David Marlin

**Praecautus** · Nov 6th, 2002, 22:14:33

if you havnt read Prophet without honour STOP now

Good now that they have gone, I have a question.

How does David Marlin stay alive on his voyage? and indeed how does he stay alive for so long at all? The Omega are immortal by their super advance nano technology and require trips to the lab to replenish the bots. I doubt David had access to this technology after he was taken by the Solitus shortly after being born. So how does he stay alive for the x number of thousand years he is?

**Jynne** · Nov 6th, 2002, 22:27:46

Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Basically speaking, time passes differently for David Marlin while he's travelling at near-light-speed than it does for people who aren't travelling that fast.

**AiymaNeut** · Nov 6th, 2002, 22:38:00

From what I can gather, the Omega only require the lab technologies when their mortal lives are coming to a close. After David Marlin led the Solitus rebellion against the Omega, that technology would have been free loot for the solitus, and undoubtedly their scientists would have cracked the nut and figured out how to use it for David Marlin.

His little space capsul is equiped with all manner of technologies, and undoubtedly the life prolonging systems are one of them.

Let's play mix and match: We know David Marlin is coming, but any bets on what side he joins? Remember, he's not the only big guy. Ross is another, as is Roland Drake. You thus have three Affiliations and three "prophets"...

What would be really cool: (i) Ross snaps, succumbs to his "visions" and turns neut; (ii) the Dust Brigade is headed up/controlled in some way by Drake - Notum is the source of all of this - my guess is he doesn't want it depleted because it gives him his long life - he then takes over the Clans; and (iii) Marlin walks in to Ross' spot and starts the war against the Clans to get at Drake (which he does). The neuts are the key to this - Ross unites them and somehow they play the central role in getting Drake and Marlin together.

In a final apocolyptic battle Drake and Marlin both die, Ross steps back in and declares Rubi-Ka free, tells Omni-Prime to shove it, sets up and eventually leads the new democratic government of RK.

Now tell me that wouldn't be awesome?

**Bionitrous** · Nov 6th, 2002, 22:44:24

He is 'half-Omega' if you recall. Also he has himself sunk into that symbiotic chair for most of the journey recharging as I recall. Now, if he's half-Omega and we know he's orbiting Rubi'ka as I type this, we can see he'll have no problem surviving. After all, NanoMages can survive while orbiting the planet surely so can he.

I think he got the immortal part from the Omega without having to recharge somehow. Remember how long he lived on Earth before he took off? Like millenia, right. And I don't think he ever had to recharge.

**Praecautus** · Nov 6th, 2002, 23:15:45

thats the bit that gets me, when he was taken by the Solitus how likely is it they had access to the same equipment to replenish his bots. he was born aroun 9999 AD and was taken age 6,If I read Prohpet right the revolution he starts/leads begins around 12101, hes hardly a teenager

the voyage bit is good though, Omni-Tek has direct access to Farma-Tek technology so thats all ties up. But how is he living after being taken from Emilie Stenberg until leading the revolution. am i missing something?

the Omega need the bots to live forever, so its not something they can pass on (ie genes). If Marlin can be immortal due to his genetic Omega heritage then the Omega should be immortal too, however they are fully mortal without their bots. Unless the Omega have tampered with their own genetic code to become immortal, in which case why do they need the bots? and if the bots are needed how is David immortal?

**Jynne** · Nov 6th, 2002, 23:22:08

It could just be one of those Mysteries, like the Others. Remember that David Marlin's mother was from Alyssa's Clan, the ones who have always had the visions and such.

**Bionitrous** · Nov 6th, 2002, 23:45:17

Two points:

- As I recall, the Omega were immortal not through the rechargers but through the original work of Roman Dragov. The nanotechnology was a subsequent introduction by his company. I don't think we ever got the full deal on the immortality. The nanobots were utilized to repair the body among other things, not necessarily the means towards their immortality. Could be wrong on that point but that's my recollection. Remember Dragov was already well over a hundred or so when FarmaTek finally started being able to control nanotechnology.

- As Jynne stated, Marlin is the offspring of both an Omega (who always were refered to by Ragnar in terms seperating them from other humans in terms of Race) and a mother who was imbued with powers from the other faction of the 'Others'. What this combination resulted in is unknown to us at this point.

**Praecautus** · Nov 7th, 2002, 00:19:49

page 252 of Prohpet hard back US edition

"..to punish an immortal for killing another immortal was a highly sensitive issue. Usually, the killer was just deprived of fresh bots and use of a chamber, and he or she was kept in house-arrest until they grew old and frail and death came naturally"

page 275

"without the constant replishment of bots, the old ones were dying at a frightening rate.......but at that point the'd really need access to the chambers"

That reads to me like the bots are keeping the Omega alive for millenia, but then how does Zubov stay alive? if his research is sufficient why the bots? is it simply the first step in the research, his stuff + bots = immortality? both are necessary but not sufficient for immortality. This is confirmed on page 83 (i am too lazy to do another quote).

As for Marlin, the obvious answer is that he is a half-breed

**AiymaNeut** · Nov 7th, 2002, 01:05:37

Here's a theory for debate:

There at two distinct types of Omega: "new" Omega, composed of the Farma-Tek people, and the "old" Omega - Roman Dragov et al.

The new Omega are those who are not truly "immortals" by nature, but immortal by virtue of their use of nanotechnology.

The old Omega are another matter, which is, ex post facto, somehow tied to notum. They are truly immortal.

Assuming the above theory, there would also have to be a third class: Dragov was a normal human being when he was lured away by the Omega, but was somehow made immortal without the use of nanotechnology.

Another question regards Alyssa's clan: "they dream truth dreams", but somehow Philip Ross is experiencing something similar. Since the only two surviving members of Alyssa's clan were (I've only read to chapter 15, so correct me if I'm wrong) David Marlin and the old man who came to claim him from his Omega mother. The old man most likely could not have produce any offspring. Is it possible then that good old Mr. Ross is a descendant of David Marlin?

Also regarding Alyssa's clan, they were obviously imbued with some form of protective immunity that regular humans did not have. Think about it. The descendants of the clan (can't remember the name of the girl from FarmaTek) survived not only two devastating plagues but also a nuclear holocaust.

**Arila** · Nov 7th, 2002, 06:02:34

cool! finally a topic about this

Well, first of all, David Merlin is a miracle, since the omega had problems with getting kids. Rland Drake (The russian defector) was contacted by someone called Vanya i think (not sure) who got him out of Russia, due to his docovery about nano technology.

He created the omega's with his vision of eternal life, but he knew it would not last forever.

The employee of FarmaTech, Sara Caroll, didnt want to be a part of it all, she was the first to "see the truth" David Merlin decent from her directly, as well as the rest of the Alyssa Clan.

(hint spoiler info for those who have not read the book)

Now, we all know wh created omni-tek, and how they managed to forge the future we have today. Now, OT was on RK first, to get the notum.

Now... what is notum in reality? its not a miniral to be mined. My theory is that Notum is the life force and soul of the galaxy

As for Drake, and the Alyssa clan, bot got their pwoers by some kind of other dimention monster, the Vanya thingy.

As for Ross, he is important, but so is jennifer, she is setting the things in motion

**Jynne** · Nov 7th, 2002, 16:12:53

Alamexis, the Omegas are humans who became immortal through technology - not nanotechnology at first. The Others are the supposedly non-human entities who are 'guiding' the Omegas through Dragov, and whose opposing faction 'guided' Alyssa's bloodline through 'truth dreams.'

**AiymaNeut** · Nov 7th, 2002, 16:27:46

So there is a force opposing the "Others"? I was unaware of that, but always assumed something to that effect. (Pardon my ignorance, haven't read the whole book).

Through chapter 15, aside the Alyssa's clan and Sara Caroll, are there any incarnations of this opposing force? I don't remember seeing anything mentioning a counter-weight to Drake.

What I don't understand in all of this is the inter-temporal implications of the text. The Others obviously posess and thereby guide the Omegas with knowledge of the future course of events - as does this opposing faction that is behind Alyssa's clan.

To me, it just doesn't seem probable that these two opposing sides are essentially playing a 30,000-year-plus game of chess, consistently trying to out-maneouver each other.

**Praecautus** · Nov 7th, 2002, 17:49:00

"Through chapter 15, aside the Alyssa's clan and Sara Caroll, are there any incarnations of this opposing force? I don't remember seeing anything mentioning a counter-weight to Drake."

David Marlin, although he probably doesnt know it yet, is the counter to Drake. He is the last of Alyssa's clan. at least thats how i read it.

**Arila** · Nov 7th, 2002, 22:59:26

Drake vs David... vs... Ross?

And who is "she" as it was refered to in the first animated episode??

Questions, that we all want answered.

In my opinion then both David and Drake is being lead towards the final of it. Its all arranged by the Vanya creature (U need o read the entire book

)

**______________Lirona** · Nov 10th, 2002, 07:31:43

I think it's likely that the nano-bots are just keeping the Omega "alive" by virtue of their bodies constantly being repaired. If an Omega is sentenced to death, just denying them the use of their nano-tech chambers WOULD kill them, but very slowly. On the other hand, their emotions would likely return later too (Bots repairing the brain constantly to an undamaged state, perfectly balanced, thus no emotion).

**Nepenthea** · Nov 11th, 2002, 04:42:42

Greetings.

I devoured the chapters available on the AO Website some months ago, which ended at chapter 7. Great ending! WOW! Then...woah!...another chapter is released on the website?! Oh, the book's not done? Far out! *devour more*

I got the Special Edition a few months back, and read the PDF format of the whole book. Then, I read it again. I'm utterly addicted to this storyline!

Then, I picked apart the timeline in the book, and read it again, to make sure I caught more subtle hints and nuances and tied events together a bit better in my mind. I'm SO glad I read this book. It should be manditory reading for anyone who plays this game!! Having a "bigger picture" perspective has increased my understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the game a hundred-fold.

I've laid out a timeline following the book, and timeline info and articles available on the AO website.

Be well.

**_____PrimeTechnocrat** · Dec 10th, 2002, 11:43:06

Originally posted by Alamexis
So there is a force opposing the "Others"? I was unaware of that, but always assumed something to that effect. (Pardon my ignorance, haven't read the whole book).

Through chapter 15, aside the Alyssa's clan and Sara Caroll, are there any incarnations of this opposing force? I don't remember seeing anything mentioning a counter-weight to Drake.

What I don't understand in all of this is the inter-temporal implications of the text. The Others obviously posess and thereby guide the Omegas with knowledge of the future course of events - as does this opposing faction that is behind Alyssa's clan.

To me, it just doesn't seem probable that these two opposing sides are essentially playing a 30,000-year-plus game of chess, consistently trying to out-maneouver each other.

The best explination of the "Other" faction that is opposing Vanya and his lot of inter-dimensional beings occurs in the final two pages of the book when Vanya reveals to Dragovich what the true meaning behind everything that has happened is and this other faction that not even Vanya can detect or control basically "kills" Dragovich's personal AI in his underground self-sustaining complex on Rubi-Ka. In theory, this other faction is responsible for giving the Sara Caroll-David Marlin lineage their "truth dreams" to act as a counter-weight against Dragovich and the Omega and Vanyd. As for the David Marlin immortality issue, it seems to me that because he lived for over 3000 years on Earth before leaving on his voyage he must have had some means of keeping himself alive other than the theory of relativity. In some of the earlier chapters, it was explained that Dragovich was experimenting with drugs as a means towards immortality and that he just had to wait for nano-technology to come along so he could combine the two to finish the technique. And remember that even though the Homo Solitus understanding of nano-technology has far out paced the Omega's they still can not create immortality for themselves so it must be this critical pharmaceutical component that is the true key to the immortality of the Omega.

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