— continued from part twelve — (or start with part one here)
“Wait!” Kaskahn pleaded.
King Vakniit raised his flowing arm and the orb behind him stilled.
“You said something when we visited you on Planet Scraarrel,” Kaskahn continued. “You taught us that knowledge is freedom.”
“Yes, Human Kaskahn,” King Vakniit said. “But, as I said, I am afraid Planet Earth is once again using knowledge for power, not for freedom.”
“And you also said freedom is our right.” Kaskahn added.
“Correct, Human Kaskahn,” the king said. “Freedom is the natural state of all living beings. Everyone has a right to freedom. But remember, freedom requires respect for the freedom of others. Just as people of Earth incarcerate criminals when they violate the freedoms of others, we cannot allow the Greater Knowledge to be used to violate freedom.”
“Understood. But I beg you, don’t extirpate the knowledge we humans have acquired on our own,” Kaskahn said. “Only remove the knowledge we’re not ready for. I revealed that knowledge to everyone with good intentions. Don’t punish all the people of Earth for my mistake. We may not be ready for the Greater Knowledge, but we have a right to the knowledge acquired through our own reason and experiences.”
There was a long pause as King Vakniit appeared to consider Kaskahn’s proposal.
“I know it may not always look like it,” Kaskahn continued. But humans are making progress. Not just for power. But real, true progress. I truly believe that.”
“He’s right.” Ayalana stepped forward. “Even General James Jenkins, a man in a position of great power, helped us in our search for the truth. He helped us for the greater good. Even when the Greater Knowledge had been revealed, he didn’t use it for his own gain. He sought to repair the damage it caused. He didn’t have to do that.” Ayalana looked over her shoulder at Jenkins who returned a nod and a stiff smile.
There was another long pause, then slowly, King Vakniit raised his flowing arm again. “Humans Kaskahn and Ayalana, you are a testament to your kind,” he said. “I find your faith in your people endearing.”
Kaskahn and Ayalana bowed in reply.
“For a long time have I watched the people of Earth,” the king continued. “You are a remarkable people, when you choose to be.”
The group seemed to hold their breath, waiting for King Vakniit to continue.
Finally he spoke again. “Out of respect for you and our friendship, I will grant your request.”
Kaskhan exhaled and smiled at Ayalana.
“We will only extirpate the Greater Knowledge revealed from your journey,” the king said. “However, there is still a problem. Your arrival back to Earth is evidence of a civilization that does not exist in Earth’s current recorded history. That means your presence here is evidence of the existence of Greater Knowledge.”
Ayalana looked concerned. “What are you saying? What does that mean for Kaskahn and me? Will we remember our trip after the extirpation? Will we remember you? Or the Scraarreli people? Or any of our 15-year journey?”
“Human Ayalana,” King Vakniit said. “Be at peace. After the extirpation, the citizens of Earth will have no memory of the Greater Knowledge. No memory of your arrival. No memory of your ancient civilization. And no memory of extraterrestrial beings. But fear not. I trust you and Human Kaskahn. I will keep your memories intact. However, you must agree to live out the rest of your lives as ordinary, modern citizens of Earth. You must not share what you know.”
Kaskahn and Ayalana exchanged glances.
“Agreed,” Kaskahn said.
“If I may offer some advice to the people of Earth,” King Vakniit said, “do not let your thirst for knowledge overshadow your true greatness.”
“Our true greatness?” General Jenkins asked. “What is our true greatness?”
“Your planet is large but your emotional capacity is small. As your advances in global communication bring news more quickly, humans struggle with the emotional burden of the knowledge of their entire planet. This is why our ambassador chose a full extirpation before.”
“What does all this have to do with human greatness?” Jenkins asked.
“Human greatness is found in what they do to help the people near them, not in how aware they are of what’s happening outside their span of control.” King Vakniit said. “Too often, I have watched your people become discouraged by what they see happening on the other side of the planet. It overwhelms them. They feel powerless to it. They decide there is nothing they can do to help. So they do nothing but watch and worry. But in truth, there is more greatness in one small deed for someone near you than there is in your helpless anguish for others far away.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Ayalana said. “You are right. That is very wise. But why do you give this advice right before you erase everyone’s memory? No one will remember what you said.”
“Human Ayalana,” the king said, “remember, I am not erasing your memories. I give this advice to you. It will be up to you and Human Kaskahn to model it for everyone.”
Ayalana nodded. “Understood.”
King Vakniit turned towards the orb. “Proceed as I have spoken,” he said to his people.
At his command, the orb began to pulse and undulate again. King Vakniit and his soldiers entered their craft as a bright light filled the sky. The entire planet illuminated with a light that blinded everyone.
Then suddenly, the light, and the ship, were gone.
Two weeks later
Kaskahn sat on his new couch, in the apartment he and Ayalana had recently moved into. He held the television remote in his hand, listening as a news anchor went on about a celebrity trial.
“Well, I guess the world is back to normal,” Kaskahn said to Ayalana who had just walked into the room. “Want to watch the news with me? That’s what ordinary, modern citizens of Earth do, right?”
“Thanks, but I can’t tonight,” Ayalana said, fastening an earring. “Officer Patrick Stephens has asked me to go to dinner with him.”
“Officer Patrick Stephens?” Kaskahn asked. “How does he remember you after the extirpation protocol?”
“Who said he does?” Ayalana said with a smile. “I can’t help it if I just happened to run into him at his favorite coffee shop last week.”
Kaskahn smiled. “Well, look at you,” he said. “You’re adjusting to modern life quite nicely.”
Ayalana put her heels on and grabbed her purse. “Maybe you should try it too,” she said as she opened the door to leave. “Get out, enjoy the good in the world. King Vankniit warned us not to worry too much about the people far away who we can’t help. That’s all the news talks about. Why don’t you get out and take care of the people near you?”
“I know, I know. I will, eventually,” he said. “Have fun tonight.”
The door closed and Kaskahn stood. “I guess I’ll have some dinner,” he said to himself as he walked into the kitchen. “If I can figure out this microwave.”
While he was in the kitchen, the television played in the living room for no one to hear:
“In other news, a new, rising star is emerging in the race for the U.S. presidency. As an independent candidate, Doctor Mercurius Monorocco has quickly secured enough support to join the other candidates on the debate stage next week.”
“Doctor Monorocco, as a relative unknown, you’ve soared in the polls in barely a week. What do you attribute your success to?”
“Thank you, Dana. At the risk of sounding superstitious,” he said with a charming smile, “it seems whenever I carry this amulet, I always have good fortune.”
— the end —
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