Ivan Kal - Out of the Ashes

“The Codes of the Empire?” Nadia asked softly.

“A Clan owes its loyalty to the Empire as a whole first, and the Clan second. A Clan cannot knowingly take any action that will result in harm coming to the Empire or its people. Each Clan is required to further the goals of the Empire, expansion and growth. The Empire as the whole is required to provide protection to all Clans.”

Tomas turned to Sumia, “Do you and your people accept my offer?” He asked.

Sumia stood up and then bowed, “The people of Nuva, and I as their elected leader accept your offer. We swear our loyalty to the Empire.”

“And I as the ruler of the Empire, promise to you and your Clan, that the Empire will always protect and serve your people.” Tomas said. He stood, and gave Sumia a bow of his own.

They sat back down, and Tomas looked to the rest of the room. “Things will be changing. I am taking all the responsibility of ruling the Empire on myself. But the way we govern our people will change, as we grow and colonize new worlds, they will become Clans. And then all the Clan Leaders will form the Council of Clans. They will be there to advise me in the rule of the Empire. But I won’t be making the mistake of letting the power of ruling seep to the council, they will be advisors in the matters of the Empire. Within their own Clans they will be free to do as they wish. As long as they obey the Codes. I have picked the most likely systems for colonization, and will allow people to petition the Empire for the right to colonize and create a Clan. But I will explain that more to the people in the future. As for you four,” Tomas said, addressing Nadia, Laura, Elias and Seo-yun. “You will remain as my personal advisers, and rulers of Sanctuary. I plan on it becoming the heart of the Empire.” He then looked over to the last person in the room. Doctor Asis Singh.

“As you all know, we are few in numbers. And with what happened to Earth, humanity is in trouble. If we don’t increase our population, and do it soon, we risk going extinct. And I will not let that happen. Doctor Singh, had been working with me for the past weeks. We had done projections, and devised a way to increase our population tremendously in a short time. But it will require strict laws.”

“What kind of laws?” Nadia asked, it looked like she had recovered a bit from Tomas’s proclamation.

“We need children, and we need to boost our population fast. To that extent we have decided that we will offer encouragements to have more children. Offering rewards and enticements for every child after the fourth. But also that every woman older than the age of eighteen, will be required to donate her eggs twice a year until her first child, and continuing after five years have passed since her last pregnancy. All men older than sixteen will be required to donate their seed twice a year, always. The eggs would be artificially inseminated, and placed into artificial wombs. The children would come to term in this manner. And after their birth cared for by special institutions, that would place them into small family groups with five other children. They would be cared for in group homes where they would go through their education, and after they reach sufficient age, allowed to choose their future.”

“And you think that our people will accept this?” Nadia asked.

“They will have to. There is at best ten million of us left in the universe. And their lives will not be affected at all. Their donations will be paired randomly and be anonymous. The process of having children brought to term in the artificial wombs has been practiced for a hundred years. It is perfectly safe, and the children are completely healthy. Doctor Asis Singh will oversee the project. And she can tell you how much of an increase in population we can expect. Doctor?”

Doctor Singh got to her feet, “According to our calculations, if we pass this law, within ten years we can expect our population to reach forty million, within twenty years double that, after twenty five years the rate of population increase will rise significantly. Thirty years from now our population would reach two hundred and thirty million. And hit a billion by the fiftieth year.”

Stunned the others looked at the doctor and then back at Tomas, “How long do you plan to keep this law active?” Elias asked.

“At least one hundred years, by then our population should hit one hundred and thirty billion.” Tomas said.

“But, that much of an increase. It can’t be right.” Nadia said.

“The real numbers would probably be a bit smaller, but not by much. It discounts natural deaths. We don’t age, if you take that into account the numbers make perfect sense.”

“What about the Nel?” Seo-yun asked glancing at Sumia.

“They will be exempt from the law. If your people manage to acquire agelessness for the Nel, then we will speak again.” Tomas said.

“Can we even sustain such a growth?” Nadia asked.

“With the help from Nuvan Clan, we can.” Tomas said. They grew silent then, thinking about everything that he had said.

“We will have more meetings in the next few days as we start changing our society. But for now I need you all to review the new laws, proposals and plans, that I have sent to your imps. We will go over them on our next meeting.” Tomas said and then turned to Sumia, “I have sent everything to your datapad, but we really should look into getting your people implants. Perhaps you can talk with Seo-yun about it.” With that Tomas dismissed them, all save for Elias. He motioned for Elias to follow, and led him to his library. He moved behind his big wooden desk and sat down in the comfortable chair. Elias stood in front of his desk. Tomas looked at him and Elias studied him in turn. Then the corner of Tomas’ mouth twitched, “You can say whatever it is you need to.”

Elias studied his friend for a bit before responding, “I have watched over you for a long time Tomas, and I saw you resist power at every turn.”

Tomas angled his head and raised his eyebrows in an inquiring fashion. Elias looked at him for a minute before saying anything.

“Power corrupts. Both of us had seen it happen.” Elias said.

Tomas just smiled at his friend, “I knew that you would say that.” He smiled at his best friend, his brother, the person he trusted the most in this world. Then Tomas let his smile slip, and he grew pensive.

“You are right my friend. And I know that I could one day become something twisted. That is why I need insurance, I need something to keep my power in check.” Tomas said.

“I thought that you didn’t want to give power to this Council of Clans that you plan on creating.” Elias said.

“And I won’t. Giving power to oppose me to those that will have their own interests in the future is true folly.” Tomas said, “I know that if I try to rule over a vast Empire it will ultimately shatter. That is why I will create the Clans. Each independent but still tied to the Empire. But giving them so much autonomy will eventually lead to them trying to separate. That is why I need something that will draw a string through all of the Clans, something to keep us all tied together. And that something or better yet someone, will be the same thing that will keep my power in check.” Tomas said and looked at his friend. Elias narrowed his eyes, he knew Tomas, they were like brothers. Elias is one person who would know when Tomas stepped off the right path, and probably the only person capable of keeping him in check. Elias thought about it, not knowing what Tomas really wanted but getting the picture. Elias didn’t refuse, he knew that Tomas wouldn’t ask without first thinking about all the possibilities.

“What are you thinking?” Elias asked.

“I need a symbol for the Empire, a hand of law that will keep both me and the people in check. Someone to enforce the Codes. And make sure that no one in the Empire dares to work against it. But also someone that will keep the people safe, and make sure that they always stay equal. That law applies to everyone, even me.” Tomas said looking at Elias.