Year: 14,252
Season: 3rd Solar Season
Day 1:
We have done it! After years and years of painstaking labor and work, we have finally constructed [the machine]! Those fools at the academy believed me to be chasing an errant dream, telling me that [he] was little more than a madman who didn’t understand the fundamental laws of the universe. But I’ve shown them! I followed [him] down his so-called pipe dream, and do you know what we found? Exactly what [he] said we would!
Everything is ours now. With this [device], we can create anything we can [imagine].
Well, I do get ahead of myself in writing this.
Truthfully, [the machine] is not completely finished. But we are almost there! We need but one more element. [He] says that the missing element is not one that we can find easily; indeed, [he] went so far as to admit that such an element might not even exist. [He] also says that even when we are finished, we still need to test [it] to see if it is even safe. [He] said that in all likelihood our dream might never, ever come to fruition. [He] stopped speaking, and hung his head silently.
When [he] spoke these words and after the silence, a great clamor rose up from among the other researchers. I myself joined in the ensuing [chanting]. We all as one rose up and started swearing our lives towards finding this missing element and towards making [it] safe. [He] then looked up at us with surprise, but soon after a small smile appeared on his [lips], and with a single [tear] on his face, he thanked us quietly.
I must now continue my search for this missing element!
Day 7:
Research [is] slow. Nothing [to report today].
Day 11:
Today the assistants and minor researchers gathered for a [brainstorming] session. We may have a few ideas. We have not seen [him] since that day. We fear for his health.
Day 13:
Despite several attempts to reach [him] and ask for his permission, we could not get [him] to respond. Our plan now is to ask the [government] for the resources needed to acquire our missing element without [his blessing]. Though it pains me to know this, it is for [his] own good and for the good of our glorious project.
Day 21:
[Damn bureaucrats] make everything a struggle. Even with our considerable weight as an organization, we were unable to seek an audience with the [government] for over 8 days. We the researchers are concerned for [him], as we have not seen [him] in some time. We know [he] is in his room, but [he] will not speak to us nor even come out.
Still, we have managed to secure the resources needed to acquire our needed element. It will take some time—more time than we would like—but undoubtedly it will please [him] to no end once it is here.
Day 27:
The wait could kill if it were not an abstract concept. In fact, it may kill some of us yet. [Colleague] had a nervous breakdown today and destroyed a table in a fit of rage.
Day 28:
The [field researchers] have still not yet returned.
Day 31:
The mission was a success. The agents we sent out have completed their assignment. We were surprised with what they retrieved—indeed, disgusted, almost, by the repulsiveness of them.
It was with much deliberation, but we had finally reached the conclusion that our missing element was… well, the official records keep note of the exact details, but essentially we realized we were able to [kill two birds with one stone]. That is, we were able to acquire our element and ensure that [the machine] is safe.
We have brought in test subjects from [foreign soil]. Again, it took us many, many hours and sleepless nights to realize it, but thankfully one of the assistants stumbled upon some information in our records about a people from [foreign soil] who would serve as both the missing element and as test subjects.
I am overjoyed that our problem is solved. Still, I am disappointed that our solution looks like that. [They] are filthy and speak in ways that hurt my [ears]. What’s more, [they] have very weak constitutions. Over half of them died on the trip from [foreign soil] to our research facility. Oh well, if necessary we can always get more.
Day 32:
We have decided to call them Test Subjects and to number them. We currently have 38 living Test Subjects. One of the head researchers said this was to help us get past their screams. Though they are ugly, foul creatures and do not speak the same language as us, it is still obvious when they are afraid and in pain. But our mission does not afford us the opportunity to give mercy. They will have to suffer for the good of [the machine].
After cleaning and feeding the Test Subjects, we called for [him]. Thankfully, [he] finally came out when we told him we had the answer. Our concerns, it seems, had been for nothing, for [he] appeared to be in fine health.
When [he] saw our answer, he immediately reared back in revulsion. We had to assure [him] that the Test Subjects were indeed the answer. After showing him the information we discovered, [he] was overjoyed. We could not have imagined how happy we had made [him]. [He] started crying and personally went around to each of us and thanked us and [shook our hands].
Day 33:
I hate these things. Foul, disgusting things. They are more foul than I initially thought. I want to kill one of them out of spite.
Day 34:
More preliminary testing was needed. Unfortunately, 36 out of the 38 original Test Subjects died during this process. We are left with but two, a male and a female. There was some conjecture among the researchers that perhaps we should breed them as they appear to be the most resilient; instead of continuously go back for weak Test Subjects we should just breed the two strong ones we have and ensure that we have an ample supply of strong ones. Unfortunately, such talk did not last long. It was found that the female was infertile, perhaps due to something we did or perhaps she was born that way. Regardless, if these two die, we will need to go back for more.
Day 35:
The real testing began today. First we put the female to sleep and then attached her accordingly to [the machine]. Regrettably, we overestimated her capacity to withstand [the machine] and we killed her before we had the chance to see what would happen. It was the first time I’ve seen the inside of a Test Subject. It was even more revolting than I imagined. But, in all fairness, it did not look too different from our own insides. Strange. Perhaps another research facility can look into it?
Day 40:
Finally, we managed to get everything right. We now know how to properly care for the remaining Test Subject thanks to the data collected from a separate research facility that studied the Test Subject’s dead bodies. We have given him everything he needs to be comfortable.
In addition, we have discerned the proper settings on which to put [the machine] so that using it does not kill the remaining Test Subject. Tomorrow is going to be a marvelous day.
Day 41:
Truly, there are no words that can describe how I feel; indeed, how the entire research team feels. We have succeeded where others have failed, we have laughed in the faces of those who mocked us, and we are now on the precipice of godhood. Nay, we already are gods.
The Test Subject performed admirably. We put him to sleep, and attached him to [the machine]. We stimulated his brain with [electronic images] of his home, [foreign soil], and [the machine] created flawless exact copies of what his brain was seeing.
Well, not quite flawless.
As it turns out, the user of [the machine] needs to have an intimate understanding (quite possibly down to the sub-atomic level) of the object in order for [the machine] to create it exactly. If the user does not fully comprehend the object they are attempting to create, there will be discrepancies in its construction, and eventually it will be destroyed.
So far though the objects created are solid and don’t seem to be particularly prone towards being dismantled. However, if we are to reach our final goal, we will need to find a solution to this obstacle.
Day 55:
After two weeks of debate, we have decided to implant the remaining Test Subject with everything he will need to properly create a single object. We are unsure of how well he will take to it, if in fact his savage, feeble brain will even be able to contain all of the information.
Day 57:
It would seem that we were both correct and wrong. The user of [the machine] requires an understanding of the thing being created, but not in the form of a raw data. We will continue to research this thoroughly.
Day 58:
Nothing [today]. [Colleague] spilled his [hot beverage] all over his notes. It was [funny].
Day 59:
Received [a] letter from [my] [sister]. She seems concerned for me. She worries too much.
Day 78:
What is the true nature of our endeavor? No matter how much we struggle there always seems to be yet another obstacle in our path.
Today [he], our leader, gave a speech to the research staff. [He] thanked us and applauded our efforts, and said that only those of superior intelligence and fortitude could have come as far as we have. And yet, there was a sadness in his voice. Really, I think, there was a sadness in the room that pervaded everyone’s spirits. I cannot quite understand why. I think it may have to do with the current state of our research.
Thus far, whenever we have encountered a flaw in our theory, a miscalculation in our equations, or a lack of information, by some miracle we always managed to find the answer within a short span of time. But this time has not been the case. Three weeks have passed and there’s no sign of a breakthrough. What are we to do?
Day 83:
Success!
We had never expected it to happen, but we found our answer. And in the most unlikely place; the mind of the test subject!
Our limitations were, surprisingly, self-imposed. In our effort to control every aspect of the creation process, we lost sight of the vital element we had sought out from the beginning; the pure [imagination] of a sentient being.
We now know that we cannot just place the Test Subject in a comatose state, control their every thought, and expect to create whatever we wish. Indeed, what we need most is to let the subject dream on its own, and to allow him to create of its own volition.
Of course, we dare not let it create while awake. The possibility for it all to go horribly wrong is far too great. Henceforth, we will place the Test Subject in a permanent state of unconsciousness, lest he awaken and seek revenge against us.
Day 84:
There are no words that can describe what has happened here today. Today, we, with the help of [the machine] and the mind of the Test Subject, created life from nothing.
During the Test Subject’s dream state, [the machine] created a creature from [foreign soil]. It was as bizarre, if not more so, in appearance and physiology than he is, but what it represents is that we managed to create a living thing from nothing!
Of course, the Test Subject dreamed about many things, and in turn created many things. Various objects were formed, and entire events passed before our eyes. Thankfully we created the vaporization chamber where we can dispose of the Test Subject’s creations. Otherwise our laboratory would be overflowing with miscellaneous things.
Day 85:
[The machine] continues to astound us. During one of the Test Subject’s dreams, a fully sentient creature was formed. It was in every respect of the Test Subject’s species. Strangely, after being formed it did not continue to go along with the dream event taking place inside of the chamber. Instead, it began acting on its own and tried to find a means of leaving. Since there was none, it started panicking and threw itself relentlessly against the glass.
One of the researchers terminated the event and vaporized everything inside. We did not realize that the vaporization process was painful until we heard the thing’s screams. We made a note of that.
Day 86:
Yet again the Test Subject created a being of its own species, only this time it was different. This one was even more aware of its situation, instantly screaming at us what we assume are obscenities in its vulgar language.
The details escaped us at first, but apparently it was an exact copy of one of our initial 38 Test Subjects. Obviously it was not the same one as we still possessed its dead body, but this new development has opened up new topics for debate, as this means that a being can be created with the memories of a formerly living person, provided that the user and [the machine] knew of their existence.
The screams that came from the vaporization process this time were even more painful to listen to.
We can only surmise the Test Subject is incredibly lonely and attempting to satiate their need for social interaction by dreaming of his fellow beings.
Day 87:
Today the Test Subject created many more of its species, with various levels of awareness of their situation, and of course more copies of some of our former Test Subjects. The ones who seemed to be less aware were quickly filled in by those in know, and soon the small crowd began yelling and pushing against the glass before long. Some even took to ramming themselves against the glass, causing some of their bodily fluids to leak, bones to break, and organs to rupture.
They were so swift that we barely had time to react. We set the vaporization process to its maximum speed and power, and cleared the room before they broke out.
But… the screams were the worst so far. I will never forget the outcry of pain I heard today. Pure, unadulterated sorrow coupled with sheer desperation. Even as their bodies were being ripped apart atom by atom some of them still threw themselves against the glass.
Day 88:
Today is the final day of testing. After this, we shall begin using [the machine] for ourselves.
Leave a Reply