Days of Future Passed

Chapter 4
History, in brief, is an analysis of the past in order that we may understand the present
and guide our conduct into the future.
Sidney E. Mead

The foliage had created large enough cracks in the walls of the crawlspace to let in enough daylight for Louis to find the trunk. He dragged it throught the spiderwebs and pushed it through the small door. It fit so tight he almost expected a pop to accompany its exit as Douglas pulled it through.

" I have no idea what this covering is, but it is definately watertight." Douglas said as he stared at the time capsule. It took just one jab of his fingernail to break the ancient shrinkwrap. Louis scrabbled up out of the crawlspace, earnestly tore off the shards and popped open the trunk.

The two foot square box was packed almost full of books. There was a bright red one on top exclaiming; 'Read Me First'. Louis reached for the book, Douglas instinctively grabbed his arm about halfway down. "Whoa there fella. These things are quite old, let's try a little tenderness." Douglas gently picked up the journal, then holding it gingerly in both hands, proceeded up the steps and through the doorway into the cabin, dusted off the entire kitchen table before lying the journal on it, then sat staring at the book. Louis scrambled in and sat across from him.

Louis held out both hands towards the book. "Well?" He didn't know what his dad was waiting for.

"Before I begin", Douglas hesitated to corral the proper words. "There are a few things you should know."

"Throughout my life I have had dreams, at least I thought they were dreams, I now know they were more than dreams.
For lack of a better description I will call them stories, stories that were planted in my brain by the Proctors. Until a few weeks ago I had no idea they were true stories. The result is; today I know much more than I thought I did. What I once thought were fanciful ideas are in reality, facts."

"I now realize I have seen the pre-historic world. It was at times beautiful. I believe we must preserve that part of it. Much of that world was harsh and barbaric. Our village doesn'nt need to see the ugliness. The Proctors were very careful not to infect us with the knowledge things we cannot unlearn. The Proctors gave us not only the gift of life, but also protected us with the elements of time and objectivity. Partaking of what is in these books is a grave responsibility, one in which we cannot falter." He slid the book across the table towards Louis.

Douglas held out both hands towards the book, looked Louis squarely in the eye and casually stated; "Well?"

Louis hesitated and slowly began to read aloud.


Douglas,
If all has gone well you should be reading this many decades from now. Our scientists and medical people have both assured me that the post-hypnotic suggestions should start the chain in about 45 years. The good news is if you are reading this, all has gone as planned.

"I told you this was good news", Douglas chuckled.

There are many people who believe me to be insane. It is quite possible they are correct, however it is my innate insanity that could be the worlds salvation, if so then my lunacy was justified.

The world as we all knew it is coming to an end. Governments, countries and people are perishing as I write. All of this was inevitable in this ultimate maelstrom of world economy, ecology, greed, avarice, nationalism, terrorism and coincedentally, meteorolgy.
The warfare has been mostly biological, yet thorough.

I am certain these arcane terms are nothing but theoretical to you. It is my greatest hope they remain academic. I feel confident by the time you read this both the physical and mental state of your small society will have built up the resistance required to prevent you from falling victim to the fatal malady I refer to as the arrogance of humankind.

This journal is the last installment into the "trunk". The trunk contains the practical application of all the knowledge we believed could assist the new worlds inhabitants. Much of this knowledge has already been relayed to you through the Proctors, the rest is what we determined would be needed in the future. More important are the things we decided to exclude.

Mankind took a faltering step some time ago that could not be reversed. In our 20-20 hindsight we have identified those aspects we would have preferred humans had let be. We have given you, the 44, all the best mankind has to offer, and hopefully taken away the worst.

My son, I want you to know; I love you volumes more than I could ever express in the remainder of my time on  Earth. You were the miracle child who inspired me to assemble the entire project. The only known antidote to the complex viruses being spread across the planet was given to you and you alone. We perfected it only hours ago and after all was said and done there was enough for only one person.
There was no question as to who would receive the few drops of antidote we managed to distill before all supplies were cut off.

Antidotes were developed that were partially successful to some strains. Some of my compatriots will live for a few more years, those people will become your Proctors, they will care for you and the 43 other young souls who have survived this holocaust.

Our research has found that this cocktail of viruses is 100% fatal to any human over 6 months of age, and about 99.4% fatal to infants under 6 months and just about every other living creature. We have begged, borrowed and stolen as many infants as possible in the last few months, all but 43 have succumbed to this plague which, like most diseases, claims the youngest and the oldest first.

You are all immune. Any of you could walk across a diseased area which would kill almost any other living creature in usually a matter of hours. It is only fitting and proper that the heartiness of your minds match the heartiness of your physiology. Our foundation has labored over providing you with the healthiest philosophy, social psychology and a strong sense of rectitude. We have endeavored to provide you with all the essential elements to acheive peace, harmony, serenity, grace, wisdom and virtue.

We have realized however, to achieve this elevated state you must have something to contrast it against.
Some darkness to enrich your colors. This is why I wrote the 21st century primer. It is one insane mans opinion of how society concocted an elaborate antithesis to the milk of human kindness, compassion and the natural synergy that exists within us all.

I know this may come as some sort of revelation to you Douglas. I beseech you to digest this information slowly. Once you feel comfortable with it please read the blue volume entitled 'De-Evolution'.
It is a brief history of the deterioration of this failing society and measures our foundation has taken to assure the survival of the species. The final chapter will inform you of your next step.

With Love,
James Rembrandt
08.25.13