Smarter (an Ell Donsaii story #2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

us you would want a job so that was the offer we made. But we are open to many possibilities. Presently we are thinking that you might accept financial assistance during your studies in return for consulting with us on occasion?”
    “Consulting?”
    “Sit, please sit. Let us offer refreshment and talk about the possibilities?”
    Ell reluctantly sat and ordered a Coke. “What kind of ‘consultations’ do you have in mind?”
    “We are convinced that your new explanation for quantum phenomena has a very good chance of proving correct! Our chief scientists believe that this will lead to new methods for computation. Our company wants to be at the forefront in developing products based on your theories. We would be most eager to provide you a stipend of one hundred thousand dollars per year merely to be kept apprised of your progress and to have the right of first refusal regarding any possible products. I’ve had my AI send a possible contract to your e-slate.”
    “Well that is generous. But I have a feeling that MIT has policies in place that would compromise my freedom to sign such a document. It may be that the Air Force would also have a say in what contracts I can sign, even though I’m detached at present.”
    The younger Asian man, who’d never been introduced, came over with a Coke and set it down at Ell’s elbow. Mr. Chin leaned forward conspiratorially, “We wouldn’t even need a formal agreement. Just a verbal agreement to keep us apprised and we’d be happy to provide fifty thousand a year.” His eyebrows rose.
    Ell found this suspicious and uncomfortable. She sat back in her chair and took a long pull on her Coke. “Is this diet?” she asked, turning to the younger man.
    “No it’s regular Coke, why?”
    “It tastes funny…”
    The younger man jumped up. “I’ll get them to give you another one and be sure it’s regular Coke this time.”
    Ell took another sip and grimaced at the flavor, it just seemed off somehow. She turned back to Mr. Chin. “What is the company you work for? Lenovo?”
    “Yes Ma’am.”
    “And that’s a Chinese company, correct?”
    “Yes, but we have a large presence here in the United States.”
    “Still, I think that the Air Force would likely object to my employment by a foreign company…” Ell realized that she felt funny too. She wondered if her Coke had been mixed up with someone’s rum and Coke?
    Mr. Chin leaned forward, “You look as if you don’t feel well, can we help you up to your room?”
    “Uhhh… OK…” Ell slurred. She’d never had alcohol. Could it work this fast she wondered? Soon she found herself on the elevator with the two men practically holding her up. The young one pushed a button labeled “SB.” “No, no, I’m up on the sixth floor…” Ell mumbled. They didn’t pay attention. She thought to herself that something bad was happening, but somehow it seemed surprisingly unimportant.
     
    ***
     
    At ten O’clock Ell’s mother Kristen tried to reach her over the net to ask her how the interviews had gone. At first Kristen’s AI said “connecting” but then told Kristen that Allan, Ell’s AI, was off the net. Thinking about the Arab terrorists that could still have reason to hate Ell, Kristen became worried and contacted Ell’s hotel. Kristen persuaded the hotel to send someone up to Ell’s room and to her dismay they told her that the room was unoccupied. She wondered whether there was someone at MIT she could contact to ask about Ell, but it would surely be very difficult to reach anyone at this hour of the night.
    Kristen called the local police in Morehead City who were singularly unhelpful. The dispatcher said, “Her AI’s battery probably went dead. You can’t file a ‘missing persons’ until tomorrow at the earliest.” 
    Then Gram suggested Kristen contact Phil, “that nice young man from the Academy. He’d know what to do.”
    Phil was on his summer vacation in North Carolina and, when they called him,