Page 40 - Tales Apocalyptic and Dystopian

The Browser

frequently will not yield to the formulae and incantations contained in
operational manuals. Yet the fact is that disaster has not befallen us.
Why? The answer lies here, in the holiest of holies, the innermost
sanctum of Hierocommand.”
He pushed a button on the wall and the curtain opened. Behind it
was a huge plate glass window. Through it Thea saw rows of
bubbling tanks, each mounted on a solid metal pedestal. The tanks
contained human brains.
“These are the technophants. They are from the last cohort of
scientists and engineers. All of them willingly died in their prime,
sacrificing their remaining years as fully-functioning human beings in
order to provide posterity with needed expertise. As long as
Hierocommand continues to function, their brains will be available to
assist us in overcoming our limitations. Their last unselfish act was to
create this sanctuary and place their knowledge at our disposal. But
their souls have departed, heavenward we are certain. All that remains
in those tanks is accumulated forbidden knowledge, totally inert until
we interrogate it. One of those brains will come through with the
answer to any question; in that we have faith. All that we need do is
temporarily attach another brain, one containing an active conscious
soul, to those biological memory banks and search for solutions. For
that we need a browser.”
The woman looked from the tanks of technophants to the
assemblage of hierocoms. It was not cold, but she shivered.
“Yes, that is to be your task. Following a tradition established
centuries ago, only one browser can be allowed into the library of
human expert systems. When the old browser dies, a new one must
be found immediately. You are the candidate for this position: your
inherent mental abilities are equal to the task, and we have no doubt
of your commitment to Hierocommand and the kingdom of God.
Your training will begin now. Following a test of your compatibility
with the bio-electronic interface, you will spend most of your time in
the archives, learning the technical specifications of every advanced
technology still in use. Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
They led her to a small adjacent chamber in which a low platform
was surmounted by what looked at first glance like a dentist’s chair.

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