Chương 445: Book 7 - Chapter 41 - Damaged

As I wandered into the residence, I used my augs to connect to the automated light control and keep them off. I already had the beginnings of a headache, and if this phone call went badly, I could easily see it blowing up into a full-blown migraine. Not that I thought Deidre would be difficult or blame me, more that I wouldn't be able to find the proper words. I'd spent months working through my feelings and realized that she had done the right thing, but I was never great at talking about my feelings.

This was going to be a difficult call. I hopped over the back of the couch and landed face down on the cushions. I lay there for several seconds, motionless, as I worked up the courage to make the call. Part of me knew I was procrastinating, the rest of me just didn't care. After a minute or so I managed to gather enough energy to lever myself into a seated position. I took a deep breath and called Deidre. I sat there silently, feeling my augs vibrate slightly with every ring, just waiting for Deidre to pick up.

[Well, this is a surprise,] Deidre declared as soon as the call connected. [After the welcome you gave me earlier, you're the last person I expect to call Evelyn.] I flinched slightly. Although her tone was light, the implications of that line spoke volumes. [Yeah… I apologize for that. Even though I knew you were coming back, I didn't expect to find you standing on the bridge with Claire and Alise when I walked in,] I explained.

[I wanted to take some time to organize my thoughts before talking to you, so when I found you there, I kind of panicked.] Deidre sighed. [I know Evelyn. You made it very clear with the awkward conversation and very abrupt exit,] she said. [But enough about that… How can I help you today?] [Well, ummm, I called about two things today,] I said awkwardly. [The first is…] I paused for a moment, trying to figure out which way to take the conversation.

[I was going over all the battles I fought with the Gene Tender's forces over the last few weeks in my head, trying to figure out if there were any patterns, and I realized that some of its tactics didn't make sense. Sharron suggested you might be able to help me out.] [I'm far from an expert, but I do have some experience with them,] Deidre replied. [What's your question?] I took a deep breath. [Did the Gene Tenders on Mars ever create command units to manage the hordes on Mars?] I asked.

There was a momentary pause. [Of course they did. Their whole purpose in life was to optimize the swarm to deal with threats, and part of that is setting up a proper command structure. What kind of question is that?] Deidre asked, confused. [I know it sounds crazy, that's why I'm asking. The entire time I was in Great Falls I didn't encounter a single command model higher than a six. I even went back to check the combat logs to double check, the bears didn't encounter one either,] I said.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. [Huh,] Deidre said blankly. [Well.... I can confirm that's not normal. Those things do everything in their power to optimize the Antithesis operations, and if it wasn't creating a command structure, there was probably something wrong with it.] I thought back to my brief encounter with the Gene Tender, which was much easier when most of the fight was archived on the Command Network, even if it was from the bears watching at a distance. [Well, it did kind of look like someone took a plasma cannon to the side of its head,] I muttered. [Evelyn…] Deirdre moaned. [Are you telling me that you faced a creature with a gaping head wound and didn't even consider that it might not have all its faculties?] [Hey! In my defense its head was completely intact. Only one side was just a mess of scar tissue,] I replied indignantly. [And despite that wound, the fucking thing still managed to crank out abominations and fight me to a standstill. Besides, we samurai have tech that let us completely regrow lost limbs. I figured an Antithesis that strong would have an equivalent regenerative ability.] [Sure, we can regrow limbs, but we're talking about a brain injury. It might have been able to regenerate the tissue, but any memories contained within? Lost.] Deirdre said.

[And if it regenerated with even the slightest imperfection? It could have serious mental issues.] [So you're telling me this thing probably has brain damage,] I muttered. [I didn't say it, you did,] Deirdre said. [I find that idea both comforting, and completely horrifying,] I said. [Comforting, because that explains why some of its strategic decisions seemed overly simple for such a complex Antithesis model, and horrifying because it means we haven't even been fighting a Gene Tender at its full strength.] [It does explain how you were able to keep it contained so well,] Deirdre replied. I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, she clarified. [I don't mean that as an insult. I just mean on Mars no matter what we did, the Antithesis were constantly slipping through our lines and establishing new hives in supposedly clean areas. If they'd managed to do that down here…] [Who says they didn't?] I countered. [We did our best to contain them, but who knows what might have slipped through. I imagine we'll have people cleaning up that area for months, if not longer.] [What a shit show,] Deirdre mumbled. Even though we were in a voice call, I could practically see her shaking her head. [Anyways, assuming that I answered your question, what was the other thing you wanted to talk about?] she asked. [Oh, that,] I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. [It's just that I wanted to say… it's good to see you again. I know we didn't exactly part on the best terms, and a lot of that was my fault, but I've had a lot of time to think about it and I wanted to apologize for what happened between us.] [You don't have to apologize. You had every right to be mad at me. I really should have asked your permission or tried another method of calming you down before resorting to drugging you.] she replied. [You're not the only one that had time to think.] I leaned back on the couch and let out a nervous laugh.

[I'm so glad to hear you say that,] I exclaimed. [You have no idea how nervous I was about having this conversation. I was half expecting you to never want to speak to me again.] [What?] she snorted. [Did you really think I'd be that petty?] [Well, no, I figured you'd probably be cool with the whole conversation; however there was always that small part in the back of my head going 'what if?'] I explained.

[You know, I bet there's a catalog that would allow us to get that little voice excised if we really wanted to,] Deirdre said. [You joke, but I totally wouldn't be surprised if something like that existed,] I chuckled quietly. [I'm really sorry it took me so long to actually call so we could talk about this,] I said. [Between the Antithesis and my own insecurities, it just didn't feel like the right time to call.] [I told you, you don't need to apoligize,] she replied.

[I could have called you just as easily as you called me. I was putting it off too.] [I'm glad there are no hard feelings,] I said. [When this is all over, we should get together. Maybe you could come over for a home-cooked meal with Jane and the kids.] [I'd like that,] she replied. [I'll need some time to get my life in order first. I haven't even been back to my apartment yet, I came here right off the ship, but once I do… I may just take you up on that offer.] [In that case, let's find this fucking thing, and wrap up this operation as quickly as possible so we can make that happen.] I said. [I'll look forward to it,] she replied quietly.