Asterion, page 2
Devin worked the crowd reinforcing his importance as director and cementing his future relationships. He gives an approving nod to Taylor, and continues rubbing elbows with his own kind. They are already in party mode, having moved on from their last self-interest to the next one.
Taylor slips away and heads for the lab. He felt most comfortable there despite its sterile workbenches filled with the usual lab equipment. Glassware of various shapes, containers, electronic equipment to observe and take measurements, glass door cabinets that formed the walls filled with various chemicals, compounds, and organic material filled the lab. It is a place of solitude to think and challenge the boundaries of nature.
Devin meets Taylor later that day in the lab. “Congratulations Scott, your project will catapult you to stardom with the people and further enforce Burnsom’s favorability among the people. His critics won’t be able to stop this project.” Devin examines a squib-shaped separating funnel as if he had never seen one before. “It’s a win for everyone associated with this project.”
Taylor knew what Devin is happy about and it is not the benefit to the people or Burnsom’s popularity. It is how he could use this to achieve his own goals. “Thanks for your support.”
Devin sets the funnel down, and walks toward the door. Without looking back he cautions, “Don’t disappoint me” in his usual cold, stern voice.
“So much for a warm moment,” Taylor thought and shook his head.
Equipment and supplies start to pour into the lab through the shipping doors. The lab has to expand it space within the facility, which required major remodeling. Construction began on additional sterile chambers to form the incubation and maturation areas. This would be the model for assembly line genetically modified creatures. Technicians assembled, set-up and tested equipment to verify its function and calibration.
Screening, interviewing and hiring of personnel began. Directing all these efforts occupied Taylor’s time for the first few months of the project. He hated not being able to focus all his attention on advancing the research, but the devil is in the details.
Devin seemed overly interested in the hiring process for someone supposedly above the fray. He made it known that he was not into the day-to-day operations and these tasks are for low-level managers. Devin liked the thirty thousand foot view of things, both literally and figuratively. He had shown little interest in the past for these tasks, as these are mundane and boring.
Taylor, stuck in his office, poured over the hundreds of resume’s the lab received. One-by-one, he interviews the qualified candidates in his office and narrows down the field to several who might fit the bill. Taylor hires two scientists to assist with the project. Trent Boseman has specialized in electrical and software engineering for most of his career including work with nanotechnology. A lot of work still needed to done to integrate the multiple super computers and the instrument. Devin pushed for his inclusion on the team. Trent is the typical computer engineering type. Pale and used to working in isolation, his social skills are not always the best. He could be frustrated and temperamental most of the time and occasionally upbeat and happy when things worked out in the lab. Despite lacking in the social graces, this is what you got with the best in their field. Slightly overweight with skinny arms and legs, he is the poster child for the quintessential computer person.
Christine Summers came highly recommended from Taylor’s Alma Mater. With red hair touched with blonde highlights that cascaded to her shoulders, she is the most attractive woman he had ever seen. At least he thought so. He is enamored with her wide-open blue eyes, cute nose and full lips. She reminded him of old photos he had seen before where women were less athletically build and more curvy. Difficult as it is, he soldiered on and stuck to the task of interviewing her to determine her ability to fill the position. It did not take Taylor long to choose her as the other scientist on the project. She would help him fine-tune the nuclear, laser and chemical processes needed to perform the precise engineering, incubation and replication processes. Devin is convinced Taylor chose her because of her attractiveness and gave him a hard time continuously about it. Taylor needed a qualified person and she is certainly well qualified and motivated to meet the needs of this project. However, Taylor could not say that her looks and personality did not affect his final decision.
Trent would free him from the drudgery of banging out lines of code for the project. Another government research lab did the initial coding, but the programming still needed many changes. Now Taylor could focus his time completely to the progress of the project.
Assembling his team in the conference room, Taylor introduced them to the details of the project. “We will create a creature that is more than just a beast of burden. Part bovine with dexterous hands and powerful legs, this semi-intelligent creature will be able to work and pull the equipment in the field. Pick crops by hand and some may be able to maintain equipment and facilities. This will free the lowest of our populace to perform jobs of greater benefit to society thus increasing their contribution and their credits for housing, food, healthcare and other needs. That is our start, where we go in the future is only limited to our imagination. Our success will insure that we will increase our benefit to society and insure each of us enough credits to live comfortably.” Taylor looked over his charges and ended with, “Any Questions?”
They sat stunned at the revelation for a few seconds, until Trent said, “Only about a million or so.”
Christine piped up, “At least!”
Trent continued, “What are some of the other uses of this technology?”
“We are a long way from the intended results. We’ll worry about the future after we’re successful in this immediate endeavor.” Taylor thought it odd that Trent seemed more interested in other applications instead of the immediate concerns of fully integrating, testing and developing the applications past the beta stages to a release. “One of our main issues is the telemetry between the system and the Nano-mechanisms. We must have complete control over the nanotechnology to insure nothing goes wrong.”
Christine interjects, “Once we study the notes and assess where we are, the questions will be more relevant.”
“Good”, replied Taylor, “we have much to do.”
CHAPTER 2 - BEGINNINGS
Devin insists on weekly updates to assess the progress of the project. They are usually the subtle cracking of the whip as his grasp of the project is limited at best and probably faked in reality. Waiting for Devin in his office, Taylor took stock of his boss’s office. Large and elegant with furniture of exquisite detail from rare and expensive materials, it is as he expected for a climber. Taylor is used to the typical bureaucrat managers that infested the modern society. Pictures of him with all the right people at the right parties in the right places adorned the walls and shelves. A collection of important books that are just that, a collection on the shelves along with other artifacts Devin thought important for all to see. As predictable and transparent as any Taylor has met. Devin walks in, closes the door and without a pleasantry asks, “How is Trent doing?” He seems to be grooming Trent for something, but Taylor can’t quite put his finger on it.
Taylor hesitated for a moment. “He is grasping the technology well and contributing significantly to the advancement of the project. He does seem to be overly concerned about future implications and I frequently have to refocus his attention, but curiosity is a scientist’s weakness.”
Devin smiled. “Good, Trent needs a mentor and you would be the best one he could ever have. Teach him the ropes and that will be another feather in your cap. He can contribute to society in many ways.”
Taylor did not really care about the accolades, but helping someone grow in their career is something he enjoyed doing. “Okay.”
Devin showed almost no interest in Christine’s progress and Taylor thought that was unusual. Taylor went over the timeline and expenditures with Devin and he agreed that they are on schedule and progressing well. Once Taylor finished, Devin showed him the door and quickly returned to issues that are more important to him.
As time progressed, the team worked out all the bugs between the systems and the AutoDNA instrument. In order to verify the complete system, Trent sent an email to Taylor requesting DNA samples from different species, various proteins, and other chemicals. Taylor walks in with the inventory request in hand. “Why are you requesting stuff we don’t use in the project?”
“The system needs to identify foreign matter and other aberrations accurately that could arise during the course of the operation. These have similarities to what we are using and I wanted to see if the instrument could differentiate the samples. If it can’t, then we may have problems.”
“Okay, that is not a bad idea. We can’t be too cautious.”
Each subsequent experiment of increasing complexity revealed problems that the team studied, tested their solution, and progressed to the next level. The failed experiments are not always dead and ending an animal life, even a short-lived one is not a pleasant task. You felt responsible for making them and if it is not right, you not only failed yourself, but the creature also.
The systems lab, filled with computers and associated equipment is separate from the other, sterile rooms. This is where Trent spent most of his time. Trent always looked like he is looking over his shoulder. Like someone doing personal tasks at work who is trying to prevent discovery.
Taylor and Christine worked closely on the technology that interacted directly with the engineering, replication, incubation and maturation parts of the project in the main laboratory. Taylor noticed that she is not like the other female scientists he had ever worked with in the past. Beside her attractiveness, she displayed tendencies of caring genuinely for others and not just for herself. A side effect of the government learning centers that raised the children of this society is a lack of compassion caused by not forming familial bonds and neighborhood friendships. Achievement, cooperation, and adhering to the principles of the society are encouraged. Individuals formed relationships out of mutual benefit for the parties involved, be it procreation, pooling of resources, recreation and other needs rather than feeling of love and camaraderie. Delinquency resulted in special reeducation at an early age. The children who went to those learning centers seldom came back and if they did, they are never the same. The underachievers or lazy, went to their own reeducation centers. The central authority is successful with most of these individuals. It seemed to find just the right motivation to help them make a fundamental change in their lives, which is somewhat scary when you think about it.
In the course of casual conversation in the lab and the break room, Taylor could tell that she might be a Christer. Christers are what society called Christians now. It is kind of a pejorative for anyone who believed in what the central authority called an unhealthy belief in myths and legends. You could study mythology, but to place rules and regulations on yourself and encourage others to do likewise is prohibited and punishable. Professing that there is only one-way to an imaginary utopia in some other dimension is called a hate crime and punishable by reeducation because it excluded non-adherers. The Leader frowned upon anything that upset society.
They started sharing their breaks and lunch. The break room offered a change of pace from the lab. Softer lighting and the standard accommodations for refreshments is a welcome environment. Christine is also from a military family and grew up on military bases. Taylor grew up in one of the protectorates formed after the Euro-Arab War. America was on the European’s side. It started when Israel was in danger of falling to the other countries on the Arabian and North Africa land mass. Stopped from overrunning Israel and Turkey, they created areas called protectorates to prevent further action after agreeing on a truce. Israel became a forward protectorate where troops rotated in-and-out to bolster their security. Tensions remained high for many years. The central authority had not yet implemented the full scope of their learning systems in those far-flung areas. People like Taylor and Christine created much consternation with government officials. They are an unknown quantity of questionable controllability. Common backgrounds and interests brought them closer in a world that keeps its distance.
Devin calls a meeting in the conference room. After making Taylor and his team wait for over half an hour, he enters the room with another person. Here stood a tall brunette with straight chin length hair. Dressed in a black, pressed, fitted uniform typical of the security forces, she is the real deal. Piercing green eyes and a cold professional demeanor, she stood by as Devin introduced her to the team. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Milar, who is now head of security here at the lab. Central Authority has sent her to insure the safety and security of the facility.”
Without a word, she quickly looked us over, making eye contact with each of the team. She turned and looked at Devin, nodded, spun around and briskly left the room. Looking at each other, they are somewhat dumbfounded. Scientists are used to being casual about everything except their work, but this is unusual for a meet and greet.
Devin revealed, “I’ve been instructed to turn over safety and security to Milar with no restrictions on the scope of her actions. Don’t complain about anything to me. I can’t do anything about it and I have to comply with everything she implements. This meeting is over.” Devin darts out of the room and leaves the facility on business. Taylor gets the impression that for Devin, the fun is over and he is seeking a friendlier place to be for a few days. Better to see the finished product than to watch your world become more restrictive.
Taylor and the team head to the break room for a much-deserved rest. Small talk of the weather, recreational plans and other issues break the silence until Trent asks, “Does this security seem excessive for a lab in the middle of the country?”
Taylor thought for a second. “Well maybe, but we have to consider the implications of this technology if it is stolen, or if one of our experiments crawls away. A thief could turn this technology into a devastating weapon and if they can’t control it, a runaway freight train is unleashed on the world. If our experiments decide to leave on their own, no telling what the environmental impact would be on the world.”
Christine laments, “It does mean more trouble getting in and out of the labs.” Taylor and Trent nod in agreement and sigh in resignation of the coming changes.
Returning to the lab, they engage in a brief conversation of what they are working on and return to their activities. No one sees Milar for several days until suddenly the team receives a call to assemble in the conference room for a meeting with their new security chief.
Entering the room, Milar is already waiting. Something tells Taylor that her timing is impeccable and she would only be late if she were unconscious or dead. Individual greetings from the team elicit only a general, group greeting from Milar.
Taylor smiles and thinks, “This is progress.”
Milar begins by displaying mockups of the new security equipment and performing the procedures to operate them. “The work here needs to be secure. Only those with clearance can gain entrance to the labs. We are implementing several challenges to lab entrance. Retinal, print, keycard and codes will allow each of you access to the lab areas associated with this project. The only other personnel with access to these areas are security and Devin.” She then hands over keycards, allows them to set up their codes and practice the entrance procedures while she is there to clarify and instruct us.
Milar heads for the door, “Thank you for your cooperation.”
Christine laughs. “She’s going to be fun.”
Trent sarcastically adds, “Yea, a joke a minute.”
Taylor laughs and issues this caution, “Okay you two, Better safe than sorry.”
Trent laughed again, “Way to drag out the ancient sayings. What’s next, because I told you so?”
Laughing together, Taylor is pleased that the team is bonding and getting along well. The team spent a lot of time sequestered in the lab. That made it imperative that everyone get along and work well together.
The team moved past smashing into the door when it did not open to the routine of complying with the security measures. Milar occasionally made appearances in the lab, mainly to check on the security systems and their progress. Taylor suspected that there is more to the security measures, but kept quiet about it. Milar became a bit more sociable as time went by, but still kept her distance. Taylor would often see her in the fitness center at the facility. The society pushed healthy living as it reduced the burden on the health system. Penalties for being overweight or not exercising motivated the populace to comply. She is lean and muscular and he noticed that her routine is a mix of strength and cardio similar to most military training. Brute strength is nothing without endurance. They sometimes made small talk about methods and routines, but not much else. Taylor had trouble reading her. Is she beholden to the bureaucrats? Is she here to spy on us for the government or an enemy? Could she just be doing her job? It is difficult to tell and she is not revealing any cards.
CHAPTER 3 - BREACH
Taylor returns to his apartment after a long day. Plugging in his car and locking the door, he enters the apartment door. Taylor’s benefit to society allowed him enough credits to live in an individual apartment and not in a singles dorm. He enters into a spacious living room where his status allowed him to purchase furnishings that followed his taste for last century modern furnishing, art and books. He lacked for nothing and his circumstances are better than most. The monitor is on. Set to informational programs, or news, he rarely turned it off. The noise made the apartment seem less lonely. He rarely watched the reality, game, and other frivolous entertainment genres that keep the masses happy and pacified. The critics of them called it bread and circus after the Roman Empire’s attempts to mollify its citizens. Settling down in his warm bed his thoughts are on Christine and whether he should take the chance and ask her to dinner. If she accepted it would be great, but what would happen if she declined. It would make it awkward at work and could jeopardize the project if she quit with all they had done so far. That would be on Taylor’s head and he would have to answer for that mistake. Nothing is easy in this world. There are too many complications for someone desperate for rest. He tossed and turned until fatigue won out.
