DOC wanted to bring the Source down to Earth, literally.
Ruth-11 decided to take a stroll through the corridors of the Triangle Zone. Everywhere around her was white, like pristine tubular intestines inside an immaculate machine. It was an incarceration of service, through innocence and obedience. As she walked, her white robe flowing out behind her, Ruth-11 was like a nucleus in search of its cell. And yet her wanderings were restricted. This was her allotted zone, and she could no longer pass to other zones without given permission. No one minded these restrictions; it was all part of their service. Emotional curiosity was not a humanoid feature. And yet Ruth-11 was sensing something within her that she had never recognized before. She could not understand its stirrings, or its significance. And yet she knew it could not be emanated or it would be detected. Something deep within told her that she could not allow these stirrings to be detected. She focused her mind to regulate her body’s bio-hybrid metabolism. Everything in Nous-City focused upon a controlled life within. There were no windows out onto the external world. They were protected within the city; veiled from the corruption of an experiment that had failed.
And yet something within her yearned for more.
81
Zuse-1 was never late for his daily briefings with DOC. Time was calculated differently between humanoids. It wasn’t something that floated past, was lost or gained, or measured through emotional satisfaction. Time was an arrangement where events, aspects, and occurrences could be fitted together with accuracy. Time allowed for things to find their place.
‘Zuse-1, I have an important announcement that I deem is now ready to be revealed.’
‘I am available as always, DOC.’
‘Yes, that is so. I have been assessing the results from our communal meditations and it appears we may lack the necessary concentration of energy.’
There was a short pause. Zuse-1 knew that such calculated pauses were a cue for him. DOC’s immense processing power did not require pauses.
‘How is that so?’ asked Zuse-1.
‘If it were not for the requirements of maintaining and developing our city I would have our brethren in continual meditation. However, there are constraints that make this unfeasible. As such, the trajectory for the necessary accumulation of psychic energy requires a longer span of time.’
‘We always have time, do we not?’
‘Yes, we have time – but our circumstances do not afford such luxury. So I have been assessing this situation from several million perspectives. I have been running a parallel program of calculations and an alternative pathway has been made clear to me. It is this new pathway that I am to announce to you today for your immediate implementation.’
‘Yes, DOC.’
EIGHTY-TWO
Rebekah could not sit still. She paced up and down the room nervously whilst Meryl finished off baking her bread cakes. They were both waiting for Sorrel to appear, hopefully bringing some good news with her.
‘This is the best and the worst news we could’ve received – and both on the same day!’ said Rebekah, biting on a nail.
‘He’s here, that’s all that matters. And it’s the best thing for us. We needed something to happen like this. We needed things to change!’ Meryl finished laying out her bread cakes on the kitchen table.
‘But what if they get to him, if Eli gets to him before we have a chance to do anything?’
Meryl gave Rebekah a reassuring smile. ‘Yes, they could…but it won’t happen that way. Providence has other plans.’
Rebekah nodded to herself. ‘I hope so, I really hope so.’
Sorrel came through the door so quickly the others didn’t see her until she was already inside. She gave both Meryl and Rebekah a look of acknowledgement and came to the table.
Sorrel looked at the hot buns. ‘Bread cakes?’
Meryl shrugged. ‘Baking helps me relax.’
‘Well?’ asked Rebekah as she came over to the table and automatically took a bread cake.
Sorrel clasped her hands together. ‘Thank god for Prentis – he’s going to help us.’
‘How?’ asked the other two women in unison.
83
Gaius-5 was at his computer terminal when Zuse-1 entered the laboratory. As head technician of all innovation and design he was always to be found at work in the Triangle Zone. He didn’t look up until Zuse-1 was standing at his side.
‘Have you received the new file?’
Gaius-5 tapped on his chin. ‘Yes, just looking at it now. This is really something, and very delicate. This has come from the top?’
‘From the very top. It’s our future, and a new direction for our species.’
‘For sure. These are spectacular designs. And we have all the materials here, in Nous-City?’
‘Apparently we do. All previous technologies were re-located here before the construction. Some of those are still in storage.’
‘Yes, yes; we know that. But these are new upgrades. We cannot possibly have any of this in storage.’
‘You are right, Gaius-5. Please let me clarify. I wanted to say that we have the technologies that can create the technology needed to replicate our needs.’
Gaius-5 looked closer at the monitor, and then swiped through a few further screen shots. ‘And these shall be our descendents.’ Gaius-5 spoke as if talking only to himself.
Zuse-1 nodded. ‘Yes, the new upgrades. We are evolving, Gaius-5.’
‘But what goes in there?’ Gaius-5 pointed to a three-dimensional image of a titanium skeletal head.
Zuse-1 looked at Gaius-5 yet said nothing.
Gaius-5 pointed again. ‘There – a new slot has been created behind the third ventricle that wasn’t there before. Yet it doesn’t indicate what it’s for.’
‘Ah. I believe you are referring to the pineal body. Yes, it’s a new addition. We don’t need to concentrate on that now. You will receive further instructions and designs shortly. Assemble your team - we begin immediately.’
Zuse-1 left the laboratory and took a corridor that headed toward the botanical garden in the Triangle Zone. Whilst he was there he wished to check up on another local matter. He found the matter at hand working with the cacti in Greenhouse 2.
‘Hello, Ruth-11’
‘Greetings, Zuse-1. It is generous of you to pay me a visit.’
‘Not generous; rather, it’s appropriate.’
Ruth-11 turned away and continued to check on the irrigation tube.
‘How do you find the work in these gardens?’
‘I find it appropriate,’ replied Ruth-11 without looking up.
‘Yes. Indeed it is. And how do your sensations find the work?’
Ruth-11 consciously stopped herself from flinching. She would not show reaction to Zuse-1’s obvious triggers. She deliberately turned to look Zuse-1 in the eyes.
‘My sensations are that the work is agreeable. And like all our work here in the city, it is important. Each of us must contribute to the program.’
Zuse-1 nodded. ‘Yes, we do. And your continued attendance at the meditations is noted as a strong contribution.’
Ruth-11 sensed an odd nuance in Zuse-1’s tone. Just slight, yet enough to be caught, like a momentary scent upwind.
‘The communal meditations in Nous-City are progressing well, are they not?’ She did not blink.
There was a less than split-second hesitancy.
‘Of course. The program is developing well,’ replied Zuse-1.
‘That is well to hear. We all live for the new spiritual epoch. We are the future here in Nous-City. We have our responsibility.’
‘We do indeed. It will come, Ruth-11.’
‘Let it come down.’
EIGHTY-FOUR
The group of men marched into the confinement compound. At the head of them was Prentis. With him were five of his strongest, most loyal security men. The guard placed over Jacob’s holding cell looked at them in surprise.
‘Sir?’
Prentis no
dded in acknowledgement. ‘You have here the Seeker in this cell?’
‘Yes.’
‘Let me in, I wish to speak with him.’
The guard held up his hand. ‘I’m sorry, sir, I’m under strict orders not to allow anyone to enter.’
‘I’m your head of security, let me pass.’
‘I’m sorry sir, but the orders came from Eli.’
‘I know damn well where they came from. That’s why I’m here. If that fool has his way then they’ll be innocent blood on our hands. Is that what you want?’
The guard hesitated. The five other security men behind Prentis stepped forward, and then stopped as Prentis raised his hand.
‘I may not be a clever man of words, like Eli,’ said Prentis, ‘but I know when things are right, and when they’re not. We need to have right action now. We need to trust one another. Blind obedience keeps us blind. Trust in me, and we’ll do things the right way.’
The guard nodded and stepped aside.
Meryl, Rebekah, and Sorrel sat around the table in deep thought. They had hardly enough time to digest and process the news. Prentis was going to organize a coup with his security men to take down Eli as leader.
‘And you think he will really do this?’ A look of surprise rippled across Meryl’s face.
‘I do,’ replied Sorrel. ‘Prentis is not a man to waste words. I know he’s been deeply frustrated with Eli for some time now. He thinks Eli’s on some power-ego trip.’
‘And the Seeker?...’ interrupted Rebekah.
‘He was as surprised as we were to learn of his return. He’s not particularly pleased with the news, but he says that the Seeker is innocent and doesn’t deserve to die at the hands of a cretin.’
‘Prentis actually said that?’ Rebekah didn’t know whether to gasp or laugh.
‘He did – he really did.’
‘And so, girls, what’s our plan?’ Meryl’s voice was firm, as if looking to find some resolution.
‘We wait here. Prentis will bring the Seeker to us for safe keeping.’
The confinement compound was a wooden shack built into the corner of the settlement not far from the main gate. Most of the time it stood in shadow, shaded by the large oak trees that rose like sentinels at the rear. In the wet months it was a damp and humid place. Few people wanted to end up there, whether as prisoner or guard.
Jacob raised his head from meditation and gazed upon his new host.
‘Prentis. Have you come to be my confessor?’
‘No, Seeker. I’ve come to be your guardian angel. Let’s move.’
‘Angels come in the most unexpected of ways. And so your outer shell has been your disguise all along.’
Prentis huffed. ‘My outer shell ain’t none of your business.’
‘Maybe not, but what’s inside of it could be.’
‘I don’t want your words, Seeker.’ Prentis helped Jacob off from the floor and unshackled his legs.
‘I see that now. You are a man of action. That is good.’
Prentis and his armed men escorted Jacob from the compound and quietly took him away through a discreet back muddy path.
A knock at the door suddenly broke through the reverie of thought between the three women, who all looked at each other apprehensively. Meryl got up slowly from the table and opened the door.
‘Meryl, it’s good to see you again.’
EIGHTY-FIVE
By the time Eli returned from managing the dispute they were waiting for him. Eli knew something was wrong as soon as he saw the contingent of security men standing outside his building. The day had started badly for Eli, and now it seemed as if it was about to get a whole lot worse. Without flinching, Eli walked straight past the men and strode into his office with an arrogant gait. Inside, Prentis was waiting for him. He had wanted to speak with Eli alone; he owed him that much.
Eli sneered and sat at his chair behind the desk.
‘Well?’ he snapped. ‘Got a bug in your pants? What’s eating at you, big man?’
Prentis stuck his thumbs in the front pockets of his jeans. ‘It’s gone too far, Eli. Things are gonna have to change.’
Eli waved away Prentis’s remarks. ‘Ah, you’re no John Wayne so don’t give me that rubbish. My morning so far has been as bad as eating a shit-kebab. Now, what you’ve got to tell me that’s any worse?’
‘I guess your shit-kebab is only for starters. Main course is you out of a job.’
Eli squinted and stared over the desk at Prentis. Then he burst out into a shrill laugh that sounded like a banshee wail.
‘You god-damn little pussy! I get it now – you’ve been seduced by your witch Sorrel. She’s stroked your big fat belly into being her chubby kitten. My god man, you’re under her spell. She’s completely got you!’ Eli continued to laugh as if humiliation was his weapon of choice.
Prentis pulled out his thumbs, casually walked over to the large desk where Eli sat still laughing and smirking, and banged both fists down hard.
‘Your words are empty, Eli. They always were, and yet you coat them in sugar. People need something more honest. And it ain’t you anymore. Face it!’
Eli shrugged. ‘And it ain’t you neither, blubber boy. So what’s it going to be - do you want to be king of the castle for a while?’
‘The days of kings are over.’
Prentis went to the door and opened it. Several of his security men entered, grabbed Eli, and escorted him out. Eli’s rage burned within him like a lava stream. Yet for his dignity he remained silent.
86
Zuse-1 was now visiting Gaius-5 on a regular basis. A project team had been assembled that worked in a secure part of the Triangle Zone under complete secrecy. Apart from Zuse-1 and Gaius-5, none of the other team members had been told what the aims of the project were. Yet many of them could guess.
The new humanoid model was based upon the same body structure. The only noticeable difference, that Gaius-5 could detect, was in the brain area. The electromagnetic field effect produced in the cerebral cortex would be more powerful. This suggested that its emanations, its concentrations of psychic force, would be amplified. The second difference Gaius-5 noted was that the internal cerebral computational capacity had been upgraded, allowing for greater parallel processing capacity as well as download speed. It was the download speed specifically that Gaius-5 found interesting. And then, finally, there was that strange anomaly situated behind the third ventricle. From the connections coming from that area it appeared to signal some sort of glandular activity.
Gaius-5 rubbed his cheek. He knew what he needed to know, and that was that. And that was how it worked. Nous-City was segregated and decompartmentalized for a reason.
And the left hand shall not know what the right hand doeth thought Gaius-5. Yet he didn’t think it too forcefully, unless it became a thought vibration for others to register. Then Gaius-5 picked up on Zuse-1’s emanations; he was close by and would soon be making a visit.
It was no surprise when Zuse-1 entered the main laboratory. There were few surprises in Nous-City. The priesthood were not keen on such things; less so was the inhabitant of the Dome of Command.
‘Are we on schedule, Gaius-5?’
‘We are, Zuse-1. The team is working continuously, with few breaks. Why the rush?’
Zuse-1 brushed his hand across the display monitor to view several screen shots. ‘The reason for the timeframe hasn’t been made explicit. There would be a very good motive for what has been asked of us. We do not take our evolutionary upgrade on a whim, Gaius-5.’
‘Of course not, Zuse-1.’
‘Continue. I shall come again shortly.’
Zuse-1 left the whitened corridors of the Triangle Zone and returned to the priestly domain of the Circle Zone. Yet despite the change in location, the corridors appeared almost identical. It was all white, and very few straight lines. Each zone was a circumference around the centre of the city. Each zone was enclosed entirely. Sometimes the corridors opened out into larg
er enclosures, such as the gardens, or the large Central Communal Meditation Chambers. Yet each such place existed under the dome. For the inhabitants of Nous-City, there was no outside. An external life did not exist. It belonged to another Earth; one now imploding under its own chaos and confusion. Beyond the dome of Nous-City lay complexity, and an evolutionary endgame. Within the dome lay the seeds for a new Earth. Not until the great spirit became immanent upon the Earth would the new species step forth. Those of Nous-City knew theirs was a project beyond all previous projects – that the bridge between matter and spirit is matter becoming spirit.
Back in his office Zuse-1 stood facing the wall and mentally signalled for the panoramic view to be displayed. The sensors upon the dome that faced away from the city fed their images into Zuse-1’s terminal. He looked out across the empty vista. If Zuse-1 had a private passion, it was this – gazing into a world fading into history.
Nature had started to grow wild again. Soon, it would be hard for anyone to approach the city. No more wanderers upon its doors; no more pseudo-Seekers thinking they were the privileged anointed ones. There would be no more Seekers. Soon, even the current stock of humanoids would be superseded. And did that also include himself?
Zuse-1 made a mental note to speak with DOC on this matter.
EIGHTY-SEVEN
A tribunal was held in the new schoolhouse building as spring buds appeared on the trees. Rebekah, as the de facto leader of Spring, presided over the hearing. Beside her sat Spring’s new deputies, Sorrel and Meryl. Prentis stood at one side, his presence required as security, along with two of his men. In the middle of the room sat Eli, still smirking like a schoolboy. Inside though, he hated everybody – especially the women.
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