Two years had passed, and the transformation of the former Namib desert was nothing short of remarkable. What was once a barren and unforgiving landscape was now teeming with life, with 49% of the land converted into arable, food-producing land.
Multiple settlements and cities had sprouted up in Namibia, as well as in the other two countries where the project had expanded. The Sahara and South America's deserts were also undergoing a similar transformation, with the desert landscapes slowly giving way to lush fields and orchards.
However, despite the progress, there was a growing sense of purpose behind the project. There was no demand for the food yet, but Liam and his team knew that this would soon change.
The team's efforts were not just about meeting current needs, but about preparing for a future where food would be scarce and highly valued. They were racing against time to build up a surplus of food, knowing that it would be a lifeline for generations to come.
As Liam stood amidst the bustling settlement, his brother Jakob approached him, his gait slightly unsteady. Liam's eyes widened as he took in Jakob's appearance, and he could see the telltale signs of ALS starting to manifest. Just like in his last life, he chose to hide it, forgetting they shared a childhood.
"Jakob, you have it, don't you?" Liam asked, his voice filled with concern. "It's ALS, isn't it?"
Jakob looked at Liam, his eyes searching. Trying to figure out how the hell he knew. "I've been hiding it; Jennifer found out before the move."
Liam's expression turned serious. "I know it's a lot to take in, Jakob. But I want you to know that I've already cured it and undergone the procedure. Selena has done it for me, and I can assure you that it's changed my life for the better."
"What do you mean?" Jakob asked, his hopes bubbling up to the surface.
Just then, Liam's twins, Aya and Ava, burst onto the scene, their energetic presence a stark contrast to the emotional intensity of the previous moment. Jakob's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the two 13-year-old girls, who were growing up to be the perfect blend of their parents' features.
"Hey Uncle Jakob!" Aya exclaimed, running up to him with a big smile on her face. "Do you remember me?"
Jakob smiled warmly at his niece. "Of course, I remember you, Aya. You and Ava are growing up to be beautiful young women."
As he looked at the twins, Jakob couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia. He had always wondered what it would be like to have children with Selena, and now, looking at Aya and Ava, he felt like he was catching a glimpse of what could have been.
"They're the perfect mix of you and Selena," Jakob said, turning to Liam with a hint of wistfulness in his voice. "I can see what our kids would have looked like if...if things had worked out differently between Selena and me."
"My wife, the heartbreaker," Liam said. He brushed off the offense he felt. Jakob had married Jennifer MacPherson, Selena's guard, who ended up being an athletic model. She was in no way inferior to Selena. She was as close to her as Claire was. Now that they were technically family.
Jakob chuckled and shook his head, a hint of a smile still on his face. "Yeah, Selena can be a heartbreaker, but I've moved on. I've got Jennifer and the kids now, and they're my everything."
Liam's expression softened, and he smiled warmly at his brother. "I'm glad to hear that, Jakob. How are Jennifer and the kids settling in?"
Jakob's face lit up with excitement as he began to talk about his family. "They're doing great, Liam. Jennifer's loving the new place, and the kids are adjusting well to their new school. And...and Jennifer's pregnant again!"
Liam's eyes widened in surprise, and he grinned at his brother. "Congratulations, Jakob! That's amazing news!"
Jakob beamed with pride, his eyes shining with happiness. "Thanks, Liam. We're all really excited. The kids can't wait to meet their new sibling."
Ava and Aya, who had been quietly observing the conversation, suddenly piped up. "Yeah, Uncle Jakob's going to be a dad again!" Ava exclaimed.
Aya nodded enthusiastically. "I can see why Rose used to get so exhausted around us. Can you and Aunt Jennifer do us a favor and slow down?"
Liam smiled at his daughters, then turned back to Jakob. Jakob hesitated, his expression uncertain. But Liam could see the fear and doubt in his eyes, and he knew he had to reassure him.
"Jakob, I know it's scary, but we've come a long way with this technology. And I've seen it work wonders for people with ALS. You can trust us, bro. We'll take care of you."
Ava looked at her uncle with a determined glint in her eye. "Do we really need to peer pressure Uncle Jakob into getting a tiny needle that will give him his life back?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Jakob smirked, amused by Ava's feistiness. She had definitely inherited Selena's inborn fire.
Aya jumped into the conversation, her voice laced with humor. "Uncle Jakob, all the cool kids are doing it," she said, making a sarcastic eye roll.
Jakob chuckled, but his eyes betrayed a hint of fear. "Okay, okay, you two are a formidable team," he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "But I have to admit, I'm afraid of the needle."
Liam's expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on Jakob's shoulder. "Don't worry, bro, we can sedate you. You won't even feel the needle," he said, his voice calm and soothing.
Jakob looked at Liam, his eyes searching for reassurance. "You promise?" he asked, his voice serious. The girls laughed, not knowing how serious he was.
Liam nodded, his expression firm. "I promise, Jakob. We'll take care of you. You'll be fine."
Selena and Jennifer sat on the patio of the new Home Base, sipping lemonade and enjoying the warm Australian desert sun. Jennifer's pregnancy glow was radiant, and Selena couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and contentment. Seeing the new life that had not existed in her past life. "I'm so glad you and Jakob finally made it here," Selena said, smiling warmly at Jennifer. "We've missed you both. Is the jet lag catching up with you now?"
Jennifer's expression turned serious, and she set her lemonade down, her eyes welling up with tears. "No, I've been struggling with Jakob's diagnosis, Selena," she said, her voice trembling. "He hid it from me for a year, and I feel like he's been carrying this burden alone for so long. It's hard not to take it personally, you know?"
She took a deep breath and composed herself. "As a vassal, it is common sense to follow the instructions, especially life or death instructions. Moving the company to two new continents has been a challenge for Jakob. I should have known when you kept asking us to move that it was for this. You saw it."
Selena's expression softened, and she reached out to take Jennifer's hand, offering a comforting squeeze. "Yeah, I'm so sorry, Jennifer," she said, her voice filled with empathy.
"I know how hard this must be for you. But I want you to know that Liam will convince Jakob to fight this. He's not going to give up without a fight. We spent both of our lives working to save our own brothers. I just had an instinct that the work would be important." Selena said.
"Jennifer, you have protected me with your life. So has Claire. You are like sisters to me. I could not let you both see your husbands die. Nor could I warn you. You are so important to the future. You and your family. So stay strong and together." Selena partially lied to give her hope.
Jakob had lived a very unhappy but romp-filled life in his past life. He had fathered several children with a few different women.
Jennifer's tears spilled over, and she nodded, taking a deep breath. Selena continued, "And I want you to know that we have a cure. It's not just a treatment, it's an actual cure."
Jennifer's eyes widened in surprise, and she looked at Selena with a mix of hope and skepticism. "What is it?" she asked, her voice shocked.
Selena smiled, her eyes shining with excitement. "It's a bio-computer, essentially another brain that grows with knowledge stored in it. It can repair damaged cells, restore function, and even enhance cognitive abilities. I have one."
Jennifer's reaction was immediate. She looked stunned, like she had been punched in the gut. "A bio-computer?" she repeated, her voice filled with wonder. "You mean, it's like a...a machine?"
Selena nodded, her expression reassuring. "Not exactly, it's a highly advanced genetically engineered biostructure that integrates with the human brain. But it's not just a machine, it would become another part of Jakob's body, a part that can help him heal and regain his strength."
Jennifer looked like she was trying to process this information, her eyes darting back and forth as she tried to wrap her head around the concept. She took a deep breath, and her expression turned determined.
"You have never led me astray, nor has your family led mine into danger. I trust you Selena, it is born in trust" she said, her voice firm. " I know he's going to see that he can trust his brother, too. And with this...this computer, I know he'll be able to overcome this and live a long, healthy life. As scary as it seems, it is better than living without him."
Selena nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "I know he will, Jennifer. And we'll be here to support him every step of the way." She watched Liam lead his brother into the lab entrance.