– Calm down, there's no such thing. It's just a friend of ours having fun," Ruthra explained, and he looked her in the eye and raised his eyebrows.
They already had their own gesture for attention. Ruthra didn't want their more than friendly relationship to be too visible to others, so he gently guided the scientist, who was young himself and therefore interested in women, to the topic of their discussion.
– So, about what we've been saying. In these matters, the plan is not spontaneously approved. According to our rules, an alternative version is prepared, so to speak, so as not to waste time and resources. Of course, you are aware of this, the program of preparation, or rather, testing of our version has been going on for almost a year. We need to work through what you said, what you suggested," Ruthra made a gesture as if he were stirring something in his hands.
Then he looked at Amita, who, of course, already understood many things, was less skeptical, less distrustful and wary. The main thing Ruthra had achieved was to endear himself to her, even though he had to sacrifice protocol and have a personal relationship with Amita, which the council did not recommend. However, knowing Rutra and having entrusted him with the main role in the project, not only because of his incredible flair, but also for developing evidence with the scientist that made the program possible, no one wanted to, nor could they, forbid him to behave in the manner they were already accustomed to with their employees. And certainly everyone allowed the possibility of romantic relations, because, firstly, Rutra was entrusted to find a woman for the experiment, although the artificial intelligence was looking for her according to the necessary criteria, and secondly, Rutra had already had some transitions of working relations into personal ones.
Amita trusted him, so Ruthra said without embarrassment:
– Okay, we'll do this experiment as soon as the body is ready. In fact, it is ready.
Although Amita had already heard fantastic things in the "new world"-as she called the Sphere system-she was wary and, judging by the intense look in her eyes, was thinking intensely about what she had heard.
– It's okay. I'll tell you everything," Ruthra said, turning to her.
Amita smiled understandingly and looked at him hopefully. She was very much attracted to mystery, novelty and even danger, both in life and in actions, which was expressed by agreeing to participate in the mysterious program. It could not be otherwise, as these very qualities were decisive in the selection of her among many other applicants by the artificial intelligence. But, of course, it was Rutra who finally approved the candidacy and defended his choice before the council.
There was something Ruthra was hiding from Amita, too… Whatever personal relationships he had developed, the program required cold calculation. And the relationship itself (perhaps Ruthra was not entirely honest about this) was part of the program. Ruthra was hiding from her the existence of two other applicants. They were the same ladies with interesting names and no less interesting backgrounds – IuLia and YatSan.
Noticing the interest with which Amita was looking at everything, the master of the office suggested:
– Amita… can I address you that way?
