Da Vinci's origins: Where is the real Leonardo?

Is the path to the stars hidden in a tomb on Earth? A group of Italian scientists are planning to exhume Leonardo da Vinci's remains. For some, this provides an opportunity to reflect on what happened back then ...

Sharain tapped impatiently with his long, slender fingers on the shiny, polished metal tabletop. Suddenly, he raised his head and fixed the approaching man with an intense gaze. The man looked uncomfortably at the floor, trying to avoid Sharain's gaze.

Sharain motioned to the chair in front of the table with an authoritative gesture. Faruth quickly complied with the request, but kept his eyes down, waiting in a state of visible tension.

'Well?' The word came in a calm but unmistakably urgent tone. Sharain had no intention of making things easier for his counterpart by asking questions. He waited.

'Initiator', Faruth began hesitantly. 'You know about the matter and its urgency. There have been ... well, mistakes have been made.' The man had uttered these words in a stutter. But now, as if he had overcome an obstacle, he raised his head and looked Sharain in the eye. Sharain stared at him expectantly, not yet willing to let him off the hook so easily. Although he wasn't responsible for the past mistakes, but as head of the science department, Faruth should have discovered this outrageous carelessness. At least, that was how the Initiator saw it.

'Initiator Sharain, as you know, it has been a long time since this experiment was conducted. At that time, I had just been appointed to the scientific corps and was unaware of the leaders' affairs.' Sharain nodded briefly, leaning forward slightly without looking away. 'Continue, Dr Faruth', he stated coldly.

The scientist searched desperately for a way to begin explaining the complex situation. He wasn't sure how many details he could share with Sharain. The Initiator was an educated man who held one of the highest ranks in the executive branch, but he was not a scientist. Presumably, he was more interested in the process than the details.

But that was precisely something that Faruth himself did not know much about. He cleared his throat and continued. 'Some of our kind had already been infiltrated, and with considerable success. In theory, the planet was a natural model for success, given the existing conditions. After a few strange evolutionary detours, one species emerged and evolved rapidly. We observed this with great interest because, as you probably know, this world is very different from all the others. Unlike the other young worlds, its development took a very unusual path.'

While Faruth was explaining this, he had been looking at the artwork on the walls. Now, however, he looked over at Sharain to see if he was bored or impatient. The Initiator, however, was paying close attention, although he remained very focused.

'Actually, the population split into different groups and developed separately. We know this from other worlds with different climatic conditions, but the differences only affect external characteristics resulting from optimal adaptation to the environment. Variable sizes and skin colours are the result. But this world surprised us all because different cultures evolved that differed in a striking way. They developed in different time zones without realising it. It was as if people from different eras were living in the same world. The scientists were fascinated by this. This research planet soon gained special status. However, the researchers' favourite object was very often in danger of becoming depopulated. The inhabitants were aggressive and fought each other constantly. Development stalled several times, so we intervened by ... well, by introducing genetic material.'

'I am aware of that, Dr Faruth!' The Initiator's voice sounded slightly irritated. 'Despite many experts issuing warnings, native women were fertilised with genetically modified sperm. This information was anchored in the genetic material and would, sooner or later, be passed on to the children born there. You hoped to repair the broken chain of development by inserting a new link.' His eyes, with their large golden irises, now looked impatient.

Faruth hurried to continue: 'The species that ruled there was very similar in appearance to ours, so only minor genetic adjustments were required, primarily cosmetic ones. This led to effective inventions in areas where the population was threatened with extinction. It would have taken them much longer to start domesticating the animals. Time was too short, so gentle intervention was necessary. And we did so whenever it became necessary.'

Sharain raised an eyebrow and smiled coldly, adding: 'Or whenever you thought it was necessary.'

Faruth nodded in agreement. 'We encapsulated the genetic material so that it would not mix with the natives' matrix. With a little ... nudging on our part, the natives developed very well – if not ethically, then at least scientifically. Until it came to a complete standstill.'

'According to the reports, this was the period known as the Middle Ages, wasn't it?'

Faruth was surprised at how well informed the Initiator was. 'Yes. During this period, intellectual regression affected everything. This was essentially triggered by a new kind of spirituality that sought salvation in ignorance and banned scientific research outright. Before a global recession set in, we intervened one last time. We created a genius who was brilliant in all areas and was ahead of his time. He was to have enough fighting spirit to challenge the fearful sages of his time and combat the spiritual darkness alongside them. And it worked.'

'Oh yes, Faruth, it succeeded! And how it succeeded! His name was famous in his day – and throughout the ages until now. Development has been racing ahead since the time of his work. Now, Faruth, they're getting dangerously close to us, aren't they? Those ridiculous little hoppers with their fuel disasters, which they use in space, will soon expand to interstellar travel. If their scientists can read the trail that his matrix leaves behind, which is as wide as the tail of a supernova, then they will come very close indeed. – You have violated the code of your guild, Faruth! You did not take security seriously enough! You overslept the development of your toy!'

Sharain had become louder and had half risen from his chair, as if he wanted to jump at the scientist. Faruth lifted his hands defensively.

'There's no need to assume the worst, Initiator. There are no signs of any real problems, even if we haven't replaced the body.'

'Faruth, wake up! The inhabitants of the blue planet are at least as obsessed with research as you and your corps. Their thirst for knowledge extends in all directions, including into the past. The exact path to the stars and to us lies in that tomb on Earth because you failed to exchange the body. The real Leonardo is buried there. If anyone gets the idea to explore the tomb – by all the gods, Faruth – we won't be able to stop them. Your helpless subjects discovered genetic engineering long ago, Faruth. And you overlooked it!'

© 'Da Vinci's origins: Where is the real Leonardo?': A short story by Pressenet (translated by Izabel Comati), 11/2025. Image credit: Leonardo da Vinci, CC0 (Public Domain Licence).