Chapter Nine: What is GOD?

***********************************************************

GOD of a man

“Ego is the degenerated state of pride, however it’s birth is a process of gradual evolution.”

Chapter Nine: What is GOD?

Dated: 9th August, 2425

There is a wide gulf between honour and ego. However man, in spite of all his intellectual abilities, is rarely able to distinguish one from the other, especially when he himself is the one who needs to be judged. The mightiest of nations that considered giving up as an insult to their honour failed to realize, it was not their honours they were fighting to protect, rather their ego’s that would have been deflated by the mere thought of giving up. Their follies lead to the total collapse of human civilization. Thankfully by GOD’s grace, humanity still survived but somehow GOD himself was forgotten.

BANG!! A loud noise reverberated across the length and breadth of the ocean, tearing the night sky as if somebody had sliced it’s chest with a sabre. The four fast asleep occupants were rudely woken from their quiet sleep.

“What the hell was that,” Clara asked, not that she expected an answer but such was the shocking effect of the sound never heard before in their lives.

“Where are Steve and Robin?” Nakata asked his own question, rubbing his eyes.

“Lets’ go out and see what’s happening,” Andy suggested as he hopped out of his small bed.

They all rushed out of the small compartment for the crew on the LCM-8 and walked out through the wheel-house to the deck where they saw Steve standing with a gun resting on his shoulder.

“What are you doing? What happened? What’s that? That’s a gun,” Daniel may not have run out of questions but Steve was in no mood to answer any.

“Where’s Robin? What did you do to him? Why?” Clara broke down. She had seen one too many murders in her short life, it was hard for her to control her emotions.

“Relax! Everything’s fine,” Steve calmly replied.

“Where is Robin?” Daniel’s voice got a bit rough. Steve gave him a glare and shifted his gun from one shoulder to the other. Daniel laboured to swallow the saliva that had accumulated in his mouth.

“Help! Over here! I am here,” Robin’s faint voice was heard from somewhere.

“I can hear him,” Nakata said, “But where is he? I can’t see him.”

“Help! I am loosing my grip,” Robin cried out again.

As everybody frantically looked around Steve walked straight to where Robin was standing, bent over and grabbed Robin from his clothes and pulled him up from the side of the boat where he had tumbled over and nearly fallen into the sea.

“Damn you Steve! What the hell do you think you are doing,” Robin roared as he finally managed to gather his breath.

“What happened?” Andy asked.

“He tried to kill me. He’s a murderer,” Robin was incensed.

Steve swung the gun into his other hand and said, “No! I didn’t try to kill you. If I wanted to, you would have been dead by now.”

“But what happened? Why did you fire a gun? And first of all where did you get the gun?” Daniel asked.

Robin became quiet cause he knew why Steve did what he did.

“I was the last one to leave the White-Scube that day,” was all that Steve said as he walked towards the wheel house.

Clara was still visibly shaken and crying. Nakata was trying to console her, while Andy and Daniel got busy whispering to each other. Robin sat there motionless for a while and then finally got up and went inside.

“I hope this makes it even today,” Robin said to Steve who looked at him as if trying to confirm if Robin had any remorse to what happened.

“You are lucky, we need a navigator for this trip,” was all that Steve said.

Meanwhile, others had also returned inside.

“Why are you carrying a gun? How and where did you get it?” Clara broke down again as she asked Steve her few questions. “Just throw it away. Throw it into the water,” Clara continued before Steve could answer.

“Bad idea! We may need it during our trip,” Steve said.

“Need it for what?” Andy asked.

“We are not the only ones who eat meat, and we are definitely not the only ones who have survived the radiations,” was all Steve said.

The night went on quietly after that. Next morning everyone was up early, and now that they all had taken their turns at being sea sick, on the deck enjoying the view of the sea, which became boring after a while.

“Whenever you are on deck make sure to keep a close watch on the number of fish you see in water. It is important to know so that we don’t run out of food,” Steve said as everybody turned around towards him and listened intently.

“Nakata, grab the radiation detection equipment from inside. We need to closely monitor the radiation levels, every six to nine hours for our own well being,” Steve cautioned them regarding the only other major concern that they had at that time.

It was a bit chilly in the open so everybody returned inside the boat. They all sat down and chatted about a few nick knacks for a while before boredom finally began to catch up with them.

“Damn! It’s so boring out here,” Andy complained.

“Boring? I am happy I don’t have to do anything,” Daniel laughed

“Yeah! Wait for a few more days and we’ll see,” Clara taunted him.

“Few day? He’ll be looking for something to do in a few hours I reckon,” Robin joined in the fun.

“Actually guys, I think I have a solution for that,” Nakata said.

“Are you going to dance? Please spare me the agony,” Andy took a dig at him and everybody burst out in laughter.

“Well, you can have mine too in that case. Agony, that is,” Daniel joked.

“What do you want to do?” Steve asked Nakata.

“Wait I’ll show you something,” Nakata said as he rushed to the bed compartment and came back with a diary in his hand.

“What’s that?” Clara asked.

“It is the diary of a soldier I found on the Phantom. I picked it up hoping to read it someday for fun. It’s going to come in real handy now I guess,” Nakata replied.

“That’s great,” everybody became excited and quickly gathered around Nakata as Steve stood manning the wheel.

“What year is the diary?” Steve asked.

“Oh, it does not say any date or year but the guy has written the dates on his own before every entry he made in the diary,” Nakata replied.

“What’s the name of the soldier?” Clara asked.

“Let me see,” Nakata said as he fumbled with the pages to open up the title page, and tried to read it. “The ink has become faint over the years making it a bit hard to read but let me see,” he said.

“There it is. It’ says against name, Lieutenant Christopher Hahn,” Nakata replied.

“What’s the first entry?” Clara was all excited.

“It says, dated 5th January, 2012,” Nakata said as he started reading. The first entry read:

“YES! I’ve found her! She is the one for me! Man you wouldn’t believe it. She’s such a sweet angel. She’s gorgeous and she’s the one for me. Thankyou James, for inviting me to your wedding and thankyou Suzie, for introducing me to my suga-cream. I am in love man. I am in love.”

“Suga-cream, that’s a lovely name,” Clara comented.

“Hey, let him read. Don’t interrupt,” Daniel said.

“Oh c’mon, where’s the fun in it if we won’t chat about it? Besides how long will this diary last anyway?” Clara questioned.

“Anyway guys, stop fighting. That was all that he had written for that day,” Nakata replied as he turned the page and said, “The next one’s dated 6th January, 2425.”

“Today I went out on my first date with my suga-cream. She’s so amazing. Oh Stefani, where had you been all my life? I can’t explain, she’s so soft, so compassionate, so beautiful, so loving and caring and yet so strong and proud. Man, this is the girl for me. I’ve hardly spent an hour with her and I already want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

“Wow! Was he a soldier or was he a poet?” Nakata added his bit.

“Do you mind carrying on?” Andy rebuked him jokingly.

“What? I was just chatting?” Nakata complained.

“Leave the chatting part to us, you just do the reading bit,” Daniel said as everybody burst out in laughter.

“Ok fine! The next one is dated 9th January, 2012,” Nakata said as he turned the pages around to make sure he didn’t miss anything.

“Hey Suga-cream! How are you love? It was really nice to join you in your two day stint at the welfare camp in Papua New Guinea. I am totally amazed at your humanitarian side. You are so young and so full of love for everyone. Never ever change that babe. I love you heaps!”

“Why does he have to write so small entries?” Nakata complained.

“How much do you write daily,” Robin took a dig at him this time.

“Damn you people! I am not going to read any further,” Nakata complained and tried to get up. Steve pulled out his gun and put it to his head and said, “Sit down!” He quietly slipped back into his place and continued reading.

“It say’s 10th January, 2012,” he continued.

“Man I can’t hold it anymore. I’ve decided. She’s the one for me. I want her for the rest of my life as my life. I’ve planned it all. I am going to ask her out tonight, take her to the beach, just me and her, we’ll have a quiet dinner together and some wine and I am gonna get down on my knees and ask her, will you please make my future worth making my present day by day, everyday, for the rest my life? Will you please make me understand what happiness is? Will you please make me a complete man with his own little family? Will you please be the light of my life? Will you please marry me? Dear GOD, please help me. Please make her say yes so that we can come to your Church and seek your blessings for our future.”

“What is GOD?” Nakata asked.

“And what is Church,” Clara asked.

***********************************************************

Chapter Eight: BANG!!

Content Warning: Contains sexual references. Not recommended for minors. By reading further you consent that you are not a minor.

***********************************************************

GOD of a man

“Politics is the brainchild of an unoccupied brain.”

Chapter Eight: BANG!!

Dated: 10th May, 2425

If greed was a direct measure of wealth there would never have been anyone poor among humans, and how quickly that greed degenerates the remainder of the morals in a man may not be possible to be measured in any known standards of time. All the battles that were ever fought since the start of human civilizations, none had been a result of anything else but the greed of one man or the other.

Steve was finally caught in a maze of greed and politics. The brain that used to decide the fates of the congress had his own fate sabotaged by one of his trusted aides and a greedy congressman. But then who can blame Robin Sutherland for aspiring to grab the only thing of note that existed in a tiny primitive society? When there’s nothing else to do, the desire to create something interesting usually degenerates into creating trouble and emotional stress for other fellow humans. Men always had a sickening fascination of deriving pleasure from another man’s pain.

Steve may have been given twenty four hours to decide but he really had been given no choices to pick from. However, irrespective of the predicament Steve found himself in at that moment one thing was certain, he wasn’t going to let those who sniped on him get away with it. The only question that remained unanswered was, what will Steve do now?

“That is outrageous! How can anyone do this to you?” Steve’s wife, the lovely lady Demetria Alonso Gonzales sounded incensed, “What are we going to do now? Can’t you just refuse?”

“I can’t refuse it sweetheart. If I back out we’ll be forced to leave Hatsu Saisho. I will have to undertake the treacherous journey. Let’s just hope that I succeed,” Steve’s face didn’t show the intense turmoil and agitation that was going on beneath it’s calm exterior as Demetria stroked his hair with her hand and planted a small peck on his head, as if trying to calm the storm that was building up.

Next morning the congress gathered again. The number of people had swelled as the news of Steve being made the head of the touring party spread like a wild fire through Hatsu Saisho. So huge was the presence, the congress had to be convened in open.

“So what have you decide Steve?” Joseph asked as if he didn’t know the available options Steve had.

“Gentlemen and ladies, I think someone has to do the tough task that confronts us and at the same time presents us an opportunity. I realize I am the best person in Hatsu Saisho to undertake such an endeavour and it fills me with intense pride that I have been given an opportunity to serve the kind souls of Hatsu Saisho,” Steve, the seasoned political mastermind was at his charming and unarming best.

“I realize the journey that I am entrusted to undertake, I may not survive the same to see any of your lovely faces again, never be with my priceless friends and mates again, but the task that has chosen me as the lucky one is too big and important that I feel honoured to be the one undertaking it. Gentlemen and ladies, I graciously accept the offer and at the same time thank the congress and the people of Hatsu Saisho for considering me worthy enough to be the chosen one,” Steve finished with aplomb as the entire audience erupted in joyous applause.

“Steve, you make me proud to call you an old trusted friend. What an honour to have you among us today,” Joseph remarked as he embraced Steve.

“So have you decided the composition of your team as well or do you want to be given some more time for that,” Shiva asked.

“No my dear friend, there’s no time to waste. Every moment wasted is a needless delay in the pursuit of happiness for the human race,” Steve replied.

“I cannot agree more with Steve. His wisdom is unparalleled,” Joseph remarked, “We are all behind you Steve. Just name the people you need and I assure you every man and woman in Hatsu Saisho is ready to sail under your command.”

“Thankyou Joseph,” Steve replied as everybody looked at Steve in anticipation as to who are the people Steve is going to pick. Perhaps they were all worried as to what if they were the ones he picks up.

“Friends for my trip the first person that I need is someone to make sure that the trip continues without stalling. I need a mechanic who can fix any problems in the ship were they to arise in the middle of the sea,” Steve explained his first choice before making it, “So I request Hatsu to please provide me the services of our seasoned mechanic Larry.”

“Larry? But that’s impossible. He’s the only fully trained mechanic we have and he’s not yet finished with imparting complete training to the next generation of mechanics,” Charles immediately raised concerns.

“I agree with Charles,” Gary added his vote.

“I can see your point Steve but as you can see we don’t have much options in that department,” Joseph showed his helplessness.

“But that’s ridiculous! How am I supposed to undertake a journey or ask anyone else to undertake the same if I myself don’t feel sure enough the means of the journey will last the stretch?” Steve was visibly upset.

“May I suggest something gentlemen?” Larry who was himself present in the meeting said.

“Sure Larry,” Joseph replied.

“Gentlemen, one of my current students who has nearly completed his learning and who has himself worked with me fixing these ships Shoji Nakata, he is fully capable of undertaking this journey and fix any problems if they were to arise,” Larry solved their problem.

“That’s a great suggestion. What do you think of it Nakata?” Joseph remarked and asked Shoji Nakata about his opinion.

“What does he think? Are you people crazy? He’s my brother. He’s so young. You can’t ask him to go on this stupid journey,” Shoji Ono became incensed at the mere mention of his beloved brother being drafted into the list of journeymen.

“That’s fine Ono. I am ready sir. I would love to be a worthy member of our society and do my bit,” Nakata replied.

“Have you lost your mind? How can you even think of going and leaving me and mom behind? How can you forget our father told us to take care of our mother when he died? How can you even think of doing this to me?” Ono broke down, “No you cannot go! He’s not going anywhere! Do you people hear it?”

“Ono, behave yourself. This is the congress besides I am needed to do this job for the better of our futures. Moreover, you are here to take care of the mother while I take care of the entire population of Hatsu Saisho and their future,” Nakata rebuked and reasoned with him.

“I don’t care and I don’t want to listen another word. You are not going and that’s final,” Ono was adamant, “He’s not going anywhere. Pick someone else for the job.”

“Ono, we understand your feelings and love for your brother, but you need to understand, we need him, besides he is sailing under Steve’s leadership. He is safe, nothing will happen to him and he will be back among us as soon as they finish their search,” Joseph tried to calm him.

“Safe? Just like Martin and Mike were?” Ono replied with spiteful hatred.

“Ono! How dare you?” Steve was incensed.

“I am sorry for my brother’s immaturity sir. He doesn’t know what he is saying at the moment. He loves me so much he can’t bear the thought of parting with me even if it’s for a few months,” Nakata apologised.

“That’s fine Nakata, we understand,” Robin remarked.

“No that’s not fine! He is not going anywhere, you understand? He is not going anywhere,” Ono continued.

“I am going Ono. You go back home right now. I will talk to you later,” Nakata rebuked him.

“No you are not going anywhere. He is not going anywhere. If you go anywhere I promise never to talk to you again. I will never see your face again,” Ono replied as he completely broke down and left the meeting leaving every eye over there moist and every heart sad.

“Gentlemen, let’s not waste time and get on with the job at our hands,” Steve remarked.

“You are right Steve. Who do you need next?” Joseph asked.

“The next person that is important for this trip is the one who will make sure that everybody else undertaking the journey stays fit as well. I need a doctor for my expedition and I request Susan to join this trip,” Steve made his next pick.

“Susan? You are kidding! She’s is the only doctor in Hatsu Saisho. We can’t ask her to undertake this journey,” Robin immediately remarked.

“You can’t let me take him, I can’t take her, do you people even want me to take this trip or not?” Steve was really upset, “Why have you asked me to pick my team if I am not the one who is allowed to pick up my team? I’ve been made in-charge of this expedition because you trust my abilities. Now can I have a team that I need or not?”

“Don’t get upset Steve. As always you are right but just calmly consider Robin’s point as well,” Joseph tried to calm the situation.

“Then who else will I take with me? What if someone was to fall sick?” Steve questioned.

“I think you can ask Clara to undertake this journey. She is the best trained nurse and can handle all sorts of problems as good as I can. You will have no problems and she will get something worthwhile to do now since Frank is no more,” Susan gave a suggestion.

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Joseph replied. “Don’t you gentlemen and ladies think the same,” he asked the gathering over there.

There was a bit of whispering all around as everybody agreed. Clara who had intentionally skipped all the congress meetings after the Frank fiasco was called to take her assent.

“What? I am not going anywhere?” Clara flatly refused.

“You don’t have a choice Clara. We haven’t called you for an opinion. The congress has decided that since you haven’t been punished for your mistakes that lead to the demise of our beloved President Frank, you are going to make this journey as a punishment,” Joseph frankly and emphatically told Clara the verdict and Clara was left speechless. Needless to say, she hurried out of the meeting as she broke down.

“Ok Steve! Who do you need next?” Joseph questioned Steve.

“No person is more important that the one who navigates an expedition. He is the one who guides the crew through trouble and turmoil and makes sure the team sticks to the course it is intended to. Without a sound navigator, any team will be lost in a matter of hours. This is the most important aspect of any journey in general and this one in particular as we all can appreciate the importance of the task at our hands and the handicap that the lack of practical experience puts on us,” Steve built up his case the strongest this time. “Gentlemen, the success or failure of this trip does not depend on me but rather the expertise of this one man, the navigator. I can guide and motivate my team to stay focussed on the task at hand, co-ordinate our moves and make important impartial decisions that may be the need of that hour on this journey, but whether we will succeed in our mission or not depends solely on this one person,” he continued.

“Gentlemen, for assuring a successful and safe trip, I need the expert and experienced navigational skills of Robin Sutherland,” and the tables were turned.

“Robin?” every person in the meeting let out a questioning whisper.

“Now that’s not possible, Robin is a senior member of the congress,” Joseph immediately protested.

“So?” Steve questioned, “I need him for this trip. The entire success or failure of this trip depends on Robin’s availability. He is the one who’s a trained navigator and the seasoned most as well. Without his expertise the trip will neither be safe nor recommended. If you want me to take this journey, I need him. I don’t care for my safety or well being, but I cannot risk other brilliant young sons and daughters of Hatsu Saisho in the absence of a sound navigator.”

“You can take Peter Dodd with you if you want to. He is also a trained navigator,” Charles remarked.

“That’s outrageous! How can someone even suggest something which puts at risk the lives of so many people?” Steve replied angrily. “Besides why are we discussing it? Why is Robin quiet about it? When Nakata’s name was mentioned he immediately accepted it while Clara wasn’t even given a chance to decide. What’s the problem now? Has everyone suddenly lost their faith in my judgement?” Steve questioned further.

“I agree with Steve,” Shiva replied and soon everybody else endorsed Steve’s view and decision.

“But I don’t want to go on this trip,” Robin finally mustered enough words.

“What?” Steve asked. “Look Robin either you are going with us or you will be excommunicated,” Steve returned the coin.

“I think Steve is right and you have to go with the team,” Charles added.

As pressure mounted Robin was finally sucked into a hole he was himself responsible of digging. Those who dig holes for others themselves end up in it.

The meeting continued for a while and two more young men were picked up to make the team, a young engineer and a young architect. When the team had been finalized Steve sought some time to chalk out a time table and decide upon the date the team would depart the shores to start the trip. It was decided that a working piece of radioactivity detection apparatus recovered from the Phantom would be used to gauge the suitability of the environs for humans along the route as well as the nearest possible land mass the team is able to land on. Also going to be provided was the four hundred year old data about the environmental radiation levels prevalent in Hatsu Saisho at that time for comparison so that the suitability of the environs could be judged. In addition it was decided the team would be provide some medical equipment, all the tools required to fix the ship in case it broke down at sea, blankets and clothing for the team members, enough amount of fuel, freshly culled meat for the first few days of the journey and a motor boat tailing the ship with a piece of rope, for use in case the ship was to break down and end up in an unrepairable condition.

When the meeting was finally over and everybody began to leave Demetria walked up to Steve, put her arm around his waste and gave him a warm kiss on his cheek and hugged him, “I love you sweetheart and I’m proud of you.”

“I love you too baby,” Steve whispered in her ears as he hugged her in a warm embrace.

Joseph was standing behind them watching the two as Demetria softly massaged Steve’s back and looked straight and deep into Joseph eyes. A wicked smile grew on her face.

“Let’s go home,” Steve said as he broke the embrace, turned around, gave a hateful stare to Joseph, presented Demetria his arm to hold on to and walk.

“Sure sweetheart,” Demetria said as she put her arm between Steve’s bent elbow and they started to walk. As the walked away, Demetria turned around and looked at Joseph and again gave him a wicked smile. Joseph couldn’t understand but left for his own scube anyway.

Time has a habit of flying faster when you want it to slow down and rest for a while. The departure date was finalized and the departure day arrived sooner than anyone making the trip would have wanted. The day before the departure Steve was undertaking his last hunting expedition before the trip to get fresh food for the first few days on sea.

“Steve, is it absolutely necessary that you have to go hunting? I can send someone else and you can make sure the preparations for the trip are all complete,” Joseph was heard saying as he along with few other congressmen, some of whom were going on the hunting expedition with Steve, were standing outside his scube.

“That’s fine. Everything has been sorted out,” Steve blurted out. He wasn’t on too good talking terms with Joseph anymore.

“Come on guys, lets get going,” Steve said gesturing his hunting partners to get moving. And for one last time Steve headed his team of trusted hunting partners for one more kill before departing for the unknown.

As they quickly walked away leaving Joseph, Robin and Gary behind, Demetria walked out of the scube. The three were about to leave when she called out to Joseph, “Joseph, could you please spare a moment for me? I need to talk to you about something important?”

“Sure. What can I do for you?” Joseph said.

“Oh it’s nothing too important. It is about Steve’s clone and my pregnancy,” Demetria said.

“Are you pregnant?” Joseph asked.

“Ah! Not yet but that is what I wanted to talk about. I’ve asked Steve so many times for it but he didn’t listen to me and he wouldn’t let me talk to you about it and now it’s time for him to leave,” Demetria looked at him and then she looked at the rest who turned their heads away as they knew what the real problem was. While they turned their eyes away, she quickly looked into Joseph’s eyes and rolled them around gesturing him to get rid of the crowd.

“I see! Guys I’ll catch up with you later,” Joseph took the hint and took the leave of others.

“One thing, could you please keep it secret from Steve cause he’ll get really mad at me for having discussed it with Joseph?” Demetria requested everyone.

“Sure, no problem,” Robin said as he and Gary took their leave, “We’ll see you tomorrow morning Joseph.”

As they walked away, Joseph and Demetria went inside Steve’s scube.

“Lets go inside the room, it’s a bit warmer in there,” she pulled her arm around Joseph’s waist and motioned him towards the room. Joseph followed her as if in a trance.

As soon as they entered the room Demetria grabbed Joseph violently and started kissing him passionately and wildly pushing him to the wall.

“What?” Joseph’s words died in his throat and within seconds he lost his sense of time and place as he reciprocated her endeavours with equal fervour, grabbing at her as he kissed her and bit her. Their clothes were flying all around the room as they got lost in the moment, so lost they didn’t hear Steve returning to the scube with his mates, looking for his hunting knife and rope for the bag he had forgotten in the scube.

“You rascal,” Joseph was startled and scared by his harsh loud tone as Steve grabbed him from his neck, pulled him off his wife and threw a mean punch in his face.

Joseph tumbled on to the floor, all the heat of the moment now frozen among the ice walls and roof. Before he could get up Steve grabbed one of his legs and kicked him in his stomach, “How dare you touch my wife you rascal?” He was really angry.

Holding him from his feet, he dragged him out of the scube into the open, all clothe-less, and as he kicked him and swore at him at the top of his voice, people from neighbouring scubes ran out, as Steve’s mates tried to hold and restrain him.

“How dare you touch my wife’s body you son of a ..” Steve’s furore sent shivers down the spine of those present around there. One of Steve’s friends grabbed Josephs clothes from inside the scube and gave it to him to cover himself as others restrained Steve. It took them two hours to calm down Steve. An emergency meeting of the congress was called and the hunting expedition was shelved. Their departure had been delayed by a day.

“He thought I am now going away so he can do whatever he wants. He didn’t even realize the responsibility of a president. I want him dead,” Steve was still angry as the congress heard his case.

“I smell something fishy over here,” Robin said.

“What do you mean?” Steve roared.

It did scare Robin but he continued, “I have a feeling you planned the whole thing to set him up and avenge you being picked up to lead the team.”

“HAVE YOU GONE NUTS?” Steve roared, “You mean I asked him to get over my wife? Do you even realize what you are talking about? I think it’s you who don’t want to go on this trip and are using this ploy to get him off the hook and gain his favour.”

“Lets not fight guys, especially when the two of you are going to be a part of the same team,” Charles interrupted but the arguments continued for a while.

When things finally calmed down, it was decided that irrespective of Demetria’s involvement, Joseph still had forgotten his limits and as such was no longer suitable for the post of the President. He was hence removed from his post forthwith. Shiva Krishnan was chose the new president.

The trip was postponed for a couple of months to make Steve comfortable and a patch up was worked up between him and his wife. It was decided to impregnate her with his clone before he sailed in search of the new world.

After any further hiccups the day finally arrived and everybody assembled at the coast to farewell their heroes. The LCM-8 had been modified and fitted with Penguin skin sails to assist in sailing and reducing the amount of fuel consumption and waited majestically in waters for it’s new occupants to set it on a course once again.

“Take care of my baby sweetheart,” Steve was telling his now pregnant wife. Everybody was made to believe that Steve being a good man had forgiven his wife and also tried to mend fences with Joseph, although the later was a lost cause as the two could no longer see eye to eye anymore.

Everyone was ready to board the modified LCM-8 to get going except for Shoji Nakata who was no where to be seen. Men were sent to search for him everywhere when finally after an hour long wait Nakata arrived at the scene.

“Where have you been held up?” Steve asked in a strict tone.

“Sorry sir, but Ono, I can’t find him. I haven’t seen him since the morning. He hasn’t talked to me since the last week. He was crying last night. I can’t leave without seeing my brother,” Nakata broke down.

“He’s not taking your departure too well but I am sure he’ll be alright in a few days. We can wait for your brother for some time before we leave,” Steve said as more men were sent to search for Ono.

After an hour long wait Ono finally showed up. “You people are still here? What are you doing? Why don’t you just go away? Get lost?” he screamed at the top of his voice.

“Brother,” Nakata was full to his throat.

“Don’t talk to me. I am not your brother. Just go away,” Ono said.

“Brother, don’t say that. I can’t go like this. Who knows if I’ll ever see you again,” Nakata broke down and started crying vehemently. Every eye at the shore became full and there was no soul that didn’t cry.

“No! Don’t say that! Nothing will happen to you! I will see you soon!” Ono yelled back as he grabbed his brother in both his arms and broke down.

“Please don’t go! Please don’t!” Ono cried, “Or take me with you! Steve, please take me with my brother!”

“No! You can’t come with me. You have to take care of our mother,” Nakata replied and once again the two collapsed into each others arms and cried their hearts out.

After a few minutes when the two finally calmed down Ono went up to Steve and said, “I am leaving my brother in your care. Please make sure he stays healthy and happy. I will never forgive you if anything happens to him. Promise me you will take care of him! Promise me!”

“I will! I will! I promise!” even Steve was crying.

Ono walked back to his brother, “Take care of yourself brother.”

“You too brother,” Nakata replied, “And always stay happy.”

“No! I will never be happy again. I will never joke with anyone. I won’t smile until you come back,” Ono said as they both broke down again.

Finally after some more time the team of six reluctant members, Steve, Robin, Clara, Nakata, Andy “Engineer” Schmidt, Daniel D Souza the architect boarded the ship.

“Gentlemen and lady, let’s get out there and grab our destiny,” Steve shouted, “To the mankind.”

“Yeah” everybody on the ship and on shore shouted in unison as the engines were started and the LCM-8 set in motion.

Everybody waved at their departing heroes while Ono ran across the shore shouting, “I love you brother. Take care of yourself. I will see you soon.” He kept running and following along the shore until the LCM-8 finally changed direction towards the deep. Soon the LCM was out of site and everybody left the shore to return to their scubes but Ono stayed there long after everybody had left. He was quiet, he wasn’t saying anything anymore.

Soon the modified LCM-8’s engines were cut off and Penguin skin sails were opened as Robin gazed at the magnetic compass he had in his hand and directed the course to be set. Steve and Robin then instructed everybody about their turns at the wheel and manning the craft at night and how in case of any emergency they need to immediately wake Steve and Robin up. After every instruction had been carefully detailed and everybody had settled down, Steve stood at the wheel gazing at something distant.

“Why don’t you sit down and relax?” Robin asked.

“I’m fine. I’ll stand for a while,” Steve said.

He stood there until it was dark.

“I’ll go and check the radiation readings before I retire for the night and the next one up gets behind the wheel,” Robin said.

“I’ll come with you,” Steve said as he clamped the wheel in position and the two went outside the wheel house to check the radiation levels.

“What’s that?” Steve asked pointing in a distant direction.

“What’s where?” Robin asked as he put down the equipment and walked towards the edge to look at what Steve was pointing.

“What are you talking about? I don’t see a thing,” Robin said as he craned his neck and stood on his heels as if to try see beyond the horizon. The sea was calm with only the LCM making monotonous noise wading through the waters.

BANG!

A loud noise shattered the peace of the environs and everybody who was sleeping woke up startled.

“What the hell was that?” Clara asked.

***********************************************************

Chapter Seven: Who better?

***********************************************************

GOD of a man

“Except for morals and values everything else is vigorously, and at times violently, protected.”

Chapter Seven: Who better?

Dated: 2nd March, 2425

Humans always lament the corrosion of values among its posterity. What an irony, the same values make yardsticks for the posterity to measure its own posterity.

When everything that could have been stripped off the great Phantom and nothing else movable could be taken away, life deserted it again to leaving it to stroll its way into oblivion once again. The fact that “The Phantom of the South” stayed true to it’ name even after centuries, didn’t go unnoticed though.

But one incorrigible aspect of human behaviour is their greed to acquire more than their neighbour. Who gets to keep what became more important issue than how to use what.

“This is utterly ridiculous discussion we are having over here,” Shiva Krishnan finally blurted out in disgust. “Rather than how much to give to whom, shouldn’t we be discussing what is to be distributed for personal use and what is to be kept for the common use?”

“I agree with Shiva,” Robin Sutherland added his bits, “Lets distribute the clothes, utensils, furniture items and other smaller stuff like needles etc. equally among everyone and retain the solar equipment, if it can be fixed, for school, hospital, and government use only.”

“What about wood, fuel, stoves, tools and the three motor boats and the two big ones?” Charles asked.

“We can use the three motor boats for fishing in the sea, while wood, fuel and stoves can be used to cook food. It's been generations since we humans tasted cooked food. Oh boy! I can’t even wait to indulge my taste buds,” Gary Hopkins a close friend and confident of Robin Sutherlands and an aspiring congressman said.

“I think that’s a great idea. What does everyone think of what Gary’s proposing?” Joseph enquired.

Everybody started whispering into each others years and finally everybody, just about everybody agreed to the proposal. But Steve was none to impressed and was sitting there quietly as if trying to stay away from the whole scenario, as if he didn’t exist there anymore than his physical form, a reluctant audience waiting to jump out of the place.

“Steve, you are not saying anything,” Joseph remarked, sensing there was something going through Steve’s head which was more intriguing than the silence he was wearing.

“Oh! Nothing, I agree with everyone. Let’s do it,” was all he said.

“You don’t seem to be too impressed with the ideas Steve,” Robin remarked more like questioning him.

“Oh no, I agree with everything,” Steve tried to paddle the issue away.

“Gentlemen I do have an issue though,” Susan who was the only woman attending the meeting in the capacity of the senior doctor remarked.

Everybody turned around and looked at her with a questioning contempt.

“Gentlemen, I think using fuel and wood for cooking food will not be a great idea,” she continued.

“Will not be a great idea? Are you kidding? Look lady this is not a hospital where we are discussing the possible cause of a disease. This is congress and we are trying to find the best possible way to exploit what we have got with us,” Gary was outraged by the thought of a woman who wasn’t even a congress member, questioning his wisdom when everybody else had agreed.

“I know Mr Hopkins this is Congress and I also know what we are discussing to share over her, but looks like you unfortunately don’t have the patience to hear me out first like I have heard each and every word that has been said over here,” Susan was visibly upset at the distasteful comments of Gary. “However, the point to consider is, how long is this wood and fuel going to last if we were to use it for cooking and besides is it the best way of putting it to use?” she continued.

“What do you mean?” Shiva asked as Steve’s face became grim and nearly let out a sigh of helpless disgust as if he knew where the discussion was heading to.

“Gentlemen, we humans have become used to eating raw food. We’ve been doing it for generations now. As such, if we were to suddenly start cooking our food again, our bodies may not take to it kindly and we may have medical complications to start with, and I may point out we have no medicines available with us anymore,” Susan said and continued, “Moreover, how long will this fuel and wood last anyway, we are more than two hundred fifty now, and what when it finishes, how will we get used to eating raw food again?”

By the time Susan finished her questioning argument everybody’s faces and shoulders had dropped as they realized the merit in her words of wisdom.

“So what should we do?” Joseph asked meekly as if he were not the President for the time being but just another worker awaiting the orders from the high command.

“While everything else is ok with the way it is to be divided, I think we should use the fuel and boats to explore new lands and if they are safe for human settlement again, at least to the extent Hatsu Saisho was when the first permanent settlers arrived here in 2012,” Susan finished with the aplomb of a gracious gymnast after a perfect routine.

“But why should we risk a boat when we are not even sure if the radiation levels will be safe for our men,” Charles questioned.

“We don’t need to send both the big ones. Just one should be enough to take a small group of six to eight people and we’ll still have three motor boats and one big one with us. Besides they are only going to rust over here,” Robin answered his query.

As everybody else got back to whispering and discussing, Steve’s face became pale and concerned. Everybody finally saw the merit in Susan’s words and finally agreed to what she was saying.

“But gentlemen, the first problem we have at our hands is that none of the boats work. How can they be used for sailing far,” Steve reminded everyone of the problem.

“My husband says he’s finished work on the first motor and it is ready to be tested at the seas now,” Susan replied.

“Great! Then let’s not waste time and get on with it,” Joseph said as he excitedly rose up and gestured everyone to get on their feet again. The meeting for the day was over as everybody headed to Larry’s workshop to see if everything had been fixed and working.

True to Susan’s words, Larry had indeed fixed the motor. It was tested for three days on the seas and it didn’t break down. Susan’s genius inputs on the experimental sealing method and Larry’s crude method of oil cleaning seemed to have worked in unison to create a working entity again. Hence Larry and his disciple Shoji Nakata were intrusted the job to fix the remainder of the two motor boats as well as the two big LCM-8s. It took them two months to fix up the problems with each one of them and the stage was set for assigning someone the task to explore the world for humanity all over again. The search for the new Columbus and Vasco Da Gama was finally on.

The evening before the meeting of the congress Joseph was surprised to have a very late after dusk visit from Steve.

“Steve? What a surprise! What can I do for you?” Joseph asked as he welcomed him into the main hall of his scube.

“Oh nothing Joseph, I was just walking by and thought I might catch up with an old friend I haven’t had a chance to have a decent conversation in days,” Steve replied, the grim tone of his voice belaying the normalcy his words were trying to project.

“It’s always a pleasure to have you here,” Joseph remarked as his eyes constricted as if trying to see through Steve’s skin and skull and see for themselves what was cooking inside.

“So how’s everything going,” Steve asked.

“Oh just fine,” Joseph replied. “What’s up at your end?” Joseph continued as if they had come from different places and met for the first time in ages.

“Nothing special really, just the same old stuff. Just returning from the hunting expedition, and boy would you believe, the kids need to learn a lot about hunting before they can be entrusted to do it on their own. If I was to fall sick, there will be food crisis in Hatsu,” Steve remarked and Joseph picked the hint what the conversation is really about and where it is going.

“Definitely Steve, you are the backbone of Hatsu community. I can’t even imagine Hatsu’s survival without you,” Joseph left the conversation open ended for Steve to go a bit further.

“That’s so nice of you to think like that. I mean, there’s never been a day in my life I haven’t worried about Hatsu and its people. I can go to any extent to make sure everybody’s fine and I do my best all the time,” Steve continued from where he had finished his earlier statement.

“I can vouch for that,” Joseph added.

“Anyway, I just came to visit one of my old friends today and not the President I’ve always supported and always will,” Steve fired his final arrow and subtly reminded Joseph of how he was instrumental in his becoming the President.

“Absolutely my friend, you are always welcome in my house,” Joseph said.

“Anyway, it’s getting dark outside so I better take your leave. I’ll see you in the meeting tomorrow then,” Steve said as he got up to shake Joseph’s hand and began to leave. “By the way, have you decided anything about the team for the exploration yet? Who is going to lead ‘em?” he finally asked what he had come to talk about.

“Not yet but we’ll figure that out in the meeting tomorrow. Why don’t you suggest the names of the team members and who should lead them? After all you are one of the most experienced members of the congress and you know everyone thoroughly,” Joseph replied.

“Sure, I am all at your disposal,” a relaxed glow developed on Steve’s face.

Next morning everybody gathered at the White-Scube to decide the number and composition of the team to be entrusted the job of finding a new home for mankind. There wasn’t a single eye in the small complex that didn’t have a burning desire for a better home, alas none had the heart to undertake such an ordeal. Leaving the hostile but safe environs of Hatsu Saisho and venturing at the sea with no navigational experience and an uncertain future but more than certain death was the least bit of excitement anyone needed in their dull and monotonous lives.

“So friends, here we are gathered today to make a decision that has the potential to provide a window of opportunity to the mankind, a window for a better future, a better home. A big challenge awaits us, ready to test our metal, see if human beings still nurture the same enthusiastic and adventurous spirit that our ancestors long ago cherished and were proud of,” Joseph was addressing everyone gathered there to set the proceedings in motion. Everyone was listening intently, and perhaps hoping not to be the chosen one. Sitting in a corner was Steve, with his arms folded and a wide grin from ear to ear embellishing his face.

“A gigantic task indeed but one that is meant for men who know no fear, men who only have the best interest of mankind at heart, men who seek and cherish danger, live on the edge. A task any man or woman of Hatsu Saisho will be proud to make his or her own destiny,” Joseph continued as everybody gulped a big lump down their throats, each one’s fate hanging on line. Who will be the ones making the muster, was weighing on everyone’s mind.

“Friends if I wasn't the one entrusted with the tough task that I have been entrusted to perform as the President of Hatsu Saisho, I would have loved to be the foremost in volunteering for the coveted job. However, we have among us one very fine gentleman who knows everything about difficulties, who has risked his own life for the welfare of the people of Hatsu Saisho, the one who is one of the main limbs of our small settlement, he is going to help us make the decision that could possibly change the future of mankind for good,” Joseph continued as Steve got ready in anticipation.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a big round of applause to our very own Steven McDermott who,” Joseph was saying as everyone’s eyes turned towards Steve who got up to take the centre stage and decide on further action while Joseph continued, “who has decided to volunteer himself as the leader of the team heading across the seas to find us all a better home, without caring for the risk involved.”

Everybody was shocked by the last part of Joseph’s speech as no one expected Steve to be going out considering the influence he exerted on every congressman and the importance he held in the structure and fabric of Hatsu Saisho in general.

Steve’s own throat dried down as he struggled to get the first word out of his mouth, “What? Wait!” His second word was drowned in the applause that erupted thereafter. His face first became pale as the reality set in and then it became red with anger. He rushed towards Joseph who sensing his anger quickly embraced him and started to congratulate him as Robin Sutherland, Charles and others wrapped themselves around him drowning his words in their joy.

When the noise finally died down, Steve instantly refuted the statement, “What the hell are you talking about? When did I volunteer my name? Are you crazy?” His anger was visible in his tone.

“What are you saying Steve?” Shiva asked.

Before Steve could say anything Joseph interrupted, “Now wait a minute! What do you mean Steve? I am lying? Didn’t you come to my house last night and tell me how much you care for Hatsu Saisho and how you’ve always willingly risked your own life for the benefit of our people, and didn’t you yourself volunteer to help us when I asked you to decide the team?”

“What? He came to your house to discuss this matter before we came to the congress? Was he trying to influence you not to pick him for the team? That’s some serious allegations?” Robin Sutherland remarked.

“That’s not true. He asked me to help pick the team because I am the most experienced in these issues and I know everyone well,” Steve replied.

“That’s exactly the point, who better than you to do this job?” Joseph nailed it on Steve’s own words, “Who better and more experienced than you to guide our young beloved sons and daughters across the cruel heartless sea? Who better for the mothers of Hatsu Saisho to trust their wards into the hands of?”

“That’s true Steve. No one has forgotten the daring efforts, quick thinking and practical approach you showed a few days back in getting us this opportunity in the first place,” Gary added his bits.

“But that was a different story. That ship wasn’t miles away from home, while here I am supposed to leave my home in search of something we don’t even know will be worth putting effort for in the first place,” Steve wasn’t going to accept so easily.

“Now look Steve, we all respect you for what you’ve already done for us but this is something which cannot be allowed to pass. Someone has to do the job and someone has to risk their lives and leave their homes. Now either you are going to lead the team or we will have no choice but to excommunicate you,” Robin sounded stern.

“I have to agree with Robin on that,” Charles also clarified his stance.

“But,” Steve’s words were left hanging in his mouth. The decision of the congress was final and Steve was given a day to think about it. Steve rushed out of the White-Scube in anger and soon everybody else left as well, everybody except two people.

“That was a brilliant masterstroke of yours,” Robin’s voice sounded in the empty White-Scube.

“I hope we’ve done the right thing,” Joseph was still unsure.

“Offcourse we have. Now either Steve will have to leave for the trip or he will be excommunicated. But in either case, you’ve made sure that you will get another term in this office,” Robin calmed him.

“And what about you, ain’t you forgetting that Steve’s departure clears the decks for your accession after me,” Joseph added with a smirk as he elbowed him.

“Well, I do deserve something for my hard work and dedication towards the welfare of Hatsu Saisho, don’t I?” Robin replied with a wicked one sided smile on his face.

“But what if Steve finds the land or returns midway,” Joseph still had his doubts.

“Don’t be ridiculous, we both know what the chances of his finding another land are, what with no navigation facilities or previous experience. He will either die on the sea or return midway when the fuel will run low, which would mean a failure, which will be good enough to keep him out of the congress,” Robin had everything figured out.

“I guess you are right. Lets get going as well now,” Joseph said as they moved out of the White Scube. And as they left, Steve emerged out from behind the Z shape of one of the four entrances to the White-Scube where he had been hiding all the time since he left listening intently to each and every scheming word they said. His face told all the story of what was going through his head, but what no one knew was what all those thoughts were leading to.

***********************************************************