EDEN: Dark Universe

CHAPTER | TEN

"Fascinating," Talia said, strutting her digital self around Jakob's home. The room in which the crew now stood was an odd blend of high-tech equipment and low-tech living. The man seemed only to care about function, letting form fall far by the wayside.

"Fascinating?" Jakob asked, already pulling out the various tools he would need for Eden's procedure. "You're the fascinating one." He looked to Kane. "Is she sentient?"

Talia's projection blinked momentarily, skipping and arriving right in Jakob's face.

"Yes, she is."

"Amazing. I would like to compliment you on your sophistication, but I fear I have already dug myself into too deep of a hole." He waved a calming hand. "Apologies."

"Keep climbing," Talia said with a smile. "Our friendship may yet be salvaged."

"I'm happy to hear that. Mister Fox here says you can run some key systems on his ship."

Jack was examining the various tools and devices in the room, curious as a cat. He looked up from the task only briefly. "It's just Jack," he said. "I'm no Mister."

"Very well," Jakob said, turning back to Talia. "Tell me, how do you get past the conn encryption. From what I understand—"

Arissa cleared her throat, then motioned to Eden.

"Maybe we host the technology expo after we save this girl's life?"

Eden raised nodded. "I second that motion."

"Right. Eden, would you mind taking a seat here?" Jakob patted an office chair, and once the girl took a seat in it, he spun it around and pressed one finger on the nape of her neck. "Now just hold it there." He grabbed an x-ray scanner-magnifier and peeked on the situation. After a second, he said, "No need to worry about this. But, might I suggest a little more concern about the front door? As in, could we get a few people on lookout duty? Just in case the owners arrive a day early."

"Owners?" Jack asked.

"The moment I found out Arissa was on-planet, I broke in to this little safe house. You didn't actually think I would invite the most advanced neural tracker on the market into my home, did you?" Jakob almost seemed insulted. Jack had thought exactly that, and suddenly felt stupid for it. His response was a lie.

"Of course that's not what I thought."

Jakob waited a minute for someone to take the initiative on guard duty.

"Well? I'd volunteer," he said. "but I'm kind of needed in here."

"We got it," Kane said, moving to the exit. "Talia can jack into the city's surveillance systems. If someone shows up, we'll be gone by they do."

"Very good," Jakob said. He pointed at a framed photo on one of the shelves. "There's a family photo. Maybe take that with you, so you know what you're looking for."

Talia and Kane followed his advice, then stepped outside. Jakob let out a sigh.

"Ok, good. Mister Eye gave me the creeps. Does he ever smile?"

"I'm sure he would," Jack said. "If you manage to dig that thing out of our girl's skull."

"Speaking of digging," Eden said. "Is there any chance of this whole process putting me in the grave?"

From his place behind Eden, Jakob shrugged as if he was about to say, "maybe." A look from Arissa caused him to adjust his answer. "Oh, no. You'll be fine."

"That doesn't sound very reassuring," Eden said, and Arissa stepped close.

"Eden, I know the idea is unnerving, but Jakob is incredible at what he does. That's why we're here. He's the best in the galaxy."