Brain Chip

The human mind is a dangerous thing, isn’t it?

It can create and destroy; hurt and love. It can build. It can tear down.

Yes, it is strong. It can do a lot. And, when the world is having trouble, it is up to some people to save it and come up with a solution.

;

Let me set the stage:

It was November 2nd, 2045. The world was torn in many strands, each getting ready for battle. War was coming, marching around and waiting to strike. We had missiles. Guns. Anti-aircraft things. But, there was a group of us, two from everywhere in the world, who had another idea.

We were called Mission Serenity. It was our plan to make up an invention of some sort that could save the world. After months of working, we created something called the Brain Chip.

The Brain Chip was exactly like it sounds. It was a small computer chip that was put in everyone’s brains, enabling them to think the same thing, do the same thing, and be on the same page. It wasn’t as mind-controlling as it sounds, but it sure helped. 

War stopped. Everyone got along. Me, along with the others in Mission Serenity, were awarded medals for what we did. Our names were written in history books. Our life was broadcasted across the world. We were saviours.

And the Brain Chip worked for a long time. But, as you might think, technology goes out quick. And, we needed something new. So, born was the unveiling of the new update.

;

“Michael, are you ready?”

I turned to Daniel, smiling. “Oh yeah, man.”

Landon walked in from the changing room. “How are y’all excited? For the last 30 years, we’ve been used as celebrities all over for brands. And, we’ve had to deal with snotty kids for the same amount of time, and each of ‘em wanted to dress up as one of us for Halloween. I mean, what is so different about this?”

“Landon, do you have to be like this? Come on, we are announcing the update, which will help the world more,” Daniel said, socking Landon in the shoulder.

Rubbing his arm, Landon said “Yeah, much like the last one. No one is happy! No one can be themselves! And, on top of that, I haven’t been able to walk outside my house without cameras shoved up my face for 30 years.”

Daniel rolled his eyes and walked to the curtain, peeking out into the crowd. “Sure is a big group of people.”

“Yeah,” I said, walking over. There sure were. I saw people of all colors, ethnicities, and plains of life. They were all there, waiting to see the people who they thought had changed the world. But, Landon was right. All this publicity, for something that didn’t do much other than make everyone think the same thing (a dream for America). And now, they’re changing it, making it more complex to ‘help’. But, the new update, it was made by the new group of Mission Serenity members. Younger kids, trying to make a difference because of us.

Daniel hit me too in the shoulder (it’s a habit), and said “What’s up, bud?”

I shake my head, getting out of my trance. “Nothing. Just a little nervous, but I’m good.”

Daniel shot me a look, and then turned his attention to the backstage crew.

“Alright, get ready to go on,” one of them said. I waved my hand a little and she waved back. Then, the announcer started.

;

“Please welcome to the stage, The original Mission Serenity!”

Me and the two others walked onstage, waving and smiling. The lights blinded me slightly. Screams from the crowd echoed, and claps to an unknown beat welcomed us up. There were three microphones, each on a Mars Rock pedestal. I rubbed the scratchy surface slightly before tapping the microphone.

“Hello, Earth!”

More screams.

“Hi, I’m Michael Bowman, and I was the Leader for Mission Serenity back in 2045. To my right we have Daniel Ryder, our Secretary and main publicity person,” some screams and polite claps,”And we also have, to my left, Landon Spencer, our Lead Scientist/Engineer. Let’s give ‘em a hand.”

Claps overthrew the screams.

“You might be wondering why we are talking to you today. As you might have noticed, the quality on your Brain Chips has been dwindling the last few months. Our plan, and what the newest recruits in Mission Serenity have been working on, is a new update on the Brain Chip. We already can think the same, and now we can create things, out of mid air.”

A 3D rendering of the Brain Chip showed up behind me.

“As you can see, this is what the Brain Chip’s look like. We are now adding to the software, creating an imagination complex. You see, with this new technology, we are creating something called the Cognitive Envisioning Apparatus, or the CEA. Using this, you can imagine things in your head, and they will appear out of nowhere! You can make whatever you want! Food? Yup! Water? Absolutely. Just something to keep your kids occupied? You can do that too! This could end world hunger, and save the entire world!”

Cheers rang through the building. I smiled at Daniel, and he smiled back, moving forward to talk into his microphone.

“Yes, we are going to let people make whatever they want, and create a world where you can have everything.”

Now Landon stepped up. “And, since you all are here, we are doing the update now.”

More cheers. Everyone looked so happy.

Landon and Daniel walked over to me, and we held each other's hands.

Together we said “Let's make the world a better place.”

Sounds of awe came out of the mouths of everyone in the stadium. Me and the other two looked at each other. Even Landon smiled, seeing the happiness in the people's eyes.

After a second, we called up a random person.

“You, in the second row!”

“What’s your name?”

“Uh, hi, I’m Maggie Kelly-”

“Well, Maggie Kelly, we are going to allow you to be the first person to make something using the CEA,” I said. She squealed, and then walked up the stage. “Are you ready?”

Maggie nodded and closed her eyes. Suddenly, in front of her, a book showed up. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh,” she squealed, grabbing the book. I looked over, and smiled when I saw. It was a novel, and it had her name as the author. “Yes, I can finally publish my book!”

“Good job, Maggie, and good luck!”

Maggie walked off stage, crying into her arm and holding the fabric-bound book under her shoulder.

“Alright, who’s next?”

Someone in the crowd raised their hand.

“Yes, you, come on up!”

The man walked up, stepping one polished shoe in front of the other. His hair was slicked back.

“Alright, what’s your name, sir?”

“My name is Adrien Rios.”

“Well, Adrien, make your wish!”

He closed his eyes.

Suddenly, a scream echoed from the crowd. A woman was clutching her face, periodically looking up and scanning the room feverishly. Then, she backed her head back down.

From across the room, another person did it, screaming. Someone in the balcony area yelled, too, looking around before backing into the banister and falling.

People watched the man fall flat on his back, not moving.

More people screamed. People looked around, scared of their surroundings. Suddenly, Daniel doubled over, looking around and blinking a lot. “What, what is it?”

Daniel spoke, heaving out words like water. “The color-it’s gone!”

Landon too fell over, looking around. I looked between them and the crowd, my eyes finally landing on Adrien, the only person who hadn’t begun yelling.

“What. Did. You. Wish. For,” I seethed, looking at him in his cold, blue eyes.

“You should know,” he responded, looking at me.

Suddenly, all the colors were gone. It was grey and black and white all around, and I could barely see. I watched painfully as more people fell over. I saw some people begin clawing at their eyes.

I couldn’t see. There was no light. There was no sound. No color. And, we also couldn’t hear each other's thoughts anymore. The Brain Chips were dead.

“Nihil similius, modo differentiae!”

Then, Adrien jumped off stage and ran into the crowd.

No more alike, only differences!

I layed down on the cold stage, no longer hearing anything.

Landon knew it.

The human mind is a dangerous thing, isn’t it?