In recent days, I have been wondering what readers might think about the fact that Quantum Soul does not introduce its title concept until Chapter 84 — a third of the way through the book.
Rivan put a hand on Amil’s shoulder. “Let’s talk about the Soul Camera.”
“Jyoti used the term when we got here. How did she know it?”
Brahmarsi brought tea. “Prophesy.”
“I beg your pardon?”
The Prefect sat next to Amil. “Did you not say that the soul resides in a region where time is non-linear?”
“I was speculating.”
“It has the sound of truth. Otherwise, how is it that we have known about the Soul Camera for 80 years?”
Amil stared at the Prefect with mouth half open. “What are you telling me?”
“A story about visionary priests, trying to decide which dreams are important and which are nothing but dreams. What a relief to learn there’s a rational explanation for seeing the future.”
“Guru, I’m unprepared to speak to the issue.”
“Patronize me. Have you and Vaga talked about going into business for yourselves?”
“Ha! Now I wonder if somebody’s been eavesdropping.”
“They might be, but I’m uninformed.” He handed Amil a writing instrument and a slip of paper. “What will you call your company? Don’t tell me, write it here.”
Vaga reached over. “Let me.”
Brahmarsi waited until Vaga folded the paper.
“Our Executive Abbot is one who dreams about the future.” He held up a tablet computer. “Vurna Kaviza recorded this 80 years ago.”
The display showed a man with eyes full of emotion, his mane flat on one side, his nose wet, his voice hoarse.
“I visited with a young man, Iravat, and his friend, Mahat Limar. I thought: these are important men, men I should listen to. It was hard to focus and I was frightened about something. A sense of dread was on me, bringing me to tears, although I cannot say why. I didn’t get their names, but the Mahat Limar spoke a phrase that I recognized as a service mark. It was Deva Karu … and then something after, but that was when I woke.”
Vaga handed the paper to Brahmarsi.
The Prefect smiled. “Deva Karu. It is, I believe, a subtle play on the ambivalence of quantum states, a phrase that can mean God’s Mechanics or God’s Machinery, or both at the same time.”
Amil felt light-headed. “Deva Karu Science and Engineering. Of the two of us, it is Vaga who would say the whole phrase in conversation.”
Brahmarsi’s face relaxed. “Forgive my excitement. I have been waiting a long time for this day to arrive.”
Yes, Guru Brahmarsi — you and the reader both, I imagine.
The crime in Crime and Punishment takes place early in Part 1, Chapter 7, when Raskolnikov murders the pawnbroker and her sister. By this token, Quantum Soul is late delivering on premise.
Should I rewrite the story description, stating that the hero overcomes one obstacle after another until, 162 pages later, his ship comes in? My proposed theory of the soul is not the only original concept on the table. I could pivot.
But should I? Quantum Soul is free on Kindle this week. Perhaps there will be reviews. If nobody mentions this topic, I will take a pass.
John Dyer Writes 
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