Ellie taps her finger on the door armrest, Roy gently rumbling underneath her as they idle at the back of the train. The sun is setting. The sky is clear but for some scattered clouds, a radiant golden red wash crowning the horizon from North to South.

After leaving the endless scrub grass landscape, they entered a sea of suburban homes and small businesses. They came down an elevated freeway, the only view an endless procession of cracked tile roofs, burned out buildings, dull green trees and yellow grass. A lot of places for people to hide.

The freeway had been cleared by some heavy equipment long before they came. They thundered through a long line of abandoned cars crushed against the rusted, cracked guard rails of the old freeway. They'd gotten close to downtown before Ellie could see it.

First you see the walls, fifty feet high, steel meshed concrete, cracked and grown with vines and mold, but too strong to just fall down on their own. Dotting the wall are guard towers, slender little shadows manning them. There are floodlights. A few at first, then more coming on as the train took an exit off the freeway to the streets below.

For a quarter mile around the perimeter of the wall, there is only devastation. Homes and buildings razed to the ground, demolished by bombs or some powerful machinery, nothing but ruins now. Clearing all sightlines, so that no one can approach undetected. Something of a clear road is left, barely visible under the dust and debris.

They followed this road until it forked, a path finally cutting through the swath of moss-grown fallen walls and upturned cars, to black iron gates, the government paint all but lost to time.

FEDRA CONTROLLED ZONE X-19B

Her stomach turned at that. She hasn't been under the threat of those letters since she was 14. She didn't realize how little she meant to ever go back.

"Stay cool, Ellie."

Ellie turns. It's Abby. She's gripping the steering wheel firmly. Face set, eyes ahead. "I am cool," Ellie replies.

"You sure? Cause I can feel you vibrating from here."

Ellie just shakes her head.

The train stops, the foremost truck almost at the gate. Floodlights light up the train, and when one of them points at their truck, all Ellie can see is the shadowy back of the troop hauler in front of them. There are ten or fifteen seconds of ominous silence. Then there is a huge grinding sound, and the sound of the gates beginning to open.

The truck in front of them rolls forward, and Abby follows at no more than ten miles an hour. Finally, they pass the threshold and the glaring light of the flood lamps, and Ellie sees that they're in a corridor of more steel-and-concrete walls, but now there are men in navy blue and white lettered FEDRA uniforms, holding automatic rifles.

A man holds up his hand for them to stop, and they do.

Ellie waits for something to happen. Someone to tell them to get out or something. She's itchy, shifting in her seat. She wants to be on Barthas's back, not in here.

"Easy, Ellie," says Abby.

"I am easy," she repeats defensively.

She looks up at the guard tower far above and behind them. All she can see is a man's silhouette, a long gun in his arms. She thinks he's looking at her.

"Parker wouldn't tell them about my," she hesitates slightly, "condition, would he?"

Abby gives her a wide-eyed look. "Of course not, Ellie."

"Yeah," Ellie replies. "Yeah, I know, I just never thought to ask. So what happens now?"

Ellie can tell Abby's nervous too, because she's irritable. She rolls her head. "How the hell am I supposed to know? I've never done this before, cause it's crazy. Have you?"

"I mean, I grew up in a place like this."

"So what happens next?"

Ellie bites back a joke about them stripping them down and power washing them. Her heart's not in it.

There's a sound. The train is moving again.

"You drive, probably," says Ellie.

Abby puts Roy in gear and follows after them.

They pass through another gate, another corridor, this one with no people in it. They wait for another minute or so, then they pass through another gate, a turn, and yet another corridor. The whole while fifteen foot walls line them on either side. Above, all Ellie can see is the dull, darkening red of the day's last light, like blood.

When the man finally approaches and knocks on her window, Ellie jumps slightly.

"Get out," he says simply.

Suppressing her instincts to handle her weapon, Ellie opens the door, even though the man is so close he has to take a half step back, and climbs out.

"Leave it on," the man says.

Ellie looks. He's talking to Abby. She leaves the key in the ignition and climbs out the other side. She walks halfway around the hood and stops awkwardly. She looks ready to put her hands in the air, but no one's asking.

"You're our special guests, then?" he says.

It hits Ellie that it's the closest accent she's ever heard to Joel's. He's looking at her. She nods.

"Jackson?"

"That's right," says Ellie.

The man gestures with his jaw. "Follow her."

A similar aged woman with brown hair in a ponytail gestures with her head and turns around. They follow her through an open, reinforced steel door. Ellie shoots one last look over her shoulder to Barthas. He's watching her, and she can see in his eyes he's not happy.

The hallway–tunnel, more like–is lit by sickly white fluorescent lighting.

The woman stops in front of a door, opening it. There's a small room with a table and some chairs. "Go on," she says to Abby.

Abby walks in and Ellie goes to follow her but the woman stops her with a hand on her shoulder.

Ellie stiffens, and Abby turns around.

"Don't worry," says the woman, "we just have some questions for you. Separately."

Abby gives Ellie a meaningful look, but she nods and sits down at the table without further protest.

As soon as the door closes and they carry on, Ellie feels a lot less secure and a lot less sure about this whole fucking idea.

The woman opens the next door down the hallway and ushers her in.

"Someone will join you shortly," she says, closing the door.

Now that's FEDRA hospitality.

Ten minutes later, the door opens again, and a bald, clean shaven man walks in. He's not wearing a billed cap like the others. He's followed by a regular looking guard with a rifle, who closes the door behind them.

He walks up, pulls the chair out on the opposite side of the table, and sits down. He laces his fingers on the tabletop. He looks her up and down for a second.

"Good evening, ma'am," he says. He holds out his hand. "Sergeant Malta."

She shakes it. His grip is firm, but not painful. "Ellie."

"There's no need to be nervous. This is quite routine."

"I understand."

"Do you? Have you been here before?"

"No. But I grew up in the FEDRA zone in Boston."

"Boston," he says with some surprise. "They let you out?"

"No," she says honestly.

"I see. When did you leave Boston?"

"Almost ten years ago."

"During which time…"

Ellie's lips twitch. During which time a lot happened. "I traveled some, but I've stayed in Jackson Wyoming for most of it."

"Indeed. We understand there's a respectable settlement up there."

Ellie discussed this with Maria before she left. At one time, the existence of Jackson was top secret. Some things have changed. She knows what she can and cannot say.

"We get by."

"It's a long ways to travel."

"Fireflies helped with that."

"I'm sure they did. But you're not with the Fireflies?"

"No."

He looks down at her forearm.

She forgot about that, and she rubs her arm with some chagrin. "We've crossed paths. I knew some of them… but I never joined."

"Interesting," he says. "I suppose you must have some favor with them if this trip you undertook was mutually agreed upon. And why this trip, Ellie?"

Ellie frowns. She knows she shouldn't hesitate, but up until this moment she hadn't considered precisely what she should be telling them. And now Abby is being questioned in another room. She'll have to be honest.

Or at least, as honest as she was with Abby.

"I'm trying to find someone."

He finds that quite interesting. "Is that a fact? And how would you know if that someone you were looking for was residing in our zone?"

She frowns. She doesn't want to talk about any of this with this guy, but she really doesn't have a choice. "I have a letter."

"You have a letter from a FEDRA controlled zone?"

"It's old. It… was probably smuggled out."

"It would have to be. What was in this letter, Ellie?"

"It was from my dad."

"Your dad is here?"

"Ten years ago, maybe."

"What's his name? First and last."

The lie she told Maedlyn comes back in a flash. "Roderick Hopper."

"Oh, no, I'd recognize a name like that. I don't believe he's here."

"Mm."

"Mm? That doesn't disappoint you?"

Ellie sighs, rubbing her face. He's not exactly an asshole, but he's sharp, and not playing around. "I mean… it would be, but I'm not really convinced yet, you know? Plus it's possible he's going by a different name."

"Well, I should hope not, Ellie." He's looking at her crooked like. "You know, Ellie, we're by the book around here. Real by the book. We don't tolerate any funny business. Someone choosing to go by a name that's not their own is highly suspicious. Not to mention everyone is on the registry. Can't just change your name, or you'd get found out during the census. We don't abide that kind of thing here."

Ellie doesn't know what to say to that. "I believe you."

"But you still want to enter the city."

Ellie frowns again. She lets some of the tired, sad feeling into her voice. "Even if he's not here, he could have friends. Family. Maybe someone who knows where he is."

He doesn't respond.

She sniffs, rubbing her nose. "Someone who might be able to point me in the right direction."

"Ten years, you said," says Malta. "Since you last saw him."

She stares at the table, drawing a breath. She shakes her head. "I've never seen him."

His brow twitches. "But you have a letter from him."

"My mother had it. She's gone now, too. But he might not be."

He stares into her eyes for a long moment. "Ellie it's not my job to give out personal advice here, but I would have to say that the quest you're on seems particularly dangerous and ill-fated. You must be pretty determined, to come all the way from Jackson on this… chance. And to bring a friend with you…"

He leans back in his chair and sighs a long breath. "I will not deny you entry. But there are some things you should know.

"The protection of this zone is our highest priority. It was won with a lot of bloodshed, and it is protected with blood as needed. We have hard laws, and we hold to them."

"I remember Boston."

"Don't assume the way things were done in Boston is the same here. I will sign your writ for two weeks' entry, with access to Wards 1 and 2. You will receive a pamphlet of local codes for your reference. I recommend you keep your nose squeaky clean, or you might not find your stay here as comfortable as you like. And personally, Ellie…"

He leans in. Ellie tenses.

"I recommend you apply to extend your stay here. You look capable and there's work for such people. And this mission you've got in mind is going to get you in hot water sooner than later. The world isn't the same as it used to be out there."

And you would fucking know? Living in this lock up?

Ellie just nods.

He grabs a manila folder and pulls some papers out. He flips through a couple, signs one, puts the rest of them back and passes it to Ellie.

"That's your pass in here," he says pointedly, "do not lose it."

He stands from the table with the squeal of a chair. Ellie stands up too.

"Matheson will see you to your quarters with the Fireflies." He reaches out his hand again. Ellie shakes it. He looks her in the eye. "Squeaky clean, Ellie."

Abby steps out into the cooling night. She can't see her own breath, but's cold on her hands. Her body is tense, too. Not a great combination.

She's standing at the base of a long wall. The only door in she sees is the one she just walked through. A ways to her left, she can see the entrance corridor, but there's no sign of the vehicles.

She's looking at a plaza. There are trees dotted around in planter beds, but it's too dark to tell what kind. They're about fifteen feet tall. The concrete and cobbles are cracked, but clean. There's a working fountain. Around the edges of the plaza are streets, but there are no cars in sight. The buildings rising around it are several stories tall. Many of the lights are on in them.

There are people milling about. String lights cast a glow over booths and tables. Most of the merchants have packed up their goods, but some things are still being sold. In a flash, she thinks of the Jackson market. It's not nearly as different as she would have expected. It almost seems nice.

She frowns at this dissonance for a few moments, before someone pushes her shoulder.

She looks and is shocked to see Ellie staring at her. "How long have you been there?"

"Five minutes," says Ellie.

"Uh huh. Where's Matheson?"

Ellie just shrugs.

"Ladies," says another voice.

Abby turns to see a twenty-something man in FEDRA uniform and an aging shave approaching them. He doesn't have a long gun, just a pistol in his hip holster. He seems relatively at ease, though, less like the guards at the wall.

They stare at him.

"You're our special guests, right?" he says, "With the Fireflies?"

"That's us," says Ellie.

He looks between the two of them, apparently hoping for some playfulness or something, but he's not getting it. "Come along, then."

He leads them across the courtyard and up a street. He makes some attempts at conversation, but Ellie deflects them with skilled disinterest. If Abby's any judge, he's attentive to the fact that some new women have entered the city. Probably an uncommon event. Well, for his part he's not so lucky, because neither of them are in a chatting mood.

They part ways at the entrance to a brown brick building. He just leaves them at a closed door. It's locked, so Abby knocks.

A few seconds later the door opens, and it's Blake.

"Took you two long enough," she says.

"We were questioned," says Abby.

"Yeah, I'm sure. And we're supposed to house your asses, too?"

"Take it up with Parker."

"Yeah, yeah, get in here."

They walk down a corridor with dusty floors and cracked paint on the walls. Not exactly the finest accommodations, but at least they have insulation. In fact, Abby can feel heat coming out of the vents as they walk by.

It's not a hotel or apartment building, it's some kind of office space. The first floor has several large rooms, all of which are being populated by rows of Firefly sleeping bags and piles of gear.

"There a kitchen in here?" Abby asks.

"No. We'll be fed by the locals."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Oh yeah, Abby, we're the heroes of the day."

"Parker here?"

"Still with FEDRA brass."

"Figures."

Blake takes them up to the second floor. There are less bags up here, and she leads them to a fifteen by twenty foot room with basically no features whatsoever. Other than some rat droppings and spiderwebs.

"This is you."

"Just us?"

"Just your broke asses."

Abby notices Ellie reaching down to one of the vents, where the heat seems to be coming through. "This will work," says Ellie.

"I'll leave you to it," says Blake, going to leave.

"Wait," says Ellie. Abby's tenses slightly.

Blake turns, eyeing her with a dissatisfaction that's more bark than bite.

"They gave us a pamphlet," says Ellie. "With laws."

Blake narrows her eyes. "Yeah, we all got one."

"Pretty dry stuff."

"Mm hmm," says Blake. "Ellie, don't even think about breaking any of those rules, or I'll beat your ass, then I'll turn you over to Parker."

"Yeah, of course, no worries," says Ellie. Abby pushes a deep breath through her nose. "What's the curfew?"

"Nine," says Blake. She takes a step toward Ellie, leaning in. "And if you walk out that door, don't even fucking think about being one minute late, do you understand me?"

"You're not gonna stop me altogether?"

"I'm not your fucking mom. But I already told you what would happen if you make any problems around here."

"You'll whup my ass, yeah, got it. Sheesh."

Blake turns around and walks out of the room with that, giving Abby one last look.

Abby draws another breath and sighs it out, looking at Ellie.

"What, dude?" Ellie asks her.

"Why you gotta do that?'

"Do what?"

"Just… emanate defiance?"

"I didn't do anything!"

"And you weren't probing for info?"

"Of course I was! I just wanted to see how serious curfew is or whatever."

"How serious—" Abby stops herself. "Ellie, we're gonna need to have a talk about modus operandi while we're in this zone."

"I'm not really one to get into trouble, Abby. You know me."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean—"

"I just wanna scope the scene a little bit, right? We don't wanna be here a day later than we have to, right? How long is your pass?"

"What?"

"From your Sergeant, or whatever."

"Oh. Two weeks."

"Yeah, same. And your wards?"

Abby frowns for a second, then remembers what the Corporal said. "1 and 2."

"Uh huh. Kinda puts the pressure on, don't you think?"

"Meaning?"

"Meaning we don't know how long this is gonna take and we don't want to waste any time. I need…"

She doesn't continue. "You need what, Ellie?"

"I need a little something to get started. I need a contact."

"What do you mean?"

"Someone who knows the city, Abby. In case…"

Abby tilts her head.

"In case Adeline is not in Wards 1 and 2."

Abby's eye twitches. She looks away, rubbing her nose. Ellie is not wrong. They came all the way down here for… for this. And if there's any chance this girl can be found… Ellie is not going to let some laws stop her. Which means…

Abby shakes her head. "Alright." She looks at her watch. "It's 2014. That gives us time."

"What?"

Abby stares. "It's 2014, that means 8:14, civ. And Blake is dead right, we are not going to be one minute late, you understand?"

"Oh," says Ellie, hands up in mock surrender, "I understand."

They head back the way they came past dark alleys and streetlamp light. The sidewalks are almost empty, but they do pass a few locals, who give them odd looks. No one approaches, though.

They seem well dressed and well fed, which is better than Abby might have expected, from what she's heard.

As soon as they're outside, Ellie takes the lead, like she knows where she's going. She brings them right into the plaza, passing by people like she does it every day. She starts walking slow, hands in her jacket, eyeing the booths that are still open, like she's shopping maybe. There's some clothes vendors, a couple with food, even meat. It smells real good, and it occurs to Abby that they might be missing whatever meal is being provided for the newcomers. She curses inwardly. They'll have to fall back on their stash tonight, because they're not getting anything from these locals without trade.

Several people watch them with interest, but none approach until some guy comes up and starts chatting up Ellie. She chats back with muted disinterest. For her part, she doesn't give away any unusual motives, for which Abby is grateful. Eventually the guy realizes he isn't getting anywhere with her. He glances at Abby, but he must not get a better impression from her, cause he takes his leave.

Ellie stops suddenly, under a streetlight. She looks at some leather goods being offered on some table. She beckons Abby.

"See that guy?" Ellie asks her quietly when she gets close.

"What? That guy?"

"Not that tool, the guy by that streetlamp. Behind me."

Abby glances over her shoulder and sees a guy standing under a streetlamp, looking at a note of some kind. He seems to be on his own. He doesn't really fit in with the light atmosphere around them. He looks up, and his eyes instantly find hers. She looks away.

"That's our guy."

"That shady looking dude?"

"Yeah. Leave it to me."

With that, Ellie drops a leather belt pouch and turns walking around the pop-up canopies and tables. Not in the direction of the guy. Then at the sidewalk, she turns, rounds the corner, then walks back into the park between streetlights, under the trees. It's dark, you can't hardly see shit. There's no one in sight here.

It's pretty slick, actually, but it doesn't stop Abby from feeling like a horse. She constantly suppresses the urge to look over her shoulder.

They walk side by side in the darkness. As her eyes adjust, it's difficult for Abby to avoid tripping over loose trash. "You know Ellie, this isn't really my strong suit."

"Yeah, I got that impression. Leave the talking to me."

"What talking?"

The guy steps out from behind a tree trunk without making any sound.

Abby starts.

"Good evening," says Ellie, easy as anything.

Abby can only half see his features. He looks them both over. "Wanna tell me why you're stalking a guy first night you're in town?"

"First night in town, huh? Who's stalking who?" asks Ellie, approaching him. "We're just seeing the sights."

"Oh, yeah," he says. "Sure."

"Almost curfew," says Ellie.

"No shit."

"You look like you're still at work."

"You think so? Maybe I'm just walking home and I don't really appreciate being walked up on by strangers."

"Yeah, I suppose–"

"Who the fuck are you two? What are you doing out here?"

"Easy," says Abby, but she can just see Ellie raising her hand to quiet her.

"Alright," says Ellie, still at ease. "Alright, we're looking for something. And we'll tell you who we are."

"Alright," he says, waiting a beat. "Start talking."

"I'm Ellie," she says. "This is Abby. We come from Jackson, Wyoming."

"Bullshit."

"No, that's the truth."

"You're Fireflies?"

"No. Just friends."

A light clicks on, and passes over Ellie and Abby. It lingers on Ellie's forearm. "Oh yeah?" he asks sardonically.

"I told you," says Ellie. "We're friends. But you're not gonna get the whole novel, understand? And can you get that thing out of my face?" she asks with some heat.

He clicks the light off. "Alright, Ellie and Abby. What are a couple of young girls doing rolling into town after a train of Fireflies and creeping around through the shadows looking for trouble?"

"Well, that's the thing, we're looking for just the opposite," says Ellie. "I've gotten an impression of how things are run around here, and I just want a little more information on San Antonio."

"Like what? Tell me you are not looking for drugs."

"Nothing like that. Just info."

"And why are you asking me?"

"You look knowledgeable."

"I don't like this shit."

"I can make it worth your while."

"Oh yeah?" he asks with a little interest. "How's that?"

"I got a bunch of good venison jerky in my pack."

"I don't want your fucking jerky. Fuck this, I'm–"

"Hold on," says Ellie. She reaches into her pocket and feels around. She pulls something out. "How about this, then?"

She's holding something. In the light filtering between the branches above them, you can just see it glint. It's small.

The light clicks back on. The guy steps forward and reaches for it.

Ellie pulls it away. "Uh uh. You can look."

She holds a ring between her fore and middle fingers. It's polished, with the warm glimmer of gold. He holds the light up close to it and inspects it.

It's the first time Abby can see his face. He's got a messy haircut and a bit of a patchy beard. No visible scars. He's got a shrewd look, though. The hand holding the flashlight is calloused.

"Fuck me…" he says, rubbing his jaw. He clicks off the light. "And what do you want for that?"

"Just a lot of words. Why don't we start with your name?"

With the light out, he's just a dark silhouette again. He looks back and forth between the two of them. "Jeremy."

Abby turns the backlight on on her watch. It's 2047. "Ellie," she says.

"I know, Abby. Well, Jeremy, I take it you've been here for a while."

He snorts.

"That's funny?"

"Something only an outsider would ask."

"You don't get a lot of inducts, do you?"

He pauses for a second. "You from another zone?"

"Boston."

"How long?"

"Till I was fourteen."

"How the hell you get out?"

"I'm smart."

He moves his hand, maybe to scratch his beard or something. "No, Ellie, we do not get a lot of inducts out here."

"Uh huh."

"And so you know, no one outside upper wards calls it San Antonio."

There's a brief pause. "What's else is it called?"

"In the lower wards, it's San Anto."

"See, that's a good start."

"Yeah, well I'd like to see that ring a little closer before I tell you any more."

"I'm sure you would, and you just might, if it's meant to be."

"Are you serious?"

"Almost curfew, Jeremy. Shouldn't you be getting home?"

He doesn't respond to that.

Without further comment, Ellie turns and starts walking to the sidewalk the way they came.

"Hey, Ellie."

She pauses and looks over her shoulder.

"You gotta be careful around here," Jeremy says. "Especially in Ward 1. That's all I'm saying."

"I hear you," she says.

Abby follows her out to the street. She'd never admit it, but she can hear her pulse in her ears. She looks around as subtly as she can but she doesn't see a soul. Ellie's just walking up the sidewalk with her hands in her pockets, like she's just enjoying an evening stroll.

"Where'd you get that?" Abby asks her.

Ellie gives her an unwelcome look. "Scaving, Abs."

"You're just gonna give that to the first dude we meet?"

"He checked all the right boxes."

Abby works her lips. "Yeah, I didn't like that too much, Ellie."

"I'm sure, but that was by the book, Abby. Just follow my lead. With a little luck, we can be out of here in a week."

Abby rubs her jaw.

"And ease up, Abby, you look nervous."

Abby pushes a breath out of her nose as they start to pass the plaza again. It's all but deserted now. She sees a couple guards patrolling the area.

"Hey."

Abby's eyes snap to her left. There's a guard she didn't see before.

"What are you two doing? It's almost curfew."

"We were looking around," says Ellie calmly.

"Ten minutes to curfew is no time to go shopping."

Ellie shrugs. "We don't really know, we just got here."

"Just shop keeps and staffers out here right now. You want anything, buy it during the day."

"Yes, sir," says Ellie, and it's almost convincing.

"Get inside, now," he says, by way of farewell.

"Yes, sir," says Ellie again.

They cut through the plaza and up the street that leads to the Fireflies' dorm.

"That was uncomfortable, Ellie."

"Yeah?"

"Ellie, that's the kind of things that could put suspicion on us."

"I'm aware."

"This ain't gonna be easy, you know."

"I'm aware."

"We both gotta make it back to Jackson."

Ellie stops, and looks at her.

"You know that, right?" Abby continues.

Ellie's giving her a hard, inscrutable look. "I know, Abby."

Abby just looks back at her.

"I can be very, very subtle, Abby. Believe it or not. I'm not fucking around. I'm not being careless, alright. But there will be risks. Worse comes to worse, I can go alone. We can do it like that."

"You ain't doing anything alone if I can help it."

"I'm not expecting any fights, Abby."

"I sure as hell hope not."

"I guess you're gonna have to trust me a bit, is what I'm saying."

Abby winces. She looks up the street the way they came. Orange streetlights illuminate a bunch of those short trees. "Yeah," she breathes. "Yeah, I know."

Ellie's green eyes stare up at her.

"I trust you, alright?" says Abby. "I'm trusting you."

Ellie nods, and they continue walking.