A Wonderful World

One Person to Change the World

It was time for the cows to come home, meaning our work day was done. With a belly full of Joni's delicious soup, I asked him to take me to Kato's house. Joni interpreted the rush as my undying affection for Irinia, but that wasn't quite it. Their house was actually on the other side of the neighborhood. I wondered if they also said good morning to their cows.

"Yo Kato!" shouted Joni, "We're here early, you home?"

The door opened and Kato welcomed us in. I couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by the old man. He had already called me son, but it felt like he was still testing me. He motioned us to sit comfortably on the floor next to him. I had to get over this nervousness, since I needed to ask him some questions.

"Welcome." said Kato. "What can I help you with?"

It was like he already knew the reason why we came. I wondered what else he knew.

"Kato," I started, "how much do you know about this world? For example, why are people separated and unable to use the countless windmills for energy. Is it a control issue or something else?"

"Very perceptive, Justin. The controlling aspect of this segregation is simply a side effect. The true purpose is to divert all the energy into the research department. They want to create a novel renewable resource."

"Side effect?" I repeated.

"Yes, don't you notice there are no police forces here? Our cities of entry level are spread out around the world, separated by an almost endless amount of miles. We lack the technology to create the modern fixtures like wiring. Instead, the other cities send their turbo-charged cargo ships to collect our reservoirs of energy. It's the perfect situation for the guys up top, don't you think?"

"Control the masses and hoard the resources, all with minimal effort..." I ruminated. "it's pure genius, as if it was devised all along. It's like one of those perfect pyramid schemes. How did you figure all this out?"

Kato continued. "I always had a strange feeling this new world had something odd about it. It seemed too idealistic to be a vice-free concept. Well, one of these nights I wasn't feeling the social aspect of the bonfire so I sent the ladies to go on without me. I stayed behind and decided to take a walk by myself. It was then that I noticed a futuristic vehicle come by the windmills. It was dark, but I was still able to clearly see the hose come out of the vehicle and connect to each one. It was obvious they were transporting energy to the other cities. We always wondered what those windmills were for. My guess was to feed the endless curiosity of humans, powered by the exploitation of lesser beings."

This was deep. People like Joni would live their whole lives, enjoying it to their fullest, to only have their efforts feed the greed of those above. But, if they all knew that, would they still live life to the fullest? Sadly, I'd now realized that Earth was the same way. I would literally scrape by at the gas station, only for the robots to continue their job and ultimately increase the net worth of the big honcho. The idea of comparing my humanity with the humanity of a big honcho was starting to sicken me. We were both the same - humans - and yet I was being treated worse than a subvervient robot. I was actually enraged at this now.

"Kato." I said. "Do we know a way to fix this?"

"I do." Kato replied. "One person can change the world, and it's you."

"How can I change the world?" I asked. "I've been a nobody for the entirety of my 25 years of existence."

Kato put his hand firmly on my shoulder. "Justin, it is exactly this reason that you can change the world."

I was completely confused at Kato's words. He must have seen my mind going in circles because he continued.

"You arrived in this world before you were 30 years old, which means you haven't been registered into the AI database. The only people that can know of your existence are other humans."

"How does that help?" I sincerely asked. I still didn't follow how this could change the world.

"Humans always repeat themselves." replied Kato. "The desire for automation is like Pandora's Box. It's already been opened on Earth, where the entire planet is run like clockwork by the robots. Humans became less needed. Did you not notice the one-way ticket to Andromeda? It's population control."

"I...had no idea." I said. "I just wanted to leave Earth."

"What's done is done, no need to worry about it anymore." Kato comforted. "Now is the important part. I'm very sure the entire planet's functionality is determined by AI. In other words, the Chinese didn't send the majority of the rulers into this world. Probably only a handful of scientists were sent to charter the new world. They wouldn't risk their own for the First Adventure."

"So..I just find them and take them out?" I asked.

"The choice is yours, not mine to decide. I can't foresee the state of their mentality after being purposely sent to their intergalactic grave." Kato concluded.

I simultaneously felt emboldened, confused and scared. How did this old man know so much about this world even though he's never left this city? There was a biting urge for me to decline, perhaps live a happy life here with my new family. With Irinia. But, she definitely wouldn't want that. Faced with the option of living in subjugation or risking my life to escape that subjugation, there seemed no other way since I came here to find freedom. I suddenly felt crest-fallen. There was no other choice.

"Okay, let's do it." I said. "Just tell me where I need to go."

I could see Joni start to get up, when Kato continued. "There's not much time. The transport comes during the bonfire. You can find a way onto the vehicle when it's collecting the energy.""Do I just walk into the car?" I asked.

"Yes, in fact." replied Kato. "The cars were originally designed to carry humans, but the AI have fully taken over. They will never know if anyone hitched a ride."

"Sounds easy enough. But um, do you have any clothes that are better than boxers? It's still a bit embarassing to wear this."

At this point Joni spoke up. "Don't worry buddy, those boxers and T-shirt are like royal articles of clothing compared to our stuff. I...I'll really miss you buddy."

He got up and gave me a big hug. Kato was preparing to leave as well. I guess this was it. Damned if I stay here, so why not try to kill myself in style. Who knows, I might be known as a hero.