Research and Innovation Center Building
District 14, Mazsea
February 23, 2157
08.00 NAM
Scientists and academics came in, filling the chairs arranged three layers back around a large round table. The first layer is closest to the table, consisting of eleven chairs with one microphone. That line will be occupied by the most important person in the scientific forum or the speakers who will be 'on trial' today.
The name 'Niels Geyer. Chairman' was plastered on the small monitor screen in front of a chair quite far from where Rachel was sitting. He and Niels would be positioned face to face, like clockwork at six and twelve, as trial and jury.
Rachel tapped her magnetic ballpoint lightly while she relieved her excessive worry. Rachel could barely sleep the whole night. She kept thinking about how her first meeting with Niels would feel today. Lars was next to her and wondering if Rachel had to be so panicked?
"Would you like something to drink?"
Rachel smiled crookedly, "I've been drinking on my own. Why do you keep forgetting that I no longer need to eat and drink?"
"Ah, maybe you missed the smell of tea and coffee? Those chipped molecules wouldn't be able to give you the same sensation," Lars whispered in half-laughing, causing Rachel to glare at him. "Don't let Niels hear it, or he'll lecture me today, Lars."
"Yeah, calm down, and we'll see what Niels would do," he said, suddenly standing up as soon as the door was opened from outside. Everyone in the room stood up to greet the person. Rachel turns curious, so she's doing the same thing.
Oh, it's him, Niels Geyer. He came with a woman. This was the first time Rachel had seen his face in person, even though it wasn't too close. But the man took a detour from the left. It was a shame as Rachel hoped that Niels would just walk past her for a formal greeting and small talk.
Perhaps Rachel had forgotten that such a thing would not happen in an academic forum. Rachel alone fantasized too much, maybe even too obsessed.
"Please sit back down."
Rachel smiled crookedly. "A very ancient culture like the leader. Is he snobby?" she mocked the super-rigid forum style. But still, Rachel couldn't stop watching Niels' movements with the woman in the white blazer beside him.
Who's she?
Why does she look so familiar?
Why didn't Niels see Rachel one bit?
Why do they have to whisper to each other in every word?
Why did Niels' first smile that Rachel saw was looked so cute?
"Good morning, everyone."
"Morning…"
The forum's opening greeting from Niels snapped Rachel out of her thoughts. She quickly focused on the substance of today's meeting, putting her thoughts on Niels first.
"So, in front of me is Rachel Richmann, Director of Cyclops Intelligence, creator of ICNG-257. Is that right?" asked Niels, looking at Rachel with a faint smile. Rachel nodded in response, not answering further because it just was the too trivial question.
"Well, as an initial explanation, this scientific forum was ordered directly by the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Research to assess the feasibility of your findings on Cyclops Intelligence with ICNG-257..."
"There are several things we need to make sure. Firstly, it's about security, secondly, about the development plan, and thirdly, about the best profit and worst risk. To begin with, the entire forum and I would like to hear an explanation directly from you, then we will discuss. Please."
Rachel nodded, then the holographic screen in the room showed the presentation Rachel had prepared in advance. Rachel also explained what Niels had asked one by one for about half an hour.
As usual, mixed reactions were shown, and all their voices were polarized toward Niels as he is the representative.
"All medical procedures you perform use high-precision AI technology and rely on the best neurosurgeons, then we believe in the safety of this experiment. Although MEDC will still have to test and validate it later..."
"However, I highlight this microchip development plan which seems very ambitious and futuristic. Are you sure capable to implants thousands or even millions of chips into the human brain stem without the slightest mistake?"
"Technically saying. You would create a new type of population through genetic engineering. Not entirely profitable, but risky as well."
Niels began to criticize Rachel sharply in his first question.
"One life can't be taken lightly. That would be a fatal mistake. In addition, we need to admit that no matter how advanced technology is, it's an imperfect thing made by humans..."
"How will you be held liable in the event of damage that you claim is an out-of-liability incident? Where will they file their complaints? Is your repair service system already qualified?"
"I don't think you mentioned it in your presentation."
Rachel took a deep breath. Either she doesn't know if she already has the answer or not.
"I'm pretty sure that the people you call can use these advanced chips won't just turn out to be as sophisticated as you wish. They're still potentially blind to new technology. How are you going to handle this?" Niels finals.
Rachel then pulled up her microphone to speak. "Thank you. You're asking so many questions that it took me so long to write them down," she said, giving a smile that drew a small, heart-warming chuckle from the audience and a faint smile from Niels.
"All of your questions are very detailed and technical. But one thing I can conclude is that they are all about you believing that CI will not be able to accommodate its own clients in the future. Is that right?" Rachel gave Niels a slightly defiant, intimidating look.
Niels quickly nodded, not seeming too bothered by Rachel's arrogant look at him.
"You and everyone here need to know that the system at CI was built five years ago. We postponed all research projects and focused on only one, ICNG-257. We wanted to form a capable-comprehensive system ranging from laboratory services to maintenance. Moreover, the preventive and curative action to tackle errors has been integrated."
Lars showed a video profile of the ICNG-257 and CI systems on a holographic screen, drawing the entire audience's attention to him. "You can see that this simulation is very representative. But if you are still not convinced, I specially invited two people from this forum to come to visit Cyclops Intelligence. How about then?"
"That's a good idea. I'll come to your company after this forum," Niels said quickly in response, turning Rachel onto her nicest smile.
"Fine, it's more effective than you guys holding this forum just to carry out the Federation Government's political tactics against my company," she said sarcastically and boldly.
Dozens of people in the room sounded boisterous, denouncing Rachel and her impolite behavior, similar to at the congress meeting last time.
Niels finally took a stand. "Rachel Richmann, this is not about politics. But about your safety and the future of millions of others."
"You'd better not be selfish and just be open to criticism if you want us and the government to accept your great research." Niels continued no less sarcastically, staring fiercely at Rachel in front of him.
"Remember that you are not living alone on this earth. But you need other people to support you. If you continue to be arrogant and stubborn, your success will mean nothing. Do you understand?"