Colibri: Oceans of Freedom, #1

By Anna Vladis

In a brand new country, a group of scientists plans to finally demonstrate the power of humans to teleport, a power and freedom that can be taught to every person on earth. In the shadows of bureaucracy, the global College of Ten works to steer the world towards the launch of a single government under one jurisdiction.

These opposing ideas of total liberty and full control have never been so close to becoming reality.

Dr. Nina Mirolyubko is ready to reveal what is at stake during a lecture tour around the world, but is stranded in prison for knowing too much.

Representatives of the College of Ten visit the prisoner to bargain her life for the latest research that has the potential to shape the development of all of humanity.

Eventually, Nina realises that the only way out of prison is to try something without scientific foundation, something never tried before. But if successful, it will spark the creation of an industry powerful enough to control humanity.

***

Honorable Mention, 2022 Indies Today

« The idea of brilliant people casually grouping together to change the world in huge ways is appealing. » Judge, 10th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published E-Book Awards

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna Vladis
• Release date: Apr 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798849320571

Book preview

Colibri

Anna Vladis

Copyright © 2022 by Anna Vladis

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher or author.

To eternal and everlasting love

14 Days Earlier, London, United Kingdom, Euralia

The biography went viral. The world lecture tour, during which Dr. Mirolyubko would be holding talks at various venues across the world’s ten regions, was about to start, but then the professor got arrested. Priscilla, the professor’s friend and life coach, always discouraged her from obtaining the Turkish citizenship that she nonetheless acquired after having lived and worked in Türkiye for several years. Priscilla was even more outspoken in her pessimism when she discovered the professor’s anti-death penalty views and participation in several protests in relation to Türkiye. Despite everything, Priscilla was convinced that the trial would turn out in the professor’s favour, that the judge would be convinced of her innocence and that the whole story would end with Dr. Mirolyubko’s release. After all, Priscilla anticipated that international pressure would play a decisive role in the whole process when the arrest reached global headlines. 

Prior to the release of her biography, Dr. Mirolyubko was known only as a professor who had become the director of one of the esteemed Lucidity Institutes some years ago. However, since the biography’s release, she had established an audience of billions. That book had been Priscilla’s major assignment for several years, and in preparation for the doctor’s world lecture tour a Global Net stream had been created along with the physical book. The stream allowed users to enter a virtual reality environment where they could learn about Dr. Mirolyubko’s life and work by exploring different audio-visual data collected about her. The book format integrated the unique technology that its readers were so anxious to learn about. For all these years the collaboration took place in full secrecy; only a handful of people, the core of the research team connected to the Lucidity Institute, knew exactly what the plan was, and which actions were needed. Priscilla was relieved that finally, the plan had been revealed in the biography she was entrusted to write. Her urge to get it out to the public, to showcase their mind-blowing accomplishment, had been almost too strong. 

At the same time that the Turkish Public Prosecutor received the command from the intelligence services to prepare the first court hearing, Priscilla entered her minimalist apartment in London. She made a few Thought Transmissions in order to get a hold of the latest developments regarding the trial, which would be held during the upcoming days, then established an information channel on the Global Net to keep broadcasting until the professor was released. While eating a sandwich taken from the fridge, she programmed an AI and linked it to her channel to deal with the information requests and to post updates regarding the case. At that same moment in Ankara, two investigators handed over to the Public Prosecutor all the evidence they had found that the professor had violated Turkish law, conspired to harm public order, and posed a threat to national security.

Having wrapped up for the day, Priscilla soaked in a hot bathtub full of foam and essential oils and switched off the holographic screen that connected her to the Global Net with her mind. She turned on the Spring Waltz by Chopin. The scent of lavender filled the bathroom. For approximately twenty minutes of peace, she relaxed her mind, body and soul. Priscilla was a renowned ethical consultant, a talented programmer, a personal assistant managing human rights data and now also an author. She had to perform this relaxation ritual at least once every three days to avoid burnout. Putting on her bathrobe and taking a velvet pill for brain enhancement, she walked into the living room and decided to fix a date for a visit she had been postponing for some time now. Her request was approved. On the day the Turkish Supreme Court would announce its judgement, Priscilla would be on the island of Mimia, sitting next to her grandmother in the virtual world she had lived in for the last five years.

14 Days Earlier, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Turkasia

Dr. Orhan Önal’s workplace was located amongst other offices in one of the highest skyscrapers in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa. One would expect that, for this kind of assignment, he would be put in an abandoned underground bunker somewhere in the countryside of no man’s land. Yet there he was, in one of the most visited buildings in Dubai, although with visitors’ numbers in decline for a few years since the Kingdom Tower and the Sahil Mishmis building had been built – the new icons of Dubai. Looking at the view of the city from his floor-to-ceiling windows, he saw Dubai’s evolving skyline and the oval-shaped opera house in the middle of a pedestrian district that once used to be car-centred. Like many cities in the world, Dubai had undergone a transition from being car-centred to pedestrian-centred. It was built on what was once the land of Bedouin tribes who made a living by fishing and pearl searching, a city of huts made from palm fronds. The small fishing settlement had seen a mind-blowing transformation into a technology-based, futuristic city where the population had tripled in the last decade. At night, it was as if one looked over a model playset of a city, italicised with sparkling lines and flashing lights stuck between the black of the sand and the deep dark blue of the sea.

Until he was ten years old, Orhan lived with his parents in several capitals of the ten world regions. In those days, he had a favourite activity with his father. Mr. Önal, being a big animal lover, had worked for several animal rights organizations and undertook a considerable amount of activism. When Orhan returned home from school, his father would take him out for a walk, while his mother prepared a delicious vegan meal. His father would take him to a pet shop, one of the few that still existed, and they would buy some of the small animals being sold there. Sometimes they would buy birds, other times fish, or rabbits or other small rodents, which were easily returned to their natural habitats. They would choose a suitable habitat beforehand, during a nature walk or hike with both his parents, paying attention to the animals already living there, the safety of the environment, and the presence of food sources. Orhan perceived it as their little secret because at the time, he thought his mother didn’t have a clue about their endeavours, which made the whole activity much more exciting and adventurous.

One warm day the sun was shining brightly; everybody was in a very happy mood. His father took him on an adventure as soon as he came back from his private school in London. They entered the pet store and went to the bird department. The owner approached and informed them that they had just received a group of finches to sell that day. When they approached the cages, his father carefully observed the birds and whispered in Orhan’s ear that the little birds were not actually finches but hummingbirds, and that it was illegal to own them as pets. 

There were two possibilities. Either the shop owner wanted to make money off of them, or they were mistaken for finches upon being captured. Finches weren’t migratory birds, but hummingbirds were, so it would be a shame to keep them in cages, or even in large greenhouses. Due to their fragility, their dietary needs including an exotic mix of nectar and protein, and needing to eat every half hour, it was extremely difficult to take care of them. Later in his life, Orhan learned that Oceania was the only region in which the selling of hummingbirds was not illegal.

That day, they bought all the hummingbirds and drove to a suitable nature preserve to release them. Seeing those birds released felt so joyful. 

Dr. Önal hadn’t seen his parents for a long time now. After quickly scanning the equipment in his office used for an assignment, which had to be finalised in time for the meeting of the College of Ten, he gazed into the horizon from his window. Dr. Önal understood that his life was no more than the life of any bird living in a cage, and wished his father were there to set him free.

Day 1

Corfu, Greece, Euralia

Alex Shostak, the middle-aged, blond-haired co-founder of the Corfu Centre and former Ukrainian President, admired the stunning view of the bay of Paleokastritsa out his office window and thought about the role he had played in the politics of the world. It was during a difficult period in his life characterized by heavy burnouts and meltdowns that the Ukrainian-Canadian Alex, a member of the New Generation of Diplomats, or NGD network, met Martin Rudov, a tall, brown-haired Russian NGD. A mutual friend who always supported innovative ideas had introduced them to each other, believing that a talented programmer and young diplomat could do amazing things together.

Alex vividly remembered the day they met. It was a typical sunny day in Limassol some fifteen years ago. Their mutual friend, Nina, was in Cyprus for a holiday and had asked Alex if he wanted to join. Alex knew he was there to meet Martin at some point. Even if his great-great grandparents would have preferred him to stay away from someone of Martin’s nationality, he agreed to meet. The Slavic wars were too long ago and the enmity had faded away. Martin was working in Limassol as the director of a big IT company. Nina confessed to Alex that Martin was the most attractive person among all of her male friends. This was years before she had met her husband. Alex, a demure person, was more interested in whether they would be able to start a collaboration together, as Martin had been described as a very talented programmer who followed international politics with great enthusiasm. Alex had also been told that he was very bold and ambitious.

So, what’s your background, Martin? asked Alex after the three of them had made some small talk and installed themselves comfortably on a terrace near his office.

Well, after finishing my studies in IT and programming, I can say that I’ve made a quite successful career. I worked for two serious corporations, where I designed several operating and supply chain management systems. Then, my interest in global affairs motivated me to get a PhD in international relations, said Martin and opened a bottle of Commandaria, a local white.

Did the studies increase your interest? asked Alex.

Definitely, I felt hungry for more. At one point I was invited to a high-level social event, where I met a Russian diplomat, Symonin.

May I guess? asked Nina. She showed great enthusiasm and wanted to compliment Martin. Having a Slavic background and a good notion of the Russian language, your talents were spotted immediately?

Well, I won’t be humble about it, but I did have a good understanding of what was happening in the world, and a vision for the future of international relations in particular, said Martin in a tone that gave away how much he was enjoying the attention of his guests, who were all ears. Symonin was, unlike many stereotypes could suggest, a very progressive man—interested what technology could mean for society and international relations. He introduced me to the NGD network, of which he was a member, and later even to his own family.

Alex could spot the ambition in Martin’s story.

Martin continued, Symonin helped me to engage within the network and after some time, I was able to crystallise my own vision on global affairs. This basically brought me to the director position in the company I currently work at. We provide technological solutions for international players.

So, what’s your vision? asked Nina.

Martin spoke as if he had rehearsed and given the speech time and time again. Well, I think that the global system of nation-to-nation dialogue is outdated and eroding. Sporadic attempts to change the world with technology lead nowhere, because changing the world for the better is only a pretext and excuse to make more money. Short-term self-interest and neo-realism have divided the world. Systems continue to be built on the notion of scarcity. Countries use diplomacy sparingly or in heavy-handed ways. Cooperation is seen as a lost cause without hope. Militarization is increasing, defence budgets are growing, and wars are looming on the horizon. Diplomats who used to have face-to-face meetings with their counterparts have been delivering poor results and destroying their credibility. Despite decades of rapid technological advancement and remarkably sophisticated communications equipment, diplomats continue to speak with each other through an outdated exchange framework that produces solutions which seem to be mere words without real impact, without a clear vision and most importantly without the engagement of the human resources, knowledge, science and modern technological tools which international society already has at its disposal. The crucial development everyone seems to be missing is that very soon, the regional AIs will have enough data to render an international system where soldiers control countries useless.

Alex was impressed. Being a member of the NGD network himself, he shared opinions similar to the ones Martin had outlined. He was already imagining what they could do about the problems Martin raised if they could gather a team to implement an idea which had been maturing in his head for quite some time. He lifted his glass of white Commandaria in the air in front of him and said, Let’s drink to Nina and thank her for bringing likeminded people together!

Nina smiled at Alex. By the look on his face, she realised that she had done a good job in connecting Alex and Martin, whose ideas seemed to be going in the same direction. She said, Your eyes are telling me that you have a plan, Alex. I really would love to see things change; it’s disappointing to see young creative minds, out-of-the-box thinkers, streamlined into ‘ordinary diplomats’ according to centuries-old stereotypes of an outdated system.

The NGD network is bringing some changes, but it seems rather slow in modernising foreign diplomacy and creating new methods for governments to cooperate more effectively, said Alex.

I agree with you, said Martin.

While holding interesting conversations and drinking a lot of wine, Alex had noticed that Martin’s mind stayed very sharp and focused and his determination very serious. He also saw that Nina was drowning in Martin’s dark blue eyes. That was what motivated her to propose going for a late-night swim in the sea, reflected in Martin’s eyes. Martin seemed to have caught the look on her face and noticed that she had surrendered her position as a competent partner in this most interesting and intelligent conversation (partially due to the late hour and partially due to the wine) and agreed, Let’s go swimming, before we shake up the international order!

After the swim, Martin invited both of his guests to stay over. Nina gladly accepted and went straight to bed, while Martin and Alex stayed up for the rest of the night philosophising about how to make the international system function better by means of technology. Both were driven to find ways to end the dreadful international relations between their home countries. It was that night that the idea of the Centre for Peace Settlement and Reconciliation, later called the Corfu Centre thanks to its chosen location, was born.

Part of the global diplomacy movement, the NGD network elaborated a framework with key components for the creation of a solid global diplomatic foundation and transnational political development models, all to be part of a new planetary order, a more peaceful one. But eventually, Alex and Martin understood that change was happening slowly and that they could reach their goal faster only by going their own way. They decided to split from the NGD network and co-founded the Corfu Centre. Alex soon became the face of the splinter group and Martin used his outstanding programming skills to turn their idea into reality. Both shared a motivation—avoiding another war. Their goal was to establish a new international practice of solving disputes in a virtual cyberspace environment on the Global Net, where Artificial Intelligence would analyse interstate conflicts and unresolved disputes and produce a set of action plans least harmful to the people living in the territories in question. Martin and Alex found two serious sponsors, two rich and powerful families—Regani and Portov. After two years of tireless programming by trial and error, the AI had been developed.

The Corfu Centre was a huge success and the virtual reality of international affairs on the Global Net emerged. Millions who usually didn’t have a say in international affairs and the destinies of their homes flocked to a secure place on the Global Net, where they could take part in virtual conflict-resolution simulations and demonstrations. The revolutionary approach gained wide acceptance and trust from the global population. However, more was needed for it to become accepted by the most powerful players on the global stage.

The opportunity showed itself when it became clear that the Global Enlightenment Council wanted to lead the global revolution in international affairs and started negotiations to acquire the AI by which the Corfu Centre operated. The creation of the GEC had been sparked by leaders all over the world in response to the Slavic wars. In their aftermath, a significant part of the international consciousness understood that life and wellbeing on planet Earth were contingent on humanity’s collective capacity to guarantee both human rights and a healthy environment for future generations. A Global Human Rights Constitution that put humanity, democracy and the rule of law at its centre was born and became the foundation of the GEC. Its parliament produced model laws that could be implemented in any country, and which enjoyed international recognition.

Alex and Martin had to accept the offer to reach their initial goal. They didn’t regret it, as the money which had been offered to their team made them rich. Having improved this sophisticated AI, the GEC created a full-fledged global institution, the Global Consultation Office for International Affairs and Peace Solutions. Thanks to the good reputation of the Corfu Centre, experts and decision makers in the fields of international affairs and peace settlement started to consult the new Global Consultation Office. However, most important was that now, each country could officially propose to its enemies to start a consultation process at the Global Consultation Office in a collaborative and consensus-oriented manner to find solutions for international struggles.

Some months after the peak of the Corfu Centre had passed and the Global Consultation Office had gained international leverage, Alex had been encouraged by some members of the NGD network to run as a candidate in the Ukrainian presidential elections. If he won, he would become the president of a country which had been on the brink of collapse many times throughout its history, but had managed to survive in a unique constellation. It had been included in three different empires over two hundred and fifty years and passed between the European and the Eurasian Unions. Alex planned to create an interim government composed of economists, professors and leading global experts on Ukraine and end the stereotype of flying two hours to get there to go back twenty years in time. However, what attracted him the most was the chance to show the international community what could be reached by using the Global Consultation Office.

Following his successful election as the new head of state, Ukraine took the lead in international affairs and set an example by becoming the first state to officially apply to the Global Consultation Office in order to find a peaceful solution to end its emerging border conflict with its biggest neighbouring state. After successful simulations, which provided settlements, agreements and scenarios for possible conflict resolutions, the parties involved asked for a vote on a resolution by the GEC to have the peace outcome implemented into a real-world action plan.

The calculations and solutions developed by the AI were like nothing the international players had seen or could come up with using their human brains. More examples followed and soon the most popular approach was aimed at making the digital simulations a first international response to any military build-up, to avoid aggressive military policies and restrict provocations, sanctions, containment and coercive diplomacy to the digital world.

By avoiding the use of nuclear weapons, armed conflicts, bloodshed and unnecessary spending into the military-industrial complex, conventional warfare had been transformed and an alternative tradition to the old destructive methods had been created. The GEC provided guidelines on the use of virtual simulations and demonstrations in foreign affairs which gained wide acceptance over time. A new international practice had been developed, which had always been the goal of Alex and Martin.

Alex looked at a printed photograph hanging on the wall where he was standing with other presidents, celebrating the end of an interstate conflict which had been tormenting his country for long enough. Another picture showed Alex together with the President of Cyprus at a celebration of the reunification of the sunny island in the Mediterranean. There were more photographs highlighting success stories like the creation of a new state of Kurdistan and a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, ending the settlements and violence between the two nations.

Geopolitical conflicts all over the world had been solved like mathematical puzzles, enabling governments to find new modes of governance, compromises and agreements for disputed grey zones like Transnistria, Nagorno-Karabakh, Western Sahara, Hong Kong, Kashmir, and many more. All this had been done with the participation of the NDG network, part of the Global Consultation Office. Both had been created by the GEC Parliament, and both were possible only after several decades of simulations driven by the GEC’s Artificial Intelligence programme.

Not all countries had attained the same level of diplomatic intelligence, and there were still some choosing military options. In these cases, the Global Consultation Office showed possible devastating scenarios in cyberspace, which usually changed their perspective. Virtual diplomacy was the only means to resolve conflicts between countries or regions without allowing soldiers to fight endless battles.

The world, although more peaceful than it was fifteen years ago, still functioned according to the Westphalian nation-state model defined by geography. During his presidency, Alex had figured out that this order wouldn’t prevail for much longer, as another plan for managing global affairs was in the making.

After one presidential