Zero Site 1607 by Andrew Calhoun

Author:Andrew Calhoun [Calhoun, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grizli777
Published: 2019-02-09T22:00:00+00:00

2.5 ELISKA

“You’re Mr. Toad?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you face-to-face.”

“I was expecting someone a little . . . I’m sorry, but . . .”

“Older?”

“Yes.”

“I get that a lot.”

“I’m sorry. This is very rude of me, but how old are you?”

“Not at all. I’m twenty-four.

“And you’re the one who’s been messaging me?”

“That’s right, doctor. I understand how you’re feeling right now, Eliska. I hope you don’t mind me calling you Eliska. I know that my age might seem . . . off-putting for you, but I’d like to assure you that I’m very experienced for my age.”

Eliska doubted that. It was easy for young people to think they knew everything when they hadn’t lived long enough to comprehend the naivety of their youth. Nevertheless, the person standing in front of her didn’t look cocky or arrogant. Nor did he seem condescending. He gave off a well-mannered, inquisitive vibe. His stature was non-threatening. His height was average, his face unremarkable, and his tussled brown hair somehow made him look intelligent and friendly at the same time.

“Mr. Bell and Mr. Stalock, I presume.” He extended a hand to greet the two rifle-bearing United States Marines, and, after grasping each man’s hand with a firm handshake, approached Saeliko, who was still wearing cuffs on her wrists. “Your name is Saeliko.” He stood in front of her and took a moment to examine her facial features. “The tattoos are exceptional. Do forgive me for staring; this is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to meet a Saffisheen. This is an honor for me, although I’m embarrassed to say that I’m not as well versed in your culture as I should be. I’m not familiar with your greeting customs. May I shake your hand as well, or is there another protocol I should follow?”

Saeliko put forward her bonded wrists and allowed Mr. Toad to grip her right hand. She didn’t say anything, but she looked the twenty-four-year-old up and down, perhaps taking stock of the man.

Eliska considered what to say next, but she was at a momentary loss for words. So many secret messages sent back and forth between herself and the mysterious Mr. Toad, and now that she was face to face with her accomplice in crime, she was tongue tied.

“You’re not Zodo, so who do you work for?” Dallas asked, picking up the slack in dialogue.

Mr. Toad smiled and gestured toward Eliska. “I believe she can tell you that.” Then he turned and addressed her straight on. “You’ve guessed already, haven’t you?”

Eliska nodded. She had had her suspicions for a long time. There were a number of VGCP corporations operating on the planet, but one of them was far ahead on the tech and encryption front. “You work for Sage Systems.”

“That’s right.”

“What’s Sage Systems?” Dallas asked.

“Rival company,” she replied. “They specialize in integrated human-robotics interface technologies. Neural implants, AI systems, that sort of thing. The decoder in the back of your head is a Sage product. So was the AI in the elevator back in ARCOB.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.