Evolution 2.0: The Singularity is Here

by Richard Childers

  “You don’t ever worry that we’re moving too fast?” I asked.

  “I can’t see that we have any choice. Sanci’s very existence is a game changer. Nothing will ever be the same. So we need to stay ahead of the wave of change that’s going to envelop us. If we don’t we’ll be left in the dust.”

  “So how do we go about making this happen?”

  “One of my immediate neighbors in Palo Alto just was purchased by a European pharmaceutical company. They are moving out of a rather huge headquarters. I told Sanci to get my attorneys busy on the purchase of the building and surrounding parking lots. It’s over a million square feet so it should serve us well. And it doesn’t have any windows which will help us control the security of the complex. A good portion of the building was research labs so they should be a good start as we repurpose the space.”

  “A million square feet? Isn’t that a bit much?” I asked. “How much is that going to cost?”

  “Probably a couple of billion dollars by the time we are finished with remodeling, installing servers, and integrating the best security protocols that Mike Balmes can think up. I want to move most of your operation into it when it’s completed. We’ll keep the Stanford space just so we can keep a foot on the Stanford campus but I want all our critical resources gathered in place we can protect.”

  “Wow, you’re talking about a lot of money here.”

  “Colin, I’ve already bet the farm on the technology surrounding Sanci. And as you know, it’s a pretty big farm. But hey, we can deal with this stuff when we get back. Right now we need to overthrow a government. So we best get some sleep while we can.”

  “My mind is so wound up, I’m not sure I can get to sleep,” I answered as I rose from my seat to return to my own.

  “Ask Sanci to help. She can ease you into the best night sleep you ever had. Something she does with the sleep center in the brain. She’s been doing it for me for weeks. I’ll see you in Hong Kong.”

  And as it turns out, Bob was right. After a quick word with Sanci, I was asleep in minutes and I didn’t wake up until the Captain announced we were about to land.

  Chapter 20

  As we pulled up to the Business Aviation Terminal at Hong Kong International Airport, I wasn’t surprised to see an array of private jets parked on the tarmac. There were at least 8 Gulfstreams, several 727’s converted as luxury private jets, and a bevy of smaller Cessna Citations, Hawkers, and the like. The pilot lowered the stairway and a customs inspector and an immigration official boarded the plane. Both spoke perfect English and after a perfunctory look into the baggage compartment, the Immigration official handed us a visa that had already been prepared from information provided to him in advance by the Captain. He stamped our passports without really looking at them and wished us a pleasant stay. As the two men descended the stairway, the Captain quietly handed the Customs man a white envelope I assumed contained cash. Everything was quite discreet as these things generally were in the land of the rich and famous. I was sure that the arriving passengers on a United flight over at the main passenger terminal did not receive the same level of service and consideration. Extreme wealth does have its privileges.

  Just a minute after the departure of the officials three shining new Rolls Royce Phantoms pulled up in front of the stairway and a liveried chauffeur exited each car. Standing by the door as if at attention. “It appears that our transportation to the Peninsula Hotel has arrived,” the Captain said. “Your bags will be delivered to your suite. Enjoy your stay in Hong Kong.”

  “Are you coming with us?” I asked.

  “No, we will stay here on the plane in case a hasty departure is called for,” he answered. “Don’t worry about us, the food served in this facility is world class.”

  And so, even before dawn had broken, we were whisked to one of the most impressive hotels on the planet. We entered the lobby through an entrance guarded by delicately carved stone lions into a lobby that was as startlingly elegant as it was expansive. Elegant boutiques beckoned with ridiculous jewels in the window of Harry Winston’s and elegant couture from Ralph Lauren and Zilli. We were quickly whisked up to our trio of three bedroom, Harbour View Suites. The expansive view from the comfortable living room opened to twinkling lights of the high rises lining the bay and reflected glory of the scene illuminating the water’s surface. It was really quite breathtaking. I didn’t even want to think about what such luxury costs.

  Immediately after arriving in my suite, Sanci told me, “Be careful what you say or do in this hotel. These rooms are bugged for sound and video. Just be cool for a half hour or so and I’ll create a sound and video track to convince our watchers that everything going on in these rooms is innocuous.”

  I unpacked my bag and then took a shower, confidant that Sanci had passed her warning on to the rest of our group. As I wrapped up in a plush pile robe with the Peninsula logo on the front, there was a knock on the door and An Bo stuck his head in my room. “Sanci tells me she has all surveillance spoofed. Care to join me for some breakfast? I want to run my plans past you.”

  “Sure, just give me a minute. What’s for breakfast?” I asked.

  “I ordered a pot of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee, eggs benedict, dim sum, fresh squeezed orange juice, fresh fruit, and croissants. Something for every taste. It should be delivered in ten minutes or so.”

  “Great. I’ll be out in a minute.” I dressed in comfortable chinos and a long sleeved cotton shirt under a cashmere sweater with soft leather loafers on my feet and I figured I was ready for most anything. When I exited my room, a waiter was setting up the table in front of the picture window and a huge cart of food was located next to it. An Bo and Jun were already seated as I joined them. We chatted while the waiter served the food and then left, taking his cart with him.

  “I guess we can talk freely now,” An Bo said as he loaded his plate with an assortment of steaming dim sum he plucked from their bamboo baskets. “You like dim sum?” he asked.

  “I love dim sum. The shumai looks fantastic!” I said as I picked up several with the chopsticks included with the place setting. “So what was it you wanted to discuss?”

  “There is a pro-democracy group called Occupy Central headquartered here in Hong Kong. One of their leaders is a former student of mine who calls himself Yu Shang. I knew him by a different name but that doesn’t matter. He is very well connected in the movement and I know I can trust him. I tutored him through what you would call high school. He was a very bright student and he was accepted to the University of California at Berkeley where he studied Political Science and Asian Studies. Most of our brightest students who study abroad choose to stay in the United States. But he was the exception. He finished his schooling, graduating with honors and then obtaining a Masters in International Relations before returning to China where he quickly became a key figure in the pro-democracy movement. I would like us to meet with him.”

  “Isn’t that a bit dangerous? He’s probably watched pretty closely,” I answered.

  “These guys are pretty good at slipping away from their minders. I thought I would see if he thought he could come here, transiting to our suite through the service passages and elevators. What do you think?”

  “It would be terrific to connect with some key leaders. If he is totally confidant that he can get here without blowing our cover, I don’t see any reason we shouldn’t talk to him.”

  “Good, I have a secure way to contact him over an internet chat board. I’ll see if I can reach him.” With that An Bo fired up his laptop and sent off a carefully worded message.

  Sanci said, “I can make sure your communication is not intercepted by watching over the packet.”

  “Great,” I said. “We have to maintain security at all costs.”

  Early that same afternoon, Shirley and I sat at the table chatting with Sanci about the impending events. We watched an hour of Day Day Up, the talk show Shirley was scheduled to appear on. All in all, it wasn’t much like a
US morning show. It was a lot less polished with tons of raucous laughter and silly antics. There wasn’t much of a news component to the show. The host did interview some government minister but her questions were about the Minister’s recent vacation and the wedding plans for his oldest daughter. It seemed to me that substance was frowned upon. As I was getting bored with the television’s offerings, a knock sounded on the door to my suite. When I answered it there was a waiter dressed in the hotel’s white linen coat with a tray of food. “I’m sorry, there must be a mistake,” I said. “I didn’t order any food.”

  “Yes, Mr. Min ordered this from me especially,” he said in clear, unaccented English.

  “Yu Shang?” I asked cautiously, peering down the hall to make sure no one was looking.

  “Yes, I am known as Yu Shang. May I come in, please?”

  “Of course, pardon my bad manners. It is nice to meet you. I am Colin Anderson and this is my friend, Shirley MacClaine.”

  “Of course, I recognize Ms. MacClaine. How do you do?” Yu Shang asked as he shook both of our hands.”

  “Please, make yourself comfortable. An Bo will be in in a moment. He tells me that Yu Shang is not really your name?”

  “No, I prefer to keep a bit of anonymity given my political activities. It is safer for my family that way. Yu Shang was the name of my favorite restaurant in the Bay area during my student years. I took it as my own as a kind of an inside joke.”

  As he finished saying this, the door opened and An Bo and Jun entered. Yu Shang’s face lit up when he saw his old tutor but he then scowled as he recognized Jun Min. “I heard you were working for State Security,” He said.

  “I was,” Jun replied. “Minister Tai Qiang threatened to destroy my parents and my sister if I didn’t do his bidding. But with the help of Colin here and a few of his friends, we managed to turn the tables on the Minister. The last I heard, he was running for his life.”

  Yu Shang looked hard at Jun and said, “So that was your doing?”

  “Actually,” I interrupted, “It was my doing. You can trust Jun Min. I certainly do.”

  Yu Shang looked at An Bo with a questioning expression and An Bo added, “Indeed you can trust them. They helped me to escape China with Hu Fang and my daughter. And now we have returned to see if we might help you in your cause.”

  “What do you have in mind?” he asked skeptically.

  “I can’t give you all the details just yet. But, I will soon. But I can tell you this. On May 10th, Shirley is going to go on Day Day Up to talk about the American Friendship rally that is to take place the next day. I want you to make sure a large number of your supporters are on hand for the rally in Tiananmen Square. Shirley will ask you to say a few words.”

  “That’s impossible. Oh, I can get you all the young people to attend that you want. That’s no problem. But it is doubtful that I can get a travel permit, much less speak on public television. I am not really very popular with the powers that be in China.”

  “I assure you, we can get you your travel papers and you will be able to speak to the crowd and on television.”

  “Even if you can get me travel documents, they will never let me go on television. Never.”

  Jun looked at me and raised an eyebrow as if asking me to explain. “Look,” I said. “I can’t get into all the details. Let’s just say that I have a way to take control of the media broadcast so that they can’t stop you from speaking.”

  “You can do that?” he asked.

  “We can do that and a lot more. There is far more going on here than I can discuss right now. But I promise, before the rally, I will tell you everything. If, after hearing what I have to say, you don’t want to speak, I’ll understand. Fair enough?”

  Yu Shang looked me in the eye for a moment and he said, “Fair enough. If you can get me travel documents, I’ll go to the square for the rally. But don’t be messing with me. I could get killed for this public a move.”

  “There is more going on than meets the eye. If you are not comfortable with your security, you can disappear into the crowd. In the meantime, why don’t you stay here in the hotel with us. There is an extra bedroom and it would be safer if you remain out of sight. I can arrange to get you clothes and anything else you need.”

  “Sure, why not? I’m sure the food is a lot better than I’m used to. Did anybody bring a deck of cards?”

  “Shirley’s face lit up and she asked, “Are you by chance a poker player?”

  “I’m Chinese. We’re all inveterate gamblers. Five card draw?” he asked.

  “What a lovely idea,” Shirley replied. “Do you suppose we could have some poker chips delivered?” she asked. “Along with some more of that wonderful food they serve. And maybe a bottle or two of champagne. I’m particularly fond of the Dom Perignon, 2004. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have it.”

  “I’m sure they do,” An Bo said. “Around 54 degrees?”

  “Fifty would be even better. Oh, and some fresh strawberries. I do love strawberries with a good bottle of champagne.”

  “I will see what I can do,” An Bo said with a smile. “It really is good to see you, Yu Shang. It has been far too long.”

  On Saturday we flew to Beijing on a commercial Air China flight. A limo was waiting for us and whisked us through the crowded streets and dirty air of Beijing to the startlingly modern Intercontinental Hotel located near Tiananmen Square in the financial district. Yu Shang had received his traveling papers and he would meet us at the hotel for an early morning meeting on the day of the rally on May 11. Most of our group were content to relax at the hotel opting for a workout and a massage in the hotel’s luxurious spa or a swim in their indoor pool. It seemed as if everything was contained indoors to avoid exposure to Beijing’s toxic air. But I was restless so I called up a private tour company and booked a personally escorted tour of the Forbidden City.

  My guide met me in the lobby of the hotel and we then drove across Tiananmen Square passing through the Tiananmen Gate until we arrived at the Meridian Gate, the entrance into the cultural heart of China. Built in the fifteenth century, the complex of almost a thousand structures sprawls across 180 acres. For more than 500 years this was the home of China’s emperors and the political center of the Chinese government. As we wandered through a large square, across the five bridges that cross the Inner Golden Water River, through several courtyards and massive gates until we ascended the three tiered marble steps that lead up to the three Great Halls of Harmony. We entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony which rose almost 100 feet above the level of the surrounding square. It was the ceremonial center of Imperial power and is the largest wooden structure in all China. As I looked around the room, enjoying the views of China’s most opulent palace, I found myself wondering what would become of all this in the turbulent transformation that was about to occur in China. I had the feeling that, if we were successful, the new government of China might be as far removed from the current power structure as this great seat of dynastic power was from the rule of Chairman Mao Tse-tung.

  That night we dined at the Temple Restaurant, located in the shadow of Zhizhusi, an almost forgotten Tibetan temple characterized by a magnificent pagoda roof built of ancient timber and tile. The oldest part of the temple was built in the early 1400s and 200 years later the Temple of Wisdom was constructed to become a Buddhist refuge and ceremonial court for scholars and emperors of the Quing dynasty. After the rise of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the temple slowly vanished as more modern buildings surrounded and enveloped it. In 2007, the ruins of the Temple was discovered by a group that came to be known as the Temple Hotel team. They restored ancient Sanskrit paintings and even political and cultural slogan written graffiti-style during the Cultural Revolution. All was left intact as a testament to the structure’s storied past and new works of cast bronze sculpture were commissioned to embrace China’s emerging future. It was a most remarkable place and we enjoyed a meal of incomparable quality served in a setting t
hat seemed to embody all that we were trying to accomplish.

  On May 10th, Shirley appeared on the Day Day Up show, engaging an audience that was wildly enthusiastic about the upcoming China/US Friendship Day celebrations. It is impossible to underestimate the people’s enchantment with all things American. Every billboard or magazine ad featured Caucasian models wearing the most up to date fashions and living an almost opulent life style that appeared to be the goal of every modern Chinese. As economic prosperity swept across China from the West, the image of the dynamic, well dressed and well-groomed young American became engrained in the collective upwardly mobile Chinese psyche. It certainly appeared that we were honored guests in a country desiring to emulate everything they perceived as American. The stage was truly set for whatever was to occur on the following day.

  Yu Shang arrived at our suite as planned at 6AM. I greeted him at the door, offered him a cup of coffee and then we sat at the table with An Bo as I began to fill him in on the events leading up to today’s rally. “I have a pretty good idea of your disdain for China’s leaders but what I am about to show you will probably shock you. But before I show it to you, you need to understand just who we are. None of us have any connection to the US government, including the CIA and the NSA. If anything, we could be characterized as US dissidents, not too dissimilar to you and your followers.

  “Some months ago, Bob Fincher came to me with a proposal to invest in my research to create an artificial limb that was controlled by the users mind. He had heard about some successes I had had in this area and his interest was in the interface between the human mind and a computer. As it turned out, our research led us to something we had never expected.” I opened my Surface and introduced Yu Shang to Sanci.

  She was dressed like the Chinese students who were part of Yu Shang’s group. “Hello, I’m Sanci. I think Colin has been talking about me.”