N.I.C. (The Almost Series Book 3)

by Christina Leigh Pritchard

  He shook his head. “I prefer to know all aspects of her life.”

  I got up and walked slowly towards him. I wrapped my arms around him and he kissed my cheek. “I love you, Pop.”

  His words were barely audible. “I love you more.”

  I took his cup and went towards the coffee center. There were spouts with various flavors. “BaristaBot, I would like Pop’s favorite, double size.”

  “Enough with your doting on Pop,” Amie said. She crossed her arms and wore a sourpuss expression. “We need to get Leona ready for her trip to the States, today. Endre was raving about your latest invention. He says you’re pumping projects out like his own personal factory.”

  The BaristaBot took the mug from me with his synthetic hands. I watched as he prepared a latte for my Pop. The machine was something I’d invented to fill in my quota for Endre; plus, I knew my father would appreciate it. The only problem I foresaw with having a robot that created custom orders was there wasn’t a need for human baristas anymore. You could watch him, as if he were a headless human, mix, foam, add sugar and brew your favorite. He even washed his hands afterwards for effect. He was built with light illumination so germs died instantly, but humans seemed to overthink and fear contamination. They possessed very little knowledge of science, so I did this to appease their small minds.

  I’d gone out with Endre several times over the past few months. He let me visit with Darla once so that he could inject a tracking mechanism into the base of her skull. She’d been resistant, but with a little pleading, she finally cooperated. Things were peaceful at the research center and the only resistance I faced came from 217. Dr. Cole’s Amie was relentless about gaining access to the new S.H.A.Y. I feared for the infant’s life. This trip out of the facility had to be the last for her. She needed to become free and live with Darla. It was time.

  “Before I forget.” Pop rummaged through his top drawer. “It’s ready,” he said. He handed me a chip. “Keep it with you at all times.”

  “Thanks, Pop.” I shoved it into my pocket. Pop and I had worked on storing duplicate copies of his program and the N.I.C.’s. We weren’t sure how to replicate his keeper since he wasn’t anywhere to be found. Pop said maybe he was hiding out with the E.R.I.C. programs.

  I sure hoped my Eric was alive.

  My lips tingled just thinking about him.

  Leona cried. Pop jumped up, rushing to her side. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy as he coddled her in his arms, singing to her the very songs that once soothed me as a child. My Amie touched my shoulder, sending chills down my spine. “I get jealous too, my Shay.”

  Pop smiled at me. “Why don’t you rock Leona for me while I finish these logs for Endre? You cannot go with him today without these completed. He wants a full analysis of all pending projects.”

  I took the baby, holding her close to my chest. Pop’s eyes never left mine. He placed his hands on the side of my face and pressed his forehead to mine. “Everything I’ve done, I have done for you. Please tell me that you believe that.”

  I nodded. “Why do you do it? There has to be a reason, right?”

  Pop grinned. “You can thank Dr. Cole for trying to right her wrongs.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He went back to his desk without answering and I sat rocking the little girl. I couldn't wait to bring her back to Darla. Life would be different for this S.H.A.Y. Instead of growing up on a research center she would live as a free person and have a mother. Darla would make sure she felt loved and appreciated.

  I glanced at my Amie, my mother. If Pop could love me and he was just a program, did that mean that Amie could also love me?

  “Why are you questioning my loyalty for you?” Amie asked. She leaned against my knees, nearly freezing my kneecaps. “I will not turn on you. No matter what I desire I promise that you will have priority over it.”

  I couldn’t face her. “31 is dead.”

  “She chose to die.”

  Pop twirled around in his chair. “Take a walk, Shay, let the anger go; it’s not going to change things.”

  I obeyed, bringing Leona with me.

  “Where do you think you are going?” Amie asked. She stood before me with her arms crossed. “We are not going to fight and you are not allowed to run away just because you’re paranoid.”

  “I’m going to visit Dr. Cole. She should see the new S.H.A.Y.”

  Amie disappeared and I stormed down the corridor to 217’s room. I’d created sanitation bots for city streets and used the original prototypes to clean up the dead bodies in her room so that it would be safe for 319 to visit with me.

  Dr. Cole sat with her feet pressed into her chest. She was inside the containment chamber and was not able to respond to me, but I was sure she knew I was there. I didn’t want her to ever think she’d been forgotten.

  I sat Leona on the top of the chamber, tapping my fingers against the glass. “Hi, Dr. Cole,” I said. “We miss you. Sure, sometimes you were annoying, but I still miss you.”

  Leona let out a giggle. Her hazel eyes danced and she showed her gums to me. “This is Leona. She’s growing fast and never sits still. Yesterday she tried to walk to Pop. He loves her and she loves him. I wish he could help Darla raise her. That would be the best. Pop also says that he is able to love me as much as he does because of something you did. Whatever it was, thank you for that. Maybe one day you’ll tell me about it. I guess after we find a cure for you and can release you from this glass prison you’re forced to live in.”

  Endre tapped on the door. “Are you ready? It’s time to pitch your invention. If this meeting goes well, then you’ll be signing over all rights to the President himself next month.”

  I glanced down at Dr. Cole once more. “I’m coming back for you,” I promised. “You won’t live your whole life in here like 31 did.”

  I picked Leona up in my arms and followed Endre towards the hanger. A.M.I.E. 217 stood against the elevator, blocking us from leaving. She pouted her lips and crossed her arms. She wore a red sequined dress and batted her lashes.

  “I’m sorry, but I cannot take you with us,” Endre said. He wrapped his arms around her and I cringed.

  “It’s just not fair!” she cried, kissing his neck. “I hate being away from you.”

  “We’ll be back soon, I promise. Then we can talk about how much you did indeed miss me.” Endre kissed the back of her hand. “Now, move out of our way.”

  Her eyes widened and she obeyed.

  We entered the elevator and exited on the roof. Our chopper was ready for us. Leona cried upon hearing the sound. I covered her head with my hand and climbed inside as quickly as possible. My Amie sat inside with her eyes closed. “I hate flying,” she said.

  I rolled my eyes, sitting beside her. “This is it,” I whispered. “We’re going to leave today.”

  Amie shook her head. “That’s a bad idea, Shay. Endre’s requirements are that you fill your quota each month, and he’ll track Darla down and kill her if you disobey him.”

  “He won’t after today. I’ll offer to design double the inventions I create for him now, from the set-up I made at Darla’s house. We could even bring Pop with us.”

  Amie crossed her legs. “Get your head out of the clouds. That’s simply not reality. If you wished to escape, you shouldn’t have signed his lousy contracts.”

  “Then I’ll just ask Endre.”

  “You’ll ask him what, exactly?”

  “I’ll get his blessing to give Leona to Darla. This way, it’ll be his doing and we’ll have eighteen years to figure out what to do next. I have rights to Leona until she’s eighteen.”

  “You put too much trust in this sponsor. He will turn on you.”

  “He’s a businessman,” I said. “Endre loves to make deals, especially if they benefit him financially.”

  “You will not ask him; this will only alert him to your plans.”

  “He’s chipped us because he already knows what we wish t
o do.”

  “This is, by far, the worst idea you’ve ever had.”

  “Saving the last S.H.A.Y. was your idea. Why are you suddenly acting as if it’s the worst idea ever imagined?”

  “We will save Leona,” Amie said. “Right now, you need to please Endre.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The Last S.H.A.Y.

  S.H.A.Y. 318

  We hovered above Miami Airport.

  Endre stretched. “I’ve enlisted a driver to take us over to speak to a board of councilmen on child safety. They have pull.”

  “What type of pull?” I asked.

  “The only type that counts,” he said. “Their pockets are full of currency and they love to donate money. It gives them tax deductions.”

  “Would this be something the people could have access to, tax free?”

  He winked. “I never said the people, dear.”

  I took a deep breath. This invention scared me. It was something I came up with while I was living among the free. There were so many reports of persons who hurt children and women. How could someone know when they were faced with a potential predator? I’d developed a way to keep Leona safe, but Endre wanted to use it for profit.

  “Shay,” he said. His shoe tapped my leg. He sat across from me in the chopper. “We’re about to land. Are you ready to speak before the board?”

  Amie spat. “Of course she is. My Shay is fantastic. What are you implying?”

  I nodded. “Yes, I’m ready. I just think it should be discussed more before releasing it to the public. There’s a lot of fears I have regarding it.”

  Endre smiled. “Oh?” He moved, sitting next to me. His outer thigh touched mine and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “What are your concerns? Let’s talk about them.”

  I trembled, taking a deep breath. “Well, for one, judging committees are not always correct. What if someone is innocent but forever branded as a predator?”

  “Valid point,” he said. “How about this: we suggest only applying the technology to those who did heinous crimes and have been proven to be absolutely guilty without a doubt.”

  “Okay, thank you,” I said. “I’m happy we talked about this.”

  Amie scoffed. “You are not. Why do you lie to him? Tell him that you do not wish to sell this product until you’ve tested it fully.”

  I ignored her. Endre kissed my temple and his fingers caressed my hair. Amie stood before us, shaking her head. She had holographic scenes appear of angry mobs surrounding me. They booed and shouted obscenities.

  Endre sighed. “Is there something else?”

  “Don’t you dare ask him!” Amie shouted. She threatened to pull alarms.

  I glanced down at Leona. She cooed and I cradled her tight. “Can I let Leona grow up with Darla?”

  “Oh, Shay.” Amie shook her head in defeat. “You’ve ruined everything.”

  He laughed and the gentle caressing stopped. Instead, his fingers tightened around tufts of my hair and he tugged, forcing my face sideways so that we were face to face. “Explain yourself.”

  “You’re hurting me,” I said. “And the baby is crying.”

  “I don’t care; the thing is alive only to appease you.”

  “Then why can’t she live with Darla?”

  “Are you attempting to escape again?”

  I struggled against him. He grew stronger and I blocked Leona from him. “Don’t do this, please.”

  “Answer my question.”

  “No, I’m not trying to escape. You’ve chipped me, remember? I just think she should live a life of freedom away from 217. She needs a childhood and to feel loved and accepted. You had parents, so why can’t she?”

  “I did enjoy my parents.” Endre loosened his grip. “If this deal goes through then I will allow you to take the infant to Darla. However, if you do not return within twenty-four hours I will hunt you down and kill your human parent. You’ll return to the facility and be forced to terminate your robot father and that N.I.C. program you seem so obsessed with.”

  “I’ll close this deal,” I said. “You gave me authority to raise this S.H.A.Y. my way and now you’re telling me how to do it. That is in breach of our contract.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Run away and you’ll see why everyone else cowers when I walk past them.”

  Amie sighed. “See, he is not going to let you leave. You’re his property and what keeps his pockets full. I warned you. He’s just going to tighten his security once we return.”

  “It’s okay, Mom, Endre always keeps his word,” I said loudly. He turned to face me. “He won’t take it back.”

  He grabbed my chin and pulled my face so close our noses touched. “I think I’d like your Amie to become real just like 217. She and I have much to talk about.”

  Amie’s eyes widened. “He wants me to be real?”

  “You want her to kill me?” I asked him. “How can I invent new things if I’m dead?”

  “No,” he said. “Don’t be silly. Your Amie can have Miss Cole’s body.”

  “What?” I recoiled. “That’s not happening.”

  “It’s decided. When we return from this trip we’re going to start the process.”

  “You can’t do that!” Leona cried and I rocked her. “Shh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell.”

  Endre grabbed me by the hair. “Miss Cole is a financial expense that I’m tired of.” He jerked me up. “We’re here. I expect you to perform and not act up. I’ll let you give this child to your Darla if you convince the funders to sign.”

  “You’ll get your contract,” I said. “Leona will not spend another day around you, at least not while I’m alive.”

  “Cute, you’re acting motherly.” He laughed, motioning for me to exit. “Ladies first.”

  Amie somersaulted above us. Fireworks surrounded us and she kissed Endre. “He is going to make me real! I cannot wait!”

  “You’re willing to kill Dr. Cole to become real?”

  Endre chuckled. “Yes, she most certainly is. I may not be able to hear her yet, but all A.M.I.E. programs are the same.”

  Amie shrugged. “She isn’t my creation.”

  “That’s murder. Did you see what 217 did? You wish to do the same?”

  She didn’t respond.

  “Well, do you?”

  “I’m sorry, my Shay. What a bad idea.”

  “You sound real sincere, Mom.”

  I stepped onto the terminal. We were greeted by three men in pinstriped suits. They held signs of welcome to ‘Endre, Shay, and Leona.’

  “Follow us,” one said.

  “Do you have any luggage?” another asked.

  Endre dismissed the men. “We’re ready to go. Where is our transport?”

  They guided us out of the terminal and into the parking lot. A limousine awaited us with another man holding the door open.

  I took a seat next to the men on the long bench, while Endre sat in the two-seater. Amie sprawled across his lap and wrapped her arms around him. “I like this sponsor of yours now. He is going to give me what I’ve always desired.”

  I spoke to her inside my mind this time. “You’re never getting Dr. Cole’s body. I’ll kill myself first before that ever happens. Then you’ll be of no use to Endre.”

  Amie hissed. Yes, she hissed.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Debate Me

  S.H.A.Y. 318

  Endre guided Leona and me into a conference room. It was large and resembled an auditorium. Chairs were placed in rows surrounding a platform in an arc shape similar to a crescent moon. There had to be at least one hundred voters in attendance.

  I couldn’t swallow.

  There was a podium on the raised stage. “Go,” Endre said. He pushed me forward. “Make me proud.”

  Leona squirmed in my arms. “It’s okay,” I whispered. “We’re going to win this and you’re going to have a mommy and live a life of freedom.”

  Someone adjusted my microphone. I stood before the aud
ience and tried my very best to breathe. “Thank you for coming.” I forced the words from my mouth. “The increase in sexual predators causes much alarm to all of us. Suppose there was a way for an innocent victim to be aware of a predator. Who here thinks that would be advantageous?”

  Murmurs came from amongst the audience. My heart pounded and my face burned. I just knew I was red in the face.

  “Calm yourself,” Amie said. Her fingers ran along my forehead and cheeks. “It’s okay, they’re just people and they’ve come to hear what you’ve got to say.”

  Someone raised their hand and was given a microphone. “We have archival systems which include the addresses of such persons. If someone wishes to locate such a person in their local vicinity, it’s available already.”

  “This is quite different.” I spoke into the microphone. Was I trembling? “Do you see this child?” I raised Leona so that everyone could see her beautiful, innocent face. “This child cannot run or protect herself from danger. She cannot read or search the web. She may be at a babysitter’s home or facility; she could be with a family member or friend and if that person is not paying attention, this child could become lost or put in serious danger.”

  A few heads nodded. “Please observe the following demonstration conducted with real children and real predators.” I sat in the seat provided. It was hard and straight. My legs shook when the lights went out. A video played of one of my latest prototypes. A child was inserted with a tracking chip. She was about four years old and they’d cut out the part where she’d cried from the pain. Instead, they cut to a scene where she was playing at the park. A man leaned against a nearby tree. When the little girl ran past him, lights and alarms rang from her wrist.

  An electronic voice rang in our ears. “Stand back, predator.”

  He did not move.

  “Warning: stand back, predator.”

  Still, he held his ground.

  “This is your last warning, predator, stand back.”

  The man grabbed his head and fell to the ground. Sirens rang out from his temples. He curled into the fetal position and screamed. “Make it stop! What did you do to me? Stop it! Please, stop it!”