The Clean Slate Accord by Sofia Diana Gabel Read Free Book Online

few minutes dragged on and felt like hours to Alexa. She paced, thoughts scrambling around in her mind. Time was valuable and she was wasting it. Humanity would vilify her for creating the Accord, and the implants. New Earth now seemed like a distant dream, a fantasy. Alexa wiped away a trace of sweat before David or the rest of the crew could see.
    Finally, her wrist communicator flashed. She looked at the monitor and saw Jonas. He looked pale and his brow was furrowed. Softly, he spoke, “Director, I’m sorry I left without telling you.”
    â€œDon’t worry about that now. What’s going on, Jonas? Come back to the Bunker and we’ll work on the implants together. Neither of us can do it on our own.”
    â€œYou’re wrong, Director.” He rubbed at his eyes with his small fist. “I’m so tired. I still don’t feel well, but it won’t matter soon anyway.”
    â€œThen come back. You can rest. We won’t mention any of this again, if you’ll only fly back immediately.” She lowered her voice, “Jonas, people are dying every minute we delay.”
    â€œBut I can fix it. I really can.” He turned away from the monitor and shook his head, speaking without turning back, “You have to trust me. I’ll be the world’s friend. Everyone will love me and talk about me for years.”
    â€œJonas, I’m your friend. Isn’t that enough?”
    He looked into the monitor. There was something about his expression, a sadness or disillusionment. “You’re not my friend, Director. You’re my mother.”

Chapter 7
    Alexa stared at her wrist communicator. Her heart thumped hard. Jonas knew. Of course he knew. He’d downloaded his DNA analysis from the mirror. Why hadn’t she ever told him that she’d used her own DNA? Because it had been an unethical experiment, that’s why. She never wanted him to know the truth.
    â€œJonas…”
    â€œDon’t try to explain anything, Director. I know what I am. You didn’t create me to be a son. You wanted a biological computer. I’m nothing more than a brain to you.” He blinked several times and started to push up imaginary eyeglass frames. “I lost my glasses, Director.”
    â€œThey’re in the lab, Jonas. Come home to the Bunker and you can have them.” She wanted to say something more, but couldn’t think of anything that would explain her motives for making Jonas who he was. He wasn’t just a machine, like David, he was real, a part of her. “I miss you, Jonas. I need you.”
    â€œYou do?” Jonas glanced around and then peered close to the monitor. “Why didn’t you ever tell me that? And why didn’t you tell me I had your DNA?”
    â€œI don’t know why. I should have. I admit it. I made a mistake, Jonas. But we don’t have time to discuss it now. We need to put our heads together, as a team, and come up with a solution.”
    â€œIt’s too late, Director. I analyzed every possible scenario and there’s only one solution.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about, Jonas? What’s the solution?”
    â€œYou’ll see.” He disconnected the call.
    â€œDamn!” Alexa stared at the blank screen. “David, get Jonas back.”
    â€œAll transmission lines to and from the Land Bridge are down, Director. You shouldn’t rely on Jonas anyway. He’s faulty.”
    â€œI told you before that I don’t need your input when it comes to Jonas. He’s not a computer like you. Just keep monitoring the removals.”
    Alexa sat down at her desk and logged into her private files. Where had she gone wrong with Jonas’ development? He was designed to have an enhanced intelligence, which he had, but what if the viral DNA had somehow begun to attack the human DNA?
    She opened the journal files she’d kept during the first few years of Jonas’ life. There