A few minutes later she pushed past a curtain of low hanging wires and into a room that had been transformed from its former incarnation.
An ergonomic chair meant for virtual reality junkies sat in the middle of the space. Its unique design was meant to continuously stimulate the muscles on a human's body while allowing the occupant to remain fully emmeshed in a simulated reality. They were a necessary feature to prevent muscle atrophy.
Kira had heard hackers liked to use them also, but this was her first time seeing it.
Above the chair were countless screens, their positioning reminding Kira of a tree's canopy. Wires extended from each like branches, interconnecting everything.
It looked chaotic and mad. Exactly like a modern day Yggdrasil.
In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil was the world tree. Its roots and branches ran throughout the different planes of existence. Looking at the Frankenstein monster in front of her, Kira could almost believe it.
No wonder Odin always seemed to know everything. This set up would allow the hacker to extend their tentacles into all kinds of systems.
"You're not supposed to be here," a voice said from the surrounding darkness.
"I know. There's been a change of plans."
There was a startled silence before a large figure swam through the gloom. A second later it converged into a person.
Kira spotted the vivid green of Odin's eye as her friend stepped out of the shadows. A patch covered the other. An earring glinted in one ear. It served to announce that Odin was in their feminine aspect today.
"What kind of change?" Odin asked.
The J1N plowed into a set of low hanging wires. They wrapped around its body, hindering its forward momentum. Despite that, the drone didn't stop. There was a crack before debris rained down from above.
"That kind."
Odin's frown held a hint of accusation. "What did you do to Jin?"
"That thing isn't Jin."
"How is that possible?"
Kira dug her thumbnail into the pad of her pointer finger to steady herself. "A few things happened after you took your leave from the Quorum."
At Odin’s imperious glance, Kira ran through the sequence of events that had happened since they’d seen each other last. "Elise orchestrated an attack on the adva ka. We all nearly died. Jin's existence as a soul bound was exposed in the process. The Tuann put him on trial. We survived only for a hidden enemy to inject Elena with an isotope that allowed the Tsavitee to teleport her to their home world. One of Jin's spawn went with her. He hitched a ride with it."
Odin stared, her expression growing more horrified with every sentence.
"I really hope you're close," Kira finished, unable to keep her desperation out of those last words.
"I am."
Kira’s breath left her in a whoosh of relief. Thank all the Gods that existed.
"But I'm not there yet."
Kira’s head went silent. The kind of silence that was almost audible. A ringing that eclipsed everything else.
Kira's lungs expanded. She could feel her chest rise and fall. Yet despite that, it was as if air wasn't reaching them.
Her vision tunneled. From a distance, she heard a tinny buzzing.
Hands caught her shoulders as that buzzing got louder.
Odin, Kira realized distantly. Her friend was saying something. Shouting it really.
"Get a hold of yourself, Nixxy Poo! You don't get to fall apart yet," Odin snarled, shaking her.
