Phoenix closes her eyes, and her cognitive system suddenly enforces a playback, an impression of the sensation of the mines going off under her feet in the alley, and of slowly descending into the Tokuma courtyard, into the suffering, dying masses there. She shudders slightly and almost seems to lose her footing. Her face contorts under the strain of trying to drive the impression back into the corner of her mind from which it sprung. She whimpers slightly.
He wraps his arms around Phee to hold her against him. The expression on her face had made his stomach lurch and his heart cold with fear. She seemed to be remembering something traumatic and he felt terrible now that he'd asked her that question.
Phoenix "I haven't ... really had time to reflect on some of the things that happened to me. I ... I encountered Vaarda in the grid when I was stuck there. He had this analysis program - like a personality mirror. it was rather painful, but I saw that I'm suffering from PTSD. Badly."
"What can be done to help that? There has to be a good doctor here on this station, right?"
She cringes. "Probably. I don't know. Some of these Orchids, though... I don't think they think I'm really alive."
"Orchids?" He thinks for a moment, confused.
“This is a Utopia installation. They're not big on machines here. Especially ones who claim to be alive. I think Z gets it. Maybe Mark, I don't know.”
He nods as it finally clicks in his head. "Orchids - that's what Z is calling her operatives?"
Phoenix smiles. "Yes. They are called the Black Orchids."
"I will have to show you the black orchid that I got delivered to me. I had thought it a symbol... but wasn't sure exactly what it meant."
"Really? Who was it from?"
"It was from Z. After I got it I received a call from her. I had it safely stored in Gaia's office with the rest of my things."
Phoenix smiles broadly. "How beautiful. She probably intended that you should cultivate it. Did you get it out?"
Sayer nods happily. "Yes, when we went back to the city I snuck down to Gaia when I was putting up the posters. It was still there, with the rest of the stuff I had stashed. So I didn't lose everything. I would have been sad to have lost that orchid. Black ones are very rare. In fact they were thought to be extinct. I had never seen one before, and I had to look it up on my datapad to be sure. I will have to ask her how she got one."
"Maybe she got some DNA from the Birmingham Zoological Institute."
"Are they known for their orchids? All my botanical knowledge comes from non-traditional sources... mostly through my supplier."
"Z would know more. I've heard they have an archive of extinct forms."
Sayer pulls out his PDA and makes a note of that. "I will definitely look into that. How do you know about that place?"
Phoenix smiles, "Miach has an extensive salvage interest. That draws our attention to the surface, which is where the institute is located. I've read about it."
"Do you work for Miach now? I know they supply your chassis... but I guess I haven't stopped to think how involved your connection is with them."
"Well, we're outside the city now, and have a different role. I can therefore be a bit more forthcoming about my relationship with them. Miach is the reason I was extracted from Tokuma. I owe them my life. In a way, I belong to them, just as you would to Utopia if your clone were activated."
"And they are good to you, right? Not like Tokuma?"
"They are wonderful to me. There is this pervasive sense of dignity of artificial life. It's not Miach's core operating principle or anything like that - they like to keep quiet and do their research - but the corporate culture is one of tolerance toward AI. Many employees are AI.”
"That is how it should be. If you can ask whether or not you should be free, then you should be free. It sounds like a progressive company, one that has respect for the employees."
"Still, independent and protected as I am with them as an individual, the fact remains, they invested considerably and risked greatly in getting me out of Tokuma. So far they've asked little. But they are entitled to a lot."
Sayer thinks about that for a moment. "But so far they haven't asked you to do anything that you'd not want to do, right?"
Project 17 makes a gentle approach as she sees the two staring out the window. She didn't want to butt into the conversation so she kept her distance until they were ready to acknowledge her.
"Not in the slightest. It almost scares me. They've wanted me to test experimental weapons and defensive technologies, and have been happy with the results I've provided."
Phoenix looks up and smiles "Hello, Miss Ziebzen. ...er - what would you like us to call you here?"
Project 17 grins, "If you feel comfortable with Ziebzen I am too. Alex has called me Z for years... probably will for the rest of his life."
Sayer says happily, "It's good to see you."
Project 17 smiles softly. "So have you two settled in okay? I know it's quite different than a city. Some people have trouble adjusting to space. This is more of a natural environment for me as I was "born" in a facility such as this."
Phoenix glances quickly at the window, smiling, then back at Z. "It is breathtaking. I was able to catch a little time outside earlier - to be ensconced in complete silence, the clarity of total vacuum and empty space - and to be able to hear the cosmic microwave background with my own wireless - a beautiful experience."
Project 17 laughs softly, "That must be quite an experience to go out there without having to wear a protective suit. Once you are past all the layers of pollution, space is absolutely magnificent.”
"I can go outside for short periods - anything longer than an hour, and I lose thermal stability, though."
Sayer leans in close to Phee and whispers, "Can you tell her about the radiator units?"
Phoenix smiles. "Yes. Miach is working on radiator units for thermal stability - large metal panels through which coolant cycles. They look like wings."
“That sounds pretty innovative! I am really looking forward to seeing what Miach has to offer. I think they could be very beneficial working with us as we primarily deal with living organisms.” Project 17 replies.
Phoenix smiles thoughtfully "Yes, I think we could complement each other well."
Phoenix "I was telling Sayer. I haven't really emphasized my role with Miach. The reason is that they are a pure research organization - they don't like to be associated with specific conflicts. My task was to test weapons and defensive technologies in the city, but they wanted it done quietly - with their name well away from it. Now i think that role will be broadened somewhat."
“You mean in Insilico?”
"Yes. Insilico was more than violent enough to support the testing goals, and my personal agenda would take me into danger anyway, so it worked out."
Project 17 nods, "I am more than sure you may have a few places down on earth you can test your weaponry. Utopia does weaponry also, however we don't advertise it. They are more for personal use for defenses.
"Speaking of working with you, you mentioned a job as a botanist. Would that be a job I would do here, on this station?" Sayer had wanted to ask about work since they had arrived but it had never seemed like a good time. He looked down at his hands for a moment, embarrassed by asking his question so brashly.
Project 17 nods as Sayer reminds her, "Ah, yes... they have a laboratory prepared for you. You will be in the botanical department for starters. Right now we have been bringing up specimens from the Earth's surface and samples from underwater for analysis. Eventually you may go down with a team to collect more."
Sayer enthusiastically rocks back and forth on his heels a few times. "That sounds so wonderful - I can't wait to start."
“At 0800 I will have them check you in and provide you with whatever equipment you need.”
Sayer looks to Phee for a brief moment, his eyes brimming with excitement. He turns back to Z, "Thank you, I will work hard, I promise."
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