Math Combat Challenge

Earth. July 2156. Sandra had been out of the room where she worked for three weeks straight, on the east coast of New Zealand. She was focused on his research into a new genomic model for species adapted to environments that could be susceptible to exist on Earth, within the period of five hundred to a billion years. Her genetic research on adaptability of life to the environment, and her conclusions, were definitely unreliable. She would have to look for better alternatives. The most promising thing she had was focusing on birds, no doubt. Adapting some of them combining their DNA with that of other species promised to give more hopeful results. She was absorbed in these thoughts when a signal sounded. It was an incoming call. She accepted it. The number was known. And unexpected. But somehow she felt the need to know what that was about. “Well, if it’s Jan, my personal admirer.” “Hi Sandra how are you. I have not heard from you in a while.” “I’m dressed this time, for your misfortune.” “That fixes easily. There are Irenka and the children. You could undress again. I liked the show.” “Not in your best dreams.” He laughed. She added: “How is Irenka?” And the children?” “Irenka is getting prettier every day. And the children ask me about you.” Sandra sighed. “I cannot go all I want, Jan. You can come home, taking the necessary precautions. Bring the children. But I cannot go, I can´t do that. You know, if they find me, if they know I’m an android … “I know. But it is not fair. Together we have worked very well these years.” “That explains it to the G.S.A. They continue with their android control campaign. You already know his motto: “Men will never be slaves. Androids will never stop being “. “Something happened to you three years ago. Something you do not want to tell me. “Sandra nodded slightly. “That’s right, Jan. I do not want to tell you.” Jan insisted, “What happened to you up there, Sandra?” You’ve been very changed ever since. You got me worried. Irenka feels the same.” “I could tell you. But then I would have to kill you.” “You are very funny.” Jan never knew that, actually, it was not a joke. Sandra continued: “Well, I imagine it’s not a courtesy call.” It’s another of your “jobs”. Jan nodded. “It is. We sent one of our operatives to Saturn’s moon Titan as part of the Gamma team for the math competition at the Titan Deep Space Company. I had to do … a job.” Sandra’s face twisted. “What? That madness? That’s not a sport, Jan! It’s a monstrosity! “But you know the money you make in bets. And all that this entails: it is white, selling arms and drugs, and other things. “I know too well. And the company, I prefer not to speak.” “Why? The Titan Deep Space Company malfunctioned for a while, until its former chief executive Richard Tsakalidis regained control. Do you know him?” “I´ve read something” Sandra lied. “But let’s focus. Are you asking me by chance to go to Titan? That fucking space station where that stupid math tournament is held? That “Math Combat Challenge”? “Exactly. Our agent has disappeared. The last contact was three days ago. No one has seen him since. He had to send us data about a group of white traffickers and traffickers who organized the gambling business at the company’s space station. We’ve been behind them for two years. We wanted to gather conclusive evidence during the maths championship.” “That’s not a math championship, Jan. That’s a massacre. “Well, there’s math during the tournament.” “Do not be sarcastic. “I’m not! Listen, I know I owe you more than one favor.” “And more than three.” “I know. Will you help me? I’ll give you whatever you want in return.” Sandra hesitated for a moment. “Anything?” “Of course.” “A weekend with the children on excursion. They and I alone.” Jan opened his eyes. “What? That’s not a request! That’s a blessing!” “And you take Irenka to some pretty place. You have abandoned her for your work.” “Sandra, we’ve already talked about it.” “Shut up. You will do it?” “Agr