GOD of a man

“Except for morals and values everything else is vigorously, and at times violently, protected.”

Chapter Seven: Who better?
Dated: 2nd March, 2425

Humans always lament the corrosion of values among its posterity. What an irony, the same values make yardsticks for the posterity to measure its own posterity.

When everything that could have been stripped off the great Phantom and nothing else movable could be taken away, life deserted it again to leaving it to stroll its way into oblivion once again. The fact that “The Phantom of the South” stayed true to it’ name even after centuries didn’t go unnoticed though.

But one incorrigible aspect of human behaviour is their greed to acquire more than their neighbour. Who gets to keep what became more important issue than how to use what.

“This is utterly ridiculous discussion we are having over here,” Shiva Krishnan finally blurted out in disgust. “Rather than how much to give to whom, shouldn’t we be discussing what is to be distributed for personal use and what is to be kept for the common use?”

“I agree with Shiva,” Robin Sutherland added his bits, “Lets distribute the clothes, utensils, furniture items and other smaller stuff like needles etc. equally among everyone and retain the solar equipment, if it can be fixed, for school, hospital, and government use only.”

“What about wood, fuel, stoves, tools and the three motor boats and the two big ones?” Charles asked.

“We can use the three motor boats for fishing in the sea, while wood, fuel and stoves can be used to cook food. It's been generations since we humans tasted cooked food. Oh boy! I can’t even wait to indulge my taste buds,” Gary Hopkins a close friend and confident of Robin Sutherlands and an aspiring congressman said.

“I think that’s a great idea. What does everyone think of what Gary’s proposing?” Joseph enquired.

Everybody started whispering into each others years and finally everybody, just about everybody agreed to the proposal. But Steve was none to impressed and was sitting there quietly as if trying to stay away from the whole scenario, as if he didn’t exist there anymore than his physical form, a reluctant audience waiting to jump out of the place.

“Steve, you are not saying anything,” Joseph remarked, sensing there was something going through Steve’s head which was more intriguing than the silence he was wearing.

“Oh! Nothing, I agree with everyone. Let’s do it,” was all he said.

“You don’t seem to be too impressed with the ideas Steve,” Robin remarked more like questioning him.

“Oh no, I agree with everything,” Steve tried to paddle the issue away.

“Gentlemen I do have an issue though,” Susan who was the only woman attending the meeting in the capacity of the senior doctor remarked.

Everybody turned around and looked at her with a questioning contempt.

“Gentlemen, I think using fuel and wood for cooking food will not be a great idea,” she continued.

“Will not be a great idea? Are you kidding? Look lady this is not a hospital where we are discussing the possible cause of a disease. This is congress and we are trying to find the best possible way to exploit what we have got with us,” Gary was outraged by the thought of a woman who wasn’t even a congress member, questioning his wisdom when everybody else had agreed.

“I know Mr Hopkins this is Congress and I also know what we are discussing to share over her, but looks like you unfortunately don’t have the patience to hear me out first like I have heard each and every word that has been said over here,” Susan was visibly upset at the distasteful comments of Gary. “However, the point to consider is, how long is this wood and fuel going to last if we were to use it for cooking and besides is it the best way of putting it to use?” she continued.

“What do you mean?” Shiva asked as Steve’s face became grim and nearly let out a sigh of helpless disgust as if he knew where the discussion was heading to.

“Gentlemen, we humans have become used to eating raw food. We’ve been doing it for generations now. As such, if we were to suddenly start cooking our food again, our bodies may not take to it kindly and we may have medical complications to start with, and I may point out we have no medicines available with us anymore,” Susan said and continued, “Moreover, how long will this fuel and wood last anyway, we are more than two hundred fifty now, and what when it finishes, how will we get used to eating raw food again?”

By the time Susan finished her questioning argument everybody’s faces and shoulders had dropped as they realized the merit in her words of wisdom.

“So what should we do?” Joseph asked meekly as if he were not the President for the time being but just another worker awaiting the orders from the high command.

“While everything else is ok with the way it is to be divided, I think we should use the fuel and boats to explore new lands and if they are safe for human settlement again, at least to the extent Hatsu Saisho was when the first permanent settlers arrived here in 2012,” Susan finished with the aplomb of a gracious gymnast after a perfect routine.

“But why should we risk a boat when we are not even sure if the radiation levels will be safe for our men,” Charles questioned.

“We don’t need to send both the big ones. Just one should be enough to take a small group of six to eight people and we’ll still have three motor boats and one big one with us. Besides they are only going to rust over here,” Robin answered his query.

As everybody else got back to whispering and discussing, Steve’s face became pale and concerned. Everybody finally saw the merit in Susan’s words and finally agreed to what she was saying.

“But gentlemen, the first problem we have at our hands is that none of the boats work. How can they be used for sailing far,” Steve reminded everyone of the problem.

“My husband says he’s finished work on the first motor and it is ready to be tested at the seas now,” Susan replied.

“Great! Then let’s not waste time and get on with it,” Joseph said as he excitedly rose up and gestured everyone to get on their feet again. The meeting for the day was over as everybody headed to Larry’s workshop to see if everything had been fixed and working.

True to Susan’s words, Larry had indeed fixed the motor. It was tested for three days on the seas and it didn’t break down. Susan’s genius inputs on the experimental sealing method and Larry’s crude method of oil cleaning seemed to have worked in unison to create a working entity again. Hence Larry and his disciple Shoji Nakata were intrusted the job to fix the remainder of the two motor boats as well as the two big LCM-8s. It took them two months to fix up the problems with each one of them and the stage was set for assigning someone the task to explore the world for humanity all over again. The search for the new Columbus and Vasco Da Gama was finally on.

The evening before the meeting of the congress Joseph was surprised to have a very late after dusk visit from Steve.

“Steve? What a surprise! What can I do for you?” Joseph asked as he welcomed him into the main hall of his scube.

“Oh nothing Joseph, I was just walking by and thought I might catch up with an old friend I haven’t had a chance to have a decent conversation in days,” Steve replied, the grim tone of his voice belaying the normalcy his words were trying to project.

“It’s always a pleasure to have you here,” Joseph remarked as his eyes constricted as if trying to see through Steve’s skin and skull and see for themselves what was cooking inside.

“So how’s everything going,” Steve asked.

“Oh just fine,” Joseph replied. “What’s up at your end?” Joseph continued as if they had come from different places and met for the first time in ages.

“Nothing special really, just the same old stuff. Just returning from the hunting expedition, and boy would you believe, the kids need to learn a lot about hunting before they can be entrusted to do it on their own. If I was to fall sick, there will be food crisis in Hatsu,” Steve remarked and Joseph picked the hint what the conversation is really about and where it is going.

“Definitely Steve, you are the backbone of Hatsu community. I can’t even imagine Hatsu’s survival without you,” Joseph left the conversation open ended for Steve to go a bit further.

“That’s so nice of you to think like that. I mean, there’s never been a day in my life I haven’t worried about Hatsu and its people. I can go to any extent to make sure everybody’s fine and I do my best all the time,” Steve continued from where he had finished his earlier statement.

“I can vouch for that,” Joseph added.

“Anyway, I just came to visit one of my old friends today and not the President I’ve always supported and always will,” Steve fired his final arrow and subtly reminded Joseph of how he was instrumental in his becoming the President. “Absolutely my friend, you are always welcome in my house,” Joseph said.

“Anyway, it’s getting dark outside so I better take your leave. I’ll see you in the meeting tomorrow then,” Steve said as he got up to shake Joseph’s hand and began to leave. “By the way, have you decided anything about the team for the exploration yet? Who is going to lead ‘em?” he finally asked what he had come to talk about.

“Not yet but we’ll figure that out in the meeting tomorrow. Why don’t you suggest the names of the team members and who should lead them? After all you are one of the most experienced members of the congress and you know everyone thoroughly,” Joseph replied.

“Sure, I am all at your disposal,” a relaxed glow developed on Steve’s face.

Next morning everybody gathered at the White-Scube to decide the number and composition of the team to be entrusted the job of finding a new home for mankind. There wasn’t a single eye in the small complex that didn’t have a burning desire for a better home, alas none had the heart to undertake such an ordeal. Leaving the hostile but safe environs of Hatsu Saisho and venturing at the sea with no navigational experience and an uncertain future but more than certain death was the least bit of excitement anyone needed in their dull and monotonous lives.

“So friends, here we are gathered today to make a decision that has the potential to provide a window of opportunity to the mankind, a window for a better future, a better home. A big challenge awaits us, ready to test our metal, see if human beings still nurture the same enthusiastic and adventurous spirit that our ancestors long ago cherished and were proud of,” Joseph was addressing everyone gathered there to set the proceedings in motion. Everyone was listening intently, and perhaps hoping not to be the chosen one. Sitting in a corner was Steve, with his arms folded and a wide grin from ear to ear embellishing his face.

“A gigantic task indeed but one that is meant for men who know no fear, men who only have the best interest of mankind at heart, men who seek and cherish danger, live on the edge. A task any man or woman of Hatsu Saisho will be proud to make his or her own destiny,” Joseph continued as everybody gulped a big lump down their throats, each one’s fate hanging on line. Who will be the ones making the muster, was weighing on everyone’s mind.

“Friends if I wasn't the one entrusted with the tough task that I have been entrusted to perform as the President of Hatsu Saisho, I would have loved to be the foremost in volunteering for the coveted job. However, we have among us one very fine gentleman who knows everything about difficulties, who has risked his own life for the welfare of the people of Hatsu Saisho, the one who is one of the main limbs of our small settlement, he is going to help us make the decision that could possibly change the future of mankind for good,” Joseph continued as Steve got ready in anticipation.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a big round of applause to our very own Steven McDermott who,” Joseph was saying as everyone’s eyes turned towards Steve who got up to take the centre stage and decide on further action while Joseph continued, “who has decided to volunteer himself as the leader of the team heading across the seas to find us all a better home, without caring for the risk involved.”

Everybody was shocked by the last part of Joseph’s speech as no one expected Steve to be going out considering the influence he exerted on every congressman and the importance he held in the structure and fabric of Hatsu Saisho in general.

Steve’s own throat dried down as he struggled to get the first word out of his mouth, “What? Wait!” His second word was drowned in the applause that erupted thereafter. His face first became pale as the reality set in and then it became red with anger. He rushed towards Joseph who sensing his anger quickly embraced him and started to congratulate him as Robin Sutherland, Charles and others wrapped themselves around him drowning his words in their joy.

When the noise finally died down, Steve instantly refuted the statement, “What the hell are you talking about? When did I volunteer my name? Are you crazy?” His anger was visible in his tone.

“What are you saying Steve?” Shiva asked.

Before Steve could say anything Joseph interrupted, “Now wait a minute! What do you mean Steve? I am lying? Didn’t you come to my house last night and tell me how much you care for Hatsu Saisho and how you’ve always willingly risked your own life for the benefit of our people, and didn’t you yourself volunteer to help us when I asked you to decide the team?”

“What? He came to your house to discuss this matter before we came to the congress? Was he trying to influence you not to pick him for the team? That’s some serious allegations?” Robin Sutherland remarked.

“That’s not true. He asked me to help pick the team because I am the most experienced in these issues and I know everyone well,” Steve replied.

“That’s exactly the point, who better than you to do this job?” Joseph nailed it on Steve’s own words, “Who better and more experienced than you to guide our young beloved sons and daughters across the cruel heartless sea? Who better for the mothers of Hatsu Saisho to trust their wards into the hands of?”

“That’s true Steve. No one has forgotten the daring efforts, quick thinking and practical approach you showed a few days back in getting us this opportunity in the first place,” Gary added his bits.

“But that was a different story. That ship wasn’t miles away from home, while here I am supposed to leave my home in search of something we don’t even know will be worth putting effort for in the first place,” Steve wasn’t going to accept so easily.

“Now look Steve, we all respect you for what you’ve already done for us but this is something which cannot be allowed to pass. Someone has to do the job and someone has to risk their lives and leave their homes. Now either you are going to lead the team or we will have no choice but to excommunicate you,” Robin sounded stern.

“I have to agree with Robin on that,” Charles also clarified his stance.

“But,” Steve’s words were left hanging in his mouth. The decision of the congress was final and Steve was given a day to think about it. Steve rushed out of the White-Scube in anger and soon everybody else left as well, everybody except two people.

“That was a brilliant masterstroke of yours,” Robin’s voice sounded in the empty White-Scube.

“I hope we’ve done the right thing,” Joseph was still unsure.

“Offcourse we have. Now either Steve will have to leave for the trip or he will be excommunicated. But in either case, you’ve made sure that you will get another term in this office,” Robin calmed him.

“And what about you, ain’t you forgetting that Steve’s departure clears the decks for your accession after me,” Joseph added with a smirk as he elbowed him.

“Well, I do deserve something for my hard work and dedication towards the welfare of Hatsu Saisho, don’t I?” Robin replied with a wicked one sided smile on his face.

“But what if Steve finds the land or returns midway,” Joseph still had his doubts.

“Don’t be ridiculous, we both know what the chances of his finding another land are, what with no navigation facilities or previous experience. He will either die on the sea or return midway when the fuel will run low, which would mean a failure, which will be good enough to keep him out of the congress,” Robin had everything figured out.

“I guess you are right. Let’s get going as well now,” Joseph said as they moved out of the White Scube. And as they left, Steve emerged out from behind the Z shape of one of the four entrances to the White-Scube where he had been hiding all the time since he left listening intently to each and every scheming word they said. His face told all the story of what was going through his head, but what no one knew was what all those thoughts were leading to.