“My company, Pathway LLC, as I am sure you may be aware of now is the origination of all sciences geared toward the advancement and preservation of humanity. Pathway has a governmentally-sanctioned and authorized high-security branch within it that I was asked to start several months ago, after the release and success of my book. It is set up to vet, improve upon, and provide security mechanisms and fail-safes for each of the advancements before they are released to the public. Once they are approved for release, we prepare the masses. First, we begin with exposure through movies and television, and then online digital entertainment series. We then provide more details of each science university-wide, with availability in research for scientific journalism. Once the FDA publicly provides us with approval to release our new advancements to medical practices, clinics, etc., we prepare to merchandise for public dispersal and we provide opportunities for increased ingenuity to the masses.
“Since then, after establishing Pathway LLC, I have been recruiting those who have the right kind of personality, personal drive, academic prowess, and initiative to make life a little less tragic. They are the only ones who are ‘read-in’, because they have demonstrated a desire to give people a fair shake without disease, allow them to live longer, to have optimized thinking capacity with compassion amped up, and to ultimately prepare our human civilization to preserve our solar system and traverse the Cosmos without the negative effects of space travel we know of today, while learning all that we can about the next issue to resolve. There are a lot of sciences involved. The three major areas of study in all of their forms are biology, or biotechnology, neuroscience, and physics—quantum, mechanical, or all things related to it.
“When we talked earlier, you impressed me. You expressed a very unique interest in biogenetics, and I would very much like to enlist your support toward our Biotechnology Team, and we will have even more opportunities to publicize our advancements as time goes by.
“As far as taking care of bills, getting by, etc. we have quite an array of living quarters for those who are fully read-in, and travel back and forth to your day-to-day activities is rather quick. We would also pay you more than necessary to finish your educational aspirations, since we would not desire in the least to get in the way of that, but you would also have the ease of knowing you will be able to have unfettered access to the most advanced university, laboratories, and tech equipment on the face of the planet or throughout the solar system.
“Anything we need, we already have invested in, with advancements the rest of the world is not yet ready for, yet nevertheless, the necessary funding we can provide to anyone who needs and asks for it. Our Pathway LLC developments and our federal branch improvements may just change the way humanity is, how life is, and you, my dear, are precisely who I am looking for to be part of our team. Our meeting was no pretense in any way, shape, or form. I truly feel a kindred connection with you. I also believe that together we will make a whole lot of wonderful things happen. Would you like to be a part of our team?”
Amber felt the magnetism in the air between herself and Eliza never dissipate, rather instead it seemed to increase and writhe within. “I am with you whole-heartedly. You’ve piqued my interest. I would love to learn more. I also wouldn’t mind being a part of your team. When would you like me to get started? Where do we begin?”
Eliza saw the honesty and enthusiasm in Amber’s character and knew that she was exactly who she was looking for, to be a team member of Pathway with her, Yesha, and James.
“Now, is as good a time as any,” responded Eliza. “Since we have so much to do.
“Please, feel free to go to your various jobs and give them an appropriate heads-up—perhaps a two-week notice. I don’t want you to burn any bridges per say, rather I would prefer you continue on with your employers to provide you an avenue to promote positivity in technology and science. However, please let them know that your schedule has changed for the foreseeable future. While you may ‘work for them,’ they actually work for you. We can give you enough financial backing to ensure you can start your LLC, buy the T.O., and purchase the modeling firms. So, let them know that you would like to stay on, but with fewer hours as your schedule clears up. You will eventually purchase their companies and direct them as you see fit. When the time is right, you let us know, and the transactions will be made.
“I know you will use your charm and they’ll integrate you into their schedule right away. Here, please take this cell phone, it has been specially programmed for you. It uses your current phone number and we will be able to communicate with each other a little more securely. This is encrypted and cannot be hacked since it is only activated and accessible via the frequency and vibration of your thoughts, which are entirely unique to you.”
Amber took the phone, which looked like the newest and latest trend, the Samsung Focus model, she swiped it on, every app was set up, they operated like a nicely greased wheel, and then she saw the contacts list with several names she recognized. She saw each of the paired Google Maps icons, clicked on one, and one of the locations Eliza had identified showed up in purple with instructions from her normal routine to concealed weigh stations within the area to Eliza’s estate for a transit point to the Pathway LLC laboratories, in Melrose, Massachusetts.
They bid each other adieu and waived to each other as they left T.O.’s, with a smile.
Chapter 18: Amber Blythe, Section 3
The first stop was at Eliza’s house, where she met a lady who introduced herself as Yesha’s mom, Yesenia, a very lovely lady, who looked like she was in her early forties, who prepared and drank a tea with her, talked with her for a few minutes, and then showed her to the elevator. Before bidding her farewell, she told Amber, “I may look like I am in my forties, but I was actually born in 1940. That means I will be turning seventy soon. Enjoy your ride!”
Amber thought on that one as she rode the elevator, “Wow, now I am intrigued. My guess is that is one of many cards up Eliza’s sleeves.” She then alerted herself to the length of the elevator ride, which took her down to a depth in the Earth she could only guess was further than any depth any coal miners or publicly understood and used mining capabilities had ever gone, presumably, to where the weigh station for the hyperloop was located. What better way to hide and conceal a weigh station, than several miles below Earth’s surface, especially one such as this, than via a typical elevator within the pleasant charm of an estate home?
Once the elevator stopped, with her physiology adapting to the subtle changes in air pressure along the way, she stepped out, felt an adaptable change to normal air pressure, and then saw the beautiful hyperloop vehicle, long, white, and glowing. The place around it glowed as well, and the vehicle’s doors opened as if waiting just for her. From there, the hyperloop from Eliza’s place, well, underneath it, took her quickly from Cambridge to Melrose. It took her less than a minute to arrive, the travel was smooth, and when she arrived, she was dazzled so much more than she was floored. The Melrose Campus was unlike anything she had ever seen before.
Everything she saw was from the inside looking out, but through the transparent and crystalline glass perimeter walls with futuristic and gleaming-white infrastructure that blended into the glass near the hyperloop terminals, she could see a large, thick, and beautiful forest. She never thought she’d ever see a forest filled with flower trees, but there it was. As she looked up she could see the sky and when she looked toward the base of the trees, she noticed a beautiful landscape with statuettes, pathways, flowers, spices, morels, vegetation of every sort, benches, and wildlife.
The wildlife there was unlike anything she’d seen anywhere. Other than in a Disney movie, she had never seen anything remotely close to this. Within the forest were raccoons, bears, mountain lions, squirrels, zebras, elephants, dogs, cats, mice, eagles, and all manner of other kinds of avian and wildlife relaxing. They were sitting down on a variety of differently-sized benches reading from handheld digital displays! It appeared as if t
hey were nodding at each other from time to time, and as if they were engaging in some unspoken conversation back and forth. This place was a paradise! As she happily took it all in, she gazed around some more at the internal features.
As she looked at the beautiful white glow of the visitors’ entry center, she saw not so much a line of immigrants, but several groupings of them standing next to a soothing waterfall of what appeared to be wine. As she looked more closely, she saw what appeared to be various families, and each was accompanied by their own representative—a nicely uniformed staff member. All of the staff members seemed very pleasant, very attractive, very professional, clean-cut, kind, and even helpful. After focusing a little longer, she noticed the representatives could speak fluently in the language of the family or individual they were escorting.
“Amber, so good to see you! How are you? How was the ride?” she heard Eliza’s gleeful voice, and as if she couldn’t be any more at ease, she was, and she turned around. There was Eliza, as beautiful as she was the first day, she saw her. Right next to her was another young very attractive lady, who seemed very charming and quite captivating as well.
“Wow, Eliza! I’m amazed! I’d thought I’d seen it all, but this is better and even more vivid than I’ve ever seen in any movie!” Amber looked at the young lady next to Eliza and recognized her from her jogs around Cambridge and introduced herself. “Hi, my name is Amber, I think I’ve seen you before. You waved and smiled,” she said, reaching out for a handshake.
The nice young lady put out her hand and Amber and Eliza’s friend reciprocated salutations as she introduced herself, “Hi, Amber. Yes, that was me. I too enjoy jogging around the town. I am pleased to finally meet you, at least in more than passing. My name is Yesha.”
“Yesha and I have known each other for quite a long time. Well, since I was born, actually. She is practically my sister, but we’re close friends. It is with her and a gentleman named James, his crew, and an ever-growing team of scientists and volunteers that we developed all that you see here and so much more. Everyone has been compensated quite well, I assure you. We’ll introduce you to James soon,” said Eliza. “We hope you aren’t too overwhelmed?”
“By all means, I am impressed and overwhelmed, but in a good way,” smiled Amber, trying not to shake in excitement. If ever there were a fantasy come true, this would be it.
“Once the introductions are made and each part of the training is done, we will hand you over to James for a while. He will show you the routine, the ‘where’ and the ‘how’ of everything, and then you’ll be given your first mission. However, please feel free to ask any question from anyone at any time and roam around as you please.”
Amber, rather than roam around, decided to stay with Eliza and Yesha since she felt quite nervous. Together, all three moved past the glowing white visitor’s center and down through an equally glowing hallway, with occasional windows that showed the beauty of the forest. “Are those animals…? I’m afraid to ask,” Amber stopped.
“It’s okay,” said Yesha, chuckling. “Eliza and I decided to upgrade the old ecosystem and create a new one. Those animals can actually communicate telepathically. They are completely domesticated, are actually sentient, and they all prefer to work as muses and psychologists for the populous here at the campuses when it comes to their personally elected contribution to the advancement of civilization, rather than as anything else. If it looks like they are nodding to each other, it is likely they are combing each other’s minds over some of the questions the visitors have had and whom they have provided counseling too. Once you are fully read-in, you can channel them neurologically and listen to their conversations. You might even find one or two who would like to hang out with you on a regular basis. Instead of us choosing them to be our pets, it is very mutual in that they choose you just as much as you choose them, based on contrasting yet beneficial neurological algorithms shared between you and the animals and birds. They are actually good at what they do, and they are actually very social.”
Amber seemed titillated, full of questions, and quite excited about everything she saw but tried to play it down, so no one would notice, but Yesha could tell she was brewing up another question.
“As far as food is concerned, which I am sure you were going to ask, they are fed the ideal nutrients and they love it so much, the predators and the prey actually enjoy each other’s company, and the predators are actually quite apologetic to the prey for all of their kindred they’ve eaten.” Yesha smiled, grimaced, and then smiled again as they continued down the hallway within earshot.
“Okay. That is pretty innovative. I remember reading your book, Eliza, where you suggested preservation of life, but you never suggested something this amazing. No more predation? I am on the verge of worshiping you right now, and now it’s coming to me with much more clarity. You truly meant it. No more hunter versus victim, no more predator versus prey?” asked Amber.
“Yes, and don’t worry. Some of these sciences are very advanced, and you’ll understand why shortly. Now that we have figured out how to cause cells to communicate, we have decided to train them to adjust each animal’s genes just enough in order to rewire a little of their genetic makeup, so they don’t lose their identity, but they still have an outstandingly new neurological framework. We’ve also optimized their physiology, given them more compassion and a neural link, and now the animals see each other as friends. The prey has forgiven the predator and now they merely want to help humanity to preserve life for the long-haul.” Eliza explained. “You can’t see them from here, but even the insects of every sort are sentient and participate helpfully in one way or another of their own volition. It’s interesting watching spiders and flies play miniature soccer with each other while cracking jokes.”
As they turned a corner and stopped short of a large white donut-shaped object about 10 feet or three meters tall, with a variety of shades of blues, navies, purples, and blacks that adorned its features as accented trim, sensors, and buttons, Amber beheld what appeared to be gateways from a science fiction film. “We’re going to take you to your quarters first, so you can catch some fresh air, and then we’ll begin your training. If you are okay going through one of these?”
Amber smiled, and nodded toward Yesha, “What are they? And, I suppose my answer at this point would be a resounding and obvious yes,” and then she asked, “How do they work?”
Eliza chuckled, to put her at ease, “Quite simple really, you walk in on one side and you come out of it on the other side to whichever location we have preprogrammed in advance, and no worries, these ones are pretty much set to only a few of many locations. The system takes into account everything that is within a spherical region and transfers anything within that spherical region to the grid-based location identified. Each region we can go to also has a jump gate, so we can return as needed,” Yesha explained, just before walking through it and disappearing.
She then looked toward Eliza, who smiled back at her and while waving her hand toward the jump gate gently told her, “I’ll follow you. When we get there, and then you receive your training, you’ll understand all of this and your ability to control them more clearly.” said Eliza.
Amber stepped through, and like that, she felt a bit nauseous and found herself in another room, with the jump gate, exactly like it, toward her back. This room was just as white and glowed just like the visitor’s center, but here it seemed to be more like a home. “This is your home. Going through the jump gates, we have been able to give your mind and the data transceivers your very own neurological identification. What do you think of the rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and social room?” Asked Yesha.
“It’s beautiful. What is this? A penthouse suite?” Asked Amber.
“In a way, yes.” Replied Eliza. “Think of it as your home. If you’d like, we can activate jump gates in your jump room, so that only you and those you wish at any point in time can have access to and from here, and you will be able to instantly travel t
o your current apartment in Cambridge and back. As time goes by, and once you have received introductory training, become physiologically and neurologically optimized by climbing into something we call a biopod, and have been fully read-in by having received the subsequent training in the Virtual Universe, you will receive access to more locations, such as labs, tech cities, and other terminals, which will be granted to you, with a quick update. And, there is much more.”
Amber walked through her new campus home and was impressed with the ergonomic and pleasant nature of every bit of each space. “What are those?” Amber asked after she had seen her kitchen, social room, bedrooms, bathrooms, had walked down the hallway to what appeared to be a dead end, with a series of doors opening, into a room filled with what resembled white and glowing tanning beds.
“Those are not tanning booths,” chuckled Yesha, as if she could read her mind. “Those are what Eliza was talking about, those are biopods. Don’t worry, Amber, we will learn about them soon. So, for now, let’s go get your introductory training.”
Once they walked through another one of those ten-foot diameter donuts, she noticed a theater-seating arrangement and then saw Yesha waiving her hand to gesture her over to her.
Yesha stood up for her to let her by and motioned for her to sit down facing a pulpit; Amber sat down to the right of Yesha and noticed that Eliza was sitting to her right. They chatted for a few moments, the lights dimmed, and they began to watch a three-dimensional holographic movie. The movie took Amber and the other accompanied visitors and immigrants through Eliza’s and Yesha’s history, through to their instruction at Harvard, and then through some of the details of the development of Pathway LLC. From there, the movie took them through a process that would be required to become a fully read-in citizen of Pathway.
Further than Before- Pathway to the Stars Page 39