Population: One, Me by D.A.Sanford - HTML preview

My world

Please don’t let this be a hallucination! Lord, let this be real. I turned on the camera and mic. I pleaded with the voice, “I only want someone to talk to that will answer me. I am so alone.”

Now on my screen is a split screen. Both look human with some slight variations but one looks like he is underwater. I do not care, they are real. The one underwater speaks but is not moving his mouth.

“Our world has been destroyed by our sun going nova. We do come in peace as refugees and ask you for asylum.”

The air breather now speaks, “Before we go any further. I am Corege and my counter part’s name is Quert. May we ask your name?”

I tell them that my name is Leon.

“Leon, we are stopped at your asteroid belt. We will never go any further unless we have your permission. Do we have permission to approach? We want to talk about being able to settle here. The whole inner galaxy is devoid of life. We were that last system to fail.”

I give them permission to come close to this world. I am excited about this. They would like to send delegations down but the aquatics want to explore our oceans. I am okay with that but I do warn them that, over our history, we have had many wars.

“In the oceans, you are going to find those sunken war ships. Most have still live ordinances, The same goes for the land. I do wish that those could just be eliminated. This world is really breathing well and it needs for those weapons to just be gone.”

It was a relief when the both told me that they could do that from orbit. “All those weapons of war will be teleported to that planet closest to your sun. They will just melt. That will include those sunken ships and those antiquated nuclear weapons.

We do bring our own food with us. We have domesticated animals for food and companionship but our world did appreciate a hunted game. That was not for sport, it was to appreciate the difference in the meat. Always paying due respects to the animal.”

I find that statement comforting. “You doing that will go a long way towards letting this world live in peace. I will be able to sleep better. Now I must tell you that this world is entering late spring that will be over to summer and very warm weather, The oceans warm slower. Once those sunken wrecks are gone, please feel free to explore. I welcome you to join me here so we can discuss how this is going to happen.”

Within hours, even in the daylight, I could see their ship. it looks like they want to land on the moon. They confirm that it is what they are going to do. Also they say that they are starting to remove all those sunken ships but they do tell me that there are ones that are no threat because they were sunk to create places for ocean life to flourish.

“All others have been transported to that planet along with the surface weapons of war.”

They have given me all the assurances that they have immunized this world against anything they are immune to. They are also immunized against what I am immune to. This is all to assure me that I won’t die from what they have and vice versa.

The aquatics have asked for permission to have their delegation visit our oceans. They are particularly interested in the water mammals. I am told that they are some of the first inner galaxy races to leave their dying world.

When we get their report. They are ecstatic. Those water mammals are the travelers. The vast oceans are interconnected and so fresh. They feel invigorated and so alive after the long and confined trip. The ship had enough room but this is their heaven.

I did tell them of the sharks but was told that they had them in the past. They already came to an agreement that some of the new species of fish they brought can be hunted but not to extinction. It surprised me on how fast things are going.

A meeting in person with a delegation of the land dwellers and a remote from the aquatics, I laid out my terms.

“Since neither of us have fallen dead, it is almost safe to say that we all are immune to each other. After all these years of not being able to have a conversation, this is heaven for me and I don’t want to lose it. If you are willing to live in peace I will welcome you but with a few basic rules.

This world is now at peace with itself. The air is fresh, the water is now in the final stages of being clear. This must not be polluted. Second, I have planted fruit trees all over this area, don’t harm them. You can eat the fruit but nurture the trees. Live in peace and thank you for finding me.”

I explain about the exodus because the world was going to explode. That it never happened and how I was going crazy being alone but now this world will be alive again. Quert is reporting that the aquatics will flourish here. “Soon we will be able to help like we did on our old world. One thing, these shelled creatures are delicious.”

He holds up what he is talking about. I say, “The closed shell one is called a clam and the moving one with claws are lobsters. You may want to look for a hard shell that has a rough shell, those are oysters. Some have what we call a pearl. That is a round hard ball inside the shell that is used in jewelry. Our women loved them.” He lit up. I never asked why because it would have been a stupid question.

Corege said that the land was wonderful but he hesitated then asked me about those concrete buildings. I told him that is where many thousands would live and work. They were crime ridden and bad places to live.

He looked horrified at the mention of murder. I told him that the people that left were mostly good people but some did not want to work. Those wanted what you had and were willing to take your life to get it.

“I did not have the power to erase them. They are a reminder of how low we sank. I’m glad that I stayed behind. I do wonder if I was the only one but could not find out.”

Corege tells me that I am the only one left. I feel that he is holding back. I tell him what ever he is holding back he can tell me. “A trouble shared is a trouble halved. Tell me what you are holding back.”

“We were receiving your television broadcasts about the end of this world. By the way, our seers tell us that this world still has more than a billion years left. We did not know that you were left. The inner worlds are dead. We are from the last world in there. We tried to send a signal to tell them not to go inward. No response. It was decided that we would notify the ship when they were within range. We were close enough to see them and they us, we got no answer.

A scan told us everything. The water supply was totally inadequate. They were rendering the dead without regard of what they died from or their health. They had to be getting sick. For just those reasons they refilled their water tank with water from a dead world. That world must have had a war that some side released an agent that killed all. The water they brought on was death itself. We could not let it continue on with that death aboard. We destroyed it.”

I was not surprised so I tell them, “They had a countdown to destruction, a countdown to leaving and then how many of the population that had not boarded. When they left, the population clock stopped at one. That was me. I did not like the thought of eating food fertilized by our dead and drinking our dead. I told myself that I would die with soil under my feet.”

I could see that they were choaking up at that revelation. They told me that most of their elders told them in almost those words. They wanted to die with the only world they wanted to know.. I hold out my hand to them.

“Welcome to your new home.”

Making it our world

The waters have been cleared of those sunken weapons. The aquatics still had clean up to do. Planes, pleasure craft and ocean liners. They have decided that the ones that have native life growing on or living in, those would be left but those that are not will be dropped into the deepest portion of the oceans and cover them with the sediment. They need to choose their living areas.

Most really love the selections in all areas. There are always a few that want the adventure of gathering. Those had no excuse. There are plenty of those areas. This world has more water area than the old world so all they had to do is look around.

The land dwellers asked me if they could get rid of the cities and most of the rural houses. The rural houses will be converted into houses they are used to. I tell them that the cities need to go and become fields but since this is a new world, why not try the houses already made. If they do not like them, take the spring and summers to remake an area at a time. That way no one is left on the moon watching everyone else live in the open.

They agree with me because there are enough houses in this area alone for all to disembark. I was told that they will have local representatives that will assess who needs help adjusting or building but all will work. What happens is that the aquatics will gather various sea related food items and we exchange for land grown items and some meat.

I tell them that they should include some of the fruit.

“The aquatics will enjoy them. As far as myself, for now I can show some of your cooks how we prepare dishes with the wild meat and vegetables. I can show selected people on how to identify wild vegetables. That will help vary your diets. You should have your medical evaluate what, if any effects this world’s foods will have on you. I would like to try your food to see the same.”

When they see my food and I see theirs, it is quite apparent that the differences are minor. I pick up what I would say is a carrot and take a bite. “This has a sweeter taste than mine but it is a little softer. This would go well in a quick stew. I cannot wait to see how you cook them. Just so you know, my carrots are orange unlike this one that is yellow. I have made a large garden so why don’t you plant some of yours there, I will be making another garden “

I sweep my hand and tell Corege the whole world is yours to plant.

Our World

I now am very happy. These people are very friendly and we both love hearing about our pasts. They introduce me to their mind recordings and ask if I would relate stories about this world.

In this area, I left the library, as with others within where I traveled. Their scholars fell in love instantly. I showed them what we had, history, fiction, children’s and other books. They had devices that allowed them to read our written languages. I did show them, in the children’s section, the books that taught them how to read, and other things.

The thing that I must say here is that, even though they are busy making some of the changes they wanted, they were not noisy in working. There is laughter of children being free to run. Some were coming out of the fear of having no shell over this world like the ship. Even quite a few of the land dweller adults had the same fear

I was able to tell them that they were wrong. “This world has a shell. It is called atmosphere. If there was no shell, wouldn’t the air just escape?” They were able to quickly grab onto that without the need to go through the scientific reasons. That was good because I really could not explain myself.

Cooking, The cooks are both male and females. It was explained to me that they enjoy home meals but all love a communal feast. “Just like any of our professions, both male and female can equally work well. Isn’t that just normal?”

That is how it should have been but I tell them that on this world, before they left, there were still professions that were segregated by sex. Those who crossed over were looked at with almost scorn.

Watching me cook or them cook, we each saw that there were almost universal recipes. A roast was a roast, stew was stew, just slight variations. One good thing is that they have the means to sterilize the meat so there are none of those meat born parasites. I am again able to have rare steaks.

I did see one thing that they did not have.

There were plenty of these around in the superstores so I got a few. Barbeque. After making the coals just right, I put on some meat along with some onion and small potatoes. The cooks were fascinated. When the food was ready there was a bigger gathering.

The smell was wonderful and hard to resist. I explained that, on warm days or after a day’s work, “We would gather as families and or neighbors, cook, eat and just sit enjoying the world and each other.”

I cooked far more than just the cooks would enjoy. I knew that it would attract others. The look on the faces told all. They loved it. “We used to grind the meat and form patties then grill them. Put them in a bread buns. Delicious.”

“Some of the cows were bred for consuming and some of the tougher parts were ground just for that.”

The cooks now were discussing different uses of outdoor cooking. I shocked them and excited them when I told them about camping. It seems that their world had progressed so far that they forgot that portion of their history.

Later I showed them my camping gear. I explain to them how everything works. From setting up the tent, making a campfire and such. I explain that people would “get back to nature” every once in a while just to detox from the normal life. Depend on your own skills.

It is a foreign concept. They have brought down replicators so I announce that I will be doing my weeks walk. Anyone that wants to go along can come. There are a few men that want to but the surprise is that there are a few females that also want to come.

They are a few of the cooks so I figure that they want to see the outdoor cooking.

It was interesting because they got to see exactly what it means to survive on your own. It is not that they are dependent on their devices but there is something about getting down to the basics in nature.

Those cooks looked on and were recording everything except when they asked about needing to go to the bathroom. With almost shock, I told them the bushes need fertilizing. Their replicator came at a good time. This area, I was down to my last few toilet paper rolls. Using leaves is too much roughing it.

The one caution I did tell them is not to start without looking first. Snakes, bugs and such.

I love the look at them seeing new things. There are things I find delightful from their world also. The biggest thing is the relationship the two species have. They each have devices that allow them to go into each other’s realm. Not to stay permanently but to be able to stay for a day or two. Then they will need to return to their individual realms.

I have been invited to see what the aquatics have done.

Ancient explorers discovered

I am finding out something new. I was never into scuba diving but loved those specials that explored the coral reefs and exotic areas. With the device, I am able to swim and walk underwater without the underlying phobia I had of limited air supply.

What they have done is amazing. It is respectful of the ocean environment. They told me that they are not restricted to the salt water. They can transition to fresh. “It’s like a vacation area for us.”

I find that removing those wrecks was the right thing to do. They have erected a memorial to those lost at sea because they found bones among the wrecks they cleared. Those bones were respectfully buried in the deep trenches.

Something happened that I was not expecting. A dolphin comes over and is chittering at me, bumped into me then left. Quert is looking at it and at me. “We need to go to the air and then we will call a meeting of both. This needs to be revealed with both peoples there. This will change our understanding of all our history

Quert now speaks to the gathered leaders but the remainder of the two species are always included when it affects all. “I asked for this assembly. We have determined that the aquatic mammals that are present on this world are of the first explorers sent from the first innermost worlds. They did not want to continue to travel world to world so they came to this world and have been here for billions of this worlds years. When the land had developed properly with plants and other animals, they sent an expedition of specially adapted of their species. They were given the ability to grow legs and arms instead of fins and tails. They also were given the ability to both breathe in water and air. “

He now turns to me. “Leon, what that dolphin did was tried to talk with you. It was saying that they were sorry that all had gone but it was for the best. They had forgotten their origin. They were both anger and sheep. Get angry and easily led to violence. What it told us that you, Leon, are the last of those descendants. He spoke the incantation that reactivated the part of you that allowed you to breathe air and breathe under water. From that time, you were changed.”

Quert held up my breathing device. “He knocked it off your belt without you even knowing it. You were breathing underwater as if you were in the air. Any children you sire will now have that ability.”

Looking back to everyone, “We, as two separate species, will eventually be replaced by Leon’s progeny. Leon, we ask you to mate with both so we can achieve our final form. The dolphins have said that it is why they sent your ancestors onto land but they forgot. This change is necessary. We will be leaving this world in the far future. There is a new galaxy forming as we speak. Well before this world dies, our new species will journey there. We will continue.”

I am still stunned because of the fact that I didn’t even know that I was breathing underwater. I needed to say something. “I have welcomed you all to make this our world. I never knew any of this when you reached out to me. All I wanted to have is someone to answer me. Who knew that it would end up like this. I am humbled at the prospect of bringing two races into one.”

The board is immediately bombarded with requests for a schedule to be with me. So much so that the board is apologizing to me. They tell me that they are telling the women that I have not sat down with the board to discuss exactly how this is going to work.

I do tell them that I do not mind entertaining them. “Let’s just say that we will start with one land and one aquatic a day apart. Then I will see how workable adding more per week. The thing is, I really do not want to have an assembly line. The days in between will be to get to know the person. This is not to become permanent lovers but also it is not to be just a sperm doner.”

We discuss and they say that being a doner would be an alternate for those who may have a closed marriage or just too modest. They do not expect any of that but I do accept that portion and I tell them that I accept the whole thing.

Now we have that settled, I start by meeting the first woman. I’ll say right now that these women are on line with variations that I saw in the old population with one exception. I do not see the attitudes that the old populations had. All are comfortable in their bodies and I have no problem other than it has been quite a few years since I entertained a woman let alone bed them.

It was a delight because the first was in the water. I now can hear and understand the think speech. The funny thing is that this first did not get upset when a dolphin came over and asked me if she could have a mating with me.

She understood that she would need to be on the schedule, giggles and swims off.

The woman I was with told me that the word has spread. I asked about if it was possible for two different species to conceive. I laugh when I was told that it has happened regularly in their old world and the children almost always come out advanced. They expect their species to be quite different in the future.

It is predicted that by the time to journey in the next billion years, they will be like us in the upper torso with a tail to propel them. I tell her that what she is telling me in that tale we had of what we called mere folk.

After some thought, I voice my feelings.

“I am interested in the experience and will not shun the interaction but I do think that they are going down a blind alley. We probably need to talk with the council. If I am an amphibian and the future. In that distant future time, no one will need to look for a world that will accommodate two species. With everyone amphibian they will not be limited. Everyone will be able to live with one or both conditions.

With no legs, a mere folk would still be confined to water.”

The aquatic woman thinks about it and has to agree with me. “Their goal to evolve is good but the direction is wrong. Maybe mating with you will change their direction. You are our hope for having a joined species that can live in both environments.”

She puts out a call out to the council and soon all are at the aquatic meeting room. I lay out my observation and concerns then the female tells her of her opinions. Now I tell them that I would like them to contact the dolphins and ask them if they would be willing to see just what the children look like.

“Then you can have your seers look into the future of those children to see how they will evolve. Can you tell me what have the mating with the aquatics have yielded?”

I am told that most come out as dolphins but some are aquatics and are adopted by us. That would mean that some will progress but the majority will not. I say that we need to start now to see if there is anything that can be done. ”It should not be put off until it is time to leave.

Now that my concerns have been voiced, I take the woman’s hand and we swim off have dinner and towards the end of our meeting, I decide that it is time to take the plunge. Pun is intended.

By the morning, she thanked me and told me that she would let me know how the mating went. If she is pregnant and what the baby is like but per agreements I am under no obligation.

I tell her that I would like to, at the least, have the child to know me. Then I return to the surface. The surface meetings are almost the same.