Shards - Book 1 Part 9

"Uh ... hi. My name's ... Abi ... Abigail." I flushed at the sudden attention. Even the singers had stopped and were looking at me.

"Well, Abi ... Abigail, come on in!" She waved a strong yet feminine hand around at the others, all in various states of undress. "We're kinda informal here."

I couldn't help but laugh, caught myself, raising a hand to my mouth, then slowly relaxed. Sarah grinned from ear to ear, icebreaker extraordinaire.

And after that, it was wonderfully, joyfully, fantastically easy. I disappeared in the group and was accepted. They all got back to their conversations and laughter and noise. Several walked up to introduce themselves and get my name, which, it dawned on me, they obviously couldn't have known before now.

"Just dump your stuff on the counter and grab a shower before the Birthday Suit Trio use up all the hot water." Sarah's open, blunt friendliness was refreshing and just what I needed. Between their openness, the promise of a hot shower, and the racy song revving up in the background, this didn't just break the ice, it shattered and melted it as though in a blast furnace.

I took Sarah's advice and dumped my stuff on a not-soaking part of the counter. I undressed and walked into the showers. The girls singing the song were obviously building up to a climax, for their voices were reaching shouts. It was a bawdy, lewd, and flat out earthy song that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. As a kid years-centuries-ago, I had always wondered what went on inside girls' locker rooms. If this were a sampling, it wasn't much different than boys' locker rooms. As I rubbed the shampoo into my hair, working it through the tresses, I felt even more at ease. Sarah had taken the showerhead beside me and was singing the final refrain. At the last line, the whole place chimed in, and what they lacked in talent they covered with enthusiasm. They finished, laughing loudly. Sarah grinned at me, looking a little surprised at my surprise.

"Not what you'd expect, huh?"

"Uh ... no. Maybe a little more, um, reserved."

"Yeah, that's right, you're used to guys' rooms, aren't you?" She eyed me quickly and brazenly, "Doesn't look like you'll be wandering in there anymore though, huh?" She laughed loudly, and several others gave a laugh as well.

I started stammering, and she guffawed. So help me, she guffawed. She slapped a soapy hand on my back, shattering three or four vertebrae.

"Well, maybe the research crowd's more your group. Company A's not too up on their manners. Right, ladies?" They proudly shouted their agreement. "But we're a lot more refined than the guys."

I finished coughing and started rinsing out my hair. She was probably using the word refined in the petroleum sense. The Birthday Suit Trio started another song. If it wasn't clear that this simply was the way they were, I'd be suspicious they were trying to embarra.s.s me. I shut off the water regretfully and padded to the counter.

On the other hand, maybe they were trying to embarra.s.s me. As I toweled off, the Birthday Suit Trio sang their next song, one that gave a vivid account of a young girl's first ... um ... tryst. By the time they had finished this one, everyone was singing the song at me. I can take a joke, and I enjoyed this one, though it didn't keep my face from turning red at the colorful description of her exploits. But I preferred to dish it out. I searched back through my head looking for just the right response. They finished and laughed, seeing what I'd do.

I took a seat on the counter, my towel wrapped tight, and sang them the song of the Scotsman, and what he wore under his kilt. My heart was racing again, and my voice had nowhere near the depth or volume I was used to. But I gave it a pretty credible effort nonetheless.

By the time I reached the third verse, where the two girls were sneaking up on the drunk, sleeping Scotsman to peek under his kilt, they were enjoying themselves immensely, and joining in on the rumtum-tiddle-iddle-ah-de-o refrain. By the fourth verse, where they leave a pretty blue ribbon tied around their discovery before leaving, my audience was howling, waiting for the ending. And the fifth verse, which ends with the Scotsman answering nature's call and finding the neatly tied ribbon, had them hooting when I reached the last line: "Ah, lad, I don't know where ye been, but I see ye won first prize!"

I had to sing the ditty twice more before they'd let me finish dressing. By that time, they had memorized it and the group had started breaking up. Sarah lingered a bit, combing out my hair for me.

"You're all right, Abby! I figured you'd go nuts, getting messed up like this." She tugged my hair to show what she meant.

"I wondered, too, Sarah. At first. But it's growing on me."

"And you're growing on us, girl. Real quick. I missed the cafeteria stunt, but they told me all about it. And when you showed up here, I couldn't resist giving you the treatment. Hope you don't mind."

"Mind?" I said incredulously, "Sarah, it was great! So many people were treating me like I was made of porcelain, I was about ready to scream. I liked it, but I needed something I could sink my teeth into. I guess it's the man in me."

"Nah. It ain't the man, Abby. You're all woman. It's you, man or woman, that's doing this. I've seen a buncha Cues, an' I'll kill for any of them, but so far, you're the most fun. We like that."

"We?"

"Yeah, enforcement. Each regiment, we're the Third, is divided into two main groups: Research and Enforcement. Research does the head work of finding Cues worth bringing back. By worth I mean, probably able to survive. They also do all the personal stuff with the Cues. Enforcement puts the bite into the outfit. We make the bio and punitive raids. And we work together, too. You're with Susie, ain't you?" I nodded. "Man, that gal is smart. But she can be wicked cold, too. A top notch dog." At my look, she broke off. "Yeah, well, let her tell you. But let me tell you, Abby, you're safe as can be when you're with Susie."

I stayed silent, thinking that over, while she finished my hair. By this time we were the only ones left of the original group, though several others had come in and out. I picked up my robe and other things and turned to Sarah.

"Thanks so much for the 'treatment', Sarah. I loved it."

"Hey, thanks to you, Abby! We learned a brand new song today. Just wait 'til the boys hear it." She laughed at my blush. "I'll tell the girls to keep it quiet about whose it is, if they can. Catch ya later, Abby." She pushed my shoulder affectionately, knocking me back a half step, and left, singing the last verse.

Now that was an experience I thought to myself as I strolled back to my room. It had an immediate and terrific effect, however. This time I smiled cheerfully at everyone walking by, saying hi and introducing myself. One of the soldiers, a young man with a smooth face, even looked after me as we pa.s.sed. And while I wasn't even remotely tempted to swish my skirt, I wasn't put off by him either.

I reached my door and it was still solid, meaning Susie was still asleep or wanted privacy. I was sure I could enter, though. I cleared my throat and asked for entrance. It remained solid, so I raised my voice a bit and repeated my request. It still remained solid. I was about to really put some volume into it when it came to me. Anyone could exit a room, but only specific voices could enter a room. And since we hadn't had much time since the IHAD ... I ... HAD ... A surge of humiliation and ... I clenched my teeth and made it pa.s.s. Susie had not yet had the opportunity to code my voice. So here I stood, locked outside of my own room.

I had a choice. Pound on the door or go to breakfast. A very unladylike and insistently growling gut voted for breakfast. Figuring only laundry personnel or perverts would pick up dirty underwear, I left my things by the door and strolled down the corridor to the mess. Loud and boisterous noises poured from the opening.

It was comfortably full, but still had some seating. First things first, my vocal stomach reminded me. I got in line and, as always, was quickly whisked to the front. Two of the men even bowed slightly, smiling. I smiled back and did a little curtsy. I then put the tray on the counter and made a very big mental note to myself that I was going to have to watch myself. I didn't want to give the wrong ideas, but judging from the dazed smiles on their faces, I was in danger of doing just that.

Cookie, as I had mentally dubbed Hill the chef, was serving up chow and tried to coax me into taking a mountain of eggs and potatoes. I'd learned my lesson, though, and, smiling sweetly at him, took a modest amount of each. I filled a cup with coffee, then put it back, remembering my last taste. I considered the hot chocolate, but settled with just juice.

I looked around for a place to sit and heard a shout. Turning, I saw Dr. Barrett waving at me, pointing to an empty seat opposite him. I walked over, and he stood while I seated myself. After I said my prayers, he nodded approvingly at my breakfast.

"Good. It's nice to see you eating. Though I'm a little surprised to see you up so early. Just a little." He looked around. "Where's Corporal Lendler?"

"Sleeping. She was exhausted. I gave her quite a time last night, and I have a feeling she had stayed up the whole time, waiting for me to wake up from ... from..." I stared off, feeling the ... feeling the...

"Snap out of it, girl!"

I shook my head, and smiled weakly, wiping my sweaty palms against my skirt. "Sorry, Doctor. It's just that every time ... every time..."

"Young lady!" He snapped, his voice barely raised. He waited until I met his gaze. "Don't worry. The aftereffects are unpleasant, and they do linger for several days, but they will pa.s.s. Just try to avoid thinking too much of ... it."

I nodded. "I had noticed that, too. That's why it was so wonderful taking a shower with Company A. I didn't think I'd live at first, but ... what's wrong, Doctor?"

He had set his coffee cup down sharply, clattering it on the table. "You showered with the Company A ladies?" he demanded. I nodded again. "So you were treated to the Birthday Suit Trio?" I smiled. "I've never heard them, no man has to my knowledge, unless we count you. But I've heard of them." He peered at me. "Are they as wicked as rumors say?"

I giggled and shoved some eggs into my mouth. "I've never heard the rumors. And since this seems to be a girl thing, I'll keep the rest to myself. Oh, and Doctor?" he looked up at my pointed tone. "Never count me as a man again."

He looked at me thoughtfully. "You'll do, girl. You'll do. I have never seen your like, and part of me

never hopes to again. You're blowing all our past experiences with Cues right out of the system."

I shrugged. "I don't know about that, either. But I'm determined to make the best of this." I stopped.

"That's not right. I'm not making the best of this. I'm enjoying who and what I am." I smiled at him. "I have you to thank, Doctor. Again."

There probably wasn't a whole lot that could make this man blush, and I wasn't one of them. But he came close.

"You're welcome, young lady."

"Abigail."

"Susie gave you your name, then? Against tradition; she should have done it at the acceptance dinner.

Still, it's probably for the best. Abigail. Abigail." He tried it out once or twice. "Yes, very good." He looked at me. "You know, you look like an Abigail. And you look like you're wearing your name well."

"Thank you. That's because I am. Um, Doctor? Could you answer a few questions?"

"Certainly! When would you like to schedule an appointment? As I mentioned, I'm at your complete..."

"No, no," I interrupted. "Not medical. Nor personal. Just fill-me-in type questions. I feel like I'm

walking around in a vacuum."

"I can imagine," he agreed grimly. "And I can also imagine it's a little frustrating, especially for the kind of person you are. All right, what do you want to know?"

"Going back to our conversation of three days ago. When I was still in Healer's Sleep. You had

mentioned that while there was no legal recourse against me for being an illegal Cue, there was

something I needed to worry about. What was that?"

"You've a very good memory, dear. I'll tell you. But first, I've a little shock for you. It wasn't three days ago, it was five. You've been out not half a day, but two and half."

"What?" I barely whispered.

"That's right. Two and a half days. Sixty hours. The longest by far. Susie will tell you why. She may even be able to justify it. I can't, so don't ask.

"Anyway, to answer your question. It's true, there is no legal recourse that anyone can take to reclaim a

rescued ripe. While the process is illegal, and dangerous for all concerned, society has retained enough of its common sense to not seek redress against the innocent and unknowing ripe.

"Where society is sadly lacking in common sense, and decency, however, is in how it treats Cues in all other matters. The problem you have, Abigail, is that as a Cue, you have no legal status. None whatsoever."

"Meaning what, Doctor? I'm above the law? That doesn't make sense."

"Not above it. Outside it. You cannot commit a crime. You are not held accountable for anything you do."

"What? You're saying I could rob a bank and just walk off, scot-free?"

"A bank?"

"Yes. A depository of liquid a.s.sets."

"Ah. A physical location of hard collateral. Yes, I've heard of the concept, but I've never heard the word used in that context. 'Bank'. I'll need to remember that. Anyway, yes, it's true. But your legal status works both ways. Anyone could rob you, and not be held accountable. They could kill you, or far worse, and not be held accountable."

I wondered for a moment what could be worse than killing me. Then I thought of the interested looks of the two men in line, and I realized those things did exist. I shook my head, disbelieving.

"That makes no sense! What's the point of bringing back Cues if they are outside the law, open prey to anyone's whims?"

"That is the point, my dear. The ruling body, with a heavy interest in the continuation of ripes, could not bring action against Cues without badly damaging their own power base. So they took the matter to the extreme and chose not to bring any action, either for or against Cues. It is used as a deterrent for groups like ours. They hope to discourage us by offering a society not only hostile to Cues, but able to actually prey upon them."

"But it hasn't discouraged you."

"Of course it hasn't! We're not some group of idiots that thought it might be fun to do this for a while. We're all under what amounts to a death penalty if caught. And we haven't been doing this for a few years; we've been at it for nearly two centuries in one form or another. As a result, we have many ways of introducing a young man or young woman such as yourself into society as a citizen, not a Cue."

It became clear. I nodded. "Of course! That's another reason for the age of the body! Like Susie hinted, I'm under legal age. In my time, that also meant that there were very few permanent records. I should imagine it would be easier to blend me into your society at this age than most other. Old enough to understand and adjust, yet still too young to matter from a legal standpoint."

"Excellent! I'm impressed! That's it exactly. Several months from now, we'll ease you into a surrogate family. At first, you'll be a friend who visits. Then over several more months, you'll be spoken about as a relative. Finally, we'll use our network of companies to "transfer" the father or mother to other employment on a different continent. At that point, you'll be introduced as the daughter, and you'll continue living with them until you either marry or reach legal age, which is twenty-five, by the way."

"I very much doubt I'll ever marry, Doctor. It just wouldn't be right."

He shrugged. "I can certainly understand your point of view, if not fully appreciate it. Still, time might change your mind. It would also make things easier for all concerned. Marriage is very highly regarded in our society, and your marriage to a young man of actual citizenship would also cement your own status. But I'm most definitely not going to council marriage for status.

"In any event, during this entire process, we'll be carefully introducing facts about you into the main data pools. Not actual proof, mind you. That can be too easily detected. We'll put in threads; indicators that you are an actual citizen. Then, in a year or so, there will be an accident at one of the data pools and the lost information will need to be rebuilt by the government. It will find these indicators and 'rebuild' your birth, school and medical records, and suddenly, you'll have a firm ident.i.ty."

I whistled. "It's my turn to be impressed. Very slick. You've made me feel a lot better, Doctor. Thank you. Looks like I'll have to sacrifice my name, though."

"Sorry, but yes, that's so. Abigail you keep. I'm afraid the Wyeth name will fade back into the oblivion we pulled it from."

I laughed. "You're waxing philosophic, Doctor. Oh well. It was a good name, and I shall miss it. But I've done without it for some wee bit already. I can't carry on the family name any longer anyway. So in the meantime, I stay here and do what? Laundry for four months?"

"Well, yes, at first. We'll get you out of that if we can find another, more skilled position, that you're qualified for. I rather expect we will, despite the significant gap. But we will find work for you to do."

"Suits me fine! I'm not going to keep my girlish figure if I just sit around and eat three meals a day. So it's the salt mines for me."

"That and training and orientation into your new world. When you are woven into our society's fabric, you'd be better off blending in smoothly. That's Susan's job for the next twelve to sixteen weeks." "Somebody talking about me?" Susie walked up to our table, breakfast in hand. I turned and smiled at her. Dr. Barrett rose. I found it pleasantly surprising that the custom had returned. I nearly stood as well, then caught myself. It was men who did it for women.

"Yes, we were, Corporal. I was just about to tell Abigail how the next few months with you were going

to be boring and painfully full of exercise."