CHAPTER 3

Pain

PRIMERIS KNEW SHE was in trouble. The pain was an excruciating, mind-numbing agony that threatened her very existence. A safety program was shutting down her bio-electronic systems to prevent them from being damaged. Nerves were transmitting massive amounts of data, causing her processors to overheat. It was impossible for her to simultaneously monitor and control essential physical components of her body. If she couldn't reduce the overwhelming flood of data, her neuro-network would soon fail. Primeris was self-destructing, and helpless to do anything about it.

Do Hubots die? she wondered, fleetingly. Or simply cease to exist?

She wasn't ready for the answers to those two questions.

*  *  *

Chantelle could feel the woman's pain and was afraid. Primeris was dying, even though the physical damage didn't appear life-threatening. Something was terribly wrong, something Chantelle didn't understand. She needed time to examine Primeris to determine what was happening. Only then could she repair the damage. Feeling a sense of desperation, she looked accusingly at the woman standing next to Primeris' prone body.

"What have you done?" Chantelle demanded of the woman who had just rescued her. "She didn't hurt us."

"What needed to be done," Solaria replied, ignoring the three bodies strewn around the room. After releasing Chantelle and checking Jain's pulse, she lifted the unconscious woman in her arms. "Let's go," she ordered, not even glancing at Chantelle. Jain was her primary concern.

"Not without her," Chantelle declared rebelliously, pointing to Primeris. "I'm not leaving her here. She's badly injured and needs help. They'll blame her for this."

Solaria walked to the door and then turned back to Chantelle.

"They would be right. Whatever her reason, she killed these men. Her actions save me the trouble of destroying her."

"It was self-defense. She was trying to keep them from torturing us," Chantelle replied.

"Her decision wasn't logical, then. At best, she spared you a few hours. When these bodies were discovered, she'd have been overpowered and deactivated. You would be blamed for everything."

"That doesn't even make sense," Chantelle said. "We're restrained."

"Exactly. You weren't a threat physically. The only other logical conclusion is that you worked for someone important enough to cause her to override her orders. Perhaps a word or phrase triggered a... subconscious instruction implanted years ago. She could be a Sleeper that SU33 wasn't aware of. Whatever caused her to react the way she did isn't my problem. My concern is for Jain. Come with me or stay; the choice is yours."

"That's ridiculous!" Chantelle exclaimed. "All they'd have to do is watch the vids of the interrogation. These places record everything."

"Not this time. The security system isn't working."

"How do you know that?"

"I shut it down. Now are you coming or not?" Solaria asked, turning toward the door.

"Wait! I can help Jain," Chantelle offered, desperately searching for something to barter with. Their rescuer clearly had no interest in Primeris. "Please. Primeris is dying."

Solaria shrugged. "If you expect me to feel anything for her, I can't."

"I'm not leaving unless we take her with us," Chantelle said, her voice growing steely. "And I don't think Jain would like it if we left her, either."

"What do you know about Jain?" Solaria asked.

"I know she refused to tell them anything about you, even when they were beating her. That tells me she cares for you a lot. Jain wouldn't have protected you if you weren't worthy of it. You're Solaria, aren't you?" Solaria gave a slight nod. "I don't know much about her but I think she would want you to help Primeris." Frustrated tears welled up in Chantelle's eyes. How do I make you understand? she thought.

Solaria saw the tears and hesitated. Why would the woman be so upset over someone who had been instrumental in her capture and Jain's torture?

"Why do you care what happens to her? She put you in danger and almost killed Jain."

Chantelle shook her head.

"I was never in danger from her. Primeris tried to help us. She's the only reason Jain is still alive."

Solaria glanced at Primeris' still form.

"I don't —"

"I can explain later. Trust me. Jain will confirm everything. We need to get them somewhere safe so I can heal them."

Walking back to Chantelle, Solaria gently placed Jain on the floor.

"You said you could help Jain."

Chantelle nodded and knelt next to Jain.

Cupping the unconscious woman's face in her hands, Chantelle closed her eyes and hummed softly. Solaria felt an energy spike in the room. 

*  *  *

Seeking out Jain's injuries, Chantelle realized a song wasn't needed to perform the healing. A simple melody would suffice.

"She has a mild concussion and some bruising, but nothing life-threatening," Chantelle explained. "I can repair the more serious damage. The rest will heal naturally in a few days. "

Concentrating, Chantelle gathered her strength and focused on the bruised cells. She hummed softly, forcing the melody deep into the brain. Slowly, the swelling subsided and then shrank, reducing the cranial pressure. Jain’s body absorbed the leaking blood. Nutrients and electrolytes rushed to the injured site. Old cells generated new ones, replacing those that had been irreparably destroyed. When the repair was complete, Chantelle removed her hands and leaned slightly backward feeling drained.

"She'll awaken shortly," Chantelle said.

Jain's eyelids fluttered open. She blinked rapidly a few times and then reached up to rub her forehead.

"I have such a headache," she groaned.

"It'll disappear in a few minutes. Can you get up?" Chantelle asked.

"I... I think so." To Jain's surprise, the headache faded to a dull ache. Solaria, who had remained kneeling, stood to assist Jain to her feet. "Thanks," Jain whispered and smiled. "It's good to see you again."

Solaria returned the smile, her teal eyes glinting. Tears? she thought and quickly dismissed the idea. Now wasn't the time to analyze feelings.

"We need to get out of here. Are you able to walk?"

Jain nodded.

"Good. We'll talk later," Solaria said to Chantelle and then bent down and hefted Primeris into her arms. Chantelle grasped Jain's arm, giving her a small jolt of energy. Jain gave her a strange look but said nothing.