Solaria Series: Solaria Part 7

"What will happen to you once they discover I'm missing?"

"We've been over this before."

"I know but now I want the truth. No one is going to believe I escaped on my own, especially the day before you are removed from this project."

Suddenly feeling very tired, Carley collapsed on a stool, her shoulders sagging. This had been the moment she dreaded. She had always known Solaria would eventually reach this conclusion. It was logical.

"I don't know. I wouldn't be the first person to disappear after crossing Stalling and his cronies."

"You mean killed."

"Yes, the Company doesn't take betrayals kindly."

"Will they torture you?"

"That's a possibility but highly unlikely. It would be stupid to do something to me before trying to get the information they need. One thing's for sure: they will get it out of me. They have ways."

"Then I won't leave."

Raising her eyes to meet Solaria's, Carley shook her head.

"It won't make any difference. Once I'm off the project, the Company isn't going to keep me around. You heard the transmission. I'm a liability. I know too much about you and they won't take a chance that I'd figure things out once you popped up in some report or accidental news photo. The only way to make sure my work hasn't been wasted is for you to be free. Don't take that from me."

"Then let me alter the security records so you can leave with me."

Carley chuckled.

"You can alter the records but I can't change my biology, Solaria. This is one road we can't go down together."

Solaria's processors went into overdrive, trying to find a solution to the problem. No matter how many scenarios she ran, she couldn't come up with a way to solve their dilemma... with one exception. Carley watched her face closely waiting for the moment Solaria would reach the inevitable conclusion.

"It's the only way," Carley whispered and then swallowed the bile that was trying to rise up from her stomach.

"I won't kill you."

"It's that or let them have you. I'm not willing to do that, but I know I don't have the strength to withstand whatever methods they use. I'm not a strong woman."

"I can't kill you," Solaria repeated solemnly, her teal eyes burning strangely. Sadness was an emotion unfamiliar to her and she didn't like the way it was affecting her biologically. Reaching up, she wiped the moisture from one eye and examined her wet fingertip. Carley knew she had to distract Solaria. Now wasn't the time to examine such emotions.

"Listen, Solaria. You don't have to. Just make something that I can take if I need to."

"Make something? Like what?"

"I don't know. You have so much knowledge now. Surely you can come up with some chemical combination that would be painless and quick. Look, I promise I won't use it unless I absolutely have to. Who knows? Maybe I'm being overly dramatic. Stalling may just fire me. It will be difficult for them to explain my disappearance."

"But not impossible. Like you said, you're too much of a liability."

"Then you need to make sure they don't learn anything from me. They can't win this one. I once told you the best choice isn't always the most logical. This is one of those times when it's both the best and the most logical. Besides, there may be other Hubots out there that need your help. You're the only one who can help them."

Accepting defeat wasn't easy but Solaria realized it was necessary. She wasn't sure how Carley's removal from her existence would affect her but she knew it would be a great loss. Still, she had no choice but to accept the inevitable and so she began a.n.a.lyzing different chemicals that would be the most efficient in killing a human. Because the human body was extremely vulnerable to many toxins, finding a poison was easy, but doing it in a quick and painless way was more difficult. Making it in a form that could be concealed and yet easily digested or absorbed was the biggest challenge. Eventually, she decided that cyanide was still the best and quickest method for a human to commit suicide. Unfortunately, the symptoms weren't painless so she combined the poison with a quick acting tranquilizer to make sure Carley didn't suffer. Once she was satisfied the formula was correct, she coated two sticks of chewing gum with the substance and then poured the remaining contents into three empty cold capsules.

"One of these will be more than enough to completely shut down your system," she said and handed everything to Carley. For some reason, her phrasing made it easier to speak the words. "You won't feel anything."

Putting one stick of gum in her lab coat breast pocket and the other with the pills in her side pocket, Carley gave Solaria a hug.

"Thank you. I know this isn't easy for you but it's the only way. I'm still hoping for the best, though. If I do get out of here, I'll find you through Dana or Hackattack. If I don't, well, it's a big world out there. I know you've stored a lot of information in your head but it's nothing compared to what you're going to experience. Now, it's time for you to go."

Solaria couldn't think of a logical reason to disagree. Nodding, she snapped the altered security pa.s.s to the lab jacket Carley had provided then altered her facial features, fingerprints and retinas to look like Peggy Landers. Examining her features closely, Carley nodded her approval.

"I'm not sure what you're going to do with your life but I hope you find someone to share it with. Whatever happens, remember, mine has been richer having known you. I only wish we had more time together. It would have been wonderful watching you grow."

"It's I who am grateful. Without you, I'd be nothing more than a glorified computer or a tool for Future Dynamicon."

Standing, Carley looked deeply into the brown eyes of Peggy Landers.

"You have to find that other beta. It'll be nothing more than a slave to his whims. If Stalling is able to put it into operation and make more, no one can stop him. Promise me you'll try."

"I'll find it and any others if they exist."

"Good. Now show me those beautiful teal eyes one more time."

Instantly they changed to their natural color. Standing on her toes, Carley kissed Solaria gently on the lips and then smiled.

"Remember me," Carley whispered.

Giving the Hubot a final hug, Carley pushed Solaria toward the door and opened it. Shoving her through the opening, the scientist pulled it shut, locked it and walked into her office without looking back.

Solaria stood in the hall for several seconds unsure of herself for the first time. When a lab tech walked by and gave her a strange look, she realized she needed to move quickly. Changing her eyes back to brown, she made her way through several checkpoints until she found herself standing outside for the first time. None of the detectors had picked up anything unusual during the bioscans. Carley's plan had worked well.

The air was different, fresh and cool. A breeze blew across the lake ruffling her hair. The mountains glistened from the sunlight reflecting off their snowcapped peaks. She had seen outdoor pictures before. They were nothing compared to the real thing. One day she would climb those mountains and see what was at the top.

"Are you okay, Ms. Landers?" a voice asked from behind her. Turning, Solaria stared at the young man in a green jumpsuit, the Company's uniform for low level security personnel. The name Williams was st.i.tched across the left chest pocket and a Future Dynamicon patch was monogrammed on the left sleeve.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Good. I was told you were on leave. Did you forget something?"

"No, I thought I had. I just misplaced my notes. Have a good day, Mr. Williams."

Tipping his hat, the man continued on his way. Solaria walked to the rental car Carley had secured the day before and climbed in. Examining the instrument panels, she pulled up the operational instructions from her data bank and switched on the ignition. Within minutes she was on the main highway heading toward an unknown future. First, though, she had some unfinished business to take care of. Somewhere out there she had a sibling.

CHAPTER 9.

AS SHE APPROACHED the Company's main security office, Carley felt her heart pounding furiously.

"It'll be okay," she told herself, hoping for the best, but knowing better.

A tall man in a uniform greeted her politely and opened the door, motioning her through. The waiting room was vacant except for a woman sitting behind the receptionist's desk.

"Good evening, Dr. Branson. You're working late."

"Good evening, Ms. Colton. I was finalizing some reports for Mr. Stalling."

"I see. What can I do for you?"

"Well, I was about to head home when I noticed my I.D. badge was missing from my lab coat. Since I can't get through the checkpoints without it, I was hoping someone here would give me special authorization."

"I don't see any problem with that but I'll have to check with Mr. Finton. He's the only one that can approve a new pa.s.s. Please have a seat and I'll be right back."

Smiling her thanks, Carley sat down and picked up a magazine. Reaching into her coat pocket, she located the stick of gum. It gave her a sense of security.

Finton's secretary disappeared down a narrow hall. Ten minutes later she walked back into the room and sat down at her desk.

"Mr. Finton said he'll be with you shortly. He's on a conference call."

Carley nodded and fingered the gum nervously.

He's probably calling Stalling, she thought. Then again, I'm being paranoid. Why would he automatically call Stalling just because I lost my I.D.?

Noticing the receptionist giving her furtive glances, Carley felt her stomach fluttering nervously. Pulling the gum out, she stared at it, trying to imagine what it would feel like to die. Her thoughts were interrupted by two men in plain clothes walking into the room. One glanced at her, his face expressionless, and then continued to stand silently by the other who was talking with Colton in a low voice.

This isn't good!

"Excuse me, Dr. Branson, but Mr. Finton would like you to show Mr. Richards and Mr. Ward where you've been today. They might be able to locate the pa.s.s if you do some backtracking."

"Of course, although I've already done that. Other than the lunchroom, I never left my office."

"Well, humor them, please. If they can't find it, then we'll see about making a temporary pa.s.s for you."

Carley realized she didn't have a choice. Standing, she slipped the gum back into her pocket and left the office, followed by the two men. Neither spoke until they were in the lunch area.

"Where did you sit?"

Pointing to the table, she watched as the man named Ward walked over and checked the area out. When he pulled out a small device and began scanning the area, Carley realized the I.D. must have had some type of transmitting chip in it.

s.h.i.+t! I hope Solaria knew that! If not, she's in trouble!

"Nothing here!"

"Okay, Dr. Branson, let's go to the lab."

"Do you really think I haven't searched there?"

"Just following orders, Doctor."

After checking the lab thoroughly, the men escorted Carley back to the security office and into a small room down a hallway. Motioning toward a chair, Ward left the room, leaving Richards by the door. Carley again searched her pocket for the gum and felt a sense of relief that it was still there.

Minutes later, Richards returned, followed by a short, balding, white man wearing an expensive tailored suit. She immediately recognized the head of security.

"Dr. Branson."

"Mr. Finton."

"My secretary tells me you've lost your security pa.s.s and my boys haven't been able to locate it anywhere. This is a serious matter."

"That's why I came here as soon as I realized it had disappeared."

"I see. Well, no one has turned it in. I find that extremely unusual. Future Dynamicon takes great pride in their ability to choose dedicated, loyal employees. It would be a shame to learn someone has betrayed that faith. I'm sure you know what I mean."

"Of course."

"Good. Then you'll understand if we detain you a short while longer. We must do everything possible to recover it. The Company is involved with several national security projects that can't afford to be compromised by an unauthorized person slipping through our security checkpoints and you know some people will pay a lot of money to get one of our pa.s.ses."

"Yes, I can see where that would create problems. How long before I can leave?"

"I'm not sure, Dr. Branson. Mr. Ward here will show you to another room where you'll be comfortable."

Without waiting for a reply, he nodded toward Ward who immediately opened the door.

"Goodbye, Dr. Branson," Finton said. His tone left no doubt in Carley's mind that it was not a normal farewell.

Carley stroked the security blanket tucked in her pocket. Finton's henchman motioned for her to follow him.

The room had a table and chair near the door. A cot was pushed against the far wall. Next to the bed was a bathroom with a shower. It was definitely not designed for comfort or privacy. Carley noticed the cameras positioned strategically along the walls.

"Looks more like a prison than guest quarters." Carley said, looking at Ward.

The man shrugged but didn't respond. Instead he left, locking the door behind him. Carley wandered around the small room for a few minutes and then sat in the chair. She desperately wanted to pull out the gum but was afraid the camera would see it and find it curious that she didn't chew it. It was only then she remembered she had another stick in her breast pocket and the capsules.

Now that's absent-mindedness! I hope I haven't forgotten how to chew gum!

The thought made her laugh aloud and then glance at the camera. Grinning she waved mischievously and then did something she never thought she would. She stuck her tongue out. Knowing someone was watching made her feel good.

I might as well get some rest. It won't be long before they discover Solaria's gone and want answers.

Lying on the couch, Carley closed her eyes and wondered what Solaria was doing. There was no doubt that she now had the financial a.s.sets to provide the necessary protection from Future Dynamicon. Her knowledge, technical and computer skills gave her additional advantages even though the Company had an expansive international network at their disposal; and Solaria had something else. Dana and Hackattack were the best of the best when it came to breaking into government and corporate systems. They were also adept at forging and counterfeiting any doc.u.ments she might need in the future.