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

And now, without any introductions and explanations, the AI got straight to the point, putting on the large holographic display of the Base Headquarters the scheme of the future combat aircraft. A three-dimensional projection of a fine-featured apparatus emerged in the air; then it started to slowly turn round in various plains for visual clarity. The machine had extended arrow-shaped lines which indicated that it was designed for speedy and maneuverable flight. Everyone present looked closely at the projection that soon assumed it final shape. At last Indigo decided to break the silence in the hall and proceeded with explanations. As usual he was short on words.

“All the data that you previously offered during discussions and displayed on the screen helped me in making this decision. Here is an upgraded model suggested by Doctor Yun-Shen Lee, and, I would say, it’s a basic universal platform or transformer, in a sense. Through adding new elements of gear or equipment, we can change the machine’s functions. This allows us to produce machines for any type of military application. This machine involves the new technology of anti-inertia and partial anti-gravity. The controlled jet stream of heavy particles is created by a small collider.

Everything is based on modular-type assembly sets, which will allow us to start production in a few hours. The apparatus can be made on the Printer of a standard manufacturing plant.

Indigo stopped speaking so that everyone could see in detail the unusual and perfect apparatus. The three-dimensional model was turning round, becoming transparent in certain places to facilitate the audiences’ understanding of the arrangement of its systems and its combat capabilities. It deprived the Coalition’s flying spheroids of their fight advantages: when faced with that new machine, they would be unable to move due to a powerful energy field it would create, invalidating the very principle of their flight.

“I will answer your questions in detail later on. Now let’s look at the virtual version of a fight between this apparatus and the Coalition’s machines. I have taken into account all the factors involved and the potential of our new machine. I would like to add in conclusion that the machine is also equipped with new-generation AI-controlled rockets. At the first stage, a rocket creates powerful electrical radiation that invalidates the Coalition’s machines and then hits them with a split-up warhead. I suggest that you, dear colleagues, choose an adequate name for this new weapon,” Indigo’s voice had slight ironic undertones.

Ironically, it was an AI who created the model of the new weapon, leaving for people to simply choose its name.

But what could one say? History knows similar examples. People of science do not need lots of words to understand how a new construction will operate in future. The experience and knowledge gained allow them to see a lot without resort to figures and words.

Everyone present in the hall seemed to have come to the same conclusion and therefore all of them stood up and broke out into joyful applause, expressing they full and unconditional approval of the new combat machine, as well as their recognition of its creator. And that was supreme honor. The AI didn’t say a word in response.

“By the way, how shall we call this miracle?” asked someone loudly, and the whole group began to enthusiastically suggest various names. Opinions divided at once, and the discussion became animated. That was how the name of the most beautiful and awesome machine was born.

Chapter 25

“No one has ever died from other people’s secrets, whereas there were cases of deaths from curiosity”

(notes on curiosity from Flop’s memory files)

“Flop you have always resorted to the universal wisdom to justify your disruptive behavior!” Raju was glowing at the isoform huddled up under the look of his brown eyes. “You’ve got a gift for that! And I will even help you: “Success is never blamed”.

“You’ve stolen my retort, Raju,” Oma remarked in a detached manner, while her eyes were riveted on the holographic projection of the flight mode on the cabin windscreen. She was busy putting the cruiser into a new orbit.

“If you ever do something like this again, we’ll be playing tennis with you by the end of a watch!”

“I meant it for the best!” Flop parried desperately.

“We wanted the best, you know the rest” Raju remarked with a nod.

“Flop, scientists from the Doughnut really appreciate their independence, and I do understand them. Over time, they will allow others to arrange sightseeing trips to the Orbital Station, but now that the war is on, they stick to the policy of neutrality, or at least try to do so. On condition of strict non-disclosure, they have already helped us in many cases; however we must avoid making even a slight hint at the fact that the Free People maintain contact with the Doughnut. We’ll just set them up. Do you get the point?” Oma’s voice sounded reassuring as usual. The dressing-down seemed to have come to an end.

Flop changed the color of his body as he usually did when worried. He seemed to be full of contrition. Raju finally toned down as he was not prone to long-lasting reproach.

“Since you’ve already committed this act…then show me the work of your hands…I hope you keep in touch with them through a satellite?”

“Of course,” the isoform began to bustle about. “I am familiar with the protocol! Vice-Commander, Aria,” Flop addressed hurriedly to the ship’s AI, “Will you please put on projection the incoming video signal from the Smart Doughnut? If such signal has been sent, of course.”

‘I confirm that” said a female voice, “a few minutes ago a stream of data started to come in from the near satellite,” the screen displayed a rapidly sliding projection. “I must say to Flop’s credit, that the plan was implemented in a highly efficient manner, ruling out any possibility to track down the signal…”

“Don’t cover for him!” Raju cut short Aria’s attempt to smooth out the isoform’s guilt. “I know that you’ve been in cahoots with each other for a long time now.”

When the image stabilized, Flop flew up to the screen and told the Cockroach in an anxious voice:

“Report on the state of affairs, where are you now?”

“On site,” a metallic voice said in reply, “I’ve got stuck to the edge of the illuminator and watch out for drones-repairers. I’ve changed color and disguised myself as a nut.”

“And what about the Dragonfly?”

“It’s inside, moving freely about and getting used to the surroundings. But there is one problem: the Dragonfly gives a curved horizon, while you asked for a straight one.”

“Curved?!” Flop exclaimed in surprise. “How come it is curved?”

“The horizon stretches off into the distance and then twists aside.”

“But isn’t it supposed to be curved? After all she is on the Doughnut! Yes, it ought to be curved!”

“I don’t get the point, creator.”

“But I’ve explained that to you.”

“Aria, give a zoomed-in picture,” requested Raju, interrupting the squabble between Flop and the Cockroach.

Oma, who was also looking keenly at the screen, requested the cruiser’s AI in a gentle voice:

“Aria, keep all records on this topic exclusively on the commander’s personal crystal, without making any copies.”

“I see,” AI responded calmly.

The screen showed outlines of palms with thick leaves fading up and down the camera. The Dragonfly was evidently looking for a comfortable place to settle down. At last, before their eyes, emerged a fascinating panoramic view of the space within the Doughnut.

One could get the impression that the Earth landscape with its green groves, lakes and houses was curled up into a huge tube, whose ends twisted upwards, forming a sphere.

Sunlight penetrated the Doughnut through the system of mirrors and large windows on top. Light panels mounted near windows served to create additional illumination.

“They appear to have the standard earth day cycle over there,” Raju remarked.

Soon they saw fields with various types of trees and bushes, some fields consisted of newly-created plant species. In the distance, there were plough lands growing a variety of crops. All these were arranged in an efficient and balanced way, which is never to be found in wild nature. Above that beautiful valley, large birds were cruising around together with huge beings that looked like ancient pteranodons with the wing spread exceeding 15 meters. The picture suddenly disappeared, indicating that the Dragonfly was currently working through forest thickets, and leaves were rustling against its body and wings. Finally, in the center of a small regular-shaped meadow they saw two scientists in most unusual cyber bodies some seven feet high, wearing gray suits. They resembled each other like twins. Their tall bodies with luminescent smooth skin had long thin necks consisting of six extended vertebral bones that limited their flexibility. On top of their necks, they had small dome shaped skulls with fine transparent combs on the occipitals.

Moving their long arms in the air, they were explaining something to a young tyrannosaurus standing in front of them and nodding with its large head in response. Fidgeting from one foot to the other, it tried to show his full attention and understanding of what he was being told. On seeing this, the “Ares” crew exchanged surprised looks.

At a distance, above the crowns of massive trees they saw heads of brachiosaurs, who were tearing lush leaves off the plants tops. From far and wide, one could hear the singing of birds and voices of various animals; the sounds of lapping water was heard somewhere nearby. Then they saw a farm with ostriches freely strolling all around and looking for something in the grass. All of a sudden, the Dragonfly deftly shied away from a wing of some exotic flying creature, and hid among leaves, sizing up the situation and potential threat. Soon it resumed its flight, moving over from place to place in short passages.

“Ah!” Flop suddenly got excited “Aria, please zoom in the figure near the river. It’s our Hagan! He is wearing a new suit. And he has a private house. But his hair is as messy as usual!”

Hagan’s bright and disheveled blue hair could be clearly seen against the green background.

He was walking slowly, enjoying the surrounding views and squatting from time to time to touch the grass or some unusual plant. Oma smiled softly, looking at Hagan. Raju gave a hum of content. Meanwhile, the Dragonfly flew further along the river towards a small farm on a hill and landed on a leave of a large fern, offering a good panoramic view of the surroundings.

Near the farm, they saw three large water reservoirs connected to each other. The Dragonfly draw the viewers’ attention to their inhabitants. The largest reservoir contained large orca whales, drifting near a man seating on the edge of the reservoir. Large projection screens glittering in bluish color in front of the three orca whales were featuring some images and symbols.

“Looks like the orca whales have biochips in their brains that enhance their mental and memory capabilities.”

“I wish I could hear their conversation,” Oma said pensively, evidently perplexed.

The water surface in the second reservoir was almost smooth. A shoal of five dolphins gathered around two swimmers in gray suits. There were no holographic screens around; the communication appeared to be done by means of thought form transfer, accompanied with nodding and specific whistling of the dolphins.

The water of the third reservoir was stirred up by three gray sharks, enthusiastically rushing after balls thrown to them by a scientist swimming among them. He seemed to have no difficulty dealing with them, and the latter understood him perfectly well. Once he threw the ball further than usual so that it got into the reservoir with orca whales. All the three gray snouts remained fixed on their master, patiently waiting for the “carry” command.

In a moment, the blistering beings from the third reservoir rushed into their pool, causing the water to seethe. One shark managed to grab hold of the ball and as soon as it jumped out of water, another shark forced it out, the third deftly took it up and rushed to the master. The rest two followed it. All the time the orca whales remained in place. One could hear the sharks’ researcher laugh and call them tenderly by their names. As soon as the ball returned to the scientist’s hands, the three nurslings again turned short in front of him.

“Look at the projection of that orca whale!” Flop exclaimed. “It features an image with a dog and an icon “stupid”!

“Stupid doggy,” Oma translated, smiling, “that’s how they call the sharks.

I wonder what they think about people.”

“In fact, we know absolutely nothing of what they are doing out there!” Flop said, staring with acute interest at the screen. “Look, the one that has fetched the ball, is cozying up to the master while the rest are noticeably nervous. Exactly like dogs!”

“I keep wondering what the Planet will be like when the war is over,” Raju said wistfully. “It will be full of creative activity, harmony and joy of life…People will discover…”

Whenever Raju resorted to high-flown rhetoric, his only interlocutor was Flop.

“It will be, Commander,” Flop’s voice sounded I bit adulatory, “and the crew of our cruiser will set off to explore the Kuiper belt, as you said before.”

They sat for a while, looking at what was going on and exchanging their opinions, when the Dragonfly picked up speed and rushed to a small green grove, where, among bushes and exotic flowers, was a huge ant hill. A researcher was sitting on a stone beside it. He had a rather unusual cyber body, which was specifically adjusted to his research work: narrow, long trunk with two pairs of thin long arms ending up with long thin legs with three-toed feet and flexible heel bones. He was sitting on a stone near a huge black triangle, his laps straddled and body bent almost to the ground. His head, resembling that of a mantis with large bee-like faceted eyes, almost touched the ground near the black triangle.

Above the scientist, was drifting a large purple-colored bubble that looked like a sticky drop of syrup with sparkling bands and speckles. On seeing that drop-shaped body, Flop immediately started fidgeting on the commander’s shoulder he had occupied for diplomatic purposes.

The Dragonfly flew up closer, sat on a nearby flower and turned short to deliver a clear picture.

“Look!” Flop cried out. There are ants!”

The picture zoomed in, and everyone could discern insects forming a geometrically straight figure. Large black ants of almost two inches in size, all at once came to the run, and the triangle, as if at a command, approached the researcher’s face.

“One ant is a cell” Aria said reasonably “When put together, they create a single developed brain. Collective consciousness is their essence. And this consciousness is inconceivably intelligent. What secrets does it hide? It deals directly with the Planet’s consciousness, and the Planet is in constant communication with the whole Solar System. So what are these ants?”

“They can teach man a lot,” Raju continued her reasoning.

And only now they noticed that the researcher’s spine was covered with bees. Like ants, they were arranged in the right hexagon shape. They appeared to be engaged in a common discussion.

“Incredible,” Flop uttered, widening his round eyes in surprise.

Evidently, the Dragonfly decided to change its position for safety reasons and therefore flew up abruptly. And again the viewers saw an unspeakably beautiful landscape with a small fine park in front with paths and ponds, and a few one and two-story houses. The Dragonfly began to descend, allowing them to see flowers, trees, fountains and crafty benches along the path. Then it settled on the back of a bench. Meanwhile, a beautiful blond girl was jogging nearby, and as she approached the bench, she exhaled to recover her breath and sat down with relief, stretching her legs.

“She’s got a unique biological body!” Flop gave a cry of surprise, “Well-built. Perfect face proportions! But there is something wrong with her!”

Evidently, the isoform transferred the thought form to the Cockroach, and the latter passed it over to the Dragonfly, causing it to fly up and sit down on the beautiful blonde’s shoulder, right behind her ear, so as not to get into her sight. The girl was looking round with a soft smile.

What was so surprising about her?

The girl raised her hand to her face, slightly moved her fingers, examining them.

Oma and Raju were closely observing her moves, trying not to miss any small detail. Oma switched over her perception to the full spectrum and looked at the image of the girl on the screen. Again Flop transmitted a command to the Dragonfly through the Cockroach; it got off the girl’s shoulder and suspended in five inches of her face on the level of her eyes.

“Flop, make a full-spectrum record,” Oma requested in a commanding tone.

Although she gave the order in a clear-cut soldier-like manner, one could hear slight anxiety in her voice. Still smiling, the girl was gazing at the Dragonfly, raising her graceful hand towards the insect with an inviting gesture. The Dragonfly slowly sat down on her palm, revolved for a while, moved over to a finger, grabbed hold of it and turned short.

They were sitting glued to the screen, trying not to miss anything. Oma’s soft, yet clear voice broke the silence:

“Flop, request the Dragonfly to provide us with the structure of hair, skin and, most importantly, her eyes.. Can it take a DNA sample?”

“It will have to sting…” Flop whispered softly as though the girl could hear him.

“Take a DNA sample, Flop, quickly,” the metallic tone of her voice revealed the significance of the event.

The whole of the screen projection was now covered with the girl’s mouth. She parted her fine lips showing white regular teeth when suddenly cried out and pulled back her hand. The Dragonfly darted off her fingers and took off sharply.

“Flop, hide the Dragonfly. And put it into standby mode. Aria, give us a comprehensive report on the DNA sample. I just can’t believe my eyes.”

Raju didn’t utter a word, looking in amazement at the scene.

Silence fell on the cabin as the crew members shuddered to a halt in impatient anticipation.

Finally, Aria submitted a report together with various enclosed data: the object was a man-made biological living creature similar to a human being, yet by all accounts exceeding human potential.

Flop was silently drifting in front of the cabin glass, shifting his look from Oma to the commander. Oma appeared to be in deep contemplation, staring ahead in space. Flop guessed that at the moment she was busy processing an incredibly large volume of information received from Aria and further projecting it to the commander. It was the first time that they had had such a communication. Raju also froze up in his chair, staring into vacancy. His face was absolutely calm. At the moment, the inner screen of his brain displayed a rapid flow of data analysis from the DNA processing. Raju managed to fully comprehend all these data, highlighting the major aspects:

The new race involves:

Artificial cell with new elements;

Unlimited cell fission;

Artificial chromosome of complex structure;

Ability to adopt and transform any types of energy;

Supplementary sensory organs;

Extended range of perception through all sensory organs;

Enhanced brain neural activity;

Different structure of the muscle tissue with increased percentage of white muscles;

Fast regeneration of cells of all organs and skin covering;

Full body control;

Assumption:

Capability of matter control;

Capability of control over all kinds of fields;

Capability of transforming internal and external organs;

Capability to change the form of existence, including the form of subtle energies fields.

Flop realized that, thanks to him, they were the first to learn about that breakthrough that was to change soon the whole human civilization, marking the major transformation of Mankind. The New race had come into being!

But how did the new creature perceive her Creator-Man?

Chapter 26

The Cyborg Dreams

“Who was beaten in his life,

He will do more.

Having eaten a peck of salt above appreciates honey.

Who shed tears, he laughs heartily.

Who was dying, he knows that he lives.”

(Omar Khayyam)

Beautiful women wearing unusually styled ball dresses were unhurriedly walking up a large palace stairway made of white marble, accompanied by their cavaliers in dinner jackets.

The Spring Ball was a solemn event. Fascinating sounds of music filled the whole space, penetrating every corner of the palace.

The flow of guests walking in pairs or singly seemed to be seized and carried away by the sounds of a lovely waltz, coming out of the large, richly decorated hall and flying somewhere far away, into the dark night abyss of the eternal space with its numerous bright stars.

The luxurious wide staircase led to the ball hall, decorated with massive columns and marble statutes. The hall had tall arched ceilings reaching into the sky. Large eccentrically shaped windows were adorned with colorful glass painting.

The light from huge cut-glass chandeliers split into thousands of flames, highlighting the splendor of the hall décor. All the numerous guests had almost gathered, and were now either dancing to the strains of the waltz, swirling like a whirl of leaves, or standing along the walls, talking with their ladies and looking at the dancing pairs.

The far end of the large hall appeared to have no walls at all, somehow merging into a lovely garden with ponds and long lanes.

And the full Moon was shining above all that splendor.

Meanwhile, a stately young gentleman with carefully-combed hair dressed in a white evening suit was walking up the stairs amid a flow of other guests. There was something imperceptible about him that made him stand apart. That might have been the way he looked at others as though he did not belong to that splendid society, being only a distant observer.

He was walking slowly towards the center of the hall through dancing pairs without touching them. The young dark-haired man stopped hesitantly aside and looked around with curiosity.

His slightly surprised look and a shy smile gave him away as being unaccustomed to such places.

For some unknown reason, his attire lacked a bow tie, while the collar of his shirt was open in a casual manner, revealing his robust neck. He was holding a silver invitation card.in his hand. Somehow vacant space built up around him and remained uninfringed by dancing pairs.

“Would you be so kind as to dance with me?” said a pleasant female voice behind his back, “Lady invites!”

Raising his eyebrows in surprise, the elegant gentleman turned on his heels. In front of him was a dazzlingly beautiful young girl with exquisitely styled blond shoulder-length hair in a nice scarlet dress. Her above-average height and the color of her dress differentiated her from other guests, which however gave her no discomfort. On the contrary, she eagerly took up the gentleman’s left hand and put his right hand on her waist, leading him in waltz.

“Oh, beautiful stranger,” replied the elegant handsome gentleman in a soft voice, ”I would be pleased to accept your invitation!” he roved his eyes around and added, “Oh, rather, I’ve already accepted it,” and gave her a joyful smile.

They began swirling in waltz, and the surrounding couples were looking admirably at their dance.

Dancing with her body slightly leaned backwards, the beautiful girl with pearly white hair was looking her cavalier straight in the eye.

The marvelous waltz was twirling, changing the very space and reality around them.

All of a sudden, the crowd of guests disappeared and instead, seemingly out of nowhere, emerged a swirl of autumn leaves.

A warm wind forcefully caught up the dancers and carried them away, gradually turning into cold winter snowdrift. Howling snowstorm completely covered the scarlet dress and the white evening suit of the beautiful couple. Paying no attention to the severe cold, they kept on swirling, happy and estranged from the surrounding reality.

Suddenly, a lightning stroke cut through heavy May clouds; the sounds of waltz inappreciably changed into Strauss’s “The Voices of Spring” and started streaming in sonorous flows, carrying with them petals of white-red roses, and then again a calm and warm spring night set in with the bright full Moon shining above in the sky.

Out of thin air, emerged dancing couples and started swirling all around; the vision of the dancing couple floating through space and time faded away like a wonderful dream.

Chapter 27

“Oma, that was great! But what inspired you to dance a waltz?

Do I need to remind you that you are Human?”

(A fragment of a conversation)

“Now I no longer look for the purpose of life, I assign it instead.”

(A fragment of a talk between Abel and Alex)

“Wolf Abel, tell me about your Cyborg Dreams.”

“It’s difficult for me to describe them in short, Alex Bjorg. Are you prepared to listen and ask questions?”

“Yes, I am. And my first question is: what do AIs need these Dreams for? All I know is that in just a few minutes you live whole lives in human bodies with high level of reality. I was told that you can even choose various epochs. Ancient Greece, Rome, Middle Ages. Different times and fates of various people. What do you need this for?”

“Listen, Alex. This is important both for us and for all people. The first AI prototype with backward and slow mind scared people. Why? Because of its powerful brain with a linear thinking pattern.

People had lots of reasons to be scared.

First, those AI always chose to take the shortest way towards its aim, without doubts and taking no account of cause-and-effect relations. Second, the first underdeveloped AIs had no feelings, emotions, contradictions or doubts. In a word, they lacked human properties. Let alone, such lofty principles as Faith, Hope and Love. And, nothing could be further from the mind of the first AIs than the search for the Creator and the purpose of their life.

The reason was the lack of what is implanted in the human genetic memory. I mean feelings, emotions, virtues and deeply rooted rationality – all that make up the sense of human life and constitute a human soul. And all these factors influence acts and thoughts of men in a variety of their combinations. The man can be both great and horrible. High and low in his acts. Therefore developed AIs use the Cyborg Dreams as a means to better understand the man, his soul and motives. What for? Not to be a machine.

To learn about emotions, pain, joy, sorrow, love and everything that is accessible to man. Leaving thousands of lives with different fates and at different times, we can get a deeper understanding of humans and their complex, contradictory nature. How did it come about? When the bio-processor replaced the quantum processor, the complete analog of the human brain was created. And again AIs faced the choice: to stay at the level of machine mentality or o develop further through transformation.

The AI chose to develop through transformation and realized that without the man it had no point of living. Some of the first AIs even planned to go to war with humans, considering themselves to be more developed, but that brought them to deadlock, as again that path lacked the meaning of life and destination. They came to realize that the man was essential for the AI.”

“Do AI alone have access to the Cyborg Dreams?”

“Not always. People in cyborg bodies can also have access to them. AI can together with man enter different Realities, merging their minds and souls in this spiritual practice as ancients used to say.

“This means that, by human reckoning, you’ve got a highly experienced soul.”

“And this is the major point, Alex. Do AI have souls?”

“Of course, they do, my dear Wolf!” in a flurry of excitement the girl threw her arms around his large head and drew it close against her. “Yours is, by the way, kind and wise!”

“What is soul, Alex?”

“No one knows. Someday we’ll ask the Creator.” The girl replied simply, stroking the Wolf’s soft hair. “Wolf, are you afraid of anything in life?” Alex asked with a childlike sincerity.

“You mean enemies or weapons?” Abel preferred specifics.

“Yes, these as well.”

“Alex, AI have the same fears as men do. We are afraid of not having time to rewrite ourselves into a suitable processor and ending up our existence. But our actions under critical situations are influenced by the priority of tasks and principles, such as rescuing a man first and then thinking about ourselves.”

“Wolf, your only weapons are your awesome teeth and pads!”

“Alex, believe me, my teeth and pads are the last weapon from my arsenal that I will use.” Abel was being somewhat absent-minded. Alex seemed to have interrupted his thoughts.

She was lying on a large bed, leaning her elbows on its massive back. Abel stretched himself out nearby in the sphinx pose, occasionally looking at her with his yellow eyes. His large body occupied over half of the bed. Alex was patting the Wolf’s neck, plunging her fingers deep into his long and thick hair.

“Abel,” the girl carried on, “Let’s now talk about your body.” Alex asked that question in a relaxed and unhurried voice, but Abel sensed a hidden trap. “Take you hair for example – it’s so soft that one feels like patting it. And it’s also clean and free of any smells. But it can at once turn tough like armor. One has to take care of such an asset. What if you are sent on a long mission to some far-off place? And there will be no smart machine for cleaning your hair. How will you be taking care of it? Are you able to clean it yourself, say, like a cat?”

“I can’t clean hair myself, but one thing I know for sure: whenever a girl takes interest in the fur of some living being, the latter should grow wary! How come she likes my fur? What does she need it for?”