A Work of Art

Familiarity

Reikas led his two companions out of the storage unit, holding a warm can of empty beer. Alexandra followed behind, and Seraphim took the rear. The latter carried a wooden box with one arm, their target hiding inside. A small hole was pierced to allow the two to breathe, and the remaining space was filled with empty cans. The idea was concocted by Reikas, and a lack of competition cemented it as plan A. Light from the fading sun hit their eyes as Eden's car slowly pulled up to the building. Seraphim began loading it into the car before the man from before walked up, this time lacking a smile.

“What's in there?”

“Beer cans,” Seraphim retorted, not bothering to look at him as she rested the box uncomfortably on the back seat. “Someone's gotta clean the storage and it clearly isn't you jackasses.” She snatched the empty beer can from Reikas and opened the box slightly. Other cans did indeed litter the top, although a piece of Duet's hair stuck out from a small gap. A gentle toss united the can with its family, hiding the human family between them. The man took a glance in the box. Seraphim and Alexandra's face were stone cold, but Reikas could see a small bead of sweat forming on the singer's temple. After a brief analysis, the man's face softened and backed away.

“...hmm. Why ya taking it away? We have recycling.”

“We scrap them,” Alexandra said. “It's free metal. We'd be fools to give resources back to corporations.”

He laughed. “Damn right. Maybe I should start doin’ that.” His gaze turned instead towards Eden with a smile. “Eh, I won't keep ya. Don't wanna make you late for your cowboy convention.” The laugh escalated in volume as the driver's face matched the hue of their bandana. Reikas breathed a sigh of relief as the trip got in the car, beginning to drive away.

“...that's it? Did we do it?” He moved his eyes over everyone else in the car. Eden's focus remained on the dirt path that was pretending to be a road. In the backseat, Alexandra and Seraphim began breaking the box. Wood and cans fell to the seat and floor, and before long, mother and son were seated proper. The former took a look around, staring at their former prison in the back window, watching it shrink from view. Tears welled in her eyes as she planted a kiss to her sleeping son's forehead.

“I… I think so…” was all she could mutter out. Celebration broke out between the crew as the drive began. Even Alexandra had to fight a grin from forming. She took a deep breath.

“Let us not get careless. This was only half of the mission. The difficult half, true, but half nonetheless. We get paid on arrival at Casmont Station. Only then can we celebrate.” The hype died down as they heeded Alexandra's caution, but the spirit was still there. “How long of a drive is it, Eden?”

Eden glanced at the car's clock. “Uh… 2ish hours, give or take?”

“Mmm. Some downtime, then.”

Reikas turned around to face Alexandra. “Hey, Alex? Can I call you that?”

“No. It is Alexandra to you.”

“Okay sure whatever. Lemme ask a question that's been bouncing in my head. What was with the uh… package, note things? The letters?”

A moment of silence passed over the car as Alexandra stared ahead. After some brief deliberation, she relented. “They were notifications of potential recruitment. The occupants were people I could use, for a safehouse mainly. You all proved useful enough in this rescue operation, which was not planned, but appreciated nonetheless.”

“Hey,” Seraphim interjected. “I wanna ask something too. What's below the blindfold?”

Alexandra let out a small chuckle. “I usually scold those who ask. But I figure I can inform you all if you wish.” Seraphim's face lit up as Alexandra grasped the cloth. Even Eden glanced in the rear view mirror, morbidly curious. The blindfold was removed, and a deep scar lined her face, from temple to temple. Her eyes were seemingly unaffected by whatever injury led to the scar. Eden didn't seem to react, focusing on the road instead. Duet and Reikas retched. Leaning in close, Seraphim whistled.

“Damn. What happened?”

“It's a long story. But the eyes are plastic.”

“Why? Not like cyber eyes are that expensive.”

She sighed. “It's not about cost. It's about integrity. If I want to succeed, I'll do it on my own, without relying on cybernetics. No offense.”

Seraphim sighed. She began rubbing her forearm, imagining the copious amount of wires and circuitry that hide within her arm. “Must be nice to have a choice.”

“This life was your choice,” Alexandra commented. The singer immediately wanted to lash out, verbally or physically. Duet being between them foiled the latter, and the truth of her statement made her stop any verbal retort. It was indeed her choice. Alexandra was right. Seraphim would never admit it aloud, but there was something about this woman that she looked up to. Her ability to act without hesitation? Her leadership? Perhaps she just looked cool-

Her thoughts were interrupted by Reikas. “Hey, uh, Miss Duet. Could I ask ya where you're going after we get to the station?”

Duet's wrinkled face faced him with a smile. “I'd like to share, but it's best if it remains private. Sairo and I are going somewhere safe. My husband will be waiting.”

“Your husband's gonna be there?” His eyes light up. “Hey… how about you uh, put in a good word for me with him? You know, I'm a budding artist. I do commissions.”

A giggle escaped Duet as Eden sighed. “Rei, you're not going to get commissioned by a fucking Avrim.”

“Eh. Que vivra veri, as they say.” He reclined in his seat, only to have it kicked by Alexandra. Her face was stoic as usual, hiding a smirk.

“That is not the phrase. It is qui vivra verra. Say it proper.”

“You're just making up words.”

“Je suis né en France, idiot. Now again. Until you get it right for once.”

Reikas' groaning and butchering of the language was cut short by the sound of a car pulling up behind Eden’s, an old fashioned megaphone booming a feminine voice.

“Pull over. We don't have to be rough.”