Embedded Files
Change comes. Inexorable. Most times it arrives gradually—but sometimes
Change comes. Inexorable. Most times it arrives gradually—but sometimes
change is an earthquake. Cherished assumptions crack. Rocks of stability
change is an earthquake. Cherished assumptions crack. Rocks of stability
crumble. Chasms of experience open between adjacent generations.
crumble. Chasms of experience open between adjacent generations.
Thinking back on his childhood, Kenneth Durand remembered his millennial
Thinking back on his childhood, Kenneth Durand remembered his millennial
parents enduring their own technological earthquake—the disruption of every
parents enduring their own technological earthquake—the disruption of every
industry. Their college degrees useless and their student debt insurmountable,
industry. Their college degrees useless and their student debt insurmountable,
they fell, like many others, out of the middle class. His father’s ready smile was
they fell, like many others, out of the middle class. His father’s ready smile was
replaced by a mask of worry that remained until the day he died. Automation
replaced by a mask of worry that remained until the day he died. Automation
and disintermediation rocked their world.
and disintermediation rocked their world.
And everyone thought that was big change.
And everyone thought that was big change.
It was nothing—just a tremor.
It was nothing—just a tremor.
Two even larger shock waves came for Durand’s generation.
Two even larger shock waves came for Durand’s generation.
The first was mass adoption of light fields. Suddenly what you saw with
The first was mass adoption of light fields. Suddenly what you saw with
your own eyes wasn’t necessarily reality. Most of the consumer electronics
your own eyes wasn’t necessarily reality. Most of the consumer electronics
industry disappeared.
industry disappeared.
The second and far more disruptive shock wave was the fourth industrial
The second and far more disruptive shock wave was the fourth industrial
revolution: synthetic biology. What was once manufactured was now
revolution: synthetic biology. What was once manufactured was now
increasingly grown by custom-designed organisms—algae, yeasts, bacteria.
increasingly grown by custom-designed organisms—algae, yeasts, bacteria.
Automobile bodies grown from chitin. Biofuels from custom E. coli bacteria.
Automobile bodies grown from chitin. Biofuels from custom E. coli bacteria.
Deathless meat and cultured dairy products from sustainable cellular agriculture.
Deathless meat and cultured dairy products from sustainable cellular agriculture.
Biofacturing instead of manufacturing. Life itself harnessed to the human will.
Biofacturing instead of manufacturing. Life itself harnessed to the human will.
Societies that incorporated these advances moved on. Those that could not
Societies that incorporated these advances moved on. Those that could not
did not. Instead, they languished in the debt, political paralysis, and
did not. Instead, they languished in the debt, political paralysis, and
recriminations of the previous age.
recriminations of the previous age.
Durand had made his own choice, and the memory of those he’d left behind
Durand had made his own choice, and the memory of those he’d left behind
still ached. No doubt migrants of prior eras had always suffered the same
still ached. No doubt migrants of prior eras had always suffered the same
anguish. They saw a brighter future somewhere and someway else and walked
anguish. They saw a brighter future somewhere and someway else and walked
the difficult path that led them there. He’d disappointed so many people.
the difficult path that led them there. He’d disappointed so many people.
Violated beloved traditions of service and loyalty. But life was all about difficult
Violated beloved traditions of service and loyalty. But life was all about difficult
choices.
choices.
choices.
choices.
Durand contemplated headlights from eighty stories above as the first light
Durand contemplated headlights from eighty stories above as the first light
of dawn crested the Johor Strait. Singapore’s robot rush hour was already under
of dawn crested the Johor Strait. Singapore’s robot rush hour was already under
way far below. Autonomous electric cars packed the expressways, their LED
way far below. Autonomous electric cars packed the expressways, their LED
headlights coursing over the landscape like rivers of white-hot lava.
headlights coursing over the landscape like rivers of white-hot lava.
He barely paid attention to the voice of a female newscaster in his ear,
He barely paid attention to the voice of a female newscaster in his ear,
“. . . Korea prepares to celebrate the anniversary of its reunification, Seoul
“. . . Korea prepares to celebrate the anniversary of its reunification, Seoul
officials are rolling out the red carpet for Chinese dignitaries—honoring
officials are rolling out the red carpet for Chinese dignitaries—honoring
Beijing’s pivotal role in the nearly bloodless coup and invasion that deposed the
Beijing’s pivotal role in the nearly bloodless coup and invasion that deposed the
Pyongyang regime . . .”
Pyongyang regime . . .”
From the traffic patterns below, it was clear humans were no longer behind
From the traffic patterns below, it was clear humans were no longer behind
the wheel. No stopping and starting, but traffic flowing smoothly, closely
the wheel. No stopping and starting, but traffic flowing smoothly, closely
coordinated, optimized.
coordinated, optimized.
“Mathematics on parade,” his father had called it. Each vehicle informed by
“Mathematics on parade,” his father had called it. Each vehicle informed by
its neighbors, and by the whole. These days you couldn’t drive yourself to work
its neighbors, and by the whole. These days you couldn’t drive yourself to work
even if you wanted to. Manual driving was prohibited on the expressways.
even if you wanted to. Manual driving was prohibited on the expressways.
Humans could not keep pace.
Humans could not keep pace.
That was something his father well knew.
That was something his father well knew.
Mathematics on parade. An experienced and talented civil engineer, his
Mathematics on parade. An experienced and talented civil engineer, his
father spent the last ten years of his life getting downsized from entry-level retail
father spent the last ten years of his life getting downsized from entry-level retail
jobs. He died of a heart attack while Durand was still in high school—leaving
jobs. He died of a heart attack while Durand was still in high school—leaving
them in poverty.
them in poverty.
The anchorwoman’s voice continued in his ear: “The Australian Coast
The anchorwoman’s voice continued in his ear: “The Australian Coast
Guard rescued passengers of a so-called zombie ship adrift off the Port Arthur
Guard rescued passengers of a so-called zombie ship adrift off the Port Arthur
coastline on Tuesday. Packed with hundreds of desperate migrants, the vessel
coastline on Tuesday. Packed with hundreds of desperate migrants, the vessel
had been abandoned without food or water after traffickers reportedly received
had been abandoned without food or water after traffickers reportedly received
payment to ferry the refugees to Indonesia, where they were told jobs awaited.”
payment to ferry the refugees to Indonesia, where they were told jobs awaited.”
Durand turned away from the skyline and back to the high-rise jogging path.
Durand turned away from the skyline and back to the high-rise jogging path.
A glance at stats glowing in the corner of his vision showed he still had a chance
A glance at stats glowing in the corner of his vision showed he still had a chance
to maintain a seven-minute mile.
to maintain a seven-minute mile.
He resumed jogging as the news continued.
He resumed jogging as the news continued.
“Fleeing climate-change-related crop failures, civil war, and rising ocean
“Fleeing climate-change-related crop failures, civil war, and rising ocean
levels, tens of millions of desperate migrants are on the move in what has
levels, tens of millions of desperate migrants are on the move in what has
become the largest sustained migration in human history . . .”
become the largest sustained migration in human history . . .”
Durand’s LFP glasses tinted against the glare of dawn. The tropical humidity
Durand’s LFP glasses tinted against the glare of dawn. The tropical humidity
was already bearing down. He jogged through fogs of atomized water that
was already bearing down. He jogged through fogs of atomized water that
cooled him at intervals. The track arced rightward on a five-kilometer loop
cooled him at intervals. The track arced rightward on a five-kilometer loop
traversing the top of the Hanging Gardens residential complex. Lush jungle
traversing the top of the Hanging Gardens residential complex. Lush jungle
traversing the top of the Hanging Gardens residential complex. Lush jungle
traversing the top of the Hanging Gardens residential complex. Lush jungle
plants lined the inner edge.
plants lined the inner edge.
Durand pushed himself harder, curving along the path. Fashioned of spongy
Durand pushed himself harder, curving along the path. Fashioned of spongy
metamaterial, the surface reduced the impact on his joints. An infinity pool ran
metamaterial, the surface reduced the impact on his joints. An infinity pool ran
along the outer edge, and he jogged past a swimmer in goggles and a water cap.
along the outer edge, and he jogged past a swimmer in goggles and a water cap.
A lush garden path ran below and beyond that—near the outer railing.
A lush garden path ran below and beyond that—near the outer railing.
Everything in sight had been meticulously designed—what urban planners had
Everything in sight had been meticulously designed—what urban planners had
taken to calling “the built environment.”
taken to calling “the built environment.”
“The International Olympic Committee gathers in Tokyo this week to debate
“The International Olympic Committee gathers in Tokyo this week to debate
the coming generation of genetically altered athletes. At issue is whether
the coming generation of genetically altered athletes. At issue is whether
CRISPR edits should disqualify competitors for participation in Olympic and
CRISPR edits should disqualify competitors for participation in Olympic and
professional sport. At present, no reliable test exists to reveal embryonic genetic
professional sport. At present, no reliable test exists to reveal embryonic genetic
edits, potentially putting in peril long-standing records of human physical
edits, potentially putting in peril long-standing records of human physical
achievement.”
achievement.”
As he ran, Durand focused on the ubiquitous construction cranes studding
As he ran, Durand focused on the ubiquitous construction cranes studding
the Singapore skyline. Two-hundred-story buildings were going up all over the
the Singapore skyline. Two-hundred-story buildings were going up all over the
CBD. Mute testimony that the boom was on.
CBD. Mute testimony that the boom was on.
It was difficult to pinpoint the year Singapore became the technology capital
It was difficult to pinpoint the year Singapore became the technology capital
of the world. Economists usually placed that somewhere between ratification of
of the world. Economists usually placed that somewhere between ratification of
the UN Treaty on Genetic Modification and the second wave of moon landings.
the UN Treaty on Genetic Modification and the second wave of moon landings.
But certainly by the dawn of the Gene Revolution, the technological crown had
But certainly by the dawn of the Gene Revolution, the technological crown had
shifted from America.
shifted from America.
Silicon Valley did not go quietly.
Silicon Valley did not go quietly.
Palo Alto, Mountain View, Cupertino, and San Francisco ran through all the
Palo Alto, Mountain View, Cupertino, and San Francisco ran through all the
Kübler-Ross stages of economic grief. Applied billions in defibrillating tax
Kübler-Ross stages of economic grief. Applied billions in defibrillating tax
breaks to jump-start investment. Held embarrassing VR publicity stunts. In the
breaks to jump-start investment. Held embarrassing VR publicity stunts. In the
end the US government was practically giving away H-1B visas.
end the US government was practically giving away H-1B visas.
But nothing could stop the exodus. The Valley was done. Synthetic biology
But nothing could stop the exodus. The Valley was done. Synthetic biology
finished it—though, to be fair, that wasn’t the Valley’s fault.
finished it—though, to be fair, that wasn’t the Valley’s fault.
Synthetic biology was the transistor of the twenty-first century. Yet political
Synthetic biology was the transistor of the twenty-first century. Yet political
realities in America made it increasingly unfeasible for entrepreneurs there to
realities in America made it increasingly unfeasible for entrepreneurs there to
tinker with the building blocks of life. Every cluster of human cells was viewed
tinker with the building blocks of life. Every cluster of human cells was viewed
as a baby in America. A quarter of the population wasn’t vaccinated. A majority
as a baby in America. A quarter of the population wasn’t vaccinated. A majority
of Americans didn’t believe in evolution. Social-media-powered opinions
of Americans didn’t believe in evolution. Social-media-powered opinions
carried more influence than peer-reviewed scientific research. In this virulently
carried more influence than peer-reviewed scientific research. In this virulently
anti-science atmosphere, synbio research was hounded offshore before it had
anti-science atmosphere, synbio research was hounded offshore before it had
really begun. Activists crowed over their victory.
really begun. Activists crowed over their victory.
The rest of the world did not let the opportunity pass it by.
The rest of the world did not let the opportunity pass it by.
By then, Silicon Valley’s forte—circuitry and software—had become cheap
By then, Silicon Valley’s forte—circuitry and software—had become cheap
By then, Silicon Valley’s forte—circuitry and software—had become cheap
By then, Silicon Valley’s forte—circuitry and software—had become cheap
global commodities, created everywhere. Network-centric economic disruption
global commodities, created everywhere. Network-centric economic disruption
was largely complete. Every nook and cranny of modern life had already been
was largely complete. Every nook and cranny of modern life had already been
disintermediated. The gig economy and time-share rentals had cannibalized the
disintermediated. The gig economy and time-share rentals had cannibalized the
US consumer base, low-bidding the middle class out of existence. It was what
US consumer base, low-bidding the middle class out of existence. It was what
had done Durand’s parents in. He still remembered them huddled in one room of
had done Durand’s parents in. He still remembered them huddled in one room of
their home, while debt-collection software rented out the rest of their house over
their home, while debt-collection software rented out the rest of their house over
the Internet.
the Internet.
The world moved on, hungering for answers to the pressing problems of a
The world moved on, hungering for answers to the pressing problems of a
rapidly heating world. Looking for ways to feed the hundreds of millions of
rapidly heating world. Looking for ways to feed the hundreds of millions of
people rendered jobless by automation, skyrocketing global debt, climate shifts,
people rendered jobless by automation, skyrocketing global debt, climate shifts,
and war.
and war.
Synthetic biology delivered—engineering yeasts, algae, and bacteria as the
Synthetic biology delivered—engineering yeasts, algae, and bacteria as the
machinery of sustainable production. Growing and evolving integrated
machinery of sustainable production. Growing and evolving integrated
biofactory systems. Serving as a foundry for new pharmaceuticals and CRISPRedited climate-change-resistant crops—like C4 photosynthesis rice—to feed
biofactory systems. Serving as a foundry for new pharmaceuticals and CRISPRedited climate-change-resistant crops—like C4 photosynthesis rice—to feed
earth’s ten billion people. Built environments where cyanobacteria converted
earth’s ten billion people. Built environments where cyanobacteria converted
light into sugar and custom E. coli converted sugar into biofuel—organisms
light into sugar and custom E. coli converted sugar into biofuel—organisms
altered to feed into each other’s processing loops. Bespoke E. coli that scrubbed
altered to feed into each other’s processing loops. Bespoke E. coli that scrubbed
the oceans of pollutants or sequestered carbon.
the oceans of pollutants or sequestered carbon.
Innovations in xenobiology allowed for the wholesale expansion of the
Innovations in xenobiology allowed for the wholesale expansion of the
biological alphabet itself: xenonucleic acids (XNA) such as HNA, TNA, GNA,
biological alphabet itself: xenonucleic acids (XNA) such as HNA, TNA, GNA,
LNA, and PNA—sugars not utilized in the natural world that could create
LNA, and PNA—sugars not utilized in the natural world that could create
entirely new cellular machinery and compounds that did not interact with natural
entirely new cellular machinery and compounds that did not interact with natural
biological systems—launched entire industries in biological computing and bio
biological systems—launched entire industries in biological computing and bio
blockchain tech.
blockchain tech.
Life itself had become the next systems architecture. And it was hard to
Life itself had become the next systems architecture. And it was hard to
argue with its accumulated uptime.
argue with its accumulated uptime.
And so the Valley moved overseas, as did many of the people and firms in it,
And so the Valley moved overseas, as did many of the people and firms in it,
reconvening in a locale more receptive to science—if not quite liberal
reconvening in a locale more receptive to science—if not quite liberal
democracy. By the mid-2030s most synbio start-ups were Changi-bound. Within
democracy. By the mid-2030s most synbio start-ups were Changi-bound. Within
a decade, new trillion-dollar companies called Singapore home, replacing oil and
a decade, new trillion-dollar companies called Singapore home, replacing oil and
finance as the main industries in the tiny island republic. And it had yet again
finance as the main industries in the tiny island republic. And it had yet again
transformed the city-state’s skyline.
transformed the city-state’s skyline.
Durand noticed a line of urban farming towers in the distance. A hundred
Durand noticed a line of urban farming towers in the distance. A hundred
stories each and draped in vines, the dozen towers resembled overgrown
stories each and draped in vines, the dozen towers resembled overgrown
postapocalyptic ruins—except for their glittering organometallic lights. Acre for
postapocalyptic ruins—except for their glittering organometallic lights. Acre for
acre, the towers produced ten times the food of a traditional farm on just a
acre, the towers produced ten times the food of a traditional farm on just a
acre, the towers produced ten times the food of a traditional farm on just a
acre, the towers produced ten times the food of a traditional farm on just a
fraction of the water. Zero pesticides. Almost entirely automated.
fraction of the water. Zero pesticides. Almost entirely automated.
Nearby stood “pharm” towers, whose crops had been genetically modified to
Nearby stood “pharm” towers, whose crops had been genetically modified to
produce pharmaceutical compounds.
produce pharmaceutical compounds.
Beyond the towers clouds of commercial drone traffic surged past on the
Beyond the towers clouds of commercial drone traffic surged past on the
aerial logistics highway wrapping the northern and eastern shores—headed
aerial logistics highway wrapping the northern and eastern shores—headed
toward Changi and the aerial interchange that fed into the CBD. Silhouetted
toward Changi and the aerial interchange that fed into the CBD. Silhouetted
against the glowing eastern horizon, the delivery drones resembled flocks of
against the glowing eastern horizon, the delivery drones resembled flocks of
birds.
birds.
Durand’s newsfeed went to commercial—an American man talking fast:
Durand’s newsfeed went to commercial—an American man talking fast:
“. . . the premier IGEA-certified provider for all custom cell-cloning services,
“. . . the premier IGEA-certified provider for all custom cell-cloning services,
gene synthesis, subcloning, mutagenesis, bespoke promutagens, variant
gene synthesis, subcloning, mutagenesis, bespoke promutagens, variant
libraries, and vector-shuttling services. cDNA clones available in your preferred
libraries, and vector-shuttling services. cDNA clones available in your preferred
vector . . .”
vector . . .”
No skipping or muting commercials; they’d be there waiting for you next
No skipping or muting commercials; they’d be there waiting for you next
time. Better to let them play. Besides, his lap was nearly finished.
time. Better to let them play. Besides, his lap was nearly finished.
Durand ran between rows of bioluminescent trees on the rooftop approach to
Durand ran between rows of bioluminescent trees on the rooftop approach to
Tower Six. The soft glow from the trees had begun to dim as the first rays of
Tower Six. The soft glow from the trees had begun to dim as the first rays of
sunlight touched their broad leaves. Engineered like everything else around him,
sunlight touched their broad leaves. Engineered like everything else around him,
the plants were as beautiful as they were functional, illuminating roads and
the plants were as beautiful as they were functional, illuminating roads and
sidewalks throughout Singapore.
sidewalks throughout Singapore.
He sprinted the last twenty meters, pushing with everything he had. The
He sprinted the last twenty meters, pushing with everything he had. The
building security system recognized him, and glass doors silently opened, as he
building security system recognized him, and glass doors silently opened, as he
knew they would. Durand slowed to a stop as he entered the blessed cool of the
knew they would. Durand slowed to a stop as he entered the blessed cool of the
rooftop lobby.
rooftop lobby.
The tower’s synthetic female voice spoke in Asian-accented English: “Good
The tower’s synthetic female voice spoke in Asian-accented English: “Good
morning, Mr. Durand. I trust you had a pleasant exercise.”
morning, Mr. Durand. I trust you had a pleasant exercise.”
Durand ignored the voice. He knew it was just a narrow AI. Any input he
Durand ignored the voice. He knew it was just a narrow AI. Any input he
granted it would be stored for later use or misuse, nothing more. It did not “care”
granted it would be stored for later use or misuse, nothing more. It did not “care”
about him any more than his soap dish did. Instead he checked his running time
about him any more than his soap dish did. Instead he checked his running time
while he caught his breath and stretched.
while he caught his breath and stretched.
The newsfeed resumed in his ear: “Attorney and internationally acclaimed
The newsfeed resumed in his ear: “Attorney and internationally acclaimed
human rights activist Kamala Cherian was slain Tuesday evening in a botched
human rights activist Kamala Cherian was slain Tuesday evening in a botched
police raid on a black market CRISPR lab in the Kurla district of Mumbai . . .”
police raid on a black market CRISPR lab in the Kurla district of Mumbai . . .”
Durand stopped cold.
Durand stopped cold.
“Indian authorities claim Ms. Cherian, a client of the facility, was caught in
“Indian authorities claim Ms. Cherian, a client of the facility, was caught in
the cross fire between police and lab security. Cherian’s death will likely only
the cross fire between police and lab security. Cherian’s death will likely only
increase public opposition to armed raids on illicit genetic editing labs under a
increase public opposition to armed raids on illicit genetic editing labs under a
mandate by the UN Treaty on Genetic Modification. Ratified in 2038, the
mandate by the UN Treaty on Genetic Modification. Ratified in 2038, the
agreement was intended to halt the global spread of unregulated genetic editing
agreement was intended to halt the global spread of unregulated genetic editing
of human embryos.”
of human embryos.”
Durand spoke to the newscaster. “Britney. Pause news.”
Durand spoke to the newscaster. “Britney. Pause news.”
The synthetic anchorwoman answered. “Pausing news.”
The synthetic anchorwoman answered. “Pausing news.”
He pondered the information for several moments. “Britney, phone Michael
He pondered the information for several moments. “Britney, phone Michael
Yi Ji-chang.”
Yi Ji-chang.”
The synthetic anchorwoman, now his assistant, replied, “I’m ringing
The synthetic anchorwoman, now his assistant, replied, “I’m ringing
Detective Sergeant Michael Yi Ji-chang. One moment . . .” A pause. “I have
Detective Sergeant Michael Yi Ji-chang. One moment . . .” A pause. “I have
Sergeant Yi Ji-chang on an encrypted line.”
Sergeant Yi Ji-chang on an encrypted line.”
A man’s voice answered. He had a slight Korean accent. “A call this early
A man’s voice answered. He had a slight Korean accent. “A call this early
can’t be good.”
can’t be good.”
“Tell me about the Mumbai raid.”
“Tell me about the Mumbai raid.”
“What’s to tell? Trigger-happy cop killed a VIP.”
“What’s to tell? Trigger-happy cop killed a VIP.”
“Does Claire know yet?”
“Does Claire know yet?”
“Yes, and I’ll tell you what I told her: we shouldn’t overreact.”
“Yes, and I’ll tell you what I told her: we shouldn’t overreact.”
“The Brihanmumbai were supposed to raid the lab—not the clinic. There
“The Brihanmumbai were supposed to raid the lab—not the clinic. There
wouldn’t be civilians in the lab. Now an innocent woman is dead.”
wouldn’t be civilians in the lab. Now an innocent woman is dead.”
“Not entirely innocent.”
“Not entirely innocent.”
“Come on, Mike.”
“Come on, Mike.”
“If she had obeyed the law, Ms. Cherian would still be alive. Would you
“If she had obeyed the law, Ms. Cherian would still be alive. Would you
rather a cop died?”
rather a cop died?”
“Of course not, but that’s not the choice.”
“Of course not, but that’s not the choice.”
“Look, we just provide the intel. National police conduct the raids. It’s not
“Look, we just provide the intel. National police conduct the raids. It’s not
on us.”
on us.”
“Bullshit. We have leverage over the NCBs. We should only share lab
“Bullshit. We have leverage over the NCBs. We should only share lab
locations with them.”
locations with them.”
“If we expect full reciprocity, Interpol needs to provide national police with
“If we expect full reciprocity, Interpol needs to provide national police with
the ability to follow the money into these syndicates—to get to the kingpins. That
the ability to follow the money into these syndicates—to get to the kingpins. That
means your whole link analysis.”
means your whole link analysis.”
Durand felt a familiar fear. “Do you remember what we said after Djibouti?”
Durand felt a familiar fear. “Do you remember what we said after Djibouti?”
“This isn’t misuse of intelligence, Ken.”
“This isn’t misuse of intelligence, Ken.”
“Do you remember?”
“Do you remember?”
“This was a mistake—and not even our mistake.”
“This was a mistake—and not even our mistake.”
“The media is making these raids out as murdering hopeful parents. You and
“The media is making these raids out as murdering hopeful parents. You and
I both know what happens if the public turns against the Genetic Crime
I both know what happens if the public turns against the Genetic Crime
Division.”
Division.”
“Twenty years from now, when kids have hands growing out of their
“Twenty years from now, when kids have hands growing out of their
foreheads, the public will want to know why the hell we didn’t do something to
foreheads, the public will want to know why the hell we didn’t do something to
shut these illegal labs down.”
shut these illegal labs down.”
“Agreed, so let’s defuse opposition by making sure human rights activists
“Agreed, so let’s defuse opposition by making sure human rights activists
don’t turn up dead in the morning news.”
don’t turn up dead in the morning news.”
A weary sigh came over the line. “Ken, I know you don’t want to hear this,
A weary sigh came over the line. “Ken, I know you don’t want to hear this,
but innocent people are going to get caught in the cross fire. No black market on
but innocent people are going to get caught in the cross fire. No black market on
earth right now is more profitable than baby labs, and the syndicates that run
earth right now is more profitable than baby labs, and the syndicates that run
them are ruthless. They’ve killed journalists, police, politicians, civilians. Their
them are ruthless. They’ve killed journalists, police, politicians, civilians. Their
bad press will far exceed ours. Mark my words: the public will stay the course
bad press will far exceed ours. Mark my words: the public will stay the course
with us, even if, like this morning, we have some bad news days.”
with us, even if, like this morning, we have some bad news days.”
Durand drummed his fingers on a nearby railing. “It’s more than a bad news
Durand drummed his fingers on a nearby railing. “It’s more than a bad news
day to me.”
day to me.”
“Ken. You didn’t kill Ms. Cherian.”
“Ken. You didn’t kill Ms. Cherian.”
Durand stared at nothing. “I wrote the algorithms that found that lab. She is
Durand stared at nothing. “I wrote the algorithms that found that lab. She is
dead because—”
dead because—”
“A cop with bad aim killed Ms. Cherian. She was just at the wrong place at
“A cop with bad aim killed Ms. Cherian. She was just at the wrong place at
the wrong time.”
the wrong time.”
Durand paced in silence.
Durand paced in silence.
“We save lives every day by shutting down these labs. You know it’s true.”
“We save lives every day by shutting down these labs. You know it’s true.”
Durand remained silent.
Durand remained silent.
“Hang in there, buddy. Listen, I’ll see you at the eight o’clock. Okay?”
“Hang in there, buddy. Listen, I’ll see you at the eight o’clock. Okay?”
“Right.”
“Right.”
“Haeng-syo.”
“Haeng-syo.”
Durand closed the line.
Durand closed the line.
The building’s AI asked, “Shall I summon an elevator, Mr. Durand?”
The building’s AI asked, “Shall I summon an elevator, Mr. Durand?”
Durand nodded, mopping sweat from his face with his Annapolis T-shirt. He
Durand nodded, mopping sweat from his face with his Annapolis T-shirt. He
resisted the innate human urge to thank the digital assistant and walked toward
resisted the innate human urge to thank the digital assistant and walked toward
the elevator bank.
the elevator bank.
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