by L B Garrison
“My family owns a lot of land and many houses on several worlds. You could choose to live in any one of them. Once things settle down on Glint, I plan to return. We have a huge compound and hundreds of cabins. You could have your own and there’s a lot more to do on Glint than hunt megafauna.”
Mandy’s heart rattled against her ribs. This was getting too real. Emotional exposure meant the possibility of joy and pain. She didn’t want to be alone like Mom or be hurt like her. Neither really seemed to be in the cards anyways.
He stepped in front of her. “Mandy?”
Go for humor. Words tumbled through her mind, lines about hunting the wily stegosaurus or being more of a chicken nugget predator. “That’s so sweet. But—”
He leaned closer.
She didn’t shy away.
His chocolate-colored eyes lifted to hers. “Don’t say no yet. I want you to have a place to belong with no strings attached, and I’m being a little selfish too, I want more time with you.”
She didn’t risk looking at him or the sting in the corners of her eyes might become tears. She tried to clear the knot in her throat, but it was stubborn. “You may have missed the part where I’m a machine.”
He slipped his fingers under her chin and gently tilted her head up.
She looked away. Far down the railing, Rin stood, staring at the tower. The meeting must have broken up early. Wait, is she giving me privacy?
“Mandy, you can’t tell you aren’t human, can you?”
She met his eyes. “No. I thought I was alive.”
He shook his head. “I can’t tell the difference either.”
This had to stop. Mandy didn’t dare hope for a happy ending. She shifted to slip off the rail, but the motion brought her closer. His warm scent, deep and musky, washed over her. Somehow, her lips were on his. Soft. Moist. Damn.
She pulled back and breathed. “Cisco, I’m sorry.
“I’m not.” He leaned in with a kiss and the world went away. Warm, tingling ripples passed through her and out to the horizon. She melted into his embrace and surrendered. It was everything she wanted or hoped for. Eternity came and went. She opened her eyes, not knowing when they had closed. Her hands were on his strong shoulders.
Mandy searched his face. This longing. Was it really Cisco, some romantic fantasy or the same nagging sense that she was incomplete? She did know when they had wheeled her away on the gurney, all she wanted to do was to tell the people close to her she loved them in her own way. That was her soul. She drew him closer, his hair tickled her cheek as she held on a moment longer. “Cisco . . . yes. I can’t say what’s going to happen, but I want you always to remember, I said ‘yes’. You should go gather Bailey and I’ll meet you by the drink stand.”
Cisco laid his warm hands on hers. He was so close, his body heat drove the chill from the air between them.
“She’s here, isn’t she?” Cisco asked.
Mandy had to smile. “You’re good. She’s not right here, but close.”
He backed off and surveyed the empty park.
Mandy reached out and squeezed his arm. “I’ll be okay. Go on. Scoot.”
He stayed a moment longer, as if he could find a sign of Rin in the wind-swirled grass. “I’ll get Bailey and we’ll be right back.”
He gave her a quick hug and hurried away with one backward glance.
She tossed the cup on the ground. It crumbled, leaving the ice to melt in the sun.
The world blurred. With his tall, muscular build, Cisco could have been someone from another lifetime. “I should have lived when I was alive.”
Rin’s image sat on the rail and stared after Cisco. “It devastated Mom when Daddy left. She sheltered us and taught us to be guarded.”
Mandy wiped her eyes and smiled. “And it took like a thousand years to get over it.”
Rin jumped down and stood with her back to Mandy. “But you did. Bailey is getting the call to come to Midgard. It’s time for you to go.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
O
ther than the burgundy leather seats and hunter green ivy inlays, the carriage was transparent. Mandy leaned against Cisco, as if she had always been there, while stone buildings with stained-glass windows and flying buttresses whisked by. In the distance, steel and glass skyscrapers reflected the somber clouds.
Mandy still muddled through her feelings, overthinking things as usual. Cisco took her hand. He seemed certain. A world beyond her time, and people she could call friends. Whatever happened, Mandy was lucky. She snuggled closer and enjoyed his warmth. The vast city enfolded them.
Cisco let go of her hand and put his arm around her shoulder. “It really is a great city. I wish I could have shown it to you and we had had more time together.”
“I know. For now, let’s just live in the moment. The future can wait.” Something Sage had said once, Mandy didn’t remember why. Cisco’s touch soothed Mandy’s loneliness, but did nothing for the trembling in her stomach. Rin had stopped talking.
On the seat across from them, Bailey ignored floating displays of the war’s progress. She seemed distracted by the traffic. Had Bailey guided Mandy to Cisco with comments and by orchestrating their time together? It kind of seemed that way. She had certainly been conveniently absent at Dandelion Point. Hadn’t Bailey been the reason Mandy and Cisco were paired off at Skylax?
Bailey’s attention returned to the displays. With a flick of her wrist, Bailey highlighted areas of the maps in false colors. She pursed her lips and gave Mandy a sideways glance. “I hadn’t thought the Kinderen could spread so quickly. Millions of square miles in just these few days.”
“Danger implied. I know.” Mandy glanced a Cisco.
Bailey frowned and the images swarmed around Mandy. Crumbling cityscapes, continental maps with encroaching purple blotches and ruined forest jostled each other. “Do you realize, it could field endless legions with this amount of building material? I appreciate that you wish to help, but can you make a difference?”
Mandy shooed the graphics away with a wave of her hand. “I can try. Even if Rin had a choice, she wouldn’t leave.”
Bailey rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I’m not mucking around. Overpower her. You’ve been the dominant personality thus far.”
“No.” Mandy leaned away from Cisco and tried to keep the trembling inside from leaking into her voice. “I’m not brave or stupid. Okay? I know the risks and it scares me. But the Kinderen have to be stopped and this is personal for Rin. Even if it was possible, I wouldn’t take this from her.”
“There will be millions trapped here too,” Cisco said. “They deserve the best chance to survive. That can only happen if the Orions and the EC win. Rin is their best weapon.”
The traffic congestion around them thinned. Bailey turned to stare over her shoulder at the looming tower. “You lot make me seem selfish. So you know, I don’t care. Many people may be at risk, but they aren’t friends of mine. If there is a way to rescue you from your noble intentions, then I will do it by force, if need be.”
The city’s shadows fell behind as they entered rolling greenery with gray mist lurking among the trees. The buildings on either side curved away to form a jumbled wall around the park with pale Midgard at the center. Daylight dimmed as they moved into the tower’s shadow.
Mandy had to smile. “You remind me of someone I knew long ago. Glad you’re on my team.”
Cisco squirmed. He rubbed his hand across his pants. Was the thought of her staying making him uncomfortable? They had already been through this. He kept glancing at Bailey, gaging her reaction. It didn’t add up.
The broad road was deserted. The other elevated roads funneling towards Midgard were filled with bumper to bumper vehicles, looking more like parking lots than functioning highways. Mandy leaned against the door. No sign of an accident. “What happened?”
“The city regulates traffic,” Bailey said. “Someone is clearing the way for us. Someone important.”
The side
of the tower open. The carriage drove itself into an echoing parking garage and stopped among the vehicles. In the isle between the rows of cars stood a woman in a gray uniform with shiny black hair.
“I suppose she represents whoever is directing traffic,” Bailey said.
The woman tapped her foot.
Mandy squeaked forward on the leather seat. “She isn’t going away.”
Cisco opened the door, which slid upwards, like a glossy butterfly’s wing.
“I’m Lieutenant Liu of the Orion Security forces, here to escort you to the elevator.” the woman said.
“We only get a one-person escort?” Bailey asked.
“Less conspicuous than a parade. Shrewd, right?” The Lieutenant’s eyes traveled over Mandy. “Astonishing. The same body, but your movements—so different. ”
Mandy climbed from the carriage. “You know Rin, then?”
“Yes. Time is a wasting. With me, ladies and gentleman.” Liu turned and started off, without bothering to see if they would follow.
“She is going the right way,” Bailey murmured.
Mandy hurried to catch up. It seemed like she was always following someone, somewhere and it usually didn’t end well.
Their footsteps and the distant squeal of tires echoed through the garage. The dank air carried the smell of dirty oil and new rubber. They walked between columns and crossed into one of the driving lanes. The Lieutenant directed the group towards a tan door on the far wall.
“Why are we getting special treatment?” Mandy asked.
“Rin requested it, as a personal favor.” The Lieutenant placed her palm on the door. It obliged by clicking and opening a crack. The buzz of overlapping voices came from inside. “So far, the evacuation has remained calm and orderly. That may change. Rin is aiding us in the defense effort. She asked we provide a seat on an off-world transport and Colonel Fischer agreed. He has taken a liking to Rin and doesn’t care for Admiral Pillado.”
Mandy should assume best intentions, but it was easy to believe Rin had some ulterior motive.
The Lieutenant opened the door. Beyond lay a crowded marble corridor with blue carpeting and hanging navy tapestries. People stood in messy lines to enter large doors. Individuals, families and military personnel in gray uniforms hurried along the curved hall. Tension crackled in the air, like static before a storm.
These were the people Rin had wanted to save. If Cisco and Bailey got seats on a transport, did that mean someone else would be left behind? Maybe a child? Great. Now she was conflicted.
The Lieutenant nudged Mandy. “Our path is through a service corridor.”
They took a side door through a generic white hall. Cisco barely had room to walk beside Mandy. Bailey and Liu walked in front. Mandy slowed her pace to put distance between the two groups and give her a moment to quiz Cisco. Bailey caught on and moved ahead, drawing Liu along with her. No telling why Bailey thought Mandy wanted time alone with Cisco, but Liu and Bailey never got far enough ahead for Mandy to speak.
“Elevator four was down for maintenance,” the Lieutenant said, touching her palm to another door at the end of the hallway. “It is repaired. We’ll use it to make the trip into orbit, before reopening the elevator to the public.”
Bailey dodged around the Lieutenant and through the doorway.
The Lieutenant threw her hands in the air and followed Bailey. “Not a babysitter, I said. ‘All other duties as assigned,’ they said.”
Mandy peeked through the open door into the marble hallway. Bailey had run to the far end. She hunched over, wheezing next to a group of armed, bronze machines that looked like people, except they were too tall and had four legs. G-mechs, the name came from Rin’s memories. Mandy couldn’t focus on the details of the machines. Alex stood among them wearing a gray uniform. Mandy’s breath caught in her throat. They hadn’t seen Alex since she went with the medics and Mandy never thought she would see her again.
Cisco moved passed Mandy and into the hall. “Alex has been like her substitute mother for three years. Bailey would never admit it, but she was worried.”
Mandy caught his arm. “You’re keeping something from us. From Bailey specifically. Tell me what it is. If you lie to me, I’ll know.”
“I can’t tell Baily until the last moment. She isn’t above dropping a criminal record in my file. I would be discharged before I got in.”
Mandy pulled him closer. “Discharged? Liu said she was saving a seat. Singular. You’re staying, aren’t you?”
Cisco didn’t meet her stare. “When the power struggle erupted on Glint, most of the Del La Rosa children were smuggled off world. We were given a purpose, to train and be ready. If peaceful negotiations break down, we’ll go to war against my second cousins so my branch of the family can stay in power. I would be fighting my extended family. They’re people I grew up with, Mandy. I don’t see the nobility in that. Then the Kinderen invasion happened. I realized my families squabbles didn’t matter if the Kinderen wins. I’m going to fight for everyone on Glint, not just my family branch. That is a worthy cause.”
“Cisco, my whole world is three people and one grumpy machine and she stopped talking to me. Everything I’ve done is to keep you three safe. You could die. Do you understand that? I can’t lose any of you.”
Cisco turned to her. He smiled, but it didn’t cover the sadness in his eyes. “The fight against the Kinderen isn’t the only reason I’m staying. I don’t know everything that’s going on with you, but you’re in trouble. I can feel it and I’m not leaving.”
The breathless silence went on way too long. Mandy felt loved, vulnerable and pissed off all at once. And worst of all, a selfish part of her longed for him to stay by her side, though it put him in danger and she was just a machine that thought it was a girl.
Cisco winced. “Mandy, you’re hurting me.”
Mandy let go.
Alex beckoned them with a wave. “Come on you two.”
A numbing tickle crawled around in Mandy’s gut. Her first step was clunky, but she managed to walk down the hall without falling over. Cisco trailed behind.
“Mandy,” he called after her.
She ignored him and wiped her eyes when she thought he couldn’t see. The end of the hall seemed to recede with every step. Despite everything Mandy had done, only Bailey would be safe. Maybe. Mandy couldn’t do more to help the people here. Not Alex or Cisco or the millions left behind. Only Rin had a chance of doing that and Mandy was in the way. It took forever to reach the hall’s end.
Alex smiled and pulled Mandy into a hug. “I thought I should see you one more time, before the fighting starts.”
Mandy slid her arms around Alex and clutched the gray fabric. She wanted to say something, wanted to cry or scream, but just breathing was so hard.
Alex toyed with Mandy’s hair as if she were examining the color. “It’s all for the best. You’ll see.”
The elevator doors opened. It was the size of Mandy’s apartment living room. The last goodbyes waited at the top.
Liu shooed them towards the opening. “Yes, yes. Everyone is so happy, but schedules are meant to be kept. The trip will take a few minutes. Reacquaint on your way up.”
The door flowed closed, becoming part of the seamless glass walls. A low hum pulsed through the floor. The gray walls of the elevator shaft blurred, then gave way to more glass. The base spread out below them as they quickly ascended.
The bronze G-mechs moved to take up positions near the walls, as if they had done all this before. One of them watched her. Mandy stared into its eyes. There was nothing behind the glass lenses. No understanding. No soul. She dropped her gaze. There was more in her than there was inside these machines. At least she thought so.
Cisco fidgeted and barely looked Mandy’s way. Bailey stood straighter and crossed her arms. Cisco took a step back. He was probably using their techno-telepathy to tell her he was staying. It didn’t look like it was going well. Mandy didn’t know which side she should be on. Thi
ngs were kind of a mess.
She walked to the transparent wall and leaned against the cool surface beside Alex. “We started out a little rough, but we ended up good, at lease I feel that way.”
A smile crept across Alex’s face, like it was afraid of being noticed. “The ending is all that matters.”
They entered the clouds. The world beyond the glass walls turned a bland white.
Mandy badly needed a distraction. “You already have your Orion uniform.”
Alex tugged at the gray material. “I’ve been assigned a platoon. There aren’t many here with actual combat experience. We’re moving hydrogen-boron fuel cubes to power the city’s graviton shield.”
The Lieutenant looked over her shoulder. “Once the shield is in place, Persephone’s Landing will be invulnerable.”
“It won’t make any difference,” Alex said casually.
The machines shifted and several of them looked Alex’s way. Maybe they understood more than Mandy thought.
Liu turned to face Alex. “Nothing will get through the shield.”
“You might as well brawl with a supernova,” Alex countered.
That set off a debate between the two lieutenants
Rin brushed against Mandy’s left shoulder. “By myself, I can immolate all the lands claimed by the Kinderen. They won’t have Demeter.”
“Can you save the people?” Mandy whispered.
“That is more problematic. The more force I apply, the less control I have,” Rin admitted. “I will save all I can.”
Thoughts of collapsing cities and sand blasted into fused glass drifted through Mandy’s mind. All things that Rin had seen. Things she had done. Mandy closed her eyes. “Rin? Thank you for getting Bailey off-world, for the time alone with Cisco and anything I may be forgetting. I know, you didn’t have to do any of it.”
Rin stiffened. “Don’t read too much into it.”
The elevator slowed and Mandy’s stomach floated up into her throat.