Page 78 of Perfection

“But we didn’t receive notice from Seville.”

“It looks like parents are skipping a step and heading straight here. What do you think Seville looks like?”

“I don’t want to know.” Kindra carried Brianna toward the entrance, and York placed his palm against her back. She was thankful for his support.

“These kids are Coders, like Fiona,” he stated thickly. “They wouldn’t go to Seville.”

Kindra stopped walking. “HERO said the virus only attacked D Generation children. If Coder children are getting it, then the computer was wrong. So what else could technology be wrong about?”

“That’s something to look into, right?” York encouraged, guiding her onward.

They were heckled as they passed parent after parent. “Hey, the end of the line is back there,” shouted one woman.

A man grabbed Kindra’s arm and jerked her to a stop. “Ow!”

York whipped out his identification and shoved it in the guy’s face. “This is the scientist who is working on a cure. Hurt her and you hurt your child’s chances.”

The man cursed York but released Kindra.

York continued to glare, but softened his tone, though it remained thick with frustration. “I know it’s not easy, believe me, but sit tight.”

“Yeah, while the GEIs get first dibs on those units,” someone called out.

At the door, York paused to look back at the line. “You know, they’re echoing the same sentiments I shared just days ago,” he admitted as he guided her inside.

“You want me to give them a unit before Brianna?” she demanded, brushing his hand away.

“Of course not. But I promise you, I’ll see to it that every one of them has the same chance of survival. Every single one. If it’s the last thing I do.”

The door closed behind them, and Kindra adjusted Brianna higher into her arms. She snuggled her face into her daughter’s hair and breathed deeply. “I never realized how privileged my life has been.” Her eyes welled with tears she fought desperately to hold in check. “It’s not GEI verses Coder children. We need a strategy that makes the best of an unfair situation, but how do you decide who lives and who dies?”

“Now you’re getting it.”

Kindra gave an emphatic nod. “You’re right. The cure will have to benefit all.”

* * *

“Let’s see what you’ve got.” York knew it was out of his work area to take on overseeing that there were enough units for the kids, but every child needed an advocate looking out for them. And now Brianna needed a pod when all the newer ones were occupied.

He walked along with Jeffery Stowe and two female employees to the back reaches of Foster Cryogenics. The staff recognized him now, and they progressed without incident until they arrived in the cryogenic storage area. He was pleased to see they had a half dozen or so old units here. “I know these are older models, but I suggest you use everything you have.”

“I agree,” Stowe said. “Just let me know what you need. I appreciate you being the intermediary between us and Seville. We’ve had bad blood there in the past.”

“Right.” Sometime issues between GEI and Coder businesses stuck around.

Satisfied they would have more places to put kids should the need arise, he moved to the next item on his to-do list.

He texted Captain Avery with a status update, letting him know that Kindra B-Zakia’s daughter might be affected with the virus.

Avery shot back a message about the pressure he was receiving from city officials to find a cure. Everyone seemed more interested in the state of the virus than the fact there was a crime being committed and someone needed to be held responsible. At least they agreed that at first opportunity, Captain Avery should make a public statement.

That done, he faced Kindra and inhaled deeply. “Now to wait for the test results.”

She closed her eyes tight, as if she didn’t want to know, and then opened them again.

“Maybe you should take a seat over there.” He indicated some bench seating. “I have some work to do.”

“Such as?”