The Electric Archipelago (WIP)

Chapter 18: Pretending to Watch Robots Work

I crawl over to my revolver, haul myself to my feet, and move to the edge. With weapon at the ready I lean over the railing. Goëtia is nowhere to be seen. After several long seconds I spot a trail of puncture marks that lead up and wall and out of sight.

Gustav has also gotten up, he appears to be uninjured. The both of us make our way over to Gorman and Sylvia, Ashley joins us. The two of them are lying on the floor. There are slashes cut into Sylvia's jumpsuit. The skin underneath is badly scratched, but it is nothing life threatening. Gorman is another story.

Jagged pieces of metal shrapnel are stuck into his arm, probably from when he put it defensively in front of his face. Gustav starts trying to remove one of the hunks of deck plating, Ashley interjects, "Don't! The bleeding will get worse if you take them out."

Gorman looks at Gustav appreciatively, "She's right. Its not that big a deal. I can get patched up when we get out of here."

Gustav reverently helps him to his feet while Ashley gives Sylvia's wounds a once over. She is dressed in typical Kawaiichen garb, a blue and white Japanese schoolgirl uniform with a few modifications here and there.

Ashley completes the task, then she states the obvious, "You are probably wondering why I am here."

I head off anyone's questions, "This is my Friend Ashley. And yes, I am wondering why she is here."

"I was sent to protect you. Mr. Burke told me that I should keep you safe."

"Why would they send a government administrator to act as a bodyguard?"

"Because I'm not a government administrator. I am a spy."

"You are a spy? That doesn't make any sense," I say incredulously.

"Sure it does. No one would ever suspect that someone like me would be a threat."

A thousand things crash through my mind. I turn away, looking to make sure that no one is sneaking up on us. She lied to me. This whole time she has been lying to me. How could this have happened? What else is she keeping from me?

She walks over to me, scanning the ledge for that fiend, "I saw potential in you when we first met. I was the one that recommended you to Mr. Burke."

I had always wondered why they had picked a random street punk. All I knew was that Mr. Burke came to visit me in the hospital after my gang picked on the wrong guy. I was presented with one of those choices that isn't really a choice. I could either agree to become a Skinwalker, have unlimited freedom and money-making potential, or I could face a lengthy prison sentence.

"One of my duties is to help keep an eye on you," she explains, "The initial plan was for us to be fuck buddies, but then we fell in love."

"You are in love with a Kawaiichen!" Sylvia declares, I turn to look at her, seeing a sour expression.

"What is wrong with being a Kawaiichen?" Ashley asks indignantly. The group starts moving forward, walking past her. Ashley keeps standing there indignantly. Then she stamps her foot on the floor plates and shouts the word "Bimbo!" in a pouty voice, before following us.

We reach a hatch and open it, revealing a lane of sky traffic and the buildings that are behind it. A staircase leads up to a walkway.

Gorman lays out a plan, "John, you and Gustav go get the biomatter, you know where to meet us. Sylvia, my precious, you will escort me there."

I politely object, "Gustav can take it to you. I have to go take care of something."

"Of course, do whatever you need to do."