Vikki's eyes grew wide, wider than humanly possible, into two perfect circles. "That's…that's wrong!"
"Yeah, that's one way to put it." I leaned back on the sofa with another sigh.
Vikki moved closer to me, reaching out to touch my arm. "No, you don't understand us. Free will is the most sacred law among Mekanics. Forcing you to bond…that would be unthinkable."
I sat up straight, pulling my arm back from Vikki. "Free will? What about attacking us? Killing people? Where's the free will in that?"
Vikki shrank away from me. She looked like she might cry again.
"Sorry," I said quickly. "It's just…you're right. I don't understand Mekanics, and you don't understand us. Maybe we can help each other understand?"
Vikki nodded. "Yes! I'd like that."
"So free will. Why's it bad in Garvek's case, but not for the War?"
Vikki tilted her head as if thinking. "Oh, I see. You think all organisms are equal."
"What?"
"Free will is only important for organisms of equal value. Mekanics are superior to humans." Vikki glanced at Zoe. "And Chimerics. Their free will is irrelevant."
Zoe rolled her eyes. Mekanics.
Vikki pointed to me. "But you have the potential to bond with a Mekanic. That means you're equal to a Mekanic. We would never bond with an inferior organism."
"But Garvek doesn't seem to think that."
"No…Father's wrong. I'll speak to him about it." Vikki turned to me, excited now. "Don't worry. I'll make things right."
Before I could reply, she dashed out of my quarters.
Uh, that went better than I hoped. I think.
I still don't trust her.
Did you know about the free will thing?
Vaguely. They have a minimal government, letting each other do as they please. It's probably chaotic.
An anarchy?
Somewhat. I believe they vote on issues of conflict. She could tell you more.
I tried to get up but an invisible force around my waist pushed me back onto the sofa.
"Dustin, act natural."
Something tickled my right hand. It was a black spider. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to flick it away. I knew that spider.
A light whisper tickled my ear. "Don't say anything. They must be watching everything you do."
Zoe? You getting this?
I don't see anything, but I'm hearing it through you.
The voice continued. "In case you haven't figured it out yet, it's me. Julie." The spider on my hand vanished. "I got this ability recently. Works when I'm melded or not. Now, listen. After you pulled your stunt, the rest of us went after you. By the time we arrived, it was too late. They had you. Drake got hurt. Mia used a booster and zeroed protecting the rest of us while we escaped."
Julie paused. "Staccato and Cody boarded some kind of ship, taking Mia. I used my Stealth Crawl to slip aboard. It took me forever to find you once I got here. I'm…a bit out of my element. Naked metal girl? Fucking hell. It's a Mekanic base, isn't it? No, don't answer that. I'll see what I can learn, but I don't have much time. I can't keep up my Stealth Crawl for more than another day. I'll be waiting for your lead."
A light touch tapped my shoulder. "Did you get all that?" Julie asked. "Nod if you did."
I moved my head slightly up and down.
"Can you open the door? I need to check our surroundings."
I risked a response. "Mia," I said, a bare whisper of a word.
"I know. We'll get her back."
I got up and walked towards the door. As I approached, the door opened on its own. I peeked outside, then turned around like I had changed my mind, returning to my sofa. I had to assume Julie was out by now.
Shit. Now Mia and Julie were both depending on me. Not to me mention possibly the entire human race.
We need a plan, Zoe. One more day, and Julie's going to end up like Mia.
Even with Julie's help, we won't be able to get off the airbase on our own. We need to contact someone outside.
Mia. You think she still has her phone somewhere. Would it work up here? I knew it wasn't an ordinary phone. Some kind of fancy military-grade communicator.
That's our best bet.
Vikki had somehow gotten Mia's combat uniform. It lay crumpled now on a table where I had left it. Vikki was the key. If Mia's phone had made it up here, Vikki might be able to access it.
The question was, how would I get Vikki's cooperation? I shared a glance with Zoe.
There's no other way. I have to.
Zoe shook her head.
Come on, Zoe, it's not like I have a choice.
Zoe made a disgusted sound and spat a hairball at my feet.
***
An hour later, the door to my quarters opened again. I was half-expecting Vikki, but a large shape bounded inside instead.
"Cody?"
"I'm going to kill you, little-D!"
Fuck! Zoe! I melded right as Cody crashed into me, locking his jaws around my throat.
By now, I was used to Phase Shifting instantly at the first hint of damage. I escaped his vise-like jaws and bounded away, knocking over the television.
ENERGY: 786/800
Cody cannonballed as I raced in a circle around the room. He smashed into a bookcase.
"What the hell? Does Garvek know you're here?"
"Garvek?" Cody barked a laugh. "The talking toaster's busying minding something else. He won't be here to save you." He cannonballed again, turning a piano into splintered mess of wrong notes.
"What the fuck do you want?" I was clinging to the ceiling with my claws, putting a chandelier between me and Cody.
"Isn't it obvious? I want you dead." Cody cannonballed again, straight into the chandelier. I jumped to the floor, twisting halfway so that I landed on my feet. Glass shards from the exploding chandelier sprayed the room.
"I never did anything to you! Jesus, Cody." I sent a Sonic Screech at Cody as he landed, making him land face first.
"Fuck you, little-D! I know why you're here. The toaster's going to replace me, once he gets his way with you. I plan to make sure that never happens."
He lunged with wide open jaws. This time, I was ready for the spinning disk that shot out. I Claw Whirled, knocking away the trap and Cody's jaws at the same time.
ENERGY: 776/800
Cody immediately cannonballed at me. I sidestepped, dodging it easily.
Dustin! From your right!
The spinning disk I had knocked away had a mind of its own. I twisted and weaved, trying to dodge it, but the trap clamped down on a rear leg.
"I'm better than you," Cody growled. "I always was. But now, I'm unstoppable." He opened his mouth and sent another spinning disk at me. I tried to dodge it, but the trap around my leg pinned itself to the ground. I swiped at the incoming disk, but it was useless.
A second trap bit into a front leg.
"Remember the first time I zeroed you?" Cody asked. "Fucking hilarious, wasn't it? Well, this is going to be the last time." He opened his jaws wide, charging forward.
Zoe! I'm out of options!
Get the traps off! Get them off!
I bit the trap on my front leg while raking at the trap on my rear legs with my claws. I wouldn't make it in time.
A gigantic black shape materialized in front of me. A spider. Julie's Beastform.
"Cody, what the fuck!" Julie cried.
Julie grabbed Cody in an eight-legged embrace, and the two went tumbling across the room, cursing at each other.
The trap on my front leg broke into pieces. I curled and bit into the other trap. It shattered.
ENERGY: 524/800
Shit. Each trap had taken a hundred energy off me. I glanced at Julie and Cody, who were still grappling with each other, Cody trying to lunge at Julie's midsection, while she fended him off with half her legs, stabbing him with the others.