Chapter 16: Gap Closure — Part 9

Orchid’s smile was one of mild embarrassment. “Once you have the suit, you won’t need the stronger body.”

“Admit it.” Chadwick said, hoping to win with reverse psychology. “You can’t build me a better body.”

“I don’t have access to advanced humesynth designs, nor the experience needed to produce one that will match your circuitry requirements. I was kind enough to give you normal hume strength for a twelve year old. Once augmented with the suit, your strength will match or exceed just about any android you come across.” Orchid spoke to people as a whole. “I need to know how many people want a suit, and who will be traveling with us, so that production can begin.”

Every person in the room, including Pearl and Sissy raised their hand. Orchid was surprised, as she had hardly expected Pearl and Sissy to be among the volunteers, nor has she thought that Bamboo or Alon would both choose to go.

“Make an extra one for me, and I will swear never to try to exploit it for private gain.” Orchid turned and saw Chen standing in the room, as if he had been there all along. “I cannot, after all, allow Pearl to go into battle alone.”

“Nor can I.” Quet said. “I know how much you hate me, Orchid, but I assure you I will do whatever I have to, with or without a suit, to protect Pearl.”

“I will ignore the fact that neither of you was supposed to be privy to or welcome at this meeting, or indeed capable of being here, because of Alon’s safeguards, and ask you both one thing. Why are you volunteering — in violation of your treaty with Amber — to help me at this time?”

“For Pearl.” Both men said, almost at once.

Chen explained while Quet glowered at having been, by his perception, so rudely spoken with. “Pearl asked us both to come here, out of love for her, to retrieve the children of her friends.”

“So are we to be friends, Quet?” Orchid asked, her voice level and cautious.

“Ask Pearl.” Quet said, quietly turning his back on her. “If I have to go without a suit, I will, just promise me you will not leave me defenseless while Chen is armed.”

In moments, Orchid found herself alone with Pearl, as the men had left her. Pearl, who had, by some subtle means, convinced the others to leave the study, ensured Orchid had her full, undivided attention. “Miss Bizaar. I don’t know how I know, but I know that Quet was not always the bitter, vicious man he has become. I know also that somehow I am to blame, both for Quet’s hatred and for Chen’s loss of memory. A long time ago, maybe even thousands of years past, I hurt two men deeply. I am going to try to fix that, and to heal the damage I have done. But first I have to help you, and these two men are two of the most powerful people alive today. They are the only forces I can bring into play, and without them, quite frankly, we may not survive the day.”