The streets became more familiar as he got closer to his goal. They seemed much smaller than he remembered, as though his memory had stretched them out to fit the size of their significance.

“There’s a history here Adlai, almost makes one sentimental. Emotional ties wrapped into the memories. Why is that do you think, son?”

“It’s a longing to be back there sir, because deep down we know we’re running out of time.”

“Nonsense. Utter nonsense my boy.”

Babbage lengthened his stride. The past is what makes you, what leads you here. That and the memory card in your pocket.

“We found this place years ago, part of an investigation into the assassin gangs that seem to infect these areas off Grid. One such had become a little too confident, started raids close to the border of the Grid itself, which of course, would never do. That got the authorities' attention, and they sent us out to deal with things. It was my first time off Grid.”

“How old were you sir?”

“Old? I never remember ages Adlai, it’s positively boorish. Stick to the point. I know what you’re thinking, why bother with us? Why not simply hire another gang and let them wipe each other out peacefully, as it were. Well, we did. Trouble was, this original gang never seemed to weaken in numbers, they always had a constant supply of willing recruits. Then we began to hear the rumours.”

“Rumours, sir?”

“Cloning. Virtual copies being made of hunters and sent out to fight for them, beside them. The process wasn’t perfect, but it was effective. When all you want from a being is the ability to hunt and kill, to not question their drives or existence, then you don’t need perfection. You just need them to be functional.”

“And the clones came from here, sir?”

“We were given leads to a certain place off Grid, a man suspected of supplying the replicants. How he kept hold of that kind of hardware out in this jungle was a mystery, but then he could always make his own private army of security personnel. That and the protection of the gangs using your services, you were probably the safest man out here.”

They’d turned a final corner and were facing another dark alley, this time lit by something more than the dull reflection of the streetlight on the constant rain. There was a single neon sign high up on a blank wall, flickering on and off. MWB.

“Don’t let appearances fool you Adlai, especially out here. That’s what they rely on. Take the man we’re here to see. Madigan is his name. Harmless looking fellow, and he is harmless, really, it’s just his knowledge which is dangerous.”

Babbage walked towards the wall and a large grey door appeared out of the shadows.

“Sir? How did you stop them?”

“The clones? To tell the truth Adlai I was never too sure of that myself.”

Further questions were cut short by Babbage’s fist thumping on the door. The sound echoed around the streets, announcing their presence for anyone within a mile radius.

In moments a thin eye slit slid back and a pair of suspicious eyes stared out. Babbage didn’t waste a moment.

“Greetings! Babbage is my name. Madigan in?”

There must have been cameras positioned all along the alley, probably everywhere for streets around. They must have seen him coming from miles off, but one had to play the game.

“Babbage? You alone?”

That one was best not answered at all.