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Experiencing the fun of having the content of a conversion turned upside down in editing Crystal Structures part 2 (current page 11):
"She threatened me, Shane."
He lowered his head. "I expected as much," he said, resigned. "What happened on Tortuna between us—" He shook his head. "If that ever comes out, I'm done for. That's exactly what they need to have me frozen."
She stared at him. "But it wasn't your fault. I will explain—"
"They don't care for the truth, Niko," he said tiredly. "When it comes to me they'll happily use an excuse. ALMA is there to make sure they don't get one."
"And you told her exactly what happened."
"She's programmed to protect me, not to obey me, Niko. I have to give her a very good reason for violating my permissions if I want her to fool the surveillance for me." A muscle in his jaw worked. "And a stroll in the woods or an afternoon sundae does not count against the risk of being caught in your quarters." He arched a brow at her. "What? Did you think they'd like me to reproduce?" He snorted.
"She threatened me, Shane."
He lowered his head. "I expected as much," he said, resigned. "What happened on Tortuna between us—" He shook his head. "If that ever comes out, I'm done for. That's exactly what they need to have me frozen."
She stared at him. "But it wasn't your fault. I will explain—"
"They don't care for the truth, Niko," he said tiredly. "When it comes to me they'll happily use an excuse. ALMA is there to make sure they don't get one."
"And you told her exactly what happened."
"She's programmed to protect me, not to obey me, Niko. I have to give her a very good reason for violating my permissions if I want her to fool the surveillance for me." A muscle in his jaw worked. "And a stroll in the woods or an afternoon sundae does not count against the risk of being caught in your quarters." He arched a brow at her. "What? Did you think they'd like me to reproduce?" He snorted.
