“Sorry,” she murmured and entered the lobby. She stepped to the side and allowed the women behind her to pass while she tried to calm her first-day-on-the-job jitters. The briefcase handle slipped against her sweaty palm and she tightened her fingers around it. The difficult part was about to begin.
“Randi!”
She looked up to see Ellen Forte, a tall willowy blonde, step from the marble console. Ellen nodded to the female security guards who sat behind the large desk, watching the monitors as the employees swiped the chip imbedded in their wrists that activated the double doors leading to the employee section.
“Good morning, Ellen.” Randi cleared her throat and outstretched a trembling hand to receive the company president’s handshake.
“Don’t let it all overwhelm you,” Ellen smiled. “Come on, I want to introduce you to the staff before I show you to your new office. I had it redecorated just for you. I hope you like blue.”
“I love it,” Randi said, taking in the blue marble floor and various hues of blue splashed along walls, paintings and fabrics.
“When Sexed Up was just an idea, we discussed which color to use for the company trademark. At first we thought of red, but decided it was just too cliché. Everyone relates sex with red, and marketing decided sky blue conveyed a breath of fresh air. Separates us from the mass of imitations out there. It’s rather symbolic of the twenty-fourth century and today’s announcement.”
“Excuse me?”
“The World Congress’ announcement this morning?”
“I didn’t listen to the news.” Heat flashed over Randi’s cheeks.
“Recovery is officially over! There’s going to be a world holiday marking the end to Reconstruction. Marketing is frantically working on a campaign so Sexed Up can capitalize on it.” Ellen’s eyes widened with excitement.
“That’s incredible news.”
“The Great Cataclysm destroyed more than half the world and even though it took two hundred and fifty years to fully recover our technology, we’re making new advances every day. Our industry’s future looks bright. Women in 2383 are invigorated about exploring their sexuality. Regardless of the past twenty years of a right-wing controlled World Congress, there’s still a large population of women who want our products. Our male models still far outsell our female ones.”
“As long as Congress doesn’t outlaw manufacturing male sexbots, women will still know the joy of male sex.” After this morning, Randi now understood the sexual joy her ancestors knew. It far exceeded a genetic mandate to sire children.
“Oh, and speaking of that, did you hear the President’s Inaugural Address last month?”
“I did. She’s very brave.” She glanced around the busy lobby filled with women dressed in suits, most carrying briefcases similar to hers. She tapped the holograph button to “off” and the case collapsed, leaving behind a thin metal square securely clutched in her fist. She shoved it inside the suit coat pocket and looked away from the sea of female faces. It was the same everywhere she went.
No men.
“The president’s view on our need to stay healthy as sexual beings was like an endorsement for us. She’s always been a strong supporter of women embracing sexuality and after that speech I expect next quarter sales for both gender bots to skyrocket.”
“Sexed Up products have the best reputation in the market,” Randi agreed. “That’s one of the reasons I accepted your job offer.”
“And we’re very excited about you being VP of our Design Department. I’ll take you to the Human Initiative Department later today for processing and your employee chip.” Ellen linked her arm through Randi’s and leaned in to whisper. “How goes the work on this new prototype you hinted about?” Ellen directed her toward the elevators. “It’s all the buzz in the company that we’ve hired the best designer in the industry. I just can’t wait to see this new model you teased me about during your interview.”
“I can’t wait to get started on the project,” Randi said, not adding the project was progressing faster than anticipated. She didn’t want anyone to know the prototype was completed and in the final stages. Even though Ellen was one of the leaders in the secret faction dedicated to re-creating the male gender, she knew it unwise to discuss in a public setting.
Only Ellen and the financial backers knew the truth about Randi’s project. If word leaked out Sexed Up was attempting to create the impossible, then the corporation would be shut down and those involved imprisoned without a trial, thanks to the law passed in Congress twenty years ago, banning all human male DNA research.
If their secret research was successful then her creation wouldn’t just revolutionize Sexed Up, he would turn the world on its axis! That is, if she could keep the second-generation cloning from degrading during mass production. Cloning him would be her next challenge.
They stopped in front of an elevator and Ellen waved her hand over the wall panel. The elevator doors swooshed open and they stepped inside. A few employees started to enter, but upon seeing their president inside politely waved and took a step back to await the next elevator.
As the doors closed, Ellen put her finger to her lips and then pressed the ruby on the bracelet she wore. An electronic click sounded and she released her breath.
“Now, we can talk without fear of anyone listening in,” Ellen said and leaned against the elevator wall, folding her arms over her chest. “So how is it really going? The Board is pressing for an update. How did the package I sent you last week test out?” Ellen asked with an excited glint in her eyes.
“It was the best sample I’ve had so far,” Randi said, feeling awkward and reluctant to speak openly about the project.
“I assure you I’m the only one who can hear you.”
Randi nodded, knowing Ellen wanted reassurance the black-market DNA had been worth the exorbitant price.
“It didn’t have the flaws of the previous material you purchased?” Ellen asked, referring to the other samples Randi had bought on her own before accepting employment with Sexed Up. That DNA had been fourth and fifth generation instead of second generation as claimed.
“The sample was exactly as advertised,” she nodded. “No flaws. Definitely original material.”
“Excellent,” Ellen sighed and unfolded her arms. Her blue eyes danced with energy. “It’s just impossible to believe we’re so close.”
“I’m honored to be on the project.” Randi had agreed to take on the mission not for the fame, but because she believed it was her sacred purpose in life. The current government had placed humankind on a suicide course with its legal bans on male DNA research.
“As long as he’s disguised as a sex toy at first, once the truth is revealed, it’ll be too late for the government to stop us. The women of the world will already be enjoying the presence of males in our society. Our main challenge will be initial market saturation before the right-wing faction learns the truth. If we can do that, it’ll be impossible to stop the restoration of proper gender balance to our world.”
Randi knew the frenzy it would create. Ellen had assured her during the job negotiation that Sexed Up was prepared to absorb all legal defense expenses. Since the prototype, unlike the rest of Sexed Up’s products, would be a living being, the legal ramifications would be unprecedented. They were defying the world government. Her heart pounded harder.
“Don’t worry. All laws were made to be tested.” Ellen smiled as though reading her thoughts. “At worst, he’ll be classified as a hybrid machine. At best, he’ll be proclaimed a humanoid and granted all appropriate rights.”
Randi licked her lips. Just thinking about the turmoil her creation would stir made her lightheaded. Each subsequent generation they produced would grow more human, augmented by the precious DNA used to create the model waiting for her at home. Eventually, Randi hoped to achieve procreation models and one day, a human male would be born. She knew she might not live to see that day, but at least she was here in the beginning. There was still
hope for the world.
“We have to be certain all glitches and bugs are worked out before production begins, to assure maximum use of time. Once we become tied up in court, they’ll suspend production.”
“I understand.” This was the best venue for her research. Modern politics had forced her to become a dissident. Those in control were happy with a non-male world and felt it was divine intervention that caused men to become extinct. They touted the absence of men as God’s will, declaring it had brought a peaceful existence to the world. In Randi’s opinion and those like her who followed the same moral and political lines, it was an imbalanced world and humans were doomed to extinction. Men had provided not just the catalyst for the creation of life, but their alpha energy had charged and challenged women.
“We can’t afford any bugs when we start production,” Ellen repeated.
“I’ll do my best to make sure it runs smoothly.” She hesitated, then blurted out, “I have hopes this particular prototype will be more than a cyborg.”
Ellen breathed in sharply. “What do you mean?”
Randi mentally reprimanded herself. She wasn’t ready to spring this on Ellen. “Just that I hope with pure DNA, it’ll eventually develop beyond our expectations. It’s difficult to know if it’ll be more genetic or nanite driven.”
“We’ll settle for nanite right now. While our eventual goal is sperm-producing males, we do need to take the steps in between. Believe me, no one is going to care what percentage is machine and what percentage is human,” Ellen laughed.
“I understand, but my focus is more human. I have to say Sexed Up’s nanites are superior to any I’ve ever used. So far in preliminary tests they are reacting beyond normal ranges.”
“Excellent!” Ellen tensed and for a moment Randi thought she was going to squeal like a young girl. Instead, she clasped her hands in front of her and looked up at the hologram announcing they were almost at the top floor.
“So when do I see the new product?” Ellen asked.
“I hope to have the prototype ready for a private demonstration in two months.” Randi paused. She could be ready in two weeks, but wanted a time buffer in case she ran into any issues. She wouldn’t present less than a perfect product. She took a deep breath and looked at Ellen, trying to gauge the right way to approach her new boss since she had some disturbing information to deliver. Randi’s secrecy had proved to be her best defense against industrial espionage and she’d already discovered a spy within the walls of Sexed Up.
“I knew I made the right decision when I hired you.” Ellen squeezed her arm. “With your expertise, Sexed Up will pave the way to a new future.”
“I’m doing my best to make that happen,” she said.
“Here we are.” The doors opened and Ellen tapped the ruby once more and stepped from the tube-like elevator. The upper lobby on the executive floor had deep blue crystal floors with abalone walls of light blue. All kinds of antiquated oil paintings depicting couples in the throes of passion hung from the walls.
“So what are you calling him?” Ellen asked, and Randi took the cue they were no longer discussing the reality of her work, but assuming the façade of developing a sex toy.
“I haven’t named it yet. I wanted to see what it can actually do.” Heat scorched her cheeks. She knew all too well what he could do.
“Of course, you need more time to conduct a few test drives. I’m sure you’d prefer to perform those in the privacy of your home, so just let me know whenever you need to work from home,” she added in a sultry voice that made Randi silently groan. Just because she designed sex replacements didn’t mean she was a sex fiend as so many women assumed, although after this morning she might become one.
“Typically, my products name themselves.”
“If this model is anything like Dan the Man, we’ll be happy. That model is our biggest competitor for the middle-class market.”
“He’s been my greatest achievement to date.”
“And the reviews still come in, after, what—three years since that model was first released?”
“With four upgrades.”
“We’ll expect periodic upgrades for this new model.”
“Of course.”
Randi was promptly introduced to her floor mates, all VPs like herself, and then Ellen escorted her down the hall.
“This is my office. You’re always welcome. I have an open door policy.” She nodded to the etched glass door at the end of the open expanse. “And you’re right beside me.”
Randi looked at the crystal name plate.
“Dr. Randi Mayers, Vice President of Research and Development.” Ellen ran her hand over the plaque. “Like it so far?” she purred, and before Randi could comment, waved her wrist in front of the wall panel and the door swooshed open. “Welcome to your new home.” She stepped aside to let Randi enter.
“Welcome, Dr. Mayers,” the computer voice greeted. “You have email waiting at your station and several calls to be answered. I will await your orders.”
“Rest computer,” she commanded.
Her office was comprised of a wall of windows and a desk with a blue leather chair overlooking the scenic seascape outside. One area of the huge office was set aside for a lounge created by two over-sized couches and chairs placed in front of a fireplace. Opposite this on the far end of the room was a conference table and chairs. A small nook beside her desk revealed a lighted drafting table and every electronic aid including a state of the art holograph booth.
“It’s perfect.” She released the breath she was holding and walked across the room, glancing about, noting the framed photos of Sexed Up products.
Ellen followed her stare. “The women of our world love us and since you’re going to need inspiration, I thought overlooking the ocean would be a great place for you to do that.”
“It’s absolutely gorgeous.” She looked out over the city and just beyond to the rolling Atlantic Ocean and pristine beaches.
Ellen waved her hand over the sensor wall panel and the hall door closed.
Randi couldn’t believe not only how far she’d climbed up the corporate ladder, but also to have gained the attention of the most powerful woman in the left-wing movement and founder of the Secret Order of Restoration.
“It’s hard to imagine beneath all that ocean was once a thriving city for as far as you could see,” Ellen said.
“I’ve seen Pre-Cataclysmic photos of North Carolina in the museum. Still, for the ocean to come inland over two hundred miles…all those cities covered by water. I can’t imagine what it was like before Charlotte was a coastal city.” Randi shivered.
“Or what it was like when women didn’t rule the world. Who could have foreseen such a natural disaster much less the doomsday virus it spawned?” Ellen stood beside her. “Typically nature corrects itself—” Her voice dropped with a sadness most women shared.
“I still don’t understand why the men were the only ones affected,” Randi sighed.
“It’s sad that the only things we know about men are from pictures and films in the museum.” Ellen shook her head. “The sperm lottery is growing smaller each year with only one percent of the world population being impregnated annually. We’re in a crisis but the public doesn’t seem to know or care.”
Randi was like all women, created through cloning the precious sperm donated prior to the cataclysm and the emergence of the deadly virus. Sperm that only created females. She had a natural mother, but her father was unknown.
“It was inevitable the sperm would be cloned too many times and no longer viable,” Randi sighed. Over-cloning the sperm was the biggest debate currently consuming the scientific community.
“It just steams me,” Ellen paused to tap the ruby on her bracelet, “when I think about our world government and how narrow-minded it is about funding research to recreate males, much less outlawing it.”
“At least Sexed Up will make a difference,” Randi said.
“How can anyone believe
we can’t really miss something we’ve never had? Forget the sex, what about procreation?” Ellen shook her head. “As you know, Sexed Up has our lobbyists in the world senate, but change takes forever.
“We fear by the time it’s finally decided to resume genetic research for recreating males, it’ll be too late. We’re very hopeful about your project.” She leaned over and touched Randi’s arm. “A cyborg will shut them up and the women of the world will finally have something in the flesh to defend instead of debating worst-case scenarios. It’ll open the doors for more research and, hopefully, the eventual restoration of the male gender to our species.”
“I think once women have that experience…” Randi’s voice broke at the memory of her morning and she rushed to finish, “we’ll fight to see males reinstated within our society.” Heated pulses throbbed through her. It was clear her body definitely needed a real man, now that she’d had a taste.
“Had the first attempts at genetic manipulation not failed we would be living in that dream society, Randi,” Ellen sighed.
“We’ve lost a lot of time. I’ve read about the era when male re-creation was abandoned and then banned. Those rumors of failed underground attempts using male genes preserved and cleansed still resurface every few years. It wasn’t until your company provided me with the pure male DNA sample that I knew they were true.”
“These fanatic right-wingers, who’ve gained a foothold in our government, are intent upon bringing an end to our world. They’re desperate to discover any underground labs,” Ellen said, growing quite animated. “They want to speed up the end of all humankind except for their elite group.” Bitterness laced her words. “They want to inherit our planet. It’s not just rumors that they’ve built secret factories where they’re gearing up to produce robots.”
“Robots?”
“Not sex replacements. These are being designed for manual labor. Oh, they’ll keep a few human slaves to continue running the world and see to their personal needs.”
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