Maphira and Rylee had been going through the list of things she needed to collect from the hardware store when they heard footsteps coming down the stairs to the Resistance’s secret bunker. It had been a week since Maphira returned to the base, and she still hadn’t been able to get this small task done, with people constantly adding requests to the list.
The sisters continued going through it for a few more seconds, wrapping up, before they both turned to see who had entered.
At the sight of that face, Maphira felt herself boiling over with rage. She stepped forward, fist clenched and ready to strike, but Rylee held her back.
“Vai?” Rylee said, still clutching Maphira tight. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have a Conclave solar lease agreement to take care of or something?”
Vai fell to her knees in front of them. “I come before you humbled and humiliated. The Great Mechanist wants my head as penance for my failure with Project Bender. I have had to flee, else my life would be forfeit. I offer my knowledge of the Conclave as an olive branch, in the hopes that you will provide me asylum from their forces.”
Dr Ratroti paced over and considered Vai. “You were the director of solar power at the Conclave of Mechanists, weren’t you? Probably know all about their commercial solar battery layout and where Bender could be headed. Valuable information, indeed.” He turned to Maphira. “What do you think? You know her best. Is she just here to stick a dagger in our back at the last minute?”
Maphira grit her teeth. “I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out.” She stepped forward, Rylee releasing her, and grabbed Vai by the ear. “Come on, partner. We’re going shopping and you’re going to tell me everything you know about the Conclave of Mechanists, or else you can go back to the wolves for all I care.”