Eternity
Prologue
Most people never saw it coming—perhaps they should have. Humanity’s incredibly high rate of scientific advancement in the 20th century, which only accelerated exponentially during the first few decades of the 21st century, included breakthroughs in many fields, including nuclear fusion, cloning, gene-editing, transgenics, quantum computing, warp fields, and gravitational waves, just to name a few. Groundbreaking new technologies with entirely new fields of study were developed for each, oftentimes turning previously understood and accepted science on its head.
Considerations that some observers believe are often overlooked and are equally misunderstood are the moral and ethical considerations that necessarily accompany many such scientific discoveries. They ask whether we should do something just because we can. Should we research and develop an atomic bomb just because we can? Should we pursue “Gain of Function Research,” even though such research could inadvertently lead to the development of a Covid-19 virus and a subsequent worldwide pandemic? Should we take such risks with even scarier viruses like Ebola?
Of course, many scientists and ethicists believe the same could be said and often is said about other fields of science, where major scientific breakthroughs come with their own moral and ethical considerations that must also be factored into the equations. The power inherent in some discoveries is enormous, as is the case with gene-editing, transgenics, and cloning. To recklessly proceed without careful consideration may lead to permanent and irreversible damage to humanity itself.
In the middle of the 21st century, there arose a scientist, who would make breakthroughs in not one, but two such fields of science, defying convention and
naysayers who constantly proclaimed it could not be done. Together these two new discoveries have the power to change humanity forever, promising a bright and
prosperous future. As with many of the more significant technological breakthroughs, however, the technology that holds the power to save humanity holds the power to destroy it as well….
Chapter 1 - David Winters
We’re different now—humanity has changed; there is no going back to the way it was. My name is Ariel Waters, or AJ. What follows is my attempt to chronicle a series of events that began with an extraordinary discovery, a scientific breakthrough so profound it will forever be remembered as one of the most significant events in human history. It has literally redefined what it means to be human.
The ramifications for humanity are impossible to predict, as are the reactions from the billions of people who count themselves as members of one of the world’s three largest religions. How will they react to this new world we now find ourselves in? As for me, I expect they will respond like the rest of us, each according to his ability. After all, theologians, scientists, governments, and families will struggle for centuries, perhaps even millennia, with the implications of what I have watched unfold over the last six months. But where do I begin? I suppose I should go back to where it all began.
***
Twelve years ago - High Point, NC
The old doorknob rattled and shook. Following the insertion and turn of an ancient skeleton key, the mechanism inside the lock released, and the door flung open.
At the door stood a man in his early thirties, a young man with a scraggly beard, a slight pale complexion, and an unnatural leanness, suggesting he was moderately
malnourished.
The first thing David Winters noticed as he surveyed the room was the shambles in which he’d left the lab. It frustrated him knowing he would be forced to waste valuable time cleaning the lab, a chore he’d once left to others. He was on his own now, however, without the luxury of a cleaning service. But, of course, he was also free from the tethers and restrictions that had held back his progress for so long. And oh, what progress he had made since being on his own! Both projects, Alpha and Beta, which he worked on in parallel, offered potential breakthroughs in completely different fields of study, thanks to his extensive education and intellect, with each offering an enormous payoff opportunity. There was, of course, stiff competition on both fronts from large conglomerates with tens of thousands of people on staff and virtually unlimited R&D budgets. Fortunately for him, though, there were two particularly significant advantages he held over his competition—his genius and demonstrable progress toward developing viable products.
Testing for Alpha had gone extremely well, so much so that he was confident that when the time came, he would have no problem obtaining the necessary patents and approvals he needed for taking Alpha to market within two years. Project Beta, on the other hand, was likely still some ways off. While it held tremendous promise, it was still early on in testing.
Having initiated tests for both projects before leaving for a much-needed break a week earlier, Winters had left it to the automated systems in the lab to capture the results before the test subjects expired. Now that he was back, it was time to review the results.
The scientist walked over to a computer console in the middle of the room and tapped a key on the keyboard, causing the two computer monitors in front of him to spring to life. Charts and graphs for Project Alpha were displayed on the left screen, while results for Project Beta were on the right.
A flashing light on the left monitor turned his attention to a graph on the bottom of the screen labeled “Project Alpha Repair Matrix.” Underneath the graph flashed the words, “Bone & Tissue Success Rate-100%.” The results were very encouraging, though not outside the range of predicted outcomes, which was an exceptionally good thing. He needed steady, consistent, predictable results, or he would never get FDA approval. A big smile appeared on his face. By this time the following year, his face would be on the cover of numerous magazines, as well as most medical and scientific journals. He would also become a very wealthy man. Most importantly, however, his discovery would change the world, bringing hope and a better quality of life to men, women, and children all over the planet.
Still beaming from Project Alpha’s test results, he now turned his attention to Project Beta.
“No, that can’t be right,” he mumbled to himself after reviewing the data on the monitor in front of him. His brow furrowed, and a frown appeared. He moved the mouse and scrolled through several more screens. “Huh, there it is again. Hmm…well then, I guess there’s only one way to find out what’s going on.”
The scientist left the console and walked over to a door on the other side of the lab. He opened the sealed, secured door and walked in. The room was dimly lit and largely empty, except for a rack of cages against one of the walls, each equipped with automatic feeders, an automated water supply, and multiple cameras. Most of the cages were empty, except for three metal cages with a lone white rabbit in each and a couple of large glass cases.
He walked over to the far end of the room until he came to the large glass case labeled Beta-Test Series 00887. He knew exactly what to expect given their life expectancy; he’d seen it many times with every other test. The drone ants were already mature when he’d left, so they would be long dead upon his return, their lifespan having long since expired.
David Winters chuckled. The male ants had drawn nature’s short stick when it came to life expectancy, genetically programmed to die in mere weeks. The female queen, however, lives far longer than the drone, with some living for years or even decades. It is a raw deal for the male drone ants to be sure, but for David, that genetic programming had made the drone ant the perfect candidate to study.
Winters flipped the switch on the rack, and several lights lit up and down the row. As he stooped to peer into the cage, he let out a gasp.
There were a hundred ants in the case when he’d left. He expected most, if not all, would be dead upon his return. Instead, he saw only one male ant remaining, and it was very much alive. After a few seconds, he realized, to his horror, what had happened. He’d left only enough food to sustain the ants for one day. Once they ran out of food, they’d turned to the only remaining food source, each other. The remaining ant was the lucky survivor. David was horrified, and he was thrilled.
Chapter 2 - Sarge
Two years later
“Hello, General Thorne. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Dr. Winters,” Thorne replied with a smile, as dozens of men and women dressed in military uniforms made their way into the auditorium and to their waiting seats.
“I must confess, I’m glad you’re here today.”
“Really? And why is that, Dr. Winters?”
“Well, sir…you’ve become such an ardent supporter of my work.”
“Yes, well, I must confess I did have my doubts at first, David. When you first contacted me, claiming to have invented a technology that would revolutionize the modern battlefield…well, I nearly hung up on you. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve heard such claims throughout my career? It was only because I’d already heard some very encouraging things about you and your work that I agreed to meet with you. But I certainly am glad I did now! Your work has been nothing short of extraordinary, David; you’re a remarkable young man.”
“Thank you, General.”
The seasoned veteran only nodded in reply.
“You know, Dr. Winters, most people we’ve spoken with about you have been quite impressed by your work. It seems they see you as the rock star of cutting-edge science, lavishing praise on you, seemingly in awe of what you have accomplished, calling you a modern-day Einstein.”
“Most?” David asked with a grin.
“Heh, yes, well, we spoke with several of your competitors as well, Dr. Winters. Clearly, they feel quite threatened by you.
“I’ve been doing my best to read through some of the research you shared with me. Needless to say, that was quite a challenge, let me tell you. I had a massive headache when I was done. Nearly all of it was way, way above my head, so I had to consult with a series of military and civilian scientists. Nearly every time I heard back from someone, the response was the same; ‘If it’s true, General, it will change everything.’” “I was recently told the massive grant that funded my startup was your idea, General. Thank you very much.”
“It was my pleasure, son. I have had the privilege of working with some of the best and brightest minds in the world. Believe me when I tell you that none of them can hold a candle to you. The work you’re doing—it’s remarkable, and the progress you’ve made—astounding. Even if the project fails and you don’t get your devices working the first time out, I’m sure it was still money well-spent because you will. No one can deny the remarkable progress you’ve made.”
“Then I believe you’re going to be very pleased with what you see today, General Thorne.”
“Really? Excellent! Let’s get to it then!”
David nodded, and after gesturing to his assistant, the men took their seats. Just moments later, the lights went out. Music suddenly exploded from speakers all around the room, playing an upbeat rhythm in sync with still images and video clips projected as holographic images in the front of the room. David Winters breathed a sigh of relief, turned to his father, Henry Winters, who was also seated next to David on the other side and smiled.
The scientist sat back and relaxed for a moment, taking it all in while the automated presentation continued. The words Winters Industries appeared in the air at the end of the boardroom table. The music softened, and images soon disappeared, replaced by video clips of soldiers wounded in battle, of children in plaster casts that covered their legs and arms, of burn victims bandaged all over, and of other men, women, and children missing limbs, lying in their hospital beds with tears in their eyes.
A narrator then began to speak in concert with the holographic images in the room.
“Imagine just for a moment that you are a young soldier. Perhaps you are also a husband or wife, or maybe you’re also a parent with three or four small children. One day your country unexpectedly calls upon you to fight in a distant war. While there, you drive over an improvised explosive device or IED, and you end up losing both arms, maybe even a leg too, and you know that you will never be able to hug your children the same way again. But what if there was a way? What if you were able to somehow hold your children and your spouse the way you once did, using real flesh and-blood arms and legs?
“Now then, let’s try something different. Try to picture yourself years from now, after you’ve retired as an active service member, government official, or a businessman or woman, finally poised to spend your leisure time traveling the world exactly the way you’d planned and saved for your entire life. But then your doctor informs you that you have an inoperable form of cancer and you have only six months to live. How many of us have known someone whose retirement was cut short by disease or death?
“But what if you could have more time and the opportunity to rid yourself of the malignancy that is threatening to rob you of your golden years? What if you could enjoy your retirement and travel the world free of the ravages of cancer?
“Now imagine you’re anyone who has been hurt or injured. Maybe you’re a gunshot victim, or you’ve been in a car accident, or you’re suffering third-degree burns over most of your body from a fire, with little but years of pain, misery, and suffering to look forward to.
“Now, what if, somehow, you were given an option for a complete and nearly overnight recovery, fully restored to your former self, free from any scarring?”
The videos were replaced with images of peculiar machines, all identical in appearance. They were alien, robotic creatures, cylindrical in shape, with six mechanical arms extending from each one. Two arms had claw-like appendages, the second pair of arms had appendages with pointed nozzles attached, and the last two arms had propeller or fan-like extremities. The narrator continued as the machines began scurrying about, seemingly busy at work, using the two propeller arms for propulsion and navigation.
“Imagine no longer! Introducing the Winters Nanites, microscopic machines capable of repairing damaged bone, cartilage, ligaments, organs, and skin from inside the human body!
“The Winters Nanites are pre-programmed and customized by the attending physician using a simple, easy-to-use interface. The doctor simply tells the nanites what to do, either verbally or by touchscreen and keyboard, via the Winters Nanite System, or what we affectionately call WINS, and they do it! A doctor might instruct the nanites to repair the fracture in the patient’s right femur, for example. Using its advanced artificial intelligence, the system will display recommended step-by-step actions. Once the doctor has accepted the proposed procedure, the real magic begins.
“A great deal of effort went into developing a solution free of mistakes, always erring on the side of caution and in the interest of the patient. Every step of the way, the attending physician must approve anything and everything the Winters Nanites do before they proceed, always ensuring your doctor is in control of all decision-making.”
The scene changed, and the audience suddenly found itself in the middle of a fierce battle, with American soldiers exchanging gunfire with the enemy somewhere in Iraq. Explosions destroyed multiple vehicles while wounding or killing many of the soldiers. There were more explosions, followed by the appearance of a team of medics, who quickly jumped into action, racing to help recover the injured and dying.
The presentation continued as the scene changed again. A large open space inside a converted gym appeared, hosting between fifty to a hundred beds, with each bed occupied by an injured soldier struggling to stay alive.
“We anticipate the Winters Nanites will revolutionize modern military medicine, forever changing the face of the battlefield where human beings have, for millennia, been shot, stabbed, dismembered, blinded, and killed.”
The gym faded to black again, and a new scene appeared. This time, there was an operating room, prepped and ready for surgery. A solitary wounded soldier in his early twenties lay on the bed, sedated. He was wearing an eye patch and was missing both an arm and a leg. A doctor stood in front of a computer console with the “Winters Industries” name prominently featured.
“By using WINS to instruct the nanites to repair damaged limbs or even replace them, patients can be completely restored to health and back on their feet the next day. In years past, such recovery would have been impossible, with patients condemned to wheelchairs and prostheses for the rest of their lives, not the real, natural limbs the Winters Nanite System can restore for them.”
The scene changed again, with the same soldier standing and clothed, holding up a hand where before there had been only a stump, staring at the new limb with amazement. Tears began streaming down his face.
The images slowly faded, replaced with the Winters Industries logo. The lights slowly came back on, and while everyone struggled to make the adjustment, Winters made his way to the front of the auditorium and onto a slightly elevated stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to welcome you to the first annual Winters Nanites Conference. At our event today, we have a lot of representation from the United States military. At this time, I would like to ask everyone who has served or is currently serving in the United States Armed Forces to please stand, so we can honor and recognize you, our brave men and women.”
Dozens of uniformed men and three women rose together, along with several former military service members dressed in business suits. The audience immediately responded by offering them a roaring round of applause. A few moments later, everyone took their seats.
Winters took out an index card, which he then held in his left hand.
“We also have with us some very special guests I would like to recognize—Vice President Robert Haney, Secretary of Defense Dennis Smithfield, Senators Margaret Grossman and Trip Harris, Representatives Michael Steelman and Anna Matthews, Vice-Admiral Bernard Stonewall and Brigadier General Harold Johnson. Will you all please stand so we can recognize you as well?”
They all stood to another round of applause before re-taking their seats.
“Thank you. Lastly, we have the CEOs from several Fortune 100 companies here, scientists from bio-medical companies, scientists, doctors, academics, politicians, and others whose names would take far too long to list. Please know, however, that I am incredibly grateful that you are here today.
“I would personally like to thank each and every one of you for demonstrating your support by coming here today as we announce the official launch of Winters Industries, taking it from a startup in the basement of my home to what I believe will soon be a large and extremely successful biotechnology company blazing a new path forward on the razor’s edge of science.
“I’d like to especially thank the United States Government and the military for its steadfast support of the work we’re doing here. And, of course, for the grant and the payment advance they so graciously extended to us, along with several signed contracts. Winters Industries has agreed to supply nanites to the United States military, Veterans Administration Hospitals nationwide, a variety of federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies across the country, and to a select group of medical clinics nationwide.
“Between the grant and the advance, there will be more than enough capital for us to ramp up nanite production in time to begin supplying nanites the day following final FDA approval and, by so doing, meet the aggressive schedule given to us by the United States Government. Please know that your steadfast and continuing commitment to the successful launch of this company and this product is deeply appreciated by everyone here at Winters Industries. I promise you that once you’ve seen what we’re about to show you today, you will know with certainty that your faith has not been misplaced!”
Winters looked over the faces in the audience and found a mixture of doubt and anticipation resting on most.
“But so you can see for yourself that your faith in me and in Winters Industries is well-founded, I’ve arranged a little demonstration just for you; I hope you enjoy it.”
David Winters looked to the back of the room, where a man in uniform stood beside a German shepherd on a leash.
“Lieutenant McDaniel, would you please escort Sarge on stage?” “Yes, sir!” came the reply. Two men brought a table, instruments, and medical equipment up front near where he stood.
Winters continued. “Ladies and gentlemen, Corporal Cory Seavers and Sarge served together in the United States Army for over five years. The pair guarded the entrance to an army base near Kabul in Afghanistan. During the last few months they served together, their job was to inspect vehicles as they passed through an inspection station while others safely stood behind a barricade a safe distance away from the gate.
“One day last year, a truck with a lone driver approached the base. While at the inspection station, Sarge alerted Corporal Seavers when he detected something in the truck. The corporal ordered the driver out of the truck, at which time the man detonated explosives hidden inside. Unfortunately, Corporal Seavers was killed, and Sarge was severely wounded. As you can see, Sarge lost his right hind leg, his right eye, and his right ear in the explosion.
“Now, the FDA has yet to approve the nanites for use on human beings, but since Sarge, as fine a soldier as he is, remains a dog, the U.S. Army has given us permission to use the nanites to rebuild Sarge’s leg, eye, and ear. In the interest of time, we already have everything prepared for this demonstration. Lieutenant McDaniel has cared for Sarge over much of the past year.”
Winters turned to McDaniel.
“Please lay him up on the table and stay with him while my associates inject him with a sedative.”
“Yes, sir.”
A team of two men and two women stood by the table dressed in scrubs. One of the women injected the dog, and a few seconds later, Sergeant drifted off to sleep.
“Okay, he’s ready,” one of the women announced.
“Very good,” Winters replied. “Go ahead and get him on the monitor. As soon as you’re ready, put them to work.”
“Yes, Dr. Winters,” the woman replied.
All eyes were on Sarge, the crew of scientists, and the large screen that had descended from the ceiling. On it was an outline of Sarge’s body. The woman scientist injected a syringe filled with a silver solution into the stub of Sarge’s hind leg. One of the male scientists injected a second vial into what little remained of his right ear while the remaining vial of solution was inserted just above where his right eye had once been.
The monitor was now a split-screen, with the left-hand side of the screen displaying a close-up, live camera shot of Sarge lying on the table, while the other showed an outline of the dog’s body, with the nanites represented by clusters of red dots at each of the affected areas.
“Watch carefully now, as it will happen quickly. As I said, in the interest of time, we did some preliminary prep work, like getting scans of Sarge’s injured areas, including what remained of his leg, his eye socket, and the remaining stub of an ear. Normally this would have to be done when the patient comes in to see the attending doctor; today, it’s already been done. And here we go!”
The audience grew quiet as they watched the movement of three clusters of red dots on the screen, as each grouping moved toward their target area. David Winters alternated between watching the nanites on the screen and watching the faces in the audience. He waited several minutes while themed music played throughout the auditorium, helping to build anticipation while also giving the nanites time to do their work before continuing. “Watch the screen. See here where the rest of his leg is starting to appear!” The audience gasped when they saw, on the leftmost screen, his missing leg starting to fill in as if growing back before their very eyes. Shouts were heard, proclaiming it was a hoax, an act.
“Oh, I assure you, what you see happening is quite real, my friends. What you see with your own eyes is backed up by solid, reliable scientific data. If anyone feels so compelled, feel free to hire your own expert witnesses. I guarantee that if they’re honest and they know what they’re doing, they will report that what you think you’ve seen happen actually did occur.
“Look, I know it’s pretty amazing,” he said, turning to find the animal’s leg had nearly been completely rebuilt. The ear was already finished, and the eye nearly was as well. “These nanites, they’re incredible, but they’re only doing what I designed them to do. The nanites are extremely helpful with both the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries. Once the FDA review is complete, I fully expect these nanites will revolutionize the entire field of medicine and the world.”
After a few minutes, the nanites’ work was complete, and the red dots began to fade. One of the women injected Sarge with a vial, and moments later, he revived and began to move around.
“Lieutenant McDaniel!” Winters called out.
McDaniel rushed up front and stepped up and onto the stage. He rushed over to the canine and stared at his friend in awe and admiration before embracing him. With tears in his eyes, he examined Sarge’s ear, eye, and leg before embracing him again. After pausing to look up at the scientists and the people in the audience, he grew embarrassed, and after removing a leash from his pocket, he clipped it onto the dog’s collar.
“May I?” he asked, looking up at Winters while holding up the leash.
David Winters smiled. “Of course.”
McDaniel gently lifted Sarge up and set him on the floor of the stage, where the dog stood motionless for several seconds as if seemingly shocked to find it could now see out of both eyes, hear out of both ears, and stand on all four legs. After a few seconds, he began walking around excitedly, tugging on his leash.
The audience rose to their feet in thunderous applause. David paused to bask in the praise and adulation of the crowd, and for the first time, he began to fully appreciate just how important his discovery was and how it would change the world.