BEYOND THE PALE: ( The Outlander ) (10 page)

River felt some shame
for his loss of control. He didn’t want this night to end prematurely and he
tried to say as much, but by now no one was taking him seriously on account of
his slurred speech. In defence of his young friend, Nathan pointed out that he
had only just got out of hospital and that he probably needed to rest.

Feeling guilty and
responsible for cutting the evening short, River knew that he needed to get his
head straight; and so he stumbled to his feet and headed for the men’s room. He
found that his coordination was gone and began to stagger forward. The Major
stood up to offer support, but River shook his head and spurned his offer of
assistance.

Instead he plodded on,
and with his head spinning madly, it took some determination to put some
distance between him self and the table. Finally reaching the bathroom, a
cursory glance showed that it had no urinals, however what he needed right now
was to sit down in one of the cubicles. He found one and managed to shut the
door for some privacy. Next he squatted down beside the toilet bowl, and his nausea
made him want to throw up. He didn’t though; instead he just needed to be in
his own space. He closed his eyes and the temptation was to drift off to sleep.
However he cleared his mind of all the nonsense that was presently cluttering
it up. Then he began to run his hands from the crown of his head to the base of
his heal. As he slowly moved them, they hovered at just a slight distance from
actual contact.

He was conducting a
brief
chi
energy cleansing operation. He was determined to negate and
override the effect of the alcohol on his system. He repeated the whole routine
again, but this time standing. He began to breathe in a slow and precise way,
and now he could tangibly feel the disturbed chi energy underneath his fingers
which he moved to concentrate it near his abdomen, liver and kidneys. He
concentrated a slow sweeping movement above his head and in front of his
forehead and throat. He was cleansing his top three chakras, and the corrupted
energy that he could palpably feel being removed, he pushed down into his
lungs. Taking a long steady exhalation, he felt it leave his body and disperse
in the air. Already he was beginning to feel much better, but he conducted the
routine one more time, this time adopting certain posture positions which helped
substantially.

A few minutes later, he
was feeling quite normal. He felt grounded, and his reason and coordination
were working as well as ever. He decided that this alcohol which he had just
consumed for the first time, was acting as a contaminant in his body. He
elected not to drink any more of it in the metropolis.

River left his cubicle
to the surprise of woman standing by a basin washing her hands. He slipped
outside and now noticed that the sign clearly said ‘Ladies’, and thought that
intoxication was highly over rated. Heading back to his table with a confident
demeanour, he apologised to everyone for his behaviour and sat down. Nathan had
a worried look on his face.

“I checked the men’s
room but I couldn't find you. We were worried about you. How are you feeling?”

“I am perfectly fine.
There is no need for concern.” River spoke in a relaxed and confident tone, and
the Carlsons looked at him with some surprise that he was no longer slurring
his words. –“The hospital food wasn’t very nice, so I am really looking forward
to this meal; and the fireworks and night carnival too.”

The change in River’s
speech and in his deportment was alarming. The whole Carlson family continued
to stare at River unable to comprehend his complete recovery from the depth of drunkenness.

Nathan spoke to
reassure everyone. “Well it looks like we are staying out late tonight,” And
then leaning towards River to speak privately, he said “You really are a
remarkable young man.”

The meal was an
enjoyable interlude before the later evening’s entertainment. Nathan took this
opportunity to explain the constraints that being a custodial chaperone would
entail. Only basic permissions and privileges were being transferred to River.
Therefore, everyone had to keep in mind not to leave him alone because he would
get stranded. They would have to pay for any services or purchases on his
behalf. They would have to make sure not to break any law at all whilst
chaperoning him. Lastly the Major reminded his family that they had to look
after him as their guest. Tomorrow Anton would chaperone him as he only had day
release to university. The day after, Audrina was asked to chaperone him,
whilst Nathan promised to take over for the next consecutive day. Valerie would
act as a reserve chaperone.

Nathan went to pay the
bill but he found that Audrina had already covered it. He contemplated on how
she was such a good daughter, and recognised the positive that she must
obviously be making good money in her financial employment. They collected
their coats and headed out into the plush and enticing streets of the Central
Zone. It was getting dark so they opted to take a detour through an arched
indoor emporium that was full of market stalls selling various antiques and
collectables. At the other end, they walked up the grandiose steps to the
Central Zone’s elevated park. When they reached the top, they looked out on to
the spectacle of a large public gathering in the middle of this immense square
mile park. They headed over towards the water features in the centre and halted
on a long and fairly high footbridge over a boating lake to take in the
excitement and sheer exquisiteness of the scene close by. It was 10pm and the
night time carnival had already began. Marching bands, and floats with exotic
dancers, always illuminated by hundreds of Chinese lanterns and fairy lights
were winding there way slowly around a figure of eight route. The whole route
was completely enveloped by a large throng of revellers enjoying the carnival,
the girls and the music. River was surprised to find Audrina grabbing his hand
as well as Anton’s and pulling them in the direction of the oncoming parade.
They threaded there way through the dense crowd and as they got closer to the front,
River went on point and exerted his strong physique to open up a space big
enough to allow all three a ringside position. The carnival was awesome for
River. The excitement in the air, the vibrant music and the allure of the
exotic dancers made this the best experience for him in the metropolis so far.
He felt welcome within the Carlson family and whilst standing between Audrina
and Anton, he exuberantly put an arm around each. Audrina in return slipped her
arm around the back of his waist; Anton on the other hand dropped his shoulder,
and let River’s arm slip off. River understood that Anton really did not like
being touched or engaging in any close personal contact. When Audrina strained
to see a spectacular upcoming float, River let her mount him and sit on his
shoulders. Once up there in her elevated position, she didn’t want to come
down. She just rocked about as if dancing, waiving her hands in the air. River
noticed other couples in the crowd copying them, but nobody could match River’s
stamina or strength as he wilfully suffered Audrina’s weight. She didn’t
dismount until most of the floats had passed them by. Then the three of them
decided to head back to the ornate footbridge to join Valerie and Nathan. They
reached them just in time for the firework show. This was a sight that simply
mesmerised River. He had never seen fireworks before, and he stood open mouthed
in wonderment. Audrina showed her playful streak by waiting for the climax of
the display, and then cupping her hands over his eyes as she pressed herself
tightly behind his back. River shook his head and was able to release her hands
before he completely missed it. He turned around to look at her sternly and she
gave him the warmest of smiles.

When the display
finished they followed other early departees heading for the public transport
terminals. Soon enough they found a taxi rank, and were soon heading home after
having had the most wonderful family evening together. When they reached home
it was after midnight and everyone soon retired to their respective rooms.
Tomorrow was a working day.

River lay in the dark
in the guest room, and tried to get used to the bed. This was the first night
he was to get to sleep in it, and it was a lot softer than his hospital bed or
the bunk in the cell allotted to him by the Rangers. He lay his head down on
the pillow but after struggling to flatten it, he threw it down on the floor
and replaced it instead with his folded trousers. He was not yet asleep when he
saw his door open. He wasn’t startled, but he was intrigued as he tilted his
head on his makeshift pillow to observe Audrina quietly tiptoeing across the
floor. It was dark but he could still see that she was only wearing underwear,
just knickers and no bra. She came over to his side of the bed and was bending
down seemingly looking for something. She pulled an electrical device charger
from a wall socket near his head board and then turned to examine River to
check if he was awake. He had closed his eyes pretending to be asleep, but when
he opened them again, Audrina was still there staring at him, still topless and
with a big grin on her face, acting as if she had known all along that he was
ogling her body. She winked at him and then stood up and slowly walked out of
his room with a certain swagger. River thought this was some strange behaviour.
He hadn’t known what to do. Audrina intrigued him, but he could not fathom her
out.

Valerie was the next
person to come into River’s room. She came in to open his curtains, and
deposited a cup of morning tea on his bedside table. As soon as she left, River
was up in an instant and dressed. 

At the breakfast table
he was a lot more alert than Anton who looked like he needed another hour or
two of sleep, and a few less drinks the night before. Anton looked up at the
clock and realised that they had to set off now or be late.

They made the 10 minute
walk to the nearest metro entrance and climbed the steps to the raised platform
on this elevated mono rail city transport system. Anton purchased an all day
pass token which he passed to River, and then swiped himself separately through
the barrier paying a single fare.

“So are we going to
your work place or your place of study,” enquired River

“We are going to my
University. This is one of the two days that my employer must release me each
week until I qualify as a technical architect. Then it reverts to a single day
release at university per week.”

“So when do you finally
finish your days of study,” asked River.

Anton’s reply to
River’s question was cut short by the arrival of the metro train, and the two
boarded and found two vacant seats facing each other situated along a fairly
crowded bench. River could see that Anton was not going to continue this
conversation whilst others could hear what he said. He knew that Anton was a
private soul who did not like to stand out or appear different. He was really
quite the opposite character to his older sister.

As soon as a vacant
seat became available next to Anton, River jumped into it. Anton who seemed
presently absorbed and in his own world looked directly at him and then checked
the surrounding carriage. River recognised him making those rapid eye movements
that Nathan used to open or close programs on his optical interface. They both
used the same modified contact lenses for this purpose. The difference of
course was in the applications and data that they referenced. Where Nathan
might be accessing security databases and communication apps, Anton was more
likely reading technical manuals, reviewing source code, or simply playing a
video game. 

“In answer to your
question, my academic study will never finish. When you join the Marekh guild
in your early teenage years, you are made aware of this fact. I studied full
time to qualify as a technician. I also studied to qualify as a software
analyst. Now I am close to qualifying as a technical architect, but there is
always the next higher grade; unless of course I stop at professorial level.
Then I can just teach others in the guild.”

“So is it this guild
that you work for when you are not at university,” asked River.

“No, I am working for
the Office of City Planning during the rest of the week. I service the software
that they use for the planning and execution of large construction projects.”

“So who is your boss,
and who pays you,” said River trying to grasp an understanding.

“City Planning pays me
because I work for them, but the Marekh Guild is my real boss. I can leave the
Office of City Planning but I cannot ever leave the Guild.”

“Why?” asked River, “What
could they do to you?”

“I just couldn’t. I can
change jobs, retire or teach, but the Marekh Guild protects it knowledge. I
cannot be trusted not to apply it in another profession or order. Nobody can
learn what we know unless you belong to the Guild.”

“So who or what exactly
is a guild?”

Anton considered River’s
question, “The Marekh Guild is a professional Order. If you qualify to join an
Order, you usually select one by the age of thirteen.”

“If you qualify … How?”
interrupted River.

Anton continued, “You
qualify based on your genetic potential and background. You are more likely to
come from a wealthy or professional family.”  

“Are you saying that
your family needs to be rich?”

 “No, I am not saying
that. I am saying that you need to pass intelligence and aptitude tests as well
as satisfy the guild’s criteria for a genetic profile. Most professional
parents are wealthier, and can afford to pay for the DNA enhancements to
intelligence and intellect at conception. Therefore their children are more
likely to satisfy the Guild and other Order’s requirements.”

River knew what DNA
was, but he never knew that this building block of life could be altered like
some computer program. He was at a loss for words, and Anton used this
opportunity to get back on his original track. -“So if eligible, we can choose
an order or guild that appeals to us when we reach teenage years. Most of us
do, because it guarantees you good professional employment throughout your
life. Your order will always help you advance in your profession. They will
assist you in work placements, networking, and in promotion. You can even work
for an order if you are a member of it, but those are mostly managerial or
teaching posts.”

River began to appreciate
the complex nature of work in the metropolis. “Is Audrina a member of Marekh
Guild?” he asked Anton.

“Audrina is in the Red
Shield Order of finance. She took a few attempts to pass her aptitude test, but
she was twelve and her heart wasn’t really in it. Don’t let her know that I
told you this. She hates anyone talking about her business. By the way, only
the technical Orders call themselves Guilds. My Guild is named after Paul
Marekh. He was the engineer who first got a computer to pass the Turing test. He
is known as the father of Transhumanism.”

There was a lot here
for River to digest. What Anton had to say about these guilds and about Audrina
interested him. He wanted to know more but he could see that they had reached
their destination.

The University was a
large dome structure which was surrounded by lush green park land with some
large deciduous trees dotted about, networked by small ponds, lawns and flower
beds. The concourse that led up to the main entrance was packed full of
students milling about and socialising. Anton walked briskly straight through
to the campus reception to sign in River for a temporary day pass as his guest.
These passes were usually reserved for Guild and Order mentors, but the
receptionist did not challenge him. Anton then continued his fast pace to the
large room where he would attend his first lecture of the day. It had started
already, so the two slipped in as quietly as possible and took up seats at the
back. River looked around to take in the scene. There were probably about 80
students attending, but this still made their attendance look sparse compared
to the size of the room which had long concentric rows of seating. A professor
was using large display consoles integrated into white boards to display script
and equations to demonstrate paradigm concepts in quantum processing. At least
that was what the heading on the whiteboard read. River didn’t understand any
of it. He tried to listen attentively and follow the drift of the Professors
discourse but it was like listening to somebody speaking in tongues. He looked
at the clock. This was going to last for the duration of 90 minutes. River
resorted to closing his eyes and meditating whilst trying to shut out the
distraction of the professor’s high nasal voice.

When the class was
finished, River followed Anton out into the hallway and walked with him towards
a relatively large seating area serviced by a cafeteria and diner. Anton bought
them two cappuccinos and they found a table that was more isolated and remote
from the others.

“What did you think of
his class?” asked Anton

“I thought that it was
a good opportunity to meditate. He lost me at quantum computing and computer
sentience. I really don’t understand the meaning of either.”

Anton smiled at River’s
reply, “Do you want to know?”

River considered
Anton’s question, “Actually I do, as long as you can explain it to me as if I
am a child.”

“Quantum computing
requires super computers which are astronomically expensive to build and run.
They need multiple graphene processors instead of silicon. These processors can
handle the much higher speeds needed. Only on this massive scale, can they
achieve the petaflops of processing power to be able to handle the speed and
complexity of the quantum based thread computations.” Anton seemed in his
element defining these two concepts. “Computer sentience on the other hand is
more of a concept which we are currently striving for but still eludes us. We
will judge a computer as sentient, when it can think for itself, and it sees
itself as a sentient individual. It needs to acquire understanding, so it will
need to demonstrate emotions and reasoning which will all be tempered by an
overriding logical analysis. We thought that we would achieve sentience when we
constructed the first quantum computers. We thought it was a matter of
combining super processing power with complex algorithms. We had those already.
Paul Marekh devised the first algorithms capable of passing the Turing tests.
These were a set of tests which required computers to display and understand
emotional responses. However, seemingly an emotional response and quantum
computing together were still not sufficient to bring about sentience. There is
a missing link which involves understanding. We will get there I am sure.”

River was beginning to
realise that technology was an interesting subject. - “That was extremely
interesting Anton, I just wish I had a better understanding to follow what you
were saying. However, what I really do not understand is why it is so important
to build a super computer that knows that it is alive.”

Anton gave a considered
answer, “It is the holy grail. It will be an enormous technological leap
forwards.”

“You may be building
something that will see itself as the logical alternative to humanity.”

Anton smiled at Rivers
remark, and changed the subject. “The next lecture is in 15 minutes and is
about predicting fractal reserve ratios to accurately estimate structural
stress. This is very relevant to my present job role.”

River was not excited
at the prospect. He considered another 90 minute bout of meditation but he
looked wistfully out through the glass wall which showcased the landscaped
garden and asked Anton. –“Will you mind if I stay here instead for the
duration?”

“But you have no money,
and no access without me, and nothing to entertain you,” Anton sounded
concerned.

“I have my audio-
visual entertainment right here,” said River holding up his glasses which he
had no intention of actually using, because they gave him a headache. However
this seemed to satisfy Anton who left him shortly to attend his second lecture.

As soon as Anton was
gone, River walked over to the door into the garden. It was a glass door in a
wall of tempered glass, which opened and closed automatically. However this
door would not open for him. It was if it didn’t recognise he was there. He had
seen it open for others automatically, so he decided to patiently wait beside
it for someone to use it again. Whilst both the dining room and the gardens had
there fair share of lounging students, nobody seemed to want to pass from one
to the other. Impatience got the better of River and he decided to go up to a
girl maybe a few years younger than himself who was operating a vending machine
close by. - “Miss, I wonder if I can ask you to help me. I need you to go
through that door with me.”

The girl was mildly
surprised and looked River up and down. Her expression seemed to say that she
liked what she saw. “You look like an art student. Is this a prank? What will
happen to me if I walk you through that door?”

River answered
truthfully but also with an element of flirtation. “Then you might get to walk
around the garden with me, and we can learn more about each other.”

The girl liked his
answer and linked her arm in his. “Come on then, take me to the garden.” And
River did just that. They took a stroll through across a small section of lawn
ringed by massive topiary designs. River felt very comfortable surrounded by a
natural environment even if it was landscaped. The metropolis was a sea of
technology and River thrived in any opportunity that he received to spend some
quality time in a natural environment away from it. It was if he drew
sustenance from being there under the warm rays of the sun. It put him at ease
and the girl on his arm whose name was Anne translated his demeanour as
confidence. Anne had confidence too; it was the confidence that came with good
looks. She had jet black hair cut in a Cleopatra style straight fringe which
gave her an image of chic and mystery. They sat down and talked for a while in
a herb garden which smelt fantastic on this warm day and then headed back
inside. She kept her arm linked in his as they walked through the doors of the
dining hall until she saw her friends sitting at a table on the other side of
the room. Then she led him by the arm over to join them. Anne wanted to show
off this attractive and interesting boy that she had just befriended. River
didn’t disappoint her. He sat down with her friends and tried to be as engaging
as he could. He learnt that their names were Kate who had flowing locks of
auburn hair and Sarah who had a pretty blond short hair style. Kate was quite
opinionated and also quite flirtatious whilst Sarah was more demure and a
little shy. Along with Anne, they all studied advertising and marketing. They
were in a free period now until their last lecture of the day at 2pm. They had
nearly two hours to kill until then, and the girls suggested taking River over
to the east side of the campus which had a small retail park and always had
something going on. River apologised that he couldn’t go with them as he was
waiting on his friend’s lecture finishing at 12:30. Sarah wanted to know what
Anton was studying, and she seemed impressed when River told her and mentioned
which guild Anton belonged to. River was not trying to name drop. It was just
easier for him to mention the Marekh Guild than to put a name to what he was
actually studying. Computer science may as well have been witchcraft as far as
River was concerned. Kate wanted to know if Anton was a geek, but River assured
her that he was not. He didn’t really know what a geek was, but he knew it
sounded detrimental. Then Kate surprised him by volunteering to go and collect
Anton as that time was approaching. Both Anne and Sarah said that they wanted
to go as well.