by Hannah Ross
"And what did you find?"
"Just confirmation of what I already knew. The laws of population control have gone far beyond making sure there's enough food, water and shelter for everyone. The government wants some groups to grow, and others to shrink. The policy is pretty consistent."
"So Tracy was right," Rebecca whispered, shaking her head. "The population control laws aren't about equality. They're about eugenics."
"Yes. I'm afraid there's nothing new under the sun. Does anyone still read history books these days? People have forgotten about World War II. Humans were reduced to a bestial state, simply because those in charge decided some ethnic groups were less desirable than others. Now, our government focuses less on racial aspects and more on general abilities. The White Tower people want healthy, efficient, able workers, not lazy, or sickly, unproductive ones."
"Did you know Tracy was secretly gathering information on this policy?"
"I knew some and suspected more, but I'm afraid that, before Tracy's death, my information was vague. Dr. Locke and I had a relationship of trust and confidentiality. She was a great help to me with laboratory work, but she also had her own career, separate from my work. My research consumed most of my time, thought, and energy for many decades. It's been rather…absorbing."
"And it paid off, from what I understand. You've created something outstanding. There are those who call you The Modern Maker of the Philosopher's Stone."
"Bah!" A disdainful shrug accompanied his shaking head. "Headlines. I've lived long enough to know that journalists will sell their soul, never mind their common sense, for a good headline. That's why I dislike talking to the press. I made an exception for you, Rebecca, because I know Tracy trusted you. She generally had a good sense about these things. If only she hadn't decided to confront the wrong people at the wrong time."
As the old man shook his head, Rebecca could tell he mourned Tracy's passing. "I appreciate you giving me some of your time. Can you tell me more about your most famous achievement?"
"From a scientific point? Your readers won't get beyond the first paragraph. But alright, let's over-simplify this. I've created something that is, basically, an artificial virus that works on the human genome. I gave it the code name of NOAGE153. Once inside the cell, it slows the process of aging."
"And does it really work?" Rebecca looked skeptical. "I know there is an experimental version…"
"It works. It works better than the most optimal living conditions like diet, exercise, mental state combined. How old would you say I am, Rebecca?"
Rebecca thought for a second and decided there was no need to coddle the old man. "Eighty. Perhaps eighty-five."
The professor gave her a triumphant smile. "I am a hundred and thirty years old, and I have documents to prove it."
Rebecca was stunned into momentary silence. "But…but…"
"Furthermore, I may look like I'm eighty years old, because the outer layer of our body, the skin, is more exposed to pollution, UV rays, and adverse climatic conditions, but I feel like someone no older than you. Of course, I was lucky enough to be affected even by the earlier, imperfect versions of NOAGE."
"So this genetic device, it doesn't work equally for everyone?" For the first time in her career, Rebecca didn't even have the presence of mind to pull out a pad and pencil and begin taking notes.
"It works for everyone, but the rates of success are different. From experiments done on mice and rabbits, I can say the effect is probably influenced by the genetic makeup of the individual."
"Can the process of aging be reversed? Or only slowed down?"
"The second, I can say with fair certainty. Just before the War, I was forty years old when I became the first human experiment of my own research. Ninety years later, I have aged only externally. My heart, lungs and arteries work just as well, thanks to monthly injections of NOAGE."
"Why must one have monthly injections? Don't viruses multiply on their own, if nothing stops them?"
"Ah, I see you've done your homework. That is true, but for various reasons, NOAGE mutates very rapidly. Within weeks it deviates quite far from its original strand and no longer works upon the genome in the same way. The immune system recognizes it as an intruder and begins fighting against it. Then a fresh injection must be given."
"And if it isn't given? Will the organism just continue to age at a normal rate?"
"It depends. If it's still within the range of natural life, then yes, you can expect a continued normal process of aging. But if life has already been extended by NOAGE, and then the injections are abruptly stopped, there will be an accelerated process of aging, a rapid deterioration of the systems soon followed by death."
"And…" Rebecca took a breath. "If you don't stop injecting NOAGE, will you live forever?"
The professor gave a modest smile. "I don't think so. After all, nothing in this world is perfect, not even the most brilliant inventions. I probably will, however, live very, very long."
"I'd say you already have."
"It doesn't seem that way, you know? The world is so vast, so fascinating, and there is so much interesting work to do. A busy, active mind always feels young. Do you ever read the Bible?"
"The Bible?" Rebecca was confused by the sudden change of subject. She recalled her husband's words as she sat with the Bible in her lap. Are you feeling well? "I might look inside from time to time."
Professor Keller nodded. "Do you recall the story of Noah? It's told people lived to be six, seven hundred years old at that time."
"Those are only tales, and besides, years may have been counted differently."
"Perhaps. Or perhaps there was a plant or an animal the consumption of which rendered the same effect as NOAGE injections, and it was lost in the cataclysmic changes around Noah's ark."
"That's an interesting theory."
"The ancient texts say human life was dramatically shortened about tenfold in the generation after Noah. They say that when human beings lived for several centuries, the amount of damage they had time to do was staggering. So God decided to shorten man's life."
The light in Professor Keller's eyes faded as the lines around his mouth and eyes deepened. For a moment, he did look like someone more than a hundred years old.
"I've spent most of my years in the laboratory," he said, his voice grave. "I'm a theoretician, a scientist. I never meant to make my discovery public, and I didn't put much thought into what would happen if others found out about my research. I should have, though. I should have remembered that in most people, a greed for longer life is a greed for power and possession."
"Do you mean to say others have begun taking NOAGE, too?"
"Some of this nation's leaders, yes. This is strictly confidential, Ms. Hurst. Should this information come out, your fate might easily be the same as poor Tracy's."
"I understand, but…"
Keller's mouth formed a bitter line before his voice rose. "I am no longer a free man. I have the liberty to work here, because it is in the interests of those who claim NOAGE for their personal use, but all my comings and goings are closely watched. Men of power understand NOAGE is more precious than gold and diamonds, because no treasure can buy a single day of life, while my invention extends it for many, many years. Of course, NOAGE is not meant for general distribution. Our government keeps it for itself and for a limited circle of valuable people."
"And if some live a lot longer," Rebecca intoned, "the death rate drops." Her fingers pinched the bridge of her nose, as if her thoughts were painful. "So the population grows, even if the birth rate is supposed to give just a natural replacement. Therefore…the birth rate must be limited even more. It cannot be done officially, so…"
"So there are certain policies…certain ugly practices Tracy Locke saw close up, and I think you did, too."
Rebecca's head spun. A miraculously long, almost limitless life! It sounds like a fairytale gift. But if you consider its practical aspect… A shiver ran up her spine.
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br /> Keller nodded. "I believe I can guess what you're thinking. You seem a rational person, someone who understands the implications. My dear lady, when I first began my experiments I had no idea what kind of monster I would unleash. A focused mind knows long life is not necessarily a blessing, but you cannot expect most people to accept that. I sometimes wish I'd never stumbled upon this discovery."
A few minutes later, a dazed Rebecca stepped out of Professor Keller's office, barely able to mumble something in response to Thelma's polite goodbye. The picture of their society and political order, which turned ominous under her own analysis and then decidedly dark with Tracy Locke's death, was now more sinister than ever. The people in government whose opinions count no longer believe all humans are created equal. They already decide who'll have children, and when, and how many, and what's to be done about fertility transgressions, but now they want the power to decide who will live forever…or for six hundred years, which is forever in the mind of the average person.
Rebecca stopped near the squeaky clean window of a small coffee-shop and observed her reflection. She looked like someone who just stumbled out of bed after a restless night. Behind her reflection, she could see artfully arranged displays of layered cakes, chocolate-covered cream puffs, and sugar-sprinkled cookies. These delicacies, and the clothes in the shop next door, and the kitchen utensils in the next one, were all made in factories by teenagers deemed unworthy of a better fate, children of unwed mothers, carriers of undesirable genes, by-products of inadequate birth control. For so long, we've been conditioned to believe we're on the brink of disaster. Now we can't even see that it's right in front of our eyes.
The sights of the busy street, with its stores and coffee-shops, made her recall she was supposed to have lunch with Kate, Allie, and Dahlia, Allie's mother. Rebecca glanced at her watch with mounting anxiety and exhaled with relief. Thank goodness. Still have twenty minutes to go.
The quiet restaurant was only a few blocks from the place where Professor Keller made his life-changing discovery. Rebecca and Daniel were rarely able to afford dinner out at a gourmet restaurant, so she felt slightly awkward when she walked into the airy country-styled space and was led to the back table where her companions were already waiting.
Rebecca pecked Kate and Allie on the cheek and made to shake hands with Dahlia but the cheerful, energetic woman pulled her into a warm hug instead.
"Am I late?" she asked as she took her seat.
"No, Mom, we were just a little early," said Kate. "The flower shops didn't take as long as we expected so we thought we might as well come in and have a look at the menu."
"The quiches and salads look good," Dahlia said. "I think I'll go for it. The day's special is grilled fish, but I don't know how they can offer that to people with pollution still rampant out there."
Allie rolled her eyes. "I think it's farm-raised, Mom."
Rebecca thought her soon-to-be daughter-in-law looked pretty in her beige skirt and high-necked dark sweater with her glossy, shoulder-length chestnut hair held back by a black bow, and was about to tell her so when the girl turned to her and said with the air of someone delivering a great treat, "We've made a final decision on the flower arrangements. They'll be cream with touches of gold," before turning back to her mother.
"That sounds lovely, dear," Rebecca said, glancing at Allie, who sat sipping orange juice and merrily chatting with her mother. She looked at all the people around, eating, talking, placing their orders, asking for a refill, then down at the menu. In a hundred years, none of us will be here. And long before that, wrinkles, gray hair and bent posture will render us unrecognizable. Most of the time we don't think of that, because if we did, we'd be overwhelmed by the futility of our work and efforts. The realization of how temporary we are here, on the face of this earth, can hit with the force of a highway truck. So we go on, not looking in the face of the inevitable, or, in rare moments of deep introspection, we consider the greater good, our children's future, and, if we're religious, the hope of afterlife. Yet if we could defy death, who would say no to the possibility of endless life?
Kate's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Mom?"
Rebecca looked up from the menu as Kate pushed aside her glass of orange juice and caught her with a stare. "How was the interview with Professor Keller?"
Even when Kate was little, she always knew to ask the right questions. "It was… interesting," Rebecca said with a vague smile, snapping the menu shut. "I think I'll have the quiche."
13
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Ben walked out of the newly built, fresh-smelling log hall. The inky blue morning sky was just tinged with the faintest trace of pink in the east. He craved the meditative silence and solitude of that early hour, before the day began with its usual toil of looking for food, house upkeep, and work on the outbuildings they just began to repair.
He was surprised to learn he was not alone. Enzo was sitting on the stump of a felled tree blowing a simple, quiet tune on a rough wooden flute he carved. He had taken up wood carving in the evenings, after the daily chores were done. It kept his hands busy and, Ben suspected, gave him an excuse to stay out of general conversation in a camp where, despite everything, he did not feel as though he was trusted or belonged. He did seem pleased to see Ben, though.
"Oh, hey," he said. "I wondered if I might have a word with you."
"Sure." Ben sat next to him on a log. "What's up?"
"Do you think I could have some supplies? Only what can be spared, of course."
"Are you thinking of taking a trip?"
"I had this idea of looking for the Ravens."
"What ravens?"
"There was this camp in the city. You don't know them. There were some… disagreements between Barry and Raven. You can imagine."
Ben nodded. "Yeah."
"So, they went away, and I never heard about any of them again. But I always wondered what became of them. I just thought, if I happen to find them it would be nice to know we're not alone in the area. Right?"
Ben considered it for a moment. "Do you even have any idea where they might have gone?"
"I think they said something about going south."
"OK, but it's been years. A lot could have changed."
"Only two. But you're right. But they might still be around somewhere. Perhaps down the southern branch of this river, because everybody needs a source of water. At any rate, I thought I could try."
Ben tried to read his face, but the early morning light was still too dim. "Are you thinking you might be better off with them?"
"I didn't think of it that way. I'm grateful for the chance to be here with you. I mean, where would I have gone if you'd told me, no, get lost, we don't want you anywhere near us? But things are a bit…well, a bit strained around here sometimes. I know some people are still blaming me for stuff Barry did."
"That's a load of crap. Are you blaming yourself for what Barry did?"
Enzo took a minute to think before he answered. "No. Well, not really. But even if I work twice as hard as everyone else, and go out of my way trying to be nice to everybody, it takes a long time to forget some things. And yes, I think it will do me good to get away for a while, clear my head. Do you think I could take some supplies without it being too much of a strain?"
"Sure. But you won't be going alone. I'll come with you."
Enzo stared in disbelief. "You want to come with me? Why?"
"Because going alone is too dangerous. If you fall and sprain your ankle, there won't be anybody to help you get back to camp."
Enzo thought for a moment and nodded. "OK. You're right."
"It's settled, then." Ben rose and stretched before turning to go back to the house. "See you at breakfast."
"Ben?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
To Ben's surprise, Elisa expressed enthusiasm at the prospect of an expedition. "That's a really good idea, Enzo,"
she said, beaming.
"You think so?" Enzo looked surprised but gratified.
"Of course. The more people we find, the better are our chances to do more than just survive. We can exchange ideas, lend each other a hand, perhaps trade spare supplies."
"So will you be coming with us?" asked Ben. "I figured we could use a third companion."
Elisa shook her head. "Oh how I wish I could. But I think I'll be more useful here, taking care of the animals and the vegetable garden. The goats are still spooky around anyone but me, and I need some more time to get them used to people."
"I guess I could go," Mac said, stepping over to join them. "I know the country pretty well, and it's been a while since I ventured out anywhere for more than a day."
Gabby overheard and said, "Oh no, Mac. I can't have you gone I don't know where, for I don't know how long! I wouldn't feel safe without you here. And the children. Darren is getting wild and you're a lot better than I am at keeping him in check. No. No way. You have to stay."
"I think she's right, Mac," Ben said. "If you don't mind, I mean. We'll sleep more soundly on the road knowing you're taking care of the camp."
Mac gave in with good grace. "Alright, then, I'm staying, but just so you know, I intend to make an expedition down the river sometime later this year. Now, where has Darren gone to this time?"
"I always worry like crazy whenever you go off on one of your trips," Gabby told Mac as they headed outside to look for their son. "I really don't see why you have to…" The rest of her rant was lost as the door closed behind them
Ben smiled. "OK, so Mac's staying here."
"Good, because if you're going, I'm going too," said Tom. "And having four men at once gone from the camp would probably be too much."
The evening before they left, Ben went out into the barn where they kept their stock of firewood to replenish the pile next to the fireplace. Just as he was about to head back, he noticed someone's outline in the door frame. It took him a moment to realize it was Jen.