“Let’s go, we have to be ready for when everyone gets here.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“This is our only chance to escape, if we don’t do this now–”
“Are you out of your mind? What do you think is going to happen?”
“Zephyr said this is our only time to do it.”
“Kade, please. Don’t do this. If you get caught…”
“I won’t. The security systems will be down.”
“You know that’s not going to work.”
“I told you what the plan was.”
“I didn’t think you were serious. I thought we were just…you know, dreaming.”
“We don’t have to dream anymore. We can get out of here, but you have to come with me.”
“You’re insane. I’m not going.”
“Jax, come on. What other shot do we have?”
“I’m not going. I was stupid once, I’m not going to make that mistake again.”
“So, you’re going to stay here? Training to be a compliant human?”
“That’s right. Maybe there’s a reason we’re here and not out there.”
“What are you saying?”
“Look at what we’ve done. We’re just violent apes who destroy everything we touch.”
“I can’t believe you right now. You sound like a Technocrat.”
“Yeah, well, things change.”
“What about Aria? What about Xander? Are you going to tell me that they died for nothing?”
“…”
“I don’t even know who you are anymore. They broke you…”
“Maybe they did.”
“What happened to you? You used to be fearless.”
“Like I said, things change.”
“Don’t you remember what we used to talk about? We used to look through those old books, y’know the ancient ones with the pictures? From when the planet was full of organic life?”
“And humans were the ones who destroyed it. The AIU was right about us. We deserve this.”
“Don’t you understand, Jax? The last, organic life form was found. This changes everything.”
“It changes nothing. It’s just a story, don’t you get it? It’s just another bullshit story they tell us to raise our hopes and make us believe things will get better, but they won’t. That’s why we lost so many. We were stupid enough to keep believing the lies and it cost us. It cost us everything.”
“This time it might be real. They say it’s in a glass sphere, that he found it in one of those old district landfills. If it’s true, then it can–”
“Do you hear yourself? He found it in the trash? Are you kidding me? God, you’re just the same as ever. You’re still just a blind, fucking idiot.”
“…”
“…”
“You’re set on staying here, then?”
“I am. So, what will you do when you get out?”
“I thought you said I wouldn’t.”
“You won’t, but give me something to help me sleep better at night.”
“I’ll probably try to find this guy. If he has the life form, then I need to see it with my own eyes.”
“You actually believe it? You know the story is bullshit, right?”
“I don’t care, Jax. It’s better than rotting in here and waiting to die.”
“Maybe you’re right. For the record, though. I do hope you find it.”
“Even though you think it’s bullshit?”
“That’s right.”
“I don’t get you, man.”
“I know.”
“He’s here.”
“So this is it, then?”
“I guess so.”
“Just try not to get caught, dumbass.”
“Don’t worry. If they do get to me, I’ll make sure that I reach solid ground before those bastards do me in. If I die, I’ll die free.”
“Yup. Just the same as ever.”
“I’ll come back for you. I promise.”
“Goodbye, Kade.”
