by Kim, Penny
Vin ran to her, grabbing her arm. She whirled around, her face registering surprise before gesturing to the lock.
“Help me open it,” she cried, fumbling.
Grabbing the keys from a stunned guard, Vin opened the door and began pulling people out.
“Run, run, damn you!” he cried.
The crowd erupted in confusion, the guards chasing the fleeing prisoners and the townsfolk clumsily standing in their way.
As one of the guards moved towards him, Vin took out his hunting knife
“I’d stay back,” he said, holding the knife up to his gaze.
The guard backed away, and Vin watched as Inspector Habit hopped off the platform and fled.
“Let’s follow him,” Kanon said, appearing beside him.
“We have to get you out of here,” Vin explained, pulling her in the opposite direction.
“He has my web, I can’t go anywhere,” Kanon cried. “Besides, how will you convince them?” she said, aware of the imminent threat surrounding her.
The inspectors had scattered, some pursuing Inspector Habit and others attempting to bring together some of the fleeing prisoners.
Vin only had several seconds to act, he took Kanon’s hand in his, feeling consumed with anxiety, desperate to get her to safety.
“Let’s go back to the farmhouse, you can hide there and I’ll figure out how to bring you back. I’ll borrow someone else’s web,” he said, pulling her down the road.
Seemingly too exhausted to resist, Kanon followed him as they broke into a run. They were almost to the door when Vin spotted an inspector appear from behind the farmhouse.
He stopped, pushing Kanon behind him.
“The other way. Go, now!” he cried, pulling her like a rag doll as they ran past the farmhouse and into the surrounding fields.
Hopefully, it would take the inspector a few moments to realize who they were and what they were doing—but Vin wasn’t looking back to find out.
Kanon shook off his assistance as they ran together—the horizon before them as they plowed through the fields, the mud slowing their pace as they continued. After several minutes, Vin felt the air change with a dampness that made his lungs burn. Looking ahead, he realized he had been taking them in the wrong direction. Slowing to a walk, he stopped, distraught.
Kanon gave him a push.
“Why are you stopping?” she cried, taking his hand and pulling him forward.
Vin spun her around.
The vast ocean lay before them, sunlight reflecting on the tips of the waves as they crashed down on the coast below. No wonder no one was chasing them, there was nowhere to go.
Vin took several tentative steps, looking down a sharp cliff—previously hidden by the glare of the sun. Staring down, he judged the drop as fatal.
Kanon joined him, taking his hand in hers.
“I should have taken a closer look at the map,” Vin said.
“Nice one, rookie, looks like it’s a straight drop,” Kanon replied, turning to see a group of inspectors advancing on them.
They were still some distance away, their dark forms getting bigger as they continued their advance.
“You have your web?” she asked, her voice steady.
“Yes,” Vin replied, pulling it from under his belt.
He held it up for her to see, the material shimmering in the sun.
“You should go back, Vin, let them bring me in,” Kanon said, watching as he unfolded it.
“They’ll kill you,” Vin replied, pushing the thought out of his mind and replacing it with another.
“No they won’t,” Kanon laughed hollowly, edging away from the cliff.
She took a step away from him.
“I’m the Director’s daughter, remember? They won’t hurt me. I need you to go to headquarters—you can do more for me there.”
“I don’t want to take the risk,” Vin said.
He was standing on the edge of the cliff, watching the inspectors advance. They were several yards from them now, and as their faces came into view, he realized she was right. The disruption at the town square had damaged their egos. They were out for blood.
Kanon shifted away from him.
“This whole game is about risk, and we’ve played a good hand. Let’s keep playing. You know I have a better chance talking myself out of this without you,” Kanon said, taking another step away.
The wind whipped around her, creating a blonde halo above her head. As she stared back at him, blue eyes watering, Vin prepared himself. He had to tell her how he felt. She needed to hear it before he was gone.
“Go,” she commanded.
Vin nodded, taking the web in his hands, his stomach twisting.
“Ok,” he said, watching her brighten and alternately feeling terrible for it. “I’ll go back,” he said, forcing a smile.
They will kill her on sight, he thought.
“Kanon, I should have told you before this moment,” he said, feeling his heart thud.
Her eyes narrowed and she moved towards him.
“I said go! I outrank you, that’s a direct order!” she cried, pushing him towards the cliff.
Vin timed his moment, watching as Inspector Silk led the charge. They were outfitted with muskets and knives, if he didn’t act quickly—they would both be dead.
Vin threw the web over Kanon, pulling her close.
“No!” she cried, trying to disengage herself. “Don’t do this!” she cried.
Vin held her tight and leaned backwards off the cliff, feeling his stomach drop as he tilted them off the ledge. He bent his head forward as he did, holding her close to him and whispering in her ear.
“I love you,” he stated, hitting the direct button on the reading pane and feeling their descent towards the rocky cliffs below.
The moment seemed to last forever, though it had to have been mere seconds. He held her close as they fell towards the rocks below—staring into her eyes as she began fading from view. He felt the pressure from her body deflate, amazed at the transformation. He had never seen someone travel this close. It was a bit like seeing a ghost. As her features faded, he watched as the water and surf appeared before him, advancing with a speed that would blessedly kill him on sight.
Before he made contact, he felt a hard tug on his right hand.
17
Am I dead?
Vin’s limbs were heavy, body stiff and wooden. Sitting up, he orientated himself. The mountainous landscape seemed familiar, but he couldn’t put his finger on where he was.
Slowly, Vin’s focus sharpened around the edges of a worried looking Kanon. He looked at her in astonishment before leaning forward.
“I feel like shit.”
Lying on his side, he began shivering uncontrollably.
In an instant she was gone, returning a few moments later with a towel and a cup of tea.
“Drink this,” she commanded.
He drank it gratefully, looking around and realizing where he was. This was training camp, Kanon brought him here using his web.
Vin watched as the monk exited the hut, his eyes shooting to the top of his bald head when he saw them.
“Ah!” he cried, running over to Vin’s side.
“Teacher, guess how we got here?” Kanon replied, looking at him with a smile. “Using Vin’s web!” she said, turning on Vin with a frown. “Of course, he was hell bent on a suicide mission.”
“I didn’t know we could both use it,” Vin said, pulling Kanon to him and hugging her fiercely.
He was elated to be there—alive, and not splattered on the rocks of a Colonial beach.
Kanon returned the embrace before helping him up.
“I’m actually amazed it worked myself, but your body is clearly still adjusting,” Kanon said, helping Vin inside the hut.
After setting him down on the cot, she departed. Vin heard her voice from outside the shack, offering assurances to the monk. She returned a few moments later with a towel and bowl of water. Gently,
she wiped off his face and hands.
“Thank you, again,” he said, feeling the words come sluggishly to his lips.
“What for? I think we saved each other this time,” Kanon replied. She put the towel down awkwardly. Sitting there so close to him, she sat very still, staring at the towel with a blank expression.
“Kanon wha . . . ”
He barely had time to finish the words before she launched herself at him, hitting his chin in the process.
“Oh! I’m sorry!” she said, drawing back, flushing with embarrassment.
Smiling, Vin pulled her back to him and kissed her, pulling her forcefully into his embrace and feeling his anxiety fall away.
After a time, it became apparent that the monk was pacing back and forth in front of the hut. Vin looked up at the doorframe.
“It’s rude leaving him out there.”
“Tell him to go for a walk,” Kanon replied, pulling him to her again. “Tell him to go away.”
It wasn’t until much later that night that Vin awoke, feeling a peace from knowing the person he loved was right beside him. He ran his hands along Kanon’s form, feeling each curve with satisfaction. Pulling the sheet around her more tightly, he gently touched her hair before drawing back.
“Keep doing that,” she said, smiling as she woke.
“I woke you, go back to sleep,” Vin said.
“What’s the point in that, or anything now?” Kanon said, lifting herself up on one elbow. “It’s only a matter of time before they find me here as well. At least I’ll be able to enjoy my last few moments.”
She leaned towards him as she said the words, moving her body against his in a way in which he was compelled to reciprocate. She sighed with pleasure, putting his hands on her body.
“Where did the monk go?” she suddenly asked, looking at the door to the hut.
“He left, isn’t that what you wanted.”
She brought her head down close to his, kissing his ear as she did.
“Yes.”
Vin woke up the next morning feeling refreshed, and for once, in control. He turned to one side, realizing Kanon was not with him. He was about to rise when she returned to the hut, placing down some firewood in a neat pile.
“I’ve been doing some thinking,” she said, frowning slightly. “There is a missing piece, I just can’t figure out where it fits.”
“Well, its clear Chief Smiley has some explaining to do,” Vin said, stretching.
“Come with me,” Kanon directed, moving outside of the hut.
Her tone worried him. Vin hastily threw on some clothes, following her into the courtyard.
“Let me tell you all of what happened in Salem,” she began.
She looked troubled. Vin wondered if it had to do with her treatment in captivity. He kept his anger in check as she began talking.
“Chief Smiley had been working with Julius for some time. I think it started with his own experiments regarding Standard D.”
“What about Inspector Habit?” Vin asked, wishing he put on more clothing as the wind whipped around him.
“I think Habit ran into Julius during one of his unregulated visits,” Kanon said, concentrating. “His motive was money, of course. Julius promised it, and Habit realized he could make ten times more than he ever could as an inspector.”
“When did the two groups intersect?” Vin asked.
“Chief Smiley was useful for Julius for several reasons. One, he shared the same feeling about unregulated time travel, so politically they were aligned. And second, Julius needed someone in the inside to make sure they wouldn’t be caught. Chief Smiley must have discovered the web’s full potential. Perhaps he shared this knowledge with Inspector Habit at some point, allowing both him and Julius to move through time unchecked.”
“Chief Smiley wanted the Directorate,” Vin replied.
“I don’t think any of them thought that far ahead. Julius certainly wanted the Directorate gone, to establish his new world order. Inspector Habit wanted money and I think Chief Smiley just got in over his head.”
“What happened in Salem?” Vin asked, unable to keep his curiosity at bay.
“After Standard D went haywire, Julius Arnold and Inspector Habit realized Chief Smiley was cut out—something to do with his access to Central Computer. Chief Smiley is dead, Vin,” Kanon said hollowly. “He was tortured by Inspector Habit before he died. I was there, he kept rambling on about Standard D.”
“It was a ploy,” Vin said looking at her meaningfully. Kanon straightened.
“What are you saying?”
“I knew something had happened to you, but I wasn’t sure who I could trust.”
“What did you do, Vin?” Kanon asked quietly.
“We arranged a blip in Standard D, your father and I.”
“It must have been some blip,” Kanon observed.
“Yes,” Vin admitted.
“My father has a funny way of showing he cares, Julius could have gone either way on that one, it was a calculated gamble,” Kanon noted.
“He believed in you,” Vin said. “So did I. But there is something I don’t understand.”
“What?”
“How did the other inspectors know where to find us? My only hint was Chief Smiley’s disguise, that and Quill’s . . . ” Vin stopped himself.
“He must have come back after your conversation,” Kanon said, failing to notice his premature pause. “Inspector Habit took him into custody shortly after the Standard D snafu.”
Vin stood silently, focusing in on the last person who may have a role in the affair.
“You know who it is?” Kanon asked, watching Vin’s expression.
“I know who it is,” Vin repeated, feeling himself burn red.
There was only one person who could have tipped off the inspectors. With Chief Smiley taken into custody, he must have panicked—worried the trail would lead back to him.
“Inspector Quill,” Vin said, his voice hardening.
“Who the hell is that?” Kanon asked.
“The fourth man. From what you are telling me, Chief Smiley was dead by the time the first inspector arrived,” Vin responded coolly, thinking of Quill’s presence in Chief Smiley’s office the day before. “Once Quill realized Chief Smiley was cut out, he covered his own ass.”
“Our next challenge is simple then,” Kanon quipped. “Proving it.”
Vin turned to pace, thinking of the only hard evidence he had.
“Kanon, if my reading pane picked up a phone call, could one of our audio guys pick up who is on the other end?” Vin asked.
“Yes, this is why reading panes for government use are so controversial. Why do you ask?”
“A conversation between Chief Smiley and an unidentified associate. It could be the evidence we need,” Vin said, looking off into the distance.
“We can’t go back unless we have rock solid evidence,” Kanon said, which Vin accepted with a nod.
“I agree, it’s too dangerous. Let me make sure the recording holds, I’ll go back first . . . ”
“My dad will lose his job,” Kanon interrupted.
“Things will look ugly in the short run, but I’m positive he’ll be reinstated once this all comes to light,” Vin responded firmly. “Besides, he’s the only one who can help us pull this off.”
“What about the media? Julius said they were invited to the event.”
“We should take pains to find out what happened to them. Who knows if they even made it out of Salem. If I were Julius Arnold, I’d want everyone associated with the failed demonstration eliminated. I do not for one second believe he’s dead,” Vin added.
“I can fill you in on that piece of it,” Kanon shifted her weight, watching the horizon for the appearance of the monk. “And I think it might be the only card we hold at the moment.”
“What do you mean?” Vin asked.
“You said we needed more proof? Of Standard D, Julius’ alliance with the Directorate leadership, all of
it?”
“Yes?” Vin asked, trying to follow her train of thought.
“Julius was convinced the press was the key to his success. I think they can help us as well.”
“How?” Vin asked, pausing. “And what does this have to do with Julius Arnold?”
“We need to find a journalist—someone we can trust,” Kanon said, pacing now, her thoughts focused.
“Why?”
“So I can give a firsthand account of how I killed Julius Arnold.”
“You, what?” Vin asked, his voice rising several octaves.
“I saw my opportunity and took it. Dead or alive, remember?”
She said the words so coldly, Vin shook his head in astonishment.
“Inspector Hay,” he said, looking at her fondly. “You constantly surprise me.”
He took her in his arms, kissing her firmly.
“This might just work. With any luck, we can arrange your tell-all story before the congressional hearings.”
“What hearings?” Kanon asked, pulling away and looking up at him.
“Once shit hits the fan, the finger pointing starts.”
“You are really good at this headquarters stuff, aren’t you?” Kanon laughed, putting her head down onto his shoulder.
They stood there for a few moments, watching as the monk appeared from the little path that emerged from the mountainside.
Standing in front of them with an accusing stare, the monk looked at the piles of firewood and pointed his finger.
“Chop the wood.”
Vin smiled and turned to the pile.
“Yes, teacher.”
18
Kanon Hay dispensed with a disguise that chilly October morning. It had been years since she had been in the present time, and besides, she wanted her father to recognize her. She knew he would be at the hearing—his sense of duty was too compelling. Stationing herself outside the gloomy Senate office building, she waited.
As she predicted, her father resigned soon after the incident in Salem—apparently, some of the journalists Julius invited did show up. The only redeeming outcome of that disastrous affair was the fact that these journalists were keen to continue the story. Kanon’s feature would be going live any moment. Time was of the essence.