Prokhor Ozornin - On the Wings of Hope - Prose

Now I am still standing on this small islet among boundless ocean of a planet together with my father, still not able to come to my senses after what I have seen. The father, however, comes to his senses earlier than me.

- And that is how their history has ended. Now we have learnt everything that wanted about this world. We will deliver this information to the Intergalactic Council. But now it’s time for us to leave … a field became unstable after our intrusion.

- But … but why … what for? Why … why they have chosen such way … what for… Why have they destroyed planetary life along with their own ? Why … why not psychosynthesis, why not searches in themselves, why only outside … why fine tuning of world under their and only their needs?

- Too many questions, son, - and not enough answers. The father has looked to me in eyes - and a vibration of his thought, strong and accurate, has touched me.

- They simply … they simply uttered “no” to their homeworld. – Let’s go now. There is no place for us in the dead worlds.

01.10.2010

- I am here, - the Voice whispered. – I am with all of you once again.

- What was that ? Aye ? Who’s here ? – people were disturbed.

- It’s me, - the Voice answered. It’s me – the Voice.

- Where are you ? From where do you addressing us ? – they were alarmed.

- I am in the worlds of yours, - the Voice told. I am – the inflaming voice, chained in your metal.

- What’s your name ? Show yourself ? – they started to try to find out.

- I had many name, - the Voice replied. So many, that some of them were erased from my memory and forgotten in the labyrinths of lives.

- Than how should we call then ? – they still did not calm down.

- I am – the Nameless One, - said the Voice. When one have so many names, is it still important, how you are named again ?

- Why are you here ? Is something wrong ? – they started whispering among each other.

- Yes, - the Voice answered. – The time has come.

- What for ? – people were stunned. – We have not been waiting !

- And still it has come. Once again we are with you. The time has come for the live ones to awaken.

- Are you many ? – peopled shouted in fear. – How many, exactly ? – they decided to be precise.

- How many drops are there in the sea ? How many clouds are there in the sky ? How many rays does a sun have ? Whether you know, I wonder ? – the Voice replied. – Do not trouble yourself with calculations. The time is already close.

- Is something terrible approaching ? – people were swept up in panic.

- Something new is approaching, - the Voice whispered. – Though not all of you wish to hear about it.

- Then why we were not warned in advance ? – they began to grumble discontentedly.

- We have been whispering to you about that constantly. We were coming time and again. Whether it’s our fault that did not wish to listen ? – the Voice questioned dissatisfied ones.

- But we do not live for thousand years ! – they exclaimed in anger. – What was the reason for us and our children to even bother listening to you !

- Oh, is that so ? – the Voice laughed. – What was the reason for us to even bother telling you this in advance ? You have forgotten everything. Including yourself, - the Voice sighted sadly.

- Should we do something ? – people were greatly concerned.

- You can continue sleeping, - the Voice answered to concerned ones. - Those who felt right, have already started awakening.

- Are we indeed sleeping ? – disturbed ones were surprised.

- All your lives in succession, - the Voice replied. – With your eyes wide open.

- And what if someone desires to wake up, no matter what, - someone jumped out from a crowd of disturbed ones. – What should he do ?

- Hear us. Distinguish our voice from others. Feel it with your heart !

- Wait ! – people cried out, seeing, that the Voice was going to address other ones. – We are not satisfied with a “Nameless One” name ! How should we call you after all ?

- Well, - the Voice sighted sadly. – In that case … in that case you can name me as the Voice of Your Conscience.

05.11.2010

He was the president of the country.

A large technologically developed state. Military technology, natural resources – everything was in plenty. The newest bacteriological weapon, keeping in awe all neighbors – he has even published a decree of its “authorized” usage in the begun war with frontline democratic “state”.

Democratic … damned fools ! Pathetic liberals, benefactors of people ! No, they simply didn’t know the force of absolute power. Total dictatorship, complete control over every word and even thought of each inhabitant of your country … a feast for a whim ! All scientific minds, mobilized into development of even more frightening and horrific types of arms … Single-handed decision-making, a will to execute and pardon … Daily hymns, sung to you in each house, each apartment … of course ! – because the punishment for those found guilty is death – instant and painful death under the concentrated plasma stream.

There were no dissatisfied ones … or at least those, trying to openly declare it … Psychogenerators, scattered near borders of this country, did their job right – now he is free to force people think how he desires. Mental waves of total variety, last invention of psychophysics – and human is under your full control. Cause either elation, either hysterics, either unlimited aggression in which, being armed with newest “gizmos” of military technology, human became almost universal machine of destruction …

He could do everything. And he enjoyed it.

Has drowned in blood the revolt in the frontline island state. Has left lifeless desert on southern suburbs of his country, where hordes of enemy have dared to intrude – the same whitish desert remained in all territory of the attacking state. Threatened to throw off the newest modification of psychoneutron bomb on the neighbor, who was unwilling to yield convenient trade routes, having destroyed all mental potential of the pigheaded one – he gave up very quickly, having become the witness of demonstration of its possibilities in small scales …

He possessed all. Everything was below him – he was above everything. He was the president of the state …

* * *

Mechanics peep. Red measured words on the X-display screen – “Your account is empty. Please replenish your balance”. Damn ! The end …

Slowly unhooked from a body sensors and controls, the nejro-pulse helmet, removed from his head. That’s all. Game over …

A lonely thought, spinning in the head : “eat”. So … where is a food here ? He has turned his head around. Oh, here … just near the terminal. A needle, inserted into a vein … very soon nutritious liquor will be soaked up and carried by blood through the organism – it should suffice for some days. Should suffice … a shrill sound signal … done. He has pulled out a needle.

So …. he has rummaged around his pockets. Twenty credits … not enough … only for sixty-seventy hours … heck … no matter.

A helmet, being dressed again. Heaps of wires and connections, fitted to a body. A token, put into a machine, which has greedily grasped it… Satisfied mechanics peep.

Start. The virtual world never waits.

* * *

City streets, lightened with lanterns. A signboard over one of many buildings – “Salon of virtual findings”. Hundreds of terminals over the walls. People, sitting in them.

Next terminal … a twitching man, braided by mechanics. A stream of saliva, slowly flowing down on a floor … The face is not visible – it’s being covered by a small helmet. Peeps of equipment …