Peter Prellwitz - Shards Book One

Susan wordlessly rose and moved to the other side of the bed, giving Betty access to the helpless girl.

While she pulled the chair up to better talk and treat the girl, Geher's associate, PFC Ron Williams, came up to the bed and took out a tabinal that contained the information Susan had gathered on the girl. It was the final remaining record of everything that they knew about the Cue. He scrolled through the text and reached the point he was looking for. He nodded at Geher, who placed the inducer against the comatose girl's temple and triggered it a third time.

Susan heard the different pitch of the suppresser mode whine out of hearing, feeling her stomach churn.

Every member of the interrogation team had to submit to a full IHAD before being qualified to work with Cues. Susan recalled her experience with shame and discomfort. It was just as Betty had described. She remembered absolutely nothing of the actual interview, but would never forget the feeling of nakedness, exposure, and utter vulnerability that had consumed her whole being upon waking. She looked down at the girl she had worked so hard to bring back alive and fervently wished it could be different for her. It was a hopeless wish.

Geher triggered the suppresser a fourth and final time. The girl shivered and slowly exhaled with a whimper. Her eyes remained sightless, but misted over. Her body was now completely relaxed and almost lifeless. Her well fitting clothes looked baggy on her. Her mind, as all three had themselves experienced, was open for any and all probing, without defense or control. She was ready.

Susan stood up and went to her dresser. As Private Williams sat beside the girl, she opened a locked drawer and pulled out her sidearm. She activated it and set the energy discharge to lethal. She then stood at the foot of the girl's bed and listened for the slightest indication that this helpless youth was a deadly threat. Susan alone would decide; the others had no say in the matter. She accepted it as the only and proper way. Better one person live with the responsibility than three. She pointed the gun at the girl's head and prepared herself to squeeze the trigger. She then lowered the gun to her side.

"She knows a great deal more than she should.? Betty's voice, even though it was low and calm, seemed harsh in the atmosphere.

"It's hard to believe that someone from six centuries ago would understand our technology,? Williams agreed. He said to Susan,? What can you tell us, Susan?"

Susan had a great deal to tell them. As she conveyed all the information she had gathered since the morning, they stared down at their helpless charge. What Susan talked about seemed incredible to all three. But that was expected. Even people like they, who dealt with Cues regularly, living and if need be dying for them, never adjusted completely to the idea that anyone could have such a complete life at such a young age. It was illusion, of course. Subverted or not, this powerless, frail girl had been John Wyeth, a man of some achievement who had lived centuries before.

Susan finished her report, and Betty spoke to her.

"You mean that she told you all this, voluntarily? Doesn't it strike you as odd that someone who claims to have been an integral part of such a secret operation would then tell you about it?"

Susan agreed.? It did seem odd. But keep in mind, she knew what was going to happen to her, having deduced it from what I told her. That's no surprise; that's why we tell them as much as we can. The only ones who don't understand the purpose of an IHAD are in denial. I think she told me about her past because it was obvious she didn't fit the normal rescued ripe. And I could tell she probably told me more than she wanted to, but got caught up in herself. Finally, think about it… what did she really tell us? We have good general details, but no specific facts that would betray any confidences, even ones half a millennia old. Not even the name of this organization."

"Maybe she is a plant, then,? Williams interjected.? She would be the ideal one. Among the oldest ripes. So many unknowns. Plausible, if fanciful, explanations."

"All the other plants had normal backgrounds and histories,? Susan countered.

Williams shrugged.? And they all got caught, after the first one. Maybe the tack has changed and they're trying to play our curiosity against our caution. I know I'm very curious about her.? He looked down without malice at the unconscious form.

"I feel the same curiosity,? Betty said.? And excitement. To have rescued one of the first ripes is quite an achievement. And of course she would have a great many inconsistencies and gaps. We'd expect the first ripe to be unique. And her history and explanations would support everything we do know. But I'm sure our enemies realize that, and would know we'd risk rescuing her. Enough with speculation. Let's begin."

"Do you think they would really do that, Betty?? Susie asked.? Make a plant look like a plant? It seems peculiar."

"My point exactly, dear. You're using indications of guilt as proof of innocence, aren't you?? Susie remained silent.? I'm inclined to fall into the same trap. But don't forget, that's exactly what we're looking for, a trap. Sometimes it's the most clearly seen traps that are the hardest to avoid. Give the devil his due, Susan. They may be evil, perverted and soulless. But there is probably no single entity more focused and brilliant than NATech Supreme."

The chilled mountain air seemed to freeze the sky to a darker black, bringing the stars into sharp focus.

Orion stood out bright and clear, with Betelgeuse giving off a little color. Susan glanced over to see if she could find Ursa Major and the Big Dipper buried inside it. She located the Bear through the pines, still low in the sky. Automatically, her eyes lifted to Polaris, the North Star.? Susie,? her father had told her countless times,? whenever you look at the Big Dipper, always follow the lip to the North Star. Do it every time.? Then he would sing her the ancient song of the Drinkin' Gourd, and tell of how their ancestors of a distant time would follow Polaris north to freedom. She hummed quietly to herself the soulful melody, her heartbeat providing the song's methodical, paced, undertone.

And waited.

The shimmer of holoshield modulation caught the corner of her eye, and Susie watched as Betty stepped through, as though in molasses. Betty looked to her left and spotted her. She walked over and leaned against the rock face.

"Looking at Polaris again, Susie?? She looked up at the star.

"Yes. Daddy showed me years and years ago, and I do it every time I look at the sky whenever we're based in the northern hemisphere.? She pointed out Betelgeuse.? Do you think they're looking at it, too?"

Betty shrugged.? I don't know. Probably not. New Germany doesn't use Polaris for navigation. But you don't mean the planet, do you?"

"I wonder when I'll see them again."

"Girl, if I could wish you there, I would. Well, no, I wouldn't. We need you here. But I'm sure your parents are very proud of you, even if they're light years away. And they have good reason to be proud."

Susan pulled her eyes from the stars and looked down.

"I'm not certain they'd be too proud of me right now.? She struck the rock with a gloved hand.? Damn!

This never gets any easier!"

"I've done it for fifteen years now, Susan, and you're right. It never does. It gets worse as NATech gets trickier and nastier with their plants. If it did get easier, then would be the time to worry."

"I'm convinced she's the real thing. I don't care if she did work for NATech once. That was centuries ago. And the hours and hours we've spent, picking her mind. She's clean. I know it.? She ran her fingers through her thick, raven black hair and sighed heavily.? But can we risk it?"