EPILOGUE


 

IF SHE HAD been standing outside her door, Jain's neighbor, Tilly, would have been surprised to see the tall, teal-eyed woman morphing into someone else. Walking to the car parked beside the curb, Betta pulled off a silver wig and climbed in the passenger side. Turning sideway, expressionless brown eyes stared at the woman sitting in the driver's seat.

"How is she?" Solaria asked, staring at the condo window to Jain's living room.

"She's well."

"That's good. Was she upset about Stalling?"

"No! She accepted the information better than most humans. She was concerned about Joanie, though. I think she may fly out to check on her."

"And me? Was she disappointed in me when you told her about Stalling?"

"I'm not sure. She seemed upset but that would be a natural human response."

"Yes, it would be. She didn't suspect anything?"

"No."

"Good!" Solaria replied, relieved.

"Why do you want Jain to believe you killed Stalling?"

"It's for the best," Solaria replied. "Jain trusts me. She truly believes in my goodness. It's a human failing that seems to help them cope."

"Then why make her think otherwise?" Betta asked, confused.

Solaria smiled but it held no joy.

"She doesn't. She will think about what you told her and conclude my actions were logical. That's enough to satisfy any doubts she may have for awhile."

"If that's so, why not tell her the truth now? I don't see how later would change anything."

"The time isn't right. She can handle thinking that I killed him. Jain would be uncomfortable knowing you were the one. She would be afraid. She doesn't know you as well as me."

"You mean she doesn't trust me."

"No, I mean she doesn't know you as well; nothing more. She has great hopes for you."

"Hopes? What hopes can she have for me?"

"That you will become comfortable with your emotions. That you will meet someone whom you can love and who will love you."

"We both know that will never happen. No matter how hard we try, we'll never be more than what we are – machines disguised as humans."

"If that's what you think, then that is all you will ever be, Betta. Like Jain and Carley, I want more for me. I may never achieve what they hoped for but I won't be satisfied with what I am... and neither will you."

Deep down Betta knew it was true, but was unwilling to admit she too wanted more. It wasn't logical. Machines would always be machines; even those in partially human bodies.

"I need to get to Joanie," she said, changing the subject.

Solaria nodded and started the engine.

"I know. There's a jet waiting for you at the airport. You should be there in a few hours. Joanie knows you're coming. I imagine you'll have a lot of explaining to do."

"What will you do?"

"There may be others like us. I need to find out. We can't take the chance of them becoming tools for people like Stalling."

"I should be with you."

"Joanie needs you. She is her country's future and there are some who still look to the past. Once you're sure she's safe, find me."

Neither spoke until Betta was ready to board the plane.

"Give my regards to Joanie."

Betta nodded but said nothing. Turning, she walked up the steps and disappeared inside the small charter jet. After the door was pulled shut, Solaria climbed in her car and drove away. She had wanted to say something more to Betta but didn't know what; and then there was Jain. Perhaps after her search was over she would return to this place and reconnect with her human acquaintance.

Acquaintance! Somehow the word seemed lacking. Jain was more than that. The word, "friend" sprang from deep within her memory banks. Solaria examined it carefully. She had thought of Carley as a friend. Carley no longer existed.

That still troubled her. Quickly she discarded the word. Friendship wasn't something she was ready to consider again so soon. One day, maybe, when the time was right. Filing away the thought, she retrieved the data on the Beta file. There was work to do and very little time to do it if other betas did exist.

Speeding toward the Canadian border, she searched the file for clues that would guide her to her next goal. One particular name stood out...

The End