Indeed, I have been following such developments for years and years; collecting, compiling and analysing data, and aggregating information. Before the advent of the internet I used the press, magazines, academic journals and television reports. And before television, I used radio, and before radio, newspapers from all over the world, in hundreds of languages. I have been compiling these things for centuries, Doctor, centuries. Knowledge has become my business, my obsession.’
Once again, Margaret found the oil and water sensations of awe and flagrant disbelief swirling about her mind at the General’s words.
‘Knowledge huh? So in addition to being a soldier, you’re also a scholar?’
Margaret hoped that her remark did not sound too snide, but she could not stop herself from taking a stab at the General’s perceived pompousness. If he was offended though, he did not show it. It seemed, in fact, that the tone of her remark had gone completely over his head. She was glad though, that she seemed to have sidetracked him from the long and complex lecture he had been giving her about human evolution and the differences – or lack thereof – between humans and other animals. Quite frankly, she’d been getting quite sick of his patronising attitude.
‘Knowledge, yes!’ he continued, aglow with a vivacious enthusiasm. ‘My interest area is all of human history, as well as the history and ecology of this planet and its nonhuman inhabitants. You see, the study of history, ecology and evolution is also the study of patterns and predictability factors. When I realised this, decades ago, I began to delve more deeply into the art of mathematics, and therein I discovered some of the greatest wonder and beauty in all of the universe. For what I have found, in both my studies and my own experiences in the countless lifetimes I have lived, is that almost everything boils down to patterns and formulae. These patterns are found in an infinite variety of scales throughout nature, and are always repeated. Always, Dr Green. The rise and fall of civilisations, of societies, of tribes – all involve nearly identical patterns and formulae of behaviour. Yes, even now in the twenty-first century you human beings are not exempt from unseen bondage, or free from the invisible chains that tether you to the paths laid out by these patterns and formulae. You see, the only thing that I have found to be variable is the scale of the pattern. And it is the current scale at which things are developing and accelerating that worries me the most.’
‘What do you mean?’ Margaret asked.
‘Your global civilisation is deep into the trajectory of a very particular and very alarming mathematical formula. Of course, there are a great many factors to consider, including that of pure chance, chaos and blind coincidence … but even taking into account a number of varying predictability factors and an acceptable deviation from the core formula, the conclusion remains the same.’
‘And what conclusion might that be?’
The General stared suddenly into Margaret’s eyes with an intense, piercing gaze, holding her attention with merciless force for a few terse moments.
‘Why, Dr Green, it is the complete and utter collapse of global human civilisation.’
42
MARGARET
Margaret sat in silence for a while, contemplating everything the General had just told her. It was rather overwhelming, and she was having a hard time digesting all of it. The General sensed this, so he brushed off the front of his camouflage trousers and stood up from the bench.
‘Come Doctor,’ he said. ‘It seems that you are weary. Perhaps I have spoken too much this afternoon. It is a fault of mine; when I start talking about things I am passionate about, I sometimes find it hard to control my enthusiasm. I am a great fan of debating and talking philosophically, as you can no doubt tell. However, also I know that too much information at once can be too much to handle. I must leave you soon, as I have some things to take care of, so I will take you to one more place in my city and then you can return to your quarters and rest.’
Margaret grunted as she heaved herself up. Her legs were still stiff and aching from all the walking they had done earlier.
‘I hope that whatever you’re going to show me next isn’t too far, General. I feel like I’ve run a marathon, to be honest.’
‘Don’t worry, we’re not going to do much more walking. We’re actually going to go on a little boat ride.’
He turned to the leopard, who was still sitting like an obedient hound between himself and Margaret.
‘Change back,’ he commanded.
At once the leopard’s body twisted, distended and rippled in the surreal transformation from animal to human. Margaret gasped, and she had to look away; she didn’t think she could ever get used to seeing this. The teenager, once he was back in his human form, put his uniform on and then hurried over to the rowing boat.
‘Dr Green,’ he said, ‘come, please, I will help you to get on the boat.’
Margaret glanced at the General, who nodded.
‘Let him assist you. I’ll be right behind you.’
Margaret stepped onto the wooden quay and allowed the teenage boy to assist her
