Shards

Max Techie Mode

Using the back of his hand, Techie wipes sweat from his forehead.

Light in the room comes from the monitors he sits in front of. The monitors range from state of the art ones stolen a few weeks ago to ones from the 1980s. A few tactile projectors project on the ceiling low enough to touch with a stretched up hand. Flashing lights from various computer parts ranging in the same age as the monitors spontaneously light. Wires stretch across the floor feeding computers, routers, and power supplies. Hums buzz the air. Hatchette and Raul watch Techie.

"We got the image out," Techie says. "Do you think they saw it?"

Hatchette, looking over Techie's head at incomprehensible characters littering his monitor, leans against the back of Techie's chair."I'm sure many people did."

"People aren't going to understand it, though," Raul says.

"Well, if they don't understand it, then they weren't the intended audience. At least not yet," Techie says. He taps the desk with his finger. The clip of the girl loops under it. He doesn't take his eyes off her. "I wish I could see her."

"It's too risky right now," Hatchette says. "Especially with recent intel. More and more people're getting upset about Rhinehart's presence here. Some're handling it with civility but the Tarnished..." Hatchette smacks her lips. "They've been extraordinarily quiet and hard to trace. They're up to something. And though you've been layin' low, more people on the outside are gaining sympathy for you and so far yet, to our knowledge, Tarnished don't know about you. We don't wanna risk compromising you, especially now."

Techie chuckles. "I'm getting sympathizers now? Cute." After looping the clip a few more times, he asks. "Have my parents even asked about me in negotiations?"

Hatchette shakes her head.

Techie scoffs. "Guess that's what happens when you lay so low. Your parents forget about you and don't care anymore. If they even did to begin with. I get not mentioning your 'disappointing' son in public but not even asking for him in private negotiations..." He sighs and shakes his head.

"Forget about 'em," Hatchette tells him. "It's better for you and better they forget you, too, anyway. Means we get to keep you more to ourselves." She smiles and flicks the back of his head.

Techie rubs where Hatchette flicked him while suppressing a small smile with puckered lips.

"If it's any consolation," Raul says. "Rhinehart's parents haven't asked for her, either."

"Shocking." Sarcasm soaks Techie's voice.

Hatchette grabs Techie's wrist. She pulls it away from the desk. "You're gonna dive yourself mad watching that."

Techie exhales in frustration and swipes it away. "I know it's risky to see her. The gov's been looking for her since she disappeared and probably wants her strung up more than ever knowing she's back, and with the ties she had with the gov, I imagine it's a game hiding her from the Tarnished that don't believe she's abandoned her past life. It's just so hard knowing she's so close, and I can't see her. Not now, anyway. Waiting's the worst part."

"Yeah," Hatchette agrees. "We gotta get you back soon, though. Don't wanna get people suspicious."

"Yeah," Raul says. "Besides Techie, we don't wanna max out your time in maximum security. Well dig ourselves a well of trouble."

Techie rubs his face and moans. Hatchette punches Raul in the shoulder.

"At least Shard's jokes are funny at times," Hatchette says.

"At least Shard can make jokes," Techie says.

Raul rubs his shoulder. "C'mon they were good puns."

Sharp beep beeps sound from Hatchette and Raul's pockets before Raul takes more criticism. The two pull pagers out of their pockets, press a green button on its plastic surface, and hold the rectangular pagers to their ears. The crackly audio is hard to discern, but Techie hears something about the Tarnished, negotiations, and hostages. Raul and Hatchette's eyes widen and stay wide after the message is done.

"You were extraordinarily bad and now have to be put in isolation. Everyone is being separated for bad behavior," Hatchette says as she rushes out the door.

Techie gives a nod. "Understood."

As Raul runs out the door, he says through a growl, "How the hell did they get power back through the damn cell doors?"