a result of the permanent discoloration and deformation within the thermosphere levels. He didn’t understand the science, but—like everyone else—had learned to live with the result.
They were now little more than cave dwellers on the surface of their own planet, and would be for some time to come. Some tech eggheads estimated a four-generation recovery time, and Williams had sighed when he’d read that. Yes, he was rich enough to take advantage of the existence-elongation experiments and anticipated another fifty or seventy-five years on top of the eighty he’d already seen. He was active, possessed of the latest in heart replicants and monitored constantly for any changes in either of those conditions.
And yet, even with all those extra years of living and all the technological advances humankind had made, up to and including the ability to cater one’s own death…there would soon be no one alive who’d seen the sun shine in a blue sky.
Many lights twinkled in the murk, of course, catching his eye as he stood and stared out. There were people all over the place, not as cluttered as in past generations, and probably better off. There would always be a war going on somewhere. And always people who took the easy way to what they wanted. Crime hadn’t disappeared. But the poverty levels had diminished, most people had a job of one sort or another, and he liked to think the human race was improving as time passed.
He certainly felt that Eternal Tranquility was doing its part. He was looking forward to spending some of those additional years he’d bought for himself in a rather nice little enclave in the Caribbean, one area where there was rumored to be an occasional sighting of the sun, and the waters were a lot less polluted than anywhere else. Yes, Eternal Tranquility was turning out to be his private golden goose and he was happily anticipating devouring the omelet made from its golden egg.
A discreet chirp drew his wandering thoughts away from esoteric considerations of life and back to the job at hand. He walked to his desk and touched the intercom screen. “Yes?”
“President Chan calling from Shanxi Corporation, Director. He would like to know if he may speak with you?” His monitoring program made him smile. He’d programmed her to his own specifications, knowing he’d be more likely to work well with the gentle tones of a well-educated woman.
“Please tell him it would be my honor. And then put him on.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Wendy, make sure all security protocols are in place? This is an A-4 level priority call.”
“Very good, Director. Please hold for President Chan.” The program’s soft voice faded away.
Within seconds the perfectly groomed image of the president appeared on the screen, the logo of his corporation prominently displayed behind him, watermarking his image. “Greetings, Director Williams. I apologize for the lateness of this call.”
“Good evening, President Chan. There is no need for apologies. I am always happy to speak with you.”
There was a moment’s pause, an unusual occurrence, realized Williams. The President of Shanxi seldom hesitated about anything.
“You have acquired a new facilitator, we understand.”
“That is correct.” Williams nodded. “He’s extremely talented, plenty of experience on his resume and comes directly from a federal facility where his skills weren’t fully explored. We’re proud of being able to recruit him. Quite a coup for Eternal Tranquility.”
“He is…of concern to our security division.”
Williams frowned. “I believe you have received all his paperwork for review, as usual? We weren’t informed of any issues that might prevent us acquiring him.”
“Yes.” The president paused again. “We are investigating all possibilities. There will be an alert placed next to his name, and he will be watched closely at all times. His federal background is not something to be taken lightly at this stage of
They were now little more than cave dwellers on the surface of their own planet, and would be for some time to come. Some tech eggheads estimated a four-generation recovery time, and Williams had sighed when he’d read that. Yes, he was rich enough to take advantage of the existence-elongation experiments and anticipated another fifty or seventy-five years on top of the eighty he’d already seen. He was active, possessed of the latest in heart replicants and monitored constantly for any changes in either of those conditions.
And yet, even with all those extra years of living and all the technological advances humankind had made, up to and including the ability to cater one’s own death…there would soon be no one alive who’d seen the sun shine in a blue sky.
Many lights twinkled in the murk, of course, catching his eye as he stood and stared out. There were people all over the place, not as cluttered as in past generations, and probably better off. There would always be a war going on somewhere. And always people who took the easy way to what they wanted. Crime hadn’t disappeared. But the poverty levels had diminished, most people had a job of one sort or another, and he liked to think the human race was improving as time passed.
He certainly felt that Eternal Tranquility was doing its part. He was looking forward to spending some of those additional years he’d bought for himself in a rather nice little enclave in the Caribbean, one area where there was rumored to be an occasional sighting of the sun, and the waters were a lot less polluted than anywhere else. Yes, Eternal Tranquility was turning out to be his private golden goose and he was happily anticipating devouring the omelet made from its golden egg.
A discreet chirp drew his wandering thoughts away from esoteric considerations of life and back to the job at hand. He walked to his desk and touched the intercom screen. “Yes?”
“President Chan calling from Shanxi Corporation, Director. He would like to know if he may speak with you?” His monitoring program made him smile. He’d programmed her to his own specifications, knowing he’d be more likely to work well with the gentle tones of a well-educated woman.
“Please tell him it would be my honor. And then put him on.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Wendy, make sure all security protocols are in place? This is an A-4 level priority call.”
“Very good, Director. Please hold for President Chan.” The program’s soft voice faded away.
Within seconds the perfectly groomed image of the president appeared on the screen, the logo of his corporation prominently displayed behind him, watermarking his image. “Greetings, Director Williams. I apologize for the lateness of this call.”
“Good evening, President Chan. There is no need for apologies. I am always happy to speak with you.”
There was a moment’s pause, an unusual occurrence, realized Williams. The President of Shanxi seldom hesitated about anything.
“You have acquired a new facilitator, we understand.”
“That is correct.” Williams nodded. “He’s extremely talented, plenty of experience on his resume and comes directly from a federal facility where his skills weren’t fully explored. We’re proud of being able to recruit him. Quite a coup for Eternal Tranquility.”
“He is…of concern to our security division.”
Williams frowned. “I believe you have received all his paperwork for review, as usual? We weren’t informed of any issues that might prevent us acquiring him.”
“Yes.” The president paused again. “We are investigating all possibilities. There will be an alert placed next to his name, and he will be watched closely at all times. His federal background is not something to be taken lightly at this stage of
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