Kyle nodded. “GOLEM is part of a technological evolution that will end in either human obsolescence, human transcendence, or human transformation. Just as your microchip implant will eventually lead to genetically enhanced superbeings, one day soon these superintelligent machines will cross the threshold of consciousness. In either case, I don’t think it will matter.”

“Why not?”

“Because, my dear Eisenbraun, evolution always tosses a wild card into the mix, leveling its own Towers of Babel to begin anew. Five hundred million years ago, life was birthed from the hydrothermal vents we now seek to cap for energy. Two hundred and fifty million years later an asteroid struck Gondwana, wiping out ninety percent of the population spike. The dinosaurs ruled for two hundred million years, only to die off in an Ice Age caused by another space rock. Mammals rose in their ashes, then primates and man—until boom, a caldera erupted seventy thousand years ago and destroyed all but a few thousand humans. Seventy thousand years later the empires of modern man are decimated when the oil runs out. Do you see a pattern? The moment life becomes too big to sustain, evolution comes along to knock it over. I am sure our resident Buddhist will corner you soon to deliver her sermon on seeking fulfillment. If you really want to be immortal, forget Dharma and her beliefs, forget Bella Maharaj. Nirvana lies inside this machine, just close your eyes, make a sweet wish and dream.”

As if on cue, the control panel on the cryogenic pod lit up, the test completed.

Chapter 11

11

When a scientist is ahead of his times, it is often through misunderstanding of current, rather than intuition of future truth. In science there is never any error so gross that it won’t one day, from some perspective, appear prophetic.

—JEAN ROSTAND, French biologist and philosopher

Kevin Read slid his right arm around Andria Saxon’s naked torso.

She pulled away and sat up in bed, the calluses on his palm scratching her six-pack abdominal muscles.

“What the hell, Andria? He’s been onboard three days and you’ve turned as cold as that ice sheet over our heads.”

“Will you keep your voice down!?”

“These suites are soundproof.”

“I don’t care. He could be next door, listening.”

“He’s not next door, he’s on duty! This is supposed to be our time together.”

“I know, and I thought I could handle this, but I can’t.” She stood and slid her bronzed sprinter’s legs into her jumpsuit.

“Andria, wait. GOLEM, locate Robert Eisenbraun.”

“Professor Eisenbraun is aboard Submersible Two.”

“See? He’s not even onboard.”

“Who’s he with? GOLEM, who’s piloting Sub Two? It’s not Lara Saints, is it?”

“Yoni Limor is piloting Submersible Two.”

Commander Read shook his head. “I don’t believe it. You’re actually jealous.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Then why do you care?”

“She’s manipulative. It annoys me.”