Book 3: Chapter 3: Trouble Brewing
Marcus
November 2212
Poseidon
I rubbed the bridge of my nose with thumb and forefinger, shaking my head. Kal waited patiently at the other end of the call. I looked up to see Gina smirking at me. She smoothed her features out quickly, but come on—computer, remember? I gave her a quick smile in reply.
“Still not convinced, Marcus?” Kal cocked his head at me in the video window.
I sighed. “I guess I’ve been convinced for a while now, Kal. I just didn’t believe it, you know?”
Kal laughed. “Thus ending the myth that computers are logical.”
“Bite me. I was human once.” I sat back in my chair and considered my response. Spike picked that moment to jump into my lap for the obligatory chin-scritching. I gave her the proper adulation while I thought through my options. Kal and Gina wouldn’t even notice the millisecond pause in our conversation.
Kal was an Assistant Governor on Southern Mat Three, and Gina was a mid-level security officer. I’d become friends with both of them over the last couple of years. As we became more comfortable with each other, they’d each confided an increasing concern about the Council’s ongoing power grabs.