Technomancer 20: Reunion

Hundreds of eyes stared down at Leron from the seats in the dimly lit amphitheater. A sea of faces in beige uniforms, blending in with the walls behind them. Most struggled to stay awake in the heat, as the A/C system was out. A few propped their heads on their hands while others yawned. Leron knew he needed to move on to the more important information, or he would lose them. He finished explaining how they could use the chips in their brains to access and alter the programs within the drones, and changed the screen.

“This here,” he said, pointing to a line of code, “Is the part of the internal program you need to access if you need to reset the drone's primary functions. You may need to do this for several reasons…” And he began listing them off, watching as people twice his age listened and took notes. He had expected more of them to complain, but they didn’t. At times, he wondered how aware they were of what he had done to save them during the operation. If they did, there was no indication other than they never questioned his leadership. It’s best left unsaid, he reminded himself. Let them find their own excuses for what happened.

Leron scratched at the cut on the side of his head, trying hard not to disturb the remaining stitches with the upgraded brace surrounding his right arm. It was bulkier than the last one and difficult to use when working on the drones, but it would protect his weakened arm in battle. The Corps of Engineers had made it for him at the request of Major Andrews, who wanted him out in the field. At times, he wondered if it was because the man had decided he was now disposable. No, for all of Major Andrews' flaws, he didn't play politics and was direct. He just wanted someone he could trust to get the job done.

After explaining a few more lines of code, Leron released the classroom. He answered the last few questions from those who hung back while the rest of the drone corps left, escaping into the city for a well-deserved break.

Collapsing into the leather chair behind his desk, Leron swung back and forth, wondering if he should go too. Barring the strip club, a few guys had taken him to as an unwelcome surprise; he had only been to Alejandro’s Cabana for the tamales. The taste of the spicy corn mixture inside the banana husk was one of his favorite things to eat while in Mexico, and he was overjoyed to find a place selling them near the base. While he savored every bite, it only renewed his longing for Masa. She would have moved on by now, he told himself; his heart still aching for her. The thought of her moving on helped ease the fact that he had given up trying to escape and accepted his confinement.

To distract himself from his loneliness, he thought of Cassie, the owner's daughter. She was friendly and pleasant, and he found her attractive. Drumming his fingers along the desk, he considered going to bed and disappearing into his dreams and the code that came with them. No. I just need to go through with it and ask her out. No point in dwelling on the past.

Gathering his papers, Leron placed them into a government-issued brief. He clicked the lock into place while the drones flying over the city rested at the corner of his vision, sending back readings on abnormalities the AI had noted. He read through them, moved his group out of the way of those replacing them, and ordered them to return to base.

Task Complete. What is your command? The voice of the AI, Leron 2.0, echoed in the back of his mind, sending more readings as the drones landed.

Observe the soldiers on drone patrol. Ensure there is no damage to the equipment, he responded.

Task accepted, Leron 2.0 responded.

Feeling satisfied that all was well, Leron left the amphitheater for the hall. In the dim light, the sun had not warmed the walls, and the air remained cool. He closed his eyes and smiled.

“Captain Richards, I should have you locked in the brig for insubordination,” growled Major Andrews, and Leron froze, his eyes going wide with shock. “You went above me and overrode my order,” the major accused.

“Sir!” Leron turned to face him and saluted, standing to attention. He remained silent, waiting for permission to speak. The fluorescent lights flickered along the walls, causing the major to appear like an angry ghost. His distorted face was filled with anger.

“Explain yourself.”

Leron relaxed, forcing a confident smile. “You can’t keep them locked up here forever. Some of them have families.”

“You’re weapons. What if the enemy gets hold of one of you? What if one of the others has a mental breakdown? We can’t risk the drones attacking the populace.”

“I have a plan for that. That is why your superiors released us. Only those cleared by the doctors have been given permission, and they are not at risk to anyone. Besides, if you keep them away from their families, they are more likely to have mental breaks, and then we’ll have out-of-control drones everywhere.”

“What is your plan?”

“Ask your superiors. It's classified, and you don’t have clearance.”

“I’m your superior!”

“Not in regards to this order,” Leron snapped. “They determined that I am the one who calls the shots on the corps’ well-being. You and Captain Aldrin chose not to get the chip, so you don’t know what it's like. You will never know.”

“Ungrateful brat. I helped you.”

“No, sir, you have never helped me. All you have done is imprison me here. Can I be excused? This conversation is not going to get us anywhere. Get your superiors to clear you, and you will get what you want.”

A long silence fell between them while Leron waited for Major Andrews to order him to the brig. He had nothing left to lose. Everything had been taken away from him when the army inserted the trackers and forced him to become a soldier. With the little freedom he had left, he had chosen to help those around him achieve what he could not.

Major Andrews raised an eyebrow and sighed in defeat, “Fine. Go. You're dismissed.”

Leron left Major Andrews standing behind him and hurried off, not wanting to allow the major to change his mind. He scratched at the wound on his head again and almost cried out when he caught one of the stitches.

Outside, the heat hit him, and he removed his outer layer and hung it across his arm, leaving him with a brown t-shirt. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, and he wiped them away. More of it dripped down his arm beneath the brace. It was almost unbearable. He glared at it, longing to rip it off, but he needed it to write.

Cedar trees lined the dusty street, occasionally providing him the briefest moment of respite, but even they seemed to struggle in the heat. Soldiers passed him by, heading into town. It seemed like everyone was taking the night off.

"Hey, the Captain has us with his glorious presence," laughed Matt, as he and his friend passed by him. He was the man who had lain on the table beside him. "Want to come with us?"

"No, thanks. I have paperwork," he replied, not wanting to be dragged to the strip club.

"Aww...lighten up," Matt said, wrapping his arm around Leron's neck. "It will be fun."

"Maybe next time."

"Your such a party pooper." Matt released him and continued alongside his friend, laughing and joking.

Leron chuckled and turned into the parking lot of Alejandro's Cabana. A full stack of vehicles lined the lot on either side. It was going to be busy inside. Mexican Spices filled the air with their aroma, reminding him of Loretta’s cooking. He breathed in deeply, ignoring the intense growl from his stomach. Thoughts of home and Masa filled his mind. When did I start thinking of Mexico as home?

He passed a group of soldiers singing badly on the porch, walked into the restaurant, and froze.

Masa sat at the table just inside the door, along with Arion, an older woman, a priest, and Cassie. Feeling unwell, Leron gripped the doorframe to support himself. Had he gone mad? How had they found him? Or was this some huge coincidence? They were all engaged in conversation and laughing.

Masa leaned back to stretch, and he saw what she had been concealing beneath the table. She was pregnant. Very pregnant. It had to be Arion’s. Why else would he be here with her? Leron's grip on the door tightened. The last thing he needed was drones reacting to his anger again. He needed to move or he would prove Major Andrews right. Tears hovered on the edges of his eyes, threatening to fall. All this time. The excuses. The lies he had told himself to keep going. No more. It was all over.

Unable to take any more, Leron dropped his coat and brief, storming down the steps. He was determined to be done with it all, even if they hunted him down and killed him. He crossed the parking lot and was about to head onto the street when he heard Masa behind him.

"Leron!" she screamed.

Leron glanced back and saw Masa chasing after him. Her face was flushed; her words flying out in Spanish. Confused, he tried to understand her, but she was speaking too fast. No, he didn't want to know. Didn't want to hear. He left the parking lot and ran.

Behind him on the path, Masa screamed. He stopped and turned once more. The woman he had loved for too long was crouched, doubled over on the pavement, grasping her side. Her long, dark hair hung over her shoulder, rising and falling with her heavy breaths. She moaned. Something was wrong.

“Masa!” Leron screamed. Unable to stop, he rushed back to her and picked her up. Cradling her in his arms, he fought against his anger and carried her back towards the restaurant. He needed to return her to Arion and the people she came with. They could help her. She was so much heavier than he remembered. Was it because of the pregnancy or because she was better fed?

It took everything in him not to look at her. He was afraid that if he did, he would come to pieces. Her scent wafted into his nose, and part of him longed to forget she was carrying Arion’s child and take her elsewhere. She was all he wanted, and he finally had her back. His grasp tightened around her arm and knee.

Masa buried her head in his chest, and her hot tears soaked into his shirt. He gave in and looked down at her, noticing just how much she had changed. The tears he feared did not come. Instead, he smiled as his thoughts ran wild as he admired her additional curves. Leron desperately worked to recall the Spanish words, which allowed him to flip languages in his mind. Had it all left him so easily?

Masa continued to talk quickly, and Leron only caught every second or third word. “Masa, stop down. The Spanish is….. old. Wait, that’s not right.” He paused, waiting for a moment.

Masa went silent, staring up at him with red-rimmed eyes. She smiled and her eyes lit up. Arion had succeeded in softening her, in taming the wildness that had once filled them. Why? If she had moved on, why did she care? The switch happened, and her words became clear. “Try again,” he said, his voice almost that of a whisper.

“I’ve been searching for you everywhere,” Masa sobbed, taking a wavering breath. She sniffed, wiping the tears from her eyes. “We couldn’t find you anywhere. I never thought you would be up here, but Arion said…”

The thought of seeing her with Arion reminded Leron of how he had lost her. He looked away from her again, afraid to meet her eyes now that he could understand her. With his heart steeled by anger, he prepared to hear the worst. “Why would you bother? You’re here with Arion, aren’t you? Why, after everything we’ve been through, would you choose him?” he said in a clipped tone.

“No. I haven’t been with him. I’ve never been with him. The child is yours,” she said.

Leron's eyes widened, snapping back towards her. It was his? But they had only been together twice. “Mine?” he choked, feeling faint. He struggled not to drop her. Further words failed him as he stared at her. She still loved him? After all this time, and after the look he had seen her give Arion in the market? He began to feel guilty.

“Yes, you idiot.” Masa wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him towards her. Her scent overtook him while she locked lips with him. He breathed in her essence, caught in the moment. His hands shook, and he let her slide to the ground, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, never wanting to part from her again. The excitement grew inside him, and he pulled back before losing all control.

“I missed you,” he said and laughed, wiping a stray tear from her cheek.

“I was beginning to think we would never find you,” she said, staring up at him.

“I’ve never seen you look more beautiful,” he whispered. His words were met with her warmest smile. “Are you alright now?”

“Yes, as long as I don’t run.”

He nodded, took her hand, and climbed the restaurant steps.

“No, not there," she said, pulling him back. "I want to be alone with you.” She led him towards a vehicle parked on the side of the parking lot. “This is my mother's, she won’t mind,” she said, opening the door and climbing in. She laughed her wonderful laugh. The one he had seen her give Arion. “Besides, she owes me a favor.”

“Your mother's?” Leron asked, climbing in beside her, and she launched into an incredible story. When she was done, he shared his, barring the chip, which he wasn’t allowed to speak about, and the tracking chips, which he dreaded sharing.

“So, will you come back to Laredo with me?” Masa asked, resting in the space between his arm and chest. “The Monterrey group is in the north. Loretta is there, along with her baby and Sara. You will like her; she’s so filled with imagination. Please, tell me you can leave all this behind.”

The one thing he had been holding back all along. “I can’t,” he sighed. “They put trackers in me. I can’t leave or they’ll hunt me down.”

“What do you mean you can’t leave?” she asked, turning to face him. Her dark eyes bore deep into his soul, and he didn’t want to disappoint her. “Is that what’s in the wound on your head?”

Leron shifted, adjusting himself while he prepared for the worst. He placed his hand against the child within her and smiled. His child. He was going to be a father, and he might never see it. Even if he survived the war, there was no guarantee he would find her again. And what if they never let him go? He had no desire to hurt her like this.

“Leron?”

“Masa, a war is coming. You and the others…. You need to return to Laredo. You have to get the Monterrey Group to move west. Go find that prepper community. They are not safe there.”

“The war?”

“And Don Eros. He is in Laredo searching for them.”

“But what about you?” Masa asked, a note of desperation in her voice.

“I don’t have a choice but to stay and fight.”

“But you can’t fight. You hate fighting. I’m staying too, I won’t go.” A fresh set of tears filled her eyes, and his heart ached. “I just got you back.”

Leron scowled at her. “Masa.” The baby had woken – or as much as it did in this state, and he could feel its movements. He smiled, and she put her hand on top of his. He looked up at her, resting his forehead against hers. “You have to go. I need to know that both of you are safe. Go protect your people.”

“They’re yours too.”

“They are, and I will fight to protect them here.”

Masa went silent for a long time. He rested his head against hers and enjoyed being close to her. Her steady breaths matched his. She took a deep one, releasing it in a long, wavering sigh. He had not seen her this upset since he had been injured by Mattias. “Can you come with me tonight?”

“Yes, but I have to return to the base by tomorrow at noon.”

Masa gave him a solemn nod. “I’ll do what you ask and…” Tears filled her eyes and drifted down her cheeks. Her shaking hands took hold of his, rubbing the fingers. She began touching the brace, frowning at it as she moved along the metal. He longed to take it off so he could feel her touch. “I will try to persuade the Monterrey Group, and if they won’t go, I will lead those who will come out West.” She touched his cheek again, gazing deep into his eyes. Leron’s heart pounded. “And…and I will wait for you there.”

Leron pulled her towards him, clutching her tightly against his chest. “I love you more than anything.”

“I do too. Now, how about we join the others?”