I’d never heard of an EMP before, but I was glad we were rid of them. Something about the look in the eyes of that marauder terrified me.

Gunnar was now grumbling about “fried relays” as she poked around under the dashboard of the transport. Adelaide was still driving. He caught me staring and smiled.

“The war may be over, but there’s definitely no shortage of fighting. The marauders sprung up shortly after the end of the war. There were small groups of outlaws before, but after the war - and the camps, disenfranchised Aegis soldiers… added organization…”

He paused for a moment.

“…and an increased ruthlessness.”

"Aegis soldiers? but I thought...?"

I was confused. Were none of the soldiers what we'd been told by the instructors?

Adelaide shook his head sadly.

“Like I said, a lot of bad things were done on both sides. Most of the marauders are still just baselines like me, but some of their leaders are ex-Aegis. Mostly Ayaen...like your friend.”

I didn't like that.

“They're not like her.”

Heather was staring out the window, watching the scenery outside. Adelaide started to laugh, before he caught my glare. He stared at me a moment, and then nodded.

“I suppose not. Aleph don’t make bad bets.”

I wondered how he knew. Gunnar raised her head from the wiring under the dashboard.

“He’s just testing you, but I’ve never been able to figure out how he always seems to know everyone’s sodal within five minutes of meeting them.”

She smirked at the old man.

“It’s creepy.”

Heather turned away from the window to face us.

“Where are we going?”

Gunnar smiled.

“We’re going home.”

Heather was persistent.

“Where’s home?”

Adelaide glanced at us both.

“We’ve got a settlement just outside the city. It’s close enough to the city that marauders don’t bother us, but far enough outside that they leave us alone. The stuff we sell keeps it running.”

It was all a bit of a jumble to me. I didn’t know where the city was, or why they’d be interested in bothering settlements in the first place, but at least I wasn’t feeling anything wrong, which was a good sign. Heather reached for the axe again and I could swear I saw it jump into her hand before she’d touched it. I must have looked confused, because Gunnar smiled again.

“Don’t worry Alison, it’ll be fine. You’ll see.”