Forerunner's Child (22) (Patreon)

Kit wasn't sure exactly how the news spread. But when the big day finally came, half the Institute seemed to know something was happening.

It started in the hall that morning, when Lucien caught her leaving her room. They took one look at her bodysuit, then nodded with smug satisfaction. "You're going outside, aren't you?"

She shifted awkwardly in her bare feet, tail curling around her body. "That's my job. Go outside, upgrade stuff, repair stuff..."

"Suuuuuure." The ferret caught her shoulder, stepping in front of her. "That's why you've spent the last few weeks fixing up that old rover. So, you can ride around a dangerous deathtrap instead of a transport. You're so brave you add layers of unnecessary risk to an already dangerous job."

She pushed past them, or tried. But the ferret fought her, pushing back against her suit. They were so close to the same strength that Kit couldn't force them to let go. "What are you doing, ferret?"

They dropped to a whisper, though they kept that same too-wide smile. "I know you got the Director to come with you. Outside. What kinda leverage did that take?"

Kit's ears folded, her tail dropping lower and lower towards the ground. "Wren is nice. I didn't have to... leverage her."

"Sure she is." They let go. "She's good at making us feel safe. That's basically her job—as soon as someone causes a little too much trouble, she's there. Already did it with Maddie once. How'd you trick her into putting on a suit?"

Kit squeezed past, turning her back on Lucien. "Whatever you think, it's wrong. She just cares about her kids. If something is threatening the Institute, she wants to help. There's no conspiracy!"

Maybe there wasn't, but someone had told all the kids in the world that she was going outside that day. Past the hall, there was standing room only all the way to the big dining area. Everyone she met had questions for her. Was she really going to drive herself? Why did she want to trust an ancient relic? Was Forerunner really letting this happen?

Kit's new friends had a spot open for her at their table in the corner. Emma put a plate in front of her as she sat down. Jay slipped something out of his pocket and set it down next to the food. The watermelon flavor of juice box, reserved to rehydrate after difficult physical activity.

"You should not have removed that from the gym, Jay," Forerunner said. "You know those are too sweet for daily consumption. Kit has no self-control with that flavor."

Forerunner wasn't wrong. She had the top torn off in her teeth before he finished speaking. 

But those words—she wasn't a kid; she didn't need a computer to judge her! She set the drink back down, slowly and deliberately. She used a fork instead and took a few bites of Emma's cooking.

"These taste so good! Nothing like real pancakes, but... they're better! Where did you get bacon?"

"Not from real animals," the bunny answered. "We grow it, same way we grow new bodies when people get instanced here. It's not real meat."

"But it's really digestible," Sawyer said, taking a whole piece from his plate, and swallowing it in a few quick bites. "Mhmm, amino acids."

Kit stuck out her tongue. "You didn't have to say it like that. I wanna pretend it's not... a chemistry experiment. Don't tell me what it is so I can like it."

"Can't believe you're actually going outside," Sadie said. She had the seat opposite Kit. Not to watch her for “barbarism” anymore—the cat had given up her black uniform and the spray bottle completely. "Driving yourself. Are you sure about this?"

"Are you sure nobody forced you?" Sawyer added. “You don't have to say their name out loud. Give me a sign you don't want to do this, and I'll make sure the mission gets scrubbed. I'll put you out of their reach."

Remedial, he meant. Beyond where anyone but Forerunner and maybe Wren could go. Maddie had specifically asked her not to leave yet.

"I want to go," she said, setting down the dried remnants of the juice box. "I'm not doing anything that dangerous! Ride the rover a few times around the block. If something goes wrong, I could walk back ten times before the sun comes up."

Sadie took Kit’s hand in both of hers and held on, as close to a hug as the cat could manage from across the table. "Sure, it's nothing to a big brave explorer like you. Still..."

"Listen to Forerunner," Emma said. "You don't know what it means to be a squirrel yet. You're still learning your body..." She stood up, pacing nervously back and forth next to the table. "Sure you can't wait, Kit? Give it a few decades. Maybe Wren and Forerunner would reevaluate your template early. This whole thing wouldn't be so troubling if you were grown."

"Don't listen to them!" said a little voice, distorted and artificial. Kit turned and found a fox now resting her forelegs on the seat, trying to get up. Kit took the drone carefully in both hands, lifting it into her lap. 

The fox rolled over in her arms, glaring around the table with her plastic eyes. "Forerunner approved our mission," she said. "You know how strict he is about safety. Quit trying to break her confidence. Kit doesn't need that right now."

"Forerunner would never allow any of us to be hurt," Sawyer said. "But I hear the Director is the only reason you got approval. She's gonna supervise the whole thing."

Jay gasped. He had no food to drop in his shock—the mouse almost never ate anything when other people were around. But after snatching her an extra juice box, she wouldn't make fun of him for it at this meal. "Wren is supervising? Like... in person?" 

They were all so intent on their conversation no one noticed the other kids falling quiet across the dining room, or someone walking towards them. At least not until Wren spoke, startling them to alertness. "How does it look, Jay? Like the suit?"

Wren settled into the empty seat on the mouse's right, grinning at them all. Her usual almost-formal dress was gone, replaced with a familiar bodysuit. Too familiar—right down to the dark green accents, acorn print, and tail sleeve. It hung limp over her too-small tail, while other parts stretched. Wren was a little too tall for the suit. The elastic fabric yielded and stretched for her—but it couldn't be comfortable.

"Are you a squirrel under there?" Jay asked. "Did you get Forerunner to change you?"

"That is not how the Institute assigns species," Forerunner said, unusually flat and robotic even for him. "The Director is assigned her template the same as all of you. The only change she can request is a downclass of one or two steps."

Wren grinned down at Jay, opening her mouth far enough to expose her oversized ermine canines, as sharp as little needles. "Would a squirrel have these?"

The mouse shivered, looking away from her. "Glad they don't. Be afraid she'd bite me in my sleep.”

Sawyer whistled, muttering something Kit couldn't quite understand. What did those words mean? But maybe she misheard, because then he spoke normally again. "I know I can't tell you how to do your job. But you do see her. Maddie is far better at engineering than assessing risks. Neither of them understands."

The fox squirmed free of Kit's grip, enough to rest her paws on the table. She leaned forward and hissed at Sawyer, baring her teeth. "I'm small enough to focus on my work. There's enough room to remember what danger is. I never pressured Kit into doing this. It was always her choice. She could say no whenever. Even right now."

She hopped up onto the table, pushing aside Kit's plate. It clattered to the floor, scattering the parts she hadn't finished and spreading a thin layer of syrup. But the fox didn't seem to notice. Kit didn't care either. "Kit Red Squirrel. Do you want me to cancel the rover test? Do you want to stay inside today? All you have to do is say so."

Kit wiggled out of the chair, avoiding the plate with her bare feet. She raised one hand to her head in a salute, holding her tail as big as she could. "Nope! I'm ready to go, Head of Engineering! I've been waiting for this... for ages!"

"Are you sure?" Wren asked, silent. The ermine turned bright blue eyes on Kit. Despite her greater size, the Director wasn't as graceful with her interface as Maddie. If anyone knew what they were looking for, they could probably tell. "Maddie is eager to test this theory of yours. I want the information as badly as you do. But if we have to take our investigation more slowly to protect you, that trade is acceptable."

From his corner of the table, Rich looked suddenly skeptical. He scratched at his chin, looking slowly between them. But if his interface still worked, there was no sign of it. It wouldn't be easy to hide a huge bow in that white hair.

Could the fox hear this? Maddie said nothing, just hopped down from the table, then brushed past Kit's leg. Leading her away. But Kit didn't leave, not quite yet.

"I'm not scared of my rover. I'm scared of what Forerunner will do. Can you stop him from hurting us?"

Wren stood up. She gestured at a nearby kid, the one with rounded ears and a tail a little like hers. Jonah. Her friend, or maybe her secretary. A little of both? "Jonah. I'm going to be out of the office today. Can you help with something while I'm gone?"

He scrambled awkwardly for a second, before removing his tablet from a pocket. He flipped through several screens, before settling on a blank one. "Of course, Director. What are your orders?"

"Orders," Wren repeated, giggling. She circled around to Kit, then pulled the squirrel up to her chest. When she spoke again, it was much louder—for everyone in the dining room to hear, not just them. "Talk to the heads of departments. When I get back, we're having the Institute of Perpetual Luminescence director sleepover! We've waited too long to introduce our new member. I think Kit even had a speech ready."

Kit tilted her head up, then grinned. "Yeah? I mean... yeah! I do. I've been waiting for this since you brought me back to life!"

"Your fears of physical harm are unfounded," Wren said, at the same time as she lifted Kit's arms, and made her own little speech. She said all kinds of things about how brave Kit was, and how they were lucky to have a squirrel when they needed one most. But she barely heard any of that, because of the other way the Director spoke. "But this should encourage him to avoid disrupting the mission. He hates disappointing us."

"How many invitations?" Jonah asked, prodding at Wren's chest with the tablet. "Where will we have it?"

"Obstacle course," the Director said. Several residents gasped, whispering eagerly to each other. A popular venue, apparently. "Remove all the restrictions on rations. Each department can bring as many people as they want."

The otter's mouth fell open. "As many as... like... the whole Institute?"

She shrugged. "If the heads of departments think it's a good idea, yes. We'll start an hour after sunrise, right down the hall. Emma, could you prepare something special? For... a big group?"

"That sounds fun!" The doctor grinned around the room, a little too wide, too forced. Then she whispered under her breath, right into Wren's ear. "If you don't bring her back..."

The ermine patted Kit's shoulder. "I know it's been a long time... but my training is still current. She'll be fine."

Emma was the first to tug Kit away from Wren and pull her close for a hug. "Be safe out there, squirrel. Whatever you're doing... it's no rush. You can always come back and try again."

She nodded along. "Course, Emma. I'll be safe."

Sadie did the same thing, squeezing her so tight it hurt. "Protecting the Institute is my job," she said. "But I won't be out there to watch you. That means you have to do it for me."

Kit nodded. "Remember when you were scared of me? Just pretend I'm that girl. The fierce barbarian, ready to attack!" 

The cat let go, holding her at arm’s length. "If my imagination was that good, I wouldn't work logistics."

Even Rich and Sawyer took their turns. "This is exactly what I was afraid of," Rich said, when he held her. "You don't belong out there, little engineer. You can still turn around."

"I won't."

He let go. "If you change your mind, I won't rub it in. Promise." He walked away.

Sawyer clasped her on both shoulders. "Bravest rodent in the Institute, right here."

Kit blushed, looking down. "You say that like I'm saving the world. I'm just testing a rover."

"Right." He winked, then let go. "Keep saying that. I think some of them buy it."

Jay was last. The mouse said less than anyone else, just holding on tight and not letting go for almost a full minute. "You better come back," he said. "I don't usually... go to the big... parties and stuff. But I'll go to yours. I'll save you a spot."

Before she could answer, the mouse released her, then scampered out of the room and down the hall.

"I've barely been here a month," Kit muttered, mostly to herself. "You guys don't have to... make such a big deal about this."

"They will," Forerunner said, a few minutes later. When she'd left the dining room behind. Just her Wren, and the fox, making their way through a side door to a distant airlock. "Perhaps knowing will encourage you to reconsider this mission." 

Kit squeezed both hands into fists and sped her steps. "Because I have friends? They're the reason I care so much about this."

Forerunner still opened the access door for them. He even had a transport waiting, albeit one big enough to let Wren fit into the seats. The director said nothing, listening to the exchange with wordless interest. 

"What you are experiencing is a product of your increased plasticity. New friendships form more easily and with great resilience. This is one of the many advantages of the templates designed for Institute use. Imagine the heartbreak you will inflict on them if you allow yourself to come to harm."

Kit sniffed. Her face got hot, and the transport blurred. She could try to lie—but no one would believe her. Imagining what might happen to Jay if she didn't come back—it hurt more than remembering her old life. 

"Is this..." She wiped her face on her sleeve. But her voice broke, silencing her question.

Fortunately, she wasn't alone. The fox hopped up into her lap, brushing past her chest. Cheap drone or not, the animal still moved like it was a real person. Deep down, she was. "You aren't doing anything dangerous," Maddie said. "Remember that. We tested the rover already. We know it works. Did you memorize the map?"

Kit nodded through her tears. "Y-yeah. I… th-think so."

"Then you'll be fine," Maddie said. "I know it's scary. It's a little scary every time we go outside. We should've built more by now... so much space that we never wanted to leave."

"I tried," Wren whispered, barely audible. "That was the point."

But Maddie didn't reply. Neither did she.

"I can do this," Kit said. Mostly to herself—but she wanted Forerunner to hear too. "I'm an expert. A... b-brave explorer. I can do this."

They stopped. Not at the workshop this time, but inside an airlock. The door opened, where a set of suits and other accessories sat on a single bench. 

Kit was used to having help, though never from someone getting dressed at the same time. But after all her practice, she was basically an expert.

"Press the button on your arm. It should hiss, get puffy. If you hear any leaks..."

Wren obeyed. Her suit inflated, including the huge pouch for a squirrel tail she didn't have. But from the front, that wasn't so easy to see. She could be Kit's older sister. "I don't hear any leaks, do you?"

"None," Forerunner said, before Kit could answer. "Seal integrity is green from you both. You may proceed."

"About time!" Maddie waited by the door, the fox fidgeting energetically in place. "That rover better still work out there! After everything we did…"

"It'll work." Kit promised. "By now, we've fixed or replaced almost everything on it. It'll work."

"You should know, a number of residents are watching," Forerunner said. as they stepped into the airlock. Maddie followed, trailing beside Kit's leg. Thanks to the mental connection, there was no danger she might step on the animal. 

"Why now?" Kit asked. "I went all the way to the Aether last time."

"They were watching then too," Forerunner said. "I did truncate the video. I didn't think it prudent to share your experiences in the Medical Bay, for example."

Kit nodded along. She didn't have the strength to thank Forerunner for that. Forerunner was far more dangerous to her than anything she would find waiting outside.

The air hissed one last time, then the door swung open. Maddie led the way, paws bounding fearlessly over dust and rock. They were still in the ring, in another open section lit on all sides with huge industrial lights.

Her rover waited a few meters away, its doorless sides open and inviting. Kit took a few steps towards it, then hesitated. Wren remained in the airlock, eyes darting rapidly back and forth. Her breathing was so loud it came over the radio, a series of whispered, fearful gasps. "Director, are you okay?"

Kit turned, then held out one hand. "You're certified for this, right?"

The director took her hand, squeezing hard. It might've hurt, but the flexible suit hardened under stress, turning into a rigid shell in seconds. "I'm... fine. Just need a minute. It's not... that dangerous."

"It is not," Forerunner agreed. "This simple test around the Institute grounds will likely never reach hazardous speeds. Even if it does, there is a zero percent chance your processing centers would be destroyed. I could already begin growing a new template, to minimize interruption of your conscious experience."

"For Kit," Wren whispered. "She deserves it more. If something happens... wake her up first. That's an order."

"Order acknowledged, Colonial Director," Forerunner answered, utterly emotionless and flat. Kit had never heard him talk like that before. 

Kit tugged on her arm. She wasn't strong enough to force the ermine if she didn't want to leave. But she wasn't fighting. She just needed some encouragement!

"Let me just... let's get you in your seat, Director. It's right up here."

The ermine followed, moving at exactly the speed Kit set. Wren's legs shook as she climbed into the seat. Her hands were so uncoordinated that she couldn't get the buckle into place.

Kit could. She had to work without looking at the Director for too long. That fear would turn as contagious as any other emotion, and she might run screaming for the airlock. "What's wrong with her?" Kit asked Maddie, circling around to her own seat. "Isn't the Director an explorer too?"

"Sure," Maddie answered. "She's just been alive a long time. She knows the risks you're in right now. Exponentially more danger than if you stayed in a dome." The fox hopped up into the seat ahead of her, then back into the cargo rack. They'd strapped a pet bed inside, where she could get a good view from comfort while they drove. And trickle-charge off the rover's batteries, if it came to that.

"Everyone tells you how brave you are. You think they just say it to be nice?"

Kit hopped up into her seat. She brought the straps across her chest, tugging on each one before she reached for the wheel. "Aether rover test," she said. "External navigation under manual control. Full systems check, start."

"Engage the main battery," Maddie said, over the radio. "Good. Then we—"

They spent the next ten minutes like that, going over each of its many systems in turn. They pressed every button, flicked every switch, and checked every dial and gauge. Only when they had a perfect score did Maddie give her the okay. "There's an exit ramp ahead on your left. Go through, then out onto the surface."

Kit flicked on the headlights, illuminating the dark tunnel with a sudden wash of bright white. She pressed down with both feet, and both motors responded in kind, sending them lurching forward.

Wren gasped over the radio, rocking slowly back and forth in her seat. The uplink switched on, but she didn't send Kit words. Instead, the Director radiated overpowering fear. Underneath was an implicit request, begging her to stop, turn around, find a way to call this off.

Kit tightened her grip on the wheel. "Acceleration looks good. Six kilometers an hour and holding even on a slope. Beginning test course."