Virtually Real (3 page)

Chapter 4

Discontent

The outcome of Eli’s work had gripped the world’s imagination and he was bombarded with requests to do this or try that. Scientists and politicians vied to see if they could arrange to predict human behaviour – particularly of other nations of whom they were still suspicious.

Eli was not to be pushed.

“The only way any of these things can be answered was to allow the full working of the decision-making abilities in Adam and Eve, and for them to procreate so that we will have the mix and variety needed. Although this is a complex project for us, it still has limitations. But I do promise that you will see the v-people’s behaviour and most times you will be able to predict and influence the outcome.”

Lucas, who had been instrumental in bringing the project together under Eli, had of course, many close friends. His out-going and brilliant personality attracted many devotees – and he had a liking for that!

“Eli. You’re getting too attached to these v-people. They are communicating with you, and even though they pick up all the ideas, thoughts and feelings the rest of the team induce into their environment, Adam still enjoys checking with you even if he has not given you a name. It gives you too much power and influence. They have not been properly tested and the greater experimental issues are waiting in abeyance.”

“You are not to manipulate them Lucas, nor are you to draw them to yourself. It may be difficult to understand but it is important that they only have one reference point and I have decided that that will be me.”

“I understand Eli. I won’t try to manipulate or control them, but if they
do
choose the other option and then
do
choose to follow me instead, then according to the programming rules I will be in charge.”

“I see you understand the issues, but keep in mind that we, as the scientists and specialists running this project, have to keep unity and follow the relational rules of our own world. Otherwise ...”

They parted. Eli still trusted Lucas – he never mistrusted until evidence to the contrary was in the open.

Meanwhile Lucas began thinking about the implications of the project and ways it could turn from a scheme that required money, to one that could be such a powerful tool that nations would vie to purchase time for running their own experiments. And who could most benefit from it if not himself?

As time went on Lucas would ask the various visitors and dignitaries what they would like to see the project do for them, and then add the words, “If I had the chance I would like to do that too, but Eli is in charge.” So little by little unspoken divisions came to be.

Lucas gradually won over many of the fund providers and many of Eli’s colleagues.

At one of his meetings he announced, “I can give you an opportunity to increase your wealth, indulge in all kinds of experiments to your heart’s delight and have the satisfaction of being a part of a team that can do this. Currently we, as scientists, have much mana but low pay: restricted by government funding. We are restricted by the protocols that Eli has set up for this project. If you want freedom, increased recognition and the ability to do your own experimentation, then I need to know who is with me.”

With brilliant oration, persuasive arguments, and rich enticements Lucas gathered about one third of the total team to support him. His self-confidence grew and he became dazzled by his own brilliance. Now was the time to show what he could do. With the right strategies in place,
he
could be running the whole project and have governments, scientists, and extremists of all kinds begging him (with suitable payments) to do this or do that, so that they themselves could learn the best way to manipulate people for their own benefit.

The virtual world

The sense of life and joy in both Adam and Eve increased beyond anything they had known previously. Nothing was dull or boring yet there were challenges. Every place they explored opened new worlds of interest. They had challenged their physical abilities on expeditions for the sheer physical thrill, their mental abilities on learning, naming and understanding. Colours were vibrant, sounds symphonic, and touch, in all its variations gave a kaleidoscope of sensations and smells somehow evoked all kinds of emotions. They became curious to know if there was even more.

Eve in particular seemed to have a more acute awareness of the inner thoughts and feelings that came to her and these began to intrigue her. However in the joys she and Adam shared, Eve became pregnant. There were new sensations and a sense of thrill of harbouring future generations.

“Eve”

Eve felt an inner whisper. As if someone had whispered her name yet it was more subtle than that.

“Eve. Remember the choice that Adam had?” said the inner whisper.

She looked about her.

“Do you want to see what it will be like to be your own master? Would you like to choose for yourself what is right and wrong? This won’t cause anything to die in you. On the contrary you will have a greater sense of life and freedom. No more cautions from the one who is not named. Those impressions were not real or true. Let me show you. Would you like that?”

She hesitated, “Yes.”

“Then you shall.”

Eve looked. Before her eyes she could see something very desirable – her ability to decide for herself what was good, and not having to rely or submit to anyone else.”

As she contemplated she again ‘saw’ that she, herself, could acquire knowledge and understanding of the nature of all things. She could possess wisdom and exercise it for her own satisfactions.

Eve felt the strongest desires and yearnings she had ever experienced, but she hesitated. There was something that made her feel uneasy. But as she continued to look at the vision the unease faded and the beauty and desirability of obtaining what she saw grew in strength. She felt that if she took what was shown she would be invincible and able to handle everything the way she wanted.

And so it was – the choice to go it alone was made.

“Adam! Look!” she called.

“What?”

“I’m free. I took the second choice the Unknown One gave us. I can see and understand with great clarity. I can choose what’s best for me and not have to deny myself anything if I don’t want to.”

Adam found himself seeing the same visions as his wife. He also felt something that he had not experienced before – envy.

“Did something die in you? What is different? You look so happy.”

“No nothing died in me. In fact it’s even better. I’m more alive than I’ve ever been. I have a far greater sense of power and of control of my life and the environment. It’s exhilarating.”

Adam felt his position eroded. His wife could see and know things that he couldn’t. She would leave him behind. He would no longer have her as an equal.

It was these thoughts rather than the new powers and freedom that impelled him.

“OK. I’m with you.” he affirmed.

Immediately he
knew
what Eve had been telling him. Whole unknown realms of understanding opened before him. A sense of power and authority swept over him like nothing else he had ever experienced.

“I see what you mean. I thought it was good before but this new experience is beyond what I could ever have imagined. And nothing has died. I must have been lied to by the Unknown One.”

Suddenly he noticed that the concept of ‘lie’ had come to him. It had never existed before. He shrugged!

The real world

Eli went, as had become his custom, to communicate with the v-people he had created. He had picked up with his probing of code modifications in the energy fields that something had changed. This time he actually could not get immediate contact and that could only mean one thing.

Adam will now have to experience the consequences of his decision as he had told him.

The virtual world

Adam and Eve were enjoying the cool of the day.

“Adam”

Adam knew that voice. It was quieter than the whisper he had heard before and more intimate. Fear, a new emotion, gripped him. He ignored the quiet voice.

“Why are you hiding? Have you chosen to go your own way and not have me as your reference?”

“The woman
you
gave me ... she made the decision ... She became different and better so I chose also.”

“What have you to say Eve?”

“One of your people explained to me how good it would be to have the power to go our own way and to have knowledge like you. He said that nothing would die in us.”

“You have been deceived. You have chosen to go your own way and depend upon your own knowledge and your own ability to acquire knowledge. At present you have almost unlimited powers in your world. From now on these will be limited in you – lest you cause more pain, harm and destruction than you realise.

“From now on it will not be a life of ease, you will have to work and apply your new-found wisdom to keep yourself alive.”

They both felt it. They had taken for granted their bodies and all the delights it could give them. A new concept came to mind – that body would cease to be – and what would happen then?

“Eve. For your part I see that you are with child. You sought freedom and autonomy for yourself but you will from now on find yourself in emotional bondage to your husband, and your children shall cause you to weep.”

“Both of you,” he went on, “will find that I am far away for you and I will be far away for your children and your children’s children. But I will not desert you and when you seek me with all your heart in truth then I will let myself be found. It will not be easy lest pride destroys it all.

“The old joys and the previous life are now unavailable to you, yet you will have a memory of it and there will be a quiet, gentle but insistent longing in you for me. My voice will be easy to ignore but those who do find me will be rewarded.

“Now I will go and make changes elsewhere.”

Chapter 5

Turmoil

The real world

Eli called in Lucas and not without some anger.

“You, Lucas, have betrayed my trust. You seduced Eve to make the choice that she knew was not in her best interest and was in disobedience to me. It had not crossed their minds to disobey until you disobeyed my instructions. I know you inserted powerful emotions and created strong impressions of what life would be like if they were independent of me.”

“But Eli. Don’t you see? If they had not had this challenge then their true colours would not have shown. They had to be tested and now they are just like us – each one deciding for themselves what is good and what is evil.”

“Do not try to seduce me, Lucas. Your seductions were too strong for them to properly resist at this stage. And don’t think I do not know what you have done!

“When they chose the alternative they effectively changed allegiance from me to you. And although they do not realise it, it will be your influences which will now direct them.”

“So what are you going to do about it Eli? If you get rid of me then the whole project will fail because I know too much and my wits can out-match yours.”

“You may think that if you like – but you will find it is not the truth.

“I’m taking you off my team. You and your followers will have the right to continue working your influences and have the same input authorities as you now enjoy. And you yourself will have access to me to argue your cases. But a time will come when what you have started will have its consequence in your own life.

“What has been started with this project must be allowed to be completed.

“Now go!”

Lucas left, gloating inwardly to himself. He too had plans and he had a new-found confidence and assertiveness. He was proud of what he had done and was going to show Eli what he could achieve. Why couldn’t he be in Eli’s position and who did Eli think he was anyway? Yes he would work to that end and the way was to control the v-people in the project. But he had, as yet, only an unclear perception of how this was to be achieved.

At the heart of the arguments between Eli and Lucas was the fact that the decisions of the v-people would gradually alter the codes in the project energy fields which could then be taken and established in the real world. The recreation in the real world would give rise to real people who had the same character and sense of identity they had as v-people.

The virtual world

Adam heard Eve loudly crying. He had not heard this sound before and anxiety came over him. This too was new. His desire to protect Eve was strong as he went to see her in the agony of birth pains. The corrupting effects of their choice for knowledge based independence had not yet much influence – but it would grow!

Eve delivered her first child – a boy!

The pain of child-birth was quickly forgotten and Adam and Eve found new relationships and responsibilities.

“What shall we call him?” asked Eve.

“Let’s call him Ken.”

And so it was.

In the still near ideal environment the family of v-people grew rapidly, with many sons and daughters.

As time went on, Adam noticed changes in his surroundings. Something that had not ever happened before was observed. Things died and dead things rotted and disappeared. The previously ordered growth of plants and animals now had a component of disorder which became more random with time. Entropy had now been established as one of the laws of physics in their world.

“So this is part of the ‘death’ that the Unknown One told us.” Adam commented to himself as much as to Eve.

Adam had a very close intimate relationship with Eve, and he still tried, often unsuccessfully, to keep himself submitted to the Unknown One. He had learned his lesson!

But he also noticed that his children had lost some of the harmony he himself had. Lying came easily and naturally to them, jealousies and other symptoms of selfishness manifested. It took all his time and effort to teach and to train them in right and wrong, and even then they obeyed some things but not others. Each one wanted to go their own way and ignore the laws of relationship that govern all things.

His sons, and daughters, were growing.

“Who is this Unknown One you keep telling us about?” they asked him one day. “And what has he to do with us?”

Adam had spoken often of the Unknown One but he felt it was now time for them to know and choose for themselves.

“When I first became aware that ‘I am’,” he began, “I had a very clear sense that there was another ‘I am’ that had made me. I knew I didn’t just happen even though I seemed to have the same features as the animals you see.

“I would turn my mind to talk with that other ‘I am’ and have a sense of reply. First I was alone and this communication and fellowship was precious to me. I enjoyed the company and in a strange way I felt that the Unknown One, too, enjoyed my company.

“There were times when he would answer questions or explain about things. There were times when I knew not to do something and times when I knew I could go ahead with what I wanted. All I can say is that he always respected me and showed an affection I could feel.”

“So what was different after you disobeyed?”

“I could still communicate but there was a distance between us. My disobedience is the thing I most regret because now I see that the effect of it is right at the core of who I am and that trait gets passed on to you my children also, and to your children’s children.”

“What else?”

“Ah! In addition to the communion with the Unknown One I have to contend with thoughts and feelings – communication if you like – from another. This one is like the first one and is very persuasive, but it has harshness and demanding insistence about it. I call that one ‘Devil’. He can be very charming and reasonable but I know that he lies. The Unknown One is straight and honest; the other is devious.

“Now each of you will find the same thing within your own lives. There is one whom I love and you are to love too. From now on I will call him ‘El’. El is quiet and gentle and often does not seem to hold any attraction to me, yet I know his love and I sense that he is the one whose way will win in the end. The other will speak to you too – as you have already experienced. You must not give in to him because each of us will have to accept the consequences of the decisions we make even if we were tricked or forced into it.”

“That’s not fair,” said one.

“You have to choose which way to go for yourselves, and you all know what I’m talking about!” finished Eli.

The real world

And so it was. The project had started successfully and the whole range of human behaviours were observed, recorded
and
played with, in spite of Eli’s injunctions.

Eli called convocation of the whole team. The project was of course limited in scope and not all races, cultures and histories could be represented even though it was known that these too would have influences beyond their immediate environs.

“This meeting is called to define the limitations that we shall put on this project so that it can maximise the information that we want in our own times. It will have to represent all current races and the cultural variations we now have. Modern science, trade and technology have tended to unify cultural behaviour throughout the world. After all, the same education has to be given to scientists, engineers and specialists irrespective of the country of ethnic origin. This has had the effect of creating a modern cultural era with wide variations of personal beliefs. The v-people we have created have to reflect this.”

“So you want us to modify the free evolution of the behaviour of the v-people so that they can now represent where we are at in our present world.”

“You have it. We know sufficient history to be able to insert appropriate influences into the virtual world and steer the course of history to bring it to represent the present era. The way to do this is to alter the hyper space-time patterns so that in our frame of reference the whole process is speeded up, but from
their
perspective it will all seem normal.”

There was some murmuring among the team.

“So far we have only been able to get to the first few generations and the corruption among the v-people is far worse than we here could believe possible,” commented one.

“Yes I know. Many of you have followed Lucas and I know that you have yourselves interacted with the v-people in ways that were strictly forbidden. There are reports that some of you have experimented with putting yourselves in sexual union with the v-people. You know this will modify and corrupt the codes used. We have to keep the race pure from adulteration with ourselves. That corruption has to cease! And we will have to start all over.”

“It’s too late for that,” commented Michael, one of the senior project geneticists.

“No I have in mind to trigger sufficient chaos to destroy all the v-people who have become corrupted but to continue the one remaining generational line that has not become corrupted by the misdeeds of some here.”

“They are all corrupt. Where will you find a v-person family that has not sold out to Lucas?” spoke a voice from the back.

“There is one family that I have carefully watched and who communicate with me,” replied Eli. “That is the family that will survive and from which we will fast forward history. And by the way I have personally altered some of the hyperspace-time codes to give the v-people greater protection from rogue scientists genetically corrupting them. It will now be more difficult.”

“But not impossible,” came an anonymous and cynical reply.

“No; not impossible,” replied Eli. “That has been deliberately allowed for. This experiment is bigger than you think. The hearts of the v-people
and
our own hearts are being put to the test. I strongly advise you all to consider carefully whether you follow me or follow Lucas.”

The meeting dissolved into general discussions amongst the various specialists about details of the v-environmental chaos and the ensuing restart. So by this means Eli’s pure family line of v-people would be set in motion.