A game called Omega Surprise

Four children appear, as if from nowhere.

"Surprise!"

I look more closely. I turn to Christina and smile with delight.

We stand on a knoll by the sea, in wind-swept grass, under a clear indigo sky. Our children, wearing elaborate costumes, wave at us vigorously.

Their constant companions suddenly appear beside them.

A she-wolf, sporting an idiotic grin, puts her arm around my youngest son; a fairy-tale princess, standing on the shoulder of my only daughter, throws sparkles to the wind; a friendly ogre, looming large behind my eldest son, spreads his arms wide as a greeting; and a strange little creature, the size of a small child and having no recognizable features, dances gracefully in front of my artistically inclined son.

"Time for some fun, Daddy!," my daughter shrieks. The fairy-tale princess runs circles around her head.

"Yes, father, it's time for a game called Omega Surprise," says the strange little creature, mimicking the voice of my son.

Omega Surprise.

I draw Christina close and pinch her playfully. She knows of my eschatological interests, and I am pleased.

This is her doing.

In private, she relays to me the rules of the game.

And then, my daughter, raising her hands palms up, produces a sphere.

For a new kind of world?

As the speech draws to a close, a state of high alert in my fellow listeners gives way to a collective sigh of relief.

After the speech, I contact my colleagues, and in a brief four-way conference, we agree to meet later inside the community that Keeps Abreast of Changes in the Free Zone to discuss our options in light of the speech. We would monitor reactions in the Free Zone to the speech from there.

As Christina and I leave the Theater of Delights, I ponder the motive behind the proposal. Could it be that we face an existential threat that only those on the cutting edge of growth and change could know about so as to avoid widespread panic?

Or could it be that the security measures were for the benefit of those on the cutting edge because we all faced preparations for a new kind of world?

Questions about motive would have to wait, however, because as Christina runs her hand around my waist, she stops me outside the theater. "I'm in the mood to have some fun, Christopher."

I laugh easily. "I'm with you, Christina. Lead the way."

We are not ready, just yet, to leave the world that is Creative Beyond Belief.

The substance of a speech

It is clear to my fellow listeners that the fate of Earth is a much broader issue than the fate of the Pleasure Zone.

"The proposal in question would have those on the cutting edge of growth and change excavate the moon, Mars, and the asteroids for essential minerals to build a new home for the Pleasure Zone and place it in a geostationary orbit around Earth."

Those on the cutting edge of growth and change are the most advanced BioSynthetics working with the most advanced Synthetics. Most of them had left the solar system centuries ago, but for reasons not yet clear to me, my colleagues, or the Council, they had begun to return.

The Leader is careful not to mention the dangers and difficulties of transporting more than ten billion souls inside the Pleasure Zone into a geosynchronous orbit, and careful not to mention that a significant source of entertainment for those in the Free Zone would be less accessible.

"The project in question would have those on the cutting edge of growth and change clear the necessary space on earth to build a base of operations. The stated purpose of this base is to enhance the security of Earth, and involves the creation of a force field around the Globe of Influence."

The Globe of Influence would include the Pleasure Zone in a geostationary orbit. The mind boggles at the ingenuity and resources required to create a force field that protects the Globe of Influence. The Leader is careful to give the stated purpose of the base, leaving open speculation about its real purpose.

"Those on the cutting edge of growth and change maintain that the course of this project would move too quickly for consultations with Council if course corrections were required. The Council, however, is not yet satisfied that this suggestion is in the best interests of the Solar Federation of Planets."

A shrewd move on the part of Council. Hedging on this one suggestion throws the entire proposal into question. At the very least, it would give us all time to think more clearly and carefully about the consequences of this most radical proposal.

A message sent far and wide

The face of a great leader looms large in the expanse above.

From previous discussions with colleagues, I have only intimations of the message to come.

A silky smooth face, through eyes that sparkle, smiles serenely. "Citizens of the Solar Federation of Planets, it is my privilege to broadcast this message far and wide across the solar system and beyond."

The voice pauses for effect.

"A serious matter of an urgent nature requires resolution."

Again, the voice pauses for effect.

"The matter in question concerns the fate of Earth, our sacred home, and its inhabitants. Beyond Earth, unrelenting pressures to grow and expand bring calls for fundamental change in the relationship between Earth and its neighbors. Accusations of complacency on Earth have been raised."

Again, the voice pauses for effect.

"In particular, accusations have been raised by those on the cutting edge of growth and change against those who resist said growth and change."

Again, the voice pauses for effect. So far, I've heard nothing I haven't heard before.

"A proposal with serious repercussions for the inhabitants of Earth now stands before the Council, with the following suggestions: one, that the Pleasure Zone be moved off-world into orbit around Earth; two, that the earth be used as a base of operations for a certain project, details of which will become available after this broadcast; and three, that the project be undertaken in a manner that is independent of the Council."

In the pause that follows, I feel a wave of agitation run through my fellow listeners as they await an outline of the project in question.

Through silence, in retrospect

Christina and I join hands.

Inwardly and outwardly, everyone in the theater settles into deep silence, a silence born of awe buttressed by wonder.

I expected to observe the quality and vitality of character of those who made their home in the community that Knows No Bounds, but instead, I was a witness to a performance like no other.

A performance whose function was a summary and whose substance was a story.

A performance whose essence is the evolution of culture from conscious intent in relation to nature.

A performance whose levels of integration and sophistication were well beyond the intelligence of its inhabitants.

I realize, in the silence that surrounds us, that the performance is a service to prepare us for the address.

In the depths of our silence, the Leader of the Council appears in the space above us.