"Three minutes," Theodore said.
"I know."
"We need two more."
"I know, Theodore."
Kreasial came back through the undergrowth empty-handed and Arthur felt her frustration before she said anything.
"Nothing on the west side." She pointed at the dead tree cluster ahead. "What about there?"
Arthur closed his left eye. His anchor pushed out low through the dark between the roots. He felt along the ground. Weight. Density. Cold metal sitting two inches under the soil near the base of the furthest trunk.
"There. And one more by the flat rock behind you."
Kreasial was already moving. Theodore turned and crouched at the rock without asking which one. His bellus was already at it, pawing the edge.
Arthur crossed to the tree. Reached into the root gap. His fingers closed around something small and circular.
[+100 credits]
Theodore held up a pendant. The cloud appeared.
[+100 credits]
[Class F Triad: Misfits — 3,600 credits]
"That's thirty-six hundred," Theodore said.
