Future Perfect - S2

by Fran Heckrotte

  "Yes, I know. A machine. I don't believe that, but there's really only one way to find out, isn't there?"

  "Yes... No."

  Chantelle laughed softly.

  "Which is it?"

  "Both. I'm confused. I know very little about you, but I do feel we're somehow connected. That's not rational."

  "Some things can't be rationalized, Primeris. I was drawn to you before I knew you even existed. Can any of your logic explain that?"

  Primeris shook her head.

  "There are powers beyond our wildest imaginations and speculations. I'm not talking about gods or spirits or anything like that. Like you, I don't believe in that stuff — at least, I don't think I do. The truth is, I don't know what I believe in, except for one thing. You and I were meant to meet... and to be together, maybe for a just short time or maybe forever. Why not give it — give us — a try."

  "You'd be in danger by being with me."

  "I know that. I'm confident your skills are more than a match against anyone we may encounter."

  "We'll be hunted by SU33 or some other government group," Primeris countered.

  "Then we'll hide until they grow tired of looking for us."

  "And if they catch us?"

  "They won't. They won't, Primeris. You'd never allow that to happen. I'd never let it happen," Chantelle said.

  Grimacing faintly, Primeris took the two hands pressed against her chest and cupped them in her own.

  "How did I let you get this close to me? I'm confused. Nothing makes sense. The effect you have on me isn't logical."

  "Emotions are never logical. They are what they are. We are what we are, doing the best we can. Maybe that's why we value love so much. When it's right, it can make the most illogical behavior reasonable."

  "That's a very human explanation. I don't know about love or what you want."

  "Only what you can give, Primeris. Nothing more," Chantelle said, her voice low and husky.

  "You should be with a real woman."

  Chantelle smiled.

  "Your heart tells me you're real. I feel it pounding like a drum. Has this ever happened before... I mean, when you were with another women?"

  "No."

  "Then believe in your heart for now."

  Hesitantly, Primeris pushed Chantelle away from her and onto her back. Slowly, she ran her fingers between the valley of Chantelle's breasts, exploring the soft skin.

  "Your skin is almost perfect," she said. "It looks and feels so fragile. The others... they enjoyed rough —"

  Chantelle placed her fingertips over Primeris' lips, silencing her.

  "I don't want to hear about them. Be who you are. I'm a Healer, Primeris, and tougher than you think. I'll teach you how to be gentle. Right now, I need you. I want your hands on me and in me. I want to be consumed by your mouth, your tongue, your eyes."

  Inhaling slowly, Primeris couldn't deny she wanted the same thing. Cupping Chantelle's face in her hands, she lowered her lips slowly and fought the urge to plunder the other woman's mouth.

  Gently... Gently... she thought, forcing aside the old Primeris, the old programming. This isn't programming. This isn't me. Or is it? Primeris realized it didn't matter. Her kiss was soft and fleeting, like a butterfly resting on a flower. The image caught her off-guard. She pressed Chantelle into the sheets. Her hands and mouth explored Chantelle's body, memorizing every inch, every spot that elicited a response.

  Chantelle accepted the gentle, clinical touch. She knew this was a critical moment for both of them. If Primeris could relinquish the controlling, analytical part of her mind for even a few minutes, she would eventually acknowledge her human side.

  "Women are very soft," Primeris said, more to herself than Chantelle. "Some deceptively so... like you. Do you exercise?"

  "Not really, although I've spent most of my life walking great distances."

  "Why would you do that?" Primeris asked. "Vehicles are quite efficient and comfortable. People can travel almost anywhere in the world in a few hours."

  "Exactly. I happen to enjoy walking."

  "You have good genes."

  "Thank you," Chantelle said, her voice tinged with amusement.

  The fingers stopped their exploration and settled on her stomach.

  "I said something funny?"

  "No... Well, actually, yes, in a way. We're supposed to be making love and you're talking anatomy."

  "I was making an observation."

  Reaching down, Chantelle began guiding Primeris' hand lower.

  "We'll observe later. Now isn't the time."

  Primeris renewed her exploration. This time, however, it was different. Still gentle, the fingertips lost the unemotional detachment like before. Primeris' palms caressed Chantelle's ribs, moving slowly up and down her sides and thighs. Thumbs massaged the nipples until they became swollen and firm.

  A musky smell permeated the air. Primeris was familiar with the scent of arousal. In the past, she had used sex to gain the trust of both men and women, and with trust came information and compliance. This was different. For the first time, there wasn't an ulterior motive. Primeris felt herself growing wet and immediately stopped.

  Chantelle groaned.

  "What's wrong?" she asked, pushing up on one elbow.

  Sitting up, Primeris reached down, touched herself between her legs and then raised her hand and sniffed it.

  "I'm wet," Primeris said.

  "I would hope so."

  "Why?"

  "I thought you said you had sex before," Chantelle replied, sitting up.

  "I have. This has never happened."

  "Oh... Oh! Great! I mean this is actually good." Primeris gave Chantelle a questioning look. "Really, this means you're actually feeling something."

  "I don't feel like I'm feeling anything."

  "Oh," Chantelle said, sounding disappointed. "Are you sure? No increased heartbeat? Irregular breathing? That sort of thing?"

  Primeris ran a quick system analysis and noticed there had been a change in her metabolism. Her processor's failure to discover the discrepancy was disconcerting. Her mind and body had been out of sync for almost eight minutes.

  "There was a malfunction," Primeris confessed.

  "Malfunction."

  "Yes. An irregularity. I'm running a diagnostic to determine the reason."

  Patting Primeris' hand, Chantelle stood up and headed toward the bathroom.

  "If you find it, let me know. When you don't, I'll tell you what happened," Chantelle promised. "In the meantime, it's a start. Let's get a shower and something to eat. There's no reason to hurry, and all of this has made me hungry."

  Distracted by her inability to resolve the aberration, Primeris silently followed Chantelle into the bathroom.

  Three Months Later

  Primeris' eyes followed Chantelle's movements as she walked along the river bank. The decision to leave SU33 was difficult; the rationale indisputably flawed. In the end, her need to be with Chantelle was greater than the dictates of her programs. Like Solaria, she was now hunted, although not aggressively at the moment. Solaria's threat to expose everyone involved in SU33 had worked. No one wanted to be publicly connected with a rogue unit. Colonel Harlie was ordered to keep the unit under a tight rein until further orders. The time lag gave Chantelle and Primeris the opportunity to escape.

  Jain provided the means, once she learned of their plans. She had become their staunchest ally, bullying Solaria into helping them. Hack Attack agreed to provide fake passports and I.D.s. He also tweaked government records, insuring they could travel safely anywhere they wanted without arousing suspicion. Their time was now spent getting to know each other.

  Primeris knew Chantelle loved her, but wondered if it was enough to sustain their relationship. Love was important to humans, but they needed more — especially women. Women normally wanted children; Healers were no different. Although they led solitary lives, they dreamed of the impossible — having a child. Never in their history ha
d a Healer ever produced an offspring. Healing required too much energy, leaving nothing to sustain a fetus, let alone a child growing in the womb.

  * * *

  Solaria watched Primeris' expression with interest.

  "You love her," Solaria stated, noticing the faint changes in the usually stoic face.

  "Perhaps. Maybe as much as a machine can love," Primeris said.

  "You still haven't accepted the part of you that's human, have you?"

  "Have you?" Primeris countered.

  "I'm working on it. You have the advantage, though. Your relationship with Chantelle gives you insight I can only try to imagine. The only way you can have a life with her is to accept who you are."

  Primeris turned to look at Solaria.

  "Who I am is the problem. Am I to forget the side of me that isn't human? You know better than anyone I can't do that."

  "What I know is you are in position no one else has ever been in," Solaria said. "Chantelle is a Healer, a Singer. She knows what you were and who you are, now. That should be enough. If it's not, then she will be unhappy, you will continue to be lost and, in time, I will have to destroy you before you really become the machine you keep embracing."

  "Or I will destroy you," Primeris countered.

  "That's possible. I'll always have an advantage over you, but I'd prefer not to put it to a test. Believe in Chantelle for now. You've got nothing to lose."

  "True. She knows I'm bio-mechanical and loves me anyway. I don't understand the logic behind that. It's irrational," Primeris replied, once again glancing at Chantelle.

  Solaria smiled. It was a facial expression she had grown comfortable with in the past few months, and she enjoyed the feeling that accompanied it.

  "So is your love for her — if you were simply a machine. I envy you. She has brought out some of your humanity."

  It was Primeris' turn to smile, although it was more forced.

  "No need to be insulting," she retorted.

  "And a sense of humor. It has to be love."

  Primeris' face reverted to a neutral expression. Her uncertainties resurfaced.

  "She needs more than just me."

  "What more is there?" Solaria asked, and then realized Primeris wasn't talking about feelings. "You mean children."

  "Yes."

  "That shouldn't be a problem. She's a Healer. She's certainly healthy enough... and there's always adoption."

  "That's the only option. Healers can't have children. "

  Solaria was surprised by the information.

  "Why not? Are they infertile?"

  "No. They could cure that. The amount of energy they expend helping others damages the fetus. It aborts within weeks of conception."

  "Why can't they take a sabbatical and divert their energy to the fetus?"

  Primeris didn't have an answer. Solaria's reasoning was logical. Unfortunately, Healers were passionate about their calling — perhaps so much so that they failed to consider the obvious.

  "I don't know."

  "You should ask her," Solaria suggested. She was surprised when Primeris didn't respond. Obviously, something else was bothering her. It took only a nano-second for her to figure out what the real problem was.

  "You want a child too," she said. "Your own biological offspring."

  "I..." Primeris shook her head as if trying to rid herself of the thought. "That's ridic... I'm not thinking logically. As you said, we can adopt. I'll suggest it to Chantelle. She'll be pleased at the thought."

  Before Solaria could respond, Chantelle called out and motioned for them to join her. Acknowledging the summons with a wave, Primeris walked toward the river. Solaria followed slowly, wanting to give them a few minutes of privacy. Chantelle and Primeris had many obstacles to overcome before they could seriously think about children. Like any couple, they needed time to grow and understand each other's wants and needs. If — Solaria corrected the thought — When the time was right, she would reveal to Primeris a secret; one that would change their future and the future of everyone around them.

  * * *

  2099 A.D.

  The message from Jain said 'urgent' and asked Solaria to come home as soon as possible. The concept of having an actual home had seemed strange at first. Eventually, she recognized it gave her a sense of belonging. Jain had become the anchor to her growing humanity. She even imagined giving up her mission and settling down. Unfortunately, the need to find all of the Hubots was critical... and eventually, the Anibots. Solaria knew animal bot technology had preceded the development of Hubots.

  * * *

  Solaria didn't need a watch to know the time or that Jain was running late. Normally it wasn't a problem, except that Terry, Jain's oversexed neighbor, decided to corner Solaria on the condo steps. After several failed attempts to get Solaria to go out with her, Terry changed tactics.

  "Let's go inside?" Terry offered. "I'll fix some tea and —"

  "Not today, Terry," Solaria replied, seeing the hope in Terry's eyes fade. Your persistence is annoying, she thought. Solaria calculated the distance between the trashcan and the top step they were standing on. Jain's right. You're wacko. One good toss...

  "Listen, Solaria, it makes no sense to stand here when we can wait comfortably inside. Jain's always running late and..."

  The trashcan was beginning to look more appealing. Fortunately, before Solaria could act, she heard Jain call her name. Relieved, Solaria thanked Terry for her offer and walked down the steps to greet her friend.

  "I didn't think you'd ever get here," she confessed.

  Jain laughed.

  "Terry's still at it, eh? She's had the hots for you ever since she first saw you."

  "I wasn't interested in her then and I'm not now. Can we go inside? I feel like roadkill and she's the nearest vulture. I was ready to toss her in the trashcan."

  "Wow!" Jain exclaimed. "You've come a long way. That's a very human reaction. Maybe Terry's doing you some good after all," she teased.

  "Assaulting people isn't considered an admirable trait."

  Taking Solaria's arm, Jain pulled Solaria up the steps and past a very disgruntled-looking Terry. Unlocking her door, Jain nudged Solaria inside.

  "Depends on the who and the why," Jain said. "Anyone who knows Terry would probably consider it justifiable. Enough about her, though. I'm so happy to see you again." Wrapping her arms around Solaria, she gave her a powerful hug.

  Solaria returned the embrace. She had missed Jain over the last several months — more than she had realized.

  "It's good to see you too. I'm finally beginning to understand the importance of friendships. I consider you my number one friend."

  Jain's eyes began to tear and she sniffled.

  "I... I'm honored and proud. I've never really had a best friend."

  Deciding that things were getting a little too sentimental, she pushed away and headed for the kitchen.

  "Let's get something to eat. Primeris and Chantelle should be here shortly. I told them not to show up before eight, just in case I had to work late."

  After fixing a quick meal of salad and sliced chicken, Jain and Solaria sat down at the kitchen table and began catching up on the latest news.

  The sound of a doorbell interrupted their conversation.

  "That should be them," Jain said, walking to the door. Opening it, she greeted Primeris and Chantelle with a hug and motioned them into the living room. Solaria greeted Chantelle with a gentle embrace and nodded to Primeris.

  "You two are looking well," Solaria said. "I was concerned that something was wrong when Jain contacted me."

  "We're fine," Chantelle replied, grinning happily. "I suppose we could have just told Jain and let her tell you the good news but... well, in a way you made it possible."

  Confused, Solaria looked at Chantelle and then at Primeris.

  "Perhaps you can be a little clearer."

  "I'm pregnant," Chantelle announced happily. "We're having a baby."

  Stunned, Jai
n's eyes opened wider as her jaw dropped.

  "How? No, I mean... not how. I don't want to know how. Well, I do want to know how but not the how like in how but... Oh damn, you know what I mean," Jain exclaimed and then turned red as the three women focused their attention on her. "Hey, don't look at me like that."

  Chantelle laughed. Primeris and Solaria made eye contact but said nothing. Spontaneous outbursts were still something they didn't quite understand.

  "Let's sit down and you can tell me all about it," Jain said. "I'm probably the only one who doesn't know how you pulled this off."

  Primeris and Chantelle moved to the couch and sat down. Chantelle took Primeris' hand in hers and clasped it firmly. Solaria and Jain sat in the two remaining chairs facing them.

  "Primeris can explain everything. She'll do a better job than me," Chantelle said, nudging Primeris with her elbow. "Keep it simple. Not all of us are as brilliant as you two." She glanced at Solaria to emphasize who she was referring to.

  Giving Chantelle an indignant look, Primeris turned back to Jain. Solaria already knew how it had been accomplished.

  "I didn't know I had the ability to use my stem cells to derive gametes that could bond with Chantelle. Three months ago, Solaria sent me a message saying it was possible to fertilize an ovum using this technique. She knew Chantelle... we wanted a child. It took some prac —"

  "Whoah! Wait a minute," Jain exclaimed, holding up a hand. "What's a gamete?"

  "It's a cell that fuses with another one. They're called gametes," Primeris explained. "That's the foundation for conception."

  "And you were able to do this, how?" Jain asked.

  "I isolated stem cells, altering their genetic structure. Then I implanted —"

  Holding up her hand again, Jain waved it wildly, cutting Primeris off.

  "No, no, no. No details on the how," she exclaimed.

  "I was only answering your questions," Primeris replied, sounding slightly indignant.

  Chantelle put her hand over her mouth, trying not to giggle. Solaria remained stoically silent. She knew the conversation would eventually come around to her and wasn't surprised when Jain turned to confront her.

  "You never mentioned anything about this stuff to me," she accused, looking directly at Solaria.