Standoff, page 9
“Just not sure what to think about Frank. You must think I’m the worst person for my attention flittering around so much.”
“No, maybe just a little confused. Like you said, stress; it affects us all differently.”
“I need to make sure he actually likes me before I do something silly and then regret it for the rest of my life…”
“Why would it be silly?”
“You do realize how often we get real relationships in our job?”
“Usually just a bit of fun, yeah?”
He kicked a stone. “To think someone really might like me blows my mind.”
“You want me to ask him?”
“Well, not quite like that, ugh, I don’t know.”
“Okay, perhaps not.” Silence stretched for a moment as we walked. “I think you need to speak with Justin though. I need to know how and what he’s thinking about Malaki and he’s going to tell you the truth, not me.”
“Fuck, this is hard,” he grunted. “They’re both so important to us.”
I could only agree. They really were.
You can’t help who you fall for, Apex said.
Is that aimed at me? Mira?
You know it is.
I groaned. I know. This sucks!
Yes it does.
The walk about the rest of the grounds was good for both of us. When we returned to the helos, Malaki and Justin were waiting.
“Engineers said you wandered off,” Justin quizzed—there was something going on with him. Something was off.
Silao and I traded glances. “I felt a bit sick.” I pretend gagged. “Wanted to just walk. Think I’ll head back to my hammock, maybe sleep a bit more.”
“I’ll come with you.” Malaki motioned towards the bunks. “Watch over you.”
“I don’t need babying,” I quipped, but when she linked her arm to mine, I let her lead me away as I called back to Silao. “Back in the air tomorrow!”
He just nodded at me. The message popped across my HUD:
Kadar - You betcha. Will message later too.
I hoped so—with something decent to tell me, like Justin wasn’t interested in Malaki anymore. Sadly, looking at my best friend’s face—the bags under her eyes and the dip to her shoulders—it wasn’t good, either way.
Malaki got in my hammock first, and I glared at her. “There’s hardly any room for me, and you want to share?”
“I can watch you better if I’m beside you,” she said. “Or, well, feel you.”
“It’s not that cold out here. You need the extra war—”
“No, just the comfort.”
With much more struggling than I thought possible, I got in beside her, and she curled up next to me. “How’s the pain?”
“Just like a bellyache. You knew I lied. I could see you didn’t want to spend more time with Justin.”
“That obvious?”
“You’re my best friend,” I whispered. “I’d know if anything was off.”
“I just…” She stopped herself and then sighed. “He’s just so frustrating.”
“You’re not kidding there.”
Malaki went quiet again, and I couldn’t do anything but try to comfort her. “I’m here if you need me.”
“It’s why I’m here.” She clung to me tightly.
It wasn’t too much longer before she was snoring, and Silao knocked for me. I opened direct comms.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Mal’s not.”
“Neither is Justin.”
“What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know, I really don’t know, but they need to sort this out one way or the other. It’s not going to work like this for much longer.”
“Let’s get in the air and see how things are tomorrow. I’ll think of something.”
“Okay, get some rest. Will see you early.”
He signed off, and, with Malaki still snoring, I fell asleep too.
***
Malaki disturbed me in the morning, hopping out of the hammock and letting it tilt me abruptly. I checked the time. It was early, but not overly early. I yawned, stretched, and almost fell out face-first.
“You need to be careful,” she scolded, catching me.
“Awkward things.” I gestured lamely to the hammock. “We going up?”
“You ready for today?”
“Yes.” I grinned. “Really want to see how much you’ve learned with the Black Bears and our helos.”
“Hopefully just more efficient at things,” she replied. “But they opened my eyes a lot for combat purposes.”
“Combat?”
“Well, yeah, we never know what’s out there or up there.”
I picked my boots up. “Shower, then food, and we’re off.”
“Okay,” she said, steering me outside to the showers.
We talked a bit more through the stalls and then got dressed. It was nice to hear her a little more excited for the days ahead, compared to how sad she had been last night.
I was lacing my boots when she stopped in front of me. “Thanks for last night,” she muttered.
I looked up at her, seeing her face change in that split second. “You know, anytime.”
“You and Mira?” she asked. “You’ve been avoiding that subject for long enough too.”
“You already knew?” I finished lacing my boots and stood.
“I’m not blind either; it’s been clear something is going on.”
“I don’t know what.”
“Just be honest with yourself. As hard as it might be.”
“It is hard,” I admitted. “Hard because I like her a lot.”
“I get that. Do you know any of their customs?”
“I learned some of them off Anders; it’s terrifying,” I replied simply, not wanting to discuss it further. Talking about it with her and Silao made it all the more real. Really meant I had an issue.
“I’ll echo what you said to me last night,” she said, leaning into me. “Here if and when you need me.”
“Very much the same, aren’t we?” I asked, pulling her to me and resting my head on her shoulder.
“We are. That’s why I love you.”
The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable. But we needed to move. “Come on, let’s get in the air. I want to see how I feel after a full day of pushing it.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
We grabbed food on the way to the helo pads and met Justin and Silao. “Ready for this?” Silao asked, throwing me a shirt. “Told you I’d let you have one.”
“Oh man, thanks.” I pulled my shirt off and slipped into his. It was a little loose. He had more muscle. I flapped the front to show him as we walked closer to the helos.
“You’ll grow into it.”
“How’d you get so ripped?” I demanded.
He raised his eyebrows. “Been looking, huh?”
Malaki and Justin traded glances. I laughed. “You know I have,” I quipped back, and Malaki nearly fell over.
“You ready for this?” Silao asked, his tone changed, serious.
“Hundred percent. You?”
He grinned. “What’s the aim?”
“Four drones out from the start,” I said. “Then I’m going to launch two more.”
“Okay, I’ll match you.”
“Sure?”
“I’m sure. Game on!”
“Fire ‘em up!” Justin whooped.
Malaki didn’t respond to him; her posture to me said it all. This thing between them was going to be dangerous. I just didn’t know what I could do to help them to sort it out, or if I should.
Once around the outside of the helo, I checked everything off, and then we took our seats. It was good to feel the material against my body again. Malaki turned to me and patted my leg. “You and Silao, what gives?”
I laughed at her and, popping the buttons on my new shirt, I commented. “God, this is so much easier.”
Malaki started internal pre-flight checks, but then looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “What gives?” she poked again.
“I caught him checking me out,” I confided. “When I stripped off to get in Lacy’s lab chair.”
“No way, I didn’t know he was into guys.”
“Me neither. It was awkward for a little while till we talked it out. He admitted he gets crushes on people he works with.”
“So it’s not Mira you’re into. It’s Silao?”
She didn’t need to be told I was into Mira; she knew. She didn’t know how much though, or at least how much I was letting it get to me. Maybe she did; after all, she had similar issues with Justin. I wanted to talk to her properly about Justin and Mira. I just didn’t really know how to broach it. I wanted to keep her as my best friend. Relationships might get in the way. I really didn’t want that.
You need to talk to her, Apex said. I doubt anything would get in your way. You adore each other. You just have to learn to share a little.
Share a little, I reiterated back to him. I’m—
Jealous?
Yeah, I don’t know how to handle that.
Then talk to her.
“I really do like Mira a lot. So, no,” I said after leaving her hanging for too long. “I deflected him to someone who really would like his attentions.”
“Shit, Frank?”
“Yep, how did you know?”
“I’ve seen him looking. I knew Frank was gay right away.”
“Yeah, Silao had no clue, but soon as I mentioned it might be good, he dropped me like a hot potato.”
“You even know what a real potato is.”
I shrugged. “I’ve had one, once.”
“Aww, Kadar and Frank huh? That’s cute.” Malaki started the helo’s engines up. The blades spun slowly, then faster as she upped the RPM.
“I’m not jealous,” I said. “You think I’m right?”
“You’re right,” she agreed. “If I noticed Frank was into Silao, you’re definitely right.”
Static crackled as a voice came across the comms. “Flight Control to Dizzy101. You’re clear for takeoff when you’re ready.”
“All green, we’re good to go,” Malaki responded with a glance my way.
“Yep, all good here,” I confirmed. “Just waking the drones up.”
I clicked into place and had my thoughts across to the drones in seconds.
All ten responded, but there was no way I could pilot them all at once.
No, let’s start slow, Apex said. Splitting the screen now. Ready?
Yes, I’m ready.
The X16 separated my view from the helo cockpit, and I focused on the four views inside the helo’s belly. Even if the others were responding, they were not coming out.
Malaki got us up safely in the air, with Justin and Silao’s helo rising smoothly to meet us. Our little formation moved away from the base, into lands where flying over wouldn’t cause too much trouble. Nice open sky, nothing above or of note below us.
Keep an eye out, though, Apex said. You never know what might come in.
I did know, and I would. Every part of my X16 and the X1 worked together to ensure all the data flooding in was detailed and yet sufficiently compartmentalized enough that I could take it in without feeling overwhelmed.
“Feeling okay?” Malaki asked.
“So far, so good. Opening hangar doors.” The doors opened, and I could see more from the drones’ point of view. “First flight out.”
The drones dived, taking my X16’s split view with them. Nothing could ever take away the sheer exhilaration of doing this—descending out of a helicopter hangar or seeing the world from so many viewpoints.
“Drones away!” Silao shouted, and I watched as he launched six.
“Let’s see how long we can hold and practice with them,” I returned.
“On it, let’s sweep the area. Every detail.”
10-Shay
Shay had been very deep into fixing his leg, the new parts he’d picked out laying to the side. Pim sat quietly and watched every movement.
“This is harder than I thought,” Shay grumbled as he put the tool down.
“I think you’re doing a fine job,” Anada said, entering the room and setting a plate of sandwiches down for him.
“Thanks.” His stomach growled, right on time. “I didn’t realize how late it was.”
“You work way too hard for a kid.”
“I’m not a kid,” he retorted and crossed his arms over his chest, puffing it out.
Anada pulled a chair up and sat. “No, not a kid like most would think. Street kid, beyond street smart. In the eyes of most, you’re what, fifteen?”
That made him smile. “I was never a kid, never had the opportunity. Soon as they could get me in the tech shops…That was it.”
“How did they know?”
“Street life was really hard,” he replied. “My mom vanished when I was eight. No idea what happened. I was just…on my own. One day I got into a fight. I ran, I fell, I hurt my leg. A local charity saw me, got me to a hospital. Leg got infected; cutting it off was cheaper than treating it.” Shay made a sawing motion with his hand, and Pim cringed.
“They stuck some dirty, nasty tech on me. It was glitchy and I hated it, so I started to tinker in the hospital. They saw me and I had the potential, so they sent me to a local tech farm to work it off with the promise of a better life. I didn’t stay long, just enough to fix my leg more and work out a way to escape.” He dangled the tech leg in the air, trying to decide what needed fixing first.
“Escape you did, but you went on the run? What about tracking?”
“I pulled off everything I had to, went dark. Didn’t even use credits; I used chips instead. I was starving, though. That’s when Natty found me, offered me a place at her hotel, looking after the gals at night. It was more than I could ask for: food, a bit of money and a place to stay.”
“You liked it there?”
Shay frowned. “Not really that simple. It wasn’t that I liked it; I had no choice. Anything else I could have done would have gotten me sent to M-Corp. Especially when I turned ten.”
“You’re smart,” Anada nodded. “They would have exploited that.”
Shay’s HUD pinged, interrupting them.
Vlad - Man, it’s so good to hear from you. I swore blind someone had topped you off the same as they did Natty—
His heart seized, and tears blinded him to the rest, even before he fully processed what he was reading.
“Hey, hey!” Anada reacted instantly, scooping him into her arms. “What is it?”
“Natty’s dead,” he wailed, snot bubbling out of his nose.
Anada held him while he cried. Pim tried to comfort him too, jumping onto his shoulder and snuggling around his neck.
Blanketed in love and warmth, Shay couldn’t stop himself. Sobs wracked his small frame, his breath coming in heaves and ragged gasps.
“Shh, my love,” Anada soothed. “I’m so sorry. I know; she took you in, she helped you.”
“I didn’t…I didn’t think…why,” he begged her. “Why kill someone so lovely? She never hurt anyone, she helped everyone. The girls, the kids…”
“I know,” Anada said. “I know.”
“We need to help them,” he said. “All of them, stop this, this…”
Anada held onto him, but Shay couldn’t put into words what he wanted to help with. The city, the slums? There was just nothing anyone could do. No one could or would help them. That was life on the streets.
Shay pushed back from her and finished reading Vlad’s message.
Vlad - Man it’s so good to hear from you. I swore blind someone had topped you off the same they did Natty—Peacekeepers stuck around for a while, but they came back. One by one the girls were killed. Killed for their tech or their nites. Then even with peacekeepers there, they came. One gang wiped the whole hotel out. I ran. I ran the only place I thought I could survive. Sinnisters’. I’ve been here since. There were no other survivors Shay…no one. I can get you in, you and your mom. Come fast, it will be good to see you, I miss friends. Someone I can talk to.
Shay stared at the screen. Pim poked him in the nose. “Hey.”
“Sorry, what?”
“Don’t let the past ruin what you’ve got going forwards.”
Shay thought about it for a while, sighing and stroking the side of Pim’s face and wincing once. “Your tusks are poking out.”
“Sorry,” Pim laughed. “Can’t help it. They will grow with me.”
“How did you get to be so wise?” Shay mused.
Pim stood straighter, keeping balance with his tail wrapped around Shay’s neck. He waved his paw before him and then tapped Shay’s forehead. “This is one of the most advanced learning systems anyone could ever need. I was not wise, but I learned.”
“I’m glad I have you,” Shay said.
Pim nudged him again, gentler this time, and they sat silently again. When Shay brought up Vlad’s message again, he was ready to answer.
Shay - We’re making our way down in a day. Let me know where we need to be if you can get us in.
Vlad - You’ll need to fill in the form. I’ll attach it. If you’ve any fundamental skills, don’t skimp on telling them. They value higher quality workers, and I know you are. Soon as they get the form, they’ll let me, as the recommender, know, and with some luck, I’ll get to meet and show you the ropes. Just make sure you also put my name on the list.
The forms came through, and Shay flicked one over to Anada. “Let me see it before we send it.”
“Yes, boss!” she snapped back.
Shay looked over his form and started to fill it in.
“You never really look at your stats,” Pim said and placed a paw on his hand. “Why?”
“It never changes much, just is. I’ve never had the opportunities some have.”
Pim sighed and watched as Shay’s mind filled in the blanks. Shay didn’t like it, even if he needed it to get in.
“For a kid, you’ve quite the list,” Pim added.
“Less of the kid.”
“Anything else up your sleeve they might want to know about?”
“No,” Shay said. “That’s all they’re getting, and that’s more than enough to know I’m not just a street kid.”
“Smart street kid,” Pim said. “But what about me?”
“No, maybe just a little confused. Like you said, stress; it affects us all differently.”
“I need to make sure he actually likes me before I do something silly and then regret it for the rest of my life…”
“Why would it be silly?”
“You do realize how often we get real relationships in our job?”
“Usually just a bit of fun, yeah?”
He kicked a stone. “To think someone really might like me blows my mind.”
“You want me to ask him?”
“Well, not quite like that, ugh, I don’t know.”
“Okay, perhaps not.” Silence stretched for a moment as we walked. “I think you need to speak with Justin though. I need to know how and what he’s thinking about Malaki and he’s going to tell you the truth, not me.”
“Fuck, this is hard,” he grunted. “They’re both so important to us.”
I could only agree. They really were.
You can’t help who you fall for, Apex said.
Is that aimed at me? Mira?
You know it is.
I groaned. I know. This sucks!
Yes it does.
The walk about the rest of the grounds was good for both of us. When we returned to the helos, Malaki and Justin were waiting.
“Engineers said you wandered off,” Justin quizzed—there was something going on with him. Something was off.
Silao and I traded glances. “I felt a bit sick.” I pretend gagged. “Wanted to just walk. Think I’ll head back to my hammock, maybe sleep a bit more.”
“I’ll come with you.” Malaki motioned towards the bunks. “Watch over you.”
“I don’t need babying,” I quipped, but when she linked her arm to mine, I let her lead me away as I called back to Silao. “Back in the air tomorrow!”
He just nodded at me. The message popped across my HUD:
Kadar - You betcha. Will message later too.
I hoped so—with something decent to tell me, like Justin wasn’t interested in Malaki anymore. Sadly, looking at my best friend’s face—the bags under her eyes and the dip to her shoulders—it wasn’t good, either way.
Malaki got in my hammock first, and I glared at her. “There’s hardly any room for me, and you want to share?”
“I can watch you better if I’m beside you,” she said. “Or, well, feel you.”
“It’s not that cold out here. You need the extra war—”
“No, just the comfort.”
With much more struggling than I thought possible, I got in beside her, and she curled up next to me. “How’s the pain?”
“Just like a bellyache. You knew I lied. I could see you didn’t want to spend more time with Justin.”
“That obvious?”
“You’re my best friend,” I whispered. “I’d know if anything was off.”
“I just…” She stopped herself and then sighed. “He’s just so frustrating.”
“You’re not kidding there.”
Malaki went quiet again, and I couldn’t do anything but try to comfort her. “I’m here if you need me.”
“It’s why I’m here.” She clung to me tightly.
It wasn’t too much longer before she was snoring, and Silao knocked for me. I opened direct comms.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Mal’s not.”
“Neither is Justin.”
“What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know, I really don’t know, but they need to sort this out one way or the other. It’s not going to work like this for much longer.”
“Let’s get in the air and see how things are tomorrow. I’ll think of something.”
“Okay, get some rest. Will see you early.”
He signed off, and, with Malaki still snoring, I fell asleep too.
***
Malaki disturbed me in the morning, hopping out of the hammock and letting it tilt me abruptly. I checked the time. It was early, but not overly early. I yawned, stretched, and almost fell out face-first.
“You need to be careful,” she scolded, catching me.
“Awkward things.” I gestured lamely to the hammock. “We going up?”
“You ready for today?”
“Yes.” I grinned. “Really want to see how much you’ve learned with the Black Bears and our helos.”
“Hopefully just more efficient at things,” she replied. “But they opened my eyes a lot for combat purposes.”
“Combat?”
“Well, yeah, we never know what’s out there or up there.”
I picked my boots up. “Shower, then food, and we’re off.”
“Okay,” she said, steering me outside to the showers.
We talked a bit more through the stalls and then got dressed. It was nice to hear her a little more excited for the days ahead, compared to how sad she had been last night.
I was lacing my boots when she stopped in front of me. “Thanks for last night,” she muttered.
I looked up at her, seeing her face change in that split second. “You know, anytime.”
“You and Mira?” she asked. “You’ve been avoiding that subject for long enough too.”
“You already knew?” I finished lacing my boots and stood.
“I’m not blind either; it’s been clear something is going on.”
“I don’t know what.”
“Just be honest with yourself. As hard as it might be.”
“It is hard,” I admitted. “Hard because I like her a lot.”
“I get that. Do you know any of their customs?”
“I learned some of them off Anders; it’s terrifying,” I replied simply, not wanting to discuss it further. Talking about it with her and Silao made it all the more real. Really meant I had an issue.
“I’ll echo what you said to me last night,” she said, leaning into me. “Here if and when you need me.”
“Very much the same, aren’t we?” I asked, pulling her to me and resting my head on her shoulder.
“We are. That’s why I love you.”
The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable. But we needed to move. “Come on, let’s get in the air. I want to see how I feel after a full day of pushing it.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
We grabbed food on the way to the helo pads and met Justin and Silao. “Ready for this?” Silao asked, throwing me a shirt. “Told you I’d let you have one.”
“Oh man, thanks.” I pulled my shirt off and slipped into his. It was a little loose. He had more muscle. I flapped the front to show him as we walked closer to the helos.
“You’ll grow into it.”
“How’d you get so ripped?” I demanded.
He raised his eyebrows. “Been looking, huh?”
Malaki and Justin traded glances. I laughed. “You know I have,” I quipped back, and Malaki nearly fell over.
“You ready for this?” Silao asked, his tone changed, serious.
“Hundred percent. You?”
He grinned. “What’s the aim?”
“Four drones out from the start,” I said. “Then I’m going to launch two more.”
“Okay, I’ll match you.”
“Sure?”
“I’m sure. Game on!”
“Fire ‘em up!” Justin whooped.
Malaki didn’t respond to him; her posture to me said it all. This thing between them was going to be dangerous. I just didn’t know what I could do to help them to sort it out, or if I should.
Once around the outside of the helo, I checked everything off, and then we took our seats. It was good to feel the material against my body again. Malaki turned to me and patted my leg. “You and Silao, what gives?”
I laughed at her and, popping the buttons on my new shirt, I commented. “God, this is so much easier.”
Malaki started internal pre-flight checks, but then looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “What gives?” she poked again.
“I caught him checking me out,” I confided. “When I stripped off to get in Lacy’s lab chair.”
“No way, I didn’t know he was into guys.”
“Me neither. It was awkward for a little while till we talked it out. He admitted he gets crushes on people he works with.”
“So it’s not Mira you’re into. It’s Silao?”
She didn’t need to be told I was into Mira; she knew. She didn’t know how much though, or at least how much I was letting it get to me. Maybe she did; after all, she had similar issues with Justin. I wanted to talk to her properly about Justin and Mira. I just didn’t really know how to broach it. I wanted to keep her as my best friend. Relationships might get in the way. I really didn’t want that.
You need to talk to her, Apex said. I doubt anything would get in your way. You adore each other. You just have to learn to share a little.
Share a little, I reiterated back to him. I’m—
Jealous?
Yeah, I don’t know how to handle that.
Then talk to her.
“I really do like Mira a lot. So, no,” I said after leaving her hanging for too long. “I deflected him to someone who really would like his attentions.”
“Shit, Frank?”
“Yep, how did you know?”
“I’ve seen him looking. I knew Frank was gay right away.”
“Yeah, Silao had no clue, but soon as I mentioned it might be good, he dropped me like a hot potato.”
“You even know what a real potato is.”
I shrugged. “I’ve had one, once.”
“Aww, Kadar and Frank huh? That’s cute.” Malaki started the helo’s engines up. The blades spun slowly, then faster as she upped the RPM.
“I’m not jealous,” I said. “You think I’m right?”
“You’re right,” she agreed. “If I noticed Frank was into Silao, you’re definitely right.”
Static crackled as a voice came across the comms. “Flight Control to Dizzy101. You’re clear for takeoff when you’re ready.”
“All green, we’re good to go,” Malaki responded with a glance my way.
“Yep, all good here,” I confirmed. “Just waking the drones up.”
I clicked into place and had my thoughts across to the drones in seconds.
All ten responded, but there was no way I could pilot them all at once.
No, let’s start slow, Apex said. Splitting the screen now. Ready?
Yes, I’m ready.
The X16 separated my view from the helo cockpit, and I focused on the four views inside the helo’s belly. Even if the others were responding, they were not coming out.
Malaki got us up safely in the air, with Justin and Silao’s helo rising smoothly to meet us. Our little formation moved away from the base, into lands where flying over wouldn’t cause too much trouble. Nice open sky, nothing above or of note below us.
Keep an eye out, though, Apex said. You never know what might come in.
I did know, and I would. Every part of my X16 and the X1 worked together to ensure all the data flooding in was detailed and yet sufficiently compartmentalized enough that I could take it in without feeling overwhelmed.
“Feeling okay?” Malaki asked.
“So far, so good. Opening hangar doors.” The doors opened, and I could see more from the drones’ point of view. “First flight out.”
The drones dived, taking my X16’s split view with them. Nothing could ever take away the sheer exhilaration of doing this—descending out of a helicopter hangar or seeing the world from so many viewpoints.
“Drones away!” Silao shouted, and I watched as he launched six.
“Let’s see how long we can hold and practice with them,” I returned.
“On it, let’s sweep the area. Every detail.”
10-Shay
Shay had been very deep into fixing his leg, the new parts he’d picked out laying to the side. Pim sat quietly and watched every movement.
“This is harder than I thought,” Shay grumbled as he put the tool down.
“I think you’re doing a fine job,” Anada said, entering the room and setting a plate of sandwiches down for him.
“Thanks.” His stomach growled, right on time. “I didn’t realize how late it was.”
“You work way too hard for a kid.”
“I’m not a kid,” he retorted and crossed his arms over his chest, puffing it out.
Anada pulled a chair up and sat. “No, not a kid like most would think. Street kid, beyond street smart. In the eyes of most, you’re what, fifteen?”
That made him smile. “I was never a kid, never had the opportunity. Soon as they could get me in the tech shops…That was it.”
“How did they know?”
“Street life was really hard,” he replied. “My mom vanished when I was eight. No idea what happened. I was just…on my own. One day I got into a fight. I ran, I fell, I hurt my leg. A local charity saw me, got me to a hospital. Leg got infected; cutting it off was cheaper than treating it.” Shay made a sawing motion with his hand, and Pim cringed.
“They stuck some dirty, nasty tech on me. It was glitchy and I hated it, so I started to tinker in the hospital. They saw me and I had the potential, so they sent me to a local tech farm to work it off with the promise of a better life. I didn’t stay long, just enough to fix my leg more and work out a way to escape.” He dangled the tech leg in the air, trying to decide what needed fixing first.
“Escape you did, but you went on the run? What about tracking?”
“I pulled off everything I had to, went dark. Didn’t even use credits; I used chips instead. I was starving, though. That’s when Natty found me, offered me a place at her hotel, looking after the gals at night. It was more than I could ask for: food, a bit of money and a place to stay.”
“You liked it there?”
Shay frowned. “Not really that simple. It wasn’t that I liked it; I had no choice. Anything else I could have done would have gotten me sent to M-Corp. Especially when I turned ten.”
“You’re smart,” Anada nodded. “They would have exploited that.”
Shay’s HUD pinged, interrupting them.
Vlad - Man, it’s so good to hear from you. I swore blind someone had topped you off the same as they did Natty—
His heart seized, and tears blinded him to the rest, even before he fully processed what he was reading.
“Hey, hey!” Anada reacted instantly, scooping him into her arms. “What is it?”
“Natty’s dead,” he wailed, snot bubbling out of his nose.
Anada held him while he cried. Pim tried to comfort him too, jumping onto his shoulder and snuggling around his neck.
Blanketed in love and warmth, Shay couldn’t stop himself. Sobs wracked his small frame, his breath coming in heaves and ragged gasps.
“Shh, my love,” Anada soothed. “I’m so sorry. I know; she took you in, she helped you.”
“I didn’t…I didn’t think…why,” he begged her. “Why kill someone so lovely? She never hurt anyone, she helped everyone. The girls, the kids…”
“I know,” Anada said. “I know.”
“We need to help them,” he said. “All of them, stop this, this…”
Anada held onto him, but Shay couldn’t put into words what he wanted to help with. The city, the slums? There was just nothing anyone could do. No one could or would help them. That was life on the streets.
Shay pushed back from her and finished reading Vlad’s message.
Vlad - Man it’s so good to hear from you. I swore blind someone had topped you off the same they did Natty—Peacekeepers stuck around for a while, but they came back. One by one the girls were killed. Killed for their tech or their nites. Then even with peacekeepers there, they came. One gang wiped the whole hotel out. I ran. I ran the only place I thought I could survive. Sinnisters’. I’ve been here since. There were no other survivors Shay…no one. I can get you in, you and your mom. Come fast, it will be good to see you, I miss friends. Someone I can talk to.
Shay stared at the screen. Pim poked him in the nose. “Hey.”
“Sorry, what?”
“Don’t let the past ruin what you’ve got going forwards.”
Shay thought about it for a while, sighing and stroking the side of Pim’s face and wincing once. “Your tusks are poking out.”
“Sorry,” Pim laughed. “Can’t help it. They will grow with me.”
“How did you get to be so wise?” Shay mused.
Pim stood straighter, keeping balance with his tail wrapped around Shay’s neck. He waved his paw before him and then tapped Shay’s forehead. “This is one of the most advanced learning systems anyone could ever need. I was not wise, but I learned.”
“I’m glad I have you,” Shay said.
Pim nudged him again, gentler this time, and they sat silently again. When Shay brought up Vlad’s message again, he was ready to answer.
Shay - We’re making our way down in a day. Let me know where we need to be if you can get us in.
Vlad - You’ll need to fill in the form. I’ll attach it. If you’ve any fundamental skills, don’t skimp on telling them. They value higher quality workers, and I know you are. Soon as they get the form, they’ll let me, as the recommender, know, and with some luck, I’ll get to meet and show you the ropes. Just make sure you also put my name on the list.
The forms came through, and Shay flicked one over to Anada. “Let me see it before we send it.”
“Yes, boss!” she snapped back.
Shay looked over his form and started to fill it in.
“You never really look at your stats,” Pim said and placed a paw on his hand. “Why?”
“It never changes much, just is. I’ve never had the opportunities some have.”
Pim sighed and watched as Shay’s mind filled in the blanks. Shay didn’t like it, even if he needed it to get in.
“For a kid, you’ve quite the list,” Pim added.
“Less of the kid.”
“Anything else up your sleeve they might want to know about?”
“No,” Shay said. “That’s all they’re getting, and that’s more than enough to know I’m not just a street kid.”
“Smart street kid,” Pim said. “But what about me?”
