by Brandon Mull
“Are we close?” Cole asked.
“No, but we’re out of danger from the patrolmen who leveled oldbase. We can get most of the way to Datapoint underground. Old Zeropolis is built over labyrinths of subways, sewers, and tunnels.”
“Sewers?” Cole groaned.
“Don’t worry,” Sidekick assured him. “Most of the sewers here have been dry for years. This is the corpse of a city—not a functional one.”
“Corpse sewers sound so much better,” Cole grumbled.
“We’ll avoid the most direct routes,” Sidekick said. “My goal is not to see another person until we reach her building.”
They proceeded along many tunnels, sometimes plunging down stairs to darker, colder hallways. Without Sidekick, Cole knew he would be hopelessly lost.
After they had traveled a good distance, Sidekick slowed beside a blockaded subway tunnel. “Know why this is sealed up?” the robot asked.
“Cave in?” Cole guessed.
“This tunnel leads underneath Sector 20,” Sidekick said. “It’s the part of Old Zeropolis controlled by Aeronomatron. A large portion of the city.”
“Really?” Cole asked. “Why are we so close?”
“Because Datapoint established her lair near Sector 20.”
“Why would she do that?”
“Probably because nobody wants to go near Sector 20,” Sidekick said. “Aeronomatron killed more people than any disaster in the recorded history of the Outskirts. If you want to hide, setting up camp near his domain is a useful tactic. The Unseen have a couple of smaller hideouts near Sector 20 for similar reasons.”
“Are all the tunnels under Sector 20 sealed up?” Cole asked.
“All of them,” Sidekick said. “People were quite enthusiastic about the project. Same with raising the enormous wall that surrounds his territory.” Sidekick continued onward, leaving the sealed tunnel behind.
“What if the tunnels were unsealed?” Cole asked. “Could Aero send out trouble? Robots or something?”
“He did at first, back before everything was sealed,” Sidekick said. “Eventually the bots stopped coming. Once the patrolmen severed Aero from all outside ties and sealed up Sector 20, the world stopped hearing from him.”
“He could have robots in reserve,” Cole said.
“If so, he’s very patient,” Sidekick said. “The wisest course of action with Aero seems to be what they took—cut him off, and leave him alone.”
“Could he have run out of power by now?” Cole asked.
“He controls a large portion of the old city,” Sidekick said. “If he diverted all the remaining energy crystals to himself, I’m sure he could keep running for thousands of years.”
“What about upkeep?” Cole wondered. “You know, if he starts to malfunction.”
“He might have some maintenance bots running,” Sidekick said. “Or maybe he shut down long ago. Nobody knows. Nobody wants to risk finding out.”
They reached a silent, dusty subway station. Cole could picture how it once must have bustled with people. Daylight seeped down a stairway.
Sidekick killed his lights. “This is where we head up. Be careful what you say to Datapoint. She has a photographic memory, and lives to assemble information. If we tell her about Constance, the chances are good that she’ll jump to the same conclusions I reached. Let’s start small. First we’ll try to get in touch with Googol.”
Cole followed Sidekick up a long flight of stairs. At the top Cole slowly turned in a circle. He had never imagined such tall buildings and such wide streets looking so completely abandoned. Old Zeropolis wasn’t a ghost town. It was a ghost metropolis.
Off to one side loomed a concrete wall so high that it dwarfed even the tallest crystal-and-steel skyscrapers. Cole felt like he was at the base of an enormous dam.
“That is a serious wall,” Cole said.
“To contain a serious threat,” Sidekick said. “This way.”
The robot led Cole along a couple of streets. The setting sun bathed the ruins in golden light. Cole noticed overturned trash cans, abandoned vehicles, and dry fountains. Down one street he saw a mangy dog limping along.
“Not many people,” Cole observed.
“Not this near to Sector 20,” Sidekick agreed. “Other areas of the old city have a little more life. A few districts can get almost boisterous.”
Sidekick approached a stately stone building that looked like it could have been a museum or a bank. He and Cole climbed a set of broad steps to reach the large metal door.
A peephole in the door slid open, revealing a set of wide eyes. “A boy and a bot,” a voice said. “What business brings you here?”
“We’ve come to see DP,” Sidekick said. “I’m a repeat customer.”
“It’s been a rough day hereabouts,” the doorman said. “She’s not seeing any more visitors. Same goes for tomorrow.”
“Better check with her,” Sidekick said. “Tell her Sidekick is at the door with vital data from the most exclusive sources.”
The doorman licked his lips. “You know how to tempt her. I’m not sure it’s going to work today, little bot, even with me remembering that you’ve come round before. But I’ll take your message to her.”
The doorman closed the peephole and left. They waited in silence. Eventually the peephole slid open again.
“Any chance you were followed?” the doorman asked.
“None,” Sidekick assured him. “This is what I do.”
“Who is the boy?”
“An important asset,” Sidekick said. “The rest is for Datapoint to know.”
The peephole closed and the door opened. The doorman was tall and veiny with buggy eyes and trembling hands. “You must have stored up some trust with DP. She really didn’t intend to admit visitors for the next couple of days.”
“Probably taking pity on me,” Sidekick said. “I’m not what many would call an attractive bot. She’s in her lounge?”
“As usual,” the man answered. He nodded to a woman and a man holding trapguns. The pair escorted Cole and Sidekick down a wide, carpeted hallway with framed portraits on the walls.
“What was this building?” Cole asked. The inside didn’t match up with a bank or a museum.
“Used to be a government building,” Sidekick said.
Neither of the guards commented. They reached a set of tall, bronze doors. The male guard pulled them open.
“Come in,” chimed a high voice. Across the carpeted room, Cole saw a small woman with a short, neat haircut seated on a large white sofa. She wore a gray dress with white stockings and black shoes. The woman rose to her feet. “Good to see you again, Sidekick.”
The doors closed behind them. “Nice to see you, Datapoint.”
Her high voice, short stature, and slender build made her seem young. But judging from her face, she had to be around forty.
“Who’s your friend?” Datapoint asked with a small scowl. “I don’t recognize him.”
“He’s new to Zeropolis,” Sidekick said.
Datapoint folded her arms. “Looks like he’s had a recent makeover from Roulette. She has such distinctive handiwork. Is he a fugitive? Is he part of the group Abram Trench is looking for?”
“I’m Steve Rigby,” Cole said.
Datapoint laughed and clapped her hands. “Definitely a makeover. Did Forge do the name?” She narrowed her eyes and stared at Cole. “Who are you really?” Then she glanced at Sidekick. “Who is he really?”
“He’s from Outside,” Sidekick said.
“And you’re his bodyguard?” Datapoint asked with a giggle. “Did Outlaw take a sick day?”
“Outlaw has his own problems,” Sidekick said. “Are you up-to-date on what City Patrol has been doing?”
“Not just City Patrol,” Datapoint said. “The Enforcers too. It’s
why I rolled up the welcome mat. Everything is upside down. The old rules have been erased. You have interesting news?”
“You know oldbase is destroyed?” Sidekick asked.
Datapoint rolled her eyes. “You have to do better than that. And eastbase. And lowbase. And at least four lesser hideouts here in Oldtown. Not to mention zerobase the other day and Forge getting evicted.”
“Did Forge get captured?” Sidekick asked.
“Not that I’ve heard,” she replied.
“What about Nova?” Sidekick inquired.
“Nova?” Cole asked.
“Is he for real?” Datapoint asked.
“I told you, he’s new,” Sidekick insisted. “Nova is the leader of the Unseen in Zeropolis.”
“It doesn’t appear Nova has been picked up,” Datapoint said. “Look, I want some good info or you can scram. I don’t talk to anybody under false pretenses. Sets a bad precedent.”
“Googol found a girl the City Patrol wants,” Sidekick said.
Cole immediately tensed up. Sidekick had guessed too much about Mira. How much would he reveal to this woman? Even if she didn’t do business with the government, she traded secrets for a living.
“Okay, this is closer to interesting,” Datapoint conceded. “I’ve seen her picture. Maybe eleven or twelve. I’ve seen two of her companions, neither of which is Steve here. Who is she? Why are the Enforcers so interested?”
“Googol hasn’t revealed her identity,” Sidekick said. “He calls her Secret. Apparently finding her is one of the High King’s top priorities.”
“And Googol has her,” Datapoint said.
“Yes,” Sidekick confirmed. “I’ve seen her. So has Steve.”
“Who is she, Steve?” Datapoint asked bluntly. “Tell me that, and I’ll give you two all the help I can.”
“There’s a rumor she’s an escaped slave,” Cole said. “A personal favorite of Stafford’s.”
Datapoint scowled. “That doesn’t add up. No way would the High King put this much effort into an escaped slave. Abram Trench wouldn’t show major interest. Plus, you look like you’re telling a half truth, which means you probably know the whole truth. A word of friendly advice? When deception is required, let Sidekick do the talking.”
“Her identity is a major secret,” Sidekick said. “Googol hasn’t trusted me with it.”
“But Steve knows, whoever he is,” Datapoint said. “Come on, Steve, spill and my resources are yours.”
Cole took a deep breath. “If I tell you this secret, you’re going to end up tortured and dead.”
“You know the secret,” Datapoint replied. “You’re alive.”
“Barely,” Cole said. “You’ve seen the fun that follows us. It’s why all those bases were attacked.”
Datapoint gave a slow nod. “At least now you’re being sincere. Maybe I don’t want to know. Do I, Sidekick?”
“Nobody wants to know this one,” Sidekick said.
Datapoint scrunched her nose and rubbed her hands together in front of her lips. “I never pictured a show of force in Old Zeropolis like we saw last night and today. Certainly not all at once. How long have they known about those bases? Why move now? I believe that your secret is dangerous, Steve. Do not tell me for now. I reserve the right to inquire again. I’ve had suspicions about what was behind this offensive, and your information has confirmed some of my guesses. Your turn. Why did you come to me?”
“I wasn’t sure what bases had been compromised,” Sidekick said. “Our comms are down. We’re looking for Googol or Nova.”
“Isn’t everyone?” Datapoint said. “I don’t believe they were captured. But they are in deep hiding. If you know a most secret retreat they hold ready, check there first. They’ve stopped using any comms I can intercept. They’ve gone dark.”
“What about Secret?” Cole asked. “Or the boys who were with her?”
“Friends, I take it?” Datapoint asked. “They’ve not been captured unless it was done with uncommon discretion. Joe MacFarland seems to have made a clean getaway as well. Anything else?”
“I came to the Outskirts a few months ago with some friends,” Cole said. “We were kidnapped. They were taken as slaves. I have some names. I’d like to find them.”
“Try me,” Datapoint said.
“Jenna Hunt,” Cole said hopefully.
“No,” Datapoint said.
Cole paused. “Are you sure?”
“Information is my trade,” Datapoint said. “It’s the most valuable commodity in an advanced society. I don’t forget a name or a face.”
“Sidekick told me you have a photographic memory,” Cole said.
“It was an understatement,” Datapoint said. “Think high definition three-D memory with surround sound. Nobody named Jenna Hunt entered Zeropolis over the last year, slave or not.”
“Could they have used an alias?” Cole asked.
“Possibly,” she said. “Do you know any likely aliases?”
Cole shook his head. “What about Lacie Clark?”
“No slaves by that name in the past half a year,” Datapoint said.
“Blake Daniels?” Cole tried.
Datapoint furrowed her brow. “Are you playing games? No, it fits; he arrived in the Outskirts according to the timeline you described. He came here from Junction.”
“That’s probably him,” Cole said, feeling encouraged—finally some good news!
Datapoint gave a small smile. “Small world. Blake works for me.”
CHAPTER
19
BLAKE
“You mean Blake is here?” Cole asked.
“In this building,” Datapoint said. “You can see him after we finish.”
“But he was a slave,” Cole said. “The High King bought him.”
“He came to Zeropolis as a slave, yes,” Datapoint said. “He was assigned to an undercover task force meant to spy on activities here in the old city. Some of the other organizations in town caught on and . . . dismantled the operation. I helped reveal their presence, and as part of my payment, I got to keep Blake. Are you aware of his abilities?”
“I knew him in my world,” Cole said. “We were separated soon after coming here.”
“His talents are unique,” Datapoint said. “The Unseen should thank me for getting him away from City Patrol.”
“Now he’s your slave?” Cole asked.
“Technically he remains a slave,” Datapoint said. “I can’t change his mark. But he’s not my slave. Here in Old Zeropolis, slaves get the same treatment as anybody else. He’s my employee. It has been strongly suggested that he work for me for two years in return for sparing him. He gets fair wages, plus room and board. After that, he’s free to stay on here, or take his chances elsewhere.”
Since Blake wasn’t supposed to leave for two years, Cole thought it sounded like he was still kind of a slave. But this didn’t seem like the right moment to argue the point.
“I can see him now?” Cole asked.
“Sure,” Datapoint said. “I take it you would like sanctuary here?”
Sidekick stepped closer to her. “If you’re not sure where we can find Googol or Nova, a day or two here would help us.”
“I’ll keep watch for news of Googol, Nova, and the wanted children,” Datapoint said. “I’ll also watch for word of you two reaching my lair. If they’re onto you, I’ll kick you out immediately.”
“Understood,” Sidekick said. “I don’t believe we were followed.”
“I don’t believe so either, or else we wouldn’t be talking,” Datapoint said. “Anything else you need at the moment?”
Cole glanced at Sidekick. It didn’t seem like the right time to bring up Constance. It would almost certainly give away the whole secret.
“No,” Sidekick said. “Thanks for hiding us.”
“My pleasure,” Datapoint said. “Given the magnitude of the secret our Stevie here is guarding, I don’t want the government getting hold of him. Are you ready to see Blake?”
“That would be great,” Cole said. Blake had never been his favorite guy. He was the sort of kid who hogged the ball in soccer and talked himself up too much. But at the moment, seeing him would be heaven. Annoying or not, Blake wasn’t just someone from home, but someone Cole knew fairly well!
“My husband can take you to him,” Datapoint said. She raised her voice. “Lunk! I need you!”
A hulking man entered the room from behind a curtain, his black shirt stretched tight over beefy shoulders and a powerful chest. He was the physical opposite of Datapoint—as tall and thick as she was short and slender.
“Lunk, dear, can you take Steve here to meet with Blake?” Datapoint asked sweetly. “They’re old friends.”
“Your wish is my command,” Lunk said in a rumbling voice without a trace of sarcasm.
“Sidekick,” Datapoint said. “Go to the guest room where you’ve stayed before. Steve will find you there later.”
“You’re too generous with a shabby old bot,” Sidekick said.
“Oh, stop,” Datapoint said, waving a dismissive hand. “You’ve got some of the best neural processors in the city. Don’t play sidekick with me. I know your value.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Sidekick replied.
“This way,” Lunk said, opening the door.
“See you,” Cole said to Sidekick.
“I’m glad you found one of your friends,” the robot replied. “Congrats.”
As Cole walked to the door, he found that he barely came up to the base of Lunk’s chest. He had to crane his neck to look him in the eye.
“You’re enormous,” Cole couldn’t help saying.
“Thanks,” Lunk replied.
They walked out of the room and down the hall. The people who saw Lunk gave him a nod. Lunk led Cole around a couple of corners until they reached a closed door. Lunk knocked gently.
“Come in,” a voice invited.
Lunk opened the door, and Cole saw Blake sitting behind a desk at a computer. The room appeared to be his private office.
