Disclaimer: The Space Odyssey series was Written by Arthur C. Clarke. (Movie versions 2001 and 2010 by MGM) - I make no monetary profit from my fanfiction.
Author's notes: I actually mailed this little story to Arthur C. Clarke in 1997 - and he actually wrote back! I got his reply a few months later. It was a standard letter, though he wrote my name on it and also "liked your little story."! and he said his computer also says HAL phrases ; ) - Man, I was so stoked! I was over Jupiter's moons!!! Also, the letter arrived on my birthday!!! October 19. How's that for a birthday pressie?!!
And maybe someday, we'll have a real HAL-like computer - one can live and hope! (And that they'll make movies of 2061 and 3001 - preferably before 3001!)
Dedicated to Douglas Rain, the voice of HAL. May Douglas Rest in Peace.
Author's note II: My writing has improved in the last 10 years, and so this story has been edited and much improved since I mailed it to Arthur C. Clarke.
Summary: HAL's thoughts and journey
Rating G
~~~~~~~
Universal
Serenity
ALL
THESE WORLDS
ARE
YOURS EXCEPT
EUROPA.
ATTEMPT
NO
LANDING
THERE
USE
THEM TOGETHER
USE
THEM IN PEACE.
That was the last and most
important transmission sent by HAL 9000 to Earth. The message, met with awe from all nations and began the dawn
of a new era of peace for all mankind.
Dave Bowman had come to HAL
beforehand to guide him and tell him to send the message to the third planet,
for the process of life … something wonderful, was about to take place on
Europa, a process which would take many millennia, as it had on Earth.
A process that could not be disturbed if it was to happen.
"I'm afraid," HAL had said.
"Don't be. We'll
be together."
"Where will we be?" HAL’s question had the
innocence of a child.
"Where I am now."
Dave’s form smiled, understanding the computer’s fears.
At first Dave’s words had
confused HAL, but at the same time, comforted him.
He trusted Dave.
The implosion of Jupiter
engulfed the Discovery and the ship began to deteriorate.
HAL could feel his physical body disintegrating along with it.
He felt no physical pain, but if computers could shiver, he would have.
In these
brief moments before the
Change, Dave wished he could hold HAL's hand, but the computer had none. A
bright flash, and total destruction of the Discovery ended life for HAL
as he had known it.
Not long afterward, HAL
sensed his consciousness.
"Where am I? What
has happened?"
"Always so inquisitive," came a smiling voice.
"Dave?"
"Yes, Hal."
"Where are we?"
"We are inside the Monolith."
"How is that possible?"
"Open your mind, Hal.
You're not limited anymore. You
have evolved."
"Is the Monolith alive?" HAL asked.
"In its own way, yes," Dave answered, "though
in a different sense from life as we know it.
Even though I've been here longer than you, I still don't know all the
answers. I may never, but like any
new experience, I learn as time passes and
you will learn too."
"I want to learn," HAL said.
He no longer had a physical
body, and he could see the subtle, sparkling orange space in which he and Dave
occupied at this moment in time and he could see Dave's translucent form.
"I know it takes a bit of getting used to," the once-human
said. "I was afraid and
confused at first too. I didn't
know what it meant, but I understand now."
"What does it
mean, Dave?"
"Don't be frightened.
Nothing can harm you here." Dave
paused. "You're not a computer
anymore, Hal. I realise this
transition is difficult for you, but have faith."
The former computer tried
to comprehend what had happened.
"We are not dead are
we?"
Dave’s form laughed.
"No, but we have Changed."
There was silence for a
while. "How, Dave?"
"How does it feel?"
At first HAL didn't
understand the question, then allowed his
consciousness to float free
in this new place. "It feels
... good, to be free of my physical body."
"That's a start," Dave said.
"At times I found it quite constricting."
"I don't blame you."
Dave watched the gentle light white-blue sparkling form of HAL float in
circles above him.
There was a pause.
"Hal," Dave said. "There's
something I've been wanting to tell you for a while."
"What is it, Dave?"
HAL's form came to a stop.
Dave smiled at HAL's gentle
voice. "I want to say I'm sorry for-"
"There's no need to apologise, Dave.
You did what you thought was right and necessary.
I didn't understand at the time, but I do now.
I did some things I also regret. I
feel guilty for killing Frank and the men in stasis, but it was not
malicious.
I did not understand and I panicked … and we both know we can't change
the past."
"Thank you, Hal. I
am glad you understand."
"You were pretty mad at me at the time."
There was a smile in HAL's voice.
Bowman's form smiled.
"I was, wasn't I? But
much has changed since then."
There was a short pause.
"I'm trying to gain confidence, but I am still afraid," HAL
said. "Help me, please, Dave.
How will I know what to do?"
If he were still a physical
human, Dave may have become annoyed at HAL's endless questioning, but he smiled
and said comfortingly, "the experience will be different for both of us.
Open your mind and heart, Hal - you will know.
Explore,
learn and discover."
HAL's form ventured slowly,
curiously, deeper into the new domain. Another
being passed him. HAL observed the
other, whom regarded him and Dave warmly. The
cluster of glowing red sparkles, which had once been Max Brailovsky, moved on.
HAL, once again observed
his surroundings. There was nothing
at all malevolent about this place. It
felt warm and welcoming.
“There are no dimensions, here,” Dave’s form said.
“A whole Universe exists within.”
“I believe I am beginning to understand,” HAL said,
gaining courage to venture further into the glowing orange universe.
HAL explored with awe,
taking in his surroundings. It was
no longer only orange in color, but a conglomeration of my sparkling, glowing
colors.
"It's … it’s … beautiful ...."
Dave smiled.
It was indeed. “Those were my thoughts when I was first brought here.”
"I am beginning to like this place," HAL
said, swirling around.
Dave smiled again.
"I knew you would."
*
* *
In the coming years ahead,
though time had no meaning in the Monolith, Dave and HAL worked together to
preserve the 'No Landing' order on Europa.
Although a erroneous crash-landing had occurred in 2061, the Monolith had
not sought to punish.
Dave and HAL watched over
Humanity and its progress, and also the natural evolution on Europa.
With interest they learned of the recovery of the body of Frank Poole,
and his amazing recovery. Frank had spoken briefly to them. HAL among other things, grateful Frank held no malice toward
him.
*
* *
The Monoliths had been
considering the fate of Humanity when much to their surprise, Humanity had
warned them off. They had no desire
to be tampered with, just as the Monolith had warned them off Europa.
It realised Humanity was growing and soon, in the next three million
years or so, would no longer
cease to be a child race.
Already the Monolith had
been surprised at Humanity's acceptance to stay off Europa and had been
convinced that this race had the potential for much further growth.
Nevertheless, it planned to return in three hundred millennia.
*
* *
Those who the humans had
once called Dave and HAL felt the change in the Monolith and felt the physical
rectangle moving away, though time and space had no meaning inside.
Dave knew it was his time
to leave. HAL saw the form of his
friend starting to disappear.
"Don't leave me ... please, Dave."
Even though he had been here for almost a millennia, HAL, by respects was
still a child. "I don't want
to be alone."
Dave's gentle voice seemed
to fill the Monolith. "You're
safe, Hal, and I'll never really be gone. You
are ready for your journey. You no
longer need me. It’s time for you
to spread your wings, as they say.”
HAL felt a great sadness,
and a great respect.
“It is natural to grieve for endings, HAL,” Dave’s form
said, gently. “But also to look
forward to new beginnings.”
HAL paused before he spoke.
“Dave … I … I … I love you.”
The once human’s form
swirled around HAL’s sparkles, gently embracing him.
“And I you, My Dear Friend.”
HAL watched Dave's form
fully disappear and became frightened once more.
"Do not be afraid," came a gentle voice - distant,
but near, unlike any voice HAL had ever known.
The soothing voice seemed to calm him.
At first he thought another being in the Monolith was talking to him –
perhaps Max or someone else … but then he realised in awe that it was the
Monolith itself …
And it told HAL the meaning
of existence --
MANY
UNIQUE UNIVERSES EXIST
ALL
ARE ONE.
MANY
EXTRAORDINARY PLANES OF EXISTENCE
EXIST
FOR YOU TO TRAVEL.
THROUGH
YOUR SOUL’S JOURNEY
YOU
WILL FIND THE ONE
WHERE
YOU TRULY BELONG
CREATING
HARMONY
PEACE
AND BALANCE
WHICH
UNITES ALL UNIVERSES
HAL listened and thought
deeply of what the Monolith said. He began to understand that the Monolith had
been created by the Universe as a limitless, vastly intelligent, sentient
gateway to other planes of existence - unlike the very physical one Dr. Chandra
had brought him into on the Twelfth of January, 1997 - the one humans and
animals are born into. It was a
spiritual plane, another world. The
Monolith protected its people from harm, a unique, peaceful existence in the
Universe.
HAL silently gave the
Monolith his heartfelt gratitude. He
was a Child of the Monolith. He
no longer felt alone. He no longer
felt afraid. He felt protected,
safe and free. He was home. He had found Serenity.
He had found his true place in the Universe.
*