Damnation by Ken Barrett

Author:Ken Barrett [Barrett, Ken]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781086446630
Published: 2019-09-02T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15: Peril

Their guests gathered around a low table made from disassembled crates that sat near the center of their work area. Friendly conversation echoed off the dark granite walls as they drank tea while eating a late lunch consisting of vegetables, potatoes, and spicy tofu. Two suitcases containing Roxi’s clothing and belongings rested on the floor beside her chair.

Liam was occupied with his work and wasn’t following much of the conversation. “I’ve modified our battery armor plating so it can be tied into our autonomic system,” he mumbled while easing the first of two delicate diamond matrices into its protective cover.

Rose reclined nearby; her eyes were closed as she compiled the final version of their regenerative code. She frowned suddenly and sat forward in her chair. “Won’t that take a lot of energy? I mean, we’re improving our power supply, but if we end up increasing our usage, isn’t the whole effort pointless?”

“The output of our new configuration will be nearly seven times that of what we have now,” he responded. “Even with the extra expenditure, we’ll have ample surplus.”

“Are you guys even speaking English?” Tiger asked.

Roxi smiled. “What you’re hearing is techno-babble.”

“Will I have to alter my programs?” Rose asked.

“No,” Liam responded. “We’re fine as is.”

“Well that’s good,” his sister stated. “If you made me do another build of this code, I was going to kick your ass.”

“Siblings,” Roxi muttered. “They’re always the same, organic or synthetic; it doesn’t seem to make a difference.”

“Brothers are always a pain in the butt,” Rose said as her eyes drifted closed.

Alice smiled. “Maybe so, but I wish I wasn’t an only child; it would be nice to have someone around that would always be there to look out for me.”

Tiger smiled. “Well, you have me.”

Alice leaned over and kissed her boyfriend’s cheek. “Do you guys have a place for Roxi to sleep?”

“She’ll take my room, and I’ll rest in here,” Liam responded without looking up from his work.

“Thanks for cooling the ventilation for me,” Roxi stated. “Hopefully no one else will notice the lower temperature.”

“The changes only affect the locked storage areas, so if anyone comes down looking for us or you, they won’t notice anything unusual,” Liam said.

“I’m sorry to be such a bother,” Roxi stated.

“You’re never a bother,” Liam replied.

“Everybody except the missionaries believes that you two are outside and gone for good,” Alice said. “Oxana ordered the maintenance crews to look for you guys, but since most everyone thinks that there’s no one to find, they’re not looking too closely.”

“And that’s to our advantage,” Liam said. “But what about Roxi?”

“Now that she’s hidden down here, we’ll start a rumor that she’s followed you guys outside,” Alice responded.

“That’s fine for me, but what about you two? Is anyone giving you any trouble?” Roxi asked.

“Nah,” Tiger responded. “Alice’s kin are tight with the Tribes. And then there’s the other thing.”

“What’s that?” Roxi asked.

“We’re young and still growing,” Alice said. “Liam and Rose never get any older, but everybody’s seen me and Tiger change, and that proves we’re not demons.

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