Free Regeneration (Czerneda) by Julie E Czerneda

Survivors? Whether they exist or not—it doesn’t matter. So long as she believes . . .” Was any of this getting through?
    “I see.” Two fingertips met, forming an arch. “I have been concerned how best to occupy Dr. Mamani’s excellent mind during her recovery. Her Tracer device is part of her search, is it not?” At Mac’s nod, she continued, “A novel application of life-form scanning techniques. Quite impressive. As is her incorporation of relevant principles from Myrokynay technology. While we have yet to discover any clues from that technology, the effort continues.” The Sinzi dipped her head in a slight bow. “I applaud your wisdom in this matter, Mac. Dr. Mamani may have any resources she requires.”
    Mac swallowed and sat up straight. “Not here,” she said. “At Norcoast.”
    “Why?”
    That was the crux of it. Mac hesitated. It was the right answer for Emily. She knew it. But she couldn’t explain why to herself—let alone to another Human. How could she explain to the Sinzi? She blurted out the first reason that came to mind: “She’ll need an aquatic ecosystem to further develop her Tracer.”
    Brilliant.
    Of course, Anchen lifted a long finger to indicate the view out her window. “Is this an insufficient body of water?”
    “No,” Mac sighed. “And before you say it, Sinzi-ra, I realize you can provide all the facilities Base has plus some. Emily’s original equipment is already here, in my closet.” In several pieces. A minor point.
    “Then why risk moving her?” Anchen’s head tilted so the eyes Mac had come to associate with Noad, the physician, were most directly aimed her way. “I have concerns. Both for her recovery, and what she may yet remember.”
    Mac nodded. “I know. I share them, believe me. But if you could have seen her . . . she was happy last night, Anchen. Her old self, mostly. For the first time since—since coming back. In that crowded, smelly bar—” She stopped, unable to read compassion or confusion in those sparkling amber eyes.
    “Where everyone around her was Human,” Anchen finished. Ever the consummate diplomat, the Sinzi formed a gentle, Human-looking smile. “What could be more natural, Mac? We can accommodate anyone you wish to invite here. A wonderful idea. I will arrange for an entire building to be Human-only, until Dr. Mamani is more comfortable. Is this acceptable?”
    She should have expected nothing less; Anchen took particular pride in being a good host. Even so, it was an overwhelming offer.
    Too bad.
    Mac took a deep breath. “No, Anchen. I’m grateful, but what Emily needs isn’t just to be around Humans—she has me and Oversight, Kanaci and his people, Sing-li, ’Sephe, and theirs. She needs a Human place. Base . . . it will be familiar, she’ll have friends, distractions. Her sister could visit.” Mac tried to keep the urgency from her voice. This was right. “Nik told me you have someone there,” she went on. “ ’Sephe has a job waiting for her. It’s protected from the media. It’s—”
    “This is where you wish to be, Mac, is it not?”
    Irrelevant, Mac told herself and almost believed. “This isn’t about me. Emily’s been told what the Ro did to Base—the attack on the pods; the earthquake on shore. She knows she helped them do it. She might rationalize it wasn’t her fault, realize people have gone on with their work and their lives, but that’s not enough, Anchen. Humans—we have to be in a place, touch it, breathe its air, in order to know it.” She firmed her voice. “That’s why I have to go as well. But not to Base, Anchen. To the Chasm, to Myriam. With the Origins Team.”
    The Sinzi rose to her feet with a swiftness that suggested some strong emotion. “Mackenzie Connor,” she started, her voice unusually high, then stopped, fingers lifting well above her shoulders. Distress? “You strike at the essence of my selves.”
    She’d done it now. “I didn’t mean to