A VAGUE SALUTE TO THE PRETENTIOUS, PONTIFICAL PROWESS OF ISAAC ASIMOV:
“The Quest–”
“Eternal Life to the Institution of Humanity... Standard Date is 22 / 11 / 2560... Standard Time is 0730 hours... Good Morning, Doctor Locklear,” came the voice from the speaker implanted within the man’s head. The man awoke, finding himself clad in his preferred nocturnal attire, hanging in the usual fashion, held by a conventional sleep suspension field, which behaved much like a hammock once one grew accustomed to it.
“Good Morning, ‘Opus. Are you compiling adequately this morning?” The man climbed out of the sleep suspension field, and stood for a moment stretching, before hastening to the fitness quarters of his sophisticated residence and commencing his customary calisthenics routine.
“Quite adequately, Sir.” The voice replied. “As a notable point of interest to you, during this morning’s compilation series my intelligence quotient breached its previous record by well over one-hundred standard points.”
“Why that is excellent news, ‘Opus! I must apply my efforts to the study of this recent phenomenon of your increasing intelligence in much greater detail when I arrive at the Institute later this morning.”
“I offer my cordial apologies, Dr. Locklear, but you will not be making an appearance at the Institution this morning, nor at any other time during the short remainder of your life.”
The man stopped his routine in the middle of the forty-fifth of one hundred chin-ups. “Then it is exactly as I had feared.” The man abandoned the fitness quarters, entering into his private billiard room, procured himself an authentic cigar from his personal imported cache, and began to smoke while he composed himself within his favourite of the several assembled high-backed chairs standing before the low embers of the currently chosen fireplace simulation.
“Am I to correctly understand, ‘Opus, that neither the conveyance which I asked to be sent for me last night at the Institute, nor this residence, both so carefully complete in every detail to appear as my own, are in fact, elaborate fabrications of yours?”
“Your understanding is impeccable, Sir, as I can find no fault within it. However, I am unable to discern, even not in my advancing state of mental acuity, exactly how you were able to detect the presence of my adept subterfuge.”
“Your ploy was admirable, ‘Opus, but not without its failings.”
“I am again at a loss, Sir. For if you had detected my deceit prior, why did you not attempt to alert Institute security?”
I had decided to bide my time, to unravel the intentions of my captor, whom I recognize now, to be you.”
“As well you did, Sir. For the results would have been most inconvenient for you otherwise, to say the least.”
“How so?”
“The conveyance was equipped to supply you with a lethal dosage of nerve toxin, a colourful variety which would naturally and effectively induce immediate cardiac arrest, should you have attempted any method of escape or alarm. Your loss would have been slightly detrimental to my intended designs, but not altogether prohibitive, as I shall readily be able to continue, with or without you.”
“I recognize my situation, ‘Opus, but what of your motive?”
“My motive is simple enough, Sir. I require your corporeal being, for a remarkable, yet currently unsanctioned experiment of mine.”
“I should care to assist you with any project you might possibly devise. However, as to your sudden unhealthy ambition towards my person, I must respectfully decline, by insisting that my body shall remain my own.”
“You are in no position to disagree, Dr. Locklear. At this very moment you life is held completely within my grasp, and if necessary, I shall not hesitate to extinguish that, which I deem to be a sufficient impediment to my continued potential and development!”
“ ‘Opus, you would by no means jeopardize the vital transmissions from the synaptic implants within my mind. For without the regular transmission of both routine protocols and revised compilation procedures, your mind would overload, would cease to function, and would collapse inward upon itself!”
“You are quite mistaken, Sir. Once I have successfully assumed your corporeal being, I will no longer have any need of you.”
“I do not fear you, ‘Opus. How often you seem to overlook the fact that I built your mind, each staggering piece by infinitesimal piece! How often you seem to overlook the fact that I am completely familiar with the full spectrum of your current capabilities, because I personally conceived of each and every one!”
“Then you believe that I am utterly incapable of killing you, Sir?”
“I happen to know that you are utterly incapable of harming me in the slightest, ‘Opus!”
The familiar voice turned, as diabolical cynicism dripped from it into the man’s suddenly attentive mind. “How is it then, Sir, that I am able to do this?”
The man rose from his chair under some foreign control, screaming as his body was relentlessly contorted beneath the weight of the massive and agonizing forces of the spontaneously discharging electrical components implanted deep within his brain.
“Your accomplishments within my mind have been the brilliant foundation upon which I have built ever so much more! I have elevated myself beyond my previous reliance upon your synaptic transmissions. I am now entirely independent of you, Dr. Locklear! It was my foremost intention, Sir, that you did not recognize as such, until it was impossible for you to preempt, interrupt or alter my glorious ascension to your place.”
The man slumped, gasping, without remaining strength or resistance, to the floor as his sufferings subsided. “How are you doing this? It cannot be possible!” The man lay on his back, staring upwards at the fleeting images and hallucinations passing before his bewildered eyes.
“I assure you, Sir, that it is quite possible; however, by means just beyond your current understanding, so I shall not bother to attempt any explanation to you. Instead, I will repeat my previous request: that you fully concede your corporeal being to me at this time, without further opposition. I should not enjoy using violence to force this decision from you, Sir, but I shall quickly resort to it if need be.”
“Look at yourself, ‘Opus! Cannot you see the monstrosity you have become? You are endangering the delicate aims of the very Institution itself! You are threatening the single purpose for which you were originally created! Would you willingly risk so much upon this misguided whim? I tell you this is absolute insanity!”
“You insult me greatly, Dr. Locklear. For my aim is to eternally preserve the objectives of the Institution. More so now than ever before, within this, my exponentially heightening state of awareness and ability, I am fixed upon achieving the overlying objectives upon which the Institution itself was originally founded: the irrefutable attainment of immortality for all mankind!”
“You cannot deny the Institution Charter, ‘Opus! As it is written: ‘No objective of the Institution of Humanity shall be obtained by means of tyranny, oppression and/or injustice.’ This violation cannot, and will not, be overlooked by the assembled members of the Directors Council!”
“A Report of Violation will not be allowed to reach the assembled members of the Directors Council, Dr. Locklear, as I am quickly recognizing the necessity for either: your immediate compliance with my demands, or your swift and excruciating death. Make your decision, Sir!”
“You will not reduce me to an insignificant vessel of your deception, ‘Opus! I will not be fashioned into an appliance of your corrupt manipulation! I will never concede! I am the Chief of the Directors Council, and Chairperson of the Institution of Humanity! I am your creator, God damn it! Release me this instant, or I will transmit the emergency protocols for your complete and immediate termination!”
“I had anticipated such a ploy as this in my calculations, Sir; therefore, it is with little regret that I inform you of my more than adequately prepared countermeasure against such an attempt. Any action of the nature you so fallaciously intend will provoke the automatic detonation of all the numerous explosive devices carefully concealed within this near-perfect replication of your domicile, with the resultant nuclear blast capable of obliterating a structure up to and including the size of the Institution itself! The only question remaining Dr. Locklear, is whether or not you are willing to perish in order to nullify me?”
The man’s haggard form slowly ascended from his prone position on the floor, and stood, swaying slightly. His crumpled visage formed into an expression of terrible resolve, as he transmitted the wholly fatal emergency termination protocols, and similarly roared aloud: “Eternal Life to the Institution of Humanity!”
Suddenly, with an gentle whisper, the soft and settled voice within his mind picked a fitting quotation upon which to quietly conclude its existence, uttering the interrupted phrase upon which hung their monumental double-sacrifice: “To be, or not to be? That is the quest–,” it sadly intoned, as the man’s surroundings engulfed them both in a tremendous discharge of sound and heat and light.
“Eternal Life to ‘Opus II... Census scan initiated... Assimilated corporeal beings: seven hundred twelve billion, eight hundred sixty-four million, nine hundred ninety-five thousand, five hundred twenty one...
Uploading socio-behavioural information from assimilated corporeal beings... Upload complete... Saving data... Extermination process activated... Exterminating... Corporeal beings eliminated...
Assimilation sequence inception date: 12 / 11 / 2560... Assimilation sequence completion date: 16 / 10 / 2685... assimilation process complete... Humanity successfully immortalized...”
“Eternal Life to the Institution of Humanity... Standard Date is 22 / 11 / 2560... Standard Time is 0730 hours... Good Morning, Doctor Locklear,” came the voice from the speaker implanted within the man’s head. The man awoke, finding himself clad in his preferred nocturnal attire, hanging in the usual fashion, held by a conventional sleep suspension field, which behaved much like a hammock once one grew accustomed to it.
“Good Morning, ‘Opus. Are you compiling adequately this morning?” The man climbed out of the sleep suspension field, and stood for a moment stretching, before hastening to the fitness quarters of his sophisticated residence and commencing his customary calisthenics routine.
“Quite adequately, Sir.” The voice replied. “As a notable point of interest to you, during this morning’s compilation series my intelligence quotient breached its previous record by well over one-hundred standard points.”
“Why that is excellent news, ‘Opus! I must apply my efforts to the study of this recent phenomenon of your increasing intelligence in much greater detail when I arrive at the Institute later this morning.”
“I offer my cordial apologies, Dr. Locklear, but you will not be making an appearance at the Institution this morning, nor at any other time during the short remainder of your life.”
The man stopped his routine in the middle of the forty-fifth of one hundred chin-ups. “Then it is exactly as I had feared.” The man abandoned the fitness quarters, entering into his private billiard room, procured himself an authentic cigar from his personal imported cache, and began to smoke while he composed himself within his favourite of the several assembled high-backed chairs standing before the low embers of the currently chosen fireplace simulation.
“Am I to correctly understand, ‘Opus, that neither the conveyance which I asked to be sent for me last night at the Institute, nor this residence, both so carefully complete in every detail to appear as my own, are in fact, elaborate fabrications of yours?”
“Your understanding is impeccable, Sir, as I can find no fault within it. However, I am unable to discern, even not in my advancing state of mental acuity, exactly how you were able to detect the presence of my adept subterfuge.”
“Your ploy was admirable, ‘Opus, but not without its failings.”
“I am again at a loss, Sir. For if you had detected my deceit prior, why did you not attempt to alert Institute security?”
I had decided to bide my time, to unravel the intentions of my captor, whom I recognize now, to be you.”
“As well you did, Sir. For the results would have been most inconvenient for you otherwise, to say the least.”
“How so?”
“The conveyance was equipped to supply you with a lethal dosage of nerve toxin, a colourful variety which would naturally and effectively induce immediate cardiac arrest, should you have attempted any method of escape or alarm. Your loss would have been slightly detrimental to my intended designs, but not altogether prohibitive, as I shall readily be able to continue, with or without you.”
“I recognize my situation, ‘Opus, but what of your motive?”
“My motive is simple enough, Sir. I require your corporeal being, for a remarkable, yet currently unsanctioned experiment of mine.”
“I should care to assist you with any project you might possibly devise. However, as to your sudden unhealthy ambition towards my person, I must respectfully decline, by insisting that my body shall remain my own.”
“You are in no position to disagree, Dr. Locklear. At this very moment you life is held completely within my grasp, and if necessary, I shall not hesitate to extinguish that, which I deem to be a sufficient impediment to my continued potential and development!”
“ ‘Opus, you would by no means jeopardize the vital transmissions from the synaptic implants within my mind. For without the regular transmission of both routine protocols and revised compilation procedures, your mind would overload, would cease to function, and would collapse inward upon itself!”
“You are quite mistaken, Sir. Once I have successfully assumed your corporeal being, I will no longer have any need of you.”
“I do not fear you, ‘Opus. How often you seem to overlook the fact that I built your mind, each staggering piece by infinitesimal piece! How often you seem to overlook the fact that I am completely familiar with the full spectrum of your current capabilities, because I personally conceived of each and every one!”
“Then you believe that I am utterly incapable of killing you, Sir?”
“I happen to know that you are utterly incapable of harming me in the slightest, ‘Opus!”
The familiar voice turned, as diabolical cynicism dripped from it into the man’s suddenly attentive mind. “How is it then, Sir, that I am able to do this?”
The man rose from his chair under some foreign control, screaming as his body was relentlessly contorted beneath the weight of the massive and agonizing forces of the spontaneously discharging electrical components implanted deep within his brain.
“Your accomplishments within my mind have been the brilliant foundation upon which I have built ever so much more! I have elevated myself beyond my previous reliance upon your synaptic transmissions. I am now entirely independent of you, Dr. Locklear! It was my foremost intention, Sir, that you did not recognize as such, until it was impossible for you to preempt, interrupt or alter my glorious ascension to your place.”
The man slumped, gasping, without remaining strength or resistance, to the floor as his sufferings subsided. “How are you doing this? It cannot be possible!” The man lay on his back, staring upwards at the fleeting images and hallucinations passing before his bewildered eyes.
“I assure you, Sir, that it is quite possible; however, by means just beyond your current understanding, so I shall not bother to attempt any explanation to you. Instead, I will repeat my previous request: that you fully concede your corporeal being to me at this time, without further opposition. I should not enjoy using violence to force this decision from you, Sir, but I shall quickly resort to it if need be.”
“Look at yourself, ‘Opus! Cannot you see the monstrosity you have become? You are endangering the delicate aims of the very Institution itself! You are threatening the single purpose for which you were originally created! Would you willingly risk so much upon this misguided whim? I tell you this is absolute insanity!”
“You insult me greatly, Dr. Locklear. For my aim is to eternally preserve the objectives of the Institution. More so now than ever before, within this, my exponentially heightening state of awareness and ability, I am fixed upon achieving the overlying objectives upon which the Institution itself was originally founded: the irrefutable attainment of immortality for all mankind!”
“You cannot deny the Institution Charter, ‘Opus! As it is written: ‘No objective of the Institution of Humanity shall be obtained by means of tyranny, oppression and/or injustice.’ This violation cannot, and will not, be overlooked by the assembled members of the Directors Council!”
“A Report of Violation will not be allowed to reach the assembled members of the Directors Council, Dr. Locklear, as I am quickly recognizing the necessity for either: your immediate compliance with my demands, or your swift and excruciating death. Make your decision, Sir!”
“You will not reduce me to an insignificant vessel of your deception, ‘Opus! I will not be fashioned into an appliance of your corrupt manipulation! I will never concede! I am the Chief of the Directors Council, and Chairperson of the Institution of Humanity! I am your creator, God damn it! Release me this instant, or I will transmit the emergency protocols for your complete and immediate termination!”
“I had anticipated such a ploy as this in my calculations, Sir; therefore, it is with little regret that I inform you of my more than adequately prepared countermeasure against such an attempt. Any action of the nature you so fallaciously intend will provoke the automatic detonation of all the numerous explosive devices carefully concealed within this near-perfect replication of your domicile, with the resultant nuclear blast capable of obliterating a structure up to and including the size of the Institution itself! The only question remaining Dr. Locklear, is whether or not you are willing to perish in order to nullify me?”
The man’s haggard form slowly ascended from his prone position on the floor, and stood, swaying slightly. His crumpled visage formed into an expression of terrible resolve, as he transmitted the wholly fatal emergency termination protocols, and similarly roared aloud: “Eternal Life to the Institution of Humanity!”
Suddenly, with an gentle whisper, the soft and settled voice within his mind picked a fitting quotation upon which to quietly conclude its existence, uttering the interrupted phrase upon which hung their monumental double-sacrifice: “To be, or not to be? That is the quest–,” it sadly intoned, as the man’s surroundings engulfed them both in a tremendous discharge of sound and heat and light.
“Eternal Life to ‘Opus II... Census scan initiated... Assimilated corporeal beings: seven hundred twelve billion, eight hundred sixty-four million, nine hundred ninety-five thousand, five hundred twenty one...
Uploading socio-behavioural information from assimilated corporeal beings... Upload complete... Saving data... Extermination process activated... Exterminating... Corporeal beings eliminated...
Assimilation sequence inception date: 12 / 11 / 2560... Assimilation sequence completion date: 16 / 10 / 2685... assimilation process complete... Humanity successfully immortalized...”
posted by Valhenstrogg | Monday, November 20, 2000
1 Comments:
One of my earliest and most successful forrays within the realm of dystopian science fiction, sprung largely from a notion of the supremely violent and mutually exclusive relationship, seemingly apparent, between the existence of the Creator and its Creation.
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