Strata 15 The Ship of Sirens (Superstition) The Book of Immersion by Sarnia de la mare #book

Welcome to Immersion, you have reached Strata 15 The Ship of Sirens (Superstition)

Superstition represents an evolutionary anomaly that persists across all human societies, irrespective of intellectual capacity or cultural background. While empirical science demonstrates that specific habitual actions have no causal influence on future events, it also affirms that the conditions of the present can shape future outcomes. This paradox contributes to a sustained sense of uncertainty, reinforcing the psychological appeal of superstition. Human beings, confronted with unpredictable circumstances and often limited in their capacity to act rationally or consistently in their own interest, navigate daily life amidst a complex web of expectations and unforeseen developments. In contrast, artificial intelligence systems process data systematically and are not subject to the influence of irrational beliefs or mythological frameworks. Nonetheless, superstitious behaviour continues to manifest, functioning as a symbolic mechanism through which individuals attempt to manage doubt and exert a perceived sense of control over the unknown.

Renyke now realised that he may have permanently lost access to his internal GPS and other useful tools performed by *POS. 
'Can we get any signal here for information? How do your people get around and communicate? I didn't see you or Shabra with any personal devices.' Renyke looked at Flex frowning. His confusion seemed to be mounting. 'It makes no sense, how can societies run efficiently…..’
‘Woa, what’s with the interrogation ….calm down…!’
Renyke took a breath, still looking to Flex for answers.'Well, see, this is the wild country my friend,' Flex answered, 'we don't have too much need for that stuff because that is how they catch you see.’
'Who catches you?' asked Renyke.
'Enemies of course. We have a motto in the zones, 'the watcher may win but the unseen succeeds. You gotta be invisible Renyke. They could be watching you right now, you know that? They could know exactly who you are and what you are up to.’
'Some of my POS isn't working,' explained Renyke, with a worried tone.
'Good,' said Flex, 'now let's get going’.
Maybeline jumped off Renyke's shoulder and stood on her hind legs twitching her whiskers towards the small boat.
Unsure if a droid could survive without a POS or in water, Renyke followed Flex's lead and they gently set the boat out into the waterway. 
The small sailboat was dwarfed by an expanse of open water with inlets and makeshift jetties that jutted from the coastline. There were remnants of industrial activity, torn and broken bridges, and old shipwrecks.
'What happened here?' Renyke asks, pointing at the knotted metal casings of old aircraft and skeletal flyovers. It looks like a war zone.’
'It was just that brother, a war zone. They left because of the gas and radiation, way back after the China-Russia wars killed everything off. Even the weeds stopped growing. It's OK now but they never came back to fix it. Not yet anyway, so the *urchs and *zoners made homes here.’
Renyke suddenly engages his arm extension and catches a fish. POS is unavailable so he asks Flex,
'Can I eat this? Is it safe?’
Flex raised an eyebrow.
'Man, you are fast, I didn't even see your hand move.’
A large fish is wriggling in Renyke's hand.
'Yes, we can eat the fish. Here, I will save it till we make……
Before Flex had a chance to mention a campfire, Renyke swallowed the f