The space vehicle was being rapidly disassembled and broken apart as the androids moved to tear it into pieces. They were using the transport itself to make supplies. The hull was rapidly turning into large guns and other devices, like the ship was one of those old pocketknives that contained a dozen little tools. One of the items was clearly a mobile fabricator along with a recycler. The recycler was technology that was relatively new, and we didn’t have anything like it here on New Sonora. With those two things, they’d be able to print whatever they wanted and wouldn’t have to rely on rolls of filament.
The UAV zoomed in on one of the soldiers with a half mask, and even close up, it looked human. It moved like a human. Still…there was something uncanny about the way it shifted and lifted its arms. It was a littletoofluid. Would I have noticed it if I hadn’t just seen these things unfold themselves in such a way?
The camera zoomed in on the dark, sleek uniform, focusing on ablack patch on the shoulder of the man. It was a triangular patch featuring a skull, and on the patch were three words:
The Rhythm Mafia.
“What the hell?” I asked.
“Holy shit,” Sam said at the same time. He was also across the yard looking at me. He leaned against one of the hoppers, sitting on the ground with Harriet and Rosita. “We have merch! We have fans!”
“Where did that come from?” I asked.
“I told you,” Lulu hissed. “I told you, Sam.”
“What…?” I asked, confused. “Why are they wearing those?”
“My theory is that these androids are being seeded across the planet,” Roger said. “They are the ‘insurgents’ that the players will be fighting. These that you see now were always going to come here, but it is likely that because of Oliver friend three’s unfortunate on-camera boast, they are claiming the Rhythm Mafia is the name of the local insurgent group. They could have fabricated and affixed those patches within a matter of minutes after the name was announced. Also, I am keeping note of all of your swearing. Please use proper language, even when I’m not present.”
“Wait, so are these guys kind of on our side, then?” Axel asked, talking for the first time since we’d gotten back.
“Not according to Mr.Yanez, they’re not,” Lulu said dryly.
Axel persisted. “But, Roger, you think they’re going to fight against the mechs?”
“I do believe so, yes. There is no indication anywhere on the net that this tactic will be used, so we can’t be certain until it happens. But the lack of actual insurgents on the planet and the existence of that shoulder patch suggest my theory is correct. This is a misdirection on the part of the invaders. Apex Industries is charging a premium for people to build these war machines and use them in battle. It would provide a poor customer experience if nobody actually fights back.”
“Poor customer experience,” I grumbled.
“It’s kind of a cool logo, though,” Sam added. “I hope we can get our hands on some of them.”
I watched as Roger moved away from the flare battery and floated toward the hive. “Now, everyone please follow me back into the classroom. It’s time for our second lesson. We will learn more details about our defensive capabilities.”
Across the way, Rosita stood and helped Harriet to her feet. The woman was still crying and rubbing her eyes. Rosita handed her off to Mrs.Gonzales, who put her arm around the young woman and started leading her toward me and the house. Rosita’s camera followed them closely.
Rosita turned and met my eyes from across the yard.
“Maybe they will leave us alone if we leave them alone,” Rosita said over the band as she rubbed her hands on her pants.
“I suspect you are partially correct,” Roger said. “The androids, yes. I suspect they will leave this farm unmolested for the first five days. They disassembled their craft, so it is clear they do not intend to leave. I suspect once the game portion of the eviction is completed, the remaining androids will attempt to complete the job should any of you remain alive. But before that happens, we still have five days’ worth of mechs to contend with.”
Before I could fully process that statement, my wrist beeped again.
The timer had concluded.
Operation Bounce Housewas now open to the public.
The Rhythm Mafia Tapes. Scene thirteen.
We are in a room that appears to be some sort of municipal office. There is a whiteboard on the wall that is half covered with the green-and-blue New Sonora flag. At least a dozen filing cabinets litter the oversized room. There is a large desk in the middle of the space along with several tables that are piled high with paper.
Sitting behind the desk is an older, heavyset bearded man with a mustache and a full head of wild white hair. This is Jake Acosta, seventy-two, the acting sheriff of the peninsula region headquartered in the town of Burnt Ends. Records indicate Acosta inherited the sheriff job about ten years prior after the previous sheriff—who was also his wife, one Lucinda Acosta—passed away after a short illness. Prior to becoming the acting sheriff, Acosta was a science teacher at the Burnt Ends school, which was partially repurposed as the sheriff’s headquarters once the population aged out.
Acosta was born aboardHibisco.
There is the sound of construction in the background.
Rosita (off camera):Okay, please introduce yourself.
