FFF - Ch65

Annette keeps her word. She unlocks a closet that contains what must have been, in the Old World, emergency supplies. Everything is sealed and stored for the long term. They find practical woodland fatigues, weapons and ammunition, food and pure water for travel, and even backpacks.

Jane has to admit as she crouches in among the opened crates that if Annette ever does let them out of here, they will be provided for. Just the contents of this closet would be worth a fortune on the surface. There are boxes and boxes of .45 rounds for the brand-new 1911 pistols, which are slathered in lubricant. 5.56 rounds for the tactical carbines. Dried rations. First aid kits. Some of it is a little primitive, but Jane will take it with gratitude.

Annette’s offering seems to make Curio… curious.

And Jane’s been acting strangely since this afternoon.

Curio opens a back of Sugar Bombs, loudly crinkling the packaging.

“I’ve got the wiring for my room,” she says, covering it with the noise. “No audio. You should come tonight,” she says to Shell, who pretends to inspect the edge of an Old World combat knife.

“She’ll be able to see us,” Shell notes.

“Pretend that what you saw in the dining room interested you,” Curio says. “Engage in some sexual activity with us. She’ll buy it.”

“Sure you don’t have an agenda here?” Shell accepts the bag of Sugar Bombs.

“The agenda is to talk. The alternative is to wait until we shower in the morning,” Curio says.

“I want some of those,” Jane says, reaching for the bag. Shell rolls her eyes and hands them over. Jane dutifully crinkles the bag.

“Why wait until morning? You both smell like a whorehouse,” Shell says, ever the diplomat.

“Because Annette isn’t lying about having to ration the water,” Curio replies.

Shell scowls and nods.

They finish the bag and wedge the closet door open so that Annette can’t lock them out.

“That isn’t necessary,” Annette says over the PA as they come out.

“We’ll trust you when you trust us,” Jane tells her. “What do we have next?”

“More perimeter sensors,” Curio says, planting her hands on her hips and looking up at the camera in the hallway. “Isn’t that right?”

“Correct,” Annette replies. “In Sector G. And then I want you to weld the door to the stairwell there.”

“The door at the bottom is already welded,” Jane says, indignant. “What’s the point?”

“Please just follow instructions,” Annette replies.

“Hold on,” Jane says. “Would you really call this repairs? We’re installing new sensors most of the time, aren’t we?”

“Jane, let’s just get the work done so we can leave,” Curio says gently, touching her arm.

Jane takes the hint and shuts up.