Official Intelligent Beings: How Our Devices Became Us, And The World Consumed Itself (5 page)

Jagz pressed send. Just as soon as he heard the sound that confirmed his Quack, he heard another sound.

Jagz checked his direct Quacks and saw one from Shera. All it said was:

Find me in the tasteful place tomorrow, where magic happens, during the lightest hour #tastemyrainbow

              @NaWonStay (131 followers)

Jagz, eager to pass the time in the hope of finding his way to Shera faster, got into bed, closed his eyes, and did his best to remember her technique of breathing and relaxing so as to fall asleep as fast as he could.

As his mind stilled and his body calmed, Jagz began to float towards the clouds, but, this time, he was not floating upwards, he was floating forward, through space and time, into the future.

His began to go faster and faster. Suddenly his pleasant dream wasn’t pleasant at all. He was moving so fast that he seemed to lose all control. He was flying at the speed of light. Stars, lights, colors all flashed before him. He was flying through what appeared to be some sort of wormhole, but he was going so fast he couldn’t be sure. He flew at such a rate, it was almost as if he was a bit of data shooting across the planet from one device to another, but he appeared to be flying to a far distant planet in the distant future.

Just as he seemed to reach maximum speed, Jagz tried to scream, but nothing came out. He stopped still, motionless, floating in the sky, hovering above some unknown planet, somehow able to breath in the depths of space.

After a few moments, Jagz, startled by a voice, looked to his left to find another Intelligent Being with bright blue eyes, silvery curled blond hair, wearing a long flowing gown, glowing amongst the stars. She had on a magnificent headpiece that shined like the sun. She was covered head to toe in crystals that made her seem as though she was part of the galaxy, as if she was Mother Galaxy.

“Thank you for joining me. I am Henata, the Official Intelligent Being of Knowledge and I wanted to bring you here for a very special reason.”

“And what might that be? You know I seem to be getting brought to places against my will a lot recently.”

“Today you were shown something of grave importance—something that only a few others know about. I trust you are beginning to see why you were shown that something. But I am not here to help you understand your place in all of this. I am simply here to show you what plan has already been set in motion and why you may want to consider sharing the truth with those willing to listen.”

“The truth?”

“Come with me and I’ll show you.”

Henata grabbed his hand and they began flying at a very fast, yet gentle, speed towards a planet below them.

“As we get closer, you will begin to recognize the beings that inhabit this planet. Ani Rudh, the Alien you encountered today, lives amongst trillions of others on Foüan dañtæ. They are far more advanced than the humans on Earth, but they have managed to upset and diminish all of their resources and have been searching for a new planet to inhabit.”

“Why Earth?”

“Well it’s not just Earth that they are looking to inhabit. There are trillions on their planet and they sent scouts all over the galaxy hoping to find a planet big enough for everyone. They are prepared to inhabit multiple planets if that is the best that they can do. After all, smaller planets are more likely to be defeated and controlled and less likely to be as advanced, for a larger size often means rapid growth in all areas.”

“So what you are saying is that the Earth is just one of many planets they are hoping to control, but there’s a chance they’ll find a planet large enough for them to all live on together?”

“That is what they were hoping for. But after many years of searching they have given up the notion that such a planet exists within reach. So they have already begun their plan to attack Earth and claim it as their own. The Phrells do not care about your freedoms. They have studied your history and deem your world and your species useless, not unlike how humans once saw insects before wiping them out,”

“Insects? I don’t understand. What are they?”

“There was a time when such creatures existed and even did good in the world. But humans found them to be pestering, hence the term bug that they became known as, so they created tools to wipe out the bugs that they thought were unnecessary. Little did they know, that the methods they used to wipe out some bugs were not selective and killed all insects, for the creatures all existed as one greater whole. Over time, however, we helped humans with their problem and they grew to be okay with the outcome. They simply learned ways to survive without the bugs, as we created compounds to work as the bugs once did.”

“And how was that possible?”

“Anything is possible when you have the Beings guiding you. We have infinite knowledge and Redemet was able to develop a technique to emulate the bugs’ processes. It is this same perspective that the humans had towards bugs that the Phrells have towards humans. They might have been more sympathetic, but they studied humans and have seen what people are capable of. They see no difference between the humans wiping out a species and them wiping out the humans. They figure, wipe out the humans and then take control over us Beings, thinking we will share our infinite knowledge with them and help them restore balance in their world.”

“So they know about you and they want you to lead them?”

“In a way, yes. They know most of what there is to know about our race. It didn’t take much time to figure it all out, what with the whole world being so connected by an interweb. It didn’t take them but a few minutes to download the entire collective cyber-human consciousness.”

“So what can we do about it? What can I do about it? Shouldn’t you be able to do something about it?”

“Jagz, you must understand, we, as the Official Intelligent Beings, are not here to fight for your Earth. We are here to guide you. We are here to guide everyone in the ways of love, of creating life, of creating sustenance for your world. We are not here to choose a side—that is your choice. It is you that has to make a choice about what you want to do with all of this information.”

Just like that, Jagz woke up. This time, he was not sweating. He was alert, awake, and ready for the day, for he knew today was going to be a special one. He would be meeting Shera in the park after work and hopefully sharing a special treat with her.

He knew his dream held meaning. It held weight and power, but he didn’t know what to make of it and decided to let his dreaming mind sink in.

Jagz decided to skip on his UrDg. He was onto something with his connection to Shera and he didn’t want to risk losing it. 

Looking at his device on the way to work, he noticed that his followers, since his last Quack, were growing, 120,000 followers to be exact. He typed out a new thought for anyone just joining him.

“Do you ever question your place on this planet? Do you ever wonder what it is that makes us the dominant race in the universe? Is it really our place to dictate how the world should be? Sure we have the Beings who guide us, but who is to say there aren’t other Beings out there who are far more intelligent and have far more valuable information to share with us? What if we really weren’t alone in the universe, and what if there were others who felt that they should control us? Would you be afraid if this were true?  #similarthoughts ?

Jagz released another, though vague, Quack to the world and headed off to work.

Chapter 9.

During work, Jagz experienced something drastically different than he was used to. Normally, he had no problem focusing, completing his basic tasks in the same uniform order that he always did, checking the wiring of each system, making sure everything was clean, one by one, every night the same routine, but not tonight. Tonight he couldn’t keep his eyes off of his Quacker account.
Was it the absence of UrDg?
he wondered.
Or was it something else?

Every few minutes that passed, he seemed to gain more followers. His post about other being out there had more interactions than any other he had ever posted. He was gaining likes and replies by the second. It seemed as though people were catching on to his thoughts and he was getting more and more excited to see where it all might lead.

What’s more is he had a lot more meaningful comments than usual. People wrote in and professed that they wondered the same thing, wondered if there was a greater, even more powerful life form out there, saying how they were too afraid to share this information with anyone until Jagz did. His followers expressed how his honest thoughts gave them the courage to share what came to them and that he helped them feel comfortable with what they previously did not know how to express. He gave them something to relate to. He couldn’t stop checking his device every few seconds, distracted from his work, but he didn’t care, it felt freeing, he felt alive with his world, and he wasn’t even taking his UrDg.

After work, Jagz, so consumed by all of these new followers and comments, almost started to head home when he remembered his plans with Shera. He tossed his thoughts of Quacker out of his head and rushed to the park, excited to meet Shera again and see what she had brought this time.

“Jagz, I want you to close your eyes and open your mouth,” said Shera.

Jagz, excited to see what food would be hitting his lips, quickly did as she said and laid on his back.

“Your wish is my command, here I go,” he said playfully.

Just as he got ready to chow down on some fresh fruit, or perhaps something new, he felt an entirely different sensation. It felt as though what he tasted could be food but he wasn’t entirely sure.

Assuming it must be edible, he bit down and heard Shera let out a small wince as she pulled back and smacked him on the shoulder.

“Easy there tiger. I know you are hungry but I need these lips.”

“Oh my web. I’m sorry. I didn’t… I thought it was food. I was just trying to…”

She laughed. “It’s okay, I probably should have warned you. Now close your eyes and don’t bite me this time. Just do as I do. Let the motion of the world guide you.

“Jagz closed his eyes again and let her lips touch his as he followed her movements.”

He opened his eyes and saw that directly in front of his face were Shera’s perfectly beautiful and shining green eyes. After a brief moment of total peace, a peace that he always felt when he looked into her perfect eyes, he jumped back and let out a little scream, half shocked, half excited.

“Oh come on, haven’t you ever kissed someone before?”

“Why no. No. I actually have not. At least not in person. Only in the virtual simulated pleasure experience. I have never actually tasted lips before and lips so sweet, holy heaven, that was amazing!”

“Aw Jagz, you are too cute. Do you know that? I could just squeeze you and…”

“And kiss me again?”

“Why yes I could. But I can tell just that first kiss was enough for one day. Let it soak in. Savor it. Never let that feeling go away.”

Jagz fell back into the grass, smiling from cheek to cheek, wondering about nothing but his slow and steady breath.

“In case you are wondering, I read your Quack. I’ve got to say, pretty intense stuff,” said Shera.

He hadn’t been wondering. Being back with her made all of his wonders go away, like UrDg, but yet completely different.

“Well life has been pretty intense, if you want to know the truth.”

“Do tell, do tell, I’m always up for some good truth.”

“Oh, I don’t know if this is something you would want to hear about. I’m not even really sure if I could express it in a way that it would make sense. In a way that you wouldn’t think I have completely lost my mind.”

“Well now you have to tell me.”

“I don’t know.”

“Oh come on, you have to! Share and I’ll share something that I brought for you. It’s fresh like the orange we shared, but even better!”

“You really know how to get to me in all of the right ways. All right, I’ll tell you. But you need to keep an open mind, and you can’t tell this to anyone.”

“For you, I’m always open. Your words are safe with me.”

“So this is going to sound strange, but recently I was called in to meet the President of Unified Webworks, Mr. Herd. Do you know who he is?”

“President Herd? Of course, I mean who doesn’t? But why did he want to speak with you?”

“Well, actually it wasn’t really him that wanted to speak with me. You see, oh web, I can’t believe I am actually sharing this with someone, it’s all too much.”

“Jagz, I know we just recently met, but you can trust me. You know I read all of your previous Quacks last night and I felt this profound connection to you. Why do you think I kissed you?“

“Yeah. Why did you?”

“It was as if you pulled all of the thoughts out of my mind and took what I couldn’t share and released it into the world. Each Quack was more beautiful than the next. Your honesty, your passion, your desire for progressive thought, I’m all ears for you. Anything you say, I promise, is safe with me.”

“Jagz couldn’t deny such a beautiful woman. The first woman to share her fresh fruit and lips with him had to be the first person he shared a secret that, until now, had kept him in a constant state of confusion.

“Okay,” said Jagz. “This is going to sound strange as all hell and I don’t blame you if you run away but I’ve been dying to tell someone. But not just anyone. I too feel a strong connection to you. I trust you.”

“Enough of your sweet talk. Hit me with the truth!”

“All right. Well, the real reason that President Herd called me in was to show me something that can and most likely will shake up human existence, as we know it. He wanted me to meet a living,” He paused and squinted for a moment, “Alien.”

“A what now? An Alien?”

“I know it sounds absurd but,”

“Like hell it does! Heck no. That is incredible! You met an actual Alien? Aliens exist? What? Please tell more, this is amazing!”

“You mean to say that you believe me? Just like that?” Jagz was confused and utterly shocked.

“Well yeah, of course I trust you. I can tell that you are not making this up. Besides, what would be the point? The most beautiful gift one can give another is not fruit, it is not even a kiss, it is the space to be honest, to feel heard, to be vulnerable, without any judgment or disbelief. A rare thing to have an honest and unique thought, I know, but it is still possible and it is the least I can do.”

“Whoa, Shera. You are just so incredible, you know that? I’m beginning to feel things for you that I didn’t even think were possible.”

“Aren’t you just a doll?”

“Shera, you make me feel…”

“Alright, enough of the sappy stuff. Now tell me everything you know and be sure to not leave out any details!”

And so Jagz told her the whole story. He told her everything except for his encounter with the Official Intelligent Beings in his dreams. Those encounters, as far as he knew, were only his own supraconscious imagination.

“That is, without question, the craziest most awesome and epic story that I have ever heard. Scary as all noneweb, of course, what with the plan for the Aliens to attack and all, but absolutely thrilling and breathtaking!”

“You mean to say you aren’t concerned about their attack?”

              “Well, like I said, scary as all noneweb but it also kind of turns me on.”

“The world may very well be coming to an end and you are turned on? I think I am in love.”

“Well, if it’s like you said and there is no hope for our future, we might as well enjoy the present moment.” Said Shera. She started to edge closer, slowly pulling him toward her as she began to kiss him. She slid her hand down his back, slowly but forcefully rubbing his spine. Her hand began to creep towards his pants and she undid his belt with one hand while taking off her dress with the other.

“I want you inside me,” she gently whispered, passionately into his ear.
              Jagz, without the slightest notion that he had never made love to a woman, that he didn’t even know how to, let her voice guide his inner instinct as they united their beings into a haven of passion.

They made passionate love in the park, surrounded by all of its infinite beauty, as if no one else existed but the two of them. Jagz didn’t even stop to consider what was going on, to stop and wonder if anyone was watching. He found his heaven on earth, even if it only lasted a whole three minutes.

“Wow, that was kind of crazy,” said Jagz with the biggest smile as he rolled over on his back. “That felt kind of like taking UrDg, but more intense. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

“Me neither,” replied Shera. “That was certainly a first, but hopefully not a last,” she grabbed his arm, straddled him with her legs and yanked him closer for another kiss. “I don’t know what came over me but that story was so exciting and exhilarating. Like nothing I have ever heard before, nothing I could have imagined. You are in possession of the greatest information that this world has ever known and it just makes me want to be so close with you.”

“That may be true, but, in this moment, nothing else seems to matter.”

“I know, but you have to spread the word. You can’t keep this in! Your following needs to know. It could change everything!”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. I have no idea what to do, what sharing this information might do. I’m lost. I can’t help but think that people aren’t ready for this. That this information will just cause panic and fear amongst my followers. At best, I might lose most of them for thinking that I am completely out of my damned mind.”

“Jagz, ten minutes ago you were prepared to keep this secret inside and let it eat you alive. Then you told me, and it felt great. In fact, it felt so good that I’m kind of hoping you will tell me again, if you know what I mean. Think about what this information could mean to everyone out there. I am not the only one eager to hear the truth. You simply must share it. I can’t imagine how you could keep this in for much longer. After all, by not sharing the whole truth, you are not sharing the one and only truth that matters. Everything else, any half truth you attempt to express, will only create minimal impact, and you’ll be left with a hole. I know because I’ve been there before. It’s not worth it. No matter how big the secret.”

“Yeah, well, I suppose I have never thought about it that way. You are very convincing, you know that? You have a way of making all of these wrongs right. I never thought I would find anyone like you. I never thought that this was possible. Something is changing inside of me, and it’s not just the fact that the world may be wiped out by Aliens. None of that seems to matter right now. I’m as clear as I have ever felt. I feel light. I feel alive.”