The morning of June 21 dawned with a different feeling in the air. It wasn't just the end of an epic night of global negotiations—it was the first day of a new era for humanity. And that new era would officially begin on Chinese soil.
I sat on the bed in my Cambridge apartment, looking out the window at the MIT campus that had been my world for so many years. In 72 hours, I would be on the other side of the planet, overseeing the construction of what would be the most ambitious human evolution center in history.
My phone had been ringing incessantly since 6 a.m. Katharina, Markus, dozens of government officials, journalists, and even some world leaders wanting to confirm details of the trip.
"Kai," Katharina called at 7:30, "the Chinese private jet is scheduled to take off from Logan at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Li Wei confirmed that Premier Xi will be personally at Beijing airport to welcome him."
"Premier Xi personally?" That was extreme diplomatic protocol.
"Kai, you don't understand. For China, your arrival is no ordinary diplomatic visit. It is the moment when they officially become the center of the next phase of human evolution. It is unprecedented geopolitical prestige."
It was true. The choice of China as the main venue had not been arbitrary. During the final hours of negotiations, as he analyzed the combined offers, several factors had become clear.
First: execution. China had demonstrated time and again that it could build massive infrastructure on impossible timelines. Entire cities in years, transcontinental transportation networks, projects that other countries took decades to plan.
Second: political stability. Whatever one's views on the Chinese system, it was indisputably stable. A 100-year project required a government that could maintain long-term commitments without dramatic policy changes at every election.
Third: human resources. 1.4 billion people, including the largest population of highly educated young people in the world. The pipeline of candidates for training would be unlimited.
Fourth: Cultural perspective. The Chinese tradition of reverence for education, discipline, and personal development aligned perfectly with the goals of academia. Concepts such as personal cultivation and transcendence were intrinsic to the culture.
Fifth: geographical position. Center of Asia, accessible to half of the world's population, transport connections to all continents.
But more important than all these practical factors was something more subtle: China understood that it was being offered the chance to lead the next phase of human civilization. And it was willing to invest everything it had in doing so.
At 9 am, I received a direct call from Xi Jinping.
"Dr. Thorne, it is a great honor to speak in person. China is prepared to turn promises into reality."
"Premier Xi, I appreciate your extraordinary commitment. I have some specific questions about the implementation."
"Please."
"First, on administrative autonomy. I need absolute assurance that the academy will operate independently of Chinese domestic politics."
"Dr. Thorne, the academy will have a status equivalent to Hong Kong or Macau. A special administrative zone with its own laws, its own government, its own economy. China provides infrastructure and protection, but does not interfere in operations."
"Second, on international access. Students from countries that have tensions with China?"
"The borders of the academic zone will be open to citizens of any country. American students, Indian students, Japanese students - all are welcome. The academy is international neutral territory."
"Third, on resources. Initial $100 billion - how will it be made available?"
"50 billion transferred to the academy's international account within 48 hours of arrival. Another 50 billion released as construction progresses. No strings attached, no Chinese oversight on spending."
It was a level of commitment that transcended normal diplomacy.
"Premier Xi, why is China doing this? What is the real motivation?"
Long pause. Then, with unexpected sincerity:
"Dr. Thorne, China has 5,000 years of history. We have seen empires rise and fall. But we have never seen an opportunity like this - a chance to lead humanity to the next level of existence. It is worth any investment."
"What if the project fails? What if I fail to deliver the promised human transcendence?"
"Dr. Thorne, you have cured terminal cancer in minutes. You have demonstrated capabilities that defy known physics. Even if we achieve only a fraction of the potential, we have changed the world forever."
At 11am, I started final preparations for the trip. I wasn't taking much - some clothes, laptop, essential documents. Everything else would be provided in China or purchased there.
Katharina and Markus arrived to accompany me to the airport.
"Kai," Katharina said as we drove, "do you realize that this is the last time you will be a private person? When you step off that plane in Beijing, you will be a permanent global public figure."
It was true. The privacy he had maintained for 28 years of his life was officially over. From now on, every move would be monitored, every decision analyzed, every word documented.
"It's worth it," I replied. "What we're building is worth any personal sacrifice."
"What about loneliness? Being the only person in the world with these responsibilities?"
I had thought about it. It was fundamental isolation—being the only person capable of understanding the true scope of what was happening. Humanity thought it was investing in medical advancement. I knew it was preparing the species for cosmic challenges that could materialize without warning.
"Loneliness is the price of leadership," he said. "Someone has to carry the burden of knowing the bigger picture."
We arrived at Logan International at 1pm. The airport had been partially closed for our departure - security measures that were normally reserved for heads of state.
The jet waiting was... impressive. It was no ordinary aircraft, but a flying palace. A customized Boeing 787 with accommodations that rivaled a five-star hotel.
Dr. Li Wei was waiting in the courtyard, along with a delegation of Chinese and American officials.
"Dr. Thorne!" he approached with a genuine smile. "Ready to make history?"
"Ready as I can be."
"Flight time to Beijing will be 14 hours. We have a full communications suite on the aircraft - you can work during the flight if needed."
"Dr. Li, one question. Has the exact location for the gym been finalized?"
"Oh, you'll be impressed. 200 kilometers outside Beijing, in an area that combines natural beauty with strategic access. Mountains for privacy, rivers for water supply, high-speed rail connection to the capital."
I boarded the aircraft at 1:45 p.m. The interior was surreal—office space, conference room, bedroom, even a small gym. It was clear the Chinese had thought of every detail.
At exactly 14:00, the aircraft began taxiing to the runway.
"System," I muttered when alone, "final check. Are we making the right decision?"
ANALYSIS CONFIRMED:
CHINA LOCATION: GREAT FOR LONG-TERM GOALS
FINANCIAL RESOURCES: SUITABLE FOR PHASES 1-3
POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT: STABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT
OVERALL ASSESSMENT: SOLID STRATEGIC DECISION
As the plane took off, I looked down at the America I was leaving behind. The country that had been my home all my life, that had given me the education and opportunities that had led to this moment.
But also a country that ultimately could not provide the scale of resources and commitment that academia needed.
During the first hour of the flight, I reviewed detailed plans the Chinese had prepared: architectural drawings, construction schedules, personnel projections, technological specifications.
It was impressive in scope. The main campus spanned 50 square kilometers. Residential areas for 100,000 students and staff. Research facilities that rivaled anything in the world. Medical centers equipped with the most advanced technology available.
But even more impressive were the subtler details. Gardens designed according to feng shui principles to optimize energy flow. Architecture that blended traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern functionality. Accommodations that accommodated every possible cultural and religious preference.
The Chinese had not just planned a medical school. They had designed a self-contained city dedicated to human transcendence.
Five hours into the flight, I received a satellite call from Markus:
"Kai, the global reaction to your departure is incredible. All major broadcasters are covering it live. #KaiForChina is trending worldwide."
"What kind of reactions?"
"Mixed, as expected. Americans torn between pride that you're American and concern that you're leaving America. Chinese celebrating as if they'd won the lottery. Europeans emphasizing that you're still accessible to everyone."
"Any negative responses?"
"Some conspiracy theories about Chinese control, usual political talking points. But the general feeling is excitement about what you're going to accomplish."
Eight hours into the flight, I tried to sleep but my mind was racing. Tomorrow would be my first day on Chinese soil, my first meetings with teams that would help build the academy, my first steps towards transforming humanity.
I also thought about the cosmic context that others didn't know about. The academy wasn't just about curing diseases or teaching humans to levitate. It was about preparing the species for eventual contact with powers that could end civilization in seconds.
The resources China was providing would allow not only medical training, but development of capabilities that could allow humanity to survive cosmic-level threats.
During the final hours of the flight, I watched the sun rise over the Pacific. A new day dawning, literally and figuratively.
At 14:00 local time (June 23 due to time zone change), the aircraft began its descent to Beijing Capital International Airport.
"Dr. Thorne," the flight attendant announced, "Premier Xi Jinping is waiting with full state reception. Please prepare for arrival."
I looked out the window as China grew below. A land that would be home for the next phase of my life. A country that had committed everything to a vision of human transcendence.
In the courtyard below, he could see a massive crowd. Government officials, media, thousands of citizens who had come to witness the arrival of the person who would lead their country to host human evolution.
As the plane touched the ground, I felt a mixture of excitement and responsibility settle over me.
That was it.
Start of real work.
Beginning of the transformation that would define the future of the human species.
The Academy for Human Transcendence was about to become a reality.
And it all started now, on Chinese soil, with Chinese resources, supported by the Chinese commitment to change the world.
When the aircraft came to a complete stop, Dr. Li Wei appeared:
"Dr. Thorne, welcome to China. Welcome to your new home. Ready to build the future?"
I looked out the window at the sea of faces watching our arrival.
"There," he said.
It was time to get to work.
It was time to change everything.
It was time to lead humanity into the next phase of existence.
And it started now.