“Yup.That is my life now.Efficiency and all skin wrapped up.”
Can they reduce the toxin output?
“Maybe.The chem department nearly peed themselves when I let them take samples.”
Let me guess, they had your file but didn’t realize you lived locally?
“Yeah.That.”
Ival smiled.“I will just be working on my next manuscript.You go back to sleep.”
How long?
“You are on Tuesday, and you should be done in the next twenty-four hours.You are responding well to the treatment, and your internal scars are slowly coming together.They are nearly done, and then you are going to rush to the finish.I am here for it.”
Send me a book?
Ival laughed and sent a book to the tank.
* * * *
Arcady watched thetwo women: one floating in front of the tablet, the other sitting and writing on hers.They were obviously friends, but there was distance between them.They were aware of each other’s situation but not invasive about it.
The biochem department was having an amazing day.The chemical secreted from Ival was a treasure trove of cocktails, and the analysis units were going nuts trying to break down mixes that they hadn’t imagined were possible.
Arcady couldn’t imagine the strength of the paralytic that could turn to a deadly toxin with the touch of both hands, but it was amazing.
Zera walked in and said, “How are they doing?”
“Keska was right.Ival is keeping Hemma calm.”
“I just located her file.She was listed only by code name.What they did to her is appalling.”
“Aside from the cybernetic eye?”Arcady frowned.
“Keska built that for her to replace the one the Uraddans had installed.It has analytical capabilities that enable her to select her targets.A lot of the dropped bodies that were assigned to Jeneev were this woman instead.She’s a walking chemistry set.”
“Sort of like Khytten.”
“Yes, but Ival’s effect is exclusive to the nervous system.No corrosive effects, so you have to know where her target was touched to begin looking for a treatment.”
Arcady whistled.“Yikes.Salmet lets her run around loose?”
“Have you heard of any incidents anywhere in Aksalla?”
“No.”
“Then, there is your answer.”
Ival looked up toward the camera.“I can hear you, you know.”
Zera blinked.“Seriously?”
Ival jacked her thumb in the air.
Arcady stared.“That isn’t in her file.”
“Uradda had sloppy recordkeeping.They thought one manifestation was all an active could manage.Bureaucracy at its finest.” Ival’s voice was quiet.
