Page 90 of The Fall

“She’s not my…”

Alana flicked her eyes to Kerr, lying unconscious in Lusa’s arms, her lips a thin white line.

“Yes, I know what this looks like.” Lusa tried to roll her eyes, but it was half-hearted at best. “We can’t be anything more than whatever we have right now. You know this. I know this.” With everything else going on right now, Lusa did not have the capacity to ward off hope and spare herself the heartbreak.

But Alana wasn’t finished. The words she’d been holding onto were coming out whether or not it was appropriate. “It’s a shame.” Alana threw an empty magazine across the floor. She looked back up at Lusa. “She’s good for you.”

Before Lusa could ask why Alana was suddenly being nice to her, shouts of alarm came from beyond the door. “Fuck,” she swore. She set Caoimhe down, sitting her up against the black tower so that it stayed between her and the door.

“Don’t just stand there, get your knives.” Alana disappeared through the doors.

Lusa scooped up Caoimhe and ran back into the Secondary chamber where she’d left her clothes. She set her down and kissed her forehead, grabbing her kukri before running back into the Ruskov Chamber.

The doors had barely shut behind her when the DocPod depressurised and the terminal flashed.

MODEL 2: HELP.

“What now?” Lusa stared anxiously toward the delivery doors. Shouts and gunfire rang off of the walls.

MODEL 2: GLUCOSE AND SALT.

“Can it wait?” Lusa fidgeted with her knife. “We’re all going to die if I don’t help Alana.”

MODEL 2: PULL HER BACK AND SHUT THE DOORS. I PROMISE SHE WON’T DIE IF YOU GET ME GLUCOSE AND SALT. RDC CANISTERS. IN THE LOBBY.

Lusa debated for a moment whether or not to trust her, but she didn’t really have a choice. “Where do I get that?”

MODEL 2: UNDER THE DESK IN THE LOBBY. I HAVE SENT ALANA THE ENCRYPTION KEY.

“Fucking fuck.” A bullet ricocheted off of the wall and nicked Alana’s index finger. Lusa could see she was never going to be able to kill this many Styx by herself, but Alana was determined to hold them off at least a little longer.

“They’re hacking my Opti!” Alana yelled. “I can’t aim like this!” Grabbing her rifle, Alana screamed and emptied the entire magazine. She’d take out as many as she could before they got her.

“Fall back!” Lusa yelled, grabbing her wrist and pulling her away from the doors. A frag exploded behind the lorry, rendering what was left of it to smouldering bits of metal.

“Go get the glucose.” Lusa shoved her toward the other doors.

“What the fuck are you talking about? We need to get out of here before they get through that door.” Alana pulled Lusa along. “Where’s Kerr? Caoimhe, whatever?”

“In the Secondary Chamber.” Lusa followed. “The RDCs you need are in the lobby. No-one hacked your Opti. That was Model 2 sending you a key.”

“Why? What for?”

“I have no idea. Model 2 said she needed it.”

“Is she aware there are more Styx outside? With more explosives?” Alana continued walking, despite her reluctance.

“Very.” Lusa checked on the DocPod. Jets of steam continued to pour from the lid.

“I don’t trust her. She trie…” Alana started but Lusa cut her off.

“Just go. Please?”

Alana pursed her lips and ran toward the doors.

Lusa ran to the DocPod. The lid had fully opened now. Inside lay the most ethereally beautiful woman Lusa had ever seen. Flawless fair skin, completely devoid of marks or freckles, thick blonde hair, a perfect cupid’s bow and a bottom lip in a full pout. The column of her neck gave way to the swell of generous breasts, symmetrical pink nipples, a slender waist and equally generous hips. The only thing out of place were the ridges running from the backs of her hand to her shoulders.

And Lusa felt nothing.