Regression (25 page)

“
Are you sure you
don’t have any scientific background, you certainly seem
comfortable with the terminology and concepts.”

A penetrating stare accompanied
her answer. “I never said I didn’t have an education. All of you
assumed I didn’t because I chose to remain home and raise my
children. I am quite familiar with hormonal cycles and human
reproductive physiology.”

“
My apologies, I
suppose you’re right. I did make assumptions and I apologize. It
seems I’m doing that a lot today.” His smile lit his
eyes.

“
Peter, I would
greatly appreciate your discretion regarding my condition. I have
asked the same of Babak but he is tied to doctor-patient
confidentiality. You are not.” She glanced at her wringing hands
before returning her gaze to his blue eyes. “As a professional
courtesy I ask you leave to me the decision of when to disclose my
pregnancy. It doesn’t affect my orientation – unless there are
other sites requiring ingesting chemicals – but I think it would
influence the other regressees in their attitudes, which would
compound their already prejudiced position. Your first response,
for example, was not overly positive.”

“
I don’t
think−”

“
Peter, admit it. All
of you made assumptions about me the moment you laid eyes on
me.”

“
Some of the guys have
been talking.”

“
I can just imagine.
That I couldn’t possibly contribute to your projects, that my
presence here was a fluke, that I was just some stay-at-home mom
caught in the afterglow of your illustrious lives. Even Abraham
admitted as much.”

“
You must concede your
presence is…inexplicable…considering the profiles for the rest of
us.”

“
I feel no need to
defend myself by wearing my degrees on my sleeve. If unable to give
me professional courtesy as I am, as a mother, then I have to ask
why are you struggling to save the world? It’s not full of
scientists, it’s full of people. Smart people. Dumb people.
Educated people. Illiterate people. Young and old.” She pumped her
fist into her palm for emphasis. “By devaluing my role as mother,
as a group you the executive are saying the mothers of the planet
are not worthy of the efforts you are putting forth.”

He breathed in as if to speak, but
she continued her tirade. “I would bet each of you is doing your
project for your own gratification more than for this global cause
you all pretend to espouse. Why save a world you look down
upon?”

“
I−”

“
You all need to
realize, this isn’t about you and how clever you are. This isn’t
even about the research you’re doing. It’s about saving the entire
human race and whether you think they are worthy or not, every
single person out there is important. Single moms, teenage parents,
children given up for adoption, as well as those in stable,
educated homes. No matter what race, no matter what ability level
and…and even no matter what they might have done. Even the man who
raped me. Every single person on this planet deserves our best
effort. And, whether you think I am worthy or not, I am here and
will speak on their behalf.”

Adya stalked out of the interview
room, unable to stand being in the same room as Peter at that
moment. She paced the small outer room, focusing on calming her
temper and slowing her pulse. By the time he exited, she had
regained her composure.

“
Adya, for the third
time this afternoon, I apologize. For all of it. And I hope you
will accept my apology with no reservations.” He extended his hand,
waiting for her to take it. She did not hesitate, clasping his hand
in hers as she met his eyes.

“
We are all under
strain in the role we have. Don’t let that strain cloud your
judgment, and I will do my best to ensure you find me the epitome
of discretion.”

Truce made, Peter escorted Adya
through the next security entrance. They stopped to pick up
communication transceivers all inhabitants of Sanctum were required
to keep on their persons at all times.

“
The transceivers are
extremely important in the event of a tunnel collapse or other
emergency where the staff need to communicate. Each transceiver
also houses a Real Time Locating System for determining position,”
he pointed to a blue LED, “especially in instances where the user
might be unconscious or unable to communicate their location. Keep
yours on you at all times. There is no off switch.” Like a game
show host, smiling, he waved his hand over the display of cases,
“You can use either a neck carrier or waist carrier.”

Adya grinned, selecting the neck
carrier for it and sliding it over her head with over exaggerated
gestures. “Why thank you, sir.” She turned serious. “Why didn’t I
see technology like this out in the general public? I would have
figured out there were other regressees had I seen someone using
this, or a cell phone.”

“
We try to limit
applications of technology to certain fields and causes. The
gratuitous use of technology in the twenty-first century created a
huge burden on natural resources and we’re trying to avoid that
mistake this time around. Cell phones and the like are on limited
distribution, in the same way computers are. An as needed
basis.”

“
Who determines
need?”

“
Usually the
executive, working together, will consider applications from
governments or corporations requesting technology. We develop it,
we control it.”

They finished the final security
clearance and walked down a short flight of stairs. Adya gasped at
the cavernous loading bay which constituted the entrance to
Sanctum.

Journal of Doctor Nicholas Weaver

October 4, 98 P. I.

The Northern Lights
were incredible tonight. Since impact, they have increased in
intensity but this was exceptional even by the new standards. With
no one to share such beauty the attraction fades. The last of the
other survivors died four years ago. Fifty-seven years after Hope.
Fifty-seven years after all hope died. I try to imagine what she
would have looked like growing old with me. Her beautiful blue
eyes, so full of sadness when we met and yet still optimistic. The
excitement and disbelief in them when we realized she was pregnant.
The despair as she breathed her final breath knowing neither she
nor the babe was going to make it. Even at that moment, her concern
was for me. Her last words, “I’m sorry.” That was the day I began
this journey which has spanned ten lifetimes. I no longer believe
in God, and yet I pray this next will be the final
journey.

No. No prayer. I will
make it the final journey. 

The stairs widened into a large cave with vehicles constantly
moving in and out of sight. The transportation, reminiscent of golf
carts, operated on hydrogen fuel cells. Adya approached with
curiousity. “What about the exhaust? Hydrogen fuel cells would
normally emit water vapour as exhaust, which in an underground
setting could cause humidity problems, wouldn’t it?”

“
These cars operate on
a closed system, the water vapour is collected, run through an
electrolyzer powered by the motion of the wheels and then the
hydrogen and oxygen cycle back through again. Very efficient.”
Peter led her to a smaller two seat unit and motioned for her to
join him. The gloomy tunnel had a steep grade for the first few
minutes before the path levelled out.

“
What are those?” She
pointed at the eerie pendulum type structures swinging silently in
the half light of the first city level.

“
Foucault pendulum
electrical generators. Each assembly includes an arrangement of
conductive wire below the swinging magnetic pendulum. Magnets
positioned at the swing apex provide extra repulsion to overcome
inertia and friction, thus remaining in what amounts to perpetual
motion. They feed power into the grid at a constant trickle.
Redundancy of systems is a focus here at Sanctum to ensure we have
power no matter what happens. Henri Babin will guide you through
the power generating capabilities of Sanctum.”

“
Perpetual
motion…really?”

“
Really.”

“
Now, that one I
didn’t expect. The search for that elusive beast has
been…well…perpetual.” She snickered as he groaned in pain. He
continued acting as tour guide for their descent further into the
ground.

“
Urban planners
designed the subterranean tunnels and caves to enable transport
between the various industries and positioned the residences of
workers near their workplace as well as the supporting services
required to maintain human life.” Adya was forced to lean into
Peter as he guided the cart around a bend.

“
Each ‘Node’ is
organized to maximize space and minimize travel. The entire city is
self-sufficient to allow a population of humans to exist
indefinitely should the disaster of 2011 force humans off the
surface. Sloped tunnels such as this allow vehicles to drive from
level to level, assuaging the demand on elevators which can then be
dedicated to transporting humans and smaller objects.” A lightening
and widening of the tunnel ahead foreshadowed their arrival on the
next level.

“
You will normally use
the elevators. They connect the different levels both vertically
and horizontally.”

“
What do you mean,
horizontally?”

“
There are two banks
of vertical elevators. One is centered through the productivity
levels and the other is centered through the residential levels.
They are offset from each other, by necessity of weight bearing.
The horizontal cars connect the two different banks of elevators.
These are located between each residential and productivity level.
To go to work, you take a slider – that’s the term we’ve been using
for the horizontal elevators – to the productivity elevators. We
thought about…what did they call them, moving sidewalks? An
elevator made more sense because the power was only used when
necessary instead of a constantly running machine. Especially when
the sliders go through sections of rock with no residences, no need
for a sidewalk.”

“
I see light
ahead.”

“
Yes. Welcome to P1.
Here on the first productivity level, there is a discrete area
where regressees have a board room, dining room, and living
quarters. Keeps us separate from the regular workers.” As they
exited the sloped tunnel, what looked like daylight shone down on
lush green grass, blossoming apple trees, and a semi-circle of
doorways cut into the stone walls of the cavern.

“
This is what we call
home when at Sanctum. Each residential node is set up with the
commons natural area. We have genetically modified trees, grasses,
and other plants to thrive under artificial light. If humans are
going to be stuck underground for two or three years, we thought we
had better approximate as natural an environment as
possible.”

“
Do the trees bear
fruit?”

Peter spoke with a large measure
of pride in his voice. “Yes. I developed a strain of honey bees
without stingers. No predators here so they don’t need defence and
we couldn’t risk anaphylactic reactions. The bees pollinate the
plants and trees, serving a dual purpose, aesthetics as well as
nutrition.” They pulled up to the parking area, and he motioned her
toward the doors.

“
Your bags are
sterilized and already in your quarters. You have suite number Two.
It’s been programmed to only open to you, swipe your card and enter
your code.” She did as instructed and the light above the card lock
turned from red to green. They entered a small vestibule. Tiny LEDs
illuminated the space like a thousand stars.

“
It’s lovely,” she
exclaimed, smiling broadly.

“
Yes, lovely.” She
turned to see he was looking at her, not the lights. He looked away
before his eyes met hers, showing her how to increase the intensity
of the lights. She placed her bags on the shelf cut into stone and
walked through the archway. The adjoining room was a combination
study/kitchenette with a small food preparation surface and
table.

“
Why only a
kitchenette, not a full kitchen?”

“
Conservation of space
was important when trying to fit as many people as possible into
such as small space. Also, to encourage a sense of community. Meals
and snacks are available in the commons area. The fridge is for
storing small amounts but everyone is expected to use the shared
facilities. Theory behind group dining was society creates too many
walls between people and by having joint food areas we are going to
reduce the isolation between households. For the regressees the
communal area is small. On the general residential floors the
commons is large enough to serve all of the families in that node.
Quite spacious.”

“
Like a food court in
a mall?”

“
Exactly, with a broad
range of food items to choose from to accommodate the diverse
cultural backgrounds expected. Currently we are only hosting the
few thousand people needed to operate the systems and work on the
research initiatives, so they are all living in Node Two. All nodes
are identical in set up and will be inhabited if necessary but no
need to keep them active at the moment.” She investigated the
sleeping area, computer nook, and bathroom. Preparations had been
made for her arrival: linens were on the bed, dishes in the
cupboards, and a computer installed. Adya took one final look
around and turned again to Peter.