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 orI 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.
Chapter 6. Tangled Couples
Dear gentlemen, we are all smart, intelligent, wise and chipped. We're also powerful and all-powerful. I'm sorry, it's just so we don't skimp on such an important project. You must agree that when I well, we," he looked at the smiling Rutru, "when we presented you with the cloning project, the rapid cloning project, you, in addition to being amazed, felt tremendous and, I'm not afraid to say, self-serving envy. After all, this is the way to eternal life. Copy yourself as much as you want. Only have money. And you have enough capital, because you have a lot of power, that is, all the power is yours.
Dear doctor, let us not be I note that we got it by our labors and our mind. And money is not so important to us. We set the rules of power and control it. It's a system. It's not a dynasty, it's not a takeover, it's not a redistribution. You of all people should know that. So let's get scientific. We've been watching the spectacle for over an hour now. I'll admit, it's certainly worthwhile.
The chairman was a bit harsh, perhaps also because he himself came from a scientific background. Like most of the council. And the Sphere system was mostly made up of people of science. The chairman was right. The organization was not created by powerful families, clans of special services or financial oligarchs. These structures knew nothing about it. Or rather, no one knew anything about it. The wealth and danger of scientists was demonstrated by the latest "circus" that had just taken place in the center. Scientists could create something that neither special services, nor oligarchs, nor military, nor religious figures could understand, being already under their full control. They and only they stood at the top of everything new, and after their inventions or discoveries could be used for their own purposes (even if for selfish purposes, even if they wanted to control mankind) by all the above-mentioned (and not only) groups. That is why in the voice of the chairman there was a certain fear of himself as one of the members of the scientific community. The fear of all before all. Therefore, the system revealed more and more the personal lives of the people who were part of it, not shy even to recommend marriages and the time of conception of offspring.
I'm sorry," the doctor said guiltily, with a sigh. I understand, but please accept my further method of proposing, presenting and even explaining the project. Not everyone is knowledgeable in this field. Not everyone is well versed in the exact sciences. Now how do I say this so as not to offend. I will be listened to, the topic studied and approved by more than just the board members. Right? That's right. And, no offense, there are a lot of people in the system financiers, military, specialists in some other fields.
Mr. Doctor, let's get on topic," the chairman asked rather loudly and firmly.
Okay, here I go. Everything that can be imagined exists. Otherwise it can't be imagined. The idea of the world is in the brain, in representations. The many-worlds interpretation, or the Everett interpretation, is an interpretation of quantum mechanics that assumes the existence (in a sense) of "parallel universes", each with the same laws of nature and the same world constants in different states.
The Council did not need to be told about the scientific background of the theory of multiple worlds. For the average person such a thing was perceived as a fantasy, because not everyone knew that there was a scientific basis for the existence of parallel worlds. There were several explanations, among them the Copenhagen interpretation, Everett's many-worlds interpretation and other similar ones. The point is that the scientific community studied this issue, so no one could take the speaker's words lightly. Everyone tried to understand how it was possible, knowing his past, no less fantastic ideas, which still managed to materialize.