The cat meowed, and Zero stuck his hand in the carrier. “Aw kitty. It’s okay.”
“Here.” Atlas reached out. “Let me see him?”
Zero handed him over. “You were walking on that nature path for a while with them. Fess up, you like them now too.”
Atlas sighed. “Yes, I do.”
“Ha! I knew it! They are sweet.” Zero riffled through Tilly’s drawings on his desk. “I couldn’t leave these behind.”
He touched the crayon picture, leaning them against the wall. “They are very sweet.”
“So, now that you agree, why aren’t you sharing?”
Atlas took a deep breath. “I need time to form my own opinions. Drones were already following the whole way overhead.”
“Ah.”
“And.” He clenched his jaw. “Those two humans, Ria and Pearl . . . they were awful. Not only that, they discussed the neurochip right in front of them like it was already decided.”
“Yeah. Everyone saw that as well.”
Atlas stiffened. “Is there any privacy for them at all?”
“No cameras in the bathrooms or bedrooms.” Zero said.
“I’m usually fine with surveillance, but this is too much. They’re not used to being watched that closely.”
“You know what to do then!” Zero held up his hand. “Add your opinion, or the majority will make plans without you! Stella is pushing too far ahead, as she has the most direct experience with them.”
“Is she still focusing on the baby?”
“Yes. Keeps saying that the baby is half of Paul. So, more dangerous. Because everyone can see that Anna can’t do anything.”
Atlas pushed his plant away. “That’s not how human genetics work.”
“You know fear is a powerful motivator. She is stirring the pot too much. And the consensus is starting to listen to her the more she flashes her war memories around.”
“She’s insufferable.”
“Finally.” Zero clapped his hands. “Someone else says it!”
Atlas pushed on the pictures, standing them up on his desk. Then Anna’s smile from the lake coated his mind. “Let me finish organizing here for a minute, then I’ll connect; they need a different perspective.”
“Yes they do.” Zero pushed off the desk. “You know they’ll listen to you and Sterling more than me.”
“I doubt they will, but I’ll try.” He opened his personal computer, booting it up. “I’ll bring Anna and the others for dinner then after.”
“Alright.” Zero walked to the door. “Let me go check on Simon. The updates should be almost done. He was angry not knowing what was happening.”
“I’m sure he was.”
“Hopping mad.”
“Wouldn’t you be?”
“Absolutely. But it should be fixed now.” Zero tapped on the door. “See you soon.”
Atlas nodded as Zero left, back to only his one plant and experiments in his room.
