Monni and her brother Arni were altered children, part human and part android. Their parents, Ali and Rodi were considered to be upper class intelligent humans. They had reluctantly allowed their children to be placed in the experimental program aimed at creating an exceptional generation. Arni, who was two years older than his sister Monni, could no longer remember living on Earth and knew little of its history. He was aware they were different, special, but did not know parts of their brains had been replaced with specialized computer software. It was hoped this altered intellegence would become permenate and passed on to future generations.
A move to the planet Pluto was required for the transplant, and had happened a dozen Earth years ago. There were only four other families enrolled in the program, all unknown to each other. The natives of Pluto were not welcoming to this alien race that had invaded their planet in the year 3962 and it was difficult for both Plutonians and Earthlings to adjust to the differences between them.
Pluto’s landscape was desolate in comparison to what was left behind on Earth. Ali and Rodi had given up much so their children would receive superior intelligence and a special place in the history of their species.
“ I am so bored,” cried Monni, “every game is far to easy to win.”
Arni looked at his sister with contempt. “All you do is complain, then complain some more. You are so pathetic.”
“Oh, just shut up Arni, you don’t understand anything about my frustrations.” Monni glared with annoyance, wishing he would disappear.
“There has to be more to do than play these stupid games, there is no challenge anymore. I have survived every level available, all of the evil that delights in trying to destroy me, as well as my planet. I have crossed the oceans that tried to suck me under, withstood the onslaught of killer insects of every description and escaped unhurt from more valcanos than I want to remember. I have lost count of the deadly warriors and giant animals all programmed to inihalate me.”
Monni was scowling at the blank screen. “I am so bored” she repeated.
With a look of inspiration Arni suggested they check out the Earth’s past years. This was frowned upon but not forbidden. The Programmers did not want the young minds filled with the wrong information.
Sighing, Moni agreed. She didn’t have much interest in her homeland’s past but there was nothing else to do.
After entering the Worlds Past Arcade, the two children started bickering about what to watch as there were past histories on most of the planets in the Galaxy. Finally Arni won out and selected Earth, October 1951.
Monni sulked. “That is so far behind us. Really! It’s doubtful we will find anything of interest.”
Altered minds had to be engaged in activities that were stimulating. How could such primitive people offer anything of value? Was it their bad luck to go so far back in Earth’s history? The happenings of the month were of little interest so they scrolled down to the Children’s Games. It was strange to watch others the same age at play.
“Arni, come look at this. What a fun way to exercise.”
On the giant screen was a small group of girls skipping rope. Monni was fascinated to see how seldom their feet got tangled up as they jumped. Soon she found both boys and girls playing kick ball, dodge ball, tag, Red Rover, hop scotch, hide and seek and many more. All these games provided exercise of both body and mind.
Arni called to his sister, “Hey Monni, did you see these games?” He had found the more rough and tumble boy sports of football, basketball, baseball, wrestling and roller derby. He watched in awe. Those kids had to be well conditioned. “Gee,” exclaimed Arni wistfully, “why don’t we do this anymore?”
There were also games requiring dexterity of hand and mind like jacks, pick up sticks and shooting a targeted marble out of a circle with a favorite Steelie.
Much later Monni called her brother to check out the mind games that were offered. Monopoly, chess, Sorry, card games, puzzles, Candy Land, and Trivial Pursuit. The list was long indeed. There was something to stimulate the minds of all age groups.
“Did you see how many adults joined in the play?” whispered Monni. This never happened in their world. As they watched the children from the past enjoying each game and the friendly, (most of the time) competivness of the play, Arni and Monni were filled with a yearning they did not understand. Exercising the body and mind today was no frivolous game. It took up most of their time and was so structured it was a chore to complete.
“What have they done to us?” moaned Monni. “We no longer have the fun of being children,” Standing with her legs apart, fists on her hips, Moni became belligerent.
“I won’t do this anymore” she shouted. “I won’t! I won’t!”
Arni looked around frightened someone might hear the outburst. They both knew there were no choices. Crying over the loss, Arni and Monni made a pact to revisit as often as they could.
They missed seeing the groups dressed in various costumes, some ugly and grotesque, some nice. All went to houses and yelled “trick or treat” and received handfuls of candy. Monni and Arni would have been stunned. Halloween had been banned many centuries ago. Setting the compass at Earth 1951, they silently left the room.
The programmers did not understand that altering the minds of children for superior intelligence did make a superior race of people.