by Beth Reason
Chapter 14
“Are you sure he's a friend of Weevil's?” Tenet whispered, standing next to Scarab in the middle of a dark, spare room.
She shrugged. “So he said.”
The man in question was the exact opposite of Weevil. They followed Weevil's instructions, and the man, who refused to give them a name, seemed to be waiting for them. Before they had time to take anything in, he had them standing side by side while he performed a quick marriage. He was short, barely to Tenet's shoulder, and thin to the point of being worrisome. His sunken eyes were serious, where Weevil's were full of mischief. In fact, everything about the man was serious, from the eyes to the neatly combed hair, right down to his expensive and highly polished shoes.
“Do you agree to this marriage?” he asked Tenet, not looking up from a gadget in his hand.
“I do.”
“And you?” He tossed his head in Scarab's direction, still not taking his eyes off the little screen.
“Yes.”
He gave a curt nod. “Good. Never works if you don't.” He hit a few buttons, then looked up at Tenet. “Name?”
Tenet froze. Neither of them had thought of the simple detail of new names. Of course he couldn't use his. And no way Scarab could ever use that moniker again. “Shit,” he said.
“Shit?” The man looked up. “That's an odd name. Come on, make it something believable, boy.”
“Uh...”
The little man sighed. “Let me guess. You haven't thought that through.” He shook his head, disappointed in the oversight. “I suppose you haven't, either?” Scarab shook her head. “Weevil said you were ill-prepared,” he said, his voice filled with scorn. “I had no idea it would be this bad.” He sighed again. “Well, I've been doing this a long time and if you want, I'll choose for you. Gotta have a name to enter, you know.”
Tenet looked at Scarab and shrugged. “Sure. Pick a name for me.”
“Archibald,” said the man automatically.
“Yuck.” The man looked up from his gadget and stared Tenet down. Tenet lost. “Fine," he conceded. "Archibald it is.”
“Good classic name,” said the man, entering the information into his machine. “You'll appreciate it where you're heading.” He looked Scarab up and down. “Gwendoline. Yes. That will do.”
“No,” she said quickly. “Angel.”
The man quirked an eyebrow. “You don't strike me as the religious sort.”
“I'm not. I just...Angel.” She looked incredibly uncomfortable, but insisted.
“Angel it is, though I don't suppose it matters much. Just for the records and crossing.”
“I like it,” whispered Tenet.
“Thanks, Archie.”
Tenet cringed at the name. “Don't call me that.”
“That takes care of that,” said the man. He read back the details on the screen. “You were officially wed three months ago on your tomato ranch in sector 44-32B. Remember that. It's important.”
“Tomatoes, sector 44-32B. Got it. Was it a nice ceremony?”
The man gave him a bland look. “Yes. All your friends and family were there. The bride looked stunning in white. Now can we please continue?” Tenet bit back a smile and nodded. “As I was saying... You're now Archibald and Angel Lorne.”
“Lorne.”
“Yes. It's a safe and believable name. The Lorne family are a long line of tomato farmers who have recently fallen on hard times. The parents had eleven children. Never caused trouble. Never had many successful crops. Most of the kids have gone into public service. It's completely believable that you tried and failed to carry on the family farm because they all have. And with so many Lornes to keep track of, neither government's really going to pay it much attention. And, if that wasn't enough, three Lorne kids and their families have already fled to the Borderlands.” He looked very satisfied with his work.
Tenet nodded. “Good. We're going to join them.”
“No. No, no.” he said quickly. “You're not going to join them. You don't know they're up there, remember? You were told by your government that they died in this unfortunate accident or moved to the Third Worlds or something. You know nothing about the Borderlands. Remember that.”
“Right,” said Tenet. “Glad I brought it up.”
“You won't know they're up there, but the govers will. They'll see the name, know it as an excellent addition. Most likely they'll try and steer you to settle in that direction and hope you team up with long lost relatives. For all I know, they might just tell you about them outright. Never crossed into it, myself, but you hear things in this line of work." He shook his head quickly. "We're getting off track. You're the Lornes now, keep it straight.”
“Got it,” said Scarab.
“Now, onto finances.” He walked over to a very neat desk with a built in com dock. “Have a seat.” He motioned to two chairs across the desk. They sat, looking at each other and burst out laughing. The man quirked an eyebrow.
“I just pictured my wedding a little differently,” said Tenet.
The man sighed. “Sorry, I'm not one for cake.”
Scarab laughed again, bringing an impatient sigh from the little man. “Fine,” she said. “Go ahead.”
“As I was saying...finances.” He tapped at the com deck for awhile, then looked up with a start. “Oh no,” he said shaking his head and jumping away from the com dock as if it would bite him. “I don't want any part of that.”
“What?”
“Weevil said nothing about having to hack the govers.” The little man fumed and paced, shaking his head furiously. “Nothing at all. I won't do it.”
Scarab crossed her arms over her chest. “We were guaranteed help.”
“Then we were both mislead.”
Tenet looked back and forth between the two, not knowing what to do. “Let's just forget the money...”
“No,” said Scarab, the hunter back in a flash. “This pathetic little weasel owes Weevil a favor and this is it.”
The man stopped mid-pace, a look of panic crossing his face for the briefest of moments. “I repaid the favor. You're wed with new identities. I believe my debt has been repaid.”
Scarab slapped her knee and stood up, heading for the door. “Fine. I'll just go back and see if Weevil can help me himself.”
“I know enough of your story to know you wouldn't risk the time the trip takes,” spat the man.
Tenet stood and followed Scarab's lead. “I think it's worth the risk. Can't go penniless into a new life, now can we dear?”
“No,” she said, staring at the little man across the room. “No we certainly cannot.”
Images of his last tango with Weevil flashed through the little man's memory, and after a few short seconds, he cracked. “Fine. I'll do it. But on two conditions.”
“What?” asked Scarab, ice still in her tone.
“First,” he said, sitting back at the desk. “You guarantee me that if you ever have contact with Weevil again, you tell him just how much I'm sticking my neck out for a...friend.”
“Agreed. Next?”
He punched the buttons on the com deck. After a few minutes, he looked up from the screen. “I want half.”
“Half?” spat Scarab in disbelief. “No deal. Come on, Tenet.”
Tenet walked over to the desk and sat down. “Deal.”
The greedy little man smiled with delight. “I knew you were the reasonable one in this couple.”
“Tenet,” Scarab hissed. “He's robbing you blind! It's not worth half.”
Tenet shrugged. “It's only money. Let him have it.”
“But...”
“No. It's his.” He said it with a finality she couldn't argue.
“Suit yourself,” she said throwing her arms in the air. She walked over and sat back in the chair, glaring at the little man. “But it better be worth it.”
“Trust me,” said the snake, his fingers flying on the keys. He worked in silence, the only noise in the room the steady tap as h
e punched a series of buttons. When he was finished, he turned the display for Tenet to see. “That's the current balance of Archibald Lorne.”
Tenet looked at the sum and nodded. “Seems like about half,” he lied. It was more like a quarter of what he should have had. He wasn't going to argue. It was just money, and it didn't really matter.
The greedy little man's eyes sparkled and he nodded. “Good.” He hit a button and a currency card began to print. “This is temporary. Your banking card was destroyed in the journey, and this will only last a week. But you shouldn't need one for more than that, anyway. Word is they're trading heavily in our seeds and, of course, weapons and ammo. Stick with seeds and ammo. Weapons are heavy. And of course, there are raiders.”
“Raiders?”
“Border raiders,” said Scarab. “Didn't I mention them?”
“Nasty thieves, is what they are.” Odd words from a man who had just robbed them blind. “They prowl looking for the rejects.”
Scarab stiffened at the term. “They aren't rejects,” she said, her voice dripping ice.
The little man opened his mouth to argue, but one look at her face told him he'd better not. “The people crossing one way or the other," he amended. "The Cons skulk around in the dead zone and prey on the people who have already either lost or given up everything. Most are ex Cons trying to keep it together. They don't care much for seeds, though. What use are seeds to nomads?” He gave a firm nod. “Seeds. That's how you should convert your money.”
“What kind of seeds?”
The man looked at Tenet as if he lost his mind. “Well a good place to start would be tomato, you know, you being a tomato farmer and all.”
Tenet coughed. “Er, yes. Right.”
“Aside from that, anything really. The seeds traded in the South, or even the real south, those are worth the most, but good luck coming up with those this close to the border.”
“What, like tropical fruits?”
He nodded. “Lemons. Limes. Coconuts.”
“They won't grow up there.”
The man shook his head. “Not outside, no. But I think they have greenhouses. They must, because those seeds trade like hotcakes.”
“And where can we get them?” Scarab asked, staring at the man. She was positive he could get them some. Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought it up.
“Oh,” he said too casually. “I might know of a few dealers...”
“Who?”
He shook his head. “I don't think you want to do business with them. Me, I'm an honest guy just trying to make a living out in this godforsaken hell.” Tenet was starting to see the connection to Weevil. “But those guys...they'll trade you seeds, alright. And then turn you in for the bounty.”
“How can I be sure you're not just going to do the same?” asked Tenet.
“Because the holy wrath of Weevil would be brought down upon me like an avenging angel from hell.” He said it in a tone all in the room truly believed. “I don't know how you made such a powerful friend, but I'll do almost anything not to piss him off again.”
Tenet looked to Scarab. She nodded to indicate she believed the man. “So,” said Tenet leaning forward. “If we can't get the seeds for ourselves, I suppose you might know another way around it?”
The man smiled. Bingo. “Why, as it just so happens, I have excellent relations with the seeders. Doesn't pay to have enemies right on the doorstep. I might just be able to broker the deal...”
“Good.”
“For a nominal fee.”
Tenet sighed and shot Scarab a look. “Of course.”
“Excellent!” The man tapped at the keys and informed them a few minutes later that they were all set and could pick up the seeds outside the shack in an hour.
“I suggest you use the time to visit Narp down the street. He runs the only store in town. Upfront fellow, has a clean business going. Tell him I sent you, and he'll outfit you with all you need to make the journey.”
“Will he take the transport as payment?”
The man shrugged. “He might. If not, he can tell you who will.” He got up, seemed to think it over for a second, then stuck out his hand. “Archibald Lorne, I don't know who you really are, but I wish you luck.”
Tenet shook the man's hand. “Thank you. I think we'll do just fine in the Borderlands.”
The man shot Scarab a knowing look, then said, “That, my boy, was not what I was talking about.”
“Come on,” said Scarab rolling her eyes when Tenet laughed. They made their way into the low light of the approaching night. “I gotta say, feels good to be out of the suit,” she said, closing her eyes and tipping back her face to enjoy the feel of the warm air blowing around them.
Tenet watched her hair swirl around in the breeze and was struck dumb once again by her beauty. He wanted to reach out and touch his wife, but she opened her eyes and broke the spell. He cleared his throat and looked up the street. “You think Narp will be open this late?”
She nodded. “Definitely. All settlements like this are open around the clock. You never know when a hunter will be needing to resupply. Come on.”
Though it took a little fast talking, they were able to assure Narp that they weren't really friends of the little man down the street, just had to use him for a few sensitive favors. Once Narp was convinced, he helped them more than they could have imagined.
“This is the latest fashion from those crossing down,” he said, showing them some garments. They were plain, overall, with little frills. But they looked sturdy and warm, and they each chose three basic outfits. He showed them to the weapons, told them the best for the journey. He filled their sacks with dried foods and ammunition for the weapons they already carried. Then he handed Tenet a knife. “You'll need it.”
Tenet shook his head. “For what?”
“Trust me. You'll see animals you always thought were fairy stories. Take the knife. In a surprise attack, nothing's better.” Tenet bought two, one for himself and one for Scarab. Tenet offered the vehicle as payment, but Narp hedged. “I don't know. I couldn't unload it. It's practically a gover rig, isn't it?”
“It's real easy to drive. Good off road, too. And a little paint would go a long way.”
In the end, they talked him into taking the last of Tenet's money and the vehicle as payment. He bid them good luck and locked the door quickly behind him.
“That was an odd guy,” said Tenet, shifting the weight of the freshly filled sack on his side until it settled more comfortably.
“Yes, but I suppose that comes about because it's such a dangerous business helping people break the law.” She looked over her shoulder and saw him peering out from behind the blinds on his shop window.
Tenet looked back, and the man jumped out of view. “Still, he give me the willies. I don't doubt for a second that he'd turn us in if he knew our names.”
“What makes you think he doesn't?”
The thought never occurred to Tenet. “I...I don't know. I mean, he had all the supplies, so obviously we're not the first to jump the border.”
“Not the first, but I doubt they get very many. Most of the border jumping's done from the other direction. Up there it's...different.”
“How so?”
She thought for a second to come up with the best way to explain it. “On this side of the border, you're taught your whole life that the Borderlands, for all intents and purposes, doesn't really exist. It's a barren wasted land with no life, no people, and certainly no government. On the other hand, they know your nation is real, and they make no secret about it.”
Tenet was surprised. “If they know we're here, why don't they join us?”
She laughed. “Oh, trust me. That's the last thing they want. They don't want to be tied to seasons that don't really apply for them.” She tried to think of some way to make him understand. “They're more free up there. It's not everyone working for everyone else.”
Tenet scoffed. “We're not like that.”
&n
bsp; “You think not? Think about this. If that were true, really true, there wouldn't be a Career Board. Everyone would do whatever they were good at. Or at least, wanted to be good at.”
Tenet looked off into the distance at the hills that separated them from the Borderland. “Sounds like anarchy.”
Scarab shrugged. “I suppose to you it does. To me...” she sighed and smiled softly. “The closer we get, the more I realize just how much I miss it. There, I was a girl with a name and a future. Here, I was always just a cast off number, hunter Scarab 03321, assigned to my lot in life by a government that never really wanted me here in the first place.”
“If it's such the great place you claim, Ms. Freedom Fighter, then why is is so many people hop the border?”
Scarab frowned. “I didn't say it was an easy life. It's hard to try and fail, to have your crops wither and know you're still on your own. It's hard to be hungry if you can't support yourself, and even harder to watch your family suffer for it with you. And it's particularly hard making it through the winters there. Then, of course, are the absolute laws. They are cut and dried, with no room for mercy. Some people find that very difficult to live with.”
“Doesn't sound like freedom to me.”
She nodded her head fiercely. “It is. The laws in the Borderland are designed with one goal. Do not hurt other people by living your life. That's it. If you're doing something that will cause harm to others or their livelihoods or survival, you pay. Dearly. A lot of people can't live under that.” She looked off into the hills, too. “Maybe that's what drove my father to steal that cow. Maybe he finally cracked under the pressure. Maybe the tales got to be too much to resist."
“Tales?”
“Stories of this world. Stories of how easy life is when you never have a real winter. How green the lands are for your crops. How little work there is to be done because they have the technology and population base to lighten the load. This world...it might be on the same planet, but it's completely different. Many are attracted to that.”
Tenet thought it over while they walked back to get their seeds. The sacks were there, five small ones labeled with the names of the seeds. There was also a com chip. Scarab popped it into her deck and played it. It was a message from the little man.
“Hope you kids play this before you head out. Those fancy coms of yours won't do you much good after about fifty miles or so. I'll be happy to find a use for them, if you'd like. Just leave them in the box by the door.”
“How noble,” said Tenet dryly.
“It's heating up. I'd get your asses out of here now if I were you. Weevil sent me a message to share, so here it is. E and H have safely set off for their next journey. They never helped you. It was a different pair. He said something about bodies being discovered and wasn't it a shame that they died in the desert before the govers could question it. Don't know what it means but he insisted you would so there you go. Good luck kids. I don't mean that often, but what can I say? I'm getting soft in my old age. Don't forget the coms.”
Scarab switched her com off popped out the chip. She placed only the chip in the small box, and pocketed the com itself. “No way he's getting another penny from me!”
Tenet laughed, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders at the knowledge that Hark and Enna were safe. “Can't fault the man for trying.”
“Oh, sure I can.” She reached down and picked up two of the seed sacks. Opening one just to be sure, she nodded. “Looks good. But I can't really tell.”
Tenet opened one and let out a low whistle. Being in the Agro League had taught him to judge quality of seed stock, if nothing else. The seeds were perfectly dried, plump, and smelled fresh. “Top of the line. Exorbitant as the fee was, I'd say it's worth it.”
Scarab rolled her eyes, not willing to give the shady little man any credit. “For that price, these better grow gold.”
She set off down the last road they would walk on for the last couple hundred miles between one world and the next. They followed it to the end, and took one last look behind themselves. “Ready?” she asked.
Tenet looked down at his hand. The scars were already getting lighter. He looked at his boring clothes, remembering the closet full of top-of-the-line suits he had at home. His mind flashed briefly on the life he was leaving behind. Tea with his sister. Parties with his mother. Rallies and cheers and raunchy boardroom jokes. He thought about his friends and his enemies, and how he'd never again be in the company of either. He took one last look back at the civilization of his youth, trying to remember the shady summers by the river, the fun late night parties with friends. He looked behind him and tried to picture it all there, saying goodbye.
It startled him to find that he couldn't do it. He couldn't conjure up those memories without a bitter slash of pain at the truths that lay behind every once-sacred scene. It was an illusion, and nothing more, and no matter how much he tried to convince his mind to remember how it used to be, he knew too much now to let that happen. The greens would grow, the people would return. But it would always be replaced with the searing ash of reality, a never ending cycle of hard work masked by the promise of the better tomorrow that he now knew would never arrive. It was gone. The life he planned on, the life he thought so long he had wanted was gone. Someday, perhaps, he could feel that at least parts of it were real.
He turned back to Scarab. She was silent. She knew this was a big moment for him and stood patiently, a mood completely contradictory to her normal attitude. It must be killing her, he thought to himself. The thought gave him a sudden sense of calm. For some reason, he knew it would be okay. At her puzzled look, he shook his head and took a deep breath. “I'm ready.”
Without another look back, he stepped off the last paved road, and into his future.
~~ ** ~~
About the Author
Beth Reason was lucky enough to be born into a weird household. Now that she's a mother, she does her best to teach that life to the next generation. She has lots of hobbies because she's horribly annoying to be around when she's bored, and her goal in life is to know everything.
Seriously.
Everything.
When not writing or making something, or wrangling kids or her husband, she can usually be found online, trolling the internet for insight to all the wonderfully odd personalities in the world. She can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/authorbeth.reason
She also welcomes emails at: [email protected]
A Journey Deep
Sacred Tenets: Book II in the Tenet Series