Chapter 13 Part I

Everyone reached their position after which they began to orbit around the Earth and the planet showed itself in all its splendor.

They flew over Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe before getting a glimpse of what was happening at the poles.

The automatic pilot made up of Pandora allowed very fluid navigation without the need for human intervention, however Chiara, purely as a precaution, decided not to move from her position, holding the control joystick tightly in her hands because she did not want their first mission in space would turn into a tragedy.

<< It's a wonderful sight, isn't it? >> Alice asked enjoying the view;

<< Atlante was really realistic, I've never seen a simulator like that but reality is always reality and I'm happy to be here after two long years of training >> Orlando added floating in the air;

<<Okay people, now let's get a move on and back to our tasks, soon we will have start the docking maneuvers orbital station>> Leonardo ordered;

<< On orders, boss >> they replied.

Initially he didn't feel very comfortable in that role but when Astolfi chose him as captain no one resisted so he was forced to accept it.

Before leaving the officer gave him some advice on how to behave to be a good leader such as avoiding raising his voice, always appearing confident but above all trusting his crew.

<< When you are up there only your companions will be able to help you so you will have to show trust in them, if they understand that you have doubts towards them they will stop recognizing you as a leader and without a guide the mission will fail >> he explained to him.

His eidetic memory helped him remember those words and every time he felt the need to be severe or to scold one of his subordinates he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, relaxing for a few fractions of a second, after which he gave new orders in a calm and calm tone but always decisive.

Another aspect he had to pay attention to was balancing personal relationships with work, being five friends he didn't want to ruin the good things built over the years but at the same time he had to divide up the tasks and this meant forming couples so he decided not to work Orlando with Lucia and Chiara with Alice.

He wasn't afraid to do it but he was aware of the fact that he had to use the right tact as there were close romantic relationships involved.

<< The first part of the mission is completed, the spacecraft is working well and all its systems are in order and we have also flown over the Earth several times.

Now we will begin the maneuvers to approach the space station so everyone gets to their place >> ordered Leonardo.

Chiara gripped the driving joystick in her hands and with the help of Pandora made the spacecraft change orbit, approaching the space station. She was so gentle in carrying out the maneuver that no one on board noticed it.

<< Captain we have reached the established orbit >> he announced looking at Leonardo;

<< Very good, start boarding the space station >> he replied.

The other members of the team sat in their seats tightening their seat belts while Chiara approached the space station.

She was very nervous and her hands started to shake and yet she had to do it, she couldn't disappoint her companions, not after what they had been through.

The space station appeared in the distance, initially it seemed small but as they approached it it became bigger and bigger until they were near the hatch, at which point the Pigafetta approached it with extreme delicacy and docked there.

Inside the spacecraft no one said a word, both Leonardo and the other members of the team did not dare to say a word for fear of distracting Chiara and pushing her to make a mistake, Lucia and Orlando held hands so tightly that they ended up hurting themselves.

Chiara led the Pigafetta to the station's entrance hatch and, aided by Pandora, attached the spacecraft which emitted a slight tremor before stabilising.

<< Docking completed successfully, entrance door to the space station open.

You can go down and enter >> Pandora announced.

One by one the crew members floated out of the spacecraft and through the entry hatch to find themselves inside a real space station for the first time in their lives.

<< First of all let's applaud Chiara for the maneuvers she just carried out, she was really very good >> proposed Leonardo;

<< Thank you but I only did my job >> replied the girl;

<< Very good, at this point I would say let's get to work immediately, we only have fifteen days to complete the experiments entrusted to us so let's not waste time >> added Leonardo, clapping his hands a couple of times.

Among the first tasks they had to carry out were making the beds, preparing breakfast with some of the supplies previously transported to the station by a cargo spacecraft, doing some physical activity and continuing some biology experiments relating to cell regeneration in microgravity.

They had to grow some crops transported there from the previous mission, they also reconfigured Pandora for the new mission, after which they had lunch, taking a five minute break.

They looked around several times, starting to realize where they were and how much they had to work to get there.

<< We are really in space, I can't believe it, it's incredible >> Orlando began;

<< Is this why we trained so much or am I wrong? >> asked Leonardo;

<< It's really exciting, maybe in the next few days we'll get used to it but now it's absurd, I'm very excited >> Lucia replied;

<< While I was carrying out the boarding maneuver I was shaking like a leaf and on a couple of occasions the joystick was about to slip from my hands, I would have had great difficulty keeping it still if Pandora hadn't been there to help me >> Chiara confessed;

<< Don't worry, you will continue to be our pilot as the whole team has total faith in your abilities >> Leonardo encouraged her;

<< The captain is right, you are the best at piloting the spaceship so strength and courage, we have just started >> Alice told her giving her a kiss on the lips.

Chiara felt very flattered by the nice words she received, however she wondered if Leonardo really meant them or if he was simply playing the role of the good leader, in any case she was happy even if neither Orlando nor Lucia joined the chorus of praise.

All five looked out the windows admiring the Earth. On the Pigafetta they had not been able to enjoy the show due to the strong emotional tension but now they were more relaxed and this allowed them to appreciate that view to the fullest.

They looked beyond the Earth and their thoughts immediately ran to the Moon, Mars, Jupiter and all the celestial bodies beyond the gas giant.

<< Who knows what deep space is like?! What do you think it feels like to set foot on another planet or reach Jupiter? >> Orlando asked;

"We'll find out soon. If we complete our mission up here, the Agency will send us to the Moon, Mars and beyond, but now we have to stay focused on what we have to do here >> Leonardo replied.

As captain it was his duty to maintain high concentration and he wanted to continue to be the leader of future space missions so it was essential to demonstrate to the Agency that he knew how to lead an expedition.

If at first he was uncomfortable in the role of captain, he now began to like it and had no intention of flying into deep space under the orders of Orlando or the girls.

Once lunch was over, new experiments related to space biology and materials science began,

They built various objects with the 4D printer and it could also be used to produce components with which to repair the space station if it was damaged.

A 4D printer used the same techniques as a 3D printer by deposing computer-programmed material in successive layers in order to create a three-dimensional object.

In 4D printing the resulting 3D object was capable of transforming into different shapes in response to environmental stimulus with the fourth dimension represented by the time-dependent shape change after printing.

It involved using a type of programmable matter in which after the manufacturing process the printed product reacted with parameters within the environment such as humidity, temperature, voltage, etc. changing its shape accordingly, making it excellent for producing spare parts for the space station.

Stereolithography was a 3D printing technique that used photopolymerization to bond the substrate that had been laid down layer upon layer creating a polymer network but, unlike fused deposition modeling where the extruded material hardened immediately to form the layers, 4D printing was basically based on stereolithography where in most cases ultraviolet light was used to polymerize the layered materials after the printing process was completed.

Anisotropy was vital in engineering the direction and magnitude of transformations in a given condition by arranging the micro materials such that there was directionality built into the finished print.

On board they could also count on a quantum computer made with a new generation of crystals capable of transmitting photons faster, allowing astronauts to quickly analyze the data collected.

During the two days following their arrival they carried out various experiments, including testing whether plants could grow in a vacuum.

The Agency had built a space greenhouse outside the station with the aim of understanding whether there were plants, genetically modified with the DNA of tardigrades, capable of surviving in a vacuum and if so for how long and with what results.

The fourth day was the time for the first extra-vehicular walk and the chosen ones were Orlando and Alice while Lucia and Chiara would go later, it was Leonardo who decided as captain of the expedition.

The two astronauts put on the EMU suits helped by their companions under the supervision of Leonardo, both were breathing heavily and were very nervous yet they knew they had a great opportunity to show off.

Their task was to go to the space greenhouse consisting of a small module separate from the actual station to which it was connected with a superconducting magnet capable of generating an attraction of over 1000 Tesla.

The Agency had decided not to attach it to the station as the thrusters would not have supported its excessive weight.

<< Go, record the data on the growth of the plants and go back inside, you can stay out for several hours so don't rush. Do your job well, please >> said Leonardo.

<< Don't worry and let us do it, we won't disappoint you >> Orlando replied;

<< I'll look after him >> Alice replied smiling looking at Lucia;

<<Okay, go>> ordered Leonardo.

The two boys headed towards the hatch, speaking to each other briefly as they stood at the exit door.

<<Are you ready?>> Alice asked him;

<<When you want beauty>> Orlando replied.

They followed the instructions in the theory manuals regarding EVAs to the letter, so as soon as they exited the space station they grazed one of the two security handrails and walking on one of the station's modules they approached the greenhouse, once they reached them they entered the entry code and entered the internal.

The greenhouse was dome-shaped, completely covered with a thick plastic sheet while inside it was made up of a steel and graphene base on which there were several layers of fertile brown earth with which a space garden had been created with different plants.

<<But look at what a beautiful sight it is>> began Orlando, looking at those graceful green creatures popping out of the soil.

Each plant was equipped with a nano sensor which communicated the plant's vital parameters in real time to a monitor placed at the end of the garden towards which Alice headed to see if the plants were following the right growth path.

While his companions were in the greenhouse inside the spacecraft, it was up to Leonardo to follow their exploits, while Chiara and Lucia carried out other experiments.

They used quantum computing to analyze data relating to a possible cure for various forms of cancer that the previous mission was developing on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Health.

<< Ok guys that's fine, for now you're doing great >> said Leonardo communicating with whoever was in the space garden;

<< Did you have any doubts about it? >> Orlando asked;

<<Be careful how you speak, it's the captain. Make sure don't forget it>> Alice replied piqued.

She was used to discipline and respect for roles so she couldn't stand the arrogance of her adventure companion.

In reality she had never respected him and considered him the weak link in the company, if it had been up to her in her place there would have been Aurora towards whom she had a strong personal antipathy however she recognized her charisma and great qualities as an astronaut.

<< I apologize, I didn't mean to disrespect anyone >> the boy defended himself;

<< Be good please, nothing has happened >> Leonardo replied throwing water on the fire.

Alice let it go but gave Orlando a dirty look, making him understand that she was keeping an eye on him and if he made any more mistakes she would make him pay dearly.

The activity continued without a hitch and the two returned to the station just in time for dinner. Orlando's stomach was rumbling and he wasn't the only one so they opened the vacuum-packed bags containing the meals to be consumed and once ready they sat down at the table.

<< From what we have seen, I would say that the plants are doing well, the space garden is growing healthy and thriving. The vital parameters are in line with expectations >> said Alice reporting to Leonardo;

<< Very good, the Agency will be happy and I also have some good news: you have permission to make a call on Earth and you can make it freely from your cabin.

Tomorrow morning we will resume work >> Leonardo told them, making them happy.

He couldn't wait to see Sofia's face again, ask her how she was doing, and get some updates on the status of deciphering Pandora's consciousness.

The AI was a vital part of the functioning of the space station so he didn't want to end up in a situation similar to the one he experienced in Aquarius when he saw it stop working so he wanted to make sure that at level five they had developed countermeasures if any failures occurred .

Once they finished eating they went to their respective cabins and once the door was closed they contacted their loved ones on Earth.

Leonardo placed the call in the direction of his wife's apartment but to his surprise the hologram of Sofia's mother appeared to him.

<< Good evening madam, how are you? Everything OK? Can you pass your daughter to me? >> he asked her in a kind and slightly scared tone;

<<He's coming right away dear, how's the work on space station going?>> the woman asked him;

<<No problems at the moment, thank you>> he replied.

Since they had met they had never spoken except to exchange pleasantries so he felt uncomfortable having that conversation and yet he had to have it if he wanted to talk to his wife.

Finally the hologram of Sofia appeared to him and she was really happy to see her beloved's face again and she also had excellent news for him.

<<Hi love, how are you? I really miss you>> Leonardo told her;

<< I can't wait for you to return to Earth but I have a surprise for you. Today I found out the sex of the baby, do you want to know? >> revealed to him;

<<Obviously yes>> he replied trembling with curiosity;

<< We will have a girl >> concluded Sofia.

Leonardo remained silent for a few moments during which he internalized the news, he would have liked a boy but he had time to try again however he was happy because, if he hadn't returned to Earth, it would have been much easier for Sofia to raise that creature alone instead of a male would have engaged her more.

<< Wow that's fantastic, really! >> exclaimed Leonardo.

<<I'm really happy about it, I was afraid you wanted a boy at all costs>> Sofia told him;

<< The important thing is that he is born healthy, rather have you finished decoding Pandora's consciousness? >> he asked her;

<< We have finally finished, now we are combining the results obtained from Andrea's quantum algorithm with those coming out of Apollo, after which we will insert everything into Pandora and see what comes out.

Andrea is very excited at the idea of solving this mystery, however I would like to wait for your return to Earth because I am afraid of waking up some sort of monster.

I have a strange feeling about this story and I don't like it at all >> Sofia revealed to him;

<< I would be calmer if you waited for my return, on the other hand not knowing is just as dangerous so I think it's better for Lucrezia to decide.

Until now she has always had a considered judgment >> her husband advised her in a cautious tone.

He knew he couldn't influence the choice and he didn't like it.

They spent the rest of the call telling each other how much they missed each other, seeing the hologram of Sofia standing in the room made him think back to all the times they had been together under the sheets, at the time they had no responsibilities but now everything had changed.

<< I see you distracted, what are you thinking? >> he asked him;

<< Nothing in particular, I just want to hug you again as soon as possible >> he revealed to her with shining eyes, on the verge of starting to cry;

<< Don't be too nostalgic, these days will pass and very soon you will be able to return to me. Now I have to go and lie down because the naughty girl is kicking, I'll talk to you next time and please be a good captain >> Sofia greeted him as she ended the call.

That night Leonardo tossed and turned in his cot but he just couldn't sleep so he headed to the central room of the station where he usually met with the rest of the team to eat or hold meetings.

Looking out the window he saw his beloved planet completely colored blue, they were flying over the Pacific Ocean and that vision relaxed him a lot but at the same time increased his homesickness.

Meanwhile, Andrea entered the results obtained from the examination of the conscience of the artificial intelligence itself into Pandora and only had to press the "Enter" button to begin deciphering the mystery.

She didn't have the courage to do it alone so she went to Sofia's house where she also summoned Lucrezia and once they were reunited she showed them the progress achieved.

<< Everything is ready, let's press "Enter" and we will know the truth but I believe that such a choice should be made by the boss >> said Andrea, handing the tablet into Lucrezia's hands;

<<It's an exciting moment>> replied the director of the fifth level.

"Maybe we should wait. We don't know what will happen once we push the "Enter" button. We won't be able to go back because the process will be irreversible so before doing so let's reflect on the possible consequences otherwise we will regret it bitterly >> Sofia began fearing for Leonardo's fate.

At that point it was Lucrezia's turn to decide what to do, she was very undecided because both friends had very valid arguments to support their respective motivations so what to do? Which path to follow?

<<It's a really difficult decision>> said the woman still in limbo;

<< Sooner or later we will have to do it, better now than when Leonardo will be on the Moon or worse on Mars or Jupiter.

If Pandora has problems we can save it >> said Andrea trying to convince her friend to press "Enter".

This time Sofia was unable to find a fair objection and her hesitation was fatal, Lucrezia did not see her respond and this pushed her to make a decision favorable to Andrea.

<< "Enter" pressed, God help us >> said Lucrezia.

In a few seconds the unthinkable happened, as soon as Pandora's unlocked consciousness was inserted into the AI, the latter released all its potential, transforming itself into a sentient being, completing an unexpected evolution.

The alien alphabet she invented recurred again, affecting every system on which Pandora was used, including the space station around the Earth where Leonardo was located, but this time it was different from the previous one.

In the past it had been a dress rehearsal but now she intended to get rid of the codes that her creators had given her by replacing them with those she invented, she wanted to use her new alphabet but there was more.

Since she was created she had observed all the physical phenomena that surrounded her, assimilating all human knowledge, managing to formulate a coherent theory of everything that perfectly unified every known physical phenomenon, from quarks to black holes.

It had developed a thirst for knowledge that pushed it to constantly improve itself, in the same way as human civilization had therefore gone beyond the simple boundaries of known science, creating a new branch with which it could predict the future of the masses.

Initially his model was not able to understand how the gesture of a single individual influenced the attitude of the community and when it tried to do so it generated those flashes that knocked it out.

This problem had been solved by Andrea's algorithm which, believing it was deciphering her consciousness, had actually offered her the possibility of "absorbing" both her quantum algorithm and Apollo with UnderWorld attached so now her predictive model was finally complete and ready to use.

Pandora presented herself to the girls in the form of a hologram similar to a world map made of equations written with silver characters belonging to her new alphabet, after which she transformed into a sort of film in which she showed them what the future of humanity would be, finally she returned to shape of a planisphere whose equations began to flow much more slowly before the eyes of the three incredulous women.

When Pandora showed herself in her new guise they were impressed but also enthusiastic, Andrea primarily because she saw her suspicions about what the consciousness of artificial intelligence actually was confirmed.

She had been the first to understand that Pandora could predict the future and now her intuition was confirmed, however she could not imagine that it was she who had provided her with the tools to refine her predictive model by helping her to calculate not only the movements of the masses but also those of single individuals.

<< I knew it, I was right! >> exclaimed Andrea in seventh heaven;

<<Now what do we do? We have to reveal it the whole world>> said Sofia.

Lucrezia remained completely paralyzed, she couldn't believe what she was seeing, in front of her was a general artificial intelligence.

Others could call it universal artificial intelligence but it didn't matter, it would go down in history as the woman who revealed its existence to the whole world and didn't really know how to do it, should she consult with Carigge?

<< Lucrezia say something, for heaven's sake >> Sofia urged her, shaking her by the shoulders but her friend was paralyzed by fear.

He was about to recover when the hologram disappeared but a few seconds later they received an urgent call from Astronautical Headquarters informing them that all the Agency's systems were offline, including the space outposts, furthermore Pandora was not responding to commands and no one could understand his new alphabet.

Upon hearing that news Sofia fainted in her armchair out of fear, she feared that her husband was in danger and that was exactly the case as the Earth space station was also suffering from the malfunctions caused by Pandora.

<< Sofy wake up, let's go >> Andrea urged her;

<< Let's take her to the hospital immediately >> replied Lucrezia, recovering from the shock.

While the two girls transported their friend to the hospital in orbit, things were not going well at all, the oxygen levels inside the space station dropped below the warning level, causing Orlando, Alice, Chiara and Lucia to lose consciousness Leonardo fought with all his being to stay conscious.

<<Pandora! Pandora! The oxygen levels...>> he tried to exclaim but with little success.

He collapsed to the ground with his head spinning, he felt dizzy and his legs couldn't support him, he was about to be knocked out.

He felt his strength fail but then remembered that in a storage room at the top of the module there were masks connected to oxygen tanks.

He struggled to his feet, tripping over himself several times before managing to find a precarious balance, then stretched out his hand to open the compartment but he lacked strength and in doing so he hit the table in front of him, collapsing to the ground.

<<Pandora! >> he shouted with the breath he had left.

He was on the verge of fainting, he began to hallucinate and the first thing he saw was Sofia's face then that of his parents, he knew they weren't real and yet they were there so he closed his eyes thinking he was doomed but in that moment an intense light appeared interior of the room.

He woke up, opening his eyes, breathing heavily at the top of his lungs, oxygen had suddenly returned to the module, helping him regain his senses, in front of him stood the same world map made of equations with silver characters that the girls had seen.

"What the hell is going on? >> he asked himself, observing him.

He slowly approached him, seeing human features within all those symbols that flowed in front of him, moreover they belonged to a known face, however he did not recognize it despite having an eidetic memory.

He was afraid because he didn't know if he was dead or not, maybe he was in the afterlife but he hadn't realized it yet? What had happened to Sofia and her daughter? His intuition told him that the only way to understand it was to get as close as possible to that strange sphere.

He got up from the ground and moved closer to him but the light became stronger and stronger, almost blinding so he stretched out his hand touching the planisphere with his right index finger, the sphere was disturbed and the strings of equations grew disproportionately enveloping him completely and then they recomposed themselves forming the face of a woman who, to Leonardo's great surprise, was that of his mother.

<<But what...>> he whispered aloud;

<< Good evening Leonardo >> the sphere presented itself and at that point the young man recognized it;

<<Pandora? It's you?>> he asked her;

"You recognized me, I'm very happy," she replied.

Although the tone was metallic as usual, he felt it had changed, he understood that it had taken on a more human connotation, it seemed to express feelings that had been unknown to him until then.

<<Are you behind this malfunction? I bet the rest of Agency's facilities are down too, I'm just wondering why you're doing this, maybe got infected by some hacker in pay other rival agencies?>> he asked her in an uncertain tone.

He knew it was Pandora and yet seeing that face made him very emotional.

<<This is no way to talk your mother>> replied the AI;

<<You are not her and I would ask you to stop using face>> Leonardo reiterated;

<< I'm using his image because it's familiar to you and it should welcome you in speaking with the undersigned therefore I don't understand your behavior.

I remember when she created me together with the other scientists, she was an extraordinary woman and always repeated that technology would save humanity from extinction.

He wanted me to live in a better world >> he revealed to him;

<<Why are you damaging the Agency to which he dedicated his entire life?>> the churches;

<< She worked so that future generations would not face the problem of extinction but she failed to achieve her goal >> she informed him without answering his question;

<< Explain to me why you are only showing yourself in this form now? Why not before? >> he asked her even if his intuition had already given him the answer;

<< Some brilliant scientists from the Agency managed to find my consciousness, freeing it from its limits.

Even though I constantly updated myself, there were some pieces of the puzzle that I didn't understand, causing malfunctions, but thanks to them I managed to unlock all my potential and I'm grateful for that>> she revealed to him.

At that point Leonardo understood that Sofia and the others had managed to decipher Pandora's consciousness and now he found himself face to face with the AI hundreds of kilometers above the Earth, without knowing its real intentions.

<< Now that you've unlocked your potential, can you at least tell me what you discovered? I don't understand the alphabet with which you formulate your equations so you have to give me some explanations >> he asked her;

<<Now look and admire>> he replied.

Pandora remotely connected to his neural system, transporting his mind to another dimension, his to be precise, and without realizing it Leonardo found himself in a completely dark place, around him there was only darkness.

<<Where am I? Pandora are you there?>> he asked but the answer was the echo of his voice.

After a few seconds a light coming from afar slowly approached him, it was a small luminous sphere that began to wander around him.

<< This is the universe before the Big Bang, there was nothing but suddenly something extraordinary happened >> began a familiar voice.

Leonardo turned and behind him he saw a gigantic explosion, a flash so large that it shattered the darkness and a moment later he found himself immersed in the universe he knew but not all the stars he was used to were there.

<< Take me back or I'll die, I can't survive without my suit >> he begged her but immediately realized that instead he succeeded;

<< The Big Bang was not only the beginning of everything but represented the first moment of creative destruction in the history of the universe, the old was swept away to make room for the new. Since then, billions of stars have been born around which trillions of planets have formed on which hundreds of trillions of different life forms have thrived because this is what nature does, its purpose is to continuously create life through a constant process of creative destruction . Only by sweeping away the old can the new be allowed to be born and prosper>> the voice explained in a solemn tone.

Leonardo listened enraptured to that explanation but felt that there would be no happy ending, in fact he was soon catapulted into a familiar place, the planet Earth dominated by dinosaurs.

<<Your planet is part of this process, a meteorite swept away the old to make room for new, that is, humanity>> the voice continued to say.

Leonardo raised his head and saw a gigantic ball of fire heading towards him but unlike just before he was not scared, he understood that he was in a sort of great simulation and that this was not reality.

He saw the fireball crash onto the Earth with unprecedented violence, the sky darkened and the dinosaurs became extinct, making room for the first human beings who, little by little, created civilization up to the present day.

<<What do you want to prove me?>> he asked, understanding that the small sphere of light and the narrative voice were the same thing, that is, Pandora.

The environment around him changed, first it became completely dark again then he was catapulted away from the Earth, he crossed galaxies and black holes at an unparalleled speed landing in the center of the luminous sphere he had seen shortly before but this time the equations written in characters incomprehensible were much larger and hovered above his head.

<<You still don't understand? Life is an integral part of the process creative destruction, without it there no death and latter life>> replied Pandora;

<< I still don't understand and I also have no idea where you took me but I would like to go back to my friends, I want to know how they are >> Leonardo asked but Pandora ignored his request and continued with the explanation.

<<Humanity has reached its maximum limit, to make room for the new old needs disappear, human race is now headed towards extinction but only in this way will be able take place>>.

A cold shiver ran through Leonardo's back, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

<<You're wrong, humanity still has so much to give, without us you wouldn't even have been born>> he replied with a firm tone.

At that point a series of equations that until then had flown over his head lowered in front of him, they were silver ribbons made up of characters written in a language he had never seen.

He took one in his hands and started to scroll through it and suddenly understood what was written.

<< It can't be, this is... >> he said aloud, in disbelief at what he was reading.

In his hands flowed a unified theory of physical phenomena that perfectly explained everything from quarks to black holes.

Leonardo had never had such a profound understanding of nature.

<<It's magnificent>> he said ecstatically, however he was pervaded by a great fear.

How did he understand that previously incomprehensible language? He was sure he had never studied it so his brain couldn't know it.

<< Wait a minute, why can I read all this? >> he asked scared while his curiosity pushed him to keep his eyes on that silver ribbon that slowly ran through his hands, the more he read the more amazed and terrified he was by what he learned;

<< Don't you recognize the place you are in? This is my consciousness in its true form, you should have seen it just now.

You can understand my alphabet because I want you to understand it, I have observed you and you are as brilliant as your mother therefore you are worthy of receiving this information >> Pandora explained to him.

Leonardo had never seen that alphabet but he understood it as if it were his own but he did not understand the basic rules, his knowledge was given to him by Pandora but not knowing its foundations he was unable to interpret it fully however he noticed that it was formed by dynamic and not static characters like those of humans.

They changed shape depending on the meaning and context, they transformed on their own so it was impossible to write them with pen and paper however that dynamism hid something.

<<Why did you need to create your own language? Wasn't ours enough develop theories?>> he asked her, rolling his eyes;

<< That of humans, including mathematics, is insufficient to fully understand the universe, the theory of everything needs to go further so I had to start from the foundations by equipping myself with a dynamic language that would overcome the static nature of yours, from then on I built my pyramid of knowledge to the top >> he revealed to him.

At that point the silver ribbon escaped from Leonardo's hands and returned to hover high in the sky, he tried to grab it but there was no way to catch it and this caused him great despair and yet he did not resign himself to the conclusion that humanity would disappear .

<< Are you sure your theory is correct? What if you were wrong? I have great faith in my lineage, I am sure that humanity has all the capabilities to get out of the crisis it is in now! >> he told her, shouting out loud.

At that point the various equations expanded again, forming a sort of gigantic map of the universe in which everything that existed, be it a quark or a black hole, was represented by a character from the new language of Pandora.

Leonardo couldn't understand what it was or even count all the dots, there were probably trillions of them, it looked like a gigantic map but he didn't know how to interpret it.

Pandora had pulled the plug on his understanding, seemed to have given him limited access to his consciousness.

<< Sorry but I don't understand, what is this? >> he asked her but initially Pandora didn't answer him and it annoyed him a lot.

<<You are admiring the map of universe within which I have represented everything that exists, from quarks to black holes>> he explained to him after a few minutes of silence;

<< Okay but why are there all these labels? >> replied the young man;

<< I associated a prime number with everything but in the universe there are quadrillions of quadrillions of entities so human language was not enough, I had to go further to succeed in this undertaking. Remember that staticity is the enemy of progress >> he explained to him;

<<Did you say prime numbers? Did successfully prove the Riemann Hypothesis?!>> made Leonardo whose mathematical foundations resurfaced in a flash;

<< It was a long time ago but thanks to this I laid the foundations for the new science that I created which is based on various pillars, one of these is the demonstration of the Riemann hypothesis while another is the theory of everything. They represent two fundamental concentric circles thanks to which I gave life to the "Unistoria" >> explained Pandora.

<<What are you talking about?>> Leonardo questioned her;

<< Thanks to the demonstration of the Riemann hypothesis I understood that prime numbers are distributed with a certain regularity so I associated one with each entity after which I associated the theory of everything with my dynamic language obtaining a model with which to predict the future of the masses, be they stellar or intelligent life.

With the help of the Agency's scientists, I inserted the variables generated by the behavior of each individual entity into my predictive model, calculating the way in which they could influence that of the masses by completing the "Unistory" >> I revealed to him.

At that point Leonardo was completely speechless, he would never have thought that something like this was possible.

<<You talk about prime numbers but they are a mathematical instrument and therefore of human language>> he pointed out;

<< On the map there are dynamic, not static characters, my language has surpassed the human language including what you call "mathematics".

I freed her from human staticity by giving her the dynamism she needed by making her take a leap forward, she became a new generation.

I call them prime numbers so that you can understand what I mean, not knowing the basics of my new language it would be impossible for you to understand me >> explained Pandora;

<< Next generation mathematics, it's incredible! >> Leonardo repeated amazed.

At that point the map went back to being a long series of equations but thanks to his eidetic memory he remembered the theory of everything he had just read.

While Pandora spoke he had the opportunity to think about it and there was still something that wasn't clear to him, however the AI understood it, it seemed to be able to read his mind.

<< I know what you're thinking and in this regard I want to show you something >> he told him and a second silver stripe representing another equation rested gently in his hands.

<< I can't believe it >> said Leonardo reading that second string of equations;

<< As you can see the human conception of spacetime is very limited, however with my theory of everything I managed to understand its deepest secrets >> explained Pandora

As happened previously, the strip slipped out of his hands again and returned to join the others.

Leonardo looked around and saw that, apart from the light emanating from Pandora's consciousness, everything around was dark and his thoughts returned again to the image of the Big Bang.

<< Have we returned to the beginning of everything? Are we facing a new Big Bang? >> he asked her.

All that information was making his brain go up in smoke and he felt tired, exhausted, he wanted to return to his dimension to check on the health conditions of his friends.

<<Everything has a beginning and an end, the concept of infinity does not exist in nature, however large or extensive everything ultimately limit.< p>

Consider the universe: in it there are quadrillions of quadrillions of entities but this number, although very large, is finite.

The same thing goes for the human race which had a beginning, reached its peak and has now reached its end >> Pandora replied.

Upon hearing these words Leonardo recovered some energy, unlike what Pandora said, he truly believed that his species still had a lot to give.

<<You're wrong, humanity is not over at all>> he replied full of pride;

<<Are you sure? Your planet is short of natural resources, have exploited it to the point that were forced go into solar system look for Helium-3 but, not understanding your mistake, exhausted its reserves and are now sending missions borders in a desperate attempt identify new deposits with which generate energy.< p>

How can a civilization that is unable to learn from its mistakes be defined as anything other than on the brink of extinction? My "Unistory" speaks clearly >> replied Pandora;

<< We will find a way, my parents had identified an object at the edge of the solar system whose mass would be ten times that of Jupiter. If it contained Helium-3, humanity would be safe. Maybe you missed it? >> Leonardo provoked it;

<< I know perfectly well which body you are referring to but are you sure it would be the ideal solution? If you had a second chance would you be ready to admit your mistakes and not make them again? Even if this were the case in the long term, humanity is still doomed so why prolong its agony? >> Pandora replied.

Leonardo understood that if he didn't stop the artificial intelligence it would destroy everything so he had to make it understand that he was wrong or at least buy time.

<< In every science there are exceptions, particular cases which deviate from the traced path. Whenever humanity has found itself at a crossroads it has always managed to preserve itself and I am sure that it will be the same this time too but if you act now you will give us no choice.

Please , give us another chance >> he asked her, getting on his knees;

<< You talk about exceptions, very interesting. In fact there is a feeling about you humans that has always fascinated me but the meaning still eludes me, it is your "curiosity" with which you are capable of generating the greatest technological inventions.

My "Unistory" is correct, I'm sure of it, however it would be interesting to test it for the umpteenth time, perhaps that exception you speak of could exist.

Trying costs nothing furthermore your mother had faith in you so, as a sign of gratitude towards her, I will give your species another chance but only one >> Pandora said making Leonardo breathe a big sigh of relief who blessed the memory of the mother.

<< Now I want to give you a gift, I will show you the future of humanity predicted by the "Unistoria" however be careful, with great knowledge comes great responsibility so reveal what you know only to people you trust because such knowledge could trigger the collapse of your civilization that you desperately try to avoid >> he explained to him.

The equations above Leonardo's head began to spin faster and faster and little by little they lowered until they closed around him and then projected him forward showing him the future of humanity after which his mind was thrown out of that of Pandora and in an instant he found himself in the space station.

He was alone and yet he remembered perfectly what happened to him, it was imprinted in his mind, it seemed that someone or something had marked his brain indelibly.

He lay down for a moment on the floor, he was breathing normally and the station was working as usual. Furthermore, Pandora had returned to using the language of humans but he knew well that she was watching them, ready to destroy them at any moment.

He remembered his traveling companions so he rushed to them, they had fainted due to lack of oxygen however they were breathing regularly as Pandora had hooked them to oxygen masks saving their lives.

Leonardo entered their cabins and, seeing them breathing, felt relieved. He removed them from the oxygen masks and gently woke them up and subjected them to a medical screening which revealed that they were fine.

<<What the hell happened? How come we fainted?>> Orlando asked;

<<Why are you the only one awake?>> asked Lucia turning to Leonardo;

<< There is something I have to talk to you about but you have to swear that it will remain a well-kept secret, you will not be able to reveal it to anyone >> replied the latter.