Further than Before- Pathway to the Stars

by Matthew Opdyke

  “Sometimes they had to take a break from the issues surrounding their daughter’s health in order to take everything in with stride. Between the ages of two and five, among Erin’s favorite locations to visit was the Platte River on the south side of Interstate 80, in Kearney, Nebraska. Each year near her birthday the Carters would go to watch the crane migration. Her parents would coordinate with the State’s Wildlife Conservation and Preservation Organization to get the right food and the right quantities, in order to prevent diet dependency of the wildlife. Her parents saw as Erin would light up inside as the cranes would get closer to her, she would leave them some approved food, and then stand back until they would eat, look up at Erin, return to eat, and then fly back to the flock. Every year they would take her there, get food that she could feed the cranes with, and they watched her lovingly as she enjoyed those moments greatly.

  “Daniel and Beverly Carter also provided a wealth of other lower cost yet mind-enriching experiences and activities to bring Erin Carter unfeigned love, education, and an experiential sense of normalcy. ‘She always smiled her big smile, and we loved her for it, yet we were burdened inside as her green eyes seemed to grow larger and more beautiful, but her head of blonde locks began to bald and her skin began to wrinkle and sag,’ Daniel admitted.

  “To her parents, it appeared as though all of the unfortunate and aesthetic effects of her unique disease didn’t matter to mighty young Erin. Deep inside, even though her parents didn’t realize it at the time, upon interviewing Erin, they realized that she knew she was a young child living with parents who loved her deeply, no matter what was happening. To Erin, no matter the challenges ahead, Progeria stopped none of them from being wonderful, thoughtful, and caring.

  “Despite her physiological aging process, Erin’s mind is interestingly and exceedingly sharp. Her intuition is almost second to none. Her parents had taught her well and she had a natural gift for soaking information in, making sense of it, and coming up with very astute observations. In Kindergarten, she won her classes’ artistic project contest and in the First Grade, she won the Advanced-Student Spelling Bee. She then continued to shine and won while at Nationals. She had also memorized the names of every President of the US, a few important facts regarding each of them, their spouses’ names, facts about their contributions in history, and some intriguing facts about the economy and scientific achievements during their tenure.

  “All that Erin, her family, and several dozen with her situation throughout the world hope for is an opportunity for their children to live full lives, and that the necessary efforts are made to find a cure for this premature aging disease. We’re sure there is a way, but let’s hope that time does not fly too quickly before these special spirits can no longer support the burden of this disease on their fragile physiological systems.”

  As this documentary was shared nationwide and worldwide, Erin and her parents were invited to talk show after talk show, including on one of America’s favorite talk shows, Elena, also Erin’s favorite. Elena listened to documentaries often, had realized years ago that many go to the theatre for entertainment, and that important information seems all-too-often forgotten, especially when it came to cures for that which causes misery to so many. Therefore, she often took it upon herself to educate while she entertained. Thus, she did, as Erin warmed the hearts of every person in the audience, especially as she talked about her favorite Sandhill Crane, Betty.

  Somehow, as if it were meant to be, Dr. Eliza Amber Williams’ book, “Pathway to the Stars,” had been released not long after Erin’s sixth birthday, and both Erin’s story and Eliza’s book had already become worldwide sensations, but they seemed to run important parallels.

  Talk show host, Elena, who had also interviewed Eliza previously and was a good friend already, had, during this particular meeting invited both Erin and Eliza onto the show and interviewed them both separately and then together during a series of segments.

  In the show, after introducing them to each other and interviewing them together, she gave a copy of Erin’s documentary video on Blu-ray to Eliza and a copy of Eliza’s book to Erin. She then gave additional copies of the documentary and the book to everyone in the audience, after giving Erin, her documentary, and Eliza and her book a glowing review.

  Erin took her copy of Eliza’s book home, asked her parents to read it every night. She then learned to read it at length on her own, due to her quick ability to absorb information and her photographic memory. Eventually, both of Erin’s parents purchased copies of their own, pored over its pages multiple times, and couldn’t believe what they saw at first. When Beverly and Daniel shared their insights, they realized that right before their eyes was an answer to help their daughter, and that was through Dr. Eliza A. Williams, who they’d already met. They had been impressed with her insights the day they had met her. “What an amazing woman, she is more than a writer; she is actually a genius, in many ways just like our own daughter. We need to find a way to meet with Dr. Williams. I believe she might have the answer,” said Beverly.

  Together, Beverly and Daniel drafted a letter to send to Dr. Eliza A. Williams’ contact address, so they could get in touch with her to meet her again, but this time, away from the cameras. A couple of weeks went by, they put together another letter and sent it, and again they heard nothing. They decided to give it one last try, they wrote, but this time they asked Erin if she could write as well. Once everything was ready to go they put their letters in an envelope and sent it.

  Finally, early on in November of 2010, they received a phone call from a young lady who identified herself as Miss Amber Blythe. She was an intern at Pathway LLC, who also happened to be studying biogerontology, biogenetics, and physiological cell therapy technologies.

  Amber talked to Beverly on the phone at length and explained, “I work with Pathway LLC, and Dr. Eliza A. Williams has requested that I meet with your family. Your daughter is quite a gifted girl, and after having deliberated with Pathway LLC founders, Eliza, Yesha, and James, they agreed I should talk to you, to meet with you. Shortly following my conversation with them and learning about your story I formed a team to see what we could do to help your family and your daughter. We realize you have been going to the Mayo Clinic frequently and so far, there have been very few positive results. They are very prestigious, but no matter the efforts, sometimes cures can be quite elusive because there are so many factors to consider.

  “Therefore, once I visit, we would like you, Erin, and your immediate family to come to Cambridge so we can take a look at her and obtain our own diagnostics if you are willing.

  “We believe we may have therapies that will help Erin in a way that is unique to her to give her the life she deserves. We would also like to pay for your travel, room, and board, and give you an unlimited account for anything you might need on your trip and stay while here.

  “Would you be willing to talk this over with your family and then get back to me? Please note that we ask you for confidentiality, since these are pre-trials, so, again, please keep this within your immediate family for now. While Pathway LLC has public releases, there is still so much more to do before this goes public. This has been vetted for near one-hundred percent success, but due to patenting, litigation, safety, and privacy we ask that your family maintain a low profile, just as we do, when it comes to research and working out as yet unforeseen details.

  “Please also understand that we keep our technologies low-key to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands and to ensure that the economy doesn’t get turned upside-down, resulting in loss of jobs for too many wonderful people. Basically, we are one-hundred percent certain we can fully heal your daughter, but we would ask that you keep this away from public ears, until public approval has been published through the release of our technology via the FDA.

  “We would also ask that you make preparations to come to Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a long stay, using the accounts I have mentioned, which will be supplied to eac
h of you. I will also text you my number. Once you have talked it over with your family and each of you agrees to this, you’ll merely need to text me a ‘yes,’ you can ask whatever you wish, and I will come to visit you, spend some time with Erin, you, and Daniel, and then escort you three to the campus. Once we are there, Dr. Eliza A. Williams would love to meet with you.”

  Once Amber finished, Beverly thought over what Amber had shared, and in a tone that was somewhat excited, she automatically found herself saying, “We’re on board!”

  Amber then responded, “Thank you, Beverly. I will visit you in three days, but please give your family a heads-up?”

  Once the conversation was complete, Beverly stopped to think about what she had gotten herself into, and then she was thrilled. “This was what we have been hoping for!”

  “Daniel!” Beverly lightly raised her voice in the mixture of excitement and concern.

  Daniel was in the laundry room putting clothes in the washer when he looked and saw his wife in the doorway. She looked worn and weathered from his day at work, yet he seemed to be upbeat in the best of ways. “Hi there, Bev,” said Daniel. “What’s up?”

  Beverly then explained the phone call, and how a representative from Pathway LLC had been assigned to them. “A bio-gerontologist intern at Pathway LLC, named Amber Blythe, called and said she would see us in a few days, but in the meantime, we need to pack for a long stay in Cambridge at the Pathway Melrose Campuses. They will cover all costs, give us each an account cash card to pay for all expenses during our stay, and she said that they even have a cure for Erin if we’re willing. She also said that Dr. Eliza A. Williams would like to meet with us.”

  “Of course,” Daniel said, as he all of a sudden felt a lift of stress that had been burdening him for years. Despite tragedies he wouldn’t wish on anyone, they never ceased to have an iron will, or to dedicate themselves to life. Here they were; life itself was finally looking up. Someone had truly cared enough and could and would actually help. He hugged Beverly and together, they explained everything to Erin, who was excited and hopeful about the news, and they shared a group hug with her.

  The Carter family then sat down, reminisced on everything, gave Erin another gentle yet loving hug, and discussed what to pack. They then talked with each other further about the excitement. They also reminded themselves to be humble about what was going to happen.

  “It is important to maintain clarity on what is going on, and to make decisions as to whether or not we will need to sell the home or put it up for rent,” said Beverly. “Technology, if created and used successfully on Erin, with kindness at the core, could be a wonderful promise to humanity as a whole. Life can become even more beautiful than anyone might be able to imagine if this works. We must always remember that all things of promise begin with kindness, but it is okay to harbor a little skepticism to make sure we’re not being given false hope.”

  They rested well that night, packed their bags, and got ready for the trip. Beverly went to some close friends who recommended securing the services of a property manager since they were sure they may be gone for a while. Of course, the agent that visited was curious as to where they were going, but Beverly kept it brief and told him that they would be going away for a while, they weren’t sure for how long. She then told him, further upon inquiry, that their family would be gone for a while, and Erin would be receiving treatments that might help her to overcome the effects of Progeria. Once the agent was suitably baffled, he ceased with his questions.

  The Carters prepared for their trip each day, and as if this might be the last time for a while, they took in the sights and sounds of Kearney. Before they knew it, the day had arrived, when, as promised, Amber Blythe would visit, stay the night, and then take them to Melrose.

  Just as Beverly grew nervous, she heard her phone vibrate.

  “I’m on my way!” Amber had texted Bev’s cell.

  “She’s on her way!” Bev excitedly let Dan and Erin know. Daniel prepared some tea. Erin and Beverly made sure everything they didn’t want the property manager to get into was packed and locked within fireproof safes. Once they were ready, they sat down, listened to some soft music, and played Scrabble, waiting for Amber.

  Chapter 21: Erin Carter, Section 3

  “Bzzzzz!” The doorbell rang.

  It was three days after the phone call and Amber, as she promised, had come to visit all the way from Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Carters had coordinated immediately after the details for home-care before leaving, within the scope of Kearney. Their property manager had been selected to visit weekly, to make sure the mail was collected, the landscaping tended to, and typical home maintenance was squared away. The Carters had prepared everything as requested and tidied up any loose ends and they were ready for Amber’s visit. Erin’s family had agreed that since Beverly had taken the call, she would be the person to greet her at the door.

  Daniel and Erin stood back watching in anticipation as Beverly opened the front door…

  Earlier that day, Amber Blythe had actually used a jump gate hidden not too far from the local municipal airport car rental service.

  She had worked with Dr. Eliza Williams in the Virtual Universe the day prior to arrange, encode, and send a small cloud of nanobots during the night to Kearney, Nebraska. Once there, they created a well-hidden, optimally-placed donut-shaped object, called a jump gate. This was a traveling device that had the capabilities of invisibility technology imbued within it, like many of the rest of Eliza’s projects throughout the solar system and placed in locations that would be vulnerable to far too many questions if seen by the public. They placed this object, on the opposite side of the parking lot of the car rental business in a quiet grove of trees, not too far from the municipal airport, yet in a non-trafficked area away from the unsuspecting public eye.

  On the day arranged where she would jump to the location, she would proceed to the rental agency, retrieve the reserved vehicle, and drive it the rest of the way to Carter’s residence. As such, she did.

  “What an efficient form of travel!” thought Amber, “I wish we had this method of travel a long time ago. Imagine, instead of the dangers of air evacuation, now a person could be taken directly to the ER or a specialist in a clinic, as the situation might call for, be treated right away, and returned home that same day for bed-rest as needed. That would reduce costs for those struggling and to the taxpayer while saving and improving more lives. I suppose in time options will improve. I hope the rest of humanity will catch up with Pathway soon. Oh, wow, this is such a cute town,” She thought, as she simultaneously contemplated her robust research on Erin’s condition, travel by jump gate, and the drive-through Kearney to get to Carter’s home.

  Amber had been working with Pathway as a fully read-in member for almost two months on Erin’s case while studying for her master’s degree thesis, and now that she was pretty much on pause with regard to school awaiting her Ph.D. courses which would begin in January, she could visit Erin. While her thesis had been completed, using the assets that her biopod provided for her via the Virtual Universe, real world timelines called for her to follow MIT’s timeline, when it came to her thesis submission. She had spent much more time dedicated to Erin’s cause since this was her first mission as a delegate. Even though time had seemingly flown by and she had been juggling a lot of other programs, studies, and conducting a lot of research and lab tests, she had also been doing a lot of research on Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome.

  Erin’s case, in particular, was somewhat unique. After combing through all of her records using the encrypted archives within the Twelve Database Moons, developing and practicing scenarios, and measuring the results, she finally found the results she was looking for and was very well-versed on what needed to be done.

  The database moons, which had access to every bit of data in the world, encrypted or non-encrypted, was itself impenetrable by hackers, and necessarily so, since its design was purely intended for the well-b
eing of others, quality of life, longevity, and clarity toward the advancement of civilization, and in Pathway LLC this sufficed as “need to know.” Information within Pathway was used one-hundred percent of the time to improve health and well-being while protecting others from malicious use. Pathway had been founded on true ethics, and they honored these ethics time and again, each and every day. Those entrusted with the use of the databases had been read-in and thus had clarity toward compassion, empathy, and resolution to any issues.

  She had conducted thorough research, doing countless Virtual Universe years of study, trials, experiments, and real-world lab work in a matter of days rather than weeks. She had practiced her developing ideas in the Virtual Universe based on every aspect of her case in the real world. Doing this, she could enter, come out with new solutions, rinse and repeat until she knew exactly what needed to be done. In order for Amber to be amply prepared, a complete understanding of two methods of cure was necessary. By that, both methods were such that Erin could be cured through biopod or through following therapies using real world technologies she had studied thoroughly, had fully grasped, and could work with.

  Even though biopods were the easiest way to cure Erin, they still weren’t released to the public “for ethical, legal, and economic concerns” and it didn’t appear that the real world or established science authorities would catch up any time soon. If she could convince the Carter family to be read-in completely, this would be easy on the Carters and on Pathway LLC.

  Legally, all of this would be a non-issue. The campus dormitories were each a series of penthouse suites with their own biopods, doctor’s offices, and were more spectacular than a luxury suite in Dubai. Similar to Dubai, there was an increasing interest in the latest in every imaginable technology. In contrast, there were opportunities enough for anyone interested to be involved in a great cause with compensation that lent toward an increase in self-actualization. In addition, with a series of suites replete with biopods and doctor’s offices deep within Pathway LLC at the Melrose, Massachusetts Campus, highly specialized care could be administered in a private way.