CHAPTER 34


 

IT HAD BEEN OVER a week since Jain had returned home from Solaria's place. She knew she couldn't take a chance on going back. The library and her condo were under constant surveillance. She was being followed everywhere, which was getting pretty annoying.

When Betta had called her about Solaria's illness, she knew the Hubot was out of her element. No matter how much knowledge she had stored in her memory banks, only firsthand experience could prepare her for the reality of a failed biological system.

Damn! I'm beginning to sound like them, she thought, remembering the day the phone rang at the library.

"Public Library, this is Ms. Plaine."

"Ms. Plaine, this is Ms. Dayes' personal assistant. She will be late returning her books due to a serious illness."

Jain recognized Betta's monotone voice and knew the Hubot wouldn't have called if the situation wasn't serious.

"I see. Is she able to come to the phone? Perhaps I can make arrangements to pick them up."

"She isn't able to get out of bed, but I've promised to arrange for them to be returned to the library's drop box. Unfortunately, it won't be until after you've closed. I hope that is satisfactory."

"That's fine. The books aren't on anyone's waiting list. Please give her my regards and tell her not to worry."

The click of the phone told Jain that Betta had hung up.

I need to talk to her about phone etiquette.

At 6:15, Jain locked the library door, wondering how she was going to get to Solaria's without being followed. Glancing up and down the street, she noticed the visible absence of the black SOLR-V and frowned.

They're getting better at hiding. This isn't good!

Unlocking her car, she opened the door and noticed a note on the seat and read it.

Come now!

That's it? Come now? She's not much for words, Jain thought, folding the note carefully. Obviously, Betta had done something to distract the agents. She couldn't wait to find out what.

Twenty-five minutes later, Jain was at Solaria's home examining the unconscious woman. Betta stood helplessly by, not sure what to do. Her programming had never prepared her for this type of situation.

"It looks like the flu or something. How long has she been unconscious?"

"Seven hours, forty-one minutes and thirty-three seconds that I'm aware."

Giving Betta an exasperated look, Jain sighed.

"Couldn't you have called me five minutes and ten seconds after you discovered her this way?"

"Sarcasm," Betta replied stoically. "It seems to be a common practice amongst humans."

"Only as a last resort," Jain countered and then chuckled. "We need to cool her down. She's running a temperature."

"Would you like me to get ice?"

"No... Yes, I mean, but put only a small amount in a bowl of water and bring a wash cloth. I'll show you how to do it. Then I'll cook some broth. She needs nourishment, too."

For the next two days, they alternated between giving Solaria sponge baths and trying to get her to drink some broth. Jain had called Amy to say she wasn't coming in to work for a few days.

When Solaria finally woke up, she was ecstatic but exhausted. After spending another day monitoring her temperature and making sure she was able to eat, Jain was anxious to return home. It was relief turning everything back over to Betta so that she could get a good night's rest.