The Doll Saga Part I

Commission by [LexiKimble]

LexiKimble is an artist I’m supporting on Patreon.  This is a symbiotic relationship because I’m creating a new story arc with new original characters that she created for me.  Her art style is excellent and I have an opportunity to have these characters made whole in an image.  I want to thank her for the assistance in making this story come to life.

If you're interested in seeing work I've commissioned from LexiKimble and other artists, click on my gallery and take a look around.

Title: The Doll Saga Part I

Background:
This series ties in to all previous references to the Dollmaker, Generic Female Secret Agent, Dollmaster, and Madame C.

Story:
Location: The Hub, Primary R&D Facility for the Agency

The FLASH printer activated with its signature ping sound.  Its sole purpose was to print priority messages from headquarters and when the ping echoed in the command center, everyone in the room noticed.  The on duty runner delivered the FLASH message to Generic Special Field Liaison.  She dismissed the runner with a curt nod and sat back down at her desk.

“Adjutant, query search and bring up everything we have on Pavitr Industries.”  As her computer prepared the search request, Generic Special Field Liaison set the FLASH printout down and reviewed the message again. 

PRIORITY FLASH MESSAGE:
Prepare to receive VIP guest, Rani Puri, CEO of Pavitr Industries.  Gold Clearance authorized.  Ms. Puri has proof as to the origins of prisoner 48017, AKA: Dollmaker.  Prepare prisoner 48017 for recall.  Full diplomatic courtesy shall be extended to Ms. Puri.  ETA for Ms. Puri: one hour.

One hour, she had one hour to research this woman as much as possible.  Ms. Puri called in a lot of favors to make a personal visit to the Hub and she had gold clearance no less.  Generic Special Field Liaison didn’t like surprises and this mystery guest was a big one.  The search results populated her screen.  Time was short, but the profile was long.  Pavitr Industries wasn’t the average company.  It was an international conglomerate spanning multiple industries and grossing over a billion dollars in net income.  Generic Special Field Liaison had an uneasy feeling.  This wasn’t a courtesy call.  This was a raid and they had someone that Ms. Puri wanted.  Generic Special Field Liaison knew who it was, but the how and the why was something she had less than an hour determine.

Introductions took place in the Hub’s main conference room.  It was the most secure room in the facility and the most appropriate to host the VIP.  Security confiscated Ms. Puri’s smartphone upon entering the facility, but left her briefcase alone after the security scan was negative for listening devices or weapons.  She idly sat at the conference table when Generic Special Field Liaison entered the room.

“Welcome to the Hub Ms. Puri.  My name is Generic Special Field Liaison.  My instructions are to assist you during your visit.  I’ve been informed you’re here to collect someone.”  Generic Special Field Liaison wore a polite veneer and wore it well.  The dance of words began.

“That’s correct Ms. Liaison.”  Ms. Puri’s light accent reflected her South Asian origins.  “I’m informed that your organization has intellectual property that belongs to my company.  I’m here to reclaim it.”

“Property?”  Generic Special Field Liaison arched an eyebrow.  She sat down across from Ms. Puri.  “I assume you’re referring to the consultant that my organization is hosting.  She’s a person and referring to her as property is something that um, isn’t uh, clear to me.”

Ms. Puri smiled.  “I presume we are speaking about the same thing.  I have it on good word that you’re holding the Dollmaker at this facility.  She is not who or what you think she is.”

“That is a provocative allegation that she’s not a real person.”  Generic Special Field Liaison did not react when Dollmaker’s name was announced.  Dollmaker’s captivity was deeper than gold level classification.  Her ability to turn humans into dolls, quite easily, caused a stir overseas.  The Agency went to great lengths to capture and detain her.  Many different countries were concerned about her transformative capabilities on a global scale.  While the process was reversible, the ease at which she did it was a concern.  Her absence was welcomed, but her whereabouts unknown.

“Rest assured Ms. Liaison, the consultant you refer to as an individual is not a real person.  I’m afraid it’s my company’s fault.  We specialize in making synthetic humans and she’s far too real for her own good.  Certainly she believes that she’s human, but, I assure you that she’s more doll than she is a person.  Allow me to explain.”  Ms. Puri opened the briefcase and removed a scanning tool and a tablet embossed with the seal of Pavitr Industries.  “All dolls that my company manufactures are embossed with a special barcode below the navel and above the pubis.  The barcode identifies their make, model, origin, and their ultimate destination.  Unfortunately, there was an error during the creation of this particular model of doll.  They were too sentient for their own good.  My company deactivated an entire line after their owners reported behavioral malfunctions.  This one missed the recall and I’m afraid caused a bit of trouble while she was on the loose.”

“Dollmaker was involved in several international incidents.  Trouble is an understatement.  However, if she’s a doll as you say, then your technology is quite astounding.  All of our scans indicate that she’s flesh and blood.”  Generic Special Field Liaison bluffed her last statement.  Their scanners were unable to properly analyze Dollmaker.  The readings came back with unusual results.  Everyone assumed she was human for the most part.

“She is synthetic flesh and blood.  As an early prototype model, we attempted to make her as human as possible.  We succeeded in more ways than one, but the behavioral routines were far too unstable.  I apologize for the trouble that she’s caused.  My company is willing to assume all financial and legal liability for any damages.  That is after I reacquire her of course.”

Generic Special Field Liaison’s face flushed.  “That’s very kind of you Ms. Puri, but we’re jumping ahead of things.  My organization will have to verify your allegations that she’s a synthetic doll.  I presume you brought proof to back your statements?”

“Why, of course Ms. Liaison.”  She lifted the scanning tool, “This is a barcode scanner.  It will translate the information from the barcode imprinted on the Dollmaker.  The tablet contains a registry of synthetic dolls manufactured by Pavitr Industries.  I’m more than willing to allow your organization to analyze the registry and confirm that the records are accurate.”

“I’ll have my best people on it.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”  Ms. Puri had a twinkle in her eye.  She had the upper hand and both women knew it.  “I assume Dollmaker’s kept busy while she’s been in your care.  I wish to emphasize that if she’s developed any new technologies while in your custody, those schematics and designs are technically the intellectual property of Pavitr Industries and we would like those turned over as well.  I really can’t imagine why your organization wouldn’t cooperate.  It would be quite scandalous if the rest of the world learned where the Dollmaker was being held all this time and what she was doing at your organization’s behest.”

Generic Special Field Liaison’s face flushed again as she felt Ms. Puri's bare foot rub against her ankle.  The physical gesture added to her growing unease.  Few outside the Agency knew that Dollmaker was their permanent guest.  Even fewer knew that she was being utilized to provide the Agency new technology.  This conversation grew worse by the minute and Ms. Puri held all the trump cards.

The Agency, Dollmaker, Generic Special Field Liaison, Pavitr Industries, Rani Puri (c) dwwrider

Commission by
Link to her gallery: lexikimble.deviantart.com/