Further than Before- Pathway to the Stars Read online

  “I don’t believe it is possible to answer that question any more eloquently. You did good Yesha.”

  Realizing that Yesha was waiting outside the bathroom, she called her in and opened the door a little wider in order to allow Yesha the opportunity to appreciate her work, “Yesha, please come in, no worries.”

  Yesha turned to see Vesha and explained who had aided in her development and subsequent awakening, “Vesha, a lot has changed since you’ve passed away, as far as life is concerned. I must be fair, as far as your return to the world of the living is concerned, it wasn’t just Eliza and me who helped to bring you back. Amber Blythe, Erin Carter, Najem Grace, and Jasmine Belle were in on much of this as well. Even James Cooper helped.”

  Yesha saw Vesha’s right eyebrow raise into a peak, and trying not to laugh, knowing she was receptive to humor, she continued, “No worries; James helped with certain aspects of the scaffolding of your various organs and your skeletal structure.

  “He took his panache for construction and multiplied it in spades to learn various other sciences, to include biotechnology, data processing, and neuroscience using the training capacities in the Virtual Universe.

  “Besides, if he did see you, he was very respectful and dignified. The people in Pathway have an innocent mindset about all of that. Vesha, we had quite a team working with us.” said Yesha, and then she examined the perfection of her dear old friend’s new look—she was impressed with the results, and the fact that Vesha was now very much alive again, and remarkably so. Yesha almost cried tears of joy seeing that Vesha was awake and aware and no longer laying lifeless in Pathway’s labs.

  Yesha continued, “Your body’s artistry and your hair are all related and synced to your neural network and activity. As we have talked about, your right brain has now unleashed in certain harmless ways a beautiful set of expressions, kind of like a spiraling-kaleidoscope set of mandala patterns, galaxies, stars, flowers, an angel, and so much more. Your right brain, she certainly gets a say!

  “It appears that Sky is quite deep with symbolism and artistic expression. I must note, I like how your mind’s artistry wraps that beautifully frosted mandala pattern around your area, right there,” Yesha pointed, but did not touch her, “And it dissipates in just the right places. It’s something else, the beauty of the mind. Physically, every aspect of you is angelic and extremely gorgeous,” Yesha said emotionally, with fascination for the beauty of life.

  “You mentioned Sky? I suppose when my last thoughts were uploaded, perhaps you saw her?” Vesha was not sure at first whether to be embarrassed about this new revelation regarding her dream angel or not, but somehow Yesha had mentioned her, so she asked.

  “I know about Sky. She is beautiful, with hair the color of icicles, with iridescent highlights throughout. There is nothing to be embarrassed about, Vesha. She is magnificent in every way. Please note, that from a view based in established science, different and significant regions of the brain identify themselves in diverse ways and at different times. Your right mind appears to express herself as a lovely, powerful, and very creative angel with nearly glowing white blonde hair, a rainbow of highlights, and soft pink and supple lips. Although she looks different than you do, Sky is definitely having a big say on what you look like. Both of you look and are beautiful!

  “Although you are a composite of your left and right mind, as well as your prefrontal cortex, among other regions of your awareness, your ‘you-ness’ is actually a summation of all that you are, linked via your corpus callosum, and as such, standing before me as we speak. It was mostly and purely by accident that we discovered these new artistic features and loved them, and with all that we know, there is something very special about her.

  “Given all of the rest of the benefits of indefinite lifespans, reawakening you from the dead, and optimized physiology and neurology, we brought you back as human as we could. Throughout your life, you both had a special connection. The additions you have to your gifted abilities include so much, but healing, resistance, strength, and survivability capabilities, even beyond our own is just the beginning of it all, and Sky was a part of that.

  “We were very much pleased with the results, and I’m glad you are. In Pathway, those of us who have been fully read-in, we each have significant upgrades and the ability to do many of the things you do now. But Vesha, you are superior, you are unique, and you are currently the only one as powerful as you are, which I presume is all due to your alter ego, named Sky. Throughout your life, you harbored no aggression toward anyone and always demonstrated intrigue in the truths of our Universe as well as a desire for the well-being of those around you.

  “Hence, you’ve been entrusted with so much more than many, and as such your abilities have grown in kind. As we improve ourselves, our mindsets, and more, and as we go along in life, we too will receive further updates, like yours. You are starting off nearly perfect and with the full spectrum of abilities available, many of which you can and will learn as you go along in life. There are many other capabilities we will all learn as they are conceived of and implemented, but we’ll train you to learn how to control and use many of them as we enter the Virtual Universe. Step-by-step and easy does it, as they say; you’ll learn and grasp so much more. Physiological optimizations tied-in with your right brain are only minor side-effects of all of this.”

  Vesha paused Yesha, thrilled with the idea that her lifelong dream friend was actually a part of her expressing herself beautifully and uniquely, while also respecting her own life-long sense of how she imagined herself. “I can’t believe it! I don’t understand. I mean I appreciate all of this,” she waved her hands up and down her perfect body, “How do you know I named her Sky?”

  Yesha grabbed a nearby portable mirror so Vesha could see. Just below her left breast was the angel, and right on the underside of her breast flowed the name, Sky. “Pretty obvious, don’t you think?

  “Your artistic artwork will change over time, but she kind of flies around a bit, and she does it ever-so artistically. Now, please understand, that there are many other aspects of your physiology and neurology integrated in a manner that affords you autonomously natural aspects that don’t require conscious thought on your part, but you also have much more control with some of the most intriguing of things, such as manipulation of eyesight, healing, pain tolerance, and other adjustments.

  “You’re still a human and a biological miracle if you ask me, and you are not your right brain alone, but because of Sky, you have abilities that most would envy if they knew of them. To top that off, I don’t think anyone can say they’ve seen anything or anyone more aesthetically pleasing as you, and soon we will both learn how your neurology works, now that you are awake.

  “I’d imagine it will amaze us in much the same way as your physique.” Yesha said as she motioned her hands—waving them over Vesha’s entirely nude and exquisite frame, impressed with her, yet also so happy that everything turned out so well. “Our technology was something of diligence, but we grew to appreciate the beautiful set of enhancements that happened to appear automatically, through the artwork like a silent movie, and after much deliberation, we decided the mind’s art was optimal too and left it free for expression.

  “The artwork is not an arrangement of tattoos, it is a part of your cellular makeup as expressed by your mind. The highlights, your floral scent are all expressions of you, and whenever your body heals you’ll see iridescent sparkles all over your skin, kind of like shiny diamonds glowing. When you blush, you’ll glow a little bit as well.”

  “You’re glowing a little bit, Yesha,” said Vesha Celeste with a slight smile, but kidding around. She knew Yesha was being professional, was proud of her work, and she was grateful. Vesha didn’t sense anything funny, the whole ambiance of it all was innocent and gracious.

  “I know,” said Yesha. “I’m just so happy that everything turned out so well. I mean, the lacy black and white sort of doily and mandala-like pattern with Sky’s expre
ssive artistry, all up and down your left shoulder and down to your left thigh and feet, combined with the colors of your eyes and your hair, are all in sync. The aesthetic of each feature complements the other. You are amazing in every way. You invoke beauty and charm, yet authority and loyalty, and I thank the stars. Do you know you used one of your new skills not too long ago?”

  “I did? What did I do?”

  “You talked about how society needs to appreciate the beauty of the human body, the wonder of evolution and the advancements we’ve achieved, to increase well-being and quality of life. You then thanked Eliza and everyone in Pathway for bringing you back so beautifully.”

  Vesha appreciated Yesha’s genuine compliment, “Thank you and everyone for doing this for me. I suppose I owe some gratitude to Sky, she has been my kindred spirit for quite some time.

  “So, it seems that we apparently have telepathic transceiver capabilities, too? I suppose in my state of dementia, there must have been a variety of upgrades, developments, and advancements that were brought about that I didn’t retain or remember. My focus was mostly on recalling the memories of my family and friends, and all who had shown me love in my lifetime. I hope you don’t mind, and I digress, I must say—and I don’t want to sound too narcissistic or egotistical, but I do appreciate all of this. I could gaze at myself for hours since there is so much that is artistic and captivating, and right now I am overwhelmed and impressed; it is nice to share that with someone. Thank you so much for doing so well for me.”

  While gazing in the mirror at her fullness of beauty for just a little longer, Vesha asked, “You were saying I was out for two years and that there is more training to be had. I don’t recall too much regarding the Virtual Universe since I was an honorary member at the time, but you hinted that we will need to go there for my more extensive training. When do we begin?”

  “You were out for exactly two years, to the day. It is December 25th, 2018. Yes, you’ll find out much more about everything in a more experiential sort of way, and in a little bit within the Virtual Universe. We can begin as soon as you’d like.” Forgetting momentarily about the fact that Vesha was still undressed, because her nudity actually seemed unusually innocent and even normal in this particular environment, free of harsh or impure personalities or intentions, she beckoned, “Come. Let me show you the Virtual Universe. We’ll be able to do some amazing training there and show you a robustly historical briefing when we interface with our biopods. At least, that’s our first priority for now,” said Yesha, with her typically calm demeanor and giddy intent.

  “Like this?” Vesha fluttered her hands over her exposed and upgraded body. Vesha turned away from the mirror after looking one last time and then toward Yesha, who was impressed just a little more with the beauty and awesomeness of her gorgeous physical exterior.

  Yesha, with a very approving smile, thought to herself for a fraction of a microsecond, “I can’t believe this is the first time we have actually revived someone who has passed away. We had a lot of healings and upgrades, but this is a full-on resurrection and a complete success! …And, oh my, I’m speechlessly awestruck; she looks incredible!”

  Vesha picked up on something. It was as if Yesha had whispered to her. She recalled their conversation about telepathy, and then brushed it off knowing she would learn more about her powers soon.

  As Vesha released her mind, knowing that Yesha had talked to her using telepathy, she saw a space-age-like outfit—a black, thick, rubbery, yet cloth-like material, with artistic colorations glimmering in streams of detailed and sewn-in embroidery, matching the colors of the highlights in her hair, her body’s artwork, and the irises of her eyes. As she put it on, she noticed the embroidery was seamlessly sewn to the stretchy yet oddly comfortable contraption that was made-to-fit just for her.

  It had been hanging at the level of her gaze, so she had gently pulled the uniform down off the garment fixture on the door and began to put it on. Vesha pulled her legs through, covered her perfect, gloriously perky, and ample bosoms, one at a time, hiding the artistic imagery, and thinking she’d need a little help with the back she asked, “Can you help me with this? This must be an outfit fitted just for me, since it fits me like a glove; it would seem that I may need you to get the zipper, or whatever it is back there, please?”

  The bathroom door had been opened and Yesha had been observing her through the doorway, so she didn’t need to reach too far to zip her up. Nonetheless, Yesha responded, “Your uniform does not have a zipper.”

  She motioned for her to turn her head so Vesha could see her back in the mirror, “It is made out of smart material and is designed to give you maximum comfort. Your smartsuit provides a mixture of just the right amount of moisture, flowery mind-controlled scent, and temperature control, as well as physical strength and dexterity. The sophisticated technology in your smartsuit augments your commanding yet easing appearance of beauty, respect, joy, and peace. The micro-nanos that are within it work with your mind, so you can seal it shut or adjust your wardrobe as desired.

  Both sealing and wardrobe mechanisms are triggered by your neural activity when you think, ‘Seal my suit.’ In many cases, clothes already worn are converted to smartsuits via the biopod, but you are our first individual in the known history of humanity, and proven scientifically, to be resurrected, so for you, it’s different.

  “You’ll only need one of these suits. This tech will allow you to encode it with compartmentalizations within your mind to give you any look you need at any moment. Plus, it is self-washing, providing you top-notch hygiene, no more need for waxing of unwanted hairs or needing a shower after something intense, because your nanos will kick in, and so will your smartsuit. Simply think of what you need done as far as wardrobe is concerned, and it will be done. All of that, while giving you the aromatic scent you prefer, given any situation.

  “Although, all things considered, if you ask me, there never is something as amazing as slipping out of everything for a nice, large, warm bubble bath. But, I digress; sometimes, in the regular world, you’ll want to look more professional, and at other times you’ll want wear a bikini for the beach.

  “There are codes built into your clothing’s neuro-ware that will allow it to take on the appearance you need, which can be activated merely on thought—eventually all of this will be second nature to you, and you’ll want to ensure your appearance doesn’t change right in front of John Q. Public. In the not-too-distant future, you may just want to look as creative as your heart desires.”

  As she spoke, Yesha’s blouse and skirt turned into a revealing see-through dark negligée which accentuated her ample curves, and highlighted the natural colorings of her eyes, skin, and hair. Through the negligée, Vesha saw a hint of Yesha’s tattoo-like artistry playing out before her, images circulating up and down her dermis as if it were a movie. This happened, but just for a few seconds, because like that her appearance returned to the professional yet very attractive one she’d had on before. “Just like that, and in a snap, you can change.” Vesha had seen her uniform seal up just moments before as Yesha had explained everything, right after her telepathic command.

  “That outfit you had on for a split second and your right-mind artistry, that was hot date material,” Vesha laughed. “I didn’t realize you would have artwork like that too. You also used your telepathy to seal up my uniform on command. I suppose you could peel it off if you wanted to as well? I’m kidding. I still can’t get over how amazing all of this is!” Vesha said, she was good friends with Yesha, had been for years, and appreciated that she had a good sense of humor. She wanted to show off a bit longer, maybe if her husband from her previous life had been there she would. She didn’t mind Yesha being an observer since there was a lot of detail in the artwork and there seemed to be no rush. She was impressed that Yesha must have been affected by many of the same artwork benefits.

  “These odd feelings I am having—why am I buzzing with intensity, and why does it feel so good? Th
is is the bomb!” Vesha was starting to feel like one of the younger adults she had known and using the vocabulary she had heard them use seemed to come more naturally as the moments continued. “I wonder what Yesha’s artwork is like and I wonder if she has a unique alter-ego like I do, like Sky?” Vesha was using one of her new gifts again, without realizing she happened to be targeting Yesha for a very private conversation, but she knew in time, maybe if they went swimming on a beach somewhere, Yesha would show her. Vesha loved the new details, imaginative expressions, and being optimized.

  “Oh? I’d show you more, but I won’t for now. Maybe we can hit up a beach later on, but we don’t have that on our list of things to do today,” Yesha told Vesha through her mental link. She then climbed deeper into her mind and thoughts, trying to get back to task, “We need to get you trained in the Virtual Universe,” thought Yesha, as she smiled at Vesha. She had the innocent look of ‘I know what you were thinking, and that’s cool,’ and then both seemed ready to get Vesha’s training under way.

  “I’m liking this telepathy we have. Goodbye cell phones!” Vesha laughed, and her skin blushed a little with a crystalline glow, as she realized her body was adjusting to allow her new gifted ability to set in for good. She then asked, “How much, exactly, has gone on since I put my head on my pillow? It seems to me like it was just a few hours ago that I hugged my family goodbye. Maybe my mind is still processing everything, but I honestly still have no idea what day it is or where I am, but,” she paused, “I remember. Yeah, you said it is two years later. But, where are we then? Oh, wait, you said we are in Massachusetts, at the Melrose Campus? Okay, I see you’re looking at me funny. Go ahead and enlighten me, please?” Vesha was trying to remember all they’d talked about, but clearly her neuro nanos were working and she was left just a little confused, temporarily. Yesha knew that.