16

“Johannes, I am pleased with Southland’s progress, as is the rest of the board,” Sofia Laurant, SL3’s chairwoman and majority stockholder, told SL3’s recently appointed president and CEO three days later.

“Thank you, Sofia,” Johannes Sagan replied, a huge grin on his face. “But you didn’t come here to just praise me or the company.” Why are you really here?”

“Don’t forget yourself Johannes,” Sofia warned. “I gave you your job and I can take it away just as fast.”

“I apologize. Is this about the high elf project?”

“Indeed. Why are you denying Michael and Piper Baird visitation with their child?”

“That bastard went over my head and directly to you?” Johannes asked, barely keeping his anger in check. Seeing the expression on Sofia’s face, he swallowed whatever else he had been about to say and asked, “you don’t mind us using the Baird girl as a test subject?”

“This is your only warning, Johannes, especially after your earlier disrespect,” Sofia warned. “I will not have you disparage a loyal employee and family friend.” She held up a hand to keep him from apologizing again because she wasn’t done. “If Michael had wanted the job, neither one of us would have been in this office. Father had personally groomed Michael to take over the company, but thankfully he had decided he didn’t care for the politics that come with the job and stayed in middle management. As for his daughter being a test subject, no, I don’t care at all. Aria was a talented musician but gave up performing before starting college.”

“I see,” Johannes said instead of apologizing. “So, you want me to allow the Bairds access to the prototype.”

“I do, but I want you to answer my question as well.”

“Lin didn’t think it would be productive to allow the test subject to see her parents and I agreed.”

“Lin?” Sofia repeated, giving Johannes a questioning look. She grinned. “I don’t care if you’re fucking Lin Roth or not. I do care that Roth’s ineptitude is not just hindering the high elf project but hurting it.”

Johannes grimaced. “That’s not fair. Lin has overseen the project as well as the lower elf project since they began and is doing tremendous work.”

“Johannes, the Baird girl is all but on life support right now! If that is not ineptitude, I do not know what is,” Sofia exclaimed. “That stunt with the orcs broke two of Aria’s lower ribs. Roth allowing her assistant to torture the girl led to Aria’s ear drums rupturing! Those two incidents have set the project back at least two weeks!”

“I was told it would only require a week for the girl to recover because of the nanobots and enhanced healing.”

“You aren’t counting the psychological damage that has been done to her!” Sofia shouted while slamming her hands on Johannes’ desk.

“But the chemical and hormonal changes that were done to suppress or change her emotions,” Johannes said.

Sofia laughed. “Johannes, that comment tells me you’ve never paid attention to a young woman’s emotional state before and that Dr Roth is one cold fish.”

“What do you mean?” SL3’s CEO asked, bristling but holding his tongue as best he could.

“You understand that people’s emotions are volatile?” Sofia asked. He nodded. “Roth cut the girl off from her support and has been driving her as hard as possible since Aria woke up.”

“She has Hauora as support,” Johannes objected. “And the staff.”

“The sergeant is not support. He’s there to train her,” Sofia countered. “And the staff are there to handle Aria’s physical needs, which are not the same as her emotional ones.”

“We brought in two therapists.”

“That haven’t done a damn thing because they’re old and frightened of Aria’s changes, especially her eyes,” Sofia said. “Don’t bother denying it, I’ve read the reports.”

“But she can talk to her parents on the comm every night.”

“That’s not the same as looking someone in the eye as you well know. It also doesn’t allow someone to hold her and reassure her through simple human contact.”

“Alright. I see we’ve made mistakes. I’ll allow the Bairds to visit her next week,” Johannes replied after thinking things through.

“No Johannes, not next week. Today.”

“That’s not possible. Lin needs…”

“You better make it possible. Michael and Piper are on their way and will be at Roth’s facility within the hour.”

“Tomorrow would be better. That would allow the staff time to clean the girl,” Johannes suggested. Seeing his boss’ expression, he added, “she’s been secured to a bed and force fed through a feeding tube in addition to the IV for fluids. She’s refused to eat or drink anything since the orc incident.”

“Today, Johannes, within in the hour,” Sofia repeated. “If not, you and your Dr Roth can and will end up in Southland yourselves. And I don’t mean living in luxury in one of the castles being built in Raleigh, Atlanta, Nashville, or Birmingham either.”

“You know about the castles?”

“Of course I do. Just because I let you run the day-to-day operations of my company, doesn’t mean I’m not in complete control of it,” Sofia answered as she walked out of the office.

*

“Mr and Mrs. Baird, it’s good to see you again,” Dr Craig Clarkson said in greeting.

“Yes, yes. Where’s Aria?” Mike replied.

“Right this way,” Craig replied. They walked to her care room in silence. Dr Clarkson stopped outside the door. “You may want to prepare yourselves. Aria is not in good shape.”

“What do you mean?” Mike asked.

“What has happened to our daughter?” Piper asked at the same time. Craig explained about the incident with the orcs and the days that followed. “Open that blasted door. I want to see her.”

“As you wish,” Craig replied, opening the door. Piper and Mike rushed into the room. Both gasped in surprise. Craig knew they could see how fragile she was even beneath her beauty. “Aria has been bathed and… contact me on comms if you need anything. Otherwise, push the call button and a nurse will be right in.”

Piper and Mike ignored the young doctor, and he left without another word.

“What have they done to our baby?” Piper asked as she clutched her husband’s hand.

“Go… away,” Aria croaked without opening her eyes. She sniffed the air. “Mo… mom? Da… dad?”

“We’re here baby,” Mike said as Piper sat on the edge of Aria’s bed and picked up her hand. Piper gripped Aria’s right hand in both of hers.

Aria opened her eyes. Mike suddenly wanted to punch the wall. Roth and her group had replaced his daughter’s pretty eyes with something alien just as he had been told. Still, she was his little girl, and he would accept whatever had been done to her. Aria started crying as did Piper. Mike felt his anger disappear instantly as his own eyes teared up.

“We love you baby,” Piper said, hugging Aria. Aria wailed and clutched her mother.

“Everything will be alright sweetie,” Mike added. That statement made Aria cry harder. Mike voiced his love for their daughter, walked over, and bent over to join his wife and child in the hug. He felt Aria do her best to hug him and Piper both as they hugged her.

17

“You’re fine sweetie. You’ll see once we get you home,” Piper told Aria. Aria nodded and wiped her eyes as her mother looked sort of lost.

I want to tell mom everything will be alright but I’m not alright, Aria thought.

“We know that look,” Mike said. Aria glanced at him, and he smiled. “You don’t think thinks will ever be alright again.”

“How did you guess that?” Aria asked. “Am I that transparent?”

“Only to us,” her mother answered. She grinned. “We have known you all your life after all.”

“Your life isn’t over, and things will get better,” her dad said.

“Look at me dad and I mean really look. I’m a freak,” Aria replied, bitterness clear in her voice. Huh. I’ve isolated that hum I’ve been hearing. It’s coming from the speakers in the ceiling. Someone must be listening to us. Roth, Gunny, or whoever won’t learn anything new, so listen all you want you bunch of pricks.

“Baby, you’re not a freak,” Piper said. “You’re still our beautiful and talented songbird.”

Aria started tearing up again. She wiped the tears away.

“That’s right. You’re our songbird even with those pretty pale-yellow eyes that distress you so,” Mike added. Aria did cry then, only for her parents to hug her again.

“Why don’t you tell us everything you’ve been through,” Piper urged, smiling encouragingly. “Then we can discuss things, and you’ll see it’s not as dire as you think.”

“I think you’ll agree with me that things are dire, but okay,” Aria replied. She took a deep breath and started telling her parents everything she had been through and what had been done to her.

*

Told you mom, Aria thought as she watched her mother try to comprehend what been done to her. Dad doesn’t look much better, but he also looks like he knows a bit more than mom.

“Dad, did you know they would do this to me?” Aria asked after deciding she wanted to know. Her mom looked sharply at her dad.

“I knew that Roth wanted to turn you into an elf but no, I didn’t know they would do all this,” Mike answered.

“Mike! How could you?” Piper demanded to know.

“I wanted Aria to live and come home to us,” her dad answered. “And honestly, I’d do anything to make that happen. I… I still would.”

“Even with all this suffering she is going through?” Piper asked.

“No parent should have to watch their child die,” Mike answered. “Piper, I couldn’t put you though losing our child.”

Aria watched as her mother stood, slapped her dad hard, and then hugged and kissed him. Aria smiled slightly. Looks like mom has forgiven dad already. But about me? Can I forgive him?

Her parents whispered to each other for a few minutes. Aria listened to music through her implant and did her best to ignore her parents. She had zero desire to hear them make plans for sex later. Despite my best efforts, I’m still hearing part of that talk! Can I scrub my ears out?

“You can hate me if you want Aria,” Mike said, pulling her from her thoughts. She saw her mom and dad were holding hands.

“I don’t hate you dad. That goes for mom too,” Aria replied. Someone is outside the doorway. I can hear them breathing. She grimaced. My ear popped. Is the air pressure changing? “And I don’t hold what you did against you either.”

“Are you sure Aria?” her dad asked.

“Yes dad. I love you both too much to do that,” Aria answered. Guess that answers the question if I can forgive him or not.

“What’s the matter sweetie?” Piper asked after Aria grimaced a second time. She told them about her ear popping.

“Sounds like something some animals can do when storms are coming,” Mike said.

“The weather report did state storms were on the way,” Piper said. “Do you want something for the pain?”

“No, thank you,” Aria replied. “The nanobots have already made the pain fade some.”

“That’s handy,” her mom said. Aria shrugged. The person outside the door just walked away. “Sweetie, you never said what these new senses can do. Why don’t you tell us about them?”

“Why?” Aria asked instead of answering her mom’s question.

“Because we want to know everything about what was done to you,” her dad replied. “It’ll help us understand things and help us plan for you after you get out of here.”

“Dad, I don’t think Roth and whoever is going to let me go,” Aria retorted.

“Leave that to me. I’ll make sure you get out and come home, or go wherever you want,” Mike said. “So, please explain what you can do.”

*

“Do you really think it’s best for me to cooperate with Dr Roth and the Gunny?” Aria asked after they had talked for another three hours.

“I do,” Mike answered. “But only after we negotiate a contract for you.”

“Not only one that sees you coming home when this testing they want to do is done, but one that pays you exceptionally well,” Piper added. “And includes whatever medical care you might need going forward.”

“That’s a good point,” Mike said. “All this untested technology may lead to complications down the road.”

“Great,” Aria muttered.

“Hadn’t thought of that, huh?” her mom asked. Aria shook her head.

“They had said everything was me now and there wouldn’t be any complications,” Aria said.

“Because of these ‘lesser’ elves that they’ve already made?” Mike asked. Aria nodded. “Then they pushed different processes or parts on you.”

“Yeah,” Aria said. Our visitor is back outside the door.

“All the more reason to have medical put into your contract,” her dad said.

“Perhaps we could even get them to reverse the process,” her mom said. I’m not sure that’s possible but won’t tell mom that.

“So, who do we need to talk to about this contract,” Aria asked. She looked up as the door slid open.

“That would be me,” a woman in an expensive dress said. I recognize her.

“Mrs. Laurant!” Mike exclaimed.

That’s why I recognize her. She attended quite a few of my performances when I played publicly.

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“Please Mike, we’ve known each other too long for formalities,” Sofia said. “You know you may call me Sofia.”

“Just wanted to make sure,” Mike replied.

“Piper, it’s good to see you again,” Sofia said, a smile on her face.

“Likewise,” Piper replied, returning the smile.

“Aria, I’m glad you’re healthy,” Sofia said. “It’s good to see you again as well.”

“And it’s good to see you, Mrs. Laurant,” Aria said, remembering her manners for her parents’ sakes.

“I’m going to cut to the chase to save us all some time,” Sofia said. “I want this project to succeed since it stands to become one of our most profitable lines.”

That’s not a good way of looking at things. We’re people, not products, Aria thought while scowling at Sofia. “And that means?”

“Don’t look at me that way. I know I sound cold and cruel,” Sofia replied. “But what this means for you young lady, is that to make this project a success, I’m willing to give you nearly anything you want… within reason.”

“Sofia, do we have your word on that?” Piper asked.

“I’ll put it in writing,” Sofia answered. “Let me contact Blake Page from legal. He’s recently become SL3’s new lead legal counsel. We’ll hammer out the details once he arrives.”

“Perhaps in the morning would be better,” Aria said. “I’m hungry and imagine mom and dad are as well.”

“That’s acceptable,” Sofia said. “Aria, do you give your word that you’ll cooperate with Dr Roth?”

“If we can come to a deal my parents and I like, then yes, I’ll cooperate within reason,” Aria answered.

“That works for me,” Sofia said with a grin on her face.

18

“Did I wake you and is this is your normal room?” Piper asked Aria the next morning as she glanced around the unadorned room.

“Yes, and yes,” Aria answered. “This room mostly feels like a cage though. Where’s dad?”

“Hopefully the stuff your dad and I brought will help make this room feel more like yours until you can get out of here,” her mom replied. “Your dad is waiting for the guards to inspect what we brought.”

“You brought some stuff from home?”

“And the apartment you had stayed in at college,” Piper confirmed. Aria frowned. “Yes, the landlord made us move your stuff out so they could rent the apartment out again.”

“That really sucks. I liked that apartment,” Aria said.

“I know sweetie. The view was fantastic.”

“So, what did you and dad bring, mom?”

“Mostly some of your clothing,” Piper answered. She smiled. “We brought your guitar and a couple of photos too.”

Aria’s eyes lit up. She hugged Piper. “Thanks mom!”

“You’re welcome baby,” Piper said, returning the hug. “You’re wearing silk?”

“Yes. My skin doesn’t like synthetic fibers at all,” Aria said. “So, they’ve fabricated me some silk, cotton, and linen clothing. I sleep in the silk because it’s the most comfortable.”

“I don’t blame you,” her mom said. “But that means you can’t wear your old clothes.”

“I’ll try them anyway. I know my jeans were 100% denim, which is cotton.”

“Good, but we didn’t bring any of your jeans. I’ll bring a couple of pairs next time we come,” Piper said. “We would have brought your tablet but thought you wouldn’t need it with your implant. Or do you even have access to it?”

“I have some access to it, but I can’t do everything with the implant like I can my computer and tablet because of a lack of permissions,” Aria answered.

“When we talk with Sofia, tell her you want full access,” her mom suggested.

“Good idea mom. I’m going to take a shower and get ready.”

“Alright,” Piper said.

*

Aria ran her hand over her guitar. I’m so glad to have this here. I might even start playing again. The woodgrain feels nice, and the smell isn’t too bad. Her parents smiled.

“Sorry about your clothes baby. We hadn’t realized so many of them were made from synthetic materials,” Mike said. Aria was wearing a sweatsuit. She hugged him.

“It’s alright dad. I hadn’t either,” Aria replied. “Have you and mom thought about what you want from the company?”

“Just for you to come home safe and sound,” her dad answered.

“Even like this?” Aria asked, gesturing to her ears and eyes.

Her dad nodded as her mom said, “As we told you yesterday, you’re still our baby girl and we accept and love you for who you are no matter what.”

Aria nodded and hugged them. “You know you could probably get a vacation or early retirement from this too.”

“Tempting, but just getting you home will be enough,” Mike said.

“Are you sure dad?” Aria asked. Dad, you’re too trusting and loyal to the company, Aria thought. I’ll have to get what I can for you two out of this since you won’t.

“I’m sure. What about you? What do you want other than getting out of here?” Mike asked.

“Full access to the implant like mom suggested to me earlier,” Aria replied. “Other than that, and the medical care you guys mentioned yesterday, I’m not sure.”

“Don’t forget getting paid,” Piper said. “I don’t think you’ll want the sort of job the company is preparing you for.”

“Yeah,” Aria muttered. Mom didn’t say others might not want me around either though I’m sure she has already figured that out too. I may not have future options anymore. “Alright. I’ll insist on a few million and maybe a house in the mountains or on a private island too.”

Her parents laughed.

“Let’s go meet with Sofia and Blake,” her dad said. “Too bad I didn’t think to bring one of my playlists along. Some old hard rock would set the mood well.”

“Ugh,” Piper replied, making her dad chuckle.

“What would you recommend dad?” Aria asked.

“Something from Metallica most likely. Either Master of Puppets or Ride the Lightning,” Mike answered. “Immigrant Song by Led Zepplin would work too.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Aria said. “It might make for good hearing training.”

“It might,” her mom agreed. “Lord knows it’s not good for much else.”

“Hey!” her dad protested, making her mom laugh. The door opened and a guard gestured for them to follow him.

*

“The medical care is a good idea,” Blake Page stated.

“I agree and approve it,” Sofia Laurant said from the right of her attorney. “I won’t approve of the royalties you asked for, but I will agree to paying Aria 50 million once the testing is done and then provide her a residence wherever she wants to live.”

Aria looked at her mom and dad. Her mom shrugged while her dad nodded.

“That is acceptable,” Mike said. “I want to be able to help Aria invest this money though. It’ll have to last her the rest of her life.”

“That is a conflict of interest,” Blake pointed out.

“It’s fine,” Sofia said. The lawyer wasn’t happy but didn’t say anything. “So, are we in agreement?”

“I think so,” Mike said as Piper nodded her agreement. Blake confirmed his agreement as well.

“I have a few other requests,” Aria said.

“I knew this was going to easily,” Sofia replied. She grinned. “I’m listening.”

“I want my parents taken care of,” Aria said. “Full stock options, retirement, a raise for dad, and your word that they’ll never be used as leverage against me again. Oh! And they get the money you’re paying me if something happens to me.”

Blake stared in disbelief at Aria as did her parents.

Sofia smiled. “That’s asking for a lot considering what I’ve already agreed to.”

“You also know where Roth wants to send me for ‘field testing’,” Aria replied, making air quotes. Piper looked at the others in confusion while Mike looked upset.

“Mike?” Piper asked.

“You want to send Aria into Southland?” Mike asked.

“I’m afraid so,” Blake said.

“Isn’t Southland some unpoliced park?” Piper asked.

“Southland is the only place where all the technologies going into Aria can be properly evaluated,” Sofia said. “And yes, anything goes in Southland.”

Aria’s parents started arguing with Blake and Sofia, who didn’t respond to Mike and Piper’s shouting. She just stared at Aria.

“I don’t get sent into Southland if the skill downloads don’t work, do I?” Aria asked, cutting into a brief pause in the arguing.

“No. If that happens, the project will have to go back to the drawing board, so you have my word that if the skills don’t take, you won’t be sent into Southland and you’ll be allowed to go home with half the money I’ve promised,” Sofia said. “Dr Roth will then have to try again with a new test subject.”

“Do you know why Aria was chosen for this?” Piper asked.

“Convenience,” Sofia replied after drinking water from the glass on the conference table in front of her. “Dr Roth thought a blank slate was a better option than a trained soldier. So, when Aria was injured in that crash, she took the chance and Mike agreed to whatever it took to save Aria.”

“There had been a few other injured candidates Dr Roth had considered as well,” Blake added. “In fact, most of our test subject pool was normal people just like Aria.”

“That’s not true and neither was your remark about other injured candidates,” Aria stated. The attorney looked shocked. “Your left eye twitches just a touch when you lie.”

Sofia laughed and held up a hand to stop Blake from opening his mouth to say anything else. “Do you have any other requests?”

“I want full access and permissions for my implant,” Aria answered.

“Why?” Sofia asked.

“I want control over this thing in my head,” Aria answered. “Otherwise, “I’ll just hack the implant.”

“Our implants are not hackable,” Blake said.

“Nothing connected to the internet is unhackable,” Aria countered.

“Dr Clarkson or Collingsworth will give you the access after this meeting is over and the contract is signed,” Sofia said.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Blake said. “Her implant is new quantum technology.”

“I’m aware of what the implant is,” Sofia said. “But I have made my decision and look forward to whatever software Aria comes up with by using it.”

Aria smiled and thanked the chairwoman. It’s not software I’m thinking of using it for. I want control over these nanobots and will use the implant for that.

“Is there anything else you want?” Blake asked.

“Maybe. I’m not sure,” Aria honestly answered. She gave him a sheepish grin.

“If there is and it’s within reason, just ask Dr Roth or one of her staff. I’ll leave instructions to make it happen,” Sofia said. “Now, do we have an agreement?”

“We do,” Aria answered.

19

“Ready to get to work?” Gunny asked the next morning.

“Not really, but I agreed to cooperate, so I guess,” Aria replied. “Let me save my spot in this help file.”

“Help file?”

“Yeah. I was reading how the implants use quantum entanglement to communicate,” Aria replied, blinking away the file. She stood and walked to the doorway.

“And just why would you want to read about that?” Gunny asked. “The tech works. That’s all I care about.”

“Come on Gunny! It’s fascinating,” Aria said. “There is a quantum particle in the implant that is bound or entangled with other particles in chipsets up in the SL3 satellite network. Data is sent instantaneously from one particle to the other.”

And if they have quantum entanglement working, it means I might be able to get the nanites to do quantum teleportation, which means I might be able to get out of any dangerous situation in the blink of an eye. But Gunny doesn’t need to know that.

“And?”

“And? Aria repeated. “That’s how we can chat at the speed of thought! This kind of tech was supposed to be decades away.”

“So, why do you care about that?”

“Because it’s fascinating for one. Two, I’m trying to figure out every advantage I have for when I’m sent into Southland,” Aria answered. “And this also means I’ll never have to worry about being out of range of a cell tower again. We could be 100 ft underground and still communicate clearly with someone on the moon!”

“Okay. I’ll admit that’s interesting,” Sergeant Hauora said.

“Just interesting?”

The sergeant shrugged. “What can I say? I’m not a science nerd.”

“Jock!”

“I was one in my youth, you slacker.,” the sergeant replied. He grinned. “I should make you run 50 laps around the complex as punishment for slacking off the last few days.”

“That might make a good warmup,” Aria quipped. Honestly, it probably would just be a warmup at this point. My body has changed a lot over the last few weeks in addition to what was done to me.

“Alright smartass. Let’s put your money where your mouth is,” Hauora said. “Try to keep up and don’t get distracted by the sights and sounds outside.”

Aria’s eyes widened in shock. “Outside? You’re serious?”

Gunny snorted and started stretching right there in the hallway outside her room. She stood there staring at him.

“Now missy! Start stretching. Move it, move it!” Gunny yelled, using his command voice. Aria jumped.

“Yes Gunny!” she replied and started stretching. He smiled.

*

Aria paused just past the doorway. Already the bright sunlight, sounds, and scents were overwhelming her.

“Problems?” Hauora asked.

“I can’t,” Aria said, closing her eyes and putting her hands over her ears. “It’s too much!”

“Breathe kiddo. Just breathe,” Gunny said.

“Are you trying to make me sick?”

“No,” the sergeant laughed. “Just trying to get you to calm down.” Gunny Hauora guided Aria back inside and to the floor just inside the doorway. “Better?”

“A little,” Aria replied, opening her eyes. I can do this.

“Alright. Let’s go to the gym and you can run on the treadmill again.”

“No!” Aria exclaimed. The sergeant looked at her curiously.

“No?”

“I can do this. I want to do this. I… need to do this,” Aria replied. “Just give me a few minutes.” She crossed her legs since she was already sitting on the floor. “Let me sit here with the door open so I can adjust to the sensations.”

“Alright. You have 10 minutes. After that we go out for our run, or we hit the gym, and you don’t get breakfast.”

“That’s torture Sarge!”

“Don’t consider missing breakfast as torture. Consider it extra motivation,” Gunny replied. She started to say something, but he tapped his wrist. “The clock is ticking.”

*

A few minutes later, Aria opened her eyes and walked outside. She knew she still had about four minutes before Hauora’s time limit expired. She squinted against the brightness and walked out into the sunlight away from the overhang that covered the facility’s front door.

Gunny waved the guards back after they moved to bring Aria back into the facility. She smiled as she heard and smelled that happen. Aria closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sun.

“Sarge, shouldn’t we bring her back in?” one of the guards asked.

“Dr Roth hasn’t approved of her going outside,” the second guard added.

“I’m not worried about the doctor,” Sergeant Hauora told them. “This is a training decision, and the Dr Roth wanted me to push her, so I’m pushing.”

“Should we launch some drones and arrange for more security?” the first guard asked.

“Security and observation are already taken care of,” Gunny answered. “And on standby.”

*

Aria felt her smile return, but this time it was because of the sun’s warmth on her skin. It feels lovely. I think I now know why animals just bask in the sun. I suppose the nanobots will take care of any possible sunburn. If not, I’ll deal with it as always with lots of lotion.

The sounds faded and became more comfortable to her as did the smells. Honestly, the smells are worse than the sounds. Some of those flowers around here have very strong fragrances.

Aria looked around her after forcing her eyes open all the way. It’s a lovely morning. I’ve never noticed just how blue the sky is before. She sniffed and looked to the west. She could see a few clouds in the sky. Pressure is dropping again, and I can smell rain on the breeze.

“Gunny,” Aria called. “We need to run these laps quickly.”

“Why’s that?” Hauora replied.

“Rain is coming,” Aria answered.

“Really?” the sergeant asked. She nodded. “Checked the weather forecast?”

“Not yet. I can smell rain on the wind and can feel the air pressure dropping,” Aria replied. The two guards scoffed. She ignored them.

“You’re right,” Hauora said a moment later. “Radar shows rain is coming.”

“Are you serious sarge?” the other guard asked. “There’s no way she felt and smells the rain coming.”

Aria grinned, shook her head, and pulled the hair tie off her left wrist. She pulled her hair into a ponytail. Maybe the guards aren’t clued into what has been done to me.

“Ready?” Gunny asked. She nodded. “Keep up if you can.”

20

“Ready for this afternoon’s training?” Gunny asked after Aria finished her lunch the same day.

“I don’t know. What’s it going to be, smelling skunks?” Aria replied.

“Nah, I think you’ll be able to handle your sense training on your own from now on,” Hauora answered.

“Really?” Aria asked in disbelief.

“Yes. You handled the outdoors this morning just fine. So, from now on in the mornings, you’ll run laps around the facility,” the sergeant replied. “This way you can combine your sense training with some good old-fashioned exercise. I’ll even let you run on your own.”

“Does me running alone include the guards and drones in addition to all the cameras?” Aria asked.

“Noticed them, did you?”

“Smelled and heard them too, especially the guards,” Aria answered.

“Ha! That’s good,” Sergeant Hauora said. “And yes, they’ll all be present when you’re outdoors.”

“Does this mean I’ll get to spend time outside when we’re not training?” Aria asked.

“Sure. But…”

“Yeah, yeah. My keepers will be there as well.”

“Exactly.”

“That scared I’m going to run away?” Aria teased.

“I’m not but Dr Roth is, as is some of the board of directors. They’re also worried about you being kidnapped,” Gunny replied.

“Really?”

“Yes. Industrial espionage is a thing and still very much practiced,” Hauora answered. “So, until your contract is fulfilled, you’re going to be escorted whenever you’re outside.”

“What about in Southland?”

“That’s different. Me and a few heavy hitters will accompany you on your excursions there until we’re satisfied you can survive. Then you’ll be left on your own for a few weeks,” Gunny explained. “After that, Dr Roth starts working on new high elves and you get to go home or go wherever you want to go.”

For some reason, I don’t get a good feeling from what he just said. Though, I don’t see any twitches or anything that would say he’s lying to me either. Guess I just don’t trust anyone involved in this ‘project’. Ugh! I’ll worry about that when the time comes.

“So, if sense training is out, what’s on the agenda for this afternoon? Waterboarding?”

“Nothing so rough,” Gunny laughed. “We’re going to train you to defend yourself and fight this afternoon.”

“Uh… Gunny, I’ve never even punched anyone before. And doesn’t that sort of thing take years to learn?”

“If we were going to teach you the traditional way, yes. But we’re not going to do that.”

Wait a minute. Didn’t he mention something about implanting skills before? Aria thought. “Gunny, does this training have anything to do with those skill implants or whatever you guys called them?”

“Good memory,” Gunny replied. “And yes, it does. Come on.”

*

“Are you ready Collingsworth?” Gunny asked the tech as they walked into a lab room.

“Yes sergeant. I’m ready,” the technician answered. “Is Aria ready?”

“I don’t know. What do I have to do?” Aria asked.

“Just sit in this chair,” Collingsworth answered. “I’ll take care of the rest. In fact, you might could take a nap if you want.”

“Would the process work if she’s asleep?” Gunny asked.

“It should,” Collingsworth replied, shrugging his shoulders. “But we’ve never tested anything this complex on anyone before, so maybe she should be awake for it.”

“Great. More being a Guinea pig,” Aria muttered as she plopped into the chair. “So, what are you trying to stick into my head?”

“Two martial arts,” Collingsworth answered. “The first is Wing Chun and the second is Akido. Both are ideal for smaller people and women.”

“Like you,” Gunny said, a grin on his face. Aria resisted flipping him off.

She looked up both martial arts using her implant. “What the hell, Gunny? Akido is considered the way of harmony or peace and nonviolent while Wing Chun is considered violent.”

“Akido is all about defense, control, and mastering yourself,” Sergeant Hauora replied. “In fact, it has very few offensive moves and emphasizes joint locks and throws to turn your attacker’s aggression back on them. Akido’s founder even felt you harmed yourself by harming your attacker.”

“Wing Chun on the other hand is all about neutralizing an attacker by attacking them at the same time,” Collingsworth stated. “Both are defensive arts.”

“So, you’re being given these, so you don’t have any more issues like the pool incident,” Gunny added. Aria nodded her understanding. “If this works, we’ll then imprint some weapons training for offense.”

“Just recline in the chair,” Collingsworth instructed. “I’ll connect to your implant and start the download.”

Aria did as the tech said. Without warning, she felt an intense pain in her left temple. It almost felt like brain freeze from eating ice cream too quickly. A few minutes later a notice appeared.

Download complete. You have learned Akido.

“Umm… it worked,” Aria muttered uncertainly. She blinked and the message disappeared.

“It did work!” Collingsworth shouted, pumping his fist. “And now for Wing Chun.”

Aria felt the same spike of pain again. Another notice appeared a few minutes later.

Download complete. You have learned Wing Chun.

“Download complete,” Collingsworth stated. He looked and sounded very excited.

“Aria?” Gunny prompted.

This enhanced healing is nice. My headache is mostly gone already.

“I know Kung Fu!” Aria cracked. She ruined it by giggling.

“Smartass,” Gunny muttered. “I’m amazed people still quote that movie.”

“Oh, come on Gunny! How often do people get to say that and really mean it?” Aria replied.

“You don’t know Kung Fu. Wing Chun is a different martial art,” Hauora replied, shaking his head.

“Congratulations Collingsworth,” Dr Roth’s voice said over the room’s speakers. “You’ll receive a bonus for this.”

“Thank you, Dr Roth,” Collingsworth replied.

“Sergeant Hauora, let’s move on to skill testing.”

“Yes ma’am,” Gunny said. He glanced at Aria. “Yep. This means you get to spar now.”

“Joy!” Aria sarcastically replied. She frowned. “I don’t have to fight orcs, do I?”

“No. You’ll be sparring with some normal human troopers. We’ll escalate the challenge as you progress,” Gunny answered.