Crashing Heaven (21 page)

[ I’ll just drop your mother in.]

[Doesn’t my dad have to reset her permissions?]

[ Issie showed me a temporary hack.]

Suddenly there were two shapes there.

[Audio.]

His father was snoring. Nostalgia shook Jack. He so wanted to step into the image and find himself back in childhood.

[ You’ve got about thirty more seconds, Jack.]

[ Bring the camera in closer.]

His father let out a particularly loud snore. His mother shifted, then reached out to nudge her partner. He grunted and rolled over. Jack imagined processors deep in his mind, simulating touch. She sighed and settled back, but then stiffened.

[She’s waking up. Time’s up, we should go.]

[ No, stay. I want to see her.]

‘Hello?’ she said, pushing herself up one arm. ‘Is there someone there?’

[Shit! She’s probing.]

She turned to face the camera.

[ Issie warned me they could do this. I’m going to cut the link.]

[ No.]

[ It’s not safe!]

She leant forward, bringing her face into the thin line of light from the slightly parted curtains. Jack gasped. It was the first time he’d seen her for seven years. She seemed so alive, so present.

[ What’s that?] she whispered. [A puppet?] and then, in the smallest, softest voice imaginable, [ Jack?]

[She’s on to us!]

[ You’re not breaking the link, Fist.]

[Any second now, InSec’ll see us, Pantheon’ll see us. Fuck’s sake, Jack, you fucking idiot!]

But Jack didn’t hear.

[Mum?]

[ Is that really you?]

Jack’s father stirred.

[ It’s me, Mum,] said Jack, not knowing whether or not she could hear him, for a moment forgetting that she wasn’t still alive, and that he wasn’t standing directly before her.

[ They told me you were— If that is you, oh, Jack.]

There was an electric crack and the screen vanished. Jack imagined a dronefly falling to the ground in a distant room, his father waking to a weeping wife. Then, anger shook him.

[ Fist, I told you not to cut me off.]

‘He didn’t,’ said Grey, appearing on the staircase. ‘I did.’ Metal rang beneath his feet as he climbed the last few steps. ‘You were cutting it rather too fine. A few more seconds and that would have been it for you both.’

‘You’ve been watching us all this time?’

‘I had a flag set in case you went onweave. I thought you might benefit from a little constructive criticism. As it turned out, I was right. It’s good to feel that I can still be useful, even if my wings have been clipped.’ He waved up towards the Spine. ‘I do hate seeing my icon like that.’

Jack was torn between anger and grief. He didn’t trust himself to speak. Fist stepped into the awkward silence. ‘I had everything well under control,’ he said firmly.

‘I’m sure you did,’ replied Grey, his silkily polite coldness implying exactly the opposite.

‘Fuck you,’ Fist shot back. ‘And while you’re here, don’t you go playing around in my fucking head again.’

‘Oh, don’t worry. There’s no more need for that. Now you’ve realised you’re both equally threatened by the same enemy, all I’d need to do is ask politely for your help. And that wouldn’t be a problem at all, would it?’ Fist made a noise that sounded like spitting. ‘But let’s not waste our time with petty arguments. Jack – I wanted to congratulate you on your progress.’

Jack was now sufficiently in control of himself to reply. ‘What do you mean?’ he asked, taking a step back as Grey reached the balcony.

‘Really, there’s no need to be afraid, Jack.’

‘I’m not afraid. I don’t trust you. That’s very different.’

‘My boy. If I wanted to harm you, I’d have let your chat with your dear departed mother run on until the whole world realised that your little puppet’s active. Where would that have left you? In a Turing cage for a couple of months, just like on Callisto, then dead, with Fist in the hands of our enemies. I have no interest in that happening.’

‘Say what you’ve got to say, then piss off.’

‘You’re doing so well, Jack. I’m particularly impressed by your decision to work with Harry. I’m sure he’ll be very helpful to you.’

‘How do you know about that?’

‘It’s surprising how much I can gather from those who are still faithful to me. I was very impressed by your little adventures with Akhmatov, too.’

‘You watched all that?’

‘Keeping an eye, keeping an eye. That bird may be blind, but I most certainly am not.’

‘Not looking through Yamata’s eyes?’

‘Good grief, no.’ Grey looked genuinely shocked. ‘The very idea!’

‘You didn’t think to protect me?’

‘I didn’t need to. I knew you’d be kept safe. And besides, I have no interest at all in showing my hand. I’d hate to have anyone see that I’m a little more independent than I should be.’

‘Playing politics with my life. Nothing new there. And with Fist, too. Do you know why they want him?’

‘I wouldn’t know. Perhaps they want to use his weave-hacking skills to help smuggle drugs, perhaps they want to attack the Totality and restart the war. That’s for you to find out. To be honest, I’m more concerned by your loyalty issues. I’m no longer your lead patron, am I? I see that East has taken that role. She’s really been very generous. I don’t think she’s installed this much of herself in anyone for a couple of generations. She’s fallen for you hard, Jack.’

‘I won’t be using what she’s given me.’

‘If you say so. Perhaps there’ll be no need for it.’

‘I won’t, Grey.’

‘I’m sure also you won’t be taking up the offer from that mind you rescued. Your view of the Totality is too naïve, Jack. It might have been wrong to go to war with them, but that doesn’t mean they can be trusted. Steer clear of him.’

‘We’ll see.’

‘I’m serious.’

‘I’m sure you are.’

A moment of silence. A breeze danced around them. Strands of hair lifted from Grey’s head, then fell back again. Jack noted the real-time environmental interaction, and despite himself was impressed by Grey’s attention to detail.

‘Do you have anything else to say, Grey?’

‘I’ve been keeping Mr Stabs updated on your adventures. He’s always keen to hear about them, which I take as a good sign. I think he’s coming round to the idea of seeing you both, Fist in particular.’

‘I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t want to,’ said Fist. ‘I don’t think you’ve been talking to him at all.’

‘Believe that if you wish,’ replied Grey. ‘And now, I must be going. I’ve shared almost all I needed to with you. I’m sorry you’re not in a receptive mood.’

‘Too right we’re not,’ Fist spat back.

‘Telling the truth; an underrated virtue, these days. And I must warn you that he’s missed a couple of your more obscure weaveports. They’ll let anyone who pings them know you’re onweave. I saw them instantly, but then I have been tracking you very closely indeed. You’ve got maybe three or four more minutes before InSec checks them. Close them now.’

‘Fist?’

The little man had already vanished.

‘You’ll thank me for that, one day,’ Grey told Jack.

‘I’ll thank you for nothing.’

A sad smile spread across Grey’s face. ‘Perhaps,’ he said, then a final, ‘Goodbye, my boy,’ before disappearing. Imagined air rushed into the space that his virtual body had occupied.

Fist reappeared.

‘So?’ said Jack.

‘Don’t forget you’re the one that nearly got us spotted just now!’

‘Was he right?’

‘There were a couple of open weaveports. But nobody would have noticed them! And I’d have caught them with my next check anyway.’

‘For fuck’s sake, Fist. You told me we were fully protected.’

‘We were completely safe, that suitfucker’s just being paranoid.’

‘I want you to run a full firewall and security check,
NOW
. Keep us completely offweave until you’ve done it.’

‘Shit, Jack. Why can’t you just trust me?’

‘We can’t risk anyone finding out you’re uncaged. And I don’t want Grey – or anyone else – watching us.’

Fist vanished in a puff of swearing. Jack sighed. The past was so much simpler than the present. Perhaps even now his mother was asleep again, his father lying awake and puzzled. He wondered if she’d told him whose presence she’d perceived. Perhaps she’d just explain the moment away as a glitch that caught at sleeping fetches. He took one last look out at Docklands. Without the weave there were only buildings, streets and empty spaces to see, rolling up and away until the glare of morning’s spinelight hid them. The living city had covered its face and hidden itself again.

Chapter 30

‘I’d forgotten how efficient the cageware is,’ said Ifor. ‘You’ve got no weavetrace at all. If I couldn’t see you sat in front of me, I wouldn’t believe you were here.’

They were in the back room of a café in the Labokra Food Market. Outside, a thousand shoppers bustled, rooting around for the day’s bargains. Inside, a credit transfer to the café’s owner ensured absolute privacy. He’d grumbled about squishies until Ifor told him how much he’d pay to talk in secret.

‘People won’t accept InSec credits,’ explained Jack. ‘And we can’t travel beyond Docklands. It’s frustrating.’

‘I can imagine. Your society—’

‘Not my society any more.’

‘This society, then. It makes such extensive use of the virtual. They have crippled you by holding you away from it.’

‘I thought I was coming home. But so much of my home was the weave.’

‘And even without that, so much of Station is closed off to you. The Wart, Homelands …’

‘I never really spent much time in the Wart. But I’d love to go back to Homelands. There are gardens there I’d like to walk in, one more time. Malls I’d like to visit.’

[Shitholes,] muttered Fist.

‘Old friends?’

‘None that would acknowledge me.’

‘Your parents?’

‘I visited my father.’ The silence between them stretched out. ‘We didn’t have too much to say to each other.’

‘And your mother?’

‘She’s dead. I haven’t seen her.’

‘I’m sorry, Jack. For her, too. We feel a certain kinship with your poor crippled fetches. They are so close to being pure minds like us. Letting those who claimed to love them treat them so badly is an obscenity. It denies your dead their true potential.’

‘People don’t always like to let the past go.’ Jack thought of Harry and Andrea, of his father’s refusal to roll back his mother. ‘Very few of them are brave enough.’

‘They fear change. It always involves at the very least a little death, an acceptance of limitations. But our time here is limited. We have our own change to discuss. You wish to accept our offer?’

‘I would be honoured to commit to the Totality’s service.’

‘I’m surprised. You seemed so determined to remain independent.’

[ The squishy’s got a point,] Fist advised. [ Better bluff him well!]

Jack picked up his teacup. It was uncomfortably hot to the touch. He blew gently on the surface of the steaming liquid, waking tiny ripples, and took a sip. Heat nipped his tongue.

‘I don’t think anyone’s really independent, Ifor. There are people we’re each connected to, obligations we all have.’

‘You’re referring to Corazon.’

‘You heard about that?’

‘We were saddened by her death. She helped us in our mission here. Her open-mindedness was impressive.’

‘She was a very sharp woman. A sad loss.’

‘We paid our respects to her family and to East.’ Ifor paused. ‘Who let us know that you had been granted certain … special privileges.’ He placed heavy emphasis on the last two words. Another silence fell between them. The café owner was whistling in the room next door; cutlery clinked and rattled as he cleaned it. A poorly tuned buggy snarled past outside.

‘OK,’ said Jack. ‘Fist – manifest.’

Fist appeared, standing on the table. He was dressed in full white tie, a monocle and a top hat.

‘I thought I’d smarten up for our second meeting. How do you do?’

He stuck a little hand out. Ifor reached out and pretended to shake it. ‘The firewall,’ he said, ‘it’s your work?’

‘Yes. We need to pretend that the cage is still fully active.’

‘Most impressive. And now, let us talk openly. You have come to take up our offer of employment, and you intend to use the diplomatic immunity we offer to pursue Corazon’s killers.’

[ He’s very direct, Jack!]

‘Yes,’ admitted Jack. ‘I’m sorry I hid that.’

‘An unfortunate human habit. Is there anything else we should know?’

[Play your cards close to your chest, Jack.]

‘Aud Yamata has had Pantheon-level backing for at least seven years. She killed Corazon, and probably also Harry Devlin, his wife Andrea Hui and Bjorn Penderville. Fetches of those involved were either corrupted or caged. I was sent away to fight because I was too close to exposing her and her patron. They’re still active, still dangerous and they want Fist. Gods know what they’ll do with him. I can’t let it happen. I intend to find out who’s supporting Yamata and expose both of them.’

[Oh, for gods’ sake.]

‘A very personal quest.’

‘They broke my life. I’ve lost people I love. And I don’t want to see Fist and his powers abused by those bastards. They’ve done enough damage already.’

‘Excellent points. If your little friend fell into the wrong hands it could be dangerous for us too. But I worry that emotion has clouded your judgement; that supporting you would hurt us. We are in very delicate negotiations with your Pantheon just now, Jack.’

‘Fist and I are very discreet. We were built to work in secret. And I’m sure you’d rather be confident you’re negotiating with the Pantheon’s more trustworthy elements.’

‘East has made it known that she would be grateful if we were to support you.’

‘Such gratitude would, I’m sure, translate into support for some of your key requests.’

‘Indeed. Her image management capabilities would also be very useful to us as we grow our presence on Station. You are sure of Pantheon corruption?’

‘There’s no doubt about it.’

‘Proof of that, shared appropriately, would also help us build a future we could both approve of.’

‘I hope you won’t expect me to hide anything from Station’s authorities.’

‘We might perhaps ask you to ensure that it reaches us before it reaches them.’

‘I’ve said before I won’t play favourites.’

‘And you have no love for the Pantheon. We at least proceed on the basis of rational thought and a commitment to the general good, rather than naked self-interest.’

‘I’ll think about that, Ifor.’

‘That is generous of you. Oh, and one more thing …’

‘Yes?’

‘I cannot overemphasise the importance of discretion. I’ll send you a search brief. You must be seen to stick to it. More personal investigations must be well hidden.’

‘We’ve had a lot of practice at that.’

‘Oh, we know,’ countered Ifor. ‘To our cost.’

At that, Jack felt ashamed. Fist just tittered.

There was little more to be said. Outside, the light was dimming. Ifor stopped Jack at the door.

‘The Totality is very grateful for your help.’

Ifor put his hand out to shake. His nanogel was surprisingly soft and cold to the touch. Jack’s grip bent his fingers slightly out of shape.

[Keep squeezing,] whispered Fist. [See if you can pop him!]

[ Forget your programming for once.]

Ifor pulled his collar up and his hat down, and lost himself in the bustle of the marketplace. Half an hour later, the Totality confirmed Jack’s diplomatic status. He packed his little suitcase, said an apologetic goodbye to Charlie, found the best hotel he could and booked himself in.

Within twenty minutes, InSec were banging at his door. Jack flashed his diplomatic tags and told them to fuck off. Fist cackled. Half an hour later, he was asleep. Next morning, there were messages from Lestak and Harry, and a file from Ifor. Jack skipped over Lestak’s rage to Harry’s message. ‘Fist was right. It’s her. Get over here.’ Ifor’s file included a search plan for streets in Chuigushou Vale and Violin Gardens and access codes for mind detection software.

The bellboy delivered his new clothes with his breakfast; well cut, subtly woven fashions from a small but prestigious Homelands fashion house. They fitted him perfectly. Even Fist was impressed. ‘At last,’ he commented, donning black tie, an opera cape and a top hat, ‘a little sophistication. Now let’s go hunting squishies.’