The fuel gauge hit empty and stayed there.
But, still, Zubair refused to slow down.
He kept driving on faith, momentum, and the stubborn refusal to accept that the truck was allowed to fail them now. He'd pushed machines farther than this before. He knew how long an engine could coast on fumes if you treated it like a promise instead of a guarantee.
The engine sputtered once, reminding him that the past was not the present, but he ignored it.
Another cough followed, sharper this time, like the truck was counting down until it was done.
Psycho noticed immediately. "Ah," he said mildly. "I knew that this was too easy. We are going to be stuck in the middle of nowhere?"
Zubair's jaw tightened. "Not yet," he replied, narrowing his eyes. "We still have time."
"You say that," Psycho replied, "but the truck is currently disagreeing with you."
Aerenyx shifted slightly in his seat. "You are not gaining anything by pushing it to zero."
