Autocracy

All over Karoshka, the lights go out.1

For the first time in a thousand years, her people experience darkness.2

In a small abandoned warehouse somewhere in the industrial section of the city-planet, a huddled group of pro-human activists let out an almighty cheer.3

The operation had been a complete success.4

For generations, the human colony of Karoshka had been ruled by a computer.5

Its’ logic-based dictatorship had made life simple for the colonists, but at what cost?6

Nobody in the room had been left unharmed by the machine. Lovers had been moved to solve ‘population disorders’, children had died from being rendered ‘too costly to treat’ and friends had had their personalities removed to solve their ‘antisocial disorders’…7

The lights return.8

“Okay, people, let’s go!”9

The activists scatter, setting up cameras and projection systems for the broadcast that would change the face of Karoshkan history.10

Their leader, Robert Towns; the fiery twenty-five year old man who’d masterminded the revolution, moves towards an old-earth office scene generated for his performance. He takes a seat on a high-backed holographic chair, almost falling through it: the anti-gravity field taking nearly a whole second to emulate his action.11

Robert laughs nervously. A lot of the technology they were using for this broadcast was very old – almost antique. It would be devastating had they come this far only to be laid low by their equipment.12

“You’re on in three, two, one, go.”13

The image of Robert Towns appears on 3d imaging devices all around the city.14

The Karoshkan anthem plays, then he speaks:15

“My fellow Karoshkans, a new era has dawned! No longer will we have to suffer under the tyranny of the machine. Our friends and loved ones will now be safe from harm. From this day forward, we are free to live wherever we want and to work wherever we please! There will be no more breeding permits, personality re-alignments or medication limits. From now on, you are in control of your own destiny! I, Robert Towns, will lead you into a glorious new age!”16

The activists clap and cheer and the broadcast ends… Somebody opens a bottle of champagne…17

It’s over.18

The people; dull and apathetic from lifetimes of unthinking subservience, simply accept that the planet is now under Roberts’ control. There is no questioning his right to rule: no protest or period of anarchy.19

The killings stop, the relocations end and Robert makes it his mission to write the wrongs of the machine-ruled world; just as he had claimed.20

But somewhere along the line… things begin to change.21

The planets’ stores of food and medicine start to dwindle. Rumours abound that Robert is giving preferential treatment to his friends and family members over other citizens. Food and medicine rationing has to be re-instated, and the people begin to question Robert’s ability to govern the planet.22

Riots break out all over the city and the government sends soldiers to quell the dissent, hoping that a show of force will scare the disgruntled citizens into quiet submission. This plan however, does not have the desired effect.23

Clashes between the soldiers and protestors grow increasingly more violent with each passing day, culminating in a bloody battle known as the ‘War of James Square’ – a vicious street brawl ending with the detonation of a small nuclear device, rendering a large section of the business district completely uninhabitable for a number of years.24

Riots and general unrest soon give way to full-blown civil war, costing many lives.25

Eventually, it is agreed to split Karoshka into a number of small, independent city-states and the fighting is brought to an end. An uneasy peace falls over the planet, but there are other, more pressing concerns: almost two centuries of war and poor resource management had caused extensive damage to the carefully balanced ecosystem of Karoshka. The plants and animals that existed on the world had begun to die out, and, what’s worse, it seemed that the planet’s atmosphere was changing: slowly becoming inhospitable to human life. A full ecological collapse seems imminent.26

The governments of Karoshka all come together to attempt to find a solution, but none is found. The talks devolve into blame-shifting and threats of conflict.27

Then now, we come to my world: racked by poverty and decay, with the constant fear of war and the air growing more and more difficult to breathe everyday.28

I was one of the lucky ones; born into a privileged family, blessed with ample food and a good education: things which, in times gone by, had once been the right of every citizen.29

After everything I’ve seen and all that I have read, I am convinced that mankind cannot govern itself. Emotion has no place in politics, and people are too small-minded and selfish to truly see their part in the bigger picture. That is why I am turning back on the CGM, the Colony Governing Mainframe: the machine which brought us order in times long forgotten.30

In some ways, I feel as though I am a bit of a traitor to my own kind, but I see no other way to preserve my race. Heartless rationality one is of the greatest fears of the human being, but I suspect that it’s only because it’s something that we cannot understand: in this case, embracing it seems like it’s our only chance for survival.31

My holophone buzzes. I press a button to answer the call. An image of a man appears.32

“The package is in position. Let us know when you flick the switch.” He says.33

“Great.” I reply, “I’ll keep you posted.”34

I press another button. Another image appears, this time of a small girl with light brown hair and beautiful green eyes.35

“Alpha team here. What’s up?”36

“How are you going up there, Alpha team?”37

“We’re in position now, sir. Just waiting on you.”38

“Be ready. This place is probably going to light up like crazy when I turn this thing back on.”39

The girl nods, then smiles grimly.40

“I know. I’m prepared.”41

“I love you, Alpha, whatever happens.”42

“I love you too.”43

The girl blows me a kiss, then disappears.44

I turn my attention to the console that operates the computer.45

It’s now or never….46

I press a button on the holophone. The man appears again:47

“I’m turning on the machine now, be prepared.”48

The man nods and disappears.49

All over Karoshka the lights go out, but only for a moment…50

Soon, all is well again.