Page 26 of Jump or Fall
“When I deploy the updates to the suits,” Mara said to Gordon, “it will be through a screen that looks similar to the inventory system. I see groups of suits separated by Division assignment, then the assigned name.” She held up the key she used for forging the numbers. “Could you make it so we can disable the synth-mind in certain suits? If we can do that, then we have a better chance against them.”
Gordon took the key, his fingertips lightly brushing hers. The contact sent an unexpected rush of warmth through her.
Kimmie’s eyes narrowed and a muscle in her jaw jumped.
“Yes,” he said, “but I can do something even better. After looking through what you sent before, I found a way to take over the synth-mind suits and control them remotely.”
Kimmie slammed her hand down on the table. “Holy. Shit.”
Mara’s eyes widened. Controlling humans like puppets? That was unheard of.
“So, theoretically,” Silva said, “we could order every enforcer with the upgrade to attack the Silvers?”
Gordon shook his head. “Unfortunately, there’s a limitation. One remote can only control three suits at a time. I’ll have to dig deeper to seeif that can be increased. The synth-mind already uses a lot of power from the lithpacks. Augmented strength and the vision enhancements are low enough to be supplied by sunlight and only use the lithpack under cloud cover or if it’s night.”
“The power needs of the suits will go up drastically with the upgrades,” Mara added. “A controlled suit probably drains a vast amount just to maintain the connection.”
“Better to hold off on using it until we really need it,” Gordon concluded.
Silva leaned back and pinched the bridge of his nose, pushing his glasses up. “Keep me posted. Mara, I’ll meet with you on Monday to go over the fictitious sync problem. Kimmie. Gordon. Goodnight.”
He pushed away from the table and left, the rusty door scraping shut behind him.
Kimmie glanced between Mara and Gordon again, clearly debating something. Finally, she stood. “Send the bird when you’re in position tomorrow night.”
Gordon pressed his lips together and nodded without looking up. Kimmie bristled but left, though not without shooting Mara one last glare.
A long silence stretched between them.
Then, Gordon began drumming his fingers on the table. “I was a high-level member of Surveillance,” he said at last. “I told you I got into hacking early. Earned my stripes young—mostly for theft and things involving fire. Typical unsupervised teenager shit.”
He shook his head. “Over a decade ago, I got drunk and thought it’d be funny to hack into the Enforcer Chief’s security feed. Of his house. I didn’t even remember to mask my location. He got a notification that someone was watching the live, unencrypted feed of his balcony. Of course they found me. I thought I was dead on the spot, but instead, they gave me a job.
“Surveillance had me test security systems, find exploits, profile people. Spy, basically. But four years ago, I started pushing back on the stuff they wanted me to do.” He paused. “I wrote the program on your tablet. That’s how I knew to look for it.
“Anyway, I told my boss I was done.” He waved a hand. “I’m not some white knight, and I don’t think I’m a good person. I’ve killed people and wrecked a lot of shit. But I don’t get off on hurting women and I was sick of helping them do that.”
He rubbed the scar on his face. “Well, you and everyone else can see how that went.”
Mara absorbed the confession, but she wasn’t shocked or angry. She had already assumed his secret past would involve something he feared might drive her away. He was clever and skilled with tech, so of course Surveillance would’ve been clamoring to take him on.
But he’d left. He’d walked away and paid a terrible price just to stop helping them hurt women like her.
“Dawson showed up at Hyperion when I was still an apprentice,” she said. “He decided then and there that I’d be his shiny new trophy who makes armor. He took me off the street and held me captive. I was still allowed to work, obviously, but I had to live with him in Division One. He didn’t move me out until I was broken down enough to not try anything stupid.” She studied him. “I’m assuming since we’re both in our thirties now, that you didn’t help him stalk me ten years ago.”
Gordon grimaced as he looked everywhere but at her. “No. Just his piece-of-shit followers. I was telling the truth when I said I didn’t know much about you.”
Mara shrugged. “I’ve spent enough time with Dawson and his type to know you’re nothing like them. Silva arms the monsters and I make them armor. We all have a hand in the problem for our own reasons.”
He tipped his head in acknowledgment.
“So,” she said, “am I allowed to join tomorrow night, or do I have to wait? I can tell Kimmie is thrilled by my presence.”
A faint smile tugged at his mouth. “Bring your gauntlets. Tomorrow, I’ll show you how to use them.”
“Good.” She was excited—not just about learning something new, but about spending more time with him.
She glanced toward the door and stood. “Would you mind walking me back to the tunnel entrance? I know this safe house is closer, but I’m not sure I can find my way.” The truth was, she didn’t want to leave him yet.
