S&N: Being New 2

I looked up at Kered's face as he patched me up. I wished that he had only tested my chip, but I did see the reasoning behind checking out my whole body. The Net was sneaky. Hell, they had to be since they were up against Karma. Up against people like Kered.


I didn't get up when Kered finished. I could hear anything he said to Samara so there was no point. From Kered's footsteps I didn't detect worry. However, neither I nor The Net was familiar with any of the Elementals. The Net had the most information about Kered, but that wasn't saying much.


"She's safe." Kered said, though his voice indicated that he didn't like this. It seemed that some part of his mind just wanted to kill me. "Tell your Machine to get dressed."


Without looking at anyone I walked upstairs to Samara and my room. I put on the clothes that were on the bed. I walked back downstairs, sat at the kitchen table, and looked at Kered.


"So, Earth, does that mean I'm now a member?" I asked.


Showing the calmness of an Elemental, he only nodded.


"I also called you here for another reason." Samara said.


"I guessed as much." Kered replied.


"It's about Playful Ballet."


"That little place?" He asked. "There have been rumors but nothing ever came of it."


"I don't think that anyone from Karma wants to seem to have any class." I joked. The slight smile from Samara's lips was enough payoff. I had thought I might have to go on the run and we were both glad I could stay.


"Anyways, we have proof." Samara said. "Nazilla found something like an M-1 in their security system."


"Have you seen this yourself or is it only rumors?" Kered asked.


"I have seen it." I replied. "I can confirm it."


"Right." Kered said. I realized making him trust me would mean more than a few loyalty tests.


"I believe that the threat level is high enough to warrant an investigation." Samara said.


"If you both think it is a threat, then I will send an investigation team to assist you." Kered decided. "Hopefully it will turn out to be nothing. But hope hasn't helped us in the war yet."


As Kered left, both Samara and I escorted him out. As I shut the door I realized neither of us had told him about Glau. That said something about our relationship that we would hide a key bit of information that could help in the fight against The Net, just so we could still make love without doubt.
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