Treacherous terrain, sheer cliff sides against soft sands. Ancient strip mines and drilling projects creating a maze of lethal falls upon the raised surface of the plateau; collapsed structure bringing forth danger at every meter of travel.

Guided by augmentation the trio of souls slowly navigates across the deserted wasteland on approach to the targeted area. Auditor Manara speaks up suddenly, the outcropping of rock beyond a mere two kilometers distant. “Stop.”

“Is there an issue?”

A raised finger pointed outward, eyes towards a split canyon that bisects their planned route.

Ancient rope bridge strung between outcropped ledges, sun bleached plastic panels locked in place by wire and faith.

A construct of times past, travelers from eras before stringing a shortcut now fallen into long disrepair.

“That is not a safe route to take.” Samuel observes as he watches the precarious twelve meter bridge swing upon a desert breeze. “As a Mage your augments certainly have increased your overall bodily mass. Crossing this structure will not result in an optimal conclusion.”

“You make a wise observation.” Auditor Manara raises as she calculates factors within an augmented mind. “However your assumption is that of crossing the structure, not the distance itself.”

“Explain.” Samantha and Samuel both blink at the words.

“My augmentation allows for the crossing of the distance.”

“You can fly.” The girl concludes narrowly.

Auditor Manara shakes her head at the endearing assumption. “The ability to fly implies altitude regulation and sustainment of control. My augmentation merely allows for a long leap, in the case of the Arcane School of Aanar.”

Samuel blinks, a lie of omission spoken. “Reminder, Auditor, that you are the only Aanar mage within this group.”

“Do not be concerned, I have calculated the launch vector. Given an approximation of the weight currently being carried by both of you, a twelve point four meter gap is easily covered without an unnecessary amount of caloric expenditure.”

“Is such a thing necessary?” Samantha asks with mild curiosity.

“It will reduce our travel time by approximately two hours.” Samuel answers his sister. “However there is always a risk, one that I am not willing to take.”

“I assure you I have covered such gaps with much more fragile burdens.” Auditor Manara nods as memories collide. “Is such a proposal sufficient?”

Samantha weighs her options. “I am tired, I will cross.”

Samuel grabs his sister’s arm as he pulls her aside, voice barely a whisper as he turns away from the Collective Auditor. “Perhaps you have forgotten that I am suffering from a condition.”

“And your condition affects the current action?” Samantha asks blankly.

“Attempt to imagine.” Her brother coldly requests with widened eyes.

“I do not mean to overhear.” The Auditor speaks up from behind them. “But my estimation of your combined weight totals to one hundred and thirty kilograms based on my scans of Samantha and a projection of a standard male’s weight of Samuel’s height and age. And I do not know of any medical condition that adds mass upon the unaugmented form.”

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A suspicious glance given towards the twins, the creature awaiting an answer from them.

“I refuse, we will continue walking.” Samuel speaks with finality.

“No, I am not in agreement.” Samantha stubbornly stands her ground.

A glance of hidden conflict between the twins, Auditor Manara speaking up with a bitter joy. “May I propose a compromise?”

“Explain.” Both twins answer at once.

“I will carry Samantha across. Samuel you may take the bridge.”

“Are you attempting to terminate me?” Samuel asks blankly.

Auditor Manara shakes her head. “The bridge may not be able to support the excess weight of an augmented individual, but it can support a being such as yourself.”

“Your faith in its construction is overzealous.” The boy blinks. “The structure itself most likely predates the Federated Cities.”

The Auditor waves away the statement. “My analysis is based on my observation and observa magic. I also believe such a task to be beneficial in overcoming acrophobia. And do not be concerned, if you do begin to fall I can catch you.”

“This conversation is beyond practicality.” Samuel comments.

“I am in agreement. Samuel you shall cross the bridge.” Samantha quickly turns to the being next to her. “What is the method of our crossing?”

“Simple.” The Auditor pauses as augments calculate a final trajectory, eyes flashing blue as confirmation is received.

Strolling up to the girl, the woman speaks with a calming voice. “Please do not struggle.”

“Wh…”

No objections, no time for reconsideration.

Speed barely caught by human reaction, the Auditor’s slender arms wrap around Samantha’s waist. Like a child to be carried the girl is hoisted up, pressed against an ice-cold body of augmented metal.

Muscle fibers tense as the creature readies herself, eyes glowing a brilliant sky blue as gravimetric energy flares around her. Like a blur the thing launches skyward, angle mechanically calculated as the canyon is crossed in the blink of an eye.

Legs extended, the flare of energy detected as the rapidly approaching earth beneath them arrives faster than reaction.

A cloud of sand and dust is swirled into a fury as a soft surface of manipulated gravity is forged from augmentation, a landing executed with gentle precision.

Barely a breath is taken by the girl, released by Auditor Manara as she nearly collapses onto the rock. Lungs coughing from the shock of travel, the woman above her kneels down with grave concern. “Are you alright?”

“Such was… unexpected.” Samantha breathes as she quickly fumbles for her rifle, assurance found in its continued ownership as her voice turns to hostility. “And do not touch me.”

Turning back to the girl’s sibling, Auditor Manara takes stock in the boy’s reaction. A clam, focused exterior; execution of a mildly risky task receiving no quarter from a perfectly centered mind.

A deep breath, great care with each step as the boy moves close to the bridge.

Strung by flayed synthetic rope and decked by thick plates of sun bleached plastic, the simple suspension bridge was leveled over a nearly three hundred meter deep canyon. Supports held by anchors of meter long rusting steel poles driven into the plateau’s granite rock, transit granted by ancient civilization.

The boy carefully grips one of the handropes, the heated texture of woven fiber echoing senses through electrical impulse. A quick judgment as he pulls upon the string, a seemingly intact bridge able to sustain a weight never intended.

A step is taken onto the first plank, an ear splitting creak echoing into the canyon below as ropes begin to strain. Beyond, the boy spots the Collective Auditor as she stands at ready, Samantha watching a sibling with dumbed ignorance.

Nervousness bleeds into absolute focus, steps taken bleeding together as the boy maintains a stable breathing pattern.

A memory of maintained balance, a training regiment implemented to a young soul intruding upon a centered mind. The pain of broken bones, the taste of forced medicine. A single second of the past forcing out panic.

The first rung, the first step followed by the next. Ropes groan with insane suffering, plastic bricks at his feet beginning to crumble from ancient age.

Underneath overbearing weight, a panel beneath his feet shatters. Left leg slipping into the void below, the boy falters as his hands manage to catch his fall in a deathgrip upon flayed rope.