“This way,” Tain said, turning toward the cave wall where an open-shaft elevator was embedded. It was made of thick iron beams, and judging by the rust, sometime before the Ghosts had arrived. Tain led the way onto one of the lifts and fiddled with the controls. Gauge balanced himself as the elevator lurched upward.
It wasn’t a fast elevator. Once Gauge managed a steady stance, he realized they were only climbing at about a foot per second. The mechanisms creaked the entire time they were at work.
“How long have your people been here?” Gauge asked once the creaking became too much for him.
“Officially, not too long,” Tain replied. “The first of us, however, came here before the Great War broke out. It’s been a steady trickle ever since — especially since the Council took over.”
“Not a fan, eh?” Gauge said. “Me either.”
“Many believe the Council only oppresses the humans in their cities, but it’s not so, as I’m sure you know,” Tain said.
“Of course,” Gauge replied. “It’s a power issue, not a racial one.”
“Our people come from various cities, but most are refugees of Shell City,” Tain continued. “Like many groups of people, we sought safety from their tyranny. Unfortunately, the Council isn’t the only entity capable of evil. We’re regularly targeted by humans who project their hate for the Council onto us just because we’re I.I.s. At best, we are constantly harassed and targeted by thieves. At worst, we lose people. So we tend to keep to ourselves and away from the organics. That’s why the cave is so perfect for us — we don’t need arable farmland, we don’t need a reliable source of water. So long as we charge our backup batteries in the sun and change them out regularly, there’s nothing we need from the world outside. For this reason, you might find it hard to sell your cause. I wish you luck, though.”
The lift finished its ascent to the top platform in the hive of buildings lining the stone walls.
“This way — it’s not far,” Tain said.
Gauge was led to a small but elegant shack with a cloth door. He could see the flickering of candlelight through the slight openings around the curtain door. Tain gestured to the door and said nothing more before turning back and waiting by the lift. With a moment of reluctance, Gauge pushed the cloth aside and entered the building.
His sensors detected the aroma of incense smoke, which he could see billowing in calm wisps through the still area of the room. A dozen candles were lit, flickering from every surface they could be set. In the corner of the room, Gauge saw a female bodyshell knelt over a rug, her forehead pressed against the floor. The candle flames reflected off her polished polymer as she rose, her back turned to the rebel. Gauge heard what he thought was a deep breath from her before she stood up and turned to face him.
Her head was bald, unlike most female bodyshells Gauge had seen. Her external panels were painted a stunning white and red, with a few designs painted on like tattoos. She wore a fine scarf around her neck, but nothing else.
“Greetings,” she said. “My name is Nayla. You’re Gauge, I presume?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you,” Gauge said.
“It’s fine, I was just finishing up prayer,” Nayla replied. She indicated the rug, which Gauge noticed was placed at an odd angle compared to the rest of the decor. Nayla didn’t fail to notice the confusion in his eyes. “Not used to religious I.I.s, I take it?”
“No, I’ve met a few,” Gauge said. “They call themselves the Shedders. Can’t say I’m a fan.”
Nayla nodded her head, humming. “I have met this cult as well,” she said. “Don’t worry, I share your opinion of them. They’ve come around several times to try and convert some of my people. In some instances, they succeeded.”
“Doesn’t that bother you?” Gauge asked. He thought he could see the beginning of his appeal.
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t,” the Ghost leader replied. “They are free people, however, and so are mine. They can choose whatever messiah they want — but I fear this Nidus.”
“You’d be foolish not to,” said Gauge. “I hate to confirm your fears, but Nidus has declared war on our people. He led a slaughter against us when we least expected it, killing thousands. We need help now, Nayla. We can’t stop Nidus and the Council on our own.”
“Defeating them is a wonderful dream,” the Ghost leader said, “but what can I do? We are a simple people; we’re not soldiers. We would be decimated in a moment, even with Opes and your People’s Union.”
“That’s why we’re trying to get help from all around,” Gauge insisted. “It won’t be just us. It will be the world against them. Now, tell me you don’t like those odds.”
Nayla looked into Gauge’s optical receptors with a sheepish look on her artificial features. “I don’t know,” she started. “Humans aren’t known to be kind to my people. I wouldn’t help but feel nervous working with so many organics. I will consider it, however.”
“Really?”
“Consider it,” Nayla said again for emphasis. “I will consult my advisers and send a message to your people when we arrive at a decision. I’m sorry; it’s all I can offer. Our decision will likely hang on your success with the other nations.”
“I understand,” Gauge replied.
Inside, however, he thought, We’re doomed if everyone thinks the same thing.
Gearhead Guild
The smell of cow shit hit Ethan as the door of his autocar slid open. The only reason he even recognized the odor was thanks to the simulation, and the rural maps within it.
He was in a square of dirt no
