Super No More

‘Yes and no to starting a cult. He did even worse than that, he made a few calls, took some of the footage of this flying man and started to produce media content about him. Comics, cartoons, toys, he felt that he was inspired so he wrote up this whole back story about how he came from another place and fought criminals to defend the innocent.’

‘That…does not sound like a good idea.’

‘No, there was no one to keep a check on him at the time. The mayor of the city was at a loss for what to do.

The police said that we’re unable to keep track of a flying man easily despite the use of helicopters and some in the force were averse to the use of force. He hadn’t committed any direct crimes you see, aside from violating airspace and causing a public disturbance. It wasn’t as though he would just float there in the sky and listen to his rights being read to him. They did try to warn him off though as soon as the city police would turn up in their helicopters and broadcast a stern warning he just flew off.’

‘Sir, if they had helicopters then they should have been able to keep track of him.’

‘They were afraid of a mid-air collision occurring. It was considered too risky in a heavily populated city. In addition to newspaper helicopters trying to secure better footage.’

‘It’s best to aim to minimise any human casualties in any emergence event situation General.’

‘Again, hindsight has allowed us to develop protocols to deal with that event. That city was the first test case that our country has experienced, but I agree with your assessment that they made the correct choice by trying to minimise casualties.’

‘Sir, you mentioned the concept of a super…hero?’

‘Yes, Major. I briefly touched on the topic of a creative type who created a city-wide craze for a new character that would touch their hearts. Do you know what the difference is between a cartoon character and a real-life person?’

‘…I don’t watch cartoons any more.’

‘You did when you were a young child, I’m sure. Most of us did. A comic, a stuffed toy, and a funny t-shirt with an image of a flying person on it. All of these things reduce the impact and make it far more comfortable for a human to accept.’

‘…I never thought about it that way General.’

‘No, not many do. It’s how you can make a tiger look cute and cuddly when in reality it’s a killing machine that hunts prey when hungry. Now imagine how much worse a human being would be if they were let loose with a power that would place you above so much of humanity.’

‘Do you know the name of the creative type who started the whole process, Sir?’

‘Oh, that person was found. We also managed to dig up his contacts who worked with him to create the whole line, some of them were creative artists, and the others were interested in merchandising opportunities.’

‘I’m assuming that they faced punishment for what happened.’

‘The ones that survived or left before the situation deteriorated yes. We were unable to track several who became interested in producing counterfeit products. Sold the stuff right on the street, caused the ruckus to spread even further throughout the city.’

‘Yes Sir.

‘I think they call them plushies, these doll-like things that are meant to look cute. A big, round head, large eyes, a high forehead, and a roly-poly body. It makes people want to buy the things, the legitimate and counter-fit versions of those became extremely popular through the city.’

‘Did any survive?’

‘I think that we kept a few of the plushies in long-term storage. Those creative and opportunistic types that I mentioned, are the ones who made money off the flying humanoid. They chose to work with us eventually after being kept in custody for a long period. I believed that they initially formed the basis of the media containment department, I keep some of the merchandise back then in my office as a constant reminder to never humanise the damn aberrations.’

‘Yes Sir.’

‘I have a personal theory though Major regarding the existence of these superhumans, these post-human freaks. Would you care to hear it?’

‘If you’re willing to share General then I’m all ears.’

‘I believe that there is a solid reason that we don’t hold historical records of Emergence events. Nothing exists as an isolated incident, we have records of supernatural beings in history, angels and devils, ancient-style gods, and demons that haunt the desert. I’ve yet to see solid evidence in the form of any physical traces of past accounts that are trustworthy.’

‘General, with respect, actual written records often are lost to time. It was estimated that we only have proof of around three per cent of cultural artefacts. Piecing together the past is a matter for historians and archaeologists, but I fail to see the relevance to the flying man scenario that played out.

‘Apologies Major, I’ll get to the point, I tend to ramble on occasionally.’

‘Yes Sir, no apologies needed.’

‘I have come to believe that humans, as a species are in-built to be unaccepting of any form of aberration beyond a point. We can love our athletes and sports players, even singers and celebrities for having talents beyond that of the average person. To put it simply I believe that in any past Emergence event, people have come to see it as a direct threat to the human race and destroyed it without fail. Even at a great cost. Kingdoms and Empires have collapsed at the cost of defeating these beings. There are stories, old stories about so-called demi-gods, gods and natural disasters destroying entire ancient civilisations. In my opinion, it was simply these creatures killing others and themselves in the process.’

‘General, it’s a valid point although I’m only aware of any present-day threats to society. I’d prefer to leave history in the last unless we’re able to build on the results.’

‘I’m finished with my theory now. Back to relatively closer events, the situation in the city had stabilised. The mayor was actively encouraging the merchandising of this flying person and also considering how to best contact the individual so they might become some official representative of the city. All of this was found in the non-official meeting records thought of, though no politician would dare to go to a press conference and release that briefing. None that are sane.’

‘If the entire situation had settled down then why would riots occur later General?’

‘Well now, Major. If you recall my little theory on history and the human species. Eventually, we’ll turn against anything too objectionable and different from ourselves. We do not live in a society where any super-beings exist. Perhaps, it was an established part of the culture but…no. All of that is merely conjecture.’

‘Eventually, we all believe in no gods, no monsters.’

‘An interesting quote Major.’

‘Thank you, Sir.’

‘Seeing as how this flying man would just appear for an hour a day flying around without doing much else and the creative type and his friends were cashing in on the craze of it people just began to accept the situation calmly and go back to living their lives. T-shirts and comics were produced, and an entire fictional background was built up which revolved around the flying person as some sort of protector who kept an eye out to prevent any accidents in public. Given enough time, people can adapt to any situation.’

‘The mayor of the city didn’t see a situation that needed to be contained. He could have asked the chief of police to set up a specific task force to deal with it or asked the state government for assistance. Even bringing in a military force would have a reasonable action.’

‘Major, when people don’t die, there are rarely questions asked. I don’t know if the Emergence event allowed for a mistake but if the leader of a city doesn’t see an issue, then it’s doubtful that it would be raised by others. He saw an opportunity to generate income and then provide a narrative that would make the people feel more comfortable. The act of a politician, I’m sure at the time he had other budgetary concerns to deal with.’

‘Yes Sir. As you do as well.’

‘Please don’t remind me, Major. The funding for this unit requires politics and dealing with politicians. Not one of my favourite pastimes.’

‘No General. I’m not a fan of politicians either.’

‘An essential. Back to the situation in the city, this mysterious man then decided to take to vigilante actions. If you recall, I mentioned a particular detective who had noticed that a larger number of rooftop suicides were taking place and most of the individuals had criminal backgrounds.’

‘You did Sir, you also mentioned that her investigations were partially blocked by an element within the police department that didn’t see it as a cause for concern.’

‘That is true. Have you heard the expression blue flu before Major?’

‘Not at this time General.’

‘It simply means that police refuse to turn up to work for a related reason, a police strike in a different form. This could happen for several reasons, however, in this case, if the situation didn’t call for it then the opposite would happen.’

‘The mysterious person began murdering criminals?’

‘It did Major. Quite openly, this being somehow locates these criminals and then drops them to their deaths in public. This was what caused the largest impact and division within the society of the city. That creative type had built an entire backstory around the flying person which involved it fighting to protect the public from local criminals. Do you know the worst thing about a lie Major?’

‘No, Sir. I’d prefer not to hazard a guess.’

‘If a lie is repeated often enough it becomes accepted. Once accepted it will become the truth, at least by people. Actual truth can be considered subjective over time.’

‘I would hope that would not become true General.’

‘Indeed. So we have a situation where an Emergence event occurred in a medium-sized northern city. Due to various circumstances, the agent designated as the mysterious flying person had become friendly to the local law enforcement, at the least it was a tolerated presence by members of the public. The killings of criminals through vigilante activity should never be condoned.’

‘I understand that the power set of this agent was limited to flight in the air, Sir?’

‘Correct Major, they had video and visual records of the heights that were reached during actions by the aberration. As for exact details such as flying speed comparisons during the day and night, maximum altitude, or rate of climb per minute we’re unable to produce an exact report.’

‘A single emergence event example with the power of flight would be able to cause a great deal of damage to any regional airports though Sir.’

‘We do not know if a subject of an Emergence Event thinks like a beast or has a brain like a gods calculator. A rational human being with a new set of powers that put them beyond your average person would certainly cause damage or attempted assistance depending on the mental and emotional state of the individual.’

‘No, General. Permission to express a personal point of view?’

‘Permission allowed Major.’

‘I firmly believe that once a subject has either encountered an emergence event or has appeared as one, regardless of physical appearance they are no longer human.’

‘Are you a pure humanist then?’

‘I would prefer to think that a standard human is capable of achieving so much. By working together for the good of the species we can move forward. Technologies that improve upon the human body are acceptable. The idea of a flying person coming to save us is not.’

‘Back to the situation, society itself became increasingly divided in the city. The police and other emergency services were at a loss for what to do. The next stage was soon to follow.’

‘I’m not clear on this point General. There was a massive disruption of local society within the city. Do you mean that there was a civil outburst or active protests for and against the mysterious flying person?’

‘Major, that is a part of it. How much chaos do you think a single flying person would cause to a city when they are inflicting daily casualties of one or two convicted criminals?’

‘It would depend on the part of society that is willing to accept it. Copy-cats would be the main concern I would imagine General.’

‘Do you imagine that other people would suddenly gain the power of flight and attempt to arrest or otherwise pursue vigilante actions against a perceived criminal element?’

‘No, Sir. People are highly unlikely to spontaneously obtain the power of personal flight. However, someone with either knowledge of engineering or sufficient funds can attempt to emulate them. The highest level of technology presently exists within the military but a determined individual with training and experience could develop an experimental device.’

‘Don’t you think that would be rather unlikely Major? The timing of an Emergence event along with some scientific style electrical engineer with sufficient money who just happens to come out with some prototype that emulated the effect of an aberration. All of that without military funding does seem like a rather small possibility to me.’

‘I agree General, but the chance does exist. There is a section that is responsible for monitoring new reports across the country to make sure that rogue elements don’t come out of the woodwork in response to rogue aberrations’.

‘Now, back to the developing situation in the city. I’ve established that there was a growing movement for both support and opposition to the death of criminals by this flying vigilante. Public execution was traditionally used to deterrent of illegal acts, hanging, would be a direct example. The police, emergency services and Mayors office condoned the action of acting illegally outside of the law but did not aim to decry the specific actions each day.’

‘That approach would lead to complete chaos General. Authority exists to make protect and enforce specific laws that keep society running smoothly. I’m considering that the city may have had a large degree of corruption if the merchandising and marketing of the ‘superhero’ was making a large profit. Only my personal opinion Sir.’

‘I think your judgment is spot on Major. Still, there exists a degree of corruption in every society. We are not law enforcement nor emergency services, bringing in military laws against civilians does not play out well.’

‘Sir, no Sir. I haven’t had that experience yet; I would imagine only if the situation became truly critical that the military would be ordered in to enforce the order.’

‘Word of the events had spread through rumours to other cities, but the surprisingly regional government took no further form of action, I imagine that they had assumed it was a publicity stunt of some sort of a new type of movie was being produced. All smoke and wires create the illusion of a humanoid who could fly through the skies.’

‘It has been taken more seriously, Sir.’

‘As a civilian who has neither the training nor situational maturity to deal with an event that causes complete chaos and does not follow a specific chain of command who has to cope with an emergence event where you have zero control or input into how you think the population of a city would cope?’

‘I agree Sir that people try to create a situation where they feel more in control of a given situation. Some might stockpile food or necessary supplies in far larger quantities than normal. I’ve experienced the feeling myself when we’ve been put on a potential war footing.’

‘In your case Major, you were an individual who having entered the military was provided the equipment, training and support and conditioning to be able to manage your overall stress levels.’

‘True, Sir. Permission to ask if the power set had been expanded beyond aerial flight?’

‘Granted Major. It helps to be informed of the situation; we were able to eventually run an autopsy on the aberration. Earlier reports showed that the individual’s power set had been deliberately limited from the public by only showing flying carrying known felons before dropping them to their deaths

‘I’m sorry Sir, my question regarding additional power sets was not made clear. What other powers did the aberration possess?’

‘My mistake Major. We were able to secure footage and clear evidence of both a far higher level of strength than a baseline human and increased physical resistance. I’d also imagine that mental development was changed in some way as well, the actions of a serial killer are far different to that of the subject of an emergent event. I cannot understand the mind of an insect compared to a human one. To attempt to rationalise and further understand how the actions of a creature that kills but is not a human being despite having the appearance of one are not something that I’ve struggled with.’

‘Yes Sir. As a humanist, I support your approach, as an officer under your command I follow your orders according to the chain of command.’

The General chuckled for a moment. ‘Well, we are only human Major. To understand the mind of a being that is alien to us is pure anathema. They could simply be the product of adaption to a changing environment, chemical, biological, and radiation are all elements that the human race has introduced to this world.’

‘With respect Sir, I disagree on that point. The global humanist movement was first formed to keep an eye on any unnecessary developments in the human species. Technological and scientific advancements have improved the living conditions, life expectancy and support needed by homo sapiens to survive in this world. To intentionally use that to create a new type of human being would have been checked and attended to.’

‘I forgot sometimes Major, how much the humanist movement has spread throughout the country. When is a religion not a religion?’

‘I don’t know Sir; humanism is done in the fact that humans have become the superior lifeform on the planet through working together and imagination. It’s not a religious movement.’

‘You’ve answered my question, Major. Religion is not a religion when it’s a belief.’

‘I see Sir.’