History: "Major Silence"

 

Major Silence

Layla Norwood stared at her laptop screen as a jumble of data cascaded down. To anyone else, it would have been boring, meaningless information. But to her, it was a promise. Darril Oliver, her young assistant and protégé, appeared with two cups of coffee in his hands. 

Multifractal Inverse Spectroscopy (MIS) had already been in development for a couple of years. In itself, it was a system capable of detecting extremely subtle and non-linear energy patterns, normally invisible to current methods.

After decades of silence in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, some scientists attempted to explain this silence by proposing that advanced civilizations became invisible due to their technological and ethical evolution, embracing forms of existence that minimized their impact on the cosmos, making it difficult for them to be detected by technologically   backward civilizations like that of Earth.

At first, the hopes of the research team led by Layla in Inverse Multifractal Spectroscopy were low. No one expected a signal to arrive so soon. But it did. And Layla's lab was able to capture it thanks to the ECM. 

—"Anything new?"— He asked, placing one of the cups next to the keyboard. 

—"Maybe," Layla replied, not taking her eyes off the screen. —"This pattern... could be it."

—"A 'maybe' after months of working on this? Now that's progress!" Darril joked, but his smile slowly faded as he saw the intensity in his mentor's gaze. 

Layla spun in her chair, her expression somewhere between excitement and caution. 

—"Darril, do you remember what I said about the Evolutionary Invisibility Hypothesis?" he asked. 

—"Of course." He recited almost from memory . "Advanced civilizations become imperceptible because they stop emitting chaotic signals. They embrace technologies that do not alter their environment and..."

  —"And they evolve beyond what we consider perceptible or tangible," Layla interrupted, pointing at the screen. —"This pattern... is too precise to be natural, but too weak to be what we would expect from a classic artificial signal. It's just what we were looking for."  

Darril leaned closer to the screen, looking at what   Layla was showing him. He frowned in concentration as he examined the data. 

—"Are you saying this could be...?"— He said cautiously, not daring to complete the sentence. 

—"I don't know. There are no studies to corroborate this yet. But if I'm right, we've detected something beyond our current technological understanding." 

Over the next few days, they worked tirelessly. They adjusted the spectrometer, filtered out the noise, and analyzed every fragment of the signal they had recorded. It was like trying to hear a whisper in a storm. Finally, after weeks of work, they managed to isolate a clear pattern: a series of pulses that followed a mathematical sequence. 

"This can't be a coincidence," Layla said, her heart racing from a mix of exhaustion and excitement. 

—"It's... a message?"— Darril said, almost in a whisper. 

Layla nodded. “Not a message in the sense we were expecting, but it does seem to be something like a non-random numerical sequence.”

The signal was   faint but undeniably artificial. And it came from a nearby star system. Together, Layla and her assistant   tried to decipher the code, but the signal didn’t seem to convey information in the traditional sense, instead revealing what looked like a mathematical sequence.

After much wrangling, they decided that only a skilled mathematician could interpret it. They invited London-based doctor Alexander Graves, who worked tirelessly for weeks to crack the code. Eventually, his team revealed a complex string of data ending in what Graves described as a “periodic digital signature.” The structure of the message, divided into sections he called “pages,” contained clear instructions for building an extraordinary machine. 

The news spread like wildfire globally. Headlines filled the media: “Extraterrestrial Message Decoded: The Machine of the Future.” Governments, scientists and citizens around the world debated what this discovery meant and how it should be addressed. 

Days later, at a packed news conference in New York, Dr. Layla Norwood and Dr. Graves faced a crowd of reporters eager for answers. 

—"Dr. Norwood, can you confirm whether this machine, according to the plans, represents a form of direct communication with extraterrestrial beings?" one of the journalists asked. 

Layla adjusted her glasses and tried to speak calmly. “The data provided by Dr. Graves and his team is, as far as we know, authentic and of non-human origin.” She paused. “But there is no way of knowing if the signal is being emitted from an automatic communication beacon or was sent to Earth specifically. We have no way of knowing.”

A correspondent from a news channel asked: "Can you tell us what the alleged machine is used for?"

Dr. Norwood replied cautiously. "The machine does not appear to be a simple means of communication like a transmitter, but something more complex."

—"More complex? In what sense?" the journalist asked again. 

Layla cleared her throat for a moment and replied, "The structure of the message itself...and the instructions suggest that this machine not only exchanges information, but could interact directly with quantum levels of energy and thus impact reality, something we are only just beginning to understand." 

A reporter spoke up from the back. "Is it safe to build? Some experts have expressed concerns about the risks of assembling technology of unknown origin." 

Layla looked at the reporter seriously, nodding. "That's a valid question and a concern shared by our team. We've implemented strict safety protocols and collaborated with the world's best scientists and engineers to ensure that every step is taken with the utmost care. At this very conference, you can see Dr. Graves, as one of them." 

A tabloid journalist chimed in. "How do you respond to accusations that this could be a trap or a threat to our planet?" 

Layla paused before answering. "Any advancement in human history has come with controlled risks. However, we do not believe this signal is hostile. Its structure and the content it carries make us think of it more as an invitation than a threat." 

A nearby correspondent asked, "Invitation to what?"

Layla answered evasively with a slight smile. -"That's what we're trying to find out."- 

The implications of her words resonated with those in attendance. Outside, the outpouring of support and skepticism continued. But in Layla's heart was the hope that the next step would mark the beginning of a new era for humanity. 

The construction of the device took months, during which many of her colleagues considered her team members to be crazy. But Layla had no time to convince the skeptics. 

One night two years later, as they were assembling the final pieces in the lab, Darril broke the silence. 

—"If this works... when we start communicating... what do you think we'll find on the other side?"— He asked. 

—"I honestly don't know, Darril. Maybe a hint of what we might become as a civilization someday. Or maybe a warning. We won't know until we take the risk and open up communication. So far the device hasn't proven to be a weapon or a bomb."

When the device was complete, it looked like something out of a dream: a crystalline cylinder about a meter high, with a large amount of circuitry and electronic tracks. The power source was barely perceptible. Layla and Darril sat in front of it. It was ready for the first test. 

They moved the device into a specially constructed vault for activation. The vault contained multiple devices for capturing sound, imaging the entire spectrum of light, not just visible light. Thermal imaging cameras and chemical sensors completed the environment. The military specialists offered Layla the use of robots for the first activation, but both Layla and Darril were confident that no advanced civilization would initiate contact using an aggressive device.

They entered the vault only when all sensors and cameras were active.

—“Ready to cross the border, Darril?” Layla asked, trying to hide her own nervousness. 

—"Ready for anything, Layla. As long as it's with you, I'll go wherever you take me." Darril joked, though his tone betrayed a hint of fear. 

As they turned on the machine, they both felt a soft hum and then… silence. But it wasn’t an empty silence; it was a silence filled with meaning, as if the entire universe was holding its breath. And then, their minds opened up to a vast, unknown space, where ethereal structures and luminous shapes danced in perfect harmony. The device was emitting an advanced holography. 

Layla knew in that instant that they had crossed some kind of threshold. They had found something beyond space or the known universe, something that she sensed would end up changing forever their understanding of life, intelligence and purpose. But along with that wonderful feeling came a disturbing revelation, through a chain of feelings. Nonverbal communication told them that humanity was still far from ready to fully understand what they had discovered. 

After that first experience, when the machine was deactivated, they opened the vault and returned to the laboratory, Layla looked at Darril with a mixture of pride and sadness. Her assistant had felt the same feelings, the same perceptions. Some undefined and unknown mode of nonverbal communication.

—"Darril... this is just the beginning. But I also believe that it is a test. The question is not what we have found, but whether we will live up to what we have been shown."- 

The young assistant nodded silently, knowing that they had touched on a mystery greater than either of them could have imagined.

On the second attempt, the first volunteer outside the team was Dr. Arvind Malhotra. When the machine was turned on, it emitted a soft humming sound that resonated in Dr. Malhotra's chest. He described it as if space itself was vibrating and transmitting that vibration to his own chest. He then felt a translucent energy field unfold in the air in front of him, slowly rotating in a hypnotic motion. 

As she left, Layla asked him, "What did you see, Arvind?"

Arvind replied, his voice shaking from the impression he had received. "I can't describe it... It's... like entering an infinite space. I was entering a channel full of structures that seemed to be alive. Shapes of light, echoes of thoughts, as if I were inside a collective consciousness." 

Darril stepped in. “A collective consciousness? You mean some kind of alien intelligence?” 

Arvind had trouble defining his feelings. "No... It's more than that. It's like all the intelligences in the universe are connected there. It's... like a Web of Silence. That's what it is." 

Apparently, contrary to what scientists had thought, the machine did not transport matter, nor was it a conventional communication system. It appeared to be a device that expanded the field of   consciousness, allowing those who used it to access a completely different plane of existence, which delved into the subatomic world and allowed them to perceive the energy that sustained subatomic particles.

The reports from early users were consistent. They all repeated the same sensation: they entered an infinite space filled with translucent structures and luminous energy, while a host of thoughts resonated like echoes in the minds of the explorers. 

After many experiments, the project scientists discussed the implications of this discovery at a top-secret meeting. 

Layla said. "This Web of Silence doesn't seem to be a particular place. It's something we would describe as a convergence point. A sort of living library where civilizations share knowledge without disturbing the material universe." 

Darril opined. "What if what we're seeing is more than just subatomic structures? Some speculate that it could be... superconsciousness. Or the famous Akashic records. "

Arvind chimed in. “That interpretation is not entirely unreasonable. What I experienced did not seem limited by time or space. It was as if the entire history of the universe was there, accessible somehow.” 

Dr. Graves offered a skeptical view. "What guarantees us that this isn't a trick? An illusion created to control or manipulate us..."

Engineer Sarah Lin weighed in. "Whatever this is, it doesn't seem to be hostile. There's no evidence of manipulation, or imposition. We've found that there are no psychic or behavioral changes in those of us who enter the chamber. From what we see in the analysis, this device, by generating these sensations, seems to respect our autonomy. It's as if we're invited, not forced, to be there... or to learn whatever it is they want to teach us."

Darril crossed his arms and exhaled. "I agree with Sarah. It seems that contact is about learning something. The real question is, are we ready to learn what is being offered? Because this knowledge does not seem to be about them. It seemed to me that it is about us, about our reality. When I entered there for the second time, I seemed to be in a universe that made it easy for me to see the system of strings, of energy that supports the subparticular world and allows the atomic reality of space to be maintained."

Layla confirmed her assistant's conviction. -"Many of us feel what Darril says."

The debates continued, but one thing remained clear: The Web of Silence was more than a scientific discovery. It was a cosmic mirror, showing humanity its place in a universe far more vast and connected in ways it had never imagined. 

After months of exploring the Web of Silence, Layla Norwood, Darril Oliver, and the large team of scientists involved in the project began to discern a pattern in the vast network of thoughts and echoes of knowledge that flowed through that infinite plane. With each foray, they accessed fragments of what seemed to be records shared by other civilizations that came to them through ideas, not direct messages: narratives about their evolution, their achievements, and in many cases, their failures. 

On one of their dives, Layla and Darril found something that captured their attention completely. It was a kind of universal chronicle, a description of how advanced civilizations had evolved to abandon the material. 

Layla sat in front of the device, her eyes closed as she explained the sensations of her last session with the strange device. She said to her companion, "Darril, what I'm seeing now is that these civilizations didn't disappear. They just... transcended..." 

Darril, adjusting the monitoring devices, asked him , "Did they transcend? How? To what?" 

Layla tried to explain with a glint of understanding in her eyes. "You don't need ships, cities, or infrastructure when you learn to exist as pure energy. From what I'm interpreting, evolving civilizations give up everything that leaves a material footprint and move to a form of sustainable coexistence." 

Darril asked in disbelief. -"And they just leave everything behind? What about their planets, their cultures?" -

Layla explained. "Planets regenerate themselves. Their cultures are integrated into this... Network. Everything is stored, shared. There is no need for physical monuments when you can preserve all your history on an immaterial plane." 

Darril frowned. "But why isn't anyone trying to communicate with us directly? If they're there, why aren't they guiding us?"

Layla thought about explaining it to him in a serious tone . -"Because to guide directly would be to interfere with your evolution. Everything they have shown us points to a basic rule: each civilization must find its own path. If they interfere, they run the risk of perpetuating our immaturity by skipping stages and preventing you from evolving."- 

Darril poured coffee for the two of them, his expression thoughtful. "So, these invisible civilizations... are they waiting for us to solve our problems so we can join them?"

Layla sighed. "I don't think they're 'waiting'. They're just there, living on a level we barely understand. It's up to us to decide if we want to follow the same path or become extinct before we reach that point of evolution."

Darril opined. -"It's frustrating. We know we're not alone, we know there's a better way to coexist, but we seem to be stuck in our own stupidity."-

Layla showed a slight hint of humor in her tone. "That's what it means to be human, Darril. We're stubborn, self-centered, and sometimes brilliant."

Darril smiled as he took a sip of coffee. "Well, at least brilliance got us here." 

Understanding of these discoveries slowly filtered through the scientific community and into society at large. For some, it was a call to action, an inspiration to change the course of humanity toward more sustainable coexistence. For others, it was a blow to human pride, a reminder of how far we were from our best selves. 

Layla, for her part, knew that her role was not to dictate how humanity should evolve, but simply to show that there was a path to follow. The choice to follow it would be up to the rest of the world.

Over time, the signals in the Web of Silence became clearer with each dive. Layla and her team discovered that interaction with other civilizations was not as straightforward as they had initially imagined. One afternoon, during an intensive exploration session, Layla and Darril accessed a space in the Web where luminous entities seemed to converge—conscious forms that communicated not with words but with concepts and emotions. 

It was there that they received the most direct message yet: a collective trial was necessary for any civilization that aspired to fully integrate into the Network. 

Layla spoke with a mixture of fascination and some humor. -"Houston, we have a problem."-

Darril looked up in amusement. "A problem? Please don't tell me you destroyed a parallel universe or something."

Layla replied with a half smile. "No, but I think humanity is under evaluation." 

Darril asked interestedly. "Evaluation? What kind of evaluation?"

Layla explained. "I've been thinking about this a lot last night. Humanity has to pass an ethical trial. The Net is not just free access to knowledge as we thought; it is a kind of regulatory system. Every civilization that wants to be an active part of it has to prove that it is trustworthy, that it does not represent a threat to the balance of the cosmos." 

Darril was interested in that point of view. -"And how do they evaluate us?"-

Layla sighed. "We are analyzed on three levels: our impact on our own planet, our relationship with other life forms, and how we treat members of our own species." 

Darril said sarcastically. "Ah, great. We're doomed."

Engineer Sarah Lin, who was at the other desk, chimed in. "How do you think they see us? Where do we stand?" 

Layla said. "I would classify us as 'provisional'. We are allowed to observe and learn, but not fully participate."

Darril crossed his arms. “It’s a fancy way of telling us we’re immature.” 

Sarah opined. "And what exactly is the problem? We got to this point on our own. Shouldn't we deserve some credit?" 

Layla looked at her seriously. "The problem is that we continue to destroy our planet, exploit other life forms, and in many cases, we are our own worst enemy. I don't see such a judgment as an arbitrary penalty; rather, it is a mirror of what we are."

In an attempt to clear up the team's doubts, Layla re-entered the Grid with Darril as support. The luminous entities were there, waiting. Layla tried to formulate the question that had been lingering in her mind. 

Communication on that plane was only mental. Layla thought. -"Why are we given access if we are not ready to participate fully?"- 

A warm vibration flooded into her consciousness, followed by a clear message. -"Because learning begins with observation. Humanity has demonstrated potential, but lacks balance. This access is an opportunity for you to grow, not an earned privilege."- 

Darril cautiously intervened. "What if we don't change? If we remain... well, what we are now." 

The answer came as a wave of sadness. - "The Network does not intervene in the destiny of civilizations, it only shows them the way. They will follow the evolution that you decide."

Eventually, the team organized a global conference broadcast around the world. In his speech, he described the wonder of the Web and what he had learned. 

Layla, leading the team, spoke to millions of viewers. “The Net is not just a portal to other civilizations. It is a reflection. It shows us what we can be if we leave behind our divisions, our arrogance, and our damage to the world that gave us life.” She paused, letting the words sink in. Then she continued. “The access we have been allowed is provisional. We have been given the opportunity to learn, to change, to grow. We are not doomed, but we are not saved either. The fate of our species depends on our ability to evolve, not just technologically, but ethically.” 

He explained that it was not a question of abandoning human roots, but of transcending them. Was the human species willing to do so? Could civilization give up its obsession with power and accumulation to embrace a more subtle, more harmonious form of existence? 

The days following the conference were chaotic, but filled with a new energy. Scientists, artists, leaders and citizens began to debate the meaning of the words of Layla and the scientific team. Some social movements were born, inspired by the idea that humanity could change its course. 

In the lab, Darril watched Layla as she reviewed new data about the Network. 

Darril said absentmindedly. "Looks like you're gaining some followers." 

Layla replied without taking her eyes off the screen. -"It's not about me. It's about us."- 

Darril smiled. "You know that sounds like a motivational movie tagline, right?" 

Layla laughed heartily . "Maybe we need a little motivation, Darril." 

The portal continued to spin inside the vault, a constant reminder of what was at stake. Humanity was at a crossroads, but for the first time in a long time, Layla felt something she hadn’t felt in years: hope. The Grid wasn’t just a challenge; it was a promise. And though the road would be long and difficult, she was convinced that humanity could get there, one step at a time.

END