T minus 5 years

Good or Bad

Vikram's realization put a lot of questions in his head. Biological warfare was not a small thing and if he was part of it; the very thought shuddered him. His memories of the future were slowly returning. But what he was working on was still a mystery. He gazed at the blank night sky from his apartment's terrace. Rajit left a while ago saying he'll talk the next day.

Vikram tried to think back to the scene. Why was I in the lab in the first place? Why is there a decontamination center there? What were they making? Why was a time-machine out in the open? What exactly is going on in the future? he wondered.

He tried thinking about what happened before the scene. Long before he entered the lab. His mind flashed a memory where he was standing, gazing at the sky much like he was now. But he was with someone else.

What's the point of trying to fight bad with bad, Harish? Vikram looked around to Harish, an older gentleman. Both of them were wearing suits and were standing inside a glass dome. If we want to do good, aren't there other ways than this one?

Harish looked at Vikram for a few seconds before he spoke. Humor me for a while, Vikram. Is a knife essential for humans?

Yes, it is. We cut vegetables with it.

But isn't the same used to also stab people?

Yes. But how does that answer my question, Harish?

Good or bad is contextual, Vikram. Harish replied. His voice was so calm. What you are looking at is the moral implication of action in its absolute state. But the absolute state is a concept that doesn't exist at all. So, how can you say anything is good or bad? A knife that cuts a vegetable contributing to making a meal is a good thing but a knife that removes life when stabbed is bad? If the same knife is used, when would you say that the knife turned from good to bad?

Vikram thought for a moment before speaking. But a knife is a knife. It doesn't know good or bad.

Yes, true. Who assigns the variable that turns out the value - good or bad?

Humans.

Then don't you think our intentions also matter when we are planning to act.

Yes, they should. But wouldn't the action take priority in the end?

It would. What if the knife slashes the throat of a r****t versus an innocent citizen? Where do you think it is correct to use or as you put it - good?

In the first case, slashing the throat of a r****t.

Harish gave a small smile. Vikram knew what was coming. So, the ends justify the actions. Same with us, Vikram.

But there are other ways to do that, right?

Are there? Yes. There are other ways. But how effective are they? Are they effective enough to prevent the world from collapsing before they take effect?

Vikram fell silent. He didn't have an answer to it.

Sometimes evil can only be extinguished with evil, Vikram. There are no two ways about it. It is not because good cannot do it. It is because evil can do it faster reducing the impact for the people. Do you think Krishna alone could save the Pandavas? Shakuni has as much to do in destroying Kauravas from the inside as Krishna had in helping Pandavas.

But...

Morality has a place, Vikram. It is in an academician's life. It is not in our life. We are responsible for the action. You know the stakes, Vikram. Dystopia would be better if we don't act

But...

Remember the day you joined us, Vikram. You were so passionate. So agitated by the reality around you and angry enough to act and change it. Are you still the same person, Vikram? Are you still the person I found in the monastery wanting to change this world?

Yes, I am, Harish. I am still the same person.

Then we wouldn't need to have this conversation, Vikram. We do not debate morality. We act. That is our destiny. We change this world through our actions. If our actions are not considered good, they would be forgiven and forgotten when we save this world of impending doom.

I don't know why I was having a conflict, Harish.

It is natural, Vikram. That's why we need to remind each other that we are people who act and not people who theorize and moralize for the sake of it. I think the lab is almost ready. The world won't save itself, Vikram. Let's go

Yes, Vikram replied. Both of them walked towards a door that read "Private" and was manned by a guard. As they approached the guard nodded slightly and opened the door for them. Thank you. Vikram said to the guard as the pain became intense and the memory faded away from view.

What did he mean when he said impending doom? Vikram thought back reeling back. His head hurt bad and he just wanted to get some rest. He walked back but Harish's words still stuck in his head. Are you still the person I found in the monastery wanting to change this world?

Monastery. There's a monastery to go to. Rajit needs to know. He thought to himself as he lied on the bed, his eyes falling into sleep the moment his back touched the mattress.