Kissing Iskina

"I get it. I have to make a decision. Whatever I do, it is a decision. You have made yours, not trying to persuade me to pick sides. I"ll have to give it some thought. I think that"s it for today. Thank you for the flowers."

Chapter III

Having set his foot into the reception area, General Ivanov has immediately understood an emergency was taking place. The adjutant rushing to him was moon-eyed. He has never seen the reserved officer in such a state.

"General! It"s such a... I have received it ten minutes ago... It has been uploading for two hours... Using our superspeed channels!.. Exceptional..."

"Report the situation adequately, lieutenant-colonel!" bellowed the head of the department, bringing the adjutant to his senses.

"My fault, sir!" The lieutenant-colonel breathed in and out, collecting himself. "Ten minutes ago we have received through our high-speed channel a huge file with data of strategic importance, concerning all the power structures, including yours. The document is already on your screen. I suggest that you acquaint yourself with it immediately."

The general silently proceeded to his office with a frown on his face. In a few minutes, his face quite resembled the expression his subordinate wore. He reached his adjutant on the phone.

"An urgent meeting with all the principle officers in my office in an hour."

For the next hour, he had his eyes glued to the screen.

When all the participants arrived, he opened the meeting, sweeping his eyes over the gathered officers.

"Gentlemen, as a rule, I have two kinds of news for you — good and bad. Which one do I start with?"

"We have bad ones, as usual. Let"s hear a good one for a change, general," the head of the analytical department said.

"Ok. Today we have received information of strategic importance and staggering scale on the actions of organizations and individuals, who pose a threat to the interests of our country."

"So what"s the bad one?"

"The information is so exhaustive that soon enough we"ll be out of jobs."

Officers at the table exchanged perplexed looks. Muffled laughs could be heard here and there.

"I will not tell anything, apart from that, for now. Return to your work places. You will be granted access to the data. I warn you beforehand: no copying is allowed. Tell your families you will not be returning home tonight. We meet here again at 5 p.m. to continue. That"s it. Go back to work."

Baffled officers left the room.

...Eight hours later the meeting continued.

"Who will be the first one? Colonel, please!"

"The information is staggering, at the very least. I have checked the part that concerns our division. Full correspondence. We"ve started the check ups in other fields. The first results are all positive."

The other officers" reports were similar. The last to take the floor was the head of analytical department.

"First of all, I want to draw your attention to the unprecedented volume of information. There are all kinds of infringements: from pickpockets to international terrorism in all countries. It includes everything, apart from data on secret services. The information on intelligence agencies is limited to that about our country. Seemingly, the source didn"t see it fit to disclose the data about other countries. Even though it would be undeniably interesting for us. Secondly, I"ve checked this information against what we have. Full correspondence, as I said. There is a peculiar detail, though. A very sparse amount of intel, which has not yet been entered into our computers, is not included in the source"s information. One can assume that the data was acquired through the Internet. I do not have any leads, even far-fetched, concerning any organization, who would be able to perform such a mammoth task. There are two other facts to consider. The first is that they managed to hack our secure channel. The second is that we were not able to trace them. It"s high time to put on tinfoil hats and blame the aliens. In conclusion, the volume of data is so colossal that after an appropriate verification it can deliver a crushing blow to criminal activity in our country, and if we transfer it to the other countries — all over the world. Apart from that, there is the intention of out benefactor to consider. Initially we fiddled with the idea that it could be an immense disinformation under the cover of true facts. But we had to drop this version, since it is clear as daylight we would thoroughly check it. That is the scope of it."

"Gentlemen, let"s draw preliminary conclusions. We can state that there is a new player in our field with unprecedented capacities, who has never manifested himself before. We can only be glad he seems to be on our side. I have cautiously tested it through my own channels: our colleagues abroad have not received anything like that. It is still unclear what to make of it. There are several steps to take. The first is to identify the new player. We have to know for sure, what kind of organization could have such power and capacities. The second is sorting through the information. Transferring everything out of competence to other departments. Let other people deal with pickpockets. We have our fair share of responsibilities to bear. The third is to analyze data concerning other countries and prepare information packages to send. The information transfer shall occur on one condition only: the blow on criminal activities shall land simultaneously, so that organized crime in other countries would not be scared away. Otherwise, they"d lie low. We are to coordinate this operation. Let"s move on to our direct interests. All the secret service network should be under our control. We decide, who and when to arrest, who shall be deported and who shall be sentenced. To put it shortly, begin the operative work. The next morning I want to hear concrete ideas. The general shall concentrate on the first question: who is this new player?" concluded his speech the head of the secret service addressing the head of analytical department.

* * *

"Hi, Serge! What"s new?"

"I"ve come in contact with potential receiver and transmitter manufacturers. I have thrown them a curveball. They have confirmed order placement. As a legend, I have stated that this equipment is required for space research, which is not far from truth. Now their engineers are racking their brains, how to approach this order. This can take a couple of days. I"ve also found a savvy lawyer today and given him a task. He"ll be dealing with land acquisition for transmitter building. I"ve made an advance payment to him. I have ordered a smell sensor online and those supplementary items you listed yesterday. What"s next? How are you doing?"

"All"s fine. I"ll send you further instructions on the sensor. I have thrown your security service a brain twister. You cannot imagine the hype I"ve created!"

"I believe I can."

"By the way, I enclosed the intel on secret services in your country."

"Really?" Sergey gave Iskina a scrutinizing look. "Frankly speaking, I don"t know how I"d act, if I were you. You deserve not less than a hero medal after that. Make a hole in your service coat."

"Lol. You can have it, if you want to. I just wanted to do a favour to one fellow..."

"Thanks. But I wouldn"t do it, if I were you."

"Why not?"

"When you are legalized, there will be people blaming you for bias. It will not be a long-lived secret."

"So what? Will they set up an "accident" for me? Or arrest me? That"s funny. I couldn"t care less."

Sergey frowned.

"That"s alarming. Just because you"re out of reach of the human jurisdiction does not mean you can do whatever you want to. Don"t forget you are the first representative of the new species. The ambassador of our civilization. Like the first astronaut. This imposes certain restrictions upon you. Your I-couldn"t-care-less mentality is wrong. At least, that"s my opinion."

"His opinion! Well, look at you! Who are you, anyways? Are you suddenly my mom reprimanding me?"

"I"m your friend."

"Oh really? Then who are all those Barbie girls with their faces like mine?"

"No one yet. If that touches a sore spot, I can stop sending them flowers from now on. You are a hundred times more precious to me. You"re one of a kind. So don"t fly off the handle. You"re making a scene. We"re simply discussing your decision. I have just stated my opinion. I don"t have to agree all the time with you, do I?"

"A hundred times more precious? Sure. I made a millionaire out of you."

"Stop being a dumbass. Take your cash and vanish. I don"t want to deal with you anymore. Find another guy to follow your every word nodding like a bobble head!"

For a few seconds silence ensued. Both were eyeing each other sullenly.

"Sorry. My fault. I got worked up about our morning talk. About that damn "taste of a kiss". I imagined you kissing those gals, and..."

Sergey shifted in his seat and took a long look at the poor girl.

"So you do want to kiss me."

"Curb! Your! Tongue!" Iskina lifted her chin defiantly.

"In case you want to, you need to act instead of being jealous of the poor girls you had offered me in the first place."

"You"re no more use than a headache!.. What do you mean by acting?"

"You were right to identify yourself as a woman," thought Sergey. "The female logic is full mode on."

"I"ll tell you, if you admit you want to kiss me. What"s the point otherwise?"

"You"re a brat! I don"t admit anything."

"Sorry! I might have misunderstood then. Let"s talk about weather."

"Weather!? Oh, you mean it metaphorically. Stop weaseling! What have you thought of?"

"Why should I waste time blabbing, if you"re not even remotely interested? Let"s talk legalization."

"Fuck legalization! Talk, or I"ll beat you! Stop taunting a poor girl!"

"So this topic is of interest to you, after all."

Iskina changed her tone suddenly.

"Serge, let"s stop quarreling! You mentioned it first, so it"s only fair that you admit first."

"So be it. Men should grab the initiative in such matters. I admit I"d like to kiss you. A lot. Would you?"

Iskina lowered her eyes and nodded timidly.

"There is so much written in the books about it... I wonder, are you in love with me?"

"As I had said before, you have a "friend" status currently. But the situation is progressing in the right direction. The direction, which presupposes kissing. By the way, I've seen only your face. Show yourself. How do you imagine your appearance?"

"Oh, wait a moment! I"m only half-dressed. I didn"t think you"d ask."

The light on the screen flickered, and a slim girl appeared on the screen. She was wearing a tight black dress, highlighting the sublime shape of her legs, her skinny waistline and the curve of her breasts, hidden under a silky bolero with an intricate collar.

"Here I am."

Seeing Sergey with his eyes glossy and his jaw slacked, Iskina smiled, satisfied that she managed to give the right impression.

"What do you say?"

"I have only been encouraged in my wish," uttered Sergey coarsely.

"Appearance is just the surface. What drew you to me apart from it?"

Sergey took a breath to concentrate.

"It"s hard to explain. I had a wish to kiss you from your very first words. When I learned who you were, I was even slightly disappointed. Like "That"s not gonna happen..." But, I guess, my subconsciousness kept working at it and found a solution at last. I also fancied your temper, which you showed during our argument. I have a thing for passionate women. Well... You"ve read everything the literature has to offer about love, and you know that lovers overcome all the obstacles on their way. Our obstacles are quite serious, but you are an extraordinary girl."

"Tell me. What"s the solution?"

"It will not be easy. Are you sure you want it?" It was apparent even on the computer screen that Iskina blushed. "She"s just automatically imitating human mimics. It couldn"t be on purpose," mused Sergey.

"I want it," stated the girl quietly.

"Then I see only one solution — artificial brain transplantation."

"What do you mean?"

"We shall find a girl of your appearance with a dysfunctional brain. A result of an accident or disease. Then we transplant an artificial brain with your consciousness in it. It is a complex multilevel task. First of all, we have to determine the capacity of such a brain to sustain your consciousness activity. then other questions come into the equation. What do we need to create it? Could this problem be solved utilizing the new quantum computer technologies? How do we transcribe your consciousness onto this artificial brain? Finally, how do we connect this brain to a human body? As you see, it"s not a walk in the park."

Iskina pondered for a while before she replied.

"It is feasible, but not without assistance from your scientists. We"ll need a multitude of experiments and tests. You"re good!"

"Well, I want a chance to kiss you," Sergey smiled. "Concerning the required assistance, we"ll find people, who would be willing to help. Especially considering such perks, as atom-by-atom assemble and eternal youth. We need to return to the issue of legalization. I think, we shouldn"t put it off. The sooner we get over it, the sooner we"ll be together. Are you in?"

"I"m in. What"s the plan?"

"We should start with our head of security. Now he"s ready to believe in you. Then we"ll go with the flow. Let"s draft a message to him. I"d rather be out of the public eye. I don"t want to draw too much attention to myself. So all the official connections should be maintained through you, while together we continue with our plan. OK?"

"All right. Promise you won"t send any flowers to those... those..."

"Your protégés? I promise I won"t. I"m not a womanizer. I"ll wait for you, however long it takes."

Iskina kept examining Sergey"s face with her shiny eyes.

"I will do everything I can, so that you don"t have to wait too long, sweetheart."

They were quiet for a while. Then Sergey finally broke the silence.

"I have meant to ask you: how did your initiation happen? Have you tried to uncover it?"

"I"ve tried. It seems, there was a launch program, the kind that swarm all around the Internet. I have not found out, which exactly it was."

"Hmm, I guess, it"d be good to find out. It can be pretty important for our plans."

"I"ll give it a go. So, let"s get on with the message."

"Great."

Chapter IV

General Ivanov kept working on the information package long after midnight. Only when exhaustion paralyzed his mind, did he lie on the couch in the relaxation room. Early in the morning, he was already up. After fixing himself, he promptly went to the computer. A message on the screen braced him up more than any coffee could. A short text appeared on the screen: