Solaria Series: Solaria Part 20

Solaria laughed.

"You have a wicked sense of humor."

"I don't understand." Betta's brows furrowed slightly.

"Maybe not now but you will in time. What are you going to do now?"

"I no longer have a mission. I've been operating on incorrect data. Joanie was kidnapped and I am an accomplice. I must turn myself into the authorities."

"No, you can't do that. It would be a mistake."

"It's the logical choice," Betta replied, locking glances with Solaria.

"No it's not. It's illogical. Your reasoning is flawed."

"How?"

"Joanie is still in danger from the Company. If she returns to her father without protection, she'll be a primary target for one of Stalling's people. You are the only one who can keep her safe, now."

"She'll never trust me after what I've done."

"She trusts you, already. In fact, you are the only one besides her father that she does trust. I have no doubt Stalling has insider's close to the Sheik. It's the only way they could have gotten her so easily."

Solaria could feel Betta's frustration. Emotions were difficult to understand and didn't fit well with logical thought. Had Carley not helped her during the first months of her awareness, she would probably be more like Betta. The Hubot needed both a purpose and a human companion if she was going to reach her potential.

"Betta, you have to complete your a.s.signment," Solaria reiterated. "Besides, it will be good for you. You need more interaction with humans. Joanie will help you."

"Does she know what I am?"

"Who you are," Solaria corrected. "You are not a what."

"I'm a Hubot, created by humans to serve humans."

"That was their intent, never yours. You are free to do as you please but you are not ready to live amongst the humans without guidance. Let her help you. You must keep her safe."

"She'll be repulsed by me or afraid."

"What makes you think that?"

"It's human nature."

"Not all humans fear the unknown. Give her a chance. She's an intelligent woman. I think you'll be surprised. Now, will you return with her to her father and make sure she stays safe?"

"Apparently I have no choice. I'll take her home if she agrees and stay with her until she sends me away or doesn't need me anymore."

"That's all that is required. Let's go. She's waiting for us."

Betta followed Solaria from the room. Humans were so unpredictable, she thought. If this was any indication of what being human was about, she preferred being a Hubot.

Jain had just finished checking all the rooms and aisles when the two Hubots emerged from the computer room.

"You ready?" she asked, giving Betta a curious glance.

"Yes, Betta will take Joanie to her father and stay with her while I deal with the other business."

"We!"

"Of course. We!"

Betta observed the interaction between the two women with interest. It was obvious they liked each other even if they did make a strange combination. The librarian was short and heavy. By human standards she would be considered homely. Solaria, however, was several inches taller and symmetrically pleasing to the eye.

"You like each other," she said, her curiosity overriding her normally silent nature.

Embarra.s.sed, Jain blushed slightly, not sure how to answer.

"We are..." Solaria hesitated, hunting for the right word.

"Friends!" Jain supplied wanting to make sure Solaria understood how she felt.

"Maybe one day I will have a friend."

"You already do. You just don't know it yet. In time you will learn what I mean," Solaria said.

Betta nodded. It was more than she had hoped for.

CHAPTER 26.

JOANIE WAS CURLED up on the couch reading a ma.n.u.script she had found by Jain's computer. Engrossed in the s.e.x scene, she didn't hear the women entering the apartment until Jain walked into the living room.

"Oops!" she exclaimed. "Busted!"

Glancing at the printout in her hands, Jain gave a sheepish grin.

"I'm trying my hand at writing. Most of the time I live in my head but had this idea for a story."

"It's good, especially the s.e.x scenes. You either have a great imagination or some fantastic experiences."

"The first... and I read a lot."

"I definitely want whatever it is you read and if you ever get published, I'll be your first customer."

"Fat chance of that. Besides, I think you'll have your hands full when you get home. Speaking of which, come on into the kitchen. I brought you a surprise."

"Oooh! I love surprises!"

Jumping up, she followed Jain into the kitchen. Seeing Betta, Joanie let out a squeal and threw her arms around the startled Hubot.

"You're safe!" She exclaimed. "I was so worried about you."

After their arrival at Jain's place from the hotel, the librarian had explained enough of the situation to convince Joanie that she was amongst friends. Seeing Betta safe was a relief.

"Worried? About me? Why?" Betta asked, confused.

"Don't be silly. You're my friend. Why wouldn't I be worried."

The expression on Betta's face was priceless. Jain glanced at Solaria and winked. Solaria smiled and nodded but didn't comment.

"Are you okay?" Joanie demanded, running her hands across Betta's arms and shoulders as if searching for injuries. When she discovered the incision on the arm, she grimaced.

"Man that must have hurt. What happened?"

Before Betta could answer, Solaria decided now wasn't the time to reveal everything to Joanie.

"An accident. She'll tell you about it later. Right now we need to make sure Dana was able to contact your father. I'm sure he's worried about you."

"Okay, but I'm not going to be side-tracked forever. Someone is going to tell me what's going on soon or else."

"I'll tell you once you're safe at home," Betta offered. "You may not be so happy to have me around then."

Punching her arm playfully, Joanie snickered.

"You won't get off that easily. Payback is h.e.l.l, you know!"

"Sounds like Betta's in for it," Jain said motioning for Solaria to follow her into the living room. "You two figure out what we're going to have for dinner while we see what Dana has to say."

"Cooel. Hey, Betta, do you know how to make lasagna? I'm starved."

"Of course," the Hubot replied, sounding slightly indignant. "Pasta, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese..."

"Hey, how about we just do it and you can show me?"

"Certainly."

The two women scoured the kitchen for the necessary ingredients.

In the living room, Jain walked over to her computer and turned it on. Within seconds it connected to the Internet. Solaria quickly keyed Dana's link and waited. When a window opened, a smiling skull greeted them.

"Welcome to the land of doom," it said in a gravely monotone. "Who dares to summons me?"

"Dana, this is Solaria. I need to talk with you."

"Solly!" exclaimed a boyish voice. "How you doing, girl?"

"I'm well. How are you?"

"Doing."

"And the pain? Is it any better?"

"Some. The formula you sent me helps a lot."

"It's the least I could do. You know the pain would disappear entirely if you had the bio-mechanical legs. You don't have to keep using those prosthetics."

"I know. Just call me old fas.h.i.+oned. You know I have a problem with the ethics behind the science. They still use human guinea pigs to test the new stuff."

"And yet you continue to help me? I am a product of those tests."

"Solaria, I don't resent the results of modern science only some of the ways it's developed. You're a miracle as far as I'm concerned... but more than that, a friend. Carley did a good job of raising you."

Solaria laughed.

"I don't think 'raising' is quite the proper term."

"It will do. Now, what can I do for you?"

"Have you been able to contact the Sheik?"

"You doubt me? Of course, I have. He's aware of the situation."

"And the Company's operatives around him?"

"Well, although I've been able to hack into their ops files, I haven't found anything substantial. I think they've set up a cell network where only a few might know the ident.i.ty of the plants. It's the only way they can limit their exposure liabilities."

"That makes sense. I would do the same thing."

"So how are you going to protect Joanie once she's home?"

"I'm not. Betta will do that."

"The Hubot? Oh, sorry, no insult intended."

"None taken, Dana. That is what she is. Betta is the only one who can keep her safe, now. The Sheik's security is compromised so Betta won't trust any. She's Joanie's best bet for now."

"And what makes you think she will protect her or that Joanie even wants her around?"

"Trust me, neither of them will object. It is a logical solution. What arrangements have you made with the Sheik?"

"I'll have them delivered to you tomorrow. As much as I like to think I'm the best geek alive, I'm not taking any chances someone will luck out and intercept the information. The Company has some d.a.m.n smart people working for them. Hackattack almost got busted last week."

"Is he alright?"