The sun pulls out of my dreams, and I grope around blindly for my hat. It takes a few seconds to find it, but I place it over my eyes and return to the peaceful darkness. This is the last chance I’ll get to sleep before Mara, I need to take it.
“Did you sleep well?” Blue whispers quietly from beside . Guess I’m not getting any more sleep.
“Yeah. Thanks.” Cassie responds before I can. “Vince still asleep?”
“I’m not sure.” She whispers back. Or maybe I can get a bit more shuteye.
I’m so glad they’re finally growing close, even if it took a while. Although, if Cassie’s cursing rubs off on Blue, I’m not sure I’ll be able to take her seriously. I probably wouldn’t be able to stop myself from laughing the first ti she dropped a casual ‘fuck’.
Just imagining it makes laugh. I guess I’m not sleeping then. I gracefully transition my chuckle into a stretch, and finally sit up in Ivy’s sleeping bag.
“Morning you three.” I yawn, and my stomach growls in response. “We’ll have breakfast when we stop to recharge the batteries, it shouldn’t be too long.”
“You better make a lot.” Cassie’s more than a little grumpy from not eating dinner yesterday.
“Actually, I was hoping you and Little Blue could take care of that and the solar panels. Ivy and I are going to head into town to try to convince whoever’s in charge to take the injured, and make a plan.”
“We’re close to The Bitch’s trench, she definitely has people here.” Cassie says. “I’m coming with you.”
“That’s why I’m taking Ivy. I need you up here to make sure nobody tries to leave the town and send a ssage.”
“Fine.” She relents after a few seconds and a serious look. “But I’m not going to co save you.”
“You won’t need to.” I pat her on the shoulder. “We’ll be careful.”
“You better.” She gives a light punch on my arm, and then pulls into a hug which I return.
If she’s acting like this around Blue when I’m not even in danger, I can only imagine how anxious she’s feeling. I’m sure so food will help, we all need so. Everything we cooked before we left went to the injured.
Cassie quickly breaks off her hug and begins to triple check her gear. It would probably do well to check mine too.
Rifle and pistol are both loaded and clean, spare receiver is too. Magazines loaded, full, and free of debris. Ergency drugs and surgery kit are easily available and still sealed. Everything looks good to . I sling my rifle across my back, but keep my pistol close at hand.
Only an hour after sunrise, Ivy pulls up to a great gash in the landscape. A few scattered cars are parked on the ridge, with nurous guards in a large tower watching over them. Ivy keeps a respectful distance from everyone else.
“Alright you three, I’ll be back in a bit.” I stand up the mont the sled stops moving. Ivy climbs out right away, and the two of us head towards the guard tower.
A staircase descends from the lip of the crevice. What looks like a massive garage door is built into the wall with rails spaced evenly across the open gap, just waiting to be pulled closed and cut off the town from the world in case of a storm.
“What’s your business?” One of the guards yell down.
“Just passing through while we wait for our batteries to recharge!” I yell back to him.
“Keep your weapons to yourself, I’ll be watching you.” The guard waves us in.
The sll hits even before we reach the stairs. The ever-present scent of long decayed fish mixes with raw sewage.
We step onto the stairs. Far below us is a spider web of paths. Platforms span from wall to wall, and bridges weave between them organically. Even further below the town proper is a real, honest to god lake. It’s disgusting after years of dumping god knows what in there, but it’s still nice to see. It’s been a long ti since I’ve seen natural standing water.
If Mara’s canyon is anything like this, it’s almost unassailable. A few turrets mounted in the walls, or hell, even a few people with guns below would turn this staircase into a near perfect killzone. Ivy might be able to make it safe, but there’s no guarantee. We might have to use plan c.
“Can you record a map? I’m going to get lost here.” I ask Ivy.
“Already done.”
The stairs double back a few tis before ending at a platform with a house far larger than any other. It’s an entire ship suspended by cables built into the rock walls. Knocking a few of those out would make the whole thing fall. That might work if Mara’s trench uses the sa mounting chanism. She’s not that careless though.
This is either whoever’s in charge’s house, or I’m about to make an enemy of so rich sack. We let ourselves in.
We step into a waiting room, with a fine wooden desk along the back wall. Large windows fill the room with light. A young woman sits behind it, and excitedly sits up in her chair.
“Hello!” Her excited voice fills the air. “Do you have an appointnt?”
“No, we just got into town. We’d like to say hello to whoever’s in charge before we step on any toes.”
“Alright! Let ask.” She hops to her feet and disappears though one of the doors.
“How can one person have so much energy?” Ivy whispers to . “I’m already exhausted.”
“We’ll make this visit quick then.”
A few seconds later a man in a once fine suit cos out, with his secretary trotting happily behind him.
“Hello!” The man walks confidently up to the two of us and holds out his hand. “I’m Mayor Adams, and I’d like to welco you to our fine city.”
“I’m Gerald, and this is Madison, nice to et you.” I reach out to shake his hand. “We’re just passing through, but I do need to make a request of you.”
“That’s what I’m here for! How can I help?”
“We rescued a few people from a rogue android ambush. They’re still a little injured, but-”
“Let stop you right there.” Adams’ voice instantly turns cold. “We don’t tolerate slavers here. I suggest you leave.” His hand rests on his waistband, where I’m sure a pistol is hidden.
“I think we’re on different pages.” I hold up my hands in surrender. The look in this guy’s eyes tells the last thing he wants to do is shoot , and if he tries Ivy will take him out. I’m not in any danger, but it’s better for him to think he has the upper hand. “We’re scrappers, not slavers. It’s not a life where I can afford to haul around injured people. We’re just looking for a safe place to drop them off and let them live. They need minimal dical care, and won’t be a burden to the society you have built here.”
“Well that’s a different story, but the answer’s still no.” He lets his arm relax, and I lower my hands too.
“Why not?” Ivy asks.
“Well miss Madison, elections are coming up soon. The race is already close, and I can’t take the risk of alienating more citizens.”
“I can’t think of any better optics than saving an injured baby, plus four very appreciative new voters.” Ivy rebuts with fluttering eyes. Glad I have her to do this whole political crap. I may have picked up a few tips from Silver over the years, but that doesn’t an I want to use them.
“I’m sorry, but I’d end up alienating more voters than I’d get by taking them. We don’t have the resources to spare.”
“How can we fix that?” Ivy asks. “We’re going sowhere they won’t be safe. Let us help you, so you can help us.”
“Our water filter died, and we haven’t been able to fix it.” He admits. “The water below us is infected with all manner of diseases, and people are getting desperate. If you can fix it, I’ll take your people.”
“If anyone can fix it, Blue can.” I’ve seen first hand the magic AI can do with just a few scrap parts and so ti. “Let us go get so food, and we’ll grab our little repair bot. If you point out where the filtration system is, we’ll et you there in about 15 minutes.”
“Alright Mr. Gerald, I’ll send an engineer to et you there, along with a few guards.”
“It’s a pleasure doing business.” Ivy gives him a firm handshake, and turns on her heel. I instantly step beside her, and the mayor trots along behind us.
Ivy leads us out of the building, and to the ledge.
“It’s that building there, on the water’s surface.” The mayor points to a building sitting on a large, makeshift barge. A few winches keep it stationary, but are able to be adjusted as the water level rises and falls.
“Alright, thank you so much for your help.” I give one last show of appreciation before we head back to the car.
I can hear the faintest hint of Cassie and Blue talking just before we crest the lip of the ravine. Of course, that conversation stops the mont Cassie sees us. She’s just finishing up a large pot of soup, and ladles two big mason jars of food for the two of us.
“Thanks.” I take both the jars and hand one to Ivy. The second the food touches my lips I finally realize how hungry I actually am. I quickly down half the glass before talking.
“Alright Little Blue. The only way the mayor is going to take the civilians is if we can fix their water filter. How do you fancy being a little repair bot?”
“Most of my specific engineering knowledge is on one of my hard drives.” She glances over to her backpack and a conflicted look consus her face. She obviously wants that data back. “I don’t think I should risk the worm again if I don’t have to.”
“Do you think you can fix it? Or should we try the next town?”
“I have the basics morized. I can try.” Her voice makes it clear she’s not confident, but knows we don’t have much ti.
“Alright. Cassie, I don’t want to leave you alone, but I think it’s best for the both of us to be with Blue.” If they suspect Blue of being an AI and aren’t ok with it, she’ll need the both of us to fight our way out.
“I’ll be fine.” Cassie says confidently.
“I’m sure you will, but just in case. Corax, are you willing to say here with her and tell us if anything happens?”
Corax flies to Cassie’s shoulder, and Cassie flinches. We’ve all seen how much force he can apply to Blue’s ear, I think we’re all a little nervous having him on our shoulders. “Alright, thanks.”
“Let put on your harness.” Blue says, and pulls the explosive vest out of her backpack.
Corax hops onto the ground, gets his vest put on, and returns to Cassie’s shoulder. Cassie looks, understandably, even more nervous. I’m sure she’ll be fine.
Ivy and I head back to the town, food in hand, with Blue following besides us. When we reach the stairs, I let Ivy lead, and fall in behind Blue. You never know how people are going to react to androids, it’s for her safety.
Ivy leads us closer to the water, taking seemingly random turns through the spider web that is this town. I’m sure she’s taking the long way around to let the both of us get a better view of the canyon.
A few large rocks against the walls look like they could potentially be knocked loose. A well-placed explosive or a shot from Ivy’s gun might just crush everything beneath it. Only problem is that Mara’s trench has civilians in it, which mostly rules that out.
The only other bright idea I have is sohow repelling down the side out of view, and swimming into the town proper. I guess it’s possible, but we’re more likely to get shot or drown than make it.
It takes a while to reach the bottom, and an old man covered in oil stands in front of the building with the water purifier in it. There are no guards, interestingly. I’m not sure what that ans, but the fact sets on edge.
“This the bot?” The man asks in a gruff voice.
It’s clear on Blue’s face that she already hates him. Co on girl, just hold it together for a little bit and we’ll be gone.
“This is her.” I confirm.
The man leers at her, for a few seconds before talking.
“What'd ya do? Reprogram a sex bot?”
Anger flares inside , but I know it won’t help. I need to get this man to shut up as soon as possible, but without hitting him.
“You’re one to talk.” Ivy picks up the conversation before I can co up with anything. “At least she knows how to keep herself clean.”
The man gives a gruff laugh before opening the door, gesturing us to enter.
“I like her.” He whispers to as I pass.
“You’re going to end up in the lake if you keep talking.” I warn him.
The man only laughs again in response. He steps in behind , and closes the door.
The center of the room is dominated by a hulking monstrosity. tal is slapped together in what looks to like a barely organized pile. Blue seems to be figuring out sothing at least, she stops and her eyes flick rapidly across every part of this beast.
“This is the cursed ol’ girl.” The man steps forward and slaps the side of it. “Engines and circuit boards fry themselves quicker than I’ve ever seen. Far as I can tell though, nothing’s wrong. She just eats parts.”
Blue takes a step forward, pulls so kind of wire from her backpack, and freezes for a few seconds. I can see a hint of fear on her face, which is quickly wiped away and she plugs herself in.
She closes her eyes for a few seconds, and her face contorts into a frown. I don’t bother asking what’s wrong, I know she won’t be able to hear .
“Soone sabotaged you.” Blue unplugs herself just as the machine roars to life. “A program was hidden deep to randomly apply far too much current to random devices. I put dozens of checks in to make sure it’s impossible to re-install. If any checks fail, a siren will blare. I also bypassed a broken board, but you should replace it as soon as possible. The bypass will remove itself as soon as it’s fixed.”
“You’re no bot.” The man’s eyes narrow.
“Is that a problem?” I let my hand rest on my sidearm. I care about Blue a hell of a lot more than anyone in this town. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to get her out.
“Not if it ans we can drink water.”
“Smart man.” I don’t dare to remove my hand. “We’ll be out of here in just a few hours. Don’t say anything and you’ll never see us again.”
“Not like I talk to many people anyway.” He waves off. “Now get out of here so I can work.”
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