Chapter 16: 16 – A Form of Immortality

Gilda was acting like a kid in a candy store.

My Aura Reading magical skill, which allowed me to see mana, seemed to be an unprecedented breakthrough in the field of magical research. Personally, I wasn't impressed with it too much. I figured it wasn't all that useful in a fight, but she seemed to think it might be a huge leap forward in understanding magic.

That was great and all, but because of that same skill, I found a new issue.

"Gilda, I don't want to pry too much, but can I ask you a personal question?"

She tilted her head as if she couldn't quite figure out where I was going with my sudden change of topic. She hesitated for a second before replying cautiously.

"I will do my best to answer your questions if I can."

"Umm... So, with Aura Reading I can see mana, right? But I can't see any residual mana on you at all. Even my old pair of jeans has a little mana, but your whole body is blank... just like the replicated clothes you made me. Do you know why?"

I didn't miss her eyes widening slightly in surprise before she regained her composure. She gave me a level, no-nonsense look as she said, "The most likely explanation is my body is not the result of organic processes."

"Not a result... Meaning, your body was manufactured?"

She never looked away, keeping eye contact the whole time as she replied, "Yes."

While we had been talking about the skill, I happened to try looking at her with Aura Reading, so I figured this was a possibility.

Based on the theories I had already confirmed with her, there were only so many explanations. I'd had plenty of time to adjust to all the fancy ultra-sci-fi technology, so it wasn't that strange of an idea to have met a robot girl on this spaceship.

"Who made you, and why?"

That slightly pained look was back on her face. Maybe I could've said that better.

"Before I explain, please let me preface this by saying I had intended to tell you soon. However, I wanted to allow you a chance to get fully acclimated before I reveal the full scope of our circumstances."

"I get it. I had a lot of other stuff to worry about. Maybe, this isn't all that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. But you said, 'our circumstances?' Did you mean the folks that sent you?"

She was clearly relieved at my even-keeled response. I wasn't sure why Gilda would think I'd treat her differently after all this time. I'd already left my own humanity behind. No matter how much I connected with nature, I wasn't going to start ranting and raving about robots being unnatural or anything like that.

She took a sip of water before continuing, "Yes. I told you before that my people could not use magic. I also said we were unwilling to revert to a previous stage in our development just to possibly become able to do so."

"Yeah... so?"

"Over a long time of meeting and studying many civilizations, we noticed a pattern in development. There is a dividing line reached in cultures that fully embrace the path of technology. Inevitably, through advanced technology, they attain a version of immortality. However, to cross that mortal threshold, you must choose to cut ties to the flesh."

That conversational turn threw me for a loop. Gilda was using language that sounded almost religious to describe a technological event.

"Cut ties to the flesh... What exactly does that mean?"

"In simple terms: to live in an organic body is to eventually die. There is a point beyond which an organic body cannot survive, no matter the medical intervention. Once a society is sufficiently technologically advanced, they are forced to face this undeniable truth."

Gilda looked so serious as she spoke that, even though what she said was simply common sense, I didn't interrupt her.

"However, some will choose to escape those limited physical bodies, to live on as digital entities. Some societies are damaged by conflicts arising over the perceived spiritual implications of what it means to live without having organic life, regressing into an anti-technology mindset. However, societies that embrace technology fully can leave the organic body behind, allowing the consciousness to attain immortality."

I had thought maybe she was a robot, but there seemed to be something else going on.

"So, your people left their bodies behind to achieve immortality? But you're here in a body right now."

She nodded as she said, "This body was built by sophisticated replicators. My consciousness currently inhabits this body but is not limited to it."

"That's, uh... wow. So, if you are not in a body normally, then where are you?"

"In a digital environment, very much like the simulation."

Thinking about it for a minute, I sort of got what she meant. When I was in the simulation, my consciousness didn't perceive my body, but I was obviously still alive.

"Ah. So, you're still active and alive, but just in a digital body in a digital world, rather than a flesh body in a physical reality."

"Yes... More or less. It is somewhat difficult to explain."

I had to chuckle at that, "Heh, I bet. Even though I've been inside the simulation myself and have seen it with my own two eyes, I still have a tough time understanding how it all works. Anyway, now that you've got a physical body, do you think it's a better or worse way to live?"

Judging by her reaction, it wasn't a question she'd expected me to ask.

"The digital environment can be manipulated. We can reshape it in much the same way magic can reshape the physical world. So, in that sense, it is ideal. Being in a physical body seems comparatively limited. However, as you spend time away from a physical body, the consciousness begins to change."

She said that last word with a particular emphasis. So, it didn't sound like this change was a simple thing.

"That sounds ominous... Change how?"

"A physical body is rife with internal chemical processes that can easily lead to emotion overriding logic. Your brain is floating in a chemical bath; Dopamine, Serotonin, and Oxytocin are just a few examples. Once your mind is separated from those chemicals, you can disengage your emotions at will, since there is no longer a chemical driver of behavior or feelings. Everything can be modified at will since it is simply simulated."

"So, you're saying you can control your emotions. But why would that make you change?"

"Once you can think from a purely logical point of view, free of any emotional complications, you realize emotions are problematic. Emotions drive us at a nearly animalistic level. This can be useful for maintaining biological functions, like procreation. However, if you have no need for procreation, then those drivers of behavior are often counterproductive or even harmful. There are a few very pleasant emotions, but there are many darker possibilities, like depression, anxiety, and rage. It is impossible to only experience positive emotions without a measure of the negative. The good comes with the bad. You must give up one to rid yourself of the other."

"... Are you talking about love?"

Gilda wore a pained look but answered the question, "Yes, among many other things left behind when you cut off emotions, is the capacity or need to love. Simply put, the tendency is to become more of a thinking creature rather than a feeling creature."

For some reason, she looked ashamed, as if she expected me to have a problem with her people's way of living. I wasn't exactly the most logical guy before. Even now, I still went with my gut more often than not. And my gut told me that, despite what she was saying, she experienced emotions. Maybe I misread the signs, but I even thought there was a little romantic attraction between us. Still, I tried to take her concerns seriously for her sake.

"Wow... yeah, I could see that as a big change."

"However, once a consciousness is placed back into a body, the normal physical processes begin to influence the mind again."

"Hmm... If emotions are considered a problem, couldn't you guys just make a body that has no emotions?"

"Yes, you could build a purely mechanical housing for the consciousness, if you so desired. However, it is exceedingly difficult to produce an organic flesh body that uses no chemical processes to drive the mind. The body functions as a finely tuned machine, including the billions of bacteria that drive many chemical reactions. Those chemical reactions are often necessary for the brain and body to function properly. While the proportions of the chemicals released into the system can be managed to minimize any danger presented by emotional extremes, it is equally unhealthy to remove them completely."

I could tell she was glossing over a bunch of details, but I wasn't particularly interested in theory here anyway. What I wanted was to understand Gilda's situation.

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"I've seen you showing plenty of emotions. So, does that mean you're in an organic body?"

"Yes, a variation of my original body was created for this mission. I felt it necessary to interact with you."

That piqued my curiosity, "A variation? So, how is your body now different from your original body?"

I didn't miss the small smile as she said, "There were several internal optimizations, but most changes were external. I look more like a human being now than I did originally."

"Ah. You know, that makes sense. I always thought it was weird to meet an alien that looked so human... But I like the way you look, so I didn't question it too much."

"I chose to appear like this in order to help you adjust to the situation as easily as possible. I thought it would be more comforting for you to see something familiar in this abnormal situation."

Despite how Gilda seemed to think I might've reacted, I actually felt really calm about this. Pieces that previously hadn't really fit together in my head were now suddenly falling into place, revealing a clearer picture.

"All right. So, just to make sure I understand everything. Your current body is made of flesh and more or less operates like mine, but was manufactured?"

"Yes."

"Does that mean you are still immortal?"

"This body can easily die. The Gilda that inhabits this body would cease to exist if that were to happen. My pre-download backup data still exists in stasis. The ideal result would be for me to update that data when I return. However, if this body were to perish before my profile data could be updated, an older backup version of me would be released from stasis and resume living my life. It would be as if the current version of me never existed, and any memories I had made in the interim would be lost. In that sense, I am currently both mortal and immortal."

Too heavy. I scrunched up my nose and said, "That sounds really complicated... Why does it have to be so complicated?"

"Having more than one iteration of the same consciousness operational at any time is against our laws. It is a vital safeguard. Otherwise, it is possible for several consciousnesses to simultaneously claim to be the genuine version. Which one has the legitimate right to that identity in such a case?"

"Really? That's a bit much."

"To my knowledge, it hasn't happened. But possibly that is only because it has been prevented by rigid enforcement of the rules. Punishment for violating that law means every copy of your personality will be destroyed, physical or digital. It is one of the few ways my people can truly die."

I was getting a headache from how complicated they made this. Living forever was sounding like too much of a hassle.

"Okay, setting that aside, I get that being able to live forever would be a thing people would want. But why did your whole race give up their original bodies? I'd imagine there'd be at least a few folks opposed to that idea."

Gilda got a faraway look in her eye as she said, "Our original planetary system became uninhabitable due to the aging of our star. Space exploration is much easier without taking into account the many needs of a frail physical body. Once you are free from those physical limitations, it is not even necessary to stay on a planet at all. Furthermore, should there be a need to act directly within the physical space, new bodies can be manufactured on demand. In the end, this approach was found to be far more efficient than managing cryogenic stasis of billions of people."

"Huh... So, your home planet has been destroyed? I'm really sorry to hear that. So, is that what first pushed you out into the stars?"

"It is actually a common story. Stars have different life cycles. Some stars don't last nearly as long as your Sun. Regardless, our technology had already developed quite a bit, and there was no downside to this way of living until we encountered the Demon Lords."

And then we were back to the point of why we were here in the first place.

"If you're immortal, how are the Demons Lords even a threat?"

Sighing, Gilda frowned as she said, "The Demon Lords are the rare civilization that is both magic-using and space colonizing. They have conquered many planets and star systems, showing no signs of stopping. Our defenses are ineffective, and we are gradually being pushed out of the galaxy. Some have advocated simply abandoning this galaxy and living beyond the rim in deep space, where the Demon Lords have no reason to follow. However, others, like me, want to retain our current position and help the invaded civilizations resist. In my opinion, if there is nothing left to explore and nobody to interact with, our existence becomes inwards looking with no real meaning or purpose."

Her answer caused me to frown too, as I replied, "I still forget how much magic changes things. Anyway, you want to fight, but other folks want to run away instead. Who's winning that debate? I mean obviously, I'm here as a warrior candidate, but..."

"It was decided both plans would be implemented at the same time. We are fighting now. Finding you was part of a grand effort to collect warriors and data to fight back. However, at the same time, colony ships have been directed beyond the rim containing backups of all my people in digital stasis. In the scenario where we lose the war, our backups will wake up beyond the rim, knowing there was no way to successfully fight back. At that point, they may set out for another galaxy or simply choose to remain alone in deep space."

"So even if your entire civilization loses the fight and dies, a version of it will survive..."

"Yes. That is how we can devote all our remaining resources and time to fighting. Even those who wanted to retreat have nothing to lose by helping now."

For some reason, that last revelation led to a natural lull in the conversation. Despite the complex topics, in the end, it didn't seem like that big a deal anyway, and now I had a clearer picture of the war situation.

"Okay, so back to the original question. I can see mana, and the theory is your body has none because it's manufactured, rather than the result of natural organic processes. Is that right?"

"Yes, that is the theory."

A lot of information I wasn't expecting had come out suddenly, raising some new questions. This was an advanced alien culture. So, any assumptions would just get me into trouble. Better to figure things out sooner rather than later.

"I get why you can't use magic, but what about your kids? Your bodies are made of flesh, so why couldn't any naturally produced children you have try to use magic? Wouldn't they potentially be able to have mana and learn magic just like me?"

"When my race gave up their flesh bodies, a law was passed that no more new children would be born without the parents' digital existence being deleted. If nobody ever dies, then population growth needs to be managed. Otherwise, the population could grow exponentially, and eventually, we might need to become conquerors for the sake of amassing enough resources to support it."

"So, no kids then? That sounds like a bummer..."

"This body was designed to be capable of sex for enjoyment, but not reproduction. To be allowed to possess a body capable of reproduction, it is necessary to agree to have your digital existence permanently erased. Limiting you once more to a mortal lifespan."

"So, if you want to have kids, you can, but you have to give up immortality to do it... No offense, but it seems stupid to keep that policy when you're in a war. People die. You need new people to replace the dead ones."

"None of my people have actually died yet. It is almost impossible to truly kill us because of the system. There is a failsafe on top of the backup systems, including the colony ships heading beyond the rim. We have lost territory and assets, but there have been no permanent casualties, so there is no need to replace any population. And partially because our digital bodies experience no biological impulses to procreate, very few of my people choose to leave to have children of their own accord."

"Yeah... I guess if nobody has died and you're basically unkillable, I could see how there wouldn't be a need to change the laws. Especially, if nobody wants to have kids."

"Furthermore, there have been no known cases of magic use among the children born from those who do chose to procreate. The governing council determined it was more logical to work alongside species that already use magic. Rather than disrupt thousands of years of social order among my people in an attempt to breed our own magical warriors, with no guarantee of success."

"I guess they figure a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush..."

"It appears so."

"Okay, I guess I get the logic. However, I personally think your people are being too cautious and stuck in their ways."

Her expression when I said that got my attention. She was angry. But not with me. With her own people. Clearly, Gilda wasn't happy with how things were and wanted to go down a different path.

"I agree."

Something had been stuck in the back of my mind for a while now and came up again in this conversation.

"Gilda, you said your people want to work with people from magic-using worlds as warriors since they can already use magic. So, why did they choose somebody from Earth? Earth isn't really a magic-focused world."

I thought it was an innocent enough question, but it was like a switch suddenly got flipped. Gilda's face went completely blank. She blinked a few times and then turned away from me.

"That is a long story..."

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