Chapter Ten

  Progress

  Sparks lay in the med pod, which was keeping her unconscious while they completed the fusing of metal to flesh and bone. To say the girl had been in a state was a severe understatement. Everything below the belly button had been severed or chewed up beyond any hope of saving, and that was in addition to the loss of her right arm from above the elbow. The left arm had been completely torn off, even smashing the socket to smithereens.

  Nellie had done what she could to save the heart, lungs, stomach, remaining bowel, and one kidney, but it had been a patchwork. She and Lucy had given the woman a fifteen percent chance of waking up and a ninety-five percent chance of suicide if she did. There was just too much damage.

  That was until the two men crouched over the controls of the pod had shown up.

  They made a strange pair, standing shoulder to shoulder. TRV-4, who apparently went by Trev these days, was all smooth skin and shining eyes. He looked every bit the silicone lifeform he was, right down to his perfect white teeth. Carl Edwards, whatever he used to look like, was now more a handsome, if slightly weird-looking, gothic cyborg. His current look reminded Nellie of a Borg as designed by Tim Burton. It was almost like looking at a physical representation of Ying and Yang, which was all the more odd because both men, despite their visual differences, were actually incredibly alike in personality.

  Listening to their polite way of addressing each other made Nellie feel like she was watching some idealized sci-fi show where the enemies had long since learned to work together for the ‘common good.’

  The common good, in this case, was Sparks. Between the two men, Nellie was actually starting to believe that the injured woman would not only live but thrive.

  “That is a fascinating use of an organic polymer to carry nerve impulses,” TRV-4 noted. “It does not decay over time?”

  “No, the synthetic blood substitute includes a customized microbe that repairs the polymer. We just have to ensure they are threaded through the same conduit when possible.” Carl smiled. “And I have to say the design of that knee is remarkable. If I’m understanding it right, those will be able to reverse if she wants to do so?”

  “Naturally,” TRV nodded. “While I have great respect for the organic form, it can not readily be saved in this case. Since she has lost so much, I thought it would be nice to add some additional features instead of a simple like-for-like replacement.”

  “That’s considerate of you,” Carl patted the man on the back. “I’m hoping to do the same by including organic skin over many of these parts to ensure she feels as normal as possible.”

  “The psychological aspect of these injuries will be significant,” TRV-4 sighed. “An aspect I failed to take into account. Do you think the upgrades are a mistake?”

  “Not at all,” Carl waved one of the tendrils sprouting from his shoulder. “I can tell you from personal experience that they will be welcome in the end.”

  “None of which would be possible without this incredible bonding of flesh and mechanical components via nanite surgery,” TRV shook his head. “I fear it will be beyond my understanding for a long time.”

  “Feel free to drop by anytime,” Carl offered. “I’m sure Paren will be happy to explain it to you. Although, to be honest, that doesn’t often actually make it easier to understand.”

  “I will endeavor to do so,” TRV beamed, “Thank you. I must admit, however, that the visit might have to wait until the current difficulties between our respective significant others have cooled somewhat.”

  “You two are together?” Carl asked. “Congratulations.”

  “Not yet,” TRV smirked. “But I can tell she is coming around to the idea.”

  “You have not been direct?” Carl seemed surprised. “Why wait?”

  “Sometimes, the destination is worth extending the journey.” TRV-4 shrugged. “I feel this will be one of those times.”

  “You aren’t concerned she will fail to clear the segment?” Carl frowned. “Things seem pretty grave in there.”

  “Grave indeed,” TRV nodded. “But Cheape does not know how to give up.”

  Tuning out the mutual appreciation society, Nellie focused on the changes happening within the med pod itself. Sparks was covered in a silky white membrane that was slowly being expanded over each part as they were added. As Nellie looked on, the tiny mechanical arms cut away the damaged lower vertebrae and exposed the spinal cord. A small line of silver metal extended from the alloy pelvis, fusing the polymer to the spinal cord before gleaming metal vertebrae were sealed over the top. When the nanites pulled back, there was nothing to show where the join had been made.

  The robotic legs were attached, and the silky white membrane began to grow down over the new additions.

  Up the other end of things, a surgical laser was severing tissue and bone alike as it carved out the space for the synthetic shoulder attachment. The corresponding arm was waiting a few inches away for the completion of the surgery, while the other partial arm was being fitted with an interface for a pair of interchangeable forearm options.

  By far, the most interesting part of the procedure, from Nellie’s perspective, was happening inside the remaining parts of Sparks. A series of alloys and braces was forming over bones, and synthetic muscle tissue was being wound between her existing ones, all to enable her torso to take the stress the new mechanical parts would put on her bones and musculature. It was like watching the improvements nanites made to a system being done, but it was almost retro by comparison. Still, it would allow her a full life in line with what she believed.

  Full-ish. There was no chance of children, at least not the way things were typically done. Her womb had been lost along with the rest of her lower organs.

  Some of those could be replaced, but they had no way to create a synthetic womb.

  At least, not yet.

  Nellie left the two men to their work and returned to watching the everchanging Rigs of Cheape and her team as they continued to fight their way through the first segment.

  They now had less than a day of water left, putting them on a short timer in addition to the other problems they faced.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  /====<<<>>>====\

  Missing HyperDrive Shipment: Complete!

  Three crates of dried and pressed HyperDrive went missing from the cargo porters on their way to storage shed 12B.

  A reward is offered for any information leading to their recovery or the discovery of any parties involved.

  Reward:

  Information: 15 Points.

  Recovery: 50 Points per crate.

  Bonus applied: Detaining the miscreants - 100 Points.

  Total Reward: 265 Points

  Transfered to your wrist-comp complete!

  …

  Thank you for using the Job Board!

  “So, what’s the plan for this lot?” Sec asked after making sure he had been paid. To his surprise, the whole group had been rounded up and taken to the Town Hall, where the Deputy President, Tensor, had taken custody of them personally. It was a little unusual, but Sec wasn’t going to complain. He was just curious.

  “These four idiots will be taken back to their parents, who will be instructed to deal with them in the harshest possible manner,” Tensor glared at the three boys and one girl, who all paled and fidgeted at the mere suggestion. “I know you are new here, but we are strict with our children. They will suffer the consequences of their choices for many years.”

  “What about her?” Sec nodded to Sara, who was paler than the others combined and sweating.

  “She is of age to be considered an adult and has no family,” Tensor said gravely. “Since we have no jails to punish her or family to take charge of her, she will have to be exiled.”

  “Exiled?” Sec asked. “That’s a bit much, isn’t it?”

  “I’m open to suggestions, Mister Sec.” Tensor seemed genuinely open to other ideas, so Sec considered them.

  In his experience, people who messed up in minor ways normally got a slap on the wrist, but that didn’t necessarily mean much. This lot had their own way of doing things. So, what would Crush do?

  “How about she works for me?” Sec offered. “I could use an assistant; she’s a local, it would make sense for me.”

  “A job would be too much like a reward,” Tensor shook his head. “Not the message we want to send.”

  “A job is a reward; an assignment is a punishment,” Sec tried, starting to like the idea more and more. “She can’t quit, after all.”

  Tensor thought, stroking his chin and frowning.

  “Sort of like you would be in charge of her?” Tensor asked eventually. “What would she be expected to do?”

  “She’d look after my office, take messages, help me on jobs, that kind of thing,” Sec said. “To start with, she can help me get furniture and stuff.”

  “I see. That does merit some consideration.” Tensor looked over at Sara. “What do you say, girl?”

  “I’m not sleeping with him,” Sara said quickly. “I’ll work, sure. But I won’t be a whore.”

  “He is an ex-Marshall of the Nanite Imperium,” Tensor rolled his eyes. “I assure you he has no need to go gutter skimming for company.”

  “Gutter skimming!” Sara glowered.

  “She seems agreeable but resentful,” Tensor smiled at Sec, “So that settles it. A fitting punishment.”

  An hour later, Sec pushed open the door to his office with Sara in tow.

  “It’s an empty room,” Sara said flatly.

  “Actually, it’s several empty rooms,” Sec countered. “Now, how much furniture can we get with two hundred and sixty-five points?”

  “That’s a lot of points,” Sara whistled. “You got all that and a personal slave for just one job?”

  “Oh, good, you whine,” Sec muttered. “Lovely.”

  “Well, that is what I am, right?” Sara snapped. “I do what you say, or I get exiled. Not much of a choice.”

  “No choice at all,” Sec admitted. “But it doesn’t have to be a chore. You could get something out of this arrangement, too.”

  “If this is where you tell me about learning my lessons, skip it,” Sara replied bitterly. “I learned plenty from losing my parents. Guess how many neighbors offered to ‘take me in’ without ever moving their eyes off my chest.”

  “All of them?” Sec guessed.

  “And now you come along and see me with a wet shirt and suddenly feel all generous? Spare me the ‘doing it for my own good’ shit.”

  Sara really was packing a lot of bitterness in a small shell.

  Sec could relate.

  “Oh, I did it for my own good, not yours,” Sec chuckled. “I need help, and you had fuck all choice.”

  “You what?” Sara looked stunned. “You admit you weren’t trying to save me?”

  “Save yourself,” Sec shrugged. “I did what I did because it would help you and benefit me. Simple choice, really.”

  “Well, yeah,” Sara said, a little less bitterness. “I mean, I get it.”

  “Good,” Sec nodded. “Let’s start with no misconceptions, yeah? You want to be helpful and learn a few new skills and make some points? Great. You want to fuck around or fuck me over? Have fun in exile.”

  Sara stared at him, arms crossed over her ample assets and a look of deep contemplation on her face. After a minute or two, some kind of decision was reached, and she nodded to herself.

  “Look, you can get a few new bits for that many points. Not a lot, but a few.” Sara said, “There’s a place over by the docks that sells old stuff taken out of Cheapeside when they upgrade their furniture and stuff. It’s a bit battered, but you can stretch a point or two there.”

  “Do they deliver?” Sec asked.

  “No, but you can hire a porter for ten points,” Sara shrugged.

  “Great, show me how to transfer these points to you, and go get us as much as you can.” Sec waved his wrist-comp.

  “You are just going to—” She frowned. “What if I just run off with the points?”

  “Go ahead,” Sec grinned nastily. “You heard what my last job was, right?”

  “You were really a Marshall?” Sara asked with doubt and awe in her voice in equal measure.

  “Sure was,” Sec nodded. “And will be again. I’m just on a little break for ten years.”

  “Did you ever meet… him?” Sara asked nervously.

  “Crush-Cha?” Sec nodded. “Of course I know the boss.”

  “No! Not him,” Sara rolled her eyes, “The Sandwalker.”

  “Colby?” Sec scratched his head. “You lot heard of Colby down here?”

  “We got a lot of traders from Marshall Berenice coming by,” Sara said, eyes full of stars. “We know all about the Sandwalker and his brother-in-arms, the Desert Ghost.”

  “Desert Ghost?” Sec asked, delighted. “I got my own nickname? No one told me!”

  Sara stared at him like he had just sprouted wings and a halo.

  “You’re the Ghost?” She whispered. “It was just the two of you dropped into the empty desert, right? You brought the Sand’s Embrace into the Tri-Clan alliance!”

  “You are weirdly well informed about all this,” Sec frowned.

  “It’s all over the wireless!” Sara grinned, fiddling with her wrist comp.

  Before Sec could ask what she was doing, a voice came from the small device…

  …even now, the courageous forces of the Star’s Song move ever onward in their pursuit of those traitors who escaped! At their head are the legendary Hellena, Battle-Valkyrie of the Queen, and the Sandwalker.

  Rumors persist that the Desert Ghost has retired, his whereabouts unknown. The misunderstood genius whose daring research saved the brave Sandwalker, creating the very phantom that haunts the hearts of evil men….

  Join us again tomorrow for more exciting news of the Galaxy right here on the Haven Radio Network…

  Sara fiddled with the little computer again, and another station came through,

  …Remember to sign up for the Imperium Reclamation Service if you seek a life of adventure, danger, and competition! We here at Capital Radio are going to be right there in the first wave. Our very own Tony ‘Tiger’ Tasselback is planning to set up a relay there and bring us the latest news right from the hot zone!

  Next up is the newest episode of The Sandwalker and the Ghost: Tales of the Confederate War. So don’t touch that dial, and hold your loved ones close!

  Sara clicked it off as a rapid drumbeat started.

  “Make sure you get us a wireless along with everything else,” Sec said, beaming, “I want to know how famous I am!”