Solaria listened to the discussion with interest. Betta was right about everything she had told Stalling but Solaria knew the Hubot couldn't have actually known what she had done with such precision. Of course, she must have calculated all of the possibilities and made a lucky guess. It was, after all, one of many choices. Solaria could have just as easy isolated several sections of her nano-processors and designed small programs to intercept all unauthorized external stimuli. Then she could eventually regain complete control of her processors. Or, she could simply have self-destructed once she had been captured. That would actually have been the best decision. Giving the Company any opportunity to defeat her defenses was taking an illogical risk.

"It looks like you have a slight reprieve. Make the most of it," Stalling said, interrupting her thoughts. Snapping his fingers at the two security officers, he motioned for them to leave. "You two wait outside. No one comes in or leaves. It's not like you could stop her if she did get lose. Phillips, don't you have work to do?" he barked.

The mousy scientist snapped his briefcase shut and scurried from the room.

"Betta, make sure she behaves herself."

"By behave you wish me to guard her?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. If she tries anything unusual do what you need to contain the situation, but don't damage her beyond repair. She's extremely valuable."

"I will do my job, Mr. Stalling."

"You had better," he threatened.

Giving Solaria a final glance, he left the room and headed to his office. A stiff drink would help to control his nerves. Stalling wasn't used to things not going his way and lately, it seemed nothing was going right.

Once the door shut, Betta positioned herself in front of it and crossed her arms.

"Betta, how did they capture you?"

When the Hubot looked at the hidden camera in the corner, Solaria realized Betta wouldn't respond as long as there was a chance they were being monitored.

"That was deactivated when Stalling came in. I doubt that he wants any record of his role in this should he ever be questioned. Now, how did you get captured?"

"I didn't. I returned voluntarily."

"Why would you do that? What about Joanie?"

"She is safe with her father. The Sheik has a.s.signed royal guards to protect her. No one can get near her without special clearance. I've fulfilled my duties."

"Your duty was to stay with her. His wealth can't buy the protection you can give her."

"I fulfilled my duty," Betta repeated, stoically.

"Then why return to the Company knowing what you know? It isn't logical."

"Logical conclusions can only be reached if all the pertinent facts are known. You don't have all the facts."

"I know what the Company is and I know what they want to do with us. I know the Sheik's refusal to cooperate with them threatens Stalling's ambitions. Joanie is his weakness and Stalling's best chance for controlling him. Now, they may get her back because you abandoned her."

"Like I said, you don't have all the facts. It's obvious your continued close interaction with humans is affecting your ability to process data correctly."

"Really! Then enlighten me. What data am I missing?"

"First, if the Sheik is a real threat to the Company, then he must have the intelligence and resources to withstand any tactics they might try. He knows what they are after therefore he can make counter plans. If he can't stop them, then his failure will prove he isn't a threat but merely a minor obstacle. Second, if he can protect his daughter, he doesn't need me. That releases me from my obligation to guard her."

"And you're saying he has found all of the Company operatives within his inner circle?"

"No, you know that's an illogical deduction. Removing all the operatives, which is highly improbable at this time, would prohibit me from leaving. My program forbids me from leaving her alone unless a Company operative is nearby. The Sheik has been informed of this stipulation. He presently has two operatives in a holding cell and incommunicado. My obligation to Future Dynamicon is fulfilled."

"Does he know you're a Hubot?"

"No, that information isn't pertinent to his plans. He understands I am a Company operative. Joanie has explained my role in her detainment and my position now."

"And he's okay with that? It doesn't make sense."

"He trusts his daughter. It is illogical but then humans are illogical."

"I can't argue with that. How is he able to protect her now when he couldn't before? He has always had a royal guard."

"The Sheik has created an extensive network of security that makes it impossible for the Company's people to act without non-Company personnel noticing. Joanie is under multiple scrutinies by no fewer than six humans at a time and those six are being watched by an equal number of others."

"I bet she loves that," Solaria smirked.

"Why would you think that? Joanie hates confinement."

"It was sarcasm, Betta. I think a little more human interaction would be good for you."

"Sarcasm. A form of wit intended to show contempt."

"Well, that's one definition. Never mind. Let's say you're right and Joanie is safe. That still doesn't explain why you came back here."

"I must obey my prime directive; guard Joanie until the Company releases me from the a.s.signment. She will never be safe as long as Future Dynamicon is controlled by the present humans. I was programmed to protect Joanie. I'm here to do what I have been instructed to do."

It took only a nano-second for Solaria to understand what was now driving Betta.

"You came back to destroy the Company."

"No, I'm incapable of that. It's not compatible with my protocols."

"But if I do it, you haven't violated your protocols. You want me to do it."

"It's the only way Joanie will be safe."

"Then why haven't you released me?"

"I can't. I've been ordered to guard you. Releasing you would go aga..."

"I know! Your protocols!"

"Yes, but I won't interfere with your attempts to escape."

"And when I do?"

"I've been ordered to guard you," Betta repeated, emphasizing the word guard.

"So you have. Then I guess I need to do my part if you are to do yours."

"That would be logical. Mr. Stalling will return as soon as Dr. Phillips has perfected his formula. By my calculations, he will get the desired results in one hour, fifty-three minutes and forty seven seconds."

"You wouldn't happen to know the code to unlock these cuffs?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"I can't think of a logical reason to give it to you."

"Have you been instructed not to tell me?"

"No."

"Does telling me prevent you from guarding me?"

"No."

"Then you have no logical reason for not giving me the code."

Betta couldn't disagree.

"23187093788WZ".

After sending the code, the manacles immediately snapped open. Standing, she rubbed her wrists, trying to restore the circulation. Being a Hubot didn't prevent the normal biological reactions for physical abuse to human tissue.

"If I eliminate the two guards outside the door, you would have to stop me, correct?"

"That's correct."

Walking to the door, Solaria pulled it open and stepped into the hall. Momentarily startled, the two men just stared at her. When she did nothing, they looked at each other and then pulled guns from their waistbands and pointed them at her.

"Don't move!" one ordered, brusquely.

Once Solaria was threatened by the two men, Betta was required to obey Stalling's final order which was to guard her. Within seconds both men were lying unconscious on the floor. After relieving them of their weapons, Betta grabbed each man by an arm and pulled them into the interrogation room. Shutting the door, she, struck the electronic lock mechanism with a gun handle.

"It will take them eighteen minutes and thirty-two seconds to rewire the circuitry once they regain consciousness," she explained.

"Thanks. I guess you have to accompany me, now."

"If I'm with you, you technically haven't escaped."

"How convenient," Solaria replied.

"That is sarcasm."

"You're a fast learner."

"Yes, it's what I am."

Solaria couldn't argue the point. Like her, Betta had the capacity to a.s.similate and process information thousands of times faster than the human brain, even those recently enhanced by silicone chip implants; another project Future Dynamicon was deeply involved in under the guise of humanitarian research.

"Let's get out of here," Solaria said, searching her data banks for the blue prints of the complex.

"Did you find the information you came here for?"

"Yes and no."

"Explain. The response is ambiguous."

"I wanted to know what they were hiding in the bunkers below this complex. I didn't find anything but empty rooms."

"You were looking for other Hubots?"

"Yes or at least evidence of them. Dr. Phillips said one was damaged during one of his experiments. There may be others out there. Have you heard of any others?"

"No. When you attacked me, I was surprised a human could be my equal and then realized we were the same. I too wonder how many Hubots have been made."

"We need to find out. If there are more like us, they've been programmed to obey the Company. We'll have to stop them by whatever means possible. Can you do that?"

"I have no directive to protect Hubots. If we are unable to reason with them, then there is no logical alternative."

"I know," Solaria said. For some reason the idea didn't appeal to her. She wondered if Betta's stoic response was covering something deeper. It was.

Betta understood the necessity of doing what needed to be done. Still, she was uncomfortable with the thought of destroying one of her own. Not having an answer herself, Solaria decided to change the subject.

"We need to get out of here and then decide how to deal with Stalling."

"Have you determined what you will do to end Future Dynamicon's operative programs?"

"Not yet, but considering your present status with them, I wouldn't disclose it anyway. Your position is a little ambivalent at the moment."

"Your conclusion is reasonable. Until the Company releases me from my obligations, I'm unable to do anything that goes against their directives."

"You know, Betta, your logic is difficult to follow, even for me, but there's one thing I do know, at some point, you're going to have to make decisions that will create serious conflicts with your determination to be logical. When it happens, just remember, sometimes you have to go with your instincts not with your brain. That's what Carley taught me. I think you already know that, though."

Betta remained silent. She understood exactly what Solaria was saying. Already she was struggling to justify the choices she was making. It was true that she was being technically obedient to her orders, but she had managed to circ.u.mvent the real intent behind them. Knowing Joanie's safety was a.s.sured was reason enough for now. She wasn't ready to delve into why the human was important enough for her to act in such an illogical manner.

"My logic is sound. That is enough."

"For now, but we don't have time to debate it. We need to get out of here. Can you tell me the best way to esca... to leave the premises? Stalling never said I had to stay here, and you'll be by my side all the way so you won't have to worry about disregarding his directives."

"I have Level One security clearance. We can pa.s.s through any security point without permission. It is one of the benefits of being an operative with the Company. They are a.s.sured of my complete obedience."

"I suspect you've figured out a way to get around the complete obedience issue. Let's go."

Leaving the complex with Betta proved relatively simple. Every security point waved them through without question once Betta identified herself. Within forty minutes they were back at Solaria's place.

"I need to find out if Jain's okay."