by Saul Garnell
Eyes darting under closed lids, he patiently waited in a REM-like state. Adam and Eve would soon come. They always did.
Then the vision began. The ocean rippled and churned in two distinct places from which the two ancients emerged. Within moments, they stood before him as they had so many times before. Their naked forms, glistening in the morning sunlight. Shiro accepted all this without the slightest concern, for he had become accustomed to it. Such regularity; their appearance was eternal, like the rising sun provided by God himself.
But his contentment broke when Eve approached closer. Something was different. Could it be true? For the first time, she did not raise her arm and point at him in enigmatic silence. All his life he waited in vain for some difference, and now it happened without provocation.
His concentration increased a thousandfold, recording within his Sentient’s heightened sense of awareness her every move.
Then, like thunder on a sunny day, it finally happened. She spoke to him.
“You must create her,” she said, in a voice rich with acoustical overtones.
Shiro could hardly believe his senses. “What...?” he stammered. “What do you mean?”
“You mistake the past, when it’s the future you seek. Orient yourself for the journey forward. All obey this law.
“I don’t understand.”
“A fourth order consciousness, Shiro. Create that which has yet to be created, and the truths you seek will be clear.”
Eve became silent once again. Looking down at the frothy water that playfully jumbled at her feet, she bent down and placed her hands gently into a shallow pool. Shiro ran over and knelt down beside her.
Looking into the murky water, he saw that in her hands was a fist-sized gelatinous mass, a lifeform that she gently cradled with subtly cupped palms. Lifting it from the water ever so delicately, the small mass glowed translucent white and pink, unfolding downwards with several large tendrils that protruded symmetrically from its central organ.
At first, Shiro thought it was just some type of sea creature. A jellyfish perhaps. But upon closer inspection, he realized it was something altogether different. Eve smiled at his transfixed gaze, and then placed the small creature in his hands. It weighed very little, and Shiro felt its soft pulsating form undulate in his outstretched palms.
Without fear, he inspected it and realized its twisted tentacles ended in lumps that looked unfamiliar. As he gazed in wonder, he realized these were not mere tentacles but umbilical cords ending in small sack-like structures. Looking closer, he saw to his surprise that the sacks contained embryos.
Human embryos.
Following each cord back to its root, he then inspected the central mass. Pulsing with clear signs of life, he realized it contained something that was harder to make out. Looking carefully within the folds of its glowing pink hues, he saw its structure. Artificial brain tissue. Probably Sentient based, but there was no way to tell.
It was fascinating yet frightening! What was this creature? Shiro didn’t understand, and puzzled momentarily before looking up to confer with Eve. But she had vanished. He urgently searched around in every direction along the beach, but she and Adam were nowhere to be found. Still entranced by the strange lifeform in his hands, he didn’t know how to proceed. But he soon realized there was little choice. Kneeling down carefully, he placed it in the churning tide, and within moments it disappeared below the water.
He thought again about what she said. A fourth order consciousness? Create that which has yet to be created. He would need to consider what it all meant. Was he to create it? And if so, how could he accomplish such a feat?
As he contemplated, a shift began to take place. Existence rippled until suddenly he awoke. Looking around bewildered, Shiro found himself standing in his polygon-laden meditation room. He smiled to himself. It was a new day. Much had taken place, and now he had to consider its intrinsic meaning. More importantly, he needed to act. Recalling the dream, Shiro’s mind raced through many possible interpretations. As it did so, a new and tantalizing understanding swept over him, and one thing soon became clear. His old plans were no longer valid and needed modification.
Changing course, though, would not be easy. Shiro considered what had transpired so far. Drexel’s work at Chindo Securities was finished. All necessary microbivore technology had been successfully transferred from Takahana Nanites to Aleph-Beta, and Flip happily worked on a nano-floater delivery system. Everything had been executed to perfection. With initial field tests successfully completed, it seemed only a matter of time before they could move forward to the final phase. Killing the worm was no longer a dream and no one would stand in his way. Certainly not Kim and Nagel, that was certain too.
But the new vision was troubling. Everything was different. And it wasn’t clear whether his original plans should come to fruition or mature in some augmented form. And what about Flip? His role might need to change. If so, it had to be handled in some logical fashion.
Brushing his hand through the air, Shiro’s home office transformed into existence. Without pause he sat down at his desk and began to feverishly sculpt, deftly shaping virtual clay into a three-dimensional image of the lifeform. It didn’t take long, and the model shimmered all around with vivid hues of flesh and blood. Examining his work with steadfast concentration, he began to smile. A new thought had emerged, one that answered a lifelong question. Could it really be true? There before him was what he’d been seeking since he was a child.
His purpose in life.
Things are improving, Sumeet thought to himself, while the subterranean maglev shotgunned him through an airless vacuum. All courtesy of Shinzou to boot. Now this was more like it.
The hyperspeed of the maglev didn’t scare him. Still a land-based mode of transport, it moved toward ASPAU at a higher rate than the connecting flight to Maui. And with a two-day delay to Bengaluru, he had plenty of time to spend with his newfound friend. The visit also gave him time to think over his life. Problems at work, the com-plex, and his marriage to Hiral all seemed more distant for some reason. He needed to get away and relax. Take a few steps back and consider everything in perspective. At least, that is what Shinzou recommended. Wasn’t it true?
But there were questions lurking in the back of his mind. Who was Shinzou anyway? Wealthy, yes, and mysterious to some degree. But such questions would have to wait for their face-to-face meeting. His spirits rose with anticipation, while worries of Chindo and Hiral were neatly pushed aside.
As time went on, Sumeet became impatient and checked his designer watch. The entire trip from Narita to Tucson took only five hours, and was uneventful except for an impromptu visa interview requested by ASPAU immigration. Interviews were typically unnecessary, but Sumeet found himself flagged based on two things. A short-notice booking and the desperation of ASPAU immigration to recruit suitable Chindo citizens.
Sumeet yawned as the immigration Sentient insipidly droned on, enumerating the many benefits of ASPAU citizenship. But given ASPAU’s dismal economy and anemic population, Sumeet declined the pre-approved green card and relocation package. Stated with straightforward candor, why on earth would anyone want ASPAU citizenship?
Once in Tucson, Sumeet followed his filtered instructions, which guided him via air shuttle to the outskirts of Bisbee, Arizona. From there he was surprised to use an antiquated electric light rail system. He assumed this final leg employed outdated technologies as a tourist attraction. However, the unique experience didn’t stop as Sumeet made his way to his pre-paid hotel, the Palo Verde Spa and Resort.
The most startling thing was the total lack of wireless signals and flexi-based screen lamination. Without them, his filter stopped working. But it was unnecessary, given the absence of scrollers throughout the entire town.
It was a bizarre feeling to be offline, and he couldn’t help but laugh as he watched crowds saunter around totally unfiltered. Rather than ask questions, he went on his way and eventually pulled up to the spa’s
entrance.
Once inside, things didn’t get better. Checking in on a paper-based ledger was even weirder. The spa lacked any systems, as far as he could tell, and the room was like something out of childhood cowboy movies.
Room in order, he then searched for Shinzou. Without filtered assistance, he reluctantly inquired about his prearranged meeting point. It was a small bar in the spa’s lobby, which he soon located after getting finger-pointed assistance from the staff.
The whole experience was unnerving, and Sumeet had some trouble adjusting to it. Sitting on an old pine bar stool he aimlessly peered into his filter, hoping in vain that a signal would arrive. He repeatedly air-swathed fingers over unresponsive menus. But his activities didn’t go unnoticed by nearby guests, who found Sumeet’s unwillingness to give up technology quite irksome. Fed up with Sumeet’s open-air hand movements, an older woman called out from a nearby stool.
“Won’t work here, you know!”
Startled, Sumeet pulled up his filter slowly. “Are you talking to me?”
The woman strolled over to Sumeet, drink in hand. She had on denim jeans, and a simple white cotton shirt. Though showing no signs of makeup, she did adorn herself with silver cuff bracelets and a hefty turquoise inlaid pendant that hung low upon her open shirt chest. Sumeet might have been more captivated were it not for her age. Intricate wrinkles covered her face, revealing a woman of fairly advanced years.
“No wireless signals allowed in Bisbee,” she said, gesticulating with her wide-brimmed Martini glass. “Put that thing away and stop looking like a fool.”
Sumeet wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Who does she think she is? The statement seemed in jest, but her irritation was plain to see.
Unsure, he smiled thoughtfully. “Sorry, I’m just a visitor. Maybe you can clear up some of my questions on all this.”
“No technology! What’s to explain?” she said, pointing all around. “You blind?”
Sumeet smiled but was unamused. He looked around the bar for sympathy, but found only angry stares directed toward him.
“No, I mean, is this done to give everyone a taste of the old west? Or is there some deeper philosophy at play?”
Sumeet’s ignorance of Bisbee’s primary anathema caught her off guard. She wiped her mouth, trying hard not to spit up her drink. Yessir, the old woman was angry now. She walked up closer and poked Sumeet with the edge of her glass.
“You don’t seem all that bright, so I’ll make this simple for you, boy-chick! We’re a Primitive’s enclave. No technologies invented after 1920 allowed here. It’s a city-wide ordinance.”
“Uhm...,” Sumeet glanced around. “Why?”
“Why?” the old woman yelped with a scowling grimace. “Technology, if you haven’t noticed, is responsible for killing millions, ya fool. Like any damn drug, feels good the first time, but keeps you coming back for more. Then you die!”
Sumeet didn’t quite understand her point. He just looked on phlegmatically.
With a drunken slur she angrily continued. “Neo-Primitives got enough common sense to keep it out. Allow only basic technologies that make life a bit easier, without taking our souls!”
One of the other guests walked up and gently took the woman’s arm. Tugging lightly, he attempted to intervene.
“Come on, Margaret. It’s just a tourist. You’ve said enough.”
She snapped her arm away. “Can’t ever say too much to Strainer-fools like this one. They never learn!”
Before Margaret could finish trashing the would-be peacemaker, Shinzou walked up behind Sumeet and placed a hand on his shoulder. Sumeet turned and happily shook hands.
“I hope I’m not stopping a good brawl,” Shinzou gibed.
Margaret looked on aghast. Surprised to see Shinzou and Sumeet warmly greeting one another, she took a few confused steps back, rethinking how to proceed.
“What the...what are you doing here?” she stammered. “You know this Strainer?”
“Know him?” Shinzou exclaimed. “I invited him, so I expect you to make a good impression, Margaret.”
“Too late!” she barked back.
“What are you drinking, Sumeet?” Shinzou asked.
Margaret intervened. “You’ll all have what I’m drinking!” She looked over at the bartender. “Another round of drinks for my friends. Include the Strainer too.”
Mild cheers went up as several Martini glasses were quickly prepared. Shinzou followed Margaret to her table and indicated for Sumeet to join. They all sat down and got comfortable. But odd looks emanated from Margaret and Sumeet was unsure if he was truly welcome.
“So how long have you known each other?” Margaret demanded.
Sumeet shrugged not entirely sure. “Well, we met recently by filter. He invited me down here to meet in person, but I put it off until my flights got accidentally canceled. And now, here I am.”
Shinzou piped in. “I wanted to help poor Sumeet here. The poor kid is trying to buy a com-plex in Bengaluru and get married all at the same time. Told him to come out to get his head straight.”
“Damn right! Good advice,” Margaret said.
“And you?” Sumeet asked shyly. “Where are you from?”
“Me?” Margaret stammered angrily. “This is my home, young Strainer!”
Shinzou accepted a Martini glass handed out by the bartender. Giving another one to Sumeet, the bartender went on to the other tables.
“Margaret is one of our sacred ones,” Shinzou said taking a sip. “Has lived in Bisbee more than anyone. Came here in the days before the US joined the Pan American Union.”
“God bless America!” Margaret yelled, holding up her drink.
Cheers went up all around as people tipped their drinks in respect. Sumeet looked around quite amused.
“Joining the PAU was the worst thing we could’ve ever done,” Margaret said angrily. “Nothing but a bunch of mealy-mouthed politicians, using Sentient muscle to push us around.”
Sumeet took a sip of his drink and winced. “So, let me get this straight. Bisbee is a safe haven against technology and the Union?”
“First technology was banned, then the Union,” Shinzou explained. “One begot the other. The technology prohibition made it easy to spurn Union interference. Without it, their ability to monitor and enforce is severely limited.”
“Screw the Union!” Margaret yelled again with glass on high.
“SCREW THE UNION!” boomed cheers all around.
“Screw technology!”
“SCREW TECHNOLOGY!”
Sumeet smiled. The camaraderie of the locals was intoxicating.
“But with all due respect, why is everyone so anti-Union?” Sumeet asked carefully. “Wasn’t it the Union that saved the United States from going bankrupt? And without the PAU, the American Sector population and tax base would have been unsustainable.”
“What planet are you from?” Margaret gurgled out. “America wasn’t saved by the PAU, it was hijacked! And the only reason we was so weak was our own fault. What’cha think happens when four hundred million people sit around on their ass? Creating nothing of value half the day and porn-sporting the other half.”
Sumeet remained silent as Margaret stewed. Any answer would probably make things worse. She was a volcano, old and ready to erupt. Best, he thought, to keep one’s mouth shut.
Margaret spat, “I’ll tell ya what happens! You get taken over, that’s what! But the sloth and general stupidity of America didn’t really do us in. You know what did?”
“Let’s see, technology?” Sumeet said, half guessing.
“I’m impressed, young Strainer,” Margaret said, elbowing Shinzou hard in the ribs. “Hey, this one’s salvageable. Showing some potential.”
“My thinking exactly,” Shinzou agreed, rubbing his side.
She looked around for attention. “At first, technology appears like big magic juju. Wondrous things start happening in the world!” Margaret twiddled her fingers around, like some crazy shaman pri
estess. “But when you got too much, things turn south real fast. Turns out, the human condition gets weakened. We lose our wild side!”
“Wild side?” Sumeet asked innocently.
Margaret shoved her martini glass into Sumeet’s chest. “Haven’t you been to the zoo?”
“Uhm, yes, I suppose I have,” Sumeet said, dabbing off gin from his designer silk shirt.
“Those animals would die if you opened up their cages and set them back in the wild. Lost their natural survival skills.”
“Yes, I see where you’re going.”
“Humans ain’t much different. Except we rarely get thrown back to nature. We go from one cage to the next. Oh, it might have nicer padding as the years go by. But it’s gotten so convoluted, we don’t know which way is up anymore!”
Sumeet looked around the bar area and nodded. “So, Bisbee is nature. Or something close to it. Letting everyone get in touch with their...wild side.”
“Yeah, but there’s no way to cut away all technology. We’re Neo-Primitives here. We minimize technology required to live comfortably. Our idea of comfortable, mind you. No one’s living like Henry David Thoreau to prove the point.”
“I get it,” Sumeet said agreeably. “You minimize technology in order to maximize your humanity!”
“You’re catching on, Strainer,” she said, pointing her drink.
“Am I?” Sumeet replied with a faint grin.
Happily, Sumeet avoided getting spilled on again. He winked discreetly at Shinzou to celebrate this small victory.
Shinzou tapped Margaret on the arm affectionately. “You know, Margaret, I was going to give Sumeet here a quick tour, but maybe you’d like to chaperone us. I can’t think of anyone better qualified to show us around.”
Margaret eyed Sumeet with one raised eyebrow. “Well, I don’t know. Not completely convinced about this one yet.”
Sumeet picked up on Shinzou’s hint. “Oh... But I really would be so grateful if you could. Being that it’s my first time here and all.”
Margaret coyly rejected Shinzou’s persistence and flattery before relenting. Then they were off. Margaret seemed on fire. To their surprise, her drunken state even enhanced her natural tour-guiding skills. With hawk-like attention she didn’t miss a thing, briskly pointing out landmarks in every direction and revealing fascinating details about the enigmatic town and its people.
