James rounded the corner of the prison and came face to face with the famed engineer of Immortal Ignition. A golden force field separated the Inspector from Luyan's miniscule cell. There was a bed and a toilet—which were very clean—but nothing else. He wasn't getting any special treatment for being so well known.
James peered down the hall, noting the countless rows of dark, empty cells. Non-organized crime had dwindled so much that Luyan's presence felt more like a kidnapping than an arrest.
Footsteps behind him alerted James to Saeyung's arrival. She stopped in front of the cell and considered Luyan. Then she pressed a button on the side of the force field, turning off the sound barrier.
"Good to see you again," she said, intoning her voice to sound almost friendly.
The engineer scowled at her. "For the last time, I assume?"
"Doesn't have to be. We're offering you a chance to work for us."
Luyan shook his head. "Forget it."
Saeyung ignored him. "Since last we met, we've significantly reduced our debt to Megacity 13. But it's not enough. With your help—"
"I'm done. I need a break."
"Do some reflecting?" James couldn't help slipping in.
Luyan glared at him. "You could use a bit of that yourself."
"This debt is one of our most pressing issues," Saeyung cut in. "The others demand progress, Luyan. If you care at all about your city, you will help us."
James nodded. He wasn't in the know for most of the international issues, but he would pursue anything that would benefit Megacity 14. It was his oath and his anchor.
"I love this city more than you ever will," Luyan said.
Saeyung tapped a finger on the force field, creating small ripples. "We'll give you Immortal Ignition. Wipe the slate clean, get you a new pilot and programmer."
Like hell you will, James thought. But he didn't say anything. He was curious to hear Luyan's response.
"Look at me, Saeyung. This is what Immortal Ignition did. Do you really think I want it back?"
"How noble," Saeyung murmured. Her voice returned to its cold tone. "I'll leave you be, then."
She stayed there for a moment, staring, checking if Luyan understood her ultimatum. The engineer's face remained expressionless. Then she turned around.
Luyan leaned towards the force field. He opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again. No sound came out.
Saeyung took one step forward, the clack of her shoe resounding through the empty hall. Then another step.
"Wait!" Luyan called.
James felt a shiver of respect. To have that kind of power, where simply walking away could seal someone's fate, was an old dream of his. He didn't have it yet, but it was coming to fruition.
"At least let me see Ella one last time," Luyan said. "I need to apologize."
Saeyung and James met each other's eyes, and James let out a mirthless laugh.
"You shot her," he said. "Why do you think we would let you anywhere near her?"
Saeyung nodded and resumed walking. James turned away, too, catching Luyan's frantic stride towards the forcefield before he rounded the corner.
They walked in silence for a bit, their footsteps lonely in the vast matrix of cells. At length, James stopped and shot a disapproving look at Saeyung.
"Mecha Realm stays clean, you understand?"
Saeyung kept walking. "I was never going to give him Immortal Ignition."
"I don't care. If even a rumor gets out that a Chair is bribing mech teams—"
"I know." Saeyung stopped and turned around. "If it brings you any comfort, he'll be dead by the end of the hour."
James scoffed. "Will he be useful?"
"Oh yes," Saeyung said.
James drew his lips into a line. Though her methods were extreme, he supposed that debt to Megacity 13 had to be paid one way or another.
-----
As Caroline flew them through the badlands, on their way to visit Sangeet upon his request, Marvin replayed the memory of when they'd heard the news of the accident yesterday. He'd texted Ella to offer his condolences, but it had felt shallow. She had not replied—she'd gone silent on their entire group.
They were gathered in the cockpit. Caroline, Ben, and Renee sat in the three seats while Marvin stood behind them, magnetically glued to the ceiling and floor.
After a bit, Ben snapped his fingers in Marvin's face. "You good, man?"
Marvin focused his cameras on his friend's face and nodded. Ben had a strange ability to discern his emotional states.
"It's crazy, I know," Ben said. "All that stuff with Luyan."
"Poor Ella," Caroline murmured.
Renee nodded somberly and patted her own head twice.
An hour ago, they had been notified that Luyan had died in a shuttle accident while being transported to his prison. Work of the scavengers, no doubt. Maybe they were justified, but Marvin disapproved. By this logic, what would stop Ella from seeking out her own revenge?
"We'll invite her over plenty," Ben said. "Right?"
He looked at Marvin for whatever reason, and Marvin nodded.
"If you don't mind me asking, Marvin, are you guys friends now?" Caroline asked.
In other words, why the hell were you spending so much time with her this past week?
"Um, yeah," Marvin said.
"Hey, what's wrong with that? She's chill," Ben said. Renee slapped the back of his chair in agreement.
Caroline sighed. "I guess I'll grow used to her. Oh, and also, Ishaan might stop by, too. He wants to have dinner with us again."
Marvin couldn't help but grin. Two more members at their table wouldn't hurt.
They soon arrived at the scavengers' camp. From prior approval, they landed on the Hopper and stepped out to meet the harsh wind. The dueling arena and Bessmer chairs had been taken down, leaving a flat metal plain once more. Sangeet was already on the roof waiting for them. Five scavs stood behind him, keeping guard. In the distance, the sun blazed low in the sky, seeming to set the grass on fire.
"Hi," Sangeet said, giving all of them a shy wave. "Is Ella here?"
Caroline shook her head.
"Oh." Sangeet clasped his hands together and lowered his gaze. "Tell her I really am sorry. I don't regret what I did, but—"
"It's over now," Caroline said. "Let's not talk about this, please."
Sangeet nodded. Emotions were still running too high. "Sorry. Anyways, the thing I wanted to tell you was… well, obviously, what I said about coming to the megacity wasn't true," he said. "I never liked mech fighting."
You just sold parts as a front to steal weapons and get your revenge, Marvin thought. What'll you do now that you've gotten it?
"Will you be staying?" Caroline asked, gesturing to the surrounding badlands.
"We might stay for a bit, but I won't be coming into the megacity. I… I think I might not see you guys again."
Marvin exchanged looks with his teammates. It seemed they agreed that this was for the best, especially if they were going to get closer to Ella. Marvin had appreciated Sangeet's attempt to make amends after the situation with the Manhunters, but sometimes things just didn't work out.
"But you guys are really good people," Sangeet continued. "Stop by if you need anything. Any parts."
"Thank you," Caroline said. She smiled half genuinely, half out of social expectation. "We wouldn't be as good as we are without you."
Marvin, Ben, and Renee voiced their agreement.
"Thanks," Sangeet muttered. Maybe he saw through that smile. He took a step back and gave a single nod. "Best of luck. Maybe I'll see you guys on TV. For Mecha Realm or something."
Caroline, Marvin, Ben, and Renee nodded in return.
You can count on it, Marvin thought.