The Synthesis and the Animus (The Phantom of the Earth Book 3) by Raeden Zen

wasn’t as if she’d see Brody in the evenings, certainly not after a demotion.
    Three medical bots fit biomats onto Damy and Verne, then led them through the containment area labeled BOTANY. Here she saw for the first time the plants that she had helped her team create. The Sigillaria trees stood less than a meter high in pots of dirt two meters thick. Damy knew that soon the trees would outgrow these pots; in fact, they’d grow as tall as many Beimenian towers.
    “Over here—” Verne began.
    “Lady Isabelle’s calling me,” Damy said.
    My lady, Damy transmitted, it’s a pleasure to hear from you.
    Miss Damosel, you are a fine scientist and an even finer representative for Project Silkscape, so I expect this news to please you.
    Damy rarely received calls from the director of communications and commonwealth relations; she was sure that whatever Lady Isabelle desired, especially if it dealt with Project Silkscape, would further delay her work, already overdue and overbudget.
    Lady Isabelle continued, Strike Team Hyperion has discovered the remains of a prehistoric animal in a South American cave. I’ll be sending you the details shortly. I expect you to render them within days.
    Days, Damy thought, it could take several trimesters or years, depending on the species and the genetic materials. I’ll do my best.
    You will create them, I trust, you will serve the commonwealth.
    As you wish, my lady.
    Lady Isabelle disconnected.
    Damy touched the fernlike Sigillaria leaves and pondered the Lady Isabelle’s request. “That was odd.”
    “What did she want?” Verne said. He adjusted the armlet on his forearm.
    “She wants us to render an extinct vertebrate native to South America,” Damy said.
    “Tied to Project Silkscape?” Verne said.
    “I’m not sure, but it sounds urgent. She’ll be updating us soon.”
    “Shall we proceed?” Verne said, raising his arm as if to guide the way.
    Damy nodded. They spent the rest of their time in the back-end research facilities, working out the details for the remaining specimens Damy desired her scientists to create.

    Beimeni City
    Phanes, Underground Central

    That night, Damy returned to her First Ward apartment unit feeling a bit better about the prospects for Project Silkscape but no less concerned for Brody’s safety with Antosha so near. She stood upon her terrace and listened to the steady hum of Beimenians below. They looked like rodents from her terrace’s height. She remembered when she and Brody used to enjoy the city, going to shows together, dipping in Fountain Square’s pools, or enjoying a bite to eat. Where did the years and their relationship disappear to?
    “Madam, your tea,” Merrell said.
    Damy accepted the steaming mug from her keeper bot. She sipped it and tasted chamomile and passionflower.
    The artificial Phanean winds whipped her nightgown around her pregnant body. Oriana and Pasha were more active today than ever. Was it a consequence of the growth accelerants injected into her? Or did they also understand the danger Antosha posed to their father? Damy would soon stand across from her babies during the viewing. Afterward, they’d travel to House Summerset for development, then compete as candidates in the Harpoons.
    She felt them kicking her and placed her right hand beneath her belly. May the gods protect you during development, she thought, and after.
    Merrell placed its alloy fingers upon Damy’s arm, chilling her more than her thoughts. “The late evenings continue for Master Broden?”
    The consortium that had sold her Merrell assured her the bot lacked a consciousness. Sometimes she wondered. “Continue?” she said. She smiled wanly. “Always.”
    The bot’s eye slit dimmed, then it took its leave from the terrace.
    Damy had rarely seen Brody at home prior to the Mission to Vigna. Since his return, he was like a phantom in her dreams, there for an instant and gone when she awoke. What troubled her more was that with each day