Twins (an Ell Donsaii story #17) by Dahners Laurence

Author:Dahners, Laurence
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2023-05-06T00:00:00+00:00

***

By the time the sun rose, they had camera ports on every corner in the eighty-eight-block area that encompassed the sightings of the twins. Allan felt certain he’d be able to pick up the twins as soon as they got out and about.

After they’d had their breakfast with Shan, Ell queried Allan and he reported no sightings. She started drumming her fingers on the table and looking thoughtful.

Shan said, “Patience, Ell. Patience. They’re going to turn up. What I’m worried about is how’re we going to handle it once we know where they are.”

Ell abruptly got up and started for the door of the restaurant. “Walk with me while we talk it over. I can’t just sit there.”

He sighed, getting up. “I assume Allan paid the bill?”

She nodded. “How do you think we should handle contacting them?”

“Depends on who they’re with. Have we identified the adults who’re usually with them in the images Allan found?”

Ell said, “Allan? What about that?” She looked at Shan, “I can’t believe I haven’t already asked that. Good to have you awake and back on the team.”

Allan said, “There are almost always adults present in images that contain the twins, however only five of those adults are present in more than one image. The most commonly seen adult is only present in four of the girls’ images. One would have to conclude that they are not typically accompanied by an adult on their outings. Rather, the presence of the same adults in images containing one or both twins is likely coincidental.”

Ell looked at Shan, “You think they’ve broken free of their kidnappers? That they’re somehow living independently?”

He gave her a wide-eyed look, “How would they support themselves?”

“I could’ve supported myself when I was five,” Zage interjected.

Ell gave him a considering look. “Well, yeah. But somebody’d helped you get an educational spot in a lab and bought you a bunch of cell-free protein synthesis equipment, right?”

Zage, said, “Yeah. But I think I could’ve done it anyway. Maybe not at the same level, but I could’ve figured out some way to make money.”

Ell mussed his hair, “I think you could’ve too, but you also had access to high-end AI resources that the twins won’t have been able to avail themselves of.”

“They were wearing HUDs in all the images I’ve seen,” Zage said. “Maybe not high-end ones, but even if no one bought them access, they could’ve gotten them from KEC. With AIs, I’ll bet they’re smart enough to make some money and support themselves.”

Ell’s eyes widened, “Great thinking! Can you work through KEC to see if you can figure out if they set up a pair of girls with AIs?’

Zage tilted his head, apparently thinking how to phrase the query, then said, “I can try.” He started talking to Osprey, his AI.

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