“So, Lena,” he paused for a moment, then resumed. “Do you feel you’ve been properly introduced to the culture?”
“Not as much as I should. We’ve all been kind of busy this week. This is actually my first chance out since I moved in.”
“But you know that humans and synths have their differences. And it’s not just here. Vogt had another incident last week a day before you landed. Surely, you’ve noticed the tensions around town?
“I try to stay out of it.” She sipped her water. It was cold on her teeth.
“I won’t ask you to take sides, but these Verus people are causing chaos. I talked to a few other owners in the area, and we all want some protection from the violence. As a synth-business, I’m worried about what some radical might come in and do.”
He let this hang for a moment before continuing.
“I have nothing against people who want to stay human. However, Verus has a problem with synths. So, I have a plan to protect myself.”
“You have a plan?” Lena was starting understand why she was here but she was almost afraid to ask. Jael turned and sat across from her on the couch. He placed his drink on the table and leaned back, extending an arm along the top of the couch.
“Nothing illegal. Nothing drastic.”
Lena’s mind was racing with possibilities. What did he want with her exactly?
“Ok, so what do you have in mind?”
Jael’s smile widened as he leaned forward.
“Members of Verus are wanted for a number of missing persons. You are aware of this. The only bodies found have a symbol carved in their backs. I suppose sacrificing synths is a ritual to them?”
“Who knows?” she answered quietly. Lena recounted the grisly broadcast she had seen. The bodies laid in a line with that symbol carved into their backs. It was certainly what she had imagined an occult group might do.
“I’m afraid this behavior will gain momentum. We need to be preemptive. We’re going to take the moral high-ground here. I need you to remember that.”
The newscast played in her head. Verus was dangerous but how dangerous could they be to someone like her? She was human.
“Why are you asking me?” she asked.
“Most importantly, you’re human.” She didn’t understand. There were millions of humans in Rhod. “We have an idea of where they’re set up. They live out their ethnically-cleansed fantasy world away from society. They’ve made some manner of synth barrier around this location. No one’s been able to enter. The barrier can detect synths and androids for at least three kilometers in every direction. We’ve found the perimeter, but we can’t get in without setting off alarms.”
“And how did you find me?”
“I assumed immigrants coming into Rhod might be looking for work.” He winked at this, then continued. “You can drive. That’s rare. There’s an old mining operation we think they’ve repurposed. This is why we can’t see them from the air. Also, as far north as it is, it’s past the terminator.”
Lena grew more concerned.
“You mean it’s always dark?
“I’ve never seen it myself, but it’s all woods up there. Chilly, but you’ll be able to camp out.”
Lena stopped him.
“Camping?”
“All the suites were full.” Jael shook his head and smiled, dismissing the question. “You’ll have a guide with you. He’s an android. He can get you close and make sure you survive out there. You’re looking at probably three days total for this job. One day travel. One day for the job, then another day back.”
“And what do you need done?” She grew nervous. He smiled again.
“I need you to plant these.”
He got up and walked over to his desk. He withdrew a matte black rod. It was about half a meter in length. On one end, the rod ended with a spike ringed with raised ridges. The other end held a small, spherical electronic device.
“What is it?” Lena asked, although she had some idea.
“It’s a surveyor. When you lay at least three down they coordinate to send back data on the topography of the land between them. You just stick it in the ground. They’re already paired with each other. I can access the data from here. Once you get them down, you get out of there and get home. You’ll have to leave your celltab outside the barrier. Just send me a text on your way back.”