Artur Zadikyan
Parallel Worlds pro et contra
– Can I stop you? We've heard a lot more than that, but this is beyond comprehension. We understand you're conducting an experiment, or rather, it's a kind of defense of the project, a way to show the council its… I don't even know what to call it. Mr. Master Paschow, can you reveal the details of the project?
– Project details? It goes like this. I myself do not quite understand what the "luminary of science" seeks, apparently, this is part of his plan to discredit the one who put forward the idea, developed the theory and proposed the method, the way of scientific research, that is me. Most likely the answer is in the proof from the contrary. Exactly as he said, only in reverse. Indeed we entered virtual reality, only we had already come out into reality, and there was no transfer of one personality into another.
– That's a lie! – Big-data shouted. – He's playing around. He doesn't realize that we'll come out of virtual reality and everyone will know what's going on. In principle, though, the experiment went great. I agree with that. But, buddy, it's time to come clean. All we have to do is ask the board if they approve of the methodology.
There were indignant cries, and the atmosphere was getting nervous. The Chairman decided to make it clear.
– What's the project, what's the methodology? What are you presenting to us? Initially it was declared one thing, and now it's some kind of performance. If you're conspiring like this, it's time to reveal the details of the project. Approve what? You initiated a meeting to approve a program that borders on the level of, I would say, super fiction. Even though the cloning project is a success, what you're proposing is beyond the realm of reality. You want to get the project approved and funded, you claim that not only "there is intelligent life outside of human civilization," but you say, "It's exactly like ours, a mirror image." So they are parallel worlds. Aren't they? Besides, you are going to convince the council in the possibility of transferring not only consciousness from person to person, simply speaking, something like a magic transmigration of souls, but you are also convincing in your ability to do it at a distance, with penetration into these parallel worlds. And these parallel worlds, according to your claims, can be anywhere, even in another universe. Allegedly, according to your theory, by the way, Rutra Tigrovich, they must be in infinity. And, as it turns out, it is very easy to find them, the main thing is to determine the connection between the entangled pairs of electrons, which have existed since the creation of the world and are constantly renewed. You know, even at our level, I mean brain-supercomputer connection, not everyone has a good idea of quantum entanglement and why this connection is instantaneous, why the laws of the universe are not violated, although this very connection can exceed the speed of light by hundreds of thousands of times. It is all right, we will study it. The question is this. To be convincing, you should have provided evidence of the first stage – the transfer of a person into another body and back. Then there would be some credibility to all of this. As it is, I don't understand what kind of a show you're putting on. You, Mr. Magister, should know that the council can't be persuaded like that.
– That's what I'm saying, a hoax," Big Boss replied. – I'm telling you, our luminary of science turned out to be a fake. We still need to check his role in the cloning project. Although what is there to check, the cloning itself was not invented by him, the technology of "pumping" consciousness is not his, the whole idea is mine. And in general – it's nonsense, what he's saying… we can go and check the virtual reality settings.
– This is a conspiracy. It's a mutiny! – shouted Big Daddy.
– I think he's out of his mind. He realized that his scam was about to be exposed, so he decided to try to fool everyone in the way he thinks he can," Big Boss said. – I think he's going to say to me that he wants to take over, he put my mind in his body… or some such nonsense.
– Wait, wait, wait. What the hell is going on? Are you two in cahoots? – The chairman interrupted him.
– Arrest him, I command you! – shouted Big Daddy.
– You see, he's a danger to society," Big Boss parried.
– Oh, wait a minute. What have you turned this meeting into? You know how important it is. It's not even a meeting of heads of state. We can't meet all of a sudden, even on such an important but single issue. I'm eliminating you both. The council has equally important matters on its agenda," said the chairman.
– Arrest us both. Remove me temporarily from power, or rather him. Time must be running out soon anyway," Big-data said in a harsh tone.
– Suspend, suspend, take control. We need to know what's going on. Take them to the medical section. Do a sanity check. Something's going on here. And I'm initiating danger level one. I hope the council agrees with me," the chairman sounded frankly annoyed. – Regarding virtual reality, the timer cannot be changed. It's the way Irene is programmed. It's for security reasons. If you saw the original start time, it should not have changed. Secondly, the second defense: you cannot re-enter virtual reality in virtual reality. So I'm going to send you to the lab in the science block – you did a session there – and we'll check it out there. If you enter the session – it means that this is reality, and if not – we are in the virtual world. Although it's not serious. If the council will allow me, I'll go over the latest security settings. I think it's about time the scientific community knew them. You, Master Ruthra, of all people, should know that. We all have a signaling code that signals every hour that we're in the real world. The virtual world doesn't have that program. That's why the thought doesn't even occur there. So, gentlemen, let us dispel your doubts and at the same time, I think, take part in your experiment, – he grinned slightly, and this reaction was transmitted to many in the hall. – I hope you don't mind being escorted to the laboratory?
– I absolutely do not," Big Boss blurted out instantly.
– This is kindergarten. You can check the protocols," said Ruthra in the scientist's body.
– You see, commentary is unnecessary," Big Boss said snidely, trying to imitate Rutra's gestures, namely, opening his palms up in front of him.
– Alrighty, let's go," Big-data muttered with a dose of anger and walked towards the exit.
– Irene, put me through to security, escort them to the lab, and live stream what's happening here. While we discuss the process of robotization of industries in developed countries and the consequences of migration associated with it. And the second question is about cloning in animal husbandry in developed countries. Now we have reached the point where we don't need people, cows without udders.
Big Boss and Big Data walked through with a security escort, though there was still the signal of Irene's remote taser still on. "Haven't we given a lot of power to artificial intelligence," Ruthra thought, glancing absently at the flashing light accompanying them.
– What are you up to? – He finally got his thoughts together and turned to Big Boss.
– What are you talking about, sir?
– Enough already. Tell me what you're doing.
– I don't know what you're talking about.
– Look, friendship is friendship, but you seem to have lost your fear. I'm gonna cut off your access to the lab. You and your unit were assembled by me as a team of the best, most progressive and advanced scientists in the world. I've given you brain enhancements and a direct link to the knowledge base. It is not yet known whether you could be such a "luminary of science", as you present yourself, if it were not for brain enhancement and full access to the works of other scientists, and in fact the tacit use of them. And of any scientific center in the world.
– I'll point out, this disease has a name, too. I'm sorry, you may have a split personality.
– You're out of your mind.
– I would ask you to respect the subordination in the dialog.
– All right, Mr. Cheeky, let's see.
They entered the lab, the rigs were empty.
– Well, you see," Big Boss decided to get smart.
– Lie down, the concert is over," Big-data "threw" him.
– Now you will be shocked, however science must also have sacrifices.
– Come on, come on. Enough already," Big-data almost bellowed and lay down in the machine.
The laboratory workers present began to put on their masks and check the readings of the instruments. The voice of the chairman was heard in everyone's head. The Conference system was turned on, they were all in a common dialog, Irene too.
– Irene, can you tell me where these people are located?
– They are in the real world," Irene stated dryly.
– What are you talking about? Are you saying I'm crazy? Mr. Chairman, please analyze what's going on. It's already annoying me frankly. What the hell is going on? Do you realize what's going on? This guy wants to steal my body. No less than that," said Rutra, who looked like a doctoral-level scientist to everyone.
– With all due respect to you and your merits – medics, or rather psychiatrists, should intervene in what is going on.
– Mr. Master, we need to conduct a virtual reality session. Or rather, to terminate it. I don't really know how. It should end on its own. What the hell am I worried about? It should end sooner or later. Maybe in virtual reality it seems to us that a lot of time has passed, but in reality it hasn't expired yet.
The big boss, too, took off his mask and climbed out of the rig himself, sat down on its edge, then addressed the chairman, though it was an address to the whole council, for all could hear them.
– Mr. Presiding Magistrate, I think this situation has been described many times in medical practice. I think the scientist just needs to rest… or he should be treated already. Sorry, I too thought it was a joke or part of his program.
– What are you talking about, you con artist. Give me back my body! – shouted Big Data.
– Dear Doctor, will you make your own way to a psychiatrist or…I hope we are well-mannered people.
– Mr. Magister, it's terrible. I don't even know how to explain it to you. This man tricked me into these installations and changed the contents of our brains. He put his consciousness into my body and mine into his. It's, it's, it's a horror. It's a nightmare. Can you imagine such a thing?! – Big Data was almost shouting.
– Calm down. I see– I don't even know what I see anymore. It's impossible. You said so yourself. I mean, I'm already confused with you. Master Ruthra Paschow said it was impossible. The body would either die or be in a coma for some time, with a five or six minute return of consciousness, as I recall. It's impossible to transfer consciousness from one body to another, or rather, from a body to a clone and then back again after a long time. Especially not like this.
– As you can see, it's possible. He achieved it and kept it secret. And now, when we checked everything, he used it," Big-data began to explain calmly.
– That's the kind of dreamer you'd have to look for," Big Boss put in.
– You found him," the chairman replied.
– On my own head," Big Boss answered him guiltily.
– Will you go to the psychiatrist, Mr. Doctor? – asked the chairman courteously.
– I'm not going anywhere! Check out Irene's protocols. It should all be documented. You can't let this go, he'll be in your body tomorrow. Imagine what he could do.
– So you mean to say that it is possible to transfer consciousness between people, to return to the original body, with both bodies functioning absolutely normally? Is that what you're trying to convince me and the council of?
– I don't want to. He does. Or rather, it doesn't mean anything at all. There's no such thing, we're in a virtual world," Big-data replied to the chairman, trying to keep a calm tone.
– I assure you, you're in the real world. You don't believe me? You don't believe the board, you don't believe Irene? I'm sorry, I'm gonna have to take you to a psychiatrist.
After these words, Big-data shook slightly and collapsed on the virtual reality unit's cot without moving. After about ten seconds, he groaned and said with difficulty:
– It's a conspiracy, it's a power grab. He'll have all the access to Irene.
Suddenly Big Boss stood up, his coworkers walked over to him and began to stack Big Daddy in the BP rig.
– What's going on? – The chairman asked sternly.
– Wait a minute, your honor, I'll explain everything and even show you," Big-boss said while checking the readings of the devices.
Words were addressed to the chairman and the board.
– That's right, we're not in a virtual reality, except that reality isn't quite what it seems.
– Mr. Master Paschow, what are you up to? I must remind you, the council meets in person quite rarely, because having everyone in one place goes against the concept of security. The council requires immediate clarification. In spite of your lofty status, provide clarification! Or I'll be forced to ask you to voluntarily go to a psychiatrist as well.
– All right, Mr. Chairman. Just listen to this. The distinguished doctor is not entirely wrong. The fact is that we did conduct an experiment. Please check the record and the protocol of this experiment.
– Irene, show us, the council, the tape and the protocol of their experiment," the chairman asked.
– I can't do it. These files are locked in me.
– Blocked how? Who can block you at all?
– Only someone who has the code to the customization.
– You mean Master Paschow has blocked you?
– Yeah, the lockdown code is a cipher in his DNA. Only he can make the changes.
– Changes cannot be global and permanent. Are these files saved?
– Yes, Your Honor, preserved.
– Mr. Magister Paschow, the council demands that these files be unlocked immediately.
– I'll clarify. Irene is not fully blocked on this event. You can see what time the lockout occurred. Irene, let me know the time of the lockout.
– This morning; 8 hours 46 minutes and 27 seconds.
– Now would you please advise what time the BP session started?
– This morning; 8 hours 28 minutes and 59 seconds.
– Gentlemen, don't you find my action on chronology strange?
– We find not only your action on the timeline strange, but everything that is going on today in general. Explain what's going on.
– Logically, I should have blocked Irene before the BP session if I wanted to hide something. However, it turns out that I do want to hide something, since I did block the recording and logging of events. Isn't that right?
– Rutra Tigrovic, please be clear, we're not here to investigate.
– Wait, that's the whole point. Let's do this, since you want to find out fast. Let's go into virtual reality, then come out and check the recording of the last session.
– Why?
– I wish the esteemed luminary of science would stop having a split personality.
– I don't have a split personality! Grifter, give me back my body! – shouted Big Daddy, who had almost regained consciousness.
– Okay, honorable council? – ignoring the cries of the "scientist," Big Boss asked.
– Let's do it already, I think it has to do with the new experiments," the chairman's voice trembled a little, either from concealed anger or from uncertainty about the decision.
– Irene, once I'm in the installation, before you put us into the VR state, connect to me by password, I'll access the DNA code, and you can show the esteemed council the past record and the event logs. Then, when we're in session, run the reverse process – from what we ran in the locked files. I've already entered the data into you, you know the algorithm of action.
– I get it.
Big Boss lay down in the rig, he and Big Data were hooked up to the system, the indicators began to show changes only they could understand, Rutra's waspy voice could be heard in the scientist's body.
– Just try not to give me my body back.
In review for the board, which was also a kind of reality, went the footage from the last session. Nothing unusual was happening. The session passed, the subjects stood up, and only the unusualness of what was happening was visible from the dialogs. Those present began to follow the broadcasted picture with more and more curiosity. In the meantime, the BP signal indicator in the laboratory went out, and then the indicators of another installation turned on. When everyone began to watch the scene of the conversation in the hall in front of the council hall, the chairman turned to Irene:
– Irene, did Master Ruthra know about the experiments being conducted by the "luminary of science"?
– Yeah. I did.
– Has he participated in them before?
– Yes, without his resolution it is impossible to turn on the installations.
– This second setup in the lab is needed to transfer personality from brain to brain?
– Yeah. It's an advanced setup they've perfected.
– Who directly perfected it – Master Rutra or the "luminary of science"?
– "A luminary of science."
– What's going on out there now?
– They're walking out of the session.
At this time in the lab, the staff was removing the masks from Rutra and the scientist. Rutra, not waiting for all the Velcro to be removed, jumped up and looked in the mirror:
– Holy shit, I'm gonna dream about this.
Then Ruthra looked around the room and those present, the doctor climbing out of the rig, looked in the mirror again, and, stretching his words, repeated:
– So it's all true? Irene, do you have it all on tape?
– Yes, Comrade Commander.
Irene, used to Ruthra's turns of speech and jokes, could afford to talk to him that way, knowing that Ruthra liked it.
– So it's all true?
– Really, really," the doctor said, slowing down his words as he approached Rutra.
– You will be suspended from the experiments," Ruthra said in a stern yet friendly manner.
– I was so scared, you have no idea.
– What the hell are you doing?
– You should have added "mother of God."
Ruthra exhaled heavily: because of their friendship and running the project together, he had no desire to punish the scientist.
– Then go and explain your narcissism. You've gained a lot of control. I can tell you that much.
– No big deal, but it'll make you and the board believe it.
– Let's go, dreamer.
Already on the way to the hall Ruthra asked Irene:
– Irene, did you realize what was going on?
– Yeah. (chuckles)
– Why didn't you tell me or the board what happened?
– You told me not to do that. A later inspection would have revealed it. At this point, I had to follow your orders. You set, in consultation with the council, first priority over all others to carry out your order. Only the group complex code of the chairman, the head of the security group and the master of the financial and economic block can disable your lockdown.
– I know that. Why are you telling me this?
– You didn't consider the mechanics of this situation. I knew your body had a different consciousness. I knew about the successful animal experiments. I controlled the entire process, only I couldn't make a decision on my own knowing that. The system is tuned to your DNA code and takes that password as top priority. That's what the doctor used. Your DNA is still there.
– So you didn't know about it, you didn't assume it?
– No, I didn't. I could calculate the possible options if the possibility of the outcome of the experiment was put into me.
– And he, it turns out, put in the impossibility… and that's why you didn't provide for that option?
– Yeah. (chuckles)
– There you go, darling. Here's the dirt on you. You should have alerted the security system. Otherwise, you basically accessed all the access systems through my DNA code.
– No way. Why would you suddenly prove my one hundred percent confidence in the positive outcome of an experiment?
– After you got the animals, you could change the data you entered.
– Why would I do that? How do I know if it would have worked or not?
– So, without knowing, you put my life, the life of the station's Chief Master, in danger?
– Well, I'm sorry, Your Majesty, at that moment, you weren't the Master Chief of Station to me. You were my colleague who developed part of the methodology, by the way.
– That was close. Let's see what you have to say to the board. Either way, you'll be under a lot of scrutiny. You knew all along.
– That's the whole point. You don't get it. You just keep talking and talking.
– I get it. Settle down. Genius, but still.
– I gave them food for the first stage so that they would approve a feast for the second and third.
– What's the third one?
– Flying and settling in there.
– Are you trying to make my program look like your own again?
– So go represent her yourself.
– Calm down. Come on in. I'll back you up.
They entered the conference room, the assistants put on their masks. The scientist, without saying hello, began his topic.
