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Project A129. «Remember the future…» English edition (The original version of the book was published in 2017). Gertcel Davydov
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isbn 9785006090798
Автор произведения Gertcel Davydov
Издательство Издательские решения
– Chris, perhaps your father gave you, in addition to these books, something where names could be indicated?
– No, nothing more.
Annoyed by Chris’s response, Nigel slammed the table and said:
– Another puncture! If we had the list, we would be able to rebel, storm the Senate, the three towers, and put an end to the ruler’s power! Join us, Chris!
Ignoring Nigel’s emotional statement, the guest calmly replied:
“I will continue to fight for justice with my own methods, they should lead to the awakening of AI.” Any other option is unacceptable to me.
Cheng entered the conversation again:
– Alas, Chris, but Kronos cannot be awakened by any other methods. He comes into force in the event of dissatisfaction with 85% of senators or mass protests. The Senate is controlled by the ruler and performs a symbolic function, and therefore the only opportunity to awaken Artificial Intelligence is mass protests by citizens. The drones he controls will transmit information about the unrest that has begun, and Kronos will take power into his own hands.
– Understand, by refusing violence, you thereby support the power of the ruler. Join us,” Nigel leaned over the table and looked into the guest’s eyes.
Remaining calm, Chris replied:
– I’m not going to change my beliefs. Your methods seem radical to me.
– Radical?! He doesn’t know what he’s talking about! – Nigel hit the tabletop with his hand in frustration. – What do you even know?
– Quiet! “Steve shook his head reproachfully. – Chris, sorry for Nigel’s emotionality. He’s too young and hot. We respect your opinion and are not going to insist. According to information from our sources, the ruler has already prepared amendments to the Code to increase the working day, as well as the launch of a new satellite to the Moon, and tomorrow Mr. Roskhald will announce these amendments live. This is where our concern lies. If decisive steps are not taken, all power on the Continent will be in the hands of the ruler, and Kronos may be abolished altogether. You can rely on the ruler’s promise not to make changes to “Code 282” and its invariable observance by everyone without exception, but we are not inclined to harbor illusions on this score and therefore, while people are ready to resist the dictate, we plan to deliver a crushing blow!
– The ruler will not do that! In his election program, he promised not to amend the Code! – Chris rose from his chair.
“You may not believe it, but the information received is reliable, soon you will be able to see for yourself,” Steve smiled sadly and spread his hands.
– No matter what, I will never become a participant in violence.
Looking carefully into his eyes, Steve calmly said:
– Think about it until Thursday. If you decide to take our side, come, Minerva will be waiting for you at the same time with the books that Mr. Graves gave you. If not, I will be ready to understand you.
Chris took a copy of the professor’s book and headed towards the exit when he suddenly heard Nigel’s voice.
“Why did you bring him here without making sure he had the list?” – the young man spoke heatedly, obviously addressing Minerva. “Did you forget that the guards interrogated him last week?” He will reveal the location of our headquarters in Luz.
“My father spoke well of him, and I trust him,” the girl answered firmly.
“We can’t trust anyone now.” Over the past month alone, guards have arrested dozens of our supporters,” Nigel continued to be indignant.
“He won’t tell,” Steve’s calm voice interrupted the argument. – Minerva, show your guest off.
* * *
As Steve said, the next day the ruler announced the need to amend Code 282, and the next day the Senate adopted a law initiated by the ruler to increase the working day and launch the new Prometheus satellite into low-Earth orbit. Chris Taffer, annoyed by what had happened, decided to talk with Kronos again. On the night shift, when his partner asked to cover his absence and went to see his girlfriend, who was on duty on the sixth floor, Chris went to the AI room. After greeting Chris, he asked permission to ask a question, and Kronos kindly agreed.
– What’s bothering you, Chris Taffer? – he asked sympathetically.
“Yesterday I had an unusual meeting with the rebels.
– And what was unusual about her?
“The girl I talked to argued that my methods would not bring results in the foreseeable future and that it was necessary to move on to more radical measures to change this regime.
– Did she talk about the revolution?
– In a sense, yes. She argued that the ruler wants to concentrate all power in his hands and, if urgent measures are not taken, Vinland will come to totalitarianism. I didn’t want to believe it until today they passed the law to increase the working day and launch Prometheus. Answer, Wise One, what should I do?
Having calculated the situation, the AI said:
– Your interlocutor is right. If nothing is done, totalitarianism will set in, and power will change only after the ruler is overthrown. This development of events is inevitable. But only one percent of the population wants to make the revolution that she calls for; the majority are satisfied with the current state of affairs.
– Wise One, if everything is moving towards dictatorship, why are you watching it indifferently?
“I’m just fulfilling the will of the people.” The people of Vinland overwhelmingly chose a ruler, and it is my duty to accept this decision. I am required by the Code to remain neutral until there is a special appeal from senators or mass protests. – Looking at Chris, Kronos continued: “Are you standing at a crossroads and don’t know which side to take?” But you have little choice. If everything is left as it is, in a few years Vinland will come to totalitarianism. Helping the resistance may lead to violence, upheaval and civil war, but the changes that follow can restore the balance of power. These scenarios are obvious to you, so the choice is yours, Chris Taffer.
Realizing that there was little time left and his colleague was about to return, Chris decided to ask the AI a question that had been tormenting him for many years:
– Supreme Ruler Kronos, I have long been concerned with the question: why, while events were taking place that led to a terrible catastrophe in 2046, the Messiah, whom people had been waiting for for many centuries, never came? In that era there were all the signs that the savior described in the prophecy was about to appear.
After listening to the question and analyzing the events of the past, Kronos calmly answered:
“Everything is going as usual, Chris Taffer.” If it does not open, it means the time has not come. – After a pause, the Wise One continued: “Millions of believers on all continents prayed for his coming, but people were disappointed. Now many have forgotten about the savior, but this prophecy should not be considered false. The Messiah will definitely come at the right moment, and it follows that the main battle is still ahead.
– Do you know who this messiah is? How can you identify him?
– A person comes to earth with a specific mission, so everyone can be called a messiah in some way. But if we talk about the very savior described in the prophecy, then it will be a man of flesh and blood. Having found his purpose, he will open up and challenge injustice.
Chris thought about Kronos’ words.
– Wise one, how can I understand my mission, what is it? Which way