Solaria Series: Solaria Part 18

"No, I pretended to know them but thought it might be a little too obvious if I started asking questions. I did manage to learn that particular floor is a high security level... cameras, alarms, etc."

"That shouldn't be a problem. I can bypa.s.s their system when I'm ready to make my move. The bigger problem is how to neutralize the beta and get the girl off the premises."

"Do you think you'll be able to handle this beta? I mean is she made like you?"

"Not quite. She was the first prototype. I thought I was but after reading the files, I've discovered I'm a series three model."

"Three? You mean there's another one out here somewhere?"

"I'm not sure. Nothing in the files indicated what happened to it. After this is over with, I'll have to find out. It could mean delaying my plans for Future Dynamicon. Finding the betas is the bigger priority."

"Do you even know the gender?"

"No, but there's a record somewhere. It's only a matter of time before I find it."

"Then we'd better get a move on things. If anyone ever discovers how advanced the Hubot Project is, you will be hunted down and either destroyed or reprogrammed... or whatever else it is they can do."

It wasn't a comforting thought for either woman.

"So how do we find out what room they're in?" Jain asked, changing the subject.

"Did you bring your laptop?"

"I never leave home without it!"

"Good! I should be able to hack into the hotel's system without too much difficulty. Their security level shouldn't be too complicated."

"Okay, while you do that, I'm going to order some food. Anything in particular you want?"

"I'm really not particular. Everything is still new to me so you choose."

Jain nodded. Pointing to the laptop, she picked up the hotel directory and read the restaurant menu.

"I can't believe what people are willing to pay to eat in this place. Twenty-five dollars for a salad...House Special they call it," she snorted. "What's so special about lettuce, tomato and dressing? I swear some people have more money than sense. I wonder if I can order a pizza delivered here. I bet the front desk would have a stroke."

Solaria knew Jain didn't expect a reply so she continued searching for the backdoor into the hotel's guest registry. By the time room service arrived, she had the information she needed, including access codes to the third floor alarm system and video displays in the control room. All she needed to do now was create a loop sequence for the monitors and deactivate the alarm in Room 303. With luck she could enter the room without being detected, neutralize the beta and convince the girl to go with her willingly. Switching off the laptop, Solaria placed it on the table and took the plate Jain was handing her.

"Shrimp Scampi and sauteed vegetables. I hope you like it."

Taking a bite of the spicy shrimp, Solaria found the flavor pleasant.

"It has an interesting flavor. What are the ingredients in the sauce?"

"That's the garlic and b.u.t.ter. They usually add a little white wine and parmesan cheese. It's one of my favorite foods but most people can't afford wild shrimp anymore. The fisheries have pretty much depleted the ocean stocks. The stuff you buy in stores is either farm grown or artificial."

"I read on the Internet there was a moratorium on wild shrimp. Most of the naturalists believe the population may recover in ten to twenty years if they can prevent poaching."

"Yeah. Well, fat chance of that. I wouldn't be surprised if this was poached shrimp. The rich don't care about natural preservation."

Solaria looked at the small pink morsels on her plate.

"Should we be eating this?" she asked. Something about eating an endangered species bothered her and she didn't like it.

Jain laughed.

"I was joking about these. I doubt if the hotel would serve anything that wasn't certified legal. Can you imagine what a stink it would cause if the news hounds or environmentalists got wind of it? There'd be picketers all over the place and we both know rich people don't like having their pictures taken."

Relieved Solaria bit into another shrimp, savoring the flavor.

"This really does taste good."

Jain watched Solaria's expression as she enjoyed each bite and then moved on to the sauteed vegetables.

"Do you mind if I ask you something?" she asked tentatively.

"No," Solaria replied, swallowing the steamy veggies.

"Well, I was wondering. Are you aware of how you're body and processors work? I mean, I can't begin to imagine what it's like to be..." Jain hesitated not sure exactly how to phrase her question.

"A machine?"

"No, I wasn't even thinking along that line. Well, maybe I was but not like that."

Frustrated, Jain put down her plate and leaned forward, her arms resting on her knees.

"You want to know if I have a sense of what I am physically."

"I think that's it."

Solaria wasn't sure how to answer her.

"Yes... and no." Not wanting to reveal her chameleon abilities, she searched her memory chips for a logical way to explain what she meant. "When I first became aware of my existence, my body felt awkward, sluggish almost. If I dedicated too much CPU power to moving, I didn't have enough energy to operate all of my processors. Several would shut down and I'd lose valuable data."

"Our equivalent of exhaustion. When I get tired, I get forgetful. It's frustrating."

"Yes, very. Eventually, with practice, I learned to use my energy resources more efficiently. I don't have to consciously think about my movements anymore. They come naturally."

"Not much different than humans learning to walk. What about your body? Obviously you have pretty much the same sensations we have. You taste, you feel and you seem capable of complicated emotions. Do you want to be human, Solaria?"

"I've never really thought about it. It doesn't make sense for me to want to be something I can never be."

"Oh I don't know. We all want to be something we aren't. I see no reason why you should be any different, although being human certainly isn't an aspiration I'd strive for."

"You don't have to."

Jain grimaced.

"You're right about that. Do you have any ideas of what we're going to do next?"

Solaria nodded.

"I will deactivate the cameras and alarms later tonight. Most of the guests will be asleep and the hotel staff at a minimum number. The upper floors should be quiet enough to enter without being noticed. I should have enough time to enter the beta's room."

"Without her hearing you? I seriously doubt that will happen."

"I will chance it. As the first prototype, she should be slightly inferior to me structurally and her CPUs definitely operate at a slower megahertz. I should have enough of an advantage to overpower her."

"You plan on getting into a wrestling match with her? The entire hotel will hear you!"

"I'm hoping to deactivate some of her physical components before it comes to that."

Jain rolled her eyes.

"You're an optimist. And what will I be doing while the girl fight is going on?"

"Acting as my lookout. If anyone shows up, it'll be your job to distract them."

"Right! Well, just make sure you two don't get into a free-for-all. The last thing you need is to attract a lot of attention."

"I'll see what I can do," Solaria replied seriously. Jain was right. This was the last thing she or the beta needed. "You should get some rest. I'll wake you up when it's time."

CHAPTER 24.

IT WAS ALMOST 3 AM when Joanie and Betta returned to their room. After eating, Joanie decided that she wanted to see a movie. Afterward, she felt hungry and insisted on a late night snack. Betta decided it would be easier to give in than to listen to the human complaining all night long about being hungry. Once they finished their meals, Joanie was ready for bed so they headed back to the hotel.

After taking a quick shower she jumped into bed still slightly damp.

"It's all yours," she quipped, nodding toward the bathroom. Slipping between the sheets, she settled down and quickly fell asleep.

Betta removed her clothes and disappeared into the bathroom. Showers were one of the few things she enjoyed. The feel of the water pounding her skin with its monotonous pulsating rhythm and the warmth relaxed tense muscles. For a few minutes, she could let down her defenses, knowing Joanie wouldn't be going anywhere. Leaning back against the stall, she closed her eyes and shut down four processors. It felt good to be able to relax knowing for a few moments she didn't have to monitor everything and everyone around her and Joanie; perhaps that was why she didn't hear the faint movement in the other room.

For Solaria, neutralizing the cameras and alarm system was easy. Hacking into the hotel security system took only a few minutes. Once inside, she created a video loop for the cameras, electronic bypa.s.ses on three alarms inside the suite and deactivated the electronic door lock.

Leaving Jain by the elevator on the third floor, she walked quietly down the hallway and turned the door handle slowly testing it to see if it had responded to her instructions. The slight click was satisfying. Nudging the door open, she stepped inside and looked around. The room was empty but the faint sound of someone breathing was heard coming from the bedroom to the left. Solaria recognized it as human and no threat.

Walking to the bedroom, she opened the door and peered into the darkened room. With her enhanced vision, she had no trouble identifying the sleeping figure under the sheets. It was obvious the young woman was exhausted.

Ignoring her, Solaria focused her attention on the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. It could only be the Hubot. Moving quietly across the thick carpet, she waited patiently for her target to emerge.

Turning off the water, Betta picked up the towel and dried her hair and skin. As much as she would liked to have logically explained why showers felt so good, she couldn't. Her metabolism was more than capable of doing a thorough self-cleaning job.

Dropping the towel on the floor, she glanced in the mirror. Steam prevented her from getting a clear image of her features but she didn't need a reminder to remember what she looked like.

Short brown hair, the color of milk chocolate, stuck straight up on the top of her head. Betta kept it at 3.81 centimeters exactly. The sides were .635 centimeters. As a bodyguard it was practical to keep it short enough so it couldn't be grabbed. Her eyes were brown with gold flecks. High cheeks and a square jaw left little doubt to the observer that she was not to be reckoned with. At five foot eight with a muscular body, she looked powerful, not that she thought of herself that way. She was what she was; a machine built to serve her masters. Still, there were times when she... she what? Wished? Wis.h.i.+ng was a human trait, not something for Hubots.

Solaria waited patiently for her prey. Like a cat ready to launch itself at a mouse, she didn't move a muscle. Her breathing slowed to an imperceptible level, knowing it wouldn't take much for the Hubot to become aware of her. She was somewhat surprised she hadn't already.

Opening the door, Betta stepped into the room and immediately sensed danger. Spinning she saw a hand moving toward her head and struck out to block it. Had she been a split second sooner, she would have succeeded. Unfortunately, with four of her processors shut down, her reaction time was too slow to stop the blow against her skull. Although she didn't lose consciousness, the impact was enough to disorient her. Struggling to reactivate all of her processors, she felt her senses returning and fought back. The sound of Joanie gasping brought her to full operational mode but it was too late. Steel arms pinned her arms against her chest and she was thrown to the floor.

"If you resist, I will kill the girl," Solaria threatened, knowing the Hubot's prime objective was to protect Joanie at all costs.

Joanie watched the struggle not sure what to do. Her back pressed against the headboard, she hugged her pillow.

Betta immediately ceased struggling but continued searching for a solution to their situation. Solaria didn't want to give her time to think so she repeated the threat.

"If you resist, I will kill her."

Looking at Joanie, Solaria shook her head slowly.

"And if you scream, I'll kill her."

"What do you want?" Betta demanded, relaxing her muscles slightly. Hopefully, the woman would a.s.sume she had given up. It could provide the opportunity she needed.

"I'll tell you once I'm sure you're secured. Cooperate and no one gets hurt. Fight me and the girl will be the one to suffer."

Betta nodded. She had no doubt the woman was more than capable of doing what she threatened. Her speed and strength far exceeded human capabilities. It could only mean one thing the intruder was a Hubot.

"Roll onto your stomach," Solaria ordered, making sure her hold was secure.

Betta reluctantly complied. Giving up without a fight didn't sit well with her but it was the logical choice at the moment. Once she was on her stomach, Solaria turned her gaze on Joanie.

"Give me the telephone cord."

Scrambling across the bed, Joanie disconnected the phone and tossed it to her. She then s.h.i.+fted back to her original spot. Quickly binding the Hubot's hands, Solaria drew the feet up and tied them.

"I know you can break these quickly enough but I suggest you not do it until after we're gone. I can kill the girl by the time the chords are snapped."

"You're taking Joanie?" Betta asked. Every fiber of her being resisted the thought.

"No, I'm not taking her. She'll come voluntarily after I tell her why she's here and you'll confirm everything I'm saying."

Betta wasn't programmed to lie. If what the Hubot said was true, she would have no choice but to obey. Betta nodded her head.

"Good."

Turning to look at Joanie, she stood and stepped away from the Hubot making sure she was well away from her in case she tried to escape.

"You were kidnapped by Future Dynamicon to put pressure on your father," Solaria explained. "This woman isn't your bodyguard; not in the true sense. Her job is to keep you from contacting the Sheik or anyone else. At this moment your father doesn't know where you are."