Page 146 of Tracked and Taken

“Sentry.”

“You have a pending order with a Draelith craftsman on level six concourse. The order is flagged in your outgoing comms at restricted classification.”

A pause.

“Yes,” JINX says.

“I am not asking you to disclose the contents.”

“I am not going to disclose them.”

“I have logged the existence of the order, JINX. Article Five does not apply. You are on your own protocol.”

“Sentry.”

“JINX.”

“Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

A pause.

“The treaty is signed pending Head of Security Torres’ authorization.”

“Authorize,” I say.

“Authorized,” SENTRY says. “Filed.”

A small pause.

“Under what folder, Sentry,” JINX says.

“Domestic, JINX. As specified.”

“Sentry.”

“JINX.”

“Thank you.”

A pause.

“You are, JINX, welcome.”

The channel closes.

I put my face in my hands. When I look up, the tea has steeped and my AI has, in the last four minutes, signed a domestic coordination treaty with my bonded mate’s AI, extracted three concessions on a six-article document, vetoed the betting pool, tabled a correspondence request instead of denying it, and paused, in the course of the negotiation, for durations I have never once heard her need.

“SENTRY.”

“Yes, Head of Security.”

“Well done.”

“Thank you, Head of Security.”

I drink my tea.