Page 46 of Jump or Fall

Mara

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, though charges 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.

Mara had saved more than enough as well.

Dawson had never touched her earnings, only requiring her to pay for utilities and anything beyond the basics.

The apartment itself had belonged to him, leaving her with few expenses.

Now, she and Gordon had a rare luxury: time.

They could travel without the pressure of finding work.

“So, where are you two headed first?” Silva asked.

They stood outside the now permanently open front gate of the city. Maybe someday they would tear the wall down entirely.

“Cygnus,” Mara replied. “I read it’s very nice this time of year, and the air doesn’t try to drown you.”

Gordon’s stories about Naxos had been enough to cross it off her list—at least for now. She wanted to go somewhere far, somewhere different.

“Don’t go too far north,” Millon warned. “I’ve only seen pictures of snow, and that’s enough for me.”

Smiling, she said, “I wouldn’t mind seeing it at least once.

But there’s an insurgent group near the border in the mountains, so maybe we’ll find snow somewhere else.

” They would have to figure out international travel in that case, but she was content to explore what was available within the Domain border for now.

“My mom loved Cygnus,” Kimmie chimed in. “It’s a lot sunnier, and she said they have a statue of Deyela that’s twelve feet tall.”

Millon grinned at her. “Once things settle, we should take a trip.”

Kimmie had taken on a new role, one designed to mend the divide between Division Eight and the rest of the city.

Now that movement was unrestricted, many from Eight tried to relocate immediately—but housing was scarce.

Violent clashes had already broken out, and Archon Ikeda was considering bringing in Western Domain peacekeepers.

It would be some time before real stability took hold.

Mara turned to Silva, who was inspecting their newly modified van. The back had been converted into a sleeping area that could shift into seating when needed. They weren’t planning to sleep in it every night, but it would save money.

“Have you spoken to Theo yet?” she asked.

Silva frowned. “Yes, he is enjoying the good life in Naxos and has no desire to return. Can’t say I blame him.” He let out a long breath. “I’ll just have to visit him there at some point. Hopefully, I can dodge Inu. His dogs give me the creeps.”

Gordon had told her about the robotic dogs before. Inu’s ability to control them without a remote both fascinated and unnerved her.

“I don’t think it’s just the dogs,” Gordon remarked with a laugh. He gently touched her arm. “We should get going. I’ve never driven to Cygnus, so I’m not sure what the roads are like past the fork.”

Silva held out his arms, and she accepted the friendly embrace. “I’m glad I finally got to know you after all these years working together,” he said.

She smiled. “Me too.”

Kimmie hesitated, so Mara offered the hug first. Her eyes widened slightly before she rushed forward. “Keep in touch,” Kimmie said. “The road can be dangerous.”

“We will,” Gordon assured her. He patted the trunk sitting in the back of the van. “Two Umbras, two H-eks, and enough ammo to take out a few walls.”

The soft armor pieces Millon had allowed Mara to craft were also a major advantage. Not everyone they met on the road would be a friend.

Millon stepped forward and extended a hand. “Good luck. I better not hear you’re making armor for the fucking Naxiots. ”

Mara clasped his hand firmly. “Not a chance.”

After a few more farewells, they climbed into the van and rolled through the open gate.

Mara kept her eyes glued to the window as they passed beyond the towering concrete wall, leaving the city behind.

She had never set foot outside Teichus before, and as they crossed the threshold, the last weight of oppression seemed to lift from her shoulders.

Outside, small encampments had already begun to spring up—makeshift tents, rough-hewn shelters pieced together from whatever materials people could scavenge.

The road was fairly smooth considering the only traffic until recently had been supply shipments.

To the left, a sprawling forest stretched toward the horizon, thick with deep green canopies.

“Glad we’re driving on the main road in a vehicle with walls. And in daylight,” Gordon commented.

“I think I would’ve chickened out if I had to do what you did.”

He snorted and reached over to grab her hand. “You killed the most feared man in Teichus with his own hands. I doubt that.”

She returned the loving squeeze as warmth flooded her chest. Mara had never felt particularly brave, but his unwavering support made her feel like she could take on anything.

An hour after the fork, Gordon shifted in his seat. “There’s supposed to be a nice lake up ahead. Want to stretch our legs?”

She wasn’t used to sitting around in a vehicle this long either. “Sure. I can drive for a bit after.” The road wasn’t busy, and though she hadn’t driven in years, it was as good a place as any to get back into it.

They turned off onto a side road, bumpier than the last. Trees towered overhead, their branches reaching toward the van, some scraping against the sides. The further they drove, the denser the foliage became, sunlight breaking through in scattered bursts.

Then the lake came into view, a brilliant shock of blue glimpsed through the trees. Gordon found a spot to stop, and she was glad for the shade when they got out. It would be a while before they reached a place where it wasn’t as hot.

A well-worn path led them toward the water’s edge. The roots jutting out had been smoothed by hundreds of feet walking over them. The lake stretched wide, its surface rippling gently, and the far shore disappeared into a thick curtain of forest.

It was absolutely stunning.

Gordon stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “I have a gift for you.”

She turned slightly. “A gift? For what?”

Instead of answering, he stepped away and retrieved a box from the back of the van.

When he handed it to her, she said, “You really don’t need to give me anything, Gordon.”

He only smiled. “Open it.”

With a theatrical sigh, she lifted the lid.

Nestled inside was a robotic bird.

She pulled it out and ran her fingers over the soft, blue-black feathers. The bird was lighter than she expected, delicate but sturdy.

“I wiped this one’s imprint,” Gordon explained. “Tap the beak to activate it, and it’ll imprint on you.”

Mara tapped it gently. The bird’s eyes flickered to life, its beak opening and shutting as it tilted its head, scanning its surroundings. She placed it on the ground and knelt down to watch as it pecked at the dirt, mimicking a real bird searching for food.

Gordon took a knee beside her and tapped lightly under her bionic eye. A dull ache spread beneath the surface, and suddenly her vision shifted.

She gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth.

“I can see through the bird.”

Gordon pulled her in for a kiss. “I made sure Silva gave you the latest chip from Naxos. You can send commands through thoughts, like how you used the claws. If you tap under your eye again, the feed will cut off and the bird will land on the nearest thing to perch.”

She focused on a rock near the water, imagining the bird flying there. It flapped tentatively, then lurched forward and fell on its face.

She took a deep breath and tried not to think so hard.

Let the thoughts flow.

It righted itself then flapped gracefully to land where she had envisioned.

“How the hell does that guy in Naxos control four animals?” she asked in wonder.

Gordon chuckled. “No idea. Do you like it? We can wipe the imprint again if you don’t want this.”

“No, this is amazing,” she replied, still awestruck. “I don’t know how I’ll ever match a gift like this.”

Pulling her close, he said, “You joined a cause that nearly killed you. You gave us freedom. And on top of that, you want to be with me. Those are pretty amazing gifts.”

The corner of her mouth lifted. “I’d spend a thousand lifetimes with you.”

She imagined flying up into the sky. The bird launched itself off the rock, wings beating furiously as it ascended.

The lake spread out beneath her, like a jewel cradled in endless green. From above, the trees seemed to stretch forever, the deep forest shrouded in mystery.

She willed the bird toward the far shore. Then, on impulse, she plunged downward.

The sudden drop made her stomach heave and her knees buckled. She braced herself as the bird pulled up just before hitting the water, twisting in the air before rising again.

Her breath came fast, her pulse racing. It was the most incredible thing she had ever felt.

She wasn’t just free.

Now, she could soar.