![\"\"](\"https:\/\/buber.net\/Basque\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/maite-and-kepa-v3b.png\")
\u201cWhere will we go?\u201d asked Maite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have several spaces like this scattered in the underground across the city, with advance scouts to keep them prepped in case we need them. We\u2019ll be ok, but we need to clear this one out and leave as little usable evidence as possible. They can\u2019t find out who we are or where we are going next.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite and Kepa watched as Argia dismantled her monitor system. Rather, as it folded in on itself, the edges coming together, the screens curling and folding up, until ultimately collapsing to a small cube about the size of a Rubicks cube from their own time. The rest of the equipment in the hall was doing something similar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s amazing!\u201d began Kepa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShh!\u201d warned Marina. \u201cThis is all pretty standard stuff for this time. No one from this time would be surprised by it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite nodded, the wonder still visible on her face. \u201cIt\u2019s still pretty cool.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marina let a smile crack her grizzled face. \u201cIt is. Consider that I grew up in a time where lighting came from fire and stories came out of the mouths of elders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re ready,\u201d barked a man that Kepa recognized by voice to be the one who had drug him here and he assumed was Marina\u2019s right hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marina nodded. \u201cWe\u2019re going to checkpoint dorrea. You all know what to do. Go your separate ways, reconvene there in\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An explosion interrupted Marina\u2019s orders as the doors to the hall burst from their hinges and erupted into a million pieces. Within moments, three uniformed officers on hoverboards burst into the room, followed by multiple spherical drones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNola? How?\u201d bellowed Marina but before she could get an answer, the drones were swarming the room, bolts of energy firing in all directions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marina grabbed Kepa and Maite\u2019s arms. \u201cThis way!\u201d she yelled, pulling them to the desk as some of the robbed figures huddled behind tables, firing their own weapons back at the spheres that rolled through the air above them. Other drones spewed smoke that sunk into the room. The smoke stung their eyes as they half followed and were half dragged by Marina toward the desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Marina led them back to her desk, it suddenly moved aside, revealing stairs that went down into inky blackness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome!\u201d she hissed, pulling Kepa\u2019s arm so hard he thought she might dislocate it. He turned to grab Maite\u2019s hand when a bolt of energy hit her in the back. She immediately fell to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaite!\u201d screamed Kepa as he jerked his arm free of Marina and rushed to Maite\u2019s side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite lay on the ground, looking straight up at him. \u201cI can\u2019t move my legs,\u201d she said, tears flowing down her cheeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marina grabbed Kepa\u2019s arm again. \u201cWe have to go! Or they\u2019ll catch all of us.\u201d She looked down at Maite. \u201cWe\u2019ll find you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cZer?\u201d cried Kepa, anguish carved in his face. \u201cWe can\u2019t leave her here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd we can\u2019t carry her either!\u201d barked Marina back at him. \u201cYour leg isn\u2019t fully recovered, and she can\u2019t move. If we don\u2019t go now, they\u2019ll catch us too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa looked pleadingly at Maite, tears filling his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGo! Zoaz! I know you\u2019ll find me, if not in this bubble, in the next\u201d said Maite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa nodded, wiping tears from his eyes as he rushed down the stairs with Marina. Maite watched as the desk moved back to cover their escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n