Page 134 of CHOICE Lover
“Lucky guess,” Wanda points out. They wait as the tenuous seconds pass. Finally, the scrub process is complete. Her cursor hovers over the word Submit for what feels like an eternity.
Electra can’t die.
Electra can’t die.
Electra can’t die.
“Are we sure this is going to work?” Res6 asks, one final time.
Chryl follows their lead as they turn and stare pointedly at Sable.
She crosses her arms. “Oro1 is the best hacker in MSP. If he can’t do it, no one can. Besides, it’s a little late now to question our decision.” She motions to the clock. 07:54.
Chryl whimpers as if she’s in true distress. “What are you hacking? And what does that have to do with Electra? And what happens at 08:00?”
“Who is this woman, and can someone get rid of her?” Wanda snaps.
“Chryl, please leave,” Res6 says, ushering her to the door, but she resists. If he weren’t so terrified for Electra’s safety, he might be fascinated with Chryl’s deduction skills.
“I don’t have to do what you say. You’re not my daddy anymore.” Chryl stomps twice for emphasis.
“Just verifying everything is there,” Wanda says.
“Her daddy?” Sable prods. “Is she another reincarnate?”
“No, but I’m considering recycling her when this is all over,” he answers, looking pointedly at Chryl. Of course he won’t do that, but with Wanda here, he can’t really explain Chryl’s evolving nature to Sable.
Wanda only chuckles, not removing her focus from her task. She presses the Submit button. The time on the wall is 07:56.
At 07:58, Wanda says, “They’ve got the files. Now we wait for them to verify their authenticity.” She taps her device as she does when she switches to communicate with her team. “Team, prepare the extraction. I want a SAT standing by for when I give the word. Do not deploy it until we have eyes on the asset.”
Res6 slumps back against the wall. “Did they say how long the verification would take?”
“Half an hour at most, but we’ll see,” Wanda answers, leaning back in her chair to wait.
“Oh my Zorg! Electra’s been abducted! I have to tell her best friend!”
Sable darts around the desk, grabbing hold of her arm, to stop her from running out the door. “Wait, who’s her best friend if it isn’t Res6?”
“The crazy cat lady Sister Xelna! There are pictures of them all over the network. Let me go. I have to tell her. She’ll want to be here to comfort Electra when she returns.”
Sable looks to Res6 for confirmation.
“Absolutely not, Chryl,” he says. “This is another secret, for Electra’s safety.” He mimes zipping his lips like she’s prone to do.
Chryl jerks out of Sable’s grip. “Very inconsiderate.” She spins and storms out the door.
He considers calling security to stop her, but figures that might make things worse. If Electra and the cat lady are photographed all over the network together, it stands to reason she’s who Electra’s been staying with. That means Sister Xelna probably knows about Electra’s nature and will hear about her abduction too. Or he’s too tired to fight and no match for Chryl.
When the door closes behind Chryl, Sable takes the cup he’s been gripping. “For the love of Zorg, sit.”
“I’m not some dog you can just boss around.” When her stare doesn’t relent, he moves around his desk, plopping into the guest chair since Wanda has taken over his.
Sable’s eyes flash. “Good boy.”
He rolls his eyes, grumbling, “How is this my life?”
“So what’s the deal with Chryl?” Sable asks as Wanda quietly works. “Yes, I’m trying to keep you distracted while we wait.”
