MAN FROM TOMORROW

“Moreover, machines are not yet so developed for independent thinking and decision making. Artificial Intelligence is quite far away though it cannot be ruled out. Besides, the rapid strides in molecular biology, cybernetics and nanotechnology in recent years have greatly brought down the cost of genetic engineering. A Superhuman on the moon will still be human and be one of our own. Ultimately, nothing on earth or in space beats the quality of human perception, thought and action.”

“How do you know all this Professor?” Martin asked. The Professor stopped pacing the room and fell into a snug chair. “My boy, years ago I was part of a program in a private company which aimed to clone a human being. A human being was indeed cloned. But the clone did not survive for more than a week. The program was wound up and the mission team was disbanded. We were given some hefty stock options. I was forced to retire.

That was how I knew Anita’s father. He worked with me for some time. But he left the company well before me. Unfortunately, he died in an accident. Many months later I sold all the shares of my company and got a nice pension- kind of like a compensation package. And here I am.”

Martin became thoughtful that’s how Anita knows this Professor- “Hmmm... I see. But If I remember right, I think that the Federal government brought legislation banning the cloning and possibly genetic engineering of human beings, no?”

“You are right”. The Professor looked up.

“The legislation banned private entities from cloning and genetically engineering humans. That in no way it restricted Government agencies from carrying out the same activities. As I told earlier, I was a scientist myself in a private company and we were forced to tone down our research, partly because of the intense pressure from the Federal government.

That legislation was the last nail in our coffin. We had to shut down completely. The equipment of my company is what you see in this lab of mine now. From a profession, it has now become my hobby and a post-retirement pastime to study the sciences.”

“Tell us more about these Super Humans- like what all capabilities they may have and so on...” Anita asked. Anita’s curiosity had gotten the better of her.

The Professor was more than willing-

“My dear, Super Humans can supposedly be created to have a wide array of capabilities. In theory, it is possible to augment human physical and mental capabilities for space exploration. The genes can be tweaked- reducing the need for sleep, increasing alertness, and mitigating stress.

One can, by genetic engineering customize human capabilities, for increased disease resistance, increased muscle mass for strength, mimicking hibernating mammals to produce a similar sleep process in humans, slow down the ageing process and increase the capacity to heal.”

“Professor, earlier you said that theoretically, it was now possible to create a human being who was stronger, faster, and consumes lesser resources and is highly energy-efficient,” Martin asked.

The Professor nodded his head in the affirmative. Martin then paced the room in deep thought. He asked the Professor in a whisper- “So, you think our man here is one such... Superhuman?” The Professor nodded, hesitantly.

The Professor’s tone reflected that of Martin’s- “Though I cannot say for sure, what you stated may be likely, however remote. As I told you earlier, Kevin can be classified as a sub-species of the human genetic stock. In fact, a totally different species maybe. Kevin maybe one such Superhuman. There is also a probability, however small that he may not.

Anyway, every probability however small has to be examined. As of now, I do not rule out any such possibility. Only thorough tests can reveal something-which will take more time. Although our Super Man here may be able to throw more light on his origin and other details himself.”

Anita looked at the Unconscious body of Kevin.

“We could not talk to him about himself much; as we were busy chasing or running away from one thing or the other. Maybe, when he regains consciousness, we might be able to get something out of him. Martin, have you called your people for back up to apprehend your ‘terrorist’?“.

Anita saw Martin with a bitter look when she uttered the last sentence.

Martin was staring into a wall, trying to fathom some deep mystery.

“No. I can’t risk letting anyone in on this. Not at this stage. We don’t know who has what motives. Only when we get the full picture, can we make sense of what exactly is going on. But we do not have the privilege of time. And no, Anita, I don’t believe that Kevin here is a terrorist. I think that there is a bigger and more complex game going on here”.

Martin kept his reservations to himself. No use in expressing his misgivings if it did not help improve the situation.

Anita went out of the lab overwhelmed by what Professor Antonio had just told them. Perhaps, it was too heavy for a person to listen, leave alone digest what they just discussed, Martin assumed.

Martin was ready to spend the next few hours mentally reviewing that information and getting what else he could from it. He wanted to ruminate on this most unusual of cases.

Before leaving the lab, Martin told the Professor that as and when he concluded his tests, he should give those results to Martin in writing in the form of a report. This report could serve as evidence-based on which Martin intended to plan his further course of action. If things went as per his plan, after the tests were over and Kevin regained consciousness, Martin had thought to somehow smuggle Kevin, Anita and the Professor into New York. Once there, he would arrange a press conference where he would declare to the world that a man like Kevin existed in their midst. Once Kevin’s special nature was publicized to the world, it would ensure that the Federal government gave Kevin, Anita and the Professor maximum security.

True, Martin would surely lose his job. But at least the people involved would be alive. Somehow at the back of his mind, he suspected that no one in his department was to be trusted. This plan seemed the most logical way out where everyone would live. Other than this, Martin had nothing. And Martin knew he had nothing.

Another day passed. Martin was sitting on the couch in Professor Antonio’s large living room, staring at the flat-screen television. When Anita came into the room, he was still staring at it in a dreamlike fashion, but the screen was just as black as it was twenty minutes prior; he never turned it on to serve as background noise.

Anita stood in the corner of Martin’s vision; her arms crossed. It took him several seconds to notice her and realized she wanted something from him. He cocked his head in her direction, not showing any interest in her.

“What?” he asked.

“We’re going out, “Anita said; her tone leaving no room for argument.

Martin straightened up and looked at Anita.

“Don’t you realize how dangerous that is? We might not be the ones being tracked and hunted, but if we leave those looking for Kevin spot one of us, we’ll lead them right to him. Worse, we’d also be leading them straight to the Professor, and well, that would be rude,” Martin said.

“We would only be gone for a couple of hours. Just to go out for some time and get out of this house. No one will find us.”

Martin sighed, tapping his fingers against his knee. “That’s not quite how it works,” he said and paused to consider something else. He looked away from her, back at the television. “It sounds like you’re asking me out on a date.”

“I might be,” she smiled.

“Unfortunately, you’ve done little to sway my opinion on the matter. We’re not going anywhere,” Martin said. Her smile turned into a frown. Because he looked back to the blank television, he didn’t see it happen.

“I’m going whether you come or not.”

He didn’t look back at her right away, but when he did, he saw the pouty expression she gave him. He rolled his eyes, looked back to the television, battling against his options. Finally, he relented; sighing, he moved to stand up from the couch. When he looked at her again, her face lit up brighter than anything he’d ever seen. It was stunning.

He had to admit, though, that getting out of the house was an appealing idea. “Ok, let’s get out of here. Leaving might not be such a bad idea.”

“Should we tell the Professor that we’re leaving?” He asked.

“Ok. I’ll tell him.” She said, and then tossed him a pair of keys. “Those are for the Mercedes.”

“Here give this to the Professor.” Martin gave Anita a chit on which he had scribbled something. That was all he said until she joined him in the vehicle and they were on the road, heading further into town.

“Do you really think something will happen?” She asked once they were on the road, her voice telling him that she was concerned.

“No, not really, but anything is a possibility. We’ve been followed this far; it doesn’t take much imagination to believe it might even go farther. Getting out and distracting ourselves from the problem at hand might be a good thing, but we can’t let our guard down. Just be careful and try not to attract attention,” he said while driving. They came to a red light, and it occurred to Martin that he didn’t have a clue where he should be going. “Is there somewhere, in particular, you want to eat?”

“Something that’s not fast food, “Anita paused for so long that Martin had to look over at her, only to see her carefully examining her three-day-old clothes. “And definitely not somewhere fancy.”

They both laughed at that.

“I didn’t think to clean up before leaving. I guess I know what I’m doing when we get back,” she smiled.

“Martin...?” Said Anita, with a tinge of helplessness in her speech. “Yes, Anita?” Martin answered with an equally reassuring Voice.” What will happen to us? We are being hunted, ruthlessly.” Anita said, looking out the car window.

Martin placed his hand over Anita’s. “Don’t worry Anita, I have a strategy in mind,” Martin spoke slowly. “I have asked the Professor that as and when he concludes his tests, he should give those results to me in writing. It will be in the form of a report. Taking this report as evidence I will proceed to the next course of action. If things go as per my strategy, after the tests are over and Kevin regains consciousness, I intend to sneak You, Kevin and the Professor into New York. Once there, I will call a press conference where I will declare to the world that a man like Kevin exists among us. Once Kevin’s special nature is publicized to the world, it will ensure that the Federal government gives Kevin, You, and the Professor maximum security.”

“What about you, Martin?” Anita still looked out of the window with a look of bleak hope. True, Martin would lose his job. But at least the people involved would be alive. This plan seemed the most logical way out where everyone would live.

“Don’t worry about me. I have scraped through worse situations than this one “Martin grinned, knowing fully well that this was the worst situation he was in. And he doubted if any of them- Anita, Kevin, the Professor or himself- would even scrape out of this alive.

Martin realized then that over the course of the last few days, he’d grown to both appreciate Anita’s presence, and take it for granted. She was a lovely person, he thought, someone both smart and challenging, but also someone that he was attracted to. His thoughts began drifting toward his soon to be ex-wife, and he had to suppress a painful cringe.

Thankfully, Anita didn’t seem to notice. He set his mind back on track, returning his thoughts to the last few days spent with Anita. Despite the fact that they were technically on the run, the time they spent together was good. Sure, it could have been better, but it was good. Maybe there wasn’t a better way to get to know someone than having your lives put in danger.

In spite of being on the run and having the company of a lady like Anita, something deeper and graver nagged at the back of Martin’s mind. It was vague, something on which he couldn’t place a finger. A sense of collective concern seemed to touch him in ways he did not expect. A sense of concern for humanity at large. Maybe this had something to do with the situation they were in. But Martin was too well trained to dismiss the feeling as situational.

Several minutes later, Martin pulled into the parking lot of ‘Olive Garden’, the first restaurant that he noticed and thought might be promising.

“This’ll work, I hope?” Martin asked once he parked the car.

“I’m in no position to complain,” she said. They got out of the car and wandered into the restaurant.

The place was relatively empty, at least from what they could tell. The dark tiles that spread across the floor were appealing, and although the restaurant had an overall welcoming atmosphere. Martin found the mundaneness of the place relaxing; in a way, it was a true break from everything else he’d been through over the past few days. They were there because it was a choice, not because someone’s life depended on it.

Though- as he’d been thinking in the car on the way there- it could have been a lot worse. In the end, he still met Anita; who he was sure, at the very least, would become a good friend. The prospect of more with Anita was tempting, but also scary. He was positive that even if there was a chance, he wasn’t ready for it. And because of that, it was best for him to put those thoughts aside. And then there was this vague feeling at the back of his mind about the whole of mankind. A feeling to which he could neither give shape nor color.

They were seated at the back of the restaurant, at a table of high chairs far away from any other customer. Martin decided to order Pan-Roasted Pork Chops with Potato Pancake Roasted Apples and Bacon Jam. Anita breezed through the menu card and ordered Grilled Farm mutton along with Maple-infused Sweet Potato Mashup, Sautéed Brussels Sprouts and roasted Chanterelle-Chestnut. He felt obligated to talk to Anita, but after ordering his drink, he found that he was more concerned with burying his face in the menu than uttering a word to her. His stomach churned with anxiety, but while he was flipping through the pages of the menu, he realized it wasn’t because he had that vague feeling.

For everything that felt right, there was also something that felt completely wrong. Martin was trained to look for irregularities in everything and to trust himself when something felt off. Needles pricked at his skin- someone was watching him, but every time he turned to see where it was coming from, he couldn’t find anyone or anything remotely suspicious. He decided that he was nervous, and tried his best to ignore it.

“So, um...” Anita flushed. “You mentioned before that you have a wife.” She stopped there as she regretted the decision to ask about it, and then looked away.

“We were students at the same high school in Los Angeles. In those days we were only acquaintances, but we knew each other well enough to keep in touch over the years. After I graduated, I went to New York to become a cop and joined the FBI, and she remained in LA to pursue an acting career,” he paused when the waitress came for their orders, but promptly resumed when she went. “Simply put, her career didn’t end up as planned, and when I was done with my training, I was transferred to Long Island. Around the same time, she came there to start a new life. Some of her family used to live here.”

He stopped to think about his wife, wondering what she would think about his sharing their story with another woman. For some reason, he got the impression that she wouldn’t care at all. Before she told him that she wanted a divorce, Martin thought that they were very happy. Sure, she told him that she wanted kids and that she wanted to wait a bit longer before doing so, but otherwise, nothing seemed wrong. He didn’t have a problem with that; he would have done anything to make her happy. In the end, it probably turned out that she wanted to put it on hold so she could leave him for someone else without the burden of children. She never told him.

He knew she wasn’t someone who held any sentimental value on stories.

“We met again for the first time in years, fell in love, and got married. I guess that’s all there is to it,” he shrugged.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be asking you this,” Anita said, looking down at the table.

Still, Martin, though not bothered about Anita’s unusual curiosity into his life was having a look of abysmal concern in his eyes.

“Tell me, Martin. What else is it bothering you? And I know it is not our present situation”. Said Anita. It was as if Anita’s words were an echo of a thought that bothered Martin to no end.

Without preamble, Martin began to answer. Perhaps, discussing it with Anita would give shape to that ethereal and elusive thought.