WEP Challenge: Holidays which are out of this world

The WEP Challenge, skilfully and generously hosted by Denise Covey and Yolanda Renee, is on again.  This month the challenge focuses on holidays since December is jam-packed full of them.  We are asked to give a science fiction twist to our favourite among them.  Alex J Cavanaugh, blogger extraordinaire and accomplished author will be judging the entries.

There are lots of people playing and a visit to Denise and Yolanda's blog here will take explorers on some tremendous adventures.  If you click on names with a DL next to them you will be taken straight to their entry.

I read a lot of science fiction many years ago, but have neglected it of late.  And I have never, ever tried to write it.  So I am again out of my comfort zone.  My introverted self likes her holidays low key and personal, but I am happy for anyone who can enjoy the bells and whistles.  Any of the bells and whistles. 

I am well aware that my 'science' is not sound.  However, a girl can dream.  A girl (or a boy) should dream.  And I remember when man landing on the moon was considered a flight of fancy.

This is not the piece I planned.  Not the piece I sat down to write.  I do hope that some of the real writers among you will tell me whether that happens to them.  But, for what it is worth, here it is.
 

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This is EC, reporting live on a threat to our precious peace.  

We owe that peace to the dedication and inspiration of three dedicated scientists who saved our world two hundred years ago.  Covey and Renee identified and mapped the Tolerance and Empathy Genes, and Cavanaugh discovered how to magnify their impact. To give us a military advantage and allow us to finally win the war, the opposition was exposed to Cavanaugh's stealth drug.  It worked.  On them, and on us.  Our combatants were infected just as thoroughly as the enemy and also laid down their arms.
 
Cavanaugh's drug spread.  World wide.  Wars, aggression and prejudice disappeared.  Culture, religion, colour, gender, sexual orientation?  No longer an issue.   The long hoped for  'impossible' dreams of world peace and co-operation became a reality.  Science and the arts blossomed, and poverty became a thing of the past.  

Early this month a man identified only as 'Lone Star' mounted a legal challenge against the augmentation of the T/E genes on the grounds that his right NOT to be tolerant or empathic was being denied  His challenge hinged on the fact that this compulsory augmentation is an act of intolerance.  The Emperors of the World have retired to consider his case, and their decision is imminent.

Crossing to the Court House now to hear their verdict:  Will their tolerance or their empathy triumph?  What will they decide? As soon as the decision is announced it will be broadcast on all channels and all media.
Starting now...


'Lone Star.  We have thought long and hard about your application.  You have posed a conundrum with no easy answers.  Being tolerant of your wish to be intolerant threatens the peace and harmony which Cavanaugh, Covey and Renee worked so hard to give us.  We are not even sure who or what you want to use that intolerance on.  And it doesn't matter.
We will not jeopardise that peace.
Of course we empathise with the dilemma you find yourself in.  The challenge you set us is twofold.   What can we do to retain world harmony and give you the rights you seek?  Our solution comes down to a choice.  
Your choice.
You may have the antidote to the T/E Augmentation.   However, if you accept you may not remain on this world. You will be transported to a nearby star with sufficient supplies for your lifetime, where you can live as you please.  Whatever you choose is final, and you have an hour to make that decision.'

The Emperors have spoken.  Do you agree with their decision?  What will  Lone Star do?  And what would you do?  Zap your answers to us now.

Decision made.  Transfer complete.  Twinkle, twinkle little star...
And the light from that star will shine down and and enhance so many of the festivities that he refused to tolerate.  I wonder whether he realised before he left that his intolerant home star would shine brightly at us? 
This is EC, signing off from our still tolerant and peaceful world, and wishing you all a happy holiday season  filled with love, laughter and light.  However and where ever you choose to celebrate.
. 

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Word Count 500(ish)

Full critique acceptable.