Rising: Parables From The Apocalypse - Dystopian Fiction Read Free Page B

is a whole other level of disgusting.  We didn’t ask to mutate.  It just happened to us.  It’s not like we chose this for ourselves.  What a waste.  They’re not just garbage.  Some of them could have mutated like me, with all these amazing abilities.  What gives these people the right to treat us as cheap collateral damage?  That’s just not right.
     

Changing the Rules
    Christa couldn’t help but be excited about the news. 
    “It’s really too early to get excited about this, Christa, but I understand your enthusiasm,” Dr. Montgomery said.
    “C’mon, Doc, don’t be such a pessimist about all this.  I know you’re all scientific about this and you need more testing, but this is really fantastic news.”
    “Yes, Christa, it is, but you have to understand.  Even if the research proves itself out, and we’re able to complete successful patient trials, the political pressure will be huge to overcome.”
    “This is a real game changer though, Doctor.  You’ve found a way to distinguish between the violent zombies and the evolved ones like myself and Leekasha.”
    “Don’t forget about Andreas now.  Others won’t when the idea of this drug gets out.  A lot of my colleagues won’t be happy with me.  This is not a popular field of research to be pursuing these days.  I’ve already had a few of my staff quit or ask for transfers.”
    “New ideas are never well accepted.  You know that.  I understand it’ll take time, but surely they’ll have to see the advantages.  Just look at Leekasha and what she’s capable of.  Her mind control, her healing abilities, and her accelerated learning are just a few.  She’s progressed at a remarkable rate.  Surely the regent will see the huge advantages zombies like that represent.  It's too much of an opportunity to squander..”
    “Christa, do I need to remind you how this government works?  You remember Kongod, right?  That computer the size of the planet that makes all the decisions.”
    “It doesn’t make decisions, that’s the regent’s job.”
    “Right, of course.  Kongod just measures the will of the people on all matters and provides a list of acceptable answers to the regent, who decides.”
    “So obviously the regent will see this drug is capable of only controlling the dangerous zombies.  We can then free the others from Pacize.  The ones that are really suffering on the inside.  They can help society, they can make this an even better place to live.”
    Dr. Montgomery laughed.  “I think you overestimate the value of the regent.  Sure, the position was created to give people the illusion of human control, but that’s all it really is … an illusion.  At least, that’s the way I see it. If the regent picks against the people’s will, Kongod can select a new regent.  One based on the will of the people, of course.  It’s all about what Kongod offers, which everyone believes is controlled by the people.”
    “You don’t believe that’s true, Doctor?”
    “Well, I have no evidence to the contrary. I suppose I do believe it’s the will of the people truly running the country.  Back to my original answer though, it’s not the regent or my bosses you have to convince of the value of this new drug, it’s the people.  And I have to tell you, the people can be a pretty fickle bunch.  They have a reputation for short-term memory and subjective decision making.”
     
    The lab door opened and a slightly tanned Leekasha entered.
    “Well, look who’s back from her day at the beach,” Dr. Montgomery said.
    “How do you know where I was?” Leekasha asked.
    “Don’t assume that just because the general has given up trying to control your whereabouts he doesn’t have eyes watching you.  There are spies everywhere these days, my dear,” Montgomery answered.
    “Whatever.  That’s not why I am here.  Christa, have you heard about this new zombie trade being discussed?”
    “What are you talking about?