Infinity Born

by Douglas E. Richards

  “As much fun as this is,” said Jordan. “We really do need to get down to business.”

  “Of course,” said O’Banion. “I’m just really enjoying having Riley in the fold.”

  “You two will have plenty of chances to chat later on,” said Jordan. “For now, I can’t even spare the time to give you details on what’s been happening. The short version is that my duplicate sacrificed himself, but not the way we’d planned. And there were many complications.”

  “I gathered,” said O’Banion dryly. “Last time I was here, there were no dead bodies lying around, and half of your people weren’t unconscious.”

  “Right,” said Jordan. “The plan backfired and it became a giant mess, but we’re through the worst part of it. My double was forced to go to maximum clock speed. He killed Volkov and his comrades here, but at an unimaginable personal cost. And Volkov insisted John come with him on his raid. We didn’t have time to create a duplicate, but John insisted on going forward, even knowing the risk he was taking. Volkov killed him, which wasn’t entirely surprising.”

  O’Banion frowned deeply. “How is Kristen taking it?”

  “There’s been no time to tell her yet. But they’ve both tested so many volunteers, they know better than anyone that there are no differences between originals and copies, even down to their sexual preferences. We’ll reanimate him from his last stored back-up as soon as we can. He’ll be back in our inner circle in no time. I have every confidence that Kristen will adjust just fine.”

  O’Banion nodded.

  Jordan made a show of surveying the entire group. “I know we’re all exhausted and we’ve been through a lot,” he began, “but we’re still vulnerable. I spoke with the lieutenant just after we landed. He’s convinced that Volkov would have reported everything he learned back to his superiors in Russia before coming here.”

  Riley turned to Carr. “Including the entire conversation we had with Jordan Two?” she asked him.

  “Yes,” replied the lieutenant. “Volkov considers himself the ultimate patriot, justifying his every cruelty as being necessary to restore the homeland to its full former glory. He wouldn’t take any chances with intel this important. He’d share it right away. Since he must have recorded everything his bug picked up, it would only take him a few seconds to send a copy to his superior.”

  “Which means what, exactly?” said Bram.

  “Which means the Russians know I’m alive,” said Jordan. “They know the location of this facility and what it contains. They know about Pock and whole brain emulation. Security is back up, but we need to abandon this ship. When the Russians don’t hear back from Volkov, who knows what kind of force they might send? They have some advanced technology specifically designed for operations against places like this, which I wasn’t aware of,” he added. “Very effective technology that lets them do more with fewer people.”

  “Shouldn’t you be able to evacuate this facility long before they’ll be ready to mount another operation?” asked Riley.

  “Not necessarily,” said her father. “We have over a hundred personnel and a thousand E-brains we have to move. That’s the easy part. The hard part will be relocating the bioprinting and whole brain emulation technology. It’s pretty hard-wired in.”

  “What’s your estimate?” asked Carr.

  “A few days,” said Jordan. “Leaving us vulnerable if the Russians act fast enough. I have a system of tunnels that lead to an underground facility I had constructed as a backup—this one under a mountain in New Mexico.”

  “You do seem to like making copies of stuff,” noted Riley.

  “Too bad you didn’t make copies of the bioprinting and emulation equipment,” said Bram.

  “We would have had to move it anyway, to be sure it didn’t fall into the wrong hands,” pointed out Jordan. “Anyway, we can disconnect the equipment and load it into the few trucks we have down here. The tunnels are drivable. Once everything has been relocated, I can collapse the tunnel entrances and hide their existence. We can destroy anything we’re forced to leave behind that might give the Russians a clue to our tech. Assuming they end up coming.”

  “Oh, they’ll be here all right,” said Carr. “It’s just a matter of when. And how many.” He paused. “But I thought about it during the tour, and I can help. I can make sure you have all the time you need for a proper evacuation.”

  “How?” asked Jordan.

  “I can bolster security and make sure the Russians can’t get near here until we’ve moved. Courtesy of the US military.”

  “Without the military knowing why they’re protecting this little slice of the world?” said Estrada skeptically.

  “Yes. I was sent on this mission by Troy Dwyer, and he gave me—”

  “Secretary of Defense Troy Dwyer?” interrupted Estrada, his tone incredulous.

  “Yes,” replied Carr. “And he gave me a blank check. He wanted me to work alone, and gave me codes to access whatever military resources I need to carry out my mission, no questions asked.”

  “Well, isn’t that nice,” said an impressed Roberto Estrada.

  “The only wrinkle,” said Carr, “is that I’ll have to come up with a creative tale to explain where I’ve been. After all, the last Dwyer knew, I was heading to meet with him and Melanie Yoder at Area 51 to deliver my prize prisoner, David Bram.” Carr grinned as he recalled how clueless he had been. “But I’m sure I can make something up to explain my absence. Not only that, but convince him that I’m making progress and need support to protect a hidden site that I’m mining for information. Bottom line is that if I need to, I can get a battalion to protect this area without needing to tell them what they’re protecting.”

  “Outstanding, Lieutenant!” said Jordan. “Can I take it then that you’ve decided to accept my offer? That you’ll be joining the team?”

  Carr took a deep breath. “Yes,” he replied. “You’ve made a persuasive case. But until I’m forced to break cover, there’s no reason to give Dwyer any indication that I’m not still in the fold.”

  “I agree,” said Jordan. “Are you also ready to have nanites injected so I can make a back-up of your consciousness?”

  Carr smiled. “Well, I can’t have you using my lack of a back-up as an excuse to take the lead on dangerous operations again.”

  Jordan laughed. “As great as that was,” he said, “I think I’ve had more than enough excitement to last me for a while. And I’m pretty sure you can find a blind man who can shoot better than me.”

  When Carr finished laughing, Jordan turned to his daughter with a hopeful but anxious look. “What about you, Riley? Have you decided what you want to do?”

  His daughter glanced at Bram. “What do you think, David?” she said. “Are you willing to sign up?”

  “Absolutely,” replied Bram without hesitation. “This is a chance to do truly momentous things. Besides,” he added with a grin, “no use continuing on in my old job. If I do reach a breakthrough, your father will just sabotage my work, anyway.”

  Riley nodded and turned her attention back to her father. “You’ve won me over . . . Dad,” she said. “I’ve decided to forgive you. I’ve decided I can trust you. And I’m willing and eager to join you. But I do have certain conditions I need you to meet.”

  “Anything,” said an ecstatic Isaac Jordan.

  “Don’t agree too quickly,” said Riley. “I have a feeling you aren’t going to like these conditions.”

  64

  Everyone in the conference room was intrigued to learn what Riley had in mind, none more so than her father.

  “You need to go public,” said Riley simply. “Not today. Not even this month. But soon.”

  Jordan looked as though he hadn’t heard correctly. He visibly gathered himself, deciding how best to respond. “I know you must have thought this through,” he began, “but I’m not understanding how this would be possible. I’ve stayed off the grid because I’m the most wanted man in America—at least I was when
people thought I was alive. Also, if it became known that I was behind the sabotage of worldwide ASI research efforts, a whole lot of powerful people and countries would be really . . . unhappy. In short, if I were to go public, every operative in the world would be coming after me.”

  “Won’t you have them coming after you, anyway?” said Riley. “With the intel Volkov provided to his superiors, we’ve already agreed that the Russians will be hunting for you until the end of time. But the secret will spread beyond Russia. I could be wrong, but I doubt a secret this good will keep.” She nodded at Carr. “Can you weigh in on this one, Cameron?”

  “I think you’re right,” he said. “At first it will just be rumors making their way to intelligence services around the world. To Black Ops groups. Wild legends, like the Fountain of Youth or the Lost City of the Incas. But the global intelligence community will have to take the rumors seriously. After all, they know the sabotage is real, and they’ll feel compelled to vigorously pursue all leads, regardless of how crazy they sound. Eventually, enough evidence will be uncovered for the myths to look more and more real.”

  Carr turned to Jordan. “So the public won’t know about you, but the most dangerous players in every corner of the world will. And like Riley said, they’ll be coming for you.”

  Jordan frowned, turning his focus back to his daughter. “And you think going public will get me out ahead of this?” he asked her. “Won’t it just accelerate it?”

  “I’m not insisting that you do this to get you out ahead of it,” said Riley. “I’m insisting that you do this because it’s the right thing to do. You played God in Turlock, and it could have ended with our extinction. Now you’re playing God again. And I agree with your motives and most of your decisions. But that doesn’t matter.

  “I realized at the mansion that I supported your vision wholeheartedly, but there was something about it that bothered me. During the helicopter ride here, I was finally able to put my finger on what. You’re making pivotal decisions about the future of humanity—all by yourself. Your agenda becomes mankind’s agenda. But this is too important for that, regardless of how talented you are. The future of humanity needs to be sorted out by the entire species. Collectively.”

  “Are you saying I should let the chips fall where they fall?” asked Jordan. “Allow ASI efforts to succeed?”

  “No. For the most part, I’m saying you should operate as you have been. Going public doesn’t mean you can’t stay in hiding. It means you have to stay in hiding. What I’m saying is that you first need to set the record straight about Turlock. Clear your name, at least to the extent that you can. Explain what you’ve been doing since—your vision for humanity.”

  “It’s too wild of a story,” said Jordan. “No one will believe me.”

  “For a very smart man, that’s a very dumb statement,” said Riley bluntly. “I came here despising you, not willing to give you the slightest benefit of the doubt. And you’ve convinced me. Your story makes sense. Explains everything. And will especially resonate with power players around the globe. They know someone is using impossibly advanced methods to sabotage ASI. Now they’ll know who. And why. And how. You can produce advanced technologies that will help the rest believe. You can demonstrate Pock’s capabilities and offer him up as a global resource. Allow access to anyone who wants to tap into him and get assistance. He can become Google or Watson times a thousand. You stopped his evolution short of sentience, but can I assume he still has the capacity to work with millions of people simultaneously?”

  Jordan nodded. “Billions of people.”

  “And here you are keeping him all to yourself,” said Riley, gently chiding him.

  “I agree with Riley,” said Carr. “When you explain in detail what happened in Turlock, your story will be believed.”

  “So you agree I should go public?” said Jordan.

  “I’m not sure,” replied Carr. “But Riley is making a lot of sense to me so far. Let’s see what else she has to say. And if she is able to convince you to go this route, I can help. I have access to the Secretary of Defense and the president. And also Melanie Yoder, the head of DARPA.”

  “I know Dr. Yoder by reputation,” said Jordan.

  “Trust me, you’d really like her. The point is that I can get them to agree to a long video meeting with you, one that you can make secure. You can tell them what you told us, and give them the same tour you’ve given us, only virtually. I’ll vouch for everything you say.”

  “Assuming they believe me,” said Jordan, “won’t they want to keep this to themselves? Knowledge is power, and military and government types like their secrets more than anyone.”

  Carr smiled. “You’re right about that. But they won’t have a choice. Spell it out for them and they’ll climb on board. I think we can even convince the president to pardon you if you’re willing to give all comers access to Pock.”

  The lieutenant paused. “But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s see where your daughter is going with this.” He waved a hand toward Riley. “Sorry to interrupt.”

  “Not at all,” said Riley. “To continue,” she added, now addressing her father once again, “once you’ve come clean about Turlock, your story will become the ultimate cautionary tale. People will know just how close we came to a runaway ASI, despite all precautions. This will throw cold water on most ASI efforts.”

  “Most,” agreed Jordan, “but not all.”

  “So you continue your work to stop the rest,” said Riley. “Just because they know you’re out there trying to stop them doesn’t mean they can do anything about it. According to Cameron, DARPA took every precaution to prevent sabotage, and you got to them anyway.

  “And you can even send out seed-ships like you’ve planned,” continued Riley, “to ensure a human future in case we do self-destruct. But you disclose everything. Whole brain emulation. Whole body bioprinting. Immortality. Your superior computer, to which you’ll provide universal access, like I said. You’ll just need to be sure Pock refuses to work on whole brain emulation so you keep this as a monopoly.”

  “I thought the point was for me not to have monopolies,” said Jordan.

  “You can have a monopoly on your technology,” said Riley. “Just not on the decisions of where to take this technology. Everyone will see the potential of mind transference and want it for themselves, dream of it being released. But they’ll also see the dangers. So you make it clear that you’ll be keeping the technology to yourself until the world achieves consensus on how to use it. If humanity can’t agree on how to move forward with this technology, then we move forward without it.”

  “Showing this off and then holding it back can’t be a good idea,” said Jordan. “I’d be better off wearing a suit of raw steak and entering a roomful of lions.”

  “You just have to be sure you’re smarter than the lions,” said Riley. “You’ll have to up your game to stay in hiding, for sure. Everyone will want what you have and will be hunting you. But you can set up systems so that if something bad happens to you, the technology and the recipes are destroyed forever. That should discourage the lions. Even if a fail-safe like this isn’t possible, I know you can make everyone believe that it is. Your track record is more than impressive enough to get away with any bluff.”

  “It will be risky and more difficult,” said Carr, “but I agree it will still be possible for you to stay in hiding. Every power player might want you, but every one of them will also be keeping an eye on the rest to make sure a rival doesn’t get to you first.”

  “A good point,” said Riley.

  “You’ve made lots of good points,” said her father. “But here is where you’ve lost me. You can’t get the nations of the world to agree that the sky is blue. So I can’t believe we’ll ever get a consensus on how to move forward with whole brain emulation.”

  “An absolute consensus wouldn’t be required,” said Riley. “But even so, you might be right. But so what? At minimum, we begin to have a gl
obal dialogue. About issues vital to the future of our species. Not about which reality TV star has the best bikini, but the essence of the human condition. The entire world will be thinking about this, talking about this. Should we use the technology at all? What rights should duplicates have? Should two copies of a person be allowed to exist at the same time? Ten? A thousand?

  “Or should none be allowed?” continued Riley. “Should it be an absolute law that duplicates are only made at the point of death?”

  “Which is my view, as you know,” said Jordan.

  “It may also be the consensus view,” said Riley. “Let’s find out. There are many more questions, as you know better than anyone. Should a person be able to transfer into a younger body? If so, will suicide be allowed to hasten a transfer? Will repeat criminals be allowed to have their consciousness transferred at death, or will violent felons only be allowed a single life?”

  “Do you really think the average man and woman will debate these kinds of issues?” asked Jordan.

  “Yes!” said Riley emphatically. “Are you kidding? When they come to understand what this technology can do, they will. With possible immortality on the line, they will. Once you’ve made it clear that you’ll only release it if humanity agrees on a set of ground rules, this will become the ultimate lure. If this can’t prompt a global debate, nothing will. Publish your results on human nature. Raise awareness of the myriad issues involved. Even if we never solve these issues, increased awareness will help us. Help us understand ourselves as a species. Raise awareness of dangers such as ASI. Help us to avoid these dangers. We’re too close to the tipping point to avoid having these discussions any longer. And you can make sure we have them.”

  Her father paused, deep in thought. Several meeting participants had yet to contribute to the conversation, but all were transfixed by it. “I guess having a grand vision runs in the family,” said Jordan finally. “I admire your perspective on this, Riley. But you do know that trying to get agreement on any of these issues will be worse than herding cats.”