They both wore name tags, but Dalar didn't bother to read them as he squared off with them. “It's kind of a pity, isn't it? All the talent and resources of an entire corporation, some of the brightest minds in the universe.” He paused to sneer at the two scientists. “And what do you do with it? Instead of helping humanity remain at its apex with worthwhile contributions, you grub after profits by catering to the basest urges of your fellow humans.”
The hand-wringing man stiffened indignantly. “These adult companions are about more than sexual gratification. They'll teach, encourage, inspire, comfort, protect, and provide a host of other beneficial services. They'll make the lives of humans immeasurably better.”
“Not anymore, they won't,” Dalar replied, unable to keep a hint of smugness from his voice. Behind him he heard Garridy snicker. “The Movement is shutting HAE down . . . your adult companions will never be distributed.”
The scientist glared in outrage. “Why? They could only ease the suffering humans face in a harsh and chaotic universe. Which is more than I can say for what you-” he cut off with a strangled noise, as if just realizing what he'd been about to say.
“For what we what?” Dalar demanded sharply. The man flinched and backed up a step, holding up his hands in surrender, and he snorted. “Obviously you must be in the right, to have such courage in your convictions.” He turned away dismissively. “We'll need to test you to confirm you're human. Just a small cut to make sure you bleed. Don't resist or try to run, and that's the worst you'll have to worry about experiencing under my care.”
He waved at the combat android keeping an eye on them, which clomped forward, a surprisingly delicate blade emerging from where its knuckles would be. The man flinched, but didn't struggle or try to flee as the robot cut him, just barely enough to draw blood. After a moment's inspection of the small wound the android turned to the woman, the blade disappearing and reemerging sterilized as it prepared to cut her as well.
Dalar left it to its work, organizing his strike team to prepare for the other humans sent their way. He didn't anticipate there'd be many; a high tech facility like this might be large, but most of its functions would be automated. Especially since it was run by a corporation that created robotic servants; most likely, there'd only be a few dozen human scientists here, with maintenance and other support jobs done by companions.
Once his people had their assignments, curiosity got the better of him and he headed into the warehouse, which was filled with rows of crates roughly the size and shape of coffins stacked all the way to the ceiling. The crates had transparent fronts, and when Dalar got close enough to look inside the nearest one he confirmed that they all held the prototype adult companions this facility had been producing.
Or he supposed the Mark I versions, since the product line had been just about to launch. Something that would never happen now, with ERI and the Movement deciding the time had come to wipe the competition out.
The companion in front of him had the appearance of a young woman in her prime, tall and voluptuous, with silken blond hair and pale creamy skin. Her face, serene as if in sleep, was so perfect, features symmetrical and the ideal for human standards of beauty, that it almost entered uncanny valley territory.
Too perfect, too peaceful and innocent. As if it shouldn't exist in this ugly, brutal universe.
Perhaps to accentuate that innocent appearance, or perhaps as a nod to human standards of modesty, the companion was dressed in a simple smock of pure white cloth, which left her smooth shoulders and arms bare and went down to mid-thigh. It was loose enough to only hint at the enticing curves beneath, which somehow only made them more intriguing.
Even though he had responsibilities he needed to see to, Dalar couldn't help but pause to stare at the impossibly beautiful woman in the crate in front of him. What would it be like to have her at his beck and call, willing and eager to serve his every whim? No games, no hassle, no wheedling or charming or risking embarrassment or rejection. Just unconditional affection without judgment.
As his eyes lingered on the point where the adult companion's flawlessly smooth, shapely legs disappeared beneath the short smock, considering the possibilities, he realized he was getting aroused and hastily tore his eyes away. Even though the rest of his team was still back in the other room handling the prisoners, it wouldn't do to show a lapse in decorum or professionalism.
He almost thought it was a pity they were going to destroy all of these things. Aside from the ones they'd be shipping to ERI's labs to be dismantled and reverse engineered, of course. He knew it was the right call, and abominations like this were too dangerous to allow to exist.
Still, he could definitely see the appeal of them. Small wonder half the universe had been waiting in eager anticipation for this product to finally launch. A wait that would last forever, now.
“Guess everyone will just have to get their rocks off in full immersion like normal people,” he muttered as he turned away, continuing deeper into the warehouse.
All the crates contained women, as far as he could see. He wasn't sure if the men were stored in another warehouse, or if maybe the initial orders had been overwhelmingly for the fairer sex. They
