Social Welfare Agency, Rome, Italy [Saturday afternoon]
"I've got the final report, Director," Hilshire said, holding out a manila folder for the gray-haired man behind the desk.
"Summarize it for me."
"Medical has rethought their stance on Conditioning implant locations. While the biceps is a convenient location for maintenance and replacement, field experience has demonstrated that they're vulnerable to non-disabling damage. While this is the sort of thing that would have been caught if we'd brought Triela in after that little incident in Bulgaria rather than relying on whatever abilities Karla has, if we had been running a long-term op we would have run into a similar problem."
The director lifted an eyebrow.
"They want to relocate. Place them under the fourth rib, right side."
"And Triela?"
"She's improving. Psych believes that long-term damage is going to be minimal. We're not sure what effects this may have on Conditioning, but she's stabilized now and they're going to install a clean implant tomorrow. Actually, they're going to install two at half-dosage. That way if one gets lost, she won't completely lose stability."
The director's eyebrow rose farther. "And Triela?"
"She's..." Hilshire took a deep breath. "Nine months, sir. Maybe as many as eleven."
"Write up that recommendation," the director said. "Have it on my desk by next week."
"Yes, sir."
"You can go check up on your partner, Hilshire."
"Thank you, sir." Hilshire nodded and turned to stride out of the room.
The director always had been able to read him.
[NFB for distance.]
"Summarize it for me."
"Medical has rethought their stance on Conditioning implant locations. While the biceps is a convenient location for maintenance and replacement, field experience has demonstrated that they're vulnerable to non-disabling damage. While this is the sort of thing that would have been caught if we'd brought Triela in after that little incident in Bulgaria rather than relying on whatever abilities Karla has, if we had been running a long-term op we would have run into a similar problem."
The director lifted an eyebrow.
"They want to relocate. Place them under the fourth rib, right side."
"And Triela?"
"She's improving. Psych believes that long-term damage is going to be minimal. We're not sure what effects this may have on Conditioning, but she's stabilized now and they're going to install a clean implant tomorrow. Actually, they're going to install two at half-dosage. That way if one gets lost, she won't completely lose stability."
The director's eyebrow rose farther. "And Triela?"
"She's..." Hilshire took a deep breath. "Nine months, sir. Maybe as many as eleven."
"Write up that recommendation," the director said. "Have it on my desk by next week."
"Yes, sir."
"You can go check up on your partner, Hilshire."
"Thank you, sir." Hilshire nodded and turned to stride out of the room.
The director always had been able to read him.
[NFB for distance.]