by Gadi Migdal
“Yes, that really does sound simple,” mumbled Guy.
“I love this fish,” Bud announced with a broad smile.
Taige nodded. “I deserved that, Ms.”
“Taige, does your master intend to wake up any time soon?” asked Nola.
“No, Ms., Elmer is sleeping, and he intends to keep sleeping until the day he dies,” the dolphin replied calmly.
The phenomenon persisted through every planet they came to. There were no more dolphins, but brains, and polite, enhanced dogs and monkeys thanked them for visiting. Everyone refused to allow them to land, explaining that their masters were busy sleeping, and they were forbidden to awaken them.
A month later, Maya had had enough of the situation.
“Why not wake up your owner and tell her that guests from Neifar would love to speak with her?” she suggested to a polite dog who had just explained to her that they were forbidden to land at his furniture factory. The dog nearly had a heart attack at the very mention of the idea.
“That’s impossible, Ms.! I’m sorry but Ms. Leanne would kill me if I wake her.”
“She prefers to dream of people rather than really meet them?” Maya was exasperated.
“Honestly, Ms., the answer is yes,” replied the dog.
“And if we simply land there without permission and I wake her up?” Maya threatened.
A female voice intervened in the conversation. “Wait a minute, Archie. Hello, my name is Maggie, I am the management intelligence for the farm. Please don’t try to land here without permission. I have enough defense systems to damage every hovercraft that might try to land here, but I would really prefer to avoid all that.”
Maya threw her hands up in despair. “I give up. If your lady prefers dreams over life, who am I to interfere.”
“Archie, may I ask how long she has been sleeping?” asked Nola politely.
“Yes, Ms.,” said Archie. “Ms. Leanne has been sleeping for two years, eight months.”
“And how long was she awake before that?”
“For 18 hours, Ms.,” the dog replied calmly.
“What?” Nola was astonished. “Archie, how many years total has your lady been sleeping?”
“Hmm... I have no idea, Ms. Maggie, do you know?” asked the dog.
“Yes, Archie,” replied the female voice. “Leanne has been sleeping for 49 years and seven months with short breaks which up until now add up to a little less than two months of wakefulness.”
“What? That much?” Archie shuddered, reflecting the precise thoughts of the humans.
“Maybe he’s right?” wondered Andre as the ship was getting ready to leap through another wormhole.
“Who’s right?” asked Nola.
“The dolphin, Taige, maybe he’s right?”
“Right? Right about what?”
“That someone is ordering humans to sleep.”
“Who is ordering us to sleep? The evil aliens, Andre?” asked Ella irritably.
“Maybe,” he replied with restraint.
They looked into the hole that opened before them that the ship was speeding towards.
“His explanation was dramatic and illogical. If he was right, Neifar would also be addicted to dreams,” said Maya. “I think it’s just a case of herd effect. The more people choose to dream, the more boring it becomes for those who remain awake and so the pressure to connect to a dream machine increases.”
Nola nodded. “Interesting idea, Maya. But would 70 billion people fall victim to herd effect? Doesn’t that seem disproportionate?”
“Humans tend towards herd behavior, Commander. Anyway, what other explanation could there be for this?”
“I don’t know, Maya. That’s the very question that sent us on this mission. And as usual, it brings us back to the big question that might solve everything: why is it not happening in the city too?”
Maya grinned. “We’ve passed through eight worlds, less than 260 remain. Maybe after we visit all of them, we will find the answer.”
“I hope we will find something long before then, Maya.”
“Me too, Commander, me too.”
“All of humanity has gone to sleep and an enhanced dolphin is doing his thesis about it. We are living in strange times,” sighed Ella.
“It’s not just strange, it’s sad. The human race is in a terrible crisis and it doesn’t even know it,” said Guy.
Tom nodded. “And we are the only hope left to humanity.”
“Us?” Maya was perplexed.
“Yes,” Guy agreed sadly. “We are the only ones still awake, the only ones who understand the extent of the crisis that the human race is in.”
“Show me heroes, and I’ll write you a tragedy,” mumbled Andre.
The rest of the city residents nodded their heads and didn’t say a word.
The wormhole closed behind them.
Chapter 29
Communication
Thomas sounded stunned. “What do you mean you have no intention of trading with us?”
The young man, whose image was projected into the center of the room didn’t appear excited by the privilege of speaking to the living God.
“It’s forbidden, sir. Trade with you violates the First Agreement. No entity - human, brain, or enhanced animal - will trade with you.”
“Do you think I’m impressed by this speech of yours?” Thomas snapped scornfully. “This is a smugglers’ bargaining tactic. I’ve seen and heard it all over the past 2000 years.”
The young man shook his head, “You can spare me the stories, sir. I am not one of your adherents who believes that you are the eternal living God. Your name is Ludwig Stiller, and you are an ordinary mortal. You poisoned your patron, the previous ruler, about a hundred years ago and took over this world. You love telling your cronies that you are Thomas VIII, the descendant of Thomas the founder, but it’s a lie. Just like those that came before you, you came into power through intrigue and murder.”
The young apprentices’ hearts froze. Everyone wished they could be somewhere else. Thomas was not someone to upset; it usually resulted in whoever happened to be near him getting hurt. The tour of the control room deteriorated very quickly from the moment that the spaceship made contact with Eternal Eden.
Thomas’ fury was evident in his voice. “I have no problem intercepting your ship in midair young man. Watch your tongue.”
The projection smiled. “Not so, sir. You do not have the capacity to intercept me. By the way, I am not a man, and I am not young. I am a delivery-brain in service of the First Agreement Bureau.”
“Brain? ‘Non-human’? An artificial creature masquerading as a person? You are an abomination. Thomas the First was right about you.”
“Everyone is entitled to his opinion, sir.”
The brain’s serenity inflamed Thomas’ fury. “Why are you here?”
“To make you an offer you can’t refuse, sir.”
Thomas snorted with disdain, “and what does worthless scum like you have to offer me?”
“Acceptance to the First Agreement Community, sir.”
Thomas was interested, concealed with his friends in the corner of the room, not daring to make a noise to suggest their existence, Munar recognized Thomas’ excitement at the brain’s answer. Thomas was quiet for a long moment.
“And what exactly do I have to gain from joining this community?” he asked finally.
“Everything, sir. Medicine, technology, food, transport. In short, all the knowledge of the First Agreement.”
“And what do I have to give in exchange for all those things?”
The brain smiled joyfully. “Nothing sir. You simply have to accept the terms of the First Agreement - to promise equal opportunity and equal rights to all of Eternal Eden’s inhabitants.”
“Why would I want to do
a stupid thing like that?” Thomas wondered honestly.
“As I said, sir, that will buy you access to all the knowledge of the First Agreement.”
“You think that I have no access to it now?” laughed Thomas. “Merchants have been coming to us for 2000 years. Your prohibition is powerless against human greed.”
The brain nodded gravely. “We are aware of the smugglers who trade with you, as well as of the fact that no smuggler has come here in some forty years.”
Thomas did not bat an eye, “I assume that you are guilty of that.”
“No sir, the First Agreement never tried to prevent illegal trade.”
Thomas didn’t hide the scorn in his voice, “You couldn’t prevent a thing. You have no ability or right to prevent ships from coming here. Eternal Eden is not subject to your authority.”
“That’s true sir, but the traders who came here were members of the community. They violated the laws of the First Agreement. We enabled trade with you in the hope, faint though it was, that some of those very products would slightly improve the lives of the 120 million residents of this world.”
“What do you care about Eternal Eden’s inhabitants?”
“The community was created in order to ensure the survival of humans, sir. You are the only world that isn’t a member of it, but we’ve always kept an eye on you from a distance.”
“And what changed? Why did you suddenly remember to offer me membership in your community?”
“Because you’re sharp, sir. None of your predecessors survived more than fifty years. You’ve been in power for nearly 100. You know that eventually progress and freedom will have to come here. We are offering to be the ones that bring it.”
Thomas was quick to wipe off the smile of pleasure that had lit up his face. “I’ll ask again, why should I want to give the wretched village slobs the rights that belong solely to the chosen?”
“Because that is the basis of the First Agreement, sir. Those rights are granted to all members of the community by virtue of their membership. They can’t be given to only a handful of associates.”
“That means I would have to allow all the residents of Eternal Eden access to all of the knowledge that you mentioned?”
“Absolutely, sir.”
Thomas waved his hand dismissively. “No. thanks. I reject your offer.”
“Really?” the brain was taken by surprise.
“Yes, really,” Thomas mimicked him. “I have no need for that knowledge. I need tangible products. I want more helmets, I would like newer printers, and my hovercrafts are already old, but I have no need for knowledge. I will go on getting my products from whatever smugglers are available. And clearly, I have no intention of giving all the slum dogs equal rights to the palace residents.”
The brain looked surprised. “But sir, the masses of your world will be grateful to you for allowing progress to reach them. You won’t lose anything from the length of your life, you won’t have to abandon power or give up your privileges.”
“Maybe you’re right worthless scum. But I will have to submit to the rules and conditions of the First Agreement. I’m not interested.”
“I understand sir. I hoped that we wouldn’t come to this, but you don’t leave me any choice. If you don’t give your approval to join the community and adhere to its conditions, we will have to act against you.”
“Act? What will you do? Will you send me a harshly worded letter?” Thomas laughed.
“No sir. We will destroy your communication system.”
“Destroy it?”
“Yes sir, your world does not have the capacity to create or launch entanglement satellites. All of your precious devices will cease to function - the life-lengthening machine, food printers, equipment printers, learning helmets, and even the five hovercrafts you have will stop working when they stop receiving software updates.”
“You can’t do that,” said Thomas indifferently. “I am familiar with the First Agreement. It strictly forbids damaging the media of any world.”
“The agreement has changed, sir.”
“Changed?” Thomas looked around him sharply. “Munar, come here immediately.”
On shaking legs, Munar hurried over to the center of the room, “Yes Your Honor?”
“Does the First Agreement have a section that permits it to be changed?” Thomas demanded.
Munar swallowed his spit. “No sir, actually in the agreement’s introduction, it is established that it must be preserved as it is unless there is a threat to the existence of humanity that requires it to be changed. A change that must be accepted by a majority of over 80% of the community’s members.”
“Nice try,” Thomas grinned at the brain.
“No sir, I’m not trying to lie to you. An absolute majority of the functioning eligible voters decided. The agreement has been changed.”
“Functioning eligible voters? What does that mean?”
“The primary voters did not participate in the vote. The decision was made by the secondary members of the community.”
Thomas raised an eyebrow, “Secondary members? As in, monkeys and computers decided?”
“Brains and enhanced animals made it, sir.”
“And why didn’t humans take part in the vote?”
The brain shook his head, “The reasons for that are secret, sir.”
“You mean to tell me that the human race is in existential danger?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What danger?”
“That information can only be given to members of the community, sir.”
Thomas laughed. “Excellent circular logic.” He pondered a moment, then added, “I still refuse your offer.”
“I am sorry about that sir. Actions to destroy your communication system will begin immediately.”
“No,” Thomas shook his head. “There is an additional section to the agreement which I’m sure you have not changed - the section that sys that it is forbidden for community members to cause the death of humans.”
“Destroying your communication system won’t hurt anyone sir. I know for certain that you have no life-support machines.”
Thomas smiled, exposing his bright white teeth, “that’s where you’re wrong. Destroying my communication system will cause mass death. Actually, I can give you a number - for every minute without connection I will execute 10 thousand people.”
The brain blanched, “That’s insane! Why would you do such a terrible thing?”
“Because I can,” laughed Thomas.
“You’re bluffing,” said the brain hesitantly.
“No. I simply really love my pretty satellites. Tristian, come here,” Thomas ordered.
Tristian marched over firmly and quickly. “How many communication satellites do we have?” Thomas asked him.
“Fifty-six in a geosynchronous orbit and another thirty-seven going...” the rest of his sentence was drowned out by the brain shouting, “No!” Tristian collapsed to the ground, clutching his bleeding throat. Thomas laughed and dropped his knife on the ground. Munar found himself hypnotized, watching his friend’s death throes. Tristian’s eyes filled with blood and terror as his twitching weakened and faded until ceasing completely.
“Boring,” said Thomas and waved his hand. A light hit the small corpse, and Tristian’s charred remains disintegrated slowly before their eyes.
Thomas lowered his hand and turned to the brain, “That was someone I knew personally. Think how easy it will be for me to kill ten thousand people that I never met.”
The brain looked at him silently.
“Not a good enough example?” rejoiced Thomas. “What about Munar here? He’s my most successful apprentice and my favorite for twenty years. It’s rare to find an apprentice who chooses to study philosophy and history, would you like to watch him disintegrate?” He rais
ed his hand towards the pale Munar.
“No. Please don’t sir,” the brain asked. “You win, your communications will be left unharmed. I will leave your world right away.”
Thomas shook his head, “That’s not enough. I want compensation for the aggravation you caused me.”
“Compensation, sir?”
“Definitely. You caused me to lose a talented communications apprentice. I want compensation for that.”
The brain hesitated, “what kind of compensation, sir?”
“Access to all the knowledge of the First Agreement.”
“I thought you had no need for that sir.”
Thomas yawned ostentatiously. “I have no need for it but I will take it anyway.”
The brain shook his head, “Sorry sir, that’s out of the question. Not before you agree to the terms of the First Agreement.”
Thomas laughed a toothy laugh again, “I will really miss you, my boy,” he said to Munar as he directed his hand at him.
“Last chance to save an innocent child,” he said with his back to the brain.
The messenger turned his gaze to Munar. “I am so sorry, young sir, but I am unable to give that sort of knowledge to such a selfish and out of control a man as your master. I am sorry if it brings about your death.”
“His blood will be spilled because of you,” emphasized Tomas.
“No sir. His blood will be spilled because of you. I will not give you information that will enable you to hurt more people.”
Thomas turned to look at the brain, his arm still turned to Munar, steady as stone. Through his terror, Munar wondered how exactly Thomas had managed to insert a weapon into his fingers. Tremors of fear overcame him as he heard Thomas speak again.
“He’ll be just the first, worthless scum, after him I will start massacring the villagers. A thousand people for every minute that you delay the transfer of information to me.”
The brain smiled sadly, “Since you are going to kill people either way, I have nothing to lose. If you start killing your citizens, I will destroy all of your communications, and you still won’t gain access to the knowledge.”