[The caves are disorienting. A2's gotten turned around no more than three times, and upon Pod's suggestion, has begun marking her progress by leaving nicks in the walls she's passed. It's working well enough, it seems, because she sees someone she's never seen before.
A2 does not return the smile. Instead she regards this person — this human, she had to be — with wide-eyed surprise. Eventually, she thinks to avert her gaze some, almost in deference, and nods in assent. Wordlessly, she steps forward, walks a few paces ahead of Dorothea.
Was it a trick, she wonders? The machines had done this before, deceived them. But then, she thinks, what did it matter? This was better than waiting here in the dark.]
arrival
A2 does not return the smile. Instead she regards this person — this human, she had to be — with wide-eyed surprise. Eventually, she thinks to avert her gaze some, almost in deference, and nods in assent. Wordlessly, she steps forward, walks a few paces ahead of Dorothea.
Was it a trick, she wonders? The machines had done this before, deceived them. But then, she thinks, what did it matter? This was better than waiting here in the dark.]
Follow me. I've been marking the way.