Peter Prellwitz - Shards Book One

She had the showers to herself, and took her time. As the hot, steaming water poured over and soaked through her, she heard the quiet footsteps and quiet conversation of Company A personnel as they went down the corridor. Although the hour was late, she remembered seeing significant activity in the hanger when she came in. Undoubtedly another enforcement raid. If it was a bio-raid, she'd have known about it. She wondered what the target was and silently prayed for her comrades' safety. By the time she had finished her hair and had stepped out into the corridor wearing her robe, it was again empty, dark and silent. She returned to her quarters.

The girl was still sleeping. Preferring the darkness, she dimmed the lights further and disrobed. Clad now only in panties and a loose top, she sat on her bed, drawing her legs up under her, and watched her sleeping charge. This was the worst time, after the IHAD but before the waking. Before the IHAD, there is always the concern of a plant, and fear tempers the still new relationship between the Cue and her counselor. Then, during the IHAD, the relationship was that of extremes: invalid and caretaker between sessions, then prisoner and executioner during. And it could hardly be called a relationship; the Cue was oblivious to everything.

But now the IHAD was over, and her new Cue was alive, and going to remain that way. It was time to begin the real work of cultural assimilation. But not until this eternal waiting was over. And not until the realization of their invasion was worked through. To occupy herself, Susie thought back to the afternoon's briefing. As she did, Susie sat quietly, watching the slow rise and fall of the girl's chest.

And waited.

"We cannot continue with this IHAD!? Betty was angry and loud. She stared in defiance at the small group that had gathered at a table in the rec area. The entire gym and half the hanger was cleared of personnel so that the briefing would be private. Private Marks, a large, quiet man from Company A, was posted at the nearer corridor entrance to ensure they were neither disturbed nor overheard.? We've never conducted one for more than eight hours, but this one's been going for forty-eight! I fear for her safety, her sanity, and her ability to recover."

She received no response. Susie wanted to jump up and shout her agreement. But as the girl's counselor, she was forbidden to speak unless it was to give her decision as to the girl's continuation. A decision she wasn't ready to give yet. Lieutenant Sanchez stirred and broke the silence.

"Are you saying you want Susie to decide now? Do you have all the information you can get?"

"I don't think we'll ever get all the information, sir,? responded Private Williams, the other interviewer.?

Performing an IHAD is a tricky business, as you know. But with her it seems even more difficult. She responds only to direct questions, and then only with direct answers. And she never expands on what she says. I almost wonder if…? he frowned slightly.? No, that can't be."

"What can't be, Private?? Sanchez asked.

"Well, I know it's not possible, but it's as though she can somehow resist our probing. She-"

"You're right, it's not possible,? Dr. Barrett interrupted.? I don't hold with these infernal interviews. No better than riping, in my opinion. But I know only too well how they work and their brutal effectiveness.

Resistance to questioning is impossible."

"Oh, she answers the questions all right. They all do. But everyone also gives answers that are more than two or three words. Hers are never more than that unless the question is structured in such a way that she has no choice but to answer in sentences. Her replies are… measured."

There was a small murmur among the seven people. Susan, the eighth, remained silent, taking in the words and reactions of the others. Sergeant Thawell, from enforcement Company A, spoke up. His hard voice quickly silenced everyone.

"So why don't you just phrase all the questions like that, Williams?"

"We've been trying, Sergeant. But doing so means that we can explore only one very small and very specific area at a time, which consumes a great deal of time. As a further detriment, the answers we do get have little or no contextual background. And we knew literally nothing about her original persona. I've never appreciated before how much cognitive reconstruction, research and IHAD complement each other.? At Barrett's stern look, he added quickly,? -from an information gathering point of view. With IHAD, generalities are normally difficult, but with him-her, rather-they are impossible."

"Why not just ask her to tell you all about herself? Or himself. Itself. Whatever."

"Because the subject would do just that, Sergeant,? Barrett said tiredly.? Our memory is hundreds of times more comprehensive than we realize. It seems sketchy only because we are unable to focus enough to fully utilize it. But a subject under IHAD inducement conditions has incredibly sharp focus. Unless tampered with, their memory is never wrong, never confused, and accurate to the smallest detail. It would take several years to relay all the memories of a single lifetime. Which the subject would. After all,

? he added sarcastically,? the poor wretch's brain has nothing better to do than remember. Damnable technology."

"Thank you, Doctor. We've heard your objections before,? Sanchez said dryly.? We all agree with you in principle, but cannot afford to in practice."

"If you cannot practice your principles, then they're not really your principles, sir!"

"I would disagree, Doctor, but now is not the time for this debate.? The quiet but assertive voice came from Sergeant Abdih, Company B, also an enforcement arm, but generally a calmer man than Thawell.?

That she shows any control over the IHAD process, however slight, is alarming enough. What I fear more, though, is her connection to NATech."

"You are afraid of nothing, Tomah,? said a pale, dark-haired woman to his right.

He smiled at her.? My wife gives me too much credit. Perhaps it is her work in research that allows her such graciousness. I am afraid of many things, Ella, and NATech is among the greatest of my fears. And our young Cue is from NATech."

"A NATech of six centuries ago, Tomah,? countered Betty.? And their philosophical gap seems even greater than the time gap. When we uncovered her connection to NATech, we were floored. My first thought was she was a plant that NATech had botched riping.? Everyone carefully avoided glancing at Susie. Unspoken was the thought that had they been positive, this briefing would instead be a memorial service. Betty continued.? As I said, we were almost positive. Ronald and I pried into every corner of her mind to find the proof. It's not there."

"Either that or you missed it,? Thawell said bluntly.

Betty had been around too long to be even remotely put off by the man's abrasive attitude. She shook her head emphatically.? No, Sergeant. We know our job. Even still, we took many, many more hours than normal to be sure. It's not there. Maybe because NATech was able to screen them out. Like Ron, I also noticed the form of answers she gave us indicated at least marginal control. That worries me."

"That she's a plant, Betty?"

"More than that, Raul.? Only Betty could call him that in formal situations. He not only tolerated it, privately he considered it an honor.? NATech can bury several, maybe as many as a dozen, behavioral modifications into the original persona, but no more. And it's possible they've perfected a screening process, though I can't imagine how. Other than those limited instructions, and despite the original persona being destroyed, plants remain their own personas-if only a copy. They are guided by their own morals, defined by their natural abilities, and cobbled by the orientation process. But this girl is an individual who excels with challenge and has a keen grasp of technologies. Her near escape that first night is proof of her resourcefulness. And she seems to be quickly coming to terms with her new physique. If she is a plant, Raul, her own persona is her greatest asset and our greatest threat."