The Transdyne Awakening Read Online Free PDF Page B

could be installed in their brain to instruct robot legs. That way the guy could move around pretty well. The technology just went on and on growing. Eventually the overlords reasoned that they could start to replace just about any body part that got sick or worn out. Some of these people actually had themselves transplanted into advanced, mainly robotic, bodies. Some of them went on living that way for a long time. As it got developed to a higher level, they started to try to ‘upload’ their human thought processes into computerized performance platforms. It got to the stage where it was hard to tell where the human parts ended and the robotics began!”
    “That’s where the term Transhuman came from,” John interjected. “They were trying for a kind of immortality.”
    Greg finished his drink and wiped his mouth.
    “Out here in oldtime, the desert people had a saying; ‘Only the rocks live forever!’”
    John took up the account.
    “More and more, these people tried to change and control the natural way of things. Many of them believed in a thing called ‘the theory of evolution’. They had been told that men developed from fish and apes. The theory was that this happened over vast periods of time through gene mutations. Their reasoning was totally off the scanner, but they really believed that baloney! They saw themselves becoming more and more advanced in harmony with the machinery they inhabited. That way they could stay in control and become a new kind of master race; Transhumans!’ Course, what some of the highly placed politicos have developed goes way beyond anything you’ll encounter here.” He made a circular motion with his hand. “These are various grades of Transdyne Corporation standard models.”
    “All is vanity, a chasing of the wind,” another voice said quietly.
    Clay looked up to see a tall, distinguished looking figure standing just behind John. John half turned in his seat. “Hello, Rael,” he said. “I apologize for interrupting your discussion, John. Will you be coming over to studylearn with us? We were hoping you might help us further.” “Yes, I’ll be along as soon as we’ve finished. It has been a tiring day, so I can only work with you for a short time.”
    “Thank you, John.” Rael smiled and went to walk away.
    John leaned forward. “I told you they could wear me out.”
    “Wait,” Clay said. “You’re a Tran?”
    Rael turned and nodded.
    “What was all that about vanity and chasing the wind? It sounded like pretty high studylearn.”
    Rael looked at him attentively. “We have been considering the translations of a book called ‘Ecclesiastes’. The word for vanity in the book’s original tongue is habel . It is from the verbal root habal - to breathe . The image is one of mist, something illusory, something that won’t endure. It signifies emptiness - emptiness of reality.”
    Clay stared openmouthed as Rael continued.
    “When someone has not found peace of mind, their whole experience echoes that emptiness. Power, wealth or privilege do not serve to ease it. However, there is a remedy for this condition of heart and mind. Is this not so, John?”
    John nodded as Clay shifted his gaze back to him.
    Both John and Greg were grinning at him in obvious amusement now. Clay reminded himself that he had just been conversing with technology shrouded in frubber skin material. What could a Tran possibly know of concepts like peace of mind? Still disoriented, he watched Rael move away. When John had finished chuckling he said, “You’ll get used to it.” Greg threw back his head and once again let out a raucous laugh.
    “Oh, yeah, you’ll get used to it, but I think it might take you a little while!” John finished his drink and stood up. “Guess I’d better move,” he said. “Studylearn?” Clay queried.
    “That’s right.”
    Clay hesitated for a second and then stood up too. “Can I come along?” he asked. John looked at him intently, reading his