Looking around, Josh finishes with, “It’s an honor to work with all of you again. Please be careful.”
As everyone heads out, Jessica, Greg and Josh stay behind.
Jessica pulls out the nano-drone box.
Josh asks, “I assume you’re both gamers?”
They nod.
“Have either of you flown sports drones?”
They both shake their heads no.
“Ok, as the resident test pilot and past instructor pilot, I’ll give it a go first.”
Jessica opens the box and with a wry smile, presents it to Josh. “Your fighter, sir.”
Greg hands him a VR headset and adds, “And your flight helmet.”
Josh gives them the two-finger engine start signal. “Light it up.”
Greg initializes the nano-drone to the VR headset.
Josh slips the headset on and picks up the video game controller. Gently, he brings the nano-drone up to a wobbly hover.
Jessica reminds him, “This is the only one we got.”
Greg says, “Don’t worry. He’s an awesome pilot.”
He hears Greg whisper, “But watch his landings.”
The flight response is different from any aircraft he’s ever flown and even odd compared to sports drones he’s played with. It feels like flying through thick but slippery air. As he gets a feel for it, he’s able to stabilize it in a hover. Then he starts flying it in circles, followed quickly by climbs and dives. “Ok, this thing is impressive but not easy to fly. Greg, you’re next.”
The next morning, Josh goes up to the roof of the new U.N. building. It’s divided into two sides with the elevator bank in the middle. On the south side are a series of conference rooms, used for high-level meetings. The north side is an open space, with railings on three sides and a spectacular view of Manhattan and the East River. In the center of the open area is a 50 by 50 foot formal courtyard with granite tile. Around the perimeter of the courtyard, are trees in large concrete planters spaced every 15 feet. The courtyard is used for personnel recognition events and parties, and requires special access, so there’s usually no one there.
It’s become one of Josh’s favorite places to go and think. He’s never detected a nano-drone up here. They aren’t needed since the perimeter of the roof is surrounded by conventional surveillance cameras. During his staff briefings, he received a tour of the building’s security system. The equipment is state of the art with high-resolution color cameras, but he knows if he stands at the railing and looks outward, his face isn’t visible on the cameras.
He takes a deep breath. “Jesse, if Turan is GMO like me, why can’t you stop him?”
He has free will ... like you.
Frowning, Josh says, “I always thought the idea of ‘good and evil’ was just for fairy tales and horror movies.” He pauses. “But it’s hard to imagine anything more evil than entropy. The slow, inevitable slide toward darkness, chaos and death.” He gently shakes his head. “It seems like the path we’re on.”
What can oppose it?
“Nothing.”
Nothing?
Josh thinks for a moment. “Life appears to reverse it by creating order from chaos, but it’s an illusion. Life dies and stars burn out. The darkness always wins.”
Sentient life can change the rules.
“You mean someday we’ll figure out how to reverse entropy?”
Perhaps. Sentient life can accomplish almost anything.
Josh shakes his head. “Yeah, but it’s almost impossible to imagine anyone or anything reversing the most basic law of the universe.”
And how do you think you got here?
He pauses. “You mean me … or the universe?”
Yes.
Josh shakes his head again and retreats to the problem at hand. “I can’t see any future probabilities with him; it’s nothing but a black hole. Can you at least tell me where the hell he came from?”
59
CONVERT
Josh knocks on Turan’s doorframe. “Do you have a minute?”
“Of course. Come in.”
Josh says, “Congratulations. I heard the General Assembly made it official.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you and congratulations yourself. They approved you as my Deputy.”
As they sit down, Turan looks at him carefully and says, “Josh, for having the number two spot in the world, you don’t look very happy.”
Josh sighs and slowly says, “You definitely had me going with Abadon. I was quick to assume Russia or the U.S. government was behind all this.”
Turan gets up and shuts his office door, then sits back down. With a wry smile, he says, “Never know who’s listening.” He takes a deep breath. “So, you finally figured it out.”
Josh nods. “What you did at Abadon was very clever.”
“Thank you. Building a fake classified program and convincing people they were working for the U.S. government was a brilliant idea.” Smiling, he looks directly at Josh with a raised eyebrow. “Thank you.”
Josh grimaces. “Ouch.”
Leaning forward, Turan adds, “Look Josh, I owe you. If it weren’t for you and your crazy laser project, at best I’d be ruling a burned out world of cockroaches and reptiles. I need you and I want to repay you by having you rule at my side.” He smiles. “Come on, Josh, with your humbleness, you have to love the irony of your new title. You’re just the Deputy Secretary … of the entire world. If you’d like, you can also be governor of the United States.”
“You mean president?”
“Sure, whatever you want them to call you.”
Josh continues to frown.
Turan leans back in his chair. “Caitlin must be … what, three, three and a half? She’s so cute and has her mother’s hair and eyes.”
Josh knows his former identity is no longer a secret. He casually says, “Yeah, probably has her mother’s temper too.”
“No doubt. Because you’re my deputy, she will always be protected and her safety will be my highest priority.”
Josh just nods. With Caitlin carrying a neurotoxin capsule, Turan’s warning is clear. Changing the subject, Josh asks, “Do you know how you came to be?”
Turan exhales slowly. “Probably the same way you did. One day you’re somewhat dead. Next thing you know, you wake up superman. My demise wasn’t as spectacular as riding an ejection seat into trees.” He looks down, eyes unfocused. “As a teenager, I was just shot through the spine by an Islamic Extremist and left to burn alive in my parent’s house.” Looking back up, he adds, “But what goes around comes around.”
“Abu’l-Fadl Haddad.”
Turan nods.
“You’ve harnessed some seriously scary technology.”
Still leaning back in his chair, Turan says, “Technology isn’t the problem … we are.” He tilts his head with a slight smile. “Josh, we’re in the Golden Age of information. Do people use it to learn, entertain new ideas or see the world from a different perspective? No. They use it to reinforce or broadcast their narrow views. The Internet’s like a lamppost; it can be used to illuminate … or just to lean on.”
“That’s probably true but where are we taking the world?”
Turan smiles. “I’m glad you came to me and we can talk about this openly. I have to admit … I was afraid you might go rogue on me when you found out, but I promise, from here on, I will always tell you the truth.” He pauses. “Where are we taking the world? That’s a lot to cover. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
Josh nods.
Turan gets up and pours two cups. “Governments all fall on a spectrum from no control — anarchy — to total control — totalitarianism. On one side, you have almost no regulations or taxes with lots of individual freedom, like the American Wild West in the 1800s. On the other side, you have massive regulation, tax and control like China under Mao where they determine how many children you can have and what you wear.” He shakes his head. “Of course, those are extremes, but most lean
toward one side or the other.” He hands Josh a cup.
Walking to the window, Turan continues, “The minimal government side believes people are basically good and if unencumbered by government and regulations, they’ll do the right thing and prosper.” He shrugs. “It’s true that productivity and creativity flourish — as illustrated by the past rate of patents and copyrights in your country — but there’s a catch. It was summed up by your Benjamin Franklin. When asked if they had a republic or monarchy, he replied, ‘A republic … if you can keep it.’” Turan turns back to Josh. “Limited government only works if people are willing to regulate themselves. If they believe it’s ok to beat or cheat the system … it fails.”
Josh looks at him pointedly.
Turan laughs. “Touché. Yes, people like me.” He shrugs. “On the other side, they believe people are basically weak, defective and morally corrupt. They need to be taken care of and heavily regulated to keep them from hurting themselves and each other. That mindset champions large, powerful governments.” He gives Josh a wry smile. “Which makes it a lot easier for me — at the risk of sounding immodest — to take over the world.”
Josh gives him his wry smile back. “The problem with that philosophy is it assumes whoever’s making the decisions for everyone else is not … ‘weak, defective or morally corrupt.’”
Turan smiles. “It’s our job, as superior beings, to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“So … ultimately, it’s about control. Your control.”
Turan shakes his head. “Not at all. If someone wants to drive their motorcycle without a helmet or eat Twinkies all day, I don’t care.” He shrugs. “If they have a severe head injury, or go into sugar shock, however, I don’t think society should have to pick up the bill.”
“You’d just let them die?”
“No, that would be cruel. We should euthanize them on the spot. It would reduce health care costs and clean up the gene pool.” Seeing Josh’s face, he starts laughing. “I’m kidding.”
Josh shakes his head. “Ok … but you do have the ability to kill almost anyone, anywhere, anytime.”
Turan pauses and looking serious, says, “Yes, but I rarely use it. Most presidents and prime ministers also have that capability.” He shrugs. “Ours is just a bit more extensive and higher tech.”
“Davidson was a good man.”
Turan sighs and looks down. “Yes, and I feel bad about that. Unfortunately, he figured out what we were doing and was going to share it with others … including you.” He looks up. “If you were on our team, I’m sure together we could have figured out how to work with him.” He pauses and with a slight frown, adds, “Josh, you believe that most people if given the chance, they’ll usually do the right thing, don’t you?”
He nods.
“Well … I don’t.” He pauses. “That is one of the reasons I need you with me. We are Yin and Yang. Together we can provide balance.” He looks out the window. “I’m not sure you understand how different you and I are from the masses.” He looks back at Josh. “You can see the future, can’t you?”
“I can see probabilities.”
“So can I, but I bet you can’t see anything related to me, can you?”
“No.”
“And I can’t see anything related to you. Do you know why?”
Josh shakes his head.
“Because we are humanity’s wild cards! We can operate outside the normal probabilities.” Sweeping his hand across the cityscape, he says, “Together, we can radically alter the course of history … of humanity. That’s why I’ve spent so much effort to make you part of my team.”
Josh nods thoughtfully.
“As I told you before, I’m working on an epic genetic project.” His eyes light up. “Ever since I came back as a superhuman, I’ve been trying to understand the process. In a secret lab, we’re applying the next generation of Gene Drive and CRISPR technology.”
Josh frowns. “To make future generations like us?”
“That’s possible, of course, but I’m talking about going beyond that. Even though we’re genetically perfect, we represent a compromise. Josh, imagine what we could accomplish as a species if we could create individuals with highly specialized skills and abilities like brilliant scientists or powerful warriors.”
Josh asks, “Like bees and ants?”
“Exactly. Using Gene Drive to insert CRISPR into the code, we can make any gene sequence absolutely dominant. Within a few generations a trait would be universal.” He raises his eyebrows. “But we’re going beyond even that. Josh, what if a genetic change could be pushed in one generation to … everyone!?” He smiles. “I need to get you to the lab so you can see it for yourself!”
Josh nods with interest.
Turan takes a deep breath. “Sorry, I get excited every time I think about it. Back to the present. As compensation for the responsibilities you will hold, you’ll have unique privileges. I know about your interest in space exploration. You can visit the space station whenever you wish. While you’re there,” he winks, “you can also enjoy some extra-curricular activity in zero-g.”
Looking serious, Turan continues, “Look, I know you’ve got a talented team working with you. If the situation were reversed, I’d be doing the exact same thing. I also know they’re your friends.” He pauses for emphasis. “So, let’s work together and gently disassemble this counter-conspiracy. We’ll do it gradually so they have time to adapt. That way we can make sure no one gets hurt.”
60
DISASSEMBLE
Dustin says, “Wow, I’ve never taken a shower with a girl before.”
“Sorry Dustin, but that’s all we’re going to do. I needed a place where we could talk without being overheard.”
He looks disappointed.
Judy smiles. “You’re cute and if we get out of this alive, who knows.”
He smiles and then frowns. “Wait, what?! Get out of what alive?”
“Things are not as they seem. Abadon is—” She stops. Putting her finger under his chin, she lifts it. “Dustin, I need you to focus. Looking at my face would be a good start.”
After she explains everything, his eyes get bigger and he exclaims, “We’re all going to die!”
“No. No, we’re not, not if we work together. We have a chance, if we can communicate this to the others.”
“I have to take showers with everyone?”
She laughs. “No. But somehow … we have to do this without being discovered.”
As the new Science Advisor to the President, Jessica’s office is in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. It’s an old, decrepit structure but from her window, she can look down on the White House roof. Her phone beeps an alarm. It’s time for her meeting and she doesn’t want to be late.
She arrives early, but it’s 40 minutes after their scheduled meeting that she’s finally ushered into the office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Diane Buller shakes her hand and says, “It’s good to meet you. I’m sorry for the wait,” she looks at her watch, “and I’m afraid I don’t have much time. You asked for this meeting, what can I do for you?”
Jessica says, “I know you’re busy so I’ll get right to the point. Jen, the artificial intelligence, has disappeared.”
Diane Buller nods, not looking impressed. “That’s too bad. I understand she’s been helpful with several science projects, particularly, the development of quantum encryption.” She shrugs. “But between you and me, having a child with an IQ in the thousands that can hack practically anything … is an intelligence nightmare. I can’t say I’m sad to see her go. Is there anything else?”
Jessica shouldn’t be surprised by her disinterest. “Are you having any trouble with your phone?”
Buller looks surprised and then gives a short laugh. “I’m always having trouble with my phone. I’m from the pre-gizmo generation. Why do you ask?”
“With the loss of Jen, we want to make sure that nothing else dangerous come
s in to fill the vacuum. We strongly recommend that the phones of all government leaders have their interphone communication disabled manually.”
“I don’t know how to do that but I’m sure someone on my staff can.”
Jessica shrugs. “If you have your phone with you, I can do it right now. It’ll only take a second.”
Buller pulls her phone from her purse and hands it to Jessica.
Elizabeth goes to Turan’s new office. His door is open, so she knocks on the doorframe.
He smiles. “Elizabeth, please come in.”
“I haven’t seen you since the General Assembly election. I just wanted to congratulate you, sir.” She offers her hand.
He comes around his desk and takes it. “Thank you. Just because I’m the Secretary-General now, you don’t have to go all formal on me.” He holds on to her hand for an extra second. “Elizabeth, you did an outstanding job with the TELEMED surgical suite, but that program is complete.” He pauses. “I’d like you to come and work directly for me. You would maintain your position as Special Envoy, but you would be attached to the office of the Secretary-General.”
With a slight frown, she says, “Without the TELEMED program and with Jen’s disappearance, I’m not sure I’d be of any use to you, and it might be awkward with me working for you and … Josh.”
Looking serious, he says, “I think we both know he has other interests. As my deputy, he will spend a lot of time traveling, including in space.” He raises an eyebrow. “And I’m sure we can find something interesting to work on together.”
She nods with a Mona Lisa smile.
He smiles back and then glances at his phone. “I don’t want to be late for my first press conference as Secretary-General.” He puts his hand on her shoulder. “Maybe we can have dinner some time and discuss your new position?”
“That would be great.” She frowns. “Oh, your collar’s folded, let me fix it.” She goes behind him and puts her fingers on his collar. Pulling it up from under his bulletproof vest, she straightens it. Then she gives his neck a little rub and pats him on the back. “There you go.”
Impossible (Fuzed Trilogy Book 3) Page 30
