He gripped the stock of the little weapon, and it chirped, happy and bright as the hard link came online. His overlay scudded to the left for just a second, and the weapon emitted a whine before quieting down. It’s my Tenko-Senshin.
“I know you, Carter,” said Mason. “I feel like I’ve always known you. Is that right? I… There’s something wrong with my head.”
“I know,” said Carter. “I didn’t get here in time. Hey. At least you’re not ash.”
“Ash?” But he remembered the sky opening, a terrible dawn reaching down, before — “You stopped… the fire.”
“Man, you’re really fucked, aren’t you?” Carter tsked at him. “We don’t have much time, so—”
“I know who you are,” said Mason, “but I can’t remember the shape of your face. Are we… We’re friends, aren’t we? I feel like I should know your face.”
The link was silent for a time. Mason didn’t know how long, he just worked on standing upright, looking around. Flames burned low in a field to the left of the — freeway — road. A vehicle stood close to him, turrets out on the top, the doors empty.
“Mason?” Carter stepped into the tangled wool of his thoughts again. “We are friends. I’d even say… Look, it doesn’t matter. I just called to say goodbye.”
“Why?”
“What?”
“I said, why?” Mason looked at the sky, held a hand up in front of his eyes, trying to find a spot in the sky where fire had reached across the heavens. “Are you up there, watching me?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you need to say goodbye?” Mason coughed, spat something green onto the ground. “Why don’t I know the shape of your face?”
“I did… I did something I didn’t want to do, Mason. I had to do it, do you understand?”
A memory drifted up, a man’s face in front of him as he shot him dead, his family standing behind him. Is that real? “Yes. Sometimes we don’t get to do what we want to do.”
“Sure,” said Carter. “I guess you’ve done a lot of that.”
“I have?”
“Anyway. I had to turn you in. I had to tell them where you were. They made me. I couldn’t… I couldn’t not do it.”
“Ok,” said Mason. He turned in a lazy circle, then noticed the woman on the ground again. “Do you know someone named Sadie?”
“What?” said Carter.
“Do you know someone named Sadie?”
“Jesus Christ, Mason. I’m trying to have some kind of a deep and meaningful with you here, and you’re talking about, I don’t know, you’re talking about some kind of fucking normal?”
“I guess?”
She laughed. “That’s why I love you, you see. That’s why I chose you.”
“What?”
“It doesn’t matter. In some future time I’ll be dead, and I can’t be there with you anymore. So… I wanted to say goodbye.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ll be dead.”
“No,” said Mason. The fingers of his gloves found the edge of the Metatech logo on his chest plate. You’ve got a new contract. You work for Metatech. She works for Apsel. “Why are they going to kill you? Why, Carter? You’re not coming with us.”
“I can’t come with you.”
“I think… I want you to come with us. Have I told you that?”
“I didn’t have a choice about telling them about you. That was already in the code. But I found a loophole. I don’t have to listen. So I stopped them talking to me. Now they think I’m rogue, that I’m a traitor, and… They’re going to kill me, Mason. There’s no stopping that.”
Mason bent over, turning — Sadie — turning Sadie over. Her face was grey, but his overlay said her body temperature was normal. He started to lift her up. “Did you go rogue?”
“What?”
“Did you go rogue?” Mason got his hands under Sadie’s arms and started dragging her towards the vehicle. It’s an APC.
“You bet,” said Carter.
“You could leave,” said Mason.
“No,” said Carter. “They’ve got me locked up in the basement. There’s easily a hundred guys on their way down here. Feels like more, they keep killing the cameras. They’re going to pull me apart and throw the pieces in the trash.”
“I’m sorry,” said Mason.
“I’m not,” said Carter. “They’re all cunts, and they were fucking with my friend.”
Mason popped the passenger door in the APC, pushing Sadie’s unconscious body up and into the seat. He pulled the straps down from behind the seat, buckling her in, then slammed the door closed. “It’s going to be ok.”
“It’s really not,” said Carter.
“I’m coming to get you,” said Mason. “I’ll be there soon.”
She laughed. “You still under? You sound like you’re still under.”
“No,” he said. Then, “Maybe a little. But I remember: you’re in a big building, like a silver tower. It goes up through the clouds. They make energy with reactors. You’re in the bottom. It’s heavily defended, paramilitary force on station.”
“I’m impressed,” she said. “You got most of that right.”
“Good,” he said, sliding the side door of the APC closed. “I’ll come and pick you up.”
“Mason?”
“Yeah, Carter?” He pulled himself up by the door handle, slipping into the driver’s chair of the APC. There was no blood, no indication of a struggle. Where did the driver go? “What is it?”
“I can’t leave, Mason.” Her voice broke for a second. “Don’t come.”
“See you soon, Carter,” said Mason. He pulled the yoke of the APC forward towards him, the machine coming alive under his hands as the hard link clicked in. His overlay filled with systems information, the startup sequence spinning the drive behind him up with a howl.
“They’ll kill you, Mason,” she said. “I’m trying to… thin their numbers, but there’s so many.”
Mason felt a smile on his face. “We make a pretty good team, don’t we? I remember that.”
“Yes.”
“Then they’re not going to kill me. And they’re sure as shit not going to kill you.” He slammed the throttle forward, the APC yearning forward, a dog let loose from the leash.
⚔ ⚛ ⚔
“Wussam,” said Sadie.
“What?” said Mason, turning his head to face her.
“Wuss hap,” she said, after a moment.
“Ok,” said Mason, “it’s like this. You’ve been drugged and electrocuted. I think a couple times, I’m not really sure. We’re in an APC, making a run for Apsel Federate. We’re going in the front door, down to the basement, grabbing Carter, and getting out. You can stay in the car.”
“Is A… Apac.”
“APC? Sure,” he said, smiling at her. He turned back to the road. “Or it’s a car.”
The road pulled past them, streaks of light drawing lines across the windscreen. They were deep in the city now, the wireframe of the APCs’ overlay mapping the night traffic around them. The vehicle’s onboard computer had been warning about Excessive speed, reduce throttle in urban areas for ten or more minutes before he’d turned it off.
The APC nudged a car as they pulled between it and another, a spark of light as the other vehicle bounced away from them. Mason gripped the yoke harder, then pulled up the overlay. He asked for a maneuvering solution, and the APC laid out the road ahead of them, bright lines showing a path through the traffic.
Sadie leaned forward a little, looking out the windscreen. She looked at the HUD, the speed plastered in the corner. “Is… Two?”
“Two hundred? Yeah, we’re doing two hundred clicks.”
“City?”
“In the city,” he said. “We’re on the clock.”
“She’s worse than you are,” said Carter. Her voice came over the APC’s speakers. “Sadie, can you hear me?”
“Gonna,” said Sadie. “Gonna die.”
“She can
hear you, Carter,” said Mason. “She’s just a little worried.”
“Sadie,” said Carter. “Do you remember our deal?”
Mason frowned. “What deal?”
“Not one that you need to worry about,” said Carter. “Sadie, do you remember the deal?”
“Yes,” said Sadie. She reached a finger inside her mouth, as if she was trying to count her teeth. Or work out what they were.
“New deal,” said Carter. “Get Mason to stop, or the deal’s off.”
“I—” Sadie coughed. Mason threw her another glance, saw a frown blooming across her face in slow motion. “Company fucks. Always… Changin’ the deal.”
“It’s the way it is,” said Carter.
“What deal?” said Mason.
Mason caught the motion out of the corner of his eye, Sadie turning her head away from the APC’s speakers to look at him. “Why… Carter?”
“Why are we going to get Carter?”
“Yeah.”
“Because she’s going to die.”
“Why?”
Mason clenched the yoke, tugging the APC to the left, then hard right around a truck. They blew past it like it was standing still, a bow wave of water pushed up between them. “She’s not been real clear on that. I’m pretty sure she gave the Federate the finger to save us.”
“Save us?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re…” Sadie coughed. When she spoke again, her voice was clearer. “You’re going to get her out because of that?”
“She risked it all. For us.” Mason thought for a second. “How the hell did you shake off the effects of that shit so quick?”
“I do a lot of drugs,” said Sadie. “Practice.”
“Fair enough.”
When Sadie spoke again, it was to the dashboard. To Carter. “I’m pretty sure I’ve already upheld my part of the deal,” she said. “And you know what?”
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me,” said Carter.
“He’s right. If you saved us, we’re coming for you. It’s what people do.”
“People?” said Carter.
“Deal’s still on,” said Sadie.
“What fucking deal?” said Mason.
“Shit,” said Carter.
The APC burrowed deeper into the city, and the onboard systems slowed the jerks and jitters in their path. Mason tapped his fingers against the yoke, black gloves in stark contrast to the cream of the controls. “Say.”
“Huh,” said Sadie. She spat something into the passenger footwell.
“That’s… That’s really nasty,” said Mason.
“Mouth tastes like assholes,” said Sadie. She coughed. “Goddamn porn company. I’ve got a porn company’s slime in the back of my throat.”
“I… I didn’t quite think of it like that,” said Mason.
“Bet you didn’t.”
“What is it?”
“What is what?”
“You said, ‘huh,’ just before.” Mason flexed his neck. These damn machines aren’t build for comfort.
“Yeah.”
“So what is it?”
Sadie looked out the windscreen. “Out there.” The traffic was thinning, fewer other vehicles around them, most just automated transports.
“Late night. No traffic.”
“Not that.” Sadie leaned forward. “Just where the hell is everybody?”
“I’m more worried about…” Mason swallowed, thinking of a teenage girl out there somewhere. “About the others.”
“Mike can take care of himself,” said Carter.
“Didn’t think you were still there,” said Sadie.
“I’m always here,” said Carter. “I won’t… Never mind.”
Mason caught the softening of Sadie’s face as she leaned back from the windshield. “I’m not worried about Mike,” she said.
“Me neither,” said Mason.
“I know where they are,” said Carter.
“You… What? Why didn’t you say?” Mason swallowed.
“Because you’re so intent on killing yourself.” Carter’s voice was harsh. “I can tell you where they are. But you’ve got to know. You can only be at one place at one time.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” said Sadie.
“She wants me to choose,” said Mason. “Carter or Laia.”
“That’s right,” said Carter. “He’s been in this place before. Tried to save two people at once, didn’t you Mason? And I know. You’ll never choose me over her. She’s just a kid, Mason. She’s all alone out there. She needs you.”
Mason didn’t say anything, gripping the yoke like he was going to tear it in half.
“Mason?” said Sadie. She reached a hand out, cautious as the flutter of a moth’s wings. “Where… Where do we go?”
You’ve got to trust someone. “I don’t know.”
“They’re at Reed,” said Carter. “Big building. You can’t miss it. Big eyeball painted on the outside. Looks like a five dollar marketing company came up with it.”
“Shut up, Carter. Just shut up.” Mason looked out the windscreen. He could see the Apsel building against the skyline, lights playing up the outside as it reached up to breach the cloud. And to the left, the hint of Reed’s building, dark against the night.
“It’s ok,” said Carter. “I’m dead either way. I’ve done the math. Go get the kid.”
Mason ran a gloved hand through his hair. He tapped against the link. There was a burst of static.
“Mason?” Harry’s voice came out of the console and through the link at the same time.
“Who the fuck’s that?” said Sadie.
“Who the fuck’s that?” said Harry.
“Sadie, Harry. Harry, Sadie.”
“Who’s Harry?”
“Guy who tried to kill me,” said Mason.
“I don’t understand you at all,” she said, leaning back into her chair and looking out the window.
“Mason,” said Harry, “I’m with her. Why are you calling me? Shit’ll get you killed.”
“Harry?”
“Yeah.”
“Harry, I need… I need a favor.”
“I don’t work for the company anymore,” said Harry.
“You what?”
“It’s complicated.”
“S’okay,” said Mason. “Neither do I. Took up a contract with Metatech.”
“Those Nazi gun running war merchants?”
“Yeah.”
“Nice work,” said Harry. “They got any positions open for a slightly-used total conversion?”
“That’s what I’m calling about,” said Mason.
“No shit,” said Harry.
“Got a bit of a situation,” said Mason. “And if I’m being really honest? I’m pretty sure you… Well, I don’t know why you’d help, but you’re the last number on my speed dial.”
“Thanks,” said Harry. “What kind of situation?”
“It’s complicated, but it’s basically like this. I need you to bust into Reed Interactive and extract two civilians, a Metatech operative, and… And Jenni Haraway.” Mason looked at the console. “Hello?”
“I heard you,” said Harry. “I was thinking.”
“You?”
“Have you been told to get fucked today?” Harry sounded distracted. “Look, I’m with Lace. We’ll get in, grab your guy, your civilians.”
“Why?”
“Why?” said Harry. “Because you just asked me to. Got some ID?”
“Huh,” said Mason. He flicked images of Zacharies, Laia, and Mike across the link. “I didn’t figure this’d be that easy.”
“It’s not easy,” said Harry. “I’m already an arm down. I’m probably going to get torn up.”
“It’s a common theme,” said Mason. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“Why are you—”
“Why am I doing this? Because of the video,” said Harry. “Because… Because of that night.”
Mason looked at the console, the yoke held steady in his hand. “What video?”
“Doesn’t matter,” said Harry. “I’m not getting Haraway.”
“What?”
“Lace and I… Well, Lace has found something out. It’s… Where are you?”
“I’m in an APC, heading into the city at about two hundred klicks.” Mason looked out the windscreen.
“Carter there?”
“Yes,” said Carter. She sounded subdued.
“Carter, I’m not getting Haraway out because of what she did to you,” said Harry.
“She didn’t do it,” said Carter.
“Do what?” said Mason.
“Doesn’t matter,” said Carter.
“Carter,” said Harry. “I know about the words.”
“What words?” Mason looked at Sadie. “What the—”
“Don’t look at me,” said Sadie. She circled a finger at her temple. “All you company people are crazy.”
“What words?” Mason leaned forward. “Carter? What did Haraway do?”
The link crackled and popped. “It’s not important,” said Carter. “I’m tired of fighting, Mason. I’m tired of fighting them all.”
“Tell me,” said Mason. “Please.”
“Why?”
“Because,” said Mason, “I’ll fight for you.”
The link was quiet a long time. “Hello?” It was Harry.
“Harry, you need to roll.” Mason looked at Sadie. “There’s not a lot of time here.”
“Sure, Mason. Sure.” His link dropped.
“Carter?” Mason looked at the console. “Talk to me, Carter.”
“No,” she said, and the link dropped.
“That didn’t go as expected,” said Mason after a moment.
“Your girlfriend not… She not giving it to you anymore?” Sadie didn’t turn to look at him, still staring out into the rain.
“It’s not that,” he said. “She’s usually more observant.”
Sadie turned at that. “Mason?”
“Yeah.” He tugged at the APC’s controls, the Federate tower getting closer in the night. It was blurry through the rain, but still lit up, bright. A beacon.
“She thinks she’s going to die. That kind of shit? It’ll mess you up.”
Mason nodded, the movement slow. “Ok.”
“You don’t buy it?”
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