Technomancer 23: 1200 Hours

0930 Hours

The clock hovered above Leron in the darkness. His dreams of being in the Rio Grande with Masa and his daughter banished, and only Leron 2.0 stood before him, beneath the large white numbers. It had invaded his dreams, filled with questions about the previous day. Obliging the AI, Leron abandoned his dreams for the black space in his mind and now sat cross-legged on the glasslike floor.

Input required. Define Wife.

“Compatible supplemental program,” Leron responded, struggling not to laugh.

Wife equals supplemental program. Supplemental program needed to function? Wife corrects Leron’s errors?

Leron considered that question. Could he function without Masa? He had done fine so far, but she made life better. “Correct. Wife completes Leron and improves core programming. Wife = Masa. Masa upgrades Leron,” he said, struggling to hide the grin. It was oversimplified, but it wasn’t untrue. “Masa and Leron are family.”

Upgrade approved. Define family.

“A group of human programs.”

Leron 2.0 is family with Leron and Masa.

Leron wasn’t sure how Masa would feel about that. She had shown a dislike for the drones, and he was certain she would like Leron 2.0 even less. Still, people didn't get to choose their family. Her mother was the prime example of that. It wouldn’t hurt to let it be a part of their family. “Leron 2.0 is family.”

The AI seemed satisfied and returned to its tasks, and Leron returned to sleep.

1000 Hours

The clock ticked downward. The time was growing closer for Leron to leave. He left his dream to stare at the red digits, struggling to hold back the tears. Time was running out, and he wanted to spend the last few hours with Masa. He was vaguely aware of the warmth of her body next to his, even here within the chip in his mind. He forced himself along the path to waking.

Opening his eyes, he saw her dark hair cascading down the pillow. The curves of her copper coloured back set his thoughts running wild. He wrapped his arm around her, positioning his head beside hers. She stirred and looked at him from the corner of her eye. Her lips spread, forming a smile. With a grin, he kissed down her neck, and she groaned with delight.

“Good morning, handsome,” she said, with a laugh. She wrapped her arms around his, brushing her hand along his forearm. She breathed in and sighed, “I’ve missed this.”

“Last night was….” He laughed, running his hands over her curves. Her skin felt smooth beneath his rough hands. “Incredible.” He kissed her shoulder, and she turned, catching his lips with her own and grasping the side of his face with her hands. He pulled away, placing his forehead against hers. “I wish we had more time, but I need to get back to base. It's 10 am.”

“You can’t know that.”

“The chip in my brain can track time,” he said, pulling away and beginning to get up. He knew she didn’t believe him, but not many would. Chips, rogue AIs, and Drone wars. It sounded like something from a sci-fi movie.

She grasped for his hand and pulled him back down. Her knees pressed into the mattress beside him, and she held her hand against his chest. He struggled not to grow excited. “You’re not going anywhere.” Her eyes filled with laughter and wild intentions. “I’m your wife, and I say deadlines don’t matter.”

“Well, they do, Mrs. Richards,” Leron said. With a laugh, he tickled her before giving in and letting her kiss him some more. Eventually, he managed to move her off him and escape from the bed. He dressed, putting on his brace and military uniform. And when he turned, he saw Masa right where he had left her.

With tears forming at the corners of her eyes, she ran her hands over her belly, pausing to scratch at the side. Her eyes drifted upwards, meeting his, and she asked, “Why did it have to be so short?”

He returned to sit beside her, wiping the tear away. “I’ll find you out west. And together we’ll be a family.”

“How about a shower?” she whispered.

1030 hours

“You two certainly took your time,” Masa’s mother said when they entered the kitchen. The wooden table was spread with tortillas, eggs, and chorizo. As Leron eyed the table, his mouth began to water, and he became aware of how long it had been since he had a home-cooked meal. He tied back his damp dreads and prepared to stuff himself.

“We’re married. What else did you expect?” Masa snapped as she sat down. After their shower, she had braided her hair. The singular piece hung over her shoulder and across the breast of the dusty green dress she wore. Until the night before, he had never seen her in a dress.

“Nothing,” said her mother, who then fell silent, picking at her food. The poor woman looked as if she had not slept since he had spoken to her.

Leron piled his plate high while listening to Father Ambrose speak of all the issues they might face in their marriage. Masa took hold of his hand when his plate was empty, and it surprised him to see her listening intently. She looked at him and smiled. He wrapped his arm around her and listened. Her hand drifted up his back and began to scratch it. It felt so unbelievably good, especially around the edge of his brace. He let out a groan and was immediately embarrassed.

Father Ambrose cleared his throat. “Anyway, as I was saying,” he continued, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a tiny Bible and slid it across the table. “I want both of you to have one of these. Use it to seek guidance. Masa, you can have the one in your room.”

Masa smiled, and her eyes lit up.

Leron picked it up, leafing through the dog-eared pages and seeing the archaic words. The leather cover had seen better days and was cracked. He placed it back down on the table. “Thanks, but I don’t need one,” Leron said, sliding back towards the priest. “Save it for someone else.”

“Just oblige me. You will want it if you are going to be in a war,” Father Ambrose said, pushing it back towards him. “One of my brothers, who disappeared during the rapture, fought in the latest Desert Storm war before World War 3 erupted. It was his, and he said the words brought him comfort before he returned here to seek peace. Whatever happened out there was bad enough that he would not speak a word of what happened except to his savior.”

Leron stared at it. He knew how bad things could be after his time in Mexico. How could war be any worse? Obliging the priest, he picked up the book and pocketed it in his coat.

1130 hours

Masa sat on the garden wall, soaking up the last of the morning sun. The remains of the pepper plants mirrored how she was feeling. Dry, used up, and stretched thin. She had felt awkward with Leron, though it had been wonderful. The child weighed heavily within her and never ceased to move. She didn’t want to leave. This place was safe and had become her home. How was she supposed to speak to the Monterrey Group Council and lead them through the desert like this?

“The car is all packed,” Leron said, his voice coming from the door. “What are you staring at?”

“All that is left of the peppers I planted,” she responded, throwing a pebble from the top of the wall and watching it hit the tree. It too was barren. “It's not fair.”

Leron sat beside her, wrapping his arm around her. “No, it's not. Listen, I have something to give you. A wedding present.” From his pocket, he pulled a cellphone. “I spoke with Father Ambrose, and he said I could have it.”

“Won’t it run out of battery?” she asked, taking it from him and running her fingers across the screen.

“I made a few alterations. I showed your mother how to charge it with solar power and use the car battery to charge it. I will always be able to find you if you have it on you, and I should be able to contact you on it.” He stood, offering her his hand. “Shall we go?”

“Does the car come with a just-married sign?” she asked, taking it and walking alongside him through the church.

“No, but I’m sure we can find cans.”

Masa thought of the streets on the way to the base and thought better. “No, we'd better leave it. Even here, people are still jumpy about loud noises.

Leron nodded.

Father Ambrose embraced her and thanked her for her company. She held him tightly and thanked him for his help.

Next, he took Leron’s hand and shook it.

Father Ambrose opened the car door and helped her into the back seat. “Just be careful out there,” Father Ambrose warned.

“We will,” Masa said with a smile.

Her mother was in the driver's seat, impatiently tapping the steering wheel. Still, she remained silent. Masa leaned against Leron as they took off toward the base.

1145

The car was getting hot, and beads of sweat ran down Masa’s forehead. She was glad she had worn the dress. It breathed well and kept the heat from becoming unbearable.

“I knew we should have left earlier,” Her mother complained, staring at the coal trucks before them. The back of the truck towered over the car. More filled the lanes that ran alongside it.

“You could have taken the back streets,” Masa complained.

“And deal with all the walkers? God no.”

Leron laughed. “I think you two are going to have one hell of a trip back south.”

Masa looked up at him from the space she occupied between his arm and his chest. He seemed content and unconcerned about the approaching noon deadline. “Why are you no longer worried about getting back to base?”

“I get to hold you a bit longer. I think I can handle being yelled at and time in the brig.” He scratched at the edge of his brace. “It is getting unpleasant in here. Jeanine? Would you mind if I rolled the windows down?”

“Whatever you want.”

Leron opened the window, and the wind blew into the vehicle, bringing with it the smell of coal dust and diesel. Masa coughed, waving at the air in front of her. The car began to cool.

After a time, traffic finally began to move forward, and soon Masa could make out the base in the distance. She gripped Leron’s hand tightly, struggling to hold back the tears.

1210

On the pavement outside the barracks door, Leron held Masa, kissing her. He released her and clutched her to his chest, not wanting to let her go.

“It's not fair,” Masa said, her hand tightening on his jacket.

“No,” he choked. His jacket was getting wet, and he glanced down to see her eyes filled with tears. “It will be okay, you’ll see. I’ll find a way to escape after the war and find you. We can live together out west – the three of us.” He inhaled, taking in the scent of the coconut soap she had used in her hair. He let go of her and knelt, touching her belly. “You hear that. I’m your Dad and I intend to be there for you as soon as I can.”

Masa laughed, wiping her tears.

Leron stood and kissed her one more time. “Go get them,” he whispered in her ear before helping her back into the car. He held her hand until her fingertips left his. “You can do this. I know you can.”

“I’ know,” Masa said, and he shut the door.

He waved as they drove off and disappeared around the corner.

1215

Leron turned and saw Matt standing beside the door of the cinderblock building, his arms crossed while he smoked.

“You’re late. Major Andrews is having a major fit.” He grinned, dropping the cigarette and stomping on it. He patted Leron’s back as they entered through the door. “Who is the girl?”

“My wife.”

Matt stopped dead in his tracks in the hall. “Wait. You left the base last night to work and eat tamales and got hitched to some pregnant girl you met? You should have come with us. That was downright desperate of you.”

“It’s not like that. I knew her in Mexico. We were engaged before I was kidnapped and brought here,” he said, sitting on one of the chairs in the hallway. He scratched at the area around his brace.

“I’m sorry. I had no idea,” Matt said, crossing his arms. “Come on, man, aren’t you a bit young for that? To be married, I mean?”

“No. She’s the only one for me,” Leron said, leaning back and stretching his back. “I thought she was gone, but she found me at the tamale restaurant. The child is mine. I’m going to be a father.”

“Dang, talk about complicated.”

“No, it's not. But, I do wish I could just leave and go with her.”

Matt frowned, staring down the hall towards Major Andrew’s office. “Well, you better let Major Andrews know you’re back. Something went down last night.”

1225

“Where were you?” Major Andrews demanded, slamming his fist against the table before standing and beginning to pace. He stopped. “Well?”

“Getting married.”

“You what?” Major Andrews yelled and sighed. “It doesn’t matter. At least your back. The Chinese sent their own drones last night and attacked Corpus Christi. The place is devastated. The troops are already moving out, and you should have been gone in the first group this morning. Gather your men. You’re shipping out. The drones are already on route.”

"What time will we need to leave?" Leron asked.

"I expect you shipped out at 1500 hours. The drivers have orders to bypass the convoy by taking the highway directly to Houston and following backroads to the rendezvous point. Have your men prepared to enter battle in Houston."

“Yes, sir!” Leron said with a firm salute.