Orphic Tales
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Orphic Tales delves into the science of the 31st-century Mars. A scientist meets an alien race for the first time. A disabled boy runs with prosthetic legs. A polymath observes the creation of life through building a city. A mathematician connected to a stranded astronaut.
Orphic Tales delivers to you the legendary tales about evolution, championship, creation, and survival. It is a compilation of science fiction short stories.
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Orphic Tales - Griselda Puspa
Griselda Puspa
Orphic Tales
A Novella: Four science fiction short stories
Copyright © 2018 by Griselda Puspa
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
First edition
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Contents
Preface
Orphic
KATINKA
GLASGOW
NORMAN
ILSE
Questions
Preface
Technology enabled us to prosper from centuries to centuries. We have a better standard of living because of the innovations. Orphic Tales began with a story about sciences of a future in the 31st century. The book evaluates how far we can reach an understanding of the universe and humanity. At the heart of it, Orphic Tales is about evolution, championship, creation, and survival.
I would like to credit Yasser Ali, Terence McKeena, Vangelis, Jonathan Larson, 3Blue1Brown, and online resources.
Griselda graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a degree in Civil Engineering. Her previous works were featured in Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Indonesia’s competition, Indonesian Corruption Watch’s essays, Duke Master of Management Studies Student Blog, and a Gramedia published non-fiction book. She lives in her home country Indonesia.
Contact Griselda at griseldasukmoro.author@gmail.com
Orphic
COLLINS DICTIONARY
(ˈɔrfɪk ; ôrˈfik)
adjective
of or characteristic of Orpheus or the mystic doctrines and rites in worship of Dionysus ascribed to him
[also o-]
like the music attributed to Orpheus; entrancing
mystic; occult; oracular
KATINKA
Waking up in my flat, I looked at the lights of morning skyline at the window. Strange combinations of purple and pink lingered. The clouds blurred by the winds, blended by the streaks of colors. It was a beautiful picture that lasted only for a few minutes. I always observed the moment to start my day at 4:30 AM. Some called it a reflective moment where I could have meditated on my plan for the day. Once, a friend suggested me to check my work emails. In honesty, I didn’t think about my daily routine when I faced the horizon. For me, it was a time to appreciate nature and life itself… as the 31st-century creation.
Damien was on my reading list today. He was about 40 years old and suffered ALS. It was a motor neuron disease where muscles degenerated in a short time. In the 21st century, one in every 50,000 people has the chance of getting ALS. But now, the probability increased. It became a common genetic disease.
I was not a doctor or a nurse. I had little patience to interact with other human beings and maintain relationships. I found it boring and meaningless. Often times, people around me missed an overall view - the bigger picture - of a mission. They discussed the technical details and failed to see the greater benefits.
In my mind, there’s a world beyond daily interactions. A world of discovery, one that never stopped asking pertinent questions. I took pleasure in looking for intellectual pursuits.
Damien was one of the many profiles I read in the scientific medical field. Once again, healthcare technology saved a life. In the 31st century, we invented a Biocatalyst that enhanced immunity. The Superior Program help sustained his life.
City council noted these achievements and published it in the scientific journal. It was mandatory for us to read it. Modern-day scientists ought to learn from one another, they said. The initiative was less of a humanitarian movement for me… I’ve always doubted it’s genuine intention. I thought they were more about the city council’s political movements.
I took the elevator down and stepped into the streets. Autonomous vehicles buzzed around the 10th Avenue where my flat lived. It was a prominent area dominated by white-collar workers. Up above, several fast commuter pods wheezed their ways to different destinations. We adopted the 22nd-century technology and built the Pod Interlink System. The structural system had circular paths, dancing around the city. It was matching the futuristic glass dome building designs. I climbed on to a pod and registered the journey I would like to embark on.
I took the elevator down and stepped into the streets. Autonomous vehicles buzzed around the 10th Avenue where my flat lived. It was a prominent area dominated by white-collar workers. Up above, several fast commuter pods wheezed their ways to different destinations. We adopted the 22nd-century technology and built the Pod Interlink System. The structural system had circular paths, dancing around the city. It was matching the futuristic glass dome building designs. I climbed on to a pod and registered the journey I would like to embark on.
Trees shook against the wind as if they were singing the late summer hymn outside. Coming back from their morning hunt, a few boats passed by the ocean bay.
When I arrived, there was a girl who walked down the streets. She was humming the Academia song, ‘Ex Sapientia Modus—with wisdom comes moderation’. The motto sustained in my memory for over twenty years.
Martian children studied in the Academian. I found it an inspiring place. It was where I took an interest in science. There was the participation classroom where Academians discussed science, economy, and political issues.
I would sit in the front before class began. I got the chance to observe different attendees striding into class. A fellow 8th grader like me entered, followed by a 20-year-old student, and then a part-time student. These were the shining individuals with great minds. The venue inspired me to look for intellectual pursuit.
I had long wished to contribute something good, something essential to the society. After my graduation, I applied to St. Mark Research and Development Division. There were about 50 of us from batch 3009.
I had wished to contribute something essential to the society. After my graduation, I applied to St. Mark Research and Development Division. There were about 50 of us from batch 3009.
A white spacious building welcomed me back. St. Mark indeed had become my second home.
Morning,
I exchanged a few greetings to fellow employees. There weren’t many of them, only a few researchers and overnight medical staffs. I walked past the main hall encased in glasses structures and whitewashed walls. A melodious Mozart played as the institute’s background music. The acidic coffee scent came from the brewing machine spread from the pantry.
Last time I remembered, almost half of the employees agreed to a petition. It was a petition for a better lunch menu. The institute nurtured a sense of community here at St. Mark. The kind that exerted a welcoming hug saying, we are all in this together.
I watched the lounge with its comfortable sofas. One tired researcher filled a table with his stack of papers.
Hey, Greg.
I waved and approached closer. How’s the result on Thetra?
Thetra was a new insulin Greg’s team made.
Not bad. But it’s not good either. I tried to figure out if I can get Stella on the team.
Stella? But isn’t she working in the cardiovascular?
Yes, but she might consider my project once I make her interested in diabetes.
Greg sighed before turning from his messy notes. What about you? How’s the enzyme?
I sat across the table, we passed Phase II and the Med Company is ready to take it to the next stage. I know it’ll work.
Despite the technological