Emperor of the World
Chapter 3 of a fictionalized history of the future of a world very much like our own
Previous: Chapter Two - Chapter One
Chapter Three
From "NovumInteractive to trial 'interpreted reality' system" in TechUnWired Magazine by Dawna Pyro
Remember when I wrote in this space last year about NI's hush hush new technology? Well, they have completed alpha testing and are ready to begin a limited beta. They began taking applications yesterday and "technophiles crashed our server rushing to apply," said company spokesman Johnny Memnomie. "We expect a vigorous limited beta with a target date for public beta of six months from launch."
The system is intended to act as "an interpretive layer" between the external world and the user's consciousness, capturing all sensory inputs and "translating" them into the selected "scenario", and similarly translating the user's interactions into the user's normal language. "To everyone around him, the user will appear as he always has, but his inner experience will be that of the world he chooses," Memnomie explained.
Initially, the system will come with three "realities" for users to choose from, but "additional scenarios will follow from NI as well as third-party vendors, and a complete suite of modding tools will allow a robust market in user-generated content," Memnomie said. He did not specify the three initial realities, but rumors within the industry have focused on a "wild west" theme, a superhero theme, and an "Intergalactic Rebellion" scenario modeled on the iconic space fantasy movie and game franchise.
"With this system, if you want to live in the wild west, and I want to live in a magical fantasy world, we each have that choice - with the ability to interact with each other like normal. We will fit seamlessly into each other's world."
Given the need for real-time translation, the system will have enormous technical requirements. It will require at a minimum a fifth-generation "Advanced Pack" of full Enhancements with a Ribio Integrator, making it usable by only the cutting edge of users. Industry experts expect technical requirements to drop while Enhancements continue to advance, making the system available to nearly the whole market within 5 years.
Thugz Mansion, Periphery City
I was intrigued when Darnell told me to get there early. When I ran into Father Vincent in the lobby, I remembered that he had wanted to tell me something, too. In fact, something had been nagging at me that I wanted to discuss with him, a feeling that we were missing something, that our plans were off target slightly. It had started while Empress and I were planing her move (which had worked perfectly. Over a million people participated in the march, the councilor withdrew his motion and she had not heard from the junta), and grown as I watched FreeNews reports of the election aftermath.
At the 47th floor the last two visitors got off the elevator and it was just me, Vincent and the security guy. "You wanted to tell me something," I said to Vincent.
"I did. I was thinking about strategy and had an idea."
I nodded. "Yeah, I think we're missing something." The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened. The security guy gestured to us and gave a quick nod. We waved and stepped out into the foyer of Darnell's quarters. The foyer was open to the living room where we had held the election party. It was empty. We walked over to the bar and sat on stools at the near end. "Anyway, I think we're missing something and I can't put my finger on it."
He tapped his lip twice, then said, "I think I can. I think -"
"You want a drink?" I interrupted. He nodded, so I slid off the stool and walked around the bar to mix us a couple of cocktails. "Sorry, go on."
"I think focusing on national politics is a mistake. It takes too many votes. It is too difficult to fight the constant messaging of mass media. The large scale multiplies the power of money. And then even if you win the elections, passing the legislation is even more difficult, the power of money is even more magnified.
"And the national governments are doing nothing for the citizens. It is the cities that are providing for the people. It is the cities where things get done. And the majority of people and economic activity are in the cities. People power is more able to compete against money power at the local level."
"And electing one mayor does more than electing one Congressperson," I cut in, seeing where he was going. This was what had been bugging me. "Winning a city gives you a chance to put your agenda in place somewhere, start showing results. You can take those and sell them to the voters in other cities."
"Yes! Winning one or two helps you win more. Does winning one or two congressional races really lead to anything better when those one or two people will go to The Capital and disappear?" I put two drinks on the bar and moved back to my stool.
"You come to MY house and start without me?" an angry voice boomed. We looked over to see a large Black man stalking across the carpet toward us. Ok, not angry - mock angry. Darnell had a big goofy smile on his face and his arms spread wide. He looked like he could span a subway car. He engulfed first Vincent in a brohug then me. I went back to make another drink while Darnell took up position at the end of the bar. "I'm glad you two are here. I got something to share with you."
He tapped on the bar and a picture of what looked like two ping pong balls materialized in a rectangular frame. "These are pollenbots that we scraped off the molecular shield there." He pointed at the sliding door to the balcony where Vincent and I had shared a joint. "These represent a new generation of technology. More powerful sniffers, longer-range transceivers, more storage. But what's really new is this outer layer that lets them slip through most existing filters and sweepers." He pointed out and up, "Like my dome. They still can't penetrate a molecular shield, and once you recalibrate a full spectrum scanner they can be detected, but these fuckers are very sophisticated, very dangerous - and very expensive."
We all looked at each other. These new pollenbots rendered probably 3/4 of the defensive systems in the world useless.
"Rayray's got a team breaking them down now. We'll have countermeasures added soon, and a new generation of our own pollenbots and microdrones out soon, but we need to sit on this. The longer they think we don't know, the more they will sink into this." He pointed at the image. "But what this means is don't talk about anything unless you are inside a full molecular shield." Not many places on the planet were inside full molecular shields. They were unbelievably expensive and energy-intensive.
"Now, with what these must cost they won't be sprinkling them around like fairy dust, but that means somebody very powerful was very interested in finding out what was going on in this place the other night. Could be law enforcement - they been trying to bust me for a long time - but this tech seems above their clearance. I'm guessing military or central intelligence."
It made sense, but I wondered who the intelligence apparatus would be interested in among our group. We weren't exactly big players in the political realm.
A chime sounded in the foyer, and elevator doors opened. The others were arriving for the meeting. Neera and Talia stepped out and noticed us. They walked over to join us.
Maybe Neera was the target? She was a Congressperson, after all. But she was really just a minor player in The Capital, what wonks called a "back bencher." Talia was a local politician, so I couldn't see what threat power holders in Capital would see in her. Cheri had a huge international following, but that was entirely non-political. Of course, a large group of people was always potentially political, so...
The others filed in and Talia called the meeting to order. Cee holo-ed in from location. I would be flying back over there when this was over.
"You in a secure room, girl?" Darnell asked after we all said hello to her.
"Your boys fitted my trailer, big brother, so you tell me," she snapped back. Darnell held his hands up and we all laughed.
"Ok ok. Don't sic Claw on me."
"Can we please get down to business?" Talia cut in. "We have a very important personage here, and we do not want to waste her honorable Congressperson's time."
Everybody made a dramatic mock bow to Neera, who laughed, then said, "And I thank you, my dear constituents. And I have some good news for you and some bad news."
Darnell piped up: "I always say give me a shit sandwich. Something good, then the shit, then finish with some good."
"Ok, Darnell. Thank you for that evocative advice," Neera retorted. We all laughed, D loudest of all. "So, first a piece of bread and some lettuce and tomato. A number of my colleagues are definitely in and volunteered to take whatever leadership role is needed, including..." She paused for dramatic effect. "Maria Rosario-Diaz." A literal cheer went up. "MRD" was one of the most dynamic, brilliant, charismatic young political figures in the world. Many people - myself included - were just waiting for her to be old enough to run for President. Some people had begun to question her somewhat, as she had been prominent with "Vote Blue No Matter Who", which many of us came to reject given Gimpel's problems and the viciousness of the primary campaign. Some had wondered whether MRD was more Progressive or more Blue. Her declaring herself as a Progressive willing to leave the Blue Party sent a shot of optimism through the room.
"Now the 'shit' as D so eloquently put it. None of the leaders of the House Progressive Caucus will leave the Blue Party and the Caucus itself will oppose a new party. I was told that if I went forward with this I and anyone who worked with me would be removed from the Caucus."
"Does MRD know that?" I asked.
Neera nodded. "Yes, I spoke with the Caucus director first and I told her what he said. She was troubled but she was undeterred. She said her PAC would support the new party and she would outreach to the candidates they supported."
"Is that the whole 'shit' or is there more?" Darnell asked.
"That was it. The reaction of the Caucus put a limit on the number of my colleagues who are willing to risk leaving the Party. We depend on the Caucus. The other good news is that I received pledges from 43 colleagues to join the new party."
I was surprised. It was a lot higher than I was expecting. That was over half, when I was expecting maybe a third to be willing to leave the Blues. I had underestimated just how deeply the Party establishment had alienated progressives. "That's great news, Neera. Good job. How many states are included?"
She thought for a moment. "Thirty or thirty-one? Around that."
"So we should be able to qualify as a party in two-thirds of the states right off the bat," I responded.
She nodded. "Yes, with a couple exceptions, that is true. Girvinia and I think two other states by statute only recognize the Red and Blue as political parties. In the other sixteen to twenty states, we can gain recognition with a fee and petitions signed by 5% of the voters, or after a candidate who self-identifies with our party gets that number of votes in an election."
"So we could be on ballots in at least 48 states in the next election, and qualify to put a candidate for President on the ballot in the next presidential election," I followed up.
"If there is one," Darnell interjected, and we all nodded.
"You both are correct," Neera said, and we all chuckled. Dark humor.
"What is our next step, Neera?" asked Talia.
Neera nodded. "We need to form an organization. A non-profit corporation is probably the best legal form. We form a 'National Party Committee', and state party committees in every state. We can also form local party committees in cities where we will want to run candidates for local office." Vincent and I looked at each other. "The committees get bank accounts and file the required reports with the FEC and the appropriate state offices.
"Once the organizations are formed, we move on to the next stage, which is organizing and getting on ballots: First, start signing up members; Second, state our principles and platform; Third, nominate candidates; Fourth, get on ballots.
"Once we've done all those things, then we just start campaigning. The individual candidates need to form their own committees and file the required reports. The Party should help them with that, have a bank of forms and people on staff to assist." She fell silent, apparently done, and probably tired.
Vincent jumped in. "Thank you, Neera. That was very informative and you broke it down so well. You made me feel like this is actually doable." He smiled. We all chuckled and I was not the only one who nodded. "A feeling we will probably come to doubt once we actually start doing it," he added, and everyone laughed.
"I spoke with Ilana yesterday," Cheri's holo said. All attention in the room snapped to her image. She grinned at our mouths agape. She lifted a delicate shoulder in a mock careless shrug. "We speak all the time. We have since we did that rally together in May. She's totally into a new party and will throw her whole organization - both organizations - behind it." The news jolted the room with a buzz of optimism. Ilana had two distinct organizations with offices and followings - largely overlapping - in every state: her presidential campaign, and the federation of labor unions that she led. With her, we could quickly and easily staff party committees and open offices - and we would have our candidate for President!
"That's amazing, Cheri," Neera said. "I was hopeful that would be her reaction, but it is never safe to assume." Everyone nodded.
Vincent raised his hands and everyone looked his way. "Neera, is there more information we need before we start talking about a task list?" She looked down at her notes, then back up at Vincent and shook her head. "Does anybody have any questions or anything they want to say before we move to discussing the immediate course of action?" Nobody spoke up; several of us shook our heads. "Ok. Neera: do you have a proposed set of actions for us to take now?"
"Yes, Vincent, thank you," she answered. She swiped a couple of times, read for a few seconds, then said, "Cheri, since you seem to have a direct line to Ms. Cortez, can you ask her to call me? Please give her my direct comm code." Cheri nodded. "I will have my staff work with her people to get the legal documents drafted and filed to create the party committees.
"Before we can do that, though, we need a name. How do we want to pick a name?"
Everybody looked at each other. We had never talked about a name.
"The Black Party," Darnell tossed out. Chuckles around the table.
"Pink Party!" Cheri and Talia called out in stereo and everybody laughed.
"The White Party because only whites can win in this system," I drawled and nobody really laughed, because it was too close to home.
"Do we have to stick to damn colors?" Darnell growled.
"Rainbow Party?" Cheri asked softly. I started to laugh but then realized it was a serious, and very sensible suggestion. We represent all colors, and each in its own individuality, with its full identity and radiance. All coming together to create beauty.
"I like it," I said, "But she has sex with me, so I'm biased."
Now everybody laughed. When the laughter settled down, Vincent said, "Darnell raises a valid point, but I think Cheri has given us the perfect choice. For whatever reason, this country has adopted color names for parties, with Blue and Red, Green, and in the past Orange and Yellow. Rainbow has symbolic meaning, incorporating all colors, distinct and individual, forming a palette of beauty. It represents us, people of all races, distinct and individual, but working together for a whole. I move that we name our party The Rainbow Party."
"I second the motion," Darnell said a split second before Talia. The motion carried, and we named the new party The Rainbow Party.
"What next, Neera?" Vincent asked.
"I recommend that we just set another meeting for next week and I will update you on where we stand with the organization creation and what we all should be doing next," she answered. We did that, then we wrapped up the meeting.
Vincent and I hung back while the others dispersed, Vincent promising to meet Talia at his rectory for dinner. I looked at him when it was just the three of us, and he nodded.
"We had something we wanted to talk to you about, D," he said.
"You mean what you two cats were in cahoots when I came into the room?" Darnell quipped. "Shoot."
Vincent brought him up to speed.
"This is that shit you been talking about for years, how the nation-state system is obsolete and fucks shit up instead of helping the people and we are moving into an age of city-states working with each other all over the planet."
"Yes, exactly," Vincent replied excitedly. "By winning city offices, our party can enact a socialist agenda at the level that most directly impacts the people."
"So the cities have all the people and all the economy, you take over the cities on the downlow while fighting them for President and Congress, then BAM! Tell the Capitalists and their politicians to get fucked." Darnell threw back his head and laughed. Vincent and I looked at each other. We hadn't gone that far with it. Then we each started laughing, too. Darnell put out a fist. We all touched fists. "This can work, brothers. This can work."
A few minutes later, I decided to ask what had been bothering me. "The nations have the military."
Vincent and Darnell looked at each other, then they both doubled over laughing.
"What? Historically soldiers are reluctant to fire on their own people, but it's mostly drones, clones and psychos now."
"Oh yeah, that's right," said Darnell. "But they still got to get those orders to carry them out." He and Vincent fist-bumped. "You just do your poli sci shit. We got the military." And he and Vincent started laughing again.