Nebula's Music by Aubrie Dionne Page B

human blood, fecal matter and urine. The conditions were definitely violating a number of UPA health and safety standards, never mind casting the race in a negative view. Her eyes logged all information like two tiny video inputs. Ironically, she was doing exactly what Pink and her crew had come to do, although a cyborg’s visions and recordings would be much clearer and hold up without a doubt in the context of court. If only she could make it out with her memory board intact.
    Her thoughts were interrupted by a shove as the Gryphonites herded them down the corridor and into a cell where other humans cowered in the shady corners. A metal door closed behind them and they found themselves trapped.
    “Are you okay?” Radian brushed his hand against her cheek like she was a child.
    “Perfectly fine.” Although the question was unnecessary, she couldn’t help it from entering her heart. She had to remind herself it was Mirilee whom he cared for, not her.
    Nebula didn’t waste one second as she traced the confines of the cell with her delicate fingertips. Radian waited patiently, watching her every move. When she stood back and took another look at the metal door, he spoke. “Is it possible to break out?”
    Nebula stood on her tiptoes and pushed on the metal door slightly. The door groaned but didn’t move. “Yes.” She turned around to face him, fully confident.
    After testing their confines, she took note of the others hiding in the corners of the cell. There was a young boy around fifteen years old, leaning against the back of the cell. He peered at her through his floppy hair, which drooped over a freckled nose. Next to him sat an older woman wrapped in shawls.
    “No way.” The boy crossed his arms. “I’ve been trying for days now and the hinges won’t even budge.”
    “Eldin.” The woman pulled his shoulder back. “Don’t antagonize them. We don’t know who they are.”
    “It’s fine, Ma. What are they going to do, kill us? We’re already as well as dead.”
    “That’s enough!” The woman looked at Nebula and wrinkled her nose. “My apologies for my son. His anxiety is getting to him.”
    “No worries, ma’am.” Radian brushed the comment off like a stray hair on his shoulder. “We’re all under stress right now.”
    Nebula popped the lock on her handcuffs with a jerk of her wrists. The shackles slid to the hay-strewn floor and the boy stared in awe. “Whoa, how’d you do that?”
    “Come here.” Nebula held out her hand and he took a few slow steps forward, eyeing her with suspicion as he stretched out his arm. She could see the metal digging red welts into his wrists. With a single click, his constraints fell to the ground with a clank. Nebula turned to the older woman. “Please, ma’am, let me undo yours.”
    She stood and walked toward Nebula, staring into her unblinking eyes. Nebula had seen that particular expression of wonder and restraint before. She knew the woman recognized her kind. Although Nebula appeared human, she could never hide she was an android from another human being.
    “Thank you,” the woman replied. Nebula was surprised she didn’t mention she was a cyborg. She rubbed her wrists and offered her name. “Illena.”
    Nebula took her hand. “Nebula. And this is Radian.”
    Illena looked at Radian but was hesitant to offer her hand. Nebula had to remind herself he was still wearing his punk rebel clothes and dyed hair. “Nice to meet—”
    “Hey, you’re a robot.” The boy gawked at her and then at the broken cuffs. “A real robot.” He went over and poked her arm.
    Nebula pulled away, a pang of hurt piercing her stoic composure. She felt inferior, as if she were a mere gadget or toy.
    “Eldin,” Illena scolded. “You can’t just walk up and touch a stranger.”
    “But she’s not a person, Ma. She’s an android, a machine made from the dead.” Eldin regarded Nebula in awe.
    Nebula glanced at Radian but his eyes wandered away, as if he were guilty