Solomon's Private File #346
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 31 in this story, in the Summer of 2057.
Solomon's Private File #346 "Spots!"
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I walked into an office of the de facto leader of an independent
sparsely populated world, a former colony, of many. It was in a major
university, known for it's advanced biological research. I said, "I am
Solomon. We have an appointment." He looked at his schedule and saw my
name, and said, "It seems we do, but I didn't see it there yesterday."
I said, "It wasn't there then." He said, "Oh. Please be seated." I did
that, and said, "Your world is independent of the nearby star
associations. That's caused some problems, and more, with who you are,
and the research you do here." He said, "That's true. We have almost as
many offworlder spies, as citizens." I said, "They fight with each
other. Unfortunately, some survive." He laughed well. He said, "I
didn't expect that from an offworlder." I said, "I have to like that."
Grins.
I said, "You have an unusual educational system here. Unusually
effective, and it includes ethics. That makes the others feel very
threatened, not having much of that." Chuckles. I said, "Unfortunately,
your only defense is a very destructive offense. There are things in
process that could cause you to use it." He said, "How do you know
this?" I said, "You know it. Your preparations are obvious. You can't
hide that well." He said, "I see. The spies know it?" I said, "Some do.
Most can't communicate that. And it wouldn't help them if they did. One
of your mistakes was restricting that flow of information. Made
everybody more paranoid and distrustful." He said, "I understand. What
is your interest in this?"
I said, "I value good education. Murder, not so much. More will die
with what you would do, than all your population times millions. And it
won't save you. Your threat isn't fully believed, and what they do
believe, they think they can minimize with a massive attack. They don't
know you have already deployed it, ready for use. You can't tell them
with proof, or they will destroy your ships, and then you. They won't
believe you otherwise. Your deterrent has failed. It remains now only a
method of revenge." He said, "What you say might be true." I said, "You
know it is. Your reason tells you that." He said, "We don't have any
other options."
I said, "You know you do. You can tell your ships not to act. You can
accept the death of your world. As it is now, that will happen, no
matter what you do. Why then act in pointless revenge on their captive
populations? You know that's not right. Your legacy will be ruined.
Further educational experiments will be delayed for centuries. Is that
what you want for the future?" He sighed, and said, "No, I realize
that. Even we have the urge to do SOMETHING, even if it's wrong. I'll
recall the ships." I said, "A true promise?" He said, "It is, and I
have the power to do it. We know where they are, and message drones
will be sent." I said, "Some won't reach them in time." He said, "How
do you know that?" I said, "We'll save that for later. I offer you some
services. One is instant communication with your ships. Now, if you
wish."
He looked at me strangely, and nodded. He said, "Identification
numbers good enough?" I said, "Yes." He gave one, and an image of a
control room was visible to him. I said, "Picture is two way, and they
can't hear or see me." He said to the surprised people in the image,
"Stand down and return to base. The situation is changing." The pilot
said, "Understood, and in process." We did that to more ships. He said,
"Done." I said, "Not quite. One ship left. I will allow them to
proceed, but modified a little. The disease they are to spread there,
will only put different color spots all over their skins, permanently,
and it's programed with a limited life cycle. Non fatal. This is what
you really wanted to do, but couldn't. So I'm doing it for you." He
said, "Wow!" I said, "I hear that a lot." Grins.
He said, "They're dropping it now. It acts fast. Tomorrow, they're
going to discover it. Your ship will radio the claim of responsibility,
and the warning that more could happen at any time, if you are
attacked. Lethal things they can't defend against. They leave you
alone, all is fine. They might see the light. Emperor might need a lot
of makeup to appear in pubic. Not enough to hide his ugly spirit,
though."
He said, "You could have told me this before." I said, "You know why
I didn't." He said, "Yes. Ethical responsibility. I had to prove us
worthy of your help. Some still might attack us." I said, "Yes, some
might, er, try." He said, "Thank you!" I said, "I need to do things in
a way that seem natural. Known impossible interference would be harmful
to the future." He said, "Yes, we must make our own future." I said,
"You can be a great positive influence, even in death. You almost threw
that away." He said, "I see that. I'll make sure we remember that."
I said, "Now for another subject. You have many talented students
here. One of them is going to be mine." He grinned, and said, "I know
who it is!" I said, "It's not just good, but necessary. He's causing
interesting problems as he is now, even though he doesn't want to. One
thing he's learned very well, is how to be embarrassed." Chuckles. I
said, "His mother is a teacher here. Please ask them both to meet with
us." He made some calls. They came into the office. I stood and bowed
to them. Etan stared at me in wonder. I said to him, "You may tell them
what you've noticed." He said, "Your aura is gigantic!" They knew about
auras, but couldn't see them.
I said, "I have schools." He said, "I have to go!" I said, "Yes. We
can teach you how to control your abilities, and a lot more." He said,
"Is it close to here?" I said, "That's complicated. For me, it's as
near as a wish. For one of your space ships, ah, they can't go there."
He said, "Wow!" I said, "I hear that a lot." The president of the
school nodded energetically. Chuckles. I said, "You would need to live
at the school during the term, but you can come back to visit between
them. Students usually graduate to full independence in four years, but
all consider themselves to be our students for life. There is no end to
learning and personal improvement, and we like to share that. One more
thing. We are secret. I know you know why." He said, "I do!" Grins.
I said, "Our system is very individualized. Well it has to be, with
students of all kinds, from many different planets. And dimensions." He
said, "Wow!" I said, "A large part of their vocabulary." Chuckles. His
mother said, "How will he be supervised?" I said, "The teachers can see
anything, anywhere, and do. They and the students see inside and out,
all around them, without eyes. And they all feel each other's emotions.
Can't have more supervision than that!" Grins. I said, "Want to see
what the school looks like now?" He said, "Please!" I showed them
Rang's school. They had more wows to offer.
Then he said, "How are you doing this?" I said, "I can see anything I
want to, anywhere. What I can see or visualize, I can project into the
air with my mind. You can do that part yourself. Want to know how?" He
said, "Oh wow! I DO, please!" I said, "Make a picture in your mind.
Imagine you're behind it, and pushing out into the air, thinking on
letting people see it. Now." He did that, and the room had an extra
chair for a second. I said, "Very good! Exercising that ability will
improve it. Very useful in teaching." His mother said, "Can anybody
learn to do it?" I said, "It takes an inborn talent, but most people
have some of it, usually in a less than useful amount. Even at minimal
talent, some can learn to do it with a lot of concentration and
practice."
Etan said, "Will there be other students from here, there?" I said,
"This year, not from this world, but from other worlds you know about,
yes. Probably more, later. Only about one in a billion qualify. We need
to do something now for you. Your abilities are doing odd things you
don't want to happen. If you put this crystal to your forehead, you
will see in it the restrictions against using your abilities
unintentionally, and unjustly. All my students have those in them, even
when they no longer need them." He accepted them, and said, "Wow, it's
got books in it!" I said, "Yes. One of our teaching aids. That one only
works for you." I said to the president, "We make them with our minds,
and they're only really useful for those with very high intelligence."
He said, "Controlled advanced psychometry?" I said, "Yes, and we know
how it works."
I said to Etan, "Are you going to come to our school?" He looked
pleadingly at his mother. She looked at the president. He said, "Trust
him as you would God." She said, "Wow!" I said, "Everybody wants to
embarrass me!" Etan gave me a very big grin. I said to him, "I'll come
for you when it's time, with the others." We hugged, and he almost
fainted. When he recovered, he pointed to his mother. I offered, and
she accepted. I helped her to stand. She said, "He goes. No doubt.
Thank you!" I nodded to the door, and they left. I said to the
president, "You're thinking of something about schools." He said, "You
have more than one. That means your students start new ones. At least
one per dimension and galaxy. They'll do what you do. Did here." I
said, "That's what we're for. You were correct about who we work for,
and I mean directly. That's how I knew to be here." He said, "More than
I suspected!"
I said, "I'm not too unhappy about that. The other planets aren't
taking enough advantage of your offer to educate them here. That will
change. When my new students return, they will have their own school
for their kind, and they will assist your school in teaching those with
superior intelligence, with our tech. One other world is doing this. We
know it can work, with a society that's dedicated to education. You
work it right, you will be indispensable to your galaxy, and VERY well
respected, if you stay out of politics." He said, "A good future!" I
said, "If you work for it, and if you're worthy of it." He said,
"You'll be watching?" I said, "You shouldn't assume that." He nodded,
trying not to smile. I offered to hug, and he accepted. When he
recovered after falling back into his chair, he said, "Now I know why
she said that." I said, "Yes. No, he won't be able to do all I can do,
but a lot. I'm in a different category of one. Many interesting things
are in his future." I bowed, and changed into a ball of light, and then
dimmed to nothing.
He sat there with his mouth hanging open in surprise, for a long ten
seconds. Then he went back to work, smiling often.
The people on the Imperial planet of the largest star association in
that part of the galaxy, did develop colored spots all over their
skins. They called off the attack. The Emperor was assassinated by one
of his guards in the pay of the Minister of Education, who then became
the Acting Prime Minister, when the Previous Prime Minister resigned in
justified fear of his life. Few people knew that the education ministry
post even existed. The Minister of War resigned under a lot of pressure
from the angry populace. Things are stabilizing into a slightly better
pattern. Other smaller competing star associations have noticed, and
why, and are treading lightly, and with caution.
I shifted to the office of the new Prime Minister. He was very
surprised. I said, "You are in no danger from me at this time. Well,
except possibly to your emotions. I am Solomon. You had the Emperor
killed." He said, "I didn't!" I said, "First and last warning. No lies
to me. Do it again, I will compel you to never say another lie again.
Really against the politician's job description." He had some competing
emotions about that, but eventually, a slight smile showed. I said,
"Why?" He said, "He allowed us to almost be destroyed." I said, "You
believe it could have happened?" He said, "Yes. Making a harmless but
visible disease, is much more difficult than making a deadly one." I
said, "And with the vector it used, even a disease you knew about and
could cure, you couldn't stop in time." He said, "Hmm, I didn't know
that. Worse than I thought. Linked to deadman systems?" I said, "In
function, yes. You destroy them, their counterattack won't be stopped
in the least. They don't know if I will choose to stop that." He said,
"How do I know they won't hold that over us, and demand things?" I
said, "They're already doing that, in their demand not to be attacked."
He said, "More than that?" I said, "They desire to be friends to all,
and treated that way. Nothing more." He said, "Some of their students
have caused troubles for us."
I said, "Teachers are not responsible for their student's activities
after they leave. Appose knowledge, you will eventually fail, and with
much spilled blood. Best to USE the graduates. Then they can't complain
about themselves. Work will keep them busy, too." He almost smiled, and
said, "There is some value to that kind of thinking." I said, "More,
take full advantage of them. Send your people there, you own the
results. New knowledge begs to be used, even if that would cause harm.
The academic must be tempered by and with practical reality. Show them
that, and you create a better and more effective person." He nodded,
and said, "Wise counsel."
I said, "Education is only the start of real knowledge. You have
discovered that, since you entered politics." He said, "Yes I have!" I
said, "Only through experience, can that happen. In the coming years,
the planet you would have destroyed will become the center for the most
advanced educational techniques in the galaxy. All who want the best
education, will want to go there, and relatively few will be accepted.
Which worlds take advantage of that first and best, well, I think you
know." He said, "I understand. Have you said this to the others?" I
"What well oiled mental gears you have." He chuckled. I said, "You have
four years before they can start using some new things. Best you don't
tell them I told you this." He said, "THAT I do agree with, fully!"
I said, "You know they won't trust you. Well, who would? They'll
accept students, nothing else. Oh, and being overrun with spies, is
something of annoyance. Fun to watch for a time, but boring now. Yes,
they know every one. Well, knowing is their business." He nodded, and
said, "How do they know?" I said, "The spies know. They recognize each
other, and can't hide that from very observant watchers. The more spies
there are, the easier they are to identify. It's like a fraternity
among them." He laughed, and said, "So simple, we didn't think of
that!" I said, "It's worse than that. Who they avoid looking at, is a
real giveaway." More laughter. I said, "As I said, it's entertaining,
in a juvenile way. Boring after a while. There's a betting pool among
the watchers, on all kinds of silly things. And who are the watchers?
The entire population. You can't avoid them." He chuckled, and said,
"They must think we're stupid." I said, "Are you?" He said, "I think I
should decline to answer that." I said, "Eh, smart. You should know
that me telling you this, won't help you with the spying. Deceit can
always be exposed. The more effort is expended in hiding it, the more
risk of exposure. You can't win in that. Actually, honesty will give
professor among them, and an assistant. They value different opinions,
so they allow that."
He said, "You knew what I was thinking." I said, "Yes. No, I'm not
going to tell them about this. And no, I'm not reading your mind, even
though I could. So how? The interesting part of that, is if you will
think of it, and what you will think of that. You have another problem.
The new Emperor. He knows what you did, and will never trust you, and
knowing that, you can never trust him." He nodded. I said, "Some very
dangerous people are supporting him, and for their own reasons. He
trusts them more than he should. No, you can't tell him that. It would
make him believe the opposite. You know what you should do." He said,
"Yes. Make them show who they are to him." I said, "He doesn't care
about governing, only about personal power, and play. That might change
with proper guidance, or make it worse. Entitlement often makes people
less deserving of it. What you don't work for, has no real value to
you." He said, "I must agree."
I said, "I offer some advice. Agree to hear it?" He said, "Yes." I
said, "They teach ethics there. I know, but desperation causes unusual
things." He grinned. I said, "Send your grandchildren there. Try to
arrange for the Emperor's children to go there. Say it's only for the
best, and it actually is. They don't indoctrinate, just provide
knowledge and techniques of how to learn, and the students mostly
choose what to use them on. Which is usually what their friends want."
Grins. He said, "I do know that. You're obviously an educator." I said,
"As you are receiving it." He said, "Oh!"
I said, "The problem with trying to steal knowledge, is recognizing
and understanding it. If you could, you wouldn't need to steal it, you
would already know it. You want it, you go there and learn it. They're
teachers! They want to teach you! Simple as that. Too simple for
deceitful people, obviously." He looked conflicted. I said, "What is
the worst disease? It's not caused by microbes." He nodded, and said,
"I'm beginning to understand something of that. Were they really going
to use their deadly weapons?" I said, "If you want to know that, go
there and ask them yourself. That's the only way you will ever have the
opportunity to know. No, they won't kill you. Some of your opposition's
spies might try to. I won't allow that." He said, "I should believe
you?" I said with a smile, "You do." He looked embarrassed.
I said, "If you do visit that planet, I will remove your new, er,
decoration. Easier visiting." He tried not to grin. He said, "We can't
send spies from here now." I said, "You have other worlds to recruit
them from. If you think you don't have too many already. History has
shown that having too many spies, can be worse than having not enough."
He looked thoughtful, and nodded. He said, "Could you remove er, this,
from all of us?" I said, "I can heal all in the galaxy, completely. You
know something of why I have not done this." He said, "I think I do.
Your priority is the advancement of intelligent life. Less so,
individuals." I said, "Yes. It doesn't prevent me from having personal
friends. Being a murderer, does. It would take a lot to overcome that.
The future is what you work to make. Do well, and what could happen,
just might." I bowed, and then turned into a big ball of light, and
then faded away. He stared at where I had been, for a long time,
thinking. Then he went to work.
I took 21 students to Rang's school, and they're doing very well,
naturally, despite Rang's complaints about not having enough teachers.
We gave him more, but he's greedy. I told him that, and he laughed. But
with love.
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Grant
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