We get two full days to relax. Or at least, kind of relax. Ivy and Vince spend as much time outside the compound as possible, finding people to talk to. Ivy's great with mind rips and biological AI, but even she has trouble when talking to the few software and quantum AI that live in the physical. On the bright side, she's healing quickly. She was walking stiffly the day after her surgery, and today she's almost looking normal.

Talking with E-1 again is nice, the only problem is that there's just too much to talk about and not enough time. Even with us able to talk much faster than humans can, we still don't even get close to discussing everything that happened and how it's potentially impacting me. I do let her live my experiences though, it's just quicker and easier than retelling everything.

Cassie and I don't get a ton of time alone to ourselves, Ivy and Vince really need me to walk them around. Corax can't do it, he's too busy doing recon for and feeding information to Ivy. That's ok though, I just have to deal with C-1, and we can all retire. No more danger, just staying at Silver's and helping out together. There's nothing I want more than that. I don't know how any of them can live like this for years, after only a few months I just want to rest with my family for as long as physically possible.

A knock on the door in the early morning makes Cassie jump to consciousness in my arms. I quickly back away while her hand flies to her knife. It takes her a moment to realize there's no danger, and to slide her knife back into its sheath. Her hand still remains near it though, and she nods at me to open the door.

Corax, already perched on the windowsill, flies to my shoulder as I approach the door. He'd stop me, or at least warn me if there's anyone dangerous on the other side.

I open the door to find Kismet standing in the hallway, with Vince and Ivy standing just a short distance away.

"Good morning. The meeting is scheduled for today, we should have a discussion before that begins." They say.

"Ok." I glance back at Cassie who, while tense, has mostly relaxed. I step back and let everyone file in. Ivy shuts the door behind her as she steps inside, buying us privacy.

"If you're here to talk, does that mean you're on our side?" I ask.

"We have been unable to discern the likely outcome of either avenue, we will be deferring the decision entirely to the ones who live here. We're here to inform you about the process, and give you the best chance possible to argue your perspective. Blue, Corax, and Cassie, you should already be familiar with the process. Things will proceed the same way they did when discussing how to help you rescue Ivy, Vince, and the Child."

"That's good." At least I can be sure we'll get our chance to talk.

"As for you two, we have an auditorium where the discussion will take place. All are welcome and encouraged to come, discuss, and vote. As guests of our city, you get your vote too. In the center floor will be a few people, one person representing each type of being we host here. They will take questions and comments from their people and relay them to all. In addition to that, Nimda, as the architect of this discussion, will have a direct voice. Is there anyone you want on the floor?"

"I want E-1." She lived what I have, I just have to trust she will believe us going home is best. "Lance, Robin, and Clover if she feels good enough to should probably be there too, they know the whole story."

"We believe that's a reasonable request, and it will be forwarded to them. Do be aware that just because they are there on your behalf, that does not mean they are beholden to assist in your goals. In addition, you should be aware we hold no desire for games or clever words. We ask that you be clear and direct, listen and take what we say to heart, and we will do the same. This is not a situation in which it is one side against the other, it is a situation where the city is deciding what is best for us, and what is fair to you. Keep that in mind. All of us have been through a lot, and want nothing more than a peaceful life."

"Appreciate the honesty, and the warning." Vince says. "We'll be fair with you as long as you're fair with us. This place is… something else. Last thing we want to do is put it at risk."

"We are not the one you need to convince. We do wish you luck, however. The meeting begins three hours from now, we will send E-1 to show you the way. Do you have any final requests or requirements before we leave?"

I give a small shake of my head and glance at the others, letting them speak up if they need to.

"Nothing I can think of." Vince says.

"Once again, we wish you luck." Kismet backs out of the room and closes the door behind them.

"I like them." Ivy says.

"Really?" Cassie asks.

"Sure. A worse person would just shove us in a cell and forget about everything, if they're feeling generous. I respect the commitment to what they're trying to do. Someone like that is always easier to work with."

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"Let's hope everyone else feels the same." Vince nods. "We've done what work we can, hopefully we have some friends who are willing to listen. We know what levers we have, how are we using them? What's our plan?"

"We start with what we did. Saving the child should give us a lot of leeway." Cassie says.

"I'll reveal who I am if I have to." I say. "I don't know how much it will help, but I can handle it as a last resort."

"We'll do our best to avoid that, Little Blue." Vince reassures me, instantly picking up on my fear. "Biggest question we've got is who does the bulk of the talking?"

"It's between Blue and Ivy." Cassie says. "Blue can't lie for shit, and they know that. Problem is, I've seen her negotiate, and it's not pretty. And Ivy's never going to be a bad choice."

"I can handle talking." I say. "E-1 can vouch for everything I say, and my intentions. Plus, other AI might be more willing to listen to me?"

"We'll be right beside you, alright?" Vince crouches down in front of me. "We'll take over if things get bad."

"I've been through more stressful situations. I can handle it."

"Alright. Still, don't be afraid to lean on us."

"Right. I will." I force what I hope is a reassuring smile.

"Alright, I don't want to get fucked on an empty stomach. What does everyone want for breakfast?"

Ivy gives Cassie a silent side eye, and Cassie only rolls hers in return.

"Just grab a fruit platter, or something else healthy." Vince says.

"Alright."

Cassie accidentally brushes against me as she leaves, and I have to fight my first reaction to scoop her up into a hug. Maybe that's not the best default reaction possible, but I'm not sure how to work on it, or even if I want to change it.

She disappears into the hall, and Ivy turns to me.

"What did Cassie mean by you can't negotiate?" She asks.

"Well, I wasn't in great shape at the time. But someone figured out I was an AI, and my first reaction may have been to threaten them with the fact that Zero knew me and where I was. And then just a few sentences later, I accidentally let slip that Corax was an AI too."

"Aww, you do suck at this. That's alright though, we can use that. You're honest, in a true way that can't be easily replicated. That'll buy a lot of favor. Just think things through before you say anything, people remember bad moments a lot more clearly than good ones. Or at least humans do."

"I'll do my best, but sometimes words just rush out of me before I can stop it. I just don't know how to stop myself from saying something dumb and ruining everything."

"Don't worry about that. As long as you don't say anything too dumb, I can pull you out of it. How you say something is often more impactful than what you say. Just do your best, and let them see how big your heart is." She gives me a small tap on my arm.

"I'll try." I don't think that advice helps at all, but it's at least nice to know Ivy will support me. Not that I doubted she would, but still.

"We'll get through this." Vince promises. "Whatever happens, it'll be fine. If we're forced to stay a little longer, that doesn't mean we'll never get home."

"You don't think they'll let us go then?"

"That's not what I said, Little Blue. You hope for the best and prepare for the worst. That's how we do things. And if we're stuck here for a while? There are certainly worse places. Silver knows we're safe, which means everyone else does too. There's no rush."

"But what about C-1?" I ask. "He won't wait for me to come home forever. At some point he's going to ask Silver where I am, assuming he hasn't already. I can't be the reason anyone else gets hurt."

Corax rubs against my cheek. At least he's here to keep me grounded.

"Then we'll make sure today goes well, alright?" Vince asks.

"Alright."

I take a seat on the bed. I don't even want to think right now, I know where that will end up. I just need to wait, to not break down before we start.

Cassie returns just a few minutes later, and Vince thankfully keeps us on happier topics that I can just idly listen to. The hours slowly tick by, with even Corax speaking more than me. I just keep my mind focused on their words, ignoring what comes next.

Running from my problems can't last forever, of course. The knock on the door that I've been dreading arrives.

Our conversation stops dead, and Vince moves to open the door. E-1 stands on the other side, doing her best and utterly failing to hide her worried face.

"Hello dearies. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we need to get going."

"Alright. You ready Little Blue?" Vince asks.

"I guess so." I have to be. There's no other option. I reluctantly stand up and follow behind everyone. The city is alive with people heading towards the massive government building carved out of the side of the cavern. I actually recognize a few of them this time, which is good I think.

E-1 takes us along the back roads once again, avoiding the main street. On the side of the government building, a hidden door opens, leading to a familiar blank hallway. She leads us through and into the same waiting room Cassie and I were given last time we were here.

"You have a few minutes to prepare, if you want. Before I head in and give you some privacy, do you have any final questions?"

"Are you going to support us leaving?" I ask.

"I am." She says. "Although, I'm an early-generation biological AI, just as you are, dear. I can't lie for you, but I'll help however I can."

"Thank you. That's all I want."

"I'll leave you all alone. Just come through when you're ready." She gives me one last hug before disappearing through another door.

"Well, do we need to go over the plan again?" Vince asks.

"Not somewhere that's so easy to bug." Ivy says.

"Let's get it over with." Cassie leads the march towards the door.

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