The swords' coast was a few hundred thousand miles long scar inside the ship's hull. Its jagged edges consisted of innumerable metal rods covered by a grey layer of dust that fell off massive rusty plates above an ocean of silver cooler.

Due to the vastness of space, Avi's scanning was ineffective even when diving with multitask cell, although she could accelerate their spaceship. Many days passed on an unending search with no clear results, with her only stops for sleep being in the middle of the desert, which was pierced by sharp shards of steel.

Despite this, Avi wouldn't give up, and her effort soon partially paid off. While connected with the cell, she felt a taste of salt and a gentle current, as if it were an underwater river that surrounded her from every direction. She guessed that those could be the cables that transferred electrical power somewhere, where, like a sparkle of fireflies, artificial life gathered.

Soon, Avi's eyes could notice a tall spire towering above silver-rainbow bayou, where a dozen or so thousand of fiberglass tents stood. Large crowds of humanoid creatures walked between those makeshift houses, often with steel bodies and prostheses. Far away, it was also possible to notice a few caravans slowly dragged along the sand by hedgehog-like beasts.

Avi steered towards the landing spot, where a fleet of various-sized aerial locomotives was also heading. She skillfully maneuvered between the ships, staring at their rotatory green sails, which resembled transparent leaves. Avi decided to land in the shadow of the largest one and then quickly dressed to join her crew, who were already waiting to step outside.

When the spaceship's door opened, Avi was hit by clouds of dust, which formed due to the activity of other descending ships. She quickly covered her face and ran to long, sandy stairs that led to a side street, where under a large vent, she and the grey-brown crowd of almost identical clones found shelter.

After squeezing through and past the crowd, Avi and her companions arrived at a sizable square shielded by a fiberglass roof. Right here, it was possible to see higher levels of their shelter, where, among booths with less or more useful equipment, such as cybernetic implants, steel prostheses, and trinkets, were signs pointing to different city districts and an exit.

Avi immediately hurried to the information board, pushing her cheeks in between other travelers, and looked for some places that might be worth visiting.

“Basalt baths... Afterlife... Butterfly emporium... Oil boiler... The Kite festival...” - Avi read.

“Do you want to stop here?” - Luna asked her friend.

“We can look around until we find some hints about where to look for our guide.” - Avi replied.

“I wouldn't mind taking a break from this monotony.” - Charlotte added. - “What's nearest?”

“Afterlife.” - Luna answered as she analyzed the symbols on the map. - “It's two stops away if we travel via suspended tram. Its station is right outside the tent, but it'll arrive in over half an hour, so we have time to look around.”

Avi nodded with a smile. - “That's a good idea!”

She and her group moved to the shops, where Avi stopped in front of a tent with shawls and anti-dust accessories. The merchant smiled at her as kindly as three red lines on their cybernetic face allowed.

“May the warmth of the core be with you, traveler. Should I suggest something?” - The shopkeeper asked.

Avi extended her hand to point at the dark-green keffiyeh. - “O! This one, please!”

“More clothes?” - Luna asked.

“They'll protect us from the sand.” - Avi answered.

“That's what your spacesuit is for.” - Luna replied. - “You could've dressed in that.”

“That's not the same!” - Avi protested. - “These clothes give us a touch of local charm.”

Virka examined the wares and casually mentioned. - “Avi is right, it would be appropriate to adjust to the customs of the area. You should pick something too.”

“I don't think it's necessary.” - Luna said, then snapped her fingers, and a shawl made of light appeared on her face.

“I also think we will need some extra clothes.” - Charlotte added.

“Eh, you don't like your spacesuits, too?” - Luna asked, slightly disappointed.

“Oh, no, no, quite the opposite, they're very comfy and practical...” - Charlotte replied. - “...but they all look the same.”

“I don't see how it's an issue.” - Luna declared.

“Luna, when it comes to clothes, people, especially women, like some variety.” - Charlotte explained. - “Didn't you see how many clothes Avi has?”

Luna rolled her eyes. - “I did... I did... I just never thought that your species would be so plagued by it. Those clothes need to be changed so often, sometimes even every day, and on top of that, they lack a self-cleaning feature.”

“That's not something that would bother us.” - Charlotte added.

“I can't understand why. Your lifespan is limited, yet you still waste it on such routine daily chores.” - Luna replied.

Avi waved her hand to dismiss Luna's remarks. - “Oh, you're exaggerating. Those are merely moments.”

“Moreover, those tiny responsibilities are part of what defines us as human.” - Charlotte continued.

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“I get it! I get it!” - Luna responded. - “Biological beings are weird, I got used to it.”

“In time, you might come to like it too...” - Virka added. - “...and when you share the charm of those small tasks with those you care about, they will give birth to memories worth keeping.”

Luna stealthily peeked at Avi, observing how she happily tried out different clothing accessories. To her, she was like a butterfly, gently floating in the sunlight, her wings shimmering with sifting hues.

Luna immediately realized it was not a sight she would forget. Intoxicated by this picture, she regained awareness only when Avi's smiling face turned to her. Luna felt as if she was caught and blushed lightly, but it wasn't enough for Avi to tell what bothered her.

“Can you pay, Luna?” - Avi asked.

“Here.” - Luna transferred the credits while other members of her crew were still in the changing rooms or packed their purchased items into backpacks and bags.

Once everyone was ready, they said goodbye to the merchant and moved to the station, where the tram was supposed to arrive in eight minutes. Once everyone was inside, Avi sat next to the window and Luna right next to her.

“From up high, there should be a view of the whole city.” - Luna commented.

“Ooo...” - Avi uttered. - “...I can't wait to see it!”

As the tram began to rise, a cloud of dust struck it. The soft patter of sand grains hitting its surface could be heard. Avi was very excited the whole time, so Luna didn't bother her. Instead, she laid her head on Avi's shoulder and closed her eyes.

---

“We are stopping at Afterlife.” - Could be heard from the speaker.

Luna's short nap was interrupted. She was jealous of other passengers, whose stops were on the edge of the city. All she wanted was to make this moment last a little bit longer, to feel Avi's smell and her being close.

Unfortunately, Avi jumped out of her seat without any warning. She grabbed Luna's hand, pulling it and hurrying her up. - “It's here! Let's go!”

After exiting to the platform above the street, they walked down the stairs and arrived at the main alley, along which automated carriages were moving. The robots who resided here seemed different, almost as if they were drunk or absent-minded. Some could barely stand, and others stumbled along in an unsteady motion.

Even if they weren't aggressive or dangerous to them, Luna was still worried and decided to study a few of the citizens.

“They have significant damage in the structure of the central processing unit... digital parasites... burnt cables...” - Luna began to list.

“Are you scanning them?” - Avi asked.

“Yes.” - Luna confirmed.

“I think... It's inappropriate. That data is too personal. You should stop.” - Avi tried to persuade.

“I'll do as you suggest.” - Luna answered.

“They all look like zombie.” - Nicolas added. - “What has happened to them?”

“It looks like a consequence of authorizing access to the layer of consciousness, to undesirable entities.” - Luna explained.

“Is someone hurting them all on purpose?” - Avi was slightly scared.

“Highly improbable. It appears they voluntarily gave up their protections.” - Luna replied.

“...but why?” - Avi uttered.

“I have no idea...” - Luna said. - “...but I've got a hunch that we'll soon learn why.”

Not too confident, Avi kept on walking, passing the tents where rusty machines lay on the ground, their external neck or forearm interfaces connected to black boxes. Many pink lanterns hung on both sides of the alley, illuminating their path, until they arrived at a dirty, purple tent with a neon sign 'Afterlife' made of yellow lightbulbs.

In front of them, there stood a machine as large and clunkily-shaped as a wardrobe. It had rigid, rectangular, magnetic arms that ran parallel to its body, and a black text display on its headless torso.

A green text appeared. - “Welcome to the Afterlife. Here you will discover real solace, and your dreams will come true and stay with you forever, if you so desire.”

Avi noticed one of their guests leaving the tent in an intoxicated state, and was worried. - “You are hurting them.”

“Nonsense!” - The text changed. - “Participation in our procedures is voluntary. We ensure complete safety and guarantee a professional service tailored to the client. The first visit is free, I promise that you'll want to come back!”

“I don't know, I don't trust it either.” - Charlotte said, peeking inside the tent. - “What exactly do you do here?”

“We analyze the desires of our guests and select for them virtual simulations of the highest standard.” - The robot explained.

Luna analyzed the pods inside the building. They were connected via cables somewhere deeper, but based on the information she was able to gather, she decided. - “There is no danger. These are simulation chambers of a more advanced type, able to strongly enhance sensual stimuli. Their guests shouldn't be affected by the defects that the machines outside possess.”

“Precisely!” - The robot displayed.- “We have certificates that confirm compliance with all required standards, issued by archangels of sinless eleven!”

Avi turned to Virka. - “Sinless eleven?”

Virka clearly didn't like it being mentioned. - “It's 'safe' but only when you have the money and willpower. The first visit is free only to lure their prey.”

“Prey!?” - The robot seemed offended. - “Please show proper respect to our guests! They are free people and willingly choose to live in a better world.”

“False world, and let's not pretend that their choice isn't almost always reduced to a single activity.” - Virka said, turning away. - “Avi... let's leave this place.”

“Wait!” - Avi stopped Virka, then spoke to the robot. - “We are looking for someone. Can you help us?”

“It depends... who do you look for?” - The robot asked.

“Daichi, or R-421, a sixteen-armed void hermit.” - Avi replied. - “Were they here?”

“Daichi... Daichi...” - The machine displayed. - “It rings a bell... but I can't recall... yet.”

Virka was clerly angered. - “Archangels gave you certificates!? I will not believe that! You have no right to reveal your client information.”

“He wasn't a client.” - The robot countered.

Virka was speechless at first, then visibly conflicted, but finally decided to stay silent and let Avi and Luna decide.

“How much will it cost?” - Luna asked.

“Two million credits.” - The robot informed.

“Transferred.” - Luna said, not even trying to discuss it with Avi.

“Please, come inside.” - The robot bowed lightly, pointing to the entrance.

“Huh?” - Luna raised her eyebrow. - “The information is inside the simulation?”

“Indeed.” - Was displayed by the robot.

“Do you want to go in there, Luna?” - Avi asked, hesitantly. - “You know what happened the last time.”

“Virka, those certificates, what do they guarantee?” - Luna asked, she was barely stopping herself from trembling when thinking about the last simulation, but she concealed it well.

“Nothing painful will happen to you, nor directly damage your psyche. Their devices should all be properly safeguarded.” - Virka explained.

Luna strengthened her resolve. - “I'm doing it.”

“Wait!” - Avi ran up to her friend, hugging her from behind. - “You don't have to.”

“I do have to.” - Luna replied. - “Because I do it for my friend.” - She then turned, smiling gently, and added. - “Besides, you heard it yourself – I'll be fine.”

Avi nodded, but wasn't letting Luna go.

“Avi...?” - Luna uttered, surprised, but not unhappy with it.

“I have to give you a bug hug for luck.” - Avi said, then, after a longer moment, freed Luna. - “Please, come back, we'll be waiting.”

“I will.” - Luna assured, then disappeared inside the tent.