And after dying, God asked him, “How was heaven?”
“I thought this was heaven,” he replied.
“But my son, how was heaven?”
The new angel answered, “Well, that was another place.” He then proceeded to tell God what heaven was like. “Humans were becoming more and more afraid of death.” God tilted his head. “It could be around any corner. You could be shot, jumped, tripped, or run over. You could not choose your fate, and ultimately each awful thing would lead to the same thing; darkness. Sudden, and silent.”
A group of six scientists at the Emerald Lab came together and discussed the issue.
“What if there was a way to ensure eternal paradise?”
Silence, then Malcum Braddock spoke, “William, it would be like cheating heaven, cheating God.” Discussion continued.
“If we could code a computer program that would simulate the real world,” Selina Fox began to devise.
Barry Schneider intervened, “But would be like a different dimension in which the laws of science could be manipulated by the wish of the user.”
He was about to add, but Angelina chimed in, “And every participant could have their own separate simulation that would be reserved for him or her after death.”
“The question would be inputting a soul into the system,” Barry reasoned, “technology is advancing quickly, it may be possible.”
“It just may be,” Daryl said shyly.
“Dude, where did you come from? You’ve been quiet all evening.” Malcum questioned, but no reply came from Daryl.
Years of hard and dedicated work passed, and the application that could simulate a
sub-reality was built, then installed on the Internet.
It was storming. The rain was falling from the sky with intense speed and immense density. The downpour was like a dark cloak pulled over the city, the darkness prevented sight, and the few lights that could penetrate through the shroud were diffracted by the rain. Alvin Jones was on his way home from work and was in a great deal of rush because of the incoming hurricane. The crosswalk light changed to indicate that pedestrians could walk, but a high-speed taxi driver failed to see the red light. Alvin Jones was launched into the air, then fell straight down onto the pavement. It must have been pure luck for Alvin Jones that an ambulance was returning to the hospital from duty at a nearby football game.
“His ribs are smashed,” exclaimed the first paramedic on the scene.
“Let’s load ‘em up,” said the next first responder.
“One, Two, Three, Contact!” The body jolted. Then it jolted again.
“Patient is regaining consciousness.”
Back at the laboratory, the scientists witnessed an on the scene broadcast of the accident.
“Here we are at the scene where Alvin Jones was mauled by a hit and run driver on this rainy night. His ribs were cracked, but luckily paramedics were already nearby. Alvin Jones was revived but doctors say that there is no chance of recovery.” The television went silent, but each of the scientists was already out the door and into the rain.
The group arrived at the hospital and requested to see Alvin Jones.
“The patient is in hospice and is in critical condition, you will not be allowed in the room,” the receptionist spoke, but not quick enough to stop the determined pioneers.
Barry looked around, then whispered, “This is our chance.” They arrived at the door. Selina went up to turn the handle.
“There’s no one here besides Alvin.”
“Excuse me,” a concerned doctor entered the room. “I’m sorry, but no visitors at this time.”
“We won’t be long, just have some official business,” Malcum then turned to Alvin. “My name is Malcum Braddock. My colleagues and I have developed a system that may ensure eternal life after death. It is still in the prototype stage, and we would like your permission to experiment with your soul after your passing. When your soul is uploaded to the server, you will wake up and be able to simulate the real world, or a paradise of your desire.”
Alvin turned his head and croaked, “Any-thing that wo--uld b-be a sec-second chance, any-thing. Mis-ster Brad-dock, I, I, I’m af-f-fraid of dying. Please, do with me as yooooou wi-ill.” And with that, the body went still.
“Would you believe that,” William White uttered, “Alvin Jones has become the first man to donate his soul to the betterment of science.”
After Jones’s passing, the scientists spent years studying his brain, trying to find a way to extract his soul. Finally, a breakthrough had been made, and the soul of Alvin Jones was uploaded to virtual heaven. Malcum, William, Daryl, Barry, Angelina, and Selina rejoiced, and the world would soon marvel at their success.
“Basically, this machine will extract a soul from the brain, and convert it to digital code that can be uploaded to virtual heaven. The soul can simulate anything: a real world, a movie, a universe without the laws of physics, an all you can eat buffet or any paradise of their choosing for all of eternity.” Angelina fantasized the day she would make a speech.
“This is going to be big,” Selina stated, “the only problem is that we’ve blown our budget on the system, but now we have to publicize the product, and we still are in dire need of a patent. We also need to work out the minor bugs in the coding, however, there just isn't enough money.”
“The expo,” Daryl suggested.
“The expo?” Barry quizzed.
“Next weekend, at the Adams Convention Center, we could set up a table and speak to potential investors.”
“There goes Daryl again,” Barry exclaimed, “speaking the right ideas when the rest of us are at a loss for words.”
The day of the Expo came, and the newly formed company, Eternity, was well prepared for presentations.
“There are loads of people out there,” William speculated. Eternity’s hopes were high for the day ahead. Hours later, Malcum began to realize something.
“So many browsers have stopped by, and they love the idea! Many investors
stopped by, and they love the idea too! But no one believes that our concept is possible.” It was just then when a man in a green suit walked up to the table. His hair was slicked back, and his nose was pointy, but he ironically was significantly large, so large that he had trouble making his way through the crowd. The scientists looked up, this man’s very presence had created quite the disturbance in the flow of traffic. How odd that his features were so defined, but his body so round?
Angelina spoke up, “We are the creators of Eternity, a virtual heaven that a soul of a late human can be uploaded into to ensure an everlasting life.” Silence from the watcher. Angelina gulped, then proceeded to explain all the simulation possibilities. Somehow, the silence was even quieter. In desperation of maintaining the listener’s interest, Barry explained how the “soul extractor” works and the coding of the computer system. The man in the green suit looked to the left, then slowly back to the right, smiled, then extended his hand.
“My name is Tudson, George Tudson. I own the Sapphire Laboratory of Science and Technology.” Daryl’s mouth dropped at the sound of the famous lab. “Your system has thoroughly impressed me, and I understand it quite well, almost too well. I started the Sapphire Lab in ‘17, and for the past 24 years, I've worked it from the ground up. It's been an extremely profitable entity, next month we will celebrate our 25th anniversary, and I want for us to have something big to commemorate that event. So, I want to offer you a deal.” Malcum began to lean over the table. “I will offer you half a million dollars, in exchange for 51% of your company.” The ladies almost fainted. The number 51 had hit the scientists like a bag of rocks.
Malcum resorted to pleading, “Mr. Tudson, 51% is far too mu…”
“Non-negotiable,” George Tudson boomed. “I will help you make this company huge, and make sure everyone has access to it. Besides, it appears to be that I'm going to be your only choice for your poorly operated start-up.” The group looked to each other, some nervous, some sad, others in disbelief. Malcum shook his head slowly, then walked away.
“It's been weeks since that Tudson guy wanted to buy our company,” William said.
“Why haven't there been any investors since?” questioned Selina.
“Guys, we have a problem,” a concerned Barry said. “The system’s been hacked.”
“What do you mean?” Malcum sat up.
“It appears that other people’s souls are being uploaded to the server.”
“Hey, guys look at this,” exclaimed Angelina from another room. The TV was on, and the lights were dim. The national news had a new story.
“Sapphire Laboratory has made a major advancement in Human evolution. Rather than focusing on the issues of life, they have conquered the mystery of death.” The news reporter flipped off, and George Tudson was being interviewed.
“We here at Sapphire are excited to announce our 25th anniversary today, along with a product that will change the world as we know it.” George began to explain the concept of uploading human souls to a virtual network. A picture of a machine flicked on.
“That’s our soul extractor!” Spoke a furious William. “Except it appears that he has made it smaller and more efficient.”
“And selling it in retail at an affordable price,” Daryl whispered as he showed the product featured on Amazon to his colleagues.
“This isn't right, that's our hard work, we’ve gotta file a lawsuit,” announced Malcum.
“There’s no other choice, we’ll lose our whole business if we don’t sue soon,” William began to run his fingers through his hair. Eternity was able to successfully set a court date for trial, but it was scheduled on a date two months from then. And there was a lot yet to come.
“It’s been days and I still haven't been able to regain control of our system.” Barry looked around with blood-shot eyes.
“Well, why don't we just not worry about the system and wait until we win our case,” explained Selina. “We’re suing for the company and the assets, we’ve got stacks of evidence that will win our case, no doubt. So there’s no real need for you to waste time and stress about the matter. In the meantime, how about helping the rest of us prepare for trial?”
“That’s not the problem.”
“The problem?”
“Well, I've been meaning to save it, in hopes I could fix the issue without raising
concern, but I might as well tell you now.”
“Go on.” But right before Barry could let the cat out of the bag, Angelina motioned for the group to join her in the TV room once again. The lights were dim, and the reporters on the news seemed concerned. A reporter at the desk began to speak.
“The recent invention by Sapphire labs that will upload the human soul to a virtual simulation network has been sold to over half a million satisfied buyers internationally. Despite their success, this product has created quite a disturbance in the population. The Surgeon General has issued a report which states that over the past month, there has been over a million suicides related to the product.” The television was the bearer of bad news once again.
“Wow, the people are tired of stress and the horrors of this world. When they are told that they are a guaranteed a better life on the other side, they buy the machine and take their own life. Then their friends use it,” reasoned Malcum.
“And that's my problem,” Barry said.
“What’s that?” William asked.
“I've noticed a flaw in the system.”
“Uh huh”
“The amount of free storage for souls is rapidly decreasing. Soon, there will be no ‘room’ in our heaven.”
“Well, what happens to the souls extracted from the bodies when there is no more space?”
“I don't know, I'm guessing that they get put into some cyberspace limbo of sorts.”
“What happens in limbo?”
“Nothing, and that's what I'm afraid of, digital components being lost on a motherboard.”
“But can't you add….”
“I can't alter anything without complete control of the system.”
“What if we were able to regain control from within?” William remarked.
“You mean…” Barry seemed puzzled.
“Yes, one of us is uploaded to the server. That’s the only way in. Our plant will act as a virus and hijack the code so that for a brief moment, you will be able to get in, and redirect the lock to us, not Sapphire Labs.”
Barry smiled, “In theory, it should work. But what do you suggest to do to stop the influx of inmates.”
“We close the floodgates, and announce that virtual heaven has been deemed unreliable. People will stop taking their own lives, and society will be restored.”
“And with the souls we’ve collected?”
“We find a way to download them and replace them into their respective bodies.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Malcum commented. “So now we just need to send someone to the virtual heaven.”
“I’ll do it,” Daryl said timidly.
“But Daryl, you would have to sacrifice yourself,” said a concerned Angelina.
“I know, and I’m willing to do it for the benefit of mankind.”
“So when will it happen?” Selina asked.
“The sooner, the better,” Barry replied. “Pretty soon, there will be no more space and the newcomers will be transferred into a limbo.
The scientists at the Emerald Lab said their goodbyes to Daryl and Barry reminded him of what to do. “Good luck Daryl, thank you,” and that was Malcum’s final salutations to the shy man that could accomplish anything. Daryl sat down in a chair and took a cyanide pill. The cyanide pill would take his life, but save others. Once Daryl fell asleep, the team wired him up to the machine. Once the process was through, Barry began his work on his computer and continually tried to enter the system. Only when Daryl completed the task, will access be granted to Barry.
On the flipside, Daryl was experiencing things he hadn't experienced before. His
original body had been restored, normal, and all in once piece as he had left it. Others around him, however, must have died lethal, as they had large gashes somewhere on their bodies, but no blood came out. Daryl moved with the flow of traffic involuntarily but began to notice people popping up out of nowhere, then suddenly disappearing from the dense crowd. There was no room, so Daryl was glad they were moved elsewhere. Finally, Daryl looked around once more and found that everyone was quiet. He looked even closer into the eyes of a young man. His face was still, with no distinct expression. Puzzled, Daryl was trying to find out why this man was so still. Why was everyone still? He turned to run but suddenly stopped. A bright flash of light seduced Daryl, then he was suddenly emerged into the world with words in the sky. He began to read. It appeared to be a menu of some sort, with many different options. When he glanced at the word, ‘Sub-reality’ he wondered what that could mean. Daryl turned around and found himself on an Earth similar to
the one he left behind. He took a step, then all of a sudden he slid across the ground. He began to run, then bolted into another land. He jumped and then levitated in air. When he remembered the task at hand, he was ejected from the sub-reality. He wanted to leave the virtual reality but didn't see an exit option on the menu. He began to rub his eyes intensively and the encumbrance began to collapse. Daryl found himself back in the crowd and had to find a way to get to the system. He tried to find an end to space, but there wasn't one in sight. Then he remembered Barry saying that the system was unstable and was still in the prototype stage. An idea came to Daryl, then he began to pound on the floor. It felt like he had initiated an earthquake.
Back on Earth, Barry was still trying to get into the system he built, his team members standing around him. Once again he tried to enter his application, and finally, it ran! The Emerald Lab Scientists rejoiced that Daryl was able to take on the heroic effort. Barry reset the encryption to a new passcode, and only he could have control of the virtual heaven now.
“So God, you ask how was heaven? The one mankind created? The answer is, it was something I’ve never seen before. Nothing I’ve ever believed could be possible,” the new angel confessed.
“So what happened after Barry and the other scientists gained control of the system?”
The new angel explained, “The government put an end to the sale of the soul extraction machines. People stopped attempting to take their lives, and Emerald Lab sued The Sapphire Lab in court. My friends won the case, were given all the profits, including the Sapphire lab in restitutions. George Tudson was then charged for leading a mass suicide, put on trial, then placed in jail. The Emerald Lab used the money won from the lawsuit to start a worldwide program to download the souls, then replace them to the bodies they belong to. Their souls were finally able to complete the natural process to the true heaven. Society began to return to normal as humans began to repopulate. I am proud of my friends, and I know they are proud of me.”
“Daryl, my son.” God grinned. “Humans made a mistake, they tried to manipulate a process of nature and control it themselves. It led to catastrophe, then you sacrificed yourself to put an end to the bleeding. Daryl, you saved the world.”