In Transit

They sat in their single room, no music or media playing - just the magnetic humming and whirring of the pod moving. Hours stretched into days, and the tedium was only broken by the occasional stop meal or bathroom visit.

"How much longer until we get there?" Hugo asked for what felt like the millionth time.

"I'll tell you when we get there." Mac replied, as he had every other time.

Hugo was starting to get on edge, he was used to being in control, and not knowing what was going on was driving him crazy. He was also starting to get claustrophobic, and the small space was starting to feel like a prison.

"I need some air." He said, standing up and moving towards the door.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Mac said, standing up and blocking the way.

"I'm not going to try to escape, I just need some fresh air."

"There's none of that out there, it's all void - and maybe some roving Poli-bots."

"I don't care, I'm going stir-crazy in here. Let me out."

Mac considered him for a moment, then nodded and moved out of the way.

"Just be careful."

Hugo stepped out into the airlock, and the door slid shut behind him. He leaned against the cool metal and closed his eyes, taking deep breaths. It was good to be out of that small space, even if it was just into another small space. He looked out the window at the black void surrounding them, and felt a pang of homesickness. He missed the artificial sun of Sector 76. He missed being able to go where he wanted, and do what he wanted. But most of all, he missed his workshop.

He sighed and turned away from the window, making his way back into the main room. Mac was sitting at the table, looking at something on his holo-display. He looked up as Hugo entered.

"Feeling better?"

"A little." Hugo replied, sitting down in his chair. "What are you looking at?"

"Just some intel on our destination."

"And where is that, exactly?"

"You'll see when we get there."

"Can we cut the secret bullshit, who am I telling? I can't go to the police, and I have nobody left - least you can do is tell me where we're headed."

Mac hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"We're going to the Sanctuary."

Hugo rolled his eyes, "Great, that clears up everything."

"It's a space station in an abandoned Sector, a safe haven for people like us."

"What, people who want to overthrow the Council?"

"No, people who have been wronged by the Council. People who have nowhere else to go."

"And you think I fit into that category?"

"I know you do."

Hugo bit back a comment about how Mac was the one who landed him in this situation, he figured he should save some ammunition for the next time he scolded his captor-turned-reluctant-leader.

"I'll give you our whole plan as soon as we arrive, but laying it out without everyone here could be a liability. Besides, I think you'll get along with the crew."

"I'm sure I will." Hugo said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Oh, and one more thing."

"What?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For helping us, for not turning me in when I approached you, for not signaling anyone with that implant you've got. You've recognized, without knowing it, the faith I've put in you."

"And what if I'm just biding my time until I can find a way to escape?"

Mac just looked at him and grinned. "I hope you tell me how, I've been looking for a way out for a long time."

Just then, they heard a crash and the whole pod shook. Sounds of screeching metal and electronic buzzing filled the space, and lights began to flash red throughout the pod.

"What was that?" Hugo exclaimed, standing up.

"I'm not sure, but I think we're about to find out." Mac said, as he moved to the door and hit a button on the panel.

The camera feed popped up, and they were met with the sight of a large, metallic creature prying at the airlock.

"Shit." Mac swore.

"What is that?"

"A police robot, and a big one."

The creature continued to claw at the door, and after a few minutes, it finally managed to pry it open. Hugo could see it was some sort of robot, but he'd never seen anything like it before. It was larger than a human, and heavily armored. It had multiple arms, each ending in a sharp blade or some other deadly weapon.

"We need to get out of here." Mac said, as he moved towards the door to the main room.

"Where are we going?" Hugo asked, following him.

"I don't know, but we can't stay here."

They ran into the main room, and Mac hit a button on the panel next to the door. It slid shut behind them, and they were plunged into darkness. Hugo couldn't see anything, but he could hear the creature tearing through the pod, destroying everything in its path. Suddenly, the pod began to move, and Hugo was thrown to the floor. He felt sick as the pod lurched and swayed, and he had to fight back the urge to vomit. The only thing he could focus on was the sound of the creature tearing through the pod, getting closer and closer. And then, with one final crash, it burst through the door to the main room.