Page 129 of Jump or Fall
“The nanobots in his blood,” Silva said quickly. “They maintain the link between the body and the chip, sending signals between biological tissue and cybernetics.” He leaned forward, intent. “Can you still control the claws?”
“No. My eye went dark, but after he died, everything went back to normal.”
Silva nodded, his eyes darting as if running rapid calculations in his head. “This has… interesting implications.”
Millon gave him a sharp look. “Let’s focus on restoring order to the city before chasing new experiments.”
Without waiting for a response, Millon pulled out his tablet and snapped a picture of Dawson. He turned back to Mara. “You sure you don’t want to stay? There’ll be plenty of work after this. Lots of ruined suits to fix.”
She pushed herself up and walked to the open doorway. The rain was somehow coming down even harder, calling to her. The scent of wet pavement and smoke wafted through the air.
“Hyperion will always be a part of me,” she said, “but I can’t go back. I need to do something new.” She couldn’t base her identity around her work anymore. The best way to learn who she really was would be to separate herself from it.
Gordon joined her, his fingers brushing against hers before taking her hand in his. “Plus, I promised someone I’d run away into the night with them.”
Whoever she was, she knew Gordon would always be part of the picture. The one who gave her the courage to fight back and reclaim herself. To not remain a passive object to be manipulated and used.
“If things go as planned,” Millon said, “you’ll be leaving through the gate instead of some hole in the ground.”
Mara arched a brow. “And how do you plan to put the city back together?”
He chuckled. “Hacker-man isn’t the only one with friends in Naxos and the rest of the Domain.”
Kimmie stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Mara’s shoulder. “Don’t take off without saying goodbye, please.”
Mara covered Kimmie’s hand with her own. “We won’t. And we’ll keep in touch.”
Kimmie offered a sharp nod before looking away, her eyes reddening.
Mara stepped out into the storm.
The thunder rumbled so deeply she felt it crawl up her legs, settling in her bones. The cool rain poured, washing away the blood on her skin, streaking down the armor’s worn plates before dripping to the ground.
Mara lifted her face to the sky and let it cleanse her.
She was finally free.
Chapter 44
Mara
The new Archon, Selim Ikeda, had been chosen from among the senators, and thousands of citizens attended his acceptance speech. That same day, he vowed to open the city and repeal Section 47 of the legal code, which would lift all restrictions on movement for those with facial scars.
The announcement had been met with relief and celebration by most, but the upper classes were less enthusiastic, and new legal protections had been met with open hostility. Freedom to travel was one thing, but being forced to accept a scarred tenant or employee? That was a step too far.
Decades of ingrained prejudice wouldn’t fade overnight.
The city had been open for three weeks. Some ventured beyond the walls, eager for a taste of the outside world, only to return when they realized there was nothing close by. Naxos remained a distant dream—too far and uncertain. The thought of starting over in an unfamiliar place was terrifying for most.
Still, plans to expand the city beyond the walls flooded the newsfeeds, and hopeful conversations buzzed through the populace. No one was more eager than the people of Division Eight.
Wide open sky available to everyone.
Archon Singer had been disappointed to learn of Dawson’s death in the fighting. A trial for his crimes would never happen now, thoughcharges against other Silvers could still be brought before the Western Domain courts.
Many Silvers fled. Those without implants could disappear into the waves of people leaving, slipping away without a trace.
With the Silvers dwindling, Gordon’s contract had been fulfilled and the payments stopped. Fortunately, living in Eight was cheap, and he hadn’t spent much.
