The Doorkeeper's Mind

by E. L. Morrow

  The second handwritten note came from her predecessor, who knew some of Marie’s gifts and challenges. The same letter includes advice about how to protect herself and her talents.

  Phillip’s letter suggests I keep the circle of those who understand my gifts small. Small is not a problem—too small could be an issue. Those who truly know me and about my talents consist of two people—both are in Seattle. So, whom should I add? I want Vivi as my friend. We agreed to pursue an intentional friendship with a balance between self-disclosure and feedback. My sharing with her includes some omissions and half-truths. I want to bring her into my circle. Dr. Norris is a logical 2nd member. Not only is he my Supervisor, but he and mother are rekindling a romance after decades apart. With both in my circle, they will not need to guard what they say to each other.

  I’m off work until Monday. Hopefully, by then my circle will be filled.

  Vivi arrives at 8:50 am. They had communicated by secure message every few days. Both have set aside the whole day to reconnect and build their friendship.

  They begin with an embrace then spend the next 45 minutes catching up.

  Vivi tells Marie about Ann. “She acts like she won the lottery because she knows you. The other day she came over to me excitedly saying, I just realized we are the first two people Marie met in Wichita.”

  “I love her youthful energy. I never had that.”

  “You must be kidding—you’re doing so many things I wonder—when do you sleep?”

  “Well, I slept some on the plane. I’m fine.”

  The conversation reaches a natural break. Marie takes a deep breath and says, “We agreed on developing an intentional friendship. You share openly with me about your family, past, values, and work. At times, I’ve been less than forthcoming in my sharing with you.”

  “You have less past than I do.”

  “True, but there are five things I need to tell you—so our friendship can be a place where I can be known—completely known. But only when you are ready.”

  “You told me before you might be able to say more about Phillip. Is that what you are talking about?”

  “Partly. But these are things about me. Things I need someone in Wichita to understand. Everything must remain confidential. I’ll tell you who else is aware of the same details about me as we go along.

  “Each new thing I tell you will be more unbelievable than the one before. Anytime you want me to stop—temporarily or permanently—I will.”

  “You are one of the most fascinating people I ever encountered. I’m enjoying our friendship. If you feel a need to tell me some things—I’ll listen.”

  “OK—here goes. You met my house guest my first week in Wichita—A. Fulbright.”

  “Yes. Researcher. A friend of your mother.”

  “I think you heard me call her Allison. Fulbright is her pre-mated name. Most people refer to her as Allison Ward.”

  “You mean, I met Allison Ward, the Nobel Prize winner and didn’t even know it? I’m impressed. So, your mother works with Dr. Ward?”

  “Sort of—my biological mother died when I was eight days old. Allison Ward raised me—she’s been ‘mother’ to me, all my life. The person you met is my parent.”

  Vivi’s jaw drops. “You were raised by one of the smartest people alive—no wonder you are so smart—I mean….”

  “I understand what you mean, and you’re right—her influence taught me to love learning and to question everything.”

  “Wow—so why the secrecy?”

  “To protect me, and to prevent her enemies from using me to intimidate Allison. No one working at Cyclops has children, parents, mates, or anyone else who might be kidnaped or used to threaten a worker or the institute. I’m the single exception. Only Allison, her security chief, and three senior staff are aware of my existence. I was age nine the last time I stayed overnight at Cyclops.

  “Extensive security is always around me—from the time I went to Primary 2—all unknown to me until the week you and I met. You remember Franklin A. the electronics guy?”

  “Stooped over, lots of attitude?”

  “Yeah, that’s him—well—his disguise. Real name is Rudy Carlton, ex-CIA, and head of security for Allison’s center. He was here to set up security around me and in the process solved two major threats: the weapon designed to defeat Smart Garments, and Universal Key cards.”

  “He sounds like a good guy to have as a friend.”

  “Taught me how to be safe to augment his security. What I told you about who raised me is known by Dr. Norris, Security 23, and I think Wessel figured it out—and now you—a total of nine people.”

  “I feel privileged to be in such company.”

  “Are you ready for the second ‘item?’”

  “All you’ve told me is one of the five?”

  “I thought you needed to be aware of how important security is for me, Allison, and the work she is doing. Later I’ll introduce you to Danzella Reynolds, my private security point person. She lives diagonally across from me—moving in today.”

  After a deep breath, Vivi says, “OK. I understand safety is essential. I’ll do nothing to compromise your security. So, what’s next?”

  “Allison Fulbright married Jamison Ward. Among other things, they founded the Cyclops Institute. You mentioned a Doctor Ward ID the first time we met….” Opening the top of her SOG Marie removes a well-worn identification badge from an inside pocket. As Vivi takes it, Marie continues, “This was part of a mobile hanging over my crib and later my youth bed.”

  Vivi gasps. Turning the badge over to see the faded picture of an auburn-haired Allison. “He’s that Dr. Ward!”

  “Yes. My biological father.”

  “Woe, was he unfaithful to Allison Ward?”

  “No. We’ll come to that part later. He was killed while in Italy. It was ruled an accident, but it was murder. I was seven. Only Allison and Rudy are aware Jamison was my father, and they found out in August. A few others understand his death was not an accident.”

  “You mean Jamison died not knowing you are his child?”

  “He was always a father to me; he did not learn about the genetic connection.”

  “But what happened in August to tell you?”

  “All will be revealed in its time. Are you ready for number Three?”

  “My head is swimming. Let me get this straight—two scientists raised you?”

  “My earliest years were at Cyclops. Nothing but scientists and researchers—we lived there. Plus, Rudy who taught me electronics, how to be invisible in plain sight, and how to use my brain to defend myself—if needed.”

  “And your father…was…what?”

  “He was a sperm donor—he never knew the results.”

  “Ah—of course. Now I’m beginning to understand. You say there is more?”

  “We’re just getting to the most interesting parts.”

  “Speak. I’m listening.”

  “When Wessel and I went to pay our respects to Phillip, we found him not dead.”

  “What—how could that be?”

  “He had been placed in a deep coma. Apparently, his captors wanted to ‘wake him up’ and make him think he was reporting to God. They hoped to learn what he would not divulge.”

  “After a month?”

  “They falsified the paper-work so they could retrieve his body several weeks early. We visited the day before he was to be removed.”

  “What happened?”

  “We got Dr. Kildare involved, and Phillip was moved to the Medical Center. Unfortunately, his kidnappers botched the deep-coma protocol and he suffered brain damage.”

  “So, the story you told on that Monday night about him being kidnapped and murdered left out the coma part?”

  “Correct. I also left out the rescue and the failure to revive him from the comma.”

  “So, he died in the Medical Center?”

  Tears fill Vivi’s eye
s as Marie says, “Only five people are aware there’s more to the story.”

  Instantly she perceives I’m one of the five, and hopes for a better answer.

  “The five are Dr. Norris, Allison, Rudy, the head of Anesthetic-Neurology at the University Medical and me. The rest of the story is Phillip was partially awakened and moved to a stroke center in Seattle under another name. Telling you would have put you at great risk. I’m sorry to have kept it from you.”

  “You mean Phillip’s alive?”

  “Yes…. Allison sees him once or twice a week. The latest is he dresses without assistance, walks short distances and speaks simple sentences. He can feed himself if the food is bite-size.”

  Consumed by tears of joy Vivi asks, “Will I ever see him again?”

  “He’s still in danger. Those working with him believe he had a stroke. None of them were informed about his entire past. Allison’s colleague who heads the program is aware that some details were altered to protect him.”

  “So, I’m guessing; I’ll probably not be able to see him.”

  “Who can tell? If he makes enough progress—maybe. It’s not up to me.”

  Vivi is calming down. One question came to her—did I lie to the Grand Jury about Phillip’s demise. She’s not ready to ask me. I’ll answer it anyway.

  “Given what I just said—you may wonder if I perjured myself with the Grand Jury? The answer is no. I only testified about two things regarding Phillip. First, the images the PA took of three men entering illegally, and then leaving with Phillip as a captive. I testified to the authenticity of the pictures and the chain of custody until they were handed over to the Grand Jury. Second, how Wessel and I found him comatose at the Completion Viewing Center. Others testified regarding the rest of what happened to Phillip.

  “Most of my testimony centered on the weapon, and the death of the security officer. Others provided first-hand details of the disposition of the weapon and details about Phillip after he was handed over to the Medical Center. Oh, they also heard how I found out the leaders of the so-called Program States Update Initiative actually worked for the Grog Institute.” Vivi’s emotions are more at ease now. It is one thing to have a secret—quite another for an indictment to be based on keeping the secret.

  Marie adds, “By the way, no one has been charged with Phillip’s murder, only kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder in his case.”

  “I suppose you are going to tell me—this is the third of five things?”

  “Yes. I’m not sure about you, but I could use a break. How about lunch?”

  “And maybe a walk at Botanica?”

  “Excellent idea.”

  They eat lunch at a favorite sidewalk café and spend some relaxing time enjoying the beauty of nature.

  Eleven

  Truly Unbelievable

  Wichita

  2094-09-27, Saturday, 2:10 pm

  For Marie, the outing is her first venture outside a secured premise in over a month. After a couple of relaxing hours, they return to 36 Jasmine.

  Being out of the high-security vale feels different. I’m still protected by my Smart Garment, communicator that responds to voice commands, and a network of guards just out of sight. But at least I can walk around without an escort. It seems like a small touch of normality.

  Vivi is dealing well with the news about Phillip. I feared she might raise a wall because I had not told all I knew. If anything, she’s more forgiving than I am about being kept in the dark—I can learn from her.

  They remove from the refrigerator half a coconut cream pie that had been left by her house sitters, Wessel and Dave (Security 17). It was essential for someone to occupy the apartment during Marie’s absence. The secrets hidden in the floor of the bedroom closet must not fall into the wrong hands.

  Marie says, “I’ve gained two pounds eating out of my nutritional guidelines. I hit the gym tomorrow, so let’s get this temptation out of the way.” Both women laugh at the absurdity of eating more so it will not tempt her tomorrow. Absurd or not, they eat the pie.

  Vivi says, “I can’t imagine anything more unbelievable than what I’ve heard so far. My friend who sacrificed so much is alive; I’m at peace. When you’re ready to continue—so am I.”

  “What you’ve learned only provides a foundation for what comes next. Still, want to go on?”

  “Yes.”

  “Question: what does HMP mean to you?”

  “High management potential? Or high material profits—one of the problems of international economic interface with Non-Plan nations?”

  “Neither. Human Maturation Project or sometimes called Human Maturity Project.”

  “Never heard of it—should I?”

  “No. It’s good that others are unaware of it. But once you know you may be in danger.”

  “My work places me in danger—what’s one more ‘log on the fire,’ so to speak?”

  “I thought you might say something like that. You remember the scandal over the military project to develop the ‘perfect soldier’?”

  “Yes—as I remember no one went to jail.”

  “You’re right. Well, some scientists learned of the military project decades before the public did and decided to do the opposite. Develop a super intelligent, compassionate and aware strain of humans. They used only willing participants and donors with no gene splicing or genetic mutation. It started in the ‘20s. It had to be secret and funded by private sources.

  “Allison and Jamison were mated in ‘45 and spent the next five years working in Canada with the project. They helped develop objective criteria for measuring three components: intelligence, awareness, and sensory perceptions. Nine women tested in the highest ranges in at least two categories. They each had a support team. Mother and Dad were part of the support team for a young woman named Rose Plum Cranton. On March 18, 2046, Rose Cranberry Cranton was born—my biological mother.

  “Because of threats by the purist groups, the center my folks worked in was abandoned, and the mothers and children scattered. Rose, the mother, continued to report, and get assistance from Allison, but there were periods when she disappeared. One time, Rose asked the Wards to take Berry (her nickname) for about a year. They were alarmed when Rose returned to pick up Berry. Rose did not seem well. HMP participants agreed to check in with their teams every six months. They had no contact from Rose for seven years after she left with her daughter. Berry was 19 when she contacted Cyclops. Her mother was dying. Part of the agreement with HMP was that her body would be turned over for an autopsy.

  “Berry dedicated her life to assisting the project. Allison had no direct word from her for years. Shortly after Christmas in 2074, she arrived at Cyclops. After arriving she informed Allison of the birth of a son in ’69 and a daughter in ’72; both given up for adoption. Berry was pregnant with me. She convinced Allison not to tell HMP she was there because she could not bear giving up another child. She convinced Allison to help her raise me.

  “My biological mother, Berry, died when I was eight days old. Allison kept her bargain and raised me as her child. The first time I learned about Berry or Rose was Allison’s visit in August. She and Rudy had planned to tell me a little at the time, but they thought they had a year and a half because I had my Teaching Assistant responsibility.”

  “So, Rose and Berry were a part of … what did you call it … HMP? That means you are as well? What about your abilities? I know you’re smart, a quick thinker and thorough … is there more?”

  “Yes. The next revelation is about the something more. Again, I need to impress upon you how important it is that no one learns these things. You are the fifth living person who knows my connection to the project. Not only would I be in danger, but Allison, and potentially other offspring.”

  “You, me, Rudy and Allison who is the fifth person?”

  “Bulla, a chief researcher at Cyclops. She was present at my birth, and part of the team that worked with B
erry and Rose.”

  “But the organizers must be aware of your existence?”

  “Berry was impregnated by artificial insemination. She obtained permission to travel, gave them a false itinerary but ended up in Seattle. They learned of her death, and the autopsy showed a miscarriage at three months.”

  “When you were in school. Surely someone could make the connection between you and Allison and Berry?”

  “A. Fulbright was my Guardian. All grades or other reports went to an address in Portland, Oregon—it was a collection point only. I never mentioned my parents by name or city. When I had to state a job for my guardians, they were a physician and a teacher—both true. My last name for school is Cranton. Only records at Project headquarters would contain a name, or actually a code, for my birth mother. When threats came, those lists were all hidden or destroyed. None of the organizers knew about me.”

  “Wow… I’m at a loss for words. What a secret for you to carry around for all these years.”

  “But I didn’t know any of this until August. I thought I was different because of my love for learning. I figured everyone else could do the same if they wanted.”

  “You had no idea how unique you are?”

  “But I wasn’t. Everyone around me spent all her or his time learning things—even on vacation. It was fun.”

  “OK, I understand the need for secrecy about Allison, and you while growing up. But why now? Hasn’t the danger passed? Bluefoot is out of the picture. Why not tell people about your capability?”

  “My very existence is a threat to some powerful people. The Senator may be gone—but we can’t be sure. Plus, he was never the power—The General (whoever he is) wants the competition for world dominance gone—that includes ‘my type.’ There will still be attempts to destroy the economy and take us back to the Age of Confusion.”