Resilient - Evolution

Chapter 8: A Bird in the Hand

With the Slaramin issue behind them for the time being, Nina wanted to move all the new equipment to a safe place. That was a lot of equipment, though. She contacted Drake to see what he wanted to do.

He said, "Nina, if there is a group of aliens working in the oceans, it's possible that they could have compromised every single facility under the water. I don't know where we could put them, except maybe here on Table Rock Lake. At least it's not directly connected to the coast."

"I'll send them all to you. You can put them wherever you need," she said.

"I'll do the best that I can. Can I communicate with the craft through the Tollix?" he asked.

"Yep," she said. "I think you'll like your new present. You probably want to take a mini drone team through to sweep the place. There's no telling what those guys left behind in there. Some of that stuff might be harmful, too."

She sent all the resources packing except for the three fighters they were working with and the drones that liked to follow her around. When they were all on their way to Missouri, she said, "Carlos, what did you come up with on that mountain base?"

"The nearest I can determine is that he was taken into the mountains somewhere east of San Carlos," he said. "I can't tell exactly, but I bet we can find it if we get close."

"So, you're a betting bot now?" Nina asked. "I thought you guys dealt with data and absolutes."

"At least it will be close to a place with a good name," he said.

"Carlos ... San Carlos. I'm gonna have to keep my eye on you," she said, laughing. "Next thing I know, you'll be doing a stand-up act somewhere."

Lucho said, "How did he come up with that location? I don't remember any of that."

"I think he was able to piece together your memories of the events through your link," Nina said. "We all see and hear everything, and it's in our memories, but we usually cubby hole anything that we don't need."

"Cubby hole ... that is like a storage shelf?" Lucho asked.

"You got it," she said. "You want to take the lead to San Carlos?"

"I will take you there, but I don't know how to find what we are looking for," he said.

"You get us to San Carlos, and we'll let Carlos do his job," she said. "Oh, have you decided on a name for your ship yet?"

"I think I will call her Rena," Lucho said. "In my language, Renata means to be born again."

Eric said, "Good name. I named mine Kim."

Kim said, "And it's been a long time since you talked with me. You talk to Carlos, and to Nina, but it's like you forgot how much we meant to each other."

"I'm sorry, Kim," Eric said. "I associated you with the bike. I guess I didn't really see you in the fighter, too."

"Lover, I'm in your head," Kim said. "I'm always with you. All you have to do is say my name." She said this last part very huskily.

"That'll be about enough of that right there," Nina said, laughing. "I'm the only one that gets to talk to my man in that tone of voice."

Kim continued with her seductive persona and said, "Yes, Nina." Then, in a very quiet and soft voice, she said, "But you cannot own him."

"Oh, you just wait," Nina said. "When we get back, I might just let one of those dredgers take a bite out of you. Eric, control your widget."

Eric said, "I think I'm staying out of this one. It's never a good idea to get in the middle of a catfight. Back me up here, Lucho."