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Yes honey, Mommy said. I think I know a way to get Mister Jenkins to play for an hour, then go to sleep.
Well get going, slowpoke! Ill stay here and watch Daddy.
Mommy looked at Daddy. I guess this is how it has to be.
He nodded. Now he looked sad.
Mommy got her coat and left the house.
Things were changing for Chelsea, changing fast. She had no frame of reference to truly understand what was happening to her, what was happening around her. The Orbital knew this, and put it to use. Her simplicity and lack of experience made her a powerful tool. Chelsea was moldable.
The Orbital had to prepare her for the worst-case scenario: its own destruction. Every day the probability of an attack increased. Should something happen to the Orbital, it had to ensure that Chelsea could still complete the objective. The Orbital could change her brain, make the fibers reproduce, fill in s.p.a.ces between brain cells and increase her computing power and intelligence. It could make her a focal point of communication. But all the processing power and communication ability wouldnt help if she couldnt think for herself.
The Orbital had to turn Chelsea Jewell into a leader.
Chelsea sat on her bed, thinking. The kitchen was too smelly. So was the living room. Daddy had used a whole can of gasoline in there, said it would burn real nice.
Chelsea, the bad guys may come for you soon.
Oh, Chelsea said. Thats why were burning the house, right? So they wont find us?
Yes, but they will also come for the others .
Others? What others, Chauncey?
The others like you, like Daddy.
Chelsea hopped off her bed. She wanted to dance. There were other people like her? How exciting! She started to spin in circles.
Where are they, Chauncey? How do I find them?
You need to make them come to you.
You have the power to find them with your mind.
Can I talk to them like I talk to you?
Not the same way, not yet, but you can send simple messages. We will start by you talking to me with your mind, not your mouth.
Chelsea stopped spinning and closed her eyes. Yes, Chauncey.
Good. Now reach out. Use your thoughts, reach out and find them.
Chelsea thought . She reached out. What a funny feeling! She felt her consciousness expanding, spreading. She sensed Mommy first. Then Mr. Burkle the Postman, although it was harder to sense him. He wasnt as strong as Mommy. Chelsea sensed Daddy nextactually, she sensed the dollies inside Daddy. Oh, how fun! They were growing so fast!
Keep trying. More, find more. You must become stronger.
Chelsea took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She pushed. It felt . . .slippery. Her mind reached out, and made contact! Several contacts.
Ryan Roznowski. He had dollies, although he suspected that his wife was going to call the police soon. Chelsea couldnt let that happen.
Mr. Beckett had dollies, too. And Old Sam Collins. And a woman named Bernadette Smith.
And . . .
And . . .
Beck Beckett, Mr. Becketts son. Beck felt different. Not like Daddy or Mr. Beckett. Chelsea knew Beck from school, even though he was a grade ahead. Thoughts of Beck made Chelsea angry, and she didnt know why.