by Gini Koch
Taking that theory as fact, because I had no better ideas, this meant that Butler and Maurer had been created using android and zombie methods. The Fem-Bots were probably just the next phase of the Kitty-Bot, but that would mean the clones were the next phase of the zombies. Not really out of the question.
The Christopher-Bots were a blend of Fem-Bot and clone. Fem-Bots were made to blow up, though, and the Christopher-Bot clearly was not. Joe and Randy, though, were a blend of android and cloning. Why not? None of us knew what all those wires inside them actually did, other than make them better, faster, stronger, and the co-presidents of the Lee Majors Fan Club.
Based on stage position, the Christopher-Bots were potentially equal to Joe and Randy. Only Joe and Randy had free will and I was now pretty sure the Christopher-Bots didn’t. So that couldn’t be where they were equal. Could be strength and agility, though nothing was stronger than the supersoldier.
Or maybe it was technique, as in the creators of this level were, just like their creations, more advanced, or had the assistance of more advanced tech. Probably the tech option, and alien tech at that. The alien help that wasn’t from LaRue or someone originally from Alpha Four likely started with the Fem-Bots and clones, but was more dedicated for the next generations. Cliff had had someone on speed dial, for certain. Why not the others?
Which brought me to the Kristie-Bot. She was the culmination of the android-zombie combo and she had no peer. Realistically, cyborgs were also the next inevitable phase when you’d already tried all the other forms of making human-looking robots. So, really, the Kristie-Bot should have been in center stage. Only she wasn’t, and there was room on the other side of the stage for her to have an equal. Which boded.
The Smash Cast recording of “Big Finish” started. Had no idea if this meant that I’d figured out whatever confused thing I was supposed to, or if the time for this extravaganza was up and someone else needed the stage. But the cast of this show was definitely back in action.
The Hot Zombies were the first to leave the stage, backing up, sort of dancing still. The clones remained useful in blocking most of this—it was already kind of a nightmare and I didn’t need nightmares from my nightmare.
Next the supersoldier danced and pirouetted off stage behind the zombies, followed by Bryce and Leslie, who did a reprise of their tango and exited stage right.
No one else moved. Butler got the “why me?” look on his face, walked up, and shoved the clones. “Oh, we’re going,” the LaRue clone said nastily. She looked at me. “But not forgotten.”
“By at least one person,” the Reid clone added, as Butler shoved them off backstage.
“You always forget about the loose ends,” the LaRue clone yelled as she disappeared behind the backstage curtain.
Okay, this was clearly a clue. While one of the Christopher-Bots did the lounge singer strut off the stage, thought hard. The only loose string regarding the clones I could think of was Casey Jones, who remained at large. She’d been on a mission for Cliff. But we didn’t know what that mission was or where in the world she was. No one had spotted her at the True Believer rally, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t there. Besides, no one had mentioned that they’d looked for her specifically.
The Kristie-Bot waved at me now and gave me a very big, obvious wink.
Another clue. My brain chose to do me a solid and mention that while Casey might have been mad at Stephanie for letting Casey rot in the supermax prison under the Pentagon, the adage of any port in a storm was a really apt one. Casey liked benefactors and was good at serving two masters, either with or without said masters’ knowledge.
“Good,” Joe said. He looked at the Kristie-Bot. “But that’s for later.”
Randy nodded and looked at the Christopher-Bot. “You have to fix today, first.”
But before I could ponder this, the rest of the cast went into action. The Kitty-Bot ran over to Butler and Maurer, did a rather graceful leap, and landed in their arms. They all spun around, put her down, then backed offstage, bowing and waving to me. Meanwhile, the Fem-Bots grabbed the remaining Christopher-Bot and Joe and Randy and they all did the Rockettes kick in a line behind the Kristie-Bot, backing up at the same time.
Meanwhile, the Kristie-Bot pulled up from the splits using only her legs, which was as hella impressive as the moving Rockettes kick line. Then she did an Ann Miller spin-and-tap thing across the stage, followed up by three backflips. She jazz-handed her way to center stage.
“We’re here until you stop us or save us,” she said perkily. “And don’t forget to tip your servers!” With that she backed up, tapping and jazz-handing, as the curtain closed. The word “Applause” was now printed on it.
Applauded and realized I could finally talk. “Why this, why me, and what now?”
The curtain opened again and the entire “cast” was there, hand in hand, taking their Broadway bows. Kept on clapping because it really seemed expected.
“Because we needed your full attention,” the cast said in unison. “Because you’re the one who figures out how the unconnected connect. And now you go save the day over and over again.”
The curtain dropped again. Kept clapping just in case. Wisely, as the curtain rose again and I got more bowing. “Is there any way for me to prevent whatever bad that’s going to happen next from happening?”
“No,” Terry said from behind me. “Because things still have to happen in order for other things to happen. Just as they always have.”
Music again and another selection from Three Dog Night. The auditorium, stage, and everyone on it faded to the accompaniment of “The Show Must Go On.”
CHAPTER 60
WOKE UP TO NO music but someone nudging me. “Where’s Jamie?” Jeff asked.
“Crap.” Sat up and looked around. “For that matter, where are Charlie and Lizzie?”
“In the living room, you ridiculous worrywarts,” Lizzie shouted to us from, presumably, the living room. She came in holding Charlie in one arm, with Jamie next to her, hand in hers. “I woke up first, got up, went to the bathroom, then Charlie woke up, so I handled him. Jamie woke up then, and we decided to let the old folks sleep a little more. I was totes going to wake you up in fifteen minutes.”
Lay back down on the bed. Felt physically rested and mentally exhausted. My dreams really worked overtime to ensure I didn’t get the kind of sleep doctors tended to recommend. “Great. Wake me then.”
“No way, you’re up now. Get up. Pierre’s texted me like a million times to let him know when he can come over and do your makeup and stuff. He’s going to do mine, too!”
Sat up again. “Um, excuse me?”
“Something light, ’cause I’m just a teenager. I get a cool dress, too. Akiko’s already on her way, so you might want to shower.” With that, she turned and took the kids back out of our room.
We were silent for a few moments. “I’m not ready for a teenaged girl,” Jeff said finally.
“I’m not either, but we have one, and at least she’s the most awesome teenager we could hope to land.”
“True enough. With the kids awake and obviously more alert than us, I think it would be smart if we shower separately.”
“There go any hopes I had for the evening going well.”
Jeff leaned over and kissed me deeply. “I’ll make it up to you later,” he purred. “Promise.”
“Mmmm, I’m going to hold you to that.” With that, got up and took my third shower of the day. I was, if nothing else, sparkling clean. I used the slow hyperspeed instead of luxuriating, mostly because I’d heard Lizzie talking to Pierre and he was heading over.
Jeff showered, using full hyperspeed, while I blow-dried my hair. We were done at the same time, so I only got to admire his wet, naked body and rippling muscles with just the right amount of hair in all the right places for far too short a time.
He grinned
as he put his robe on. “I love your laser focus on the priorities, baby.”
Would have said more, but heard Pierre. “Yoo-hoo! I’m here to make my darlings even more gorgeous and perfect than they are naturally.”
Had a few moments to get into underwear while the kids piled onto Pierre and shared that they missed living in the same building with him. Akiko had long ago given up the notion that I’d wear a slip, ever, for any reason, and Pierre was not thrown by a woman in a bra and panties, but in order to not be the worst role model ever for the kids, I tended to wear a robe when I was heading over for the Let’s Make Kitty Presentable Hour.
Of course, I’d left said robe in the closet, so, once I was in my underwear, I used hyperspeed to get into the closet and some semblance of propriety.
Jeff was already dressed in the tuxedo that Akiko had had Armani make for him specially—because you separated an A-C from their Armani about as easily as from their own head—when I got there, so he gave me a quick kiss and headed out.
Took the opportunity to talk to my hamper. “Thanks for all the help today, I really needed it.”
Nothing.
“I will again not be able to hear music, though. I have to leave my regular purse at home for things like this and will only have a small clutch. Well, small for me. It’ll have Jeff’s adrenaline and my phone and my Glock, but otherwise, not a lot else. And if anyone hears music coming out of my purse, I’ll be told to turn it off.”
Nada.
“I don’t understand my dream. I mean, I get it, but I don’t know why Terry wasn’t allowed near me before but then got to spend what felt like an hour hanging next to me.”
Silence.
Didn’t heave the sigh I wanted to. It wasn’t like I had a ton of time to chat with Algar right now anyway. “Just wanted to say thanks again for helping us survive.”
Algar appeared. “My pleasure.”
“Nice to see you. Since you’re here, any tips?”
“Look for the unexpected.”
Waited. “That’s it?”
“That’s it. As in, your expectations may not be accurate, so look for things that might contradict them.”
“Are all my expectations wrong?”
“Hardly. But some are.”
“Um, okay. Any tips about my dream?”
“Sometimes dreams bring clarity.”
Waited. That appeared to be it. “And sometimes they don’t?”
“Sometimes the clarity needs to be discovered.”
“So, why didn’t ACE let me talk to Terry before?”
“Terry isn’t as strong a presence as the others in that collective due to only a small part of her consciousness being included. She has to work harder, therefore. It was nice of her to try to bring you clarity, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was. Um, did you help her to do that?”
Algar shot me a totally innocent look. “Why would I interfere?”
Managed to keep the Inner Hyena and my sarcasm knob both under control. “Gotcha.”
“It’s not as if your understanding the progression of how these various replicants and simulacrums came to be is going to help you fight your enemies.”
That was definitely a clue, because simulacrum meant an image or a representation, something insubstantial, and all of these things were very solidly real, and replicant was presumably referring to Blade Runner. “Um, yes, right, got it.” I didn’t have it, but like everything else, hoped clarity would appear when I actually needed it. “Anything else?”
He shrugged. “Just be yourself. That’s always the best advice I or anyone else can ever give you.” And with that he snapped his fingers and disappeared.
“Um, thanks. Again. For all the help and obscure clues and such.” Looked around. Sometimes Algar left weird things that were somehow helpful. Saw nothing of interest, though as I looked back at the hamper a sparkly silver clutch appeared on its top.
Picked it up. It had everything in it I’d mentioned, as well as my earbuds, ID, credit cards, and some cash. Decided not to question, just took it with me out of the closet.
Pierre swooped me up immediately. “Let’s get you all ready, shall we, dearest?”
“Of course we shall.” I’d given up fighting this ages ago.
“Love your choice of clutch, it’s perfect for your gown.”
“Yay, I win the good guessing prize.” My phone rang. Had to give it to the clutch, it was easy to dig that out. Sent another thank you to Algar. “Yeah, Vance?”
“Wanted to give you the heads-up—the party’s moved locations.”
“Really? Why?”
“Marcia’s house can’t actually handle all the people we’re dragging along with us. She’s thrilled, but doesn’t have the capacity because, since she said you were coming and since you’ve had a lot of, ah, noteworthy press coverage today, everyone’s RSVP’d in the affirmative.”
“Well, I guess that’s good. Where are we going?”
“Sidwell.”
Let that one sit on the air for a long moment. “Excuse me?”
“The school has a huge ballroom over by the lower school. They were more than happy to accommodate at the last minute, unlike pretty much any hotel in town. And that way all proceeds really go to the school.”
“Um, good, I guess?”
“It’s good. Press is invited, of course, and I sent some A-Cs over to help get things set up.”
“You sent Field agents to do party prep?”
“No, I sent who Raj said could be spared.”
Meaning Raj had sent over some of the A-C CIA, meaning we’d have a ton of troubadours on-site to keep things calm if need be and to help me spot the unexpected. This was acceptable. “Great.”
“Thanks as ever for approving my doing my job. Also, Sidwell’s new faculty-parent liaison will be helping set things up.”
“Is her name Camilla?”
“It is! So relax.”
“Doing my best. Are we gating or driving?”
“Driving. This requires the big show. I’ve already arranged limos for the dignitaries who are drinking all our nonalcoholic beverages and eating all our food in the Diplomatic Reception Room.”
“So bitter. I’m just happy they’re all happy.”
“I know. They’ll be heading over first. You and Jeff need to arrive last.”
“I’m not Cinderella.”
“No, but you lose your shoes at least as much as she did.” And with that he hung up.
Had Pierre relay the latest to Jeff while Akiko got me into my new dress, which was a sparkly silver that matched the clutch. As per every dress she made for me, it looked tight but was made of a fabric I could move in and, since this was black tie and I was therefore required to be in a floor-length gown, not only was there a long slit on the side, but it also had a lower portion I could tear off when I’d have to run. That I’d have to run was a given by now, and Akiko didn’t even bother to mention the tear-away portions of the dress, she merely pointed to them once I had it on and continued about her business.
“I’m glad you had a clutch already,” she said while rummaging around in her bag. “With this late notice I didn’t have enough fabric for shoes and clutch both, so I went for the shoes.”
She found what she was looking for, which was the shoes, which she handed to me with a flourish. They were extremely Cinderella-like, silver and sparkly. And, because Akiko was a genius, fit perfectly and felt great. “Shoes was the right way to go. They’re awesome.”
She beamed, then got me into my hair and makeup chair and put the giant bib on me that ensured that no makeup would get onto my dress. In order to keep me from fidgeting or talking too much during these sessions, Pierre had put a small TV in the room. It was turned to ESPN, where we were watching a preseason hockey game. I approved, especially since it w
as my team versus the Blackhawks.
Actually relaxed for a bit as Akiko and Pierre fussed over me and the announcers rambled over the game. “The Pueblo Caliente Chupacabras are looking forward to a good season,” one announcer shared. “It’s too bad their last preseason game is at the Capitals.”
“Even though they’re expected to be competitive, the Capitals are looking a little weak, Johnny, and their preseason isn’t getting the fans out,” the other announcer said, in a Canadian accent, meaning he was likely a former player and doing the color commentary. Didn’t get a lot of time to watch sports anymore, so I didn’t know who was who these days. “And the Chupacabras don’t have a lot of fans back east. It’s too bad. They’re going to miss a hell of a game.”
“They have one huge fan right here.”
“Stop speaking,” Akiko said.
“Well, Mitch,” Johnny said, ignoring Akiko’s order, “maybe it’s because Capitals fans are putting all their hopes on their season opener against the Chupacabras the next day. That one’s sold out. So, if you’re in the D.C. area and you want to see the best team the Chupacabras have put forth in years and you can’t get opening night tickets, head out for the final preseason match the night before.”
“God, I would so love to go to that.”
“Hush, Kitty, and we mean it,” Pierre said sternly.
Sighed and shut up. Managed not to cheer when the Chups scored and only had to be told to sit still twice while a good fight was going on. Thanks to the hockey game, though, made it through the hell that was this portion of my life.
Primped half to death and declared ready for my close-up, I was dragged away from the game before the middle of the second period. My whining was ignored, which wasn’t a surprise.
Lizzie was up next, and she took far less time than I had. She was in a modest but lovely light gray dress that made her look sweet and innocent and blooming at the same time. Jeff grunted. “She’s too young for a dress like that,” he muttered to me. “And why does she need makeup on?”