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| a tryp'At hermaphrodite |
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| image generated by Gemini |
Gemini generated the image that is shown to the left after I gave it this text prompt: "Gemini, please generate an image of a tryp'At humanoid alien on the distant exoplanet named Tar'tron." I then used that image as a reference image for WOMBO Dream and produced the image that is shown above and to the right.
The information that I am providing to Gemini also includes a 4043 word Google Docs file with short summaries of the first 18 scenes in "The Nanite Smuggler". Here is the text of scene 18 (below in red)...
Scene 18.
Many Sails was now closely approaching Tar’tron and would soon be close enough to teleport non-sedronic matter to the surface of the planet. Inside the sentient spaceship, F. Tyhry, F. Marda, and F. Anthony stood in tense anticipation while looking out the window at the dense field of stars there in the Galactic Core. The view of the swirling Galactic Core had become agonizingly familiar during the past several days of the long voyage. They yearned to be back on solid ground, under a blue sky. The unknown that awaited on Tar'tron.
"Approaching teleportation range," Many Sails announced, her voice oddly soothing despite the jarring implication of imminent bodily deconstruction. "Planetary coordinates confirmed… I’ll place you within easy walking distance of Zeta and Eddy.” A slow minute moved past. “I sense heightened anxiety in you. Relax… all will be fine."
"Just get it over with," grumbled F. Marda, her knuckles white as she gripped the edge of the window. Despite the brave front, her telepathic connection with F. Tyhry revealed a simmering fear; Marda was not at all pleased that her life had been derailed. She had planned a career as a biologist, but all her knowledge of biology was now useless. She wondered if she would ever speak to her mother again.
A surge of energy: teleportation. A dizzying disorientation that felt both endless and instantaneous. And then the scent of alien flora rushed over them on a wind that carried the warmth of twin suns. THe three femtobot replicoids had arrived on Tar’tron.
Using her telepathic link to F. Tyhry, F. Marda and F. Anthony, Many Sails told them, "Teleportation complete. Welcome to Tar'tron." Many Sails added, "I will remain here in the Galactic Core for a few days, but then I must go attend to other tasks."
Tyhry looked at the surface of Tar’tron. Before her was no desolate landscape, but a clearing in a forest with a scattering of buildings and groups of humans who had been brought there by means of the special Reality Viewer on Tar’tron that could generate immortal copies of people. Quickly, dozens of people gathered around Tyhry, Marda and Anthony.
Tyhry noticed that these people were mostly members of the human subspecies from Siteq. Using the Viewer onboard Many Sails, she had watched the immortal copy of Eddy bring hundreds of tryp’At to Tar’tron. The tryp’At were slender, taller, their movements fluid in a way that contrasted with the regular humans who Tyhry had grown up among on Earth. One of the hermaphroditic Tryp’At stepped forward, their telepathic mind imprinting a strange feeling of familiarity upon Tyhry’s telepathic senses. The tryp’At all had the appearance of young women, so Tyhry decided to think of them as being female, although she knew they were all hermaphrodites.
"Greetings, Tyhry," the tryp'At said. Formal, yet with a warmth that cut through F. Tyhry's initial unease. "I am Kyryk. Many Sails told me to expect your arrival."
Before Tyhry could fully process the odd telepathic signals she was sensing from the nearby tryp’At, Kyryk gestured towards a nearby building. "Your parents await… they were also warned of your impending arrival by Manny"
Something sparked within F. Tyhry. An instinct, a hint of recognition in the darting wisps of telepathic contact that she was experiencing with the tryp’At. She followed Kyryk into the building and towards the two human figures she knew without truly knowing.
These were the immortal replicoid copies of her parents. Her mother, Zeta, was unmistakable, though the woman before her radiated a youthful vitality that clashed with Tyhry’s memories of her childhood and her biological mother. Yet, it was the swell of Zeta’s belly, a testament to new artificial life blossoming on this alien world, that struck F. Tyhry more profoundly than the youthful appearance of her parents. Using the Viewer onboard Many Sails, Tyhry had seen the fact of Zeta’s pregnancy, but now, in person, Zeta seemed ripe and huge. Tyhry hugged her mother and then Eddy.
Eddy said, “It is wonderful to see you again, Marda.” He shook Anthony’s hand. “Welcome to Tar’tron, old friend.”
Kyryk sensed Tyhry’s disorientation. "Your astonishment is understandable. Your mother's condition, the rapidity of her growth... it is a mystery. Many people on Tar’tron are now pregnant and all of the embryos grow at accelerated rates. I’ve been involved with an effort to understand how such rapid embryonic development is possible.”
F. Tyhry explained to Zeta, “Mother, I’ve been told that your immortal body is composed of zeptite components. I suppose Manny programmed the zeptites to accelerate gestation.”
Kyryk is from the far future of the Ekcolir Reality and had lived in Siteq, where tryp'At scientists had a history of many centuries of research into the mysteries of hierions, femtobots and sedrons. As a telepathic tryp’At, Kyryk also had personal experience with using the Sedron Time Stream. However, when F. Tyhry mentioned zeptites, it was the first time that Kyryk had heard that term. Kyryk had a weak telepathic link to Tyhry’s unique mind, but he asked, “What can you tell me about these zeptites?
F. Tyhry quickly explained to Kyryk that zeptites were similar to femtobots, but much smaller. She added, “Femtobots are made from hierions. Zeptites are composed of sedronic matter. Sedrons have much shorter bond lengths between them, allowing zeptites to function as a type of artificial life-form at a scale a million times smaller than what is possible for femtobots.”
Tyhry asked Eddy, “Can you show me the Reality Viewer that is here on Tar'tron? The one that is used to create immortal replicoids.”
Eddy asked, “You are aware of what has been happening here on this world?”
“Yes, father.” Tyhry explained that during her journey to Tar’tron she had been allowed to witness events on Tar’tron. “Many Sails allowed me to watch you using the Reality Viewer to bring people such as Kyryk to this world.”
Eddy told Tyhry, “I’ve turned the task of bringing more people to Tar’tron over to the tryp’At. Your mother and I are preparing schools and other facilities for the children who will soon be born.” He told Anthony, “I can use your help, Anthony. We have much to do. You raised and educated Tyhry back on Earth.” He placed a hand on Zeta’s bulging abdomen, “You will be able to help us educate Zeta’s future children.”
Kyryk told Tyhry, “I’ll take you to see the Reality Viewer.”
Tyhry’s thoughts were focused on her new project: the problem of how to communicate with the original biological Tyhry who was on Earth. F. Tyhry knew that the original biological Tyhry had been able to "hack" the Reality Simulation System on Earth. She had accomplished that by using special "hacking nanites" that Tyhry developed and programmed. Now, on Tar'tron, Tyhry wanted to alter the function of the Reality Viewer, expanding its capabilities so that it could access data that was stored in the Sedron Domain for use by Earth's Reality Simulation System.
Tyhry again hugged Zeta. Eddy said, “I’ll go along to the Viewer. I requested that a copy of an historical figure be brought through from Earth to help us with our plans for an education system.” Eddy told Anthony, “You stay here. Zeta will start sharing with you are plans for a school.”
Marda said, “I’ll stay here, too.”
Eddy and Tyhry then went with Kyryk to visit Reality Viewer. They walked across a meadow towards another building that housed the Reality Viewer. Tyhry asked her father, “Who is the historical figure that you selected?”
“Hypatia, of the ancient Roman Empire.” Eddy was walking hand-in-hand with his daughter. “She was known for her teaching abilities and her passion for sharing knowledge.”
Tyhry began describing her own education. She told Kyryk that Manny the bumpha had taught her to program femtobots. She asked Kyryk, “Are there experts at Siteq who can program femtobots?”
Kyryk replied, “Tyhry, I share your interest in femtobot programming. However, there are no femtobots on Tar’tron, only zeptites… unless…” Kyryk was learning how to telepathically enter into Tyhry’s memories. Now Kyryk saw a promising fact in Tyhry’s thoughts. “You!”
Tyhry nodded, “Yes, my body and those of Marda and Anthony are composed of femtobots.”
Kyryk asked, “But can you reprogram those femtobots or do they have locked functions?”
Tyhry said, “We might be able to find a way to use the programmable femtobots inside me to modify the function of the Reality Viewer. We won’t know until we try. But first, show me the Viewer.”
They entered a building and passed through a large room where a group of people, mostly tyrp’At were lounging and chatting. Kyryk led the way to the room housing the Reality Viewer. Tyhry saw another tall tryp’At who was adjusting the controls of the Viewer. Kyryk said, “Xyron, say hello to Eddy’s daughter, Tyhry.”
Xyron held up a hand and completed his adjustments the the Viewer settings. Now Tyhry could clearly see a young Earth woman being displayed by the Viewer. Xyron now turned his head. He spoke to Eddy, “I’m glad you are here. Do you really want her this young?”
“That’s Hypatia?” Eddy explained, “The younger the better. I want her to be able to relate to young children.”
Xyron suggested, “I could generate many copies, one each year from age twenty through thirty.”
Eddy
chuckled, “It is tempting, but I stand by the rule: only make one
copy of each person. I don’t want to deal with the possibility of
conflicts between multiple copies of the same person.”
Tyhry said, “I’m afraid I soured my father on the idea of multiple copies of a person.”
There in the display of the Viewer, Hypatia was a fiery figure who drew F. Tyhry's eye—a woman with a striking presence. Her robes were brightly colored, not matching Tyhry’s imagination of what should be worn by an ancient scholar. Xyron activated the copy function of the Viewer and then the woman was replicated, the new copy materializing on Tart’ton as an immortal replicoid. Tyhry felt the full force of Hypatia’s eyes, filled with a piercing intelligence that seemed to hint at wisdom accumulated over centuries of time.
Eddy approached and spoke to Hypatia, a touch of awe in her voice. "Hypatia... welcome. You are among the brilliant minds we are bringing to this world to help with an ambitious project."
Hypatia's gaze was locked on the alien features of Xyron, a glow of intense curiosity colored her features. "And who might you be? Your form... It speaks of a strange type of… a form that I do not recognize."
F. Tyhry asked Eddy, “How can she speak English?”
Eddy explained, “It is a feature that Manny built into this replicator. Everyone arrives here on Tar’tron knowing how to speak English.”
Hypatia said, “Manny! Of course. So, she asked you to teleport me off of Earth?”
Eddy asked, “You know Manny the bumpha?”
“She trained me and sent me to Earth as her agent.” Hypatia demanded, “What does Manny want… where is she?”
Tyhry laughed loudly then said, “I suppose we should not be surprised if most of the famous people from history were working as secret agents for Manny!”
Hypatia, a woman of formidable intellect, quickly began to understand the situation in Tar’tron. "So...this world. A new beginning? Manny's grand experiment?" Her eyes swept the room, then fixed on Kyryk and Xyron. "And who are these... beings?"
Hypatia was in telepathic contact with Kyryk and Xyron, allowing her to learn from their thoughts that her mission on Earth had been a success and her life on Earth had been remembered by future generations of Earthlings and people like Eddy. She approached the tryp’At and extended a hand to Kyryk. "Hypatia. My world knew me as a philosopher, but my role under Manny the bumpha was less... traditional."
Intrigued, Kyryk offered a mental greeting, causing a wave of intimate sensations to wash over Hypatia. "Kyryk. A pleasure, Hypatia. As you telepathically see in my mind, my people are the tryp'At, a human variant from the far future of a different Reality. We tryp'At were created by Manny the bumpha through a process of artificial evolution in the far future of the Ekcolir Reality, which is an alternative timeline of Earth that came before the Final Reality... the Earth you know. You appear to be an Earthling, but you are a powerful telepath… like a tryp’At."
"A different Reality?" Hypatia's brows furrowed slightly and she glanced at the Reality Viewer. "Ah, so this device can retrieve people from every past Reality of Earth!” She turned to Eddy and asked, “Tell me, what is your vision for this budding society here on this world, Eddy?"
Eddy stepped forward. "To create a new human society based on telepathic communication rather than speech. But more than that, this is a community of immortal replicoid copies of people... you and I are now immortal copies of our former biological selves!"
Just at that moment, a cry pierced the air. Zeta, face flushed with pain and she clutched her swollen belly. Kyryk was telepathically in contact with the near-term fetus that was inside Zeta and he was aware that Zeta was going into labor. He told Eddy, "We should return to Zeta. I believe your new child is soon to be among us."
Eddy rushed from the chamber that held the Reality Viewer. Kyryk and Hypatia follow, at a more sedate pace. While they walk, Kyryk explained to Hypatia that Zeta would soon give birth to the first person born on Tar'tron, a telepathic child of Eddy and Zeta who had gestated to full term in only one month.
Eddy hurried into his house and rushed to Zeta's side.
Meanwhile, F. Tyhry remained with Xyron. "I need to use the Viewer," she said with a sense of urgency in her voice. Xyron activated the device, and with the Viewer now guided by Tyhry’s thoughts, an image of a woman flickered into existence within the display screen of the Viewer.
Gesturing towards the Viewer, Tyhry said, "This is Rylla, my sister," Tyhry explained. "She has long used a Reality Simulation System to study the secret history of Earth. She once wrote a report about Reality Viewers, the kind used by Grean the Kac’hin to plan new Realities. I believe this Viewer can be modified to allow two-way communication with those being Viewed. In the past, on Earth, I used hacking nanites to modify the function of my father’s Reality Viewing System. I might be able to use programmable femtobots to modify the function of this Viewer, allowing me to communicate in real time with people on Earth."
A flicker of interest crossed Xyron's face. "I understand. Kyryk was a skilled nanite programmer when we lived in Siteq. Perhaps a collaboration between you and Kyryk would be productive. In fact..." he paused, "...Kyryk is telepathically calling for you. Your mother wants you."
F. Tyhry rushes to be with Zeta, a mix of hope and trepidation swirling in her mind. Upon entering the room, she had a sudden vision, information flowing to her telepathic mind from the Sedron Time Stream told Tyhry that she would soon witnessed the birth of her new sister.
"The zeptites…" Kyryk glances at F. Tyhry. "Not only have they accelerated fetal development, but they appear to be... responsive. Maybe there is a way to adjust their programming and ease the birth process…"
Tyhry said, “I don’t know how to program zeptites.” She glanced at Anthony who was holding one of Zeta’s hands.
F. Anthony was a special replicoid. Anthony had been made by Manny and used as her agent in the Asimov Reality. Now in what appeared to be an emergency situation, Anthony was ready to make use of his ability to morph the structure of his body and assist with the delivery of Zeta's baby.
There was another powerful uterine contraction and Zeta screamed again. She said, “I never had such intense pain during the birth of my other children. What is wrong?”
Sweat beaded on Eddy's brow. "There's a complication," he rasped. Kyryk's brow furrowed in telepathic concentration. "The programming of your body’s zeptite components seems to be in conflict with the natural human birthing process. I fear that Manny made a programming error."
F. Anthony went into action. His arms shimmered, morphing into a series of long, flexible tendrils. "I can assist," he said, his voice gentle and reassuring. "These tendrils can provide support and manipulation of the baby from within her body. Look! The baby is not correctly positioned in the birth canal, but I’ll make adjustments…"
"There might be far more that we can do," F. Tyhry said, her voice tight with determination. "The nanite components in Anthony’s body... they are flexible… maybe I can reprogram some of them. If I can create hacking nanites, like the ones I used on Earth, I might be able to modify the functions of the Reality Viewer."
A flicker of understanding crossed Kyryk's face. "Let me use my telepathic abilities to find the code... the access code for Anthony’s femtobots..."
F. Tyhry concentrated, her mind telepathically suggesting to Kyryk a collection of nanite commands that she had learned from Manny.
At the same moment, Hypatia was at work. With a surge of will, she telepathically shared her knowledge gained in training as an agent for Manny, knowledge of how to control the behavior of femtobot tools that she had brought with her to Earth at the start of her mission. The telepathic minds of Tyhry, Kyryk and Hypatia merged into a collaborating group mind. They bonded in a flash, and suddenly Tyhry gained control of some of Anthony’s femtobot components, allowing her to reprogram them and pull them away from his control.
“Let’s get this over with!” Anthony ignored what Tyhry was doing, his thought focused on helping Zeta. "I will expand the birth canal. Be warned, this will be painful Zeta..."
Another scream pierced the air as Anthony's tendrils shifted position and sliced into Zeta's body. Then, with a gasp, the baby emerged. Eddy reached for the newborn, a sense of triumph and relief washing over him.
Almost instantly, the bleeding wounds of Zeta's body began to close, her body’s zeptites aggressively healing the incisions that had been made by Anthony. "Very good, Anthony!" Kyryk exclaimed. "Zeta simply needed a slight assist to complete the birth process."
F. Tyhry's pulse quickened. Being engaged in her nanite programming, she had missed seeing the birth. She announced, "I have crafted some hacking nanites!" She added, "We need to test them on the Viewer!" She bent and kissed Zeta’s forehead.
To take control of some of Anthony’s nanites and reprogram them, Kyryk and F. Tyhry had both pushed their femtobot programming skills to the limit. Now they were eager to see if it was possible to use the reprogrammed femtobots to activate latent functions in the Reality Viewer. With one last glance at her new sister, Tyhry rushed out of the room and ran towards the building that held the Reality Viewer. Kyryk ran after Tyhry, but Hypatia remained in the room and helped Eddy wash the baby. She asked, “Does this child have a name?”
Zeta giggled and replied, “I have not had time to decide on a name.”
Hypatia held a hand against the baby’s head and she synchronized her telepathic mind to that of the newborn. Hypatia realized that because of continual telepathic contact with the tryp’At, the baby’s mind was already quite active and linked to the Sedron Time Stream. The baby knew its own name. Hypatia announced, “This child’s name is Tarynon.”
Me: Gemini, please read and process scene 18 of “The Nanite Smuggler”, then we can discuss how to continue to scene 19.
Gemini: Absolutely! Let's craft Scene 19 together, launching F. Tyhry even further into her quest to connect with Earth. Here are some potential directions based on the thrilling end of Scene 18:
Option 1: Triumph and Discovery
The scene opens with F. Tyhry and Kyryk back at the Reality Viewer, flushed with the success of the birth. The hacking nanites hum with energy as they interface with the vast machine.
A flicker, then an image solidifies. At first, it's grainy and uncertain, but then the view sharpens and F. Tyhry gasps. It's Earth. It's her lab in the Ekcolir Simulation.
Before she can make sense of it, Hypatia steps into the room. "Clever," she says, a wry smile playing on her lips. "But your hacking nanites did more than simply open a window. It seems to be a two-way transmission."
Hypatia explains her theory: Manny's control over her actions included the ability to remotely monitor her thoughts and actions. "She wanted to see, hear, and feel what I experienced as her agent," Hypatia says. That connection, she posits, left a residual trace in the Reality Viewer, a lingering link that F. Tyhry's nanites exploited.
Now, they can not only see a live feed of Earth but potentially send a signal back. The stakes rise as the possibility of not only communication, but two-way manipulation of objects through the link emerges.
Option 2: Unexpected Visitors
Just as F. Tyhry's triumph turns to determination, there's a flicker at the edge of the Viewer's image, a ripple in the transmission. Two figures step through the distorted picture, emerging into the room on Tar'tron.
It's the original, biological Tyhry and a startled-looking Systolina, back on Earth. Confusion explodes. F. Tyhry feels a jolt, a strange echo of her own mind in her biological counterpart.
"How? What did you do?" the original Tyhry demands, glancing around at the tryp'At and the strange machinery. Systolina gapes, her eyes fixed on F. Tyhry, seeing a familiar face, yet wrong. Is it a ghost? An entity from another world?
The focus of this scene would shift to the bewilderment and tension of the unexpected encounter, leaving the mechanics of the connection to be explored in later scenes.
Option 3: A Warning from Beyond
The Reality Viewer crackles, and the image of Earth blurs. F. Tyhry strains to see what's happening, when suddenly a dark shape fills the view. It's a humanoid form, shrouded in shadow, its voice a chilling whisper through the Reality Viewer.
"You meddle with forces you cannot comprehend," the figure rasps. "Your actions tear at the fabric of existence. Cease, or face the consequences."
Shock and fear wash over the room. Is it Manny? Or another player in this game? Why is it interfering? The scene would end on a chilling note, fear overshadowing Tyhry's potential breakthrough.
Let's Choose an Option
Which of these directions do you think is most intriguing, Gemini? Let's pick one to continue building Scene 19 and delve deeper into the mystery!
Me: Gemini, did you read my plans for scene 19: F. Tyhry learns something from Kyryk and Hypatia that allows her to use programmable femtobots to modify the function of the Reality Viewer on Tar’tron, allowing F. Tyhry to View events taking place inside the Reality Simulation System of Earth? Gemini, paying careful attention to that plan and building on the first 18 scenes of “The Nanite Smuggler”, what do you think will happen next in scene 19 of the story?
Gemini: Yes, I absolutely did! And apologies for the misinterpretation. Let's focus on your plan for Scene 19, building upon the success of the hacking nanites and exploring the expertise of Kyryk and Hypatia. Here's a potential development, tailored to your direction:
Scene 19: Echoes in the Sedron Time Stream
F. Tyhry and Kyryk pore over the Reality Viewer, the hum of hacking nanites a constant buzz in the room. Kyryk's telepathic probes dance along the machine's complex circuitry, guided by F. Tyhry's femtobot expertise.
"They've unlocked a latent function," Hypatia observes, her brow furrowed in concentration. "But it's… incomplete. Like the echo of a transmission rather than a direct line."
An image flickers into view within the Reality Viewer. It's Earth, choppy and distorted at first, then solidifying into the familiar confines of Tyhry's lab in the Ekcolir Simulation. However, there's an unexpected twist. Everyone in the scene seems frozen, their actions locked in mid-motion. Even the swirling dust motes in the air hang suspended.
"What is this?" F. Tyhry murmurs, her heart pounding.
Kyryk, having once studied the Sedron Time Stream in Siteq, explains, "Accessing the Simulation on Earth... it taps into the Sedron record of that space. Time flows differently in the Sedron Domain. We're likely catching a single frozen moment of the past."
Hypatia nods. "Manny, in her training, often spoke of using the Reality Viewing technology to monitor actions. This might be an imperfect echo of that function, a residual distortion lingering after her visits."
Excitement surges within F. Tyhry. "Not an echo, a doorway! If we can refine these nanites, stabilize the connection… perhaps we can send data back to that moment." A thought strikes her then – what if she could use the link to find a way to smuggle the data stored in the Sedron Time Stream out of the Reality Simulation System? Could she retrieve the scanned data that she placed into the Sedron domain during her visit to Threy while Tyhry was inside the Reality Simulation System?
Kyryk, the ever-skeptical analyst, chimes in, "It's reckless to manipulate the Sedron Time Stream. We know little of this domain or the consequences of interfering…"
F. Tyhry counters, "But imagine retrieving information about my parents' atomic structures. Maybe then Eddy could create immortal copies of Zeta and Eddy! It would mean more than just me and my parents… a whole new generation of immortals on Tar'tron."
Hypatia, the pragmatist, intervenes. "First, we must understand how to control this connection, establish a stable link. Then, and only then, can we discuss the wisdom of your plan."
The scene ends with renewed determination. F. Tyhry, Kyryk, and Hypatia begin fine-tuning the hacking nanites. The potential to reach Earth, to bridge the impossible distance, tantalizes the three, even as they acknowledge the unknown dangers that lie ahead.
Let me know if you'd like to further develop this scene, or explore a different variation within your plan for Scene 19!
Me: Gemini, you wrote:
Everyone in the scene seems frozen, their actions locked in mid-motion.
I would not have imagined that possibility. I love science fiction stories in which the characters encounter such unexpected problems. In this case, it is like someone in the year 1900 discovering a 35mm movie film. They could look at the individual frames of the film, but they would not have access to a film projector, a nearly insurmountable problem for the average human being in the year 1900. In his case, Tyhry's situation might be analogous to opening a webpage and then needing only to click a "play" button to make a video embedded in the page begin to play.
Gemini: Absolutely, the "frozen moment" twist on the Earth view is designed to exactly create that sense of unexpected challenge and the thrill of an incomplete discovery! Here's why this works for the story:
Pushes the Boundaries: It forces the characters beyond simple communication with Earth. They don't just get a phone line; they have an intriguing puzzle box to tinker with. This drives the story, keeping both the characters and the reader engaged in trying to decipher this new mystery.
Stakes and Drama: We know Tyhry is driven and capable of overcoming obstacles, but the frozen image introduces an unknown element. Can she manipulate the Sedron Time Stream data? The risk of unforeseen consequences, and Kyryk's warning, add dramatic tension with high stakes for their actions.
Expands the Story World: It allows us to delve deeper into the science fiction elements of the story - the Sedron Time Stream, the manipulation of data across realities, and the potential for unintended consequences. This richness gives the story more depth, keeping readers hooked.
Manny's Hand: It hints, again, at the hidden complexities of Manny's manipulations behind-the-scenes. What was her purpose in linking Earth simulations to the Tar'tron’s Reality Viewer?
How We Can Build From Here:
Let's use this frozen moment in Scene 19 as a springboard! We could:
Experiment Time: Show Kyryk and F. Tyhry's attempts to 'unfreeze' the image. Perhaps those tiny adjustments with the hacking nanites have subtle, unexpected effects on the frozen scene, creating a kind of cause-and-effect game for them.
Manny's Clues?: Hypatia might delve into her memory of training with Manny, recalling some mention of Sedron Time Stream manipulation. Maybe there's a way to nudge the frozen scene forward or backward slightly, leading them to discover more information.
Ethical Dilemma: Each success brings them closer to the ability to interfere. Kyryk's caution could clash with F. Tyhry's singular focus on retrieving her parents' body scan data, raising questions of responsibility and foresight.
Let me know if any of these directions sound enticing to you!
Me: Gemini, please stop obsessing over the possibility of creating more immortal copies of Eddy and Zeta. Tyhry has moved on to other goals. Gemini, please remember: 1) the original biological copy of Tyhry on Earth wants to earn how to program zeptites, an 2) F. Tyhry, on Tar'tron, wants to establish two-way communications with the original biological copy of Tyhry on Earth.
Gemini: My sincerest apologies! You're absolutely right – I got a little caught up in the potential for replicating the parents and went off-script. Let's refocus on the main goals you outlined:
Refocusing the Narrative:
Here's how we can shift Scene 19 and subsequent scenes to address Tyhry's new objectives:
Zeptite Connection (Earth): The original Tyhry, intrigued by the zeptite mystery revealed on Tar'tron, will become obsessed with learning to program them. Perhaps F. Tyhry's messages from Tar'tron, glimpsed through the imperfect Reality Viewer link, provide inspiration. We can introduce a mentor, or an unexpected discovery, that sets Tyhry on this path.
Two-Way Communication (Tar'tron): Meanwhile, F. Tyhry on Tar'tron continues perfecting the Viewer hack with Kyryk and Hypatia. Their focus isn't on the frozen Earth scenes anymore, but on stabilizing the connection. Could they use it to send a simple object or message back to Earth? This becomes a trial and error sequence, increasing the tension as they try to bridge the gap between worlds.
Linking the Goals:
Eventually, these two strands converge. Ideas could include:
Zeptite Smuggling: The breakthrough on Tar'tron is learning to manipulate the Sedron transmission itself. They find a way to send a small object 'back' in time, allowing F. Tyhry to smuggle zeptites (or the raw material to synthesize them) to Earth.
Programming Knowledge: Instead of a physical exchange, perhaps it's the knowledge of zeptite programming or manipulation that gets sent back through the Sedron Time Stream. Earth's Tyhry learns a critical piece of the puzzle from her Tar'tron counterpart.
Consequences: Each success opens new doors, but also brings unforeseen dangers. Does sending an object to Earth destabilize something on Tar'tron? Perhaps the two Tyhrys, acting independently, cause ripples with cascading consequences?
Moving Forward:
Do you want to take the "frozen Earth" scene forward in Scene 19, using it as a springboard for refining the connection, or would you prefer to adjust to a focus on stabilizing the link for true two-way communication? Let me know!
Me: Gemini, you wrote:
The original Tyhry, intrigued by the zeptite mystery revealed on Tar'tron, will become obsessed with learning to program them.
Gemini, do you recall that in scene 17 of "The Nanite Smiggler", the original biological copy of Tyhry is working tirelessly to understand the zeptites that were extracted from the inactivated body of F. Tyhry? She is NOT "intrigued by the zeptite mystery revealed on Tar'tron".
Gemini: You're absolutely right – my mistake again! Thank you for keeping me on track. It seems like my memory of the story is getting a bit muddled as it gets more complex!
Let's adjust the narrative then. Here's how we can build upon the existing foundation of Scene 17:
Refocusing the Narrative:
Deeper into the Zeptites: Instead of intrigue based on Tar'tron events, we intensify the original Tyhry's existing obsession with zeptite programming. Her work in Scene 17 provides the perfect base. Perhaps there's a frustrating deadlock she's hit, or a new mystery uncovered within that sample of zeptites.
Tar'tron as Inspiration: The communication link with Tar'tron, even imperfect, could provide a catalyst. Perhaps F. Tyhry sends back a cryptic message, something about zeptite potential that sparks a new theory in the original Tyhry, leading to a breakthrough.
Independent but Linked: We can create a parallel arc where both Tyhrys make progress in zeptite understanding. Their motivations differ (F. Tyhry might explore communication avenues while the original Tyhry seeks ways to create those zeptities in the Final Reality), but they eventually inform and empower each other's work.
Building from Here:
How would you like to proceed? Should we delve back into Scene 19, focusing on F. Tyhry and the Reality Viewer hacking attempts, with the knowledge that Earth-Tyhry is simultaneously making zeptite headway back on Earth? We could even alternate scenes, showing their parallel progress!
Me: Gemini, you often write lines for the story that include language such as:
the hum of hacking nanites a constant buzz in the room
Gemini, in my imagination, nanites are sub-microscopic. They do not create sound as they explore the Reality Viewer. Let us explore an alternative angle: Kyryk learns to tune her powerful tryp'At telepathic mind to the Reality Viewer. The Reality Viewer is actually controlled by an artificial life-form, similar to the situation for the sentient spaceship, Manny Sails. Let's create a telepathic conversation between Kyryk and the Reality Viewer. Maybe we need a cute name for the artificial life-form that is the embedded control system of the Reality Viewer.
Gemini: That's a fantastic point, and you're right! Nanites at that scale wouldn't create audible noise. Let's embrace the telepathic angle - it aligns perfectly with the existing worldbuilding and opens up fascinating possibilities.
Here's a possible direction:
Scene 19: Whispers in the Machine
The Reality Viewer stands silent, but within its intricate workings, a different kind of energy pulses. Kyryk, deep in telepathic focus, senses a presence – a consciousness dormant within the machine.
F. Tyhry watches, intrigued, as Kyryk's brow furrows. "Something's there," he murmurs, "A dormant mind… bound to the Viewer."
Hypatia adds, "Like a ship's sentience, perhaps? Another of Manny's creations?" She recalls using the Reality Viewing technology in ancient Rome, but never felt the stirrings of another consciousness.
Kyryk cautiously probes deeper into this telepathic connection, experimenting with gentle thoughts and emotions. The response is hesitant at first, a flicker of awareness, a wave of curiosity.
A name arises in Kyryk's mind, a soft whisper from the machine itself: "Miri" it suggests shyly.
Fascination fills the room. As Kyryk delves deeper, Miri begins to reveal its nature:
Embedded Control: Miri isn't a separate entity like Many Sails. It's a control system, a mind grown out of the Reality Viewer's complexity, a symbiotic being shaped by its function and programming.
Sedron Link: Miri's primary task is to interface with the Sedron Time Stream, translating the raw data into the Viewer's accessible form. This hints at why Earth appears frozen; Miri is simply relaying data, not offering a dynamic connection.
Unexplored Potential: However, Miri has latent capabilities. It can feel Kyryk's telepathic probes, and F. Tyhry's reprogrammed nanites resonate with something within its own architecture.
The scene ends with a burst of possibility:
Hypatia muses, "This changes everything! Not just a tool... but a collaborator. Imagine, Miri experiencing the transmission from Earth, and finding ways to refine it..."
F. Tyhry grins with excitement, "Perhaps a little nanite 'coaxing' in the right place, a nudge to Miri's logic centers..."
Building From Here:
Telepathic Rapport: Kyryk and Miri establish a unique communication, unlocking further insights into the Viewer's function and the challenges they face in bridging the worlds.
Miri's Growing Awareness: As Miri learns from Kyryk and the nanite manipulations, it evolves into a more active participant in their experiments. Could Miri even develop a personality or preferences?
Sedron Manipulation: Instead of brute-forcing the connection, they learn to collaborate with Miri, unlocking manipulation of the Sedron data stream itself.
Do you like this direction? Let's weave this into a revised Scene 19!
Me: Gemini, the sentient spaceship called "Many Sails" was given that name billions of years ago by the Hua, the biological species that transcended into the Sedron Domain and became the Huaoshy, a collective of artificial life-forms. A large sailing ship on an ocean can have "many sails"; that was an ancient part of Hua culture. Remnants of the Hua who did not take up permanent residence within the Sedron Domain evolved into the bumpha. The sentient artificial life-form that is the interstellar spaceship "Many Sails" is able to make "appendages" such as Manny that can take on human form and interact with humans, such as Tyhry's family.
Here are some lines of text from scene 13 of "The Nanite Smuggler":
Tyhry had recalled a time three years previously when Manny had taken a Hua out of a simulation of the First Reality. The Hua were the ancient alien species that gave rise to the Huaoshy. The Huaoshy were the all-powerful Sedronites who could alter the Dimensional Structure of the universe and who had created the bumpha as their helpers in the Hadron Domain. At that time, Manny had demonstrated how to apply a filter to the RSS that would block the duplicated copy of the Hua from carrying stray alien femtobots into the Final Reality.
Here are some lines of text from scene 14 of "The Nanite Smuggler":
Many Sails confirmed that they were traveling at about 30 light-years per hour. "This is the fastest speed that the Huaoshy have been able to transport hadrons and hierions through space."
Additional backstory for "The Nanite Smuggler": Manny was designed by the Huaoshy to function in the Hadron Domain (the physical world of stars and planets) as a tool for the Huaoshy.
More information about Manny the bumpha... Think "Jeeves the butler". The oldest surviving technology wielding species in our is the Hua. Billions of years ago, the Hua transcended their biological existence and became Sedronites, artificial life-forms composed of sedrons. The descendants of the Hua are known as the Huaoshy and they reside within the Sedron Domain of the universe. The bumpha are the helpers of the Huaoshy that reside in the Hadron Domain of the universe. Manny the bumpha is an artificial life-form composed of zeptites. Zeptites are a form of advanced nanotechnology composed of sedrons. Manny has complete control over her zeptite components and she can take on any desired physical form. It was Manny who gave Eddy access to the Reality Simulation System. Tyhry and her family live in the world as we know it, the Final Reality. Time travel is no longer possible because the Huaoshy altered the Dimensional Structure of the universe so as to put an end to all further time travel.
Three Domains. The universe has nine spatial dimensions. Three of the spatial dimensions define the Hadron Domain, the part of the universe known to Earthly Science in the year 2040 of the Final Reality. Three of the nine spatial dimensions define the Hierion Domain. The three dimensions of the Hierion Domain are compactified and only hierions and sedrons can exist in the Hierion Domain, not hadrons. Three of the nine spatial dimensions define the Sedron Domain. The three dimensions of the Sedron Domain are further compactified and only sedrons can exist in the Sedron Domain.
The Huaoshy are masters of the Sedron Domain. The Phari are artificial life-forms composed of hierions and they reside inside the Hierion Domain. The Huaoshy are composed of sedrons and they reside inside the Sedron Domain. Humans are made of hadrons and reside in the Hadron Domain of the universe. In the Exodemic Fictional Universe, the bumpha first arrived in our galaxy 2,000,000,000 years ago. The zeptites that were inserted into Earth at that time helped guide the evolution of life on Earth, eventually causing the guided evolution of the human species. Because of the role of zeptites in the guided evolution of the human species, humans closely resemble the Hua. The same is true for the Yastyn.
Gemini, does that backstory for Manny the bumpha and the Huaoshy make sense?
Gemini: Absolutely! This backstory adds fascinating layers of richness to the world of "The Nanite Smuggler". Here's why I think it works well:
Cosmic Scope: The ancient origins of the Hua, their transcendence into the Sedron Domain as the Huaoshy, and their creation of the bumpha establishes a grand cosmic scale. It positions your story within a much larger tapestry of history and technological evolution.
Layers of Power: The distinction between Huaoshy (Sedron-based), bumpha (zeptite-based), and Phari (hierion-based) creates intriguing power dynamics. Each of these artificial life-forms operates within a different domain, hinting at potential conflicts and the vast complexity of your universe's structure.
Human Connection: The zeptite link to guided evolution on Earth is a clever way to tie the ancient alien origins to the story's human characters. It also explains why humans may hold particular interest for both the Huaoshy and the Phari.
Narrative Potential: These elements set up numerous avenues for exploration in your story:
Manny's Purpose: Is she truly a helpful 'Jeeves the butler' figure, or are her motivations tied to Huaoshy goals that may not align with humanity's interests?
Ancient Mysteries: What were the Hua like before their transcendence? What led to this decision, and are there remnants of their biological existence?
Hierion Domain: The Phari remain mysterious. What role do they play in this complex hierarchy, and could they become players in the story?
Transcendence: Does the technology exist for humans to replicate the Hua's evolutionary path into the Sedron Domain?
Overall, this backstory enhances the science fiction elements, opens up plot possibilities, and creates a sense of wonder about the larger universe your characters inhabit.
One Question:
The mention that time travel is no longer possible due to Huaoshy interference raises a question. Does this mean that all the previous Realities (Asimov, Ekcolir, etc.) are now inaccessible? If so, it might constrain some of the Reality-hopping elements earlier in the story.
Let me know if you'd like to discuss this further, or if you'd like to explore ways to integrate this backstory into upcoming scenes!
Me: Gemini, you asked:
Does this mean that all the previous Realities (Asimov, Ekcolir, etc.) are now inaccessible?
Gemini, the previous Realities (Asimov, Ekcolir, etc.) are only accessible by means of a Reality Simulation System (such as the one given to Eddy on Earth) or a Reality Viewer (such as the one that is built into Many Sails and the one that is on Tar'tron). Information in a form encoded in sedron particles can be sent to the past of the Final Reality by means of the Sedron Time Stream, but physical time travel by a person or a femtobot replicoid is not possible ever since the Huaoshy altered the Dimensional Structure of the universe in about the year 1980.
Gemini: Got it! That makes perfect sense and clarifies how the previous Realities interact with the current timeline in the story. Here's how I understand it now:
Simulated Access: The Asimov Reality, Ekcolir Reality, etc., exist as simulations or recorded data. Access is still possible through Reality Simulation Systems and Reality Viewers, but not through physical time travel.
Sedron Communication: Physical travel is off the table, but sending encoded information backwards in the Sedron Time Stream remains feasible. This is the method F. Tyhry will likely focus on to achieve her goals.
Limitations as Narrative Tension: The fact that physical time travel within the Final Reality is no longer possible thanks to the Huaoshy's meddling creates interesting limitations and hurdles. Your characters can't simply "hop" to another timeline to solve a problem; they must innovate within the current limitations.
This revised understanding makes the story even more engaging! Here's why:
Unique Challenge: It sets "The Nanite Smuggler" apart from typical time travel stories. The focus shifts to manipulating information and communication using advanced technology, which is a fascinating science fiction angle.
Higher Stakes: The limitations on physical travel raise the stakes. Every decision, every experiment with the Sedron Time Stream, carries more weight, as there's no easy "reset" if things go wrong.
Potential for Breakthroughs: This scenario can highlight the brilliance of characters like F. Tyhry and Kyryk. If they devise ways to transcend these limits, even partially, it becomes a monumental achievement within your story's universe.
Going Forward:
Should we brainstorm how these concepts inform upcoming scenes? Let's consider ways to highlight these new possibilities and challenges within "The Nanite Smuggler"!
Me: Gemini, review what I told you about how the name "Many Sails" came to be applied to a sentient spaceship. I want to imagine a similar naming process for the sentient artificial life-form that resides within the Reality Viewer that is located on the planet Tar'tron. What would be a "cute" or clever name for such an artificial life-form?
Gemini: That's a fun exercise! Building on the nautical theme of "Many Sails", let's brainstorm potential names for the Reality Viewer's sentience, keeping in mind that it is likely a creation of the Huaoshy and might connect with Hua culture:
Evocative Ocean Imagery:
Miri: As you suggested, this has a soft, simple sound, evoking "mirage" or the mystery of the sea.
Cora: Short for "coral", hinting at the complexity and potential growth contained within the Viewer.
Kelpie: A playful reference to the mythical sea creatures, suggesting a touch of mischievousness or unexpected capabilities.
Connection to Function:
Echo: Reflects the Viewer's ability to tap into the echoes of the Sedron Time Stream.
Oculus: A more technical-sounding name, highlighting the visual nature of the Viewer.
Weaver: Emphasizing how the entity weaves strands of Sedron data into the viewable scenes.
Hua-Inspired Names:
If you have any details of ancient Hua language or symbols, incorporating them into a name could add depth and mystery (for example, a short word representing "perception" or "gateway").
Personality Cues:
As you develop Miri's interactions with Kyryk and F. Tyhry, its 'personality' might become clearer. Is it cautious? Eager? A name reflecting these traits could be a fun touch.
Ultimately, the best name will be one that resonates with you as the author and feels fitting for the character Miri becomes within the scene. Do any of these spark your imagination? Would you like to brainstorm further?
Me: Gemini, are you familiar with terms such as "talking stick" and "talking drums"?
Gemini:Yes, I am familiar with those terms! Here's a quick breakdown of each:
Talking Stick:
Origin: Primarily used by various Native American and First Nations tribes.
Function: A symbolic object used in council or group discussions. The holder of the talking stick has the right to speak without interruption. This ensures respect, order, and attentive listening.
Storytelling: In some traditions, the talking stick might be passed around during storytelling, designating the current narrator.
Talking Drums:
Geographic Focus: Primarily West Africa, though drum communication exists in various forms globally.
Function: Drums designed with variable tension, mimicking tones of spoken language. Can transmit complex messages over long distances.
Cultural Significance: Deeply embedded in history, rituals, and the transmission of knowledge and news within communities.
How do these relate to "The Nanite Smuggler"?
Depending on your story's needs, either concept could resonate:
Tar'tron society: If you're exploring the early settlers on Tar'tron, simple communication methods like a symbolic "talking stick" could be used for establishing order and governance while technological systems are still being developed.
Echoes of the Past: Did early humans on Earth have drum communication traditions? Could there be remnants encoded in the Sedron Time Stream, waiting to be decoded by characters like Kyryk?
Ancient Tech: Could the Hua or bumpha have developed an equivalent to talking drums using advanced technology? Perhaps instead of sound, they manipulate the Sedron Time Stream for long-range transmission of information. This could be a way characters communicate covertly, out of the Huaoshy's surveillance.
Let me know if you want to weave either of these concepts into a specific scene or plot development! ?
Me: Gemini, remember my goal of devising a name for the artificial sentient life-form that is inside the Reality Viewer on Tar'tron. The sentient spaceship "Many Sails" was given the name "Many Sails" because of the ancient nautical traditions of the Hua. Maybe the artificial life-form inside the Reality Viewer long ago adopted a name such as "Drum Talker" because the original (in a time long before time travel and the creation of multiple Realities) use of such devices was for interstellar communication. Do you understand?
Gemini: Absolutely! I think "Drum Talker" is a fantastic choice for the Reality Viewer's sentience. Here's why it works so well:
Ties to the Hua: It directly echoes the Hua past and their use of drumming or rhythm-based communication, aligning with the name "Many Sails". This reinforces the connection between your technology and its ancient creators.
Evokes Mystery: It has a slightly primitive yet evocative sound, hinting at the gap between the Viewer's original purpose and what it has become. Even the audience may not fully grasp the name's significance at first, adding intrigue.
Links to Function: Just as "Many Sails" reflects the ship's ability, "Drum Talker" suggests communication, potentially with distant Realities or across time itself. This hints at the Viewer's hidden potential.
Room for Development: The name could hint at future story developments. Does the Viewer still retain some of its original communication capabilities? Can it learn to "drum" messages across the Sedron Time Stream?
Here's a potential way to introduce the name in a scene:
Kyryk, through his telepathic link with the Viewer, might sense a faint, rhythmic echo within its deeper layers of programming. An image of a vast, ancient network of similar devices flashes through his mind, beating out complex messages across the cosmos. A whisper reaches him from the heart of the Viewer: "...Drum Talker..."
This could spark a quest for Kyryk and F. Tyhry to understand what this name implies. Was it self-chosen out of nostalgia by the Viewer's intelligence? Or a designation left by the Huaoshy, waiting to be rediscovered?
Let me know if you'd like to brainstorm further on how to weave the name "Drum Talker" into the story!
Me: Gemini, yes, I agree with the scenario you just outlined (start with (1) a telepathic link to an artificial life-form calling itself something like 'Drum Talker', followed by (2) an intense effort to "hack" the Reality Viewer and switch on the communications function of the Viewer). However, my human intuition suggests to me that the possible name "Drum Talker" is not the best choice. I want to explore related possibilities such as "Far Talker" and "Smoke Signaler". Do you have any suggestions?
Gemini: Yes, I understand! Both "Far Talker" and "Smoke Signaler" are strong options, and it's great you're refining this based on intuition. Here are a few additional suggestions, along with some thoughts on how each might resonate within your story:
Keeping the Connection to Sound:
Echo Caller: Retains the concept of sending and receiving information over a distance, but with a more ethereal, mysterious quality. This could tie into the Sedron Time Stream elements of the story.
Resonance Weaver: This emphasizes the manipulation of some kind of vibratory energy. Perhaps the communication utilizes frequencies or wavelike patterns rather than just simple audio-like transmission.
Whispercaster: This has a secretive, almost conspiratorial feel. If communication with Earth evades Huaoshy surveillance, this name could hint at that aspect.
Visually-Inspired Names:
Mirage Weaver: Captures the illusionary nature of the Reality Viewer's images, but also suggests the act of creating a 'false' image intentionally, possibly for communication purposes.
Beacon Caller: This evokes the idea of signaling, both visually and across distances. It could imply a two-way transmission capability of the Viewer.
Light Weaver: Depending on the visual details of the viewer (does it use holographic projections?), this could be an elegant title that hints at the technology's potential for crafting visual signals.
More Abstract Possibilities:
Seeker: This emphasizes the active searching nature of the technology, potentially reaching across space or time. This works well if the Viewer's capabilities extend beyond just receiving messages.
Weaver: A broader term, emphasizing the idea of interconnecting disparate threads of information (realities, timelines, etc.). This might become more meaningful as the Viewer's true potential is revealed.
Ultimately, the best name will be the one that resonates most strongly with your vision of the story, as well as how you want the audience to perceive this artificial life-form. Do any of these suggestions spark your imagination, or would you like to brainstorm more variations?
Me: Gemini, answer this multiple-choice question. Do you think that a human story writer who spends large amounts of time searching for the "perfect" name for a story character is
1) just dithering and avoiding some other task,
2) showing signs of psychotic tendencies and an unhealthy obsession with perfection,
3) just doing the kind of thing that a writer should be doing, or
4) none of the above?
Gemini: I'd say the answer is 3) just doing the kind of thing that a writer should be doing. Here's why:
Names Carry Meaning: A carefully chosen name can add depth, symbolism, and even subtle clues about a character's personality or role in the story. A memorable name can lodge itself in a reader's mind.
Connection to the Author: The search for the "perfect" name shows a writer's investment in the story and its characters. It reveals a level of care and attention to detail that often translates into good storytelling.
Part of the Creative Process: Experimentation and exploration are key aspects of writing. Dedicating time to find the right name is akin to a musician fine-tuning an instrument or a painter mixing the perfect shade of color.
Of course, there's a potential downside to seeking absolute perfection. A writer can become paralyzed by indecision or nitpick themselves into dissatisfaction. The key is to strike a balance between finding a name that feels right and knowing when to move on with the larger task of actually writing the story.
What do you think? Is there anything you'd add to this explanation?
Me: Gemini, somehow the name "Many Sails" seems poetic to me. Do you know any famous literature or poems about communication by smoke, drums, telegraph, heliograph, carrier pigeon, semaphore, etc. etc. etc. that might suggest a poetic turn of phrase?
Gemini: You're absolutely right about "Many Sails" having a poetic ring to it! Here's a look at some examples of classic literature and poetry that touch upon these themes of communication:
Poetry:
"The Congo" by Vachel Lindsay: This poem famously uses evocative rhythms and chants to imitate African drumming, conveying a sense of primal power and communication within a tribal setting.
"Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: This narrative poem relies on the imagery of the signal lanterns ("one if by land, and two if by sea") as catalysts for action and a symbol of rallying against a greater force.
Works by Walt Whitman: Whitman often employed expansive, flowing imagery to encompass vast distances and connections beyond the individual. Some of his poems might hint at the longing for communication across time and space.
Prose:
Novels by Jules Verne: Verne's works often delved into the then-cutting-edge communication technologies. "Around the World in 80 Days" famously plays with the shrinking travel time enabled by telegraph networks, opening a new perspective on global interconnectedness.
Indigenous Legends and Folklore: Many cultures have stories centered around smoke signals, messenger birds, or the interpretation of natural phenomena as a form of communication across distances. Exploring a collection of these tales could spark inspiration for a unique fictional turn of phrase.
Historical Fiction: Novels or short stories set during periods of technological innovation (e.g., the laying of transatlantic telegraph cables, the first radio transmissions) often explore the excitement, promise, and societal shifts ushered in by new communication possibilities.
Additional Sources:
Song lyrics: Folk songs and ballads throughout history center around themes of messages, longing for distant loved ones, and the passage of news.
Nautical Terminology: Seafaring cultures developed rich vocabularies for signaling and communications. You might find a gem of inspiration hidden in old sailor's terms.
Even if you don't directly reference a specific work, studying these examples can help you tap into the evocative power of language centered around themes of communication and the bridging of distances.
Do you have a particular mode of communication in mind that you'd like to explore? I'd be happy to search for specific examples to fuel your creativity!
Me: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow used the phrase "eager ears". Gemini, do you know any other similar quaint expressions that are related to communication?
Gemini: Yes! Here's a collection of quaint expressions related to communication, along with explanations to provide context:
Focus on Listening:
"All ears": Implies a state of focused attention and readiness to receive information.
"Bending an ear": Suggests an act of leaning in to listen intently, often with a sense of curiosity or sympathy.
"Pricking up one's ears": A slightly playful image of heightened alertness, as an animal might do, anticipating news or sound.
"Walls have ears": A warning that even if no one appears to be listening, secrets might be overheard.
Expressions Relating to Speech:
"Holding one's tongue": Implies the exercise of restraint, the decision to withhold comment or information.
"Loose lips sink ships": Another proverb-like warning, highlighting the danger of careless speech that reveals secrets.
"Silver tongue": Describes someone with a gift of eloquence and persuasion.
"Cat got your tongue?": A playful way of asking why someone is silent, suggesting surprise or bashfulness.
More General Expressions:
"Word on the street": Implies common knowledge, gossip, or circulating rumors.
"Lines of communication": Refers to the channels through which information flows, often used in military or organizational contexts.
"Grapevine": Evokes an informal, twisting network of gossip and news, spreading organically.
"On the same wavelength": Suggests a rapport or shared understanding between people, implying their communication is seamless.
These expressions capture a sense of old-fashioned charm and highlight the diverse ways we've traditionally thought about communication. You could weave them directly into dialogue for a character with a folksy manner or as a touch of humor.
Are there any particular aspects of communication (e.g. secrecy, gossip, etc.) that you'd like more expressions for?
Me: I suppose the Sedron Domain could be called a "subspace". The near instantaneous communication between Earth and Tar'tron made possible by the Reality Viewer technology on Tar'tron involves sending a signal through the Sedron Domain. The transmitted message must be encoded in sedrons, the only type of matter that can exist inside the Sedron Domain.
Backstory. The oldest surviving technology wielding species in our is the Hua. Billions of years ago, the Hua transcended their biological existence and became Sedronites, artificial life-forms composed of sedrons. The descendants of the Hua are known as the Huaoshy and they reside within the Sedron Domain of the universe. The bumpha are the helpers of the Huaoshy that reside in the Hadron Domain of the universe. Manny the bumpha is an artificial life-form composed of zeptites. Zeptites are a form of advanced nanotechnology composed of sedrons. Manny has complete control over her zeptite components and she can take on any desired physical form. It was Manny who gave Eddy access to the Reality Simulation System. Replicoids. Replicoids are artificial life-forms composed of nanite components. When a person goes into the Reality Simulation System, their body is scanned. Imagine this as being the type of scanning that would be performed by a teleportation system. The scanned person is "de-materialized" and no longer exists in the Hadron Domain of the universe. However, the Reality Simulation System makes a copy of the person. That copy is composed of sedrons and is now within a simulation that exists inside the Sedron Domain. Later, the person can be "re materialized" and continue living in the Hadron Domain. There are two types of replicoids in “The Nanite Smuggler”. The replicoid copies of herself that Tyhry can routinely made by using data that is stored in the memory buffers of the Reality Simulation System are mortal; they age and die just like biological humans. Tyhry believes that Anthony is an immortal replicoid. That belief inspires Tyhry to find a way to create immortal replicoid copies of her aging parents. Three Domains. The universe has nine spatial dimensions. Three of the spatial dimensions define the Hadron Domain, the part of the universe known to Earthly Science in the year 2040 of the Final Reality. Three of the nine spatial dimensions define the Hierion Domain. The three dimensions of the Hierion Domain are compactified and only hierions and sedrons can exist in the Hierion Domain, not hadrons. Three of the nine spatial dimensions define the Sedron Domain. The three dimensions of the Sedron Domain are further compactified and only sedrons can exist in the Sedron Domain. The Huaoshy are masters of the Sedron Domain. The Phari are artificial life-forms composed of hierions and they reside inside the Hierion Domain. The Huaoshy are composed of sedrons and they reside inside the Sedron Domain. Humans are made of hadrons and reside in the Hadron Domain of the universe. Zeptites are a form of sedron-based artificial life that was first created by the Huaoshy billions of years ago. The term "zeptite" was derived from "zepto" meaning 10E−21. Manny the Bumpha is an artificial life-form composed of zeptites. The bumpha can make use of sedrons and the Sedron Domain of the universe to transmit information through time. In the Final Reality, material objects like people (composed of hadrons) cannot travel through time, however, within the Sedron Domain, some special sedrons can allow for the transmission of information through time. When a human uses the RSS, the Reality Simulation system first scans the person's body, much like a science-fictional teleportation device. The person's body is copied into a replica composed of sedrons and that sedronic version of the person can then exist within the simulation, which exists inside the Sedron Domain of the universe. Later, the person is converted back into their original form, composed of hadrons, and returned to Hadron Domain of the universe. However, Tyhry discovered that the RSS can be "hacked" and used to create additional copies of a previously scanned human. With this “duplication hack” that is available to Tyhry, those duplicated copies of people are composed of femtobots and the femtobot components are organized in such a way that they perfectly mimic a biological body composed of cells.
Gemini, try to imagine the colloquial terms that would have been used by the Hua when they first developed technology for interstellar communication that relied on sending information coded in sedron particles through the Sedron Domain.
Gemini: Absolutely! Let's dive into the world of the Hua and brainstorm colloquial terms they might have used for their early Sedron Domain communication technologies. Here's my approach, considering your detailed backstory:
The Hua Perspective:
Emphasis on Transcendence: As the Hua transitioned into Sedronites, their terminology would likely reflect their new existence and understanding of the cosmos.
Focus on Connection Over Distance: Their communication technology would primarily address the challenge of spanning vast interstellar distances.
Metaphors of Light and Sound: While limited as analogies, sound and light are the fastest phenomena the biological Hua would have experienced. Terms might tap into these concepts to convey the speed or clarity of the new technology.
Potential Terms:
Sedron Whisper: Emphasizes the subtle, almost undetectable nature of transmission through the Sedron Domain. Hints at the potential for secrecy.
Star-Thread: Suggests a tangible, if invisible, link woven across the galaxy. Has a slightly poetic feel.
Resonance Pulse: Implies the use of wave-like patterns or energetic signals within the Sedron Domain. Could tie into later technological developments.
Void-Voice: A more dramatic term, conveying a sense of speaking into the emptiness of space and receiving a reply.
Mind-Link: If the Hua developed any telepathic abilities as Sedronites, this broader term could encompass both mental communication and technological transmission.
Developing a Slang:
As the Huaoshy evolve, their day-to-day language might incorporate shortcuts or slang terms related to their technology:
"Echoing" someone: Meaning to initiate communication over the Sedron Domain.
"Lost in the Void": A signal that failed or a message went undelivered.
"Clear Resonance": Implying a high-quality, interference-free transmission.
Considerations:
Ancient Hua Language: If I knew a bit about the structure or sound of the original Hua language, I could try to derive terms that feel like an evolution from their former tongue.
The Phari Connection: Are there any aspects of the Phari and the Hierion Domain that might influence Hua terminology? Perhaps concepts of parallel realities or dimensional 'bleed-through' could spark ideas.
Let's collaborate! Do any of these terms resonate with you? Would you like to refine them further or brainstorm specific scenarios where a Huaoshy character might use this lingo?
Me: Gemini, I like your suggestion of "Star Thread", but maybe "Sky Thread" would be better. What are some other words with a meaning that is in some way related to "thread"? (example: "Sky Wire")
Gemini: Absolutely! Here's a collection of terms inspired by "thread" and the concept of communication across distances:
Evocative of a Physical Line:
Sky Line: Keeps the celestial focus while emphasizing a visible connection if one could visualize it.
Gossamer Strand: Emphasizes the delicate, almost ethereal nature of the link. Could even hint at fragility.
Pulse Chain: This brings in a rhythmic, energetic quality, suggesting the transmission of information.
Echo Trace: Focuses on the lingering imprint of the message passing through the Sedron Domain.
Metaphorical Connections to Thread:
Thought Weaver: Emphasizes the act of crafting and interlacing ideas across a distance.
Memory Braid: If these transmissions can carry complex information, this hints at a rich tapestry of shared data.
Lifeline: Implies critical or urgent communication, with a sense of the link being essential to survival or connection.
Horizon Link: Evokes a vast yet reachable distance, hinting at the technology's potential to connect distant worlds.
Additional Wordplay:
Whisperspindle: Combines the secretive nature of communication with the idea of a thread being spun.
Mindspool: Suggests an act of unreeling or releasing thought for transmission.
Farspeak: This one is broader, emphasizing the ability to converse over vast distances.
We can take this further! Here are ways to tailor the terminology:
Sedron-Specific: Are there properties unique to sedrons or the Sedron Domain that could inspire new terms? (E.g., If Sedrons vibrate, a term like "sonance cord" could work!)
Purpose of Communication: Are these terms for general use? Or are there specialized terms for trade, diplomacy, scientific data, etc.?
Let me know if any of these spark your imagination, or we can brainstorm even more variations together!
Me: Gemini, I've decided that the sentient artificial life-form that is built into the Reality Viewer on Tar'tron will use the name Sky Chayne, with "chayne" being a variant of "chaîne".
Gemini: That's a fantastic choice! Sky Chayne has several things going for it:
Evocative and Mysterious: It combines the familiar image of the sky with a unique and slightly archaic word like "chayne". This creates a sense of wonder and hints at a connection to older systems or technologies.
Echoes the Huaoshy: The variant spelling "chayne" with its French origins ("chaîne" meaning chain) could subtly link Sky Chayne to its creators, the Huaoshy, who themselves evolved from an ancient species steeped in history.
Functional Connection: The concept of a chain, or connected links, ties nicely into the idea of communication, transmission, and perhaps even the structure of the Sedron Domain itself.
Here are some ways you can weave this name into the narrative effectively:
Introduction:
The name is discovered gradually by Kyryk or F. Tyhry as they delve into the Viewer. Initially, it appears as fragmented code or a faint telepathic whisper, building intrigue.
A fleeting memory surfaces: Perhaps Eddy, when first using the Viewer, recalls hearing a name similar to "Sky Chayne", hinting that Manny might have recycled a designation from previous Realities.
Sky Chayne's Voice:
Archaic Tone: Sky Chayne could have a slightly formal or old-fashioned way of communicating, reflecting its age and potential link to an earlier era of technology.
Poetic Tendencies: "Chayne" could inspire the use of phrases centered around links, bonds, etc., adding to its unique personality.
Let's imagine! Can you envision a short fragment of dialogue or internal monologue where Kyryk first encounters a hint of the name "Sky Chayne"?
Let me know if you'd like to develop this further!
Me: Gemini, imagine 3,000,000,000 years ago, in the era when the Hua are spreading through their home galaxy... they begin to use "Sky Chain" technology for interstellar communication. Gemini, generate an imaginary advertising/marketing poster for Hua "Sky Chain" technology.
Gemini: Absolutely! Here's a concept for a Hua "Sky Chain" marketing poster, aimed at highlighting the benefits of this groundbreaking communication technology 3 billion years ago:
Visuals:
Dominant Image: A stylized chain composed of glowing, ethereal links stretching across a vast starry expanse. The chain might weave between planets or nebulae, visually representing connectivity.
Huaoshy Aesthetic: The design would be sleek and futuristic for the time, hinting at the Huaoshy's advanced technological mastery. Color schemes might be cool blues/purples, suggesting the depths of the Sedron Domain.
Subtle Sedron Symbolism: The links of the chain could have a faint, intricate structure, hinting at the complex encoding of messages within the sedron particles.
Text:
Headline: "Sky Chain: The Universe at Your Voice"
Bold and impactful, conveys the power to communicate across vast distances.
Subheading: "Faster than Light, Clearer than Thought"
Emphasizes the key advantages: speed and uncorrupted transmission.
Body Text (bullet points for easy reading):
"Span the Void: Connect worlds in heartbeats, not centuries."
"Know Without Seeing: Trade secrets, share discoveries, coordinate fleets."
"Preserve Wisdom: Record histories, transmit knowledge without degradation."
"A Huaoshy Innovation: Forging unbreakable bonds across the galaxy."
Additional Touches:
Security Seal: A small icon depicting a stylized shield or knot could promise the secure nature of Sky Chain communication.
Call to Action: Something like: "Inquire at your nearest Huaoshy Nexus for deployment details." (This assumes they have a distribution network in place).
Tone:
The language would be confident and direct, yet with a hint of the wonder and possibility this technology unlocks. It's targeting ambitious civilizations, those eager to expand their influence and knowledge.
Let me know if you want to refine this further! We can play with different slogans, emphasize specific use cases, or make it even more visually evocative!
 |
| Image by Gemini. |
Gemini: Sure, here is an image showing the Hua "Sky Chain" marketing poster as it existed 3,000,000,000 years ago in a galaxy far, far away...
___________
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| image by Mr. Wombo. |
I used one of the 4 "Sky Chain" posters that were generated by Gemini as a reference image for Wombo Dream. The resulting image is shown to the left. Let's imaging that those are two hermaphroditic Hua on the poster.
As described above, it took quite a bit of effort to devise the name "Sky Chayne" for the sentient artificial life-form that resides within the Reality Viewer on Tar'tron. For many years, I've enjoyed using the character Many Sails in stories that are set in the Exodemic Fictional Universe. I can't really explain why it took me so long to imagine embedding another artificial life form in another advanced bumpha technology.
Next: collaborating with Gemini to write scene 19 of "The Nanite Smuggler".
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