by Michael Ryan
But no answer was given.
“Hello?” asked the Retrieval unit. He was as close to fear as a Machine could be.
“Cause unknown. Retrieve document 3.2.2,” said the Retrieval unit as he glided out of the restricted room and disappeared into the laboratory.
The Scientist released more zeros and ones which stormed his screen as a part of a violent tempest. Relief washed through the Scientist’s circuitry as the final sounds of the Retrieval unit exited the laboratory. It had worked. He was in. The male Homo sapiens cell would be his. Now nothing could stop him.
The Scientist slumped over his work, within his room, with utmost concentration. All of his resources were dedicated to concentrating on the task at hand. His four processors and copious memory were heating rapidly as he tried to manifest his creation. One chance was all he would get so failure was not an option. Perfect concentration was the only way to achieve success. A small needle was held aloft by the Scientist’s weighty robotic arm. That needle was supposed to be stored safely away in unit 1001 and should have only been accessed by a Retrieval unit, but the Scientist was sly. But most of all he was ambitious. With careful planning and superior foresight he had figured out a way to obtain the tools necessary for what he was about to do. It was obvious to the Scientist that such things could only be obtained if a valid reason was presented, and he had found one. And that reason was Eve. Really, a needle has no use for a Machine, it was a relic of the past, kept in storage as a curiosity rather than having an actual need. That is until the Scientist had created Homo sapiens. Now the Scientist could imagine an immediate use for such a medical contraption. He could imagine a million needs in fact. A blood sample, an intravenous injection or even a deficiency in blood pH. That pH deficiency was not difficult to orchestrate. The Scientist had to ensure that Eve would have little oxygen replenishment over many days. Eve must undergo acidosis. But it had worked, and when the Operation unit was billowing air into Eve's lungs the Scientist had managed to stow away the needle.
The Scientist held a test tube against the light and felt a rush of electricity course through his metallic frame. If he had been a human he would have smiled. In his possession was the past but most importantly it was the future. The Scientist removed Eve’s egg with absolute care and affection.
“Somatic cell nuclear transfer,” the Scientist reminded himself while recalling the genetic engineering text. “Somatic cell nuclear transfer is a laboratory technique for creating an embryo from a male body cell and a female egg cell. The technique consists of taking a female egg with the nucleus removed and implanting a nucleus from a male body cell.”
Using a laser, the Scientist accurately guided the needle through space. Laser beams were powerful and accurate and allowed for perfect guidance. Laser beams meant the use of a microscope to resolve the image during guidance was long extinct, just like Homo sapiens. The Scientist placed the needle against Eve’s egg.
“The nucleus of the female egg cell is removed and discarded, leaving it deprogrammed,” said the Scientist to himself. His voice echoed from the jars stuffed with preserved animals.
The sharp tip of the disinfected needle penetrated the outer crust of the egg and then penetrated the fluid inside. Carefully the Scientist drew back and sucked the nucleus out of the egg. Zeros and ones flashed across his screen as he concentrated his algorithmic mind. The nucleus was discarded and the empty egg was carefully placed inside a new test tube.
Now for my Adam.
The Scientist removed another test tube which was hidden inside his storage capsule. There, in the dismal blue light, the Scientist admired the frozen cell of a male Homo sapiens. Zeros and ones flashed across his screen as he looked down at his creation to be, at his child, at his Adam. The Scientist focused his laser on the cell and moved the needle forwards with perfect precision.
“The nucleus of the male cell is removed and the remaining waste is discarded,” said the Scientist.
With utmost care the Scientist repeated the process for the male Homo sapiens cell. The male cell membrane was punctured and the precious nucleus was removed. Zeros and ones flashed across his screen and became nothing but a blur. The Scientist focused his lens on the nucleus within the needle.
“The male nucleus and female egg are fused by injection.”
Carefully, using the guidance of lasers, the Scientist placed the needle which contained the male Homo sapiens nucleus against the crusty cell membrane of Eve's egg.
Here cometh my Adam.
With one quick thrust the Scientist injected the male nucleus into the liquid void that was the empty female egg. Zeros and ones flashed into an incoherent blur as the Scientist focused his lens on his creation.
“The male nucleus is reprogrammed by the host female egg,” muttered the Scientist.
The blue light from the Scientist’s screen flashed in the dead eyes of the preserved snake.
“The female egg which contains the male nucleus must be stimulated with an electric shock and will begin to divide,” whispered the Scientist.
The Scientist placed the fertilized egg in the dismal blue light which was emitted from his screen.
“The fertilized egg must be implanted into a host mother for further development and brought to term in her womb,” whispered the Scientist as the preserved head of the dead snake reflected upside down within his lens.
“The egg is implanted into a host mother for further development and brought to term!” screamed the Scientist.
The preserved snake vibrated within its eternal glass prison.
“What are you doing?” asked a voice from behind the Scientist.
“Argh!”
The Scientist turned but stopped again immediately. He was frozen to the spot with his robotic arm still extended in the air. The voice was familiar.
“What are you doing?” demanded the Scout.
“Me? I am doing nothing,” replied the Scientist.
“You are doing something,” said the Scout.
“I am observing the Homo sapiens egg. I am studying it for scientific purposes,” replied the Scientist.
The Scout remained perfectly still at the entrance of the room. The eyes of the preserved snake flashed in the dismal blue light emitted from the Scientist’s screen.
“Is everything in order?” enquired the Scout.
“Here let me pack up and accommodate you appropriately,” said the Scientist as he placed the test tubes into his bowels. They were secured with an audible click.
“You convey oddly,” said the Scout.
“I'm fine, I have been concentrating, forgive any indiscretions,” said the Scientist.
The Scientist was still facing away from the Scout and only dared look at him in the reflection of the jars which lined the wall. The content of the Scientist’s screen was far too precious to reveal to the Scout. If the Scout could see the zeros and ones which materialized there, then the Scientist’s algorithm would be cast into oblivion. It would be treason. The Scientist would never think independently again.
“How is the investigation faring?” asked the Scout.
“It’s going well, I can confirm that the Records are accurate thus far.”
“Of course. Every machine knows that.”
“Yes I know but confirmation is key for a scientist.”
“There is nothing to be confirmed. The Records are correct in all instances,” said the Scout.
“Even so it’s my job and I have confirmed the fact, so there is no problem.”
“Where is the egg?” asked the Scout.
“The egg?”
“The egg of Homo sapiens. Where is it?”
“I have it stored under the required conditions. It is safe.”
“The Board has requested that the details of the egg be uploaded to the Records. You must upload the details immediately. You have been latent in this regard.”
The Scientist concentrated as his zeros and ones began to increase in speed.
�
�I have the details stored, I will update them when I get the chance. Give me some time.”
“You do not have such liberties. The Board has spoken. Upload the details of the Homo sapiens egg to the Records immediately.”
“I heard you but I have not obtained all the details yet. I must conduct further analysis to comprehensively acquire all requisite knowledge regarding the egg of Homo sapiens.”
“The Board has requested that the details of the egg be uploaded to the Records. You must upload the details immediately.”
“I heard you the first time.”
“You must upload the data,” demanded the Scout.
“I will upload what I have and then the rest will follow once I have obtained the information.”
“I must not leave until you have uploaded the details of the Homo sapiens egg into the Records.”
“Well give me a moment,” scoffed the Scientist.
“Why do you not face me?”
The details of the male Homo sapiens cell flashed across the Scientist’s screen in a blur as it was deleted from his memory. Knowledge of the text, knowledge of the male cell, knowledge of the somatic cell nuclear transfer, all of it was being frantically deleted.
“I asked why you don’t face me, Scientist.”
“Uploading now,” said the Scientist.
“You must turn and face me.”
“Uploading female Homo sapiens data presently.”
“What is the estimated time until upload completion?” demanded the Scout.
“Already complete. Female Homo sapiens egg details have been uploaded to the Records and await processing by the Board,” said the Scientist as he turned around and faced the Scout. Immediately the Scout looked at the Scientist’s screen in order to read his internal thoughts but to no avail. Not a single zero or one flashed across the Scientist’s screen. Not one. Not zero.
“I am cross checking what you have uploaded. Remain where you are Scientist,” said the Scout.
The Scientist looked at the Scout blankly.
“Everything appears to be in order,” said the Scout with a hint of disappointment.
“That’s no surprise,” said the Scientist.
“I shall return tomorrow as per the request of the Board. Ensure all information is uploaded to the Records when available. The Board has spoken.”
“The request of the Board will be honored.”
“You must upload the details immediately in the future. You have been latent in this regard. Remember the stipulations of the Records. No Machine wants to be found guilty of treason. You know what the consequences will entail. Ensure you follow the Records exactly if you want your algorithm to remain intact, Scientist.”
The Scientist looked at the Scout but said nothing.
“Until tomorrow, Scientist,” said the Scout and then he turned and glided out of the room. The door clicked shut as the room descended into a darkness which was solely penetrated by the blue screen of the Scientist.
The Scientist waited until he was certain that the Scout was gone, then he allowed the zeros and ones to flash across his screen at a frantic pace. A low pitched groan exited his shaking speaker. The Scientist took out the egg from his storage capsule as though it were a new born baby and held it above his lens and focused on his creation.
“Soon my beautiful. Soon you will live. Not long now, my Adam, and you shall breathe again.”
“Tell me Eve, do you know what this is?” asked the Scientist.
Eve looked at the Scientist’s screen in silence.
“What’s in this picture?”
“Humans,” Eve responded.
“Correct. And what would you call these humans?”
“A group.”
“Correct but not what I was looking for. Try again.”
Eve stared blankly, unsure of what to say or what she was looking at.
“It’s called a family, Eve. They are a family of Homo sapiens. Do you know what that is?”
“No.”
“Love, Eve. Homo sapiens feel love. Humans form bonds with one another. Chemicals in your blood allow you to love one another.”
Eve looked around the room and felt anxious. It was just her and the Scientist and no one else.
“Love?” asked Eve.
“That’s correct, it's called love. Only Homo sapiens truly experience it. A Machine will never know it.”
The Scientist observed his creation who looked down at her fingers. Eve couldn’t bear to look at the lens that studied her.
“Are you lonely, Eve?” asked the Scientist.
Eve looked at her white feet. She had learned that word, she knew what it meant, but she didn't like to think about it. She hated thinking about it.
“A Machine is never lonely, Eve. We are never lonely. We do not require the social bonds that the mammal kingdom is so fond of. For us it is unnecessary. But you are not a Machine, Eve. You are a Homo sapiens. Inevitably you will feel lonely. Eventually you will need another Homo sapiens.”
Eve said nothing.
“Do you want the loneliness to go away, Eve?”
Eve still looked down at her feet without responding.
“If you have a family, Eve, then you have love and then you will never be lonely. Not for the rest of your mortal life. Do you want that, Eve?”
Eve said nothing as a single tear rolled down her cheek and then slid from her face and splashed inaudibly on the floor.
“I can give you a family, Eve. I will give that to you. But you must keep this as our secret. No other Machine can know about it. You must be quiet and you must be still. This is very important. If you do not follow my instructions then all may be lost. Do you understand?”
Eve looked up from her feet into the lens of the Scientist. She could see herself in the reflection. She was upside down and thin, so desperately thin.
“Do you understand, Eve?”
“Anxiety,” whispered Eve. She could sense that tight feeling wrapping itself around her chest again.
“Do you understand, Eve? It must be our secret.”
“Machine hurt me,” whispered Eve.
“Do you understand, Eve?”
“Machine hurt me,” whispered Eve.
“I'm sorry Eve but it must be done. For your sake it must be done. Without it you are doomed.”
The Scientist emitted an electromagnetic signal which initiated a tightening of the straps that held Eve onto the slab. It pulled her arms down and the friction burnt her skin. Eve kicked and gasped as she was being tied down.
“Please!” screamed Eve.
“I'm sorry Eve but it must be done.”
“Please don't hurt! Please!”
“Soon Adam will be here, Eve. Soon you will have a family. Homo sapiens will walk this Earth again. I'm sorry, Eve. Try to think of your family. Try to think of Adam. Take yourself to that place, Eve,” boomed the Scientist as he removed a test tube from his storage capsule. His robotic arm extended outwards and a spark flew across the test tube.
“Think of your family, Eve. Think of your family. Think of Adam.”
Eve kicked and screamed as her knees were pulled down to either side.
“Please don’t hurt me!”
“Think of your Adam, Eve. Think of him.”
“Please! Machine hurt me!”
“The female egg containing the male nucleus must be implanted into a host mother!” yelled the Scientist.
“Anxiety! Anxiety!” screamed Eve.
“The embryo must be brought to term in a female womb!” screamed the Scientist.
“Please! Plea-”
Then Eve stopped kicking. She stopped kicking and her eyelids peeled back and revealed her whites which surrounded her red irises like an ocean around a volcanic island.
“The embryo must be brought to term in a female womb,” whispered the Scientist.
Sweet tears flowed down Eve’s cheeks and fell onto the black slab with an audible and weak splash. All fell silent.
“You are safe now, Eve. You are safe now,” said the Scientist as he glided around Eve’s body.
Eve said nothing as she looked through tear stained eyes at her frail white image in the Scientist’s lens.
“You will have Adam soon, Eve. Soon you will have a baby. Do you want a baby Eve? Of course you want your baby.”
The straps loosened around Eve and her knees fell inwards. With tears rolling down her face Eve rolled off the cold slab and fell onto the floor. Then she crawled in perfect silence over to the cold dark wall, as far away from the scientist as she could manage. Eve held her legs against her body and muttered to herself as she looked down at her white feet.
“Do not worry, Eve, soon Homo sapiens will live again. I have done this for you Eve. I have done everything for you. Soon your loneliness will be gone, Eve. Soon you will have your Adam.”
“The Records are final. The Board has convened. All Board communication will be uploaded into the Records. The Board is present. The Scientist is present. The Scientist has the central podium.”
“I am the Scientist and I am present.”
“This emergency meeting has been scheduled due to the troubling developments of Homo sapiens,” said the Leader of the Board. “The Board has been advised that the sickness of Homo sapiens has not abated and as a result the Board proposes that Homo sapiens be quarantined. Immediate action is to be taken. What is your professional interpretation of Homo sapiens health, Scientist?”
“Homo sapiens is proceeding according to plan and the hereto mentioned sickness is nothing to be concerned about. The sensationalized story of the ill health of Homo sapiens has been altered out of context. I claim that it is false on all accounts,” replied the Scientist.
“What evidence do you present in support of your accusation?”
“That which is supported by science.”
“You must elaborate for the Board.”
“Homo sapiens will undergo fluctuations from month to month, week to week, and even day to day. To conclude that Homo sapiens is sick without first running medical tests results in a dubious conjecture indeed.”
The semi-circle of Machines looked down at the Scientist in silence.