My Version
Chapter 4 – Interview with a Clone
Dr. Susan Wolf stood before the packed U.N. chamber—aisles full, overflow standing—like no meeting in recent memory.
The crowd buzzed to see the “Girl Wonder,” age 27, who had mastered animal cloning.
She opened with “Good morning” in 87 languages.
Overhead, Georgia’s multimedia montage flashed: Susan flying, sailing, skiing, gardening.
Georgia, seated among the audience—friend, confidante, now agent—watched critically, already planning tonight’s edit for the next presentation.
In this ruthless world, success summoned equal parts demons and dragons.
“Take the bad with the good,” Georgia’s mother always said.
Susan scanned the room: relaxed yet razor-alert, reading faces, locking eyes where welcome, glancing away when needed. A natural intuitive—her “sixth sense” of observation, memory, and nature’s order.
The final slide: Corky the monkey.
After the 87th greeting, she paused.
Music faded. Murmurs died.
“Corky, my friends, is a clone.”
Video rolled—Corky in her arms, kissing, cuddling, loved and loving in return.
Five minutes of unbroken applause.
Georgia exhaled, eyes closed, small smile. This moment had already won 95% of the war: funding, approval, global reach.
When quiet returned, Susan continued.
“I understand language…” (applause)
“…and I understand genetics…” (applause)
Corky towered two stories on screen, music swelling, room awash in shared awe.
“Language and genetics are linked—complex, essential, intertwined.”
“I understand both.” (applause)
“I know the future of sustainable life—here on Earth, on Mars, on the Moon—a future many said impossible.”
She pointed to the screen.
“Corky here…” (applause—no translation needed, just his sweet smile)
“…is proof we will succeed in space travel and colonization.” (applause)
Near the bathroom door, Gigi Fairweather listened, pressed in the crowd.
A flicker of jealousy for her brilliant, now-famous former roommate from Air Force training and college.
Yet love ran deeper.
In that instant Gigi vowed: she would captain the first ship to Mars, join the first colony—and do it side by side with Susan.
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