"They'd have to take extraordinary measures to remain a secret for such a long time. It would be difficult to pull off, but not impossible, if the motivation was strong enough," Solaria said.
"So what now?"
"I'm not sure. I've contacted Hack Attack to see if he can help me. I can't keep going to cafés to use their computers. Someone is eventually going to figure out how I get my information and set a trap. Hack has an entire network of people he can access. If she's still in the city, a camera has picked her up somewhere."
"Okay, that sounds good... except for one or two problems. We don't have a picture of Chantelle, so how's Hack and his crew going to know what she looks like? And there have to be millions of pictures taken each day."
"I gave him the mathematical specs of her face. His facial recognition software can use that to compare with the images. I've told him to focus on the last two days. Anything beyond that would be a waste of time," Solaria said. "At the moment, it's our only chance of finding her."
"At least it's a plan," Jain said. "I have to run. I'll see you later."
CHAPTER 18
The Exhibition
THE SCREEN ABOVE the entrance scrolled the words 'Bio-mechanical Advances in Medicine.' Primeris had been waiting across the street for almost fifteen minutes when she saw the taxi pull in front. When Chantelle exited the cab, Primeris walked up to her.
"I wasn't sure you would come," Primeris said.
"I wasn't either. Solaria and Jain convinced me. I still can't figure how they found me. I'd hate to be on their bad side."
"Solaria has a lot of resources. One of them isolated a picture of you from the security camera at an outdoor café. Another picked you up entering your hotel. It was only a matter of time before she located you, if you were still around."
"Then why couldn't you? Jain said you came to her for help. You must have the same skill levels."
"First, Solaria's more advanced than I am. Second, I couldn't use my resources without putting you in jeopardy. Several agencies are now trying to find out who you are and what organization you work for. It's only a matter of time before you're caught, if you remain in the city."
"And you went to all this trouble to warn me? I find that hard to believe."
"No, I had another reason," Primeris
"What? And why here?" Chantelle asked, pointing to the flashing neon sign a few feet away.
"You need to understand what I am."
"I have a pretty good idea already, remember? We've had this discussion before."
"Yes we have, and no, you don't... but you will," Primeris replied, motioning for her to follow.
* * *
The convention hall was enormous. Transparent acryliglass ceilings allowed filtered sunlight to illuminate the interior. Some people wandered around listening to guides narrating the history and science behind the displays. Others preferred to watch holographic vids. Primeris ignored both and led Chantelle to a small room left of the entrance. A steady drone of muted voices drifted from the arched doorway. Stepping aside, Primeris signaled for Chantelle to enter first, curious to see her reaction as she was greeted by the first display.
"Good afternoon. Welcome to the future of humanity," the figure said. "Please come closer so that I can introduce myself properly."
Instinctively, Chantelle stepped forward. Before her stood a life-size figure of a woman, stripped of skin, exposing the musculature-skeletal anatomy of the human body.
"My name was Cecilia. Once, I was a biology teacher, but died in 2032 in an accident. In the hope that I could benefit science, I asked that my body be donated to the Institute of Human Advancement. Now, six decades later, I am fulfilling my dream. I hope my appearance isn't disconcerting. Although this is my real body, it was plasticized shortly after my death. The process involves being immersed in a special solution for six months, preventing decomposition. In order for you to appreciate the scientific advances you will be viewing, you must understand the complexity of the human body. As you can see, I am a combination of tissue and bone. If you look to your left, you will see halovids explaining the circulatory and pulmonary system. Next is the digestive system. To your right is the neuro system.
While the voice continued its narration, Chantelle turned to Primeris with a questioning look.
"I'm familiar with the human body. Surely you didn't ask me here for an anatomy lesson."
"No." Primeris nodded toward another exhibit. "I brought you to see that."
Looking past Primeris, Chantelle saw a small group of people huddled around a glass cylinder. Inside, a human arm was flexing up and down. The hand was gripping a red plastic ball. Occasionally, the finger would open and then close. Micro-wires were attached to the forearm muscles and ligaments. The viewers stared in awe as a male voice explained the science behind the display.
"The scientific world is on the brink of regenerating damaged or diseased limbs," it said. "Here you see an actual cloned human arm. You will notice the fingers opening and closing. Electrical impulses are transmitted through the nerves from a small computer no larger than a fingernail. Like the brain, it is telling the hand what to do. This hand is capable of performing the same intricate tasks as a normal person. Within ten years, we will be able to cure most paralysis due to traumatic injuries.
"That's me," Primeris said, unaware that her right hand was flexing in sync with the one in the container.
"Don't be ridicu —" Chantelle said and then stopped. An uncomfortable feeling crept over her; one she had never felt before. The skin on her arms pebbled up and she shivered.
Vitiate! she thought. Although she had never met one before, instinctively she knew one was near. The energy around her was almost nauseating.
"I have to... leave," she gasped, raising a trembling hand to her forehead and rubbing it. "Now!"
Taking Chantelle's arm, Primeris pulled her through the crowd, brushing anyone aside that blocked their path. Neither noticed the young man in the uniform watching them. Had Chantelle seen him, his pained expression would have given him away. He was...Vitiate.
Once out of the building, Primeris flagged a cab and helped Chantelle inside before climbing in next to her.
"I'm sorry," Chantelle said, leaning her head back and taking a few deep breaths. I always wanted to meet one. I hope I never do again.
"Your reaction was expected," Primeris said.
"My reaction? Oh! No! I mean I wasn't reacting to the exhibit. Something else upset me."
"You don't have to worry about my feelings."
"This has nothing to do with your feelings and nothing to do with that arm. It's just a macabre display... and you're wrong. That's not you."
"Not literally, but it is what I am, although macabre doesn't really apply. I don't believe I am gruesome or represent death in any way."
"You're right. I'm still not feeling well. Maybe we can have this discussion later."
"Of course. I can give you my address. You can contact me when you're ready," Primeris offered.
"That's not necessary. You already know where I'm staying, so let's just go there. We can talk once I feel better."
Leaning forward, Chantelle gave the hotel address to the cabbie. For the rest of the trip, neither spoke.
CHAPTER 19
Vitiates
CORPORAL ANDERSON knew the moment the Healer entered the room. When he saw who she was with, he felt an almost debilitating nausea, physically and mentally. Getting too close to the Healer would alert her to his presence, not to mention the possibility Primeris would recognize him. She had access to all the files of unit members.
Damn! he thought when they moved in his direction. His nerves screamed. The Healer's energy was devastatingly painful, both physically and mentally. You aren't a normal Healer. I need to let Sister Harlie know Primeris has chosen a Healer, a powerful one. This isn't good, not good at all.
* * *
"You're sure?" Major Harlie asked.
"The pain was excruci
ating. Nothing like I've ever experienced before. If she had gotten any closer, I think I would have screamed or passed out," Corporal Anderson said, rubbing his forehead. He still had a slight headache from the encounter.
"I warned the Council decades ago that such a Healer would appear one day."
"What could they have done? Our laws forbid us to interfere with Healers or their missions. We should have done something before she was born. How did she get past the Sentinels? What if there are others like her? It could be disastrous for all of us."
"None of us are infallible, Brother. We do our best, but often it's not enough. Whether it's Healer or Vitiate that moves mankind to its final destiny is unimportant, as long as the final results are what we want."
"True. What do we do now?"
"I'll send word to the Elders. You make sure that only our strongest Vitiates are assigned to her for now. Tell them to keep a safe distance. No one is to take any action without my knowledge. Watch her, nothing more, understand?"
"Your wishes will be obeyed, Sister. May you harm only the deserving," Corporal Anderson said.
"May you harm only the deserving, Brother," Major Harlie replied.
After he left, she activated her desk phone and dictated a number. Within seconds, a female voice answered.
"Convene the Council," Major Harlie said. "I know it will take time... No, we must meet as soon as possible. Try to get them here by next Tuesday... If it wasn't important, I wouldn't have called. A crisis may be brewing as we speak... Yes, yes, please do what you can... Thank you, Sister Robere... May you harm only the deserving."
Deactivating the phone, Harlie turned her attention to a small plastic case on her desk. The cover was labeled 'Colonel Walter Cranley, KIA.' Inside was a memory chip describing in great detail how he had died serving his country. Shaking her head, she picked it up and flipped it like a coin. Tomorrow he was being buried with all the military honors deserving of his rank. His family would be present and she had been ordered to give a speech about his extraordinary dedication to duty and family.
At least the duty part is true. He didn't give a shit about his family. You've got to love military mentality, Major Harlie thought. Eliminate problems quickly. Cover everything up and move on.
CHAPTER 20
Revelations
"MAKE YOURSELF AT home," Chantelle said, tossing her jacket on the sofa. "I have some food in the fridge. I'll make us something to eat."
"Ordering from room service would be more practical since you're not feeling well," Primeris said.
"That works for me. The menu's on the table. I'm going to take a quick shower."
Twenty minutes later, Chantelle returned. Wrapped in a bathrobe, she was rubbing her hair vigorously with a towel.
"If you want to clean up, there's another robe in the closet, compliments of the hotel," she offered.
"I'm fine," Primeris said. "Thank you. The food has arrived. I didn't know what you liked to eat, so I ordered steaks, salads and fresh fruit."
"I'm not much on meat, but the salad and fruit sound good. You can have the steak if you want."
"Thank you. My energy level is getting low. Meat protein will boost it quicker than plant material."
Chantelle gave her a curious look, but didn't comment.
* * *
"Are you feeling better?" Primeris asked, placing her plate and utensils on the cart.
"Yes," Chantelle replied. "It was probably low blood sugar. I didn't eat anything for lunch."
"Your symptoms weren't typical of low blood sugar."
"They weren't typical of anything I've ever experienced. Whatever it was, I'm over it. At the moment, I'm more interested in your need to explain yourself to me. Why was it so important, and why the Bio-Tech Exhibit?"
"You needed to know what I am," Primeris said. "Visuals are always better than words."
"I told you I already know about you. Solaria went into great detail about your design. How else could I heal you?"
"Heal me? Heal me how?" Primeris' eyes narrowed slightly, the only indication that Chantelle's revelation had caught her by surprise.
"By booting your backup system. Solaria told me what needed to be done to access your processors. If it wasn't for her, you'd be dead."
Hearing that Solaria had played an active role in her repairs was disconcerting. Unconsciously, Primeris twirled the bracelet on her wrist. Once she had analyzed the transmitter blocker, she decided to keep it active, insuring she couldn't be tracked electronically.
"Why would Solaria want to save me? She knows my mission is to capture her."
"You'd have to ask her. I imagine she has her reasons, although I have to admit she didn't seem to care one way or another if you lived or died. My guess is that she wanted to please Jain."
"Jain is Solaria's weakness. She will eventually lead to her capture. Solaria should sever the attachment," Primeris said.
"Their attachment, as you call it, is their strength. Emotions are the most motivating forces in existence."
"And the most destructive."
"Which is what makes life so interesting... and brings us back to why you're here, doesn't it?" Chantelle asked.
"No, my reason has nothing to do with emotion. You were instrumental in reactivating my processors. I would no longer exist, had you not helped me."
"You didn't know that until now, so that's not why you're here. Besides, what difference would that make if you were simply a machine?"
Primeris had puzzled over that question for quite awhile. She didn't have a rational answer and was troubled by her inability to come up with one.
"You're in denial," Chantelle said, "and you're afraid. I imagine it must be quite overwhelming to discover you're a mere mortal like the rest of us." Primeris was about to answer when Chantelle held up her hand. "Don't deny it. Whether you're willing to admit it or not, you know I'm right. Anyway, I'm too tired to argue. Rest will do both of us good. We can discuss this later."
Taking the suggestion as a dismissal, Primeris stood and walked to the door.
"Where are you going?"
"You want to sleep."
"Yes, and I expect you to stay."
"I —"
"You went to a lot of trouble to find me, Primeris. I'm checking out of this hotel in a day or two. I won't be found as easily the next time... assuming you still want to talk."
Primeris had no choice but to stay. Chantelle's disclosures created new questions. She was the only one who could help answer them.
"I'll sleep on the floor."
"You'll sleep on the bed like before. There's no reason to be shy now," Chantelle said. Turning her back on Primeris, she removed her robe and slipped into bed. "And turn the light off."
Doing as she was told, Primeris lay next to Chantelle. She closed her eyes and shut down two of her processors. Although aware of her surroundings, her muscles relaxed. Entering sleep mode, she wondered if the strange dream would return... and hoped not. Almost immediately Primeris realized hope could not be controlled.
The bedroom was dark, except for a faint glow shining through the frosted window. Chantelle placed her palms on Primeris' chest and gently shoved her backward against the wall.
Primeris wasn't sure what to do. If she deactivated the hibernation command, the dream would disappear and she would never know how it ended.
Maybe better than my first.
Pinned against the wall, Primeris didn't know what to do. She could push Chantelle away, but she didn't want to hurt her — at least, that's what she kept telling herself.
"I can't do this," Primeris said.
"Why? What are you afraid of?"
"I'll hurt you."
"Hurt me? How? Physically? Mentally?"
"Both. I can't give you what you want."
"How do you know what I want? I've never told you. You've never asked. Do you know me so well?"
"Yes," Primeris replied. "You're no different than the other women I've had sex with. You want
me to make love to you."
"There's a difference between sex and love. Those other women, did you love them?"
"I'm not capable of love."
"How do you know what you're capable of?" Chantelle asked. "You've been hiding behind your non-human side since you were activated. Can you honestly say you haven't changed since then?"
"Of course I've changed. Nothing stays the same."
"Exactly. Nothing and no one. You once thought I wanted sex with you. I do. You even bragged about how well you could pleasure women. Why hesitate now?"
"I don't believe this is what you really want."
Chantelle's hand reached up to stroke Primeris' cheek. Primeris felt a jolt of energy course through her like an electric shock. Her heartbeat jumped wildly and then settled back down.
"Primeris," a soft voice whispered near her ear. "Primeris, wake up."
Blinking, Primeris opened her eyes and stared at the face a few inches from her own.
"Chantelle?" The Healer's left palm was spread on her chest, shaking it gently.
"You were dreaming."
Raising her left hand up to her forehead, Primeris rubbed her left temple with her fingers.
"It's only the second one I've ever had."
"Dream? I can't imagine not dreaming. Perhaps that explains it," Chantelle said.
"Explains what?"
"Why you were talking in your sleep. I can't imagine someone in your position doing that."
"What did I say?" Primeris asked, surprised.
"Apparently, I wanted you... in the dream that is."
"It's must be the result of my damaged processor."
"Maybe... Maybe not," Chantelle whispered, leaning closer. "The truth is, I have wanted you for a long time... and I think you want me. Maybe you don't know it yet."
"I —"
"But you will once we've made love," Chantelle continued, interrupting Primeris' response.
"I'm not capable of love. I'm a —"
Future Perfect - S2 Page 16
