My headaches continued again last night. My usual chase nightmare left me feeling jittery. Giant machines, humanoid, bipedal, flying and crawling always chased me and never caught me, but never gave up either. I woke up a few times but it wasn't as painful as it was in the beginning. I was starting to worry it wasn't injury related, because it seemed specific and almost predetermined. My ribs and back were better but still sore, especially when I reached or lifted. I figured if my head was still a problem after my chest and back had healed, I could deal with it then.

  The radio beeped, sounds like I was already late for muster to head over to the city. I paused to look out the viewport and see the morning sun illuminate the panorama of the Grand Canyon. The gullies were still hidden in shadow but the bright light was beginning to bring what was left of the Colorado river and the floor of the canyon in stark relief. It was a beautiful vista, but I had work to do. I grabbed a breakfast bar, grabbed my city clothes and backpack and quickly climbed down my giant robot vehicle. Sunny, Miles, and Alexandria were already at the Kombi-Max as I walked up.

  Sunny, his face mask locked in the up position, smiled at me. “Nova Gabby, good o’ you to join us. I was about to send a search party after you.”

  I punched his upper arm, and managed to hurt my gloved hand. I blamed my stupid reaction to not having morning caffeine. We all began to climb into the Kombi-Max. It had two rows of seating and 4 doors in the cab, not to mention the sleeper berth behind the seating area. But it was going to be a squeeze. It was designed to haul four people very comfortably. Any more and people could fit but it would be a tight fit. Luckily we had it modified so one station could be used by a full cyborg like Sunny. He hoisted himself up last as Miles and Alexandria sat in the rear seats. I got the passenger seat. While not quite as large as my cockpit area it had similar amenities. A fridge, water cooler, storage for gear and two sleeping berths for the 3 person crew. I signaled to Squad Leader to hang onto the passenger side running board. As a cyborg look-a-like it was a plausible position as any. He handed me the dinosaur skin and horns that I had asked him to grab and I stuffed them into my backpack.

  Sunny started the nuclear powered truck and we began to queue up with other travelers heading north. We were in the commercial shipping line, those who were crossing individually or in smaller vehicles could take any of the ferries across, but those with long convoys and large trucks had to use Grand Canyon Ferry Service. They could haul an astonishing 10,000 tons on one of their giant sized floating barges. Our 38 tons including loot, wasn't exactly going to tax the floating ferry. I realize magic has its place, and this was clearly one of them, but as Sunny crawled the truck down the ramp and onto the ferry I couldn't help but involuntarily cringe. Nothing but magic and positive thinking was keeping this floating over the canyon floor. This high up in the truck I had a view of the open space far below the floating ramp and ferry vessel. I realize that could be hypocritical considering my use of psionic powers, but at least I could observe and reproduce my effects, magic was a mystery to me. We paid over a thousand creds to cross but considering what we were going to get when we sold the books and armor, this was a rounding error.

  I was, however, worried about the cost to find material to repair all the damage we had sustained. Everything we had was shot up or scratched. The supply costs of supersteel, duracrete, and other esoteric items were not going to be cheap. And that is if I could even find them here. I can repair anything but I need the raw materials to do it with. I had several contacts in town I could hit up and only some of them would try to swindle or cheat me. We waited close to an hour for the ferry to fill up, but the ride took less than 20 minutes to cross the twelve kilometer wide canyon.

  The city of Neu Ca?on sat on a promontory thrust out into the canyon. The sheer cliff drop protected the city on three sides, the west, south, and east side. 10 watch towers ringed the city and looked over the canyon. The towers were manned 24/7 by a combination of magical and mundane defense. Additional watchtowers and early dedication sites were placed in the canyon proper and around the northern rim at large. Only the northern side of the city was walled, the canyon provided its own defense for the rest of the perimeter. Farms and small towns extended north of the city in a mixture of prairie and forested land. As we approached the city we could see the various neighborhoods spread out and moreover down.

  The entire city existed in shelves and multiple layers built directly into the cliff promontory. Closest to the edge was the lowest level with the Sky Port combined with the existing airfield. The heavy industry and manufacturing were also all on the lowest terrace set into the canyon walls. Above and set back from that were the mixed residential areas. This included the heart of the city where the government and shopping sections were located. There were dozens of bridges and ramps connected to the various levels. Finally closest to the northern wall and at the topmost portion of the city was the Independent section. The mercs who lived there didn't often need to mix with the residents, industry or even government sections. Each area was almost a mini-town in its own right, with food, housing, and entertainment suited to the locals. My dad’s house was in the lower residential section closer to the Sky Port. Our shopping would be mostly in the middle of town, but I will likely need to go into the Independent quarter for improved weapons and perhaps repair supplies. As we waited our turn to disembark, I asked Sunny where we should park the rig.

  “I supposed we should pay for a slot in with the Holding company near the docks. No sense in trying to drive this into town and we can get a simple berth for cheap enough.”

  I hated to leave our treasure behind, but I am not sure what other choice we had.

  Neu Ca?on didn't have customs but they did take city security seriously. We rolled off the ferry and were met by a pair of city guards, the Civil Guard. They were the police force for the town, usually retired mercenaries and adventurers. The Guard and Neu Ca?on Mercenary Corps provided defense for the entire city. They asked a few simple questions and I shared my resident ID. I was the only one who was a current resident. They seemed curious about the Squad Leader.

  “Are you armed,” they asked him.

  “No,” was Squad Leader’s taciturn response. Indeed he wasn't carrying any firearms, but I am curious why he didn't disclose his nano-blade.

  “How long are you going to stay,” the Civil Guard continued.

  “As long as they do,” he indicated my direction.

  After looking us over for a few more moments and muttering to themselves, they wished us a pleasant stay and told us if we want to bring in any cargo past the Sky Port we would need to get it inspected and cleared. I was going to let the buyers deal with that hassle.

  We rolled down the street a few blocks before turning left into a giant storage area. Neu Ca?on Storage and Holding had lockers, strongboxes, parking spots and even garages of all sizes available to rent. Neu Ca?on was the major trade destination, up to 1,000 kilometers away. And much further if you wanted to avoid corporate entanglements. A lot of business flowed through this city.

  The so called Maricopa Corridor trade route was one reason for the traffic, but locals, and not so locals, from all over the Southwest traveled to Neu Ca?on to shop, resupply and enjoy civilization. While not as famous as Route 666 from the free city state of San Fran all the way to New HouTon, it sounds like it was still safer than that bloodbath, even with our ambush earlier. The trade routes through Neu Ca?on were all the remaining locals had left. This was the only city until the restoration of the American Empire in Colorado to the Northeast. Or what remained of the city states in California, those poor yonos.

  If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  We quickly paid for an open spot of ground. They provided security but I wasn't going to rely on that either. I instructed the Squad Leader to stay behind and protect the cargo. He could radio me anywhere in the city if something happened.

  Alexandria wanted to settle into the nicest hotel, in the Independent district, along the riverwalk. Of course its main business was to separate mercenaries on leave from their credits. So she flagged down a magically propelled hover taxi with a strange but very serious driver in a tophat and long tailed coat. The combination steam engine/ carriage on skis seemed impractical, but that is Magitechists for you. She was soon speeding off in a crackling cloud of energy as the hover vehicle skipped over the river that bisected the city, and headed toward the Independent quarter. Miles also bade us farewell, but he began to walk toward the mercantile section.

  “Miles, I will call you later and perhaps we can get some book shopping in. I would appreciate your help with it?” I called out to him.

  Turning back to me he responded, “Of course my dear Miss Gama, please let me know when and where.”

  With that Sunny, and I began to make our way to the rendez-vous point. BDwerks? was open about its Black Market◆ backing, but it was also an overt business with a major presence in Neu Ca?on and most cities and many towns in the abandoned regions of the world that governments or corpos didn't directly govern. If the governments and corpos weren't going to care, someone else would. Of course they were in every corpo or gov city just a bit more circumspect in their services. Our contacts, however, were not in the overt part of the organization. We would need to arrange a meeting with them at their discretion. Frankly, I think they just got a kick out of this cloak and dagger drek like the vids.

  We looked around a bit before crossing the bridge to the other side of the city. While I could wear my body armor in the city, I wasn't that paranoid. My jacket and pants fit nicely and I never really got a chance to wear them. Plus in a pinch they would stop a round or two from even a modern weapon. I climbed onto Sunny's back, where he usually stored extra limbs and tools. His treads (feet?) had a platform for his gear. I stood on the platform, like I used to do as a kid, and held onto his lower arms. Looking over his shoulder I enjoyed watching the city speed by.

  Neu Ca?on was an eclectic and diverse mix of folks, on many levels. First was the blend of magic and science. Cyborgs, mecha vehicles and power armor suits, walked alongside Sorcerers, Magitechists, Stim-Riders, Sun Clerics and even a few Native American Spiritualists and elders.

  But Neu Ca?on was also diverse in that the city was only half human. I had grown up around aliens. While elves were rare, Neamans made a huge portion of the city, their uniform physique and 2.2m stature made for an imposing but rarely confrontational backdrop to the city. And the diminutive rabbit-like Deren were readily spotted, if you could see them. You know, ‘cause they are fast and short at 1m tall.

  >>You know, not invisible. Though I hear their Guild Commandos are preem! >>

  >>Frell Big Fe, you knew what I meant.>>

  A smattering of other intelligent races could be found here, albeit in very small numbers. Earth was mostly stricken with Deren, based out of South America, Elves in Africa, and Neamen, well everywhere. Monsters, or aliens, or dinosaur analogs, whatever they were called could pop up anywhere a Doorway appeared, and sometimes an intelligent creature would get caught and pop up as well. The question remained, could they and the locals survive this changed world together.

  Multiple different races worked for the Black Market◆ in general, and many found homes and prosperity in an organization that was upfront about its expectations, and consequences. Better than the awful lipservice aliens would get in the American Empire, or the outright racism in other countries. Corpos were in theory more egalitarian, but often reflected the cultures they arose from. With BDwerks? and the Black Market◆ all were welcome to join, the fine print said no one could ever leave. I wasn't excusing their practices either, but, in a small way, I was proud of BDwerks?, for at least for trying to make something out of this messed up world, as they tried to make a cred or two, as well. BDwerks? provided weapons, but also armor, vehicles, and services to anyone who could pay. And if you couldn't pay it was your choice to take credit or not. For every bandit and bastard, a farmer or village watchman was armed with BDwerks? equipment. But enough about the corpo that I love to hate, and hate to love.

  It was mid morning as Sunny ascended a large spiral ramp and rolled down a major thoroughfare cutting through the residential part of town. We weren't speeding too fast, didn't want to scare anyone, but I was able to notice the smells of bakeries and cafes prepping food for the lunch crowd. The morning rush was gone but several corner shops had residents lingering over kaf, or a more exotic drink. Sunny pointed with his larger right arm in the direction of my dad’s, now, of my abuelos house on the eastern side of town.

  “We could swing by.”

  I interrupted him, “Oh Sunny! Before I forget, we need to make sure we stock up on a ton of kaf. The stuff Molly makes is divine. I never used to like kaf before we set out, but now I cannot function without it.”

  Sighing he responded, “No worries Alexandria gave me a clear shopping list and synkaf was definitely on it. I will make sure we stock up. It’s nothing like real coffee, but we haven't struck gold yet. We don't know how long we will be out there, but no sense in running out if we can avoid it.”

  Happy to hear the answer I continued, “I think I also need to get some improved weapons for the synths. The range and damage of what I picked didn't seem up to the task of a sustained battle.”

  Sunny shook his entire head and upper torso in agreement, luckily I had a good grip on his lower arms. “Yeah I agree, I have a few ideas on Plasma casters, kinetic rifles, and perhaps gauss guns, or even smart microjet launchers.”

  Sounds good, guns were not really my forte, but I knew we needed to upgrade. “I also need to get a lot of repair supplies for the vehicles, the synths, our armor and the poor buses oh and the one Roundabout! While it's pretty shot up, I can repair it with a new motivator and a rear axle. Oh and I can pick up our new trailer! I am so excited to finally get it.”

  Sunny shook his head again this time side to side, but he wisely said nothing.

  I continued, “I also need books on battle tactics, formations, and military operations in general, I don't have a clue.”

  Sunny responded, “I don't have a lot to offer there, Gabby, perhaps talk to Miles, he was in the military, even if it was in space.”

  “Yeah I was planning on doing that. I also want to get parts to finish upgrading and equip the entire platoon of 40 or so synths. I don't think I can sustain more than that in the near term but that would help our defenses, and I could conduct multiple experiments and field trials. I know we just got here but any ideas on our next location?” I paused as I caught my breath.

  Sunny thought for a while as we leveled up and crossed over into the center of the city, the government and shopping district. He responded, “I don't really have any strong feelings but perhaps I could look around for a few mining areas that aren't totally played out. We will probably have to travel out a-ways, but getting a profitable site that we could just buckle down and get some serious low risk, low conflict mining done, sounds good to me.”

  I didn't have much work to do on mining runs, but given how much repair work was ahead of me, that sounded like a very good trade off to me. “Sunny, the folks we are supposed to meet won't be in until noon or so, we could grab lunch?”

  Sunny vigorously nodded his head again, and almost threw me off that time. I think he sometimes forgot how strong he was, when he wasn't paying attention. He could throw me around like a pillow and not even notice, and I was holding his weaker arms!

  “No hear me out, but we found this amazing vegetarian place run by a Deren family. But they make the most amazing stir-fry I have ever had. You have to try it.” My voice rose with my excitement.

  “I am easy to please. That sounds good Gabby, lead the way.”