“No man nor woman, bowed under the peril that was humanity’s nuclear destruction, shall ever fall to the corruption of a state of existence that corresponds with any degree of emotional integrity.”
-Law One (unabridged), as engraved at the base of the Spire

“Bradford, update the cryochamber’s firmware. It would appear our other team has finished installing the new components.”

“Ah… Yes, Doctor Myles.” The old and weary assistant hurried down the whitewashed corridor to make the necessary preparations.

“And prime the devitrification pump!” Myles called out.

“Yes, sir!”

All of Myles’ thoughts could be categorized by his singular and intense notion of anticipation. Three years of working with the Science Division’s leading men and women had led to this one promotion, to collaborate on one of the most profound assignments: Project Glass. It was a great achievement, and to work with her was an even greater sign of success. There was no doubt: after she had been returned to the city, he would be transferred to the next great Projects, the best-funded facilities, surrounded by intellects that would look up to him and defer to his judgment in times of need. His record would be plastered with decorations and glowing recommendations.

He would have beamed with delight if the antisthesid did not run through his veins. As it were, his mind was racing with a peculiar energy, and his pace quickened. His mouth twitched, shoes clicking on the white tile. He passed by doors on either side outlined by thin white trim, recessed aluminium buttons glinting in the harsh fluorescent lighting.

Twice, a lab assistant hobbled down the opposite direction, skin wrinkled and languid with age. At the second passing, Myles glanced over his shoulder to observe on how utterly incapable they were; bundles of papers and equipment in their arms, stumbling and shuffling with a required concentration somewhat visible in their movements to prevent falling and breaking their brittle bones.

It was inefficient to have these elderly in the facility, even with their modifications. They were all well over 150 years old thanks to advancements in the science of human health, but they were undoubtedly due to expire soon. Every day they had been here for the past three weeks he had expected to trip over one’s corpse. It had yet to actually occur, but despite his criticisms and requests to his superiors they were here to stay with Level 4 authority, which was power he could not overrule. Someone in the upper ranks believed that she should be greeted by familiar faces, that it would ease her arrival.

Myles was more than uncertain of the theory, given her reputation. Out of every citizen of Washington, if he could name one the most emotionless it would have been her. Before Myles had come to work on Glass, he had heard stories of her deeds: top of her class in all subjects of schooling, then becoming the youngest foreign intelligence officer of her time; she transferred to the Science Division and successfully executed some of the most groundbreaking discoveries of the late twentieth century, additionally victorious in staving off the spies and troops of Australis Incognita that attempted to steal their scientific secrets, with over one hundred confirmed kills. She scouted the wastelands for hundreds of miles and braved the worst of conditions. No matter where she tread in Washington, people of all duties clamored for her assistance.