CHAPTER 12


 

EVERY DAY SOLARIA came to the library, greeted Jain pleasantly then disappeared into the computer room. Naturally curious, Jain decided to check her out, or at least find out why she was spending so much time there.

Probably an investigative reporter or something. With her looks, she has to work for a big newspaper or television station.

Reviewing the history files on the computer, she was surprised to find they had been deleted. Even stranger was her inability to recover the data through normal procedures. Jain was a computer expert with a degree in the field and had spent fifteen years as a librarian. The only thing that kept her from being a top hacker was her integrity, although she wasn't averse to infecting her boss' laptop with small nuisance viruses whenever he pissed her off. Usually, it was something simple like making his DVD player open and shut on its own or some strange tune suddenly blaring out. Her favorite was the theme song from an old television series called the Twilight Zone. She had seen a few episodes at a convention and loved them.

Sitting down at the station Solaria always occupied, she typed in a series of commands. Fingers flying, she wasn't aware of the time passing until her assistant coughed.

"Oh! Sorry, I didn't hear you," Jain apologized.

"So I noticed. Listen, it's about time we closed up. You want me to do the building check?"

"Please, if you don't mind. I need to finish what I'm doing."

"Something wrong?"

"No, not really. Someone's messed up a few files and I'm just correcting them. It's more time consuming than difficult."

"Okay. I'll lock up when I leave."

"Thanks, Amy. I'll see you tomorrow."

Nodding, Amy left.

"Now, where was I? Oh yeah..."

Jain resumed her typing.

She's good! I wonder what's so important she needed to hide her activities.

Two hours later, Jain was still trying to recover the data. She was making progress but realized it could be hours or days. Rubbing her eyes, she decided to call it quits for the night.

Tomorrow's another day.

Not wanting to take a chance on Solaria discovering what she was doing, Jain introduced a small virus that shut down the computer's functions. She would tell Solaria this particular computer was down for servicing. The woman would have no choice but to use another. After placing an out of service sign on the monitor, she gathered up her belongings and headed home.

*  *  *

Solaria arrived at the library at her normal time and smiled at Jain.

"Good afternoon."

The greeting always sent a chill down Jain's spine. Solaria spoke softly, her voice low and slightly husky as if she had just awakened from a deep sleep.

Some women get it all, Jain thought and sighed.

"Are you alright?" Solaria asked, noticing the sigh.

"Yes. Just thinking, that's all. Oh, your favorite computer is down so you'll need to switch."

"Nothing serious, I hope." Solaria replied, quietly.

Jain laughed.

"We sound like we're talking about someone instead of a machine."

Solaria thought about it and then smiled. Even though computers weren't sentient, she felt a certain affinity to them.

"Now that you mention it, we do."

"Well, I think you've worn yours out. This morning when I booted it up; it burped once and then died."

"I'm pretty knowledgeable about computers. I could look at it for you," Solaria offered, wanting to continue her research into Future Dynamicon's network.

Jain pretended to think about it and then shook her head.

"I'd better not. The boss is a real asshole. If he knew I let an unauthorized person tamper with it I'd lose my job. It's all this Homeland Security crap."

"That's understandable. I wouldn't want you to get fired. I'll come back tomorrow."

Solaria knew she was pressing her luck. Several weeks of hacking into the Company's records from the same location was risky. It was too bad she didn't have more time when she was in the lab. It had been simpler accessing everything from the onsite computer. Still, she was so close to finding out the exact location of the other Hubot program that she didn't want to waste time searching for a new Internet access site... -nor did she want to admit to herself that she was fascinated with Jain. The human was intelligent and personable, with an extraordinary sense of humor. Solaria noticed the way she teased and joked with the customers who frequented the library but always in a tasteful manner.

"I'm sure it'll be ready by then. You can use one of the others and have the place all to yourself. It's been a slow day so far."

"Thanks but I can wait. I've... grown fond of that particular computer," Solaria said. It was her first attempt at teasing and she was pleasantly surprised when Jain grinned in response.

"Of course. It's obvious. I really am sorry about this. I feel bad that you made the trip for nothing."

"Not a problem, Jain. It's not like it's your fault and it gave me a chance to talk to you, so the trip isn't wasted now is it?" Solaria grinned and then winked.

Jain's heart skipped a beat.

God if I had just one night with her, I'd die a happy woman.

"Well, umm... have a good evening. See you to..tomorrow." Jain stuttered.

"Yes you will."

Jain sat and stared at the door for the longest time after Solaria left.