Contingency

"I am glad to see that you survived!" C:\ said, hugging me warmly.

"Who's this nut?" Acrylic asked, an annoyed edge to his voice.

I ignored him for now. "We lost one."

C:\'s brow furrowed. "Fetus?"

I nodded.

"We tried, boss," noted Hard Drive, quietly.

C:\ put a hand to his forehead and staggered back a step. "Great Scott. I'm so sorry." He glanced at the ground. "We will have to prepare the funeral." He looked back at me, then to Hard Drive, and then to Acrylic. "But MegaCorp…we can't wait. Opportunity only rarely knocks on our door. I understand that this is an emotional time for you, Mr. Acrylic—"

"Why do you keep calling me that?!" he grumbled.

"Um, about that," I said. "There was an…incident involving a supermagnet on top of the building. It wiped most of his memory."

"Stop talking about me like I'm not even here!" demanded Acrylic.

C:\'s eyes grew wide. "Oh dear." I was about to speak, but he suddenly leaned in towards us. "If Acrylic is as smart as he seems, surely he must have kept backups!"