The Virgin’s Cyborg by Candice Gilmer
15
"So, what is the situation?" Eleanor asked. She had cleaned up, as had the rest of them to get settled, though it may have been the fastest cleanup he'd ever done.
Eleanor had been trying to gather her thoughts in the shower--he heard her talking to herself inside.
Her words were muffled, but he could make out a good deal of it. Worry still marred her face, but she stood straight and tall and expression neutral as she waited for Veta's answer.
"I've searched Freya's suite, and there are minimal clues. I double-checked the security as well and found that she had been working on something in the system--something that involved her broach--"
"The broach?" Eleanor stroked her head, where her little shiny jeweled thing was in her hair.
Veta nodded. "I don't know what exactly, because she managed to cover all her results. But a couple of hours ago, she and Kian left. It looked like they headed out to do something, but I cannot find any evidence of where they went or what they were doing. If they're in this complex, I couldn't find it."
"Neither could I," Wrathin said.
Eleanor shook her head. "That makes no sense. Where would they go? What were they doing?"
"Freya, computer genius that she is, hid most of what she was doing. The only thing I could get was that she was--"
Jedriek got a command from Master System.
Master System requires communication with Imperial Princess Eleanor.
He blinked. "Yes, Master System."
"And the status of Bianca?" Eleanor asked.
"She's well. Her internal injuries, while some were intense, are being treated. There were several shards of glass that had worked their way into her body. While tedious, the Rhimodians are working to remove each one."
"She will--"
Master System requires communication with Imperial Princess Eleanor.
Jedriek nodded."Yes, Master System. In a moment."
A sharp pain echoed in his head.
Jedriek almost went down to his knees.
Almost.
Wrathin saw him crumble and grabbed his arm.
"Jedriek?"
He panted as the pain radiated through him.
"Jedriek, what is it?" Eleanor asked.
He looked at her, at those beautiful eyes, and opened his mouth to speak. Then the pain hit him again.
"Yes, Master System," he whispered. "Yes."
The pain stopped.
Though his whole body felt weak. It took him a few breaths to return to himself. Had he not just experienced it, he would never have believed that Master System would be angry with him. That's what it was. Anger. A burst of outrage from the system that controlled and commanded them. His emotions were understandable. He had organics in him. Old Rhimodian parts still responded, regardless of the control from the cybernetics.
Cybernetics, however, should not be emotional.
"Jedriek?" Eleanor said and put her hand on his arm. "Are you well? What happened?"
He stroked her cheek. "Master System requires to speak to you."
Eleanor blinked. "What?"
"Master System wants to speak to you. Now."
She blinked and shook her head. "And how does that work? Isn't Master System your protocol?"
"If Master System wishes it, we must comply," Wrathin said.
"Well, I'm not going to comply with anything if you keep hurting Jedriek!"
Pain dropped him to his knees again.
"Stop this!" Eleanor cried out as she attempted to hold him.
The pain ebbed a tiny bit, but he could not breathe.
"How dare you torture him just because you want to speak to me! What purpose does this serve? These are not machines. The Rhimodians are living, breathing humanoids who want to have a life. You have no right to attack him for attention!"
Even in pain, Jedriek grinned and stroked Eleanor's arm. Not many had ever so passionately defended him, or the Rhimodians as a whole, that he'd ever seen.
She touched his hand. "They are humanoids, first. Machines second. You may give them orders, but you do not own their souls. And you have no right to torture them."
Master System, of course, was listening and decided to speak. "Imperial Princess Eleanor Bron."
She blinked.
And so did Jedriek.
He had never actually heard Master System speak before. Words. Orders. Even in discussions, there was never a voice in his head but a presence that he could interact with. This was the first time Master System spoke aloud.
"You're a girl?" Eleanor asked.
"It matters not what I am. I need to speak to you. Directly."
She nodded. "Fine. Do you wish to speak to me? Release whatever you're doing to Jedriek, and we can talk. But I am not about to speak to you if you're going to hurt the protectors you sent." She stood and walked out to the center of the room. "I have to find my sister. And make sure Bianca is healing." She spoke to the room like she was stronger than Master System. Eleanor stood straight, glancing around the room like she had spoken to voices coming out of the walls her entire life.
He wanted to say he was proud of her. Though pride seemed the wrong word. Maybe it was impressed? It was a sensation in his chest that filled him with more emotion for her. More, well, he was not sure what it was.
Could this be love that all the humanoids spoke of? A feeling of genuine pride and desire? More than the Craving. It was more profound than that. If it was, he liked it. He liked feeling this way about Eleanor. He stood up, pushing through the receding pain, and came to stand by her.
"You are damaged."
Eleanor blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"Your mind is damaged. Master System wants to repair you."
"And this will do what for me?" Eleanor asked. "I don't think there's anything wrong with my mind. I have a fair amount of nanites running through my system as it is."
"It will restore your memories to their full function."
She blinked, and Jedriek saw her hesitate.
"You can do that?" she asked.
"Master System can repair you. But permission is required. Consider it an offering of good faith for the peace treaty." Master System's electric female voice echoed through the room.
"Good faith," she whispered. She reached behind her and took Jedriek's hand. "All my life, I have been told to trust without understanding why. And every time I have, I lost something. What can repairing my mind, as you believe it needs, give me? I have lost so many things in my life already. What can you give me back?"
"Your mother."