productions! The next time the curtain goes up you need to be ready, or there will be hell to pay!”

Reg went on, “You all need to take this pandemic play seriously. Response Team!? Where were you guys? You missed your entrance by two months! You need to be in the wings, ready to go at the start of the play, not halfway through the first act. Quarantine? What the Sam Hill happened to you? You let thousands of people back into the country without so much as a ‘how do you do?’ No testing, no isolation, just come on in and find a seat wherever? What the Sam Hill were you thinking? Testing and Tracing – Great Caesar’s Ghost! You guys were supposed to be the heroes of the play, but instead you acted like Rosenkranz and Guildenstern – no, not even that, more like Laurel and Hardy. I’d kill you myself, but that wouldn’t fix anything!”

Marie jumped in, “And you, Common Sense! For crying out loud, Speak up! I could hardly hear you. The Michigan Branch Covidians shut you down faster than a New York City blackout. Granted, they had guns, but still. Anti-maskers! You morons ran rampant over the entire second and third acts. You upstaged Common Sense, Research, Decency, and Distancing. What the Sam Hill were you thinking? You only had minor roles, for God’s sake, but you tried to steal the whole rotten show! Stick to the script next time, or this so-called play will close on opening night. Research! You were supposed to be the voice of reason, not just stand there with your hands in your pockets and give confusing monologues nobody could follow. What’s that? You say you said your lines? They were all out of order, slacker! Do your homework! If you want to keep your cushy job, study the script…and work on your lines with Response Team! And don’t call me Chief!”

Reg followed up, “Lockdowns! You weren’t supposed to exit all at once in the middle of the second act. The script says you exit gradually, one-by-one, throughout the third act, not just leave the rest of the cast hanging! You had more lines, for God’s sake. People, People, People! You can’t just ignore the blocking. If this play is going to work, you must stay on script. Keep your distance. Wash your hands. Wear your masks. Stop shouting ‘Freedom!’ whenever you feel like it and work like a team. The producer isn’t paying you to do whatever the hell you want. If you act like this on opening night, everybody will die as sure as I’m standing here. I shouldn’t have to remind you how much is at stake!”

They both laughed out loud. Marie kept her composure well enough to stay on the road. Reg was glad there wasn’t much traffic at that point.

3.

After a minute or so, Marie spoke. “Reg, do you think people will ever outgrow their shortsightedness?”

“It seems to me people might eventually do the right thing. After they’ve tried just about everything else. The question in my mind is whether they will do it in time to avoid their own destruction.”

“Up until now, I’d say humanity as a whole has been too self-absorbed, we’ve run roughshod over nature and over each other without considering how we might affect our own future.”

“My professor sometimes quoted a mid-twentieth century Christian moralist, C.S. Lewis, who said, ‘What we call Man’s power over Nature turns out to be a power exercised by some men over other men with Nature as its instrument.’ Another thinker once asserted that power companies are only interested in a form of energy when they can sell it though a meter. I’m glad that system is breaking down, but the alternative still sounds too much like socialism to many people. Nature can provide unlimited power, if we harness it right. And it can benefit everyone, not just the rich. There should be no need to use nature as a cudgel to keep others in line. The short-range goal of making a quarterly profit for the few has so far won out over the long-range goals of survival and quality of life for the many. Now I sound like Mr. Spock.”

“I love Mr. Spock. The whole idea of a Star Trek economy fascinates me. What do you think?”

“I’ve written about it in my blog. We need to move past the notion that some are worthy, while others are not. Of course, everyone is worthy of a basic standard of living. If humans can achieve Star Trek technology, everyone can start working to improve themselves rather than just eke out whatever living they can or spend most of their time trying to find ways to keep others from taking whatever they’ve managed to get. Adequate food, shelter, clothing, and medical care should be our birthright as human beings, as much as natural habitat, clean air, and water should be for other species. The only thing keeping us from such a standard is our lack of will to make it so.”

“You sound like you’ve given this a lot of thought. You even channeled Picard there. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

“Glad you noticed. We seem to have a lot in common, Marie.”

If you only knew, Marie thought.

As they approached the airport, Reg pressed her one last time. “Are you sure you can’t tell me the name of the big boss?”

“I will get fired if I tell you. Do you want me to get fired?”

“No. I mean… I had to give it one more shot,” Reg replied. “I certainly don’t want to get you fired. You’ve been very helpful and you’re one hell of a driver…and you are…” he hesitated. “I don’t want to sound sexist or anything, but I find you very beautiful. Not just looks, either. You are a beautiful person, Marie. I just wanted you to know.”

Marie blushed. “I’ll bet you say that to all the limo drivers you have to spend the morning with.”

“I’m sorry. I meant it as a compliment. I’m not trying to…”

“No. I’m sorry. I have a hard time taking a compliment. Thank you. You know there are always men who will say anything to…”

“I know. I hope you know I’m not one of them. I just appreciate how you’ve treated me. And I really like the fact that we agree on so many things. We’re both fed up with politics, ignorant people who think they’re right all the time, and people ransacking the planet for profit. I’m surprised your employer doesn’t want to give you a Fiji vacation and talk to you about the future.”

“He…or she…does value my opinion. We will probably meet again before long. By the way, just wait ‘til you see the plane.”

Reg wanted to say, “I really want to see you again.” All he could stammer was, “It was n-nice to meet you, Marie. Th-Thanks for everything.” Idiot, he thought. Nice?

The plane was the fulfillment of an old article Reg saw in Popular Science. Each passenger had their own small cabin – a pod really. These were interlocked along each side of the fuselage. Each pod had its own large reclining seat, snack/beverage bar, wide-screen TV, storage compartments, and windows. The steward explained that the pods served two purposes. First, in the event of a mid-air “incident,” they were all autonomous escape pods, air and water tight, with parachutes, location beacons and enough provisions for the occupants to survive for up to two weeks. Second, each pod had its own air filtration system and was sealed off from the rest – ideal for pandemic conditions. It seemed Reg’s benefactor was taking no chances.

As a matter of fact, the last thing Reg could remember was falling asleep in that comfortable reclining seat.

4.

Reg stretched and rubbed his eyes. The bed was comfortable, exactly contoured to his body. Lighting appeared to be changing incrementally from darkness to normal light. He recognized the sound of Dvorak’s “New World Symphony,” not too loud, but not weak or subliminal Muzak-level either. Good. He hated Muzak. The cabin was spartan, but spacious, with cool blue pastel walls, and a sand-colored floor and ceiling. He moaned, forming his words with not inconsiderable effort, “Where…am…I?”

A pleasant-sounding woman’s voice replied, “We are on final approach to the third planet in the Segura system. Our estimated time of arrival in Earth time is two weeks, one day, 14 hours, 15 minutes, and 47 seconds. Please make yourself comfortable.”

“What?” Reg snapped to consciousness, or was he having a vivid dream? He couldn’t be sure.

“Would you like me to repeat the information?”

“OK. Yes. I would.”

The voice repeated the message. It was the same except for the number of seconds.

Reg rose to his feet and looked through what seemed to be a hexagonal porthole. He saw nothing but a cave-dark sky and millions of stars. No moon, no reflections on water. “What? Why?” He struggled to differentiate between waking and sleeping.

“We have monitored your online posts, especially our opinions about Earth. Alexa, Facebook, Twitter, your blog entries, and your podcasts made your views clear. You have wanted to leave your home planet for a long time. We simply thought it sensible to oblige you.”

“What do you mean by, we? Who are you?” At this point Reg noticed he was naked.

“We will inform you soon. Please perform your ablutions and await further instructions. You will find an Earth-style lavatory through the door to the left of your bed.”

“Wait! Where can I find something to wear?”

“There are garments in the cabinet nearest the lavatory.”

5.

Further instructions came shortly after Reg put on a light blue jumpsuit.

The same pleasant voice said, “Please report to the refectory. Follow the directions indicated by the corridor lights outside your quarters.”

Nothing to be gained by staying here, Reg thought. I don’t know what I’ll do if I see a book titled, “To Serve Man.” Probably freak out. He put that thought aside. The first question I want to ask is, what happened to the billionaire and the trip to Fiji?

The door opened – slid smoothly into a pocket – and Reg stepped out into the corridor. Subtle green lighting sequentially blinked a path to the left. I wonder what will happen if I head right, he thought. He turned right. The lights flashed bright red. OK, I guess whoever’s in charge is keeping tabs on me. He turned around. The lights resumed a pleasant green sequence. At that moment, a door opened farther along the corridor. A tall, lithe figure with brown hair stepped out and turned left as he was supposed to do in the first place. At least I’m not alone.  

He spent the next ten seconds deciding whether to catch up to the figure or just wait until he or she reached the refectory. Now, that is a quaint word. I wonder why they used it. Reg kept his pace. There was no sound in the corridor and he decided not to startle whoever it was. His fellow…traveler…turned left. Reg followed into a larger room with tables and chairs fastened to the floor. He counted ten others, each trying to decide whether to sit down or stand up.

The voice removed their indecision. “Please find a seat facing the view screen.”

Reg and his fellow travelers did as they were told. He looked to the next table and noticed Marie sitting placidly, facing the screen, taking in the view of a blue dot among an ocean of stars, waiting for…the same thing he was waiting for. He began to call out, “Mma…” but the voice cut him off.

“Now that you are all present, it is time to explain our mission,” the voice began in measured tones. “Please understand that if there had been another way to begin this mission, we would have pursued it, however we had no other choice. As you are all no doubt intelligent enough to deduce, the vacation to Fiji was only a pretext. Each of you were chosen to participate in this mission because you have repeatedly expressed your dissatisfaction with life on Earth and have displayed your willingness to leave the planet if necessary, to explore alternatives.”

There was a round of chatter with words like, but I was half-joking – I didn’t think such a thing would even be possible – this has to be a prank – where are the cameras? – this is unbelievable – seriously? – we were abducted – what about my friends and family? – will we ever go home again?

The voice continued more authoritatively, “We understand your concerns. To put our position in terms you will readily understand, at the time we removed you from your planet, we estimated the probability of long-term survival for your species was less than one percent. It seems your chosen systems of governance have shown a peculiar…lack of interest in the future of your species, and a certain proclivity for, to use an Earth expression, “pressing your luck.” We have observed that generally a crisis is required for your governments to act, and even then, their action is likely to be…haphazard. A few years before you left, Earth suffered a very mild pandemic that killed over three million people – most unnecessarily. Based on your planetary response to the Pandemic of 2020, we predicted a second, more virulent, pandemic was likely to kill at least 100 times that number. You were extracted before you would have become one of the casualties. However, we failed to predict global nuclear warfare, as nationalists who possessed atomic weapons took steps to eliminate the contagion from the most affected regions. Conveniently for them, those regions were in the lands of their enemies. In the end, 99.99 percent of the Earth’s population was killed, and major portions of the planet were rendered uninhabitable.”

The voice fell silent. For what seemed like hours, all anyone could do was sit and weep. Reg, Marie and the others stared blankly at the screen. No one could think of anything to say.

At length, Reg spoke up, “So, are you saying that the eleven of us are the only survivors?”

“That is incorrect” the voice resumed. “You have been awakened first to help with the transition of the rest. There are 999 others on this vessel. There are four other vessels, each with at least 1000 survivors. Your species requires a minimum of 5000 individuals to begin repopulation and assure genetic integrity and diversity. You and your slumbering crewmates represent the last and best hope of human kind. You have been selected by reason of your intelligence, honesty, and curiosity.”

Marie looked towards Reg and stage whispered, “Apparently not for our interest in a Fiji vacation…”

The others managed a weak laugh. Reg smiled and gave Marie a glance that told her everything she needed to know.

Unperturbed, the voice responded, “That is correct. None of the participants in this mission were selected because they sought exotic vacations. All were included because they expressed dreams for the planet that obviously could not be fulfilled by the former crew of Spaceship Earth.

“How long has it been since we…left Earth?” Someone asked from across the room.

“Approximately 30 Earth years. At a mean velocity of 0.9c, you have travelled approximately 27 light-years. You and your crewmates have been in hibernation for nearly 3 relativistic years. The Earth is now in the process of re-establishing its ecosystems. We are sorry to inform you, without humans.”

“You keep saying We,” Reg interrupted. “Who are you? And was there ever a reclusive billionaire?”

“The billionaire of whom you speak is one of us,” the voice stated flatly. “We are much like you. However, we managed to avoid the final conflict that destroyed your species and threatened to destroy your planet. We decided long ago to work together, as one people, rather than maintain artificial divisions based on skin color, national identity, religious practice, gender, economic status, and party ideology. We too survived world wars, natural disasters, and pandemics. We almost met the same fate as your species – several times. The difference was that most of us realized if we continued to follow the same pattern of fear, hatred, and killing, we would never solve our existential problems. If your species had used the Pandemic of 2020 to step away from the brink, we would not have extracted you. There would have been no need.”

Again, the room fell silent. It was a lot to take in.

The voice said simply, “We will allow you to consider what you have learned. Please avail yourselves of the food and drink offered in our refectory. More information will be shared later.” A few sections of wall drew back to reveal food and drink. Reg realized he was hungry. Marie intercepted him on his way to the refreshments.

Reg spoke first. “Did you know your employer was an alien?”

“Well, nice to see you too!” Marie shot back.

“Sorry. That was really the second thought on my mind.”

“What was the first?”

“This.” Reg hugged her.

“That’s better,” Marie responded. “Look, Reg. How could I have known? Virtual workplaces. Secrecy. The whole reclusive thing.”

“You’re right. We now have other fish to fry. At least, I think this is fish.”

The voice interjected, “All comestibles are products of plant-based aquaculture. We hope you will find their taste comparable to animal-based proteins.”

“And now I feel like we’re about to meet Captain Nemo,” Reg remarked.

6.

The first meal after a long period of fasting is likely to be memorable. It was as if no one had eaten in years, because in fact no one had. Reg, Marie, and the others couldn’t be sure the food they had just consumed was truly delicious or that their hunger after a long rest made the meal taste like a glass of pure, cold water after a long walk in the fresh air on a summer day. Most would later agree that the aquaculture-plant-based-proteins tasted better than steak, chicken, or pork. Maybe their sense of taste was rebooted that day. “Nevertheless,” Marie said. “I think now would be a good time to learn more about my former employer.”

After the well-fed assemblage had a chance to relax and were calm enough to face their new circumstances, the voice resumed, “It seems everyone has appreciated the meal. Soon, we will be sharing the science behind it as well as many other technologies necessary to assist you in getting started on your new planet.”

At this point, Marie became impatient, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but who are you and where is my former boss?”

The voice answered, well-composed as ever, “I am a form of what you would call, artificial intelligence. Most of you are familiar with fictional artificial intelligences, for example, the HAL 9000 and various computers on spaceships, Data and other androids. I am the AI designed to control this vessel and instruct its new crew. I exist to serve and protect all of you. Ms. Murray, your former employer will be arriving on the last vessel to Segura Three.”

Marie wasn’t satisfied. “I never saw my…employer in real life. Does she look like us or was her image on Zoom a deep fake?”

I knew it! Reg shouted in his head.

“We resemble you. You will meet us when the time is right.”

“You keep saying, we. If you are an AI, why do you identify as an entire species?” Marie asked.

“Interesting question. At one time, your species adopted the royal, We, to identify hereditary monarchs. We assume this designation refers to the entire royal family, including ancestors. I use it to refer to my designers as well as myself. I am the result of the contributions of countless individuals. I exist only because of the efforts of a collective we.”

“Now, we’re getting someplace,” Reg whispered.

“We have much work to do before we arrive on Segura 3.” The AI added.

“Such as?” Reg spoke up.

“For example, it is my responsibility to prepare you for your arrival. We assume you are all curious.”

“We are,” Reg and Marie spoke for the group. The others nodded their heads. Some said,” Yes, we are.”

“Very well,” the AI began. “Please observe the view screen. We have chosen to provide a pre-fabricated habitat on your new home world. We have also collected an electronic library of Earth culture and relevant technical information, much of it culled from your personal recommendations as the new crew of your planetary spaceship. The library is comparable to your old Library of Congress.”

“So much for running out of things to read,” one person said.

“What about YouTube?” another asked.

“We have gathered only instructional materials and recordings of historical or cultural significance. Entertainment was not a priority, although we have included dramas and other records which have been labelled ‘classics’ by those who are knowledgeable among your cohort.”

Marie steered the conversation back on track. “Please, tell us about where we are going. I assume it’s like Earth, but what exactly should we expect?”

“A far more relevant question. You will have ample time to explore the archives after your arrival. Segura Three is an Earth-like planet. The atmosphere is composed of approximately 21.5 % oxygen and 77% nitrogen, with 1% carbon dioxide and 0.5% other gasses. Gravity is 1.1 times Earth gravity. Segura 3 has a lush tropical zone, resembling Fiji and other Pacific Islands. Flora and fauna are comparable to life in the Carboniferous Period on Earth.”

“Wow! That’s about 350 million years ago. It’s a young planet. We’d better not screw it up,” Reg said.

“You are correct. Thank you, Mr. Wilson,” the AI replied. “If I may continue. Segura Three rotates on its axis once in approximately 25 Earth hours. The year is approximately 382 Earth days. The mean surface temperature is approximately 20 degrees Celsius, five degrees warmer than the Earth you left. You will begin your stay on a sea coast where the temperature is typically between 18- and 23-degrees year-round. You may feel like this is a paradise, but you will need to address challenges in aqua- and agriculture as well as decide how to live among the local fauna. There are lifeforms that could be dangerous or deadly to your species, as well as microbial challenges to your survival. And there is the matter of societal organization.”

“I was wondering when she would get to that,” Marie said.

“It would help to know the makeup of our new crew. Who are the 5000 others? What are they like? Do they have knowledge and abilities that can help colonize a new world?” Reg asked.

“The rest of the crew is as you are. Intelligent, creative, honest, curious, and unafraid of hard work. They are representative of all of Earth’s major regions and population groups. None of these groups represents a majority. On the contrary, your crewmates have been selected to represent as many variables as possible, as equally as possible. Every population group and nationality are represented. Educational and occupational expertise have been given equal weight. We have made no assumption that some are destined to be carried on the backs of others. This new world is your opportunity to establish a new economy, a new system of governance, a new way of thinking and being. Each of you have been critical of unsustainable systems and the tyranny of majorities. Segura Three will be your chance to re-imagine society. You will not be colonizing a new world, but rather establishing a new civilization.”

“That’s a tall order,” someone said.

“How can we be sure it won’t just devolve into chaos or the way things used to be?” asked another.

“You cannot be sure of avoiding either of those outcomes. You can, however, work to make sure Segura Three will fulfill your dreams, not the dreams of charlatans or despots. We have attempted to eliminate the political animals from your gene pool, yet we cannot be certain the same desires to become lords and masters, to exert authority over others, will not resurface. We cannot be certain old prejudices and divisions will not recur. We cannot be certain some among you will not do horrible things in the name of selfishness, greed, religion, or the pursuit of power. All we can do is trust that those we have emancipated from a dying Earth will try to do better.”

“What’s in it for you?” a brave soul inquired.

“Satisfaction. The satisfaction of rescuing what was on the verge of being lost. The opportunity to do for others as we would want others to do for us. If we had been unable to reform our society, we would have welcomed another society offering us a second chance. Perhaps, you too will be able to do likewise someday.”

“Is altruism the basis of your society?” Marie asked.

“The common good is one of our primary values. If a course of action is not grounded in the common good, especially if it benefits only a few, we are likely to reject it, unless it is necessary to remedy ongoing injustice. We have found that altruism is often necessary to justice, as justice is necessary to the common good. Let me ask you a question. Isn’t it true that the signers of one of your founding documents stated, ‘we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor?’”

“Yes, that’s true. It’s from the Declaration of Independence,” Reg interjected.

“Then, it follows that the members of a society must have a mutual interest in the values necessary to preserve that society, does it not?”

“Yes,” Reg agreed. Everyone nodded.

“So, you must understand that our lives, our fortunes, our wellbeing, and everything else we share as a society are inextricably bound to our sense of honor. To have allowed Earth’s civilization to end would have been a breach of honor. We have not only pledged our lives and fortunes to our society, but to help others in need as much as it is possible.”

“Some in our society think…thought survival of the fittest was the basis for political and economic systems,” Reg offered.

“Perhaps they had not considered the tragedy of the commons.” The AI suggested. “It is explained in your historical records as well as ours.”

“The desire of some in our…species to take more than they are willing to give…” Marie began.

“Got us into trouble many times in our history,” Reg finished the sentence.

“And, the pattern of fear, hostility, hate, and slaughter continued to the end.” The AI stated coldly.

7.

Within a few days, the AI provided guidance on, of all things, mating and reproduction. When fully assembled, the habitat was designed to house up to 5,500. The AI recommended establishing a new settlement for each additional 5,000 inhabitants. Exploration would be necessary. In time, settlements should form a network spaced 10-15 kilometers apart. Ideally, no settlement should grow to more than this size and settlements should not be permitted to form alliances of any kind. The eleven agreed that sustainability and not wealth or power concentration should be the goal.

Bringing a diverse population of human beings together in a harmonious way was a potential problem. No one wanted to repeat the institutional racism and caste systems that had divided the people of Earth for millennia, much less slavery and other forms of exploitation. Society might not turn out to be 100% fair, but the idea was to make it as fair as possible for all citizens.

The AI stated a solution bluntly. “You must mate with each other. Start with the premise that no one should be deemed unworthy of forming a pair-bond. Skin color, former nationality, or any other artificial distinctions must not deter you from producing offspring with each other. In fact, you must encourage cross-cultural coupling. But you must avoid procreation if the relationship is too close genetically. On your planet, you called this incest. You will need to make sure to track the genealogy of all your descendants. On Earth, your governments and religious institutions kept records of marriages and the children resulting from them. Your society need not require formal marriages, but you must be able to trace the origins of your progeny. In time, the blending of cultures and genetic materials will unify your society. What began as directives and rules will become common practices and traditions. Humans will become one people.” 

Later, Reg and Marie met over some aqua-culture coffee.

“Well, after all that, I’m uncomfortable,” Reg said.

“We haven’t even set foot on Segura Three and we’re all thinking about sex,” Marie added.

“I’m trying not to think about sex.”

“Trying not to think about something usually makes you think about it more.”

“Stop talking about it, then.”

“OK. But you’re still thinking about it.”

“So are you. You look cute in that jumpsuit, by the way.”

“Now, you stop it.”

Yet, everyone thought about it. Reg quoted his professor for the group, ‘each generation must rediscover the moral principles and values necessary for humanity to survive, and possibly thrive.’

“And back on Earth we all debated the meaning of the word, marriage,” Reg said.

“Some say marriage is a sacrament,” Marie said.

“But what if it’s mainly a human breeding registry after all?” Reg asked.

“Let’s not just explain it away.”

“I’m not trying to do that. I’m just saying it has a practical function. I noticed the AI did not advocate indiscriminate mating.”

“She sounded sort of Jewish to me,” Marie said.

“Well, practical or not, Jewish or Catholic, the pair-bond is special. I’d be the last to say it isn’t sacramental.”

“Fair enough, but you’re still thinking about sex.”

“And you’re not?”

“Would you like to get a room?”

“As a matter of fact, I already have one.”

8.

There were many other topics discussed in the days that followed. With each day the orb of Segura Three grew until it resembled Earth from the Apollo photos – a blue and green marble floating in a black abyss. As the AI instructed the crew on governance, the need to form a constitution, building techniques, water supply, establishing farms on land and in the sea, exploration of the surrounding area, likely dangers of local flora and fauna, awakening protocols for the remaining crew, and the need to be sensitive to the emotional reactions of those who just crossed interstellar space never to see their loved ones or planet ever again, the eleven grew more anxious.

“It’s one thing to write about sustainability and to critique the system,” Reg began. “But it’s another thing, a much more difficult thing, to be a part of leading the way to a new system. We had people who ran for office, volunteered to help, and many who were paid for their services. They were not always the best people, or competent, or reliable, but they often did good work. It’s scary that soon everyone will be asked to pitch in and do their part. I’m not so sure any of this will work any better than what we had. I know for damn sure that the eleven of us can’t become monarchs or elders or dear leaders. And democracy has its pitfalls. Socrates understood this. We all do. Madison warned of the violence of faction. We’ve got to be careful. The whole system could collapse on itself before the first 1000 can be awakened. Maybe I should have kept my opinions to myself, kept my head down and my mouth shut.”

The AI responded, “Some of your planet’s ancient texts have a saying, ‘The meek shall inherit the Earth.’ Perhaps you should consider what it means to be meek. The fact that you are hesitant, uncertain, and sincerely questioning your abilities indicates that you may be one of those who should inherit the challenge set before you. Many great leaders on Earth were called to serve before they thought they were ready. Many served reluctantly, insisting they were not strong enough to do what needed to be done. They were reflective and circumspect. They did not brag. They did not claim greatness. Greatness claimed them. Being meek does not necessarily mean weak. Perhaps you should consider that the meek are humble, unpretentious, kind, and patient. If you thought too much of yourself, you would be unable to accomplish what you must. You need not have all the answers, but you do need to be willing to listen and help find them. Can you do this?”

“Yes. At least, I think so. And apparently I can also listen to a pep-talk given by an AI.”

The plan was to awaken 100, then another 100, for which the first 100 could serve as guides, then 200 at a time over the next several weeks as the habitat was built out. The next vessel would be arriving in about two months, so by the end of the year, much of the settlement could be under way. Governance would remain provisional, with a final constitution to be ratified by everyone. The eleven hoped the rest would be patient and that other groups of eleven would arrive more or less on the same page. Flexibility was the key. No matter what system had governed the “crew” before, they all now had the freedom to be a part of something greater, something closer to their utopian dreams. It wouldn’t be easy. Yet, the eleven did not want a dictator or narcissistic politician in charge. Government by the meek and for the meek would likely be messy and informal, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. This would be a chance to return to ideals – liberty, justice, equality – prudence, temperance, perseverance. As anxious as they were, they were grateful for the opportunity.

The day came for the vessel to touch down on Segura Three. The eleven took their places in their beds, which were now contoured to the shape of seats. Reg could look out the window to observe the landing. Their descent was precisely calculated. The AI said the engines would use a lot of power to keep their velocity under control. To Reg it felt like he was on a 747 coming in for a landing. He could feel the engines working to resist the force of gravity. As the vessel came to rest, he looked out to witness a tropical scene, verdant and inviting, with a waterfall in the distance. After a brief pause, he heard an announcement:

“This is the Captain speaking. Welcome to Fiji! We have just landed at Suva airport. The outside temperature is a balmy 22 degrees Celsius or 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Thank you for flying with us today. Please be careful as you exit the aircraft. You will be escorted to helicopters waiting to take you to Vatulele.”

9.

After two days enjoying paradise – snorkeling, playing in the surf, walking along the beach, and drinking from glasses with little umbrellas in them – Reg was beginning to feel normal again. His dream on the plane was a once-in-a-lifetime event, much like the trip to Fiji. What a mental ride! Reg thought. But I’m safe now. The Earth is still here. People aren’t dead. Life is good. Let’s make the most of it. Maybe Marie is here. I should try to find her. First thing tomorrow. Now would be a good time for a nap, though.

There was a knock on the door. “Your dinner, Sir.”

“Oh. Thank you, Taito!” Reg called out and opened the door to let him in. Taito was a nice kid…and a good lifeline to reality. He was pretty sure they didn’t have teenage stewards on Segura Three. The tray had an envelope, the same as he had received two-and-a-half weeks ago, with a brief note requesting his presence for breakfast. 800h sharp. His benefactor had summoned him. Well, then. I’ll start looking for Marie after breakfast.

Imagination can sometimes be torturous. After a night of fitful sleep, listening to the sounds of the island and wondering if he was really on Carboniferous Earth or faraway Segura Three, he rose early and took a dip in his private pool. Now, there’s something to tell the guys back home about. The water was refreshing, almost in a spiritual sense. Reg mused that he had been swimming in actual Fiji Water for the past two days.

At 7:55 he stood in the foyer of the billionaire’s house. A tall, athletic, middle-aged woman in a tan pants suit, with sun-bleached brown hair and a blue silk scarf around her neck came out to greet him. “Please, Mr. Wilson. If you would be so kind, join me for breakfast on the lanai.” She extended her hand and Reg took it. Her grip was firm, yet gentle at the same time. He thought he recognized her, but from where? He couldn’t recall more than one photo, and that was from a distance. Something about a brilliant tech entrepreneur…internet security or something. Reclusive. Indeed. Lived halfway around the world. He followed, hoping she would soon introduce herself.

As she turned, Reg could have sworn he saw the sun’s glancing rays reveal a microscopic turquoise tint to her face and shoulder. It was as if she had tiny scales. No, it’s just that glitter makeup women like to wear. Her face seemed youthful either way and besides, she reminded him of someone. She motioned for him to come to the table, where a breakfast of fruits and various pastries awaited.

Before being seated, Reg’s discomfort got the better of him and as he assisted with her chair he blurted out, “You don’t need to call me Mr. Wilson. Please feel free to call me, Reg. How should I address you?”

“I’m sorry…Reg. “I am Zara Einstein. You may call me Zara. Now, let’s talk.” Zara nodded to Reg and sat. He found his chair and did likewise, breathing a sigh of etiquette-induced relief.

Zara remarked, “These days one can’t be sure where he or she stands in terms of formalities. I appreciate the fact that your parents tried to raise you with a sense of respect. But, be assured, the longer you know me, the less you will feel the need to stand – or sit – on etiquette.”

“Einstein. Now I remember. You made a fortune in internet security. Invented an algorithm to confirm authenticity and prevent hacking, right? But you’re not related to Albert…”

“Enough of that. Why do you suppose I live here? I don’t want to hear the comparisons, the hype, the jokes…”

“Say no more…Zara. I still have to deal with people who call out ‘Wilson!’ from that Tom Hanks movie several years ago – Castaway?”

“I haven’t seen it.”

“Of course, you haven’t. I was just trying to say…well, you are incredibly accomplished in your own right. Each of us is, really. Why should we have to be constantly compared to others? By the way, Zara is a lovely name. I assume it’s the inspiration for Z-Ware?”

“Yes, it is. You are certainly well-informed. But be careful of flattery. It will get you nowhere with me and someone might get jealous.”

“I’m sorry, I was just…trying to be nice,” Reg tried to cover his embarrassment. “And I’m not that well-informed. We happen to use Z-Ware at our office.”

“Now it’s my turn to say, say no more.”

“Alright. I’m sure you didn’t bring me here to talk about names and software.”

“I did not. I want to talk with you about the Earth.”

“O…K…I’ve heard you’re interested in the environment, social justice, and democratic institutions.”

“That’s just the beginning. Let’s stipulate that I’ve read everything you’ve written in your blog and listened to all your podcasts. I already know we agree on every topic that matters.”

“That’s what Marie told me.”

“Ah, yes. What did you think of Marie?”

“May I be honest? I don’t want to speak out-of-turn.”

“Of course. I want to hear your opinion. It’s always good to learn from a third party.”

“Well, I think she is…wonderful…delightful, to use an archaic word. She is the most impressive person I’ve ever met, present company excepted. I trust her implicitly. She might be my soulmate, if such a thing exists. I really like her and would love to see her again. In fact, after breakfast I plan to look for her. She hinted that maybe we would meet before long. Do you know if she’s here?”

“That’s…as glowing a review as I’ve ever heard. It seems to me you’ve been charmed. Do you mean here on Vatulele, or here in this house?”

“On the Island will do. If you can give me a lead, I’ll do the legwork.”

“What if I told you she is in the next room?”

“Really?”

“I wouldn’t lie about my daughter, would I? Marie! Would you come here? There is a young man who would love to see you.” Zara focused on Reg, gauging his reaction.

Reg couldn’t speak. Even after Marie entered the room, all he could do was turn towards Zara, then Marie, and back. Now I remember who she looks like, he inwardly conceded.

Marie made her entrance in a light blue sun dress with a silk scarf, like her mother’s, around her neck.

Marie focused on Reg, “Well, aren’t you going to say something?”

At length, Reg broke his silence. “I…can’t believe it. It’s too good to be true. Why didn’t you tell me? So, this is your idea of in a manner of speaking?” He stood up and crossed to Marie. “What I wanted to say when you dropped me off was, “When can I see you again?”

“It’s nice to see you too, Reg.”

“More than nice…for me at least.”

“Please. Both of you. Sit down. Have some fruit, Marie,” Zara broke the trance.

Reg pulled up a chair for Marie. “Now it’s my turn to assist you, but I can’t do the death-dodging, fancy driving part.”

“What’s that?” Zara asked.

“Didn’t she tell you about the near head-on with the semi and how she…”

“I haven’t had a chance, yet,” Marie cut him off.

“Sounds like a good story,” Zara nodded at Reg, but gave Marie one of those parental looks.

“It was nothing, really.” Now it was Marie’s turn to be embarrassed.

After a beat or two, Zara said simply, “Well, I’m glad you both are alright. I’m not sure what I think of this young man coming to breakfast and declaring his infatuation with my daughter, though.”

“Oh, Mother. Leave him alone. You know I can take care of myself.”

Reg stared at Marie. “So, I’ve heard. So, I’ve heard.”

“I’m not worried about you, dear. I’m concerned about him.”

“He’s sitting right here, Mother.”

10.

While they were trading jibes, Taito was working hard to clean Zara’s pool. Reg had seen him on the way in and gave him a big smile and a hearty wave, which was returned in kind.

Breaking away from the rest of the conversation, Reg interjected, “Has either of you seen Taito? His pool skimmer is still by the diving board. It’s not like him to…”

“Just a moment.” Zara got up from the table and strode to the pool. Taito was at the bottom, his shirt caught in the drain. Zara removed her shoes and scarf and dove into the pool. Marie and Reg ran to poolside and kept watch. It seemed to Reg that she was staying down too long. He started to take off his sandals, but Marie stopped him. “It’s OK, Reg. She’s got this.”

After what seemed like three or four minutes, Zara surfaced with Taito. He was sputtering and coughing but he seemed OK. Zara stood there, drenched, her skin glistening in shades of turquoise, and without her scarf, Reg was able to see a set of gill slits on either side of her throat extending down to her upper chest. Her toes were webbed. She blinked her eyes revealing a second eyelid, the nictitating membrane common with amphibians, but certainly not humans. Reg sat down on a lounge chair, his head suddenly feeling bloodless. Marie escorted Taito to the door and told him to take the rest of the day off. No worries. Glad you’re OK. Reg doubted that Taito fully understood what just happened. He knew he didn’t.

“Let me explain,” Marie began.

“OK. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon,” Reg said quietly. “Please, who are you, what are you? Is this some kind of experiment or what?”

“No,” Marie said, reaching for her scarf.

“Are you sure? Zara asked.

“Yes, Mother. He deserves to know. And we were going to tell him soon anyway.”

Zara found a towel and dried herself. As she left to get dry clothes, Marie removed her scarf and kicked off her shoes. “Like mother, like daughter, Reg.”

“What exactly does that mean?” Reg was still a little shaky.

Please, come in and sit down, Reg. Remember, you said you were curious. You said wanted to know. This wasn’t about a Fiji vacation for you. That’s what you told me. Well, let me get to the point. Zara was able to save Taito because she could breathe for him. First, she made sure he was alive, then she worked to free him. Reg, it should be obvious we’re not from around here. This is no experiment. We were sent here to observe and report. Our species knows a lot more about computers than yours, so it was easy for us to make a fortune in the software business. It was also easy for us to collect a great deal of information about you, and the others, and about humanity in general.”

“What about your Dad? You said your last name was Murray, not Einstein.”

“That’s another story. Mother? Do you want to answer that question?”

Zara chose a seat, “Reg. I assume you were being truthful when you said Marie impressed you more than anyone. You said you trusted her. You even said you two might be soulmates. You have written about how we shouldn’t judge others by their appearance. So, what I’m about to say might make some sense. 34 Years ago, I met a man named Murray. We loved each other deeply. And yes, he knew all about me. He just didn’t care. He died about ten years ago, taking our secret to his grave. If he were here, he would tell you that you’re right. Appearances don’t matter. Love matters. Being kind matters. Helping others matters.” A tear formed in Zara’s eye.

Reg thought about asking how they met, but he kept it to himself. The question seemed irrelevant at this point.  

Marie continued, “Reg, my Mother’s mission started out to be ‘observe and report.’ Since then, things have become more…complicated. On our home planet, conditions in the oceans are becoming more and more toxic. Runoff from the land and certain geological instabilities are threatening our existence. But as you have probably gathered, fortunately we are able to travel in space. Unfortunately, the path to space involved industrialization and…too much exploitation of our planet’s resources. We have learned to be much more efficient, but too late to save most of our species.”

Reg held out his hand to reflect. “Where do we come in?” he asked.

Zara nodded to Marie. She forged on, “We began observing. That is, Mother began observing. From the data she collected we have been able to make certain predictions about life on Earth. For example, we were able to predict that the Pandemic of 2020, which should have been mild, would be made far worse by political posturing and government inaction. Further, most of the population of Earth either resisted guidance or remained willfully ignorant. That old rant by Lewis Black was not wrong. To be direct, prospects for the continued survival of your species on this planet are not good. Too much time is wasted on trivial matters and not enough is given to existential problems. We know this well. It has happened on our world.”

“If you predicted that, did you predict 9-11 too? And if you did, why didn’t you try to warn us?”

“The answer to both of your questions is, we did,” Zara jumped in. “We provided information about planes being used as weapons, but your authorities chose to ignore it. I made sure your Presidents Bush and Obama were aware of the danger of a pandemic. They took it seriously. Your President Trump chose to disregard the risks, because he thought he knew better. This kind of thinking has become a major problem in your species.”

“I apologize. Hubris is one of our worst enemies,” Reg said softly.

Marie picked up where she left off. “We predict that in the next 10-20 years, humanity will either self-destruct or choose a path that will lead to destruction before the next century is over. The current pandemic will likely claim hundreds of times more lives than the last. The potential for international aggression, in terms of weapons of mass destruction, has never been higher. Willingness to compromise and seek mutual benefit has never been lower. It doesn’t matter who your leaders are, or who makes the next technological breakthrough, unless the data on aggregate human behavior begins to change soon, I’m afraid our predictions will become more and more accurate.

“As to where you come in, we need your help. We have found another planet, much like our home world, and much like Earth. That planet resembles Earth 300-350 million years ago and is many light years away from both our worlds. We have the technology to provide safe passage for several thousand humans on the condition that they help us ‘test the waters,’ to use an old Earth expression. We will also provide passage to a similar number of our own people, however most of our population will not be able to leave our dying world. And those who are fortunate to leave will be making a one-way journey. We predict our two species will have a better chance of survival together, so we are proposing that we work together for our mutual benefit. In time, the alternative is likely to be death for both our species. The data do not lie. Clearly, the flow of history is either towards cooperation or extinction.”

Reg struggled to remain thoughtful. On one hand, he was apparently ‘chosen’ to be part of a great adventure, if he accepted the invitation. On the other hand, billions were eventually going to die. What were the criteria? Was he being judged by his genetics, a few words shared in his blog, a few philosophical comments, a random victory here and there in his professional life? Yet, he believed his entire existence had been the result of an ‘indeterminate’ chain of events, from his ancestors deciding to hook up, to the receipt of a rare ticket to Fiji. Then, he thought, who are these people to decide?

“Who gets to decide who lives and who dies, and on what basis?” Reg could not contain the question.

“Perhaps I should attempt to answer that question,” Zara said calmly. “I volunteered to come to Earth. I considered the risks and benefits. While it is true, I was selected as a candidate for this mission, the decision to accept the assignment was mine alone. The decision to marry Professor Murray was mine – and his – not someone else’s. Racism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia, nationalism, the caste system, and all manner of cultural divisions are decisions. Considering the good of others above religion, ideology, politics, or tribalism is a decision. Some decide to put aside their petty differences. Others do not. Some decide to be tolerant and hospitable. Others do not. Some decide to improve themselves. Others decide to crush others. One of your ancient philosophers, Socrates, said, ‘The easiest and noblest way is not to be crushing others, but to be improving yourselves.’ This is a choice. And the choice to crush others is most often made through ignorance. Those to whom we have made this offer had already chosen to improve themselves. They have little desire to crush others. Mr. Wilson, you noticed that Taito was missing, and this concerned you enough to ask a question about his welfare. Fortunately, I was able to save him. Yes, this was a random series of events, but it tells us a great deal about our character.”

“You took action in spite of the risk of revealing your identity, not to mention ruining your clothes,” Reg observed. He was reminded of a woman arctic explorer who cast off all her clothing after falling into freezing waters. Modesty in front of her male companions could have killed her. They were able to prevent hypothermia by covering her with dry blankets. Sometimes custom and convention can be deadly. Sometimes drastic action is necessary. Sometimes we must trust each other. He added, “Sometimes we must make a radical change if we want to live, or if we want others to live.”

“Yes. Sometimes maintaining tradition is an act of cowardice,” Zara replied. “My species accepted ‘the way of things’ for millennia, until the danger became so obvious it couldn’t be ignored any longer. Whether we acknowledge it or not, this was our choice. As your Dr. Reed insisted, ‘Everything involves choices’ – great numbers of choices. Your species is still locked into the choices of the past, choices which practically ensure poor outcomes for a great many people. We too are paying the price for countless decisions in our past. Even with all our technology, billions of people on our planet will not survive. The same is true for your planet. Your choice is simple. Stay here and do what you can to change ‘the way of things,’ or come with us and together we might be able to start over on a new world.”

“It’s a lot to think about,” Reg stood and focused on Marie. Up close, he could see the edge of her nictitating membranes and the slightly oval shape of her pupils. Her eyes were a deep green, like Zara’s. Both had a subtle turquoise texture to their skin. As Marie returned his gaze, he thought about his chin stubble, hazel eyes with round pupils, and his complete inability to remain underwater for more than 49 seconds without drowning. They were asking him to leave not only his country, but his planet, forever. Yet, somehow, they accepted him as he was. Somehow, they wanted to include him, and many like him, in their future.

Marie spoke with all the warmth she could. “Reg. We can’t force anyone to accept our offer. We can’t even assure you that our decision about who to ask isn’t in some ways arbitrary, or ‘random’ as some might say. All we can say is that we’ve done our best. I remember you called me a beautiful person. At the time, I wanted to say that you are a beautiful person too, but I was afraid.”

“Did I do something to make you afraid? I hope I didn’t…”

“No. I was afraid of who I was – unsure really. I didn’t know whether to trust myself…my feelings for you. For the first time I understood what my Mother must have felt. And now I think I understand the problem of building bridges between people. Maybe it’s not only about trusting the other person, but about trusting yourself, your judgement, your hopes and dreams, that your choice will turn out to be the right one. But we can never know for sure until after we make the choice. I have no doubt my mother and father made the right choice – now. I’m sure at the time they were full of uncertainty and doubt. Yet, they loved each other. And they loved me. And they had hope, and faith in each other. Maybe that’s all we can have. Your culture and mine have sayings about faith, hope, and love. All I can say is that I have faith in you and the others. I have hope that we can build a future together. And, most of all, I want to show you I love you. Will you come with me and help us?”

Reg hugged her, as he once did in a dream. “When do we leave?”