Planet Omega

Chapter 28

We pack up everything of importance and necessity. The goal is to ensure that if our base base is discovered by the empire and they break through the domeward net, they cannot track us. And more than that, they cannot even know who was hiding out in the trainyard in the first place.

I'll admit, it does feel silly packing up my books again, hauling them around like they aren't just bound paper and ink. But my books of history have been with me since the very beginning, stolen from the labs from which I escaped. They're important in ways even I don't understand yet.

"You bringing those?"

I turn to see Cal standing in my train car's doorway, pointing at my hanging origami stars over my bed. I smile softly. "They can stay here. They're better suited for the train car, anyway," I tell her, zipping up my bag of books. I give my train car one more look around and a hint of sadness rests on my chest.

Being attached to anything as a runaway, a criminal, an EMMA model pawn, is foolish. So I never put much stock into the items I acquired, especially because material things are just...things. My books go with me, but that's all I ever bring, which makes it easier for me.

But this place, this train car of mine...It's truly my home.

"It's not forever," Cal tells me, offering a sympathetic look. "We can start here again after everything. It's all we'll have for a little while anyway, right?"

She tries, and it warms my heart to know she cares like that. She wants to see me smile, so I offer her a small, weak smile. It's the best I can do for now. "It's not forever," I confirm with a nod, and then I swing my bag onto my shoulder. "You're all packed up?"

"Packed and in the car." The car being the unmarked vehicle that utilizes solar power, a smart move on the PRF's side. The reflective vehicle can't be tracked by the empire unless a drone happens over it, but its reflective properties are able to fry any technology that gets too close. It's a win-win.

"Then it's time to head back. While the sun is still shining," I say. When I pass by Cal, I give her a quick kiss before hopping out of the train car. She doesn't immediately follow me out, so I poke my head back in to see her taking down the origami stars and stuffing them into her pockets.

The five of us arrive back at the hideout just in time for dinner, much to Will's excitement. Regular pawns mostly tend to the messes and clean ups, but otherwise, I am the only EMMA model pawn in the food hall. The hierarchy here is more painfully obvious now that many of the members live in the same place. It's as the pawn orgs wanted, I'm sure.

Some are more expendable than others, and it makes my heart ache at the thought that not all of us are equal. There is free will - as long as we know our place. Someday, that divide won't exist anymore. That's the day I'm working towards.

Mateo slips into a seat next to Phin. "The orgs called all five of us for a meeting once the dinner hour is over," he tells us in a lowered voice. Then, after glancing around for a bit, sighs. "How long do you think it'll be until we're not looked at like we're crazy for sitting at the dinner tables?" Mateo asks me.

I shrug. I notice it, but it doesn't bother me. As long as no one's picking a fight with Cal or Phin, then they can stare at me however they all want to. "Meeting for what?"

When he doesn't answer, Cal sets down her fork and makes a show of fully turning her body towards Mateo's direction. "Something big is going down?" she asks.

He nods. "And they specifically asked for you by name. Something big that needs magic."

"God, and killing, I hope," Phin mutters. There's nothing worse than boring an assassin, when all she wants to do is her job.