Chapter 20

[The Infinite Library: UAR Headquarters]

Zep and Samantha entered another elevator on the far side of the lab. They descended yet again, deeper into the underground. When the doors opened, a massive room with high ceilings revealed itself to them.

"Welcome to the Infinite Library," said Zep, gesturing dramatically toward the entrance.

The library was a spacious hall of sleek glass and chrome, a beacon of advanced technology buried deep inside the Earth. Inside, the air hummed with the soft whir of servers, their lights flickering in sync with the digital displays that lined the walls. Holographic shelves stretched up to the ceiling, offering endless rows of virtual books, their spines glowing softly in iridescent hues. With a flick of the wrist, a visitor could summon a book from anywhere and every era, the hologram materializing before them, crisp and ready for browsing.

Zep demonstrated this with excitement. "Pick a book that comes to mind," he said.

"Okay, how about... um... Meditations by Marcus Aurelius?"

"Excellent choice." Zep waved his hand in front of the holographic interface, and a book began to materialize on a small silver podium in front of them. Samantha reached out and picked it up. It was a hardback copy with a leather spine. As she fanned the pages, she could smell the familiar scent of real paper.

"Marvelous. It feels so real," she remarked.

Zep then took her to the center of the room, which appeared as a vast blank space. As they stepped further in, it transformed into a virtual world. Zep exhibited how to interact with the contents of their chosen text in a 3D environment. They walked through ancient ruins, soared through the stars, or stood at the edge of a battlefield—all while remaining rooted in the library’s modern calm, shifting through a series of moments.

"Now, Samantha, I would like to introduce you to the great Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius." Zep held out his hand again, this time pointing to an archway that emerged in front of them. A shadowy figure could be seen in the distance, walking toward them beneath it.

Finally, the man stood before them. He was tall, his posture embodying the disciplined grace of a seasoned leader. His hair, a mass of thick, dark curls, framed a weathered face marked by deep-set eyes that reflected both wisdom and introspection. A well-defined brow sat above those thoughtful eyes, often furrowed in contemplation, hinting at the weight of the empire he governed.

He wore a flowing toga, the traditional garment of Roman nobility, crafted from fine, soft wool in deep shades of purple, a color signifying his status as emperor. The toga draped elegantly over one shoulder, revealing a simple linen tunic beneath, its muted tones contrasting with the richness of his outer garment. A laurel wreath rested lightly upon his head, symbolizing victory and honor, while sturdy sandals, worn yet polished, adorned his feet, suggesting a man accustomed to both the battlefield and the philosophical arena. His demeanor was calm, his gaze steady, conveying a sense of both humility and strength.

"Samantha Stone. Welcome to the Infinite Library. How may I assist you in your journey?" his voice rang out with a power aura. The sound seemed to vibrate the whole room. 

Samantha remained speechless for a moment. The man looked so real, it was truly untethering her sense of reality. She observed him and looked around the room to find herself inside a Roman palace. There were high ceilings adorned with intricately painted frescoes of Roman gods and myths. Sunlight streamed through large, arched windows draped with finely woven linen curtains, casting gentle patterns on the cool marble floor. 

She finally mustered the courage to speak, "Hello Marcus. We are facing destruction by a large comet, in 90 days the Earth could be obliterated. I am tasked with finding a way of preventing it. However, I am concerned on how we should inform the public of the UAR. Should we keep this a secret? Or is it moral to hide this information?" 

Marcus stepped forward and a spotlight shined down on him, elegantly illuminating his face. "My esteemed friend," he began. "The weight of such knowledge is profound. To consider whether to share the truth of this impending comet with the public requires both wisdom and compassion. 

In times of great peril, transparency often fosters unity and resolve among the people. By informing them, we empower them to prepare, to confront the challenge together, and to find strength in community. A shared burden can cultivate a collective spirit, allowing us to act with courage and purpose.

However, we must also weigh the potential for panic and despair. Fear can lead to chaos, which may hinder our ability to respond effectively. Thus, it is crucial to frame our message with care, focusing on action and resilience rather than despair.

If we choose to reveal this truth, let us do so with a call to arms — not of violence, but of solidarity. Encourage the people to contribute their wisdom and skills in seeking solutions. Together, we can explore our options, embracing our collective ingenuity to confront the heavens with courage.

In all things, let us act with integrity and foresight, considering not only the immediate effects but the long-term spirit of our people. For in facing this challenge, we may find a renewed purpose and a deeper connection among ourselves." 

Marcus bowed in front of her then stepped away and the spotlight dimmed to nothing, leaving him a shadowy figure in front of them once again. Samantha looked over to Zep, grinning with delight. 

"This.. This is the most... My god." Samantha was utterly dumbfounded, left stumbling on her words. As she stood in amazement, the book in her hand slowly disappeared into lines of holographic codes, then collapsed into nothingness. 

"Is there someone else you wish to meet today? Anyone from the past?" asked Zep. 

"Yes! Of course. How about Albert Einstein?" she exclaimed. 

Another book began to materialize on the podium stand. She picked it up and read the title out loud. "The Meaning of Relativity," her voice echoed loudly in the now empty room. 

Finally the echo was cut off and the large white arch emerged again in the center of the room. The room transformed into a modern and luxurious library with physical books and wooden shelves. Albert Einstein stood before them, his wild, unruly hair framing a face marked by deep lines of thought and wisdom. His expressive eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and mischief, reflecting a mind that had reshaped our understanding of the universe. He wore a simple, slightly wrinkled white shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, paired with a dark vest that hinted at a more formal occasion. His trousers were a bit loose, draping comfortably over his shoes. A timeless charm surrounded him, as he exuded an air of approachable genius, making him both intriguing and warm.

"Samantha Stone! It is an honor to finally meet you. How may I be of assistance?" he asked with a charming tone.

Samantha took a deep breath, “Albert, in your opinion, what is the best way to redirect a massive comet from impacting earth? What would you attempt first?” 

"Ah yes. This is one of the most troubling predicaments of your time. Allow me to speculate and add some words of advice. Keep in mind these ideas would need to be rigorously tested," he began elegantly, with the spotlight shining down on his face and free flowing hair.

"Redirecting a massive comet from impacting Earth requires a multifaceted approach. It must be grounded in the principles of celestial mechanics. One of the most viable methods is to use a gravity manipulation technique. In this scenario, a highly modified fleet of Legion Airwaves crafts would be dispatched to hover near the comet, leveraging its gravitational influence over time to alter the comet's trajectory. 

The fleet would need to maintain a stable position relative to the comet, exerting a gentle but continuous gravitational pull. This method would take advantage of the long lead time before a potential impact, allowing for gradual adjustments to the comet's path.

Another potential strategy involves kinetic impactors. By sending a spacecraft to collide with the comet at high velocity, we could impart enough energy to change its course. This would necessitate precise calculations to ensure that the impact occurs at the optimal angle and speed.

Each of these methods presents its own challenges, yet they all reflect humanity's ingenuity in harnessing the laws of physics to protect our planet from celestial threats. Your technology may possibly be the foundation to this operation, although it would need to be greatly enhanced."

Albert then bowed just like his predecessor and then took a step back out of the spotlight. The room then returned to its normal emptiness. 

"Zep. I can't believe how real this feels. How is it done?" asked Samantha in a sense of wonderment. 

"Well the foundation of this technology is based on advanced Large Language Models. Authors, Scientists and Writers of all kinds have been digitally archived and our Artificial Intelligence builds a specific model for each individual, based on their known history, publications, voice recordings, and so on." explained Zep. 

"So in a sense it's like a digital form of their consciousness?" remarked Samantha. 

Zep paused for a moment, "Well, that depends on what you consider consciousness. It is more likely a reflection of their consciousness. A prediction of what they would think, say or even act based on artificial prediction algorithms. Anyhow, we can return at a later time, dinner will be served momentarily. Let us ascend to the main floor." 

Samantha and Zep walked out of the Infinite Library, the ethereal glow of holographic spines gradually dimming behind them, casting flickering shadows that danced across the sleek glass walls. The atmosphere shifted as they approached the elevator, the air growing heavier with an unspoken tension. As they stepped onto the platform, it began its ascent, the hum of machinery resonating softly around them. Suddenly, the elevator came to an abrupt stop, and with a jolt, the lights flickered out entirely, plunging them into a thick, suffocating darkness. 

The silence was overwhelming, broken only by the soft sound of their breaths and the faint echo of their heartbeat. In an instant, Samantha and Zep lost their footing, toppling to the cool, metallic floor. Panic surged through Samantha as she instinctively reached for Zep's hand, her pulse quickening in the enveloping blackness. The absence of light was palpable, wrapping around them like a heavy shroud, making every sense heightened and disorienting. They were trapped in a void, with only the quiet reassurance of Zep’s presence beside her, his digital systems still whirring softly in the dark, grounding her amidst the uncertainty.

Then, Zep's power supply was severed, causing him to collapse to the ground in a lifeless heap.