Page 94 of CHOICE Lover
With a quick scan, Res6 determines that he’s been lied to. “What the fuck, Lextr?” He uses the override feature he has with all their systems, opening the last ten files accessed and requesting an action history report.
The screen displays a list of manupartners along with 3D models of each one. All six figures, both male and female, are tall and heavily muscled. His mind immediately goes to the illegal fighting ring and the scientist Sable, who Viper told him about. Could the same thing be going on right under his nose? “Please tell me this isn’t what I think it is.”
“It’s only a side gig, I swear. I rent them out for a few hours at a time. Mostly for events.”
Res6 shakes his head, running his hand over his face. “You’re in pay bracket A, Lextr. If you needed more money, you should have cometo me. There is a GROW physician doing something similarly illegal, and I plan to use that information to get them shut down.” He grips the back of the chair as the betrayal of Lextr’s actions floods the space between them. “If anyone found out that you’re practically doing the same thing, they could shutusdown. They could take everything I’ve built.”
A reddish undertone blooms beneath Lextr’s warm brown skin. “I don’t see why you’re so intent on undermining GROW. Competition is healthy.”
“They’re creating reincarnates, which is undermining our entire industry! I’m surprised you aren’t more concerned, considering you directly know NHOS’s stance on them.” His blood heats. It’s more than making him look like a hypocrite and undermining his chance to shut down GROW. How dare Lextr steal from him? He wasn’t there in the beginning, when Res6 lived in a cramped lab for weeks at a time building a global company from nothing, from the branding to the science. CHOICElover is everything to him. That’s why this theft feels like a betrayal. “Those weren’t your specimens to use as you wish, Lextr.”
A crazed, indignant look passes across Lextr’s features. “My little side project is hardly as bad as what you’re doing. You’re practically in love with one of those illegal reincarnates you’re allegedly against.”
Res6 jolts back. In love with her? He’s not—could he be?
Lextr sneers as if he knows he hit his mark. “That’s right. Do you actually look at your publicity shots? Zorg, it’s written all over your face. Your normally impassive expression is now ridiculously lovesick—don’t you think people have noticed? The staff think you’re head over heels for your latest prototype. And don’t think there aren’t whispers. I’ve heard more than one staff member ask if she’s a reincarnate.”
He looks away as his number two chastises him. How long have they worked together now? Fifty years? More? They were never close like he was with Jerme, but he thought he could trust the man. He almost hates to ask . . . “You assured them she’s not a reincarnate?”
“Of course. Unlike you, I’m being careful with my side project,” Lextr bites back.
Red flashes fill his vision. “A side project you have no right to be undertaking.”
Lextr’s eyes flare. “At least I’m not trying to bring back my dead brother!”
The air leaves Res6’s lungs. Recovering quickly, he determines that the specifics of his questionable choices aren’t directly relevant to the conversation. “What you’re doing is no better than theft, not to mention an egregious violation of our licensing agreement from the Consumer Rights Protection Agency.” Lextr makes to open his mouth, but Res6 continues, sharply. “This is my company. If I want to have an illegal side project, that is my prerogative. I clearly should never have involved you. Still, if I want to do something stupid jeopardizing CHOICElover, it is my company to ruin. Not yours!”
Lip curling, Lextr snarls, “You’re the worst kind of hypocrite.”
“And you’re fired!” Res6 storms toward the door but stops, turning at the last moment. Then into his m-volt he thinks, speaking aloud so Lextr can hear as well, “Security, please meet me at Laboratory E on floor 23. I have a former employee I need you to remove from the system and escort out of the building.” Then he turns to Lextr, who’s gone deathly still. “Don’t forget you have an NDA.” Then he steps into the hall, letting the door close behind him. He slumps against the wall. The harsh reality of Lextr’s betrayal quickly replaces the high of his successful experiment, leaving him feeling raw at the edges.
Soon, two female security guards and a man from HR are walking down the hallway toward him. He quickly explains the termination and leaves Lextr in their capable hands.
Firing the long-term employee was rash, but in the heat of the moment, it felt justified. Yet now, as he makes his way back to his office, a dazed sensation settles over him. The clock displays 18:50. He would really rather be getting back to his unit and have a smiling Electra greet him, but it’s almost time for another data review, and he only has one day left before he can bring his brother back. Then they will all go home. Nervous, erratic energy vibrates through him. It’s all going to be fine, he mentally repeats. He has just enough time for a few calming breaths. As he runs his palms over his thighs, he can’t get the words Lextr hurled at him out of his head.You’re the worst kind of hypocrite.
He’s fired people before for many reasons. The irony doesn’t slip past him that this is the first time he’s fired someone for being right.
December 21, 2390.
Between missing Electra and the weird, already glaring vacancy on his team, he isn’t humming with excitement like he thought he would be when he finally got to activate his brother. That isn’t great since who knows what mental state Jerme is going to wake up in.
The timing is terrible. If only he could wait until he was in a better headspace himself, but leaving a manupartner on an electrode pad after the grow sequence has completed increases the probability of glitches. He has to dothis now.
He takes a last glance at the data. Everything looks good. If only he had Lextr here to review it with him a final time before he presses the green button. He considered calling to apologize, but the betrayal is too fresh. He’ll give it a few days and then call him.
With that, he kneels before the electrode pad. Thankfully, Lextr set the sequence so he wouldn’t be required to program a name. All he needs to do is press the button. So why is he hesitating? Because the prospect of pressing the button and being met with another seizing trial or even just a blank manupartner stare is terrifying. His hand is unsteady as it hovers over the green button. He glances up one last time at the unit.
What if Electra is right, and this is a bad idea? He could stop this right now and recycle this trial and go home to her. He would never even have to tell her. He could put the two remaining samples back in the BioBank. Pretend he never got this crazy idea to begin with. It would be as if all the turmoil he’s gone through trying to resurrect his brother never happened.
Wait, why is he suddenly having second thoughts? What if this is really the one? He’s been trying to bring back Jerme for two months now. This is one of three remaining samples he can’t waste. He can’t let a bad day or a momentary hesitation upend his plan. Not when his brother is counting on him.
He takes a deep breath and presses the button. The trial’s lungs fill. Then its eyes open. When it doesn’t seize, he exhales shakily and braces himself, meeting the trial’s blinking gold eyes.His eyes.
The corner of his twin’s mouth twitches, like he’s going to smile . . . or frown. Yet his eyes spark with unmistakable life—there’s recognition there too. This time he’s certain of it. The unbearable weight of hope drives him forward. He brushes trembling fingers against the cheek that mirrors hisown.
“Jerme?”
Jerme sucks in a sharp breath, and he quickly scans the lab before his gaze finds Res6’s again.
