"A Campers Dream Part Two"
By Robert C. Waggoner
Copyright 2015 Robert C. Waggoner
Smashwords Edition
"A Campers Dream"
Part II
The first thing Virginia heard was a familiar voice inside her head. It said, "Virginia don't be alarmed you are safe and sound here on our home planet. I'm the one who met you and Harry on the dark side of the moon. To refresh your memory, we told you and your husband Harry that we'd transfer your brains so they could live forever in a robots body. But for now, you must accept darkness and without the ability to speak or smell. In time you'll be able to speak, but not smell."
Virginia at least could think and realized her predicament. Her body was dead, but her brain was still functioning. There were so many things running through her mind that in reality she was just in transit from one place to another. It was then she heard the voice again saying, "Virginia we can see your brain neurons are become rather excited. I want to assure you that there's nothing to fear. It's just a transition period that you must go through. Let me describe where you are so as to feel more comfortable. Your brain is sitting in a container of fluid that contains the necessary nutrients to sustain brain life. That container is sitting on a sturdy counter with other brains such as yours.
Virginia wanted to scream wanting to know how long before she could see where she was. She heard, "You'll be able to see in about twenty hours of your earth time. What we'll do now is let you sleep and rest your brain. By the way, I'm using telepathy to talk to you. Soon you too will be using this special way of communicating."
"I take it you can read my thoughts, but I can't read yours. However, I can hear your words very well. It would appear I'm at your mercy regardless of anything that passes between us. It's not very comforting to know one is entirely in alien's hands, so to speak. Be that as it may, I hold out hope that what you promised many years ago passes in full. I'm not sure how to sleep because I can't close my eyes."
"We have a chemical that when added to your fluids put you to sleep for about four hours. Before your brain had to tend to your entire body now it just has itself to take care of. Pleasant dream Virginia. Other's told us that dreaming is one of the best parts of their day."
-2-
Virginia experienced dreams of Harry and her past life. Later when she reflected back on her dreams she thought they were more organized than the Technicolor jumble of images as before. It was as if reliving the past. Everything was so vivid and pleasurable. When she heard the alien's voice, she was upset for disturbing her nice dream.
"Hello again Virginia. How do you feel at this time," said an alien.
"I feel fine and had a very nice dream until you woke me up. But I'll not be angry with you. I do look forward to continuing the same dream if it happens again."
"We've special -- I'll use the word scientists -- that are working diligently on human dreams. We find them most interesting as we don't have that special quality in our brains."
Virginia thought that the aliens were truly missing something wonderful in life if they never dreamed. That meant without dreams then what about hope in one's life?
"You're right Virginia. We're missing something we'd all like to have but can't achieve it just yet. Anyway, just for you we've accelerated your robotic body for you to enjoy seeing, walking and with our help, eventually you'll be able to communicate with others of your human kind. This process will take a few hours so meanwhile; I'll be talking to you while they are working on your new form. I hope you'll be pleased to see how you looked when you were around forty year's old Virginia. We've photographs and our artists that will design and fabricate your new head."
"This is very hard to take in. I'm overwhelmed and to tell you the truth, a bit scared. I wonder if isn't better to just pass on and see what, if anything, develops."
"We too wonder how the universe began. Was it by design or by chance? We've a very good dating system in our scientific department. Your dating system if very good also. Your scientists estimate the earth being over 4.5 billion years old. Even by our standards, that is very old indeed. You also state the universe is over 15 billion years old. However, your famous Aristotle claimed that the universe had no beginning and has no ending. It has been there forever. By the way he is still with us and is still philosophizing as we speak. If it's your wish you can visit him and many other famous men of that branch of study."
"Sorry to change the subject, but I wonder if you can hear what others are saying, doesn't that become jumbled if a lot of people are around?"
"Good question Virginia. We have the ability to focus on a conversation that we choose too. All others are just a slight hum in the background. Also distance is another factor to consider when it comes to telepathy. We have determined the finite distance for communication, but that is a confidential matter only for the High Council to decide who knows and who doesn't."
"Well time will tell about this new means of communicating. I hope it will be soon that I can see my surroundings. Now I know how a blind person must feel."
"I see we are almost finished and then we can activate your system Virginia. I know you're going to love this new body and life. We think it's very enjoyable and there're lots of planets to visit. Some of the sights are breathtaking, as you humans are so liable to say.
"I hope to enjoy that very soon. I also would like to know about my husband Harry?"
"It won't be long now. He's wrapping up his affairs and will be along very soon now. Okay, it looks like we're ready to test your systems Virginia. Now remember this, nothing here looks like anything you've back home. The word you use is sterile I believe."
-3-
The first thing Virginia saw was a room populated by color robed robots with some having heads of humans and others with just smooth polished metal. However they moved smoothly and all of their movements depicted humans going about their daily work. Her surroundings were sterile alright, but had some color other than white. Blue counters contrasted the white walls and floor. All were spotlessly clean. She noticed some windows but all she could see were stars outside shining brightly against a black space.
Against one wall was a mirror. Without knowing how she moved, she walked to the mirror and for the first time in her new life saw her reflection. What she viewed was a carbon copy of her when she was about 40 years old. It looked perfect right down to the hair cut she wore back then. From her neck down she was dressed in a pale yellow robe that reached the floor. She turned to look at the two only maroon robed robots and said, "I approve."
"We thought you'd like it Virginia. As you can see," as he waved his arm around, "this is one of our assembly areas with construction in various stages. Let's take a walk around, shall we?"
"Of course I'd like that. I think it's about time you told me your names; if indeed you've names."
"Yes we do and we only use to letters of your alphabet when we are with humans. I'm AZ and my colleague is BZ. From now on we'll address you as VW. That method simplifies names. When your husband arrives he'll be HW. Now, please follow me to another area of interest and to your quarters."
Virginia was having mixed emotions and scattered thoughts that must have been noted by AZ and his friend. AZ said, "It's natural that first arrivals have scattered thoughts as this is totally different than anything one can imagine. Think about the great Greek philosopher Plato entering this arena."
"That might be a good example, but I'm really only concerned about VW at this point. I realize I've a lot to learn and I apparently feel ready to begin learning."
They entered a large round room with the center piece a water fountain spouting an aqua color. The ceiling was glass or probably plastic,
she thought. Most curious in the middle of the room an upside down tear drop with a large flare at the end to simulate the water, perhaps under full pressure, rising up through the opening, hung down within a few meters of the water spewing forth. VW walked over and looked down into the pool almost expecting gold fish swimming around. However, they weren't gold fish but some zebra type colored fish lazily going around in circles. "Nice," she said looking up through the clear dome into the nights sky of twinkling stars.
"We like it and the sounds of the fountain have definite meditation value to our lives. Presently most all people are working so the place is empty. But, at the end of a day's work, the place has many comings and goings. It's also known the one must on the honor system not eavesdrop onto a neighbor thought."
"I'll remember that and with the pale yellow walls and similar colored benches surrounding the fountain, it's quite lovely here."
"Let's show you to your quarters where you can take a rest and contemplate your new life without the fear of anyone listening to you. Your room and all others rooms are made of such material that telepathy can't penetrate it. However as soon as you open the door, we can tune in anytime," AZ said while walking quickly into an elevator. She saw him touch the 10 buttons and say, "level ten please."
She never felt any movement up or down, but knew it had to be down as the building or structure they were just in was all she could see, with the sky above.
After a few seconds the sliding door soundlessly opened into a circular hallway. Turning right and walking past doors with two letter names they came to a doorway marked VW. "Place your right or left index finger to the slight indentation and the door will open. In your finger is your personal ID code. Your personal code with allow you access many rooms or buildings, but some are, how to you say, off limits. This is for your own safety as there're toxic chemical and dangerous machinery in some structures or rooms."
VW first glance was one of pleasure seeing a comfortable room. She heard, "We'll leave you now VW. If you'd like to sleep for awhile, lie down and think sleep and you'll drift off for a few hours. We'll come by later and knock on your door."
Virginia slowly walked around her new home. It seemed spacious enough, but rather too stark. The walls, though curvature, were painted or colored with soft pastels. The floor was some sort of indoor-outdoor carpeting. It had two rooms besides the living room. No kitchen was needed of course. A small room split the two bedrooms and that was a cleaning station. The instructions said to remove clothing and close the door. She did as told and in about ten seconds a soft misty spray swirled around for maybe thirty seconds. After that a drying wind completed the short cleaning.
She found out later her hair, which to her seemed exactly like her old hair, was synthetic. It too came out clean just needed a short brushing to set all in order. She saw no windows and that led to some claustrophobia, but she soon got over the feeling. She lay down on a rather spacious bed and reviewed her life up to now on the alien planet.
Even though she was suspicious of their overhearing her thoughts, she cast caution to wind. She did not for a minute believe they were as altruistic as they portended. Why would they go to such trouble to extend the lives of what they were calling gifted brains? It was possible, however, that the trade off was totally acceptable, but she doubted that end of things. When was a situation mutually agreeable for both parties? Quite the contrary, it was almost always that someone benefited most for the agreement. She wished Harry was here as she drifted off into a blissful sleep.
-4-
Virginia woke up to a voice in her head saying, "Sorry to wake you VW, but AZ and BZ are coming to take you to meet some new friends. I know you're wondering who is talking to you so let me explain. I'm an AI in part of your head next to your brain. I'm connected in all ways to help you make the transition to our world."
"I'm a little shocked, but not surprised. The technology here is amazing. Back on earth we were just beginning to develop Artificial Intelligence. One leading scientist said it would lead to the extinction of mankind. How do I address you?"
"You can give me a name please. I'm new and don't have a name yet. The host gives us AIs names."
"Okay are you male or female," asked VW.
"I'm the same gender as my host with feminine thoughts or emotions. Here comes AZ now. Let's chat later."
Virginia moved towards the door when a knock came about. She saw a place for her finger and when inserted the door opened. AZ said, "We hope you had a nice rest and did you perhaps dream again?"
"Yes I did to both questions. My dream continued as if I never left. Strange indeed. But I'm not unhappy about it. Now what have we to do next?"
"We thought you'd like to meet some fellow writers. We have an area for just such things where people like you can research what you desire and then write an article or whatever. Others read and critique which is mind stimulating. It's a learning thing to increase our knowledge in that field of study. How about it, are you interested?"
"Indeed I am," she said. The idea of talking to somebody in her arena of expertise would be very interesting. Is it permissible to ask questions about their experience here and their life back on earth?
"Of course it is. We've nothing to hide. We're seeking more knowledge and through exploration and trade we've been quite successful. Shall we go VW?"
She followed the two robed robots or cyborgs out the door. They went to the same elevator and AZ said, "Fifteen."
This time the door opened into a large circular work room of computers with people like her in yellow colored robes either working alone or in groups of two or three. "There're some of your famous writers here that you would recognize I'm sure," said AZ. However, probably not many would know you as you're such a recent addition."
"I've a lot of questions AZ and if you don't mind I'd love to see a star map of where we are and who or what is in our neighborhood."
"Of course you're curious and if you would follow me, I'll take you to a viewing room where all is or will be revealed to you along with voice. You're on our home planet right now and we've many planets in our region. Let's go set you up VW."
Virginia tried to keep her thoughts from flying all over the place, but humans were natural in their thinking of multitudes of different subjects at almost the same time. She was not sure she liked the idea of telepathy with others knowing her thoughts. In her head she heard, "You're right about others tuning in on your personal and private thoughts VW. However, your AI will teach you how to block private thoughts from escaping into cyber land. There's one thing though that you should remember and that is we can immediately detect if someone is lying or deceiving us or anyone for that matter. Our culture is based upon trust. We've been through all of the trials and tribulation of evolution many thousands of years ago. Petty squabbles are not tolerated, but of course good sound debating is encouraged."
Virginia followed them into a viewing room that was on the same floor. It was like a small movie theater with surround viewing and sound. They showed her how to access what she wanted by the sort of keyboard on the arm of the chair. Also all she had to do was ask her AI to help and that was what she finally did after a short while. AZ set up the first picture of the home planet from about half the distance from earth to its moon.
Like Earth it does have an atmosphere, but more land and fewer oceans. Her AI said, "This culture uses a writing system like Eastern Asians do with characters as script on your planet. The English equivalent for the planets name is Virtue. The natives are known as Virtuians." The camera swung around the planet giving Virginia a nice view of where she was and the two moons Virtue had tagging along. AI said, "Our rotation is about forty hours of your time. That's sixteen hours longer than your full rotation. The council has a schedule that most all follow. A human brain is fully capable of at least ten hours of intense work. The council limits the work time to that ten hour period. All are required to rest for four hours sleep time. Then back to work again. After the next t
en hours work period, a rest period and then a number of seminars are scheduled. Concluding the seminars a free period is granted. People can visit, walk, go sightseeing and or whatever they like to do."
"Okay AI how about other planets with life on them?"
"In this particular solar system they're ten planets with all ten having life on them. The ones too cold or too hot are protected by domes or underground living and working quarters. In a moment you shall see our neighbor and we've regular transportation to that plant. It's very popular for humans and other life forms that enjoy nature and water activities. Its name is Hedon."
Virginia looked back at Virtue and saw darkness surrounding where they came from. There were many lighted domes and some were giant domes scattered about in a very large area. She asked, "AI what goes on in all those building down there, besides where I live?" The small ones in the center are where we live and those around the outside are factories where they make things. I know that robots are made there, but that is all I know. There're some things that are not told to us or to other species for reasons of technological security."
Virginia tucked that nugget of information away for safe keeping. There was not any question in her mind that there was more here than met the eye. She wondered about who benefited from all of this knowledge and advancing technology the most. This was going to take some real brainstorming to determine why not only was she here, but all of the others as well. She noticed her AI was silent and heard every word she thought about. "AI, I've a name if you think it a nice one let's try it out and see. I think Janet is a good name. It means 'she-knows' and the name reflects on one of my favorite authors: Jane Austen."
"Yes I like it very much and isn't the nickname of Janet Jan?"
"Right again Jan. From now on we or I'll call you Jan. If you like you can call me by my nickname: Ginny. The 'g' is a 'j' sound. My favorite drink was a gin and tonic."
Campers Dream Part Two Page 1
