Quantum Dream: An Epic Science Fiction Adventure Novel

by Gadi Migdal

  “Because it wants to get everybody. Not to leave a single human being behind,” Nola answered him.

  “Everybody?” Guy wondered.

  “It wants all of humanity. There are still millions of humans who are not part of the human entity. Most of the Eternal Edenites have never used entanglement satellites, so their brain structure hasn’t changed yet. They still aren’t part of the human entity.”

  Maya laughed with understanding. “But their leaders are connected to the human entity.” She stopped a moment. The tyrants there have always been connected to the entanglement satellites. I assume that soon he will reach some dramatic decisions. I predict that he will be remembered as an enlightened man who brought freedom and technology to the people of his world.”

  Everyone laughed and raised a glass to the lives of tyrants wherever they were.

  “What do you intend to do now, Commander?” asked Tom. “Return to Neifar?”

  “I’ll probably visit my parents and my brother, before heading off on the mapping mission.”

  “Mapping mission, Commander?”

  “Yes. A mission to map the wormholes. The Whole and Humanity believe that they identified a potential spot for a wormhole that could make it possible for us to leave the Milky Way.”

  Tom looked at her in surprise. “A wormhole to a different galaxy? Many physicists are convinced that that is impossible.’

  Nola smiled at him. “That’s what I’m going to check.”

  “That’s dangerous work. Thousands of people and entire ships have been lost in deep space looking for new wormholes,” said Maya.

  “I know that.”

  “In any case, I’m at your service, Commander. I spoke with my wife a few hours ago. We are getting divorced, and I have no intention of returning to the City anytime soon,” Tom said calmly.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” said Nola.

  “It’s okay, our marriage ended a long time ago.”

  “And what about your daughters?”

  “I know that the Whole and Mika will keep an eye on them in my absence.”

  “I’m coming too,” Ella announced. “There’s no chance I’m giving up the chance to participate in the most important research expedition in human history.”

  “Me too,” said Andre and Maya at the same time. Nola looked at them in surprise, and Maya smiled with a conciliatory expression, “Someone has to supervise the Whole, to make sure it doesn’t try any other tricks.”

  Guy laughed, “And obviously I’m coming too. Just think what surprises we might find.”

  Nola looked at them in surprise. “All of you want to continue the journey? You know that we may never return again?”

  “Certainly, Commander. That’s a reasonable risk considering the experience we will have,” replied Guy.

  Nola laughed. “That may be, but consider that the whole galaxy will be in fascinating circumstances. Seventy billion people are about to wake up and look for excitement and adventure. I wouldn’t be surprised if we are on the verge of an era that they will refer to as the Third Bang.”

  Guy laughed too. “Hope they enjoy it, it won’t affect Neifar. Aside from the growth in sales, nobody in the city will change.”

  Nola grinned, “That’s not true, Guy, the city people are also about to see upheavals in their lives. The Covenant with the Whole will change. The city residents will receive life-lengthening treatments like the rest of the people in the galaxy, and coordinators will return home every day and won’t spend their entire lives in their cluster.”

  “The Covenant with the Whole is going to change?” Guy was amazed.

  “Yes. The Whole is going to suggest dreamy conditions to the council,” Nola laughed.

  “The young people will get life-lengthening treatments and live way longer than their parents? That will definitely create a bit of chaos in the city.”

  “No, Guy. Humanity will ensure that the city people accept it with serenity and calm,” Bud smiled at him.

  “In any case, Commander, we are staying with you and Bud,” said Guy.

  “Thanks, guys,” Nola said excitedly, “I didn’t expect this. Thank you, really.”

  They raised a glass to their next journey.

  Taige stretched and looked at the clock on the laboratory wall. He was so absorbed in his work that he hadn’t noticed that 14 hours had passed. He must not forget the ongoing everyday work. He activated the built-in radio in his suit.

  “Newman, report on the status of the cages,” he ordered.

  “Everything is in order, Boss. All the pumps are working well. We are expecting very high output in the coming cycle. I hope that this time we won’t be forced to destroy half of the product because of a lack of clients.”

  “Not to worry, Newman,” Taige placated him.

  “Honestly, I think humans have stopped eating,” said the octopus.

  “I’ll deal with that soon too. It will be fine. Update me if there are any problems with the cages.”

  “Alright, Boss,” the octopus replied and hung up.

  Everything was in order. He could focus on what was really important.

  Speedy squeaked and held a long arm out of his tank. Taige gently stroked his arm, “Relax, little guy, soon you will be free to swim wherever you like.”

  “Taige, please come to Elmer’s room,” said Nellie suddenly.

  “Elmer?” Taige wondered, his heart sinking. It was too early.

  “Is there a problem with the dream machine?” He asked as he raced toward the room.

  He got to the room before she managed to answer. There was indeed a problem with the dream machine. There was no need for it. Elmer sat upright in his bed. His eyes looked clearer than ever.

  “Sir, is everything alright? Is there a problem with the dream machine?” wondered Taige.

  “Not really, Taige. I’ve just had enough of dreaming,” Elmer smiled.

  “You’ve had enough dreaming?”

  “Yes. I thought about it. Better that in my remaining years, I stay awake and help you, instead of sleeping and dreaming about a life that isn’t mine,” Elmer replied calmly. He got up from the bed and stretched slowly. “Honestly, I feel more tired than usual today. A little activity is what I need.”

  Taige looked at him in silent astonishment. Was this an act of the Whole and the hybrid brain, had it succeeded?”

  Nellie suddenly spoke, “Elmer, Taige, we have a sudden increase in orders. It seems like everyone wants our products. Actually, there’s a leap of over 50,000% in the order numbers.”

  “How many?” the two of them asked together.

  “Over Fifty thousand percent,” Nellie answered in an amused tone.

  Elmer laughed, “I take it I’m not the only one who’s sick of sleeping.”

  “All humans received a subconscious command to wake up, sir,” Taige explained.

  “A subconscious command? Relax, Taige. I was just kidding. It’s probably a coincidence.”

  “As you like, sir,” Taige mumbled. He pondered a moment. “Nellie, were the orders made by humans or animals?”

  “The vast majority were made by humans, Taige.”

  Elmer raised an eyebrow in surprise but said nothing.

  Taige pondered the matter. This early awakening was surprising and unexpected, but he could still succeed.

  “Elmer you have an incoming call from Dr. Reuben,” Nellie informed him.

  “The psychiatrist? What does he want from me?” Elmer asked in surprise.

  “He claims that he won an argument with Taige and won the chance to talk to you.”

  “Argument?” laughed Elmer. “What argument?”

  Taige was quick to intervene. “Nellie, tell him that we will get back to him later. Sir, I will explain everything to you later on. First, I want to show you someth
ing important. Can you come to the laboratory with me?”

  “Certainly, Taige, I am happy that you managed to understand how to operate the lab, the equipment there is pretty complex. By the way, nice new suit. Elegant design. I suppose you designed it?”

  Taige nodded quietly, as they made their way toward the lab.

  They entered the lab. Elmer stopped at the entrance and looked in amazement at the quantity of equipment and the big aquarium.

  “Now, I feel stupid. And here I thought you would have trouble working my old equipment. Very impressive. What are you making over there, Taige?”

  “Well, sir, something that I’m really hoping you will love,” Taige answered hesitantly.

  “I already love it. Beautiful texture. Good size. I’m sure we can get a good price for it. Have you named it yet?”

  “Yes, sir, and Speedy is not meant to be eaten.”

  “Speedy? So, this is a pet? Nice idea, but unfortunately these days there isn’t much demand for sea animals as pets.”

  Taige looked at Elmer in hesitation. He might hate the idea. Taige counted to five, then answered, “No, sir. He isn’t a pet. This is a solution that I created to extend your life. Sir, I thought of transferring you to a body like this.”

  Elmer blinked in surprise for a moment, “Transfer me? Is that doable?”

  “I developed a method that worked well on mice, sir. I believe that I could map your brain activity into a new body.”

  “Map brain activity onto a new body? That’s impossible, Taige.”

  “Well, sir, honestly, you have nothing to lose. You have a month left to live at the most.”

  “Really? That’s all?” Elmer marveled, looking at Taige with an alert, intelligent gaze. He smiled, “So that’s why I feel so weak today. Alright, Taige. Tell me what we have here.”

  “Sir, I thought of creating a new body for you. It’s been fifty years since any genetic research has been done, so I was forced to invent it myself. I studied all the professional literature and spoke with every brain in the field. This invention is a prototype. I integrated human genes with dolphin and octopi’s genes. I used your studies as a basis. Speedy is a white mouse, a mouse who remembers that he is a mouse, but in these few months has grown accustomed to his new form as a sea creature.”

  “Sea form? But that means I will no longer be a human,” said Elmer.

  Taige was frustrated, but he forced himself to answer calmly. “With all due respect, that’s just a stupid human perspective. Your appearance is more important to you humans than anything. It’s pretty ridiculous. You will be a human. You will simply stop being homo sapiens and become more adapted to the environment in which you live. You, humans, are scattered over almost infinite spaces. It’s quite logical that you would begin splitting into new sub-species.”

  “Why do you think that I will still be considered human in another body?”

  Taige answered before he could stop himself. “Sir, humanity is not a characteristic of appearance, but one of intelligence — enhanced animals are also human.”

  Elmer looked quietly at Taige.

  Taige moved uncomfortably. “Of course, that’s just my personal opinion, sir. Your present body will survive another month at best. Your new body will be ready in a week, and it should last at least 300 years. In any case, you can always move to a new body. It’s a kind of immortality.”

  Elmer smiled and wiped a tear from his eye, “The golem has outdone its creator. Don’t say there was no genetic research in the galaxy. There was, since I created you. But you’re right, there’s almost no research beyond that. Humans prefer sleeping.”

  “It seems like that is changing quickly, sir,” Taige noted.

  “Don’t be too quick to make sweeping conclusions just because of a few more orders,” Elmer chided him with a smile.

  “You’re right sir, but the increase in the number of orders corresponds to my estimate of the rate of awakening that should occur if someone transmits a subliminal instruction to all the dreamers to stop dreaming,” Taige replied.

  “Someone? Taige my dear. There is no big brother, and there is no higher power managing all of us. There have always been and always will be coincidences.”

  “Of course, sir,” Taige agreed with him.

  Elmer looked at him. “You really think that someone sent a message to all the inhabitants of the galaxy to stop dreaming?”

  “It’s certainly possible. In my opinion, that is the reason all of humanity went to sleep in the first place,” answered Taige. “Actually, I’m pretty convinced that I know who transmitted this wake-up command.”

  “Is the call with Dr. Reuben related?”

  “Yes sir, I accused him and the brains of being the cause of the human race’s sleep problem. Afterwards, I realized I was mistaken. The conversation with you is his compensation.”

  Elmer looked at him in surprise and then laughed happily. He waved an imaginary glass in the air. “Well, whoever you are, Dr. Reuben or mysterious alien, thanks for the wake-up call.”

  He approached Taige and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Thanks to you too, dear friend, for your concern with my fate and the fate of humankind. It’s good at least someone is thinking of us.”

  “It’s nothing, sir,” said Taige in embarrassment.

  “Taige, please, call me Elmer. Both of us are humans, and we are going to be business partners for another few hundred years, we should at least be able to call one another by our first names.”

  “I’d be honored, Elmer,” Taige smiled at him.

  The victory meal lasted long into the night.

  The service robots cleared more and more dishes and brought more and more bottles of wine.

  The pleasant conversation went on and on. Nola couldn’t remember when she had ever laughed so much. Slowly, they dropped under the influence of fatigue and drink. Andre and Maya left the table in an embrace and wished everyone a good night. Guy whispered something in Bud’s ear and she laughed and whispered something back to him before giving him a long kiss. Nola felt a twinge of jealousy.

  Tom and Ella said goodnight to those who remained and staggered towards Tom’s room. His divorce had gone into effect rather quickly.

  Nola looked at them getting farther away and suddenly felt soft arms around her, embracing her shoulders.

  She looked up in surprise at the light-haired woman.

  “You’ll have to help me walk, Nola. I’m not used to alcohol.”

  “Bud, what are you doing? Don’t tell me that you’re afraid to go with Guy,” Nola transmitted to her.

  “Not at all, Nola. But I want to spend this night with you. We are members of the Whole. We share consciousness, and we even shared a dream. Why shouldn’t we share a bed too?”

  Nola lay awake in bed. A strange serenity overcame her. Bud had bloomed, and Nola had fulfilled the expectations of the Whole.

  They had saved the Whole, the city and humanity.

  “Thank you, for everything,” she said into the room. “From now on, no secrets please.”

  There was no answer. She didn’t expect an answer.

  She looked at Bud, who was sprawled beside her, deep in sleep. Nola smiled at the sight of the woman mumbling in her sleep.

  She hugged the exposed shoulder, then adjusted the sheet over both of them.

  Nola cuddled with Bud and breathed in deeply.

  Bud’s scent was pleasant and almost addictive.

  It was the scent of cluster crops.

  It was the scent of a new beginning.

  Nola smiled as she dozed off.

  A sudden thought shook and woke her. “Whole, did Bud come with me of her own will or yours?”

  No answer came. “Whole?” she demanded aloud. The Whole did not respond.

  “Why won’t you answer?” she shouted. “We agreed
that you wouldn’t force me to do things against my will. I would expect you not to do so to Bud either!”

  Her anger passed all at once, and she relaxed. “Goodnight, Whole,” she whispered into the room in confusion, before falling asleep.

  The she-slave, healthy and breathing, slept peacefully. Ready to fulfill the demands of the Whole.

  About the Author

  Gadi Migdal is a Sci-Fi addict and a self-declared book worm. With a background as a high-tech entrepreneur, an expat working in Singapore and a financial analyst, he hopes to become a full-time author of speculative fiction.

  Gadi shares his life with an amazing woman who never allows him to stop chasing his dreams. He is also the father of two amazing children: a smart restless boy and a beautiful mischievous toddler girl.

  Although Gadi loves writing science fiction, he is an avid reader of multiple genres, a fact that is clearly noticeable in the sensitivity of his writing.

  You may contact Gadi directly by e-mail at MigdalGadi@gmail.com

  Message from the Author

  I love stories and always have, but now for the first time, I have finally found the courage to try my hand at creating one of my own. I felt the time had come to prove to myself that it can be done.

  Not being a fast writer, and due to my tendency to think, check and re-think everything I write, I literally poured blood, sweat, and countless hours into this book.

  I sincerely hope you enjoy the result.