Technocracy

By Mark A. Sulzen

A pandemic in the 21st century creates a technical elite class which shuns physical contact and depends on virtual reality for all social interactions. Duke Landon is among the top echelon of the Royal World Commonwealth and poised for success. His life is a privileged orchestra of politics, finance, and leisure pursuits which rarely intersect with the framework of boring reality. The elite rule the world and rarely bother with the primitive humans who eke out a minimal existence in the hot, violent climate that has reclaimed the earth.

 

While on a rare visit to the tribes, Landon meets a young tribal leader named Rachel and finds he needs her help. Although Landon's ultra-modern, germ-phobic culture is at odds with the ancient tribal customs, he learns to appreciate the real world and sees things from an entirely new perspective. Will Landon's feelings for Rachel betray his people or will he find a balance between two opposing cultures? Forces within the Technocracy threaten to destroy everything he has come to love and the sacrifice required may be more than he has to give.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark A. Sulzen
• Release date: Jul 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393148906

Book preview

To my family.

For the love and support of my dear wife

and the motivation of the best children in the world.

Chapter 1 - A Royal Visit

Rachel had been planning for this day for years. The growing season was about to arrive in the Cascade borough and it was a critical time for her people. Royalty would be visiting today. Although she had met with the council a few times, this would be the first time she would be on the council during the royal visitation.

She put down the hand written scrolls which she had been reading. The historians recorded all the details of each royal visit. She wanted to be ready, but the time for preparation was now over.

Sheila, Rachel called out.

Sheila slipped into the room quietly. Her head was down and her face was hidden by the dirty hair that hung down in unruly clumps. She must have been waiting outside the entire time Rachel was studying.

Can you help me put these scrolls back? I need to get to the council meeting, Rachel explained.

Sheila had not spoken in nearly five years, but she nodded her head just slightly.

Thank you for your help. Rachel said.

Sheila began to carefully organize the scrolls. While she did this Rachel took a basket and set it down next to Sheila. Rachel remembered how beautiful Sheila used to look when she was engaged to Rachel’s brother Jason.

This is for you. Please let me know if you need anything else, Rachel said.

Sheila looked at the food inside the basket and gave Rachel a hug of appreciation. Rachel knew Sheila didn’t have many opportunities to earn her living so she tried to help whenever she could.

Rachel walked up the path that leads to the tribal council headquarters for the entire Cascade borough. There were many tribes and each was represented in the tribal council. She saw her tribal leader Zachery and he smiled and waved at her. He was a large charismatic man who was a friend to her family.

May opportunity shine on you for the royal visit, Zachery said.

Thank you, I hope to represent the tribe well, Rachel replied.

I know you will, Zachery said confidently. By the way, as the workers were digging out the caves this spring they found some of the clear stones the royals like. We don’t really have any use for them so I thought I would give them to you.

He handed her a small bag and she tied it to the belt at her waist.

Thank you. I’ll talk to you after the visit then, Rachel said. Zachery was the leader of her tribe, but only the council members were part of the royal delegation. He depended on her for all communication and correspondence with the Cascade borough council.

As she continued on the footpath through the trees, she saw many people she knew rushing about. She saw the smooth walls of the only intact building she had ever seen in her life. It was the remnant of an ancient shopping area which the borough now used as the headquarters. Some people still called it the SuperMall, but each tribe had their own area inside and the council met in a large covered area. The ancient homes and many other buildings were reclaimed by the trees and the forests years ago.

As she was about to go inside, she saw her two oldest brothers carrying huge bundles of wood. She heard one of them say, Dad is right behind us.

A minute or two later Rachel’s father came up the path carrying his own bundle. Rachel’s little sister, was about twelve and she had a bundle too. Even her youngest brother was carrying a small bundle. He was only seven years old and walked with a pronounced limp. He struggled to keep up with his family, but seemed proud to be included.

I have to admit you look official in those robes, Rachel’s father said.

Thank you, My Lord, Rachel bowed as if she was addressing royalty. Her sister giggled and her brother grinned.

You kids follow your brothers to the wood pile. I’ll catch up, her father said. They obediently turned to take the path and follow their brothers.

You always were the best looking in this family, the robes make you look more important too.

Father, Rachel protested.

Which is why it’s so hard for me to understand you joining the council. You were one of the best at the challenges and you’re smart. You had your pick of any of the young men. You were best friends with Renalto and now you two don’t even talk.

That was years ago and yes he didn’t understand my decision either, Rachel sighed.

He’s a good man and a great hunter. I could have had grand kids by now if you didn’t make the vow and join the council.

I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t wonder how my life could’ve been. But I’m sick of thinking and talking about it. Besides, I’m going to make something happen on the council, Rachel said.

How? The royals rarely visit. They give us the weather reports, take what they need, and leave. What can you do?

I don’t know, she replied. I want answers just like Jason did, but I’m trying to get them a different way.

Don’t bring up your brother to change the subject. He replied angrily.

Jason was smarter than all of us and he couldn’t let it go, Rachel continued. I have to believe there is something important for me to learn.

If he was so smart, then why did he get banished? He kept tinkering with the knowledge of the ancients. I did everything I could, but the council voted and he was gone, her father said with despair.

I’ll try to bring honor to my family and the tribe, Father, Rachel said. That’s all I can do.

I know, I know, her father said. I’m sorry. Your mother always said I have a hard time letting things go. You better go. I hope the weather reports give us enough time to get in a good round of crops. We need it this season.

I love you dad. See you tonight, Rachel said as he followed his other children.

As Rachel entered the council chamber she glanced at the familiar mural on the wall depicting a black ship in the sky. In the picture, maps and charts flowed out of the ship and turned into grains, fruits, vegetables, and loaves of bread. It represented the abundance which the knowledge from the royal visits provided.

She recognized many others on the council. She wrote her name on the ledger to show her official attendance at the meeting. Each of the council members had to learn to read and write so they could understand the weather reports and write the history of their people.

Rachel sat down at the council table as the group became quiet. The council leader stood at the head of the table. He was a large man with a stern demeanor etched into his weathered face. His forehead was creased with the constant concern for his people and the hardships they bore. He wore the council robes and a headdress which looked like a crown. Embedded in it were kernels of grain and seeds to signify the wealth of a successful harvest.

As we prepare for the royal visit, we need to make sure everything is in order, he looked around the table and pointed his staff at one of the members. Is the final harvest of ironwood ready?

Even with our last minute push the quota has not been met, was the hesitant reply.

Do you realize the risk here? The council leader asked. If the Royals punish us for this, we will all suffer.

There is no way to predict their reaction, one member added. When the Guadalupe royal ambassador walked out because of a quota shortage he didn’t come back for three months. Their crops were wiped out and a huge storm destroyed two of their villages. Many died and it took years to recover.

All right, now let’s not panic. Yes, we need the weather reports and it’s true that without them we won’t know when to plant or when we have to prepare for the storms. But the Guadalupe borough had a much larger shortage than we do. On the day of the Royal visit all we can do is give the report and make sure they know we are working as hard as we can.

Do we have food ready in case it’s needed? Someone else asked.

Yes, we have plenty, but the Royals don’t eat our food, another council member added. Who knows why, maybe they don’t need to eat or they don’t like our food.

I have a question, Rachel spoke up.

What is it? the council leader asked.

Do we have something to offer in place of the ironwood harvest?

We plan on telling them we will make up the shortage as we have in the past, the leader explained.

I thought we might be able to offer them something else. During the latest cave excavations our tribe saved the clear stones the royals like. As it turns out, they saved quite a few. Rachel opened up a pouch revealing the small clear stones the royals called diamonds.

Rachel, you are new to the council. We appreciate your enthusiasm, but small pretty stones cannot take the place of the quota for stacks of wood pulp bales. I will take them just in case they can help, but as a new council member you would be wise to listen more and speak less.

Rachel offered the pouch and bowed her head in frustration. She found her ideas were often met with resistance and she was beginning to wonder if her father was right.

We need to have a good visit with the royals and hopefully the weather predictions will offer us a bounteous spring. Let us go out and greet the royal delegation.

The council filed out from the mall and waited on what used to be a large parking lot. They stood at the front of the gathering group of people who came to catch a glimpse of one of the royals.

A hushed ripple of awe spread through the crowd as the small black dot appeared in the distance. The ship was slowing as it descended through the clouds but was still approaching so fast that it could not be heard. It made a single pass overhead and the people put their hands over their ears as the sonic boom cracked like thunder across the sky. The ship circled and came to rest in the center of the clearing as soft as a leaf that fell from a tree on a calm day. The look of the ship had nothing in common with a leaf or nature. It was as black as the midnight sky on a starless night. The wings were swept back with a graceful curve like a bird. The angle of the nose and shape of the body appeared to be designed for speed and it almost seemed unnatural that it was stopped and resting before them.

A circular opening in the seamless black surface appeared and two body guards and the royal stepped out into the sun. The door closed as if it was able to sense the instant that the last foot cleared the hull. The bodyguards were like an extension of the ship because they wore all black and moved with the practiced precision of professional fighters.

The royal stood between them and cut an amazing figure silhouetted against the sky. He wore a cap signifying his position and a fitted jacket with intricate patterns, stylized gold piping and edging. Then there were the jewels encrusted along the seams which sparkled as they caught the sun. Rachel couldn’t be sure, but this didn’t look like Baron Richard who was the normal envoy. From the historical descriptions and the uniform, this looked like a higher royal. The council was not aware of any special visit, but it almost looked like the Duke had come himself.

The royal party came into the main hall. It was a fairly basic room with chairs and tables, but it was lavish compared with the primitive standards most people had in their homes.

The main thing that made the royals look very different to Rachel was the glasses that covered their eyes. It was unclear how they saw out of these strange dark glasses or why they used them. Rachel heard stories that they lived in the dark and couldn’t handle the sunlight. She didn’t know if that was true or not, but the thing she didn’t like is that it hid their eyes and it masked most emotions she might have been able to see.

Rachel watched as the council leader moved forward and welcomed the Duke. Why did the Duke come in person instead of sending one of his royal leaders? Most boroughs rarely received a visit from the highest Royal. They stayed in their palatial estates or in the northern capitol city of Alexandria with most of the Royals. Growing up she heard rumors that the royal Cascade estate was a huge castle on a mountaintop to the west. But she didn’t know anyone who had seen it. She’d just heard stories told by the oldest tribesmen.

Most honorable, Duke Landon, the Cascade Borough welcomes thee. We are humbled by thy visit to our borough. We did not realize his highness would be visiting. If we had only known, we could have prepared a more glorious welcome. Please come inside, may we provide thee with anything?

Thank you, but no. Landon replied. It would please me if we could get down to business. Rachel read that the royals were not interested in socializing and watching this visit with the council confirmed what she had read. Although they were addressed in formal speech, the Royals were not expected to reciprocate.

Has the quota for the season been met?

Well, My Lord, we are running about seven percent short on the wood pulp.

There was a long pause as Duke Landon did not say anything.

However, we thought we could provide some additional stones in their place, he said nervously as he opened up the pouch to display the diamonds. The council braced for the backlash. The royal ambassador railed on them and levied stiff penalties for small shortages. We hope thou did not travel this great distance because of an unfortunate shortage. We plan to make this up next month.

After studying the faces of the council members, Landon seemed to pause. Rachel realized that she wasn’t listening very well to the exchange because she was almost open-mouthed staring at the Duke. She had heard the stories and read as much as she could about his life, but nothing could have prepared her for this moment. He was so unbelievably handsome that she could not believe her eyes. She was prepared for him to be young, not much older than her. His complexion was lighter than any of the villagers and his high cheekbones gave him a foreign look. His body was muscular and broad shouldered.

She panicked when she thought he was looking at her curiously for a moment. Maybe she was staring too intently and was being rude. She glanced down briefly as she worried that maybe he could read her thoughts. If that were true she could be in real trouble. She smiled and covered her mouth to hide a possible giggle. Her near breech of decorum at this serious event scared her a little. She settled down with a renewed solemnity and carefully watched the proceedings.

Is there a problem with the wood harvest? Landon asked.

Well, My Lord, the wood is not the problem; our harvesting saw cords have been breaking.

What are you doing with them? Bring me a broken cord and let me see it? Landon said curtly.

Thank you My Lord. Thy generosity is unequalled in all the boroughs. The council leader could barely stammer out the thanks because he was so surprised. He was bracing for a penalty and whatever other consequences were sure to come. Instead the top royal had just volunteered assist with the problem personally.

The saw blades were made of what looked like twine with a ring in each end. They placed the rings between the two ends of a bent branch to make a very effective saw. The rough flexible cord was covered with a special coating the royals gave them that lasted for years. Once a broken saw blade had been brought forward, the Duke folded it over in his hand carefully. After peering closely he commented, There is a flaw in the blade coating. I need to find out why this is happening. We will replace the saw blades that are causing the slowdown in production. I will take the stones as an acceptable substitute and to make up for shortage.

Rachel was completely amazed at the Duke’s ability to instantly assess the situation and determine the problem. His knowledge and wisdom seemed magical. She watched closely how he reacted to this situation and she wasn’t the only one watching. An entire group of girls were peeking from down the hall just to get a glance at the Duke. She had researched his decisions and everything she could read about him for years, but this was the first time she had seen him in action. He seemed to be interested in their issues. But if he was, then why did he visit so infrequently? Maybe that was their way. He probably had other important duties and left the boring details to others. Still, the fact that he was here now made it all the more important that Rachel watch and learn all she could. She knew that she would be thinking about this visit for a long time.

Shall we go ahead with the Wood Harvest ceremony? the council leader asked the Duke.

Yes, we can do that now. While we are doing that, go ahead and load the dried wood pulp bales, Landon instructed. Here are the weather maps and calendars for this growing season. Rachel thought about the trade of critical information for the strange wood pulp. There did not appear to be any nutritional value to it. The only wood that the Royals wanted was a special type of dark ironwood that was difficult to find. They had to gather it and pile it in a large pit by the borough headquarters. Then they cordoned off the area in preparation for the royal visit.

The Duke walked over to the huge pile of wood. They were stripped of leaves but included all different sizes of branches and trunks which were cut with the saw blades.

He took a small, round object out of his coat and twisted it with his fingers. The crowd was completely silent at this point as they waited for what would come. It began making a sound like a small bird chirping slowly. The Duke took the object and hurled it into the center of the giant pile of branches. The people stepped back almost unconsciously as they saw it disappear into the cluster of logs. Then the sound became louder and faster and more insistent until it made a final popping noise.

With that, the middle of the pile of wood began to shift and adjust as if the logs and branches were melting like butter in a pan. Indeed, none of the villagers understood exactly what was happening, but they knew that something within the object came out and ‘ate’ the wood.

Only a brown slurry was left in the pit area. Rachel knew in the days that followed it would dry and separate in large thick flakes. These would be gathered up and bundled into the wood pulp bales the Royals wanted.

The villagers cheered at the conclusion of the Wood Harvest ceremony. They would now pore over the maps and the calendars the Duke had supplied and plan their crops for the next growing season.

The guards moved to the rear of the ship where a larger opening allowed the loading of the prepared wood pulp bales.

I would like to converse with one of your council members by the name of Rachel. Is she in attendance?

Rachel was shocked on several levels at hearing her name. She was the newest member of the council and here was a royal asking for her by name when he probably didn’t even know the name of the council leader.

Yes, I’m here, My Lord, she managed.

I request an audience with you in private, Landon replied.

I’m at thy service, My Lord, Rachel replied. As she came forward bowing her mind was racing. She could not imagine what the Duke could want, but this was very exciting.

She looked at his face for any hint of emotion but couldn’t get a read. She followed him to a small meeting room beside the main council room as one of the body guards watched and followed them both. The Duke’s gait was easy and self assured. She didn’t get the idea he was overconfident; simply that there were not many situations that he was not prepared for. Even though there was so much at stake here, she found herself staring at him and watching his every move. She told herself that she was studying him so that she could be successful. However it felt more like a young girl’s crush, irrational and completely overpowering.

She took off the formal robe as she left the council room because the interior rooms were much warmer due to lack of ventilation. After scanning her as a security precaution, the security guard took up a position outside the door. Once she was alone in the room with Landon she was watching his amazing jaw line when she realized he was saying something.

I was given your name as a person who could be planning a rebellion in this borough. Is there any truth to this? Landon asked.

Sir, No. Absolutely not, My Lord! Rachel reacted as if she had been punched in the stomach. All this time she had been waiting for her chance to make a positive impression. She was hoping to have an opportunity to show she could be trusted and build a relationship with the Commonwealth that would take cooperation to a new level. This was without a doubt the worst leadership start in history. I cannot understand what would give thee such an idea, she protested.

Some well placed sources reported that trouble is brewing in this borough and your name was given as a rebel, Landon explained. I’m here, in part, to determine the truth and I will probably need to take you into custody for further questioning.

I have done nothing! she desperately cried. Now she was hurt and offended.

Landon looked at her, carefully. She could tell that he was sizing her up in a way she did not understand.

No, that won’t be necessary, because apparently you are telling the truth, Landon informed her as if he just read her mind.

Let me assure thee... Rachel began.

Landon held up his hand to cut her off and that really made her mad. It was as if he was listening to someone else, even though there was no one else in the room. Maybe he was just arrogant. His head turned to the side and his face looked very worried. He started to get up and rush to the door when the world exploded.

The door came in with such force that it blew him into the wall, the council room was demolished. Rachel was knocked to the ground, but was spared the bulk of the blast. In the clearing haze she looked and saw the Duke lying on the ground. She brushed herself off and went over to him. His cap was gone and his stunning uniform was now a bland, dull gray color. It appeared to be completely smooth without piping or tassels or jewels as if the rich color and textures had been wiped clean. His glasses were knocked aside and she saw his face for the first time without them. He looked so young and peaceful. She desperately felt for signs of life and when she saw that he was still breathing she felt a wave of relief sweep over her like never before. If there was any way she could fix this, she would do it.

Her voice pierced the quiet calm that follows a tragedy.

Help! Zachary, I need you! She screamed at the top of her lungs.

Chapter 2 – Just Another Day

Landon connected his safety harness and looked up at the cliff above him. He loved climbing and it was a great way to stay in shape. He chalked his hands and started working his way up the crevice which ran directly above him for 200 feet before disappearing beneath a large ledge. It was a beautiful morning and the temperature was perfect. The view spread out below him over an incredibly lush landscape. The sky and the air were crystal clear with only a few storms off in the distance.

He was about half of the way up when he saw a beautiful butterfly land just a few feet away from him.  It seemed just a little too large to be normal. He reached out to touch it, expecting it to fly away, but instead it stayed and flapped its wings. The colorful wings touched his finger with a sting instead of a tickle. It wasn’t the delicate insect it appeared to be. Instead the wings were feather light, but sharp like a razor blade. A quick recoil of his hand kept the cut from being a major one, but Landon realized he didn’t want to bump into the creature again.

He looked up and saw a few more butterflies congregating around his safety rope. He grabbed the rope above his head and snapped it to try to dislodge the butterflies, but they seemed to be attached. Their wings kept flapping and the rope was cut in no time. As the rope fell and dangled uselessly below, he realized that it would be harder to get back down so he needed to climb up to the ledge instead. The butterflies began to float down toward him.

Landon quickly climbed to the right and found another route which had more handholds. He was going for speed now instead of technique. By the time the butterflies had drifted down to his location, he had moved right and made a lot of headway upwards again. As they followed, he thought, This is unbelievable. I’m being terrorized by the prettiest and most delicate insect on the planet!

Lunging for the next handhold his knuckles scraped on the rocks. They were gaining, but it looked like he could reach the ledge. He was climbing with a vigor and determination that surprised him. Almost within arm’s reach of the ledge he felt a sharp pain at his ankle. Kicking to knock any of the pesky insects off left him disappointed as he looked down and saw a dozen attached to his shoes and socks.

Where did the rest of them come from? He loosed a strap from his harness to try to knock them off, when his upper hand slipped. He was at an awkward angle with no other support when he lost his grip and pitched backwards. Normally the safety rope should have caught, but since the butterflies cut the rope there was nothing. His eyes widened in panic with the other hand reaching out in a desperate grasp, but it was too late. He fell from his precarious perch and tumbled backwards. The ground rushed up at him from hundreds of feet below.

There was an instant of disorientation for Landon as the simulation cut out. Instead of falling hundreds of feet, he only fell about five feet into soft padding at the bottom of the wall. However, the effect of the full virtual experience being cut off was enough to give his senses a real jolt. While climbing, the simulation wall actually morphed into different shapes to match the formation of the virtual rock landscape he was scaling. The complicated part involved the vertical movement of the formed rocks as he climbed because the wall was only 10 feet high in reality. As his hands reached out for holds, the wall morphed into the shapes he was seeing displayed in his glasses. The images he saw in the glasses were an overlay of reality, but during the simulation, everything was computer generated.

Hey, Anna, what’s with the killer butterflies? She was a lovely young woman and Landon’s greatest confidant. She was lounging nearby and looked pretty pleased with herself. Her hair was light brown and shoulder length. She looked charming and pleasant like the girl next door, but with a beauty that was understated. When she spoke, it was clear just how quick witted she was.

You said you were getting bored of the standard climbing simulation and weren’t motivated enough. You asked me to create an exciting change that would be challenging. For your information you scaled that last section almost 30% faster than you have ever climbed it before.

Yeah, but cute little butterflies? Where did that come from? Are you saying that was your idea?

Well, some research gave me the idea and I wanted you to hurry and finish the climb because we’ve got an alert on the southern investment portfolio, Anna replied.

As his assistant she worked tirelessly in his best interests and was trusted with finances and the highest security level. One of the most advanced self-directed programs ever written, Anna was Landon’s pride and joy. He was constantly making sure she was perfect