Marcus searched his pockets for a light, holding Izzy with one arm. “And I’m pretty sure that’s not all mud.”

“No lights,” said Haru. “Follow me.” He stepped forward with a squelch, a dim silhouette in the basement darkness, and Marcus followed as carefully as he could. In addition to five or so inches of liquid mud, the basement was filled with metal desks, stacks of worm-eaten books, and row after row of old laptop computers, tethered with rusty metal cables to rolling metal cabinets. Haru led them cautiously through the maze, and as Marcus’s eyes adjusted to the dark he saw a door appear in the wall before them. Haru tried it, the knob clicking open, when suddenly the room got even darker. The light source behind them had been abruptly obscured, and Marcus dropped to the ground.

Bullets ripped through the air, muzzle flashes lighting up the room in deafening staccato bursts. The flimsy wooden door shredded under the onslaught, and Marcus was just able to see Haru dive for cover behind the nearest laptop cabinet.

“They’re really determined,” said Haru. “I’ve wanted to kill you before but never this bad.”

Haru returned fire on the open window, and the shooter ducked out of the way. Marcus took the opportunity to surge forward, dragging Izzy through the door. When he got to safety Haru stopped, trying to conserve their final bullets, and the shooter came back to the window, laying down a thick stream of suppressive fire. Haru fired his last few bullets, driving the Partial back into cover, and dove through the mud at the bottom of the door.

“I don’t actually agree with what I’m about to say,” said Marcus, “but we’re safe. At least for now.”

Haru nodded, wiping mud from his face “As long as we still have bullets—and as long as they know we still have bullets—they’re not following us through there. But you can bet they’re coming around through another entrance.” He looked up, and Marcus could feel his eyes burning through him, even in the dark. “Time to decide, Valencio. You want to die hiding or pulling a trigger?”

“Where’s the option for ‘soaked in my own urine’?”

Haru laughed. “I’m pretty sure that comes free with either package.” He sniffed. “Besides, we’re already soaked in something’s urine. No one’s going to know the difference.”

“Try the radio,” said Marcus. “You never know.”

Haru pulled it from his belt, holding it up in the darkness. “You have a better chance of reaching God on this thing than anyone still living on Earth.”