Split Infinity

by Thalia Kalkipsakis

  There’s a pause as we both consider the way it sounds. Mum’s eyebrows lift.

  ‘Okay. Carolyn Karimi it is,’ I say. A new name for a new citizen.

  I’m just about to switch the comscreen across to TV mode when an alert sounds on my compad. Someone’s coming up the front path.

  Mum stops stirring her mug and turns to me, the spoon hovering. An entrance request buzzes as I grab the compad.

  Air escapes in a rush. ‘It’s only Mason.’

  ‘Ah.’ The corner of her mouth lifts, and Mum goes back to stirring.

  ‘Okay if I go for a walk?’

  ‘Of course.’

  Mason’s patting the side of his thigh when the main entrance door disengages. He seems nervous. Leaves whirl around him but he barely reacts.

  ‘I … I wanted to tell you in person,’ he says straight out. He glances at the entrypad then back to me. ‘Boc asked me to disengage the safety sensors on the freight tracks. I said no, but he kept hassling. He wouldn’t let it rest.’ Mason stabs the edge of the doormat with his toe. ‘He was being a total pain, saying that he was going to do it himself. I had to tell him …’

  ‘Tell him what?’

  ‘About the accident on the tracks, and what happened to you. He kept asking why I hadn’t told him and I … I didn’t have an answer for that.’ Finally the patting stops. ‘He knows you’re illegal.’

  I close my eyes. Not now. Not again. Not when I’m so close to being out of the woods. Now that I’m using time skipping to negotiate my status, I can’t send the Feds after Boc either, so I don’t even have a back-up plan.

  ‘I’m sorry, Scout. I know you’re worried.’ Each word comes clear as if he’s been practising this in his head. ‘But I’ve spoken to him. Boc’s not going to turn you in. I can promise you that. He gave his word.’

  ‘His word?’ I scoff.

  ‘I’m not asking you to trust Boc, I’m asking you to trust me.’ For a moment Mason considers me and the muscles in his jaw clench.

  I’m still scared. But I’m suddenly even more scared of what it means to have Mason stand with me. The last time he stuck with me, when I was trying to find Mum, he ended up caught. Because of me.

  Mason lifts a thumb over one shoulder. ‘Want to take a walk?’

  Somehow it’s like he’s asking, forgive me? So I nod and follow him along the front path, past the bush and into our street. We walk in silence, passing through the on-off hot sun between blocks of shadow.

  Something brushes the back of my hand, and I glance down as Mason reaches out again with the back of his knuckle. ‘You okay?’

  ‘Yeah.’ Maybe this is safer than I was last time. I can’t bring myself to trust Boc, but I can trust Mason, at least.

  We reach the end of the street and turn towards the park; the hum from the road grows louder.

  ‘He’s been asking if you’ll train with us at the climbing centre. Will you come?’ Mason asks. ‘I’ll be there the whole time. I promise. They’ve been asking questions.’

  ‘They?’

  ‘It all came out after I told Boc. Amon and Echo have both managed a jump from standing. I’m not sure which of them is more obsessed. They’re training pretty much every spare minute they have …’

  Just like last time, except it’s even quicker. The first dominoes have fallen; the pull of the future is growing stronger. I’m just not sure anymore where we’re headed.

  We stop at the crossing point at Ballarat Road.

  ‘There’s something I need to tell you,’ I call over the pulsing swish of smartcars. ‘I’ve been working on something, an application for citizenship, using time skipping as proof that I have something to contribute.’

  ‘You can do that?’

  ‘I didn’t know either, until a friend told me. I wanted to check with you.’ It was Mason who first realised that time skipping was even possible. Before I send in the application I need to clear this with him first.

  ‘I’m going to use a different name and pretend I grew up outside the city. My whole case is set around time skipping as a way to survive, a skill that anyone can learn. This could be a real chance for me. To apply for my own rations. I’d be totally legit.’

  Mason’s eyebrows go up. ‘You’re going to explain Relative Time Theory?’

  ‘Maybe. A bit. But mostly I’m planning to tell the truth: that I did it by accident in a dream. You said so yourself, a bird doesn’t need to understand aerodynamics to –’ I drift off as I realise he’s never said that in this timestream.

  The crossing point pings and we cross without speaking.

  ‘Are you … upset?’ I ask as we reach the curb. Does he think that I stole his discovery?

  ‘No. It’s a good idea, Scout.’ And then quieter: ‘Excellent, in fact …’ Mason slows and I stop beside him as cars accelerate and zoom off on the road beside us. ‘Do you want me to help? The case will be stronger with a scientific explanation. I can bring them up to speed straight away; explain the theory while you demonstrate.’

  ‘Yeah, but …’ Already my head is shaking. ‘I’ll be stating outright that I’m illegal. So what does that make you? The penalties for helping –’

  ‘We’ll have to be careful, but I’m willing to risk it.’ He rests a hand on my shoulder and leans closer. ‘Once you show them a skip, everything’s going to change. You realise that? You’ll be even more famous than Eichmann. Governments the world over will be desperate for a piece of you. If we play our cards right, you could negotiate a spot with a research team for me, once you’re a citizen.’

  My hands fold together, pushed against my mouth, as I think through the idea. ‘You might be able to work out what was in the syringe …’ He’d have a chance, at least.

  ‘We don’t have to admit how well we know each other. I can vouch for the story that you grew up outside the city. I’ll say I saw you jump by chance … and started researching from there.’ His mouth kinks at one side. ‘It’s sort of true.’

  I share the smile, still not sure. ‘It’s still a risk, Mason.’

  His eyebrows pinch. ‘Okay. So what about this, why don’t we keep it secret how to skip? Show them what’s possible. I’ll only give them a taste of the theory. But we don’t have to explain how it’s done. Synching a skip, everything we’ve trained for … They’ll be so desperate to find out how it’s done, we’ll be the ones holding the power. Each time they want more, we get another chance to negotiate.’

  ‘Actually …’ My arms drop. ‘That’s good. Really good.’

  ‘This could be good for Boc and Amon as well –’

  ‘Wait, Boc?’

  ‘Yeah. He’s all over the war tactics of time skipping. Imagine if troops were trained to disappear before a bomb hits? Boc and Amon could be the ones who bring this to the military. This could fast-track both of their careers …’

  I’m not sure. The idea of Boc being part of this makes me nervous, especially now that he knows I’m illegal. What’s to stop him from turning me in for stealing the woman’s chip, and claiming all the kudos for himself?

  Mason grabs one of my hands and holds it against his chest. ‘I swear with all my heart, Scout, I won’t let anything threaten your chance at citizenship.’ Just slightly, my hand rises and falls as he breathes. He drops his head to one side. ‘Trust me with this?’

  It doesn’t come easy. But more than anyone, I trust Mason. It takes only a single word to make his lips kink into a smile.

  ‘Okay.’

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  EVERYTHING MOVES QUICKLY from there. We use the linking code to make it look on the grid like the others haven’t learnt to skip. Once I become a citizen we can act as if I taught them how. Mason gets legal advice about my status and the risks for us both, and adds a scientific explanation before we finally submit the form. No mention of how to time skip, or evidence of an alternate universe. The hearing date comes back only two weeks away.

  On Saturday morning, Mason meets me outside the climbing centr
e so we can walk in together.

  He’s about to swipe the entrypad when he stops and squeezes my hand. ‘Ready?’

  My mouth is dry. ‘I guess.’

  It’s not just the idea of dealing with Boc that makes me edgy. I still haven’t seen the others since Mason told them everything. Echo and Amon haven’t even met me here. After all that happened in the other timestream, seeing them again is going to be strange in so many ways.

  As we step through the door, I’m immediately hit with calm concentration. All focus is on Amon part way up the climbing wall, about three storeys high. He reaches a toned arm for a handhold while Echo grips a safety rope in two hands. I glance up, and a memory flickers: clinging to that stupid wall while gravity pulled me down and the Feds closing in.

  Boc strides over and stops so close that I take a half-step back. ‘Glitchy chip, hey? I was right – you were adding the gaps yourself.’

  I’m forming a comeback when Boc lifts his arm, hand extended.

  ‘Don’t worry. If I land a post training the military to time skip, it could fast-track my career. I’ll owe you for life. Truce?’

  My hand almost disappears in his. I make a point to hold as firm as I can as I return his shake.

  ‘I’m doing this for Mase, right?’ Boc says. ‘But you have my word. You’re the safest illegal on the planet.’

  ‘I get it.’ This is about Mason. ‘But still … thanks.’

  I take a breath, find a smile. ‘How’s the climbing going?’ I ask Boc brightly, pushing home the idea that we’re on the same side.

  ‘Yeah, good.’ Boc jerks his chin towards Mason. ‘We even got Mase to climb the high wall. No harness.’

  My eyes pop. ‘No harness?’

  Mason shakes his head. ‘I had a harness on, just didn’t use it.’

  ‘Next time.’ Boc slaps his hands, rubbing the palms together.

  By now Amon has abseiled down the wall so smoothly that he makes it look easy. Almost. He starts to remove the harness with Echo’s help, their frames compact and taught. They have the same jet-black hair and pale skin as each other. Every now and then one of them glances my way. Seeing them again after so long makes my heart squeeze.

  Echo’s the first to make her way over. She stops a distance away and shrugs apologetically. ‘So, I guess you already know me, right? How weird is that.’

  ‘Yup. You’re a top climber, a brilliant time skipper. You’re no nonsense, high energy, with a wicked sense of humour.’ My eyebrows go up. ‘Am I close?’

  ‘You reckon?’ Her face twists into a chuffed grin. Amon stops beside her and smooths his hands down the sides of his shorts.

  ‘Scout, Amon, Echo.’ Boc points to each of us, and then turns to me. ‘But you know that already.’

  ‘Yeah. Don’t worry, this is weird for me too.’ And so many kinds of surreal. Seeing Amon here, so solid, so real, makes the back of my neck prickle. But it also makes me even more determined to help Mason join the research team. Someday Mason has to feel the same shiver as he sees his brother again.

  Echo repositions her feet. ‘Can we ask a few questions?’

  ‘Sure. Like what?’

  ‘Like, what’s it like to jump a full four and half years … how do you make an accurate return after that long?’ She licks her lips but doesn’t wait for an answer. ‘Why do you think Amon came back late that day on the tracks? And is it true that he might be able to apply to teach the troops how to skip at military school?’

  ‘In other words …’ Amon flicks her ponytail. ‘Let’s start with everything.’

  We end up sprawled on the floor as I go through it all. Echo asks most of the questions, pouncing on each idea like a kitten catching shadows. Boc steps in every now and then, asking Mason what he thinks. Amon’s the only one saying nothing.

  After a long while, I can’t stand it anymore. ‘Is there anything you want to know?’ I ask Amon.

  Amon’s kneeling with his fists on thighs. ‘You know, I’ve been asking myself that exact same question. And I … I don’t know. I guess if what you’re saying is true, that means the future isn’t fixed, right?’

  We all turn to Mason. ‘No, not at all. Some things seem to be. Weather systems. And human nature. But we’re not trapped in some kind of nightmare repeat. Scout’s memories are from a timeline that’s already different from ours.’

  ‘Okay.’ Amon opens his hands, and rests his palms on his thighs. ‘So I know enough not to let the same thing happen, but other than that … I don’t think I want to hear the details.’

  If I was Amon, I don’t think I’d want to hear about the accident either. Some things, I don’t think we’re meant to know.

  ‘Fair enough. Second time lucky, yeah?’ I say.

  Amon nods. ‘You bet. Lesson learnt. I’m planning to be the best darned time skipper this world has ever seen.’

  We get down to business after that, pulling in a screen from the storage room to try a group synch. It works first try, with all of us returning within ten seconds of each other. Echo and Amon both land their furthest skip ever, somehow pulled forwards by the rest of us. Synching our jumps isn’t just a way to stick together, we’ve realised. It’s also a safeguard against getting lost.

  After that, Echo and Amon pair up to hone their accuracy. Boc has brought a programmable toy gun: six rubber bullets in a row, meaning six quick jumps. Mason’s first to make it without being hit. Minutes later, Boc does the same.

  I stay on my own, working on a new drill where I jump into a mid-air time skip, a trick that might impress the panel at the application hearing. The returns are like waking mid-air from a long nap and trying not to land in a heap. I end up with dirty purple bruises on both knees, but soon I’m landing clear on both feet.

  It’s not long before Mason and Boc start training for the same drill.

  Boc nails the landing first. He turns to the climbing wall, rubs his palms together, then clambers up two or three grips. The muscles strain in his arms and shoulders as he climbs.

  My jaw drops as he pushes off the wall and disappears mid-air.

  Mason and I exchange a glance and I shake my head. Mason smiles reassuringly. ‘He’s got this.’

  ‘Yeah.’ Not entirely convinced. Now that I know where it could end up, Boc’s risk-taking makes me nervous.

  Boc’s broad shape appears out of thin air, and drops. Thud. The floor vibrates as he crumples into a sideways roll. That was stupid. Typical Boc.

  With a glance my way, Mason paces to another section of wall. He examines the holds above him on the wall before reaching out and lifting himself up. He’s about a body length off the ground when he glances over his shoulder, pushes back and disappears.

  ‘Faaaar out,’ says Echo. She’s walking over to watch. Amon comes and stands beside her. They’re both in their clothes again, must have decided to have a rest.

  We all stare at the space where Mason disappeared. Boc rests his hands on his hips.

  In the next moment, Mason returns mid-air and hits the ground with a light thunk, the muscles stretched long and taught in his thighs and back. A solid landing on both feet. Not even a wobble.

  ‘That was awesome,’ I call, and join in with the claps. Relieved. And a whole lot impressed.

  Boc hasn’t moved. ‘Kudos,’ he calls, monotone. He turns to stare up at the wall, then begins climbing again. I’m expecting him to stop when he reaches the same height as last time, but he keeps going. Higher.

  Higher still.

  Higher again, until he’s about as high as a single-storey house.

  Amon calls to him. ‘Boc, wait. You can’t jump from that high. You’ll break an ankle, mate.’

  ‘Not planning to jump.’ Boc glances over a thick shoulder.

  Before we can say any more, he turns to the wall again. Still gripping tight, with both feet balanced on the holds, he disappears.

  Echo squeaks and slaps a hand over her mouth as Boc returns. He’s in the exact same position, responding in a flash to r
eengage his muscles. One foot slips before he regains his balance, gripping the holds. Safe.

  We all let out a breath at once. He could have done the same trick from lower down the wall, of course, but training without risk doesn’t seem to be possible in Boc’s world. I can’t help being just a tad impressed.

  Boc clambers down the wall, and reaches for his shorts on the floor nearby.

  ‘Mate, that was insane.’ Slow claps from Mason, but he’s smiling too. By now he’s pulled on a pair of jeans.

  Boc high-fives Mason, grinning. ‘Told you it was worth climbing with no harness. Can’t take safety gear with you when you skip.’

  Mason frowns, his eyes narrowing as he peers up at the wall. It’s as if he’s seeing it with fresh eyes.

  ‘You can do this,’ Boc says, quieter.

  Mason’s gaze slides across the wall, tracking from hold to hold. He turns to Amon and Echo. Then his eyes rest on me.

  ‘Okay. You’ve been drilling me about this for weeks. So I’ll do it,’ he says, talking to Boc, but still looking at me. ‘I’ll climb the wall. No harness.’

  A smile flickers across Boc’s lips. ‘You’re ready. You know that, right?’

  Mason rolls his shoulders, and nods. ‘Ready as I’ll ever be.’

  The others respond quickly, clearing harnesses away from the wall while I make my way over to Mason, so many things to say: Be careful, stay safe.

  ‘You can do it, right?’ is all that comes out.

  He’s stretching one arm across his bare chest, preparing. ‘I’ve already climbed the wall without using the harness. This time won’t be any different.’

  ‘Is the door locked?’ calls Boc as Mason makes his way to the base of the wall.

  Echo slips beside me and whispers: ‘This is totes against the rules. They’d ban us for life if they knew we were climbing without a harness.’

  ‘So why take the risk?’

  She brushes back a strand of hair. ‘The rush. And it’s real, you know? Just you and the wall. The climb … it’s honest.’

  If I thought that climbing the wall myself in the other timestream was scary, that’s nothing compared to watching Mason climb with no harness. My mouth is already dry as he takes his first grip, testing the first foothold before pushing up.