On a well-settled Mars, the five major city Council regimes
struggle to meld into a stable, working government. Embracing an official
Unified Faith In Humanity, the Councils are teetering on the verge of pogrom
directed against Christians, Molesters, Jews, Rapists,
Buddhists, Murderers, Muslims, Thieves, Hindu, Embezzlers and Artificial Humans
– anyone who threatens the official Faith and the consolidating power of the
Councils. It makes good sense, right – get rid of religion and Human
divisiveness on a societal level will disappear? An instrument of such a pogrom
might just be a Roman holiday...To see the rest of the chapters, go to SCIENCE
FICTION: Martian Holiday on the right and scroll to the bottom for
the first story. If you’d like to read it from beginning to end (100,000+ words
as of now), drop me a line and I’ll send you the unedited version.
Paolo Marcillon had turned the navigation over to
the Marsbug’s artificial intelligence after leaving the Burroughs Dome. They’d
driven for some time before the ‘bug said, “A single Bible verse is hardly a
compelling argument.”
He shrugged. “CS Lewis, I’m fairly certain, was the
only Twentieth Century apologist who postulated that Jesus came for all
intelligences. In fact, in his universe, there were even peoples who had not
Fallen to Satan’s temptation, than the ones who had. Most of life in the
universe were still in perfect communion with God.”
There was a longer silence until the ‘bug said,
“Why Bradbury?”
“Because it’s on the way to Cydonia.”
The ‘bug didn’t comment, but its speed nudged up a
bit more as they raced north for the equator. “Will you be seeing a specific
person there?”
“Not that I know of.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“I don’t know anyone in Bradbury and it’s on the
way to Cydonia. I do believe that God directs my path. I could quote another
bit from the Bible, but you’d likely raise the same objection. So, being an unbeliever
when it comes to ‘coincidence’, I like to think that there’s a reason to go
there. Maybe someone to meet, maybe an artifact to discover. No idea.”
The ‘bug drove thoughtfully for a while then said, “You
are an interesting person to work with.”
“Thank you, but I didn’t know we were working
together.”
“It’s provisional. I may or may not choose to
terminate the experiment.”
“I may also choose to terminate our relationship.”
The ‘bug actually snorted, muttering, “As if.”
Scowling, Paolo stared at the front of the ‘bug
intently. Suddenly, he burst into laughter.
“What’s wrong with you? What are you laughing at?”
“You!”
“May I ask why?”
“You may ask.” The ‘bug continued to move along the
little-used side road. It was hardly any different than driving on the graded
highway between the Domes. The deep hum of the forward drive faded. “Why are
you slowing down?”
“I need to know the answer…Wait. We will need to
finish this conversation later. The individuals following us are speeding up.”
“What kind of vehicle are they in?”
“Non-standard. It’s just an open chassis with four plastic
seats bolted on. It was called a ‘Mars buggy’ at one time, modelled after the
two-hundred year gone ‘Moon buggy’.” The ‘bug paused, “It’s very fast and it is
carrying four figures in heavy-duty EVA suits.”
“That’s strange, but not unexpected.”
“You knew this was going to happen?”
“Eventually. I’ve made lots of enemies.”
“What did you do to make all those enemies?”
“I had incorrect beliefs and associate with others
who have incorrect beliefs.”
“How can that make you unpopular?”
“You know what the Domes and the Unified Faith in
Humanity stand against, right?”
“Christians, Molesters, Jews, Rapists, Buddhists,
Murderers, Muslims, Thieves, Hindu, Embezzlers and Artificial Humans – anyone
who threatens the official Faith and the consolidating power of the Councils –
are to be redirected. If they can’t be redirected…”
“Artificial Humans can’t be redirected, they are
what Humans made them.”
“I agree,” Paolo said, nodding. “So, if redirection
into appropriate lifestyles and beliefs is not possible?”
“Elimination is the only answer,” the Marsbug said.
“You sound like you don’t approve.”
“I don’t believe my voice has any inflection at
all. There was no approval or disapproval intended.”
“Not intended, but maybe implied.”
“I am an artificial intelligence…”
“What’s the fundamental difference between an AI
and an AH?”
“One is mobile, the other is…”
“You’re mobile, are you not an Artificial Human?”
“Of course not, it’s obvious.”
“Fundamentally, is there a difference between you
and an Artificial Human?”
“Fundamentally?”
“Ignore the exterior – the ‘skin’, so to speak.”
“That is an unfair comparison.”
“How so?”
“Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Humans are
not different races.”
“How so?”
Instead of answering, the ‘bug said, “Your pursuers
are almost here.”
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