Later that evening Nigel, Jet, Brody and Treeka entered the rear entrance of the abandoned funeral facility. A short hallway led to a gigantic examination room with many tables. Dozens of instruments were arranged on various tables. It looked more like an operating room than a mortuary. Nigel took over the office near the makeshift operating room. His first priority was to get online and track down anything she could find about Tomiju Kiyomizu, the cyborg’s birth name, gathered from Treeka’s long-term memory.

“I need to scan Treeka’s short-term memory for any anomalies or clues to where this Dr. Ash is located,” Nigel said.

“That will be part of the examination. I’ll examine her physically first—”

“Don’t you think it’s important to scan her memory first? I get that it is important to check on her physically, but I need to get started looking for clues.”

Treeka gave Nigel a calculating look.

“I’ll let Dr. Brody decide. He is the only doctor present, and I trust him,” Treeka said.

“As soon as I’m finished with my examination, I will let you know. For now, you should try to get some rest,” Dr. Brody said.

“I think we all can use some rest. Do you want me to take you back to the hotel?” Melissa said to Nigel.

Jet didn’t wait for a response; she grabbed her backpack.

“Come on, Nige, you can prepare from the hotel. I’m exhausted,” Jet said.

“Okay, fine,” Nigel relented. “But I want to come back here first thing in the morning.”

“Why don’t we meet back around ten a.m.? I still need to rest, and we can compare notes in the morning,” Brody said.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Melissa yawned. “Agreed, it’s getting late and we all can use the rest.”

Nigel, Jet, and Melissa left without another word to Brody.

Brody checked the door and double locked it.

“Are we ready to begin the examination?” Treeka asked.

“Yes, my dear. I need to check you inside and out,” Brody told her. “Lay down on the examination table.”

Treeka removed the robe Melissa had provided earlier, then laid bare for Dr. Brody.

Dr. Brody came close and separated her legs.

“I need to be thorough,” he said. “I don’t want to leave a single detail to chance.”

“Is it necessary to look down there?” Treeka asked.

Dr. Brody smiled.

“Try to relax. You may feel a pinch, but nothing should hurt. It might even feel good,” Dr. Brody said as he caressed her face.

He’s using you for his own needs, sister, a voice echoed in Treeka’s head.

“Meeka—she’s awake.”

Brody’s expression changed to a look of confusion—then horror—as Meeka appeared in front of him and slashed at his throat with a knife.

“Hey, easy with that. No one is going to hurt you,” Brody said as Meeka appraised him like a predator sizing up its next victim.

“Stand down, sister,” Treeka said.

“How are you awake? I checked on you just hours ago,” Brody said.

Meeka smiled. “It seems I awoke at just the right moment. Greedy old men have taken advantage of my sister enough.”

Don’t harm him, he helped you sister, Treeka replied telepathically.

He has the look most men have when they approach a naked woman. His animal lust will take over, and he will ravage you, Meeka replied.

You’ve changed, sister. The old Meeka didn’t want to kill innocents, Treeka said.

Dr. Brody snatched Meeka’s forearm, trying to wrestle the blade from her. She moved with the precision of a cat. Meeka wasn’t at full capacity, but she continued to strike Brody with increasing power. It was like she was feeding off of his pain and suffering; Dr. Brody confirmed this when he screamed in pain. She slashed at his face. Blood oozed from the gaping wound.

“Stop this now, sister,” Treeka said. She leaped off the table, then shielded Brody.

“Move,” Meeka ordered.

“I will after you put down the knife. He is not the one who hurt you.”

Meeka looked unsure.

“He’s no danger to you—we have to get that bad code out of your head. Dr. Brody wants to help us,” Treeka continued.

“He just wants to help himself,” Meeka shouted as she plunged the knife into Brody’s chest.

“No!” Treeka shouted.

Meeka fled into the night.

Treeka pursued her sister. The cool night air and her nakedness reminded her she was not ready for another confrontation.