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© Juriy Tashkinov, 2024
ISBN 978-5-0062-2876-4
Created with Ridero smart publishing system
Level 0. Augmented reality
The spring pulled the bed, and it pressed into the floor. Now I was lying on the smooth plane of an empty room two by two meters. If I were a little taller, I would have to bend down. But I’m already rich – I have my own room! Some huddle in the same ones, but for three or four people. The walls are painted white. It smelled like sterilizers – it looked like the cleaning robot had gotten the job done while I was sleeping.
The female voice of the robot secretary rang out:
– Ilya, it’s time to get up!
It’s immediately obvious that it’s a car, and a non-Russian one at that! She has no soul at all. It would be nice to just wake me up! And then she threw me off the bed, and even took away the blanket! Bastard!
– Ilya, get up! I see you’re still lying there.
– Yes, I get up, I get up. I’ll sleep with you! Not only did you throw it on the floor, but you also bark in your ear!
– Ilya, get up.
And so every morning! Until I get up, it won’t come off. I watched the videos of my ancestors – they called them «cinema». So, they slept sweetly on a normal bed, which never disappeared, and they were woken up by the quiet squeak of some mechanism, I don’t remember what it was called, either a tinker or a muddy… In general, I don’t remember. Let Svetka, my robot secretary, learn how to behave in a cultured society!
– It’s time to pump up your abs – what a machine! I wonder if all women are this annoying? Like a robot fly, not a secretary!
– Come with your abs! Every morning it’s the same!
– Excess weight is twenty-five point three hundred and four thousandths of a kilogram. You yourself asked to remind me about morning exercises.
Nothing to do. Fate bent me, then again, and again… We are all in the hands of Fate, and we only trust in it! In fact, we are all not spoiled by movement, so we get fat. My father was slender, but he was also a Guardian. And Lyubka actually looks like a pig. And it’s not very pleasant to look at yourself in the mirror. We also need to add push-ups to Svetka’s program. Maybe I’ll pump up a muscle? What’s the point though? The turn for mating will not come soon. Bent over twenty times.
– Enough?
– Would you like to take a shower? – Sveta asked instead of answering.
– Yeah, it’s just like this in the morning!
The white walls have been transformed, now showing a waterfall in motion. Jets of warm water and soapy water hit me from above. I closed my eyes – last time I left them open, it stung for several days. The robot was rubbing his back. They are now everywhere you look. And how did you live before, even before robotization? Although people somehow managed to use digging sticks, they somehow survived!
After a while, the water stopped flowing over the clean body. Now Sveta turned on the warm air flow. The image has changed. Now I was standing on the ocean shore, under the bright scorching sun. Romance! Ten seconds – and I’m dry. Got dressed.
– Will you have breakfast? – the voice of my secretary.
– Let’s. I want mashed potatoes and chicken Kiev.
– This is not in our database.
It would still be! In one of the films I saw that they were eating this very puree – the little one was dying so much, it was already cracking behind the ears! Probably tastier than our mixture number six! And my late grandfather told me about chicken Kiev. Although, he told me a lot of things – he was good with inventions. He says that in his youth people walked down the street boldly, that at that time there were still places in the cities free from buildings. People went to work somewhere – why, if you can work without leaving home? And he also said that in order to start a family and have children, you didn’t have to get a quota! Here’s another inventor! Where have you seen this – a free family, without a waiting list for mating! I feel sorry for grandpa. Although he was a rare liar, I loved him. And it was interesting to hear about free times. «Computers have taken over everything!» – he liked to say, but where would we be without them – he didn’t think about that? Previously, the grass was greener, and young people treated old people with respect. Not like now.
He talked about free families. But he had to sign an agreement on voluntary euthanasia in order for my parents to be given permission to have another child. I hate my sister! Because of her, the doctors killed grandfather Sanya!
– One injection and that’s it! It’s like being bitten by a mosquito and then falling asleep! – that’s what my mother told me. I forgave her a long time ago, but I can’t forgive Lyubka! My mother said that before I was born, my grandmother had to sacrifice her life. In our world, a new life is only in place of someone else’s, every schoolchild knows this – there is too little space. We were all born this way.
– So what to serve? – asked the persistent Svetka.
– Mixture number 17! And strawberry flavored syrup.
– Fine!
A metal parallelepiped of the table grew from below. I sat down on a chair that appeared in the same way. The robots brought me a yellowish pulp on a tray. It looks ugly, but how delicious! And healthy – a mixture of all the necessary vitamins and minerals! I remember my father bringing an apple once. He was a Guardian, they were given the best. We divided the fruit among three. I still water when I remember that day. And then there was a coup, and everyone close to the president was killed. The state was headed by the Emperor, and Uncle Igor replaced my father.
I’ve eaten, it’s time to get to work.
– Light, turn on my mail!
He ran his hand along the sensory rough dusty wall.
– Svetka, when I finish, remind the lazy robots to do the cleaning.
– Of course, Ilya!
Okay, what’s here? «The Emperor announced recruitment for the Guard…» I am extremely happy for the Emperor. And then there will be a coup again, and all the Guardians, like my father, will be written off. Thank you!
«Visit the Elephant chain of massage parlors and get a chance to expand the room by another half meter!» Another divorce. Let them look for other clients. To spam!
«Get energy for the whole day – eat Snickers, drink Sprite!»
Okay, this is spam, I’ll throw it in the trash right away.
«Should I increase the size? With the new Indian method it’s as easy as shelling pears!»
Are they serious? I was sitting at my desk, and suddenly I wanted to increase the size! Right there, in the furnace!
Electricity bill.
«Your turn to start a family is 75328» is quite good news. In five years I’ll be able to get myself a normal girlfriend, not a virtual robot. I will take revenge for grandfather Sanya – I will have a son or daughter. According to imperial law, at the birth of the first child, one of the husband’s parents is sacrificed. Let Uncle Igor go under the doctor’s needle. «One injection and that’s it! It’s like being bitten by a mosquito, and then he falls asleep!» He’s a useless stepfather. It was he who insisted on getting Lyubka. I hate him more than my sister! Lyuba, at least not on purpose, but Uncle Igor… I hate you!
«Ilyukha, when you are free, dial. I can’t write it – you understand it yourself. The work is interesting. I think you’ll like it»
Dimon, my friend. He won’t leave anyone to die without a penny, he constantly gives people all sorts of jobs. I won’t say that it’s always legal, but those who respect the law don’t drink champagne. I don’t know what this «champagne» is, but Sanya’s grandfather always said so.
Yo-ho-ho, the bottomless expanse sleeps,
We know no peace, only rum and robbery,
We don’t want to die here
Have fun, friends, our motto is simple!
I love reading books. In one of them they wrote that pirates used to sail the seas. This is when there is a lot, a lot of water, and not ten liters per day per person. They will also write fairy tales! But we are not a proud people. Our pirate earnings are information, which is now an ocean and a small bucket.
I inserted the chip into the back of my head. They say that they first invented glasses that projected an image onto the retina of the eye. Then the helmet appeared. But all this is not the same! Thanks to Donald Skachinsky for the invention. This genius was the first to figure out how to get into the virtual world. He modeled his mind into a computer. This is how extended reality appeared. If it weren’t for her, I would have died of boredom in a coffin in a two-by-two-meter room.
An image appeared before my eyes: «User Davydjons invites you to a video conference session.» I ran my palm through the air, where the inscription was blazing with fire. Accept.
– Hello, Ilyukha!
– Hello, Dimych.
This tanned, bare-chested guy is my friend. I recently told you about him. I’m sure I’m actually just as pot-bellied as I am. But in the world of extended reality, you can choose any appearance. But in reality, we have never met him. Well, you yourself understand perfectly well: leaving the apartment is a luxury. The oligarchs can afford it. And although I have a belly, I’m not that rich, I’m a modest guy. It’s okay, I have my whole life ahead of me, I’ll collect more.
He hugged the phantom of a friend, but his hands went through him. This is perhaps one of the shortcomings of extended reality. Although, in the previous version there were no smells. And now there are videos, sounds, smells, and tactile sensations. And the robo-virters have become much more realistic. Okay, why did I open up? In five years I will be able to start a normal family.
– As a young life?
– Great life. Everything is the same as before. Four walls and a smart home Svetka is nasty, she doesn’t let you sleep and forces you to do exercises. Don’t pull the cat by the box. Tell me what kind of work it is. And then he became interested, and he himself asked stupid questions: «How are you?»
– Look, how smart he is! At least I could treat you to tea! And he offered to sit down. The owner is called. So go visit him after that.
– Yeah, take a seat, sir! – a metal chair appeared from under the floor, then another one. – Light, two teas. One black and one electronic green.
– Yeah thanks! – said Dima.
– So what’s the matter? – I asked.
– As always – information.
Dima drew in the air with his finger, and the numbers blazed like fire in front of us.
– Million? – I choked on my tea. – Are you serious?
– Yes, quite seriously.
– Are they suggesting that we rob the Emperor?
– You won’t understand the client. But from the looks of it, it’s not a big deal. And the money is not bad.
– Not bad? Yes, for that kind of money I can afford… Yes, I can do anything. For example, leaving the House. You know, I’ve always dreamed of going outside. And I can start a family. Even a child. Of course, if it was free, they would put Uncle Igor to sleep. I can’t stand him, but my mother loves him. And buy your own house…
– So are you in? – Dima asked seriously, without his usual smirk.
– Still asking! Of course, in action!
– Then in six hours I’ll wait at the intersection of Roboticheskaya and Skachinsky. Do not be late.
***
– Light, bring me back to reality in five or six hours.
You need to get insurance. So as not to remain in the virtual world forever.
«Okay, Ilya,» she is obedient to me. And it’s cool, even though it’s a car.
Cameras are everywhere now. It was this abundance of observation that allowed the phantoms to see, while being many kilometers away, inside the House, in their room. The modulator chip transmits the image on these cameras, and it will seem to you that you are there, and not among the walls painted white.
He ran his finger along the wall. A portal shimmering blue opened. Two steps – and now I’m already in the next room. What are they doing here, pranksters? I wonder if they have a license for mating? Okay, I won’t disturb the newlyweds, I myself often break laws. I’m violating it right now, why hide it? But they won’t see me. They are now without a modulator chip, extended reality is closed to them. Hit the reinforced concrete wall. A crack ran along it, and soon a rift formed, through which I made my way into the next room. I looked back. As one would expect, there was no trace left of the hole. Some just go through walls. But I love special effects, why hide it?
Uncle Igor was telling mom something. Hit him in the jaw. Even if he doesn’t see it, I’m pleased to do at least such a dirty trick to him! «One injection and he’ll fall asleep»
My parents lived in a corner apartment. My father made one of these when he worked as a Guardian. I hit the glass while running. It shattered into pieces. I didn’t look around – and so I know that it’s intact, my phantom weighs nothing. A few seconds of flight from a height of the ninety-sixth floor. This time I landed successfully, on my feet. Last time I broke my nose. The asphalt began to crack, but a moment later the hole formed by the fall was smoothed over, as if it had never existed. I ran my hand over the menu interface. Accelerator. It won’t hurt me now, otherwise I’ll be late. And my separate apartment cried. He ran, barely dodging the gravicars, which were traveling five or six levels deep in the smoky air.
I looked at my watch. I’m late. I looked in the interface. What could you do to get there faster? Dimon is disgusting. If I’m late, he’ll go to work himself. A boat is not that. And this won’t do. Yep, here it is. «Wings of the Valkyrie» Let’s try. A few moments later I was hovering above all the gravity cars that were participating in the air traffic. The main thing is not to miss this intersection. Yeah, here’s Dimka. It’s time to go down.
– Why are you late, Ilyukha? «I was about to go into action myself,» said the friend in an instructive tone.
– That’s me…
– Okay, relax. Cool wings.
«I knew you’d like it,» I smiled.
– Let’s go?
– Yeah.
***
A huge steel fortress. Centrum, I think it’s called. I don’t know exactly what’s going on here, but it’s definitely something serious. You just won’t get there. If there are no keys. But we are not ordinary people, we know how to do something. A fiery sword appeared in Dimon’s hand, with which he made a hole in the wall.
«Let’s go,» Dima commanded. We took a few steps and ran into an invisible wall.
– You won’t go any further! – I understood. – There are no cameras further.
– From here we will listen and observe. Quiet! – Dimon concentrated. I also heard voices now. But from here it was impossible to discern who they belonged to.
– Are you sure this is a good idea? – said a male voice.
– Of course, I’m sure! – said another man. – I listed all the benefits. AWG’s innovative technology can take the quality of life of Government members to a new level. And ordinary people will be able to get outside the House. All you have to do is sign the contract and…
– I am not interested in the lives of ordinary people, I said this right away. And other members of the Government think about themselves. So what can you offer me personally?
There was silence for a second. The one who proposed the deal spoke up:
– We agreed that we would be alone! Why these spies?
– It’s just the two of us, isn’t it?
– You said that Centrum has the highest level of information security. Are you saying that these two are in the corridor here without your knowledge?
I froze in place so that even the sound of breathing would not attract unnecessary attention. And Dimon looked at the place where there had recently been an opening, cut out with a fiery sword. A steel wall, not a trace left of the hole. It will take a lot of time to do a new one. Time is worth a lot in moments like these.
– I don’t know who you are talking about. I never use modulators. I don’t trust these newfangled technologies. Augmented reality is for the poor people who live in the Houses. I already have a lot of interesting things, I can afford to appear on the street.
– If these are not your people, then let me deal with them.
Something emerged from the blackness of the camera blind zone. A huge black monster, three times the height of a man, from which drops of ink dripped onto the floor. The creature was holding the barrel of a pistol in its hands.
– Run! – said Dima. A shot rang out. My friend fell to the floor. But it did not dissolve as one would expect.
«This can’t be!» – a thought flew through my head. – «Weapons of the third generation»
There have been rumors about this for a long time. Once upon a time, at the dawn of augmented reality, there were first-generation weapons. You shoot from it at a target, tying it to a certain place. But trade unions of information workers considered this inhumane. Then came the second generation of weapons that cops carry. A shot – and the target ends up at home, where he forgot his body, passing into the Internet astral. There have long been rumors about weapons that completely erase personality. Does the Government really have something like this?
This is not the time for philosophy, however! He ran, but ran into a steel wall. You cannot get through such information security as easily as through the reinforced concrete wall of the House.
– You can’t run away from me! – the monster laughed from behind.
Shot; the bullet whistled near his ear. I felt for the viper button. Of course, they can find me using the wipe track. But those who don’t take risks don’t drink champagne! If they catch him, they will definitely find him. Or they will shoot from this strange fluff. Pressed the button.
«Are you sure you want to move to the anchor point?»
You ask again! Move! Otherwise there will be nothing to return!
Darkness. And a moment later the original white walls in the room are two by two meters.
«Hello, Ilya,» the familiar voice of a smart home. Svetka. I’m so glad to hear from you! I wonder how Dimon is doing? – What will you have for dinner?
– Nutrient mixture number seventeen.
– You have a new letter.
Was it really found that quickly? Eh, why did I agree to this? Dimon, Dimon, you always involve me in all sorts of adventures! I’m still young. I want to live!
Opened the message.
«New MMORPG game «Battle for Freedom!»
Well, you were scared. To spam.
He fell down to take a nap. And the rest is tomorrow. We still need to figure everything out.
***
Deja vu, or is life in the modern world so predictable? The bed disappearing under the sleepy young body. The smell of sterilizers. The walls of the room are two by two meters painted with white paint. Svetkin’s voice:
– Ilya, it’s time to get up.
– Let me lie down, you heartless machine!
– Ilya, get up! – my robot secretary is not far behind. What kind of people are women? I go to her with all my heart, and she said: «Get up, get up!»
I lazily got out of bed, and the bed immediately began to fold neatly into the wall.
– Let’s take a shower. And prepare nutritional formula number six.
– Nutrient mixture number six – only on weekends and holidays. And today is Thursday.
I’ve already overcome it! The housekeeper was found.
– I have a holiday. I was born again yesterday, one might say. Prepare, I tell you.
– OK. But before breakfast and shower – push-ups.
I wanted to curse, but my eyes dropped to the folds on my stomach. In augmented reality, you can complete your abs, but here there are only classes, only hardcore! He bent his arms a couple of times and asked the secretary:
– Light, how is my turn to start a family? Progressing? Otherwise, I’ll soon look like Rambo, because I play sports every day, but I still don’t have a bride.
– Your turn – seventy-five thousand three hundred twenty-seven.
– Are they specially adding numbers there so that the young, growing organism will finally go crazy?
– Do push-ups, then you’ll talk.
Shower. Breakfast.
– Turn on your mail! – I said.
The wall was transformed, turning into a huge monitor.
«You earn pennies, but I became an online millionaire while on maternity leave! It’s simple! Transfer thirty dollars to my account, and I’ll share a secret with you.»
Into the furnace. She will teach me how to make money.
«AWG has announced the release of a new multiplayer online game «Battle for Freedom»
This is already more interesting. I’ve already heard the name of this company somewhere. Exactly! Yesterday! That guy at Centrum!
«Which side are you on: the slave traders or the defenders of freedom? Discover the magical world of Seisil. Go through a path full of adventures and fight the King-beyond-the-Mountain, or even Antimonikos himself.»
«An anonymous user offers you a video call»
Anonymizer! I heard about this. It seems that only members of the Government can afford this. Have you already found it? Goosebumps ran through my body. I’m not at home! I left!
– Ilya, connecting! – said Sveta. I remember how I adjusted my voice to make it more pleasant to wake up. After all, for most of us, communication ends with conversations with smart homes. And now I was ready to take a hammer and smash the speaker from which she spoke.
– Light, no, please! Don’t turn on the connection!
– Sorry, Ilya, I must obey.
A phantom of a man in a jacket appeared in front of me. His face was hidden by the ripples. In extended reality, you can choose any appearance, but this uninvited guest decided to specifically show that he wanted to remain incognito.
– I assume, Ilya?
– Yeah!
– I prefer not to take off my masks. Dmitry talked a lot about you. I made the last few orders.
I shook the phantom’s hand.
– Tea?
«Thank you,» the guest replied. – A channel protected by an anonymizer is an expensive pleasure, even for me. So let’s get straight to the point. What did you hear yesterday at Centrum?
I glanced at the guest incredulously. He passed his hand through the air, and there appeared a sum blazing with flame. Five hundred thousand.
– One of the members of the Government agreed to conclude a contract with the AWG company, which produces games. We didn’t hear much; we were spotted. And then Dimon was shot, and…
– AWG! This is what I never expected! – the guest exclaimed.
– Do you want to play the game too?
– Augmented reality is for the poor. Do you know how she appeared? – I shook my head. – I witnessed the construction of the Houses. One day people woke up and realized that there were too many of them. If uncontrolled reproduction continued, there would be enough food for at most twenty years. A new World War could not be avoided. Then the radicals proposed to destroy some of the people. By lot. If you pulled out a short match, you were «lucky.» One prick, as if bitten by a mosquito, and then eternal sleep. I pulled out a long match – live until the next draw.
I was among the liberals. Our party proposed to settle the poorest sections of the population in Houses to make room for the worthy. And to avoid any dissatisfaction, they gave you modulator chips. Augmented reality did the rest. It swallowed up the poor. You are entangled in it like a fly in a spider’s web.
– More worthy? – I almost hit the guest in the jaw for such words. Do they, in the Government, consider themselves the navel of the universe?
– Many people in Centrum think so. But not me. As I see, it’s not you either. I think we’ll see you again. If you want to join the resistance, you are welcome. By the way, Dmitry appears to be dead. I advise you to use the money that will come to your account in the near future wisely. Take care of yourself. Goodbye.
The guest’s phantom disappeared. But the sediment remained in my soul. That is, someone can walk safely down the street, but someone is locked from birth in a tin can of Houses, the only way out of which is a chip modulator?
An image appeared before my eyes: «You have a new message from the user Davydjons»
Dimon! Can’t be! I thought I wouldn’t see you again!
«Hello, Ilya! If you’re reading this message, it means I’m in trouble. You know where to find me»