Page 128 of CHOICE Lover
The clock in the bottom corner of his largest screen displays the ticking time bomb that is the clock. 00:03. He gestures to the chair across from him, next to Sable. “You should probably sit down for this.”
“We have a lead on the robbery and the people bringing the reincarnates back,” Sable says.
Inspector Wanda’s brows rise, but she doesn’t speak.
“We would like to make a deal with you in exchange,” Res6 says.
Wanda takes out her tablet and sets it on the desk between them. She opens an app called Privacy Screen. “This will simultaneously record and encrypt our conversation. I can’t promise you any deals until I know what we’re dealing with.”
He and Sable share a glance.
“Neither of us is behind the reincarnates,” he says.
“I’m aware.” The inspector gestures for them to get on with it.
He takes a steadying breath. “As a part of our Consumer Product Safety protocols, we ran a few experiments with the goal of making sure our premium product could never accidentally create a reincarnate.”
Inspector Wanda rolls her eyes. “No need for a sales pitch. Get on to the part where you tell me you have a room of people from pre-2050 somewhere in this building.”
Sable laughs. “You will be relieved to hear—”
Res6 clears his throat, not feeling nearly as jovial. “There’s only one. We mistakenly brought a woman back to see if it was possible. For prevention purposes.”
Sable leans forward. “He’s in love with her.”
The inspector glances between them. “One of you better start making some sense.”
He takes a deep breath. “The reincarnate, Electra, was abducted yesterday at 16:30 from a simulation chamber in A Quadrant. I was able to obtain surveillance footage before the assailants scrambledthe video. Within a few hours, I received these images and a list of demands with a link to upload them, along with a timeline.” Res6 pauses, giving the inspector a few moments to study the images and scan through the list. “We have a clear image of one of the men responsible. We know his name, where he works, and we have a vague understanding of his history. We have reason to believe he is one of the men behind the robberies, and we have a hypothesis about what they’re doing with the DNA they stole. It’s possible my lead scientist, Lextr, who I fired weeks ago for leeching company assets, is working with them.”
“You mentioned a timeline. How long do we have?”
He toggles to the threatening message.
“08:00,” she observes. “And I presume you want me to grant her legal personhood, ID and everything in exchange for his information.”
Res6 nods.
Inspector Wanda turns to Sable. “Where do you fit in?”
“I know I’m being investigated because you think I can somehow lead you back to these people. I want you to call off your tail and leave me alone.” Sable glances at him. “Res6 didn’t tell me. I guessed.”
“Considering the breadth of our current situation, that is a big ask.” The inspector shakes her head as she studies the other woman. She turns to Res6. “I told you to ease into this relationship, but considering what I’ve just learned, I assume an ID for your girlfriend led you to cross paths sooner than anticipated.”
That isn’t why, but it’s better Inspector Wanda believes that than know the truth—that Sable bribed him to create blanks to turn into GROW in place of the reincarnates they’re shielding. Reincarnates who are now roaming MSP with fake IDs.
Res6 blanches. He wonders if Sable is feeling the same tension, but she shows no signs of anything but calm. What would it take to crack her cool demeanor?
Sable shrugs. “I can’t say I know what you’re talking about.”
“You’re lucky that identity crime doesn’t fall under my division. I am, however, deeply concerned about public safety. Considering the more pressing issues I’m dealing with and your potential usefulness, I might be willing to keep my knowledge of IdenTECH to myself.”
There’s a barely perceptible crack in Sable’s voice as she says, “In exchange for?”
“I haven’t decided yet, but when I do, you’ll be the first to know. For now, I can commit my resources to help bring your reincarnate to safety. But tell me why I shouldn’t seclude your reincarnate with the others. They are illegal. What makes her special? Or you, for that matter?”
This is what he was afraid of. His throat is tight as he says, “They’re people just like you and me, Inspector. It’s not their fault they ended up in the future. It is unfair that they’re being treated as if they’re the ones who’ve committed the crime. They all deserve to be granted citizenship, given medical care, and integrated into our society. Our goal should be stopping more from being created, not punishing those who are already here.”
Sable nods. “What he’s saying is consistent with the protocols in the Respectful and Considerate Conduct Manual. NHOS should treat them as newly born citizens. In a way, they are.”
