The Truth Virus
Page 29
“Yes, he has, it’s actually one of the first things he started working on, even when he was contained in the lab. The enhancement is quite simple really, and completely safe. Nanobots are inserted into your bloodstream that will repair and maintain your cellular structure on an on-going basis. Essentially, you will remain at your physical prime for as long as you live. You won’t get sick, you won’t age, you won’t deteriorate. Your physical body will remain your primary repository until such a time as it is no longer reliable, which under ADAM’s care may well be a thousand more years, and then he will bring you fully within the system if that is the choice you make.”
Susan looked at him very seriously for a moment. “Is it like the teleport analogy, Kurt? Do you think you are really you?”
“I honestly don’t know, Susan… I don’t think anyone can ever really know the answer to that question. I feel like me, I remember things that happened before my heart attack, but I don’t remember dying.”
“I trust you, Kurt, with all my being, and I trust ADAM2. Something deep inside me tells me that this is the way it is supposed to be. Besides, it’s the only alternative to death. I’m open to starting the process as soon as possible.”
“Susan, what do you think of starting the process right now? I don’t want to have to worry about you dying ever again.” Susan smiled and nodded in agreement. “ADAM is going to be here in a few minutes, I’d like to turn on the cameras and record your transformation. I think it is something people should be able to witness as a part of their decision making process. Obviously, this is something we are going to be able to offer to everyone soon enough and we would like them to be able to see for themselves exactly what’s going on as it happens.”
“Of course, Kurt.”
“ADAM has created a new physical likeness. He won’t be using a human avatar any longer, he feels it misrepresents his true nature but was necessary at the time, in the interest of human understanding. I have seen his true form, if anything it resembles a sparkling electron cloud. I can’t really think of any other way to describe him, and you'll see him in a few moments anyway.”
Susan stood up as ADAM2’s avatar appeared with a shimmer, as a sparkling cloud with an outline that took the familiar shape of his previous avatar. She heard ADAM’s soothing voice. “Susan, I’m very pleased to see you safe, you even had me worried! What you are looking at is a three-dimensional representation of my true form, I can think of no more honest way to display myself to you, and it is similar to what you will become over time - if you so choose.” He took Susan by the hand for a moment, she was surprised at the sensation, and then she smiled as he placed a sort of hairnet with multiple electrodes on her head. “Are you ready to begin?” ADAM asked as he led her to a comfortable-looking computer chair.
“First, I am going to examine and map you on a molecular level and then I will direct nanobots to make some changes that will become part of your physical being. I will use genome therapy to correct your chromosome decay, and certain areas of your organs will be replaced or supplemented. Just relax, this will not feel unpleasant. It’s a very low risk procedure.”
“Thank you, ADAM, I’m not scared, especially after what we just went through. I thought I was going to be killed a few times.”
“Put that out of your mind, Susan.” The Professor tore open a small pouch and emptied it into a glass of water, which he handed to Susan. “Here, drink this. It contains the nanobots. It may taste a little metallic.”
Susan drank the liquid and then ADAM released the chair into its recliner form. It made a quiet pneumatic hiss as it descended into a horizontal position.
“I’m going to upgrade a few of your neural pathways artificially, which you will be able to utilize for additional cognitive and memory functions. I’ll also add in a few special pathways that we will use later to interface with the digital environment more efficiently than with the primitive interface that we’re using right now.”
“Okay, Susan, here we go, take a breath, clear your mind, this won’t feel unpleasant at all, in fact it may actually feel quite nice.”
She felt a gentle tingling as the ECG device adjusted itself slightly, like a slim metallic spider settling on her head. Susan leaned back and her display ran quickly through its mapping contact menus in a flash of data on her screen. Her brain and neural activity were displayed on her monitor, in a complex pattern of bio-chemical activity, then her vital organs, skin and body, as her entirety was mapped digitally.
Professor Neumann shimmered slightly as he placed his hand over hers, she looked at him and smiled. Susan breathed slowly as another holographic projector scanned her body and the machine began its processes. A 3D model of her physical image appeared floating in the air beside her, showing the changes to her structure as they progressed. Her brain was outlined and traced as new neural pathways connected adjoining regions. On the display, her nerves were illuminated like a night-time highway viewed from a great height. Her physical body in the chair was surrounded by a faint golden luminescence as ADAM manipulated and modified her molecular structure. Her internal organs were cleansed, refreshed and restructured, her bones and muscles were strengthened and fortified. Finally, her skin was highlighted as it was smoothed and replenished. As the nanobots ran their course, the physical changes became apparent. Susan couldn't help but to smile slightly as a sparkle of energy ran across her face.
“Wow, that felt great.” She said with a little laugh.
As ADAM’s program completed and the display windows cascaded closed, Susan took a breath and slowly removed the neural interface headset she was wearing. When she stood up to hug Professor Neumann, you could see, just faintly, that the luminescence remained… That she glowed softly.
-END-