Mind Mapping Part 2: Exorcisms
The sled slid to a stop in front of the gate leading into Tempora, getting odd looks from the wall guards patrolling. Spoon immediately floated off the sled and waited as Steve, Jane, and Copper just sat motionless for a moment, after having just endured one of the most chaotic rides of their lives. They had occasionally hovered further off the ground to avoid bumping around, but that only caused them to occasionally flip entirely upside down as the engine was unable to properly stabilize the rig, and Spoon himself was unable to keep it steady using his own casting.
Steve climbed off, eventually followed by Copper and Jane. He spoke with a large amount of exhaustion, as if they had walked the full distance back. “Everyone… we are never doing that again. If I’m making another gravity skiff, it’s going to be built like a tank. I don’t care how long it takes or how much more expensive it might be.”
Jane and Copper both grunted their approval of the statement. Spoon had not actually stood on the deck, hovering as he provided the power, but even he had not enjoyed the incessant tilting during the trip.
The group followed Steve back to Bin’s AI and Body Works, after outfitting both Spoon and a slightly confused Copper with H-DNAs, so they could still speak in the city. At the same time, Jane and Steve turned in their auditory adapters to a nearby collection station, as was common at all the wall entrances. As they walked into Bin’s office, he stood up with an expression of amazement. “Steve… I’m so glad to see you back, in, er, relatively good health. I got a full report moments ago, and was skimming through it. Now, I want to change the terms of our agreement.”
Jane stepped forward, enraged. “Don’t you DARE try to cheat us! I knew such a generous offer was too good to be true! Mark my words, if need be I will hire some-”
Bin held up a hand, cutting Jane. “Ok, now just hang on. Before you say something you might regret, I’m still willing to pay you the original amount. For that matter, I’m willing to offer you double. But given the actual job was more dangerous then even I originally thought, I wanted to give you all something better.”
First, he addressed Spoon. “Well, except for you, that is. Being a Gatekeeper probably consumes most of your time, so I will be giving you double the amount of the share you were planning on taking. I assume this will suffice?”
Bin plopped a very large bag of gold into Spoon’s hand, who took a single coin out to examine. Smiling, he put it back in and let go of the bag, leaving it to orbit him like a small moon. “Yes, this is just fine. It’s been a pleasure working with you all, but I really must be going. Good luck with your future endeavors.”
Spoon left, and Bin turned his attention to Copper. “Now, you are what I find most interesting. A runaway slave, now inside the walls of Tempora. Specifically, a Draaconian, one who has the same problem of lacking any knowledge of Tempora as Steve. But, it goes deeper than that. You aren’t a free mind, are you?”
“What? What are you talking about? I can-”
“Copper, please grab me a book from that shelf.”
Copper immediately walked over, picked up a book and walked back to hand it to Bin. Bin simply looked at her and waited till she realized what she had done. “Wait! No, that’s just a habit I have. I don’t follow a master anymore.”
“I could argue everyone follows a master, but I won’t subject you to pointless philosophical pontification. My point is your mindset is not the right one to live here. We are all free citizens, and anyone who can’t decline a request from even strangers will no doubt be taken advantage of. So, I think you will need to go into the simulation.”
Jane and Steve looked at each other, confused. Was it even possible to send a Draaconian into a simulation?
Bin explained, as if in answer to their unspoken thoughts. “You see, many people think that Drone technology is built around Drones. That’s only partially true; it was originally created for humans. Thus, most of it can be reformatted to work on any race. I already put a call into the Agency, and they are ready for you. That is… if you wish. But I highly recommend it.”
Copper gave Steve a look. “Is… is it safe? What do you think, Steve?”
“I’m not an expert on all of this, but I think the logic is sound. I think you will be a lot safer from people controlling you while there for the short term, and long term you might discard that habit of yours.”
Copper looked down, scratching her head in uncertainty. Finally, she looked back up at Bin. “Okay… I guess I’ll try it out. Can I leave this… simulation anytime, though?”
“Of course. It’s not quite the same as what all young Drones go through, given your age, but I think it will still help. Now, stick around for just a moment, as I propose my final offer to all three of you…”
One of his office walls pulled back and flipped around, showing a massive board with all kinds of pictures of people and schematics. Steve recognized a couple, such as Skull, and all of them certainly looked dangerous. “I work with the Gatekeepers, as you know, even though I’m not one myself. I was hoping on hiring all of you as, for lack of a better word, independent researchers. You would be provided a budget along with some autonomy, as long as you check in from time to time with progress on your projects. ”
“I appreciate the offer, but it sounds like you are asking for more work.”
“The budget encompasses personal expenses, too. Anything you wish to buy, as long as it is not outrageously expensive, I will pay for.”
Steve was confused. “Ok… then what projects are you referring to, exactly?”
Bin flashed a glowing grin. “Whatever you like. I have some I could suggest, and of course I will get you full access to our project archives. But I saw the ship you threw together in such a short time… not everyone understands all the principles behind gravity skiffs. Building a larger, more polished version could be your first project. And, since Jane seems to be far from done educating you on Tempora, I think hiring her as a permanent personal assistant would be more beneficial. I can pay more than what she currently earns, as I don’t want her attention to be divided.”
Steve had a sudden thought. “Wait, that reminds me… Jane, who are you being paid by currently? I’m certainly not the one paying you.”
“Your parents, obviously.”
“...WHAT? Where are my parents, then?”
“I think they were traveling when you woke up, otherwise they would have contacted you. They will probably track you down next time they are in Tempora.”
Steve struggled to process the revelation, but given the meeting situation he was currently in, he tried to table the thought for now. He also still felt awkward asking exactly how Drones could even have children, given their biology. He remembered that Bin had said all three of them, not just two of them. “...so, what about Copper? How would she fit into your offer?”
“Thermal casters are at a premium in Tempora. She can help out with your projects if you need it, or I can find jobs for her with very little effort. Even if I didn’t want to hire her, she would be able to find more than enough work in Tempora, given she can properly control herself.”
Steve saw no reason to not at least give it a try. “Definitely sounds like a good deal, overall. I accept.”
Jane chimed in. “Hard to turn down a pay increase… I accept, as soon as I go quit my current job.”
Copper shook her head vigorously. “I’m in, too! This all sounds like fun!”
Bin handed Steve a bag of gold. “For now, here’s some petty cash. Take the rest of the day, or even week, off. We can start whenever you are ready.”
Given the damage his current body had suffered, Steve switched back to his old standard body, watching with slight shock as they wheeled the chassis away for repair. Jane also got a temporary body, but since she used a standard model she didn’t look much different than before. Both of them had emergency repairs on their cores performed, which was far from enjoyable, but Steve was grateful for it when the timer appeared again displaying only an hour before shutdown when they began to work on it. Luckily, the repairs themselves took only fifteen minutes. Copper looked over Steve with curiosity when she saw him again after he switched. “Wait… Steve?”
“Yeah?”
“Just like that? You can change your whole body?”
“Yes, I was surprised when I found out too. I’m also surprised you still recognized me, I don’t look anything like I did moments ago.”
“How could I not recognize you, Steve? You’re Steve! I would know you anywhere!”
He thought about trying to explain his entire physical appearance was different, and thus most people wouldn’t recognize him. But he decided against it, not knowing how to explain such a concept if it wasn’t immediately obvious. The crew bid Bin goodbye, and went to The Agency.
It was the building Steve had first left what felt like a lifetime ago. It gave him goosebumps to see it again, with even a repaired Bob standing outside. Bob waved them down, and shook Copper’s hand. “You must be Copper, the Draaconian. I am Bob, good to meet you. Are you ready?”
Copper did not look ready. She knew she would be saying goodbye to her new friends, and it was plain to see that such a prospect was tearing her apart inside. But, after some shaky breathing, she answered. “...ready. But, one question?”
“Yes?”
“Can people visit me while I’m inside?”
Bob scratched his head. “Well, it’s not a very frequent occurrence, given the usual nature of the simulation. But yes, that is allowed.”
Copper quickly turned to Steve. “Steve! Promise me you’ll visit!”
Steve shrugged. “Uh… sure. I can stop by later today maybe.”
Copper surprised everyone by first giving Steve a hug, and then giving Jane one as well, with teary eyes. “Thank you, both of you, for everything you have already given me. I will return the favor, I swear it.”
With that, Copper disappeared with Bob inside the agency. Still somber after such a surprisingly emotional farewell, Steve and Jane left to find the nearest exorcist.