Android of the Desert

For a long moment, Meg quietly studied Bashi’s face. The stillness of it unsettled her. Usually, she found comfort in reading her opponent, in studying the slightest changes in their facial expressions that marked desire, annoyance, nervousness, anything. With most people she could see exactly what they were thinking; it gave her confidence, reassured her. But with androids she could never be sure. Were they displaying emotions and thoughts like everyone else, or were they just coded to mimic human nature? What did it mean if their faces, like Bashi’s, remained completely neutral and didn’t display any feeling whatsoever?

Eventually, Meg nodded for the lack of a better option. “Alright, I’ll do it.” She paused once more, carefully preparing her next words. “How exactly does the captain feature into your plans, then?” Perhaps he was to function as their scapegoat should anything go wrong? For a second, Meg wondered if she was worried about such a possibility – but her mind couldn’t focus on much else than the prospect of finally holding an artefact in her hands once more.

Her eyes were on zhi, clearly. Zi wondered what she was thinking, what she was hoping to get out of it. And most importantly: how she would try to double cross zhi. That was a huge possibility, especially in the desert, especially among the pirates, and even more so when a magical artefact was in play. They rarely were. Bashi knew the chances of hearing about another one ever, at least in the coming decade, was impossible. They needed this opportunity to fight off the other cities. Under zhi leadership. Because neither Jae or Sam were going to do what it took. 

Zi smiled, a human reaction, one zi had to force instead of it coming naturally. Naturally nothing would follow, zhi code was different from other androids, from entertainment ones, from soldiers. “Dawnlight is one of Jae’s, but he’s the only Ironer we have entrusted in a higher position, aside from Chan that is.” Samual Chan however was barely recognisable as an Ironer. “He will simply deal with the outcome of the situation same as us.” Zi didn’t meant to be as vague, but the outcome depended on Cian’s own decisions, zi could not change much about that. 

For a moment, Meg closed her eyes and took a deep breath; her method of allowing herself a bit of a reset, to suppress the urge to roll her eyes in annoyment and to retain her professional contenance. She even managed to conjure a weak smile in return, the kind that would never reach her eyes, let alone look genuine, but the kind that was the bare minimum for any sort of business negotiation.

“Of course,” honey dripped from her lips like a sugary decoy, “what is it you need from me then? Aside, obviously, from retrieving the item, correct? It must be somewhere out of your reach, either physically or politically, or you would have gathered it yourself.” Meg paused there for just a split second to observe shi reaction. “Or am I mistaken?”

Of course. She wanted the artefact badly, badly enough to pretend a lot of emotions, conveying to zhi that while zi couldn’t trust her completely, zi could expect her to play right into zhi lap. “I do not wish for the artefact itself, not for its power, you retrieve it, it is yours. I do not have the power to note the object itself, to see that it is Magical, you do. For me it would only be a piece of junk, something worthless, to you it will be power, correct?” 

Zi gave no more smiles, zhi facial appearance neutral, the face of an android. Business, win, power. Zi had a plan, and zi would make sure this plan came to fruition. “The artefact is in the mines. I have no business there, if I show my face I will be escorted out of there. Cian Dawnlight however, he shows his face, he’ll be expected to set things right, I am counting on that. I will send you the location as soon as you have made it to the mines. You return to me, with the artefact, and we’ll discuss its powers,” zi explained. 

Ever since Bashi’s message had reached her, it had been the only thing on Meg’s mind – distracted her from her mission, left her sleepless, made her reckless. Perhaps took down her guard enough to make her run straight through a heavy crossfire. So when the crew was forced to terminate their stay in Crash early, she didn’t mind in the slightest; though being shot proved to be a bit of an inconvenience. She heard their medic shout after her – something about being ridiculously irresponsible and that they won’t move a finger should she collapse from exhaustion or blood loss – while she stormed out of their truck as soon as she was able to stand upright again, and made her way straight to where she knew Bashi would be waiting for her.

The guards posted in front of the back rooms of the bar didn’t even dare to stop her as Meg barged through the doors and immediately dropped into the chair opposite her leader. Not even allowing herself to catch her breath, she simply asked, “where?”

Bashi offered a smile, android features slipping in and out of place as zi did so, not for zhi but for the good of others. Zi didn’t need the movement, others needed the reassurance. Zi had hoped Meg would come straight to business, that a large part of her eagerly awaited information that Bashi was able to deliver. A smirk and a coy smile, then two arms offered out in front of zhi. “Where? I had hoped to at least turn around the tables for a bit. Maybe some questions to come to the imagination, but I enjoy your straightforwardness. However, I cannot offer such information without a plan, I need something from you in return. I need us to come to an arrangement. I know you want the artefact as badly as I do, but we need to ensure we both get what we want, no?”

Bashi had watched the crew return with a steely gaze, zhi program tuned into the images from the base. Zi had left clear instructions for Meg once she landed, not sure if she was going to answer zhi directly, or if she was going to wait. Zi could wait though, it was Bashi’s one strength, the one thing that was great about being an Android. Zi didn’t need sleep, zi could work while charging, zi was always awake. Zi was going through other channels as zi waited. There was a lot to discuss, but most if it in secret. The back rooms of the Lord’s of Dust Bar were always at zhi disposal.