The next morning felt strange.
Very strange.
Kirran sat in Raymond’s hover-van staring out the window.
Normally, Mach would be beside him.
Making observations.
Offering reminders.
Occasionally embarrassing him.
Today there was only silence.
And he hated it.
A little.
Okay, a lot.
◇ ◇ ◇ Raymond glanced over from the driver’s seat.
Kirran shrugged.
“I’m fine.” “You’ve said that three times.” “I’m still fine.” “You miss him.” Kirran immediately looked away.
“I do not.” “You absolutely do.” The annoying thing about Raymond was that he was usually right.
The hover-van turned into an industrial district near the edge of Citron City.
Massive warehouses towered overhead.
Hover-trucks drifted through loading zones.
“You’re awfully quiet.” Mechanical cranes moved enormous shipping containers from place to place.
And nestled between all of it sat one of the most chaotic buildings in the city.
Gear’s Workshop.
The giant metal sign hanging above the entrance was missing several letters.
One section was visibly held together with duct tape.
Another was smoking.
Kirran wasn’t entirely convinced that was supposed to happen.
“You know,” he said.
“If the building explodes today, I won’t even be surprised.” Raymond nodded.
“Fair.” The doors opened automatically.
Immediately, Kirran was assaulted by noise.
Metal clanging.
Welding torches.
Power tools.
Explosions.
Small explosions.
Which somehow felt more concerning than large explosions.
“Welcome!” A voice echoed across the workshop.
Kirran already knew who it belonged to.
Gerald Killian.
His younger brother emerged from beneath a hover-bike chassis.
Though he hated it if you called him that.
Oil stained his gloves.
Safety goggles rested on his forehead.
A wrench stuck out of his back pocket.
And somehow– Somehow— His hair looked even messier than usual.
“Good morning.” Gear grinned.
“You ready for upgrades?” Kirran immediately smiled.
“Absolutely.” ◇ ◇ ◇ Nearby, Mach sat atop an elevated maintenance platform.
Several mechanics were already examining him.
Panels had been removed.
Diagnostic screens floated around his chassis.
The Vent’s digital face appeared.
“Good morning, Kirran.” The relief Kirran felt surprised him.
“Morning.” Mach’s icon blinked.
“You appear happier.” “Maybe.” “You missed me.” Kirran immediately regretted speaking.
Gear laughed.
Raymond laughed.
Even one of the mechanics laughed.
“Not helping.” Mach looked pleased with himself.
“Most certainly.” Gear pulled up a holographic blueprint.
The image expanded above the workshop floor.
Dozens of new systems appeared.
Weapon mounts.
Armor plating.
Propulsion upgrades.
Flight stabilizers.
Emergency systems.
Kirran’s eyes widened.
“Wait.” “All of that’s going into Mach?” “Yep.” “Isn’t that excessive?” Gear looked offended.
Deeply offended.
“There is no such thing as excessive.” Raymond immediately pointed toward a corner of the workshop.
A hover-scooter was somehow hanging upside down from the ceiling.
“What about that?” Gear paused.
“Okay.” “Sometimes there’s excessive.” Kirran laughed.
The blueprint rotated.
Gear pointed toward several highlighted components.
“Plasma cannons.” “Improved thrusters.” “Targeting software.” “Reinforced armor.” Kirran blinked.
“You added all that overnight?” “No.” Gear smiled.
“I built it months ago.” “What?” “I’ve been waiting for an excuse.” Kirran suddenly felt concerned.
Very concerned.
◇ ◇ ◇ Several hours later, preparations were complete.
The mechanics gathered around Mach.
Tools floated into position.
Diagnostic displays illuminated.
Gear clapped his hands together.
“All right.” “Let’s get started.” The Vent looked around nervously.
“Be gentle.” One mechanic immediately removed a panel.
Mach yelped.
“THAT’S NOT GENTLE.” The workshop erupted into laughter.
Kirran couldn’t stop smiling.
For the first time since the android attack…
Everything felt normal again.
Or at least as normal as life ever got around the Killian family.