“If you are not free to choose wrongly and irresponsibly, you are not free at all”
Jacob Hornberger
Free Your Mind
Eleuthera, or just Thera for short, stares out with her deep brown eyes through the transparent dome, the dome separating her from the lifeless expanse of space. It’s been over 200 years now since the Great Exodus from earth, Thera reminisces. A lucky hundred thousand or so escaped, some of which where her grandparents, from the destruction caused by the Earth’s total environmental collapse. It lies barren now, no life exists, its land is brown and the seas grey, the clouds a gloomy black.
The survivors split up into many self-sufficient settlements which orbit the Earth. But people couldn’t cope, they resorted to primitive ways, and crime soared. Within months anarchy reigned throughout the settlements and a great mutiny took place. Mankind self-destructed, bringing itself to the cusp of extinction. Nowadays all but one settlement is a giant coffin, an eternal monument to human nature.
Eden, Thera’s birthplace, with a population of ten thousand, is the last remaining known instance of life. It is a massive sphere. Inside a life-supporting core is surrounded by a vast metropolis contained like a snow dome by thick transparent material. Thera withdraws from her observations through the dome - she is fascinated by the stars - and rubs her itchy symbol. The symbol is a green circled letter ‘E’, rubbery in texture. It is grafted permanently onto the forehead of every single citizen of Eden at birth.
The identifying mark of the symbol is important to Eden. However it is not the only unique characteristic of the settlement. Eden is the only settlement to of had a government, a ruler. He is simply known as Kane, and most of Eden idolises him. He and his ancestors are solely responsible for Eden’s success, Thera’s parents once told her. Without their leadership Eden would have suffered like the other settlements. Everywhere one can look, a portrait of Kane is sure to be seen, his bleached white hair and wide masculine jaw are famous. Thera despises him though; she does not like his air of self-obsession. She thinks he’s confused himself for some god.
Eden defied logic in surviving. Instead of fighting, its people cared for each other as if it was the only thing they could do. No police or court is needed because there isn’t any crime. There is money but no one steals, they appear to be satisfied with what they have. People don’t get angry for there is nothing to provoke them, and if they do they don’t react violently. People respect each other and solve problems by keeping level-headed. On a larger scale this means no war. The perpetual cycle of hatred which plagued earth ceases to exist. Not even a harsh word is uttered. Alcohol is widely available, there are not even age limits, but no one abuses it in anyway. Nor has anyone has ever found the need to manufacture drugs or even a gun. The people of Eden feel no need, life is better without them.
Religions were not brought from Earth, its destruction nullified people’s faith. In the perfection of Eden they seemed unnecessary. Eden also has many races but there is no animosity between them, they all live in harmony. Both sexes are also treated with complete equality. Even the youth of Eden are strangely restrained, lacking any natural rebelliousness, and the elderly are given great respect. Under the great harmony everyone is cared for, there is enough food, housing and luxuries for all. Greed, selfishness and jealousy still exist but do not manifest themselves in action. The settlements’ collective self-control makes those of the former society on Earth seem foolish and stupid. Ever since people started to arrive by spaceship, get their symbol and acclimatise to the new environment things just worked.
Thera is bugged by the workings of Eden’s society even though she has known no other. It is ideal but it seems unnatural. Something is missing. What is the motivation? Did the pressure of imminent extinction pull everyone into line? An answer painfully eludes her, like most others she is forced to put it down to the intense training undergone by every citizen as a youth. But she feels hollow; she cannot embrace the perfection like others, complete happiness escapes her even in this utopia.
Thera leaves her thoughts and tidy’s up in preparation for leaving. At 32 years of age, Thera is in the prime of her life. She lives alone in her pod on one of the inner city high rises. Her work as a scientist is challenging yet unfulfilling. Certificates line the wall in recognition of her talents, but they are meaningless, there is no such thing as failure on Eden. Everyone gets by perfectly well one way or another. Thera checks her watch then adjusts her long straight black hair which frames her pretty face and rearranges the clothing on her tall slender frame. She then exits the pod, apprehensive and unexcited. Nothing ever happens in Eden, nothing ever will. Eden is predictable; nothing can disrupt its delicate balance. Thera shudders at the thought of its relentless hold over her.
Comfortably sat in the train, Eden’s main form of transport, Thera relaxes in the serenity. Out of the corner of her eye she spots an altercation on the street. Thera takes it all in as the train quickly passes. Her mind is revived from its incessant lull. Two large men dressed in black, government officials, were restraining a young man. His expression was crazed and insane; they could barely keep him down. Thera enjoyed it in a way, entertained, but this makes her feel guilty. One thing stood out though, she’d her rumours about it. The young man’s symbol was not green - it was red. They’re insane, they’re taken to an asylum she’d been told. But there almost seemed something strangely normal about him.
Thera’s mind wanders off. Except for the humming of the train’s mechanics the cabin is almost silent, no one talks impolitely on their phone, no one speaks above a murmur, no one withholds a seat from someone needier and no one even puts their feet up. Out through the window the theme is recurring, the city landscape is expressionless. Thera leaves the train and makes her way to the lab. She is keen to get busy so she can take her mind off her dispiriting thoughts. Thera can’t help feeling frustrated. What is wrong with her? Can’t she just accept her life? What is the use?
“Morning Gary,” greets Thera to her friend Professor Peterson as she glides into the lab .
“Hey Thera,” he replies, attention directed on their project, face creased in deep thought. “I don’t understand, the equations work out but the damned think won’t go.”
“Go take a break; I’ll give it a fresh pair of eyes.” Says Thera soothingly and puts on her lab coat. The bearded and spectacled Professor nods obligingly and retires to a seat in the corner of the lab. Thera approaches to take a look at their complicated device, a new type of brain scanner capable of delving deeper than ever before.
She begins to examine the machine, prodding and poking the various parts, when without warning she is thrown across the room by a silent invisible blast. Thera grunts with pain as she hits the white lab wall. Professor Peterson runs to her aid. “Are you ok?” he asks.
Thera goes to rise but swears loudly in anguish at the pain in her back. Peterson moves to help her up and goes to take her hand, a bit taken aback by her profanity. Thera lashes out, almost involuntarily, knocking him backwards. It’s as if it is some pent up rage she’s been holding her whole life. The look on Peterson’s face says it all; she can see it in the reflection of his eyes. “What’s with your...” Is all Thera hears from the Professor as she limps away as fast she can, full of panic, her hand hiding her face. Strange sensations are running through her body, she struggles to contain the flurry of impulses. But through it all, in her mind, it all begins to click and she realises what she must do.
It is July 17th, six months after the incident, today is the biggest celebration on the Eden calendar, a day for celebrating the success of Eden and the rulership of Kane. Soon Kane himself will be paraded down this very street. Pictures are being broadcast on every surface for all of the settlement to see. The main event draws near and Thera is present standing in the crowd. Her eyes dart around in paranoia. Her body twitches in a mix of nervous anticipation and in attempts to control her urges. She has waited months for this moment. Thinking about what she’ll do over and over. She hadn’t dared leave her pod since that day at the lab; when she was given a real purpose.
The massive crowd lining the street roars with excitement as Kane approaches throned on a float. He waves and smiles at his adorers. Thera’s heart beats wildly, invigorated and excited but not for the same reason as everyone else. As he passes by Thera’s position in the crowd she makes her move, sprinting straight for the float. There is no security in sight and she manages to jump aboard before he notices her approaching. She claws feverishly like an animal to get a hold of him. The crowd goes silent in utter shock as the carriage continues to roll onwards. On Kane’s lap, looking him straight in the eye, Thera reaches for his symbol. She peels it off with ease and holds the fake symbol up for all to see. A crazed smile is plastered on her face and her bright red symbol stands out boldly. Kane knocks her down in a surge of irrepressible anger which he instantly regrets. He knows he’s only betrayed himself further. The crowd stare on silently - enlightened.
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