No sane Nwoman would take a risk like that and there was no way I could stand by and watch her leave unprotected.
“Hey, wait up.” I ran over to my hoverbike and got on it. Wilma had caught up to Devina when I got there and the two women stood in the light from my bike. “Hop on. I’ll take you to the beach.”
Devina took a step back and stared at my bike.
“What’s wrong, haven’t you ever seen a hoverbike?”
“Yes, in movies. It looks like something from before the Toxic War.”
“Sorry to disappoint you but this bike is only a few years old. You really don’t have hoverbikes in the Motherlands?”
“No, at least not where I live. For the most part, technology is frowned upon in the Motherlands.”
“Why?”
Devina shrugged. “Because of all the damage it caused in the olden days.”
“You can’t blame that on technology. It was the people who mis-used it,” I argued.
Wilma tilted her head. “Are you saying that you don’t useanytechnology?”
“No, we do. But mostly when it comes to cleaning up the earth or fighting disease.”
“Or making babies in clinics. I mean that’s pretty sophisticated technology,” I pointed out.
“I suppose, but with most other things there’s a real skepticism toward technology. We prefer things that are natural and basic and that’s why a lot of knowledge has been lost.”
“Well, I’m not saying that we Nmen are anywhere close to being as technologically advanced as they were before the war, but if you need our help with hoverbikes, let us know.”
Devina gave me a nod and turned to Wilma, who was talking to her.
“Promise that you’ll keep writing me.”
“I will, Wilma, but about the book… the thing is that…” Devina trailed off and looked down.
“It’s okay. I already figured out that you just said it to get information for your rescue mission.”
“Yeah.”
Wilma gave a smile. “You should still write a story about the Northlands though.”
“Maybe I will.”
The two women hugged each other like they were old friends and then Devina raised a hand to me and gave a single wave as a goodbye before she took off.
“Stubborn fool,” I mumbled.
Wilma gave me a sideways glance. “You’re going to make sure she’s safe, right?”
“Of course.” I threw a nod to the house. “Sis, get inside. I’m waiting here until you lock the door after you.”
Wilma didn’t argue, and ran to the house and closed the door behind her.
When I caught up to Devina she was jogging at a nice steady pace.
“You would get to the beach faster if you got onto my bike.”
“Thank you for offering your help, but I don’t want it.”
