The God Mars Book Two: Lost Worlds by Michael Rizzo

cavemen, not superstitious primitives, not
Luddites… We held on to what was useful. We did not stop progress,
research. It’s just that we proceed more thoughtfully now. You have
met Dr. Chandry: UNCORT is an international accord to regulate
technological research and development, much like the weapons and
environmental compacts of your time. There are places that we have
agreed never to go again: No self-replicating or adaptive
nanotechnology, no DNA manipulation, limits on AI and
bio-research—Dr. Chandry can give you the specifics of the global
legislation. But larger than that: we no longer allow the markets
to drive our production any more than we let economics impact the
environment. You might like this world of ours: It’s cleaner,
healthier, less focused on material comfort and wealth as power.
There is less conflict, less famine. The population has stabilized
at ten billion. We still have babies the old fashioned way and live
about as long as when you were here last. And we still die of the
same things—even though we had the technology in our hands to
resist death, we will not allow our bodies to be so violated. I do
believe we are the better because of the lessons we learned when we
thought we lost all of you.”
    He pauses to give us what he looks like he hopes is a
reassuring smile, something almost paternal (though like a father
who has been absent many years trying to explain the reasons for
his abandonment).
    “The revolution did destroy the corporations
that funded the colonies, and crippled the governments that relied
on those economies. We had a lot of rebuilding to do after that,
and we focused on what we all agreed was most important: living
better, not greedier. Quality over quantity. Appreciating the
simple things. Nurturing our planet and ourselves.
    “I’m sorry to say what we didn’t rebuild was
our space programs. This will mean delays in getting to you—we are
scrambling now to refit some ships we’d left in mothballs, to
revive the industries that built rockets and shuttles and orbital
docks. But it will likely take years—perhaps decades—to restore
anything resembling what we had before 2065. We are almost starting
from scratch. Simple unmanned probes and supply drops will come to
you first, likely within the year, but manned missions… Even if the
Quarantine is lifted, expect it will be at least two more
years.
    “I can tell you two more things at this time: First,
because of our bans and the fear of nano-contamination, the
researchers at UNCORT are especially concerned with what directions
the ETE have taken their technology, no matter what their
advancements have yielded positively for the planet and the other
survivors. The lifting of the quarantine may rest on this issue.
Second, in spite of the Quarantine, I am proud to say there are
quite a number of volunteers coming forward who want to be on those
first relief missions, even if the quarantine means that their trip
will be indefinitely one-way. I have put myself on this list—as I
said before, I do look forward to meeting you in person.
    “I will say farewell for now. Message ends.”
    No one says anything for at least a full minute.
Matthew just shakes his head, very slightly. Tru is biting her
thumbnail. Lisa’s eyes are locked on me.
    I spin in my chair and key up the ETE Link channel.
I’m almost surprised by how quickly the blue sealsuit and chrome
mask appears on my screen.
    “Your call is expected,” Council Blue assures me
calmly, “as is its purpose.”
    “You’ve been monitoring?” I ask needlessly—just for
the social reassurance. The helmet nods—I find this is one time I
would especially appreciate seeing Mark Stilson’s face instead of
his mask.
    “We do not presume to interfere with your duty,
Colonel: Send them everything you have about us,” he allows evenly.
“When we see how they respond to that, then we will consider
whether or not it is time to speak with them ourselves. Know that
we