The USAr input was given by recognised government officials and concentrated on harmonisation of objectives. They appreciated the chance to work with Alex 2 and Dan. It didn’t matter who understood these technical principles as long as they were not lost to mankind. They urged a reconsideration of how to structure the necessary changes to oversee the programmes which would be acceptable to pursue. They requested, on Magnusson’s advice, to have Suliman repatriated, and as a gesture of trust, his replicant would be available to the rest of the world as confirmation they had nothing to hide.
Rabinowitz resigned with immediate effect and there was a clamour for more heads to roll. This duly occurred and a more transparent process of electing a steering executive was forged. It was not only to include countries of modest wealth and infrastructure but experts on the technical side. The intention was to pull away from a political overlay. One of the very first topics for the new body was to legislate on the status of the new life forms; they had really been the catalyst for the shift in thinking, which got humanity beginning to break down obstacles to trust.
By the time Darwin had docked, Indira and Natalia had found their ideal property and both had started new careers. Natalia’s new business venture was already flourishing and Indira had been persuaded to become an actress. She had been a frequent guest on TV shows and demonstrated a presence which was marketed ruthlessly. She knew she would tire of the tinsel-town existence but for now it was good. Natalia had eventually revealed her feelings and although not shocked, Indira said she had never considered that side to their relationship. She hoped it was not dependent on such an experiment being successful. Natalia finally felt at ease with herself, and said, “If it doesn’t work for you we have the means of replicating you - just joking.”
Dupree had replicated in case he fell-foul of African politics. They had made a big difference to a small community and it was truly what he wanted to do.
Carvalho had persuaded Dan to join him and the study of propulsion was yielding major alternatives to be pilot tested. Rebrov would contribute to this.
Magnusson had eventually rejoined his family and felt safe enough to follow his desire for a remote retreat and watch his children grow up.
Xiang had been elected to what was now called the Council for Human Exploration. Its purpose was to straddle the challenges of nurturing Earth back to health, and seeding other worlds with life forms who promote the same respect for those corners of the cosmos.
Alex 2 had not only been elected but bestowed with the position of Symbolic Leader. The accolade was based on his neutrality and the prospect that he would still be there in the millennia ahead, giving continuity, and relating the history first hand. This pivotal point would be confirmed and enshrined as ‘A Darwinian Extension – a conscious adaptation of the species’.
This was suggestive of there ultimately being more than one. As with most ideologies, the problems arise when they are put into practice. Alex 2 would undergo a sharp learning curve in this respect. The conservation part would be tricky but nothing in comparison to the resurgence of concern over gradually replacing our ‘humanity’ by inorganic components. The replacement of a heart to save life would be different to replacement of a brain just for technical advantage. The religious and conspiracy groups would throw in the question of the redundancy of procreation as we know it.
This was also against the backdrop of the future analysis of Redgrave’s beautiful aquamarine rocks. They contained answers to questions which had not yet been asked. Finally, big money had already been poured secretly into locating Earth deposits of Scarlet O’Hara.
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