Aspirations: A Near Future Sci-Fi Thriller

by Randal Sloan

  Julie and Zeke looked at each other, “Yes,” they said together.

  Julie continued for them both. “You’ll want us both on that call. We’ll need to talk about Zeke’s new AI system, too. The personal AI will just be the beginning. There will be an AI to answer the phone for offices. An AI that will finally be able to drive our cars in the real world, the long sought dream. That’ll be no longer than a couple of years out. We’ll have them to replace air traffic controllers and similar occupations, five years I’m guessing.”

  Carla looked at them. “Two weeks on the job, and you’re going to get me fired. But better they know now than six months.” Moving to the doorway, she went on, “I’ll call my boss as soon as I get to my office. I’m going to tell them that we need to hear from him today, or they’ll find out on the news tomorrow morning. You guys better get ready whatever you need.” She hurried off, nervous but excited. She had enjoyed the ease of work for the last couple of weeks, but she was ready to get more involved. She expected this one was going to be huge.

  Ted smiled at the two of them as she left. “I’m too old for this. You two can handle it. They need to get to know both of you anyway. I know the two of you aren’t finished with all that you are going to do, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.” He left before they could think of a way to stop him.

  Julie looked at Zeke. “Are you ok with this? I feel a little weak myself.”

  Zeke smiled, “No, but we’ve got to do it. I’ll run the VR, and you can talk unless they ask me a specific question. That way he will see the pretty face first. Maybe then he won’t have a heart attack when you tell him what’s coming.” Standing, Zeke added, “I’ll get you some coffee. I suspect you are going to want some.”

  “Mind reader,” Julie told him.

  “No, I just know you.” He laughed, but quickly sobered. “I think I’ll have one too. I suspect we’re both going to need it.”

  #

  An hour later, Caitlyn buzzed Julie. “I have a VR call from the Presidential Science Advisor. He says that you requested he call you, a matter of national security. He doesn’t look too happy, either.”

  “That’s ok, send him through to us.”

  Caitlyn sent the call through to Julie’s conference room. Smiling, Julie answered. “Good evening, sir. I’m Julie Randolph, Acting CEO of Space Tech, and this is Zeke Caldwell, my fiancé.

  “Sorry for the late hour, but there are some things that are going to be coming from Space Tech in a short time that are going to be huge. We thought we had better let you know so you could be prepared for the impact.”

  “That’s what I heard. I am Jim Vincent, the President’s Science Advisor. What exactly are we talking about?”

  “I’ll get straight to the point. As CEO of Space Tech, I have been working on a high impact system. We are currently running a prototype low cost power source that produces zero pollution and no by-products. We believe we will be able to produce a commercial version in six months. Zeke and I own the patents, and we have given Space Tech the exclusive license to build them.”

  “How much power are we talking about?”

  “Virtually unlimited. From small enough to supply a single home to big enough to replace any commercial power plant. We believe that eventually we will be able to build one small enough to replace the engines in cars, but we aren’t ready to try that yet.”

  The poor man turned as white as a ghost. “My God, if anything, you have probably underestimated the impact. I’m going to have to call the President immediately. We will have to figure out how we are going to handle this.”

  “Actually, that won’t be necessary, Jim.” A voice broke into the conversation. Suddenly, the VR display split in two, showing a view of the President sitting in Air Force One. “This is President Scott. One of our intelligence assets pinged us a few moments ago, and they had your call up on the White House monitor screen. They routed you to me while I am in flight to my summer home, and I heard the last part of your conversation. Even though this call is ultra secure, I would like to ask if we could continue this conversation in private. But please don’t mistake my meaning. I’m not asking for special favors from Space Tech, but I just don’t want any risk of this getting out before we are ready.”

  “Yes sir,” Julie said to him. “Would early tomorrow morning work for you? We can take the X-plane, and be there any time you want, but I think everyone would be better off fresh.”

  “Excellent. Let’s make this a fun trip for you, too. I will be arriving at my private summer home shortly, so let’s plan to meet there. You can land your X-plane directly on my private airfield, which will have the added advantage of helping us hopefully keep this under the radar. You can enjoy the scenery while you are here. My wife will give me all kinds of grief if I don’t invite you to breakfast, so consider yourself invited. You can talk coffee with her before we talk about world changing technology.”

  “We would be delighted! But you’ll have to tell me how you found out about the coffee,” Julie told him with a big smile, holding up her cup, which was now empty. She also sent a query to Caitlyn requesting an urgent update on the availability of the X-plane early in the morning, telling her where they needed to go.

  “Sorry, I can’t reveal our assets in intelligence. But actually it was more than one source on that one,” the President told her with a smile of his own.

  Julie glanced at the VR response from Caitlyn. “My assistant has just VR’d me to tell me we can be there at 7 am if that works for you, sir.”

  “That’s perfect. Catherine and I are both early risers, and we will be delighted. And Jim, we will plan to start the working meeting at 9, so that should make your trip a little easier if you can plan to be here by then. I promise we won’t eat up all the breakfast pastries.”

  Turning back to Julie, he said, “Ok, we will see you in the morning then,. I look forward to meeting you in person.”

  “The honor is ours, sir. I look forward to our meeting, too.”

  The President ended the call. Zeke had been staring at Julie the whole time. She knew he was a little freaked out. “He’s actually a very good man. You remember that I’ve talked to him before.”

  “That was as Miranda,” Zeke reminded her with a little smirk.

  “Yeah, I guess I will need to explain that. He will have to blame my father and uncle for that one. But you will be fine. He really cares about people, and you can tell that when you talk to him.”

  “My dad would be so jealous. But I can’t even tell him, at least not right now.”

  Caitlyn came dancing in. “Oh, my God! You two are going to meet the President!” She gave them the details of their travel arrangements and promised she would tell no one other than Uncle Ted.

  A VR call came directly into the conference room. Uncle Ted was on the other end. He was rather excited. “Is what I just heard true? You are meeting with the President?”

  “Yes, he put himself directly into our call and asked us to come talk to him in person. While Zeke and I are a little overwhelmed by it, it is the best way to talk about some of my ideas to try to mitigate the impact of this on the world. I really have been thinking about it a long time.”

  “I’m not worried. I’m sure you will be your usual dazzling self. Just be careful and don’t give too much away.”

  “Don’t worry, uncle. I’ve been manipulating you for years. What’s the President of the United States compared to that?”

  “Maybe I should call to warn him.”

  “He wouldn’t believe you. Not this sweet little girl.” Julie smiled and swirled her blond hair around, this being one of her weapons. Then she grew more serious. “The real problem for them, Uncle, is that, if we were playing poker, I would have all the high cards. I will do what I have to do, and you know that.”

  “That’s what I am worried about.”

  “It’s ok. The man that we have for our current President is one of the best we have ever had in that job. He will do th
e right thing.”

  “I certainly hope you’re right and this goes well. For everyone’s sake.” He ended the call solemnly.

  Julie just sat there with Zeke for a while, thinking about their meeting tomorrow. She had a feeling about it. It was going to work out, she just knew it. But something amazing was going to happen, too!

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Unusual Negotiations

  Zeke and Julie got a few hours rest, rising early the next morning. They were dressed and out the door in time to be at the Space Tech airfield by 6 am. Julie grabbed a cup of coffee before she left, in the process picking up a bag of her special brew of coffee, a blend from Kinza that she had discovered during her time in that country. She thought it would make the perfect gift for her hostess.

  Once on board the X-plane, they flew straight to the President’s private airport, and were immediately given clearance for landing. A short time later, the two were cleared through security and driven by an escort onto the President’s estate. There they disembarked, their escort leading them to a private dining room with a spread of breakfast foods and coffee that to Julie smelled wonderful.

  Their escort closed the doors behind them, and they were immediately greeted by the First Lady, who was wearing a huge smile. “Good morning. I’m Catherine Scott, and I am so glad I have this opportunity to meet you. Edward has told me a good bit about you, but it is so much better to meet someone in person. He will be here in just a minute and we will get started. Breakfast is my favorite meal, and it is often the only time in the day that the two of us get to relax together.”

  “It is our pleasure to be here,” Julie told her, holding out the bag of coffee tied with a beautiful ribbon. “This is for you. It is my favorite coffee blend, from the tiny country of Kinza. Please accept this as a token of our gratitude.”

  “Oh! I will send this to the back and we will try it at the end of our meal. Thank you, I’m really looking forward to trying it. Especially coming from you, it’s got to be good.”

  Julie turned to Zeke. “I’ve got to find out who told them about me and my coffee thing. It wasn’t you, was it?”

  “No way. I know better.”

  “Well, I’m not going to tell, but Edward said they were very reliable. Come, I’ve already prepared plates for Edward and myself, so get your plates prepared as well. We will get started as soon as he arrives.”

  Julie and Zeke filled their plates from the superb spread and carried them over to the little dining table out in the balcony area. The table looked out over the beautiful garden spread out below them. The garden was filled with trees showing bright green leaves, gorgeous flowers, and a spectacular waterfall feature that looked so real Julie almost thought it was. Picking up elegant coffee cups made of clear glass, they made their way back to the coffee service. Both poured themselves coffee, quickly heading back.

  Just as they reached the table, the President came into the room, immediately coming over to them. “Welcome! Thank you for coming.” Shaking their hands firmly, he turning to Julie. “I feel like I have talked to you before yesterday, but our records indicate that I haven’t. Are our the records wrong or am I getting senile already?” As he was talking, he motioned them back to the table. Julie noticed that although his wife had already made him a plate, he had only water and juice to drink, no coffee.

  Sitting down, she told him. “You’re half right, sir. It’s a long story, so we had better start on this most excellent meal while it’s warm.”

  Everyone began eating and Julie took a couple of bites of hers. “It started when I woke up from my coma. Although it was officially announced only a few weeks ago, it actually was several months before that. When I woke up from my coma, I had total memory loss. No idea where I was, how I got there, or even my name. My father and uncle were concerned for my safety, and so they had witness protection create a false identity for me. They even programmed my nanites to change my appearance somewhat. Dark complexion and black hair. Sort of the opposite to the real me. But with no memory, I believed that to be who I was.”

  The President held up a finger and stared at her. “So that’s how I know you. You are our remarkable young heroine from Kinza. And I’m going to be giving you the Medal of Honor. Oh boy, that’s going to be even more fun now.” He turned to his wife, “I told you about her. She was very brave and displayed extraordinary ability, going way beyond the call of duty.”

  “So I guess I can assume the nanite treatment has enhanced your abilities. But your basic decision to not take the easy way out, but to try to save your teammates was a very brave thing to do.” He snapped his fingers. “And you went back, too. That’s why the Space Tech mercenary unit went in to stop the warlord and to rescue our special forces team. Your friend Carla was there, and you got her out. And took out that warlord so we were able to negotiate a reasonable and fair price for the zechronium. Which we still couldn’t get near your mere ten percent increase. Ours is double that.” Turning back to his wife, “Like I told you, Catherine, a very special young woman.”

  The President turned back to Julie. “I will have to get the name changed on the medal. I’m looking forward even more to presenting you with that award. Your people can expect to hear from my people soon. No way am I going to let you get out of it,” he laughed. He had a big smile on his face. Giving out those type awards was one of the things he liked best about his job.

  Then the President turned to Zeke. “I’m guessing you are a special young man, too. I’ve seen the way our young woman is looking at you. She thinks a whole lot of you.”

  Seeing Zeke’s discomfort, Julie smirked and said. “He’s only saved my life twice so far. Yes, he is very special.”

  Zeke couldn’t let that one go. “Only because I loved you from almost the moment we met. I’ve only done what I had to do.”

  “Throwing your body over mine and taking the blast from an explosion to protect me is way beyond what you had to do.” Turning to the President and First Lady, she told them. “He almost died and it was one of the worst days of my life until I knew he was going to be ok.”

  “You gave him your nanites,” the First Lady said. “I can almost see a connection between you two. Now it makes sense. And I saw your ring.” Her eyes changed for an instant and then she went on, her voice changing as well. ”You two are going to change the world, and your child will do it even more!”

  The last had a prophetic ring to it, and Julie looked at her in wonder. “You can really see the future, can’t you?”

  “Only to a limited extent, but I have never been wrong.” She turned to her husband. “Ed, you know me. I’m telling you now. We must do everything we can do to help them, no matter what it takes.”

  Placing his hand on his heart, the President said, “I hereby so pledge. On my honor, I will do everything within my ability to do so, both within my position as President of this country and as a man with my own ability.”

  Julie and Zeke could only stare in awe. They also placed their hands on their hearts and spoke in unison, “On our honor we accept, and we accept the responsibility that this places upon us.”

  They all sat there in somber silence for a couple of minutes. Finally, the First Lady roused herself and told them. “I think I’m ready to try our dear young lady’s special coffee. And I know that it is going to be the best coffee I have ever tasted.” She laughed and said, “Not a prophecy, just a strong feeling.”

  They all laughed at that, and sat quietly sipping the coffee that the kitchen staff deftly brought in upon the First Lady’s signal. Even the President had a little.

  #

  Shortly afterward the President and First Lady excused themselves. “I’m going to walk with my wife in the garden for a few minutes,” he told them. “I suspect you two need to talk a few minutes alone.”

  They both nodded.

  The President and his wife walked out, his arm around her.

  “Wow!” Julie and Zeke said to each other simultaneously.

/>   Zeke said, “Whew! Our job just got a lot harder, didn’t it? We now must always consider what we do, and how it affects the pledge we just made. But it is an unbelievable feeling to know that that man and his wife are on our side.”

  Julie nodded and then she gave Zeke a huge smile. “We are going to have a baby, and she will be very, very special.” She leaned in to give Zeke a kiss.

  “Wait,” he asked her, still very close to each other. “How do you know it’s going to be a girl?”

  “When she said it, I just somehow knew it,” she told him. “I know it without a doubt in my mind. Plus, when I bought my knives, he said I would be back one day for my daughter. This just makes it a lot more personal.”

  “We’re going to have a baby girl. Awesome!” Zeke kissed her too. “She’s going to be as beautiful as you!”

  Julie laid her head on Zeke’s shoulder. They sat there for some time just holding each other until their VR’s both pinged them that it was time to prepare for their meeting.

  #

  They all gathered in the small conference room down a little way from where the breakfast had been located. Julie noticed that it had state-of-the-art VR equipment, quickly connecting in with her pad. As soon as everyone arrived, she began. Pulling up a real time picture of the working prototype, she told them, “What you are looking at on the VR is the working prototype power plant. It has been running steadily for the last week at one hundred percent power. There is no fuel requirement and no by-products are produced by this unit. No radiation other than the Space Tech containment fields that are entirely contained within the unit.”

  “What happens if the containment unit fails?” Jim, the Presidential Science Adviser, asked them.

  “Sorry, I should have made that clear. The containment fields are what are being manipulated to generate the energy. If they failed, the unit would simply shut down, since nothing is being contained. Because we are going to put the control unit in a sealed, self-contained component, there is no way to manipulate the device to produce an out-of-control reaction.”