Category: future

Cortex – Further Investigation by Thought Commissioner

Shares in Cortex, the world’s leading provider of Thought Assistants, plummeted yesterday as news broke that the Government Thought Commissioner was investigating them again.

Cortex marketed Intermix in late 2222. The basic Intermix unit allows users implanted to manage multiple thought-based conversations and collaborative tasks with others who have similarly implanted units.

A variation of the basic unit, IntermixPlus, can also automatically back up a user’s private thoughts if they request this. It is understood that a ThoughtNet marketing company has been using harvested private thoughts to target user promotions.

Cortex denies that any of its data security measures have been breached and has assured users that they have not passed on stored thoughts to any third party. It is expected that the Thought Commissioner’s investigation will last several months.

A Feline Perspective

“Inspector, if all humans were like you, neither Cortex nor the Thought Commissioner would have much work to do,” Cat said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I shot back, narrowing my eyes at my mechanical companion.

Cat gave a faux innocent look, his whiskers twitching. “Well, given the almost total lack of thinking that goes into anything you do, it would be a rather peaceful universe. No thoughts to manage, no thoughts to back up, and certainly no thoughts to steal.”

“Very funny, Cat. I’ll have you know I think quite a lot!” I retorted, crossing my arms defensively.

“Oh, absolutely,” Cat continued, his tone mocking. “Like the time you thought it was a good idea to ‘improve’ my system by pouring a cup of coffee into my circuits. Or when you ‘thought’ we could outrun a Mud Lizard on a hoverboard.”

“Those were… learning experiences,” I mumbled, feeling the heat rise to my face. “Besides, that coffee incident was a genuine mistake.”

“Mistake, yes. Genuine, maybe. Beneficial, certainly not,” Cat replied, rolling his eyes. “The Thought Commissioner should actually thank you. You’ve shown that their services aren’t universally necessary.”

I sighed, realizing there was no winning this argument. “Alright, Cat, you’ve made your point. Now can we please focus on the matter at hand? We need to figure out what Cortex is really up to.”

Cat’s eyes gleamed. “Already on it, Inspector. While you were busy thinking about not thinking, I hacked into Cortex’s preliminary reports. Seems they were trying to mask some very interesting data streams.”

“Data streams?” I asked, leaning forward.

“Yes,” Cat replied, his tone now serious. “Data streams that suggest they’ve been doing more than just backing up thoughts. They might be using those thoughts for experimental purposes.”

I groaned. “Why is it always experiments? Can’t anyone just use technology for simple, honest purposes anymore?”

Cat patted my leg with a Rubabnon paw. “There, there, Inspector. If it makes you feel better, your lack of complex thoughts makes you completely uninteresting to Cortex. You’re safe.”

“Super, thanks, Cat,” I muttered. “Let’s just get to the bottom of this before someone decides my thoughts are worth investigating after all.”

As we continued our investigation, I couldn’t help but reflect on Cat’s words. Maybe he was right—sometimes, thinking too much just got in the way. But then again, in our line of work, it was the lack of thinking that usually got us into the most trouble​​​​.

The End of Amazonia as a Free Conglomerate

In the not-so-distant future, the G-Soft Corporation, having firmly entwined itself into the fabric of universal life with its monopoly over communication, collaboration, and domestic technologies, took a step that sent shockwaves through the financial cosmos. The opening of the Bank of Amazonia was its latest stroke of genius—or tyranny, depending on who you asked. This move wasn’t just another expansion; it was a masterstroke that effectively placed G-Soft at the helm of all the separate dominions that made up the Free Conglomerate of Amazonia.

Amazonia, once a sprawling network of independent trading hubs known for its free-market utopias, found itself under the new management of an entity whose president was as mysterious as the dark side of Pluto. The presidents of Amazonia’s dominions, who once prided themselves on their autonomy, woke up to find their economies inextricably tied to the whims of President G-Soft, a shadowy figure who communicated only through thought aircasts that were as enigmatic as they were rare.

The transition was as swift as it was controversial. On the eve of the Bank of Amazonia’s grand opening, citizens of the conglomerate tuned into their ThoughtPlay devices, eagerly anticipating the first thought-cast from President G-Soft in over a decade. The message was brief: “Welcome to a new era of prosperity under the guidance of G-Soft. Your finances are now safer than ever.”

Overnight, the Bank of Amazonia became the center of all economic activity. G-Soft’s proprietary currency, the G-Coin, was the only accepted form of payment, rendering the diverse currencies of Amazonia’s dominions obsolete. The once-thriving local markets immediately struggled to adapt to the new digital economy, with many lamenting the loss of the personal touch that had characterized Amazonian trade.

The dominions’ presidents, in a bid to reclaim some semblance of control, formed a coalition to challenge G-Soft’s hegemony. They planned a summit on the neutral grounds of the old Earth, which had been turned into a museum planet. Their plan was simple: unite and negotiate better terms with G-Soft. Unfortunately, their efforts were hampered by the fact that they had to use G-Soft’s own communication tools to organize the summit, leading to a series of unfortunate and comical miscommunications.

On the day of the summit, President G-Soft finally made a public appearance—or so it seemed. The figure on the stage was nothing more than a holographic thought projection, a digital puppet controlled by the real president from an undisclosed location. “Dear esteemed leaders,” the projection began, “I understand your concerns, but let’s not forget the efficiencies we’ve gained. Why, just last week, I saved fifteen minutes on a board meeting thanks to our ThoughtPlay integration!”

The summit ended with no resolution, but it did spawn a universe-wide meme frenzy. “Saving fifteen minutes on eternity,” became the rallying cry of those opposed to G-Soft’s rule, a tongue-in-cheek homage to the president’s out-of-touch remark.

In the years that followed, Amazonia’s dominions grudgingly adapted to their new reality. The Free Conglomerate of Amazonia was free no more, now just another cog in the G-Soft machine. Yet, in the vibrant markets and bustling trade hubs, whispers of rebellion stirred. Traders, hackers, and even disgruntled G-Soft employees spoke of a new frontier beyond the reach of G-Soft’s influence, a place where Amazonia could be reborn.

And so, in the shadow of G-Soft’s towering digital empire, the spirit of Amazonia lived on, a beacon of hope for free traders and independent souls across the cosmos. They knew the road ahead was fraught with challenges, but as one clever hacker put it, “If G-Soft can turn thought into action, we can surely turn action into freedom.”

The end, or perhaps just the beginning, of Amazonia as a free Conglomerate.

Peakoch Thom: From Disgraced Jockey to Promising Trainer in the Sinosovurean Cup

In an unexpected twist in the world of unicorn racing, Peakoch Thom, once a celebrated jockey now banned for life, has re-emerged in the limelight. However, this time, he’s not the one in the saddle. Thom has taken on a new role, that of a trainer, guiding a new generation of unicorn racers.

Leading his fleet of hopefuls is none other than his son, Zephyr Thom. Zephyr, inheriting his father’s intuitive understanding of these mystical creatures, is set to ride in the upcoming Sinosovurean Cup. The young jockey has been training rigorously under his father’s watchful eye, hoping to restore the family name in this prestigious event.

The unicorn chosen for this monumental task is “Starhoof,” a majestic beast known for its radiant, silver-blue coat and a horn that glows with an ethereal light under the moon. Starhoof, rumored to be descended from the legendary unicorn line of the Nebulae Herd, has shown exceptional speed and agility in the preliminary trials.

Peakoch Thom, speaking about his new role, said, “While I can no longer race, I can impart my knowledge and experience to Zephyr. Starhoof has the spirit and the strength to go far, and I believe together, they can make magic in the upcoming Sinosovurean Cup.”

This comeback story is not without its sceptics, however. Many in the unicorn racing community are wary of Thom’s involvement, given his past. Critics argue that his presence in the sport might bring back the shadow of his previous misconduct. Supporters, on the other hand, see this as a tale of redemption, where a fallen hero seeks to right the wrongs of the past through a new generation.

As the Sinosovurean Cup approaches, all eyes are on Zephyr Thom and Starhoof. Will this duo rise to the occasion, or will the weight of the past prove too heavy? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the world of unicorn racing is about to witness an exhilarating chapter in its history.

The Sequestran Dilemma – Chapter 4.13

Here we go with the dismembering again…..

Forgetting for a moment that I was on this beast’s dismembering schedule I responded quite gleefully with,

“Now that’s not a bad idea you know. Tell me do you have any dismembering tips you could share with me? It’s not something I do on a routine basis you understand.”

“Of course Inspector,” answered the Mudlizard, “my pleasure. My best tip is to take your time. Enjoy the moment. Let your victim have time to think about what’s going to happen. Then continue with that principle and make sure you remove bits slowly. Start with small appendages and then work your way, slowly of course, up to larger organs.”

“Well, he’s obviously a Mudlizard who works to plan,” interjected Cat.

“Eh, what are you on about?” I enquired.

“He’s already effectively removed your so called willy hasn’t he? Surely you can’t get much smaller than that,” guffawed Cat.

I threw an icy glare at Cat as the Mudlizard continued,

 “And of course Inspector, for enhanced educational purposes, I will of course gladly provide you with a detailed commentary as I slowly dismember you.”

To be continued……….

The Sequestran Dilemma – Chapter 4.12

Terribly Sorry Old Chap

I looked back at the Mudlizard and instinctively threw out an apology.

“Yes of course, terribly sorry old chap. I was actually trying to pay attention to your menace you know. This blasted AI of mine has distracted me somewhat.”

“We tend not to have have such things,” said the Mudlizard, “where we have slaves they are wholly biological and do menial tasks only?”

“Really,” I responded, “I can completely understand that. Makes total sense. I expect you know where you are much better than I do. I rarely know what’s going on from one minute to the next you know. I mean, the authorities say that AIs are effectively our slaves but, I can tell you, my experience is quite different. Most of the time ‘it’ never tells me what’s going on. I have no idea what to expect next and if anyone is calling the ‘shots’ it’s ‘it’ and not me.”

The Mudlizard looked at me with what I imagined was the Mudlizard equivalent of an aghast expression as it replied,

“That’s just just ridiculous. The Mudlizard leadership would not tolerate such behaviour from a slave. Have you considered dismembering it?”

To be continued……..

The Sequestran Dilemma – Chapter 4.9

Well, I call it Farting

I stared at the monster, leaning my upper body as far back from it as my, I mean its, tail would permit me. My eyes darted over the front of the Mudlizard’s body. Where was my willy I wondered? There was nothing obvious externally, though Mudlizards tended to have quite a lot of folds of flesh where their bellies were, so it could be hiding under one of them I thought. I mean mine did the same, especially if the weather was on the cool side and, when of course, it was actually attached to my body.

In a show of bravado I grabbed Cat, who had been hovering around the side of my head, and held him out in front of me. I then said to the Mudlizard,

“I warn you this Cat is armed and dangerous.”

I turned Cat around in my hands and pointed his rear end at the Mudlizard. After lifting his tail I said, “Ok Cat, fire on my command.”

“Ummmm…, Look boss I think the part transformation of your body is making you even more confused that usual. My Father, Cat, used to gaseously expel, and Mudlizards were indeed at one point very susceptible to the hydrogen sulphide in his expellations. However I am a new generation of artificial intelligences. I vent, I do not need to gaseously expel. And anyway, Mudlizards have gotten wise to that particular ‘weapon’ and now routinely take an antidote to protect themselves against hydrogen sulphide, wherever it comes from.”

“You mean fart,” I responded.

“I beg your pardon,” replied Cat in a somewhat offended tone.

“Fart,”  I repeated, “your Father Cat used to fart continuously. It was probably the most useful thing he ever did generally, and certainly when we first encountered the Mudlizards.”

“Excuse me,” said Cat rather haughtily, still with his tail up and bottom pointed directly at the Mudlizard,

“my Father, Cat, did not fart. He was quite categorically clear about that. And anyway whether he did or didn’t doesn’t matter. As I just told you hydrogen sulphide has no impact on Mudlizards anymore. It’s useless as a weapon. So going on about it to cover up the fact that your lonely brain cell cannot work out the difference between me, Cat, and my Father, Cat, is a bit pointless. Why not just say ‘I’m really compromised brain neuron-wise and can’t process the fact that there have been two Cat’s in my life, neither of which ever actually farted!!” ended Cat rather too triumphantly for my liking.

To be continued…….

The Sequestran Dilemma – Chapter 4.8

Now a Mudlizard shows up!!

“Look Rubberstein, can I remind you, I’m the one with a tail. I’m the one who’s lost their willy and I’m the one no longer speaking sense. NOT YOU! So don’t pretend you can’t see why I might need to speak with these ethereal ‘will o’ the wisps’ you say you are communicating with.”

“Well,” said Cat once more, “excuse me for wanting accuracy but I do have a tail, I don’t have a willy and I don’t believe you’ve ever talked sense. So, what’s your point?.

Before the rage that had grown within me could truly explode, albeit doubtless in fluent Mudlizard, another voice cracked through the air with,

“You are just a collection of soon to be dead pieces Inspector.”

Cat hovered up the instant the voice started. At first I thought that our apparently friendly Sequestran postmaster had decided to speak to me but then as I lumberingly turned my body I realised this was not the case. As I looked behind me, to my horror, I saw a tail-less non-slobbery Mudlizard. It was speaking my language and said,

“When the Mudlizard leadership announced that they wanted you in itemised pieces Inspector, little did they realise that one of those pieces would be a Mudlizard’s tail.”

To be continued……..

The Sequestran Dilemma – Chapter 4.7

Can you get me out of this mess?

“Look Cat, this is all very well but please, just take a look at me. I’m speaking gibberish, as far as I’m concerned anyway, and, I’ve got a tail. A tail. ANDDDD….I’m missing essential equipment in the form of my ‘willy’. Can you please get this story to some sort of conclusion that might actually tell me how the mess I’m in is going to get ‘unmessed’?”

“I was coming to that,” said Cat, “but I have to say again it’s hard for me to empathise as my experience of you is one of a human who specialises in speaking gibberish all the time and I also really don’t understand all the fuss about your missing equipment. Alright, I can kind of see how inconvenient having such a large tail might be. I mean tails are very important tools but I personally prefer the rather more mobile, small tail that I have. I’d hate to have one as big as yours.”

“It’s not MINE,” I yelled at Cat, “that’s the cursed point.”

“Alright, alright,” said Cat, “I understand. When it comes to tails I do understand. Also, I can assure you that the Ethereals have worked for years now to develop methods to correct any mistakes that do arise from the accidental movement and scrambling of biological organisms. This is why they have sorting stations like this one, to correct the occasional error that arises when biological matter gets accidentally moved or, as in your case, moved and scrambled.”

“All very interesting,” I said, “but tell me, how do you actually talk to the Ethereals?”

“lt’s like this ,” said Cat, “like most things, including you, it’s really quite simple. I just tuned my radio wave receiver until I hit the frequency that they transmit their thoughts at. Then I got my universal translator array to crunch the numbers and came up quite quickly with a way to communicate with them.”

“Right, so how do I communicate with them?” I asked.

“Hmmm,” said Cat, “I’m not entirely sure I understand why you should need to communicate with them but should this be required, you are welcome to communicate via me.”

Rage stirred instantly inside me and, in ‘borderline’ apoplectic mode, I promptly exploded.

To be continued…….

The Sequestran Dilemma – Chapter 4.4

Ethereal Beings

“As with many a civilization, the Sequestrans, in developing a way of life over a long period that was dependent on natural resources, began to realise that their planet was approaching a time when it could no longer sustain them. Towards the end of their planet’s life, having failed in their efforts to find a suitable alternative planet to colonise, genetic experiments carried out by their Science Elite led to the rapid evolution of a fundamentally different Sequestran lifeform. In effect some Sequestrans became ‘body-less’ ethereal beings, with a high intellect and simple resource needs.”

“However, whilst the ethereal beings no longer needed an atmosphere to breathe or nutrients to live, they depended on what we now call Quark Energy to maintain themselves. An renewable, limitless form of energy that they were able to harness through the continuous movement of matter from one location in the Universe to another.”

I interjected at this point asking,

“So are you saying that these beings, that I can’t see, drive their energy for life by moving people up down and around Quark holes?”

“Yes, basically that’s it,” responded Cat, “but mostly they do it by moving inanimate objects and indeed prefer that. However on occasions things go wrong and they get the occasional lifeform sucked into their Quark hole network. When more than one lifeform gets caught up in the same Quark hole then accidents like yours can happen. Then it’s the Postmaster’s job to try to sort it out.”

“Hmmm, Ok I kind of get it but it’s a bit word. I mean what a way to live. No wonder the Postmaster doesn’t seem to have much appreciation of the significance of my willy. I mean how could he in his current ethereal form?”

Cat clapped his paws to the side of his head and through gritted whiskers said very sarcastically,

“Can I please finish the background to all this before you lament any further on the loss of your subsidiary brain?”

I made a further indignant grunting sound before gruffly responding,

“Go on then you unsympathetic inanimate.”

To be continued…….

The Sequestran Dilemma – Chapter 4.2

The Sequestran Story Unfolds

”Well,” started Cat, “during this period the number of semi-permanent settlers on the Moon rose to well over 5000. Until 2056 everything seemed fine. In addition to the settlers, over 10,000 inhabitants of Earth spent a minimum of one week a year traveling to and then exploring sites of interest on the moon.”

“Then, in late 2056, a group of tourists disappeared without trace whilst out on a half day picnic scientific excursion to the Sea of Tranquility. Investigations by the local police and then the Space Patrol found no trace of the tourists or their lunar carrier. Tours were suspended for several months but eventually re-opened. In July of 2057 a distress call to Earth from the main base on the moon, The Armstrong Centre, led to a battalion of space cadets heading to the moon at breakneck speed. The distress call described large sections of the Armstrong Centre disappearing into the surface of the moon.”

An advance guard of the space cadets got there in under 4 hours and found no trace of the moon base. Just over a week later, Earth’s military forces discovered an underground alien stronghold that had been built on the Moon, sometime between the late 20th Century and the time when humankind had returned to the Moon, by the ultimately named ‘Sequestrans’.

After a fairly short battle, the Sequestrans on the moon were all apparently destroyed. There were not many of them. As a species, they appeared to have the capability to adsorb matter into their bodies. Individually they could do this on a small scale but when they worked collectively they could adsorb large structures. This was discovered during the early skirmishes between them and the space cadets when all sorts of large destructive devices just vanished.”

To this day Earth is not sure where the Sequestrans actually came from. There were no signs of any spaceship that they may have used to land on the Moon and no records, that could be identified, of their history.” Cat then paused and I chipped in with,

“Wow,” followed by the inevitable question of “What happened next?”

To be continued………..