Errant Conflict by T Michael Ford

Author:T Michael Ford [Ford, T Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-06-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Laree

“Wake-up celebrity sleepyhead,” I heard a familiar voice whisper softly above me.

“Not now, Mom,” I mumbled, burrowing even deeper into my covers. “It’s not even close to time for school yet.”

“Mom?” the gentle voice mused. “Well, after yesterday’s performance, I guess I can forgive a minor lapse in judgment. I suppose I may have to get used to that title someday if Kodo agrees; hopefully, sooner rather than later.”

I opened one eye and squinted. “Kalaya?” I spotted her perched primly on my bed just a few feet away.

“Who else would be in your room? Besides, you didn’t tie a sock to the door warning me you had a male guest over.”

“What are you talking about? And like that’s ever going to happen!” I said, sitting up and propping a pillow behind me.

“Oh, I don’t know. From what I can tell, you are easily the most popular single girl on the planet right now. I imagine the boys will be lining up in droves.”

“Right…and why is that?”

“Well, as required, the entirety of the battle yesterday was broadcast to everyone on Earth who had a view screen and wished to watch. I inadvertently failed to notify the corporate censors of the event, so it just appeared as if by magic. I also prefaced the broadcast with a statement of why our intrepid heroine was fighting for the lives of five billion people. Also, I might have let slip a copy of that nasty note the Planetary Council sent you threatening legal action…oops, silly me.”

“Kalaya, you didn’t!”

“Regrettably so,” she sighed dramatically but with a twinkle in her eyes. “I’m afraid I may have damaged relations with Chairwoman Diaz irreparably; oh well. So, are you up for a visitor or three? We have some things of import to discuss.”

“I guess,” I said warily, pulling my blankets up under my chin and sitting up straight. There was a tap on the door and in walked Elleen and Hannah. I peered behind them, but no one else appeared. “I thought you said there were going to be three guests?”

The window next to my bed transformed into a similarly-sized video screen.

“Wait for it,” Kalaya counseled. “He’s really one of your biggest fans.”

I raised an eyebrow at my human friends as they found comfortable spots around me on the mattress. Elleen looked puzzled, but Hannah was more nervous than I’ve ever seen her. A few seconds later an image formed on the screen in front of us and a rather handsome middle-aged man smiled at us. I didn’t recognize him; however, Elleen certainly seemed to as she turned white as a sheet. Hannah looked like she would rather be somewhere else…actually, anywhere else.

“Councilman Morgan, good morning!” my synthetic friend purred silkily. “I have taken the liberty of enhancing your encryption protocols with some of my own. You can be assured that our conversation remains discreet.”

“Kalaya, please, it’s Adio to you and Kodo!” he beamed. “And this attractive young lady must be the one who rocked our world

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