Synth

Beck found it far easier to take TO at their word after her little test, and the two of them came up with a quick plan. Details would have to be hashed out later, but once they all had new identification, Beck would list TO as her next of Kin and then, when she died, TO would have possession of her remains.

“Cremation is fine.” She said, “Some people like to keep the ashes of their family members, so nobody’s going to think that’s strange, and they won’t question it if you’re not on Arkane. After that, just do whatever you have to do to get my remains in the water.”

“Simple enough.” TO said. They even planned to get the necessary crate when they reached Scraprock, just to further prove to Beck that they were serious about keeping their promise.

“If I find someone else willing to do it before I die, well, you’re off the hook.” She said, “But, I doubt I will. Still, crazier things have happened.”

“And if King Decon doesn’t kill everyone, you can come right back to Arkane once you have a new identification… if you want.” they shrugged, “It’d be riskier than going to a far-off planet and starting again, but not impossible.”

“I’d rather live in the Outer Ring for the rest of my life near the seas of Arkane instead of living inland, in the big fancy land-locked houses of the residential district.” She said. She hushed up as Lon made their way back over to them, shrugging her bag over her shoulder. They had shooed him away once more, so he’d not discover her beliefs, but perhaps they had taken too long, for he now came back to them with a concerned look on his face.

“Most everyone is gone.” He said once he got close. “Should we leave?”

Beck nodded and stood up. “Alright.” She said, “I’m ready.”

Lon nodded, “Lead the way.” He said as he let her walk past her. To TO, he mouthed a quick ‘thank you’ before following her out of the dorms and into the hallways. It was a relief that she was going without a fight, though TO still didn’t understand how she could feel that way, how she’d prefer to die with the planet instead of getting away and starting a new life. Well, they supposed they didn’t have to understand it; they just had to respect it. It wasn’t like she was forcing anyone to believe as she did. If she had tried to convince the other civilians that they should all stay behind and die with the planet, well, then they’d have held an issue with that.

“… Mx TO?”

TO turned around, recognizing Constance’s small voice. “Constance.” They said, their ears perking up for a moment at the sight of the small child with the almost synth like face before they dropped again, concern flooding their mind. “Why are you still here?”

She huffed, “Goretta was supposed to bring me and daddy to the ship, but she’s not here! We got everything packed, and we waited and waited, but she’s not here!”

TO hadn’t forgotten that Goretta was Mark and Constance’s partner. Of course not, they didn’t forget things. They just hadn’t had time to think about it and consider an alternative solution. “Right.” TO said, “Well, that’s because Goretta has to help DH with something.”

“Oh.” She frowned, her eyes going wide as her ears sunk back. “Who’s gonna help us then? Daddy’s got his wheelchair, but he can’t get into it with his hurt arm!”

“Well, I can help.” TO said as they stood up and made their way towards the back where Mark was resting. “I don’t have a travel buddy either, since DH was going to go with me, and they’re busy now.” They frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner though?”

“You were talking to the kitty-lady when I found you.” She said, “It’s rude to interrupt.”

“Well… thank you for that.” They said, grateful that she hadn’t interrupted them during their talk with Beck, “But even if I’m talking to someone, if it’s important, please let me know. Even if I can’t do anything about it right away, I can finish what I’m working on more quickly and get to whatever’s needed once I’m done.”

Constance followed TO as they made their way to her father. Goretta wanted to be his travel partner so she could keep an eye on his arm. Her concern over the infection hadn’t lessened, and she was insistent on checking it multiple times a day. TO had no problem taking over even if they couldn’t check the wound themself, but they didn’t understand why Mark and Constance hadn’t gone already, or why Mark hadn’t at least gotten into his wheelchair and approached TO himself.

When they got to his bed, they saw why.

Goretta’s attempt to cut out the infection clearly hadn’t worked. Around the bandages of his arm, Mark’s skin was an angry shade of blue-green, and an unpleasant flush to his face was enough to tell TO that a fever had formed overnight. Sweat beaded his skin and in a cruel irony the perspiration gave some of the iridescence back to his green tail.

“Hey…” He said weakly, “Where’s Goretta?”

“My Ankrya, my friend, was attacked and needed immediate medical attention.” TO said as they leaned down to help Mark up, “You do as well, but my friend was bleeding from their neck.”

“Ah… I see.” Mark said, “Look… Just take Constance-“

“Daddy, I’m not leaving on my own!” Constance said, her tail slapping the ground behind her.

“You wouldn’t be alone, sweetie.” They said, “TO would be with you. Wouldn’t you like that?” They smiled. “They have ears and eyes like your mother.”

TO froze. Was that why he had asked TO to take care of her should something happen? When TO looked at Constance’s face they saw a young synth, but it didn’t occur to them that they might look like an adult of Constance’s specific race.

“But I don’t care about mom!” she said, “I never met mom! I want you.”

“Come on.” TO said as they hefted Mark out of the bed and into the chair, “let’s get you in the chair and on the ship. I told you I was getting you there.”

Mark shook his head, but didn’t resist. Perhaps it was because Constance was right there, looking at him with her big black eyes. “I…” He glanced at Constance, his own smaller, paler eyes tearing up. “Sweetie… I’m really sick.”

“I know! Goretta will make you better.”

“She’s tried… sweetie…” he winced as TO put him in the chair, his bad arm pushing against the armrest.

“We’ll put that in a sling when we get on the ship.” TO said, “I’m no medic, but I know enough basic first aid to do that. Then we’ll get you some painkillers and antibiotics-“

“You shouldn’t waste them on me-“

“It’s not a waste!” Constance said, “It’s going to make you feel better.”

With his good hand, Mark reached out to Constance and cupped her cheek. “Sweetie.” He said, “If something happens to me-“

“It won’t’!”

“I know, I know. But if something does, you go with TO, understand?” He said as he looked at her, fighting his pain to keep his face from contorting, “Please, sweetie.” Then with a softer smile, “Even if we just get separated. Ok?”

Constance’s eyes were welling with tears. “We’re not allowed to get separated.”

“Please, this is important. I need you to promise me that if we get separated, you’ll go with TO, understand?”

She sniffled, nodded, and squinted her eyes to keep the tears from spilling.

“Alright.” Mark said. He shifted painfully in his chair and made space for her on his lap. “TO, get her on my lap, and tie her board to the back of my chair?”

TO nodded and did as he asked in silence. Was it really because they shared certain features with Constance that Mark wanted TO to take care of her, or were there other reasons like what he mentioned before? They weren’t sure, but in truth, they didn’t know if it mattered. They got a good look at his arm as they tied the board to the back of Mark’s chair. Through the blue-green swelling, TO could see a darkening of veins under the skin, as though the infection was sending roots through his body.

They had used so many antibiotics already, and the infection was still spreading. Even if they got Mark on the ship, TO had a feeling they’d be taking care of Constance in the end, anyway.

======

TO, Mark, and Constance were the last to leave the dorms since TO wanted to make they left nobody behind. When the place was empty, TO took out their translators from their ears, and listened to the cavernous room. They could hear water running in pipes and bugs in the wall. They could hear Mark and Constance’s breathing, the small, suppressed whimpers of pain that Mark hoped died in his throat.

Once they were content that there was nobody else in the room, TO pushed Mark and Constance out of the room and along the path to their ship. uncountable footsteps had worn down the path over the years, and the insurgents had covered up holes and bridged gaps with salvaged plastic to accommodate for the wheelchair. It would be harder when they got to the new tunnels, TO knew. The floor was more likely to be uneven there despite any efforts to smooth it out in a short time. Getting the wheelchair over it might be a pain, but that’s why they had chosen people to partner up.

“How long until we leave?” Goretta asked as she looked up at TO.

“As soon as possible.” TO said. They flicked the wristband down on their hand and activated their chip so they could use it while they pushed. They sent out a call to Vik, the normal call screen flashing up before them. There was no video there, so the screen hovering the air showed only a black square with a call time.

Still, it was impressive to Constance, and at least took her mind off of her father’s pain.

“TO, hi!” Vik said once they connected, “Are you heading to the ship?”

“I’m on the way.” TO said, “How are we doing? Is everyone else on the ship?”

“Mostly.” They said, “I’m tracking as they come in, and Tham is looking around for people I might have missed. By the way, I’ve set up a workspace in your computer area, not DH’s. I remember they said you don’t work with your system as much-“

“That’s fine.” TO said. They were approaching a convergence of the tunnels ahead. “Check something for me.” They said, “Anyone heading to the ship from the underground would have to pass through this area here, right?”

“Lemmie check your location…” Vic fell silent for a moment as the clicking of keys sounded in the background. “Yes, unless someone is going to the surface, they have to go past you.”

“Alright.” TO said, They reached the center of the intersection, and stopped. “We’re going to wait here until everyone else has passed. Send me the list of people you don’t have on the ship yet.”