Veta got her oriented, showing her which room was hers. Eleanor headed straight for her door. It was coded to her handprint, which was a nice security feature, and she palmed the release. Inside, the soothing smell of citrus met her, and she grinned. Bianca had brought some of her favorite teas and aromatherapy items so she would be more comfortable. It wasn't particularly fancy, like a room in the palace. But it was absolutely suitable. Clean, warm. No sand. And no soot. She was very ready to strip out of her clothing and--
Jedriek stood in the doorway.
She blinked at him. "You can come in, I suppose."
He nodded and stood in the corner like a guard.
Well, this is as good a time as any,she thought to herself. She ran her hands over her hair, brushing out some of the tangles with her fingers. Her hand caught on the hairpin she'd received from Caoimhe before they'd left.
Her sister.
Pain, doubt, and worry washed over her.
They had to find her. She had to be somewhere.
While she didn't want to consider the worst situation--that she'd been killed--she still had to be somewhere, alive or dead.
Be logical,she told herself.What would Caoimhe do?
She would handle the situation and get through it. Likely with a smile on her face. Like a good little princess.
Which was what Eleanor needed to do.
Take care of this situation with Jedriek, whatever it was, and move on. Because her sister needed her right now.
Jedriek remained by the entrance, and his arm plugged into a wall unit.
"What are you doing?" she asked as she got closer to him.
"Connecting with Master System," Jedriek said. He almost sounded intoxicated when he spoke. Like it was a high to link to their overall programming. Though she imagined it had to be somewhat intoxicating when he had not been connected for a while.
"And what are you gleaning from that connection?"
"New orders. Uploading my data to Master System. The knowledge can be passed on to those Rhimodians who need it. I also am receiving new protocols and missions." The intoxication from his voice he'd had before already faded away to normal speaking.
A headrush, she guessed, from connecting to the unifying system.
"Anything about this mission? About me?" She wondered what Master System thought about this whole thing. And she realized what she'd just assumed--that Master System thought anything. It was likely a computer program that merely analyzed numbers.
Projected probable outcomes and determined the best course of action.
A computer that performed tasks.
"There is some data," he said. "Regarding you, the orders are simple. I must do whatever I need to protect and please you."
She raised an eyebrow. "Protect and please me? Was that in the orders before?"
"No. Only to protect."
"I see. What made the orders change?"
"Master System re-evaluates data and changes protocols as needed when new information becomes available. My information is helping Master System decide how to better handle the coming negotiations. If there are still going to be negotiations, as well as what to do with my current protocols."
"You do not think the peace treaty will happen now?"
He raised his eyebrow and stared at her. "The Terran Military's has invaded our space. We are scrambling to control the situation, but because of the eclipse, many of our normal resources will not be back for at least a day and a half. Since they are doing this under cover of the eclipse, then we need to be ready to stop them before they destroy everything we have worked to create here."
His words hit her hard. Tears welled in her eyes.
