Текст книги "Memories of the future. An eyewitness notes"

“Abel, how do you feel about the uncertainty?” Alex asked, looking at the grim black wall.

“I consider it to be a challenge of faith,” he replied and put on pace.

Chapter 32

Techno-Magicians

“Know, Dare, Do, Keep Silent.”

(Mysteries of the ancient world – the least studied area of knowledge)

…Efforts to learn anything about Techno-Magicians and their activities on the Planet have always ended up in failure. No one has even been able to approach those places where they are presumably to be met. Nor is there clear understanding of what they really are, and whether or not they can be considered to be living beings. The only thing known for sure is that they have always been present on the Planet, without interfering with lives of men and the natural course of events. What is also certain is that lots of inexplicable occurrences have had something to do with their activity. The rulers of various epochs and peoples have tried to find out anything about them, but the secrecy of their presence has remained uncovered up to this day. No other data on them is available as of yet.”

(a fragment of information background on Techno-Magicians)

21-st century, a fragment of lecture:

“Non-Anthropogenic Technologies of Matter Research and Control”

"Kirlian radiation is biological radiation; in accordance to it every living being has its own electric charge, and also all types of vegetation and objects in general (matter in any of its state) have its value of electric charge. The influence of electromagnetic field on the value of electric charge generates interaction between the field and the charge. Matter tends to have its own value of electric charge depending on its mass, density, internal relation of electrons with protons. Of particular importance is the biophotonic wave frequency and length at which the exchange of charges within matter takes place (as in case with an individual picture on one’s arm which never repeats itself). These basic factors condition each object, human being, animal, plant, et cetera to have their own electric charge value (that always varies throughout lifetime). Any object has its own light emission produced by its varying electric charge in interaction with certain parameters of electromagnetic field. The use of this interaction allows understanding the internal state of an object, since each chemical element has its own structure of light emission that is electromagnetic radiation spectrum.

In principle, each object can be thoroughly investigated at an indefinitely great distance, using a scanning ray that represents a rather complex combination of electromagnetic waves of certain frequencies and lengths. In doing so, the scanning process must involve a super powerful processor for processing data from each wave layer of the object being studied and for creation of a link with the subsequent layer being scanned. Thereby it will be possible to obtain an overall three-dimensional picture of an object. The operating principle is simple: in accordance with a certain program, this super powerful processor alters frequencies and lengths of waves for the layer-to-layer analysis of an object. This allows obtaining the complete information on any object being studied, down to the atomic level. Based on the above, one can presume that in future there will be technologies capable of altering the state of any object or body at infinitely large distances without the use of any visible technogenic means. These technologies will make it possible to influence and control all types of bodies. In future, it would be easy to find out information on the state of stars and planets. The principle of the process will be reduced to selecting relevant frequency and length of electromagnetic interaction for each object.”

“Commander, again this strange signature. I believe it’s a scanning ray. The source is in the region of the Solid Mountains. And it’s not the first time that we have been scanned. That wouldn’t bother me, but for the structure of this ray. Aria, report to Commander in more detail.”

“Allow me to continue, Commander,” Aria’s voice was soft and calm as usual. “Based on the wave and frequency characteristics, and power of the scanning ray, it is possible to determine object penetration depth. The field that we are dealing with, and I would call it “field” rather than “ray”, allows one to obtain full information on any object at any distance, down to atomic level. In other words: someone has gained access to the full information of the Ares cruiser and the content of all of its data carriers. And it’s quite possible that they can now hear my report. This phenomenon is not systemic one and does not affect operation of the spacecraft. I do not think that that’s the Coalition’s unit. Neither they nor we have access to such deep scanning technologies as of yet.”

“Aria, is this energy intensive technology?” Raju asked wistfully.

“It’s not only energy intensive, Commander. It requires the use of a super powerful processor. This level is available only to scientists from the Orbital Station, but I wouldn’t link this occurrence to their activity, rather I would refer it to the presence of Techno-Magicians on the Planet. Frequent abnormal electromagnetic outbursts in the region of the Solid Mountains confirm this hypothesis. Based on my personal observations, I can conclude that there is information-energy exchange going on between the Earth and the Moon, meaning that the Planet’s Satellite is also within the sphere of their interest. Some several dozen places have been marked on the Planet where their presence has been occasionally determined.

“Undoubtedly, Aria, Techno-Magicians are the mystery of all times. I am flattered that we have got into their archives and that they now have access to my collection of movies.”

“Aria, tell me,” Flop said anxiously, “Has the ray damaged the data carriers? I hope I was not deprived of my anime?!”

“Your collection, Flop has not suffered,” Aria’s voice had ironic undertones. The spacecraft’s AI appeared to treat Flop as a child.

The elliptic yellow ball got unstuck from the ceiling board and hung down above the panel between Oma’s and Raju’s chairs. Flop’s large eyes were full of anxiety. As a rule, he avoided meddling in discussions of the commander, but the fear of losing his cherished collection went beyond his restraint. Now he regained his temper and started following the discussion with interest. Oma gave a strict look at the isoform, wagging her finger warningly at him.

“Alright, Aria, put the report on the event into the abnormities section, in the “Techno-Magicians file.”

“Though they can gain access to audio communication channels onboard the Ares cruiser, they are unlikely to be able to scan thoughts,” with these words Raju sent Oma a thought form: “If we presume that Techno-Magicians are our enemies. What can we set against them?”

Oma’s response thought form came in no time: “I stick to the presumption that Techno-Magicians are representatives of some ancient civilization. They are present on the Planet for a purpose. Currently, people appear to be approaching them in the level of technologies; and chances are there will be a third-degree contact when the levels of our technologies and consciousness will become equal. Techno-Magicians have always either remained neutral or through accurate and correct acts helped reduce the technogenic influence of mankind on the Planet. Beyond any doubt, we are able to drive them out of the Earth or the Moon, but that would require too much efforts we can barely afford. And if they should start a dialog today, people must talk to them on equal terms. For the time being we have too many differences in our world outlooks.”

Raju looked silently at Oma and nodded in appreciation of her idea. Flop guessed at once that they were involved in thought forms exchange and did not disturb the silence. Then Raju said out loud:

“That means that Techno-Magicians have complete information on the Orbital Doughnut. Aria, share the information on the event with the Doughnut. Maybe the scientists will be the first to get in contact with Techno-Magicians.”

“Aria, find a system in the activity of Techno-Magicians over the last three years.”

“It’s ready, Commander,” the tone of Aria’s voice indicated that the AI had guessed what Raju was driving at. “Frequent abnormities have been identified mostly in places where the Planet’s active terraforming has taken place or powerful weapons been used. Following the UFO’s base operation, they carefully studied the consequences. One can presume that their mission involves monitoring, compilation of information in assisting the Planet; but all what we’ve got is only presumptions.”

Raju sat for a while silently, gazing at the Planet, then ordered to the AI: “I need the overall statistics and analysis of facts from all available archive records on contacts with technologies exceeding our potential.” And he added, turning to Oma: ”Let’s try to look for a system and determine their motivation. Maybe that will allow us to learn more about them. Based on the facts, they have been present on the Planet for an indefinitely long period of time, what do you think of this?”

Oma looked at the commander in bewilderment and replied skeptically:

“Do you really think that we will be able to disclose the secret of Techno-Magicians while simply idling away our time here on the orbit? We don’t have the required archives here!”

“Then why don’t we get in touch with the Athena base?” Raju persisted, enthusiastically, “The guys once dealt with the issue of Techno-Magicians. Do you remember their report on underground cities? Send them an enquiry, and stop looking at me like that! I know what you’re going to say!” Raju stretched his arms forward as though trying to protect himself against Oma’s look.

“Raju, when only will you grow up?” her voice had motherly undertones. “I’ve sent an enquiry. But you know my stand on the issue.”

“Oma, you stand on the issue is a one-way street, or the rule without exceptions; just believe, sometimes it is worthwhile going through archives just for fun!”

“Simply go through? This is your method? What we need is a serious research work, involving a highly developed and powerful AI! Besides, the research will necessitate digging into the Planet’s crust at the depth of no less than 30 kilometers in places of the reported activities of Techno-Magicians. That’s what I call fundamental research. And only then will we be able to…”

“Oma, wait a minute!” Raju started flapping his arms in protest, “I realize that we do not have such resources now, but why don’t we just make a search in the archive, bring forward a hypothesis, look for confirmation in facts, carry out an analysis and make reasonable conclusions? That’s all that I suggest. I am well aware of your method: sorting everything out meticulously, finding the truth, making it public, proud of attaining a new level of knowledge. I’ve got a different approach, and that’s why you are looking at me like this! Over years I’ve studied your character. Let’s give it a try, okay?”

Oma kept on staring at Raju in silence. That was a bad sign. Flop decided it was time to interfere into the discussion and uttered: “The Athena base has sent us the data on our enquiry, including video files.”

“Alright,” Oma agreed with seeming humility. “Aria, display all the files on the screen.” A brightly colored panoramic view spread before their eyes along the full width of the cabin that consisted of hundreds of thousands of multi-colored cells, each being a separate file of the Planet’s events records.

“Flop, you may join in. This will enrich your experience,” she nodded to the quietened isoform. Oma and Raju were sitting still in their chairs, looking at the enormous projection. Their minds were busy scanning and processing the information at great speed.

The colors of dawn slowly lit up above the Planet. The Ares crew members were absorbed in work; the voice of matchless Maria Callas engulfed the cabin. Flop was hanging between the chairs, closely studying the video files.

Chapter 33

“The sea is nothing but love and emotion; it is the Living Infinite.”

Jules Vern

Stormy wind was throwing splashes of sea water on the yacht cabin windscreen. Steven, wrapped in his thoughts, was gazing at water currents on the control cabin screens. He was sitting still in the captain chair, reflecting on Oor’s words. The darkness in the cabin had a reassuring effect on him. Oor and his awesome friend decided to leave him alone with his thoughts and went upstairs. And the storm seemed to last forever. However, at the moment it was working in favor of the runaways from the Coalition’s justice. Frequent flashes of lightning highlighted huge waves with white crests that looked like walls, threatening to turn over the ocean yacht and cover it with tones of black roaring water. The vessel’s levitating effect allowed it to rise a bit above sea waves and significantly reduced the swaying of its body; however the levitation system was unable to fully absorb the strokes of waves and wind. People who prefer far-off journeys to home comforts enjoy contending with difficulties and uncertainty. They do not look for peace and quietness, always ready to take on risk and learn something new. They are those who drive forward the evolution of mankind.

Having spent an hour or so in the cabin, Steven decided to go up to the top deck. The nervous strain had eased off, probably the fact that Susan had been able to rewrite herself and would find him herself, as she said earlier, gave him optimism. Steven left his cosy chair and stepped into the mess room. He had seldom seen Ocean. Now fate gave him that rare chance. Inside the vessel the swinging was almost unfelt, while what was going on outside of it could be called real gates of Hell! Steven had always wanted to see the beauty and grandeur of the storm from an open deck. Susan once told him that watching the storm made people stronger. Steven found one more invisibility coat with a big hood, similar to Oor’s, in the closet.

The coat had yet another remarkable property, aside from disguise function; it provided body thermal regulation, being in essence all-purpose wear for any traveler. As he went up the gangway and opened the door to the top deck, wind blasts caught him up and began twitching his coat heavily. He looked around and saw his flyer securely fixed on stretches and carefully covered from water flows. Oor was sanding inside the open cabin close to his Panther who occupied the captain chair.

Standing under strokes of wind and water, the couple looked rather spectacular. The frightening creature with one more pair of eyes on the occipital let Oor know of Steven’s presence. The Panther’s long, flexible tail began spinning nervously in the air. Oor quickly turned around to welcome Steven, sending him a thought form, since it was impossible to outcry the storm:

“Isn’t it an impressing sight, Steven? Image, what ancient people went through while sailing on their ships? That took real courage! They must have been staggering heavily on waves! I could have covered the yacht with the protective filed, but that would make it exposed. Our coats protect us against scanning, and radars see us as a robotic vessel. By the way, throw away your communicator! Murmi had already burnt out its brain. It will be of no use to you in the place where we are going, and Murmi will replace your Personal Physician,” seeing that the Panther showed signs of anxiety, he put his hand on her back, stroking her, to let her know that there was no reason to worry.

“Oh yes, communicator!” Steven looked at the switched off communicator screen and, having made sure that it was no longer working, threw it into the water wall in front of the vessel.

The wall of dark water reluctantly made a lane for the yacht nose, abiding by the magnetic field created by the reactors. Enveloped in twinkling bluish light, the vessel body smoothly forced apart the water column and, making a slight swing, climbed yet another water wall emerging in front of it. The yacht seemed to neglect waves. Occasionally, bright blue sparks flashed between the vessel body and the water surface; one could feel the ozone odor and clearly hear specific sounds of electric discharges against the background of roaring wind. Having already got accustomed to the storm, Steven plucked up his courage and came up to the very broadside, looking down at the raging waves. He had never seen such enormous amount of water which was usually in short supply in outer space. Nor had he ever considered water as a source of trouble.

“Isn’t is splendid?” Oor came up to him.

“I’m beginning to get used to the Ocean. Why can’t you have the yacht levitate higher above waves?”

Oor smiled at the question, obviously considering it to be naive. He hugged his friend’s shoulders and replied:

“Steven, that would require more powerful reactors. They can make vessels sail high above clouds in the sky. They already began to construct such flying islands and towns but were stopped by the war. However, they would lack the beauty of the sea voyage.”

“As long as I remember you, Oor, you have always been a romantic personality. However, you changed drastically after the Pole Battle.”

“And which Oor is closer to you? The previous one or the one who is now standing beside you?”

“The present one, of course. You’ve become more gentle and wise. While I’ve turned more stupid.”

“No, you haven’t, Steve, not at all!” Oor put his hand on his shoulder. “You’ve got your own path towards the truth. It’s hard and full of contradictions and doubts.”

“You know, friend, I can’t help recalling each word that Susan said when she came over to me in that terrible exoskeleton. Although I was filled with consternation I do remember each word. And that’s what said: “I managed to rewrite myself and I will find you,” with these words Steven looked around as though hoping to see his sister. He looked confused and anxious, and to comfort him Oor gave him a warm hug, saying:

“Why haven’t you told me that before? That means that you are in for a pleasant surprise and gift of fate! You will meet her, but in a different body, while all the properties of her personality, even small habits, will remain the same. What good news!” he was sincerely glad. “It remains a mystery to me how she managed to do that, but our world is full of miracles. I’m sure that the Creator himself sends his Angels to help us.”

“I’ve been thinking about the same thing recently,” Steven confessed, “Once I yielded myself to the mercy of Gods and begun doing everything in tune with my soul, everything changed.”

Murmulansi suddenly turned her head to them and gave them an intense look and then again shifted her gaze to the darkness overboard. The yacht was piercing through the storm amid flashes of lightening illuminating the three motionless figures on the deck.

Chapter 34

“And when our descendants view the desert we will have made of Earth, what excuse will they find for us?”

"People continue to separate themselves from nature to create a more suitable environment”

Isaac Isimov

The Wolf was moving in big leaps ahead of the Mantis. He seemed to be able to run at that speed up to the stony coast of the far-off Narrow Sea. Alex lowered temperature in the cabin and tried to focus on the terrain scanning so as not to fall into a slumber because of the monotonous movement of the exoskeleton. She was not yet accustomed to long-lasting trips along the desert. Soon the scanner determined a slow reduction in temperature and pressure swing.

Gamma-radiation and ionization increased. Dust suspended in the air hampered visibility, and Alex changed the visual spectrum for infra-red range.

The picture of the world changed at once, and she saw an enormous dark-blue mass in front increasingly grow in size. The dust storm was slowly and imminently crawling towards them from the horizon with a low roar.

The mile-high dark-brown mess of some ten miles in area was emerging in front of them like a menacing demon. Occasionally it produced twisters that carried everything from the ground: stone chippings, sand, remains of mechanisms. The dark sinister mess strongly contrasted with the faint sky and the scorching Sun.

Woe to anyone who would happen to be there without shelter. The storm would leave him no chances for survival. The Wolf slowed down his pace and stopped on a hill to scan the data base on the terrain, trying to find a shelter between dunes.

Making a decision, he looked at Alex as though figuring out how long the Mantis would be able to protect her against the funnel of lightening discharge.

Alex raised her heard and was silently staring at the frightening and magnificent picture of the approaching storm. The Mantis was nervously flailing around; she seemed to have passed over her mood to him.

With an effort of will she subdued the surge of anxiety and also started looking for available options.

“Wolf! We need something big made of concrete, preferably with a roof standing between dunes so that we can both get inside. I don’t like this lightening.”

After some deliberation Abel replied, and his usually calm voice now sounded anxious:

“The front will be here in less than five minutes. The peculiarity of his storm is that it is accompanied with twisters and lightening discharges! As far as the shelter is concerned, that data may be inaccurate. There is basement floor among ruins on the outskirts of the city in a couple of miles to the south-east, but the storm has already covered that place. Let’s not take a chance. The only real option is an old hangar a two minutes’ walk from here. Hopefully, it’s in intact.”

Without waiting for her reply, he rushed off towards the wall of swarming darkness. Alex tried to keep pace with him, thinking about backup options. The approach of the storm front was accompanied with temperature down surge, heavy wind and low visibility. The air filled up with sand grains and stone chips.

The first twister started dancing in front of them. The Wolf went round it and disappeared between dunes.

In an instant, she heard Abel’s thought form:

“Alex, quickly, get into the hangar!”

Three of the hangar’s four walls remained intact, offering a decent shelter.

The floor was covered with a thick layer of sand with fragments of bones sticking out of it. GMA obviously used the place as a lair where they brought their kill. The concrete roof of the hangar was almost intact, and the strong wind, gaining strength, was stirring long reinforcing bars poking out of the concrete. They could not find a better place.

Having quickly looked around the place, both Abel and Alex decided simultaneously to settle in the farthest corner under the roof. Alex looked up: the concrete ceiling slab looked quite sustainable. Following her mental order, the Mantis instantly stood up with its back towards the corner and straddled its legs.

Visibility was decreasing; the storm appeared to be near.

Abel looked at the walls and chose the only suitable place to hide: under the Mantis’s belly, rolling himself up into a ball. Now that they had almost coped with the problem, all they could do was simply wait. Alex stopped modeling ways to avoid lightning discharges and twisters on the open terrain and, following the rules of military psychological training, relaxed for a minute and focused on control of her emotions and thoughts. Her body was shivering slightly either due to the cool air in the cabin or nervous strain.

Alex closed her eyes and uttered inwardly with deliberation: “Focus on the task at hand, remain self-confident and calm. Don’t let any emotions have control over your mind in the event of emergency, so that you are able to take the right decision guided by your intuition. I love this world, and the world loves me. The Creator loves me! Om!”

Those were her usual psychological affirmations that she practiced when nervous. She calmly analyzed her previous actions and determined them to be correct and concise. Thereby she brought herself into a calm and confident state, and a smile again appeared on her face. Her mood improved noticeably.

Alex remembered how not long ago Abel was nervously swirling on a hill. At that moment he looked like a large distressed dog. And that picture now seemed funny to her. Indeed, that was quite funny: a human being, following psychological affirmations, remained calm, while a AI who wished to acquire more human qualities, by contrast, grew nervous.

“I need to discuss with the Wolf that funny situation,” she told herself, smiling, and started looking at the weather forecast projections that the Mantis had already worked out. The obvious thing to do was simply wait for the storm to subside. Pieces of camel bones lying all around on the sand suggested that GMA dwelled in that place.

The girl mentally activated the “transparent wall” system, requested the AI to report on the Mantis state and ordered to switch off the system of securing the pilot’s body in the chair. She began moving freely in her chair, looking around.

Her Mantis was standing steadily on its long legs, covering Abel with its body. She took off her helmet and drew a deep breath.

The Wolf obviously felt her movements in the cabin and send her a thought form that sounded a bit ironical:

“I congratulate you on your initiation.”

“Abel!” Alex responded quickly, “You seemed to feel felt anxious about me!”

“That’s natural. Now you are a friend of mine and part of my destination. A developed AI is no different in terms of his mental state from a human being, except for being more in control of his emotions. For instance, we can just switch them off. But we chose not to do so deliberately as we want to be closer to men.”

“And I, on the contrary, try to switch off emotions since they enchain the mind. It’s so funny! Would you like to know how I treat you?” talking with the Wolf, Alex was fidgeting in her spacious cabin in search for foodstuffs container. She was unable to get on her feet because of numerous packages with supplies standing all around the cabin.”

“Yes I do.”

“I treat you as an all-understanding friend, as a human being in terms of mentality, living in an extraordinary cyber body. The very term AI in relation to you sounds somehow mechanically. The Mantis is also AI-controlled, which is a machine in essence. But you are completely different. You are a reasonable and self-aware being and spiritual as well.” Abel cut short her thought:

“We are not alone here. There is a GMA* pack. They are not dangerous to us.” He said calmly, remaining motionless. In a couple of seconds, Ales discerned motion at the entrance. Shrieking and howling, six genetically modified animals rushed into the hangar and dashed towards the corner where the Mantis and the Wolf were standing. Alex was watching in bewilderment at the beasts who also settled down under the Mantis’s belly, while one small six-legged dog lay down directly on Abel and curled up in a ball. The last to come in was the largest white six-legged creature with a well-muscled body – obviously the pack leader.

It quickly sized up the situation and figured out that Abel was not a biological being and therefore presented no threat. The leader with two pairs of eyes and large foreface made sure that his small pack settled down, looked at the Mantis and then lay down himself, credulously cuddled up to Abel, and hid its head in the hair.

Alex nodded with a smile:

“Wolf, they trust you. These creatures do not look wicked! They are just small dogs. I know little about them. Wolf, will you tell me their story?” she finally found the needed container, unpacked it and sent a thought form to the Wolf:

“Here in the desert you’ve got special environment.”

“The law of desert stipulates that during a dust storm no one may attack others and everyone is allowed to a watering place. Their story is rather sad, Alex. GMA were created by men.

The latter betrayed their creatures. Everything started in the early twenty first century during the advance of the new technologies. Scientists conducted ambitious genetic experiments with impressing results. Then they discovered technologies to accelerate growth, which speeded up the evolution of these creatures.

At the same time, AI quickly evolved from the primitive forms and acquired a new quality. The quantum processors became obsolete and were replaced with highly powerful and compact biological processors that fully copied the human brain and exceeded its potential.

Scientists failed to contain their discoveries within labs and soon they became available to each one who wished to play the role of the Creator of life. However, there were many advantages in that strive for creativity, for instance the revival of extinct animal species, creation of new species more adjusted to the life on the Planet. Meanwhile, its environment underwent rapid changes. That was a time of volatility and changes. And one day two young and ambitious scientists conducted a successful experiment that was to change the whole world: they implanted a bio-processor in a genetically modified body. That being produced its off-springs. That event determined the future of mankind, opening remarkable prospects, such as the technologies of cloning, genetic modification, which gave people the key to immortality.”

At the time the Planet itself went through a deep crisis. The newly emerged types of viruses together with high radiation levels caused unknown diseases, increasing mortality. The shortage of food supplies reached the planetary scale.

The Ocean level increased significantly, changing the map of the World. Whole countries and peoples disappeared! The uncontrolled migration mixed up various nations and soon the states system ceased to exist. Many believed that the world went into chaos. But in fact mankind underwent regeneration, resulting in the different approach to new technologies.