5 The Humble Beginnings: Goal III

/ Mondo Station: 2119.06.03 / 02:19 AM / The Historian /

*( excerpts from Neil Saunders Journals and Audio Transcripts )

*" I am really excited for us, Stacey…" Neil said.

" Oh really? What is it that you are very much excited for? " Dr. Zhou asked.

" I am really excited for tomorrow, for the next few weeks , the next few months and for the next few years.." Neil added.

" For us? For the next few weeks? Months ? Years ? What is it? " Dr. Zhou eagerly asked Neil.

" My Proposal!" Neil said.

" Oh a Proposal! Really? For…" Dr.Zhou said while hoping for something from Neil's statement.

" Yes, My Proposal for the Major Classified Project." Neil said apparently interrupting Dr. Zhou.

" Oh Ok… Proposal for the project.. Ok." Dr. Zhou answered.

" Yes Stacey, I already discussed this personally with Code EM."

" Code EM and I had casual meeting a few weeks back. We have discussed all the plans and goals and I hope you are also excited. We should all be excited. " Neil said.

" Ok go ahead…" Dr. Zhou responded with a blank face.

" Is that really your reaction when you are excited? " Neil asked.

" Oh no … Do not mind me, I am just thinking of something. Go on and continue with what you were saying about your meeting with Code EM." Dr. Zhou answered.

" Well. Code EM has trusted me to lead this team inside the Consortium and he told me that I should always be at the forefront of anything that we do."

" I am fully decided that I would give anything for the sake of these advances. Some might be thinking that the Consortium is only doing this for profits but I wanted them to realize that all of us, you, are giving our best to reach further heights in advancing not only the technologies that we have currently but the future of it too." Neil stated.

" Space technology specifically. I dreamt of having all of these when I was young. The dream of flying just above the ground was just initial. And I made it when I was able to finish my studies and made it to the Air Force. But it has always been my dream of becoming a journeyman in space. An astronaut maybe. Then that opportunity knocked when I was tasked to be with the NASA. I did not say no nor hesitated because in the back of my mind I know I might be able to fulfill a dream. That did not happened though because NASA put me on the Space and Flight Research handling the studies and the tests of supersonic and hyper supersonic aircrafts that they have. But that is the nearest thing that I have for me to be able to do a spaceflight." Neil continued.

" Well, I can see why Code EM tapped you … with those experiences and at your age? He is really lucky to have you. " Dr. Zhou said.

" Oh and that seem rare compliment coming from you. Well, Code EM did tap me specifically for the Space Company. I heard about all the stuff that they do even before I came in so again, I grabbed the chance since I still have this dream very much alive in me. I will be a journeyman in space and my thinking is me getting inside the Space Company will fulfill that dream." Neil said.

" At first I did actually think twice when He asked me to head the Lead Research Team inside the Consortium and initiate the Major Classified Project. Most of my credentials are related to flight , I mean planes, and Space flight Research. But with all projects taking full bloom and we are getting most of the successes, I envisioned where we are heading. Just like what Code EM and I discussed, we wanted to revolutionize the space journey that most people know. And this time I am getting confirmation from Code EM that I will be one of the journeyman , or I can say astronaut , that will be included on the space flight to the back to the Moon by next year. " Neil stated.

" Oh then that is a Wow! … So you are leaving me?... I mean us …No… Ah I mean the team, we …right? " Dr. Zhou said stuttering on her words.

" Ha! No of course I will not leave you…I mean you and the team … neither my family. I will still head the Lead Research Team by that time. And, if all the plans will be followed then by next year if we will be able to go back to the Moon , then the plan is for me to stay a bit there with a group of people and head the Pioneering Base that we will set up on the Moon. I am also thinking that it was indeed cool to stay there, metaphorically and literally , right Stacey? " Neil said.

" I am not really sure if that would really be cool though. " Dr. Zhou resonded

" The Space Company will definitely put all its efforts to make these a reality. That is what Code EM vowed when we talked the last time. It is also good that we are in partnership with different space agencies when this will happen next year. Everyone from NASA, The European Space Agency , The Japanese, The Chinese and Indians. It is very much a collaborative effort from everyone , just like what we have here inside the Consortium…" Neil continued.

" So this next phase , the Project: Distant , I am really looking forward on all the tests that we are doing. With what you are doing on the Digital State Project, with what we have on the Fast Data Project and the Ultra Power Project. The results of all our researches and studies will be summed up with this new equipment that will combine all the advance technologies we have developed on each projects." Neil concluded.

" Well , you have said a lot of stuff. I am a scientist and physicist too but there are times that I need this little breaks from all the collective information that we have on all our works. " Dr. Zhou said.

" Oh no I did not mean to said a lot of stuff to you. I am just very eager and excited about what we are doing. " Neil responded.

" No, what I also meant is that my coffee and doughnuts are almost done with that very long story you said. And because of that you will need to buy another one for me. Haha! " Dr. Zhou said with a laugh and smile.

" Ha! I have not noticed that Stacey. Then let me buy that again for you. " Neil said.

Laugh filled their conversation in between then messages was received by Dr. Zhou on her phone.

" Dr. Zhou: the tests we have conducted as you instructed are successful and you need to get here in the Lab so that we can fully complete the Tests with you here. We will wait for you here Dr. Zhou. " the message stated.

" I've just got a message from my team and I need to go back to the Lab. Are you going with me? " Dr. Zhou asked Neil.

" Oh certainly. I am sure it has something to do with the latest tests right? " Neil said.

" Yes , then let us go. " Dr. Zhou responded.

" Ok let us go back to the car. " Neil said while readying himself.

" Wait…" Dr. Zhou said as she stopped Neil.

" What?..." Neil asked.

" Do not forget my coffee and my doughnuts Ok , Mr. Saunders ! " Dr. Zhou said winking at Neil.

" Ha! As you wish Stacey… mmmm… Dr. Zhou! " Neil answered smiling back at Dr. Zhou.

As they headed back to the car.

" But seriously I wanted to thank you Stacey…" Neil said to Dr. Zhou.

" For what? " Dr. Zhou asked.

" This. You. Everything. " Neil said.

" Huh? " Dr. Zhou asked again keeping her emotions.

" Well. Let us just go back to the Lab then. " Neil responded.

" Ok. Thanks for keeping it hanging…and for the coffee and doughnuts too! " Dr. Zhou answered back.

Neil just gave a smile back to Dr. Zhou as they entered the car heading back to the Lab where the latest tests of the Digital State Project was being done.

The innovative technology that was created by the Digital State Project was considered as the main technology to be used for Project: Distant. The revolutionary way of changing particles from a tangible state to a digital state and reversing back the process is a truly marvelous wonder and that is also why the Lab's location is undisclosed and only people with proper identification can enter the facility.

Prior to the full start of Project: Distant, the team at the Digital State Project has conducted full tests of "digitizing" liquid and gaseous objects.

" Hi Dr. Saunders. Hi Dr. Zhou. Just part of the protocol though. " the security personnel greeted them at the Gate of the Facility.

" Good Day Sir. Yes you may check the back. " Neil responded back as he open the trunk of his car.

The car then entered the Facility. Neil and Dr. Zhou got off the car and quickly headed to the main building where the Lab is located.

" What is it that we are speeding up for? Are we chasing on something? " Neil asked Dr. Zhou as they walk speedily towards the Lab.

" As if you are not used on chasing a deadline. Though this is not a deadline but a breakthrough test from our team will start in a few minutes from now. " Dr. Zhou answered as she looked on her smartwatch.

" Oh then let us go ahead then. " Neil said almost leaving Dr. Zhou behind while walking very fast.

" So you are not excited huh? Leaving me instead. Well…" Dr. Zhou said while keeping up her pace with Neil.

" Then catch up with me…Haha!" Neil said while walking ahead of Dr. Zhou in the hallway as the lead through the Lab.

" Ok , going to the Lab is nearer here… Haha! " Dr. Zhou said while she turn left on the hallway.

" Owww… you cheater! " Neil answered back as he realize that Dr. Zhou was more familiar with the Facility than him.

" Loser ! " Dr. Zhou responded back to Neil.

As they reached the Lab. Neil and Dr. Zhou was greeted by the team from the Digital State Project.

" Good Day Dr. Zhou and Dr. Saunders. " greeted by one of Dr. Zhou's team staff.

" Yes thank you Zaleen , What is the good news? Is the test going to start now? " Dr. Zhou said as she greeted her back.

" Let us go inside this room Dr. Zhou and Dr. Saunders. We prepared the recordings of the tests that were done earlier." The team staff said.

They entered the room where the rest of Dr. Zhou's staff were waiting and they were briefed on ehat transpired on the tests done prior to their arrival at the Lab.

The tests mentioned, as Dr. Zhou and Neil watched the recordings , was done using liquid and gaseous objects.

Through the Digitizers, the first object that was tested was a beaker full of water. From one Digitizer, which digitized first the object, it was transferred to another Digitizer machine using the USB like device. The test was indeed successful as the digitize data was turned back into a beaker full of water. Without any issues.

" So the particles of the beaker and the water were also separated when we turn it into a digital file right? " Neil asked as they watched the recordings.

" Yes, based on our research the object will stay as it is when turned into a digital file. It is basically like saving a three dimensional file of an object. But this machine has enhanced that for us." Dr. Zhou answered.

" And this time we can now confirm that it also works on a liquid and gaseous objects, Dr. Zhou. Kindly watch what happened on the gaseous object that we have also tested earlier. " one of the team staff added.

Also through the Digitizers, a balloon like object was tested but it was filled with oxygen instead of a helium. Same results happened. It was proven to be successful too.

" These are very good developments Dr. Zhou. I told you how excited I am on the next phase which is for Project: Distant. I cannot wait on how the equipment we are collaboratively developing would look like" as Neil's reaction was full of excitement.

" That's how good we are at here. Mr. Saunders. " Dr. Zhou answered.

" I agree. No contention. Haha! " Neil responded.

" And the next test will happen now, Dr. Zhou and Dr. Saunders. Kindly proceed on this side as we open this window here. " the team staff said to Dr. Zhou and Neil.

A curtain of the big glass window, which already consumes almost the whole wall on the side of the room, opened.

The next test for the Digital State Project was definitely monumental, this time they were going to a living object. An animal would go through the process using the Digitizers.

" So it should always be a rat or a mouse, right Dr. Zhou? " Neil asked Dr. Zhou.

" An age old tradition for us. They are really the ones pioneering for us. " Dr. Zhou answered back.

" Well, you have a point there Stacey… I mean Dr. Zhou. " Neil responded.

The mouse was then entered at the first Digitizer machine. It took ten to fifteen seconds before the Digitizer machine was able to successfully " digitized" the living object. One of the team staff that is inside the Lab check the first Digitizer machine if there are any traces of the mouse inside it. There was none.

Everyone inside the room, including Neil and Dr. Zhou , clapped as the first stage happened.

The digital file of the living object was then transferred to the other Digitizer machine. This time again to reverse the process back.

" If the mouse will turn into a cat. I will definitely be truly amazed. Ha! " Neil said jokingly to Dr. Zhou.

" Shhhh! Just be quiet for now ok. This is definitely amazing if we can pull this off. " Dr. Zhou responded.

" That is just a joke ok." Neil said.

" Shhhh! Quiet." Dr. Zhou responded back.

The USB like device was transferred to the other Digitizer and it took rough twenty five to thirty seconds to complete the process of turning the digital file back into its original state.

Everyone was froze for a few seconds as they eagerly wait for the result of the test.

Again, one of team staff checked the second Digitizer machine. Reaching it slowly as the staff check the inner shelf of the machine where the object should be turn back to its original state.

Everybody's eyes were focused on the Digitizer machine.

" Wooooww…$#!7!! " as the team staff was a bit shocked and surprised on what happened.

Neil, Dr. Zhou and everyone inside the room was also left surprised.

When the team staff opened the inner shelf. They were actually surprised that the mouse jumped off from it.

" Oh that is the mouse! It worked! " Dr. Zhou said as she faced Neil.

" Yes it is. We did it. " Neil responded.

Everyone inside the room smiled, clapped and congratulated each one of them for this another momentous achievement.

" This is really incredible Stacey… I mean Dr. Zhou, we are definitely ready and excited to fully operate our next phase which is Project: Distant." Neil said.

" Yes but this is still just the beginning of a lot of advances. I will not yet asked further details of the next phase but I already have an idea as these tests proceeded and succeed. " Dr. Zhou answered.

" Well… " Neil said.

" Oh and by the way, please make sure to catch that mouse. It might have been mutated or something. And so that we can do some after test studies. " Dr. Zhou instructed some of her team staff.

" Be hands on Dr. Zhou. Go and catch the mouse. Haha! " Neil said.

" Well then you should get my coffee and doughnuts back in the car. You did not bring it with you. Did you? " Dr. Zhou answered back.

" I just like to make a joke. And you too right? " Neil said.

" No , I need you to get the coffee and doughnuts for me Mr. Saunders. It is time to celebrate!" Dr. Zhou responded.