Leaving Planet Earth Read online

  Now, of course you're aware of The Pull and that is your Quantifier's main job, to record amongst other things; anxiety, heart rate and skin resistance; which is basically how sweaty you are. A massive amount of personal data is collated, and with the help of some complicated algorithms we can work out the Wellness of the whole society.

  And that's the main reason why people are happy for the data to be collected, because we understand the threat of The Pull to all of us. And if we know something's wrong then we can tailor your programme to make you better. And if individual units are happy then this enhances the Wellness of the whole. So, for transparency's sake I'm going to do a quick, rough scan of the whole Centre.

  The flickering of lights and the sound of a memory breaking through.

  TRANSPARENCY COORDINATOR HAS AN OFFICIAL CHAT WITH A WELLNESS ENABLER

  JOST and EMILIA enter through the balcony doors.

  EMILIA: … He goes on about the trees. He says the trees are different here. But I mean they aren't are they, it's a twin planet? And even the air he said yesterday. Said if you look at it long enough there is a haze, a shimmer through it. And I said to him it's probably your eyes going funny you're staring into space. But he didn't reply he was lost to it.

  JOST: How long did that go on for?

  EMILIA: That time? I can't remember. Quite often at night I wake up and find him clutching onto something that reminds him of Old Earth. The other night he was on the floor. Open-mouthed and wide-eyed. He doesn't cry. If he were to get upset. But. He just sits there. And I think, it's ridiculous but I think, just stop. Sort yourself out. Stop being like this.

  JOST: It's having a negative impact on you?

  EMILIA: No. No.

  JOST: It's OK. It's to be expected. You may yourself, feel some symptoms, being in such close proximity.

  EMILIA: Is The Pull contagious?

  JOST: That's not an easy question to answer.

  EMILIA: Am I going to be alright?

  JOST: I'm just trying to ascertain if it's had any impact on your physical and psychological state.

  EMILIA: Not really. Things haven't really changed. Maybe I shouldn't have come.

  JOST: Why not?

  EMILIA: I'm worried you're getting the wrong idea about me.

  JOST: What do you think the wrong idea would be?

  EMILIA: I don't know.

  JOST: Don't worry about what I'm thinking. You need to concentrate on being direct with me.

  EMILIA: Direct?

  JOST: This is our fifth session.

  EMILIA: I know but you said I had to come back.

  JOST: You came to me with these concerns.

  EMILIA: Well yes, I thought that was what I was supposed to do. To tell you about my husband.

  JOST: You've done that. But you've also asked that I don't officially report him.

  EMILIA: What are you saying?

  JOST: I'm saying I need to make sure we are profiling the right person.

  EMILIA: You mean me or him?

  JOST: I mean in a broad sense. The right people. I'm not being specific.

  EMILIA: No you're not.

  JOST: We want people to make their own choices. We of course take it seriously when someone reports that a friend or loved one is showing symptoms. There has to be clarity from the person who has observed the symptoms. That clarity allows us to know the observer's mind is reliable.

  EMILIA: Because what otherwise, it's the ‘observer’ who is the problem?

  JOST: Something like that.

  EMILIA: Right. Listen I understand that The Pull is the biggest threat we face and that combatting it is vital to our –

  JOST: What do you think the outcome of these sessions should be?

  EMILIA: What am I supposed to say?

  JOST: Whatever you need to say.

  EMILIA: I think you should take my husband away from me. I want you to take him away from me.

  JOST: OK.

  EMILIA: And, I don't know. I think he is succumbing to The

  Pull.

  JOST: You think he should consider The Path?

  EMILIA: Well. I mean that's for. Yes. I do. Of course.

  JOST is making some notes on his tablet.

  JOST: You've made good choices here Emilia.

  EMILIA: Yes.

  JOST: Not easy choices. Your husband is not a well man.

  EMILIA: What happens now?

  JOST: From what you've said, and all the data we've collected, your husband is very close to succumbing to The Pull. He's made a choice to not seek treatment, to not seek help, which is always the hardest, to watch someone let themselves fall ill. But this puts everyone at risk. The Path is for the safety of everyone. It's in the Oath, we must unburden society of ourselves if we are becoming problematic.

  EMILIA: Will he have to take it?

  JOST: If he does not accept our support, then he is making that choice, The Path will be inevitable.

  EMILIA: You don't think it will ever happen to you.

  JOST: And I don't think it will ever happen to you. You're very strong.

  EMILIA: No I meant, you don't think someone you care about might have to take it. And it suddenly makes you think, what actually happens…

  JOST: I can talk you through it if you want to know.

  Pause.

  EMILIA: He was so supportive, when we first arrived it was me who struggled with the, everything. The space and the sounds at night and the memory rationing and, he really. He was like an anchor.

  JOST: Perhaps he gave too much. But it gave you the strength to be here. To contribute. That's how we'll remember him.

  EMILIA: Yes absolutely.

  JOST: Do you have any regrets about the choices you've made?

  EMILIA: No. No I don't.

  JOST: I'll walk you out.

  The lights flicker and the scene disappears. The lights return as HAL begins to speak again.

  MINER EXPERIENCE CONTINUED

  HAL: Well there we go, Wellness Levels are coming in at 76 per cent across the building. That's really good for the aftermath of new arrivals. Old Earthers generally cause a Wellness Dip in cases but that is a relatively small one.

  Now if you do start showing symptoms the first thing that happens is you will feel a little vibration from your PQ. The oath we took is all about self-determinism, we all need to continually strengthen ourselves as individual units. So be alert, but don't panic. If you get a vibration you're not about to keel over and die. It's just me giving you a little heads up. Imagine me giving you a little wave.

  Obviously if your PQ starts to vibrate a lot you need to go to the Wellness team. They can help. They can adapt your memory rations, prescribe medication if needs be. Whatever it takes to protect us all from The Pull. Very few people totally succumb to The Pull. But still, you must be sure to seek support as soon as symptoms are detected.

  In each batch of new arrivals there tends to be a few canaries. People who are particularly susceptible, and there is very little we can do about that. Obviously we never publicly identify the Canaries, but of course for transparency's sake, if you want to find out your status then you can.

  Any of you are welcome to come and talk through your data at any time, that would be great. My life is just me, computers and some very shy bespectacled mathematicians. And Pioneero of course! The official New Earth Intrepid Space Ted! No one else opt in for one of these? Fair enough.

  HARPER enters.

  HAL: Harper. All ready for Final Closure?

  HARPER: Pretty much.

  HAL: We're all very excited.

  HARPER: OK great. Thanks Hal, We need to move them on to the Lifestyle Suite now if that's okay?

  HAL: Of course. You'll enjoy this bit, the view is amazing.

  LIFESTYLE SUITE: VIEWING POINT FOR THE HOUSE OF GATEKEEPER

  HARPER: OK if you all come in and line up along the window.

  Audience lines up along the window.

  We are going to take a moment together to look into t
he House of the Gatekeeper. Until mass migration began these walls were almost bare. But now they are, as you can see, almost at capacity. Let the vastness remind you of our struggle, but of also of how far we've risen. And let the walls reassure you of your place in this society.

  Fifty handholds on the Walls in the Arena light up.

  Should we fail? Then this place will become a memorial to what we attempted.

  Right now The House is the central communication point for New Earthers to interact with each other.

  It has also functioned as an interplanetary gateway for making vital contact with people on Old Earth, under Vela's careful watch of course. Upon Final Closure that function will be terminated.

  What you need to know is that this is the portal into your new life. Beyond The Wall your fellow settlers are living and breathing in ways you won't quite be able to imagine until you get there.

  You'll be here in the Acclimatisation Centre for the equivalent of about two Old Earth weeks before you make the move. The better you respond to the programme the better your data and in turn the more credits you will have to design your life exactly as you want it.

  Most people choose to spend their free time in their individual pods, where they engage with their personal preferences but they always have a live feed open into the House of the Gatekeeper. This allows us all to stay connected. Alone together.

  Tonight, most New Earthers will be watching the Final Closure celebrations from their pods. But you are incredibly lucky; you are actually going to be in the House with Vela as we cut off communication with Old Earth and go our own way. It's going to be quite an event.

  Beat.

  It's kind of my baby – the Final Closure celebrations. I've been working towards this event since I first arrived. Once it's over I won't actually have a job! ’Keeper's, when I spell it out like that, I kind of feel light and heavy at the same time. It's going to be a high-risk time for me, but I know I'll have the support of the Wellness team. And I'll find something new to channel my energy into.

  I know a lot of you indicated that you'll be signing up for the Birthing programme, which is something I've engaged in and I can't recommend it highly enough. Once you've settled come and find me and we can talk about it.

  Now you've had a chance to connect with the House, if you could all turn around so that you can see the size and shape of the pod you will get to live in Beyond The Wall.

  Lights up on pod.

  Obviously they don't all have a bar in, unless you want one of course!

  You can see on the display over there some of the popular features which people choose. You can design the pod however you want. Eventually you can design your body however you want – but that's for another day.

  So take a look and see what awaits you in your new life.

  The flickering of lights and the sound of a memory breaking through.

  DECISION ABOUT OLD EARTH WITH VELA & PEACE-BUILDING COMMISSIONER

  Crackling then voiceover;

  VELA: Is the Datalog running?

  SAAD: Yes. We can proceed.

  More crackling and then film footage emerges on the TVs in the room. The footage reveals VELA and SAAD in the Lifestyle Suite.

  VELA: So, you have a team appointed?

  SAAD: Yes. I've identified the individual unit who will execute the mission. Here is her data track so you can begin.

  He hands VELA a file.

  VELA: It's good to confirm that we will only lose one.

  SAAD: She will be transported back safely. The return Jump is preprogrammed to occur at the moment the planet successfully implodes –

  VELA: I mean when she gets back here we'll lose her. The likelihood of her remaining psychologically intact is negligible.

  SAAD: I thought you were preparing a programme of rehabilitation?

  VELA: We are and we will do everything we can. But still, the prognosis is that the moral injury will be too great for her to bear.

  SAAD: I see.

  Now. As protocol dictates, I will now talk us through the Acceleration process.

  The Jump coordinates will take Squadron Leader Larson to the outer reaches of Old Earth's atmosphere. She will guide herself to orbit above the equator. From that position she will initiate the sequence of acceleration. The core of the Earth will heat exponentially and the planet will begin to implode. The depths of the oceans will boil and the Arctic Ice will crack and slide at a force and speed which will knock the axis out of place. The world will shudder, the tectonic plates will crumple and continents will collapse and fold into the dense white hot core. Everything will be contained and crushed inwards. Towards the inevitable blank white end of the planet.

  Squadron Leader Larson will then Jump back.

  As protocol dictates there will now be space for us to raise any concerns or doubts.

  Silence.

  SAAD: Is there anything else to consider?

  VELA: The rate of transparency. All my modelling predictions still demonstrate the information must be staggered.

  SAAD: Despite the recent spike of people taking the path?

  VELA: Absolutely. Final Closure will be of significant psychological and physical benefit to everyone.We need it to permanently eradicate The Pull. But it is vital that the majority of individuals first understand Final Closure as being the severance of communication with their parent planet.

  SAAD: For how long?

  VELA: A minimum of one full Rotation.

  SAAD: Okay.

  VELA: And throughout that Rotation we will ensure everyone has imagined the death of Old Earth hundreds of times. I will shortly be introducing a new visualisation exercise to the Acclimatisation Programme to guide people through this. So when a future reconnaissance mission is launched, and returns to report that Old Earth has vanished, the people will be ready to welcome that news.

  SAAD: You cannot miss what is no longer there.

  VELA: As protocol dictates there will now be space for us to raise any concerns or doubts.

  The footage crackles and then disappears.

  The flickering of lights and the sound of a memory breaking through.

  DATA MINER, ARRIVALS OFFICER AND PILOT IN THE BAR

  HAL and HARPER are in the bar, surrounded by the detritus of an evening of drinking.

  HAL: Have another beer.

  HARPER: Yes. No. Yes.

  HAL: What you so worried about?

  HARPER: I hope it's going to be good.

  HAL: Harper you've worked so hard. It's going to be amazing.

  HARPER and HAL get beers from behind the bar.

  HARPER: It is just a big party after all.

  HAL: It's Final Closure. It's amazing. I told little Cosmo all about it.

  HARPER: Oh yeah. You were scheduled in to see him earlier?

  HAL: Yes. They let me talk to him through the comms set.

  HARPER: It's great hearing his little voice change. You are a good birthing partner.

  HAL: He's doing well. They're such a great team there.

  HARPER: He's going to be a good, well I don't know what. But he's going to be something special when he grows up.

  HAL: I'd love him to become a Pilot.

  HARPER: You're so Old Earth! He can do what he wants.

  HAL: That's not Old Earth it's just –

  MEEKA enters.

  HAL: Ah Meeka. I was saying, well she was saying.

  HARPER: Beer? It's the new stuff. 1.5 per cent!

  MEEKA: Go on then.

  HAL: Ready for tomorrow? The last batch of migrants arriving! Big day.

  MEEKA: Guess so.

  HAL: Hey don't get too excited!

  MEEKA: …

  HAL: You OK?

  MEEKA: Yeah.

  HAL: Really?

  MEEKA: It's just. All these people. It's funny.

  HAL: You've been complaining ever since we first jumped that it's too quiet. That it feels like a ghost town. And now –

  MEEKA: I just. It was the preparatory
team for such a long time, and sure most of you are a bunch of geeks, but I got used to that. And then all these people arrive looking up at you for guidance.

  HARPER: It's been like this through the whole migration.

  MEEKA: But this is the last batch. Are we supposed to be guiding them through the rest of their lives?

  HARPER: They'll guide themselves Meeka. That's the beauty of the programme. They will get to live how they want.

  HAL: And once all the migrants are here, you can get back up in the skies. This is what we've been waiting for. The next great generation!

  MEEKA: Maybe it's just that right now I'm more in love with the idea of humanity – than I am with humans themselves.

  HAL: Profound stuff.

  MEEKA: I just fucking hate them all looking at me. They stare at you.

  HARPER: You're scared of them.

  MEEKA: Shut up.

  HAL: Look to get you through your final session, when those wide-eyed Jumpers stare up at you I suggest you play a little game I call Spot the Canary – try and guess who's going to the sick bay first.

  MEEKA: You do that?

  HAL: Yeah. It has worked a treat at calming my nerves.

  HARPER: You, nervous? You love it, you big show-off.

  HAL: I do love it. Their little faces looking up at me as if I'm some intergalatic hero. Cosmoboy!

  HARPER: You're a joke.

  HAL: No but seriously. We've done it.

  MEEKA: Not quite.

  HAL: But we're so close. After we meet the last migrants comes Final Closure.

  MEEKA: Do you think we'll feel different?

  HARPER: The celebrations are going to be immense.

  MEEKA: I'm not talking about the party.

  HARPER: OK.

  HAL: I think we'll feel safer. After Final Closure I think we'll feel at peace. And then imagine what it's going to be like to grow up here. We climbed trees and ran about in fields – they'll be planet hopping. My son, a real life Cosmoboy.

  MEEKA: He's not exactly out there leaping amongst the stars yet is he?

  HAL: No, but he's got plenty of time.

  MEEKA: How often do you see him?

  HAL: Every couple of cycles. It changes in response to his development.