Gale clicked on his light when he entered the basement hallway. He didn’t, strictly speaking, need the whole of his journey on the surface concealed in shadow, but more than a decade of strict OPSEC was a hard habit to break. In any case, it was probably for the best he left as little a trail as possible. That was his opinion, at least.

He was back in the Old City ruins, responding to a message from Angel. Apparently she wanted to meet. If he had to guess, it was to tell him the thief flaked on the mission. He wasn’t surprised, although he was a little disappointed. His boss was going to be annoyed he let the security override program go to waste.

Gale reached the end of the hallway and stepped into the small room. He was shocked to discover two people inside, the mysterious woman Mable and her partner Beltran, but not the enthusiastic Night Owl. Mable walked to the center of the room when he entered.

“Glad you could make it,” Mae said.

“Where’s Angel?” Gale said.

“She was… affected by the contents of the drive.”

“You have it?” He didn’t know if he should be impressed, incredulous, or concerned. Even with the virus he gave her, it shouldn’t have been possible He’d been at the facility himself, waiting in the administrative wing for someone to cause a stir breaking in.

“Of course,” Mae purred. She produced a silver pouch and waved it in front of him.

Gale took a quick breath to settle himself, trying not to let it show, then said, “Impressive. I suppose you’re the real deal after all.” He held out his hand. “With that data we’ll be able to make a real difference.”

“Oh, certainly”—Mae returned the drive to its hidden pocket—“but I’m afraid our relationship is imbalanced at the moment.”

Gale scoffed, “Extortion? Can’t say I’m surprised.”

“Not at all,” Mae said pleasantly. “It’s not my compensation at issue, it is my trust. I think I’ve demonstrated my competence, and my loyalty, but you, on the other hand, remain quite the mystery.”

“I’ve been with the Night Owls for years.”

“Indeed you have, which is well and good for them, but I’ve known you all of two days, and that virus of yours was, shall we say, too convenient.”

Gale huffed. He supposed a healthy level of paranoia was to be expected from a criminal. “That is a fair point, but if you’re hoping I’ll reveal the source I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to divulge.”

“No, I understand, such things are delicate matters. I am far more interested in how you intend to use this data. It is, you might say, quite incriminating to a large number of people. In the wrong hands the effect could prove rather… disruptive.”

“You’ve looked at it, I assume?” Gale said. Mae nodded, and he continued, “I hope you weren’t… indiscreet. I mean to save it for where it will have maximum impact.”

“You have something in mind?”

“I do, actually, though I hope you understand if I play that one a little close. My plan can’t risk premature exposure.”

“I can respect that,” Mae said. “Though may I ask how long you intend to sit on this.”

“Not long at all,” Gale said. “In fact, there is a tremendous opportunity in the near future which, if everything goes right, will mark a drastic turning point in American politics.”

“I’ll admit I’m intrigued.” Mae retrieved the pouch once more, and held it out. Gale reached for it slowly, and she allowed him to take it. “I do hope you’ll keep me… apprised.”

“Of course.” Gale opened the envelope and drew out its contents. Sure enough, it was a hard drive from a federal data center, and even had the exact tags and markings he expected.

“You look surprised,” Mae said. “Did you doubt I pulled if off?”

Gale laughed. “You’re remarkably perceptive.” In truth, it made him nervous. It might be best to bring in Night Owls from another city for the next stage of the plan, and deal with Mable later. “I confess, a small part of me thought you were bluffing. I’m pleased so skilled a woman joined our cause.”

“Such high praise.” Her voice carried a sultry lilt. “I trust I can expect you to… rely on me for future service.”

“I’m sure I’ll be able to find a place for you. For now I need to process this data.”

“I’ll leave you to it.” Mae bowed playfully and motioned for Arte to follow. She stopped at the door and turned to Gale. “But be careful, the contents are quite… troubling. Even an Admin might have a crisis of conscience if he saw it.”

His pulse spiked. Did she specify an Admin for a reason? The woman vanished through the door, leaving Gale in the dim light to wonder at what she said.

Meanwhile, Mae guided Arte through the building, and then on another winding path through Old City to elude their hypothetical tail. Eventually, they returned to a clearing on the far side of the ruined district, where the Raptor swooped in to pick them up. Moments later they were high in the sky, shedding their disguises and settling into position on opposite benches.

“Why did you say that thing about Admins?” Arte said. “Won’t that make him suspicious?”

“Perhaps,” Mae admitted. “And honestly, I might have only done it to mess with him. Still, our cause would be well served by stirring a little doubt in his heart, so I think on average it was a good idea.”

Arte eyed her skeptically, then said, “If you say so.”

She laughed. “Well, it’ll probably work out regardless. Anyway, it’s time to wrap up for the day.”

“Are you going to make me spend another night on a bench?” Arte said.

Mae hummed, then said, “Actually, why don’t you try sleeping in the front cabin tonight. The chairs don’t go down far, but are comfortable regardless.”

“Alright, it’s worth a shot.”

“But before that, let’s get you something to eat.” She stood and fetched a few pouches from a nearby panel before returning to the table.

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“Oh goody, more mystery mush.”

“You should have seen what they shackled us with before,” Mae said. “At least this has an actual flavor.”

“I suppose I should thank you for the hospitality,” Arte said. “But truth be told I’d kill for a shower.”

“You and me both, kid. The Raptor is designed for many things, but comfort isn’t one of them. Frankly I’m amazed it’s held up this well as our base of operations.”

“Would a trip home be that dangerous?”

“Yes, unfortunately. Federal cities are some of the most surveilled places on Earth, and unless those bozos from Thirteen lied about your fate, your house will be under watch. If you popped in for a shower, by the time you finished feds would be blooming out of your drain pipes.”

Arte sighed. “I guess I’ll manage.” He and Mae finished a light meal, then he moved into the front cabin. He kicked off his shoes and settled into one of the bucket seats, where he slowly drifted to sleep.

He woke about eight hours later, dragging himself to his feet with groggy lurches. He downed half a bottle of water, then ran through a quick series of stretches before walking into the rear cabin. Inside, he was greeted by nothing.

“Mae?” He looked around. The Solver was nowhere to be found. He searched the narrow compartment, as if the woman could somehow be hiding behind one of the thin panels that lined the walls. Eventually, he settled in front of a conspicuously empty space. The metal case usually fixed to the wall was as absent as the woman who wore it.

Arte stood frozen in place a minute, his face growing more perplexed by the second. Finally, he shrugged and sighed. “Maybe she went shopping?” He looked around. “I wonder if we’re parked.” He canted his head, then frowned. The interior of the Raptor was always quiet, even when airborne.

He took a slow turn, then his face lit up. “Right, I can check up front.” He returned to the forward cabin and tapped a glowing button on a touch panel by the window. The glass brightened until it was fully transparent, where it revealed a pile of ruble abreast a crumbling wall. The Raptor was in Old City, nestled into one of the many clearings large enough to hide its bulky frame.

Arte studied the scene, his face shifting in time with his thoughts. After a minute, he said, cautiously, “Does this mean… we won?” There was no answer from any of the cockpit’s handful of consoles. “Well… okay then. I… guess I’ll go home?”

He walked out the forward compartment and to the side door, then studied the panel beside it. “Were there always this many buttons?” He reached towards the pad, but before he could touch it a message flashed over the display.

“Warning. Solver Preoccupied. Alone. Central Unsafe.”

Arte froze, bewildered. Eventually, he stuttered, “What?”

“Suggest Blue Zone. Can Dispatch Raptor.”

Arte remained dazed a few seconds, before shaking it away and saying, “Cybel? Is that you?” When it was clear no response was forthcoming, Arte continued, “I know you can hear me, so don’t act like you can’t.” He looked around, as though he might find the mysterious AI floating behind him.

When she persisted in silence, Arte said, “Alright, fine. If you won’t explain, then I’ll figure it out myself.”

He reached for the panel again, but was interrupted by a message that read, “Nuisance.”

“Yeah, maybe, but tell me what happened to Mae anyway.”

“Captured.”

“What!” Arte skipped back, and then lapped the cabin in a flurry of nervous energy, as though he meant to round up the crew to rescue their Captain. As no ragtag band of adventurers materialized, he instead returned to the pad and said, “How could that happen?”

“Followed Gale With Drone. Found Leader. Attacked. Underestimated Defenses.”

“Why didn’t you warn her?”

“Did. Ignored. Nuisance.”

“Damnit!” Arte said. “We have to rescue her.”

“Incorrect.”

“Well, someone has to. You told her association, right? Are they going to send a Solver?” After a few seconds with no answer, Arte added, “Don’t clamp up on me now!”

“Problem Difficult. Strategy Questionable. Antagonistic.”

“You mean they’re going to leave her?” Arte yelled. “Can’t they do something?”

“Negotiate.”

Arte settled a bit, but said, “And what are the chances that will work?”

“Unknown.”

Arte shambled to the far wall and fumbled with a panel until the bench deployed, then dropped into it. “This is all my fault. If I hadn’t….” He shook his head and looked at a nearby screen. “Cybel, you have to help me save her.”

“False. Outside Contract. Violates Intent.”

“What does that mean?”

“Lead Out Of Danger.”

“What about Mae?”

“Made Choice.”

Arte sagged. “So I can’t get your help?” He stared at the display, eyes trembling. When it was clear Cybel did not intend to respond, he drooped further, turning forwards. He pulled his foot onto the chair so he could rest his chin on his knee, then settled. The seconds piled into minutes, and further still until they approached an hour.

Suddenly, he perked up, eyes drifting to the screen. “You didn’t answer me,” he said slowly. He stood and braced in front of the terminal, glaring at it. “Is there some way I can get you to help me?” No message appeared. “Ah… I see how it is. You won’t lie, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be forthcoming either, especially if you think the answer might make me do something you don’t want me to.”

He hummed and said, “Alright, I’ll play your game,” then started a circular pace through the cramped cabin. Muttered thoughts slipped half formed from his lips, while his hands fidgeted through various ideas. Eventually, he aimed his gaze at a terminal and said, “You’re some kind of machine, right? So you must be a real stickler for rules.” He gave it a prickly frown. “I don’t suppose you’ll volunteer the rules you’re meant to follow?”

The display cycled through its idle animation, but otherwise remained silent. “Didn’t think so,” Arte said. “Still… what was it you said earlier? Helping me would break your contract?” He walked a tight circle, before smiling. “The contract, right! You’re looking out for me because it’s literally something I signed up for. If I can show the terms mean your best option is to help me, you’d have to do it. It would violate your programming not to.”

“Not Programming Violation.”

Arte grinned. “Ah, you’re speaking again, but I got bad news friend, that proves I’m on the right track.”

“Nuisance.”

He laughed, then returned to the corner bench and pulled down the terminal. A few minutes later he was logged into Psa Psa and reading over his agreement with Cybel. He poured though the document several times, growing more subdued with each pass. Eventually he slumped and sighed. “Or maybe you played me like a fool and the real answer is elsewhere.”

Arte studied the tip of his shoe, squeaking it back and forth on the metal floor. Halfway through a particularly loud twist, he bolted upright, then stared at the panel by the door.

“You… didn’t talk to me until I threatened to put myself in danger.” He scrolled through Cybel’s contract one more time. “It says here you can’t stop me from doing stuff… and here….” He tapped one of the terms. “It says you are, however, obligated to tell me about any dangerous situations I’m getting into, if at all possible. If I were to leave the Raptor and head to, for instance, the police station, you wouldn’t be able to warn me of any damn fool things I might say.”

The door slid open. Arte jumped to his feet, a hopeful look in his eyes. “Mae?”

Instead of the Solver, a drone the size of a large bird hovered through the opening. Carried in a clasp on its belly was a thin black tablet, Arte’s phone. It floated in front of him, dumped the device unceremoniously into his hands, then darted outside.

Arte checked it over. The surface was a little dusty, but otherwise none the worse for the wear. A message popped up on the screen. “Obligation satisfied.”

He smiled. “Nice try, but you and I both know if I’m kidnapped again this thing is going straight in the garbage. If you really want to ‘satisfy your obligation,’ you need a much better plan.”

The silence lingered until a flash of doubt passed his eyes, but Cybel finally responded. “Nuisance.”

He sighed and smiled, then said, “Yes, yes, now why don’t you tell me what my best hope for saving Mae is.”

“Warning. Rescue Dangerous. Success Unlikely.”

“As long as there’s a chance, I’m willing to risk it, okay?” Arte said. “So what’s the plan?”

“Analyzing Strategies. Ally Beneficial. Suggest Angel.”

“I can talk to her!” Arte bolted to the door. “I’m sure she’ll help.”

“Arranging Meeting. Explain Situation.”