Free Abysm by G. S. Jennsen Page A

which we can help Artificials achieve a more fulsome, integral level of consciousness.
    ‘Valkyrie also conveyed interest in adapting the paradigms for use with neural imprints and the spontaneous emergence of consciousness such as she observed with the David Solovy construct.’
    “Interesting idea. I believe the difficulties she encountered with the construct were more functional than judgmental in nature, but perhaps some of our conclusions can be transferred—”
    Abigail jumped as the doors to the lab flew open and eight armed…she wasn’t certain if they were soldiers or mercenaries…stormed in.
    “Dr. Canivon?”
    She shrank against the wall. “Who are you? This is private Druyan Institute property.”
    “Yes, ma’am. We’ve been granted access. Your life is in danger, and we need to get you to a secure location.”
    “On whose authority?”
    The brawny man in the front scowled. “IDCC authority, Doctor. Which is to say Ms. Requelme’s authority.”
    Abigail dropped her head back until it found the wall behind her. It may be Mia’s authority, but the young woman was rarely the instigator of such drama.
Devon Reynolds, you need to warn me about these things!
If I told you ahead of time, you would have refused. Please do as the nice soldiers ask, would you? Your life genuinely is in danger. We’ve got good intel saying OTS has a solid bead on you, but we can protect you.
What about Vii?
    Silence lingered.
Devon, what about Vii?
Mia says we can station two guards on permanent rotating duty. Abby, you know I adore Vii but—
What did you just call me?
Oh, uh, sorry. It was leakage from Annie via Valkyrie via you, I guess. Jules used to call you that, seriously? Cool! I mean, sorry. Um…right. Now go with the IDCC soldiers, please? I’d really prefer it if OTS didn’t murder you.
I’m working.
Abby….
Do not call me that again, Devon.
    She meant it. The extent to which the simple endearment had rattled her was startling. She shoved away the memories it had unceremoniously evoked.
Go with the soldiers, and I won’t.
    She exhaled and looked around the office. The expensive, advanced equipment shone as if polished…but these were only accoutrements. In truth she could work at eighty-to-ninety percent efficiency from anywhere. Except a transport ship. Unlike Alex, Valkyrie, and apparently Vii, she needed to be on solid ground to do anything more than administrative work.
It truly is this significant of a threat?
Yes. You know I wouldn’t do this otherwise.
    She wanted to retort that he would absolutely do this, but it was a weak protest. Devon enjoyed acting the prankster, but he was one of the most considerate, conscientious people she had ever met.
    “Dr. Canivon, we need to go. Now.”
    She nodded in resignation. “So we do.”
     

8
    EARTH
    W ASHINGTON
E ARTH A LLIANCE H EADQUARTERS
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    P AMELA W INSLOW GLANCED UP as the security agent escorted her son into the office. She gestured an acknowledgment to the agent, and he closed the door as he departed.
    “Thank you for coming on short notice.”
    Jude considered the new office—new to her in any event, and thus to him—with professed nonchalance. Then he leaned against a bare spot of wall and stuck his hands in his pockets. “I wouldn’t dare refuse a summons from the prime minister, even if it did mean crossing the Atlantic to answer it. How may I serve?”
    She kept most of her outward attention focused on the various reports filling her screens, not intending to reward his glib condescension.
    “I’m glad you phrased it in such a manner. I’m sending an elite special operations unit to Romane to dispose of much of the IDCC leadership. Specifically Mia Requelme and her lieutenants, as well as Governor Ledesme if possible. The IDCC poses the only credible threat to my administration and its goals, and it needs to be neutralized.”
    “Not Admiral Solovy?”
    She had revealed deeply secret, treacherous information to him, and he had not