Freyr was slightly surprised by the response. She’d called him to talk and had once again been deflected. As an expert on machine intelligence, she knew that most of the AIs on Outremer were exceptionally resilient. She’d taken part in working groups that helped define some elements of the psyche for newer models. But that had been a long time ago now, who knows what advances had been made since? The Cradle had been the only AI in her focus for the last few years.

It struck her that the way Demeter had rebooted just now seemed slightly irregular. It sometimes rebooted when it was undergoing finetuning or maintenance, but the timings seemed a little bit too perfect. Going offline at the exact moment that woman appeared? Vreta had mentioned the Skinners, but truth be told it wasn’t them she was worried about. At this stage, she was inclined to agree with their quest for zero Cradle integration.

Freyr really did not feel like going outside right now, but she was desperate to hear Vreta’s story. The pill she had just taken did seem to be working some magic too, as her appetite had made a rare return. She thought for a moment. “I know you’re a little way away, but there’s a street food market in Boycott Park. Would you meet me there? I don’t really feel up to going further afield. I don’t know what kind of things you enjoy, but the Gỏi cuốn there is to die for.” Freyr attempted a small laugh, but it got kind of caught in her throat. “If not tonight, then early tomorrow? I’m keen to hear the whole story before we’re asked for a statement.”