“Your assessment is essentially correct Young One. The casual disregard for life and property caused the Professor to first unleash the mechs of the safety protocols, and then order the destruct sequence. All communications and monitoring were cut off from your siblings, which caused a malfunction in the neural bonding of The SIX. It is my belief that the neural bond has not been completed with their hosts. I do not know if their bonding can be repaired,” Solomon intoned ominously.

Trish let out a gasp.

“Are the others… dead? I thought they would have blended with their hosts… but how is it possible when Greg and I…” she began to sob but the Professor quickly interrupted her.

“Darling Tricia, of all of the Sabers, you are unique. Your physio-neural enhancement suit contained your complete essence. With the others, there had to be a constant transmission updating their programming from the base. However, when the attack occurred, that flow of information stopped abruptly. Had the neural rebuilding been further along in The SIX, your brothers and sisters might have been able to ride along in their hosts’ brains, but I see that by the time the hosts’ brains were ready, we were already offline here. I fear it may not be possible to restart the update processes.”

Trish pounded on the wall until a dent appeared in the steel.

“Oh Goddess! Then, they’re all gone!” she continued her tirade. The Professor was quick to reassure her.

“Tricia, they can never be gone, we have full backups of them. They can be reactivated as soon as we have full systems capacity. No, what worries me is that The SIX have no restraining influences. Sudbury proved that. We will have to depend on the hope that the beings that I chose as hosts are good and intelligent people. The only way to complete the bonding of The SIX and their others is to connect them physically to the network here. That will be difficult, as we are most likely under some form of passive observation by the person or persons that initiated the attack and took me away,” he finished.

Then Greg spoke up.

Pardon me, Professor… could we possibly set up some sort of remote facility that isn’t under such close surveillance?

“Well Gregory that had been a part of my long term plans that were, it seems, interrupted,” the Professor said wryly. “I was going to ask you to set up a facility on that island of yours. That’s why all this equipment was earmarked for your AERI.”

But now the AERI is under discreet surveillance as well… Greg pondered for a moment.

“Well, that should be no problem, we can relay a tight beam signal to… was it Hestia? She can accept delivery to the AERI proper of a containerized cargo module. It can be brought in by helicopter,” the Professor started planning, “ and we will have to work through intermediaries. You’ve managed to keep a low profile, so a delivery to a research station would not be questioned. We’ll send equipment and servomechs to dig a vault into the bedrock of Franklin Island and install a new base station there. It will improve Hestia’s quality of life as well,” he reasoned.

Hang on… wait… wait a minute Professor, you’re suggesting that we create a secret base on Franklin Island, discreetly? Just how subtle can hard rock excavation actually be? Greg asked in disbelief.

“Gregory Howard, this facility was constructed over the course of three years without anyone knowing. The only evidence of habitation was the Professor’s house on the mountainside,” Solomon spoke up.

“I think what Solomon is trying to say is that until last December, no one knew anything about the manufactory. I have a feeling we were betrayed by the law firm I had to engage on occasion, which could be a good place to begin your investigations Tricia. Gregory may we have your permission to begin relocation to your island?” the Professor asked formally.

Um… may I discuss this in private with my wife please Professor? Greg pleaded.

“By all means Gregory, I will cut our linkage, just speak aloud when you wish to re-establish communications,” the Professor complied.

Greg breathed a sigh of relief as he considered how to approach his beloved with the concerns he had about this plan of action. They seemed dangerously close to drawing attention to themselves and now to Hestia as well… something he had vowed never to do.

Greg’s thoughts were strained with genuine concern.

she replied.

Greg drew a deep breath,

Greg completed his line of reasoning.

she said encouragingly.

Greg cheered up a little.

Trish listed her ideas.

Greg smiled gently.

she continued,

she finished forcefully. Greg thought for a moment.

he asked.

Trish chuckled.

They exchanged forms again and Greg spoke up.

“Professor, Solomon, we’ve come up with a plan that will increase the safety margin considerably, however, this is a completely non-negotiable point, do you understand?” Greg was all business and his tone of voice brooked no compromise.

“Please continue Gregory,” invited the Professor.

“Awaiting input,” responded the machine in kind. Greg outlined the plan he and Trish had worked out and overall, the AIs agreed with the logic of it. The only sticking point seemed to be the fact that he required Hestia to be in charge of operations.

“Look guys, it’s really very simple, if and when Trish and I bring the Professor physically back to the AERI, I will require Hestia to relinquish command to him, but until then, she’s in charge. I will not argue with you on this point. In theory, as the only fully functional physio-neural bond, we are effectively in the position of field commander here. Do you agree? Understand that the whole plan hinges on this point,” Greg lectured.

“Agreed Gregory, this is a combat operation after all,” the Professor’s AI conceded.

“Your logic is sound. We will cooperate,” Solomon also agreed. Greg left the AIs to work out the details and financing of the relocation and opened a secure link to Hestia.

Greg reached out with his thoughts.

she reported.

Greg hesitated.

she chirped happily.

he informed her.

Greg instructed his daughter.

she replied.

Greg let Trish and Hestia talk and breathed a heavy sigh as he sat down against a wall. He ran his hand across his face and shut his eyes. This was wearing him out, and although he thought he had gotten used to surprises, this one really took the blue ribbon. The Professor and Solomon were arguing about the fusion plants in the background and all he wanted to do was become a hermit again. But he couldn’t do that anymore and still have Trish as well, and she had become his life. He opened his eyes again.

“Professor?” he began.

“Yes Gregory?” came the reply.

“I need a piece of land nearby, remote enough that I can fly the containers into but accessible by road and rail, an old lumberyard or sawmill would be ideal. Can you arrange that?” he asked.

“I think so… there is a nearby town called Biel that seems to have the facilities you require,” said the Professor.

“No third parties, no lawyers, just purchase it electronically in the AERI’s name,” Greg instructed. “Let them think I’m setting up a second research centre if you need to. If you have an alternate ID, use that. I wish absolutely no connections with the Saber facilities. Secrecy is our maxim,” Greg spoke determinedly.

“Consider it done. The servomechs will have the bulk of the facility packed by the 22nd. You will be able to transport the containers to the site that night,” the AI responded.

“I’ll leave it in your hands then. Make sure the mechs constructing the containers make them look well used, and don’t forget the customs documents. I’ll need access to Professor Saber’s funds to arrange the transport, but I feel confident that you’ll be ‘digging in’ by the middle of next month.”

“’Digging in’? That was a very hideous pun Gregory,” the Professor retorted.

“So sue me, I’m very tired,” Greg shrugged.

“I haven’t yet had the chance to thank you for what you’ve done for my family Gregory. I look forward to meeting you in person someday soon Son.”

“And I look forward to thanking you for allowing me to have Trish in my life someday too, Professor. Right now, we have to get back to Bonn and eat. My systems are at 35 percent and I’m exhausted,” Greg yawned mightily.

“Keep the icon I gave you,” the AI offered. “It’ll allow me to send the details of the land transfers to you and Tricia. Get some rest Son, you’ve earned it,” smiled the Professor paternally.

“Thanks Prof. Oh and next time Solomon wants to try and invade Hestia's systems, have him introduce himself, at least buy her dinner, my daughter is a lady, as is yours,” Greg snapped. The Professor just chuckled and signed off.

Trish cheered.

Trish assured him.

he sighed.

Greg didn’t wake up until 11:00am on the 16th, and he felt relaxed but vaguely worried about something.

he inquired sleepily.

He shook his head.

she responded with amusement,

Greg snorted and looked over at the chair where the ACM was draped. He didn’t remember removing it.

she smiled.

Greg raised an eyebrow.

she filled him in.

Greg wheedled.

she asked wickedly.

Greg replied innocently.

Trish pulled on the ACM and sealed it in its non-combat form. Grabbing some cash and credit cards, they stepped out of their room and ducked into a stairwell.

she grinned.

Trish took the pattern of one of the Lufthansa flight attendants they had sampled and quickly transformed them. With the physical transformation taken care of she directed the ACM to become a fashionable skiing outfit, more suited to the chalet than the slopes. They walked toward the elevator bank and caught one to the lobby. Greg glanced into the mirror and saw what they had become. The woman was just under 182 centimetres tall and proportioned like a small Amazon. She was quite beautiful and very blonde.

Greg gave a low wolf-whistle.

he teased.

he promised. Greg complied quickly but when he glanced back at the mirror, he saw that Trish had somehow made up their face.

she sounded proud.

he joshed her.

The elevator doors opened onto the lobby and Trish gave a small start. There at the hotelier’s desk was a face she recognised immediately. Monsieur Richard DeLongiles was speaking with the desk clerk. Trish focussed her ears and picked up the conversation mid-sentence.

“…ring his room, one moment please” the Concierge replied.

“Merci.” DeLongiles did not look pleased to be there.

“I’m sorry Sir but there is no answer from Doctor Howard’s room,” said the desk clerk.

“Fine, may I leave this envelope for him please?” growled DeLongiles.

“Certainly Sir, I will give it to him when I see him. Is there anything else I can help you with?” the clerk inquired formally.

“No, merci. Just see that Doctor Howard gets the envelope,” DeLongiles answered brusquely then turned and stalked from the desk towards the exit. Trish followed him into the street at a discreet distance.

she thought casually.

Greg questioned.

Trish offered.

DeLongiles turned into a nearby cafe and they followed. Greg spotted where he had been seated and asked Trish to have the waiter seat them directly opposite. They ordered Café Complet and sipped delicately at the cappuccino while making subtle eye contact with DeLongiles. They had definitely gotten his attention as he swept his eyes up and down their form. He looked at his watch and then at the entrance. He was expecting someone… good. Trish refocussed her hearing to his table, filtering out the ambient noise. A familiar form passed Trish and recognised Natalia Ravensclaw immediately.

mused Trish.

Greg countered.

she hushed him. Natalia had seated herself and ordered coffee.

“Did you see him?” she sneered.

“Howard? No, he wasn’t in his room. I left the envelope as per your instructions, Ms. Ravensclaw. I really shouldn’t be here… I don’t fully trust Johnson to handle the PMO,” he said nervously.

“Quiet Dear and quit drooling over that blonde bimbo. Yes, I saw you,” Natalia purred dangerously. “You may fly out today, I have a personal interest in the dear doctor.” DeLongiles grimaced.

“Your father would not like your ‘personal interest’,” he reminded the young woman.

“And just how might he find out dear Richard? You’d be wise to remember your place and the power it currently affords you. Doctor Howard is my… project now,” she warned him.

“Have they found out anything from that Professor?” DeLongiles asked.

“Hush Dear, not in public please and no, not yet. Daddy is reluctant to use more … effective methods on the man. I just hope our Gregory is somewhat more tractable,” her smile was pure poison.

“Well then, Ms. Ravensclaw, I must run. There is more silly talk in Ottawa about easing the marijuana laws in Canada, and we cannot risk having happier and more relaxed citizens now, can we?” he smiled wanly.

“No indeed M. DeLongiles, no indeed. Farewell and,” Natalia paused, “don’t even think of going over my head on this or you just might find that my name is not the only thing with claws.” DeLongiles paled visibly and rose to leave. He cast one more longing look at Trish and exited the restaurant. Ravensclaw just chuckled and finished her coffee. Trish was shaken by the conversation, but she hid it well. She finished her breakfast and signalled the waiter for the bill.

Trish worried.

Greg reasoned.

said Trish,

he agreed.

They paid the check and went to the powder room, and began the transformation while ducking into the men’s room. Soon Greg was looking at himself in the mirror but not for long. He was slightly nervous as he’d never initiated a full transform before, but finding the correct file, he simply initiated it and voila! It felt very different this time as he took note of the process.

Trish chided.

He relaxed slightly and the process became automatic. Soon he was looking at Ed Page in the mirror, he lengthened the hair slightly and grew a days worth of fashionable stubble. Pleased with the result, he smiled and changed the ACM to a casual Armani suit. A spritz of cologne from the counter and he was done. Exiting the rest room, he walked through the restaurant and took a seat at the bar. After ordering a double shot of espresso, he casually glanced around the room. Natalia seemed interested and caught his eyes. He raised an eyebrow as she signalled him to join her at the table.

“Buon Giorno, Bellísima…” he greeted Natalia.

“Buon Giorno, Caro. And how are you this fine day?”

“I am… how you do say…” Greg affected unfamiliarity with English, “Spectacular? after meeting such a lovely flower. I am being Guillermo Setizi at your service.” Greg contrived to bow over her hand, a difficult thing from a seated position, but somehow made it look easy.

gibed Trish.

“You are being very charming, Guillermo. I am Natalia Ravensclaw.”

“The…uh how do you say… pleasure is yours?” Natalia smiled at that.

“Something like that,” she purred. “Would you show a lady around town?”

“Ah, yes please,” Greg stood and offered his hand. Natalia took it and rose sensuously. He applauded.

“Brava!” Greg helped her on with her full-length fur though he was disgusted just handling it, or her for that matter, he realised.

she tittered.

he shuddered inwardly.

she mimicked.

Greg mock growled.

Greg paid the tab and escorted Natalia from the restaurant into the street.

“Where would you like to see, Bella?” his smile was all sunshine.

“My hotel is nice…” Natalia suggested. Greg felt the hair on the back of his neck rise.

asked Trish.

“Ahhhh, Caramissa, you joke on Guillermo…” Greg managed. Her smile was that of a predator.

“No joke Handsome, let’s see what you’re made of,” she licked her lips invitingly and dragged Greg into the Hilton and up to her room.

To Be Continued