Reality Rebooted: The Dream Corporation, #3

By Michael TT Williams

Reality Rebooted is the final book in the Dream Corporation Trilogy. Tarot is a genius who has invented  technology that allows people to control their own dreams while they sleep. This allows them to create their own paradise, a life that suits them entirely, while they dream. The Dream Corporation, that markets and controls these bespoke dreams starts to discover problems. People are becoming trapped in their own dreams and the dreams themselves are becoming sinister.

 

Relaity Rebooted concerns the steps that Tarot, and the team that he has assembled, needs to take to avoid the ultimate disaster.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael TT Williams
• Release date: Oct 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223744931

Book preview

About the Author

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Michael TT Williams was born in South London, United Kingdom. He is a full-time author who specializes in science fiction and fantasy, but also writes other fiction, and non-fiction. 

He has lived and worked in several Countries and travelled extensively in more than one hundred more. He has managed a wide number of diverse businesses including in Africa.  He holds post-graduate degrees in economics and law and is a sociologist and historian.

He is passionate about animals, music and film, and promoting compassion for all living things.

Books by Michael TT Williams:-

The Dream Corporation Trilogy:

Dark Forces

Shadow of Omega

Reality Rebooted

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Other fiction

Donna. A Dream Corporation Chronicle

What the Devil!

Tales from Two Square Metres

The Miner

#1 Global Bestseller: Star Trek, James T Kirk

The Man who lived Backwards

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Non-fiction

The Happiness Index

Our Future with the Virus

Turned Upside Down

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Unbelievable True Stories

The small Bodyguard

Young Nero

Acknowledgements

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With sincere thanks to Fiona and Howard for all their patience, guidance, and help, in the production of this book, and well beyond.

Principles in quantum physics:

At the quantum level, when two waves are laid on top of each other they can momentarily cancel each other out or strengthen each other where they intersect.  With a nearly infinite number of waves, the strength is incalculable.

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Author’s Note

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This is a continuation of the Dream Corporation Trilogy which began with

Book 1: Dark Forces;  and Book 2: Shadow of Omega".

The human experience is engineered by energy waves, but we live a story.

This trilogy is not a horror story, but it is part chiller, and a thriller. Although this book moves along traditional lines in many ways, it also breaks with tradition in some key areas. Rather than having a central character featured everywhere, it follows the journeys of several lead characters, men and women, as they weave through dream-worlds, and what we believe is the real world. Although, it might seem, initially, that the characters and their stories are not connected directly, in fact, they are, and this connection is pivotal to the story. A list of characters is provided. 

Another way in which this book is not entirely traditional is that it includes technologies that, although predicted, have not yet been invented. Accordingly, in addition to the explanations given in the course of the narrative, a glossary is provided for ease of reference.

Further, since the subject matter of the book rests on a mattress of dreams, the reader will journey through a variety of landscapes, and seemingly different timelines. At times, it will seem surreal; that is, after all, the nature of dreams. And if the reader’s experience is sometimes similar to that of being in a dream, then that was precisely the intention. But nothing in this book is impossible or even implausible. The background intention was to encourage all of us to think about our lives and our dreams, and to relish what unites us, rather than what we allow to divide us. It behoves us to treasure what we have, while it lasts, and to share our dreams with open hearts and minds. Otherwise, we squander the time we have, pursuing the pointless, and trying to answer the time worn question: What is the point?

LEAD CHARACTERS

Tarot:    Genius inventor of the technology that allows dreaming.

Karen:   Girlfriend/wife of Tarot

Mark:    Dreamer looking for Vanessa

Freddy:     A Seeker, and guardian to Millie

Millie:    Freddy’s ward

Donna :   Friend to Millie

Geoff:    Technician at Dreamcorp

Gladstone:    Chief Operations Officer, Dreamcorp

Vanessa & Rio:   Twin blondes with Ultra-wave minds  

Martin:   African citizen of Dystopia, and friend of Rio

Roy:    Millie’s lost Irish father

Rhea: Gypsy girl in appearance, but, in fact, the artificial intelligence that runs the entire dream-world architecture.

Lucia:    Daughter of Varus, Emperor of Rome (Regent)

Lucius:   Twin brother of Lucia

Marcellus:   Vanessa’s friend, Lucius’ lover

Clovis:     Leader of the Jeebers in Dystopia

Muna:    White Tigress, Tarot’s first AI creation

Yusi and Lenta:  Twin brothers at Castle Vlad, sons of the Count

GLOSSARY

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Dreamer:-  A person who is dreaming within the architecture

Architecture:- The system run by artificial intelligence that enables people to control their own dreams.

Figs:- Figments of our imaginations that manifest as characters in dreams.

Seeker:- A private detective who seeks out dreamers, lost, or trapped, in their own dreams

Dream-ware:- Software in the bloodstream that links the unconscious mind with the architecture.

Dream-world:- The environment in which dreams take place

Dream-path:- The path a person takes in a dream, and the most defined part of the dream-scape.

Dream-scape:- The immediate area surrounding the dreamer who is generating the dream.

Random-elasticity:- Describes how time and places expand and contract in the course of a dream.

Bringing up:- Waking up a dreamer without their consent.

Going dark:- When safeguards fail, and dreams pose a danger to dreamers.

Ultra-waves:- The smallest and most powerful waves in creation

Alpha-waves:- Brain waves associated with high intelligence

Theta-waves:- Brain waves associated with dreaming and meditation

The mind:- Distinct from the brain, comprised of waves that are responsible for consciousness, but not understood, except by Tarot

P.s.i.:- Denoting the strength of will-power within the dream architecture

‘Dark Forces’

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Tarot wants to change the world for the better. He founds a company that becomes The Dream Corporation, a monopoly provider of equipment and services that facilitates dreaming. Tarot’s guiding premise was to create an opportunity for people to be happy and fulfilled in their lives, while they are sleeping, in a manner which is impossible while they are awake.

But after two years, things start going wrong.  Mark Moore gets trapped in his dream and a professional Seeker, Freddy Fox, is sent after him. More people are lost in dreams including Millie; and the twins, Vanessa and Rio.

Evidence starts to emerge of a consciousness that is turning dreams dark, and causing comas. Is it alien?  Is it malicious Artificial Intelligence, or has the dark side of human nature been uploaded into the system?  Donna claims to have been contacted, whilst in a short coma, by entities called The Architects.  It is they who inform Donna that a new planet has entered our Solar System.

In the waking world, unscrupulous agents are harvesting organs from coma victims. A new planet, which is bigger than Mars, is heading on a collision course towards Earth. Nothing in the conscious world can be done about that. But, increasingly, the border between the conscious world, and the world of dreams, is becoming more blurred. How can we tell what is real? How do we know we are really awake?

*

‘Shadow of Omega.’

Donna and Geoff are involved in a crash landing on the moon and survive against the odds. They learn that due to panic and chaos because of the planet heading to Earth on a collision course, they will face delays in reaching the Verne facility where Millie and others are at risk. In order to kill time and take their minds off the delay, as well as celebrate their survival of the crash, they visit the Icarus Crater where they fly like birds in the moon’s lover gravity.  First Donna and then Geoff start to slip in and out of dream-worlds in which they encounter Tarot again along with Muna, Freddy, Mark and others.

Meanwhile Rio is in Dystopia with Clovis and Martin struggling against an alien enemy that is able to seize human minds and turn them into deranged killers.  By combining their minds, in a manner like telepathy but with AI technology involved, they manage to defeat their adversaries.

Rio’s twin, Vanessa, finds herself in Transylvania along with Millie and they spend the night in a Gothic Castle with the Count and his twin sons.  Vanessa goes on to enter the crypt alone where she is touched by the hands of Death before awaking on a battlefield redolent of the Crimean war. There she encounters Thanatos himself and the strength of her own mind is finally reavealed.

While Millie seeks answers in the Caribbean and encounters a crocodile with a sweet tooth, Mark and Freddy head to Las Vegas in a Cadillac when they are attacked by pterodactyls.  They find shelter in a nuclear bunker that has been adapted to house what the commanding officer calls an empty box but is an energy field that scientists are calling The Omega.

Donna learns that there is an expectation that she will be forced to remain on the moon alone when the rest of the lunar population is evacuated,  by way of a human sacrifice to the Omega. This belief has grown because many people have had dreams in which Donna’s sacrifice will avert the planetary collision, similar to the myth about Perseus and Andromeda.

*

Chapter 1

The Moon. The Conference

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There was a tightly packed crowd in the hotel conference room. By the time Donna, Geoff and David arrived, they could barely squeeze in at the very back of the room right beside the door. That suited Donna perfectly. She was rapidly becoming uncomfortable with the attention that she had been getting and last in, first out, seemed optimal. They were only just on time. The light dimmed somewhat and a spotlight pinpointed a synthetic standing on a slightly raised platform.  It was a gender neutral variety that spoke in calm measured tones.

‘Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Lu-ki, a Chief Administrator from New Shanghai Government Office.  I know that many of you have heard about a plan to relocate Lunar citizens to Earth, as a temporary precaution, given the emergency that we are facing. I must tell you now that, although an evacuation process was discussed, it has been decided that it would be impossible to implement. There are simply not enough craft to evacuate the Lunar population in the time remaining before the new planet enters our vicinity.’ There were murmurs of dismay across the large room. Lu- ki continued ‘It is very important to keep in mind that we have never faced anything like this before and there are a lot of things that we just do not know. For example, because of the unprecedented discrepancies in the readings of our telescopes and other instruments, we are far from certain that the approaching body poses an actual danger at all.  Most importantly, we have not been able to ascertain its composition and mass. It is possible that it is made up of liquid or gas, in which case it would have a much reduced gravitational effect if it passed close by us. It might have no discernible effect at all. Even in the case that the body might have a heavy mass, we are still unclear about how close it will come, and again, it might well turn out to be harmless.  There are many unknowns at the time and it is important that we remain calm. Administrations and scientific experts are working together constantly now evaluating scenarios and options. Thank you, That is all for now.  No, I am sorry, I am unable to answer questions at this time.  Thank you for your attention.’

Geoff tugged on Donna’s arm so they could exit quickly. He pointed upstairs looking at David also. They were the first to reach the elevator and the doors closed as others arrived frantically jabbing at the buttons. Soon they were back in their little allocated room and helping themselves to drinks. 

Donna said ‘I get so thirty here. It must be the dry air.’ Geoff just nodded as he emptied his small glass of spring water. David found a miniature bottle and had a Scotch on the rocks.  

Donna said ‘That Administrator said that authorities and scientists were working together right?  But to what end?  I mean, this is not like one of those action moves where missiles are launched to break up a comet. This thing is the size of a planet.  There is actually nothing at all that anybody can do about it. It either hits us or not, or knocks us out of orbit, or not. What’s to talk about?’

David replied ‘There is always something to talk about. In the end, all the talk my come to nothing, but so long as there may just possibly be a solution, they will keep talking.’

Donna said ‘I do not think the solution lies out there or with Governments. I think it is all tied in with what is going on with the Dream Corporation.’

Geoff said ‘It is hard to see a link between a rogue planet halfway across the solar system and dreamers.’

‘Is it so hard?’ said Donna. I learned of the planet whilst in a dream right? And I learned about Millie being here on the Moon at the same time. Three linked things: A dream; a planet; and Millie. I still say we need to get to Millie fast.  I am certain that there is a connection. I can’t explain it, but I’m sure of it; as sure as I am about anything.’

David sighed. ‘Well it really makes no practical difference what we believe or think we know. We can’t reach Verne. It’s impossible right now.  Look, excuse me but I must call in. I have some things that I need to follow up.  I will leave you in peace for now. You have all the facilities at your disposal here. The press can’t get in. I will be in touch a little later.’ He smiled and headed out the door with an encouraging nod.

‘Yes,I had better call Gladstone’ said Geoff. ‘Maybe check the kaleidoscope in my room first. You never know!’

Donna had a resigned expression. ‘Yeah, I’ll call Mama. But I don’t want to be alone right now. Can I drop by in a while.’

‘Of course.’

Chapter 2

The Moon. Dream World: Nevada

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Geoff had only just finished his call to Gladstone when Donna rang the doorbell and, on entering, flopped in a chair.

Donna said ‘Mama is taking tranquilisers; mild ones. She’s not too bad all things considered. She had heard that rumour about me being left here on the moon. I told her that it was nonsense and that there would be no evacuation. What’s the point anyway? We’re all in this together.  Earth, the moon, who can say which is the safer place to be?’

Geoff  was about to provide a logical and technical answer but had second thoughts.

‘Right.’ he said.

But Donna sensed it. ‘You’re not giving up are you Geoff?’

‘Well, no, but it is difficult to see what we can do, isn’t it?’

Donna saw the worry lines around his eyes. She said ‘What news from Gladstone?’ Geoff looked at Donna as though she had read his mind. He looked down at the carpet. Now Donna knew that there was more bad news to come.

Donna reached out and took his hand gently in hers. ‘Don’t try to take this all on yourself.’ She said. ‘What is it?’

Geoff pushed back his hair and took a deep breath.

‘The Vice-President has gone into a coma. So has the Secretary of Defence, the deputy Whitehouse Chief of Staff and nearly a hundred senior officials in Washington and elsewhere. It is happening all over the world and here on the moon too. People are falling asleep at night in the normal way, and not waking up again. The number asleep worldwide is already in hundreds of thousands, could be millions. And it seems to be getting worse. By the time the planet gets here, there might possibly be nobody at all awake!’

‘And you were going to share this with me when?’

‘Oh, come on Donna, I just got it from Gladstone myself. I have family too you know.  We are all under pressure right now.’

You’re right. I’m sorry. Guess I could do with one of those in-flight chewit things right now. Maybe we all could.’

Geoff looked at her. ‘You’re right about that. Well come on, we are facing unprecedented levels of stress. It seems every time we make a move, something blocks us. Like some cosmic game. And I feel kind of isolated out here,  cut off.’

Donna said ‘Well that is a rational reaction given that that is exactly what we are,  isolated and cut off.’

Geoff grinned. At that very moment, the kaleidoscope bleeped. Geoff wandered across and looked at it. The patterns were incoherent.

Donna joined him and said ‘How can you make sense of that mess?’

‘I can’t. Nobody could.’ Geoff started to feel giddy. He said ‘Quickly, Sit down.’  Donna sat down in the armchair next to Geoff. He looked very tired. Donna had felt this sensation before. She had no doubt that they would remain awake only seconds longer.

*

There was a shape of a face right in front of Donna. It was blurry and for a moment she thought that it was Freddy. After a moment more she realized that it was. She felt an overwhelming sense of relief as his arms enfolded her shoulders.

‘Freddy, Freddy’ she kept repeating, gripping him in fear that he might dematerialize. But he remained solid. Then he detached himself from her and said ‘Hello, Donna. Welcome to Las Vegas. You know this man.’ Geoff was standing a little to one side of Freddy. He was smiling and looked calm and relaxed.

Donna said ‘How long have you been here, Geoff?’

‘About half an hour I think. Random elasticity ,remember?’

Donna looked around at her surroundings and her new companions. She recognised Muna immediately and the other tigers. And Tarot!

Tarot said ‘Welcome to my home Donna. Let me introduce my wife Karen. Karen nodded and smiled. The others you know, apart from this young man, Mark Moore.  Mark extended his hand in greeting to Donna.  But Muna got in first, and positioned herself between them, so that they had