First thing in the morning, Shuqba was summoned to Commander Rayne’s office. She rubbed her dry eyes and dressed hurriedly. Her shift had ended at midnight and when she’d finally got to bed she couldn’t sleep, feeling complicit in Alida’s prostitution.
It was another relentlessly hot, dry day in the city. She took a deep breath before entering the headquarters building, her heart galloping. Being summoned by the commander wasn’t unusual; still, she worried she was about to be disciplined for breaching protocol. Again.
‘Proceed to the elevator in front of you and you will be transported to Commander Rayne’s floor,’ BIS instructed.
The eyes of all the Neo and Sapien SFOs in the foyer were on Shuqba. No they weren’t. She was being paranoid. None of them cared what she had done. Other SFOs must have dealt with similar conflicts. If only she had a more experienced officer she could trust for counsel. In all probability they would tell her to shut up, let the Citizens and LeaderCorp do whatever they wanted and pocket the bribes. LeaderCorp made the rules, so they didn’t have to follow them. Shuqba groaned – upholding LeaderCorp’s values was the basis of her identity. She was lost without the certainty her actions were just and correct. She stepped into the mirror-lined elevator and adjusted her uniform.
The lift opened and BIS directed her to the commander’s office. Shuqba knocked lightly on the door.
‘Come in.’
Commander Rayne was jogging on a treadmill in the middle of an unadorned room. Sunlight streamed in through a window and reflected off all the white surfaces.
‘Good morning, Shuqba. Please have a seat.’ The commander tilted her head towards a three-seater couch in the corner and stepped off the treadmill, dabbing the imperceptible sweat from her forehead with a towel. ‘Running helps boost my exercise nanites.’
The commander touched the window with her forefinger and the glass darkened. The room dimmed and shadows lengthened. She took a seat at the opposite end of the couch from Shuqba. Their knees angled towards each other, nearly touching.
‘How was your first shift on the wall?’
‘Good, thank you. I look forward to serving in every capacity required in City 1.’
‘I’m glad. You seem to be settling in after the, ah … hiccup … on your first shift.’ The commander raised her eyebrows.
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘The academy training can give an officer the impression things are black and white – however, in the field things are more often shades of grey.’
She had to be referring to the incident at the gate. Shuqba wished she could speak openly to her mentor. It wasn’t as simple as discussing battle strategies or appropriate weapon choice. This went to the core of her role as an SFO and would mean revealing a possible transgression – not only hers, but also that of a fellow officer.
‘I hear you’ve made some shrewd decisions lately.’
Shuqba wasn’t sure what to say. If she brought up her concerns and uncertainties she could seem unsophisticated, poorly trained or not bright enough to be worthy of her position as Commander Rayne’s star Neo recruit.
‘Thank you, ma’am.’
‘Excellent. Now, I’ve brought you here to discuss the reopening of the hubs.’
Shuqba nodded. They were back on firmer ground.
‘LeaderCorp has struck a deal with a representative of the Demi-Citizens and they’ll be rolling out brain implants with basic functions and medi-surveillance ASAP. In the meantime, we have assurances the hubs and SFOs will no longer be a target. You’ll resume your shifts out there tomorrow.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’ It would be a relief to be back in the Demi-Settlements. Even though Shuqba was more physically vulnerable out there, she wouldn’t have the bewildering LeaderCorp politics to deal with. Her two shifts in the city had turned out to be more disturbing than having faeces thrown at her and seeing bombs explode.
‘Once the implant rollout begins you’ll be allocated a med team. The dates are tentative right now – I’ll keep you informed. For now, though, take a break for the rest of the day.’ The commander smiled. ‘Perhaps you’d like to join me for a walk in Undercity Park this afternoon.’
‘Thank you, ma’am. It would be my pleasure.’
The commander’s expression sobered and she uncrossed her legs. ‘There’s one other thing I’d like to discuss.’ She swallowed and clasped her hands together.
‘Yes, ma’am?’
‘I’m sure you’ve seen the state of the children in the Demi-Settlements.’
Shuqba nodded.
‘Their lives are pitiful, poor lambs.’
Shuqba pictured them playing in the dirt, malnourished bellies under prominent ribs and skin marred with blemishes and abrasions. Alida’s little sister, Graycie, was a prime example.
‘Their parents, if they actually have any, are often incapable of caring for them and find the children a burden.’ The commander broke eye contact with Shuqba and looked towards the window. ‘It’s ironic. Demis breed like rabbits and then can’t provide for their children. Meanwhile, quality Sapiens in the city are plagued by infertility. Their homes are well equipped for raising and nurturing a child. And they can offer these children all the many benefits of citizenship.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
The commander made eye contact with Shuqba once again. ‘In your capacity as SFO at the hub, I’d like you to identify children who could benefit from a new life in the city. If parents are involved there’ll be ample compensation for them, of course.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
The commander was asking her to source children for illegal adoptions, most likely for LeaderCorp officials. All the useless facts she’d memorised during her training couldn’t help her understand LeaderCorp’s motivations and requirements of her. All her training had been pointless.
‘You seem confused, Shuqba.’
‘No, ma’am, I …’ Shuqba peered down at her feet, not sure of the right thing to say. Conversations at the academy had been so straightforward. She’d never had to fear she might say or do something that would lead to Commander Rayne’s disapproval, let alone disciplinary action.
Her position was precarious after the hiccup during her very first shift. She would keep quiet and observe, and ask no questions. Questions were for people who were sure of themselves, like Karain had been. Unless she was following a rule book, Shuqba wasn’t sure of anything.
‘I understand this goes against what you’ve been taught at the academy, however, the Security Force exists to serve LeaderCorp and there are powerful people in the city who want children of their own. Helping them can only be a boon to your career. There will be bonuses available for each child identified.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’ She had to admit, unwanted Demi children would have a better life in the city, although she suspected being with a family who loved you was more important than all the luxuries a life in the city could offer.
‘You’re doing great, Shuqba. Keep making shrewd decisions.’ The commander stood. ‘You’re dismissed. Enjoy the rest of your free day.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’ Shuqba stood. ‘Commander?’
‘Yes?’ The commander stepped onto the treadmill.
‘May I ask something before I go?’ Shuqba put a steadying hand on the arm of the couch.
‘You may.’
‘The Neo apprehended coming into the city last night – what will happen to her?’
The commander’s eyes glazed as she connected to IntelliEnhance. ‘Yes, Neo clone 52311, the cricket factory labourer.’ She disconnected. ‘I’ve viewed your report. I’m afraid, despite the evidence she was tricked into leaving the city, she’ll be waitlisted for transfer to medical research.’
Shuqba bit the inside of her cheek. She had expected this; still, she’d hoped Ferrassie would qualify for a reprieve, as she herself had. Recent experience had taught her LeaderCorp’s firm rules could be moulded to suit, if someone with enough power required it.
‘Can I be the one to tell her?’
‘The Neo Control Department handles these cases.’ The commander walked slowly on her treadmill.
‘I understand. I’m a little worried about her. She seemed so shaken by the turn of events.’
‘You’ve always had a kind heart. Let me check on her current status for you.’ The commander consulted her IntelliEnhance again. ‘Hmm. It seems she’s currently being interrogated by Neo Control.’
‘Interrogated? Why?’
‘I’m not sure. The report isn’t yet available.’ The commander paused the treadmill. ‘I think I’ll send you over as a Security Force representative. One of the interrogators, an officer named … let’s see … Noon – yes, Yaphet Noon, has been flagged as a potential Neo abuser. We must stamp out this kind of heavy-handed behaviour towards valuable LeaderCorp property. I’d been intending to implement an SFO interrogation chaperone program. May as well start the ball rolling now. If you encounter any resistance, refer them to me.’
‘I’ll head there on the double.’
Shuqba had been unaware Neo Control Officers were capable of abusing the clones they were charged with protecting. She had to get over there. Straight away. Ferrassie had been traumatised enough.