Lacuna

Chapter 29

The path Mint had found brought the five of them out of the mine shafts and back into the arid desert where they found Mayor Gale, Dr. Xu, Gust, Albert, and Higgins. Arlo, Sam, and Mint took turns explaining what had happened and about the AI they had encountered.

"So that's what's causing the quakes," Gale mused. "I can't believe there are still such dangerous things lurking about down there. I must write to Atara right away and have them send someone to check out the shafts below for any more danger." He turned to Mint. "What about the tunnel? Can it still be salvaged?

"I think so," Mint said. "I'll do an assessment, then get back to you."

Gale nodded. "Well, I'm glad everyone's alright, that's the important thing."

"How do you feel?" Dr. Xu asked, approaching Mint and removing the bandage to examine his wound.

"I've had better days," Mint said.

Xu nodded. "You're gonna need stitches," he said.

Mayor Gale and Dr. Xu guided Mint to the awaiting vehicle, and the six of them climbed in.

"Make sure there isn't anything more down there," Gale said to Arlo. "If we're going to continue construction, we can't awaken anything else and have another mishap. No one goes in until it's clear and we can clear the blockage."

"Yes, sir," Arlo said, and they watched as the vehicle drove out of sight.

"Well, that was exciting," Remington commented.

Arlo turned his gaze to him, glaring angrily at him.

"Oh, come on," Remington said. "I didn't do anything!"

"I gave you strict orders -"

"Knock it off," Kahli barked at him. "Come on, do you really think he let me waltz on in there?" She crossed her arms. "You should know better by now, Arlo. There was nothing he could do to stop me."

Clearly Arlo wasn't any happier with her. She could practically see his jaw tighten as he forced himself to remain calm. He turned away from them and whistled sharply. The horses - who had been picking on some stray tufts of greenery - came trotting toward them, and Arlo climbed onto Spacer. The other three followed suit, mounting their own horses silently, like children who were being punished.

"Way to go, Remi," Sam muttered. "You know how he gets."

"What was I supposed to do?" Remington hissed. "Tie her down somewhere?"

Kahli snorted. "Probably."

"Would that have worked?" Sam asked.

"No," Remington said dryly. "This is Kahli we're talking about."

Kahli smirked and nodded. "He'll get over it."

"Just leave me out of it," Remington muttered.

"I told you I had your back," Kahli reminded him. "I take full responsibility for myself and my actions."

"It's just a good thing you didn't get yourself killed by an AI," Sam said. "Or he'd have killed us all."

"That's sweet," Kahli said.

Remington scoffed. "Yeah. Totally."

Kahli pushed Star into a trot, catching up with Arlo and Spacer, then slowed to their pace.

"Are you going to sulk all day?"

"I'm not sulking," Arlo snapped.

Kahli frowned. "Is this going to be a thing? Are we fighting?"