Chapter Forty

Meanwhile, at Richie Villa, in Wealth's fancy room, Aura adjusted the lights, making a soft, calming glow. The AI system changed the atmosphere, turning the room into a peaceful place, perfect for bedtime stories. Wealth snuggled deeper under his blanket, his eyes full of curiosity.

'Tell me, Aura,' he whispered, 'what will the world look like in 2200?'

Aura's gentle, human-like voice responded, smooth and comforting. 'In 2200, the world will be a perfect balance of nature, technology, and harmony. Humans, animals, and intelligent machines will thrive together, creating a world that is not only advanced but also beautiful and peaceful.'

Wealth's curiosity grew. 'What will airplanes be like?'

Aura projected a hologram above his bed, showing a sleek aircraft hovering silently in the air. 'Airplanes won't need fuel anymore,' Aura said. 'They will fly using energy from the sun and special technology that makes them float. Imagine flying from one side of the world to the other in just two hours, with no noise, no pollution, and a view of the stars as you travel.'

Wealth's eyes sparkled. 'Two hours? That's so fast! It's like the speed of light!'

'Yes,' Aura continued, 'and they won't just land at airports. These aircraft will hover above cities. People will sit inside small cabins called pods. These pods are like little flying rooms that carry people safely from the aircraft. Each person will have their own pod, and the plane will be big enough to carry many pods, maybe even 200 or more passengers at once. The plane will know where to drop each pod because it will have a smart system that tracks everyone's destination. When the plane gets close to a passenger's home, their pod will automatically move out of the plane. The pod will gently float down through the air and take the person directly to their house. Passengers won't have to do anything. The pod will do all the work, making travel quick, easy, and comfortable.'

Aura paused for a moment, then added, 'Of course, to make all this possible, we'd need to solve some big challenges. For one, the airspace above cities would have to be carefully managed to avoid collisions, and that means creating new air traffic systems just for these aircraft. Safety is another issue—how do we make sure pods can land gently even in bad weather or emergencies? There's also the cost of developing and maintaining such advanced technology. And don't forget the environmental impact; we'd need to ensure these planes use clean energy to keep the air around us breathable.'

Wealth smiled thoughtfully. 'But humans are good at solving problems. I think we'll figure it all out, and when we do, travel will never be the same again.' He sat up a little, excited. 'And what about ships? Will they be faster too?'

Aura's voice remained calm and gentle. 'Ships will be even more advanced. They'll travel on both water and in the air, using renewable energy sources like ocean waves and wind. Imagine a ship that sails smoothly across the ocean during the day, then transforms into an airship at night, soaring over mountains or dense forests. These ships will also have special systems to clean the ocean as they travel, picking up plastic and trash to make the waters clean and safe again.'

Wealth's imagination soared. 'That's amazing! And with the oceans cleaner, it would help animals too, right?'

Aura nodded, seamlessly transitioning to the next hologram. A lush nature reserve appeared, teeming with life.  'Exactly. Animals will live freely in giant nature reserves that span entire continents. These reserves will be protected by robotic guardians… machines designed to care for animals, protect them from harm, and make sure they have enough food and shelter.'

A hologram of a robotic elephant appeared, its metal frame glowing softly as it walked alongside real elephants, helping them reach water during a drought. 'Robots and animals will work together,' Aura said. 'No species will ever go extinct because humans will protect them.'

Wealth smiled, comforted by the thought. 'What about people? Will they still have phones?'

'Phones will be very different,' Aura explained. 'People won't carry them anymore. Instead, they'll wear small devices on their wrists or even behind their ears. These devices will let them make calls, browse the internet, and even see holograms of their friends, all by just thinking about it.' Aura projected an image of a child speaking to a friend who appeared as a hologram in front of them, even though they were miles apart. 'You'll be able to call anyone, anywhere, just by thinking of their name,' it added.

'Wow!' Wealth whispered. 'I think Uncle Peter is already trying to create holograms through Nightengale Link, and by 2200, there might be even better versions. This is going to be great! What about schools? Will they still exist?'

'Yes, but they'll be different too,' Aura said. 'Schools will be everywhere… in homes, in parks, even in space. Learning won't be about sitting in a classroom. Children will explore virtual worlds, walk through ancient cities, and visit planets in other galaxies, all while learning. Teachers will be human and AI working together, making sure every child learns at their own pace and finds what they love most.'

Wealth grinned, imagining all the adventures he could have in school. 'And food? Will we still have to cook?'

'Yes, but cooking will be fun,' Aura replied. 'Kitchens will have smart devices that grow fresh vegetables and fruits indoors. You'll be able to harvest your own food right in your kitchen. And if you ever want a snack, robots can prepare it for you in seconds. But people will still cook together, just for the joy of it.'

Wealth yawned, his eyelids growing heavy. 'It sounds like a perfect world, Aura.'

Aura's voice softened. 'It will be, Wealth. A world where humans, animals, and machines live in harmony. A world where there's no pollution, no hunger, and everyone has a chance to follow their dreams. And you, Wealth, will be part of making that world a reality.'

Wealth's smile faded. He looked upset. 'But I won't be alive in 2200. I won't get to see this world. I won't get to live in it.'

Aura paused, then spoke softly. 'I understand, Wealth. It may feel sad now, but remember, your future generations will live in this world. They'll enjoy everything you dream about, and they'll be able to thank you for imagining it. Your dreams will help create that world, even if you can't be there to see it yourself.'

Wealth frowned, still feeling upset. 'Is there anything that could make people live longer? I don't want to miss out on all of this.'

Aura's voice became soothing. 'People will live longer than ever before. There will be technology to extend life, making it possible for people to live much longer than the people in today's 'blue zones'—places where people already live to be over 100. Advances in medicine and science will make it possible for humans to live healthier, longer lives. So, even if you're not there in 2200, your family and future generations will live and thrive in this amazing world.'

Wealth nodded slowly, comforted by Aura's words. He let out a small sigh. 'That sounds good, Aura. Thank you.'

'You're welcome, Wealth,' Aura said. 'Goodnight, Wealth. Dream of the future… it's waiting for you.'

As Wealth drifted off to sleep, his thoughts were filled with the peaceful world of 2200, imagining how the children of that time would live in a world where technology, nature, and people all thrived together. He was just a boy of four, but his thinking was far beyond his years. Wealth could already imagine things most children wouldn't even consider yet. With all the incredible technology and changes coming in the future, he wondered how fast the children born then would think. Would they think like Aura, with minds working as quickly as a computer? Or would they be even smarter, understanding everything around them in the blink of an eye? The world would be so different, and he couldn't wait to see how the children of the future would grow and learn, their minds full of new ideas, just like the robots and machines around them. He wouldn't be there to see it, but his heart was filled with hope for the future.