original

Egoist

Author: Lurima

Chapter 1: Immortality

In the year x8xx.

The sky was bright as the Sun shined to the Earth without reflections from the clouds. The surroundings were unusually hot; with accompaniment by the common tropical air that never escaped the environment. Amidst all the humidity that overflown in the air everywhere at all times, a middle-aged man with brown eyes quickly got himself up from a life capsule – with nothing on him. A pool of translucent gels covered him all over. The thick and slimy gels stick on his skins and hair unpleasantly. The man opened his eyes wide with a single thought on his mind; 'Today is the promised day'.

Prinz Heilig had a simple clean up and walked toward his living room. From then on, he conversed with someone:

"Leyla, summarize everything about my current physical status. Report any abnormality and begin to accumulate sufficient energy for long-distance teleportation."

"Begin rerouting new branching tasks from master. Generating Master Heilig's physical results while harnessing energy for spatial activities."

"Ah, I've almost forgotten." He tapped his forehead in discomfort.

"Set the teleportation target to the research Head-quarter," Prinz indifferently said.

"Add the task to the new branch successfully. Now, finding and setting the teleportation locations. Master, a summary of your physical status has been generated and upon analysing it there is no acute abnormality found from the report. However, the status of your physical muscle cells is deteriorating due to the cells growth limit. The cells have undergone critical senescence processes repetitively. You are advised to take precaution."

"Thanks, Leyla for the report. Is the teleportation channel ready yet?"

"The teleportation is ready. Should Leyla increase the stem cells cultivations and transfer them into master's life capsule?"

"Yes, please do it. Thank you for your hard work, Leyla. I'll be leaving for a while now. While I'm not here, increase the security measures around the whole regions. Reduce extreme safety measures above all; unless they are necessary."

"Yes, master. Security measures, code name ghost protocols have been initiated. Beginning to create a security perimeter and increasing the defensive mechanisms in the regional surroundings. The camouflaging process has taken place, the tower of weapons have been deployed."

"Good work Leyla. I'm heading out now."

He walked toward the podium where the only teleportation channel was constructed.

A blinding white light began to engulf him whole as he walked into the teleportation channel. The teleporting process happened in the blink of an eye. The moment Prinz opened his eyes; he had already arrived at a familiar place – An entrance to the Head-quarter. The entrance was separating the outer expanse and the inner constituency of the research Head-quarter. Upon his arrival, the entrance immediately recognized his presence; allowing him to walk through the immense ancient entrance.

Today is the promised day for Prinz to reunite with his former colleagues. There were a total of 44 of them and they had all worked alongside him in the past; pursuing their passions toward the nature disciplines – each had become experts in their own related niches. Their expertise is all in the past. Now their roles had transformed into entirely something different. Their dated roles include monitoring and gathering of information; at the same time preserving the conditions of all humans who are now living inside the Virtual Dimension.

The present world has exceptionally transformed; from the past physical human world to one exclusively ethereal. The entire landscape of the world view has evolved remarkably; making the world from centuries ago appeared as though they were no longer in force.

Everything began 800 years ago during the time Prinz and his colleagues made profound discoveries in the human brain.

The brain is ultimately known as the most complex of the human organ. Billions of neurons in the brains collaborate to spark one human consciousness, yet at the same time, there are billions of unknowns that humanity always fails to associate. It turns out that almost all known processes in the brain has been predicted and assumed with significant misdirection. For thousands of year, humanity had been unable to decipher the secret of consciousness inside the brain. The cycle of failure continues because of the misdirection, yet the scientists around the globe have never ceased to uncover the secret or to reaching an impasse in the research.

It was once said by Prinz in a seminar that "The pursuit of science was to discover the truth about the world and to change the humans' perceptions towards everything around them. This is the ultimate path that humanity shares. Therefore, one must never give up in pursuing the nature's utmost truth; the human consciousness. And whether it was called a soul or awareness inside of an atom, the truth in the human consciousness would one day allow us to understand everyone who is living on Earth and dismiss every conflict that arises from misunderstanding."

His words reached into the mind of every other living being who wished for the same. Eventually, the greatest mind and talents in the world gathered around him.

Years of relentless research finally boar its first fruit and the pursuit of the secret inside the human consciousness intensified. As a result, more and more scientists began to increasingly join Prinz in his cause.

One day, the ultimate impasse about the brain was reached – the secret to human consciousness was found. The greatest question to the human mind and perception finally leapt forward.

Prinz and his four close colleagues had fortuitously discovered the secret inside the human brain from their relentless research. A secret that would change the way human perceived the world. Economy, politics as well as the social norms of humanity would be transformed. Without a doubt, his wish would be finally realized.

Although there were many Scientist that gathered and helped, Prinz's most trustful colleagues only consisted of four other scientists – they were the first in the team and contributed the most.

However relying solely on Prinz and his four colleagues contributions, finally reached a dead end.

To hasten the research further, he began to recruit more trustful people into his research circle. His circle ultimately expanded and 40 more people from various academics and backgrounds along with professional experiences were recruited Eventually, Prinz and a total of 44 of his trustful colleagues became the vital pioneer of the human revolution – The establishment of a Virtual Dimension.

At some point in time, the creation of the Virtual Dimension finally reached its final phase. It was the fruit made from the relentless research and unyielding efforts; accomplished by Prinz and his colleagues that allowed the transaction of human consciousness into the Virtual Dimension. Despite the loss of a human physical body, one could live inside the Virtual Dimension for almost eternity. It quantified human-associated consciousness, memories and intelligence into tangibles figures, thus allowing the brain-like activities inside the Virtual Dimension with the help of technology to process and maintains the brain activities.

The Virtual Dimension was known as a safe haven for human and because of the unique brain waves of each individual, it was made possible.

In a sense, humanity had finally achieved immortality.

____

Inside the Head-quarter.

The long white hall in the Head-quarter stretches as far as two eyes can see and there seems no end to the hall pathways. There are multiple numbers of human-sized android as well as small automatons that occupy the enormous space. Inside this hall is where they are keeping the Head-quarter intact by maintaining the whole operations of the various pieces of equipment inside.

A huge crystal-like sphere hovered in the air, at the centre of the hall. It shines with corona brightness with electrical sparks that flicker without end. It is the sphere-accumulator that monitored the energy usage inside the research Head-quarter. A boundless number of equipment-connections are attached around the crystal. A half human-sized android with a black garment stands underneath the crystal sphere while monitoring its functionalities. Her eyes shine brightly while looking at it intently.

The android is the overseer of all things inside the hall.

"Long-time no see." Prinz started a conversation.

"It's Master Heilig!"

"Yes Sheyla, it's me."

"Welcome back master."

"I have come back Sheyla."

There are many halls within the Head-quarter and inside all these halls are multiple partitions that separate the various spacious-rooms; each room has its own functionality and purpose. There is one biggest room that exists in the hall. Inside this room, there is a long wooden-table that extend far – almost taking all the whole space inside. The wooden -table looks majestic with unique floral engravings; mostly from the tropical floras. The surface of the table shaped in elliptical. 44 human-sized robots with distinctive human-like appearances sit motionless on the chairs; position around the table. There is one chair left empty.

"Tap, tap, tap!"

The sound of footsteps that comes from afar is approaching the room. Not long after, Prinz arrives with Sheyla. The female android follows from behind him into the room. He then sits on the empty chair comfortably while Sheyla stands next to him. He taps his fingers on the table in a plain rhythm. The room soon goes dim.

"It's time everyone!" Prinz said indifferently.

After he uttered the sentence, the entire Head-quarter enters into a dormant state. Everything that exists in the Head-quarter immediately notices the difference. The entire androids overseer from all halls and every operating automaton stop their works. At the same time, they return to their respective positions. They all became quiescent afterwards.

Today is the promised day where Prinz and his colleagues would meet once in every 100 years. It is also the day where the Virtual Dimension would undergo its system century-upgrade. For this purpose, all electrical energy is used to accommodate this process while the Head-quarter ceased its daily system maintenance and subsidiary operations for one whole day before they resume the next day.

The 44 motionless robots start to slowly regain their sentience. Their pair eyes shine in various distinctive colours – each robot has its unique symbolism. Their arms make a simple movement as if they are twitching from a shock. Slowly, the robots raise their head and turn towards Prinz. Immediately, they stand straight up from the chair in an upright position. Prinz follows as soon as and he nods his head in respect to them all.

"It has been a century everyone since we gathered together," Prinz exclaimed out loud.

"It sure did!"

"Yeah, long time no see man."

"Hi hi, Prinz."

"...."

".."

Everyone responds to Prinz individually and differently. The room that once quiet begins to fill with white noises. The 44 no longer motionless robots converse among themselves as if they are having a reunion gathering.

"Prinz, you never contact us at all!" A youth looking robot wearing a red dress suddenly raises her voice.

"Hehe, Diana. You never change, do you? Your voice is always louder than everyone."

"Hmmph."

Diana turns her pretty face away. She looks as if she is pouting.

Diana is one of the first 4 colleagues of Prinz. She is an expert in Macro and Micro Biology. She has known Prinz ever since they were in University. Diana and Prinz are very close to each other. She is the only person that he trusts the most.

"Prinz, we should begin immediately." A hoarse voice that belongs to a muscular robot interjected.

The muscular robot wears a black jacket and a blue T-shirt that written with 'Logic Triumphs Emotion' at the front. His name is Loci and he is an expert in Artificial Intelligence and algorithm. Loci is a person who devoid of all emotions. At least that is what he claims when he fails to get a life partner until now. Loci is also one of his first 4 colleagues.

"Loci don't be hasty. The energy required for the upgrade is not ready. It will take a moment to accumulate enough."

Prinz turns his head to the right and says:

"Sheyla, immediately notify us when it is ready."

She nods her head in response. Her eyes continue to shine brightly as she looks fixedly on an orb. In actual, Sheyla is monitoring the upgrade process.

She holds with her two hands a small transparent orb that glitters with white radiance. That orb is a calculation tool comprising various complex algorithms that are used to perform calculations on the energy consumption for the system upgrade. Additionally, the orb is monitoring and analysing the overall process.

Prinz takes a fist-sized cube out from his pocket and places it on the table. Everyone then focuses on him. He takes the initiative to speak his thoughts to everyone.

"Everyone, 800 years have swiftly passed by since the research started. Along the way, I met with everyone. Over a multitude of efforts and triumphal discoveries, we ultimately complete the Virtual Dimension. However, the system is, without doubt, brought humanity to its current predicament. There is no longer any existing human on Earth as every single one of us has relocated and infuses into the system. The only remaining human with flesh is none, but me. Although the Virtual Dimension has come to fruition, I have always opposed the idea of discarding the human physical. It is undeniably a flaw in our plan to immortalize the human consciousness but to disregard the inherent nature that we are all born with."

"Prinz, it is not a flaw instead we have estimated it to happen hundreds of years ago. We, of the first 44 people who have discarded our human flesh understood that humanity certainly would follow our path. Despite the difference in our philosophy, we have always wished for the same. We wish to immortalize our existence and transcend above the human limit."

Phil responds with a strong argument. He is an expert in the field of law, philosophy and humanities. Phil is one of Prinz's trusted aides who equally important as Diana and Loci. Phil and Prinz both share the same interest in philosophy but often clashed with each other. It is all due to Prinz's and Phil's minds stand at the opposite from each other as their philosophies differ. It goes as far as they would even debate for weeks, months or years against each other, yet never to reach the middle ground that would satisfy their intellectual disputes. Still, Prinz believes that Phil is the only person who understood him the most.

"It's true Prinz. All of us are alive, now and forever, until we inevitably perish. Some of us has even left this planet and began to search for other existence in the vast galaxy. Only in this form, we can accomplish the impossible."

Mat adds his point to support Phil's argument. Mat was the last among Prinz's first 4 colleagues and he is an engineer who built the Virtual Dimension prototypes. Prinz calls him a multi-talented monster as he is incredibly good in the majority of engineering fields. Whether it is mechanical, electrical or even chemical engineering, Mat has all the qualifications. He is a genius who can even speak in many languages – thanks to D******o. Prinz has always known that Mat has never shown everything about him to anyone. He has always reserved when it comes to interpersonal affiliation. Mat was born with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). At the age of 28, his physical deteriorated and he lost his ability to move. Mat disabilities become Prinz's greatest motivation that pushes him strong toward his research. Because of the Virtual Dimension, Mat is now alive.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have said that in front of everyone. It is only because of our plan, Virtual Dimension is created, and without it, everyone would never meet."

Prinz feels hopeless against Phil and Mat. He wants to refute them, but his next sentence stuck at his throat; unable to voice it out. They both have their strong reasons to completely relocate themselves into the Virtual Dimension. Especially Mat who suffered from ALS; while Phil holds a tough resolve on his wish to transcend beyond the human limit.

Prinz holds a cube that contains his analysis of many human consciousnesses that now have been living the system. In truth, he wants to share the information with everyone. He needs to tell them, that humanity has begun to ask for more than just to be alive and their instincts long for physical touch and emotions.