Page 52 of Jump or Fall
He eyed the dogs again, still staring him down. It didn't seem like he had much of a choice; shooting the robot dogs seemed like a stupid idea.
Inu came around the corner on his bike and waved. Gordon started his and followed. The dogs panted as they ran, but their heavy breaths sounded artificial while their tongues lolled.
How did they make them so lifelike?
They turned down a side road and were met by an imposing building ahead with a sign that read: The Naxiot.
Gordon pulled into the lot and followed Inu inside. The bar area was deserted except for a man slumped over a table, holding an empty glass.
One of the dogs approached the man to sniff, making him jerk upright, bleary-eyed and mumbling. The dog emitted a low growl, and the man stumbled out of the bar.
Inu gestured for Gordon to have a seat and asked the server for two smelters.
Gordon gave him a quizzical look.
“It’s a popular drink around here—like a spiced rum. People think they’re funny because the city thrives on mining.”
“I’m surprised you have humans serving drinks here,” Gordon said. Teichus mostly used bots for service jobs.
“How sure are you of his humanity?”
Gordon whipped around to look more closely. The server appeared to be a regular man, probably Vlach. Brown hair with high widow’s peaks and sharp cheekbones.
“He’s a bot?” Gordon asked, stunned.
“At what point is a man still a man versus a machine?” Inu replied.
“I don't know…” The server locked eyes with him, sending a wave of goosebumps across his arms. They weren’t like Inu’s, but something still wasn’t right.
What the fuck is this place?
He shook his head, trying to refocus. “What does your Archon want from me?”
Inu grinned, but his smile had the opposite of a calming effect, the white web of scars around his prosthetic eyes only adding to the unease. The two mechanical globes boring into him were the epitome of uncanny. Just human enough to make one do a double take then send a shiver up your spine the longer you looked.
“Archon Singer wants you to go back to Teichus and remove the Silvers.”
Gordon scoffed. “And why does she think I’m capable of that?”
The server arrived with their smelters, placing them on the table. The short glass was filled with a reddish-brown liquor that shimmered gold when the light hit it at an angle.
Inu took a small sip, and Gordon copied, unsure of how strong the drink would be or if he would like it.
It was dry and spicy, with a hint of sweetness underneath. Not bad.
“Well, she doesn’t expect you to do it all on your own. You’d have others to work with. You would also be compensated for your trouble and have funding for whatever you need.”
“I just left that shithole. Why would I want to go right back?”
Inu draped an arm over the back of his seat. “Revenge? An opportunity to make the world a better place? You can pick your reason.”
“Why does she want them gone? No one cared about what’s happening before, so what changed?”
“The usual: military and technological superiority, as well as resources. Hyperion is a beacon of military advancement. An open Teichus would also improve industry due to its favorable port. Cygnus may have a port, but it’s far away and a vicious current visits every so often to sink ships. That’s not to mention the raids that occur along the road to get there.”
“I take it she’s using the humanitarian angle to convince everyone?”
The corner of Inu’s mouth quirked up. “The Western Domain leadership is deeply disturbed by the reports coming out of the city.”
