As it is, earlier species have to have their nanotech scavengers tuned externally and then installed after birth.As it is, earlier species have to have their nanotech scavengers tuned externally and then installed after birth. I reached down and stroked the side of her cheek with the back of my hand, feeling the soft downy fur and following the curve where her snout joined skull, smiling at my artwork and hoping, like I always did, that this species didn't hate me for what I'd done. So far, none had. I felt her move again, and I felt something come down on my hand. Her paw. I smiled down at her and whispered, "Hi. What's your name?" Her eyes opened, blinking and staring up at me. She was still holding my hand to the side of her face. "Hi," I repeated. "Can you tell me your name?" "Rrrrr...." she growled, releasing my hand and shaking her head. "Tarsha." "Repeat it?" I asked. "Tasha," she said, dropping the 'r' I had heard the first time. "Again." "Tasha," she sighed, sagging back against the cushion she lay on. "What is... where... what... " "Easy," I said softly. "Calm down. Do you remember anything before now?" "As what?" "Tasha... do you have any memories before right now?" She stared up at me, her eyes concentrated. "No... wait... yes. I remember being confused, and feeling bad, and you-- I fought you." She started to scoot away from me. "Are you a... an enemy?" "Tasha, do you have any enemies?" I asked. She thought for a moment. "No. But why was I fighting you?" "Because you were confused and sick. You tried to get some water and drank bleach instead." "Bleach. That's sodium hydroxide, a caustic agent." "Yes." "I can understand why I was sick then. Who are you?" I sighed quietly. "My name is Kennet Shardik. Please, call me Ken. |