by L. B. Carter
On the other side, Katheryn Tate was a lot less sure of herself than when she'd stared down Val. That might have been due to the presence of the government, or it might have been the result of the fact that she was bracketed by several BSTU authority figures—her superiors. Professor Hutchinson was seated to her right by Reed, and on her left, insinuating just how little power she had by blocking her from the USGCS director, were two other suited men. Reed hadn't bothered to pay attention to their names and titles. Some kind of head of project management or something, there for the paperwork issue, and some kind of board member or dean or something, there for the professor issue.
Reed was mildly disappointed they hadn't gotten the CEO or whatever. Was that the head guy of universities? He figured the president was more of a face on a throne like a monarch without actual voting abilities.
It had taken them several hours to reconvene for this meeting.
For one, the cops had had to disperse the crowds. By now, the new story was surely circulating the media networks and news stations with who-knew-what kind of extrapolative fabrication to explain the arrival of the government since everything was mysteriously missing from all recording devices.
Secondly, there was a bit of a scuffle over who got to escort Sirena inside—guards or government. Nor won. Reed had been proud.
Third, the university had been obligated to administer to their explosion problem and all the students who'd been evacuated. And it had taken some amount of time for them to go through their phone tree and sort out their stance on the situation before they sent in their guys to discuss the situation.
Fourth... Fourth, and most importantly, was the note.
Reed had been floored to hear about this. His Valerie had totally conned him; she'd been so sweet, innocent. He thought he'd dragged her into his mess. Blindfolds were rapidly being ripped off the layers resting over his eyes, each more opaque than the last.
It turned out he was partially right. He hadn't paid her enough attention—not in protecting her from his work but in realizing how much danger she'd been in before meeting him. She was a true actress.
And Reed had no idea how to feel about that. He respected her dedication, her skill—hell, it was his job to lie about who he was. She did it well. But she had lied to him. He hadn't ever lied to her, which was why it had hurt so much when she was gone. She was one of the few outside his family and colleagues who knew the real him, all of him.
Marissa had agreed he could read the note but not until after the meeting; it was only fair that BSTU, being Jennifer's university, and her mother saw it first.
Reed wanted to argue with that—Jennifer had left them, hadn't wanted anything to do with them—but he knew better. His father had taught him to be obedient.
Reed glanced at Father in that moment while Marissa was speaking in dictatorial tones to the suits. His face was as impassive as ever. But he'd shown up for his sons, just like Marissa had for her children. That's what Reed believed. The man had said it was for Sirena, to complete the contract hanging over their organization's head, unfulfilled. Reed hoped Mother's death had imparted something besides debilitating grief. He wanted Father to step into a role of parent, the role he'd never embraced—he'd always been boss, trainer, leaving the parenting to Mother. Reed wanted Father to care. If not for him, for Nor. Reed was old enough to take care of himself.
Father's eyes shifted to Reed without warning and locked there. They were as green as Reed's but distant like a mucus rather than a flourishing meadow. More vacant than Mother's eyes had appeared in the casket. Jennifer's, he hadn't seen; there hadn't been enough left.
Reed looked away first, forgoing that staring contest as one he'd never win. He wasn't sure he wanted to.
Reed had been worrying since he and Nor hit the road, almost since the accident, whether he would have to step into Mother's role, helping run the company. Nor would be better in that spot since he was the more scientific of her sons; Reed could better fill Father's shoes. But Nor was young. Reed might have to take it by default. Was that why Father came down for them?
"I was not endangering BSTU; if the university was performing under correct methodology and processes, then what I did should not be a risk." Val's harsh voice reeled Reed back into the situation that needed sorting before he cornered his Father.
"We hadn't tried the procedure on adults," Katheryn Tate volleyed back.
"Ladies," one of the men droned, holding up a palm, displaying an expensive ring and shining cuff links. Reed kind of wished the guy would let the ladies fight it out again. He turned back to Marissa, who Val had no doubt overridden in answering the accusation. "The fact remains that this young lady—your daughter—deluded our staff, and thus, they are not at fault for the choices she made here. Nor is it under the jurisdiction of BSTU as she was not authorized to either be here or operate our equipment or novel procedures."
Marissa folded her hands on the table. "I understand. However, the fact remains that the process did occur on your private property. As such, it falls onto your shoulders as an institution." Her hands unfolded to lift heaven-ward. "If you choose to launch an internal investigation into how an intruder managed to infiltrate your university without notice and get her hands on university documents and access secure materials, that is your choice. I certainly would in your situation; we pride ourselves on being extremely rigorous in our attention to our staff as well as our work rather than being so fixated on the outcomes that it impairs loyalty. Especially with our own families. Work-life balance is important, don't you think?"
Reed assumed that ‘we’ was royal and did not actually include Val, who had done the deceiving and ditched her post to skip off—not exactly portraying the most thorough of leaders in terms of keeping watch over her sheep. This BSTU guy wouldn't know that though, so the pointed insinuation was made.
"Absolutely," the second man blustered. "We are already working to determine how this slipped past our security, faculty and staff."
Marissa smiled. At least her mouth strained upward. The rest of her face didn't agree with that emotion. "Wonderful. Then the last thing we need to sort out is—"
"Me," Sirena piped up.
Reed wanted to applaud. She'd come so far from the silent, meek thing she'd been when he met her. Then again, it would benefit anyone's growth to get out of that podunk town. He didn't know how Tom and Barb stood it...
Reed's thought tanked when he remembered Tom would be holding up there on his own. Was he overseeing Barb's diner now? He couldn't handle that with his bum leg.
"Indeed," the first guy said, articulating like he had Val's baseball bat stuck up his ass. "You, yourself, have confirmed that this specimen was produced under government approval. As such, she is legally BSTU property and should remain here. That one—" He gestured his hand at Val, his manicure flashing in the light reflected off the lacquered wood surface. "—we agree is not within our rights, and we understand that you have the authority to seize her."
Lines appeared in Marissa's cheeks. "How respectful. Unfortunately, though the procedure and Sirena's alteration to... superhuman—" She was uncomfortable with that term but could not think of another. "—falls within the terms of the approved project proposal, the child's conception outside the lab was not. In this instance, we have a conflict of interest and a concern on behalf of social services. The mutated being cannot be the offspring of the scientist administering the procedure. You see our dilemma." Her face took on a pang of pity and reproach, her hands lifting air again, as though it pained her to relay such news, knowing it would disappoint them.
Reed liked her. He could see from where Val got her callous bravado.
There were grumblings as the two men attempted to side-step, but Reed knew a checkmate when he saw one and leaned back in his chair again.
Finally, Marissa stood and held out her hand, shaking each of the men's in turn. "Thank you for your cooperation, gentlemen. We would hate to have to suspend any more of Boston Science a
nd Technology University's upstanding efforts to improve our great nation. I look forward to future collaboration."
The men didn't seem to return those feelings.
"Dr. Tate." Katheryn was slow to accept the peace offering and shake Director Acton's hand, slipping behind the two men like a child with its parents at a party where she didn't want to be.
"We'll see ourselves out." Marissa clasped her hands in front of her with a gentle simper.
"Actually, these two are staying." One of the men gestured at Henley and Ace.
Henley let out a whimper and gripped Ace's arm. Sorry, sweetheart, if Ace is being implicated, too, he's not much use to you, Reed wanted to say to her.
"I'm sorry?" Director Acton didn't let her mask slip.
"Unlike your daughter, they did sign a contract with us. They fall under our rules, and they have broken many. They must face the consequences of their disobedience." He bared his teeth, finally pleased to have something go his way, contrary to Marissa's wishes.
Marissa's mouth didn't open, but Reed saw her jaw muscle loosen and her eyes wander, searching for inspiration.
"What are their crimes?" Ace asked, his voice strong and deeper than the BSTU men.
The man was only too pleased to list all their faults. "They are both accused of leaving the premises without permission, stealing BSTU property, including a vehicle and a—" He flicked his dark gaze on Sirena. "—specimen, endangerment of said BSTU property, destruction of aforementioned BSTU property, and of course, abandoning their duties prior to graduation and contract termination. They have negatively impacted their advisors' academic progress." He said the last sentence like that was the worst offense—a hiccup in their rapid assembly-line of excellence. "And make that two counts of all of the above, one for each of them, in addition to aiding and abetting a trespasser." He meant Val.
Ace blinked. "You are correct."
Henley's mouth fell open then snapped shut and curled up at the edges as she realized whatever Ace was doing.
Reed was lost. As far as he was concerned, Ace had just admitted guilt. He was sure Ace wasn't that dumb, and in fact, the dumb one was Reed for not getting what ploy he was using. But at the moment, all Reed could do was tense in his seat.
"However, you'll find that all of those accusations can only be held against us if we did so of our own volition with malicious and premeditated intent."
The BSTU guy's mouth flipped down, a reverse reflection of what Reed's was doing as it finally clicked. Val got it, too.
She snorted. "None of that can be held against Ace or Henley if I made them do it. Which I did. I threatened their lives."
The man snarled, taking a step toward the conference table. His colleague laid a hand on his shoulder.
Marissa softened toward her children for a second, flash-freezing again the moment she dismissed the men. "Thank you for bringing these concerns to our attention. As we will already be arranging punishment for the illegal activities Valerie Acton has committed, we will take into consideration these additional implications when considering her sentence at a fair and just hearing. And as for Ace Acton and Henley Bickford—" She waited for Ace to fill in the blank.
"We would be happy to finish our degrees."
The men were not appeased. "I think not. We shall see to the mutual termination of your contracts. You are—" He wanted to say fired; Reed could see it in his embarrassed and vindictive lip twitch. "—free to go. You may not use BSTU resources, references or our name on any future job applications," he snarled.
"I think that'll be a benefit," Henley retorted politely, "since I deserve all the credit for this anyway." She waved her robotic fingers at the man. "Thank you for the education."
He paled, but the other man seemed to realize they could do nothing about it now. He pulled back on the man's shoulder and twitched two beckoning fingers at the probably-soon-to-be-unemployed Professor Katheryn Tate.
"Wait." Henley pushed to her feet. "What about my sister?"
"Her contract is not void. She has several more years of research that she agreed to, I'm afraid." He was unrepentant.
Bromley shrugged. "I don't want to go, Hen. I'm learning a lot, making a difference. I want to make things like you did. They let me do that here. I'll come visit when I've finished my degree."
"No, Brom. You don't understand. They won't let you go at the end."
"Miss Bickford, we've already established that you were misinformed about a literal termination at the end of the contract's duration," Professor Tate droned, and Reed had the impression he'd just gotten a taste of her lecturing style. He'd have used her classes for nap-time were he a student here.
Henley shook her head, not lifting her hand from her sister's. "But you aren't going to let her go with BSTU secrets." She explained to her sister when no one from BSTU disagreed, "Those who aren't disbanded stay here. Or have their mind wiped. Everything you learned, made, will be gone. They can't chance you opening a competing company."
Bromley shrugged. “I don’t mind. I’ll enjoy it while I’m here.”
Henley’s voice warbled. “I mind. I can’t be sure they don’t transfer my punishment on to you and mistreat you for my misdeeds.”
Sirena shuddered. "I don't recommend the amnesia option."
"Might I suggest an alternative?" Marissa Acton spoke authoritatively. "A collaboration."
The BSTU cronies tipped their heads. "With the government?" One laughed. "Director Acton, with all due respect, the government is an excellent way to stall production and smack tariffs and regulations that limit our work here. We are quite comfortable as a private institution."
"And what about your dwindling student population? Families are impacted by disasters daily now. They cannot spare the money to afford your private fees."
The man snorted. "Are you trying to convince me the government has spare funds in their budget to provide student scholarships?"
She inclined her head with a smile. "Of course not. We all know that isn't the case. The government no longer considers education a priority for the public. However, our R&D department does receive the majority of our financial and personnel capabilities and are unhindered by regulations when they are ready to distribute to the public.
"I believe you are currently in discussions with another department over your interest with placing automatons in public roles. And I believe as the first step, you're already somewhat involved in our country's mailing system." Her smile telegraphed subdued triumph.
Go, Director Acton! Her daughter had much to learn about politics. Reed could see why Marissa had gotten the role. Her daughter maybe didn't belong there.
"What I propose, gentlemen, is a smoother transition with assistance from my team. I think there's an excellent untapped potential for the use of automatons in the more dangerous regions of disaster situations. And I can make any paperwork or barriers simply be—" Her hands opened wide. "—forgotten."
The men conferred in tight whispers for a few minutes while the group exchanged exuberant grins.
"We are willing to consider your proposal, Director Acton. Further discussion of the particulars will need to be addressed to ensure compliance."
"Of course." She inclined her head again. "We'll be in touch. And as a sign of good faith, might you consider a trade in the meantime, to test the waters as it were? I will place one of my team here to learn about your automatons and identify the best course of action to prepare them for our work. And in return, we will host a student of yours at our headquarters. If not, I might consider your interest in this deal—" She paused dramatically. "—unfounded."
The man's jowls bobbed as he scowled, remiss at what she'd done. "Very well, Director. You may take the younger Miss Bickford with you, but Sirena stays. As part of the trade." He showed teeth.
Director Acton was unfazed. She passed a shushing look at Nor and then said to the man, "Unfortunately, Sirena will not be an employee and thus cannot be considered for participation in the exchan
ge. And Miss Bickford and Mr. Acton have been discharged as you said yourself. So, I will send along a man with experience in fires. He is eager to learn about your prosthetics."
Ace and Val gaped at their mom, surmising to whom she was referring.
"I believe there is room to facilitate a national program to fit disaster survivors with appropriate repairs. He will report back to me if such is the case. Our department would cover fees that the citizens could not afford themselves, ensuring a very extensive market."
The men were intrigued. They couldn't conceal the glint in their eyes. They hadn't thought of that one. "It seems we have a lot of discussing to do, Director Acton, to flesh out all areas of collaboration. You have failed to mention one are in particular: that of our genetics." He glanced meaningfully at Sirena.
Director Acton's mouth remained flat, but Reed saw the worry in her eyes. "Unfortunately, the government has a strong stance against genetic modification." She tossed a brief look of disapproval at her daughter who'd gone behind the government's back to try to get around that. "Our policies do not feel that human DNA should be altered. However—" She tilted up her chin. "—we do have a contract with an external non-profit that is interested in such things and lies outside our jurisdiction in Canada. Isn't that correct, Mr. Stanley?"
Reed had forgotten his father, drawn into Val's mom's prowess.
Father responded curtly. "It is. We have a brand new team of scientists." Reed was delighted to hear that. Father hadn't been sitting on his ass mourning. "And they are devoted to studying human-environmental harmony in whatever form that may take. We also offer a robust security team to ensure no trouble from—" He coughed. "—protestors or the like that would harm your research investment." His eyes found Sirena. As far as declarations of welcome-to-the-family, it was better than Reed expected from Father.
"Excellent. I believe that covers everything." Director Acton stood and held out a hand all over again. "It's settled then?"