Official Intelligent Beings: How Our Devices Became Us, And The World Consumed Itself Read Online Free Page A

he has found Earth, he has sent for the army to begin their initial takeover. Luckily, there is still plenty of time for us to properly prepare before they get here.”
    “What the heck? Is this some kind of joke? Take over our planet? Why the hell would he summon me and why the hell have you not shared this information with the rest of the world? This is some seriously crazy crap, some end of the world, take over the planet type madness. It sounds like the kind of folklore they used to share in movies and literature before human life was interesting enough to become the main focus of entertainment.”
    “I know how it seems, but that is where you come in. You see, it wasn’t until Ani Rudh started mentioning your name that we really began taking an interest in what you were writing. At first we were half wondering if you somehow had a connection to everything that was going on. But after an intense background check, we began to realize that you were simply a key piece to their puzzle and the reason we were able to capture Ani Rudh and store him down here, away from the public eye.”
    “Piece of what puzzle?” 
    “For some reason, still unknown to us, Ani Rudh discovered your Quacker account. He came to us to find you, believing that we were somehow related. He hasn’t yet shared why he was searching for you. We are almost ready to let you talk to him to try and find out, but we wanted to share everything that we know with you first, give you the facts, and go from there.”
    “The end of our planet? Alien life? And, on top of that, the messenger of an alien race trying to wipe us out wants to talk to me, of all people?”
    “Yes I know it’s a lot to pro…”
    “No! This just doesn’t make any sense. It simply can’t be. There must be some sort of mistake. I don’t get it. I really don’t get it. I think I need some air. I’m sorry I can’t do this.”
     
     

 
    Chapter 5.
                 
    In a frenzy, Jagz ran as fast as he could out of the room. He stopped at the locked gate that Mr. Herd had opened with his tongue. He leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath, hanging on for dear life, trying not to collapse. Anxiety began to pour over him. He reached for his UrDg, quickly realizing that he left all of his pills at home. Jagz grabbed his face and let out a loud groan, causing him to cough uncontrollably.
    A hand grasped his shoulder, pulling him out of it, bringing him back to the present moment.
    “Relax, just breath slowly,” said Mr. Herd. “I know how this may all seem. I understand if you would like to go home and just forget the whole thing. While you can’t erase what you saw, I can send you home immediately, no questions asked.”
    “No, no, no. I just needed a moment. This feels like some crazy and twisted dream. I certainly can’t un-see it, so I might as well continue forward. If it’s okay with you, I would like to meet him, or it, or whatever you are calling him.”
    “That is okay. I think speaking to him will clear things up a bit. Don’t worry, he is perfectly harmless. We will keep you protected.”
    Jagz was led back into the room. As he entered, Ani Rudh still appeared to be staring right at him, as though watching his every move. Mr. Herd assured Jagz that the alien couldn’t see him through the one-way mirror, but Jagz had a creeping suspicion that made him think otherwise.
    Mr. Herd pressed a few buttons on the device in his hand. A small segment of the mirror opened up, and he gestured Jagz forward. Jagz was taken into a room directly next to the massive visitor, a simple screen of suspiciously thin glass separating them.
    “Right this way.” said Mr. Herd. “I think it’s best if you speak to him alone. We have these reinforced protective screens in-between us and him, just to be extra safe. But don’t worry, I’ll be watching you closely. Just buzz me with this keypad by pressing one three whenever you are done.”
    “Okay,” said Jagz