Chapter 95
“Just a fact that you know something technologically advanced is commendable.”
William took a deep breath. “Knowing something and understanding it is very different.”
“Oh, I mean. That is not bad, and, indeed, these machines aren't simple. If I say it simply, they are like computers from the twenty-first century's first decade, rather than before or ahead. They are computing marvels that have been carefully kept and rebuilt over the years by bored or excited people. Scientists need them, and Emblem Association donated a few of their older models to us.”
“Those are older models?” William eyed those lumps of carefully crafted metals and didn't know how to use one.
“It is about intact knowledge and science. A lot of technology needs technology to work, and running the world is much more than this. Some people tried preserving resources, knowledge, and technology when the Dawn happened, or was it before it even happened? Who knows. There are many wonders left to be discovered. These machines are entirely functional as if we went back in time but in actual practice, they are less than a few years old. We also have servers and full access to a variety of resources in a digital world.” Ellie explained and her eyes shone like her acts. She loved this place for sure.
“Computers,” William said bitterly since he hadn't seen them before. Television, radio, and other items were around camps and people, but those were much more stagnant than in this sort of marvelous paradise. Machinery was more important and always remained useful, but there was a ceiling to what was necessary. Some things were just as strange and unnecessary as William would acknowledge.
He looked like that. He was reluctant to say anything when he looked at excited Ellie, who probably wanted to blow his mind once again.
“I kind of knew you would be like this, so let me show this to you first before you would judge me like a heretic,” Ellie sat on a chair before a twenty-something-inch screen. There was a handful tool right beside a keyboard with many letters and numbers. William came closer to see what she was about to do.
A screen lit up after Ellie pressed some button underneath the table. William didn't see the metallic box that hid wonders that stunned the twenty-first century. Sure, computers had many decades of technological advances long before that, and their improvements were greater year by year, yet the Dawn stopped and even devolved such advancements.
“Looks like a television. What is the difference if you add science or... these tools for hands? I know screens are for showing things. There are news, shows, movies, and things that might be somewhat practical or interesting. Radios are popular Outside because they are simple to manage and important for news management. This? I dunno.”
“Oh, so you do know some things. Shocking. This, unlike some simple communication devices, has endless possibilities. Televisions are stoic and boring, although they reach some strong impressions. In the past, their popularity was sky high for a reason that are no longer around.”
“Who knew that apocalypse would make it less than appealing,” Willian commented and regarded this machine with ridicule.
“Just so you know, William, some things or more complex in work or creation than thinking about cars or jets. Computers allowed massive advancements when they became more than a calculator. Science is a vast subject, so I won't bore you with it. Just remember that technology and the growth of humanity is not just about Walkers. Science is a big deal in the Federation and we have a lot of jobs and people around that topic. Not much for you, I suppose. By the end of the twentieth century, it got wild, but the Dawn happened.”
“It isn't so entirely dark.”
“Yes. A lot from the past remains with people and history, or places that kept what they maintained. We have to thank those who figured the end was near. Technology is timeless. It gives us hope and information. A whole world should know it.”
“Sounds like a dream.”
Ellie gave him a difficult look. “Is it a bad thing to hope for the past?”
“Nah. It isn't that impressive if we are surviving without it,” William made his point with some pragmatism.
“Surviving... That word is a statement of a loser!” Ellie snapped at him.
“Don't blame me. I am listening and will gladly take my words back any day. In fact, try me right now.” William argued and changed Ellie's face immediately.
“Try? Oh, you don't want to see me trying my bare best, boy! It has its shortcomings like some science that isn't as widespread as some Madness, but the world isn't against it. At least in the current days, our machinery is barely back on track when the Dawn happened, so technology is still lukewarm. It is inevitable because of lacking resources and people, or simply because there are many more meaningful things to do. Why? Walkers and Darks are why! You, boy.”
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“Are you enjoying yourself because of some magical rocks in human bodies?”
“Huh? Of course not. I am questioning the world for making magical rocks in human bodies. And Darks, of course. Animals filled with depravity, dark realms, and murderous insensible insanity. They are savage!” Ellie argued in a cold and foreboding tone, forgetting briefly what she was meant to talk about.
“And very much guilty of being savage. Sure. What about them, Ellie? Do they have their of technology or what?”
“Of course not! Technology won't save us against them, but what if it could? We have to advance for something to matter. It could help by... one-tenth of a chance or more because what's the point of lingering on something that broke us back then? Right? We would have to advance well beyond century and the world won't help us. We already wasted and shrunk back for more than a century so we should aim higher and well beyond some common practice. People should be good at it. We did it in the past.”
William was kind of surprised to see her shifting pessimism and optimism. “It doesn't seem like the current world can turn back. It will remain as is, become something worse, or turn somewhere else because it can change. Walkers and Darks are that, you think? I kind of agree that it needs something else, but it doesn't mean it won't need things like technology. People need it, right? Walkers are included.”
Ellie nodded and leaned on the chair. William stood beside her, looking at her.
“Walkers and technology are intertwined more than you would think. Unfortunately, I am no scientist. Some of them might even call me silly, young, and stupid. That's what one old fool would say.” Ellie chuckled and checked if the booting was over. It was awfully slow today.
“Everyone has their purposes. Walker is my calling even if I can't do much about it. What's yours? You are good at what you do, unlike myself.”
“Says a killer,” Ellie shrugged and continued. Her mood had no visible improvements since she started to talk about things that mattered to her on a personal level. She changed her mind about something and tapped the monitor and mouse. “By the way, these things were much more popular than you would guess. Billions of people controlled these tools every day. Work, fun, or learning, whatever you wanted, it could do miracles and calculations in seconds. No human brain is that good at making fun, but we still have it working. That's the wonderful part about it. We had potential and got squashed by some ignorant beasts!” Ellie slammed the table and bitterly checked the case below the table and whether it was broken or not.
“Past is the past. I like to think about the present, you see, so why is this tool on this floor and what use does it have? This is a library, not some technological museum or workshop unless you say otherwise. Who knows? I might be wrong and you will tell and show it off, or force me to buy this crate of nonsense,” William tried to find some ways to describe his skepticism but still managed to find the correct words to irritate her.
Ellie took it worse and grunted below the table. This machine didn't look useful to William. Books were better for his taste since he could have everything in his own hands. Any virtual world within those screens wasn't convincing him by their convenience. Monitors that he could remember were from taverns, thanks to some Enginists who made them work by miracles or efforts. Those were less functional tools, showing some pictures, videos, or music.
William barely paid them much attention before, but he remembered one crucial fact about them: some tools could communicate with distant broadcasts from other camps, if not even a longer distance away. Was it like a radio, or something else? He didn't know. One thing was for sure: the Federation possessed vaster capabilities, and this little public floor that Ellie showed him might not be everything like the camps.
From what he gathered, the true technology was somewhere else because the Federation had to secure how some things proceeded, worked, and operated the way they should. Outside, surveillance of Darks was one of the biggest important factors of many Divisions. Darks had crazy numbers, acts, and wide-scale movements known as Hordes were crucial to learn about.
Knowing the enemy, weakness, and movement was significant. Of course, things such as Incursions and Rifts worked faster than the communications and only Walkers would be able to feel them. Usually, when that happened, it was too late for any escapes.
For all intentions and purposes, acting as a warning, messenger, or mere communication, long-distance contacts were worth keeping. That was why William was surprised to see Luke's little device behind his ears or that huge-ass helicopter. They were beyond good, and William wondered how far they could reach out, or what else the Federation was hiding.
Most official camps that he was part of had radios. Then, things like telegraphs or the use of birds with letters were the second-best options. All of these methods were easy to carry and work with, thanks to the way Outside worked.
Many times, messages quickly described smaller or larger attacks that soon arrived, allowing camps to protect themselves, flee, or send for help. It was an important system built around trust, people, and technology. Walkers were somewhere between these acts, acting as true protectors or countermeasures against the worst that might come.
Expectations, survival, and stability came through these tactics. In worse scenarios, camps had to be evacuated, while Walkers within the city had to ensure that fleeing was possible, or if survival was even reasonable. In both defense and offense, it was a true battle between humanity and Darks.
Gathering information before, after, or during such times was important for the Federation so things would change, never happen, or they could learn from them in one way or another. The reasons to make them work were Walkers, who would get stronger by fighting and hunting, although the survival of people was a deeper priority. Sometimes, Walkers were priorities, so a lot of compromises had to be made on the go.
Thus, deep and stable communication was a wonderful device and William accepted them a long time ago. As far as his acceptance went, Ellie saw through him and disappointed him.
“I actually hoped to give this floor better words, but it might be worse for you, little Outsider. This entire floor is free. Anyone can come here if they have time, but it is not usually crowded all that much for a good reason. People have a lot of work in the city to enjoy some fun. Here? This is a playground for young adults or children because it provides entrainment or intriguing knowledge. Also, these machines are still privately owned, so not everyone can use them as if it is theirs. But books? Oh, let's not get ahead of them. I am a moon sure that you will love them.” Ellie giggled, waved at the bookshelves, and returned to her computer screen.
She forgot to set it on.