NANOVISION: What Would You Do With X-ray Vision? by Paul Harry Read Free Book Online

and
fauna. Judy made her way to the reception desk and introduced herself, showing
her ID badge to the security guard, who noted her name in the registry, then
placed a call.
    “I’ve notified
Dr. Santini’s secretary of your arrival,” he said, hanging up the phone. “If
you’d like to have a seat over there Dr. Santini will be right down.”
    Judy turned to
where the guard was pointing, an area with several couches and a coffee table
hidden amongst a grouping of trees and potted plants.
    “We also have
refreshments... coffee, juice, donuts or fruit. They’re on the table behind the
black couch.”
    “Thank you...”
responded Judy, “... coffee would be nice.”
    She made her way
to the refreshment buffet table and grabbed a cup of black coffee, then took a
seat. A moment later she heard the ping of an elevator. Looking up, she saw a
woman exiting and walking in her direction. She set her cup down on the coffee
table.
    Doctor Ethyl
Santini was a tall, slender woman with silver-grey hair, approximately sixty
years of age. Judy noted her approach−the confident walk as she strolled
across the atrium. The woman had the definite look of a company CEO. She
reminded Judy of a professor she had in college, but with more flair. She was
impeccably dressed in a dark pin-striped dress suit, tailored to her figure,
with an aqua-blue blouse and matching shoes. A beautiful white pearl necklace
hung gracefully around her neck. Judy stood as Ethyl approached.
    “I’m Doctor
Santini,” announced Ethyl, giving Judy a warm smile. “I hope you weren’t
waiting too long?
    “No, I’ve only
been here a moment,” answered Judy, presenting her ID. “Thank you for seeing
me.”
    Ethyl perused
Judy’s badge, exclaiming her amazement. “I must admit, I was quite surprised
when I got your call two days ago,” she noted. “I’ve never had an official
visit from the FBI. I hope it’s nothing serious?”
    “Actually, my
visit here is in regards to a personal matter. Is there somewhere where we can
talk privately?”
    “Certainly, my
office is upstairs. Please... follow me.”
    Crossing the
atrium, Ethyl took Judy to the elevators.
    “So what exactly
do you do here?” asked Judy.
    “Well, as you
might have surmised from our name, NanoBytes is in the business of research and
development with nano technology. We’re trying to find new cures for the human
condition. Specifically we’re developing ways to combine nanites...
micro-computerized machines, with DNA, T-cells, and biotics... in fact,
Nanobiotics is one of our coin phrases.”
    “That’s fascinating,”
Judy remarked.
    “Would you be
interested in a quick tour?”
    “Absolutely,”
responded Judy, eagerly. “I must admit I’ve never been in a real research lab,
well, except the ones at the FBI and that’s mostly for crime analysis.”
    “I’m sure there
are many similarities, but our emphasis here is on making a better world.”
    Ethyl hit the
elevator button for the second floor and took Judy upstairs, then down a long
hallway.
     “Is this your
first trip to Silicon Valley?” she asked, making small talk.
    “Yes,” answered
Judy. “I’m actually based in Las Vegas.”
    “Oh, now that’s
got to be an exciting place to live.”
    “Certainly
hotter,” remarked Judy.
    The two women
approached a bright red door. On it were large raised letters that
read−LAB ONE, and beneath that a smaller sign, computer generated that
read: ‘ Beware to all who enter!’ .
    Ethyl pointed it
out with a chuckle.
    “We like to keep
things light here,” she said. “We get a lot of school children coming through
our facility and we like to keep things mysterious and exciting. We’re hoping
to pique their interest in science and technology and maybe get a scientist or
two out of the batch.”
    “Not a bad idea,”
admitted Judy.
    Ethyl opened the
door to Lab One, revealing a large dressing room filled with lockers, benches,
and hooks for hanging coats. On the far side