Page 73 of Guiding Reason
“I think that’s…good. Mostly pristine?”
Shoda beamed. “Definitely mostly.”
With that, Col left Shoda to take care of two unruly Guardian idiots.
The suite was quiet but for the butler bot waiting for Col right by the door.
“Welcome back, Conduit. Can I get you anything? Something to drink?”
“Coffee couldn’t hurt. Thanks.”
On his way to the couch, Col saw the pile of gifts and tokens of gratitude had only grown. Brands had sent things for each of them, but there were letters and small boxes from private citizens as well. He opened one.
“I don’t know which of you precisely, but a member of your team saved my life when he pulled me from the rubble after the attack,”one started.
Col, the letter in hand, dropped onto the couch. He ran his left index finger along the edge of the missive. Real paper, not the highest quality perhaps, but nice. The writing wasn’t the even loops and twists of a calligrapher, so the citizen had done it herself, had sat down to find the words to thank them.And for all she knows, it might have been someone else entirely that pulled her free.
Col looked from the letter in his hand to the others still waiting.There are so many people here who will be left with the rubble of a dead Op-AI unless we find a way to pull them free.
He straightened and called his Op-AI from the big screen there.
Once more, the Argentean Op-AI had opted for the male avatar with the symmetrical, perfect features and the ever-present smile.
“Conduit Coldis! How have you been? We watched the news stream and your announcement of your imprinting. Such a beautiful moment for you and Guardian Hyran. Argentea is proud.”
Col nodded and made sure he returned the smile. “Not as proud as I am of my Guardian. He is with Taros now. The two of them were eager to explore their friendship.”
The avatar’s expression grew even more excited. “Oh, that is wonderful news! I’m sure your Guardian will make a powerful addition to your team. On that note, there is a request for another Conduit, Yamara Ikana. I have looked into his file for you. Conduit Yamara is very skilled, but I wonder whether he is the best fit for your team? He has always been a League Conduit, and his team mostly joined the insurrectionist forces.”
The avatar lowered his head, sad, disappointed.
“He’s fitting in too well for me to reconsider. Guardian Vin is very taken with him, and he’s made friends with Conduit Orrey.”And I promised. And he is scared of shadows I don’t even want to explore.
The avatar gave that some consideration, then nodded. “Those are compelling arguments. Thank you. We hope Conduit Yamara will be a productive addition to your team.”
“About my team,” Col started, bracing himself. “I need a rank given to Conduit Orrey. His actions have been too important, and I need his help running this team. He has already taken on responsibilities that would be easier handled if he had a rank.”
The Op-AI looked off to the side as if it were thinking. “He was a first rank protector when Guardian Senlas imprinted on him. Very good marks for his performance. And he would have made an excellent teacher. But he has not caught up on his Conduitschooling, although you do mentor him. What rank did you want for him?”
“Third. He is the one responsible for bringing in the protectors to the Battle of Starlit Stage. Without him, there would be more dead. And he is an S-classer’s imprinted. I need him to have a rank that fits.”
The Op-AI looked as if it gave that thought. “In this one case, I will make an exception. I award Conduit Orrey Acton the rank of third as a G&C operative of Team Three. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Op-AI. He will be delighted.”
The avatar grinned almost sheepishly. “That makes me overjoyed. Please continue to mentor Conduit Orrey and let me know right away if there is anything I can help with in furthering his training.”
Col nodded. “He was very focused on channeling when we were outside the walls, very focused on his Guardian and offering to help with the others. He is adapting quickly and seems to have no issues tackling new challenges as they arise.”
File that away and leave my little brother be.
“Thank you for telling me that. It is always good to see a Conduit flourish. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
Col took a deep breath. “Yes. My Guardian has a suggestion. It’s about the Ferrean Op-AI. He was wondering if you can do what Judiciary-AIs do, copy yourself to build a new Op-AI for Ferrea?”
The avatar’s eyebrows went up, and his mouth formed a perfect “O.”
“That isn’t how an Op-AI is made. I cannot do it. And even if, the hardware in Ferrea was damaged. There is no place there for a copy of myself.”
