The Death Trains of Thera

CHAPTER ONE

A week after the announcement of President Herrington’s death, Junior had a morning visit from two Guardians who came to Green Haven. John and Cindy were also there.

What’s this all about? asked Junior, puzzled.

We’ve been sent to fetch you, sir. Councillor Felicity Morgan wishes to see you in person and we are under orders to escort you directly to Sector 001 immediately.

Junior was stunned, and anger began to surface. However he suppressed it quickly and kept rigid control of his emotions.

Is there any particular reason for this summons? he asked.

Not that we have been told, sir. But the order is signed by Jonas Herrington prior to his death, and is verified by two other members of the Presidents’ office. Councillor Morgan is the one entrusted with seeing that the order is carried out. She wants to meet with you personally. Our orders are to escort you to Sector 001 immediately, sir.

John stood beside his son. It might be a good idea if you obeyed, Junior, your Mom and I’ll take care of Green Haven while you’re away.

Junior nodded his agreement.

I suppose I have time to pack a Carisac with a change of clothes and personal belongings? he asked the Guardians.

Of course, sir, we’ll wait while you attend to your needs.

Junior went to his sleeping quarters and began packing. He made sure he had three changes of clothing including underwear. He pulled out a box from a drawer in a cupboard and opened it. Inside was the multicolour scarf Cindy had knitted for him as a coming of age gift on his twelfth advent, fifty one years ago. The colours were still as vibrant and the acrylic yarn had not aged. Tilley’s blood stains were more muted since her voluntary sacrifice but they still bore witness to the brutality of her death.

He had often taken it out of its container over the years but he never wore it again. He put the scarf in his Carisac hidden at the bottom of the bag underneath everything else he needed.

Cindy had prepared a packet of food and drink for him to take on the journey for which Junior was very grateful. It would take him at least three days by standard passenger train to reach his destination.

However, when they arrived at the station Junior was escorted to a side platform where a one carriage train was waiting for them. He was puzzled and asked why they weren’t using the ordinary train service to Sector 001.

We were told to use Thera One to expedite your arrival, Sir.

What is Thera One? he asked.

The Presidential Express, sir. It will get us to Sector 001 in just under nine hours. No other trains use this line."

The Guardians accompanied him all the way and saw him escorted to Felicity Morgan’s underground abode. Then they were duly dismissed by the Councillor and returned home.

You won’t need them for the return journey. She told Junior.

Why not? he wanted to know.

Because you don’t need an escort to go home, but I was darned sure you would refuse the invitation unless the Guardians brought you. You are, and always have been, a rebellious scoundrel, Junior, but I always liked your brand of cheek. However I wouldn’t trust you as far as I could spit, and I can’t spit, so that’s not far at all!

He grinned his best wolverine smile at her and asked So why have I been brought here?

You are being given another promotion she told him.

You couldn’t use the usual VidView contact?

Not this time she said, it had to be done in person for security’s sake.

"Hmm, it does sound important, he admitted. So what’s my new job title?"

She told him to sit down while she contacted two other people who also needed to verify his new promotion. Junior’s curiosity was piqued when the Minister of Justice, Breslaw Hertman, and the Minister of Security, Jason Whitcliff, were admitted to the Councillor’s chambers.

Hello, Junior said Bres Hertman, It’s been a long time since I last saw you. I’m glad you’re here. And he shook the younger man’s hand.

The last time we met was in 3393 when the greatest trial in history took place in Sector 18 said Junior smiling warmly at the old man.

Bres nodded. It was the first time in Thera’s legal history that a death sentence had been handed down. I view it as an indictment on this Government for allowing things to get so far out of hand as to make infanticide possible.

You know this young man personally Minister Hertman? enquired Jason Whitcliff.

Yes, indeed! exclaimed Bres Hertman. And I had the opportunity of working closely with him in the cavern community under Section 18 of Sector 18, or Cavern 1801, to give it the proper designation. I want to commend you, Junior, for a job very well done he said grinning broadly and I’m glad to see you more than ever, especially now.

Oh? Why, particularly now? Junior asked with every hackle in his body warning him that they were once again going to throw him into the proverbial deep end and he wasn’t going to like it!

Because you are being assigned to your last promotion said Madam Councillor Felicity Morgan. You are now the new Planetary President.

For several moments there hung a total silence in the room as Junior absorbed the enormity of the task that lay ahead of him. Then he reacted with shock and anger.

Haven’t I done enough for Thera? he demanded angrily. Who made me the heir to the Presidential throne, anyway? On whose authority was this decided?

It was President Jonas Herrington himself who selected you for the position said Felicity Morgan quietly, and it was ratified by every member of Government with nobody opposing his decision.

In fact said the Minister of National Security "it was a landslide decision. You are the only one who can lead our society away from the brink of total extinction. Your work with the Hydro Culture Units planet wide and the relocation of Thera’s population into thriving underground communities prove your aptness for the position of President. If anyone can lead us into a stable and progressive future it is you Mr. Mason."

You are the only one who has ever shown any initiative and vision when it came to making innovative changes for the better Junior said Felicity Morgan. "You are the only man who has enough gall to rid Thera of the Death Trains and the Eternity Clinics. The Death Order must become a thing of the past if this colony is to survive with dignity."

Felicity held his attention for a few more seconds then said, Please don’t let us down, now, in our time of greatest need.

Junior said nothing in reply, but he saw the face of his grandmother Tilley begging him to find out the truth about the Eternity Clinics and put a stop to it. His grandfather Marc Williams, Tilley’s second husband, had entrusted Junior with that commission just before he died.

Now he was being given the position and the power to do exactly what Marc and Tilley had asked of him: Stop the Death Trains and the purpose built Clinics. Stop the slaughter of thousands of innocent citizens each year, especially young children.

Now, Junior would be able to do just that. Now he would have the legal and political power to make it a reality.

It seems that I have no option but to accept this latest promotion he commented, but I sincerely hope there will not be any more field promotions after this one!

You have my word on that, Junior laughed Councillor Felicity Morgan.

CHAPTER TWO

"T hey’ve made me Planetary President" Junior told his father over the VidViewer.

John Mason looked proudly at his son. I had a feeling it was time for that to happen he said.

Junior looked at John as if he had turned into the worst traitor of all human history. You knew about this? he asked, outraged.

Judge Hertman told me that you had already been selected when he was here to preside over the Big Trial of 3393. But he put me under oath not to say anything to anyone, especially not you.

Junior was stunned at his father’s words. They had already decided my selection to President as far back as that? He felt as if his whole life had been manipulated from the time he had the audacity to request a visit to the Government Square Mile Cultivation Zone in Sector 001 in 3381.

Very well said John Mason Junior "They want me for the job because they believe I’m the best man to get the task done. So, they will now see just how I will go about doing it!"

John recognised the challenge in Junior’s expression and knew that his son was going to do what nobody in the World Coalition Government expected him to do and nobody was going to get away with complacency. John grinned at his son. Enjoy yourself, Junior! Congratulations!

Thanks Dad. Tell Mom I love her.

Junior disconnected the VidViewer and sat meditating on the change in his circumstances and planning his next move.

One thing was certain, he would never again allow himself to be manipulated as he had been since his teen years. It was obvious to him that he had been thrown in the deep end by the Government on more than one occasion because they wanted him to work towards a better lifestyle for all Therans.

They must have realised that he would not accept the task if he’d been asked, so they had used the Death Order as a constant threat against him and his family to force him into carrying out their wishes.

All the innovations he’d made in business, all the suggested improvements, all the plans to increase the work force and give his fellow citizens a chance at a better life—all of it had succeeded. Now he realised it had been because he had been doing exactly what they wanted him to.

Now they’ve given me the power and authority to clean up the mess that our ancestors made he thought.

At that moment he wished Elan was still at his side. But one thing he could do was get Jorig appointed to a Government position.

The second order he’d be giving was to call in the Special Investigations Unit to run a fine tooth comb through the Government and uncover any, any signs of mismanagement, fraud or whatever else that there was to find.

Junior took one day to settle into his assigned quarters in the underground facilities. They equalled Green Haven for spaciousness and comfort but there was no nearby lake where he could ‘glow gaze’ when he needed to think.

Next day in the President’s Office his first interview was with Minister of Justice, Judge in Chief, Breslaw Hertman.

It’s good to see you sitting in that chair! exclaimed Bres Hertman once he had been admitted to the Office.

It’s good to see you again, Bres, and I hope we’ll now be able to rattle a few cages and stir up a few rats’ nests!

That seems like a good opening strategy laughed the Minister of Justice. But be warned that Herrington’s secretary and aide, Lorio Sanjez, is not a man to be trusted. He had hoped to take over from Jonas when the President died and he has been seething with frustrated plans as well as deep hatred towards you ever since he found out about your selection as Planetary President.

Thanks for warning me said Junior as he indicated that Hertman should occupy the seat facing him across the Presidential desk. He had already decided to send Lorio out on ‘Presidential assignments’ that would keep him busy and away from Sector 001.

"Bres, I want to do two things with immediate effect: Call in the Special Investigations Unit in an undercover investigation into all Government departments. I’d like it to be a ‘fine toothed comb’ job with no department left untouched, from the Presidents’ Office and staff down to the last housekeeper and dogsbody serving in the Government. I’d like Tony Randall to lead the investigation if he’s still alive, or the person you consider to be the best for the job. President Mason told the Justice in Chief. You are to be in charge of initiating the investigation, Bres, and you will inform me of what is being done at any time I ask. Anything that Tony Randall uncovers is to be reported only to me."

I’ll get things started as soon as I’m back in my office Bres Hertman assured the President. Is there any particular way you want to play this?

You will continue to refer to me as ‘Junior’, Minister Hertman, and the rest is entirely at your discretion. However, I want a verbal report delivered to me on a daily basis, preferably in the privacy of my quarters and with a good glass of Theran wine.

Bres grinned at Junior. According to your orders, sir he said.

The second thing on my agenda is to start a Ministry of Science and Space Exploration he said and waited for Bres’ response.

That’ll be quite an undertaking replied the Judge in Chief.

I haven’t decided yet whether it will be a totally new Ministry or if it should come temporarily under the aegis of the Ministry of Health. Elly Holmes is a good woman and Marc Williams chose well when he selected her as his replacement just before his death.

Yes, he did said Bres Hertman quietly and she’s an excellent worker, too.

Marc Williams had been the only grandfather Junior had ever known and still he missed him, even though it was twenty three years since he’d died. Elly Holmes is a capable woman and she’s more than able for any extra work loads you want to put on her shoulders Bres told the President.

I also need your input, Bres, to be able to get myself accepted as the new Planetary President. I’m not informed enough to be effective, and I’m not stupid enough to think I can do this without help.

Sensible commented Bres Hertman. So, how can I help?

You’ve been in Government a long time as Minister of Justice and you know more about promulgating, changing or making and removing laws than I do. How do I get laws written or changed?

Junior was staggered by the immensity of the task he had before him. Everything he did would reflect in the lives of every citizen on the planet, and he felt inadequate for the job.

Bres leaned across and gave Junior a shake on the shoulder. Junior, there’s one thing you have to recognise straight away he said. You are the Executive in Chief of the whole benighted planet! Your authority is absolute—if you choose to use it. But people like to be consulted and made to feel as if they are part of the team, even if their suggestions aren’t very helpful.

He sat down again and facing Junior continued to say "We chose you for the job of Planetary President because you are a man with a vision. You see things as they really are and not as everyone else thinks they are! he paused. Have you ever seen the Colonist’s Charter?"

Is there such a document? asked Junior in amazement.

Yes grinned Bres Hertman. It’s kept in the Archives Museum Room and is encased in solid acrylic to prevent deterioration. I’ll show it to you some time, if you wish.

You’ll show it to me right now! exclaimed Junior, and Hertman knew he’d better obey.

He grinned at Junior. Is that your first Executive Order, Mr. President?

Yes! replied Junior as he left the President’s Office.

The Archives Museum Room had always been underground because of the even temperature and dryness in that particular cave.

The Colonist’s Charter was suspended from the ceiling and was surrounded by a metal barred barrier that prevented anyone from touching it, but allowing it to be read. The script was ancient but still understandable. Encased in the solid glass-like acrylic the Colonist’s Charter had been preserved for their posterity.

It doesn’t look very impressive, does it? commented Junior as he slowly read through the text. I expected it to be a huge work of wisdom but it’s barely one page written on two sides.

"It was meant to be a guide for the colony. The charter was never meant to be viewed as a set of laws, but as a set of principles that would work at all times and in all generations for aeons to come as a guide for the making of Government Laws" Bres told him.

And I’ve no doubt that its intentions and sentiment had a profound effect on people’s lives. Why has it never been made public? asked Junior looking directly at Bres Hertman.

Made available to the general public? asked Bres stunned at the suggestion.

Why not, Bres? asked President Mason. This document should be made accessible to every citizen on Thera. This is our heritage and we have lost our sense of direction because we’ve lost that heritage!

What are you going to do? asked the Minister of Justice.

Give my second Executive Order of the day! said Junior as he walked out of the Archives Museum Room and headed back to the President’s Office, with the Minister of Justice following on his heels.

Junior ordered the local Sector 001 News Broadcasting Agency to send a reporter and a TriView operator to the President’s office as he had a declaration to make.

No public announcement had yet been made about the choice of a Planetary President’s heir, and to the TriView Company’s horror they received a second call from Minister Bres Hertman confirming Mr. John Mason the Younger as the new President selected by Jonas Herrington.

Then it was a mad scramble to obey the new President’s command to send a news reporter and cameraman to his office where he was waiting to make an announcement.

Within the hour someone had arrived with an entourage in tow for the sole purpose of interviewing the new President.

President Mason, sir, can you tell us how you feel about your selection as Jonas Herrington’s replacement?

Junior raised both hands palms outfacing. Gentlepersons, I didn’t call you to come today because I want to talk about myself he said. A personal interview can be done at another time! he paused to allow them to quieten.

I would appreciate it if you would follow me as I take you to the Archives Museum Room underground, where I want to share with you all the extraordinary treasure that is kept there, so please follow me!

He nodded to Bres to again lead the way.

There was an awed silence as the Colonists’ Charter was surrounded by news personnel. None of them had believed that the original Charter existed except as a paragraph in history books.

This is what I wanted you to see he told the reporters and cameraman.

This is Thera’s heritage that every person—man, woman or child born on Thera has a right to know. Here are set down the principles that were to guide us in our lives. There are no laws in this document because laws can become absolute and often obsolete. But principles are constants that affect every person that lives somewhere in the universe, at any era in time.

Let me read you just a small portion of this Charter. The seventh principle says ‘. . . all persons born on Thera are born equal and with equal rights. Each one has the right to freedom, the right to personal dignity, the right to shelter, the right to provide for themselves and for their own, the right to spend time in the pursuit of happiness’.

The silence was overwhelming when Junior had finished reading that one section.

I want every citizen of Thera to know this document! declared the new Planetary President. And I want it today peoples. TODAY! I want this shared with every other news service on this planet. I want holo-images made of this Charter and I want a copy in every home by the end of three months! he exclaimed.

What’s more, peoples, within forty eight hours every law made by this Government in the past that is a flagrant violation of the principles recorded in this Charter will be revoked!

There were a few moments of total silence followed by an uproar as Junior walked out of the Archives Museum Room and left Bres and the Security personnel to deal with the effects of his announcement.

Next morning President Mason met Lorio Sanjez who had served as Jonas Herringtons’ secretary and aide since his sixteenth advent. The man was a swarthy Hispanic with dark eyes that gave nothing away. Now in his fifties, he was pleasant enough and polite almost to the point of subservience.

Junior sensed undercurrents of animosity from him but was at a loss to find a reason for Lorio’s hatred.

Mr. Sanjez you have done excellent work during your time as secretary and aide to President Herrington, and I see no reason why you should not remain as part of the President’s official staff. In fact I am going to be forming some new Ministries to keep abreast with changing times and I would like to know if you would consider heading one of those Ministries.

Lorio Sanjez’ eyes widened in disbelief. He had not expected a promotion and certainly not to the position of a Minister of Government.

I . . . I’d be delighted Mr. President he stammered, However I must tell you that I am Worker born and under the terms of the Class Distinctions Law I am not allowed to hold a Government position.

His look was brazen. He wanted to see how far this new President could be pushed. Lorio had always resented the distinctions made between Workers and Executives and had tried to rebel in any way he could since he was a child and understood what it meant to be ‘lower class’.

Within the next thirty six hours the Class Distinctions Law is being revoked as a Law that is in direct violation of the Colonists Charter, being the said Charter the foundation for Government on our planet said President Mason. Then he smiled warmly at Lorio. But if it will make you feel better I’ll give you Executive status for that length of time.

NO Thank you! was Lorio’s adamant reply. I’m not ashamed of being a Worker, just disgusted at the treatment we always received from the so-called ‘upper class!’ I doubt if you’ve ever mixed with us lot.

It might interest you to know Mr. Sanjez that my grandmother, my mother and my late wife were all Worker born, as is my son-in-law! His voice had hardened to a steel-like quality. "And I will not tolerate bigotry of any kind from anyone! Is that clearly understood, sir?"

Lorio Sanjez realised that he had badly underestimated this man who now occupied the position of Planetary President, and had been behaving like a gnat trying to overturn a bull. He looked Junior straight in the eyes and apologised.

I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. I had no idea you were familiar with the problems Workers are often faced with. I will work with you on any project that will honour the Worker as the Executive is honoured. I will give you my support in any project that will break down the walls of prejudice. You have my word.

There was no ‘sir’ or any sign of deference to Junior’s position as and Executive in Chief of the Government hierarchy. Lorio was treating him as an equal and Junior realised that this was how it should be.

I accept your word, Lorio Sanjez said Junior and put his hand out to shake his antagonist’s. Sanjez smiled and returned the greeting. They were two opponents who had settled for a truce until the battlefield was clearly defined. Lorio no longer had the expression of a predator looking at its victim just before the kill.

However, Junior realised that this man could be a very dangerous enemy if he was ever, or merely thought he had been, crossed.

Sebas Baley went to see Junior in his living quarters and to congratulate him on his Presidency.

It must beat Hydro Culture hollow he observed.

Actually I miss the Hydro Culture Units and their variety. I used to enjoy a walk in Hydro Park in Cavern 1801 when we moved down there. But Elan’s gone, the children all have lives of their own and even Jorig’s busy with his little family. I could do with them here though he said.

So why don’t you send for them? asked Sebas.

And do what with them? mused Junior. Jorig’s always busy with some project to improve the living conditions of this ‘Swiss cheese planet’ as he calls it.

There’s a way you could make him a Government Minister Sebas told Junior. This was something he had been mulling over but had not discerned a way of achieving his aim.

How, my beleaguered and overworked friend? Jorig would never accept such a proposal if it interferes with his planetary improvement schemes!

Then create a Ministry of Planetary Improvements and put Jorig in charge!

Junior looked at his long-time friend with new respect. I never knew you were so devious Sebastian!

CHAPTER THREE

Jorig and Hope arrived at Sector 001 after Junior had told Jorig he had a special assignment for him and needed to talk to him personally.

I’ll arrange for you to travel on Thera One he told Jorig.

And what is Thera One when it’s not at home?

The Presidential train. It’ll get you here in less than nine hours.

Yes Boss! exclaimed Jorig tugging his forelock in true worker peasant fashion.

You can’t call me that replied Junior grinning maliciously I’m not sitting in the main office at Section 18’s Food Processing Plant!

Jorig let out a bellow of a laugh. No he said, Your son and adopted nephew is the Boss there now, and doing a fine job of it!

And how’s his twin sister?

Faith? She’s doing extremely well and looking more like Elan every time I see her said Jorig with a catch in his voice for the sister who had died suddenly from brain haemorrhage. Elan had produced twins after Hope was officially registered as their daughter through unofficial adoption. Junior fought to keep all three children in a world where one child per family was the law. Jorig had adopted Jojun and he was officially Jorig’s son, mother not registered.

Faith had been adopted by Tilley, Junior’s grandmother, and had inherited the Williams’ Trading Consortium as a result.

So, August One, Sir, what do you wish to discuss asked Jorig.

You have been working hard to get the caverns ready as suitable living quarters for Thera’s citizens said Junior, but it’s slow and hard because you don’t have a team to help you.

True acknowledged Jorig but we don’t have the funds to pay wages so I can’t offer anyone a job.

You won’t have to Junior told him because the Government is going to finance the whole thing.

Jorig looked at Junior for several moments before offering any comment.

You have the authority to order it done? asked Jorig.

I do! But there are protocols to follow Junior said. I have to create the Ministry of Community Improvements and put you in charge. Then you will be assigned an amount of credits which you have to account for every year. This would give you all you need to get the job of reforming the underground caverns done, and give you the staff to help you achieve that goal.

I don’t want to move out of Sector 18 said Jorig.

"You don’t have to. If the late Minister of Health, Marc Williams, could direct his Ministry from there after he married Tilley, then there’s no reason for you to stay here. You would have to return once a year to account for your expenditure. However, you will have to spend about three months here, in Sector 001, so that you can get a Government office up and running with people to take care of things this end. Once that’s done then you can order your Ministry from anywhere on the planet."

Junior waited for Jorig to think it all through. He had never been a man who rushed into anything.

Hope smiled at her father and told him that his granddaughter, Ellisa, was doing well in her job as a children’s social worker. At 25 she had blossomed into a real beauty but still refused any young man who wanted to court her with a view to marriage.

Why won’t she accept at least an invitation to dinner? asked Junior. It seemed unnatural that a young woman should refuse all invitations to get to know someone better.

She says she’s waiting for the right man and will know when she meets him.

Hmm. And how will she know if he’s a scoundrel or not? said Jorig. Then, turning to Junior, he asked How long will it take to set up this Ministry of Community Improvements?

About as long as it will take me to order a General Meeting of all ministers and other Government members replied Junior. "Which I have already done, and we meet tomorrow morning to put this to the vote, but they all know that either they give me their full support or I resign and let them clear up the mess!"

Throwing your weight around are you Mr. President Mason, sir?

Well, President Mason replied "at least I have some weight to throw!" and he wondered why they both laughed at him. He had always been a tall