Memento Mori

2.7 - THE FIRE

DOWN THE AIRSHAFT at a breakneck pace. No lights, no talking, the only sounds the dull tap of boots against metal and the whir of the autocable. I lead the descent, clearing whole meters in single bounds. High above, the true night sky has faded to a pinprick of midnight blue in a sea of black. Below, a maw of darkness yawns, heavy and oppressive. Strangely deafened echoes warble through the black like we're sinking underwater. Strange silhouettes drift past on every side.

Most are machinery, utilities, remains of the capital's ancient founding. Still. Can't help the way my mind interprets the unseen shapes. Asides from birds and Tamer pets, we don't have animals in the capital- you'll only find bioengineered fauna in the corners of the Section, drakes and deer and such. Doesn't do much to settle my paranoia. There are rumors of scarier creatures in the Vents. People who use their JOYs to go fully monster, like the Modd class, and never go back. Never shut off the neural link that gives them their power, not even to sleep.

In my eighteen years, I've never seen a single thing that would give weight to the rumors. But you don't have to believe in ghost stories to know you shouldn't walk a graveyard at midnight.

When my gut tells me we're finally at the level of the Vector Seven block, I pull out my JOY and toggle on the projector, splaying a thin sheet of electric-blue light over the walls of the shaft. A few quick hops around the shaft, and one more small drop, before I find the exit. Another small ledge set in the wall, this one's got a full steel door blocking the way out. No lock or anything. I keep the light on and wait another minute for Matthias and Lain to catch up before dousing it and returning us to darkness. We slow our breathing, unable to see each other even though we're crouched inches apart.

Matthias touches my shoulder, whispering quieter than a heartbeat. "If you want, I can pull you into my mental bond with Lain. It's like a battle net- you'll be able to feel our general location and distance, and share in our reactions."

"No offense, but I've got things in my head I don't want anyone poking around in."

"Fair enough."

Lain inches forward and presses a palm against the bulkhead. "It's quiet out there. What's on the other side?"

"Locker room, tenth floor of half-finished office building in the middle of the block. One of the lockers has a false back." Breathing settled, I rise and take point at the door, slipping the 6-Teba from its holster. The first electrolytic round primes with a feral whine and a tiny pulse of sapphire light. My thumb draws back the hammer. "We're hours late to the party. No telling who or what is out there. Keep low, keep quiet, follow my lead." I point a finger at Matthias. "You're on backup duty."

"Backup duty?"

"Someone needs to make sure the way out stays clear. Once we find Krey, we're coming right back here, likely with some trouble." I shake my head when he starts to protest. "The less people we have poking around in there, the better. Gotta be quiet and fast. And if something goes wrong, Psis are dead weight in a straight fight."

He looks to Lain for confirmation. The taller girl shrugs and waves him back. "She's got a point."

"I still don't like the idea..."

"And I'd rather you not end up looking like Mori did when we dragged her out of the Orange."

That gets his acceptance, albeit begrudgingly.

The two thieves arm up as we get into position around the door. Lain's cutting wire slides into view first. Her eyes flashing venomous green in the darkness; some kind of enhanced vision. Matthias closes his eyes and sinks into a meditative state.

"A block this big will take hours to search," he murmurs. "How are you going to find your friend?"

"Like most things that involve the syndicate." Brow lowering, I brace my shoulder against the door. "Very, very carefully."