Rayguns Over Texas Read online

  “Oh no--there are the deserts--but it would be a pity to spoil those lovely gardens, and we have still the rural districts of South America, Africa, and Australia, and the Arctic and Antarctic regions. It will take several generations to fill them up, and then there are the stars.”

  “Well, suppose we had better be starting for the Pyramids. I think if we mean to reach them to-day, we will have to hurry.”

  “My dear friend,” remonstrated the Professor, “I have several times heard you use that obsolete word. Electric Locomotion is not used because we are in a hurry but to bring the inhabitants of the earth into frequent and familiar intercourse with each other, and to render the effects of climate on the human system of permanent and practical benefit. It has long been an established fact that climate exercises a powerful influence on the mind and body--and that judicious and constant change of temperature will alone poison the health of the body, which in its turn preserves the mind in a healthy tone. Sick bodies make sick minds--cause morbid fancies. The great evil called ‘Sin,’ with which our earth was cursed in your day, has disappeared, together with ill health and diseased minds; partly because of universal health--and partly because the secresy which gave sin its greatest charm has been removed. The veil of concealment removed, its mokanna visage appeared. Many things which were called sin appeared not under that Veil--and other things, long received and admired as virtues astounded the people by appearing in their true colors. This veil has deceived society for many centuries and sometimes called virtue, sometimes custom, and sometimes even the sacred name of Religion was profaned by it. But it is really time to go now--if you are ready. Would you like to take a sea-voyage to the African coast, and there take an Aeolita to Timbuctoo, or do you prefer making the whole journey by the air-line?”

  “I think I will try a sea-voyage if it is not too long. I have a curiosity to see your new ships”--said Langschlaf.

  “The journey can be long or short, at your pleasure. Some people are very fond of the sea, and we have slow Vessels for their benefit--others dislike it, so you can be half a day or two weeks just as you like.”

  “Half a day is long enough to be sea-sick,” answered Langschlaf.

  “Sea-sick! That’s good! Why my friend sea-sickness is utterly unknown now.”

  So they took ship. Noiselessly and smoothly, without jarring or smoke the stately palace floated from the marble quay, and in very truth walked the waters like a thing of life.--Silently and swiftly she bore them over the ocean, and landed them safely on the west coast of Africa. After a Little promenade through the fine public gardens and a visit to the Hygienic Lecture Hall, they took an Aeolita for Timbuctoo. At the place they visited the Pschycological Theatre and then the Professor led the way to a beautiful park in which stood a great number of tiny cottages. They were built in Various styles of architecture, but all exquisitely beautiful. The doors stood hospitably open, and many people were entering them.--The Professor took his companion into one built in the oriental style.--The interior was beautifully finished and tastefully decorated with pictures and statuary. One room was fitted up as a library, with books, writing materials, and luxurious reading chairs. In one of these chairs the professor took seat and invited his companion to do the same--handing him at the same time some papers to read.

  “Are you ready to start?” asked the Professor of his friend.

  “Ready? Yes, but where are the cars?”

  “You are in one,” said Thornfield, “and now we are off.” And even as he spoke the fairy little cottage moved swiftly on its way.

  “Well, this is life,” exclaimed Langschlaf in ecstasy. “What a beautiful country,” and he threw open the blinds to get a better view.

  It was indeed most lovely. As far as the eye could reach a prospect of mingled grove and plain, and mountain and river, stretched out before them. It was a vast garden of incomparable beauty. Art and nature came so near together one could scarcely tell where nature ended and art began. Flowers of every hue, blossoming trees and shrubs, and gorgeous, trailing tropical vines, mingled in symmetrical yet natural beauty. Citron and apple, orange and cherry trees, bloomed and bore fruit side by side. Groups of gaily dressed people gave a picturesque life to the scene. Here an open plain appeared, dotted with herds of sheep and cattle. There a placid lake spread its calm beauty to the sun, bearing upon its glossy surface tiny fleets of many colored sails. Some, like white doves, scudded before the breeze, others with gaudy sails, glided slowly like languid tropical birds, along the shore. Sweet strains of softest music floated like incense from lake and plain; even the air was vocal forever, and anon an air ship sailed over their heads bearing a gay party who beguiled the journey with “concord of sweet sounds.” But the journey soon ended, too soon for Langschlaf who was in a revery of delight.

  Arrived at the Pyramids, the Professor introduced Langschlaf to his friend who welcomed them both, saying to Langschlaf, “I have heard of you, sir, and am most happy to see you.” When after dinner they rose to go, their host would not hear of it, but insisted on their staying all night.

  “I expect some friends from Sweden any moment, one of whom, I am sure, Mr. Langschlaf will be charmed to meet,” said he.

  “Pray, who can that be?” asked Langschlaf. “I am sure I know nobody in Sweden.”

  “Wait and see” was the only answer he received.

  The expected guests soon arrived and were shown into the drawing room. Among them was a lady, young, beautiful and fascinating. Langschlaf was so charmed with her that even the fact that she was a distinguished writer failed to shock him. Nay, even the discovery that she was remarkably learned did not fill him with the horror it should have inspired. At last the incorrigible had met his fate!--and when the party left he knew his heart had gone with it. He could not sleep for thinking of those glorious eyes, and that musical voice which made even mathematics fascinating--while she talked of it. Her manner too, so natural and versatile, and that bright face which reflected every emotion of her soul.

  Next morning at breakfast the host said to Langschlaf. “Was I right in my prophesy?”

  “Yes,” answered Langschlaf with a candor that surprised himself--“I was charmed indeed.”

  “I think they were intended for each other” said the Professor gravely,--a remark which filled Langschlaf with the wildest hopes. “Let’s go to Sweden,” said he eagerly.

  “By all means,” said the Professor. “But first let’s go home and build a house on those pretty grounds of yours fitting for such a bride.”

  “But I must first see her,” said Langschlaf--“I don’t know yet what she thinks of it--I shouldn’t like to get all ready and then be—be--refused.”

  “No danger of that, my friend. We have not studied the sciences of physiognomy and Psychology for nothing. In your place we would be certain, as it is, we can only say we are convinced you are meant for each other.”

  Thus re-assured, our hero--for now he is in love, we may call him such--consented to go home--by the airline this time--and gave his friend no rest until an architect was secured; and the house contracted for to be finished and furnished by the next evening.

  “Suppose we go and select the site for your house.” said the architect.

  “Good!” answered Langschlaf, and they started of immediately. As they opened the gate the same little urchin who had waked him up on that memorable evening five hundred years ago emerged from behind a group of flowering shrubs.

  “So you’ve waked up at last.” said the little fellow to Langschalf. “I rather think you won’t drive me off again. Now that you have learned what I can do, you won’t object to my waking up the old fogies occasionally.”

  “Learned what you can do!” repeated Langschalf. “What have you done worth talking about, I’d like to know.”

  “All that you have seen is my work, and you have heard of me a thousa
nd times.”

  “Who are you, then?” asked Langschlaf, “and what is your name!”

  “I am the friend of humanity, civilization, and science. I can never grow old and never die. I employ my time waking up the dormant faculties of this world, and my name is Progress!” and with that he gave a loud shout and disappeared.

  “Gracious! What a wonderful dream I have had,” said John Langschlaf, staring around him, “wonder if I’m awake really this time.” Here he was interrupted by a servant who told him dinner was ready.

  “Ah! James looks natural any way,” then turning to the servant, he said, “James, tweak my nose!”

  “Sir!” exclaimed the astonished valet.

  “Tweak my nose, I say,” reiterated the irate master; and seeing James still hesitate, he roared:

  “If you don’t obey me, sir, I’ll discharge you instantly!” Thus threatened, the servant gravely complied, and the mollified Langschalf, convinced he was really awake, said mildly:

  “Thank you, James. I’m sure I’m awake now,” and picking up his book, he followed the still bewildered James to the house. When he reached home he went straight to his library, and put the book (which was none other than Mr. Draper’s recent book on America) on the very topmost shelf, muttering: “You are an admirable, pestiferous, progressive nuisance, and your author ought to be imprisoned for life. I wish, though,” he added musingly, “I had found out that Swedish lady’s residence; but pshaw! What nonsense! Think if I had found somebody like her ten years ago.”

  “Dinner is waiting, sir,” said James at the door, and we leave him to his solitary meal.

  Grey Goo and You

  Derek Austin Johnson

  Following an incident in Lincoln, Nebraska,

  Fullerdyne created a series of web pages to alert the public

  and media about the related imminent threats and dangers.

  Using very contemporary storytelling techniques, Derek Austin Johnson

  delves into a startling realistic big business response to the tragedy.

  Response to Situation in Lincoln, Nebraska

  http://www.fullerdyne.com/lincoln_nebraska_update.html

  We at Fullerdyne understand the public’s concern with recent events in Lincoln, Nebraska, and want to ensure citizens across the state and the nation that we are taking every measure to contain and resolve the situation. We believe that each one of our customers and shareholders has helped contribute to our exponential growth over the past few decades, and seek not only your feedback but also your understanding in this unique and wholly unprecedented matter. It is our intention to restore Lincoln, Nebraska as closely to its initial state as possible, repairing all homes and buildings, including the historic Nebraska State Capitol and the much-beloved Lincoln Haymarket Arena (once again home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers!), making improvements to infrastructure and scrubbing the environment to guarantee habitability for human citizens.

  Loss of life and displacement of citizens as a result of certain safety oversights has been regrettable, and Fullerdyne has every intention of compensating those bereaved, as well as those workers and business owners who have lost income, wages, and revenue, once the federal government and all involved courts determine Fullerdyne’s ultimate responsibility.

  About Fullerdyne

  http://www.fullerdyne.com/about.htm

  Fullerdyne was founded at the end of the second decade of this century by Dr. David Grimm, fresh from his thesis in applied physics and environmental engineering from Southern Methodist University, and Oliver Geat, entrepreneur and former CEO of TerraBliss, a start-up specializing in environmental technology. This pair of unique individuals saw the suffering of those who lost their homes throughout North America as a result of climatic mayhem: Mississippi floods that drowned once great cities from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to New Orleans, Louisiana, F5 tornadoes that leveled Andover, Kansas, and Fort Worth, Texas, hurricanes that devastated not only such Gulf cities as Galveston
  Early contributions made by Fullerdyne’s founders provided vision and guidance in the face of environmental and potentially catastrophic economic collapse. This work by Fullerdyne included but was not limited to nanotech fabrication of food and necessities for persons displaced by environmental devastation. Although governments and many major corporations viewed their work as controversial—in many cases Fullerdyne requested not payment but data from environmental nomads—the public deemed their results as effective in restoring some semblance of balance, and by the middle of the 2030s, their work in geoengineering and environmental retrofitting through applied nanotech had given many comfort, solace, and above all balance.

  As Fullerdyne moved into the 2040s, it proved vital in bringing prosperity to the nation, advancing nanotechnology, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence research and applications to enhance the standard of living for citizenry throughout not only the nation but also the world.

  Fullerdyne looks forward to helping shape a better world, especially in its vision of a post-Incident future!

  Proposal for Resolving the Lincoln, Nebraska, Incident

  http://www.fullerdyne.com/lincoln_nebraska_incident_resolution_proposal.htm

  We at Fullerdyne wish to ensure our customers and shareholders that we are taking the recent incident in Lincoln, Nebraska very seriously, and that it is our intention to allow citizens to return to their homes and businesses once this unique and unprecedented matter has been fully controlled and Lincoln, Nebraska has been returned to its original condition.

  To that end, we would like to announce a deal with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, to cap Lincoln, Nebraska, with a quarantine bubble constructed of smart materials, which should be fully resistant to the outbreak. This bubble will burrow several thousand feet into the ground (a point where our team of independent engineers ensures us is not affected by the incident) and will reach more than a thousand feet above the Chase Bank Tower in downtown Lincoln. Initial programming of the building and stock materials will be laid by the Army Corps of Engineers and should fully contain the town in less than seventy-two hours.

  (Note: the partnership between Fullerdyne, FEMA, the CDC, and the U.S. Army does not in any way indicate responsibility by Fullerdyne of the incident.)

  Success in Containment of Lincoln, Nebraska

  http://www.fullerdyne.com/lincoln_nebraska_update_02.html

  We at Fullerdyne would like to announce success in programming and growing a quarantine bubble over Lincoln, Nebraska, which will allow Fullerdyne, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and the CDC to seal the area and should prevent it from affecting areas outside of Lincoln. Additional tests to be administered over the next several days will help determine the integrity of the quarantine bubble. Once the bubble’s integrity has been ensured, we at Fullerdyne will begin looking at proposals to deactivate and reprogram the nanites within, which should stop their runaway replication.

  We at Fullerdyne guarantee that residents and business owners will be allowed to return to Lincoln, Nebraska once the situation has been fully addressed and the town has been completely restored. However, we ask all residents and business owners to understand that this may not take place immediately, as containment may need to occur until all matters involving Fullerdyne and its role in the incident in Lincoln, Nebraska, and its responsibilities to the affected parties have been resolved by the federal courts.

  Fullerdyne appreciates the understanding of its customers and shareholders and affected citizens throughout the nation.

  Announcement of Town Hall Webcast

  on the Incident in Lincoln, Nebraska

  http://www.fullerdyne.com/town_hall_announcement_on_lincoln_inc
ident.html

  We at Fullerdyne wish to ensure our customers and shareholders that we are making great progress in resolving the incident in Lincoln, Nebraska, and would like to ensure all citizens that we are considering every proposal to stop the runaway nanites.

  We are looking at every possible facet and will select what we consider the optimal method after we have had the opportunity to run each scenario through the proper simulations. Once we have made our determination, we will inject the quarantine bubble with the proper programming to deactivate the nanites.

  Fullerdyne understands the concern that all citizens have expressed throughout the communications network, and would like to address each issue in a town hall webcast to take place this Thursday, October 30, 2048. Sign up today to take part in the discussion.

  (Note: at this time, Fullerdyne cannot comment on legal activity or any legal matters surrounding the incident in Lincoln, Nebraska.)

  From:

  To: [email protected]

  Date: October 27, 2048

  Subject: Email Update Confirmation

  On behalf of Fullerdyne, thank you for signing up to receive email notifications of important events, including those surrounding the incident in Lincoln, Nebraska. We take pride in providing you with personalized, up-to-date information. Please visit our website to ensure you receive updates on topics important to you, such as the incident in Lincoln, Nebraska, upcoming town hall webcasts, the possibility of nanites escaping from the quarantine bubble and the possibility of emergent artificial intelligence as a result of nanotechnology.