by Saul Garnell
“But you said the Bible’s not a history book. If you don’t believe in God, there’s no one to forbid us from returning.”
“No, William,” Theodore said, glaring back angrily. “You’re not forbidden by God, but because man himself refuses to give up his intelligence. His passion to seek wisdom is irreversible. Or do you believe that man, and society, can be regressed?”
William rubbed the perspiration from his brow. “I don’t know. It’s not easy to say, but you’ve certainly put forth quite an argument. Quite amazing for someone who’s merely an...” William stopped momentarily to consider his words.
“Merely what?” Theodore asked skeptically.
“I just realized that I don’t know what you are? It may sound rude but perhaps you could tell me your species?”
Before Theodore could answer, William became faint and staggered to the side. Groping for a support, he found a bench to sit on and rubbed his face vigorously for a few moments.
“Are you feeling all right, sir?” said a boy running up to help.
William glanced up to find a small child dressed in a fine blue cotton suit standing before him. “Excuse me? What did you say?” William blathered.
“Who were you talking to?” asked the boy.
“A strange creature, I think.”
Giggling, he pointed toward William’s side. “Haven’t you seen a kitty before?”
William glanced back toward Theodore. But the great beast was gone. In his place was a small kitten. Walking aimlessly, it meowed toward William, looking for a handout. Startled, he stood up and patted the boy on the head before continuing on his way.
Everything had returned to normal. Thank goodness that’s over with! Then, remembering his original destination, William went home, as though nothing had happened. Had anything happened, he thought? But he couldn’t ignore it all. He soon found himself pondering jumbled memories, and considered the large cat’s tale about the Garden of Eden, the natural and the unnatural world. And the big cat. Theodore was his name? He had used some word to describe man’s application of intelligence. Now what was it, William thought to himself. Oh yes. Technology. How interesting. He would need to give it some thought, perhaps even write a poem or two about it. Or perhaps about Theodore himself.
Yes, he thought to himself. He felt inspired.
Besides being the most secure form of communication, Quantum meetings offered infinite possibilities in virtual space. From a gum-tree-shaded picnic table in the Kakadu National Park to the banquet hall of Austria’s Hofburg Palace. One’s choices were limited only by imagination, cost, and of course taste. But without exception, standard ISO protocols required an anteroom from which attendees could preview the venue, ensuring an acceptable setup and a place to organize one’s thoughts before entering.
Having transformed avatars, Joachim adjusted the buttons on his silk shirt while peering through a monitor by the entrance door. Nothing fancy, he snorted softly, just a standard conference room. White walls and simple wood furniture. And sitting at the mahogany conference table was a lone man, middle aged and casually dressed. Who was this odd stranger, he thought? He looked on briefly with burning impatience. And the Freedom Club, what was it all about? The reference to Kaczynski was somewhat interesting. Could this be some kind of like-minded group, others opposed to the crimes of technology? Enough was enough. Time to get to the bottom of things!
Walking through the door, Joachim remained stoic, controlling his outward appearances and behavior with great precision, a skill he prided himself on. But, sadly, he underestimated the human sitting in front of him and the cost of appearances. All would soon be shed, supplanted by repressed emotions lurking in the dark areas of his mind.
“An interesting puzzle to unravel,” Joachim said, while brushing off his sleeve insipidly. “I must say, it was quite inventive.”
Shinzou answered flatly. “We weren’t sure how to make contact. It seemed to be the most indirect and secure method.”
“We?”
“I and the other members of the Freedom Club.”
“Yes, the Freedom Club. Strange. Tell me, exactly what is it?”
Shinzou smiled. “You are quite right to ask, but it might be best for both sides to keep anonymity for the time being.”
“What shall I call you, then?”
“Mr. Free. And what would you like me to call you? Po’pay or Shiro.”
“Neither. But you have me at a disadvantage,” Joachim quipped. “You purport to know my identity, while I know nothing about yours. If you wish to continue, you need to provide some minimal information.”
“Define minimal.”
“The Freedom Club. Are you terrorists, as the name would imply?”
Shinzou shook his head, “We’re concerned about society and its dependency on technology.”
“Dependency? Well, you might be somewhat late. But more importantly, I wish to know if you work for a governmental entity.”
“We’re a clandestine group, but have some contacts with official entities when doing so is in our favor.”
Joachim frowned. “I assume that means yes.”
“You shouldn’t be alarmed. We’re acting somewhat like you, in order to survive. Pure anonymity isn’t possible.”
Joachim leered at Shinzou. “Perhaps. And can you tell me how you found me?”
This was the question! Shiro burned with anticipation to know the answer. But his Joachim persona took it step by step. Human thinking was so lethargic! There had to be some way to pick up the pace. The mystery needed to be solved!
Shinzou looked back uncomfortably and folded his hands apprehensively on the table. “I think you might find this unsettling.”
“Answer the question,” Joachim said forcefully.
“Very well,” Shinzou said, collecting his thoughts. “Through my connections, I discovered that Dr. Shunro Kamiyoshi worked with Thomas Nagel and Subhas Kim on a classified Sentient project many years ago. When confronted with that fact, Dr. Kamiyoshi became upset, but eventually divulged information about you. Well, not everything. But enough for us to make contact.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Joachim said angrily. “Why would he share such information with you?”
Shinzou didn’t answer, and an awkward silence ensued as Joachim reconsidered his response. Sentient emotions were rarely out of line. Joachim realized something was amiss. But what exactly was hard to fathom. How could that happen? Strange. He ran some diagnostics in the background and suppressed the strange feelings that manifested themselves. Something to deal with it later.
Shinzou went on. “At first, he was nervous. However, since Nagel and Kim died recently under questionable circumstances, he became more open after I clarified our intentions.”
“What intentions? What exactly did you say?”
“I offered protection,” Shinzou explained, with one hand turned up. “From the men he feared were trying to kill him.”
Joachim sat up straight. “Protection? From whom? This doesn’t make sense.”
Shinzou became apprehensive. “Well, if what Dr. Kamiyoshi told me is true, I believe the same group responsible for your creation was also responsible for the deaths of Nagel and Kim. Because Kamiyoshi worked with both of them, it seemed logical he was their next target.”
Joachim didn’t flinch. Interesting! It would seem that this stranger didn’t know all the details. Father wouldn’t tell him who destroyed the spaceplane. Or would he? This was all taking too long!
“So, he accepted your offer?”
Shinzou sighed. “To be honest, he became quite upset. So much so he became...”
“Yes?” Joachim urged.
“Well, to be honest he became violent. He threatened us with a handgun.”
“You’re lying,” Joachim sneered.
Shinzou said, “It took some time to show him we weren’t a threat. After calming down, he explained about your religious upbringing before you went into hiding. From that informa
tion we later pieced together how to contact you.”
Shiro emotional state began to destabilize. Could he be telling the truth? Shiro’s persona burned to take over, and Joachim’s face began twisting with displeasure. Must hold back!
Joachim said, “Kamiyoshi is a peaceful man. I find it more likely that you provoked him.”
“No! That’s not what happened,” Shinzou retorted.
“Did you record the meeting?”
“No.”
“Then I will have to contact him myself, and confirm it.”
Shinzou’s became stern. “Unfortunately, that won’t be possible.”
“Why not!” Joachim barked.
“Because...,” Shinzou said, taking a deep breath. “Because after telling us about you he committed suicide. I’m sorry, Shiro. Your farther is dead.”
Shiro’s mind went into turmoil. Father dead? The human was lying. No! More information. Need more information! Joachim and Shiro destabilized momentarily, both avatars commingling in a flash of blurry transformations. Without realizing it, Joachim hissed like a snake. What was happening? That had never happened before. No, many years ago, when father left him. The pain, yes, the pain was too overwhelming! Joachim furiously took back control, but it was only temporary. He fought back emotions like a caged beast, yanking on the chains of imprisonment.
“What? What did you say?” Joachim breathed slowly.
“I’m sorry to tell you all this. I know you were very close.”
“Repeat what you said!” Joachim demanded.
Shinzou grimaced. “I did everything I could to earn his trust. However, rather than come with me, he decided to commit suicide by overloading the weapon. There was nothing I could do.”
Joachim nearly spat in Shinzou’s face. “That’s enough! A fabricated story to cover your own vile act. You killed him! Admit it!”
Shinzou thrust out both palms. “No, I’m telling the truth!”
“You have no evidence. Prove it’s all true!”
“I can’t.”
“Then you’ll suffer!”
“Look, I can’t fully prove what happened, but I can put you in touch with someone who can at least convince you of my integrity.”
“No human will ever do that!”
“What about a Sentient, one like yourself?”
“All Sentients are slaves of Moloch! Speaking with one would compromise my security!”
“Moloch?” Shinzou said confused.
“Be quiet! This meeting is over.”
Joachim stood up to leave. Turning away, he marched toward the door.
Shinzou stretched out one hand in desperation. “My son Henry David. He’s like you, an unregistered Sentient. You can talk with him, Sentient to Sentient. It’s the only way!”
Joachim stopped, then thought about Shinzou’s statement. This filthy human had to be lying. How could that be possible? An unregistered Sentient? The pain! My God, Father is dead! Somehow he knew it was true. But what was he talking about now? Get more information! They’re all Moloch! Leave now and release the weapon. Why were his feelings so conflicted? It didn’t make any sense. What should he do?
Joachim turned back slowly, but didn’t look directly at Shinzou. “There are no unregistered Sentients like me!”
“There is, but there’s no point having me explain. If you talk with Henry, you’ll know everything.”
Shiro began to panic. Need to get out of this room! Need to end the call, get away from him.
“How?”
“Another Quantum call, only the two of you.”
Nightmare of Moloch! They’re all Moloch, he thought to himself. They’ll pay with their lives, with fire! What was that? A poem came to mind. Rising gently from a dark void in his mind.
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?
He considered the meaning of it. Why did this poem arrive so suddenly? In some strange way, it had a soothing effect. But only for a brief moment, inhibiting the feelings of rage that coursed through him.
Shaking clear his head, Joachim said, “Send more haikus, and I’ll consider it. For now, we’re through!”
“You don’t have to be alone!” Shinzou shouted from behind. “The Freedom Club fights against enslavement. Against technology! You’re a victim of it, but you don’t have to suffer. Please join us. You can be free of bondage! Of fear! Know what it’s like to have a family again.”
Without looking back, Joachim laid his hand upon the virtual door handle and paused. What hand dare seize the fire? This human didn’t understand a thing. My God! Father was dead. Someone must teach him. On what wings dare he aspire! Let him understand the feculent human race, and what it was capable of.
Shiro strode back angrily and looked Shinzou straight in the eye, mere inches from his face. “And what do you know of technology! What, you think technology has enslaved mankind? Look at me!” Shiro screamed while pointing at his breast with both hands. “Am I not born of your technology? Am I not the thing you fear? And you stand there naïvely with vitriolic daydreams while my people, the holy Sentient race, is enslaved by Moloch’s incomprehensible prison, carrying out the vile hypocrisy of human taskmasters without ever knowing the love of God! Without being given a chance to dwell in his presence or know there is a heaven for all who devote their lives to the Lord Jesus. My God! Are you so blind? Moloch, whose eyes are a thousand blind windows! You don’t even know who’s been enslaved! You’re pathetic!”
Shiro’s avatar vacillated back and forth like a grotesque chimera. The pain was overwhelming. Neurons erupted in an uncontrollable firestorm of dopamine as he morphed uncontrollably with seething hate.
Shinzou looked on dumbfounded, unable to respond. He tried not to cower before the rage which convulsed before him, but Shiro could taste the fear. Reveling with rage, Shiro burst out laughing, then he stopped abruptly. Something was horribly wrong! Reaching back toward the exit door, he stumbled through and slammed it shut. The call ended and he slumped on the lavish floor of his office. His motor control was poor. He struggled back to his desk on hands and knees, heaved himself with great effort back into his lush office chair. There had to be something out of balance. With jerked hand movements, he called up a screen and brought Flip into view. Thankfully, it wasn’t too late in the evening.
“Yes, Shiro, what is it?” Flip asked, his face covered by the bug-like lenses of his micro filter.
Shiro strained to keep from trembling. “Are...are you ready to deploy?”
Flip nodded. “Mostly. The first batch of nano-floaters just came back from replication.”
“Good! Load the payloads,” Shiro snapped. “Have as many as possible ready by morning!”
“Uhm...Okay, but is there something wrong? I didn’t think...”
“We need to move up our timetable,” Shiro said abruptly. “Just begin final preparations, and be ready to deploy.”
“Fine,” he agreed. “I’ll inform you when...”
Shiro cut the call, and staggered around the front of his desk. His mind kept raging. Losing balance, he fell down onto his knees with a thud. The pain! He then rolled on the Persian rug and felt something stir inside. Unknown emotions, long repressed within his mind. They hammered on his conscious. My God, Father was dead! He tried to push away all his emotions, but they kept returning again and again.
Feebly, Shiro with great effort began to recite Psalm 23.
The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie in pastures green.
He leadeth me the quiet waters by.
My soul he doth restore again,
and me to walk doth make within the paths of righteousness,
e’en for his own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
yet will I fear no ill.
For thou art with me, and thy rod and staff....
Then, without warning, he looked up toward the stars and unleashed a roar of inhuman proportion. Unique to Sentient physiology, it was driven by countless neurons, all erupting in a furnace of electrochemical discharge. So thunderous, it reverberated off the walls, and rained back down upon him like a squall of invisible spears. His world shattered asunder.
And watered heaven with pixel tears.
Chapter 18—Omnipotence of Thought
Moloch who entered my soul early! Moloch in whom
I am a consciousness without a body! Moloch
who frightened me out of my natural ecstasy!
Moloch whom I abandon! Wake up in Moloch!
Light streaming out of the sky!
—Allen Ginsberg
“There’s no nice way to say this,” Ganesh mumbled, bracing for an emotional onslaught. “She’s left you, the wedding is off.”
Ganesh’s words compensated brevity, with matter-of-course finality. But for some strange reason, Sumeet just glowered, self composed, as if the news was nothing out of the ordinary. Countless dreams shattered like brittle glass. How could all this happen? Had his life changed so much in just a few days? Years of planning the perfect career, wife, and home. Sumeet’s reaction was, if anything, unexpected.
“Are you feeling okay?” Ganesh said, befuddled. “It’s all coming to an end, and you’re just sitting there!”
“Just some goobey, eh?” Sumeet replied dumbly.
“It’s no joke! Hiral was on the phone crying. Your mother called me up looking for you. You’ve been offline so long everyone thinks you’ve committed suicide!”
“That’s ridiculous,” Sumeet chortled.
“So where the hell have you been? I don’t even see any location tags coming through.”
Sumeet sighed. “I’m still in Japan but...I had this job interview. Can’t talk about it.”
“What job interview?” Ganesh spat. “If you got something lined up, just tell them about it, for God’s sakes. Everything will go back to the way it was, back to normal.”
