OBSIDIAN: Birth to Venus

2116

Thirty-six years had passed since the day they’d discovered Jai’s telepathy. Jai’s ability to affect others with her mind, and be affected by Joy’s psychic attacks had made it abundantly clear. Jai wasn’t a normal human. The two of them had made it their mission to learn as much as they could, to study and understand the most likely explanation: centenarian genetics.

They wondered, how were pockets of humans able to live, for greater and greater lengths of time? Anti-aging vitamins and supplements were only a small part of the story. What other scientific explanations were there? These questions intrigued scientists, but they intrigued Jai and her mother even more. Joy was on track to join the centenarian club. But, Joy was convinced that Jai would live long past the age of 130. Jai hadn’t aged for decades. She was well on track to surpass the emerging “supercentenarians” known to mankind. Jai pored over the academic journals, looking for any studies that might explain what she was going through. The research showed that not all centenarians shared the same underlying genetic mechanisms, and the genomes of supercentenarians appeared to synergistically combine two or more of the mechanisms. But, the research left Jai’s “condition” in question. Nothing fit what she’d become.

Jai was beginning to feel hopeless when Joy decided a break was in order. Tropical climates were beginning to wear Joy out, so they’d decided to stay in St. Petersburg, to catch a few performances by the Kirov Ballet. It was time to recharge and have some fun.

“Mom…Grandma!” Jai yelled. She saved the best for last. “Ms. Benefactor, it’s time to go!” Her voice echoed over the balcony, above the checkerboard foyer. The design made Jai dizzy as she slid down the curved handrail, like it was a firefighter’s pole.

“Cut it out, Jai.” Joy walked out from underneath the archway and looked up at Jai. Jai’s face was frozen in time, precisely the same as she’d had at 21. It was a sometime-painful reminder of the youth that had slipped away. “I’m 96-years-old, Jai, but I’m not senile,” Joy said with a huff and a smile. Jai gave her a peck on the cheek, as Joy hoisted her walker back toward the great room.

Jai gripped her elbow. “Watch out, Joy. The marble’s slippery.” They moved to the couch and sat.

Joy caressed Jai’s hand. “Thanks, dear. Can you hit the news?”

“Joy, we only have half an hour before we need to take off to see the show.”

“We’re of the world, Jai, so we shall know about it,” Joy quipped.

Jai smirked, as she switched the news on. The image blazed, hovering in mid-air. “In breaking news tonight, scientists report that they’ve found an anomaly in multiple blood banks across the nation. In tonight’s exposé, we’ll talk with the scientists about this amazing discovery.”

A scientist came into view. “Comparing DNA’s been around for many generations, but the amount of data that can be collected has significantly increased. We’re doing it with greater efficiency than ever before.” Much like Jai’s father, these scientists were comparing genomic DNA and how it was modified, packaged, and expressed to catalog existing species, and to distinguish differences among historical species. “This time,” the scientist explained, “our team’s applied the same methods and technologies to determine what makes our oldest-known humans, our ‘supercentenarians,’ so special and distinct from the regular population.” Joy and Jai gave the screen their rapt attention, their ears perking up.

“For the last year,” the scientist continued, “we’ve obtained samples from blood banks and discovered a small number of outliers who appear to have DNA sequences and expression patterns significantly dissimilar to the sequences we’ve commonly seen. This is interesting for multiple reasons. First, supercentenarian ‘hot beds’ or ‘blue zones’ are well known in specific locations in the world, like Okinawa Island, Sardinia, the Nicoya Peninsula. America is not considered to be a supercentenarian blue zone. In fact, before now, scientists have found no concentrated or statistically significant groups of supercentenarians in the U.S. There are only a small percentage of people who’ve lived to be 100 or more years old. The studies did not find any pockets of high concentration State-side.

“Still, earlier this year, we decided to sample blood banks to get a sense of what DNA sequences are prevalent in our cities’ populations, to compare them to the DNA that supercentenarians have. We wanted a pulse on what prospects most Americans may have for living large or, rather, long.

“What we’ve found is surprising. In cities that are quite far apart, San Francisco and New York, for example, there were only a few outliers (donors whose DNA have elements similar to, but distinct from, supercentenarian DNA). Normally, as scientists, we wouldn’t focus on such statistically insignificant numbers. Often, they might be explained by contamination or instrument error. But, upon further study, we learned that these outliers have DNA sequences that are distinctly dissimilar to any characterized genomes scientists have ever seen.”

He took a deep breath and swallowed. “For the first time, we’ve found donors whose DNA is not closely related to humans’.” Eyes wide with excitement, he continued. “Since then, we’ve broadened the study. And, amazingly, these outliers with non-human DNA are peppered lightly all over the U.S. They’re small in number, but who knows how many there truly are! Remember, blood banks were our only test source. Just imagine how many outliers may actually exist, the world over.

“We’ve also done some digging, and found that these individuals happen to be high-achievers in their fields. Whether its in the arts, sports, entertainment, philosophy, medicine, you name it. Practically, whatever these individuals can do, they’re gifted at it. Turns out, they’re naturally gifted because nature literally gifted it to them.

“In other words, this is the next evolutionary step. With the publication of today’s Science paper, we’ve named them Homo sentients.”

Mom gasped. “So, 2116’s the year we Homo sapiens, we humans, finally put two and two together.” Mom looked at Jai and called her by her new name. “Sentient.”

Jai stared back at her. “I can’t believe it.”

“I know,” Joy said. “I didn’t think this would go public in my lifetime.”

That night, they returned from the ballet, having barely focused on the performance. They watched the news religiously for weeks. The studies had only just begun, but they gave Jai a sense of promise. She didn’t need to be tested to know she’d finally found a name for herself. The concept that she belonged to a new species was overwhelming. For the first time, she was known.

But, ironically, she felt alone, now more than ever. Personally, she knew no other sentients, and the papers kept the outliers’ names private. Plus, it seemed no outlier was precisely like her. The researchers had not discovered anyone else with telepathic skill. Just sentients with a highly resilient immune system, and a heightened capacity to repair tissue, even if significantly damaged. Yet, no one could read minds or project thoughts like Jai could. At least not according to what was publicized. Still, it was the closest she’d ever come to knowing what she was.

A month later, Jai and her mother flew back to their penthouse in New York. By then, the world was abuzz with special reports on sentient testing. One stood out. “Tonight, we feature a special exposé on sentient testing, the glitz and glamour that can come with testing positive, and the dark and dangerous path that some unfortunate souls have taken on the path to get there. What you’re about to learn is not all sentient testing is created equal. Though sentient testing’s not covered by any insurance plan, the law of supply and demand is alive and well. And, tonight,” the newscaster said, in a commanding tone, “you’ll meet many anonymous citizens who’ve agreed to come forward with their stories. First, we introduce a man and two women, who’ve purchased sentient testing from the top three companies that sell private tests for a high fee. Was the cost worth it? For better or worse, how have their lives changed?

“Next, you’ll meet two individuals, both male, who agreed to participate in confidential scientific studies, to be tested for free. Were their results accurate? And, what were they obligated to do in return?

“And, finally, you’ll meet a group of ten people who’ve fallen victim to a growing epidemic of less than reputable companies, hawking inaccurate tests. What we offer tonight,” the reporter said, eye to the camera, “is a window into the ugly side. What path will you pursue? And, how can you protect yourself from the vultures? They prey on the pockets of every eager hopeful.”

Jai watched the exposé with Joy, thankful she had no need for any testing. For everyone’s sake, she hoped that the government would crack down on the blackmarket. But, the demand for sentient testing had skyrocketed ever since Science had published a study, demonstrating that the older the sentient, the greater the sentient’s physiological and mental power. Immediately, scientists, the news agencies, and the general public developed an insatiable interest in identifying the oldest sentient, “The Eldest.” Every network felt immense pressure to break the story, and they were willing to pay a lot of money to do so. Fakes and posers came out of the woodwork, immediately extending their hands for the massive payout. But, every time, confirmatory testing ruled them out, or their age was nothing to ooh or ahh at. The search continued, and the pot of gold was growing bigger and bigger.

Money or not, Jai could see no honor in being the Eldest. Ceremonies, celebrity, and, yes, money, would abound, but being the Eldest would destroy her privacy, and open herself up to an unending number of blood draws and tests, by sentient and human scientists alike. Nefarious purposes were guaranteed on either side. No, Jai enjoyed keeping her identity in the shadows.