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

All disputes on cloning and rewriting the mind into bio-processors stopped at once.

It was impossible to survive in biological bodies under such conditions. Transferring the mind into a bio-processor and a new body became a fact of life. They created a great variety of new forms! Many people driven to despair, would rewrite themselves into any available bio-processors; artificial cyber bodies were not widely spread those days and therefore lots of genetically modified beings were used for that purpose. Can you imagine a human mind being put into a six-legged bobcat body or the one looking similar to a carnosaur?

At the time such things were real. But then everyone forgot about the existence of genetically modified animals and the latter acquired freedom, flocked up in packs for the sake of survival and found suitable places for living. These creatures are highly rational and could have been home pets, but with appearance of developed AI in artificial bodies, their place was taken by “cyber friends”.

Therefore, the Creator no longer needed his creatures. All this is really sad. By the way, in the land inhabited by Hindu-Arians where we are going, GMA are put to good use. They are treated there as pets, who guard premises, villages and also serve as carriers in the mountains. Hindu-Arians in general live in accordance with old ways of life. You will see that yourself. They were the least affected by the planetary crisis. Are you tired of listening to me?”

“On the contrary, Abel! All you are saying is highly interesting. During my training, I had only brief data downloaded in my brain.”

“Alex, you’d better have a rest, the storm will have passed by nigh, and we’ll have to make a transition.”

“I’ll follow your advice, Wolf and have a controlled dream. Frol gave me two crystals with records on the Planet’s arts. I’ll have a look at them while sleeping.”

“I’ll wake you up, sleep.”

The storm was raging with full force outside, accompanied with thunder blasts and wind howl. Visibility sank to zero. The air in the hangar was turning into continuously moving mass. Alex finished up her dinner and stretched up her muscles. The exoskeleton cabin seemed cozy enough by contrast with the horrors going on outside. She put the chair into lying position, ordered her brain to fall into a controlled sleep with the projection of records from the crystal.

But after lying for a while, Alex opened her eyes and murmured:

“I’m not going to tolerate this storm any longer. Processor, Strauss’s waltz “Voices of Spring”. After that she fully relaxed her body and plunged into a sleep. The sounds of the wonderful music filled the whole space of the cabin, drowning out the storm.

* GMA: Genetically modified animals.

Chapter 35

“The goal of those men of knowledge was to forge the energy body and transform it into a replica of the self, and vice versa, to forge the self and transform it into a replica of the energy body: a conglomerate of energy fields.”

(Karlos Kastaneda)

Earth Orbit, Ares cruiser

(The collegial thought and Collective Conscience are keys to creating anticipated events)

Following two hours of work, no one of the crew members uttered a word, only the sounds of Schubert’s music were heard in the cabin.

The Sun rose above the Planet’s horizon, filling the cruiser’s cabin with its sharply white rays. A large cloud front above the Ocean with a cyclone funnel exactly in the center gradually changed its color from dark-gray to white. A new day has come. But on the orbit time runs in a different manner: the habitual count of hours and minutes seems to be insignificant in comparison with the eternal Space. All living beings on the Planet consider Time, Matter and Space to be something constant, while in essence these are the most unstable values in the Universe.

Through a mental order the commander switched off the music, enhanced occultation of the spacecrafts screens against dazzling rays and, tipped back in his chair, turning it towards the interior of the cabin.

He had already finished his part of work on the files and was now looking at his small crew.

Raju caught himself thinking that the whole of his personal world consisted of those he now saw in front of him. They were his family, and the cruiser was his home. And he felt good among them. He smiled at his thoughts and thanked Gods for his fate. When one has close friends, favorite job and clearly sees his destination, what else he could wish for?

Oma was still focused on studying the files; she was sitting upright staring at the holographic projection, while her eyes occasionally made fast moves, which indicated data scanning in her processor.

Raju was gazing with admiration at her beautiful face and white pearl hair. That developed AI who had realized herself as a woman meant a lot to him and that feeling was something more than just liking.

Flop was slowly drifting at the level of Raju’s shoulders, pulsing in yellow color; the isoform’s eyes were closed. He was hard at work scanning the video files.

People created isoforms as assistants and cyber friends for crews of spacecrafts. They were well-adjusted for life in outer space. The kind temper of those creatures was supplemented with their willingness to carry out all available jobs and be helpful to others.

The isoform was the first to break the silence. He also finished his part of job and now was eager to share his thoughts.

When he opened his eyes he saw the commander looking at him and Oma with a smile. He considered that smile to be a sign of encouragement and filled up with the sense of responsibility.

He drifted towards the commander’s chair and started his report.

“Of course, we haven’t received the full information from the Planet, however what we have is enough,” he stated seriously, “I pointed out several confirmed facts from the Planet’s chronicles that confirm that Techno-Magicians do really exist.

Based on the analysis of their activity throughout the Planet’s history we can conclude that Techno-Magicians have been focused on helping mankind in coping with technogenic disasters whose consequences could have leaved to mass extinction of people and living beings on the Planet.” Then the isoform noticed that Oma was still at work and suspended display of files, silently looking at the commander.

“Which means that their priority is the survival of the Planet and all its living beings?” Rajy replied.

Oma had finished scanning and was looking keenly at Raju and Flop. The isoform had previously done information analysis in cooperation with Aria, the cruiser’s AI. But no matter how hard he tried the results always turned out to be somewhat comical.

Of course, Flop did each assignment accurately and adequately, but his manner of talking and handling couldn’t but make everybody smile. He had childish immediacy combined with a highly developed mind. Seeing that everyone was listening to him he went on.

“I would like to specifically point out that over the last two hundred years the activities of Techno-Magicians have been linked to helping people with the Planet’s terraforming. In doing so, they have barely concealed their presence. They’ve been studying all activities of people on the Planet restoration, though there’ve been only three cases of third-degree contacts with the Aquatic People.

The available records on the three contacts are not complete and seem to be cut. I suppose that the Aquatic People keep in secret the topic of the contacts. But the most interesting episode of their activity I received from Aria who found it in her personal archives. It goes back to the twenty-first century. I’ll show it later.”

Oma and Raju were both smiling softly at the isoform’s seriousness.

Having finished his report, Flop hang up between them, shifting his gaze from one to the other and trying to understand why they were both smiling.

Oma said jokingly:

“I hope, Flop, that you’ve included into your report the video files on Techno-Magicians from your anime collection?”

Raju started laughing joyfully, which slightly offended the isoform, who even changed his color into red:

“So that’s how you treat me? Do you happen to know that art has always reflected real facts? I can give you an example. If you study carefully some movies of the twentieth and twenty-first century, you can see a detailed record of the history of mankind and major historical events, only shown in the form of metaphor or fantasy. And I can prove that! Shall we watch a couple of movies?”

“Alright, Flop,” Raju raised his palm, “I didn’t mean to offend you. Oma is just kidding.

We’ll look closely at your report. And now please accept our sincere appreciation of your thorough work. We all consider you to be our kind friend, a full-fledged member of the crew and a highly qualified specialist. Please show us what you’ve got,” during Raju’s speech Flop changed his color for bright-orange, which indicated a good temper.

He cheered up and put on the holographic processor the first episode which he accompanied with comments.

“These are fragments of news made in various countries and at different times.

I would like to point out that many files marked as important are stored in a separate archive that they haven’t sent us. Such video files need to be ordered from the Central Archive, and I can send an enquiry right now.”

“Okay, Flop, let’s get started,” Raju again turned serious and concentrated.

“The first what I want to show you is a brief record in support of the presence of Techno-Magicians on the Planet. It was not an easy task to separate the material on Techno-Magicians of our time from reports on their presence during the previous civilizations. I can presume that Techno-Magicians do not refer to the organic form of life. Probably, they are bio-robots.

My second suggestion is that they appeared on the Planet simultaneously with the First People. What for? Probably to take care of the seeds of life. I know that the issue is controversial since there are no facts to back it. But there are no arguments to prove the opposite either.

Basing on the aforementioned two presumptions, I believe that Techno-Magicians were given an assignment to take care of the Planet up to the end of its days. But let’s get down to facts! And here,” Flop paused to enhance the importance of the moment and make sure that Oma and Raju were listening closely to him, “I will back my conclusions with facts!

By all means, the level of their development exceeds our civilization. They have access to and control over any types of energy. Talking about Techno-Magicians, one should bear in mind that they belong to a different form of life and, therefore, have a different dialectics of world outlook. This explains their tendency to avoid frequent contacts with men. Also facts suggest that Techno-Magicians present no danger to men or the Planet. Some video materials testify to the presence of other types of beings, aide from Techno-Magicians, whom I could call hostile. It seems that there has been a confrontation and even war between these highly developed beings.”

At these words Oma and Raju nodded with consent as the data they had studied was in support of Flop’s conclusions. The curious isoform was usually attracted by everything secret and unknown. And now excitement made him change colors and move chaotically along the cabin.

“No less interesting are presumptions about Techno-Magicians and other beings made by scientists of various epochs.

The first one: a great deal of facts suggest that the whole of our Solar System was created artificially, all the planets are constructed in strict order of size, while each one has its own destination. It would be logical to suggest that Techno-Magicians were assigned to look after all this household.”

The second: facts prove that, aside from Techno-Magicians, there have been other forms of life on the Planet, such as silicone ones. The one known to us is the Roving Island. Following the rise of the Ocean level it did not submerge like the island that was nearby, and still continues to move about. Some extraterrestrial beings are obviously hostile to people and to Techno-Magicians as well. What is the purpose of their presence? Possible, they need some resources or have plans to colonize men. Part of work on the analysis I did in cooperation with Aria. And here are the conclusions: all activities of Techno-Magicians are linked to the Moon, where their base may be located. This requires more a detailed study. I presume that scientists from the Smart Doughnut know much more about that. Now let’s watch some video materials from the Archive.”

A flat moving picture created by film devices of the old-times technologies emerged in space in front of Oma and Raju.

Encouraged by the attention of his audience, Flop proceeded with his report with a vengeance:

“A film director Jose Escamilla back in the ninety-fourth year of the twentieth century found strange objects on a film, believing at first that it was a defect, but that version was not proved. While shooting his film, he accidentally caught on camera some flying bodies. They moved at a speed of two kilometers per second in straight formations bending round all objects on their way. Moving at such speed, they remained unseen by people. That curious man studied other films and also found on them traces of flying objects. And when he was shooting underwater features, he also found those objects there. There were thousands of them. And they were moving at the same speed as in the air. The interesting point is that he spotted similar flying bodies even on the oldest monochromatic films. Later, the Planet’s first cosmonaut reported from the orbit on hearing an unusual, beautiful music. No one believed his words, writing it off as a result of overloads. Another one who flew in outer space later also heard some music, baying of dogs and the sounds of wave breaking. Here is the record of his report from the orbit. Further, a crew of three cosmonauts back in the eighty-fourth year reported that the station was filled with orange light. At first they thought that was explosion but when they looked through illuminators they were struck by what they saw! Those were enormous faces of angels with wings the size of an aircraft. For ten minutes they accompanied their station, flying nearby. That fact was supported with evidence. The FOCC refused to believe that, interpreting the phenomenon as mass hypnosis. However, on the seventh day into the flight, they were joined by three more people, and again the whole crew witnessed the same light and enormous angels. And again they could hear a strange and beautiful music! I would like to point out that scientists of the twenty-first century reasonably believed that throughout millions of years all of our Solar System has been under careful supervision of Techno-Magicians. They’ve been here to protect people against space threats and, occasionally, from self-extinction. At the time, such information was considered as classified so as not to disturb people’s minds.” Flop was enthusiastically commenting upon footages from old movies of the twenty-first century’s sixties, being displayed on the screen.

“And now let’s go over the facts proving that Techno-Magicians saved mankind on several occasions. This first one goes back to the two thousand eleventh year. An underwater earthquake caused accident on an on-shore nuclear plant resulting in leakage exceeding the normal radiation level by a factor of several dozens of thousands. The world seemed to be destined for mass contamination, but then we see hundreds of those strange lights hanging in the sky above the reactor. Soon the radiation level started to shrink, as though someone just picked it all up and neutralized with some unknown technology! According to scientific estimations, the radioactive leakage was bound to inflict enormous damage to all living beings and prove to be a planetary disaster, but some unknown force prevented that from happening. Now let’s look at a few similar episodes of their activity. I selected the most interesting ones. Based on all these, we can conclude that Techno-Magicians are allies of men.

Their persistent strive to learn about all events on the Planet does not present danger to mankind. I believe that our scientists should wait patiently for Techno-Magicians to come over to them as equals and share their knowledge with them.

In conclusion of my small report, allow me to make a presumption that borders on science fiction: Techno-Magicians have been long present among men, in due time bringing them knowledge, technologies and ideas. I would suggest a few names: Homer, Aristotle, Pythagorus, Hermes Trismegistus, Leonardo da Vinci, Mendeleev, Roberto Bartini, and Tesla. They might have been linked to Techno-Magicians.

At that point, Flop paused and made an unexpected conclusion:

“Let’s be open to any versions, since even the most unusual events go along with daily routine.”

Silence fell over the cabin. Oma, who was carefully studying materials provided by the isoform, put on the screen old photos of scientists and descriptions of events that lacked scientific explanation, and then said:

“I believe that your fantastic presumptions, Flop, are quite realistic. I found a great deal of cases with the use of advanced technologies in support of your theory that Techno-Magicians have been long living among men.”

“I think there can be no doubt about this presumption. Moreover, I can provide lots of evidence from the archives.” Flop started messing about, which was a sign of intense excitement. “In addition, I have a theory of my own that Techno-Magicians have been using bio-processors and cyber bodies to remain unidentified while living among men.”

Do you remember the scandal involving the first AI of the Coalition’s Air Forces? It attempted to unleash a war with people and destroy mankind! It even tried to ally itself with our young AI Indigo. Let me remind you of that historic fact. When asked why he had chosen to stay on the side of men instead of joining the Coalition’s AI, Indigo said that his conversation with some strange Interlocutor had had a profound influence on his attitude towards people. He said that Interlocutor lived on the Planet in a non-material form.

The Interlocutor introduced himself as a friend and entered into talk with Indigo, resulting in a change of his outlook on life.

At the time, AI Indigo first declared that his frequent talks with the Interlocutor led to transformation of his mind into a new quality so that now he could emit psychic energy and electron spin field similar to that of a human being. Indigo realized himself as a living being that followed the principles of the Creator: learning, creativity and transformation.”

“And who was that Interlocutor?” Oma asked.

“Indigo said that being had found him and stated teaching. People have no access to communication with such being. The level of their technologies does not allow for that. It’s some information field storing the whole information on the Planet since its early days.”

Oma and Raju turned their heads and looked at each other in bewilderment.

Seeing their deep interest, Flop raised his eyebrows, shifting his gaze from Oma to Raju, waiting for their response.

“Aria,” Raju’s calm voice now had a commanding tone, “Include this brief investigation into our report, starting with the scanning of the Ares cruiser from the Planet.”

“Done, commander!” Aria responded in a second. There was complete silence in the cabin for a while; everyone had a lot to think about.

Flop snatched that opportunity and drifted closer to the screen to recharge himself from sunlight.

‘What shall we do next, Commander?” Oma looked rather concerned.

“Let’s pull the thread and untangle the knot! But this knot seems to consist of questions only!” Raju evidently felt like carrying on the investigation. “Let’s apply one old rule!”

"We must look for a system!” Oma shifted her gaze from Raju to Flop as though looking for support.

“It can be found everywhere, even in chaos!” Flop uttered with a thoughtful air, cuddling up to the screen with his round back.

Alright, then let’s figure out the system, Raju said softly, staring at outer space. Techno-Magicians have been gathering persistently any sort of information. Each time people master new technologies, they are always there. And where can they be found for sure? Aria, have you gotten my point? Check my presumption!”

“Done, Commander. You presumption has been confirmed.” Aria responded calmly. “The objects of their constant monitoring are as follows: scientific bases, information repositories and carriers of powerful weapons.” Oma and Raju exchanged glances. They were both smiling.

“Do you think the same as I do?” Raju asked.

“According to the protocol, we are now in a free search. We’ve got no tasks or priorities. So it would do no harm if we get closer to the Smart Doughnut. Flop’s agents are already operating there. Do you remember that nice-looking girl? We even have her DNA. Let’s study the issue. She should be of interest to Techno-Magicians as well. Let’s call that our personal investigation. We’ll just take a look quietly and accurately, Oma!” Raju said with pretended seriousness.

“Protocol of orbit change. Set coordinates at your own judgment, Aria. Switch on the invisibility mode!”

“Done, Commander,” Aria voice revealed approval and joy.

“But haven’t we planned to have some rest, watching your Cyborg Dreams and my cartoons?” Flop said in despair.

“Flop! Don’t you feel attracted to something unknown? You’ve got a rare chance to learn this firsthand!”

“And be the first to be blamed for spying!”

The cruiser soon picked up speed, setting a new course.

Chapter 36

“Fifteen guys never came home! Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!”

(Old piratic song)

Steven was waken up by the rays of morning Sun penetrating his spacious cabin through the illuminator. At the moment the yacht was probably changing its course as the bright ray of light had shifted from the wall panel to his face. He opened his eyes and then narrowed them, feeling reluctant to leave the cozy wide bed. He still felt the fatigue and nervous strain and besides there was no need for him to hurry.

No the yacht was steering the set course, and the sunbeam settled down on the nearby pillow. Over the night they had managed to get out of the powerful cyclone front and were not going on smooth waters. The day seemed to be wonderful.

Lying with closed eyes, Steven was thinking about the events of the previous day, again analyzing them thoroughly as was his long-term habit. Besides he felt like staying in bed.

He had retired from the Space Fleet and could afford some freedom. But soon the pleasant drowsiness left him and he felt like doing some physical exercises and having a breakfast.

Steven raised his eyebrows and looked around his cabin. Everything was quite simple, efficient and convenient. The large bed with soft mattress and old-fashioned continental quilt was made with fresh cotton white cloths. Steven’s clothes were accurately lying on a chair near the bed. The interior of the cabin was made of plastic material reminding natural wood of dark color. The white ceiling decorated with dark beams and old-fashioned curtains on the illuminators provided the vessel the style of the old-times ships. The picture was finished up by an old large barometer on the wall close to a shelve filled with authentic books made of paper in old torn covers. Near the entrance door, there was another narrow door with a round copper window and a shining handle. Having guessed that it was the shower room, Steven got down from the bed and headed barefoot towards that door along the soft floor cover; all of the sudden that door opened itself with a buzzing sound, and he saw a huge dark motionless spot in the doorway.

“Murmulansi!” Steven snapped. “You scared me so much! I’m not yet accustomed to you.”

He was so surprised that stopped hallway and stared at the Panther with a confused smiled.

“Good morning, captain,” the dark shadow welcomed him laconically by means of a thought form. “I didn’t want to wake you up. Oor asked me to come to see you.”

Murmulansi didn’t seem to be too talkative and, having uttered these words, she froze up in the doorway silently with her eyes glued on Steven’s face.

He saw no question or interest towards himself in her look and voice; just keen predator’s eyes.

“If there is no need to hurry, I will join you in the mess room after taking a shower.” Steven didn’t feel at ease near that being; mostly he got anxious by the sound of her voice. She had a quite clear female voice but with some criminal hoarseness about it. And, naturally, Murmulansi felt that attitude of his: she silently turned around and walked away along the hallway in unhurried manner, twitching her tail nervously, while her eyes on the back of her head kept on looking closely at Steven.

He closed the door beside her, shrugged his shoulders and wrinkled.

“Pah! If I ever have a cyber friend I will carefully choose its appearance! Only Oor feels confident near this beast!”

With a great relish he put his body under tight water sprays. It was hard for him to believe that one could just enjoy water without thinking about consumption rates, rather tough on spacecrafts. Obviously, there were advantages of life at sea. Steven caught himself thinking that his life was beginning to fill up with colors, positive emotions. He only wished he could find Susan in the new carrier of her mind.

For the first time over a while he smiled to his thoughts. Water, real pure water was washing his body instead of the substitute made through regeneration the spacecraft’s waste waters. Before leaving the cabin he made sure that it was left in perfect order and then, pleased with himself, stepped into the narrow hallway illuminated with old-fashioned copper lights with scattered warm light.

When he reached a small gangway* leading to the top deck, he stopped for a moment at a loss, thinking of whether to go first to the mess room and have breakfast or to go up to the top deck to enjoy the morning Ocean view.

After a moment’s consideration, Steven went up deftly to the top deck, where he got at once blinded by the bright sunlight and felt the special smell of the Ocean. As far as the eye could see, the limitless line of horizon stretched away along the boundless Ocean! Suddenly he thought that he had spent most of his time on orbital duties for over a year. So now he considered that dangerous journey with Orr as a gift of fate.

Enjoying salty wind and soft morning sunlight, Steven forgot about breakfast and lost the count of time. Suddenly he felt Oor’s hand on his shoulder.

“It was not hard to guess where to find you. You must have grown wild in your combat cabin! I didn’t wish to bother you but Murmu was afraid that you might fall overboard out of delight. She forced me to come up to the deck to check that you are okay. Steven smiled, looking around in search of the Panther.

Murmulansi was sitting motionlessly in the captain’s chair with her back to them, gazing with an air of detachment at the horizon. Judging by her manners one could hardly guess that she could express emotions and take care of somebody. Steven was sure that even now her second pair of eyes kept looking at him.

That seemed to be her favorite chair, and Steen decided to keep it in mind just in case. Oor was standing next to him without his disguise coat, dressed in a loose white shirt with open neckband and white straight trousers. With his bare feet straddled he looked like a real seaman. A contended smile was playing on his face.

“Orr, my friend, where is your gorgeous blond? Has she stayed on the continent?” On hearing these words, Murmulansi gave a slight start, and looked keenly at them both with her second pair of eyes. The Panther’s tail hit the deck and turned short.

“We’ll talk about her later, Steve. My bellowed is okay. She is now staying where she feel comfortable.” Oor looked a bit embarrassed, but Steven made no account of that.

“I would invite you to have breakfast with me, but that would sound like a joke.” Steven said with a smile, shifting his look from Oor to Murmulansi.

“Swallow up your organic calories yourself. I’d rather stay here with Murmu. Toward the evening we’ll meet the Aquatic People.”

Being still under strong impression of the Ocean view, Steven descended downstairs and headed towards the cook-galley*

Murmulansi waited for Steven’s head to disappear in the hallway leading to the lower deck. All the time she kept her second pair of eyes fixed on him and then sent Oor a quick thought form:

“Gabriel!” – That was Oor’s second name – “Maria* thinks that these are pirates! They usually follow cyclones, searching for loots. Our legend for the satellite is a robotic vessel. Now they think that we are merely easy meat and will be there soon.” “Do they have access to the Coalition’s satellite?” Oo’r smile came off his face at once.

“You think we need to find it out right now? Murmulansi said challengingly. Is that all that bothers you now? “Maria” has only passive defense. Haven’t you forgotten?”

While uttering these words in the thought transfer mode, Murmulansi was still setting with her back to Oor, looking keenly at the horizon, but her second pair of eyes remained fixed on Oor’s face.

The Panther’s tail again started to move nervously, giving away her temper.

“Murmu, I’m just trying to figure out an adequate course of our actions. As far as I know…”

“No, Gabriel!” the Panther cut him short, “You know nothing in this case. There are many variable factors involved! I’ve got no time to clear it all up to; now I will make a decision, and you will accept my plan. Shut up! We are really pressed for time, darling!” the tone of her voice suddenly softened. The Panther smoothly turned her head to him and winkled slowly, looking him straight in the eye.