CELLi Origin

“Good evening madam,” Said the porter as he took the ladies hand and eased her out of the car. She smiled and thanked him with a subtle nod of her head. It was the first time she had ever been out of the city; she glanced up at the darkening sky in awe of its greatness. It was a bluish purple and the stars sparkled like fire flies over a glassy lake, such a pure sight was never found in the city, its tall buildings stood as high as the eye could see and only the richest and most powerful owned properties on the higher levels.

Through the large front doors the party was in full swing, the young lady could just make out, passed the horde of people, a small group of T-16 Droids preparing drinks for the guests. The T-16 models were quite new on the market, the host was clearly sending a message that this gathering of selected journalists, scientists and engineers were in for quite a night.

The lady flashed her invitation card passed a small security window, a light hum emitted from the laser grid guarding the entrance before the thin blue lines evaporated into nothing allowing passage into the great hall.

“Ah, Evie my sweet.” Spoke a man’s voice from somewhere inside the crowd. Evie scanned over the hundreds of faces but could not see who had spoken, but then a firm grip pinched at her left buttock. “So glad you could make it, nothing like a good shin dig to make you feel alive, eh?”

Evie smiled, the man she knew, he was 54 and quite unremarkable but for the large cybernetic plate covering the best part of his chiseled face. “Quite right, I hope I’m not too late. I find arriving at parties to early can be a bit dull.” The man whisked a glass of Campaign from a passing T-16 and handed it politely to Evie. “Thank you, Mr. Emmerich.”

“Please Evie, call me Mikael, we are at a party. First names only, we are all friends here. Or at least we will be once this night reaches its end.”

Mikael Emmerich is currently the owner of a multi-billion credit airspace laboratory. He started out as a small time inventor, the kind from children’s stories who locks himself away in an attic figuring out how to create a self cleaning litter tray or something equally as strange; but after his team returned from deep space along with alien technology things quickly became interesting. In the 30 years after his teams excavation Emmerich Nano Labs has become the number one provider in the northern hemisphere for everything space and military related. An inquest was made after his early technology was released to the mass public but it was proven that all experimentation with the alien tech was indeed safe and of no risk to humankind. His many star ships have seen man travel light-years into deep space, but despite such an extraordinary achievement man still live on Earth, yet to discover a world equal to their own. This party, held in Emmerich’s private country estate, was to celebrate the creation of a new kind of light speed military aircraft and passenger jet, the 360 Harmonious was said to be capable of reaching the moon in less than 90 seconds, the fastest space craft ever built.

Evie and Mikeal had taken a stroll out onto the Estate’s balcony. The setting sun, just about visible far across the horizon was illuminating the distant city in a bath of warm yellow. It was just a few tall blocks and the tiny cars zipping in and around the coordinated airspace were all settling down as the sun finally sunk beyond sight. The sea was drifting inland bringing a light summer’s breeze sweeping across the country side. The air felt fresh on Evie’s face, her skin receptors were heightened and her body fell into a relaxed pose against the wall, Mikeal took notice. “The sea air is beautiful out here. When I was asked where to build this estate I imminently picked this spot. I've traveled far across our universe and seen many great sights, sights the mere man could not comprehend, but when I am here, on this cliff side I truly believe Earth is unique. We are so lucky to have been given life on such a beautiful planet. We as men have scarred the face of this land and left it to die and now we seek to flee it, ready to destroy another world. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that not anyone has ever found a world equal to Earth, it is as if the divine gods that created us are preventing us from escaping our impending doom. I save these moments as I know one day we all shall be looking at this Earth from the viewing screen of some space station never to set foot on her again. Science is a tragedy.”

Evie took a sip of her Campaign  she tasted nothing. Her bud receptors had been turned off and even for an android she never really enjoyed the flavor  was far too bitter and sour. It was hard for her to fully embrace what Mikeal had said, though very true, Mikeal was just fortunate that his technology was needed in humanities futile attempt to leave Earth. His desire for power, wealth and science was just as strong as those pioneers before him, the reckless fools that brought about the coming death of the planet. She sighed as a small bird flew past her line of sight. “On a lighter note, can I ask if there will be a full working model of the 360 Harmonious on show latter this evening?”

Mikeal grinned, “Well I’ll let you in on a little secret; my technicians are not only preparing the Harmonious but also the next class of high energy military weaponry for all these delightful people to enjoy.”

Evie’s eyes widened, surprised at the news. “Then I shall be looking forward to the show.”

Mikeal drained his glass and chuckled. “But before the demonstration I was hoping you would join me for some appetizers in my bed suit, I've prepared quite a surprise for you.”

“Now, now Mikeal wont your guests miss you?”

“They will all be too tipsy to notice my absence and so what if they do? What do you say?”

“Well it does sound like a grand offer, who am I to refuse.”

Mikeal’s grind grew larger and the small blue lights representing his eyes cheekily turned a passionate red. “Very well, it is settled. Unfortunately I have other guests to greet first but please make yourself comfortable, you’re invitation card will allow you to access most areas so feel free to use my facilities. If you do take a trip to the second floor we have a little treat for our VIP guests, the spa room is available if you fancy a quick massage, perhaps to help you relax for latter.” Evie just made out a slight wink; or at least she thought it was a wink. It was difficult to see as Mikeal had no real eyes. He nodded politely then made his leave, pacing away with his arms open wide ready to welcome a young couple who had just walked through the front entrance, they were clearly off worlders, their clothes were most strange.