5.l.
“Straight
ahead, then left,” said the Jack head.
“This reunites you with two associates.
Sensors indicate that one will then remain.”
“Wait. One?
What you mean? There should be
four more,” Business Woman said, shaking the robotic head as she ran.
“All other
vital signs have terminated. Motion
sensors, respiratory patterns, heartbeats.
All negative,” said the Jack head.
Business Woman
said nothing, but quickened her pace.
When she turned left she immediately leapt back, startled by Corporate
Man and Senior Executive. Both were
crouched at the corner, positioned in economically feasible martial arts
postures, ready to pounce.
“Jesus you
two! Give a girl a heart attack.”
“Sorry. We heard someone coming and prepared for the
worst,” said Corporate Man.
“We’ve lost
three,” said Business Woman.
“What? Who?”
“Don’t
know. I rigged up this Jack unit and
three life signs just blinked out.”
“Oh god,” said
Senior Executive, shaking his head.
Corporate Man
put a hand on each of their shoulders and said, “We’ll mourn later. Right now we have to focus. Keep our goals in sight and take action. Can we use that thing to locate the other
survivor?”