Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Marisol stared out of Straton Miller’s office window four days later. It was a beautiful, sunny day in the botanical garden just outside. Paying guests staying at Clone World strolled the walkway paths below, some even having catered picnics. She had to admit that she felt a little envy that he’d gotten such a great view. Her office didn’t have any windows. It had been deemed a security risk to her safety.
She’d hacked into the computer system inside Straton’s office. The answers she’d learned helped her add more pieces to the puzzle of what had happened to her at that signing conference. The medical team hadn’t been correct. The blame probably lay in the files they’d been given. It came as no surprise that her gramps had even lied to the clones caring for her. The truth didn’t exactly come easily for someone so used to being deceitful.
Marisol had found the billing date for the order of her new body. The accident had happened on the space station but not when she’d been about to travel home. She’d died six hours after arriving for the conference.
That meant the initial business meetings and her realizing Free wasn’t coming, the pain of it, were real memories. She’d gotten sick the following morning, battling flu-like symptoms. That had been a lie, along with the trip home with her burying herself in paperwork. Those had been implanted memories someone at the clone factory had cooked up. It also explained why she hadn’t gotten certain companies to contract with Clone World, which she’d been certain she’d easily land. In her head, she’d let her gramps down by becoming sick. In her heart, she’d blamed her broken heart.
It changed everything. What if Free had tried to contact her after she’d already died? He wouldn’t have known she wasn’t there to answer. Even if he’d learned about the accident that had taken place, she hadn’t been listed as one of the sixteen fatalities.
That didn’t come as a surprise. Her grandfather would have covered the truth up if the surviving security team members reacted as fast as the clones had implied. He wouldn’t want anyone to know that his only heir was gone. It would leave him open to long-distance relatives attempting to assassinate him to gain his wealth or them coming after him in other ways.
It also hadn’t been the docking port that suffered damage on the station. It had been a section of guest quarters on the fourth and fifth decks. Space junk had slammed into it, breaching both areas of those decks. She must have been inside her rental suite to prepare for sleep. Two human security guards from Clone World, ones stationed outside to protect her, were listed as casualties.
The office door opened, and Stranton Miller walked in. He was one of her grandfather’s most trusted human employees. He’d worked at Clone World for as long as she could remember. That said a lot since she’d been born there twenty-nine years before.
She spun, grateful that she wasn’t still at his desk, and forced a smile. “There you are.”
He frowned. “What are you doing in here?”
“I wanted to talk to you about my gramps’ upcoming birthday.”
“That’s two months from now.”
“I know. I’ve been racking my brain trying to think up the perfect gift, and I finally found the answer. I mean, what do you get the man who has everything? Then it hit me. Dolters.”
“What is that?” He crossed the room and took a seat, plopping down in his chair.
“They are like domesticated alien monkeys. We have cloned species from Earth here, but not dolters. Gramps would love them. I’ve done my research, and they are very mild-tempered. They could easily survive and thrive on this planet. Everyone who visits Jabler raves about how adorable they are. We could get Gramps a mated pair. I think he’d love them. Imagine how cute their babies would be down the road. It might open some financial opportunities in the future, too. Maybe they could become mascots, and we could sell toy replicas of them to guests.”
Straton leaned back, scowling. “I don’t see the draw. We already have a wide variety of animals.”
“His dog died last year. Dolters are said to be excellent companion pets, too. We buy him a breeding pair, and any babies they have can be let loose in the animal zoning area once they are old enough. The guests would love to see them. That’s why I’m thinking plush toy replica sales would be a smart bet. It’s a unique souvenir to remind the guests of their time here on Clone World. Isn’t that perfect? I figure you can fly there, personally find the pair that would fit Gramps best, and bring them back so they can adjust to our environment before his birthday.”
“I am not flying to Jabler. You know I don’t take trips. I’m too busy.”
Marisol frowned. “Well, I’m swamped too. It has to be you.”
“No. We’ll just throw Rico a party like we do every year.”
“We will, but Gramps would really love a set of dolters. Do some research, and you’ll see what I mean. They are super friendly, can be housebroken to use an actual bathroom because of their intelligence, and are sold pre-trained. They even communicate with sign language. Imagine how much glee he’ll get out of showing the pair off to his special guests. You know he loves to own things that few other people have. A mated pair of dolters that can breed are super expensive. Most people can’t afford them.”
Straton seemed to mull that over. He finally nodded. “You’ve convinced me. Rico probably would love to receive them as a gift. I’m too busy to go. We’ll send one of my assistants.”
“Anyone else will let Gramps know what the secret is. You’re the only one I can trust. We both know how this works. Someone will believe they can advance their work positions if they do my grandfather any favors. They’d see this as such. It will dull his joy over our gift if the surprise is ruined. Imagine how impressed he’ll be that we were able to actually keep something from him. He’ll know you were the only person who could accomplish that feat.”
That seemed to please him, just like she thought it would. Straton was an egotistical asshole. She also knew he hated traveling. That was putting it mildly. The hard part was getting him on board to buy the dolters and keep it a secret. Then he’d have to find a way to get them secretly purchased and transported to Clone World. He turned on his screen and tapped at it.
Marisol carefully watched his face, but no alarm showed. That had her breathing easier. She’d hacked his computer well enough that he wasn’t aware of what she’d done. For the next few minutes, Straton ignored her until he finally looked up.
“It’s going to take eight days for a round trip. We have important guests booked for the next four months solid. You know your grandfather depends on me to personally see to their needs. You’re going to have to be the one to pick these animals up.”
She bit her lip, hoping to look frustrated. It was important to make him think it was his idea that she be the one to take the trip. He’d earned becoming Rico Florigo’s righthand man by being ruthless and smart. Long seconds passed as she pretended to give it some thought.
“Alright. This is too important not to do. I don’t want Gramps to be disappointed on his birthday. I’ll see what I can swing to fly there, but you’ll have to cover for me. Gramps will know something is up if I take an unscheduled trip.”
His gaze returned to his screen. “You’ll have to leave later today. It’s early for the yearly audit, but I could send you a formal notification right now to account for why you’d hole up in your office for a week. Can you handle your personal assistant lying for you since you won’t really be there?”
“Yes.” Marisol hated Nancy. The Earth-born woman went out of her way trying to seduce her gramps, wishing to become his seventh wife. The idiot didn’t realize she’d be forced to sign an iron-clad agreement that wouldn’t entitle her to a dime. Gramps wouldn’t spoil her either by giving her expensive gifts. All his wives got was constant verbal abuse, and him being a serial cheater rubbed in their faces. He didn’t even have the decency to pretend to be a faithful husband.
Marisol would feel zero guilt for lying to Nancy and more than likely getting her fired. It was more like doing her a favor in the long run, even if it wasn’t deserved. The same went for Straton. If everything went right, Rico Florigo would need targets to take his rage out on.
“I’ll need a fast shuttle and a security detail. I’m thinking clone guards.”
He frowned.
“Human ones can’t be trusted. The entire point of one of us taking this trip is so Gramps gets a surprise.” She paused. “I’m thinking about telling Nancy that I’m going on the other side of the planet to stay at Gramps retreat home to work from there. I do that from time to time. That way, she won’t even know I’ve taken a quick off-world trip. As I said, we can’t trust anyone.”
He scowled at her. “Clones aren’t permitted to leave the surface for any reason. Besides, you can’t trust them to keep you safe and not try to run away.”
“I did my research before I came here. A new batch of security model clones just arrived a few weeks ago. I figured they could guard you on the trip. You know how loyal clones are at first with all that fresh programming inside their heads. They also wouldn’t know it’s odd to be sent on that kind of job.”
“Me?”
“Well, I thought you’d be the one to go. Since you can’t and I’m stuck taking this trip, that’s changed. I’d feel safer with newly woken clones. It’s my ass on the line, right?”
He nodded. “There’s one thing you didn’t consider. Clones couldn’t pass security scans on Jabler. You’d have to leave them on the shuttle while you conduct business. That wouldn’t be smart.”
“Jabler customs officers only scanned me the last few times I visited there and didn’t look twice at my security detail. Everyone recognizes my grandfather’s name and is aware of my association. Do you honestly believe they won’t be giving me VIP treatment?”
That seemed to appease him. “True. You’re the heir to Clone World.”
Marisol had to exert effort to resist snorting. Her gramps was never going to allow that to happen. She knew for a fact that he kept a medic with him around the clock, and two sets of cryo units were hidden inside each of his highly secured vaults kept at his main residence and at the retreat home.
After her parents had been killed, he’d felt the need to share his big plan with Marisol. If he died, the already-created clone of himself would be woken from the first cryo unit, so people would believe he still lived if they saw it from a distance. Meanwhile, his deceased body would be put into the second cryo unit and shipped to Earth, and an illegal clone would be made with all his memories intact. He’d exist in a clone body, but no one would be the wiser.
For all she knew, it might have already occurred. Her gramps wouldn’t bother to tell her since he was a paranoid bastard. The only thing that made her feel better about him living an extended life was he’d be forced to have the clone aged to advanced years. Otherwise, everyone would guess what he’d done.
One day, she figured he’d fake having a son and then get to take on a younger body when he switched his memories into it. That would afford him the ability to do it. Then again, he may have already set that plan into motion. Rico Florigo always thought ten steps ahead. He’d keep her in the dark for as long as possible, hoping she was foolish enough to work harder to inherit everything he owned. Marisol knew her Gramps too well.
Straton tore her from her thoughts when he spoke. “Anything else?”
“Double my security team.” She needed four clones, not two. “One team can escort me while I do business, the other to remain on the shuttle. Then the pairs can split shifts and watch over the statis units the dolters will be transported inside on the trip home.” It would also make Straton feel more secure that she’d be fine.
“Any preference for a pilot?” He looked at her, his eyes narrowed. It might have been a hint of suspicion.
“No. What do I care? Just get me a competent one. He or she won’t be privy to what the trip is for. That’s why I want the statis units watched around the clock. The pilot won’t be able to sneak a peek inside to see what they contain. They can’t blab if they have no information to share about the contents of the cargo.”
“Brilliant.” Straton went back to work on his computer by ordering her a shuttle and a security detail.
She hid her smile. “I’ll go pack. When do I leave?”
He finished. “Two hours.”
“That fast?” She tried to look upset and put out. “Fine. Yeah. It’s best if we do this as quickly as possible. What flight pad?”
“Six. Shuttle twelve.”
“Thanks. Gramps is going to love our gift. Did you look up dolters?”
“I did. They look like something he’ll really get a kick out of. He did love that damn dog.” Straton shuddered in his chair. “I don’t like pets. They smell.”
“That’s why I don’t own any pets either,” she lied. Marisol worked long hours and knew she would neglect them since they deserved time and attention from their owners. “These alien monkeys are going to be the perfect gift. Dolters sing when they are happy. And give back rubs to their owners. We’re going to be his two favorite people.”
Straton grinned. “This is a great plan, Marisol. Thank you for including me.”
“To be honest, I thought you’d be the one going to buy them.” She forced a laugh. “I want my gramps to get exactly what he deserves.” She winked. “Even if I do have to share the credit for this gift. I’m off to pack. I’ll totally get the job done.”
Marisol almost made it to the door when Straton called her name. She turned, facing him. Her heart pounded.
“I do expect that audit to be done.”
She forced another laugh. It was from relief that time. He’d just played right into her hands. She needed an excuse for taking sealed cargo containers to hide the clone plasma they planned to steal. “Of course. I’ll work on the flight and have plenty of time to complete it. That means I need to take my printed files with me since the network won’t be secured off-planet. Notify the landing field guard that I’ll be having boxes delivered.”
That caused him to frown. “That information is confidential.”
“Then order them not to open the boxes to view the files. I can seal them to assure privacy and have the clone guards protect the boxes with the stasis units I’ll need to transport the dolters.”
He seemed to ponder that before nodding. “I’m sending notifications now.”
Marisol fled and pulled out her com unit the moment she left the building. “It’s a go. All bases covered. Two hours, pad six, shuttle twelve.”
“That’s not enough time.”
“It’s going to have to be. This is our one and only opportunity.”
“Affirmative,” MC-1 whispered.
Marisol ended the call and hurried home. The packing had already been completed. Keeping calm until they lifted off the planet would be tough. She was about to escape Clone World with her MC clone medics. No way would she leave them behind. It would mean their deaths.