26 – Camp Reincarnate #3
Wanda taps her screen. “Before you go, I wanted to get your feedback on another thing. My team has been discussing what to do with these manupartners now that we’re uncovering more of them. Our initial plan was to recycle them like one would a normal manupartner.”
Doesn’t the inspector realize that would be murder? Electra fights to keep from tensing. Those were clearly human beings, nothing robotic or stilted about them.
“And your other option?” Res6 asks.
“A few of my team members felt uncomfortable with that idea, so they proposed NHOS arrange a custom simulation that mimicked their world. The expense would be tremendous, but if we could isolate the problem and prevent future issues, the affected manupartners could live their lives in peace, and we could keep them out of the public eye. Since people during their time only lived around eighty years, it wouldn’t be for too long.
Assuming that the data confirms they truly have this NAM expression issue you mentioned. ”
She wants to scream that recycling them or sticking them in a simulation chamber is inhuman.
They have the power to heal these people and extend their lives as Res6 did for her.
These people could live well into their hundreds.
They could acclimate like she is! She’s practically vibrating with the need to say something.
Res6 turns to her. Can he sense that she’s about to burst and blow their cover? “Electra, go wait for me in the hallway.”
It takes a second to process his command.
Robotically, she stands to do as he says.
Does he regret bringing her? He said he regrets activating her.
Is he going to suggest they recycle her too?
No, that’s insane. He won’t let them recycle her—he brought her here to show her he’s trying to protect her.
But the inspector just threatened his company, which is his primary consideration—his love.
Because a man like him could never love a real human woman—could he?
He probably hates himself for liking her at all.
The company that is his brother’s legacy, however .
. . If it’s between her and it, he’ll choose it every time.
CHOICElover is and will always be his priority.
Trembling like the cold reincarnate a few floors down, she slips out into the hallway. Before the door closes behind her, she hears him say, “I programmed this one to be active. She gets antsy sitting for too long.”
Once safely inside his awaiting SAT, Electra asks, “Why did you send me away?”
His goal in bringing her to Camp Reincarnate worked—maybe not in making her less interested in getting an ID, but his opposition certainly feels more relevant.
“If I could sense you about to lose it, Wanda would too. I needed you out of that room before they took you from me.” He takes her hand, bringing it to his lips. “Aside from that last bit, you did well.”
Her heart skips a beat. See, Electra, he cares about you. You were freaking out over nothing. Well, good for her, but what about those eight traumatized people? “We can’t let her recycle those people.”
The back of his head hits the seat. “The problem is that she doesn’t see them as human, and I needed to convince her they are, without letting on why I know that. Do you see now?”
The NHOS inspector didn’t realize they’re human? Is she a bad person or just a product of her time? “You’re trying to help them while also protecting me.”
“Yes, I want to help them, but you’re my priority, Electra. I promised to keep you safe. But I didn’t know the conditions I’d find them in. I thought she’d at least treat them humanely.” He shakes his head. “I got through to her in the end, though. I think.”
She squeezes his hand reassuringly. “So you needed me to leave before I messed everything up?”
“I couldn’t focus with you in the room bordering on an explosion.”
“What happened after I left?”
“They’re not getting recycled, and she agreed to give them blankets and cots. Plus, better food. Not the sustenance meal packets they’ve been getting. I’ll keep working on it. They’ll need citizenship, ideally. Personhood, but she was so resistant I didn’t even bring it up. Small steps.”
“I can’t believe you just advocated for them, considering your stance—”
He drops her hand. “I’m not a monster, Electra. Is that what you think of me?”
She doesn’t answer because it’s a relevant question.
Is that what she thinks of him? She spends the rest of the SAT ride dissecting it.
She still isn’t entirely sure about the answer.
Perhaps that is how she viewed him at first, but now she can see little cracks is his colder facade that let the lighter, realer him shine through.
The part of him she’s growing increasingly attached to. The part of him that makes her feel—
“You didn’t answer my question. Is that what you think of me?” he asks as the elevator doors close.
There’s hurt in his voice. “I . . . I know you’re not a monster. I just don’t understand why you’re trying to help them.” God, that sounds awful, but it’s true.
“For some strange reason,” he eyes her pointedly, “I feel compelled to advocate on their behalf.” The elevator doors slide open, chiming, and he drags her down the hall.
When they get safely inside his unit, he spins her, pinning her against the wall.
“It’s the right thing to do. After all, I have a personal attachment to one.
” He slams his lips down on hers for a brief, heated kiss.
When he pulls away, they’re both breathless. “I want you so fucking bad, Electra, but you also drive me so fucking crazy.” Before she can reply, he storms off to lock himself in his Secret At-Least-Chryl-is-Gone Room.
She brushes her fingers over her lips, heart thrumming wildly.
“Wow.” Though her cheeks ache from earlier, she can’t wipe away her massive grin.
He cares. He might actually truly care. About her, even though she drives him crazy.
He seems to think she’s worth it. He said she’s his priority.
Her heart feels like it’s expanding with each beat.
What a revelation! Too bad he retreated to his room, because make-up sex isn’t a terrible idea.
She wants him too—so bad. God, every time his words repeat in her mind, her core pulses like she’s never seen a good-looking man before.
Or written about them. This is so much better. He is so much better.