subject: It's Your Call [print this page] There's no way I could upload a file high in the gigabyte range to anyone without having it looked over, and I can't imagine they'd let me send a flash drive out of the Mount." "But-" But her frustration didn't change the facts. "Besides which, I'm not sure there's a transcranial magnetic stimulator left in America that's not under the government's control. That means there 'd be nowhere to reconstruct our subjects' personalities. If I knew more . . . but that's not a question I can ask anyone outside without the monitors red-flagging me." "All right." Her head, hanging toward the floor, nodded. "Keep looking for a loophole, but unless we find one, the light overlays are our best option. I'll start working on finding the right potentiation threshold. " She looked up. "You know, the pattern-smuggling idea would have a better chance if one of us could get outside the Mount." "I know," Curt grumbled, "but I can't swing it yet. The authorities are pretty stiffnecked." Again, frustration hit Lucinda. "I guess Lew doesn't trust his friends that much after all. They still get their mail censored, and they can't transfer somewhere where they can breathe." "I can transfer!" Curt caught himself, too late. "I'm sorry. Lucinda, forget that." But Lucinda was already on her feet. "Curt, don't be some gallant knight. Leave me behind if you have to, but get out." "No!" He took her by the wrists. "I remember how hopeless you were here, without any kind of support. I couldn't do that. We're going together, or not at all. Got that?" His eyes were intent on her, intent and yet pained. Lucinda had heard Curt talk sometimes about his two teenage children from a failed marriage, how frustrating it was not to see them, to be close by in a scary world. He was hurting, but still he was adamant. "All right, Curt. It's your call. For my part, I will try to - no, I will behave myself around my new students. No one will have reason to give me any black marks. I hope that's enough." Curt's grip slipped down to her hands. "I know how difficult this is for you, Lucinda, I honestly do. Just remember, you aren't alone. You're never alone. "
