CLONED

Ch. 3- Ceremony

Renee

Ceremony

The next morning Renee fumbled at the wires used to unplug the oxygen machine, and was surprised when her hands touched warm metal.

Are you hurt?" a thin voice beside her asked.

Renee looked up at Wendy who was floating beside the bed, "You can talk!"

Wendy nodded, " yes, luminary."

Renee stared, shocked, and allowed Wendy to unplug the wires properly.

"Are you hurt?" Wendy did a quick body scan, as Renee gasped and climbed down from the bed.

" No, I mean yes, I mean I'm fine. "

Wendy stared contemplatively, " Are you sure, luminary has very high heart rates, and breathing rates have increased. Does luminary need any personal assistance for medical information?" Wendy froze, it floated back to the ground and whirled around the room. Renee watched its robot legs transform into a vacuum and tilted her head.

" Is something wrong?" she asked. Wendy shook its head, and wouldn't look her way.

Renee frowned and walked toward the muted Android, " What did you mean by my medical monitor?" Wendy stiffened and its vacuum retracted into its wheels, then it zoomed quickly toward the gaping room.

Renee followed in pursuit and found Mother already noshing.

" Renee," Mother nodded.

" Mother," Renee replied in awe, staring at the masterpiece displayed before her.

The feast was truly extravagant, so many forms of food she had never seen before. Mother, noticing Renee's pleasure, invited her to nosh.

" This feast was prepared by the Androids, simply amazing isn't it." Renee nodded and sat, putting the spoonful's of food into her mouth, smiled in pleasure. Mother tsked tsked, but smiled also. Placing the silk napkin carefully on her lap, she gestured toward Renee to listen.

" Today, you are pardoned from school for a ceremony will be occurring. I will also be pardoned from my service, so we may attend together. The androids will remain home, for they have androids at the ceremony."

Mother clapped her hands, and Mary zoomed in, followed by Wendy. Mary bought a small rectangular tube into a square socket by Mothers left waist, and gestured Wendy to do the same.

" You know I heard these ceremonies are very rare here, we are very fortunate that one happened as we came."

Wendy toward Renee and slowly rotated a small blue tube into a socket on Renee's left side. As it did, it's legs moved toward Mother.

" Stop." Mother commanded, and Wendy paused midway, but continued.

' luminary has-"

" I told you never to use that term again!"

It backed silently toward Renee, and kept its distance, occasionally coming closer to check the tube. Mother regained her composure, and gestured toward Renee's new i.d that had arrived only minutes ago.

" Renee," she added brightly, " we never finished discussing your day at Junior High . I remember you were going to ask me some questions."

Renee watched Wendy in the corner of her eye while answering, " Of course Mother, Primming was, well, I met some new girls there."

" Were they perfect girl's?" Mother asked.

" Well," Renee suggested, " they were odd I suppose."

" Odd in what way?"

" The girls, Bianca in particular, were all very beautiful." Renee looked up ruefully, " I thought perhaps I was less beautiful compared to them."

Mother shook her head, " Renee," her eyes grew into slits," don't you ever forget what I'm about to tell you. You are more beautiful than everyone on this province but me, and if this Bianca is more beautiful than you, I will take care of the matter."

Mother's telemuner buzzed as Renee nodded. She took one last look at Mother as Wendy unscrewed the tube, " why does the room seem colder?"

The ceremony was held in another province, so Renee and Mother watched the grass flow by as their cable car followed the thousands of others in line.

When they reached the ceremony they were escorted past rows of people toward a high balcony and given front row seats.

I'm not finished yet, so please stay posted for more.