The sun pulls me out of my dreams, and I grope around blindly for my hat. It takes a few seconds to find it, but I pce it over my eyes and return to the peaceful darkness. This is the st chance I’ll get to sleep before Mara, I need to take it.

  “Did you sleep well?” Blue whispers quietly from beside me. 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 gd 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 ughing the first time she dropped a casual ‘fuck’.

  Just imagining it makes me ugh. 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 sor 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 pn.”

  “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 message.”

  “Fine.” She relents after a few seconds and a serious look. “But I’m not going to come save you.”

  “You won’t need to.” I pat her on the shoulder. “We’ll be careful.”

  “You better.” She gives me a light punch on my arm, and then pulls me 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 some food will help, we all need some. 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 me well to check mine too.

  Rifle and pistol are both loaded and clean, spare receiver is too. Magazines loaded, full, and free of debris. Emergency drugs and surgery kit are easily avaible and still sealed. Everything looks good to me. 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 ndscape. A few scattered cars are parked on the ridge, with numerous guards in a rge 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 moment 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 smell 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. Ptforms span from wall to wall, and bridges weave between them organically. Even further below the town proper is a real, honest to god ke. It’s disgusting after years of dumping god knows what in there, but it’s still nice to see. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen natural standing water.

  If Mara’s canyon is anything like this, it’s almost unassaible. 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 pn c.

  “Can you record a map? I’m going to get lost here.” I ask Ivy.

  “Already done.”

  The stairs double back a few times before ending at a ptform with a house far rger 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 same mounting mechanism. She’s not that careless though.

  This is either whoever’s in charge’s house, or I’m about to make an enemy of some 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 appointment?”

  “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 me ask.” She hops to her feet and disappears though one of the doors.

  “How can one person have so much energy?” Ivy whispers to me. “I’m already exhausted.”

  “We’ll make this visit quick then.”

  A few seconds ter a man in a once fine suit comes 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 welcome you to our fine city.”

  “I’m Gerald, and this is Madison, nice to meet 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 me stop you right there.” Adams’ voice instantly turns cold. “We don’t tolerate svers 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 me the st thing he wants to do is shoot me, 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 svers. It’s not a life where I can afford to haul around injured people. We’re just looking for a safe pce to drop them off and let them live. They need minimal medical 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 rex, 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. Gd 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 mean 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 somewhere 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 some time. “Let us go get some food, and we’ll grab our little repair bot. If you point out where the filtration system is, we’ll meet you there in about 15 minutes.”

  “Alright Mr. Gerald, I’ll send an engineer to meet 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 rge, 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 st 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 moment Cassie sees us. She’s just finishing up a rge pot of soup, and dles 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 gss 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 gnces over to her backpack and a conflicted look consumes 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 memorized. I can try.” Her voice makes it clear she’s not confident, but knows we don’t have much time.

  “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 me 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 rge rocks against the walls look like they could potentially be knocked loose. A well-pced 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 somehow 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 means, but the fact sets me on edge.

  “This the bot?” The man asks in a gruff voice.

  It’s clear on Blue’s face that she already hates him. Come 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 fres inside me, 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 come up with anything. “At least she knows how to keep herself clean.”

  The man gives a gruff ugh before opening the door, gesturing us to enter.

  “I like her.” He whispers to me as I pass.

  “You’re going to end up in the ke if you keep talking.” I warn him.

  The man only ughs again in response. He steps in behind me, and closes the door.

  The center of the room is dominated by a hulking monstrosity. Metal is spped together in what looks to me like a barely organized pile. Blue seems to be figuring out something 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 sps 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 some 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 me.

  “Someone 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 bre. I also bypassed a broken board, but you should repce 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 means 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 me off. “Now get out of here so I can work.”

  JanePtinum