Athena’s stress-app did not detect even the slightest bit of anxiousness in the demeanor of the famous doctor. She appeared calm and completely in control, like a Frida Kahlo self-portrait.
“Perhaps another time,” answered the captain, curtly. “We just need to get some details straight. Also, I am required to inform you that we’ll be streaming this conversation back to the PSHQ. If at any time you need to say something off the record, please let us know in advance.”
Grace chuckled. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”
At the door, an intern appeared. “Dr. Antares?”
“Yes,” replied the doctor with a wave of her hand. “Could you please bring us three sweet cakes? Thank you.” Grace turned to Captain Bell. “You can be all business if you wish, madam, but I have been working since 7AM, and I make it a point to never pass up on a perfectly good opportunity to indulge in a treat.”
The doctor smiled in Athena’s direction, partially covering her mouth with her hand. “Don’t worry,” she teased, “if Captain Grumpy doesn’t want her cake, that will mean more for us.” She flashed a disarming, grandmotherly smile at Athena who blushed in reciprocation.
“At what time,” interrupted Valerie, growing impatient, “did you first notice that the Lazarus Genome had been stolen?”
“Now honestly, officer,” Grace pshawed. “I know that you did not come all the way down here just to ask me that.”
“Ma’am, please?” the captain pressed. “At what time, did you first notice the genome had been stolen?”
“I don’t know. Do you need an exact time? I’d guess it was, oh, about eight o’clock on Sunday night?” Grace shrugged her shoulders. “If you need a more exact time, I can go through my recordings. But — Captain Bell, was it? — You and I both know you already have this information on file. Let’s talk about why you’re really here.”
The intern returned with a delicate metal tray containing three of the most delicious-looking cakes Athena had ever seen. They were vanilla swirl at the base, crumbled muffin on top, and drizzled in a fruity glaze. Immediately, Grace grabbed one. Athena hesitated at first, but after some more urging, joined in herself. She was not disappointed. The cake tasted as moist as a milkshake. Its molecules tickled every sugar receptor on her tongue.
Defiantly, Captain Bell refused the invitation to partake.
“Mmmm,” gasped Athena. “This topping is delicious. What flavor is it?”
“It’s an apple compote," replied Grace with a devilish smile, “just like the fruit from the tree of knowledge.” She licked the last remnants of glaze from her finger-tips, and closed her eyes to savor the flavor. “Now, where were we?…oh yes. You are here because you want to know who I think stole the genome. Or at least who among us at Helix could have helped to steal it. Our encryption software is formally verified, so one of us scientists must have aided in the theft. Isn’t that right, officer?”
Captain Bell appreciated getting to the chase, even if she preferred to lead. “And?” the captain replied. “Which one of your employees was complicit in this crime? Who here has been nosing around where she does not belong? Who has a reason to hurt you or to derail the project?”
“Officer, please. The 400 women who work in this lab are some of the brightest, most virtuous women found anywhere on earth. I hand-picked each and every one of them to work for me. I simply cannot imagine that one of them would seek to undermine our efforts.”
Captain Bell flashed her patented eye-roll. “Whether you can imagine it or not, doctor, you have been betrayed. Or maybe you’re right…?” She teased along the accusation by cocking her head to one side. “Maybe no one here would dream of betraying you. Maybe they were only following orders when they stole the genome. Orders which came from someone like…you?” For an extra second, her lips held open the insinuating expression of her final syllable.
Privately, Athena wondered if Captain Bell really did think that Grace had something to do with the theft. Or was this just interviewing gamesmanship? Paying close attention to the app on her display, Athena noted that despite the aggressive line of questioning, the doctor exhibited none of the signs of physiological discomfort. She appeared as calm and relaxed as a Buddhist monk.
“Captain Bell,” Grace replied, “you have your job, and I have mine. I do not solve crimes. I create possibilities. If you and your team are having trouble figuring out how our encryption software was hacked, then perhaps you should consult with Public Safety and ask that they replace you with someone who can?”
The doctor pushed her lev-chair away from the desk. She tapped her fingers together in front of her face. “The Lazarus Project has long been controversial. We have always had opponents. Perhaps it’s possible that, over the years, a new technology has emerged which has rendered our encryption obsolete. Frankly, officer, you should be posing these questions to someone like Mirza Khan, not trying to get me off-balance with your heavy-handed innuendo.”
That name sounded unfamiliar to Athena, but a mini-biography automatically appeared on her display.
Mirza Khan
b. May 28th, 2038 in Damascus
Immigrated to the NAU in 2060.
Named chairwoman of Women First in 2090.
Staunch public opponent of Project Lazarus.
Calmly, Captain Bell issued her reply. “A crime has been committed, doctor, and everyone is a suspect. Including you. My job — and Public Safety has been very happy with my performance to date — is to investigate any and all possibilities. Ms. Khan will get her turn to defend herself. This is yours.”
“Defend myself?” Grace laughed. “We are on the same side, officer.”
The doctor split the third, remaining sweet cake in two and handed half to Athena. “You’ve asked me if I think we have a traitor in our midst. I don’t know. Maybe we do, but I am not aware of her. Eve handles most of the administrative duties around here. Let’s set up a time for you to speak with her.” She took a large bite of her cake and licked her lips.
Another mini-biography automatically appeared on Athena’s display.
Dr. Evelyn Kirilov
b. December 20th, 2023 in Moscow
Immigrated to the NAU in 2043.
Graduated with an M.D. from Northwestern in 2049.
Co-Founded Helix in 2056. Currently the Helix COO.
An awkwardness descended as all three ladies waited for someone else to speak. Grace ended up being the one to break the silence. “I believe Eve is out today,” she explained, “but I’ll make sure she clears her schedule for tomorrow. What time would be better for you? Morning? Or Afternoon? I know Dr. Kirilov is as eager as I am to see that genome safely recovered.”
“We’re booked tomorrow morning,” replied Valerie. “If Dr. Kirilov can be available in the afternoon, that would be preferred. Say, one o’clock?”
“Excellent,” Grace cheered. “Consider it done.”
Separate from the outside chatter, Athena observed the doctor closely, almost enviously. She imagined herself being the one with long white hair and a string of worthy accomplishments to her name. She fantasized about looking into a mirror and seeing Grace’s face staring back at her.
In that mental image, she smiled at her imagined reflection, growing fond of her weathered features and soft wrinkles. Then, suddenly, the reflected-image transformed itself. A thick beard sprouted out of her face and neck. Her nose expanded, and her brow thickened. Buffalo hides appeared all over her body. Staring back at her from the mirror, with a gaze as pitiless as the sun, was a man.
“Athena. The truth is in the library,” he warned in his deep voice. “You must find the truth to save her.”
Athena shrieked.
“Are you alright, Ms. Vosh?” Grace asked, her face genuinely concerned. She stood up from her chair and rushed over to touch Athena by the shoulder. The physical presence of her hand shook the gray-eyed girl back into reality.
“Yes,” replied Athena, gasping. “Sorry. I'm fine. It was n
othing,” she lied. “I was just watching a recording on my display. Please, let’s continue.”
Captain Bell flashed an annoyed sideways glance, but otherwise maintained her focus on Dr. Antares. “Was it viable?” she pressed.
“Pardon?”
“The Lazarus Genome? Could whoever stole it use it to make a man?”
Grace paused uncomfortably and eased back into her chair. “No,” she answered. “Unfortunately, it is a matter of public record that we haven’t quite gotten that far yet.”
A smug expression came over Captain Bell’s pale face. Dismissively, she crossed her legs and leaned back. “So, let me get this straight, doctor. You’re telling me that for four years, this Project Lazarus of yours has been unable to produce anything viable. And now, even your failed attempts are being mysteriously stolen? Is that an accurate description of what’s happened here?”
The stress app may not have been able to detect any signs of discomfort, but Grace’s face was starting to lose its kind, grandmotherly glow. It frowned sincerely in a way that it had not before. It stared directly back at its interrogator. “Ms. Bell, do not patronize me. The Y-Fever was perniciously engineered to kill in twenty-six different ways. Addressing every method of its infection has proved more challenging than anyone suspected.”
“I’m sure it’s quite difficult,” interrupted Athena in earnest, “and that you’re doing everything you can.”
“Thank you, Ms. Vosh,” Grace sighed, “but it’s true that we have failed to meet expectations.” Wistfully, the doctor stared into the air. “Perhaps, if we’d taken a different path at the beginning, there might have been a better way to engineer a cure, but…” She trailed off.
In the ensuing silence, while still recovering from her obtrusive vision, Athena’s gaze again found the bookcase of religious texts. She recalled the deeper details of her dream and remembered the title printed upon the library’s burning book: Original Sin is Real.
“Dr. Antares?” she asked. “I noticed your library over there…” She nodded toward the stacks of literature. “That seems like a bit of an odd collection for a woman in your position, don’t you think? Haven't science and religion always been at odds?”
Grace laughed. “My dear, just because evolution is real, and just because the earth is more than 5,000 years old, does not mean that we shouldn’t treat one another as we would like to be treated.” The doctor wet her lips. “Nobody gets everything right. Especially not us scientists. What matters is getting the really important things right. For instance, do you know what all those religions have in common?”
Athena shook her head.
“Compassion,” declared Grace firmly. “At their heart, each of those faiths is about trying to instill compassion. They’re all trying to teach that it is better to trust and forgive one another — to be kind — than to carry on with bitter plans of revenge. And kindness, I think, is an idea that even us scientists can get behind. Don't you?”
For a moment, Athena paused, readying her next question. “What about original sin?” she asked. “The idea that people, even young children, are not born innocent, but rather are born flawed, corrupted at birth by original sin? Do you have anything to say about that? Where is the kindness and compassion in that?”
The lower half of Grace’s jaw turned to the side, as she slowly rocked her head. Her eyes focused for a moment on Athena in a way that they had not before, almost suspiciously. However, only a moment later, the look was gone, and her warm smile had returned. She cleared her throat. “Yes, well, my dear. Perhaps, both science and religion still have some ways to go in their search for truth—”
“Riiiiight,” interrupted Captain Bell, “as much as I would just love to get into a deep theological discussion right now…we have a genome to find.” She turned toward Athena. “I think this interview has run its course. It’s time to go.”
Captain Bell rose from her chair and motioned for her protégé to do the same. Instinctively, Athena complied. They began to head for the door, but stopped just before it.
“Oh, and uh, doctor,” the captain remarked, “I almost forgot, there’s just one more thing…I noticed from your lab’s food logs that you and your top lieutenants all had a tomato and mozzarella insalata caprese for lunch on the day of the theft. How did it taste?”
It wasn’t much, only a few accelerated heartbeats; but it was enough to make Athena’s display light up.
Dr. Antares’ is experiencing the symptoms of physiological stress
“I…uh…surely I don’t recall…” Grace stammered. “I think it was…uh…good? Yes, quite good.”
“Excellent,” Valerie grinned, trying to stifle her rush of joy. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
For a moment, Captain Bell and Dr. Antares each stared silently at one another. Their eyes danced a game of cat and mouse.
Grace’s heart slowed itself back down. “I could send over the recipe for that salad if you’d like?”
“Please, would you?” the captain smiled.
“Of course. I’ll have one of my interns send it your way immediately.” Dr. Antares turned in Athena’s direction. “And you Ms. Vosh…It was so nice to meet you.”
“It was an honor to meet you,” gushed Athena.
“Yes, yes, a pleasure all around,” declared the captain. “We can show ourselves out.”
On their way down to the first floor, Athena received a notification for an incoming, encrypted message. The sender showed as Captain Bell. The message read:
If that woman had nothing to do with the theft of her own genome, then I am the Queen of England.
The NAU Times
July 13th, 2080
WHO Confirms an End to Global Poverty/World Hunger
Geneva, EU — (AP) — Earlier today, census data confirmed that both global poverty and world hunger have been officially eliminated from Planet Earth. The feat has been largely attributed to a combination of generous Citizen’s Benefits (monthly stipends paid to all the residents of the world’s eleven countries) and the increased productivity brought about by technological automation.
World Health Organization Chief, Sylvia Cho, announced the findings in a large press conference held this morning at the Jet d’Eau. The following is a brief excerpt of her remarks:
“This struggle has been a long road. During the chaos and tumult of the fifties, I don’t think that anyone would have dared to hope that this day of peace and prosperity might come. Let our success here serve for the rest of time as a shining beacon of what womankind can achieve when everyone comes together to solve a problem as one.”
Large celebratory banquets have been planned around the globe in honor of the historic achievement. Swipe right to find the banquet closest to you.
The Affiliated Press of the European Union contributed to this story.
Neighborhood Committee Activities
for the week of June 7 - June 13
Social Calendar for the Algonquin Forest Zone
June 7: Moose Ride, 15:00
June 8: Adventure Hike, 12:00
June 9: Lakeside BBQ, 19:00
June 10: Bird-Watching, 12:00
June 11: Pottery Class, 15:00
June 12: Dance Competition, 19:00
June 13: Water-Skiing, 12:00
June 9, 2099
19
Back at the cabin, Nomi splayed out across the living-room couch. Her eyes followed the shadow of Athena’s GPS dot as it traveled through a holographic three-dimensional projection of the Helix skyscraper. Her stomach churned.
“Good afternoon, Nomi,” Aasha interrupted. “Would you like me to print a new outfit for you for tonight? For the neighborhood barbecue?”
“No thanks,” sighed Nomi. “I don’t think I’ll be going out tonight. I just want to have a quiet dinner at home.”
“Of course.”
Tapping her finger into the air, Nomi clicked on the folder that held the entirety of her past recordings. With a swipe of her hand,
she spun through an enormous catalog of watchable memories. When she had found the one she wanted, she raised up her hand to signal ‘stop.’ With a flick of her wrist, the chosen recording began playing on the nearby 3D.
Nomi James’ Memory File Recorded May 12th, 2099
FADE IN:
EXT. LAKESIDE BBQ - NIGHT
In the woods of northern Algonquin, a group of forty gather to celebrate good food and good weather.
ZOOM IN ON:
EXT. A SINGLE PICNIC TABLE
Half-finished plates cover a red and white cross-hatched table cloth. Alone at the table, the impossibly clean and beautiful ATHENA VOSH sits next to the impossibly messy NOMI JAMES, her face covered in BBQ grease.
NOMI
Hey, babe. Can you pass me that KC special sauce over there?
ATHENA
Why? What are you going to do with it?
NOMI
I’m going to use it to responsibly season my food, of course.
ATHENA
Oh, yeah? Is that so? I thought you were just going to cut out the middle woman and smear it all over your face?
Nomi leans across Athena, slowly, sexily. She grabs the sauce that was just out of reach and eases back into her chair.
NOMI
See, now that wasn’t so hard, was it?
ATHENA
Careful. If you press up against me like that again I’m going to tell Ms. Fletcher that I don’t feel comfortable here.
Nomi turns her head to —
THE FIRE PIT
MS. FLETCHER, dressed like a Catholic school teacher and carrying a scowl to match, talks with a group of other guests. Nomi turns her head back to Athena.
NOMI
Now, babe, surely we don’t need to involve her. That woman is too scary. Isn’t there something I can do here to make you feel more comfortable?
ATHENA
Nnnn Mmmm. I don’t think so. I’m getting quite nervous.
NOMI
Not even this?
Nomi takes the bottle of KC special sauce and squeezes it onto Athena’s face, giving her a twisting mustache.
Athena's Choice Page 9
