Page 11 of Craze

Craze>>Macabre: Do you think they figured out where our Brothers went?

Macabre>>Craze: No. If they did, they’d ignite the portal or race out of here. By my best guess, our Brothers, Poppy, and Cara, are safe for now.

I think of Pellucid as I get us headed for the mountains, wondering where they are in this mess. Turning us toward the nearest ridge, I scan for anyone or anything else that may have discovered our location.

Two other drones race after us from the plant. Overhead, the ships Cara and Diesel took out before their departure illuminate red, trailing flaming debris, as they near Hyperion’s surface.

Patrols are never going to end. Solcrue know we’re here. We have to go wheretheywon’t to be safe.

I aim for the terraforming tunnels Amp spoke of. Solcrue still fear dark confined spaces. It’s why their ships are so large—to offer spacious accommodations.

The sun sets, glazing the mountains in amber hues like the last light in Ranger’s eyes. My insides shudder like dry gears.I’m sorry, Brother.

I’m the only undamaged unit—mostly. My hands and arms have been shredded of synthflesh. But with time, my nanos will repair it. The raw muscle pistons and joints sting, but I block the signals from my mind.

In the shelter of the towering cliffs, we slip into a vent channel and hover down a deep shaft into the cold dark heart of the moon.

I have to find Axe and RamBash and close our access point so the drones don’t find us. It’s up to me to get supplies, to repair the injured, to defend my brothers until they can fight from their own two feet again. It’s easier if we are together. We’re stronger that way.

I slip into one of the tunnel systems and fire behind us, closing the access shaft.

Macabre>>Craze: I hope that wasn’t our only way out.

His thoughts reflect my own—in hindsight.

Craze>>Macabre: Right now, it’s our only way to live.

Chapter 4: Navi

I don’t like having others thoughts in my mind, but after Sevrin captured me and did his first experiment, I learned to find some form of strength in each new type of torture. That first, single chip, one that relayed their thoughts into my head, also oddly opened our cell door when I wished for it. They never figured out it was me. Only my friend Shavih has an idea.

Many women died that day that didn’t need to because we saw our opportunity and took it. Now we know we can only leave our cell when we’re supposed to, or we get shocked into submission or Sevrin’s cyber-freak dogs are sent after us.

“Look,” a woman calls from behind me. The others in the group cell turn to peer through the round windows as Hyperion appears. “What is that?”

I follow them to the glass and squint across the pitchy void at the others up here with us. My heart races when I see the cluster of green and yellow lights trailing behind a ship with blazing thrusters. Skysprinters chase after them, firing missiles.

Why would they shoot at one of their own?

A faint grid scrolls open in my eyes, brightening with each thumping pulse of my heart. Startled, I blink and try to clear my vision.

This is new.

Targeting brackets flash over the specks of light. A dialogue box appears, and I nearly choke.

CyberTitans: Estimate, 200+

Half-breed: Human-Solcrue, 1

“Titans.” The word slips out in my shock.

“What did you say?” A woman who’s missing an eye turns to me. “Did you say the T word?”

I grimace as another woman cries out and bangs on the window. “No! You’re leaving us behind! Hey! Over here!”

“They’reescaping,” my friend Shavih gently corrects. She motions with a cybernetic hand to the portal when it ignites. “If they are free, they can rebuild and come for us. But right now they’re as desperate as we are.”

A guard slams the door to our cage open and points his shock baton at Shavih, igniting the tip.

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