Page 6 of Jump or Fall

Mara

T ime seemed to slow, as if sitting down would mark the beginning of the end.

Mara perched on the edge of a rickety metal chair, ready to run.

She laced her fingers together in her lap and tried not to fidget.

Gordon settled into the chair beside her, noticeably more relaxed, as if to assure her there was no danger.

Gordon spoke first. “Silva has been helping with weapons and materials acquisition. I told you about the explosives—he’s making those possible too.”

Mara studied them both. “So what’s the actual plan? I understand the ‘blowing things up and disrupting their ability to retaliate’ part, but what’s the end goal? Who would take over?”

“We chip away at them, bit by bit,” Gordon answered.

“Small attacks here and there. Take out the known Silvers in the enforcers and expose some others. Naxos wants to provide support so Beck can actually be an Archon. I assume they’d install their own person as Secretary of State Security once Knight is out of the way.

They’ve expressly forbidden us from killing him, unfortunately.

They want him to be tried for all the shit he's done.”

“Don’t you think they'll get more ruthless once they realize something’s going on?” she asked .

“We do expect them to figure it out eventually,” Silva said, “which is also why we have spies. Like you and I, for example. We have high-level access to equipment as well as people. We can engage in soft sabotage.”

She raised a brow. “He doesn’t exactly tell me what he’s up to."

“Maybe not directly, but you know they’ve been pushing you hard to get the synth-minds functional in the suits.

They also bought a ten-foot mech from Naxos and want us to enhance it.

Naxos uses them for patrols too, but with far less firepower.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they ask you next to enhance the augmented strength in their suits and eventually install the synth-mind in the mech. ”

The idea of a ten-foot armed machine patrolling the streets was alarming, let alone one with decision-making abilities.

If she was truly committing to this rebellion, they needed to know the truth.

“The synth-minds work,” she admitted. “They have for weeks. Even my God’s Eye helmet is functional. I just haven’t had it in me to tell anyone. I'll have to say something soon, though.”

The silence that followed was only interrupted by the waves coming from outside.

“They actually work?” Silva asked, stunned.

“I’ve tested them thoroughly. There are so many capabilities that go way beyond just suit enhancement and fancy helmets.”

Gordon pressed his lips into a thin line. “If they can use all of its predictive functions, we might not stand a chance anymore. Can you transfer the raw data to me? Maybe there are ways to limit it.”

“Sure. I brought my testing suit home. We can swap carriers so you can fit my gauntlets with the panels and I can modify yours with the joiner. But I need help forging the inventory. I took pictures of the screens if that helps.”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Up close, she noticed how his top lip didn’t quite move on the scarred side. “I can help with that. My suit’s near where we entered the tunnels. ”

Silva laced his fingers behind his head. “Well, I think we’ve got the beginnings of something. Let’s meet at Crux next week. This place is too damn far.”

He stood and stretched before saying his goodbyes.

Mara transferred the data to Gordon, and showed him the photos of the inventory screens.

He nodded and started tapping away, eyes narrowing with concentration.

After a few minutes, he plugged in a small black rectangle and kept working.

There was something about the way he focused that she found intriguing.

Finally, he turned the screen toward her. “Hold your thumb down for five seconds.”

She did, and once it finished scanning, he removed the device and handed it to her.

“Plug this into the back of the screens,” he said. “When the access request pops up, press your thumb to the sensor until it unlocks. After that, you’ll be able to modify the inventory numbers.”

“What can’t you do?” she asked, amazed.

He grimaced. “I can’t fix that suit or make it fit. Taking it apart completely fucked it up. I had to ambush a woman in her own home because I can’t even be seen in her part of the city.” He paused. “If you want to back out, the offer still stands.”

The Silvers needed to fall. And even if the thought of getting caught still terrified her, she couldn’t sit idle anymore.

“I still want to be involved.”

“Okay.” He checked the time. “I should take you home.”

Her gaze lingered on him, tracing the scar that had altered his life forever. Even with it, he was undeniably attractive—mid-thirties, square jaw, and nice cheekbones. If anything the scar made him more captivating. When he did smile, it was uneven but oddly endearing.

She wanted to see it again .

His rich brown hair had curled more in the humidity, giving him a slightly wild appearance. It looked soft. What would it feel like between her fingers?

Mara snapped out of the strange daze. She didn’t want to go home. Not yet, at least.

Exhaustion tugged at her, but she had to know. “Are we near the water?”

He looked up, seeming almost hesitant. “Do you want to see it?”

Mara’s heart jumped. She had only seen the ocean from one of the city’s taller buildings. There was a port, but it was restricted to the workers and those overseeing the auto-fishers.

He must have seen the excitement on her face, because he stood and directed her through one of the doors.

The next room was larger, its walls still the same rough stone. Against the right wall were two single beds with thick red blankets, and between them hung a large map of the tunnel network. Another door stood at the far end, and she followed Gordon toward it.

The sound of crashing waves grew louder with each step. When he opened the door, a cool, salty breeze swept over them.

“We can’t use a light—we could be seen coming out,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “You can hold my sleeve if you want, or feel along the wall. There aren’t any drop-offs or anything like that.”

She lightly clutched his sleeve, and they stepped into the darkness.

Every sound echoed off the stone as they moved cautiously forward.

Her wide eyes strained to absorb any sliver of light, but there was nothing.

There was only the waves and the ballistic nylon fabric of his coat between her fingers.

Finally, a faint glow appeared up ahead. It was moonlight filtering through the tunnel’s exit.

Reaching the opening, she took in the vastness before her—the churning sea below, dark waves crashing against jagged rocks. Overhead, the crescent moon loomed, its silvery glow illuminating billowing clouds across the sky. To the right, the path stretched beyond where she could see.

The water was so beautiful—so powerful. From a rooftop far away, it wasn’t nearly as stunning. She peered across, trying to see if there was anything on the other side. If there was, it was too far. What kind of places were over there? Was there anything?

She turned to Gordon and caught a faint grin. The noise around them was deafening, but she didn’t want to risk being heard. Instead, she mouthed a silent thank you .

He gave a small nod in response.

On the way back through the tunnel, she reached for his sleeve but accidentally caught his hand. Instinct urged her to pull away, but the feel of his rough palm against hers stirred something deep.

No metal at the tips of his fingers, only smooth skin.

Gordon hadn’t let go either. Maybe he felt the same inner quiet from her touch.

She shook her head. No. He must know it was a mistake. He’s just being nice.

Still, she let herself hold on a little longer, savoring the secret touch, carving it into memory.

Something that was hers.