Machine Man (serial)

I wasn’t a complete fool. I didn’t approach from the front. I kicked down a few fences and came at the Better Future building from the side. There was a small industrial plant adjacent to the main grounds, and its chemical vats provided cover. As I ran between them, catching glimpses of the sleek, glass building, I tried to estimate where Lola’s suite was. Because it had a balcony. And this was critical, because the Contours were not good on stairs. Once I was inside the building, it would be difficult to move between floors; in fact, given they would certainly shut down the elevators, it might be impossible. So I had to enter on Lola’s level.

I reached the razor wire fence, raised one leg, hooked a toe in there, and tore it open. So far so good. I squeezed through the gash without catching myself on it, and picked up speed across the lawn. I spotted a balcony that looked about right. I sucked in air. Jump, I told the Contours. Jump.

And I thought: Man, that is really high.

And I thought: Is that even the right balcony?

I thought: Maybe they moved Lola already.

My legs slowed, stopped. I felt relief wash across me, then shame. I was a coward. The thing is, I just can’t jump that high, I told myself, although I knew I could. I thought: If I explain all this to Cassandra Cautery, maybe she’ll let me and Lola go, and this felt like a really terrific idea, which could absolutely happen, even though I knew it couldn’t. Sweat tickled my ribs. My bicep throbbed. I thought, That really needs medical attention. I should have that seen to before I did anything to aggravate the injury. Maybe I should—

Fortunately, at that moment a Better Future Hummer screamed around the corner, tires tearing up chunks of turf, its grill lining me up, and everything became clearer.

95.