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«Chris, you have a wonderful career ahead of you.» Sometimes I myself am amazed at your knowledge. You are familiar not only with your neighbor, but also with ancient and modern history, the myths of Ancient Greece, the Bible!
The student was pleased to hear such words from the professors lips.
I spend most of the day in the library I like to read historical books in paper versions. My mother works in the university library and helps me select the best books. And in the evening at home I study materials on electronic media. I dont turn on the video camera on weekdays at all, only on weekends I make sure to watch the show «Apollos Arrow» and the rulers speech Ive never missed them before. Communication with peers is not particularly interesting to me, which is probably why during the four years of study I never made real friends.
Youre doing great, keep working hard.
After thinking a little, the student asked:
Professor, recently I have become interested in literature devoted to the interpretation of dreams. Perhaps you can recommend me a good website or book on this topic? There is a lot of information on the Internet, but I dont understand what is reliable. Sometimes you can find dozens of different interpretations for one symbol.
The professor remained silent. Ignoring this, Chris continued:
Since childhood, I often have a dream in which I make my way through the forest and mountains, and then a monster appears and I wake up. I just cant understand its meaning and watch it to the end. It was the same thing this night.
Try to figure it out on your own. Perhaps you are at a crossroads and have a choice to make. The monster is our fears that must be overcome in order to move on. It guards the Gate of knowledge what a person strives for. I will send you useful books, study them at your leisure.
Thank you! Chris smiled widely. «Ill try to read them as quickly as possible.»
I assure you, there is no rush. I wont need them anytime soon. Ill let you know when they are needed. «After a pause, the professor asked: «Do you know why Wilhelm wasnt at the lecture today?»
The guys said that on the eve of the celebration of the 27th anniversary of the founding of Vinland, he was detained by guards. Mr. Graves changed his face and became thoughtful. Without attaching any importance to this, Chris continued: «Now many students are being tested for involvement in the resistance.» I think this is a misunderstanding and he will be released soon.
When the professor looked at his watch once again, Chris realized that Mr. Graves was in a hurry, and, saying goodbye, headed to the library, leaving the professor alone in the classroom.
Chapter Three
Continent of Vinland, 2073
The Supreme Ruler of Vinland, Demian Roskhald, after listening to the ministers reports on the state of affairs on the Continent and preparations for the upcoming elections, concluded the meeting. He then retired to his private office with two of his closest associates, Benedict, the Minister of Information, and Holofernes, the chief guard of Vinland.
Mister Roskhald was the second ruler in the history of the Continent to win the general election of 2057. Some attributed Demian Roskhalds success to his oratory skills, while others pointed to the close-knit team that helped him in the election campaign. Among those who served on Mr. Roskhalds campaign staff at that election were Benedict and Holofernes. Together they went a long way, and, having taken the chair of the head of the Continent 16 years ago, Demian Roskhald awarded his associates high positions. In their circle, Benedict and Holofernes addressed the ruler only as «master» as a sign of respect for his merits and high position.
The office was equipped with special soundproofing devices so that no one could overhear what was happening behind these walls. Here a circle of the rulers closest and most trusted representatives gathered, who had many common secrets. Demian Roskhald knew that he could always rely on the ministers, and they, in turn, sincerely admiring the master, did everything to ensure that his power was not threatened.
Despite Mr. Roskhalds widespread popular support, decisions on key issues were made by the Senate. Holofernes and Benedict managed to lure some important opponents to the side of the ruler, but even despite this, it was not always possible to implement the necessary laws. Politically independent senators blocked amendments related to expanding the powers of the head of Vinland and increasing the budget for space programs. In the upcoming elections, Demian Roskhald was going to win a landslide victory so that his supporters would take even more seats in the renewed Senate. All forecasts were on the masters side, and therefore temporary difficulties in the Senate, as well as a small group of rebels, did not cause much concern to the ruler.
The only thing that continued to oppress Mr. Roskhald was the constant control by the Artificial Intelligence, which bore the name of the ancient powerful god Kronos. He served on the Continent as an arbitrator and guardian of 282 laws, which were also called the code. Each law began with the word «If» and contained a normative legal act valid in the territory of Vinland. Over time, 35 of them, prescribing rules of conduct for citizens in contaminated territories, were excluded from the code, since the consequences of the disaster on the inhabited part of the Continent were eliminated.
Strict enforcement of the laws was ensured by senators representing the citizens inhabiting the twelve regions of Vinland. When a ruler failed to secure a majority vote on a decision, a group of senators turned to Kronos for advice. In the last tenure of the master, who secured the support of the majority, although not overwhelming, this happened extremely rarely. Fearing heated debates and subsequent control by Kronos, Mr. Roskhald planned to put important laws to a vote in the Senate after the elections, receiving a mandate from the citizens for the next eight years of rule.
The main part of the code prescribed in Artificial Intelligence was compiled by the ruler of one of the regions of the Continent, Anatoly Kramer, several years after the disaster and has undergone virtually no changes since then. The written laws had gradations and in order to amend them, it was necessary to overcome a certain percentage of votes in the Senate. Changes affecting daily life could be introduced into the code with a simple majority vote, and amendments to laws governing the political structure and military program of the Continent required the support of at least 85% of senators. Such a barrier was not determined by chance: the drafters of Code 282 wanted to make it impossible or at least complicate the monopolization of power, and also to prevent the resumption of space programs. To avoid dictatorship and suppression of popular unrest, the movement of drones and combat robots in service with the guards was also controlled by Kronos. This entire system was designed to protect the interests of citizens, preventing the concentration of power in one hand.
The Supreme Ruler, who was also called the guarantor of Code 282, was elected by a majority vote of the inhabitants of Vinland. Despite the fact that Demian Roskhald publicly expressed the need to comply with the current code, promising to stand guard over it, deep down he saw control by Artificial Intelligence as a great threat. In the event of mass protests or a vote of no confidence in the Senate, Kronos received a signal and could unilaterally decide to deprive the head of the Continent of his powers. In this case, he had to resign, and the Senate, announcing the date of early elections, appointed a temporary ruler.