"Cobalt blue."
"Why!" She was stubborn, and stubborn clients were usually the first to get themselves killed.
Her voice was barely a whisper, a slight tremor in it indicating she might be more scared than stubborn. "Because I like to be outdoors."
He smiled, nodding at her to show he'd accepted the answer, and saw her shoulders relax under the layers of blue cloth. "That wasn't so hard, was it, Princess?"
"I'm afraid I do not handle subjective problems efficiently," she said, her voice again nearly robotic. Surprisingly, she didn't twitch at the nickname.
Sin sighed and lifted his hand, gesturing for the person outside the door to return. The lock clicked and a man in a plastic clean-suit shuffled inside with Mr. Briggs following after him.
"So, find everything you need?" The CEO asked, a patronizing smile on his lips.
"Yeah," Sin said. "She doesn't like to be called a bitch."
Mr. Briggs paused and glanced at the Ingénue. "Interesting. Now, we have you in the security system. You'll no longer need to worry about the guards?—"
"Never was."
"And if you'd like to follow me, I can show you the receiving room for the Ingénue. She just got an assignment. It will only take a few moments for the data transfer."
"And where will I pick her up and drop her off?"
"The same place." Mr. Briggs gestured for Sin to follow, both of them ignoring the girl and her technician as they left.
It was her turn to see how that felt.
Chapter Two
They took the same path back to the lobby. This time, the decorative arch gave no notice of his passing. The security guards, however, did look across his weapons. Jealousy, he thought, trying not to smirk as they examined his gear. Few people could afford the type of equipment Legates wore like a second skin.
Mr. Briggs pointed to his left, indicating a room just inside the main entrance. "The receiving room is this way. All Ingénues pass through here, so make sure you have the right one before you leave."
"Clones?" Because that was the rumor.
"Some. They're all coded." He pulled open a white door and gestured for Sin to precede him. "To your right is the scanner. Under her wrist is the primary barcode. She has an RFID chip behind her ear as well. Either of these can be used to verify the legitimacy of your..." He smiled. "...client."
All of those identifiers were there for a reason, and it made Sin wonder why. "Got a big problem with people impersonating geniuses?"
"No, but we do have one with jackers trying to get the questions."
Sin chuckled. "Is that what you're calling it? Questions? You make it sound like someone asks her what color the sky is, and she makes a trip across the city to hook into their system and leave the word 'blue.'"
"Basically. Although the questions are more along the lines of wondering how to cool a superconductor within a specified space, or which politician in the Andromeda sector will be making a run in the next election based on their social schedules."
"So, what'sherspecialty? Am I going to be rubbing elbows with Andromedans?" Sin crossed his arms and leaned casually against the counter.
"Thinking, Legate. That's her specialty. Primary Ingénue R1554-9370S-02K16 handlesanyproblem asked of her. Some of those problems are worth a fortune, and it's no longer a secret. To date, we've had nine cases of civilians trying to obtain the data illegally. Three handlers have been lost this week."
"Which is why you've asked the Legion for help. I see. So I assume you want the Ingénue back more than what's in her head?" he asked.
Mr. Briggs nodded. "The question is always replicable. If she's solved it once, she can solve it again. Her mental enhancements, though? They're worth a small fortune. More than you'll see in your lifetime, I'm sure. Our investment in her is considerable." He sucked at his teeth. "Yes. We want the Ingénue back at all costs. Conscious or not."
That was the answer he'd been looking for. It also explained the need for an RFID chip behind her ear. Barcodes could be altered, but both? If the girl was out cold, or dead, the company could still extract those precious answers from her synthetic mind.
Sin nodded slowly, making his decision on the spot. "Then I'm not gonna stand and have a shootout with the rabble, Mr. Briggs. I'll get your damned brain back, but if shit gets bad, I'm doing it my way."
"She is highly cultured, Legate. She will not do well in a run and hide scenario."
