NOVEL NEXT Chapter 348: The last moments of the last emperor
"How did you find this number?" Wafner asked.
"You're not the only one who can rely on good hackers" Jocelyne replied. "I've asked RE/SYST to track you. Despite all your defenses, they were more skilled than you"
"I had imagine it. I guess you already know my location"
"Not really, but RE/SYST is tracking your signal. Don't think you can escape by turning off your device, they'll still track you down now that you've answered"
"You don't need to tell me. I'm not an expert on the subject, but I know something. And in any case, it no longer makes sense to hide"
"No?"
"I'm able to recognize when I was defeated, president Jersey. I have definitely lost. I had only one chance and I failed. Even if I managed to escape now, I would spend the rest of my days hunted down, and we already know that my life would be short. Any life form on this planet that would be able to recognize me would be my executioner. It's over"
"If it's over, then stop fighting. Give me the deactivation codes for the last remaining bombs. I know you have them"
"There is no deactivation code. Not even I can stop the bombs now. I'm not lying, it is true"
"Then give me their location. We will destroy them before they can leave"
"I don't want"
"Why? You said yourself that by now you've lost"
"You can consider it a little revenge from a loser"
Jocelyne was silent for a moment, then she tried again: "Emperor Wafner, please…"
"Don't stoop to begging, president Jersey" Wafner stopped her. "You won't convince me with nice words. And don't call me emperor. I'm not an emperor anymore"
Jocelyne tried another approach: "Dinosaurs already know what targets you intend to hit. The areas where the bombs will fall have already been depopulated. In many of them we have already placed anti-aircraft guns that will destroy the bombs as soon as they appear"
It was true. Thanks to [Supreme instinct], the dinosaurs who were in the cities selected to be destroyed immediately sensed the danger. Cities were quickly evacuated using [Teleportation]. By now no living being, neither animal nor human, was there anymore. The armed forces of the Eden Union or the dinosaurs led by Pierce were placing anti-aircraft in as many cities as possible, but unfortunately half an hour was too short an advance to be able to protect all the objectives. But at least there would be no casualties.
"You won't kill anyone, Wafner. Your revenge won't make any sense" Jocelyne continued. "All you're going to do is destroy buildings. And the number of bombs exploded will be too low for the dinosaurs to not be able to clean up the fallout in a day. By this time tomorrow, there will already be no sign of the explosions, except for some destroyed cities"
The emperor looked somewhat annoyed, but he seemed to expect such a response. "My scientists had speculated that dinosaurs might have a similar ability, although we have never been able to replicate it. Well, it doesn't matter. At least you'll have to work a bit to put everything back in place"
"Emperor Wafner, pardon my words, but do you realize how ridiculous you are?"
Wafner laughed. "You know, you talk just like that dinosaur. It doesn't surprise me that you two immediately became allies"
"The voice of reason is always the same, it doesn't matter which mouth it comes from. Any person with common sense would agree that believing in magic is ridiculous, just as any person with common sense would agree that your actions make no sense at all"
"It depends on your point of view"
"Enlighten me, then. What is your point of view?"
"I doubt you would understand"
"Try it. What do you have to lose?"
Wafner was indecisive for a few seconds, but then agreed that actually explaining it to her cost him nothing, so he decided to give it a try. Anyway, he would have died soon anyway. "Do you know what is the simplest yet most terrifying horror story ever created?"
"No" Jocelyne answered sincerely. She had never been very interested in the horror genre, although she still considered it enjoyable. She liked other literary genres more.
"It is this: 'The last man in the world is sitting in his own house. One day he hears a knock on the door'." Wafner replied. "It's such a simple story, yet so terrifying. I'm sure an intelligent mind like yours will have already figured out why"
Jocelyne thought about it for a moment. "Because he doesn't know what there is beyond the door. He didn't know if there is a friend, an enemy or something else entirely"
"Damn, I fear you aren't equal to your intellect this time, president Jersey. You have guessed only a small part of the truth, the most superficial. Try to think deeper. Put yourself in that man's shoes. What is really scary?"
Jocelyne tried to do as Wafner advised. She tried to imagine herself alone, in the last house in the world, with the conviction that she was the only one left. A scenario that just thinking about it sent shivers down her spine. And then, someone knocked. This act should have brought her relief, but what she felt was pure terror. As that pounding sound rumbled in her mind, she felt a strange sensation in her stomach that made her want to throw up. And then, she understood the answer. "Because he is no longer alone"
Wafner nodded vigorously. "Exactly. He is no longer alone. Before, that man didn't have to account for his actions to anyone. He could do what he wanted and the only law that mattered was his. He didn't have to worry about what other people thought, or that they judged him. And above all, he didn't have to fear that one day someone stronger than him would find him and decide, for reasons unknown to him, to hurt him. He didn't have to be afraid. That man's life was lonely and certainly tiring, since he had to do everything by himself, but he was the absolute master. He decided everything. He manipulated the world and made its own rules. He feared nothing and nobody, because he lived in the belief that nothing and nobody could threaten him anymore. Bluntly, he was the god of his world. And suddenly, everything changed. Someone knocked on the door. That man's absolute power has crumbled. It doesn't matter who is beyond the door, or what intentions he has: regardless of who he is, now that man will have to account for his actions to someone else. He will have to fear his judgment. He will have to live with him. He will no longer be able to establish the rules arbitrarily, but he will have to agree to take them together. With that simple knock, that man discovered that he was no longer the absolute, the omnipotent, the god of his world like he used to be. There is someone else like him. And if there's someone else like him, then maybe there are many more. And maybe, there is someone more powerful than him, who maybe is looking for him and who will find him one day. From supreme god of his world, that man has fallen to the state of a mere and weak mortal lacking the strength necessary to impose absolute dominion over him. President Jersey, don't you find this a chilling prospect?"
Yes, she absolutely agreed. Jocelyne's hands shook slightly as she used all of her imagination of her to picture herself in a context similar to the one Wafner was describing. And as the emperor spoke, she became more and more terrified. That rhythmic knocking on the door that existed only in her mind was growing more frightening by the second, so that her heartbeat was accelerating at an alarming rate.
That story was truly the most terrifying ever created. Few simple words, but they were enough to gasp for breath and freeze her blood.
"This story, president Jersey, embodies humanity's greatest fear: to not be invincible" Wafner continued. "Humans have been at the bottom of the food chain for so long that they've gotten used to decide everything. Every word spoken by a human has always been absolute. No other species could threaten us. If a tree was in the wrong place, we cut it down. If a lawn was in the wrong place, we'd level it and build on top of it. If an animal was in the wrong place, it was killed or captured. And even those who fought to protect other species, those activists and environmentalists, still had a superior position compared to them. If humanity told the world to go to the right, all living species went to the right; if it told them to go straight, they went straight; if it told them to go left, they went left. The world was no different than a game to us. Just like the man in the story, humanity lived in the belief that it was alone, that there was no enemy capable of truly threatening us. In fact, if you notice, any horror story is based on this precept. Just think of all the movies about conquering aliens: why are they so scary? Because it means discovering that out there, in the cosmos, there is someone else, someone perhaps more powerful, who is perhaps looking for us, or perhaps has already found us and is coming here at this precise moment… It makes no sense, it is an irrational perspective: after all, why should aliens come here to invade us? Whatever resources they want from our planet they can find it in abundance elsewhere in the cosmos, and we are too primitive to pose any danger to them. A rational alien species would never be foolish enough to travel hundreds or even thousands of light years just to conquer a ball of mud that orbit a star that cannot even be called a good energy source compared to many others in the cosmos. There's no point in being afraid of aliens. If there really exist hostile aliens, then I'll eat my hat. Yet, we have this fear, so much so that many astronomers have asked themselves the question of whether or not it is convenient to send signals into space and therefore signal our position to anyone who is listening. Some wonder if it's not better to remain invisible and hope that no one notices us. Why? Why are these so illustrious scientists afraid to discover that an alien civilization exists, if in all likelihood it will be peaceful, or at least won't bother to come here to destroy us? It's the perspective. Discovering that alien life exists, that there is another being out there besides us capable of modifying the environment and building weapons and nuclear reactors, or that it could even be thousands if not millions of years more advanced than us… it means accepting that we can no longer behave as we want. It means that we can't go around the cosmos on any planet we find and do as we please. It means that we are held accountable for our actions to a host of other civilizations, who may be dissatisfied with what we have done and may decide to punish us. It means, in essence, that humanity is no longer a god. From the pinnacle of the food chain, humans suddenly find themselves on an equal footing with all other civilizations in the galaxy, with no chance of ever again gaining some form of absolute control, and above all with no guarantee that out there, maybe beyond our own galaxy or even our own supercluster of galaxies, there isn't an apex predator of the universe, constantly lurking and ready to pounce on us. It's awful"
Jocelyne understood Wafner's point perfectly. What she said was absolutely correct. It wasn't the first time she had heard that concept: many psychology and philosophy books that she had read talked about it. But it was the first time she had ever heard someone explain it so simply and yet so convincingly.
"When mankind learned about the existence of intelligent dinosaurs, that's exactly what happened" Wafner explained. "We discovered that we were no longer alone. We discovered that there was someone else, someone strong enough to stand up to us. And that someone not only existed, but he had come to ask us to account for our actions. In an instant, we saw our supreme power crumble. We were no longer able to decide the fate of any life form on this planet. Now there was someone else who wasn't only holding us back, but was forcing us to submit to their terms. They took hostages, stormed cities, defeated armies, and forced us to change our way of life. We were no longer the gods. We had fallen from our throne. Now we had to live in fear that another species would get angry and decide to destroy us. This is why humanity chose the path of war as soon as it had the opportunity. This is why we rejected the ideal of coexistence that spinosaurus proposed. Although the intentions of the other side were not hostile, no human being in this world was willing to lower his head and converse with what until the day before were nothing more than food or objects for our amusement. We weren't willing to accept that we were no longer gods"
"But you failed" Jocelyne said. "All of your war attempts have failed. And despite the difficulties, human beings finally realized how futile it was to fight. First in my country, then all over the world. Finally, we accepted that we were no longer gods. And we discovered that the world wasn't so bad. Living all together and giving everyone the same value that we would give ourselves is not something wrong. Many like it. There are some hotheads, sure, but those will always exist, so they aren't even worth considering. Why didn't you accept it instead? Why did you reject it so strenuously that you would rather have the world destroyed than admit that you are no longer a god?"
"Easy. Didn't you realize who really accepted the new world?" Wafner asked. "Was it the mere mortals, or the gods?"
Jocelyne's eyes narrowed. She knew what Wafner meant by her. Humanity was a god compared to other species, at least before the arrival of Sobek; but in the midst of humanity there were in turn gods and mere mortals. Mere mortals were most humans, the ones who just lived like ordinary people and who followed the laws and rules of society almost without realizing it, and even when they did notice and found them wrong they rarely did anything about it. The gods, on the other hand, were those who could truly lay down the law. They were the oligarchs, the dictators, the multinationals, the richest people. They could do what they wanted without worrying about anything. And they were the ones who had rejected the new world.
"I see you understand" Wafner said. "Those who accepted the new world were ordinary people, those who are used to being accountable and sharing their power, who know they can't do what they want. The nations that contributed to the foundation of the Eden Union were all democracies, constitutional monarchies and other countries in which the people had an active role in society, and therefore there was no one in power who could always do what he wanted. But the gods of the old world… they couldn't tolerate it. Dictators, oligarchs, rulers, capitalists, or emperors like me… we used to be gods. We were born with that power. And if there is one rule that applies to all human beings, it is anyone who gains power is afraid of losing it. When the dinosaurs appeared, our absolute power was no longer absolute. For this we fought. Though the NMWA was crumbling in the throes of civil war, those people weren't willing to relinquish their power. As the Eden Union advanced, you destroyed us one by one. There is no god left in this world… except me. I was the last god, and I was not willing to fall, just as all the others had refused until their last breath. I had to hold my power, I had to resist. And I still want it, even though I know it's over now"
Wafner gritted his teeth and the cellphone creaked as he tightened his grip. "I would have been the weak link in my dynasty, the emperor who let himself be beaten by a beast. I, who used to be served and revered by my people and feared by other nations, who needed only one word to decide the fate of a country, who could change the whole of human society with just a little effort, who could do what I wanted without anyone scolding me… I should have given up that privilege. And I wasn't willing to do that. I AM not willing to do that. Call it a ridiculous or childish thought if you want, but that's how I am. This is what happens when a man has too much power: the instant he loses it, he loses the meaning of his existence. Even you, if you were born in my position, would not have given up your power. You wouldn't have given up on being a goddess"
Jocelyne didn't answer. No sound came from the other end of the phone. However, Wafner knew she hadn't ended the call, and waited.
Finally, her voice returned: "You're right, Wafner. From my point of view yours is an illogical thought, but if I had been born in your same condition I would have probably fought to the death to keep it, although I doubt I would have come up with such a crazy plan. In a way, it's a good thing I was born into a not-so-privileged condition" she said. "But even if I understand your motives, I remain convinced that they are foolish motives. A doctor who refuses to use a cure invented by his apprentice because he is too proud is not doing any good, he is only decreasing the chances of survival of his patients. True, power corrupts the heart, and once it is gained it is hard to let go… but for the sake of our people, or at least the people we love, we must find the courage to abandon our throne when the time comes. This is what a judgmental person would do. A good king is someone who is willing to abdicate if it will make the people better off. For the sake of our people, we must be better. Even if that means giving up being gods"
Wafner sighed. "Wise words, president Jersey, but I don't care about my people. When you're a god, mortal lives have little value beyond that of pawns on your chessboard. That's why I won't stop. I'm not interested in being better"
"So you won't give me the location of the bombs?"
"No, I won't do it. I intend to die fighting and inflicting as much pain on you as possible. At least I'll die like a god"
Jocelyne shook her head. "Well, at least I tried. If this is your answer, we have nothing more to tell us. Farewell, emperor Wafner"
"Farewell, president Jersey" Wafner replied, and then ended the call. He stood still for a second with the phone in his hand, then he said aloud: "Come out. I know you're here"
The wall in front of him moved slightly and changed color, and suddenly a rhamphorhynchus perched on it appeared. "How did you know I was here?"
"The conversation with president Jersey was quite long. RE/SYST had plenty of time to track me down. If I were them, I would have given the coordinates to the dinosaurs right away. I'm wrong?"
"No, you're not wrong"
"Very good. Rambo, right? You are the slippery type. It took my intelligence a long time to find out about your existence"
"Do you think flattery will keep you alive?"
"Not at all"
Rambo let out a half growl, then flew onto the desk and sat down. "After RE/SYST gave me your location, I immediately came here. I was tasked with verifying that you were indeed hiding in this hole, so that we could capture you and extort the bomb deactivation codes from you"
"That don't exist. I didn't lie"
"I know it. And I also know that whatever we do, we won't be able to get you to reveal the location of the bombs. Besides, it's only five minutes away now. Not even the most brutal torture would make a man confess in such a short time. So, now you are of no use anymore"
"Do you want to kill me?"
"That job isn't up to me"
Wafner felt movement behind him and turned, and though he remained expressionless his survival instinct kicked in making him feel fear again. A giganotosaurus had just appeared in the room. "Commander of Covert Operations, Snock" the emperor said, looking the giant in his eyes. "I guess my guards in the other rooms are already dead"
"You can imagine it" Snock growled. "You know, emperor Wafner… I hate your kind. I hate her to my core and will probably never be able to get rid of that hatred. But for the pack leader, for all my pack and for every creature that lives on this world, I will know how to put my hatred aside… starting tomorrow. You will have the honor of being my last victim. Once I'll kill you, there will be no one left to stand in the way of unifying this world, and peace will finally reign. Your assassination will be my last undercover operation"
"What an honor" Wafner muttered scornfully.
"You shouldn't deserve that honor, but unfortunately it fell to you. However, I have to admit that it will also give me some pleasure" Snock said. "You know, Wafner… I hate all of your kind, but after you nearly killed the pack leader, I discovered I hated you more than anyone else. You almost killed the person who gave me everything and who gave me a new purpose in life, and who above all allowed me to see the genesis of a new world and who will guarantee my children and descendants perpetual peace in the future. For this I hate you, more than I have ever hated any human before" Snock's eyes flashed, and for the first time Wafner lost his stoic air. "I promised the pack leader I'd kill you. I never said it would have been quick"
Deep in the bunker beneath the Imperial Palace, a scream so loud it didn't even sound like a human's sounded through the corridors.