Peter Prellwitz - Shards Book One

"Come, now, Corporal! She's a little girl,? Thawell scoffed.

"True, Sergeant, she is a little girl. Physically and, to a great degree, emotionally and psychologically as well. And as she matures, everything about her will continue taking on the reality of her femininity. But none of that changes, or will ever change, her mental and adaptive capabilities. We don't fear her body, Sergeant, we fear her mind. She's beyond any other Cue we've dealt with."

"So if you fear the potential so much, why not just eliminate it?? This time Thawell looked directly at Susan. She stiffened but remained silent.

"That will be enough, Sergeant!? Lt. Sanchez rarely spoke louder than he needed to, but his voice had an edge that made even Susie start and look at him.? The decision to continue is always left to the counselor. You do not need to be reminded.? Thawell fell silent, but was clearly unsatisfied.

"I will not speak for Corporal Lendler,? Betty continued, addressing everyone,? but the reason I think we should not waste this potential, as Sergeant Thawell calls her, is that she has an equal, if not greater, potential to be of great benefit to us. She could be the key to crippling, perhaps destroying, NATech Supreme."

That got everyone. Even Thawell broke off his icy glare at Susie and swung his attention to Betty. She had everyone's attention, which was just as she wanted. She had been impressed with the girl ever since her mess hall performance the first day. No, before that. She had listened to Susie during the long weeks she had researched this ripe, and had been privy to many of the details Susie had uncovered in her intensive search of ancient records. Susie was still young enough to become excited by every new ripe project, while Betty had grown weary of disappointment after disappointment. Betty simply did not have the gifts that Susie had in research. Nor, she had to admit to herself, did she have that streak of total ruthlessness that Susie could call on when needed. That was why she now performed the IHAD on all Cues. Not because of some cold need for control, but because she helped where she could. Taking the dirtiest job always helped. And while this IHAD had been the most grueling and frustrating, it was also stirring hope. What she had heard from her young subject gave her a sense of excitement she had not felt for many years.

In detail, Betty laid out her reasons for continuation and how a girl with uncanny abilities and a combination of righteous anger and compelling guilt might become the undoing of an entity that had grown so powerful that it was not only beyond the law, it had become the law. By the time she had finished, even Sergeant Thawell was nodding thoughtfully. Everyone else was talking loudly, excited by Betty's reasoning and ideas.

Susie felt a small thrill inside her as she listened to the group's quickened conversation. She had witnessed the entire interview. She had to, for she was judge, jury and executioner. And she had performed her duty faithfully, taking in every question, every response. Yet it was impossible not to feel a drawing to this girl. She had gone through so much, yet even in deepest stupor, her every answer showed a zest to live, to experience, to be. She was sure that Betty and Ron had grown to feel the same thing. More than with any other Cue, they were hoping she would come through.

Lt. Sanchez allowed them their enthusiasm, then quieted them by standing. Raul, Susie thought with grudging respect, could command attention without demanding it. He looked toward her, but she kept carefully looking to a point on the far side of the cavern. He smiled slightly then addressed the group.

"What you've suggested has a lot that needs to be examined and thought out, Betty. You're going to rob a lot of people of a lot of sleep for the next few months.? He smiled to empty the words of complaint.?

But in the meantime, we must still treat our young Cue as a potential threat, and a very serious one at that. And the counselor has not reached her decision yet."

"Sir?"

"Yes, Sergeant Abdih?? Sanchez's voice had a great deal more respect in it than it had for Sergeant Thawell.

"What do we tell her? I mean, how much? She's going to ask questions."

"Maybe not,? answered his wife Ella.? Cues only have feelings about an IHAD, never memories, terrible feelings they only want to recover from.? She shivered slightly, remembering her own experience.? And most don't want to recall what are to them the fresh memories of a life they're usually glad is gone."

"True. But from what Corporal Geher has told us, this one is not like most Cues. I would prefer to have prepared a consistent response to give her upon awaking."

Sanchez turned to Betty with questioning eyes. Betty nodded.

"You are right, Sergeant. She will want to know her status. She has a talent at deducing a situation quickly. When she wakes up, she's going to know we know. What she doesn't know yet is how important it is."

"Don't tell her anything. Just lock her out of the system and keep her in the laundry,? Thawell said.

"Ah, the refreshing military approach to secrecy,? Dr. Barrett said acidly.? 'Don't tell nobody nuthin!' I don't think it will work, Sergeant.? He started ticking off his fingers.? In the five days since cognitive reconstruction had finished restoring her, she has: roused herself out of Healer's Sleep, nearly escaped, already shown positive signs of adjustment to her new body, with a glance accurately identified several of our technologies, and even in an induced state managed to frustrate our interviewers. No offense, Betty."

"None taken, Doctor, because you're right. No, I think we must tell her at least some of it, because she is going to find out. I also have a hunch that because of her curiosity and skills, she'll be looking to access the puterverse before long. When that happens, it is imperative that someone is with her.? She indicated Susan, who was still silent, a part of the group but also removed.? Susie knows her the best. Let's stick to SOP. Counselors always have the decision of disclosure. Let's keep it that way."

"My thought exactly, Betty. We'll stay with normal protocols.? A simple statement, but understood by all to be an iron-clad order. Sanchez glanced at Williams.? How much longer to complete the IHAD?"

Williams replied quickly,? Further questioning would be too risky. We could continue for another two days and still only whet our curiosity. I recommend we end the IHAD now. That would allow her to wake up sometime tomorrow morning, when Susie will be with her in their quarters."

"Thank you, Private. Betty?"

"End it now."

He looked over to Susan, at the end of the table. Even in the close company of eight people, he thought she looked strangely alone.

"Susan?"

She nodded her agreement with the others.

Lt. Sanchez nodded and everyone else rose.? Very well, then. The IHAD is over, and the Third awaits the final decision of the counselor. I trust Those Above Us will approve of our course of action. Doctor Barrett, please see to your patient. Dismissed."

The group broke up. Though the discussions would continue in private, nothing would be said outside the group unless Sanchez ordered otherwise.

Susie took Dr. Barrett to check on the girl, who lay like a crumpled doll on her bed. The treatment was very quick, but effective. He administered a mild drug that allowed her to drift from a conditioned, responsive stupor into a restoring, restful sleep. He monitored her for a few minutes, holding her small hands in his, until her breathing slowed and deepened. He tucked her hands under the cover and stood up.

"She should sleep until morning. But I've underestimated her recuperative powers before, so she may wake up sometime during the night. If she does, there's no need to call me unless she shards. You, by yourself, will be the best medicine she can have. If she wants, I'll look at her tomorrow afternoon. Good day.? He left, and the waiting began.