B Clones (Clones #1) - Laurann Dohner Page 0,24
support and gravity had been turned off until we made repairs. Fig and Free reprogrammed the entire brain until it only responds to my group. I’ll add you to have access.”
“To do what?”
“The station brain runs life support and security measures. At some point, I’m going to leave you here when I need to raid a shuttle. I’d feel better if you know how everything works. You can’t issue orders if it considers you unauthorized to do so.”
“I’ll pass. At least for now. I had a hard-enough time figuring out how to pee in your weird hidden toilet.”
He chuckled. “I’ll say again, toilet paper is a thing of the past.”
“I just think it’s creepy that your version of toilets washes your private bits, then dries you.”
He looked highly amused. “It’s more efficient. You’ll adjust.”
“As if I have a choice.”
He grew somber. “You must adapt, Gemma. I won’t allow you to have a meltdown.”
He seemed really worried about her losing her mind. She appreciated that, she supposed. “I’m pretty tough, and I think I’m handling all this better than expected. No screaming and wailing.”
“You are. Always look on the bright side, Gemma. You got a second chance at life.”
“I know. I do appreciate it, but it’s strange to wrap my head around how I got here and that I’m alive. I was dying from the burns I sustained. Cloning seems like a miracle. I keep telling myself to appreciate what’s happened.”
“I understand.”
“Big, did they clone your body from someone who used to be alive? Do you have any memories from that person?”
“I was created to be a security officer for Clone World. I’m not certain if this body was molded after someone who used to exist or not. All my memories were transferred into my mind as I was grown inside the factory. They aren’t really memories the way you’d understand them. My life didn’t begin until I woke on Clone World and was assigned my duties. I have no childhood to remember.”
“What kind of memories did you get?”
“It was as if they’d put a camera on someone, had them go through all the training for my job, then replayed those videos repeatedly inside my head. I woke with the knowledge of how to fight, all the skills I’d need to be good at my job, and a basic desire to be the best at what I was created to do. They also taught us what we are, and the laws we must live by, in that same way. I developed a personality after I awoke and lived for a time. My job molded me.”
“Being a security officer?”
“Yes. And occasionally I was assigned as a bodyguard to wealthy guests visiting Clone World.” He paused. “I was a clone created to defend against injury by unauthorized persons, give support to security measures at Clone World, and protect it from any forms of danger. We kept the peace.”
“They make clone bodyguards, too? So weird.”
“They make all kinds of specialty clones.”
She mulled that over. “What other ones are made?”
“Another security clone escaped with me, but two of us were models created to do financial work at Clone World. Free and Fig are exceptional with math, computers, and contracts. They are trained to deal with all aspects of anything fiscal and technological. That also includes everything to do with computers and the ability to hack them. They were trained to protect the CW computers against other hackers.”
“They’re the brains and you’re the brawn?”
“All male service clones are physically fit as well, but they weren’t trained to fight. I taught my clone friends self-defense after we escaped CW.”
“What other kinds of clones are there?”
“Service-model clones hold various duties and skills. Everything from maintenance upkeep, giving massages to guests, to preparing and serving food. Entertainment models amuse the guests and perform on stages. There are medical clones who treat guests for everything from a skinned knee to complicated emergency surgeries.” He paused. “Every task you can think of that someone might need to hire, there is a clone programed for that skill.”
“What am I?”
“You are illegal. Clone classifications are assigned to those with loaded programs, to enhance what they were meant to do. You fall into none of those categories.”
“Wouldn’t I be an entertainment model if they thought I was that singer?”
“I’m certain Rico Florigo purchased you for his private collection. It would have been foolish to put you on display for the guests, since your memories are intact. He might believe he’s above the law, but