Madman's Dance (Time Rovers #3)(172)
Cynda took their arms again. “You’d better get used to it, gents. The pair of you has just begun to take the Empire by storm.”
~??~??~??~
2058 A.D.
TEM Enterprises
The moment the transfer stabilized and she was able to stand, Cynda heaved a tremendous sigh of relief. She was home, not off-timed into the center of a volcano or the Thames at high tide. Given the nature of the people she’d thwarted, either of those options might have become reality.
Ralph was behind the chronsole, waiting for her. His glasses twinkled in the overhead lights. As soon as the pod door opened, he called out, “Hey!”
“Hey, yourself,” she said. This reminded her of the old days, before it had all gone wrong.
“Welcome back to TEM Enterprises,” he announced. “Heard about Copeland’s end.” He issued a thumbs-up.
“That seems to be everyone’s opinion.”
Cynda wedged herself in the time pod door to allow the disorientation to pass, methodically going through the Orientation to Place technique. Unlike Guv’s chronsole room, this one was pleasant. Artwork on the walls, some sort of flowering vine on a trellis that exuded a faint hint of jasmine. A light piece of Baroque music in the background. Classic.
Like Theo.
Once her head stopped spinning, she made her way to the chronsole, still unsteady. Ralph unwrapped a candy bar and pushed it toward her across the counter. She took a bite, and then frowned. Chocolate just didn’t taste good anymore. She ate it anyway.
“I hear you resigned,” her friend said. “What’s that all about?”
“Theo and I are…” She waggled an eyebrow suggestively.
A pensive frown appeared. “You mean…? You sure that’s a good idea?”
“Yes. I’m in love with him.”
“Well, I’ll be damned!” Ralph exclaimed. “First time for everything.”
She playfully punched him in the arm. He responded with a big hug.
“I don’t agree with your taste,” he said, “but if you’re happy, I’ll deal.”
They hugged harder.
Fulham sailed through the chronsole room door. “Welcome back, Miss Lassiter,” he said.
She grinned. “Hello, Fulham. How are you?”
“Quite well. Your return will certainly help.”
She followed him out into the corridor, toting her Gladstone.
“Mr. Morrisey has ordered that you are to see the company physician first thing. He is particularly concerned that your health remains sound.”
“Later,” she said, rolling her eyes. “So where is our fearless leader?”
“At TPB. It’s why I sent the message for you to return at this particular point in time.”
Her footsteps faltered. “Is everything okay?” Surely Ralph would have known if it wasn’t.
“Going very well. M.A. Fletcher is the new chairman. The boss is there for a meeting. They’re trying to get the truth out of ex-Chairman Davies.” Fulham gave her a sidelong glance. “Your presence might do the trick.”
“Consider it done.”
“I’ll arrange a grav-car,” he offered.
“No need,” she said, turning on her heel. “I’ll go the high tech way. Tell the boss to save me a seat.”
“That would violate a number of rules,” Fulham observed with a wry smirk.
She smirked back, pulling out her interface. “Yes, it would, but I have a legend to maintain.”
Chapter 26
2058 A.D.
Time Protocol Board Complex
Her grand arrival in the central hall of the TPB complex shocked a number of bystanders. Once the disorientation passed, she ignored the curious stares and marched over to the gleaming reception counter. The AdminBot behind the counter monitored her every move, sizing her up with electronic precision.
Cynda knew what was coming: a lecture about unauthorized arrivals within a public building, along with a citation of all the statutes she’d just broken.
Before the thing could start, she said, “I’m Jacynda Lassiter and I’m supposed to be in a meeting with Chairman Fletcher. Where is it?”
The thing whirred for a moment, then beeped. “Scan ESR Chip,” it demanded.
“Don’t have one. Where’s the meeting?”
“Scan ESR Chip,” the bot repeated, mimicking the bored personality of many human front desk assistants. “No entrance allowed without valid identification.”
Cynda leaned over the counter to rap her knuckles on its shiny silver head.
“You’re not paying attention. I don’t have a chip. So where’s the meeting?”
The bot chirped and beeped faster now. As the situation deteriorated, she felt her interface vibrate. Fulham. As she’d hoped, the watch dial said he’d been in contact with the boss, then told her precisely where to find Theo within the complex. As an aside, Fulham wished her good luck getting there.
Piece of cake. Bots were nothing compared to knife-wielding maniacs or deluded men intent on immolating history. Well, except Sigmund. For a bot, he was cool.
“Never mind,” she replied, clicking the watch closed. “I know where I need to go. Have a mindless day.”