The room had an entire team of men. Seven men and one woman. She took the notes and made coffee. Computers were coming into vogue and there was a clunky looking box the secretary was typing on. A window had been installed in one of the walls to allow more natural lighting in.

Outside most of the city was still in ruins, however, the building across the way had been turned in to a modest barracks and occasional traffic could be seen traveling the streets. No civilians were visible.

"The high school curriculum has been increased a notch. They are now teaching what was college-level courses. As per your suggestion, the government is giving subsidies to companies supplying computer equipment." A young man stated crisply. He hadn't been told who the civilian contractor was or why he wore such odd armor, however, he was clear on the chain of command.

"Ken, what about that "hippie" movement you mentioned. Has it been taking advantage of the meditation and techniques I had placed on the world net?"

"Sorry sir," he coughed awkwardly. "Apparently most of the people in this movement would rather be getting high or listening to that rock and roll stuff rather than learning how to use a computer. According to polling that population segment doesn't even know what the world net is, let alone that there is information they would care about."

Salthuin tapped his fingers on the desk in a quick staccato. "That is unexpected."

The woman at the computer tentatively raised her hand. The men surrounding her looked at her in disapproval. "Mr. Alduin has dialed in. He says that it is as he calculated."

"Thank Alduin for joining us," Salthuin said with an ironic smile. The Prime Calculator was ever present within the ruined city. It was only to avoid panicking the military that he never spoke up. Actually, having computers that were advanced enough to actually be connected to the world net allowed him to simulate a presence. As far as anyone knew, he was a contractor listening in through the phone’s microphone.

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"He says we may have to wait until the next generation to be in schools for the information placed on the network to be disseminated."

"Well, at least we are on schedule with science and technology. Geoffrey, how is biotech doing?"

"Poorly, sir," a skinny youth in an ill-fitting uniform replied.

"Why is that?" the rebel commander asked with a sigh. It was like herding cats.

"Since the plague, there hasn't been much need for doctors or medical technology. No diseases or infection, no cancer. Elderly live healthy until their heart stops. Its only violence and accidents they are treating." Ironic. Like being a victim of your own success. If the human race actually got off their collective ass and advanced the medical field, they would unlock the more advanced features of the bio-mod and aging would effectively halt completely.

"Okay, time for another subsidy. We need to encourage people to enter this field. Even if I supply the plans we still need highly educated people to make and use them."

"How are we going to pay for it?" Ken asked politely. "Our budget won't cover this."

"Sell the rights to some of the intellectual properties, they are almost going to lapse anyway."

"Are you sure you want to invest in this. I've seen the programs you want to develop," an older man interjected. He was polite but skeptical. Bill Smith was the Presidents watchdog. It was his job to be skeptical so Salthuin tried not to take it personally. "Nerve and muscle stimulation doesn't seem terribly useful compared to the expense involved. The machine-brain interface track seemed more promising. It has direct military applications."

Salthuin looked into his eyes. He could almost read his mind. Robots and tanks controlled remotely by soldiers safely tucked away in their bunkers. It was a nice dream, however by the time technology advanced to that stage, tanks and robots would be antiquated.

"Yes, it's part of the long-term plan. We need both." Salthuin assured him.

The woman timidly raised her hand. As expected the men in the room glared at her. "Alduin says..."

"It’s as he projected. I know."