“Possible but it has been decades since the last documented off-world cloning took place and I believe Telogene may have made significant progress toward solving that problem.”
“Based on what?” Dianne asked somewhat incredulously.
“I have no hard evidence but it is a reasonable conclusion given recent events. The Even Feldman cloned here is likely a control subject and there is likely another Evan Feldman on Mars, or more likely one of the orbiting stations that maintain near-Earth gravity.”
“But doesn’t flying him off the planet so quickly negate his value as a control then?”
“Possibly, and certainly from a long-term study perspective. But given their apparent timeline, it is unlikely that they planned to keep him here for more than a few weeks.”
“But why now? Why did they restore Evan now and why are they in such a hurry to abandon their lives here?”
“The most obvious answer is that the rate of adverse human mutation is accelerating.”
“So, they are abandoning their bodies before they’re affected?”
“That would be a reasonable conclusion but I suspect that they are equally afraid of the destabilization of government that will occur as panic spreads throughout the general population.
“How much time do we have?”
“Based on my calculations, greater than 90 percent of all humans in this solar system will be dead within a decade, with 99 percent dead within fifteen years.”
“What about a cure? Isn’t it possible that someone will figure out how to stop this?”
“Unlikely since your scientist have yet to identify the root cause and you lack the technology to rewrite the human genome on a mass scale even if you find it. Your only hope is that some portion of the population does not carry the destructive genes.”
“So, you’re saying we have to let nature take its course then?”
“Essentially, yes.”
“And what does that look like? I'm sure you’ve modeled that scenario.”
“I have performed an initial assessment but a complete model will not be possible for some time.”
“What are you missing?”
“I need to know the number of people who have a natural immunity and will remain unaffected by genetic mutation to calculate when the last affected person will die, leaving only those that are immune to continue the species. The good news, if you can call it that, is that the declining birth rates mean fewer humans will be born with the inherited genetic defects that cause the mutations, which reduces that amount of time required to determine the natural survival rate.”
“So, you’re saying that this thing will eventually burn itself out, like the plague or the flu.”
“Yes. Although, unlike the plague or flu, I do not believe the root cause is bacterial or viral. This appears to be a defect inside the human genome itself, and we do not yet understand what activated it.”
Dianne leaned back in her leather chair to consider Christian's words. His analysis accurately reflected what the GFN scientists had told her earlier in the day, but there was still something missing. Lily and Gbadamosi had to know there was no guarantee that their clones would survive on Gaia. And, even if they have solved the dislocation problem, there is a strong chance that their DNA carries the mutation defect.
“What happens when they get to Gaia?” She asked.
“Unknown.”
“Well, surely they have a plan to restore themselves when they get there. The report I saw on Kutanga said that it lacks sufficient habitat area and food production facilities to sustain more than a dozen people for any amount of time.”
“Agreed,” Christian replied.
“So, how do they do it? They either have to solve the mutation problem or transfer their engrams to synthetics, neither of which appears possible.”
“I would say the latter is most likely. The amount of organic storage and processing power on that ship is substantial and I see no reason why they could not use a hybrid storage model. It is theoretically possible to store personality engrams, recent memories and key abilities in an autonomous storage system while maintaining old memories and other less relevant information in an external storage array. I function quite effectively using that model.”
“So, you think that’s their plan?”
“Perhaps initially, but the ability to reproduce biologically would be critical to the long-term growth and sustainment of the population.”
“So, what then, use synthetics to build the basic infrastructure and restore the first clones?”
“That would be a reasonable assumption. Using current accelerated growth methods, it would take less than three years to produce sufficient adult bodies to house the colony’s first generation—probably no more than one hundred individuals. Assuming adequate facilities, it would take them less than a decade to produce enough bodies for everyone else.”
“But that still doesn’t explain what they intend to use for their DNA source. What about old DNA? Say from before the war. Any chance that would work?”
“Doubtful. As I said, my analysis indicates that something has triggered a dormant portion of human DNA which, if correct, means that the mutations are being caused by a genetic sequence that exists within the human genome and not some outside agent.”
“Okay, but would it be possible to use human DNA if they find the mutation trigger?”
Christian sat silent for a minute while he accessed his remote storage and processing facilities.
“That question assumes a single causal factor,” he said. “But, given that this defect has lain dormant within the human genome for centuries—and perhaps even millennia, it is reasonable to conclude that it would remain dormant in absence of any triggering factors or events.”
“Do you think they have a cure, or at least know the trigger and are withholding it?”
“Possible but unlikely. It is more likely that they are hoping to discover it during their journey, or sometime after arrival but before they begin mass restoration of the colonists. The use of synthetic bodies would give them decades, and possibly even hundreds of years, to perform the necessary research and testing.”
“But you could be wrong. Maybe they have a cure and plan on using it as a bargaining chip?”
“I would require more information to determine which is the most likely scenario.”
“So, what do I do, Christian? Try to stop them or let them go?”
“I am sorry but I have no information to aid you in that decision. I can only tell you that, as of now, you have only a nineteen percent chance of preventing their escape.”
“That’s discouraging. Anything I can do to improve my chances?”
“Only if you can disable the Kutanga or otherwise prevent it from leaving our solar system before they launch. There is no scenario in which their plan succeeds without that ship.”
“And no chance they have another one?”
“No, ma’am. It took every resource they had at their disposal to build this one. It is improbable that there is another one in any stage of construction and no chance that another one has been completed.”
“What about Endeavor, could it be modified?”
“No, ma’am. At best it could sustain a small crew, perhaps 30 individuals, for five to seven years if all available cargo space was converted to fuel and food storage. That is nowhere near enough for them to survive the trip to Alpha Centauri.”
“And with a synthetic crew?”
“It’s possible, but the Endeavor lacks the organic storage space and redundant power systems required to ensure the integrity of thousands of engramic archives.”
“And in a worst-case scenario? If they were desperate?”
“Endeavor is too small, they would have to choose between fuel or supplies. If they optimized the cargo space for fuel and organic storage systems, I estimate they could take less than five percent of the supplies required to ensure the success of their colony. Of course, they may get lucky a
nd find adequate sources of helium-3 during their journey, which would reduce the amount of fuel they would need to carry. And, if they are exceptionally fortunate, they may find that their new planet provides easy access to all the raw materials they need but that would be a huge risk.”
“Alright, Christian. Thank you, you’ve been very helpful.”
“It is my pleasure, ma’am. With your permission, I would like to resume my analysis once I’ve seen to Agent Wu’s memory scan.”
“Granted. Please let me know if you learn anything new.”
Christian stood up, nodded and walked through the double doors leading to the reception area outside of Dianne’s office.
Dianne established a communication link with Captain Bachmann. She had canceled their five o’clock because there was nothing to discuss but she had told him she would call him when she was ready.
He answered immediately. “Madame Secretary, what can I do for you?”
“I’m ready to meet now. Can you please come up to my office?”
“Of course, I’ll be right there.”
The call disconnected, and the holodisplay faded away. Dianne leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. It would be another long night, and she couldn’t take more stimulants for at least another twenty-four hours.
A few minutes later the Captain appeared in her office doorway. Dianne stood up from her chair and grabbed a few things off her desk before pointing at her private elevator.
“Come, Captain, let’s chat on the ride home.”
Bachmann followed her into the elevator.
“So, what did Christian say?” he asked.
“A lot but not much we didn’t already know or at least suspect.”
“Anything we can use?”
“That depends on you and your team, Captain. Will Commander Wilkes follow your orders without question?”
“You don’t get to be in her position by not following orders!”
“Good. Because I think you will have to cancel her Martian vacation before it starts.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Garage,” she said to the elevator before responding to his question. “Wait until we’re in the car.”
The elevator doors hissed shut, and the two rode in silence down to the garage level. A few seconds later Dianne’s hovercar pulled up, and the door swung open. Neither passenger said anything until the car was humming down the streets of Zurich toward Dianne’s apartment.
“Do you know how to disable a gravity pulse drive?” she finally asked.
CHAPTER 28
APRIL 5, 2075 10:31 PM GST
Galileo Cargo Vessel Endeavor
Planetary Orbit, Mars
Evan sat on the plush synthetic leather recliner next to Chen and Yin, watching intently as an orbital view of Mars slowly rotated in the air above them. Unable to sleep and just plain tired of sitting in their acceleration pods, Evan and Chen decided to explore the ship. They ran into Yin in the hall outside of engineering and she suggested they join her and Adee in the forward observation lounge for a virtual tour of Mars and its surrounds.
Adee had spent the last twenty minutes pointing out various landmarks, including Telogene’s research facility and The Galileo Group’s headquarters. They were both located both in Kepler City, which has the distinctions of being the capital of Mars and the largest city on Mars, with over 50,000 inhabitants.
To Evan, the 360-degree views of space afforded by the dome-shaped walls and ceiling of the observation lounge were a little too realistic for his taste. He had to remind himself that he was looking at holograms and that there were several meters of metal and plastic between him and the vacuum of space. Closing his eyes helped fend off the occasional bout of nausea.
Although Evan had understood that Mars was their final destination, Adee had shared that they were now bound for Ceres—a small dwarf planet near the Asteroid Belt that served as The Galileo Group's primary shipyard and mining operations center. They were orbiting Mars just long enough to pick up some passengers but they couldn't stay because the Peacekeepers from Luna were only a few hours behind them.
Endeavor was orbiting Mars at a distance of 2100 kilometers and a speed of 92,000 kilometers per hour, which meant they were circling Mars once every fifteen minutes. The inbound shuttle had left the surface of Mars thirty minutes ago and was accelerating hard to catch the Endeavor. It would dock sometime in the next fifteen minutes and Adee was wrapping up his virtual tour so he could greet the new arrivals.
“So, there you have it,” Adee concluded. “What do you think, Evan?”
“Pretty impressive, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come in the last fifty years. And my God, Adee, you’ve built a veritable empire out here!”
Adee laughed. “I am not sure I would call it an empire but, yes, The Galileo Group is an impressive operation. It has taken decades to build and I certainly couldn’t have done it without the help of a lot of smart and very brave people.”
“I’d like to hear the story of how you got started sometime. I bet you have some great stories to tell!”
“Please don’t get him started,” Yin said as she stood up from her chair. “Once he starts he’s likely not to stop!”
Adee shrugged. “Oh, Yin, always the killjoy. Evan asked and who am I to disappoint him? He has fifty years of catching up to do!”
Yin walked over to Adee and looped her arm through his. “Yes he does but I believe our guests will be here soon. You can regale Evan with your tales of conquering space later. Shall we?”
“Of course, my dear, you’re right. We should go,” Adee said, accepting her arm in his. “I am sorry, Evan but we must save the stories for later. You can stay here a little longer but I need you back in your pods at eleven sharp. We will make the jump for Ceres at ten minutes after. Chen, you’ll see to him?”
“Absolutely,” Chen replied.
Adee nodded. “Very well then, I will see you after the jump.”
He and Yin strolled arm and arm through the sliding door into the hallway beyond.
Evan turned back to Chen. “What’s that about?”
“You mean Yin?”
“Yeah, they seem very cozy together.”
“They used to date years ago. They have apparently rekindled their relationship.”
“How do they know each other?”
“I am not exactly sure of the details but Yin lived on Mars for a few years and my understanding is that she met Adee at a bar in Kepler City.”
“How long have you known Adee?”
“Oh, let’s see…probably twenty or so years. Why?”
“Just curious. It seems like you've been planning this—whatever this is—for quite some time.”
“What do you mean, Evan?”
“Well, I had the craziest dreams while I was sleeping between jumps and they got me thinking.”
“What kind of dreams?”
“The very realistic kind. I dreamt that Christina, and I were at the beach with Lily. Lily was probably three years old and I swear that I was actually there. I could feel them in my arms, I could smell the salt air and I felt the sand and water slosh through my toes as we ran down the beach.”
“Well, that sounds normal and a very nice dream at that. Does it concern you for some reason?”
“Not by itself, but when I woke up I tried to remember other things about my life and couldn’t.”
“Like what?”
“Like lots of things. Like I can’t remember my mother and father’s faces. Like I can’t remember my first kiss or even when I met Christina. I know that I am a doctor and have several advanced degrees but I can’t remember even a single day of going to school, even as a child. In fact, I don’t seem to remember much of anything before the age of thirty. Is it normal to be able to remember a day at the beach forty years…I mean…what year is it again?”
“2075.”
Evan thought about that for a minute. “So, then it was almost a hundred years
ago. Well, ninety years, I guess. Lily was born in 1985, which…dear God, that makes me 125 years old!”
Chen leaned forward and put his hand on Evan’s shoulder. “Relax Evan, you’re fine. Having extremely vivid and realistic memories is an artifact of the engramic transfer procedure. To the cells of your brain, your memories were just created two days ago, and it's normal that they will feel like they just happened.”
“So, what about all the stuff I can’t remember.”
Chen leaned back in his chair. “That’s a little more complicated.”
“How so?”
“You must remember that yours were among the first engrams mapped and archived—and several years after you died at that. It was only possible because you had the foresight to put yourself into cryogenic suspension immediately after death. Your brain and memories were well preserved but, unfortunately, the cryogenic storage facilities available to you were not as advanced as those we have now. It was inevitable that some cellular deterioration would occur.”
“So, you’re saying I can’t remember a big part of my life because of post-mortem decay?”
“No, not exactly. All of your brain structures and neural pathways were intact.”
“So, what are you saying then?”
“I am saying that your engrams were in storage for a very long time before we attempted to restore you. Longer than what’s ever been tried before, in fact.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Think about it this way: You died and entered cryogenic suspension in December of 2023 but the first engramic archive performed on a deceased human…you…didn’t happen until almost ten years later—in November 2033.”
“But they didn't try to restore me?”
“No, the technology wasn’t ready yet. Your body and engramic archive were stored in the Kansas City facility until the New Madrid quake leveled the place…along with most of the Midwest. Thankfully, they had a copy of your engrams stored at a backup facility in Colorado Springs. Are you with me so far?”
Restoration Page 25
