Regression (13 page)

“
I’ll let Abraham know
you are here, he would like to speak with you before the meeting
begins.” Jennifer left after showing Adya to a seat. She glanced at
the folders on the table top and walked to one of the windowed
walls. The panoramic view was breathtaking. Trees swayed gently in
the ocean breeze, their rhythmic motion calming her overwhelmed
nerves and giving her the point of focus for collecting herself.
She perused the rest of the room.

The mission statement for the
Corporation was attractively presented in a mural on the East wall.
“The future is our present concern.” The mural depicted the
countries and continents of the world linked together through a
giant chain of humanity, each person holding an object of
technology in cooperation with the person next to them. A chill ran
up her spine as she gazed at the mural, hoping technology would
indeed help humans fight what fate had in store for them in
twenty-six years’ time. Whatever that threat would be.

Abraham entered the room with
Jennifer and Adya approached them.

“
I wanted to arrive
early to debrief you. You found the orientation package
helpful?”

“
Only inasmuch as it
identifies who will be here today, and their background. I still
know nothing about how it’s possible we’re even here the way we are
and able to recall our alternate timelines.” She turned to the
company logo. “What does this logo stand for?”

“
The underlying
characters form the Japanese symbol for future, and the
superimposed hearts represents the care we must take in order to
ensure the future success of humanity.” He sighed. “I think it is
only appropriate to warn you some of the other regressees have
mixed feelings regarding giving you active access and involvement
in our projects. There is some concern about discretion and
objectivity, especially with the possibility your presence here
might be accidental.”

Adya stiffened her spine. “I am
entirely capable of maintaining confidentiality and objectivity. I
am not completely without professional experience.”

“
I am sure.” He turned
and picked a folder from the table. “The agenda for each meeting
includes discussion on possible future events which could have
precipitated the need for our presence here in the past. Your
insight and participation in our discussions might lead us in new
directions so even if your presence is accidental, it is valuable.
We have proposed and prioritized a list of possible events
threatening life on Earth. Each member at the table contributes a
unique perspective based on his area of expertise and together we
develop and implement plans for mitigating or alleviating the
possible consequences of those events.”

He led her to a whiteboard after
handing her the folder, a remote control activated the computer and
projector stationed across from it. Abraham offered her the remote.
The technology was familiar to her and she quickly scanned through
the topics projected on the whiteboard.

Nuclear War/Winter

Pandemic or Superbug
(Natural/Disease Warfare)

Ice Age

Megathrust Earthquake

Meteorite Impact

Inversion of magnetic pole – solar
and/or terran

Global Drought/Famine

Alien Invasion

Adya’s spontaneous response was to
laugh at the final topic but thinking of her personal
circumstances, the possibility of alien visitation did not seem
farfetched. Perhaps extra-terrestrials were responsible for the
regressions? She clicked further.

Sub-headings identified current
initiatives for each possible disaster. Additional exploration led
her to the category of “Human Development.” The broad spectrum of
activity and the enormity of the financial and political
arrangements to foster positive development both amazed and humbled
her. Countless hours of research, development, and political
machinations had placed technologies into the hands of people
around the world who, in her original timeline, would never have
had access. Everything from genetic engineering of foodstuffs to
computer and communication technology was developed, distributed,
and controlled by Three Eleven. The possibility of restricted
distribution turning into dominion over the world markets and
economies crossed her mind. She turned troubled eyes to
Abraham.

“
Who determines where
and how the resources are disseminated? What checks are on the
system to make sure more good than harm is being done by changing
the past? What about those people from whom you…stole…the
ideas?”

He studied her for a moment before
turning toward the whiteboard.

“
You are not the first
person to question the ethics of what we do. By introducing
technology from the future, we have changed the progression of
time–those technologies were developed by people and corporations
who no longer get the opportunity to develop them.” A few buttons
took the presentation back to the start.

“
We are aware of at
least ten corporations which do not exist in this timeline because
of our actions. But, we consider the greater good of human survival
to outweigh the economic or personal costs to a business or
individual. One person not gaining the financial rewards from a
product they would have developed is not as important as the
influence that product will have globally. Bear in mind, aside from
obtaining funds to dedicate toward operating costs in enacting our
initiatives, we do not operate for profit.”

“
The good of the many
outweigh the rights of the few?”

“
The purpose of
providing an open source world is to facilitate growth of
understanding, sharing of information, and possibly advancement of
research so when the time comes to face the challenge set to arrive
on November 11, 2011, the world might have a fighting chance. We
were sent back to this timeline with a purpose, to prepare for
whatever happens in 2011, and by advancing the technologies of the
world we can be better organized.”

He turned to greet the first of
the men to join them in the conference room. She took a deep breath
to steel herself, about to meet the most powerful group of men on
Earth.

Journal of Doctor Nicholas Weaver

September 5, 98 P. I.

The plasmid is the
key. Somehow, it negates the effect of the virus and bestows
fertility upon the carrier whether male or female. I cannot study
it because no carrier exists into my reborn life. Except once, in
our fourth lifetime. Adya bore a son. A son who survived impact and
later fathered a child. I thought we had succeeded, that it would
be enough, but the child died in the same tragedy which took his
father. No one else was able to bear children in the years Post
Impact. It must be the plasmid, and although I persist in the
expectation I will someday see my beloved Hope again, even a male
child of Adya−preferably many−will be able to save the human race
from extinction. 

As each man entered the conference room Abraham introduced
them to Adya. She felt at a disadvantage since aside from Jennifer,
acting as the stenographer, there was not another female present.
Each man acknowledged the introduction with a nod before taking a
seat at the table.

“
Adya, welcome to the
Three Eleven executive. Today’s meeting will serve as your
introduction to our regular format as well as an opportunity to get
to know us individually. I will ask today you simply act as an
observer, getting familiar with the projects and policies of the
corporation.”

Directed to a desk and chair
beside the horseshoe table, she found a note pad, pen, pitcher of
water, and laptop. As she took the seat it was obvious from the
surprise in Jennifer’s eyes a precedent had been set with the
seating arrangement. She could only assume no other regressee was
relegated to the sidelines during their initial meeting.

The men proceeded to discuss the
initiatives they were heading. Budget figures were analyzed, the
impact of Three Eleven actions on the current timeline were
reviewed. Most of the regressees were stationed at the Island and
Sanctum, with a few at the Three Eleven Space Centre. The
presentations displayed on the screen of her computer, she
thoughtfully following along. Once each member of the executive had
presented his update and further business was finished, Abraham
finally turned to deal with Adya.

“
We schedule one week
of orientation for each new regressee with every initiative. This
gives you opportunity to familiarize yourself with the various
projects and those in charge.”

She scanned the faces in the room,
expressions ranging from apathy to resentment to prurient interest.
He addressed the men. “I expect each of you will provide her the
regular overview week and follow all other procedures for new
arrivals.” He lowered his voice. “Start your orientation with
Jennifer to get familiar with the island facilities. Then, a week
with me.” Raising it again, he spoke to the others. “The rest of
you, please prepare the usual introduction package for her,
outlining your current projects.” Everyone rose.

Directing her to his office at the
end of the hallway, Abraham strode purposefully away, forcing her
to increase her pace to keep up. The spacious, well appointed room
offered another gorgeous view comparable to the conference room.
After taking the executive chair behind the desk, Abraham waited
for her to sit before speaking.

“
What are your
thoughts now that you have gotten an idea what the Three Eleven
Corporation is accomplishing around the globe?”

“
I find the end
results are impressive, even if the means are questionable.” She
shook her folders. “Three Eleven is playing God with a lot of
people’s lives, making choices on their behalf which perhaps are
not justifiable in the end.” Abraham cocked his eyebrow and tented
his fingers, but did not comment. She continued. “I can only hope
the changes being wrought do indeed mitigate or eliminate the
threat. Unfortunately−or I suppose it would be fortunately−we might
never know what the threat was. If we do manage to eliminate it
through our actions it will never be expressed in this timeline.
But if there never was a danger in the first place, we also would
never know.”

“
Interesting
perspective.” His tone belied his words as he continued, “Adya, I
want to give you some advice. The men of Three Eleven have formed a
very close working relationship and are rather unprepared for the
difference in perspective a woman…of your background… brings. Or,
for that matter, any woman.” His patronizing tone grated her
nerves, yet she bit back the acerbic comments itching to erupt. She
began to nibble the inside of her cheek.

“
Although we have many
women working on the various projects, none of them are in a
position to make decisions at an executive level. As you spend time
with each of the men, I am sure you will have plenty of questions
about the operations and projects being worked on. I would like to
request you hold those questions back during your week, perhaps
documenting them for later reference.”

She tipped her head and cocked her
own eyebrow, silently challenging Abraham to justify his request
she not bother the men with questions.

“
You seem perceptive
and I think you must have realized your presence is seen by some of
the men as an accident, an incidental regression due to some fluke
in the process. Although I do not hold that against you, some of
the men will let it be known your attendance during the one week
orientation is an inconvenience they would rather do without.
Please don’t take it to heart, just do the best you can to learn
about each facet of all our projects. We will find a niche for you
within the corporation, and in the meantime anything you need will
be provided. I trust you found the boutique satisfactory during
your shopping trip with Jennifer?”

“
Yes, thank you.” The
subject of their discussion politely knocked on the
door.

“
Ah, Jennifer, there
you are. Please begin the orientation process for Adya. I will see
you later in the week.” She rose and joined the assistant in the
hallway.

Jennifer stopped in with a computer to use in the cottage as
well as files and clippings she maintained in a scrapbook. Adya
welcomed her gratefully, flipping through the brightly coloured
pages.

“
Do any of the men
have spouses or girlfriends?”

“
No, none of them seem
to have a real interest in the outside world, consumed by their
task of creating a future for the rest of us.” Jennifer subtly put
her in her place. “They are an incredible group of men. I hope
there will not be too much disruption to their routines when you
complete your orientation.”

Adya glanced at her, trying to
read her expression. “What do you think? You have the least
investment in this whole thing. Do you really think my presence
here is some freak, an accident?”

The older woman hesitated before
speaking. “It’s not my place to comment.”