Sylens was waiting for her on the balcony where Tilda had told Aloy that she was aligning herself with her and not with the other Zeniths. It’s also where she had lied about the real reason as to why she was doing so. Aloy felt her spine tremble, repulsed by Tilda’s memory. She looked at the spot where Beta had appeared in the data channel, shivering and alone, tormented by the Zeniths until she capitulated. Sylens turned to face her, the Zenith’s base in the distance, lights causing it to glow like an ethereal world.
He was tall, solidly built but of muscle, not fat. He could handle himself well in battle but more than that, he had a brilliant mind. Too bad he didn’t seem to have a heart to go along with it. For all of Sylens’ intelligence, there was little compassion or consideration. This made him essential but only just bearably so. His skin was dark, marked with blue cords that Banuk shamans were inclined to bear. However, Aloy knew Sylens was not welcome amongst the Banuk or almost any other tribe.
No wonder he had nearly abandoned them all to escape onboard the Odyssey.
No one else would stomach his company.
“Aloy, how good of you to come.”
“Always a pleasure, Sylens.”
Both of them knew neither of them meant it.
“I’m here. What requires my attention?”
Sylens looked grave…but then he usually did. “I’ve been spending a great deal of time at the Zenith base, gleaning insights and gaining information…and I have made a disturbing discovery.”
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Aloy frowned. “More disturbing than Nemesis?”
“More immediate at least.” Sylens conceded, the blue cords threaded through his skin glowing against the darkness of night. “A single transport pod is unaccounted for.”
“Transport pod?” Aloy frowned.
“A tiny ship, capable of transporting one individual a limited distance.”
Aloy’s skin ran cold. “The Odyssey…is it still there?”
“The pod isn’t capable of breaking the gravity of the earth. As such, it didn’t go into space or anywhere near the Odyssey. It went,” Sylens pointed south, “that way.”
Aloy paused. “Is it too much to hope it malfunctioned?”
“Yes. It was intelligently activated and contained a single person.”
“Wait,” Aloy shook her head and hands, “we did a head count. Twelve Zeniths including Verbena, Erik Visser and Gerard. That’s it…unless…”
“Tilda lied.”
“Well…we know she wasn’t a beacon of virtue,” Aloy muttered, “and she was a convincing liar…but it doesn’t make sense. Why lie about the amount of Zeniths?”
“I don’t know,” Sylens admitted, “but there is one on the loose and given the specific heading the pod had, we can’t chance that the Zenith is benign.”
“You mean, I can’t chance it.” Sylens shrugged and Aloy grunted. “I guess I’ve got to go further south then.”
“All the way to an old world city ruin called Los Angeles.”
Aloy rolled her eyes. “Right. Well, I’d better set off…”
“Wait,” she huffed and put her hands on her hips, “given that you’re the orchestrator of the uprising of humanity and your gene print opens doors the rest of us can’t blast our way into…you might want to leave your FOCUS on at all times.”
Aloy tilted her head. “Aw Sylens…are you disappointed you couldn’t spy on me?”
“Please,” Sylens snorted, “there’s no need to spy when your actions are obvious to all. But the truth of the matter is that you don’t get to take a day off or go without letting anyone know where.”
“You do.” Aloy said sharply.
“Ah yes,” Sylens smiled smugly, “but we both know you and I are nothing alike.” She glared at him as he turned and walked away, the conversation over.
Aloy breathed out sharply and rolled her eyes then turned her attention westward. “Right…to Los Angeles and our random, unaccounted for Zenith…” She licked her lips and sighed. “At least the journey will distract me…”