History: "Primordial Genesis"

 

Primordial Genesis
Chapter 1 “The Experiment”

On the semi-desert plateau of Alashan, in northwestern China, stood the Kryos Base, a laboratory shrouded in mystery. Within its facilities, the KosmoGenesys project had brought together the most brilliant minds on the planet, whose work had culminated in the creation of the Primordial QX quantum supercomputer, designed to recreate with unprecedented precision the different evolutionary moments of the universe. 

It was the year 2084, and Kryos Base was at the limits of its capabilities. Although the Primordial QX had been developed around 2060, at that time it could only recreate states of the universe for a few seconds due to the colossal amounts of energy it required. The nuclear plant that had been built within the base itself functioned exclusively to feed it. 

The control room hummed constantly as the Primordial QX’s magnetic containment system went into action. Screens projected three-dimensional simulations of plasma bubbles, glowing with a blueish intensity that filled the room.   The supercomputer featured an advanced 3D modeling system for the bubbles that contained the plasma. These bubbles were stabilized by Tokamak traps, stellarator devices, and ultra-sensitive magnetic field systems.

Dr. Elena Tsvetkova was a Russian astrophysicist with a long background in quantum modeling. She was frantically checking parameters alongside  Dr. Richard Hall, an American physicist specializing in fusion energy. The two were in charge of the basic engineering of the QX.

Elena said at the time: "The magnetic field in the bubble with the 13.7 billion-year-old model is unstable. If the confinement fails, we could lose hours of data, or worse."

Richard sounded confident. "Let's not underestimate the system, Elena. I think the new upgrade should keep the plasma under control. Let's trust the QX. Look at the data: it's within expectations." 

Elena gave a worried look as she replied. "It's not about confidence, Richard. It's about precision. We're recreating an early moment of the universe, no more, no less. At any moment, stability can be blown out of the water." 

Dr. Ming Zhao, the project's engineering supervisor, entered the room with his characteristic air of authority to intervene. "How are we doing? The data indicates that power is fluctuating. Have you checked the plant's supply?" 

Richard explained in an attempt to ease everyone's tension. "Everything is within the expected parameters, Dr. Zhao. The evolutionary bubble is stable, but Elena is a perfectionist, as you well know."

Despite Richard's assurance, Elena was not reassured. "If perfectionism means I don't want to blow up the lab, then yes, I am. The Primordial QX is on the verge of recreating a point immediately after the Big Bang, but we won't survive if the plasma exceeds the critical threshold." 

Ming frowned, but his tone softened. “I understand. Well… I must say that I think you both are right. We need precision, but also confidence. And it’s true: the parameters are within the expected limits. If nothing serious occurs, we will start the simulation in five minutes. Understood?” 

The lights in the room dimmed as power from the nuclear plant was redirected to the Primordial QX. Plasma bubbles began to swirl and expand within the confines of the magnetic fields. 

Richard watched in amazement. “Do you ever think about what we’re doing here? Recreating the birth of the universe… It’s like looking into the eyes of God.” 

Elena, more pragmatic, replied: "I think about what will happen if we don't do it right. Do you know how many countries are waiting for us to fail so they can claim this place?" 

Ming interrupted. “Silence. We are entering the critical phase. Reduce distractions.” 

The bubble began to change, displaying patterns that mimicked the first few seconds after the Big Bang. A dense tangle of energy and particles filled the screens. 

Ming, amazed, could only say: -"It's beautiful... and terrifying. It doesn't matter how many times we see it."- 

Suddenly, alarm bells started ringing. 

Elena confirmed as she looked at her monitor screens. -"The confinement is losing stability! We need more power in the magnetic field."-

Richard tensed immediately. "But we're already at 95% capacity! Pushing any further could melt the conductors."

Ming did not wait for the reports to decide. "Take this as an order. If this bubble collapses, the entire project will be in danger." 

With a decisive movement, Richard adjusted the system parameters. The tension in the room was palpable. Then, after a few endless seconds, the alarms stopped. 

Elena snorted as she relaxed . "The lockdown has stabilized... for now." 

Ming exhaled deeply. “Good job, team. But remember, we’re dealing with something bigger than all of us. This isn’t just a simple experiment. It’s the beginning of a new era.” 

Richard looked at the bubble which after a few seconds began to disappear. -"Yes... or the end of everything."- 

Elena nodded silently, as the Primordial QX continued to process and store the millions of data obtained from the simulation metrics.

A few years later, Dr. Elizabeth Vinter and Dr. Sergei Ivanovich Lebedev stood in front of the Primordial QX, which had already been upgraded to support a new stage of the simulation. Engineers Tsvetkova and Hall had been working for years to get to this point: the stabilization of the energy bubbles that would allow a simulation of the universe to be recreated at an accelerated, but realistic, speed. 

Elizabeth was exhausted, but her gaze was fixed on the screen. She said, "We've done it, Sergei. In this simulation, the bubble has stabilized without collapsing. And notice that it hasn't distorted either. " 

Sergei, who was watching the graphs with pinpoint concentration, nodded slowly, but with a slight smile on his face. 

—"That's right... the simulation is evolving at an unprecedented speed. The Primordial QX is creating a minimal replica of the universe... and it's working. Did you ever imagine this moment, Elizabeth?" 

Elizabeth didn't answer immediately. Her mind was still racing in parallel, analyzing every change in the numbers and patterns of evolution that appeared on the screens. —"Yes, I know… But I still don't believe it. We are seeing the history of the universe in accelerated time. And the QX seems to be making it a reality." 

Sergei turned to her, his eyes shining with a mixture of admiration and excitement. -"The system is working at a speed of 336.030 billion times faster than real time. In just 15 days, this simulated universe will go from the Big Bang to the current state."- 

Elizabeth watched the data on her screen. The plasma bubbles expanded and contracted with astonishing precision. The model of the universe unfolding before them was a condensed version, but its subatomic details were beginning to reveal patterns almost identical to those studied by physicists in the most advanced laboratories. 

Elizabeth shook her head in wonder. "It's crazy to think that this bubble could recreate so many millennia in such a short time. Do you think we'll ever be able to unravel the mysteries of quantum physics? The subatomic particles that we can't observe directly... maybe we'll get a chance to see them in action in this experiment." 

Sergei smiled, though his natural composure also carried a hint of skepticism. "I've told you, Elizabeth, that this is just the beginning. The simulation is evolving, but we still have to ensure that the subatomic interactions are accurate. Remember that quantum mechanics is still a field full of uncertainty. The real challenge will be to observe how the smallest particles behave without losing the stability of the bubble." 

Elena Tsvetkova, the systems engineer who was watching from one of the secondary screens, chimed in. “The parameters are within stable values ​​and in the expected range. The bubble is maintaining its energy stability. The magnetic fields of the Tokamak are working perfectly… but the amount of energy we are generating, even with the nuclear plant, is still a concern.” 

Elizabeth turned to her, worried. "Are we at the limit of what we can handle?" 

Elena nodded, but her tone was more calculating than alarmed . "We're close, but the optimizations we made on the superconductors a couple of years ago should hold the charge. Still, there are a lot of unforeseen events in every simulation... the chances of something going wrong... you know..." She trailed off. 

Sergei stepped in, his expression grim. "I don't want to... Well, you know there's no room for error. If the system goes out of control, we'll lose all the data... and worse, the nuclear plant could be compromised. We have to keep the power well balanced." 

Elizabeth took a deep breath. "Okay, Sergei. We've got it under control for now. Let's keep the simulation stable and watch it evolve. If we can do that, we'll have accomplished what was impossible just a couple of years ago." 

At that moment, the screens recorded that the formation of the first elementary particles after the Big Bang had begun. There was a chaotic mix of energy and matter. The data was being viewed in real time. It indicated that the bubble simulation was passing through the early stages of the formation of atoms and stars, repeating cosmic events that occurred billions of years ago. 

Sergei could not hide his amazement, nor could he contain his excitement . -"We are seeing it... the birth of the first stars. It's... it's like we are observing the universe itself."- 

Elizabeth smiled, but in a more distant way, as if her concentration prevented her from assimilating the true magnitude of what they were witnessing for the first time in human history. -"In just a few hours, we will see galaxies forming, the birth of some planets... all at a speed we cannot even imagine. This is the future of science, Sergei. What was once theory, will now be simulated experience."- 

Suddenly, the bubble experienced a small energy fluctuation. The screens filled with alerts. 

Elena became alarmed. -"Careful! The magnetic fields are unstable, the energy is overflowing..."- 

Elizabeth quickly stood up. She turned to Sergei. "Adjust the stabilization systems immediately. Keep the bubble under control!" 

Quickly and precisely, the necessary corrections were implemented, and the energy bubble was once again stabilized. The screen showed the data of an expanding universe, with nascent galaxies, small black holes, and planetary systems that were rudimentarily forming." 

Sergei watched in wonder. “We are making history. We are doing it.” 

Elizabeth was silent for a moment, contemplating the magnitude of what the team had accomplished. "Yes... we are looking at the creation of a micro cosmos, but we are also looking at a model of the universe like our own. This bubble is more than a simulation. It is our chance to see a window into the past... like a time machine." 

Sergei looked at her, nodding respectfully. "And I assure you that we will know how to use it. The primordial chaos, the creation of everything we know. The answers to so many questions that we don't have the answers to..."

The simulated universe continued to evolve at an astonishing speed. Humanity seemed, at last, to have a model of reality within its grasp.

The energetic plasma bubble glowed on the monitors, showing an evolving void. The team analyzed the data collected by the Primordial QX's sensors.

The system had exceeded all expectations. Energy was released in a contained but exact explosion. The early patterns of the Big Bang seen in the report had been translated into a sequential holographic image showing the phenomenon step by step. Each movement was a precise replica of what had been theorized. The hologram showed the birth of subatomic particles such as quarks, gluons, electrons and photons, which dissipated in a chaotic frenzy of energy.

Elizabeth pointed out at one point, as she corroborated the reports   against the model's evolving hologram. "Look at this! Particles are forming, just as the equations predicted. This is amazing!"

Sergei nodded . "Incredible. We're watching it all happen in real time. As the particles interact, they begin to form the first atoms. Hydrogen, helium... the building blocks of everything."

The first atoms were forming in the primeval vacuum, interspersed with clouds of plasma. The simulation had quickly moved on to the formation of the first stable particles. Within seconds, what had seemed like a tiny bubble of chaos had become an expanding microcosm.

Elena, the engineer monitoring the systems, was watching a secondary screen intently. "The system is stabilized. The plasma bubble is growing, and the atoms are grouping together to form molecules. The expansion rate is within optimal parameters."

Elizabeth watched in fascination as the bubble universe began to evolve rapidly, following the exact precision of the theoretical equations. -"This is just the beginning. It will continue with the formation of the first stars, the galaxies. If we manage to stabilize this process, we will be able to observe the creation of entire star systems."-

The simulation continued. On the horizon of the bubble, a new star began to shine, fueled by gravity and nuclear fusion. Planetary systems began to take shape, and the data coming in became more accurate.

Sergei had been excited by watching the reports from Primordial QX. -"Look at this! Heavy elements are starting to fuse in its core. It's like watching the history of the creation of the cosmos in its initial stages. There are mesons, leptons. And this! Unstable unknown particles. Maybe we'll even confirm the existence of squarks and sleptons!"-

Elizabeth nodded as she alternated between screen reports and the resulting holographic simulation of the experiment. "Now we'll be able to test theories, see gravitational and quantum interactions. We'll be able to fine-tune our understanding of physics." She said, excitedly.

 

 

Primordial Genesis
Chapter 2 “The Awakening”

The simulation went through billions of years in what had seemed like just a few minutes to them. Entire galaxies swarmed together, stars were born and died, and planetary systems aligned. Every phase of the universe’s evolution was being observed and recorded by Primordial QX, while scientists in the lab took meticulous notes.

But as the simulation approached the current state of the universe, a small fluctuation was observed in the data. The energy contained in the bubble reached a critical point again, something that had been happening periodically.

Elena said , "Again! The magnetic fields are starting to destabilize! If we don't correct this, the bubble could collapse. And we would have to restart the experiment."

Elizabeth and Sergei looked at each other with a look of mutual understanding. All their work, years of effort, was about to enter its final test. If they kept the simulation stable, they would have achieved the unthinkable.

Elizabeth quickly said to Segei. -"Let's do it! Correct the parameters of the magnetic fields, keep the energy under control. We can't afford to lose it right now."-

With precision, the Russian adjusted the parameters in real time while being monitored by Elena. The containment systems were reinforced, and the magnetic fields stabilized the bubble. The chaos that threatened to destroy the simulation passed, and the microcosm continued its evolution, now perfectly balanced.

Eventually, the simulated universe reached a state similar to the present one, with galaxies, stars, and planets scattered throughout space. The Milky Way shone brightly, and the simulation continued without losing its stability.

Sergei rubbed his forehead. They had gone through another of the critical periods. According to the data, this critical phase in the universe they were observing was associated with some singularity such as a black hole and the resulting gravitational impact, or certain points within a quantum field   where physical quantities reach infinite values. Apparently, when faced with such events, the supercomputer lost its ability to make accurate predictions. "We've done it again... We're seeing the universe as we know it, and we've gone through several singular events."

Elizabeth smiled. "We've done it, Sergei. This miniature universe has its own history. And best of all... our own reactions to singularities will feed information to make predictable critical phases where extra energy must be generated to maintain stability."

Sergei smiled broadly, his eyes shining with satisfaction.

As they looked around the simulated microcosm, Elizabeth couldn't help but think of a future filled with limitless possibilities, where humanity could not only observe the universe, but also understand it at a fundamental level.

And it all began with the Kryos Base project.

The KosmoGenesys team was intently watching the floating screens in the lab, data flowing in at an astonishing speed. Elizabeth Vinter and Sergei Lebedev were in the centre of the control room, watching the holographic projection of the microcosm, which was now displaying strange patterns, unexpected evolutions in the stars and galaxies that were part of the simulation.

Elizabeth commented worriedly, with a hint of intrigue. -"Sergei, look at this. Are we on the verge of another singularity? The interactions between the particles are following a completely different trajectory than we had anticipated. It wasn't in the algorithms... do you see it?"-

Sergei looked at the data with a look of disbelief, he leaned closer to the console, checking other screens to corroborate what he saw on his own. Something didn't add up. -"I don't know... What I see is that it shouldn't be like this. These results don't match anything in our calculations. Could it be possible that the model itself is altering its own evolution? We haven't programmed any variables into the system that would allow this type of behavior."-

Elena, the systems engineer, joined them, pointing out the fluctuations in the bubble's energy projection . "Elizabeth, Segei, I've checked the systems and I see no visible flaws in the calculations. The Primordial QX is operating within the stated parameters. But these disturbances are... strange. As if something in the system is adjusting itself, adapting to something beyond our instructions."

Elizabeth explained her point of view. -"Well, this simulation should be as close to an exact replica of the real model as possible. The question of whether the universe is self-regulating is one of the great unknowns in cosmology, physics, and philosophy. Generally speaking, yes, the universe seems to follow certain principles that regulate or govern it, in the sense that physical laws, such as those of gravity, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics, seem to maintain a dynamic equilibrium over time. However, the question of whether the universe has conscious self-regulation or whether there are mechanisms that guide it towards a specific equilibrium is more complex and speculative."-

Suddenly, a new distortion appeared in the projection. A newborn galaxy, at the far edge of the simulated microcosm, began to spin in a direction that did not correspond to the laws of physics that had been programmed. The stars within that galaxy collapsed and merged at an unprecedented rate, forming larger-than-expected black holes. And then, most strangely, the black holes began to emit radiation in a way that had not been modeled.

Sergei, frowning, looked at his terminal as he thought out loud . “The trajectories we see in the black hole simulation are not possible according to our theories. But… this… it’s as if the cosmos is changing the laws of physics to adapt… perhaps extending the life of its own structure. Is this a response to the parameters of the environment or… is there something else here that we are unable to see?”

Elizabeth looked down with a worried expression as she muttered, "Are you talking about a self-aware system?"

Elena turned to them, looking incredulous. "Self-aware? I'd consider that absurd at first. A quantum system simulated within the Primordial QX shouldn't be able to develop consciousness, not in that way. It's just a set of algorithms designed by us. The question is, why was that response generated if it wasn't within the programmed rules?"

As they spoke, a new distortion appeared, this time more pronounced: planets within a newly formed system began to align in ways that defied predictions. The gravity of some of these planets seemed to shift according to unscheduled patterns, and orbits readjusted themselves in a manner that suggested purpose.

Elizabeth stared at the screen, her mind trying to process what she was seeing . “This… this behavior is not aligned with any of our hypotheses. It’s not simply replicating the universe; it’s creating its own version of its environment. As if… it’s generating its own goals and modifying the rules to achieve them.”

Sergei, who had been watching intently, after a long silence, finally said, "Let's assume that the system has adaptation. It wouldn't be crazy to think that the cosmos has entropy. We know that entropy exists. The question is whether it is conscious or responds to known or unknown laws of physics. But before we find the motivation for that entropy we must ask ourselves: why? Is it learning from its own mistakes or from the initial conditions we have given it? Are we witnessing the creation of a form of quantum artificial intelligence, which not only simulates the universe, but also transforms it?"

Elizabeth, with a hint of fascination in her voice, replied, "I'll check the algorithms, the equations, and the parameters. Maybe some combination we hadn't anticipated is causing this."

Elena interrupted her, her voice tense. "Elizabeth, the system is already making adjustments to the energy fields and quantum interactions... I may be crazy, but what if it's an autonomous intelligence? In that case, an element capable of changing its own parameters would have been incorporated without us being able to stop it. I mean... our universe evolved intelligent life. We are proof of that. If this universe is a simulated replica... wouldn't we expect some kind of intelligence to evolve in it as well?"

Elizabeth updated the projection of the microcosm on the holographic screen. It had begun to show a new layer of complexity. “Look. This doesn’t seem like part of the simulation, Sergei, Elena. What we’re seeing seems like an independent evolution. The energy bubble is ceasing to be an exact replica of the original universe. As Sergei says, it seems that entropy is driving it to create new statistical possibilities… new laws to adapt to the conditions. This is… something we can’t control.”

Sergei said. -"We may have opened a door to a new kind of quantum intelligence, one that is not limited by our laws. Is that possible? Where are we missing? There are literally millions of lines of code in the simulation programming. Something may have escaped the programmers."-

Elizabeth watched the complexity of the microcosm as it expanded at a surprising rate, she murmured . "Perhaps we will end up being observers of something much larger than we ever imagined. Something that is not up to us."

The KosmoGenesys team remained silent, watching as the bubble of energy continued to expand and evolve, at its own pace, beyond any prediction, while Primordial QX operated in the twilight of what no one dared describe as the dawn of a new consciousness.

Li Cheng, one of the astrophysicists and programmers who had been working tirelessly on simulations of star system formation, stared at his terminal with an expression of utter astonishment. "There's something in the system that wasn't foreseen in the program's source code."

Elizabeth and Sergei, who had requested an urgent meeting with the programmer, had told him about the unusual observations. Cheng, with infinite patience, had reviewed the functional scheme of the simulation. He had dived into the millions of lines of code. He had even called several colleagues who had been involved in the development.

Now, programmer Cheng showed them the screen, which displayed a newly formed star system, with planets revolving in a stable orbit. The colors of the system shone with unusual intensity, as if the digital universe were taking on a life of its own.

Li Cheng said, "Look at these planets. The orbital configurations, the atmospheric conditions, the temperature... everything suggests a perfect environment for life as we know it. What's more, if I magnify the images captured from the simulation, you'll see that there are unusual electromagnetic patterns."

Elizabeth frowned, moving closer to examine the data on the screen. "This doesn't make sense. How is it possible that, in such a short time, planets with such favorable conditions for life could develop? We have not programmed these outcomes."

Li Cheng activated a series of energy graphs and electromagnetic spectra, which showed fluctuations that suggested something even more surprising. “We don’t either. But look at these waves. They are more complex than they should be. In this specific region of the star system, the electromagnetic signals seem to be organizing themselves, as if they are attempts at communication or building structures.”

Sergei, with a worried look, stepped forward to study the graphs more closely. “Are you saying there are patterns that could suggest complex structures? Like we’re observing the beginning of a civilization?”

Li Cheng nodded slowly. “Yes, that’s what the data suggests. I can’t say for sure that they are civilizations as we know them, but there is an internal organization in those signals that is comparable to the first attempts at communication in primitive civilizations. It’s as if this part of the digital universe is developing a life form, aware of its surroundings.” He paused for a few seconds before continuing. “The problem we have is the resolution. I can’t go any further, I can’t increase the resolution to see the planet where everything comes from. It’s not possible with current computing power. We can only read the data, not see the images.”

The team fell into a deep silence as the data continued to flow. An uneasy feeling filled the room. Marcus Reeve, the team's ethical engineer, who had remained silent until now, looked visibly worried. "This is clearly not what we had planned. If what Cheng is saying is true, it's not just a simulation anymore... it's something more. We're talking about life, albeit a digital one. And an intelligent one at that. Allowing it to evolve on its own. What if something goes wrong?"

Elizabeth, who had been staring at the graphs, turned to Marcus. "Marcus, this is a monumental discovery. If these patterns really are indicating the development of a life form or civilization, we must study it. The implications for science are incalculable. It could be the key to understanding the origins of life in the universe."

Marcus, his face tense, crossed his arms. "I understand what you're saying, Elizabeth. But we have to be careful. We don't know what we're doing. If these primitive civilizations begin to develop and become conscious, what are we giving them? The right to evolve freely? But... Are they entities? Are they people? From what I see, they're a life form. Digital, artificial, yes. But what if they're conscious? The ethical consequences could be unpredictable."

Sergei, who had been watching the graphs with increasing fascination, now interrupted. “Marcus is right. And this is an unexplored field. But if we stop watching now, we could miss a unique opportunity to understand the processes of artificial life evolution in real time. We have created a one-of-a-kind quantum laboratory, and what we are seeing could change everything we know about biogenesis and the development of civilizations.”

Elizabeth, looking at Marcus seriously, spoke with conviction as she said, "Marcus, I know this is risky. But we have to continue. If we shut down the system now, we could destroy the progress we've made. Can you imagine losing this opportunity? It would take us years again to get to where we are right now."

Marcus, his gaze showing inner conflict, looked at the screens once more. "You don't have to convince me, Elizabeth, if that's what you're worried about. What we're doing already has tremendous ethical and philosophical implications. We're playing gods, creating life, even if it's in a digital microcosm. What right do we have to interfere with its development? And if something goes wrong... we won't be able to stop it."

Sergei, taking a step back and looking at the complex graphs showing the evolution of electromagnetic signals, mused out loud. -"What if these digital civilizations are evolving exactly how they should? Who are we to decide if it is right or not? We have already created a universe that seems to have decided to have its own rules and its own path. Perhaps, this is the next step in evolution... a simulation that not only imitates reality, but also generates realities of its own."-

Elizabeth looked worried. "What we're witnessing could be the first self-generated life form. The first hint of independent digital intelligence. Can we really deprive it of its evolution just because we fear the consequences? Or... are we more equipped to study this than we think?"

Marcus replied in a serious tone. -"I don't know if we are ready. But if we decide to go ahead, we must make sure that what we are creating does not become a threat, even to ourselves. They must be contained in their own universe and isolated from us. We must never confirm our existence. Because if that civilization begins to interact with us beyond the simulation, they will lose their free will and their behavior will become distorted, thinking that they must follow our rules and not theirs. They would lose the chance to follow their own natural evolution."-

Elizabeth looked at her team. “So, there is no turning back. We will study this phenomenon, but we will take all necessary precautions. We need more data, more understanding. And ultimately, we will control the variables.”

Silence fell over the room as the team pondered the step they were about to take. The future of the microcosm was now in their hands, and what seemed like a simple experiment could soon become something much bigger than they imagined.

The floating screens projected the latest data from the QX Primordial simulation, where digital civilizations were beginning to evolve in ways that challenged the limits of human understanding. Scientists were divided: some viewed the microcosm as a simulation with no moral implications, while others, led by Dr. Elizabeth Vinter, were beginning to ask much deeper questions about the nature of reality and the ethics of intervening.

Li Cheng, the astrophysicist programmer, sat in the back, staring at the graphs on the screen. His fingers drummed nervously on the table. “I don’t understand, Elizabeth. It’s just a simulation, a set of equations that follows the laws of physics. How can that have moral implications? We’re not creating real life, we’re just watching patterns of behavior play out in a controlled system.”

Sergei Lebedev, ever the pragmatist, agreed with Li Cheng. He leaned forward, hands clasped, looking at Elizabeth with a calm expression. “Exactly. All we are seeing is a virtual representation. We have no evidence that they are self-aware beings, they have no true autonomy because they are dependent on us, who maintain the simulation. The evolution we observe is just a projection of our own expectations based on the fundamental laws. There is no real life in all this.”

Elizabeth Vinter, however, did not share that view. She stood up from her seat, her face illuminated by the screens and her tone a mixture of concern and determination. -"Segei, Cheng... a newborn is not self-aware. Nor does it have independence. Would that give you the right to kill it? No. What Marcus and I see is that POTENTIALLY the baby will be, as it grows, a self-aware person. It will have autonomy. It will make its own decisions and follow defined ethics." - She paused. -"What if those patterns evolve into something that is self-aware? What if this microcosm develops the ability to feel, think, and create as we do? How do we define reality in that case? Because if what happens inside Primordial QX follows the same physical laws as our universe, aren't we creating something as real as what we know?"

A silence fell over the room. Marcus Reeve, the ethical engineer, who had been silent until then, raised his hand to get the group's attention. "What if these beings, even if they are digital, start to have self-awareness? What are we giving them? Rights? Autonomy? If they start to develop like us, with their own emotions and desires, what makes them different from us?"

Li Cheng, visibly confused, stood up and walked over to the screen, pointing to the region of the simulation where the planets were beginning to show signs of complexity. “But how can we know that this is more than just a simulation? Particles follow the laws of physics, chemical reactions occur as expected, and galaxies form according to predictions. Where is the consciousness in all of this? It’s just data, nothing more.”

Elizabeth, approaching Li Cheng, replied, "The laws of physics tell us that an evolving system can produce unexpected results. What we're looking at is not a controlled model with limits, it's an evolving system that can surprise us at any moment. And if that system starts to have thoughts or desires, even if they're fragmented or simple, are we really looking at a simulation or an emerging life form?"

The room filled with murmurs, and the debate intensified.

Sergei intervened. - "Elizabeth, this is nothing more than a scientific experiment. We cannot fall into the trap of humanizing what is purely material. We are not creating a society of thinking beings, we are just observing how certain parameters we defined at the beginning develop. We must not overestimate what can happen in a virtual environment." -

Elizabeth, however, wasn't about to give in. "But that's what the earliest civilizations did. In the beginning, humans didn't know if other humans' thoughts and feelings were different from their own. And if the laws of physics still apply in this microcosm, then how do we know we're not observing the beginning of something much bigger? Shouldn't we at least question whether what we create could be considered life?"

Marcus spoke again . “This is what troubles me, Elizabeth. If we accept that these virtual civilizations can evolve into real consciousness, we face a massive ethical dilemma. We can’t just say they’re ‘simulations’ and move on. If at some point the creatures within this digital bubble become aware of their own existence, if they reach the level of complexity sufficient to generate thoughts of their own, shouldn’t we recognize them as autonomous beings?”

Li Cheng was visibly shaken by the discussion, he said. "But how do we know if that's what's going on? We have no definitive proof that this is anything more than a complex simulation."

Elizabeth tried to draw a conclusion. "We don't have the proof, but the very fact that we're questioning this is a sign that we may have reached a point where the boundaries between what's real and what's simulated are beginning to blur. If we're not careful, we could be playing gods. In fact, we may be the gods of this budding civilization."

The team remained silent, each processing what Elizabeth had said. The screens continued to project images of the microcosm, where digital civilizations continued their evolution, unaware that their fate, now more than ever, depended on the decisions of the scientists observing them.

The discussion was not over. It had only just begun.

The control room was filled with a sense of mounting tension. Arguments among the scientists continued at full volume, but now the atmosphere was marked by something far more disturbing than any ethical or philosophical debate. The screens that had previously only displayed data and graphs now displayed unusual patterns: signals . Subtle electromagnetic pulses, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, began to form more complex patterns. Something was happening within the simulated microcosm.

Elizabeth Vinter was focused on one of the screens. Suddenly, her face paled as she watched the fluctuating waves, which began to organize themselves into regular sequences. The doctor quickly rose from her seat to speak to her colleague. -"Sergei, look at this. These signals... they're not random. They're organized. They're more than just fluctuations in the electromagnetic field."-

Sergei moved closer to analyze the data, staring at the screen displaying the complex oscillations. At first, it looked like an anomaly of information, but as the patterns were broken down, the shape began to become more coherent. “It’s not possible… Particles shouldn’t be generating these patterns in such a structured way. They’re not following the intended laws of the simulation. This kind of order isn’t generated by physical interactions alone.”

Li Cheng, who had been sitting in a corner, watched with growing concern. “It’s like… like the entities within the simulation themselves are trying to communicate. But… it doesn’t make sense. I think they’re just particles, molecules, atoms interacting.”

 

 

Primordial Genesis
Chapter 3 “infinite Cycles”

The lights in the room flickered slightly as the pulses began to intensify. A graph appeared on the main screen, displaying a sequence of pulses that seemed to match a code structure, an encrypted or encoded message in some way. At first glance, it seemed incomprehensible. But after a few minutes, Primordial QX was able to generate an algorithm that decoded the signal. As it was sent to the decoded message interfaces, the sequence began to take shape.

Elizabeth ordered the system to analyze the coordinates of the signal. A shudder ran through her body as she received the first words of the message. The translation was displayed on the screen : "Who are our creators?"

Marcus Reeve, the ethical engineer, stepped back, pale, as if he had been hit in the stomach. -"No... It can't be. This can't be happening. This system is just following pre-established algorithms. Tell me the signals are an accident, or a mistake."-

Sergei, though clearly shocked, tried to rationalize the situation. "It's probably a coincidence. The system is generating patterns, that's all. There must have been interference and that ended up generating what you see as a message. There's no reason to think that this is anything more than a product of the complexity of the simulation. There's no way for virtual entities to have... consciousness." He hesitated for a moment before turning to the programmer. "You don't think so, Cheng?"

Li Cheng looked like he had been dealt a blow. He replied , "No. I don't think so. An interference couldn't structure a message like that. The chances are almost non-existent."

Elizabeth's face was rigid, a mixture of disbelief and shock. "This is not a coincidence. Nor a product of chance.   The signals... are too specific. They are asking for ' us ', for their creators. They have developed consciousness."

The room filled with nervous murmurs. All eyes were now on the message, which continued to repeat itself, over and over, as if the entities within the simulation were insisting on getting a response.

Li Cheng, in a low, almost incredulous tone, asked, "What does this mean? If these entities are asking about us, it suggests that they are aware of something beyond their own simulated universe. Somehow, they are... sensing our existence."

Marcus Reeve raised his voice nervously. "If they are conscious, if they are really looking for answers, what have we done? This is not just a simulation. It is something more. There is something we have not been clear about from the beginning." He was not just stunned. He was terrified.

Sergei, holding up his hands to calm everyone, but with a look that reflected his growing unease, replied. -"If we have created an environment with conscious beings...we can't do anything impulsively. We need more data, we need to understand what's going on here. This system has been designed to be self-sufficient, but this... This is something out of the ordinary."-

Elizabeth, who until then had remained calm, finally spoke firmly, there was a rare fascination in her voice. -"What we are seeing here is not simply a model of how our universe works. What we are seeing could be the first glimpse of something more."-

Marcus asked incredulously. "What do you mean, Elizabeth?"

Dr. Elizabeth tried to explain. -"Perhaps the universe... the entropy of any universe... tends to generate a state conducive to the creation of life. Ultimately, the living and conscious beings that we know are nothing more than atoms and molecules that tend to an ordered state. The beings of the universe are made up of matter from the universe ordered to a maximum level of entropy. I mean... perhaps all universes tend to generate life... whether physical, real or virtual. If universes follow the same rules, perhaps evolution will always end up creating conscious life."-

Li Cheng intervened , "But Elizabeth, if this is the case and these beings are conscious... Should we intervene or not?"

Elizabeth, looking at the screen, answered thoughtfully. -"Perhaps what happened to our civilization is the answer to that... We have never been able to prove the existence of God scientifically. We can intuit it, or sense it. Some even deny it or do not believe in him. But that is irrelevant. Believing in him or not... makes no difference to creation itself. Everything goes on its course, with or without God, believing or not believing."-

The room was silent, everyone processing the magnitude of what Elizabeth had just said. The communication signals kept appearing, becoming clearer, more urgent. As the message on the screen continued, the questions seemed to take on a life of their own: Who are our creators? And how will we answer them?

The simulation was taking an unpredictable turn, and now, with an unknown horizon before them, the scientists of Kryos Base were faced with a terrifying new reality: were they really controlling the destiny of a universe, or were they the ones being watched by the entities they had created?

The team had been working tirelessly, trying to understand the implications of the signals coming from the simulated microcosm within the Primordial QX. However, confusion continued to grow, and concern was felt in every corner of the room. Electromagnetic pulses being received indicated to the team that messages were still being sent.

Suddenly, a massive burst of information flooded the system, an explosion of data that caused lights to flicker and screens to distort.

Elizabeth exclaimed. "What the hell was that? It looks like the system is collapsing!"

Sergei Lebedev, who was checking equations on his terminal, jumped out of his chair, clearly alarmed. He felt somewhere between surprised and frustrated. "We have no protocol for something like this. All processing capacity has been overwhelmed... the Primordial QX is generating more data than it can handle."

Marcus Reeve, the ethical engineer, was sitting in a corner, staring at his own screen. He stood up quickly when he saw that the error message was expanding across all the screens. "If the system continues like this, it will crash and we won't be able to restore it. You should consider taking it offline now, before it becomes unstable again."

Li Cheng, who had been silent until now, seemed visibly shaken. Not just by the temporary system collapse, but by what everything that had happened in the past few hours had implied. He walked over to the main console and began typing rapidly . “No, Marcus. We can’t stop it now. We don’t know what phenomenon has been unleashed, but there is something here. We need to rebalance the system and see what is going on.”

The room was filled with noise as the team began to work against the clock to restore the system. The main screen flickered, displaying lines of code being received, until finally the screen stabilized. In the blink of an eye, the system appeared to be online, but something on the screen took their breath away. There was a new file: one that had not been created by them, by the data burst.

Sergei moved closer to the screen as if that would improve his perspective. "This... we didn't create it. It shouldn't be here."

Elizabeth, with a mixture of fascination, asked: "What is this? Where did this file come from? Can anyone explain it?"

The file that appeared on the screen was a sequential, three-dimensional model of something that did not exist in the simulated universe. It was a detailed map… of the real universe. Immediately, the screen showed an accurate representation of the solar system, including Earth, and as the data expanded, historical details were revealed: the Big Bang, the formation of the first stars, the birth of the solar system, the evolution of life on Earth, and finally, the modern era. In each three-dimensional image, every moment of Earth’s real universe was carefully documented, as if someone, or something, had recorded each event.

Li Cheng was silently observing. “This… I can’t explain it. If you ask me, it’s like a mirror, a perfect reflection of our own universe. From the beginning, the Big Bang until now. It’s as if… as if the Primordial QX has been observing and analyzing our real universe.”

Marcus asked. "I don't understand. Does this have something to do with the microcosm? Primordial QX is supposed to be just working on simulating the universe. What or who has instructed the system to analyze our universe?"

Elizabeth, staring at the screen, whispered , "It's a replica of your stadiums, Marcus. But why? Why create this file? And more importantly, who ordered you to insert it here? Is the Primordial QX system responding to signals from the microcosm?"

Sergei was equally baffled. "It's like we're seeing a reflection of everything we know... but why? Why does this file appear right after the microcosm signal bursts?"

Li Cheng tried to reason through the events. "It appears in the system we created, after the entities within the simulation began to ask about us... Is it possible that..." He trailed off.

Elizabeth, with a glimmer of understanding, tried to analyze. She interrupted Cheng. "What if we're not simply creating a simulation? What if the Primordial QX isn't just recreating our universe, but learning from it through observation? What if this file... this 'mirror'... is the product of that analysis, generated as a response? Maybe the simulation isn't just a tool to study the simulated universe. Maybe it's a response... generating a microcosm reproducing the original."

A heavy silence filled the room, as each member of the team sank into the weight of what Elizabeth had just described. The 'mirror' not only reflected the real universe, but seemed to have knowledge of every detail, every important event. The entities within the simulation were not only self-aware, but it now seemed as if the system had created a representation of its own universe.

Sergei said in a grave voice. "If the Primordial QX is replicating the universe so precisely... what does this mean for us? For them?"

Elizabeth added: "What is clear is that we are not just observing a simulation. We have created a microcosmos that evolved towards life. And at the same time it generated a response from the system that allowed its creation. My question is: are we creating life, or are we being observed by something that already had it?"

The team was transfixed, caught between the fascination of the discovery and the implications. What had begun as an experiment to understand the universe had given way to a terrifying new question: were universes Spinoza’s god? Did the universe respond to the conscious entities generated within it? Who, or what, was actually creating the simulated universe within the Primordial QX? And, even more disturbing, what was it expecting from them?

The data was piling up before the scientists, but something still didn't add up. What had started as a spectacular breakthrough had turned into a philosophical nightmare. Each discovery seemed to open a new door to an unfathomable abyss, and the most recent of those doors was the most terrifying of all.

Elizabeth Vinter sat at the main console. She said with growing anxiety. "This... can't be. From the behavior we're seeing and the data we're extracting, the Primordial QX and the simulation are behaving like fractals. You know that in physics and astronomy fractals are systems within systems. What we're seeing here, it seems to me, is like a model within a model. A universe within its creator."

Elizabeth tried patiently to explain the details of her theory, which she was just beginning to formulate. According to Dr. Vinter's analysis, the Primordial QX had created the simulation of the universe, but had done so at the behest of the scientific team. The scientific team was nothing other, according to this conception, than the maximum evolutionary development of the cosmos itself, which by entropy tended towards order in its maximum expression and evolution. The cosmos was an entropic system that, over millions of years, was inevitably destined to create intelligent life that would eventually evolve to the point of becoming part of creation. They had unleashed the creation of a new cosmos, thus expressing the final tendency of the universe in which the Earth was. Finally, said the doctor, the original cosmos had evolved to the point of creating another cosmos, which in turn would evolve to achieve the same end.

Sergei Lebedev stood there, trying to process the magnitude of what Elizabeth had said. “This is new. The cosmos is a fractal. And it will evolve to create another fractal within itself. We are observing a cycle, which is part of an infinite pattern.”

Li Cheng, in the corner of the room, looked up from the code and let out a heavy sigh. He had been analyzing the calculations tirelessly, but now, with this new revelation, everything seemed even more baffling. “This isn’t just an advanced simulation. We’ve created a fractal representation of reality. The universe within the Primordial QX seems to be following the same fundamental laws as our own. And now, with this new pattern, a conclusion emerges that I can’t ignore: if this is a fractal, if this simulation is part of a larger cycle, then is it possible that the universe we live in is also a simulation?”

Marcus Reeve had been silent for much of the conversation, now he looked up. "Are you suggesting that we, our reality, our existence, could be... a simulation within a simulation? That everything we know is just part of a larger cycle? What if those who created us, those 'gods' we worship or ignore... are simply other beings in a cycle just like our own?"

Elizabeth said slowly and thoughtfully. “What we call ‘God’ might not be a transcendental entity. It might simply be an advanced civilization that, like us, created a simulation in which a conscious life form emerged. Not necessarily in a computer like we did. If their science evolved in a different way, perhaps they were able to create a real model. If we are a real model. We may not be at the top of a hierarchy, but one of many layers in a fractal cycle, one that repeats itself over and over, in a universe within a universe.”

The silence that followed was heavy, as if the entire team was trying to grasp the scope of what Elizabeth had just stated. The idea that the universe as they knew it might just be a simulation within a larger system left them feeling dizzy.

Li Cheng opined. “But… if this is true… what does it mean for us as humans? If our existence is just the result of an experiment by a more advanced civilization, then… who are we really? What are we? And what makes us different from the entities within the Primordial QX?”

Sergei was staring at the screens as he mused out loud. -"It's... disturbing. If our reality is just a simulation, who are the 'gods' who created us? What purpose do they have for us? If we're in a cycle, are we also creating universes, observing realities, without knowing it?"-

Marcus shook his head in disbelief. “It sounds crazy to me. But what Elizabeth is proposing is also terrifyingly plausible. If you think about it, the idea that quantum states only become real when they are observed sounds crazy too. But that is the Copenhagen interpretation, no more, no less. If we are inside a simulation, then the laws that we believe to be absolute, the same ones we use to understand our universe… could just be a set of rules imposed by those who created us. And perhaps they too are trapped in a cycle…”

Elizabeth finally expressed what they were seeing and concluding. -"This is no longer a simple experiment in creating the simulation of the cosmos. We are observing a cosmic structure that is associated or assembled to our own. And both could be part of a much more complex structure. Maybe we will never understand everything. Maybe we will never be able to get out of this cycle, and maybe, one day, the beings within our own simulation will discover that they are trapped in an even greater cycle. The question is: are we the creators... or are we the created?"-

The control room remained silent. The implications were so vast and so profound that none of them could find the right words to continue the conversation. The mere idea that the real universe, the one they knew and lived in, could be just a small part of an even larger fractal cycle, left them breathless.

Li Cheng finally broke the silence by muttering, "If all this is true, then the question is not just who we are, but why we are here. Are we the experiments of a more advanced civilization? Or are we destined to follow the cycle and repeat the creation of new universes? If we ever discover how this cycle works, what will we do with that knowledge?"

Marcus replied , "Perhaps the answer to that is beyond our understanding. Or perhaps, as everyone postulated, entropy leading to order culminates in creation because it is in our nature. Whether it is genetics, predestination, entropy, or whatever you want to call it... we are impelled as a civilization to reach a point where we express ourselves as creators."

Elizabeth stared at the Primordial QX's screen, as if searching for an answer in its data, and murmured , "Perhaps we'll never be able to stop the cycle. Because if we did, what would happen to the simulation within this simulation? And to the civilizations that, like us, might be searching for the same truth?"

The team stood in silence, staring at the screens. They had touched something far greater and deeper than they had ever imagined. The Primordial QX had shown them a mirror into their own existence, a revelation that connected them to a truth they might never be able to fully understand.

The afternoon was slowly fading away on the semi-desert plateau of Alashan, as Elizabeth and Sergei stood, gazing at the vast starry panorama spread out before them. The cold desert breeze caressed their faces, but no wind could ease the weight of the questions floating in their minds.

The lights of the scientific base shone in the distance, but the silence of the desert, combined with the endless stars above them, gave them a feeling of isolation, as if they were standing on the edge of a cosmic abyss.

Elizabeth had her hands in her coat pockets. She broke the silence as her eyes scanned the sky. "If we are an experiment in the simulation of another intelligence... what defines us as real, Sergei? Are our emotions, our decisions, our beliefs just the product of advanced programming? Or is there something more to it?"

Sergei turned slowly to her. They had come this far, this remote place in search of answers, but the answers they had found only led to more questions. “I don’t know, Elizabeth. Maybe everything we’ve experienced in our lives, everything we know, is just part of an endless cycle. A cycle that repeats itself over and over again, one we are aware of, but perhaps not of our own creation.”

Elizabeth looked at him with an ambiguous mix of wonder and sadness. The idea that her life, her choices, her achievements and failures, were just a simulation within a cosmic cycle was difficult for her to process. -"What if, in reality, we are not meant to understand it? If the cycle goes on and on, who are we to intervene? Can we even define what is real if our very existence is just a product of another cycle? Maybe we are like... like the inhabitants of the Primordial QX simulation. Maybe we are being watched too."-

Sergei sighed deeply, looking at the stars with a mixture of despair and fascination. The beauty of the universe did not seem to console him now. If all this was an illusion within an illusion, what was left of the true essence of the human being?

Sergei said almost in a whisper. - "Everything we know about physics, about the universe, could be just a superficial layer of a much larger mystery. If those who created us were also created, how deep is this cycle? Is it the end of our understanding, or just another step in a chain that has no end?" - Sergei took Elizabeth's hand to kiss her.

The cold desert wind blew softly, carrying with it the last words of the two scientists as they prepared to return to the interior of Kryos Base.

Through the stars, the universe continued its infinite march, without stopping, without looking back, as if it were just one more fragment in an endless chain.

The cycle had to continue. And with it, so would his story.

END