We Are Legion (We Are Bob)

Bob

July 2334

Heaven’s River

I don’t know what I would have done if I’d run into a security patrol. I no longer had a fléchette gun, and needing to be careful about Bender’s matrix meant most of my go-to tactics were unavailable. Fortunately, the subject didn’t come up. It was quite possible that all personnel were outside looking for me around the Halep’s Ending transit station.

I stared at the elevator. It didn’t really look that different from any other. Maybe a little larger door. The problem was the button. Or more accurately, the sign over the button that said, “Authorized Personnel Only.” There was a card reader beside the button.

I took a totally unnecessary deep breath and pulled out Natasha’s card. Moment of truth. I doubted that a failure would result in sirens and flashing red lights, but it would certainly alert someone, and I’d have visitors by and by. And nowhere to run.

Before I could kvetch any more, I pushed the card against the reader, then pressed the button. The button lit for a moment, and the door opened. Hallelujah! I was in business. I entered the elevator and pressed the top button, since that would be where I’d transfer to another stay.

The doors closed, and the elevator accelerated upward. And I realized something that I’d failed to notice when I boarded. This elevator had windows.

I shouldn’t have been surprised. The Quinlans had long since shown that they had a strong visual artistic sense. Naturally, they wouldn’t waste the opportunity to display this view. I had fifty-six miles of vertical travel in which to enjoy it, and … uh …