Chapter 11

“Pam?” Natalia asked as she lazily leaned back against the side of the enormous bathtub, “Would you mind telling me what your missions were like?”

“I can, “ Pamela, “but I guess they are a bit out of date by now.“

Natalia chuckled. “I don’t mind. I know I’m a rookie but I just want to know what you were doing.”

“Alright. We usually got the initial info from the intelligence branch when a company is producing goods which come with a lot of waste and there’s proof they don’t have any kind of way to properly dispose of it. You see, most companies have third parties who deal with their waste.“

“You mean you know there should be a legal transfer of waste products to other companies who are specialized in that area.”

“Yes, “ said Pamela, “But the cost to properly dispose of waste can be huge, particularly when it is toxic.“

“Which will dig into their profits.”

“Exactly. So, with the help of intelligence, we know if the company has decided not to use those companies which means it is getting rid of the toxic waste illegally.“

“Right,” pondered Natalia, “So you and the team were tasked with getting evidence that a company was dumping their waste illegally.”

“Hmm yes, “ said Pamela softly, “You had to catch them red handed. Filming the truck, registering the license plate, the vats with toxic waste, actually everything which could be linked to the illegal disposals.“

“And I guess the act of dumping the waste into nature.”

Pamela sighed and confirmed, “Most of the companies were ‘friendly’ enough to just to dump the vats. But there were companies who just emptied the vats with correspondingly devastating effects to the environment.“

Natalia shuddered as she recalled several cases of severe pollution in remote nature parks.

“Horrible,” she whispered.

“It was very satisfying when we could bring a dirty company to court. But it became more and more difficult bringing in those sad bastards. Their equipment to spot unwanted attention was rapidly getting more sophisticated and soon our advantage as a type A android was completely compromised.“

“What was the biggest problem?” Natalia asked.

“When portable infra-red camera’s became affordable, “ Pamela spoke softly, “before that we had the advantage because of our night vision.“

“Was that the reason you got shot?”

Pamela sighed and responded, “I was completely surprised by the attack. I saw them coming and I hid myself behind a shrub which would be enough to disappear from sight. I realized too late that they actually could see me and then they just shot me, point blank.“

“Oh shit,” Natalia whispered not really knowing what else to say.

“You know already that Jeanette saved me by transferring my nanites into her body.“

“How does that work? They don’t mix up into one big bunch?”

“No, “ Pamela said, “each group of nanites have their own signature.“

“So, we can’t help you by injecting a bunch of extra nanites?”

“They would be neutralized instantly by my group, “ Pamela said flatly, “And it would probably cost me at least 5 percent of my nanites.“

“I see,” Natalia pondered, “How did your nanites survive in Jeanette’s body?”

“There’s a special emergency protocol which temporally allows other nanites in the same body.“

“Oh yes, I remember it now,” Natalia answered, “So only the Enzuins can create more nanites with your signature.”

“Yes, they have the tools to program the nanites.“

“Wait: are you telling me all the nanites are the same until they are programmed?” Asked Natalia indignantly.

“They are, “ Pamela confirmed with a deep sigh.

“I don’t understand why the Enzuins are so absolute and narrow minded,” Natalia huffed, “They have no clue what a devastating effect it has on the people serving them by denying such a simple solution.”

“I know, “ Pamela sighed, “I have noticed a lot of my kind have left the GIS.“

“Oh? How do you know that?”

“I saw only a few familiar faces when we stepped into the main hall of the conference building, “ Pamela said softly, “The majority were new recruits.“

“So you think there are many out there like Ellen?”

“I don’t know.“

There was a knock at the door followed by Jeanette’s voice asking, “Natalia, Pam are you in here?”

“Yes,” responded Natalia enthusiastically, “Do come in!”

Jessie’s day had been challenging. Mr. Randal had been hovering in front of her cubical several times today trying to get answers from her she didn’t have. There were times she wished she had taken the memory stick but she knew that her little scheme would have fallen into a thousand pieces.

She had taken the opportunity to introduce herself as the new account manager with the clients and so far the smallest two of the accounts had responded positively. She knew that as soon as she had the files she needed she should lock herself up for a few hours to absorb all the juicy details before she could come up with a winning strategy to win the other accounts.

But now she was preparing for an exciting evening by making sure every detail was planned to her satisfaction. And at the top of the list was the transformation of her bedroom into a cozy and warm dining area. She was so hoping Natalia would like her plan.

It was almost 7 pm and she knew that Natalia was time challenged but it was time to set the first part of her meticulously crafted plan into action. She opened her messaging app on her phone and texted Natalia, “Hi Nat, hope you’re on your way to me. I’ll give you a clue but you’re not allowed to Google it: Nyotaimori. Give me a shout as soon as your ETA is 5 minutes. Love, Jessie.”

Everything else was ready and she decided to create a playlist of music which would complete the special evening. She sighed as she knew they would need to have a serious talk but that was planned after dinner.

Jeanette stepped into the bathroom carrying Natalia’s clean clothes and a bowl with slices of the special fruit. She smiled as she saw Natalia enjoying the hot water and said, “You look a lot better already.”

Natalia sighed of bliss and replied, “Nothing beats a nice hot bath. Thanks for bringing the clothes.”

Jeanette placed the clothes on a shelf and as she took the chair she said with a friendly voice, “You’re welcome. You mind if I sit down next to the bath? I would like to discuss a few things with you while you’re eating the fruit.”

Natalia sat up straight, emerging from the bubbles enough that Pamela had the opportunity to join as well. As she gratefully took the bowl from Jeanette she said, “Of course go ahead.”

Jeanette sat down and gasped as she saw Pamela’s face appear on Natalia’s chest.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” hushed Natalia between two bytes of the fruit, “I forgot you haven’t seen this before. It’s how Pam can join us.”

“It’s okay,” Jeanette spoke softly, “It’s lovely to see your face again Pams.”

Pamela smiled warmly as she responded, “Ditto Jeanette, It’s been a while.“

Jeanette pondered about what she was going to say. She desperately wanted to talk with Pamela alone over what happened 25 years ago but she didn’t want to burden Natalia with the old pain she had suffered. She took a deep breath and said with a coy smile, “I’ve heard you’ve met Jack.”

Natalia took another piece of the fruit and enjoyed the tangy taste of it before she made an attempt to answer Jeanette suggestive remark. “Hmm,” Natalia replied totally unperturbed, “Twice actually. Both times he seemed to be a little upset with me.”

“May I suggest you be careful with him?” Jeanette asked, “He is senior staff and has more influence on your situation at GIS than you are aware.”

“That might be Jeanette,” Natalia retorted, “but I refuse to be treated like a slut at the local meat market who he can fuck in exchange for some pathetic privileges.”

Jeanette gasped not knowing what to say after such an explicit outburst.

Natalia sighed and continued, “I’m sorry but it was crystal clear from the beginning that he tried to abuse his position to get me in his bed. I can’t stand men who think they own the world because they hold an important position or serve some important function.”

“I see,” said Jeanette a little subdued, “I assume you used your sharp tongue to communicate that to him.”

“She did, “ said Pamela with a grin, “he definitely was beaten at his own game.“

Natalia smiled remembering the shocked expression on Jack’s face as she said, “Yes, but it was because you warned me I could respond in kind to his blatant innuendos.”

Jeanette laughed as she shook her head in amazement.

“Anyway,” Natalia continued, “Is there something else you want to talk about? The bath is really nice but I think I need to get out soon.”

“Yes, there is,” Jeanette replied as her smile had disappeared from her face, “Greg had a meeting with the Enzuins and they have refused to help Pam.”

Natalia shook her head and murmured, “I’m not surprised. Let me sleep on it and I’ll talk with Gregory tomorrow for the next step.”

“You’re planning to pay a visit to the Enzuins,” Jeanette stated flatly, “I don’t think Greg will allow you to go there.”

“We will see,” said Natalia sounding unrepentant, “It’s past time a few things changed in this place.”

Jeanette somehow knew that Natalia would rebel against it and it made her uneasy.

“Tread very carefully Natalia,” urged Jeanette, “You may be an exceptional person, especially now you are with Pamela and Ellen as your anchor but many people will see you as an insignificant junior.”

Natalia looked at the woman and asked her, “Let me ask you one question Jeanette, you don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to but is the GIS functioning as well as 25 years ago?”

Jeanette sighed as her face changed into a forlorn expression. She opened her mouth but she couldn’t utter a word.

Natalia suddenly realized she had been in the water too long and stood resolutely. Ignoring Jeanette’s gasp she said as she climbed out of the tub, “I understand your position as a type R android Jeanette but I think there’s something going on that undermines the GIS. I have chosen to become a member of the GIS which meant I have abandoned my normal life but it doesn’t mean that I allow my new job to end up as a disaster.”

“Wow,” was the only thing Jeanette was able to say as she handed a towel to the wet woman.

“You know,” Natalia said as she looked the shocked woman in the eyes, “My life hasn’t always been going smoothly and I think I’ve learned early on that allowing others to decide what will happen to me always turns out to be the worst possible outcome. Making deliberate choices, even if they result in something you hadn’t hoped for, are a thousand times more bearable.”

“There’s some truth in there,” whispered Jeanette dazed.

“Look,” said Natalia in a soothing tone, “I’m certainly not going to be a bull in a china shop and I am definitely going to need you, Pam, Ellen and especially Gregory to guide me. But I hope you agree with me that something bad is affecting the GIS.”

Jeanette stared at the woman and slowly nodded as she didn’t dare to say it out loud.

Pamela took the opportunity to display the distraught woman a message only she could read, “Jeanette, we’re in an amazing situation and the last thing you should worry about is what happened 25 years ago. Let the past go! I’m so pleased I’m part of this great adventure. I always will support you no matter what might happen.“

Jeanette smiled as she read the text, feeling the huge burden falling of her shoulders and said to Natalia, “It is already getting late. I would like to offer you dinner if you haven’t arranged anything else.”

Natalia gasped and asked stressed, “Oh shit! What time is it?”

“It’s 7:10 pm,” Jeanette said calmly, “You can use teleportation if you can recall the place where you want to be.”

“That would be great,” replied Natalia a little tensed, “but I need to get something from my place first.”

“That is easy peasy, “ Pamela interjected, “We go first to your apartment, then we jump back to the hall of Enzuinia and then we go to Jessie.“

While still wrapped in a towel Natalia hugged Jeanette as she thanked the woman. “Thanks for today’s lesson and for bringing my stuff.”

“You’re welcome, Natalia,” replied Jeanette as she patted the redhead gently on the back, “See you tomorrow same time? Just follow the blue doors and you’ll end up at the training facility.”