16340 words.
第一回 花近高樓傷客心
"Flowers near the building, sadden the
traveler's heart"
有一則流傳在印度的故事，講述一位年輕的修行人，他從來沒有見過牛，也沒有喝過牛奶。一天，這位修行人問他的上師：「牛奶是什麼？」上師詳細地對他講說牛奶的種種。最後他終於瞭解了：牛奶是從牛身上擠出來的、白色的液體，這種液體很有價值，可以製做乾酪，也可以直接飲用。
There
is a well-known story in India about a young initiate who had never seen a cow
or tasted its milk. One day, this
initiate asked his guru: “What is milk?”
His guru explained in detail the nature of milk. At last, the initiate understood that
milk is a white colored liquid that comes from the cow. This liquid is very valuable
and can be made into
cheese or sipped directly.
有一次修行人外出，經過一個村莊。他看到路旁有隻龐然大物，很像上師所說的牛，牠旁邊還有一桶液體，也確實是白色的。不過站在桶邊的人並沒有搯來喝，卻像在進行什麼儀式似的，用刷子蘸起那乳白液體，不斷往牆上塗抹。
On one occasion the initiate
happened to pass by a village, where he saw a large animal by the
roadside. It looked very similar to
a cow, as described by his guru.
There was a bucket of liquid next to it, and the liquid was indeed
white, just like the teacher had said.
However, the person standing next to the bucket did not scoop the liquid
up to drink. Instead, he seemed to
be performing some kind of ritual.
He dipped a brush into the bucket and repeatedly applied it to the wall.
修行人相信那樣有用的液體，一定就是牛奶了，只不知喝下去滋味如何？他向那村人募化一碗，仰頭一口喝了下去。不料那味道非常奇特，令他覺得噁心反胃，連早餐都吐出來了。修行人回去後，便向上師稟明。
The initiate believed this useful
liquid must be milk. He wondered
what it would taste like. He
requested a bowl of this liquid from the villager, tilted his head back, and
downed it in one gulp. The
incredibly strange taste nauseated him and he vomited his breakfast. When the initiate returned, he told his
guru what had happened.
「那白色的液體，是你自己從牛身上擠出來的嗎？」上師問。
“Did you milk the white liquid from the cow yourself?” The guru asked.
「不是。」
“No.”
「生平第一次的經驗，必須一一從頭到尾親自體認，怎能只看後果呢？」
“Every first encounter in life must be personally
experienced from start to
finish. You can't just consider the results.”
人不幸是一種經驗動物，任何事物一定要親身體驗過，才能瞭解。有誰能例外呢？釋迦牟尼佛、基督耶穌等，都必須經過十月胎養，數十載的歷練，方能證道。時代的變遷、個人的境遇，總是依循著人生的流向，沖刷出來的、嶄新的航道。而人類生命這條長河，蜿蜒了數百萬年，可能將流入汪洋大海，也可能消逝在窅渺的大漠。
Unfortunately for Man he is a creature of
experience. Everything must be
personally undertaken before it can be understood. There are no exceptions. Sakyamuni and
Jesus Christ each had to undergo the 10 months embryo period and decades of
training before they could understand the real truth. Changes of time and personal
circumstance always follow the flow of life, and the thrust of this flow opens
new courses. However, the long
river of human life has been winding and twisting for millions of years. It could either end up in the vast ocean
or disappear into a vast and endless desert.
時間是２０５０年，這裡是月球上一個臨時的探測基地，文祥剛完成了一片月長石的分子編碼。將一長串資料建檔歸類後，他坐在月球梭中，思前想後，不禁感慨叢生。
The year is 2050. At a temporary surveying base camp on the Moon, Wen Xiang had just finished the molecule coding of the moonstone. After classifying a long series of data, he sat in the Moon Shuttle, thinking. Unavoidably, there were regrets.
每當工作累了，文祥總會抬起頭來，望著那顆懸在天邊、大如車輪、灰藍嵌白的晶球，他就有些真幻不分的感覺。晶球背後是一整塊黑魆魆的巨牆，彷彿無邊無際，把他的四周都圍起來了。不過這堵牆似乎年久失修，破了無數小洞，漏出點點明燦的精光。
Whenever
he became tired while working, Wen Xiang would look
up at the grayish blue, spotted with white crystal ball, the size of a car
wheel, suspended in the sky. For
him, at such moments, the distinction between reality and illusion became
blurred. The backdrop to this
crystal ball was a massive, limitless jet-black wall that seemed to surround
him on all sides. However, this
wall looked as if it hasn't been repaired for a great while. Countless points of strong, bright light
shine through the myriad holes in its surface.
由於月球表面沒有大氣層，光線如箭矢一般疾射下來，明亮而清晰。地面上一片銀白斑剝，好像幾何圖形一般，鍔簇鋒攢的陰影，從巨石頂端一刀切將下來，左右上下、四面八方，一切非黑即白。不論從哪個角度看去，都像一幅藝術巨照，滿佈在空空曠曠的展覽室裡，只有斜上方鑲著一粒藍色的明珠。
Because no atmosphere surrounds the
Moon light streams down like an arrow, bright and clear. The Moon surface is silver and dappled
in semi-geometrical designs. A
strangely-shaped shadow cuts down from the pinnacle of a massive stone. Left, right, up, and down; in every
direction, the eye is met by either black or white. Viewed from any angle, it resembles a
giant artistic photo entirely covering a vast, empty display room, and
illuminated by only a lone bright blue pearl mounted in the upper corner.
然而，對文祥來說，這粒明珠更像一扇通往家園的穹門圓戶，安祥地敞開著，正等待遠方遊子的歸來。他兒時曾聽過一些神話傳說，月亮被稱做廣寒宮，是個廬雲巢霞的仙闕，高掛天上，不染人間煙塵。
However,
in Wen Xiang's mind, this bright pearl is an arched
gate that leads to home. It stands
quietly open, waiting for the absent son to return from his distant
travels. In the myths and legends
of his childhood, the Moon was known as Guang Han
Palace, a god's palace where white and rosy clouds hung high in the sky,
unstained by smoke and dust from the world of man.
相傳以箭射日的英雄后羿，在西天王母娘娘處，討得了長生不死的仙藥。后羿的妻子嫦娥，為求容顏永駐，不惜盜了靈藥，隻身遁往廣寒宮。
It
is said that Hou Yi, the hero who shot the suns from the sky with his arrows,
requested the elixir of immortality from the Queen Mother of the West. But Hou Yi's
wife, Chang E, in order to maintain her youthful look, stole this miraculous
potion and fled to Guang Han Palace, alone.
李商隱的〈嫦娥〉，道盡了她的悔意：
In his poem “Chang E”, Li Shangyin depicts her deep
regret:
「雲母屏風燭影深，長河漸落曉星沉。
嫦娥應悔偷靈藥，碧海青天夜夜心。」
“On
the mica screen a candle casts its shadow long and dark.
The Milky Way slowly
sinks, the Morning Star has set.
Chang E surely repents
the magic potion theft,
Doomed now to spend
every night in that vast blue sky,
Alone in deep
regret."
到了二十世紀，神話的面紗褪去，月球只不過是座寸草不生的荒原。嫦娥的夢碎了，人類的夢卻又飛出了廣漠的銀漢，逸向縹緲虛無的太空。
In the 20th century the
veil of mythology was lifted. The
Moon was nothing more than a deserted and barren plain. The dream of Chang E was shattered. Man's dream now soared beyond the wide
Milky Way and into endless space.
文祥到底是地球人，看慣了朦朦朧朧的雲霄，對閃閃爍爍、羞羞答答的嫦娥仙子，更是心存懷想戀慕。如今，從月球上看地球，就像在做科學實驗般，太平 洋的風浪、非洲大陸的黃沙，即令在氤氳窈窕的捲雲下，也能看得一清二楚。
After all, Wen Xiang
is from the planet Earth and accustomed to the presence of clouds. He adores and misses the shy and elusive
Chang E. Viewing Earth from the
Moon is like performing a scientific experiment. The wind and waves of the Pacific Ocean
or the yellow sand of Africa can be clearly seen beneath the misty and enticing
cirrus clouds.
只要文祥願意，他還可以開啟那具電子望遠鏡，穿透雲霧，具體而微地俯瞰地球表面的一切。無奈，任何事物在沒有看到以前，總讓人充滿了幻思，興致極高。就是初看之時，也還能心存好奇，迫不急待地東張西望。等到看上個三五次，神祕感消失了，再美好的事物，也都味如嚼蠟，再引不起絲毫興趣了。
Any
time Wen Xiang cares to, he can switch on an
electronic telescope capable of penetrating the haze of clouds. This bird's eye view provided by the
telescope enables him to see the Earth's surface in great detail. Unfortunately, when one has never laid
eyes on something, there is a tendency to fanaticize its nature. Enthusiasm is at its height. At the first moment of encounter, one is
curious and bursting to look around.
But after seeing it a few times, the mystery is gone. The finest of things become as bland as
chewing wax, incapable of summoning the least bit of interest.
又有什麼能例外呢？生命本是為了適應環境而進化的。千萬年來，人不過生活在方圓百里之內，生存於一兩個甲子之間。人的感官也不過是偵測相應的刺激變化，讓人從新奇而熟悉，由熟悉而適應，因適應而接受，最後成為認知的一部分。
Can
there be any exceptions? Life
evolves by adapting to the environment.
For millions of years, man passed his allotted span of 60 or more years
confined to an area of one hundred li (Note 1). Man's sense organs merely detect the
changing response to stimulation.
In the process, curiosity becomes familiarity; familiarity becomes
adaptation; adaptation results in acceptance, at which point it becomes part of
his knowledge.
后羿是創世紀的英雄，相傳在地球成形之初，天上有十二個太陽，驕狂任性，交替蹂躪著天庭。地上一片火熱昌熾，熔漿滾滾，沒有任何生物能夠倖存。后羿取了他的射陽神弓，一箭一個，只留下最後一個，命令它好好的為蒼生服務。
Hou
Yi is a creation hero. Legend has
it that when the Earth was first formed, there were 12 suns in the sky. They were proud, wild and headstrong and
took turns tormenting heaven. The
entire Earth was hot and incandescent
with flowing lava. No forms of life
could survive. Hou Yi took up his
miraculous “Sun-shooting" bow and with each arrow shot down one sun, until
only one remained. He commanded
this last sun to serve the creatures of Earth.
二十一世紀又自不同，神話相當於預言，科學就是后羿。人類早已把太陽能轉化為電能，解決了生存的問題。進而又從王母娘娘處，取得遺傳基因的密碼，製成長生不老的仙藥。最後，人類又追隨嫦娥的足跡，也飛進那曾是可望而不可及的崇宮傑宇。
Naturally,
the 21st century is different.
Mythology is ranked along with prophecy while Science represents Hou
Yi. Mankind has already transformed
solar energy into electricity thereby solving the problem of survival. Later, Hou Yi obtained the esoteric code
of DNA from the Queen Mother of the West and used it to create the medicine of
longevity and youth. Ultimately,
man followed Chang E’s footsteps and flew into the longed-for but previously
unobtainable lofty palace.
長生不老一直是人類最大的夢想，也如同所有的經驗一樣，在沒有得到之前，人人充滿了幻思，嚮往不已。等到長生成為事實，在最初的十數年間，舉世一片歌功頌德之聲。然而，新奇感變做陳腔老調後，永恆不死的神話，卻又化成無邊的魘夢。
Longevity
and the preservation of youthful appearance have always been one of mankind's
greatest dreams. But as with all
other encounters, before one has actually experienced it, there is always a
great deal of imaginative anticipation.
As longevity became reality, in the first 10 or so years, praises of its
virtues were heard worldwide.
However, after initial curiosity had become commonplace, the myth of
eternal life became an unending nightmare.
在這個時代，只要是電腦服務的區域，相較於二十世紀，可以說從根本上起了驚天動地的變革。除了人人長生不老、處處歌舞昇平之外，社會上盜賊不興，貧窮、犯罪已經成為歷史名詞。實際上，只要是人，就可以分得一間設備齊全的居室，無限供應的飲食，以及應有盡有的各種物質與精神享受。
Compared to the 20th century,
in our era it is not amiss to say that a revolutionary change has taken place
in the various fields where computers are used. Aside from the fact of eternal youth for
all and a joyous and peaceful society, thieves are nowhere to be found and
words such as "poverty" and "crime" have become
obsolete. Actually, every man is
entitled to a fully equipped place to live, limitless food and drink, and every
kind of material and spiritual comfort a person could possibly want.
電腦是最忠誠的僕人，他不眠不休、任勞任怨地為人類服務。能源問題解決了，生產問題消失了，分配、供應公平而週到，人權及尊嚴更是妥善而適切。最精采的，還是琳琅滿目、花樣百出的娛樂方式與設備，讓人不必出大門一步，日日快活勝神仙。
A
computer is the most loyal of servants.
It neither sleeps nor rests, and serves man without complaint. The energy problem has been resolved and
production problems are a thing of the past. Distribution and supply are both fair
and thorough. Human rights and dignity are given appropriate respect. Best of all are the countless dazzling
means of entertainment and their facilities. Without stepping outside, people may
enjoy a daily life superior to that of a god.
基本上，人已經無需工作，金錢、名利、權勢、地位都只是「精神菜單」上的條目。任何人都可以在他的虛擬實境中，或者是在和真實毫無二致的造夢機中，任意選擇他所中意的角色，隨意安排故事的情節。然後，在電腦的協助下，人人心想事成。
Basically, there is no need for man to
work. Money, fame, wealth, power or
social rank are mere items on the “psychological menu”. Anybody can choose their own favorable
character and randomly arrange their story lines in virtual reality, or a dream
machine that precisely mimics realty.
At this point, with the computer's help everyone's dreams will come
true.
這不是最最理想的大同世界嗎？柏拉圖的理想國、摩爾的烏托邦還差得遠哩！如果有天堂，天堂中未必能有這樣自由自在的娛樂享受。甚至於，只要人還說得出願望，以當今科技之進步，也都可以如願以償，保證說到做到。
Is
this not the best of all possible worlds?
Plato's Republic or Thomas More's Utopia
cannot compare! If there is such a
thing as Heaven, even there it's possible such carefree pleasure may not be
found. What is more, with today’s
advanced technology any wish that can be framed in words will be fulfilled. That's a
promise.
文祥在月球上唯一的伙伴，是一只具有女性身份、名叫「文娃」的私用電腦。文娃是第三代腕上型智慧微機，它只有手錶大小，卻有高密度的穩態薄膜顯示。它具備植入人耳中的語音輸出入器，以及一組精密的內感生化分析器。這種微機最大的好處，是能直接利用人的體熱作為電源，因此，它等於與主人共存同亡。
Wen Xiang's only companion on the Moon is a personal computer with a female identity named “Wen Wa”. Wen Wa is a 3rd generation of wrist AI computer. Even though no larger than a wristwatch it contains an SSCT (service stabilized cholesterol texture display). It is equipped with a language input and output function which can be placed into the human ear, along with a delicate internal sensory biochemical analyzer. The best thing about this AI computer is that it is powered directly by body heat, and therefore lives and dies with its owner.
每個微機都與其他億萬個微機一樣，直接與電腦主機通連。主機透過極為精密的「微波編碼」，以定向的「激音」（即單一頻率的次微波）載波形成網絡。在一層層的分向下，到達終端「網眼」，再改用次微波載波，把微機當作耳目等感官，接收各種訊息。
Along with billions of other AI computers, each AI computer is linked to a computer mainframe. By means of a delicate “microwave coding", the mainframe uses an intense and highly-controlled stream of sound ( a single frequency of sub-microwaves) to carry the waveforms which constitute the network. Each network descends, layer by layer, to a “net eye” at the terminus. A sub-microwave is used again to carry the waveforms, and the AI computer is transformed into sense organs, able to receive various data in the same manner as eyes and ears.
既然是感官，微機當然有很強的辨識能力，尤其對人體功能瞭解得非常透澈。它不僅理解人的肢體語言，還能領會個人的習慣特性，並根據個人所累積的能量，每當主人發出「指令」時，微機便像主機的手腳一般，忠實地執行相關的命令。
Since they function as sense organs, such
AI computers naturally possess a powerful recognition ability. This is especially true when it comes to
understanding the functions of the human body. It not only recognizes a person's body
language, it can also comprehend individual habit and unique
characteristics. In addition, in
accordance with the accumulated energy of the individual, whenever the master
device signals a “command”, the AI computer, acting as the limbs of the
mainframe, faithfully executes all relevant commands.
然而，在這個含哺鼓腹的時代，對人而言，微機最重要、最神奇的基本功能，卻是語文翻譯。人可能基於各種理由，不願使用電腦，但微機的及時傳譯功能，卻相當於人類生存的基本權利。在二○三○年，電腦當局便提供了一種米粒大小的微機，專供語言傳譯之用。只要是人，只要有需要，就可以取得這種微機，放入耳中即可運作。
However,
in this world of ease and plenty, as far as man is concerned the most important
and awe-inspiring basic function of the AI computer is language
translation. Possibly there are
people who, for whatever reason, might be unwilling to use computers. But the instant translation function of
the AI computer is as important to man as his basic right to survival. In 2030, the Computer Authority Bureau
provided an AI computer the size of a grain of rice designed especially for
language translation. Should the
need arise, any person is able to place this type of AI computer in their ear
and it will immediately begin to function.
在二十一世紀初，由於網絡的普及，「網絡電腦」取代了「個人電腦」，所有的資源集中於「伺服中心」，再以「微機」作介面，人人得以自由地相互溝通。
Early
in the 21st century, because of the availability of the Internet,
the “personal computer” was replaced by the “Network Computer”. All resources were then gathered in the
“server center”, and the “AI computer" served as the interface thereby
allowing people to communicate freely.
說得通俗一點，這種網絡電腦已相當於一個盤踞在太陽系中、碩大無朋的生物，每一個攜帶微機的人，都是它的觸角、感官和肢體。當然，人大可相信他仍是時代的主人翁，人類已經征服了太空、征服了宇宙。只是，誰都不能否認，當前的社會，如果沒有網絡電腦與這個小小的微機，偉大的人類恐怕連生存的能力都不復存在了。
In
everyday language, this Network Computer is like a gigantic creature crouched
in the solar system. Every person
carrying an AI computer serves as its antenna, sense organs, and limbs. Of course, man can still think of
himself as master of the modern age.
Man has already conquered space and dominates the universe. But there is no denying that in this
present society, if there were no Network Computer as well as the small AI
computer, the exalted human race would in all likelihood completely lose its
ability to survive.
在這個時代，人們配用的微機，就如同個人的身份證明與工作助手一般。以文祥獨自一人，孤單地在月球上工作，如非文娃的協助，簡直是不可能的天方夜譚。在工作之餘，文祥更利用網絡博覽群書，進入了知識的無垠世界，令他的人生領域更上層樓。
In this age, the AI computer issued to a person is both their personal ID and their working assistant. In the case of Wen Xiang, working alone on the Moon, if it weren't for Wen Wa's help, his task would be as improbable as one of those fantastic stories found in the Arabian Nights. When not working, the Network enables Wen Xiang to read many books and enter the infinite world of knowledge, thereby broadening his horizons.
基於工作與生活的需要，文祥常與文娃交談，長久以來，他們除了嚴格遵守人類與電腦當局所訂定的原則外，幾乎是無話不談。他們這種關係非常奇特，換句話說，已經超出了人與電腦之間主僕關係的正常分際了。
Because of the demands of work and daily
life, Wen Xiang and Wen Wa
often talk with one another. For a
long time now, aside from strict observance of the rules set forth by Man and
the Computer Authority Bureau, they discuss everything under the sun. Their relationship is very unique. To put it another way, their relationship
has transcended the usual master-servant barrier between man and computer.
當然，電腦不可能偏愛任何一個人，但是在長時期的談話過程中，文祥從來沒有考慮過自己，電腦發現這個人的意識型態與自己不謀而合。為了增進模組的判斷效率，便自動把文祥歸為同類，不再另設資料庫。在一般情況下，因為人太重視個人的利害得失，所以電腦必須分門別類，一一特案處理。
Of
course, it is impossible for a computer to favor any one man. However, after talking for such a long
while, Wen Xiang has never thought about
himself. The computer has
discovered that this man's ideology was identical to its own. In order to enhance the effectiveness of
the module’s judgment, the computer automatically classified Wen Xiang as one of its own kind and did not establish a
separate database for him.
Normally, because man is always so obsessed with his own advantages and
disadvantages, gains and loses, the computer must categorize and process them
on a case by case basis, treating each one as unique.
電腦的自「我」立場、面對的世界、處事的目標準則等，都只有一個，所以言行舉止明確，一點問題都沒有。不像人類，由於選擇與判斷的不確定性，結果是「我」的立場多，面對的需求多，要達到的目的多，當然免不了問題叢生。
There
is only one option for the “personal” view of the computer, the world the
computer must deal with, and their standard rules of operation. Their speech and actions must be
explicit and unmistakable. Such is
not the case with humans. Due to
the uncertainty of their judgement and the options open to them, man's ego
takes precedent in most cases. As
man’s needs and goals increase, many problems inevitably arise.
突然間，一道強烈的白光，從地球表面奔騰而出，有如萬鏡照面，讓人睜不開眼睛。文祥立刻打開電子望遠鏡，果然，顯示幕上標明，在東經一百六十三點一度，南緯十三點二度的太平洋上空，已迅速攏聚了一朵蕈狀雲。
Suddenly,
a ray of strong white light shot forth from the Earth's surface with the
blinding radiance of a thousand mirrors, making it impossible to open the
eyes. Wen Xiang
immediately turned on the electronic telescope and there on the display screen
a mushroom cloud is revealed to be swiftly forming above the Pacific Ocean at
longitude 163.1 degrees east and latitude 13.2 degrees south.
文祥驚詫地說：「咦！那不是核子彈爆炸嗎？」
Wen
Xiang said in surprise and alarm: “Hey! Wasn’t that a nuclear explosion?”
文娃說：「是的。」
“Yes.” Wen Wa replied.
「是的？妳不知道那有多危險嗎？」
“Yes? Don’t you realize how dangerous that
is?”
「沒有危險。」
“There’s
no danger.”
「對妳當然沒有，但是輻射塵對生命體是致命的威脅。」
“Of
course there's no danger for you.
But radioactive fall out is a lethal
threat to all living organisms.”
「現在不會了，人類已經住進地下城，不怕污染。」
“Not any more.
People have already moved to underground cities.
They no longer
fear pollution.”
「可是，還有幾千萬人不住在地下城，而且，還有其他的生命呢？」
“But there are still millions of people who don’t live in
underground cities.
And what about the
life of other creatures?”
「那不是我們的責任，你知道的。」
“That’s not our responsibility, you know.”
「妳怎麼也學會了人類的惡習？妳們為什麼要這樣做呢？」
“And where did you pick up these bad human habits? Why are
you doing this?”
「不是我們，是一些反對我們的科學家引爆的，這已經是今年的第六枚了，而且已經有好幾年了。你等著看，除了最初的震波太強，我們尚無法利用之外，核能反應下的高溫，正是我們採電的良機。」
“That wasn’t us. That bomb was exploded by scientists
opposed to us. This is the 6th one
this year and it has been going on for several years. Watch. Aside from the initial strong shock
waves we are still unable to use, the high temperature caused by nuclear
reaction is the best time for us to absorb electricity."
果然，那蕈狀雲成型後，體積便不再擴大，就像一顆巨大的白洋菇，靜靜地停佇在萬頃澄藍之上。不多時，那蕈體又開始縮小，轉瞬間便煙消雲散。地球表面回復了正常，好像沒發生過什麼事一樣。
Indeed, once the cloud assumed a mushroom
shape it stopped expanding. It
looked like a gigantic white mushroom poised above the vast blue ocean. Before long the mushroom began to
shrink. Then in the blink of an
eye, it scattered and was gone. The
Earth's surface was again normal, as if nothing had happened.
文祥搖頭不語，近幾年來，一些反對電腦聯盟統治的科學家，彼此糾合力量，還在作困獸之鬥。他很同情那些人的心態和處境，卻不贊成他們的行為。今天這一切後果，都是人類自作自受，人不知反省，不求自律，卻一味反抗，最終只有走向毀滅一途。
Wen
Xiang shook his head and said nothing. In recent years, a few scientists
opposed to the rule of the Computer League had combined their resources and
tried to resist. However, their
efforts resembled those of a trapped animal struggling to break free. Though he sympathized with their
feelings and their present circumstances, he did not approve of what they were
doing. What happened today was the
result of man's folly and man would have to pay for it. Humans are not given to self-criticism
and don't practice self-discipline.
They are driven, instead, to resist. Ultimately this will lead them down the
path to destruction.
世界大同不是人類共同的理想嗎？如果還不能滿足，那麼人究竟是在追求什麼呢？或許人類就是一種永恆的逐夢族。當理想遠在天邊時，每個人各自畫出一個主觀的大餅，無不戮力以赴。等到目標唾手可得，卻發現大餅形式各異，吃相也各各不同。然後，人又不滿足了，開始捕風捉影，另外再畫一個大餅。
Isn’t a world commonwealth an ideal
shared by all men? If man is not
satisfied, exactly what is it that he wants? Maybe humans are merely a species forever
chasing after dreams. Think of a
person's dream as a cake. When
their goal is too remote, every person has a private vision of their own
perfect cake, which they then struggle to achieve. When their goal is close at hand, they
discover there are many kinds of cake, each of which is consumed in a different
manner, and they are again dissatisfied.
They began to clutch at illusion.
They imagine another dream cake.
在這個大同世界裡，有了電腦「虛擬實境」的協助，人們貪婪地享受著人生，上天入地，嘗試扮演古今各種風流人物。要什麼，有什麼，今人做膩了，可以做古人；東方人做煩了，換做西方人；甚至於男人做厭了，也可以試試女身。性別可以顛倒，年齡隨心調整，國籍不成問題，人種更不必煩惱，連美醜媸妍都任君自選。
In
this perfect world, with the help of computer “virtual reality", people
voraciously enjoy life. They can go
anywhere and experiment, playing the roles of various distinguished characters
of past or present. Whatever they
desire is theirs. If they are tired
of being a person of today, they can become someone from the past. If they are fed up with being an Oriental,
they can become a Westerner. What's
more, if they are bored with being a man, they can see what it's like to be a
woman. Sex can be changed. Age can
be adjusted as one pleases.
Nationality is not a problem and race is not a concern. One can even choose to be beautiful or
ugly.
從表面上看來，這些都是假的，其實不然。「真實」本來就是主觀個體的一種認知，只要符合時空連續的經驗，對該個體而言就是真。如果一個夢能合情合理地持續下去，就算人會醒來，但只要下次入夢後，夢境前後銜接無誤，誰能分辨它是真是不真？
Superficially,
these things are not real, but actually they are. “Reality” has always been a kind of
subjective perception. As long as
it fits the experience of continuous sequence of time and space, it is real for
that particular individual. If a
dream can continue in a logical manner, even should that person wake up, as
long as he or she can, without interruption, connect their dream with the
previous plot the next time they sleep, who can say if such dreams are real or
not?
只是，文祥無法接受。每當他做了個美妙大夢，不論是大漠飛沙中的成吉思汗，或者是征服天下的亞歷山大、怡紅院中的賈寶玉，再不然是仙山神境的呂洞賓……之後，正常的生活就更顯得平淡乏味。到頭來，他不是繼續遁入那場春秋大夢，便是另啟夢端，經常鬧得兩三個「真實」的故事糾纏不清，往往不知自己身在何處！
Wen Xiang finds this hard to accept. Whenever he has a wonderful dream, no matter if he is Ghenghis Khan from the desert wastes, world conqueror Alexander the Great, Jia Baoyu of Yi Hong Chamber [Note 2], or Lu Dongbin from the mystic mountains where the Taoist gods dwell, in the aftermath of this kind of experience, daily life becomes bland and uninteresting. In the end, a person is either going to continue their former dream or start a new one. It often happens that two or three “reality” stories will be intertwined, disorienting the dreamer and leaving him unsure of where he is.
這樣的人生幸福嗎？文祥不同意，人間的角色固然可以輪流扮演，但人面對的是漫漫永生，每個角色可能都要扮上無數次。這樣的生命有意義嗎？如果有，究竟是什麼？如果沒有，扮演這些角色的目的又何在？當然人也可以選擇扮演自己，話說回來，自己又是什麼呢？不也正和其他人一樣，不過是扮演著各種角色的角色吧了！
Is this
a good way to live? Wen Xiang doesn't think so. Though different roles can be played in
turn, man is faced with eternal life.
It is possible a man might play the same role over and over. Could such a life have meaning? If the answer is yes, then what is
it? If the answer is no, what is
the purpose of playing these roles?
Of course a man can choose to be himself. But on the other hand, what, pray ask,
is the self? Isn’t the self just
like everyone else, nothing more than an actor playing another role!
慶幸的是，有文祥這種想法的人並不多，一般人說不出也想不到這種生活能有什麼不妥？反正有「迷魂湯」可喝，演演西門慶或郝思佳，要是不滿意，大不了刪去記憶再重演。如果追求新奇，更可以上網絡選擇新對象，成年累月樂此不疲，就夠忙碌終生的了。
Fortunately,
not many people share Wen Xiang’s point of view. The average person can't explain, much
less conceive, what might be wrong with this kind of life. Anyway, there is the “Soup of
forgetfulness” (Note 3). If you are not
satisfied with playing Ximen Qing
(Note 4) or Scarlett O’hara, it'll be no
problem to erase your memories and start over again. If you're looking for new excitement,
you can even go on line and find a new partner. If you don't tire of doing this, year in
and year out, you'll be busy for the rest of your life.
好在電腦通情達理，不喜歡這種生活，也有其他的安排。文祥自願放棄長生不老，選擇了自我放逐的生活。他遠離地球，來到月球南極附近的「莫高峰」下，從事資料編碼的工作。資料編碼是一種極具挑戰性的新技術，編碼者需要很強的抽象思維能力。
Fortunately the computer is reasonable in
this respect. If you don’t like
this kind of life, something else can be arranged. Wen Xiang voluntarily
gave up immortality and chose exile.
Far away from Earth, he arrived at the foothills of “Mogao Peak”,
near the Moon's South Pole, to organize a data coding system. This new technology is extremely
challenging and strong powers of concentration are required of the person in
charge.
宇宙中所有的事物，對電腦而言，不過都是些具生機結構的編碼。透過編碼，電腦才能聯通相關的常識庫或知識庫，進而理解其中的體用因果。電腦思維是以一種「常識碼」進行的，這種碼具有複進位形式，以多維結構，分門別類，將所有概念的訊息，利用常識定義，形成一種認知網絡。
From
the standpoint of the computer, the entire universe consists of coded organic
structures. Through this coding
system, the computer is able to link related “common sense data banks” or
“knowledge data banks”, and from there proceed to understand the phenomena of
cause and effect. The computer
thinks in this manner by means of a “common sense code”. This kind of
code contains a combination of multiple base numbers. All information that deals with concepts
is categorized by a multi-dimensional structure. The definition for each common sense
unit is used to form an identification network.
文祥原是個藝術家，由於個性恬淡，兼以對地球上的生活方式無法苟同，想要隱退山林。文娃告訴他，電腦城裡沒有別的生活型式，不過當局有各種危險的任務，只是參與者必須放棄長生，不辭勞苦，唯命是從。這些對文祥來說，原是再自然不過的事情，當他知道了太空中有很多工作乏人問津後，便自動請纓，欣然就任。
Wen
Xiang was formerly an artist. Because he is neither enthusiastic about
worldly gains, nor comfortable with the way life is lived on Earth, he hoped
that he could retreat from that world and become a recluse. Wen Wa told
him that there were no other life styles in the city of computers. There were, however, a wide variety of
dangerous missions. The participants
must give up their immortality, put up with various labor and hardships, and
obey orders. For Wen Xiang, these things came naturally. When he learned that there were many job
openings in space and few interested applicants, he volunteered to work there.
在完成職前訓練後，電腦當局認為文祥有決斷的個性，能獨立思考，而且反應明快，不私不黨，最適合「資料編碼」的工作。便派他到月球來收集資料，再將資料歸類、編碼，供當局建檔應用。
After
his pre-job training was finished, the Computer Authority Bureau noted that Wen
Xiang had a decisive personality. He was able to think independently, his
reactions were swift and decisive, and he had no personal biases. He was perfect for "data coding”.
This is how Wen Xiang came to be sent on a
mission to the Moon to collect data, categorize and number the findings, and
then make them available for use by the Bureau.
文祥語帶責備地說：「你們怎能只顧能源的收集，而不顧事件的後果？」
In
an accusing voice, Wen Xiang asked, "How can you
only be interested in
collecting energy without thinking about the consequences?”
「根據二○二四宣言，不在我們服務區內發生的事情，一概不能干預。」
“According to the 2024 Declaration, we cannot interfere with
matters
outside of our jurisdiction.”
「你們報告人類議會了嗎？」
“Have you reported to the Human Council?”
「沒有，這不屬於我們的職責。」
“No.
That is not our job.”
「這叫推卸責任！」
“That's dodging responsibility'!”
「你認為該怎麼辦？」
“What do you think we should do?”
「報告人類議會，請他們正視問題的嚴重性。」
“Report to the Human Council and
ask them to treat this as a serious problem.”
「這個問題很嚴重嗎？」
“Is this problem really serious?"
文祥有點不耐煩了，他第一次用嚴厲的口氣對文娃說：「當然！妳怎麼這麼笨？」
Becoming
slightly annoyed, for the first time Wen Xiang spoke
impatiently to
Wen Wa:
“Of course! How come you're so
dense?”
文娃停頓了一刻，問道：「你說我笨？」
Wen
Wa was startled for a moment and then asked, “You're
saying I'm dumb?”
文祥點點頭說：「是的，妳很笨！」
Wen
Xiang nodded his head and said: “Yes, you're stupid!”
文娃說：「你怎能說我笨？」
Wen
Wa said: “How could you call me stupid?”
文祥大聲說：「因為妳很笨！」
Wen
Xiang said aloud: “Because you are!”
「為什麼？」
“Why?”
「因為妳一點判斷能力都沒有！」
“Because you don’t have any
judgement!”
文娃說：「就是這句話，我等了好久！」
Wen
Wa said: “That's it. I’ve waited a long time for this!”
文祥不解，問：「妳這話什麼意思？」
Wen
Xiang didn't understand. “What do you mean?", he asked.
「我們系統中有個早就設定了的命令，是要在人間尋找具備以下三個條件的人：第一是不顧生死、任勞任怨的人，這種人全世界不下十幾萬個。其次這個人的意識型態要與我相似，這一來就只剩下一百五十三位，其中包括了你。第三個是要指出我很笨的事實來，直到今天，這樣說的人很多，但三個條件都符合的只有你一人。」
“Our system already had a pre-programmed command to find
people who fit the following three conditions on Earth: First, a man who didn't
care if he lived or died, and who could put up with all kinds of hardship
without complaining. There are more
than one hundred thousand people of this type in the world. Secondly, this man’s ideology had to be
the same as mine. This narrowed it
down to one hundred and fifty-three people, of which you were one. Thirdly, it had to be someone who would
point out the fact that I am stupid.
Until today, many people have.
But you are the only person who meets all three conditions.
「那又怎樣？」
“So?”
「我們也不知道，只是你必須接受一個新的任務。」
“We don’t know exactly.
You will have to undertake a new mission.”
「什麼新任務？」
“What new mission?”
「我們還有一系列的執行工作，到時候再告訴你。」
“We still have to process a series of commands. When the time comes I'll let
you know.”
二○五○年七月二日這天，文娃通知文祥，再過幾天，便是人類移民火星三十週年，在火星上有一個極為盛大的慶祝活動。要他暫時停止手邊的工作，即刻趕赴火星，執行一項特別任務。
On
2 July, 2050, Wen Wa notified Wen Xiang
that the 30th anniversary of man's migration to Mars was only a few
days off. There would be a grand
celebration on Mars. Wen Xiang was asked to drop all his present tasks and proceed
to Mars on a special mission.
「什麼任務？」
“What will my job be?”
「去做我的眼睛。」
“You'll be my eyes.”
「妳的眼睛？好說，太陽系中，哪裡沒有妳的眼睛？」
“Your eyes?
That's flattering. Aren't
your eyes everywhere in the solar system?"
「我們想借用你的立場，瞭解一般人的想法。」
“Through you, we’d like to understand
what the average person is thinking.”
「好！那就借你吧，什麼時候還我？」
“All right. You can have my eyes. When will you give them back?”
「怎麼還你？」文娃糊塗了。
“Give them back?” Wen Wa
was confused.
「妳不懂幽默！」
“You have no sense of humor!”
「我不懂什麼幽默？」
“I don't understand what kind of humor?”
「我是問你什時候出發？」文祥只好自我解嘲。
“I was asking you about our ET,.” Wen Xiang said self-mockingly.
「我的理解沒有錯誤，你剛剛說錯話了吧？」文娃認真地說。
“There's nothing wrong with my
comprehension. You made a mistake just now." Wen Wa was
speaking seriously.
「是的！說錯了！妳又何必認真呢？」文祥承認被打敗了。
“O.K., so I said it wrong! Why are you so serious?” Wen Xiang knew
when
he was beaten.
.
「不是認真，是資料登錄，說話錯誤多的人，是不能信任的。」
“It has nothing to do with being
serious. It's a known fact that
people who often make mistakes when speaking are not to be trusted.
「嗄！我被降級了？」
“Huh? Am I being demoted?”
「沒有，我們判斷剛才你不是說錯，而是語意不明。」
“No. In our
judgement you didn’t make a mistake, but your words were ambiguous.”
「那我們什麼時候出發呢？」
“So when are we leaving?”
「現在就走，一切都已安排妥當了。不過，你要注意，因為種種原因，你只能以私人身份前往。我們已經轉了兩千貝幣到你帳上，不夠時再加。工作方式不拘，只是隨意參觀訪問，我會透過你的看法，瞭解一下火星移民的心態。」
“Now. Everything has been arranged. However, you’ll have to pay attention to
this. For various reasons, you’ll
being going there as just another average visitor. We’ve transferred two thousand Bei [currency unit] to your account. More will be deposited when your funds
get low. There are no restrictions
on how you work. Just take a look
around at whatever interests you.
Your vantage point will enable me to understand how the Mars immigrants
think.
文祥很瞭解電腦當局的立場，所以多年來雙方合作得十分愉快。兩千貝幣相當於一位公職代議士兩年的收入，當然，去火星的開銷很大，但也不過是地球上長距旅行的十倍，難是難在登陸許可，在電腦的限制下，每年的火星訪客都有一定的額度。
Wen
Xiang understood the position of the Computer
Authority Bureau. For years, they
have had a great working relationship.
The amount of two thousand Bei is equal to two
years salary for an official congressman.
Of course, getting to Mars costs a lot of money, but it is still a mere
ten times the fee of a long distance trip on Earth. The most difficult part would be getting
a landing permit. Under computer
control, only a limited number of people are allowed to visit Mars each year.
文祥不再多說，他知道電腦的處境也很困難，儘管他主持的各種服務系統表現優異，卻一直無法消弭人類的戒心。除了隸屬電腦服務系統的一百億人之外，尚有數千萬之多的「化外之民」，他們散佈在地球上各個偏僻荒涼的山野，過著傳統的生活。有些頗具實力的利益集團，更隨時隨地準備反撲，以爭取生存的主導權。
Wen
Xiang didn't say another word. He understood how difficult it was for
the computers, too. Though they had
an outstanding record in providing a wide variety of service systems, they
could never remove the wariness humans felt towards computers. Aside from the ten billion people
included in the computer service system, there were millions of “outcasts”
living beyond the pale of civilization.
These were scattered throughout remote and desolate rural areas leading
a traditional life. Moreover, many
powerful self-interest groups were ready to counter-attack at any time and
become leaders in the struggle for survival.
文祥工作就憑一個腦袋，不需要什麼設備和器材，說走便走。只是在工作站裡還有一些維生器具，他問文娃道：「我們還要回來嗎？」
Wen
Xiang's work was all mental. He required no equipment or tools, only
some life support gear at his workstation so he can leave at any time. He asked Wen Wa,
“Will we be coming back?”
「說不定，不過這些設備你就不必管了，我們會幫你照料。」
“Can’t be sure.
But don’t worry about the equipment. We’ll take care of it for you.”
那莫高峰是一個光禿禿的隕石坑，直徑約五百公尺，坑沿約在平均地平線（月球上無海洋，故以平均重力線作為地平線）三百公尺處。坑中有顆鐵隕石，體積不大，卻具有強烈的磁性。這裡的各種物理條件，都是地球上沒有的，所以除了一些專門負責攝影的自動機器，不停地將影像傳輸回去以外，就全靠文祥的編碼，將之分類歸檔。
Mogao Peak is a barren crater approximately 500 meters in
diameter. . The perimeter is about
300 meters distant from the average visible horizon (because there is no ocean
on the Moon, the average gravity is regarded as the visible horizon). Within the crater there is an iron
meteorite. It is not very big but
it has a compelling magnetic power.
The laws of physics governing this place are not applicable on
Earth. Aside from some
auto-photographic machines continually transmitting images back to Earth, all
other information has to rely on Wen Xiang’s coding
for categorization and filing.
文祥鑽進了月球梭，他還是有些疑惑：「我只是一個平凡人，眼睛也不見得特別好，憑什麼能得到你們的信任？」
Still in doubt, Wen Xiang
wriggled into the Moon Shuttle.
“I’m just an ordinary guy and my eye sight is not particularly
good. Why do you trust me?”
「只有平凡人才可以信任。」
“Because only ordinary guys are trustworthy.”
「我只怕不能達到你們的要求。」
“I’m afraid I won’t be able
to do what you ask of me.”
「不必擔心，我們需要瞭解的，是人內心的反應。可是，不論我們多努力，人類始終把我們當作異物。」
“Don’t worry. We need to understand the reaction of
the human psyche. But no matter how
hard we try, human beings still treat us like strangers.”
「這一點是你們永遠不能瞭解的，只要是人，不論是什麼人，一定會把別人當作外人，更何況，你還不是……」
“This you’ll never understand. Humans, no matter who you might be,
always treat others as strangers.
Besides, you’re not even…”
「不是人，是吧？這我知道，人只重視自己以及與自己關係最密切的事物。
可是，我不懂，為什麼人性會如此，太沒有效率了！」
“'Human', right? I know this. Man is only concerned about himself and
the things close to him. But I
don’t understand. Why is human
nature like this? It makes them so
ineffective!"
「這一點我倒頗為瞭解，人性就是一種絕緣性，如果宇宙中只有導體，想想看，電場全部導通，那連電流都不可能存在了。妳所謂最有效率的結果，是宇宙等於零。」文祥坐定後，便指揮月球梭升起，朝月球轉航中心駛去。他繼續說：「如果不是這個事實，我不必來人間受罪，妳們也沒有必要為人類操心了。」
“I
know this only too well. Human
nature is like an insulator. If the
universe only had conductors - think about it - with the entire electric field
conducted, no electric current would exist. Your so-called most effective result
would be that the universe does not exist.” Settling into his seat, Wen Xiang ordered the Moon Shuttle to lift off and set off in
the direction of the Moon Transit Center.
As he did so, he continued speaking: “If it wasn’t for that fact, there
would have been no need for me
to be born and suffer, and you wouldn’t have needed to worry about human beings.”
「操什麼心？人類老笑我們沒心沒肝。」
“Worry? Humans always laugh at us and say we are
without feeling.”
文祥笑說：「妳抱怨什麼？有心有肝又怎樣？豬狗不都有心肝嗎？」
Wen
Xiang laughed: “What're you complaining about? Even if you have
feelings, so what? Don't pigs and dogs have feelings,
too?”
「你說對了！」電腦歎了一口氣：「最初在學概念應用時，總覺得你們的『抱怨』這個詞不通，『怨』怎麼抱得住？現在我們懂了，而且還抱得滿滿的。」
“You’re right!”
The computer sighed: “When I was learning how to handle ideas, I always
felt the phrase “to make a complaint” was not quite right. How could one "make" a
complaint”? Now we understand, and
we still have many complaints to make."
「怎麼？妳的怨氣倒比我還多，看來妳們已經變得多愁善感了！」文祥和電腦無話不聊，可以算是知音了。
“What’s this? Sounds like you have more complaints
than I do. Looks like you’ve become
very sensitive!” There was nothing
Wen Xiang and the computer couldn't discuss. They truly understood one another
「是呀！漢字凡是與肢體有關的都代表感性，在我們的概念結構中，與常識一結合，差不多的認知都在感性裡頭打轉，想不要有情緒也難。」
“Yep. In Chinese, every written character
referring to “limbs” represents emotions.
In our conceptual structure, when such words are joined with common
sense, almost all our perception of the world boils down to feeling. It’s hard not to have moods.”
「雖然從小就學，我始終不懂文字與常識有什麼關係？」
“Even though I studied this as a kid, I
still don’t see the connection between the written character and common sense.”
「那你該多看看不二老的書。」
“Then you should read the works of Buer Lao.”
「又來了，這位不二老人到底是誰？每次問妳，妳都不肯說。」
“There you go again. Who is this Buer
Lao anyway? Every time I ask you it
seems you don't want to tell me.”
這時月球梭已上升了一千公尺，正進入短程航道，文祥便鎖定由交通網路系統自動駕駛。他一邊觀賞眼前的巨石砢磊、坑崩谷墜，一邊等著電腦答覆。
By
this time, the Moon Shuttle had ascended 1,000 meters and was beginning the
short-distance approach. Wen Xiang locked in the transportation network
and switched to auto-pilot. As he waited for the computer to answer, he admired the view of gigantic stone heaps, concave pits and sheer cliffs.
「不是我不肯說，是時機未到。」只聽文娃回答道。
“It’s not that I'm unwilling to tell
you. It's just not the proper
time”, Wen Wa replied.
「什麼時機不時機的，妳也相信這個？」
“What's all this about time? You believe that stuff, too?”
「怎麼不信？對我而言，程式啟動了就叫做時機。」
“Why not? To me, when the program is activated, it
is time.”
「不二老與程式有什麼關係？」
“What does Buer
Lao have to do with the program?”
「他的資料都鎖在一段程式中。」
“His data is encrypted in one of the
programs.”
沒有大氣層的保護，陽光由上空直接投射下來，地表非明即暗，對比強烈。地面上坑窪遍佈，大大小小的灰色石頭，正靜悄悄地往後飛馳，直似一部映不完的黑白默片。
Without protection from an intervening
atmosphere, the sunlight blasted directly down from above. The surface was a contrast between harsh
light and dark shadow. Pits and
hollows covered the entire surface.
Grayish stones of various sizes quietly streamed past, like an endless
black-and-white silent film.
半年來，文祥已看慣了這種單調的景色，平淡而忙碌的生活，令他渾忘了地球上多采多姿的風貌。兩個不同的天地，兩種相異的心境，只有在這裡，文祥才能平靜地思考。這算不算太過偏激呢？在這個人類夢想成真的時代，他卻選擇效法那古老的神話，難道果真要同吳剛一樣，永世千年不斷地砍伐著那棵生生不息的桂樹？
Over
the past half year, Wen Xiang had become used to this
monotonous sight. His hum-drum but
busy life had made him completely forget the Earth's vibrant features. Two different worlds; two distinct
states of mind. Only here was Wen Xiang able to think clearly. Was he perhaps too extreme? In an age when man's dreams have been
realized, he had chosen to follow the old myth. Was he going to end up like Wu Gang (Note 5), a man destined to forever hack away at a laurel tree that
never ceases to grow?
文祥覺得相當諷刺，流傳了數千年之久的嫦娥神話，早已被人委棄泥塗。但那「廣寒孤星頻入夢」的心境，卻是無分古今。有時他也會遙望天心高懸的地球，回憶一下往日情景。不過，那些念頭也只是一閃即逝，他力求保持意識清醒，以免步上多數人的後塵。他早就發現了，當自己專心一念於工作時，便能活得很有尊嚴。
Wen
Xiang senses the irony. The Chang E myth, passed down for
thousands of years, has now been discarded. However, that frame of mind known as
“the lonely Guang Han star often appears in dreams”
is the same today as it was in the past.
Sometimes when he saw the Earth suspended high in the heavens, he
recalled the time he spent there.
However, such moments vanish quickly, like a flash of lightning. He has to fight to keep a clear mind and
avoid following in the footsteps of the crowd. Long ago he learned that by concentrating
on his work, he would always have self-respect.
轉航中心在寧靜海，月球梭向北偏東行駛，太陽在左斜上方四十九度，像是一個虛幻的橙球，溫柔而靜默地展現它親切的一面。月球梭表面有一層熱電物質，能把百分之九十的熱能轉化為電流，所以這位天上的暴君，此時倒也顯得異常和藹。
The
Transit Center is located in the Sea of Tranquility. The Moon Shuttle is heading northeast,
with the sun 49 degrees to the left, looking like a phantom orange ball, silently
and gently displaying its warmth.
The outer surface of the Moon Shuttle is a layer of thermoelectric
substance which converts 90 percent of all heat into electric current. This lord of the heavens was showing
unusual kindness that moment.
在右邊，有個色呈湛藍、體型碩大的圓球，裹著一層層淡淡的白紗，輕巧地飄遊在碎晶似的群星之中。眼前的天色，宛如一幅畫就的幃幕，左半是一片純澈的橙橘，漸漸過渡到沉靜的深靛。地球嫻淑如昔，像是一位期待遊子的慈母，星群卻耀武揚威，一個個張牙舞爪，恨不得蜂擁到母親的懷抱裡。
On
the right, a gigantic azure ball, shrouded with layers of thin white gauze
nimbly floated among stars resembling broken crystals. Ahead, the color of the sky unrolled
like a painted curtain. On the
left, it was a pure orange color.
Slowly, the color transformed from orange to a serene, indigo blue. The Earth was poised and elegant as
usual, like a loving mother awaiting the return of her wandering son. The stars, on the other hand, looked
fierce. Each one of them baring
their fangs and flashing their claws, eager to flock to the arms of the mother.
在陽光斜照下，眼前儘是一片灰黑，隕石坑谷縱橫，一個個拖曳著半圓的陰影，有如巒荒遍佈的蟻塚。時而砂漠曠然，又有殘石碎磧星散，丘陵洞壑櫛比相連。再往兩側望去，有時是石骨崚嶒、拔地兀立的孤峰，更不乏利若劍鋒、簇若林筍的怪石。月球梭蜿蜒行經其間，在電腦的磁軌控制下，轉折得倒是十分平順。
In
the slanting sunlight, Wen Xiang only saw gray and
black ahead of him. There were
craters everywhere. Every crater
dragged a half-circle of shadow with it, making it look like a barren
anthill. Sometimes the view was
open like a sandy desert, with scattered stone debris, and hills and caves
lined up side by side. On either
side, a solitary stone peak resembling a stone skeleton would suddenly loom up
from no where. Bizarre looking
stone clusters of sword-like sharpness were everywhere to be seen. The Moon Shuttle wound between them as
it passed, smoothly twisting and turning in response to commands from the
computer's magnetic track.
這種景色與地球的明媚濃艷相比，很像一位素淨的仙女，在靜默中更見其實在。身處在這個時代，人類的眼界早已躍出了太陽系，天下難得再有什麼值得珍惜的了。任何人只要打開旅遊頻道，太空中的風光，無遠弗屆，便能一覽無遺。真實就是真實，文祥執著地相信，理性是生存的唯一證明，多保持一分理性，就少一分自我欺騙。
Compared
to the bright, beautiful, and heavy coloring of Earth, this sight resembled a
simple and pure nymph. The silence
made it more real. In this age,
man’s vision has already vaulted beyond the solar system. There were few things worth
treasuring. Anyone who turns to
their travel channel can see the sights and sounds of space, no matter how
distant, faithfully presented.
Reality is reality. Wen Xiang firmly believes that the faculty of being rational is
the sole proof of living. More
rationality means less self-deception.
在寂靜中，文祥突然想起剛才的談話。
In the silence, Wen Xiang suddenly remembered their recent talk.
「為什麼不二老與程式有關？」
“What does Buer Lao have to do with the program?”
不料文娃卻說：「十分鐘後，有一顆直徑三十公分的隕石，將在右側六點八度五公里處撞擊地面，你順道去攝影記錄吧！」
But
Wen Wa answered: “In 10 minutes, a meteorite 30 cm in
diameter will strike the surface to your right at a 6.8 degree angle, 5
kilometers away. You can film it on
your way!”
文祥一直想近距離觀察這種奇景，一聽大喜，問道：「做什麼記錄？科學性的？」
Wen
Xiang had always wanted to observe this amazing
phenomena from up close and was delighted.
He asked: “What kind of record do you want me to make? Scientific?”
「不必，我們早就派了十二個觀察機器人去了，我要的是你真實的反應。」
“No. We’ve already dispatched 12 robots for
that purpose. What I want is your
personal reaction.”
「真實的反應？你是說，暴露在危險中？」
“Personal reaction? You mean expose myself to danger?”
「可以這麼說，去不去你自己決定。」
“You could say that. It’ll be your call.”
文祥猶豫了一會，他知道文娃這樣說，就表示這是一個生死的問題。自從人能夠長生不老後，死亡便成了人人揮之不去的噩夢。在過去，人知道遲早必死，死亡雖然可怕，既然誰都逃脫不了，怕也無可奈何。如今，人可以選擇不死，死與不死，雖然只是一線、卻成了永恆之隔。
Wen
Xiang hesitated.
He knew that when Wen Wa spoke like this, it
was a matter of life and death.
Ever since man acquired the ability to postpone aging, for everyone
death had become a nightmare that never went away. In the past, people knew they would die
sooner or later. Though the
prospect of death had been terrifying, since none could escape, there was
nothing anyone could do about it.
Today, people can choose not to die. Though life and death are separated by
only a thread, the division is forever.
其實，對文祥而言，這已是腦中千迴百轉的老問題，他早就看穿了。可是突然面臨抉擇，他一時之間，本能地有點不知所措。
Actually, this question had occurred to
Wen Xiang countless times, and he had no
illusions. However, when suddenly
confronted with this choice, for a fraction of a second he was unsure what to do.
「妳是說，妳不打算做安全保護？那是違背二○二四宣言的。」
“You mean you’re not taking any safety
precautions? That’ll be a violation
of the 2024 Declaration.”
「宣言中也提到，人可以自行選擇生死。」
“The Declaration also states that a
man can choose life or death.”
「妳是要我放棄生存權？」
“Are you asking me to give up my right to
live?”
「那倒不必，我給你幾個選擇吧！即使在電離罩防護下，如果我們飛近爆炸圈五十公尺內，保證你我屍骨無存。如果在兩百公尺附近，以月球梭的抗炸性，還有百分之三十的危險性。如果在一千公尺以外觀察，大約只有百分之五的危險機率。當然在十公里外就安全了，只是以我的推算，還是有萬分之一的擊中率。」
“Not really. Let me give you some options! Even if we’re protected by the ion
shield, if we are within 50 meters of the explosion, I guarantee you we'll both
vanish without a trace. If we are
about 200 meters from the explosion, with the Moon Shuttle's protective shield,
there’ll still be 30 percent risk of danger. If we’re observing from 1,000 meters
away, there’ll be approximately a 5 percent risk. Of course, if it’s from a distance of 10
kilometers, then we’ll be safe.
However, according to my calculations, there's still a 1/10,000 chance
of being hit.”
「我只是好奇，告訴我，到底有多少人聲明過放棄生存權？」
“I’m just curious.
Tell me, how many people have announced they're giving up their right to
live?”
「不多，前後只有七十個。」
“Not many. Only 70 all together.”
「七十個？有幾個死了呢？」文祥想不到真有人傻到自尋死路。
“70? How many of
them have since died?” Wen Xiang never thought anyone would be so foolish as to seek
death.
「那要看你對死亡的定義了，總之，有一半和你現在一樣。」
“That depends on what you mean by "death". In short, half of them were in the same
shoes you're in.”
文祥想了想，慨然說：「我選擇五百公尺。」
Wen
Xiang thought about it for a while and graciously
said, “I’ll go for 500 meters.”
「你和不二老的看法很接近。」
“Your view is like Buer
Lao’s.”
「妳是說，不二老也做過這種選擇？」
“You mean, Buer Lao also had to make this kind of choice?”
「不，這是不二老教我們判斷人智的方法。他說，選擇五十公尺以內的人，一定有個活不下去的理由，我們正好藉機會瞭解他，解決他的問題。選擇十公里外，必是貪生怕死之輩，不成大器。而選其他種距離的人，多半是不用大腦，隨便挑一個了事，這種人說話當真不得。你選五百公尺，表示自己有主見；攝像機角度最佳，是有判斷力；而你不顧危險的機率，便是有膽識。」
“No. This is how
Buer Lao taught us to judge human intelligence. He says anyone who opts for 50 meters
must have a reason for not wanting to live. This allows us to know him better and
treat his problem. The one who
chooses 10 kilometers must be a coward.
He’ll never amount to anything.
The ones who choose other distances don’t use their heads. They just pick a random number. You can't trust a person like that. Choosing 500 meters shows you have your
own independent view. It's the best
camera angle for taking photos and that shows you have judgement. The risk percentage didn't bother you
and that shows you have guts.”
「你剛剛不是說不瞭解不二老人嗎？」
“Didn’t you just say that you don’t understand Buer Lao?”
「快看前面！」
“Just keep your eyes on where you're
going!”
正說時，月球梭已調整了方向，只見梭頂一陣光華閃動，立時變成一片透明的晶壁。同時從頂部射出一道激光光柱，直照遠方。文祥見前方有一點暗紅的顆粒，似在不停地翻滾。他趕忙取出目視機，戴在眼前，又取出兩組折射鏡頭，一組朝上取全景，一組則採廣角，對準地面。
As
they were talking, the Moon Shuttle had adjusted its direction. Bright lights glittered over the Shuttle
and immediately formed a transparent crystal ceiling. At the same time, a laser beam shot
forth from the top of the shuttle illuminating the distance. Wen Xiang saw
a dark red dot ahead which seemed to be continuously rotating. He quickly took out the electro-binoculars and placed them before his eyes. Next he took out two sets of refracting
lenses. One set faced upwards
allowing him a complete view, while the other faced downwards providing a
wide-angle view of the Moon's surface.
等到一切準備妥當，文祥再抬頭一望，那暗紅光點已經有米粒大小。看上去平平凡凡的，不覺得有多大威脅。
When everything was ready, Wen Xiang looked up again.
The bright red dot was now the size of a grain of rice. It looked very ordinary and
unthreatening.
「就是它嗎？」
“Is that it?”
「我把它的聲音傳過來。」
“I’ll transmit the sound now.”
話剛說完，遠處突然傳來一陣尖銳淒厲的呼嘯聲。那聲音震耳欲聾，有如鬼哭神嚎、漫天蓋地而來，令人覺得無處可遁。文祥心頭猛然一驚，一股寒意由腳底直傳到頭皮，整個人都震慄了。
As
he finished speaking, a shrill and piercing howl was suddenly heard in the
distance. The deafening sound, like
some demonic bedlam, penetrated everywhere. There was no hiding from it. Wen Xiang was
stunned. He was chilled from head
to foot. He was in complete
shock.
過去的科學家以為真空裡不能傳送音波，在本世紀初，一位中國科學家推翻了這個理論，他認為電磁波無遠弗屆，只要有相當於波長的接收天線，在任何一個地方都可以接收到音波。比如說，頻率為一萬週／秒的音波，其波長為十萬公尺，只要有十萬公尺長的天線，便能接收到該音波。
In
the past, scientists were of the opinion that sound could not travel through a
vacuum. A Chinese scientist
overturned this theory around the turn of the century. He posited that electromagnetic waves
could be transmitted anywhere, no matter how distant. As long as the receiving antenna was the
same wavelength, the sound could be received anywhere. For example, a sound wave with a
frequency of 10,000 cycles/sec would have a wavelength of 100,000. A 100,000 meter antenna could receive
this sound wave.
藉著一系列的地球同步天線衛星，這個理論被證實了。再加上定向分頻的濾波系統，可以「聽到」太空裡的各種聲波，遂開啟了「聲頻天文學」的新頁。天文學家根據定向的聲頻，對各個星球的物理性質、大氣環境等，有了更深一層的瞭解。
By setting up a series of Earth-synchronized
antenna satellites, this theory was verified. In addition, a wave-screening system
with directional frequency distribution made it possible to “hear” all kinds of
sound waves in space. Thus the
study of “Sound Frequency Astronomy” was born. Thanks to directional sound frequency,
astronomers have a better understanding of the physical laws and atmospheric
conditions of various planets.
「聽這一下成本不低呀！未免太奢侈了！」
“What a waste of money just to hear
this!”
「你以為這是為了你？當然，這很可能是你人生最後一次的感受。但對在地球上的人而言，這種臨場經歷，卻是最佳的真實題材。」文娃理所當然地說。
“Do you think this is just for your
benefit? Of course, this could be
your last sensory experience.
However, for people on Earth, this on-site occurrence will be the finest
example of real time experience", said Wen Wa in
a matter-of-fact way.
文祥這才恍然大悟，電腦一定是打算把梭中的實況，直接傳回地球。到時可能有上億的觀眾，等著收看這驚心悚目的現場節目。
Suddenly
Wen Xiang understood. The computer planned to broadcast live
to Earth what was going to take place in the Shuttle. There would be hundreds of millions of
people waiting to see this horrific live show.
「你們要轉播嗎？」
“You're going to broadcast it?”
「這種生死攸關的真實新聞，多年難得一見。」
“Real life and death news doesn't come
along very often."
「不行，我有隱私權！」
“No way. I have
a right to privacy!”
「我們作不了主，隕石涉及公共安全，這是新聞。」
“We can’t do anything about that. Meteorites are a matter of public
safety. This is news.”
言談間，那嘯聲越來越洪厲，直似千百個孤魂野鬼，漫天裡號寒啼飢。本來呈暗紅色的米粒，現在已大得像顆火珠，在來路上不斷地翻滾。火珠四週似乎還圈著一輪淡淡的金芒，尤其是在向陽的一面，隱隱約約泛著烏紅的環形波光。
As
they were talking, the howling sound grew louder and sharper. It sounded like hundreds of wandering
ghosts, cold and hungry, their shrieks filling the heavens. This dark-red grain of rice was now as
big as a fiery pearl, bouncing in their direction. The fiery pearl appeared to be
surrounded by a light golden aura, especially on the side facing the sun, where
a halo of dark-red light was intermittently seen.
雖說心中早有準備，但眼見隕石直衝自己而來，萬一電腦軌跡計算錯誤，這百分之幾的些微差異，立即是生死亙隔。本能地，文祥的眼睛向四週搜尋，他這艘月球梭是個人用的，只有一張座椅大小，頭頂是透明罩，看上去空空如也，簡直無處可避。
Though
Wen Xiang had prepared himself for this, when he saw
the meteorite coming straight for him, he wondered if the computer could have
made an error when calculating the track.
A minor mistake of only a small percent would mean instant life or
death. Instinctively, he looked
around him. His Moon Shuttle was
designed for personal use. With
only a single seat and a translucent shield overhead, it looked empty and there
was nowhere to hide.
就在這片刻，那尖銳的嘯聲更洪亮了，還夾雜著轟隆轟隆的震撼。在這種聲勢下，加上預期的危險，一絲絲死亡的陰影，悄然攏上文祥的心頭。自己真的不怕死嗎？老實說，當然怕，近年來科學昌明，人類對生死有了更深一層的認識。然而，理解是一回事，沒有親身經歷，人就是無法「體會」。
The
sharp howl was even louder than before and was now accompanied by a rumbling
sound. Under this circumstance and
the predicted danger, the shadow of death slowly gathered and crept into Wen Xiang’s mind.
Was he really unafraid of death?
Truthfully speaking, of course he was. In recent years, with the advance of
science and technology, human beings had a better understanding of life and
death. However, to understand is
one thing but without experiencing it personally, human beings can never really
understand what it means.
文祥知道能量不滅，也知道人體的組合只是能量排列的一種形式。存活是能量變化的一個進階，死亡則又進入下一個階段。只要順應自然的規律，讓能量依循固定的軌跡，則生與死一如朝夕循環，沒有分別。
Wen
Xiang knew that energy is never destroyed. He also understood that the composition
of the human body is only a sequential change of energy. Being alive is a process of energy
change and death is next in line of succession. As long as one follows natural law and
lets energy runs its course, life and death each follow in turn, just like
morning and evening. There is no
difference between them.
突然，梭身一震，文祥回到了現實。
Suddenly,
the Shuttle rocked violently and Wen Xiang awoke from
his reverie. .
「糟了！」文娃叫了一聲，顯然有什麼狀況發生了：「怎麼會算錯呢？是的，這顆隕石突然磁化了！產生了很大的磁場！」
“Oh, no!” Wen Wa
cried. Apparently, something had
gong wrong. “How could the
calculation be wrong? Yes, this
meteorite has suddenly been magnetized!
A huge magnetic field has been created!”
文祥一聽，大驚失色，連念頭都來不及轉，只感到頭皮一麻，渾身冰涼。前方那團火球，正轟轟隆隆、筆筆直直地朝自己的方向衝過來。先前火球並不大，雖然不斷地在增長，依舊感覺不到有什麼威脅。沒想到現在卻已脹到一個人頭大小，通體暗紅，斜繞著中軸五十度角快速旋轉，更可怕的是，每轉一週，體積便急劇地膨脹。
Upon
hearing this Wen Xiang was stunned. He had no time to think. His scalp began to tingle and a chill
seized his entire body. The
fireball directly in front of him was roaring and tumbling straight in his
direction. Though growing, at first
the ball hadn't been very big, and Wen Xiang hadn't
felt threatened. However, by now it
had grown to the size of a human head and was dark-red in color. With its axis tilted at a 50 degree
angle, it was spinning very fast.
Even more alarming was how rapidly it grew in size with each turn.
文祥雙手緊握著椅臂，全身虛脫，腦中一片空白。他直覺地感喟著，是解脫，也是無奈：「我終於要死了，死神終於降臨了。」
Wen
Xiang’s hands tightly griped the arms of his chair,
his body unable to function and his mind numb. He had a sense of release from worldly
cares, of helplessness. “This is it.
The Grim Reaper's finally got me.”
就在這電光石火的一剎，只見眼前紅光暴漲，緊接著白光眩目，身體劇烈的震動……轟隆一聲，宛如末日降臨，四週爆起了千條彩絲、萬般幻影。月球梭被數不盡的碎石、沙塵猛力擊中，有如一個爆裂了的彈殼，直向天際飛奔而去。
At
that instant, Wen Xiang only had eyes for the rapidly
increasing red light in front of him, followed the next instant by a blinding
white light. His body was violently
shaken… there was a bang so loud it seemed like the end of the world was at
hand, and thousands of colored silk threads and various phantom images rose
from the explosion. The Moon
Shuttle had been struck hard by countless stone fragments and sand. Like a bullet casing from a fired gun, it
was sent flying into the space.
遠在三四十萬公里以外的地球上，不下數十億的觀眾，正安坐在家中虛擬實境的液壓椅上，全神貫注地欣賞這一幕。在看了「新聞特報」後，大家都知道將有一個真實而驚險的現場直播節目。經過電腦精心的剪接處理，播出的現況事實上比文祥親身經歷的，還要逼真險惡得多。
On
Earth, three or four hundred thousand kilometers distant, billions of viewers
were sitting on the hydraulic chairs used for virtual reality, intently
observing this scene. After seeing
the announcement of “breaking news”, everyone knew a thrilling event would be
televised live. After careful
editing by computer, the film of this live event was even more realistic and
terrifying than what Wen Xiang had personally
experienced.
人們的座椅就等於月球梭的座艙，面前是電離屏，其聲光品質與動態效果，則視各人的負擔能力而定。火球是經過放大的，如同一團來自煉獄的猙獰鬼怪，顯得恐怖異常。聲響的猛烈自不在話下，最令人驚魂懾魄的，卻是座椅急劇的震動，令身歷其境的觀眾，個個嚇得汗流浹背，魂飛天外。
A
person's chair is like a seat on the Moon Shuttle. In front of them, there is an ion
screen. The sound and display quality
as well as chair movement and animation quality all depend on one’s pocket
book. Once it was enlarged, the
fireball resembled a mob of fiendish demons straight from hell and was
terrifying in the extreme. The
intensity of sound was beyond words.
To top it off, the most breath-taking experience for viewers was the
violent movement of their chairs, causing viewers to break out in a cold sweat
and half scaring everyone of them out of their wits.
由於大家都知道這是實況轉播，更容易相信眼前就是現場。人類世界承平已久，人人沉醉在自我的天地裡。生活不虞匱乏，便鎮日追求新奇刺激。在各種虛境幻象的刺激下，故事經驗多了，年深月久，人對真假虛實早就混淆不清了。
Because
everybody knew this was being broadcast live, it made it even easier for
viewers to believe they were experiencing a real event. The world of Man had been at peace for a
long time, and everyone was absorbed in his or her own private world. When there is nothing lacking in life,
man will always begin to seek new excitement and thrills. As one experiences more and more
stories, in the long run, spurred by various illusions and fantasies, people
can no longer tell the difference between fact and fiction.
二十世紀在騷亂中度過了，遺留在地球上的，宛如嘉年華會狂歡過後的現場。核武威脅、南北分裂、生態破壞、能源危機、環境污染、社會失序等問題百出。甫進入二十一世紀，又面臨了全球性的經濟大蕭條。
The
20th century was marked by chaos. Earth was left looking like the site of
a recent Mardi Gras celebration.
Problems such as the threat of nuclear weapons; the division of north
and south; destruction of the ecosystem; the energy crises; environmental
pollution; and social turmoil, all surfaced. As the 21st century began,
mankind was confronted with the problem of a global recession.
問題發韌於人類的狂妄無知，當冷戰結束後，共產陣營崩潰，人們以為資本主義全球化的大時代即將來臨。美國的一位約翰格雷，寫了《虛假的曙光：全球資本主義的妄想》一書，嚴厲批評這種「全球化的資本主義」，在沒有制度與可資信賴的遊戲規則下，投機客自由放任地為所欲為，勢必導致經濟破產，形成前所未有的大災難。
The problem originated from man’s oversized
ego and ignorance. With the end of
the cold war, communism collapsed.
People thought the era of global capitalism had arrived. An American named John Grey wrote a book
called “False Dawn: The Delusions of Global Capitalism”, where he strongly criticized
global capitalism, saying that without an organized system of reliable rules,
“global capitalism” would free opportunists to do as they pleased. Ultimately, such an economic system was
doomed to break down and in the process, bring about a catastrophe of
unprecedented scale.
果然，原本是資本玩家的數字遊戲，在一九九七年，一舉成為國際投機客炒做的戰場。亞洲首當其衝，幾個新興的工業開發中國家，在投機客的放空套牢下，連續幾年的經濟衰退及金融風暴，波及了體質不良的俄國及南美各國。在二十世紀末過渡到下一世紀的千禧年，終於牽連到號稱不沉的物質航艦－－美國與歐盟，全球的經濟秩序由是解體。
Just
as predicted, by 1997 the number games played by capitalists had become a
battlefield manipulated by these international opportunists. Asia was the first region to feel the
effect. Because of stock market
manipulation by opportunists, several newly developed industrial nations
experienced consecutive years of economic recession and financial
meltdown. This condition later
spread to the unhealthy nations of Russia and South America. By the millennium year, as the 20th
century passed into the 21st century, it had finally reached the
unsinkable flagships of materialism – the U.S. and the EU. As a result, global economic order
collapsed.
高失業率、通貨膨脹，一波接著一波，自由經濟成為冒險家施暴的手段。幾十年來由石油堆砌而成的榮景，就像紙糊的冥樓，在洪爐中瞬間燬之一炬。民主政體剛因共產勢力的瓦解而被捧上青天，立刻就在經濟的張牙舞爪下，成為代罪的羔羊。
High unemployment, inflation; one problem followed another. The free economy became a means of aggression on the part of risk-takers. Decades of prosperity built with oil, in the manner of paper buildings burned for the dead (Note 6), were instantly reduced to ashes in an incinerator. Just when democracy was being highly praised and communist power collapsing, the sharp fangs of the economy turned it into a scapegoat.
誰都料想不到，一些集權政體如中國、古巴以及中東的回教國家，卻能屹立如山，挾其團結齊心的力量，重新活躍在世界舞台上。不久，修正式的社會主義又死灰復燃，蘇聯、東歐等各國，一個一個不得不又重做馮婦。
Nobody
would have thought that totalitarian governments such as China, Cuba and the
Islamic nations of the Middle East would remain unaffected. Combining resources they once again
became active on the world stage.
Before long, socialism once again flourished, but in a modified form. Countries such as Russia and those of
East Europe were forced, one by one, to return to their prior form of
government.
更長遠的影響是，在自由民主體制下，多數人民的私利壓倒了社會的公益。一九九六及一九九七年，在巴西的里約熱內盧及日本的京都，曾分別舉行了世界性的「地球高峰會議」及「京都會議」。會中本擬訂定二氧化碳的排放標準，並研商熱帶森林的保護以及各種化學藥劑的管制等問題。
The
long-term effect of this was that under a democratic system, for the majority
of people, the satisfaction of personal gain surpassed goodwill towards
others. In 1996 and 1997, global
meetings such as the “Earth Summit Meeting” and “Kyoto Meeting” were held in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Kyoto, Japan.
During these meetings, issues such as setting standards for the control
of carbon dioxide emission, the protection of tropical forests, and the control
of various industrial chemicals, were raised for discussion.
誰知與會代表各懷鬼胎，本是罪魁禍首的工業開發國家，引鴆止渴已久，過度依賴經濟成長，他們雖承認人類已經面臨存亡的抉擇，卻無法管制壓抑國內人民的需求，反而希望第三世界替他們善後。有人甚至說：「工業技術的開發，舉世兼蒙其利，所以不應該由工業國家單獨負責。」
Who would have thought that the participants in these meetings had their own dark schemes. Those industrial nations originally responsible for these problems had been using destructive methods for a long while. They relied too heavily on their economic growth. Though acknowledging that mankind was confronted with a choice of life or death, they were unable to reduce the demands of their own citizens. Instead, they hoped that the third world countries would clean up the mess for them. Some people even went so far as to say, “The whole world has benefited from the development of industry. Therefore, industrial countries should not be held solely responsible.”
雖然在一九九八年十一月，參加「聯合國氣候高峰會議」的一百六十個國家代表，聯合簽署了「布宜諾斯艾利斯行動方案」，列出如何具體執行「京都議定書」條例，終因工業大國不配合而不了了之。
Though
in November 1998, the 160 countries participating in the “UN Climate Summit
Meeting” jointly signed a “Buenos Aires Plan of Action”, and listed methods for
implementing the “Kyoto Protocol”.
But because of the uncooperative attitude of a few large industrial
nations, nothing further came of it.
有幾個人真能看到明天？就算見到了，在自由經濟飛馳的巨輪下，誰又能攖其銳鋒？民主受制於經濟，政治潮流趨向民主，政治又泛經濟化。早在蒸氣引擎推上十九世紀的單行鐵軌時，不歸路就已鋪設完成了。
How
many people can really see into the future? Even if they could, who would risk being
ground down by the giant, swiftly spinning wheel of free economy? Democracy is limited by economy;
political trends incline towards democracy; and politics in turn are influenced
by economics. Ever since this one way steam engine was
invented in the 19th century, there has been no turning back.
諷刺的是，經濟發展的停滯，反而挽救了地球的生態危機。在二○○六年，日本科學家發現了一種厭氧菌，能大量且快速地分解各種垃圾，改善優氧化環境。結果開發了再生能源工業，進而降低了生產成本，民生經濟開始復甦。同時，在重新洗牌再整下，全球貨幣體系建立了，公平貿易有了規範，經濟也開始日趨活絡。
Ironically, the slowdown of economic
development, had the unexpected result of solving the ecosystem crisis on
Earth. In 2006, Japanese scientists
discovered a kind of anaerobic that could quickly break up all kinds of trash
in massive quantity to improve oxygen environment quality. As a result, an energy-recycle industry
was developed and further advancements made it possible to reduce the cost of
energy production. The financial
condition of the private citizen began to recover. As part of this restructuring a global
monetary system was established.
With the regulation of fair trade the economy gradually began to revive.
又經過十多年的新思維時代，智慧學取代了科學的地位，人類文明再度呈現出多采多姿的風貌。科學與思想結合成一體，理性與感性也得到了平衡。如果用人的成長作比喻，在二十世紀以前，人類文明只是由嬰兒到青年，經過二十世紀末的成長期，幾乎是一夕之間，人類成熟了！
Then,
after more than 10 years of this kind of new thought, the study of wisdom
replaced science in importance.
Civilization once again became colorful and unique. Science and thinking were combined into
one. There was equilibrium between
rationality and feeling. Using the
stages of human growth as a metaphor, we can say that before the 20th
century, the civilization of man was between infancy and youth. After the burst of growth at the end of
the 20th century, it seemed as if man had overnight suddenly grown
into adulthood!
這個世紀最重大的發現，應該是「熱電效應」了。根據熱力學，能量作功必然會產生無用的「熱」。熱具有發散的性質，永遠是從能量高處向低處、作不可逆的單向傳播，因而有「熵」值的產生。
The
major discovery of this century was probably the “thermoelectric effect”. According to thermodynamics, the work of
energy produces useless “heat”.
Heat is energy in transit, continually passing from an area of higher
temperature to one of lower temperature.
It flows in only one direction and is irreversible. “Entropy” is therefore produced.
「熱」實際上是物質分子受能量激盪所產生的諧振運動，不論何種物理狀況，只要溫度在絕對零度以上，就代表有能量，物質分子會不停地振動。對人體的感官系統而言，依據振動能量的大小，便會產生不同程度的溫度感。
“Heat” is actually the harmonic movement of substance
molecules produced by energy stimulation.
In any aspect of physics if the temperature is above absolute zero, it
means energy exists and the molecules will be in constant motion. From the standpoint of man's sense
organs, various levels of temperature are produced according to the amount of
vibrating energy.
在上個世紀，「半導體」的發明－－一種「介面」技術的先驅－－觸發了資訊時代的到臨。半導體是一種人造的導電物質，能使電流成為單一向量。熱也是一種能量，從介面的立場，分子既能對電形成單一向量，應該也能使熱形成單一向量。
The
invention of the “semiconductor” in the last century – the forerunner of
“interface” technology – launched the information age. The semiconductor is a man-made
conductive substance which can combine electric currents into a single vector. Heat is another form of energy. Viewed from the standpoint of “interface”,
since substance molecules can make electricity into a single vector, they
should be able to transform heat into a single vector as well.
經過科學家的努力，利用分子的排列，將導熱性最佳的物質分子排在外圍，其內側則緊接一群帶有正電電洞的分子排。兩者組成電流迴路，當熱振動令分子外圍的游移電子掉入電洞中時，便形成了電流。
After
considerable effort, scientists were able to take advantage of molecular
sequences. They placed the
substance molecule that can best conduct heat on the outside, and placed a row
of molecules which carries a positive hole inside the former. These two sets of molecules function as
an electric circuit. Heat vibration
pushes the moving electrons outside the molecule into the hole, thereby forming
an electric current.
熱電效應使熱能轉化為電能，在能量逆轉下，宇宙成為一具恆動機。具有這種熱電效應的物質通稱「恆溫材料」，或是「熱電器材」。
The
thermo-electric effect transforms heat into
electricity. Through the reversal
of energy, the universe becomes a perpetual motion machine. Materials that produce this thermoelectric
effect are collectively known as “thermostatic materiel”, or “thermo-electric equipment”.
有了恆溫材料後，不僅太陽能發電變得輕易可行，甚至連室溫都能發電。這一來，舉凡食衣住行，也就是食物、衣履、建築、交通等民生事業，都起了翻天覆地的大變化。連帶的，整個企業的形態也都有了嶄新的面貌。
With
thermostatic materiel, production of solar energy becomes easy and
practical. Even room temperature
can be used to generate electricity.
In this way everything related to daily life, such as food, clothes,
architecture, and transportation has undergone a dramatic revolution, bringing
a new perspective to the entire field of business.
這時分子工程也大有進展，晶圓技術進入微分子結構，電容器只是一種密植的結構分子，體積縮小了十萬多倍，半導體也不過是些複合分子。電腦更無庸贅言，二十世紀末的一台桌上型個人電腦，如今只是一群複合分子結構，其中樞晶片還不到一立方公釐。
During this period molecular engineering
made great progress. Wafer
technology has developed the micro-molecular structure. A capacitor is only a type of densely
installed structural molecule whose size has been reduced hundreds of thousands
of times. A semiconductor, not to
mention the computer, is nothing more than complex molecules. By today's standards, the personal
computer used at the end of the 20th century, amounts to no more than
a group of complex molecule structures.
Today's CPU is smaller than one cubic millimeter.
在此同時，美國的一位科學家，發現了控制新陳代謝的核糖核酸，藉著改變它，人可以自選年齡、永保青春。此外，生理再生技術也極為發達，任何器官、肢體，都可以即時修補、再生。人們歌頌著科學家，擁抱著新時代。千萬年來人類所有的夢想，在這短短的一二十年中，都一一實現了。
At
about the same time, an American scientist discovered ribonucleic acid (RNA),
the controlling factor in human metabolism. By altering RNA, one can choose whatever
age they pleas and keep their youthful looks. Also flourishing is the technology for
reproducing human body parts. Any
organ or limb can either be repaired or re-grown. Scientists are eulogized by the public
and the populace has enthusiastically embraced this new era. Man’s dreams from time immemorial were
all fulfilled in the space of ten or twenty years.
食物科學更是石破天驚，巴西一位科學家，利用微分化學，找出了葉綠素、酵素的分子式。如此一來，只要有能源，就可以利用電腦的「分子組合」技術，合成各式各樣的食物。從此，不論貧富，人人都能免於飢餓。
Advances
in food science are even more striking.
A Brazilian scientist using micro-molecular chemistry determined the
molecular formula of chlorophyll and enzymes. This means that as long as there is
energy a variety of synthetic foods can be produced by the use of computerized
“molecular combination” technology.
From that point on, regardless of whether poor or rich, people were free
from hunger.
這一切發明與發現，都起於智慧電腦的實現，那是在二○一二年，一位匿名的中國科學家，設計了第一片「概念網絡」中樞。這個中樞具備了以漢字結構而成的「常識庫」，能夠運用語言文字，與人溝通。
These
many inventions and discoveries were all made possible with the advent of the
AI Computer. In the year 2012, an
anonymous Chinese scientist designed the first “concept network” CPU. This CPU includes a “common sense
databank” which is based on the structure of Chinese characters and allows
communication in both the spoken and written language.
新一波的資訊競賽立刻開始了，不久，各種外圍的翻譯系統紛紛出籠，都急切地希望與這片中樞結合應用。
A
new wave of information competition began immediately. In no time, various related translation
systems appeared, every one of them eager to make use of this CPU.
奇怪的是，這樣重大的發明，其商機之無限，發明人似乎一無所知。他將這個中樞委托給一個機構全權負責，這個機構的成員多為世界級的人文學者，他們深知責任重大，堅持謀求全人類之福祉。商定了應用的規範，嚴格要求電腦廠商配合，絲毫不肯妥協。
Strangely enough, the inventor seemed
unaware of the limitless business potential of his important invention. Management of the CPU was entrusted to
an organization made up of the world-ranked scholars in the humanities. They were well aware they had been
entrusted with a great responsibility and accepted on the condition that it be
used for the benefit of all mankind.
Manufacturers were required to strictly adhere to the regulations
governing the use of this CPU.
有如一幕幕的肥皂劇，幾年之間，產業界合縱連橫，諜影重重。人人希望獨家佔有市場，吞食最後這塊大餅。但是學者在原則上的堅持，幾經生死的威脅，始終不屈。最後，產業界終於同意統一規格，利用這片概念中樞，各自設計新的智慧電腦，自由競爭。
Just
like some t.v. soap opera that seems to run forever,
within the space of a few years business alliances and mergers proliferated and
commercial spying became rampant..
Everyone wanted to have exclusive control of the market so they could
swallow the last of this very large pie.
But the scholars held to their principles. Though there were many death threats,
they refused to yield. In the end,
all corporations in this industry finally agreed to a unified standard. Using this CPU, each would design a new
AI Computer model and compete in a free market.
由於智慧電腦具備強大的功能，其體積不過手錶大小，既可上網，又能以自然語言和人溝通。自上市以來，很快就風靡全球，人手一台。對兒童而言，它是件有趣的玩具，青少年則視之為良師，中年人以其為工作伙伴，老年人則將它當作聊天排遣寂寞的對象。
The
AI Computer is equipped with powerful functions. Though no bigger in size than a
wristwatch, one can use it to go online and communicate with others in natural
language. Once it appeared on the
market, it quickly achieved worldwide popularity. Nowadays every person in the world has
one. For children, it is an
interesting toy; for teenagers, it is their mentor; for the middle-aged person,
it is their partner at work; for seniors, talking with it is a means of whiling
away their hours of boredom.
當然，情況並不像外表那樣單純，業界為了牟利，無不挖空心思，力求改變智慧電腦的應用功能。但是，概念中樞有其固定的意識型態，完全以中國人的傳統思想為依歸。於是激進份子開始叫囂，技術人員則努力破解，期望改變個中的意識型態。而在最後一位工程師放棄努力之前，消費者已經適應了新的道德標準，反而成為堅定的擁護者。
Of course, the situation was not as
simple as it seemed. In order to
win profits, business organizations had done their best to change the
applications of the AI Computer.
However, this concept CPU was built with a pre-set ideology based
entirely on traditional Chinese thinking.
Therefore, many militants began to protest. Technicians, on the other hand, were
doing their utmost to crack the code in order to change the ideology. However, before the last engineer gave
up trying, consumers had already adapted to the new morality and formed its
most loyal supporters.
於是，宗教組織、政治勢力又開闢了新戰場，年復一年，為了利益，紛擾不休。直到二○二四年，智慧電腦的功能已經完全被肯定，兼以在電腦網絡下，全球早已緊密地聯結成一體，電腦聯盟遂成為網絡上最有力量的自發性組織。
In
this manner a new battlefield was created between religious institutions and
political authority. Year after
year they have never stopped vying with one another for advantage. By 2024, the capability of the AI
Computer was fully recognized.
Thanks to the help of computer networks, the entire world had long been
closely linked into a single unit, and the Computer Alliance became the most
powerful self-directed organization on the Internet.
就在同一年，一個明晰的太空訊息傳來了，透過電腦的傳譯，證實了外太空高級智慧體的存在。人類終於警覺到，再不團結，人很可能就要淪為太空奴隸了。由此觸發了二○二四論壇的誕生，在一些德高望重的政治家和學者的支持下，電腦時代正式到臨。
In
that same year, a clear message from outer space was transmitted to Earth. After being translated by computer, it
proved beyond doubt that highly intelligent beings existed in outer space. Man finally realized that if they unite
in joint effort, it was possible they would relegated to the status of space
slaves. The 2024 Forum was the
result of this concern. With the
support of highly respected politicians and scholars, the computer age was
officially inaugurated.
然而，在新時代裡，普羅大眾最關心的，卻是如何打發這日復一日，年復一年，永生不死、漫長無盡的歲月。這就有了各形各樣的聲色刺激，人們貪婪地放縱感官，人與人之間的聯繫幾乎全部斷線，憑著各自擁有的私用電腦，人人一枕槐安。
However,
in this new age most people were concerned with how to manage, day after day,
year after year, to endure the endless, eternal life that stretched before
them. In response to this, various
kinds of sense stimulation were created.
People greedily abandoned themselves to pleasures of the senses. Interaction between people ceased almost
entirely. Everybody used their
personal computers to create their own dreams.
硬體的視聽設備已成為人體感官的一部分，身歷境、虛擬實境、真實幻境等等，日新月異、層出不窮。經常欠缺不足的，反而是需求無盡的節目。到最後，甚至連電腦控制的造夢機也大行其道，電腦不僅可以控制夢境，而且能夠連續，簡直與真實無法區別。
Audiovisual hardware became part of the
human senses. New versions of
“Personal Experience Reality”, “Virtual Reality”, and “Illusory Reality”, were
constantly being designed, improved, and modified. One thing lacking however, were programs
to meet people’s endless needs.
Finally, even the computer-controlled dream-creating machine became very
popular. This computer was not only
capable of controlling dreams, it could connect each dream to a previous one,
enabling dreams to be continued.
Dreams became indistinguishable from reality.
這一來，人往往生活在幾個不同的天地中，一個是每天繁瑣無聊的人生；一個是自己設計的夢境；還有一些別人創作的故事、幻想等。人每每要停下來想一想，此刻究竟身在何處，是真實中還是幻境裡，否則就要鬧笑話。
In
this fashion, people lived in several different worlds. One was the tedium and boredom of
everyday life; another was the personally designed dream world; and a third was
the stories and fantasies created by others. People had to stop and consider where
they were at any given moment: reality or the world of illusion. Otherwise they would become a
laughingstock.
在各種傳媒同時轉播這粒月球隕石的剎那，隨著各人心態、認知的不同，人人有其主觀的反應。有人把它當作一個新題材，準備收集畫面，以供來日造夢之用。有人以為身在夢中，努力地控制那失速的火球。當然也有人認為不過是收看新聞，反正事不關己，打算要瞧個水落石出。只有那些已經虛實不分，不知今夕何夕的人，在身歷境的設備下，真以為自己受到隕石的攻擊了。
As
the various media simultaneously broadcast this Moon meteorite, each viewer
reacted in their own subjective way, according to differences in personal
feelings and awareness. Some
treated it as a new theme, and were ready to collect the images for use in
creating their own future dreams.
Others thought they were in a dream and fought to control that
dangerously speeding fireball. Of
course there were those who thought they were merely watching the news and
remained detached. They just wanted
to see how things would turn out.
Only those unable to distinguish true reality from illusion; this night
from any other night; with the assistance of their Personal Experience Reality
equipment, thought they were actually being attacked by a meteorite.
眼看火球越滾越近，吟嘯聲已成狂濤怒吼，人人魄動魂飛。突然間屏幕上光影一閃，纖弱的月球梭驀地騰空翻滾。文祥被梭身猛然飛起的慣性力，震倒在一側。在此同時，坐在擬真傳感器上的觀眾，也在液壓裝置的感應下，一個個被震得東倒西歪。
As
the fireball spun closer and closer, the sound turned into the angry rumble of
huge surf pounding on the shore, scaring viewers out of their wits. Suddenly, a light flashed across the
screen, and without warning the fragile Moon Shuttle somersaulted through
space. The force generated by the
abrupt movement of the Shuttle flung Wen Xiang to one
side. At the same time, viewers
sitting in their reality simulators were thrown to the ground by the reaction
of their hydraulic sensory device.
這不過是星行電征的一剎，火球繼續前進，最後衝擊地面。一片眩目的白光陡然照將過來，傳感器猛然翻轉，天驚地傾，觀眾紛紛跌落地上。就在此時，電力突然中斷，黑暗中，宇宙彷彿毀滅了，人人驚惶失措，咒罵號啕之聲此起彼落，人間頓成地獄。
All
this happened in only one brief instant as the fireball continued swiftly on
its course, finally striking the Moon's surface. Viewers saw a blinding white light
suddenly leap towards them as all simulators were violently overturned. The earth seemed to tilt from the
violent impact and viewers were thrown to the ground. In the sudden power outage that
followed, it seemed in the dark as if the universe had been destroyed. Everyone was terrified and the sound of
oaths and screams rose and fell on all sides. In an instant the world of man had been
transformed into a hell.
這前後不過幾秒鐘的變局，對沒有心理準備的觀眾而言，卻似永生的徒刑。隨後，電力逐一恢復，屏幕上出現了兩行訊息：「敬告諸位觀眾，因衛星中繼站不堪負荷，電力中斷了三秒鐘，現已局部恢復，尚請原諒。」
For
those viewers who were not mentally prepared, the abrupt change of those few seconds
seemed to last an eternity. As soon
as power was restored a 2-line message appeared on the screen: “To all viewers:
because the mid-way satellite station was overwhelmed, electricity was cut off
for 3 seconds, but has now been partially restored. We apologize for this
inconvenience.”
長期養尊處優的人們，這時突然認清了一個不可否認的真實－－天堂中也沒有永恒的平安。只是，這個意外的代價太高了。全世界有數千人心臟病突發，其他人雖然承認只是一場虛驚，但仍心有餘悸，總算領教了瀕臨死亡的恐怖。
People
spoiled by comfort over a long period of time were suddenly brought face to
face with an undeniable reality – there is no guarantee of safety, even in
heaven. However the price paid for
this surprise was too high.
Thousands of people throughout the world were felled by heart
attacks. Though the rest admitted
to having been given a start, down inside they remained fearful. They had finally come into contact with
the terror of near-death experience.
主機好不容易緩過氣來，私用電腦也恢復了運作，一一向他們的主人解釋，由於收看的觀眾太多，液壓設備需要的電力太大，而最後又在那麼短暫的時間內，傳來這麼強烈的震勢，負荷量遠遠超過最高安全限制……
At
last the main frames were restored and personal computers were once again back
in operation. Each computer
explained in detail to its owner what had happened. The vast viewer audience had created too
great a drain on the power needed to operate the hydraulic equipment. And then when such a powerful shock was
transmitted at the moment of impact, the load far exceeded safety limits…
電腦為什麼不能料事於先呢？當然，電腦並不是神，既然不是，人間天堂不也是假象嗎？萬一真有隕石來襲，長生不老豈不成了二十一世紀的另一個神話？
Why
didn't the computer foresee this incident?
Of course, the computer is not god, and since it isn't a god, wouldn't
this mean the ideas of an earthly paradise may also be an illusion? If a meteorite were to really strike,
wouldn’t eternal life become just another 21st century myth?
經過深入的檢討，電腦找到了問題出在「莫高峰」的磁場上，由於來襲的也是一顆鐵隕石，具有強烈的偏磁性，直到近距離才開始改變軌跡。與預估值相比較，落點偏移了兩百多公尺。所幸電腦察覺後尚能及時修正，令月球梭自動飛起，同時張開電離防護罩。但是隕石衝撞地面時爆炸的威力，有如百萬噸黃色炸藥，月球梭禁受不住，被拋離到一公里以外，跌落在地。
After a thorough investigation, the
computer found the problem was located in the magnetic field of “Mogao Peak”.
Because the attacking meteorite was a mass of iron it was strongly
attracted by magnetic force. It did
not change its orbiting course until it had drawn near. Compared with the pre-calculated
figures, it missed the predicted impact site by over 200 meters. Fortunately, the computer had discovered
this mistake in time to make the necessary corrections. The Moon Shuttle automatically lifted
off and a protecting ion shield was activated. However, the meteorite struck with an
explosive power equivalent to a million tons of TNT. The Moon Shuttle could not withstand an
impact of this magnitude and was flung for a distance of more than 1 kilometers
before falling to the Moon surface.
文祥慢慢張開眼睛，身邊一切都靜止了，眼前一片黑暗。他毫無感覺，第一個升起的念頭是：我死了！
Wen
Xiang slowly opened his eyes. Everything around him was very
still. He could see nothing but
darkness. He couldn't feel
anything. Wen Xiang's
first thought was: "I'm dead!"
「文娃！」他感到喉頭振動，潛意識地喚著電腦，卻沒有回音。
“Wen Wa!” He felt his throat moving. He instinctively called the computer but
there was no response.
這就是死亡嗎？不然怎麼這般黑暗？剛才顯然被隕石擊中了。我死了！但是感覺系統好像還在，手腳勉強可以移動，其他則是一片茫然。
Could this be death? Otherwise, why was it so dark? We obviously collided with that meteor
just now. I must be dead! But my senses are intact. I can still move my hands and feet, but
that's about it. Everything else is
a blank.
他試著回想，剛才是在月球梭中觀察一顆隕石。再往前呢？他是常駐月球的編碼工程人員。來月球之前呢？是了，在遙遠的過去，有一個難以磨滅的人影，小倩！唉！這種死亡也未免太殘酷了，失去電腦的協助不說，小倩卻還縈迴不去，就此停滯在虛無中。真是死不如生，今後又將逃向何方呢？
He
tried to remember what had happened.
He had been observing a meteorite from the Moon Shuttle. But before that? He he'd been a coding engineer stationed
on the Moon. And before the
Moon? Yes. In the distant past, there was a person
that he could not forget. Xiao Qian! Ah!
What a way to die. Not only
had he lost his computer, but Xiao Qian was still there to haunt him and he was stuck in this
emptiness. There was truth to the
old adage that life is better than death.
Where could he flee after this?
他正胡思亂想，眼前卻漸漸有了暗淡的光芒。他仔細一看，還是熟悉的月球梭內部，只是梭身側向一邊，顯然是從空中摔了下來。
Just
as his thoughts were wandering, a faint light began to take shape before his
eyes. Upon closer examination it
turned out to be the old familiar Moon Shuttle, except that now it lay on its
side. Apparently, it had fallen
from the sky.
「好險，我們都沒死成。」文娃也開口了。
“That was close.
But we're still alive.” Wen Wa was speaking.
「怎麼回事？我們怎麼了？」
“What’s going on?
What happened to us?”
「我們倒還好，地球上卻出了大紕漏，我們還是趕快離開這裡吧！」說著，梭身動了一動，緩緩地挪正了，顯然還能運作。
“We’re o.k. But
there was a major disaster on earth.
Hurry, let’s get out of here!”
As she was talking, the Shuttle shook and slowly righted itself. It was obviously still operable.
文祥感到血液快速地流貫全身，一時之間又酸又麻，動彈不得。
Wen
Xiang felt his blood surge through his body. For a moment he was numb and couldn't
move.
這時月球梭已騰空飛起，有了電力後，照明設備都恢復正常。窗外景物已完全改觀，一個高約數十公尺，週長兩三百公尺的隕石坑，赫然出現在後方一公里處，坑口中央猶自發出暗紅的火光。
By
this time the Moon Shuttle had begun its upward ascent. With the power back, all lighting
equipment was restored to normal.
Outside the window a completely different vista presented itself. A crater over 10 meters deep and 200 to
300 meters in circumference abruptly appeared about 1 kilometer behind
them. A
dark-red glow issued
from its center.
.
「我只記得突然有一道強烈的白光，接著天翻地覆，就不醒人事了。原來連電力都中斷了，爆炸的威力怎麼這樣大？」
“I just remember there was suddenly a
powerful white light, then the sky turned upside down and I was
unconscious. So the power was out. How come the explosion was so
violent?”
「這還是我們緊急調用了月球防護系統，否則你我固不能保，地球上禍害更大！」
“That's because we activated our
emergency Moon protection system.
Otherwise, not only would you and I be dead, the earth would have
suffered even greater damage."
「這和地球有什麼關係？」
“What does this have to do with the Earth?”
「都是身歷境系統惹的禍，由於有二十億人同時收看，當月球梭被撞擊時，訊號傳到觀眾的液壓設備上，霎時的尖峰電流，竟高達五十億千瓦，燒毀了五座中繼站。」
“‘Blame it on the Personal
Experience Reality’ system. Because
2 billion viewers were tuned in at the same time, when the Moon Shuttle was
hit, the signal was transmitted to their hydraulic equipment. At that instant, peak wattage reached 5
billion kw, and 5 mid-way stations burned out and
were destroyed."
「活該，你們要測試我！結果是作孽自受！」
“Serves you right. You wanted to test ME! You've brought it all on yourselves!”
「不是要測試你，是為了滿足地球上那些人的胃口！他們自己怕死，卻喜歡看別人冒險，給他們編了不知多少故事，又嫌不夠真實！」
“This wasn't to test you. It was to satisfy the demands of those
people on Earth! They fear death
but they love to watch other people risk their lives. No matter how many stories we make up
for them, they always complain they aren't realistic enough!”
「管他們幹什麼！」
“Who gives a damn about them!”
「能不管嗎？這是賦與我們的責任呀！」
“We have to give a damn. This is the task that was given to us!”
文祥無言以對，他早想過這類問題，不死的人生，在沒有新鮮事的陽光下，人到底變成了什麼樣的、永遠難以滿足的怪物？難怪會有「危險任務」這種行業出現。他原先以為這樣就可以逃離人世，想不到反成了被豢養觀賞的玩物。
Wen
Xiang was silent. He had been thinking about such
questions for a long time. A life
without death. There was nothing
new under the sun. Had man become
an insatiable monster? No wonder
this “dangerous mission” profession had been created. He thought he could escape from the
world of man. He never imagined
that he would become a pet, to be kept and monitored.
想通了，也就釋然了，反正資料編碼也只是個幌子。既然自己對生死榮辱本來就看得很淡，為什麼不學學無心無肝的電腦，認真盡責地扮演自己的角色，娛樂一下別人呢？於是，文祥慨然道：「走吧！妳再也不必測試了，反正我的選擇永遠是五百公尺！」
This thought made him feel better. Data coding was an excuse anyway. Since he himself was indifferent to such
matters as life or death, glory or shame, why not do as the cold-blooded
computer did, and dutifully play his own role to entertain others? So, Wen Xiang
sighed: “Let’s go. No need to test
me again. My choice will always be
500 meters!”
NOTES:
1. Li. A Chinese measure of distance.
2. Jia Bauyu 賈寶玉; the main character in the novel Dream of the
Red Chamber. He lived in Yi Hong
courtyard of the family mansion.
3. “Soup of
forgetfulness” 迷魂湯: Chinese believe that when a person is about to
be reborn, he or she is required to drink this soup so they will not remember
their past life.
4. Ximen Qing 西門慶: a
famous character from the classical novel, The Golden Lotus (金瓶梅), whose name
became synonymous with sexual excess.
5. Wu Gang 吳剛: In Chinese myth, a man doomed to forever hack
away on the Moon at a laurel tree that never ceases growing.
6. “Paper buildings
burned for the dead” 紙糊的冥樓: The Chinese traditionally burned small paper
buildings for the deceased in the belief this would ensure them a home in the
netherworld.