triggered, which were also formed by evolution. People once thought that space ended at the horizon line. Then they went to look for the edge of the earth, including the sea. But they soon realized that there was no edge. Then we went into space. Now we're trying to figure out how long a light year is. And that's a lot. For example, moving at 300,000 kilometers per second, light takes a second to reach the Moon. It's over eight minutes to the Sun. And to the nearest star other than the Sun, it takes four years. So calculate how many seconds and how many kilometers light travels in a year. And our galaxy is 100,000 light years across. And it's not the biggest. To the known "edges" of the universe – either 13-15, or all 37 billion light years. Imagine traveling at that speed for that many years. And that, it turns out, is not the limit of the multiverse's imagination. Imagine that our universe is one city, and there are more cities out there, somewhere very, very far away. Believe me, that's a lot. Our sun holds over 1,350,000 planets like Earth. And in our galaxy, how many stars do you think there are?
Ruthra was so engrossed in the story that he didn't notice how the tense, thoughtful faces of his listeners had changed to cheerful and mischievous ones.
– God knows," again the first was JULIA.
Andrian remained silent, the other ladies shrugged their shoulders, smiling.
– I understand what you're thinking. You're thinking, what does the amount of money I outlined have to do with a reasonable job offer from the organization we met in the basement of? Why did we leave there, fearing a wiretap, what does that have to do with an interesting astronomy story? Hello, though. You have to listen to understand. Now on to the next one. So, there are so many of them that scientists can't tell the exact number – whether it's 100 billion, or 200, or 300, or even 400 billion. And that's just in our galaxy. Let's move on to this very interpretation. Interpretation is also a kind of inaccuracy, a kind of representation that it is like this… I am telling you all this to make you realize that it is really very difficult and unrealistic to understand information at first. I told you – you have to believe me. If I do not bring you to the secret center and do not give you the first part of the sum – then you will have the right to consider everything a lie and fantasy. That would be natural. So now is the moment of truth. Don't laugh, don't be surprised. Take it for granted; I didn't just tell you everything and give you examples. Imagine that tomorrow all the news agencies of the world will report the fixation of a signal from an unearthly intelligence. Would that be a shock? Yes, of course it would. And if these signals were constant? What would you say a year from now? It won't be a big deal. Everyone will get used to it. It's the same thing with the lighter, TV, real-time wireless video, organ transplants and all that. So now I'm going to shock you a little bit. Remember what I said about the mystique of the microcosm of particles? Well, these particles are somehow flying apart, but they're still connected to each other. From this fact, we began to develop the theory of parallel worlds. Yes, yes. It all fits. If there is an antiproton, for the discovery of which we have already received the Nobel Prize, why should not all substances exist in the opposite, i.e. antivariant? And now let's ask: what kind of world do they form? The opposite world, of course. These second scattered, they are called entangled pairs, particles and form their own world, which is as if mirror relative to ours. That is, parallel. Is that funny? Maybe. But the truth, like the author, is near. The inventor of this theory is before you. Your doubts are normal. Now we've come to the line where the scientific review begins. Let's take another coffee and listen to Rutra.
– I'll take the tea," Andrian said and raised his hand, signaling the waiter.
– We'll be right there," Iulia said smiling.
YatSan and Catherine stood up with her, all of them heading towards the inside of the cafe in a friendly manner.
– Is it really real? – Andrian asked.
Ruthra nodded thoughtfully and affirmatively.
– Absolutely.
– Parallel worlds?!
– Imagine a very, very small circle of people knowing about this. Now imagine how great a responsibility I've placed on you.
– I don't even know what to say. It's interesting, and curious… and unbelievable… and dangerous, or something.
– Yes, my friend, you are right, it is dangerous, but only if someone is blabbering. Or rather, no one will believe you at this stage, and at the next stage you won't really belong to yourself. You'll be in the system… and for the rest of your life. You'll have a very prestigious job there, too, for an official legend.
– How? How did you know they were there? Has anyone made contact before?
– No. You're the one who's gonna join.
– You gotta admit, it's fantastic.
– Believe me, it's very serious. I told you: your disbelief is natural. Wait until the second stage. When you get to the secret center, all your doubts will be dispelled.
– Okay, well, I can't wait to get there.
The ladies are back.
– What are we gonna do?
– What shall we have with tea? – The most talkative one, of course, Iulia, repeated.
– I'm fine," YatSan was brief as always.
– Why is that? – JULIA asked her, giving an indication of a different reason than might normally be the case with ladies.
– It doesn't have the brownies I like," she replied.
– Okay, guys, let's stay focused. The firm is paying. Let's take what we want.
– I'm ordering, okay?
– Yes, Iulia, get into character.
– What role? – She asked in a slightly wary tone.
– In the program, each of you has a specific role. You, IuLia, have the role of supporting the contact, counseling the protagonist.
– Who's in charge?
– In front of us.
Rutra looked at YatSan, tilting his head slightly to the side, smiling slyly.
– What-what? Did I miss something? – YatSan asked seriously.
– Yeah, missed it," Andrian said, picking up on everyone's joking smile.
Said Rutra has yet to be taken seriously because of the sci-fi component.
– What were you talking about? – YatSan asked Andrian sternly.
– He said he'd send you to a parallel world.
It was a joke on his part, but completely true for Rutra. He had planned to do it that way, but YatSan would have known how.
– Wait a minute. You're gonna confuse things. Until you get it right, nothing's gonna change. So you're not going anywhere. Let's drink tea, eat cake and listen to Rutra. I can't get the science part down. So, in our world, everyone, or practically everyone, takes for granted the fact that the world we observe is one. Talking, much less scientific discussion, about a multiple universe has long been considered scientific heresy, but the idea that it is true has been on the minds of more and more. Physicists, cosmologists (even more so quantum fanatics) began not just to think about it anymore, but to try to fold it into scientific theories. Now some complicated words. What will be unclear now – I will gradually explain in everyday language. Don't worry, you will hear all this five times more, and not only from me. In my theory the main statement about the many-worlds interpretation is that all being consists of quantum superposition of unimaginably large (and most likely – infinite) number of universes. The term superposition means that very superposition, a kind of parallel. According to this interpretation, there must be an absolutely incredible number of alternative worlds. Now I will try to explain in more detail and at the same time in a simpler way what the many-worlds interpretation is. According to it: wholeness of life is a kind of illusion. We all perceive our life as a single and integral being in space and time. However, consciousness remains consciousness, and no matter how many worlds exist, no matter how many of us are in them – here and now our "I" is our consciousness. Listen, listen.