Aurora Dawn

"H-hello?" Saint-14 asked, poking his head into the dimly lit workshop. No one answered.

He stepped over a crate in the doorway and was forced to push past a workbench turned on its side to enter the room.

"Ana?"

Still nothing.

Cables hung like cobwebs from above, catching against his helmet. He brushed them away and barely missed a pile of stepper motors before tripping on an open container, sending hardware cascading across the shop floor.

"Whatcha doing down there?" Ana said, suddenly positioned over him.

"I—that is—well, I was looking for you," he sputtered, standing.

"In a bucket of batteries?" she asked with a wink and brushed the mess aside with her foot.

"You missed tea," Saint replied carefully. "Again."

"Oh! I am so, so sorry. I'll make it up to you later this week, I promise."

"You said that last time."

She patted him on the shoulder. "I know, I know. But this time, I mean it."

"Osiris knew you might say that. But he once told you—"

"I haven't forgotten. Here, hold this, will you?"

She thrust an empty bag into his hands, then filled it with circuit boards and pressure sensors.

"Ana… I'm worried."

She hefted containers of more hardware onto his shoulders. "About Osiris? A prophecy? The City, or …?" Her voice trailed off as she disappeared outside.

"Ana!" Saint huffed and puffed. He struggled for several minutes, desperately attempting to catch up to her as she meandered through the streets of the City.

"I am worried about you," he panted. He finally stopped in front of Ana, careful to balance the load in his arms.

She sighed. "I know. It… hurts like hell that Red's gone… It always will. But I've decided to focus on something just as important as my feelings."

She motioned for Saint to turn around, and he found himself standing beside Niik and Itzelas before a crowd of eager children of all ages, including a tiny Eliksni that clung to the leg of one of Caiatl's warriors.

"Someone needs to nurture the next generation of scientific minds. Right, Niik?" Ana finished.

Niik nodded. "Yes. The ropes don't teach themselves linear algebra."

Ana grinned. "OK, who's ready to make some robots dance?" she called out. Saint smiled softly as a cheer went up from the children.