The Lucifer Code by Michael Cordy Read Free Book Online Page A

sphere. 'Thanks to your Lucifer optical computer, we were able to identify and analyse all the standard brainwaves and find some new ones to build a detailed map of the brain in action. By amplifying and deciphering these wavelengths, especially the way they worked together to form patterns, we learnt to interpret the electrical impulses.'
    Amber was beginning to understand why Bradley Soames had been impressed with Fleming's invention. 'I assume it can learn.'
    'Absolutely. In the same way as tuning into radio waves, the NeuroTranslator's neural net seeks out complex patterns of brain activity and correlates them with manifest commands and intentions. Brian comes as close as any entity in history to understanding and expressing a human's thoughts, and mapping their mind.'
    'Is Brian conscious?'
    Fleming laughed. 'No. Brian uses fuzzy logic and is brilliant at probing our brain and investigating how we think, but it has no will and can't think for itself in the self-aware way we associate with consciousness. If you imagine independent thought as a ball game, then Brian is a brilliant spectator, analyst, commentator and scorekeeper, but it can't play the game itself. The NeuroTranslator primarily analyses and interprets brainwaves, allowing us to boost those that are helpful - for example, the walk-signals needed for an implant in a paralysed or prosthetic limb - and suppress those that aren't, such as pain-signals to an amputated leg.'
    Fleming placed the Thinking Cap on his head and pressed a button on the keypad by the cube. The plasma screen fizzed into life and a dazzling spectrum of colours pulsed from the sphere in the cube as different frequencies of light photons performed countless parallel calculations. 'Watch the lines on the screen,' he said. 'They indicate my brainwaves. Now watch the body surrogate.'
    There was a sudden spiking of the horizontal lines on the screen and the mannequin stepped forward with its left leg. Amber jumped. 'You did that just by thinking?'
    'By controlling the way I think, yes. It takes practice, but once you get the hang of it it's relatively easy. Brian's a training device. Once our patients have mastered Brian they're given even more sophisticated prosthetic limbs, and in the case of paraplegics even more sophisticated implants. It's still early days but the results have been phenomenal.'
    Despite her earlier scepticism about coming here, Amber Grant was encouraged. 'So by analysing my brain waves you hope to identify the signals causing my headaches and suppress them?'
    'Hopefully we'll not only suppress the signals but also understand them.'
    'And you can do all this tonight? I've got to fly home tomorrow'
    Fleming frowned. 'In one night we'll only be able to start calibrating the machine to your base wavelength signature. It'll take at least a couple more sessions to finalize the preliminary analysis and ascertain what your brain's "normal" resting state is. Only then will we be able to analyse it during a phantom migraine and look at treatment options. Your case is unusual and you should allow up to a month to diagnose and treat it fully. Even then we'll probably need more time.'
    Do it properly or don't do it at all, huh?'
    'Exactly. There's a window to start treatment over the next few days, but after that I can't guarantee when I'll be able to fit you in.'
    She thought for a second then made a decision. 'Okay 1 got to sort out a few things back home, but assume I come back in a few days. What happens now?'
    'Frankie, my chief nurse, will set up the first session tonight here in the Think Tank.'
    'Will the NeuroTranslator be able to explain why the phantom migraines have only started in the last few months?' Amber asked.
    'To be honest, Amber, I don't know. It's usual for phantom pain to occur shortly after a trauma if it's going to occur at all, but your brain is unique. Let's wait and see what Brian can tell us.'
    'So when can we start?'
    Fleming checked his watch. 'Well, as my