Read Online Relic Tech (Crax War Chronicles) by Terry W. Ervin II - Free Book Online
Authors: Terry W. Ervin II
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she said warily.
“Can you implant a memory into my brain? Even if it’s scrambled, one that would tell me I was innocent? Or guilty?”
“Either way?” she asked.
I nodded
“I will try,” she promised.
It sounded sincere. I noticed a difference in the background noise. The disconnected feeling ceased as the condensing engines and the antigravity field shut down.
“We must be nearing Io,” said Dr. Goldsen. “I will leave you now to make final arrangements for your transfer.”
“I hope it’s less eventful than the last.”
With a serious look she responded, “It will be.”
As she turned to go, I asked, “Dr. Goldsen, can I have anything to put me to sleep? If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather spend my remaining time that way.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot give you anything. If you can manage to sleep on your own, you are welcome to. Agent Vingee is waiting outside.” She turned and hurried out.
There was no way I was going to be able to put my mind at ease. Not enough to doze off. Maybe it was for the best. My mind and I were scheduled for departure soon enough.
Chapter 6
Identifying an individual as I-Tech can be as simple as knowing their occupation. Programming analyst, electrical engineer, and ship’s navigator are excellent examples. However, occupations such as corporate executive, physician, or security specialist require closer examination of their clientele, responsibilities and education.
Identification of I-Techs through physical appearance is possible as I-Techs engage in limited genetic selection for their offspring if they can afford it. Traits such as eye and hair color can be reliably manipulated. Another common, but more difficult, characteristic to manipulate is stature. I-Tech parents value above-average height for their children as it is considered socially and professionally advantageous. As a result, I-Techs tend to have similar traits, distinguishing them from the more varied R-Techs.
Unfortunately, genetic engineering isn’t an exact science. Commissioning a reputable corrections lab to modify genes after fertilization is expensive. Altering the male genetic code after conception leads to infertility. Females, their gametes having developed at an early fetal stage, are less likely to encounter such risks. As adults, astronomically wealthy women use this to their cosmetic advantage.
Altering intelligence through genetic engineering turned out to be so risky that such efforts were abandoned. It has always been far more reliable to provide the proper learning environment. Thus, contrary to popular belief, high intelligence is not necessarily an I-Tech trait.
Other clues can be found in dress, accessories, and sometimes wealth. The most identifiable factor to a security specialist is attitude. It’s difficult to explain, but one knows it when one encounters it.
I did my absolute best to relax. I tried to clear my mind of thoughts on what was to come. I’d never been much for holo-cast programs, but any distraction would’ve been appreciated.
I never considered myself a coward, but I was getting mighty anxious. I’d made a choice. Inspired by confusion, desperation, and spurred on by hatred of a yellow tie and the man behind it, I was about to follow the narrow path my choice at pretrial had forged. Maybe I wouldn’t even make it to Io. I felt like a hapless guppy riding the currents in a piranha-filled river. Even if I made it to the end, all that awaited me there was a steep waterfall. One which fell upon jagged rocks, certain to ensure a tragic end. Sleep would have been nice.
“Specialist Keesay, your message.”
Startled, I looked in the direction of Agent Vingee’s voice. I stared at her blankly. “Sorry.”
She smiled. “I brought your message. Captain Hollaway told you about it? From Mr. Guymin.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
She handed me a computer clip. “Just tap the flashing red icon. I’ll be outside.”
“No. That’s Okay,” I
“Can you implant a memory into my brain? Even if it’s scrambled, one that would tell me I was innocent? Or guilty?”
“Either way?” she asked.
I nodded
“I will try,” she promised.
It sounded sincere. I noticed a difference in the background noise. The disconnected feeling ceased as the condensing engines and the antigravity field shut down.
“We must be nearing Io,” said Dr. Goldsen. “I will leave you now to make final arrangements for your transfer.”
“I hope it’s less eventful than the last.”
With a serious look she responded, “It will be.”
As she turned to go, I asked, “Dr. Goldsen, can I have anything to put me to sleep? If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather spend my remaining time that way.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot give you anything. If you can manage to sleep on your own, you are welcome to. Agent Vingee is waiting outside.” She turned and hurried out.
There was no way I was going to be able to put my mind at ease. Not enough to doze off. Maybe it was for the best. My mind and I were scheduled for departure soon enough.
Chapter 6
Identifying an individual as I-Tech can be as simple as knowing their occupation. Programming analyst, electrical engineer, and ship’s navigator are excellent examples. However, occupations such as corporate executive, physician, or security specialist require closer examination of their clientele, responsibilities and education.
Identification of I-Techs through physical appearance is possible as I-Techs engage in limited genetic selection for their offspring if they can afford it. Traits such as eye and hair color can be reliably manipulated. Another common, but more difficult, characteristic to manipulate is stature. I-Tech parents value above-average height for their children as it is considered socially and professionally advantageous. As a result, I-Techs tend to have similar traits, distinguishing them from the more varied R-Techs.
Unfortunately, genetic engineering isn’t an exact science. Commissioning a reputable corrections lab to modify genes after fertilization is expensive. Altering the male genetic code after conception leads to infertility. Females, their gametes having developed at an early fetal stage, are less likely to encounter such risks. As adults, astronomically wealthy women use this to their cosmetic advantage.
Altering intelligence through genetic engineering turned out to be so risky that such efforts were abandoned. It has always been far more reliable to provide the proper learning environment. Thus, contrary to popular belief, high intelligence is not necessarily an I-Tech trait.
Other clues can be found in dress, accessories, and sometimes wealth. The most identifiable factor to a security specialist is attitude. It’s difficult to explain, but one knows it when one encounters it.
I did my absolute best to relax. I tried to clear my mind of thoughts on what was to come. I’d never been much for holo-cast programs, but any distraction would’ve been appreciated.
I never considered myself a coward, but I was getting mighty anxious. I’d made a choice. Inspired by confusion, desperation, and spurred on by hatred of a yellow tie and the man behind it, I was about to follow the narrow path my choice at pretrial had forged. Maybe I wouldn’t even make it to Io. I felt like a hapless guppy riding the currents in a piranha-filled river. Even if I made it to the end, all that awaited me there was a steep waterfall. One which fell upon jagged rocks, certain to ensure a tragic end. Sleep would have been nice.
“Specialist Keesay, your message.”
Startled, I looked in the direction of Agent Vingee’s voice. I stared at her blankly. “Sorry.”
She smiled. “I brought your message. Captain Hollaway told you about it? From Mr. Guymin.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
She handed me a computer clip. “Just tap the flashing red icon. I’ll be outside.”
“No. That’s Okay,” I
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