New Horizon's

Untitled Part 10

A week of preparation saw the split into Origen and Providence emerge, it was quickly becoming them and us. John Blackmore had decided to join the Providence group with Ronan's words ringing in his ear. "If you remain on the ship, you will have no access to either Town, and if his assumptions were correct then he would need to be in the right place at the right time. For two months the bickering was obvious and constant. Although no money could change hands there was two ways of elevating yourself above your neighbour. One, was a bartering and exchanging goods for goods. The other was more cynical whereas you ran up a debt, which if not payed incurred interest. As the months went on the non-producers were the hardest hit. Builders, teachers, labourers and anyone classed as Staff, were all non-producers and therefore had nothing to barter with. On the other side, both Farmers, shopkeepers and most of all Filipe Cardone were in many ways holding the population to ransom. Meat and Chicken was aplenty but not for everyone. Night time break-ins became a regular occurrence and with no judiciary law in place to deal with such things a meeting was called to determine a solution. Ronan and Miriam were asked by the "Have's" to attend. Terrence Cummings was first to speak. He, after being a very successful Computer Scientist on Earth now found himself scratching for employment as one of the random labour force. "What did you expect to see Ronan when you and your people created this alleged Utopia" he began, "Did you foresee the chaos that is unfolding in just four months, and if so then why have you not spoken up in a bid to resolve the problems? John Blackmore butted in before he could answer, "There is plenty of meat and vegetables to go round but all I see are hungry people" he said, "At the rate we are using our supplements, that is for those who have something to barter with, in my estimation we will all starve within the next nine months. We are here at the bequest of the Have's to find a way to prosecute the Have-nots, but surly as we were all advised when growing up, prevention is better than cure. There is no advantage in stockpiling food, hiding the goods in your stores, or in your case Filipe charging through a loan system for pills which belong to everyone. So what is the answer Ronan, you created this mess. Ronan stood as always ten yards from any individual. "We visited your Earth Planet as you now know around two hundred years ago" he began, "And all we witnessed was greed and chaos and although we created Origen and Providence in the image of then it was only by way of structures. The way you treat one another is entirely of your own making. When you were living in and around your Space Craft with everyone sharing the same amount of nothing, you all seemed to be happy. It is you who have changed for better or worse. We will take nothing to do with your way of life, all worlds have their own cultures" Forest Blake, a retailer from Ohio walked forward, turned and faced the gathering. "There have been to many people allowed to leave Earth on New Horizons with no skills therefore no input on the lives we seek, and now they are openly stealing from their comrades. This must end if we are to move forward. I therefore suggest that we promote Major Troy Brask to the position of Sheriff of both Towns and appoint him two Deputies, furthermore I propose Han' Becker be promoted to the position of Judge, which I for one would be happy to contribute my share of their remunerations" "This is monstrous" said Otto van Brugger. "There are only five hundred souls on this Planet 65% of which are women and children. If we begin to unravel as seems to be the case we will be no further on than our own ancient ancestors. We must calmly find a way" But his words fell on deaf ears with the," Have's" carrying enough votes to install Troy Brask and Han's Becker to their elevated status. They had been given one week, but it had taken less than six hours to decide their fate as one by one they left the safety of New Horizons for a world, where in the mind of John Blackmore, no future lay. 
In the comming months the divide became greater, even now between both Towns. Providence with a smaller population, but a higher percentage of women and children, and under the supervision of John Blackmore was by far the more stable unit. But this as witnessed from two miles away created envy. If a problem or a crime arose in Origen Major Brask was sent to blame, as they were now known, a Provincial for the crime. The accused would be placed in front of Han's Becker and sentenced to a form of Community service. John Blackmore decided to access the level of corruption for himself by making an unscheduled visit to Origen. His first impression's were that of a Wild West film he had watched as a child. Dishevelled alcohol filled men walked the streets. Men of the "Have nots" begged for scraps, while teenage girls offered their wears in a different direction. A long queue people were lined at the door of Filipe Cardone's Pharmacy, telling him that the supply of Supplements were very low or being harboured by the owner. At the now Courthouse door stood Han's Becker. "This place is a disaster" said John Blackmore, "You should be ashamed of yourself" "This is no concern of yours Blackmore" he replied, "You have made your feelings very clear, but what works for you Provincials does not work for us. There is no tolerance for do- gooders  here. I would suggest you go back to where you came from or you may find yourself on Community work" "I am not phased by you Becker" said John," Your little Town will destroy itself, you will all wither and die, and by the line outside of the Chemist, sooner than later"