Jett frowned in thought. "Makes sense, I guess. Everyone just volunteers to surrender their privacy whenever new tech comes out. It's been that way before the Cataclysm."
"Exactly. There was never any prophetic revolution of the machines because humanity sacrificed their freedom to technology without protest. If true artificial consciousness ever existed, it would have no problem taking over the world. Instead, we're left with what we've always had: other human beings using technology to harness any and all relevant information to control the masses. And most give it to them willingly."
"So what do we do about it? I don't exactly see any diabolical scheme here, Arthur. Just the same old power moves. Faces change, stay the same, doesn't matter. If Golding is in the Haven, I can't touch him anyway."
"Just letting you know the structure of things, Jett. You're focused on single termite mound when the entire building is infested. Someone has to keep their eye on the big picture."
"And that's what you're doing?"
"I've been keeping tabs on Golding, yes. His enterprises, anyway. When I became aware of how entrenched he is in the technological infrastructure of the city, I worked hard at infiltrating his organization." Arthur gave his hoverchair a rueful glance. "Wasn't like I had anything better to do. Golding can do a lot from inside the Haven, but he needs people on the outside. I oversee the maintenance and oversight of his surveillance division."
Jett grinned. "That's how you can make me a ghost in the system."
"Precisely. And even more important, I get to funnel a flood of raw data into caches I can examine later. In time I will be able to ascertain better what his ultimate goal is. I've been working on this for the better part of a decade. With your help, I might actually have a chance."
Jett thrust his hands in his pockets and strode toward the door. "Keep at it. I'll keep shaking things up on the streets. See what falls. Maybe we can put two and two together."
"Where are you going?"
"Have something to check on."
"Use the auto cab. It will take you wherever you need to go. Transit monitors register it as a regular city vehicle, so you won't arouse suspicion."
"Will do, thanks. You'll work on that cape, won't you?"
"I'll work on it. Be careful out there, Jett. And remember — they're always watching."
Mistress O' Mercy hospital was nearly a ruin. Only one of the wards had electricity, flickering though it was. The floors were stained some unrecognizable shade of yuck, the halls were dim and reeked of noxious disinfectant, and the graffiti on the walls looked better than the blistering paint.
Jett stood in the corner of a cramped room because there were no chairs. Two hospital beds took up much of the room. He watched Mira, who sat perched on the edge of her bed like a scrawny little bird. She watched her sister, who was curled in the fetal position in her bed, fast asleep.
"How is she?"
Mira shrugged. "Broken. Don't know if she'll ever be okay."
"How are you?"
Her jaw stiffened. "Fine."
"Bruises are healing up."
"It's nothing. Been hurt worse, yo."
Jett nodded. "Yeah, I bet. You're a tough cookie."
A fierce grin spread across her face. "I eat tough cookies."
They laughed.
"Well, this is a change." Agent Ronnie Banks walked in, a bemused smile on her face. "You get a laugh. I get nothing but surly stares and streetspeak. Getting this one to talk is like pulling teeth."
Mira's smile vanished, replaced by a smoldering glower. "Got no spill, pig."
"Whoa, whoa." Jett held up a hand. "She's one of the good guys."
Mira folded her arms. "Only good pig is bacon."
"Nice." Ronnie smiled at Jett. "How do you know this charmer?"
"She's a… neighbor. Her sister was one of the caged girls." His fist clenched at the thought. "Mira was captured looking for her."
Ronnie tilted her head. "Doesn't explain why you're here."
Damn it. Gotta be careful. "Neighborly concern isn't a crime, Agent. Is it?"
She hesitated, studying him. Finally, her stance relaxed. "No. Not enough of that around here, in fact. Look, since you're here, you got a minute?"
"Sure."
"Somewhere where evil little girls aren't trying to kill me with their stares." She eyed Mira, jerking her thumb at the door.
Mira's grin was wicked. "Yeah, go. Smell like ham in here."
Jett wagged a finger at her. "Be good. I'll be back to check on you."
She gave a nonchalant shrug as he followed Ronnie out the door, but he caught the small smile that flashed across her face.
Ronnie led a fast pace down the hallway, boot heels clomping in time with her stride. "What are you up to, Jett?"
"I don’t know what you mean."
"We keep running into each other. I don't believe in coincidence."
"Maybe I'm just trying to do some good, Agent. Same as you."
She stopped mid-stride and turned around. "Stop calling me Agent, please."
He paused. "What should I call you, then?"
"How about my name? Ronnie. Since we're going to be friends and all."
He raised an eyebrow. "Are we?"
"I hope so." She gave him an assessing gaze. "I'm going out on a limb and hoping I can trust you."
"You can."
"Good. Then I have something to show you."
Jett glanced around. "I didn't think this place could get any worse, but thanks for proving me wrong."
The hallway was a horror movie special, complete with dank, moldy walls and empty rooms missing only the ghosts to haunt them. Dust motes drifted in the air like wandering snowflakes.
"Love your optimism." Ronnie handed him a holovisor. "Now, look again."
The surroundings transformed when he slipped the glasses over his eyes. The wing of the hospital was clean and bright. The rooms were converted into dorms where children laughed and played together. The scene was so palpable that he almost reached out when a boy ran past, beckoning for him to follow.
"Not bad, huh?" Ronnie smiled.
"What am I looking at?"
"The future. The incident with the kids stirred up a lot of emotion. I worked with the mayor on a campaign to provide a safe haven for orphans and underprivileged children."
Jett nodded. "Boys and Girls Club."
"You had something like that in your time?"
"Yeah. A valuable commodity that went largely unappreciated by the majority. But it did a lot of good when implemented correctly."
"Well, that's what we're trying to do here. We're calling it the Youth Haven. The funds will be used to renovate both the medical wing of the hospital and this section for the support and care of the kids."
Jett removed the visor, returning to the grime and gloom of the hallway. "Sounds like a great project, Ronnie. I'm sure it will do a lot of good."
"Wanna help?"
"Not sure what I can do. I'm not exactly in a position to contribute financially."
"I don’t want your funds, Jett. I want your body."
He raised an eyebrow. "Say again?"
"Your body here on the grounds, Jett. Don't flatter yourself; it's a job offer. Project manager. You just proved you have a way with kids, and you have leadership skills. Might not be military, but you gotta take what you can get."
"You can get androids for security. I already have a job."
"Scab work. I'm talking something worthwhile. It won't pay much more than what you're making now, but every little bit helps. You'll work a full shift, overseeing staff and security. Pretty cush compared to sewer diving."
He folded his arms. "I don't know…"
"What's the problem? I didn't expect you to be so hesitant. This is a step up, Jett. We'll have synthetic security on the grounds, but the Mayor wants a human face stamped on this. Right now, we got no takers. You're a hero from the Pre-Cataclysm era. It makes for good press to have you look after this new project. And I need someone I can trust."