Threshold Shift (16 page)

“He
could be in trouble, or worse, I need to find him.”

Asher
closed his eyes and smiled. “You need me to find him.”

“You’re
linked to him, aren’t you?” Jake said. “He told me
what happened in the warehouse. You can find him.”

“Very
well, Jake,” Asher said before seating himself cross-legged on
the floor. “But do not try to attack me again. It will not go
well for you.”

“I
understand,” Jake replied. “Just find him.”

Asher
bowed his head and stretched out his palms, a wistful expression on
his face.

Jake
waited, pacing back and forth between the cells.

“Nothing,”
Asher said finally.

“Try
harder.”

"You
understand this link has only ever been activated once, and that was
only briefly, a decade ago. I may not be able to do so again without
the power of Wun.”

“Just
try,” Jake said. “Please.”

Asher’s
brow furrowed in concentration, his face reddening under the pressure
of internal heat. “I’ve found him.”

“Where?”

“He
is running. There is fire, a farm, Roe’s farm. He feels,
frightened. Wait, he needs her, but she is not there.”

“I
have to go,” Jake said, stepping around Asher.

“Wait,”
Asher said, his hand clasping Jake’s leg. “He is being
attacked, he is being … no.”

“What?”

Asher
opened his eyes, the tears running freely. “I am coming with
you.”

*

The
Colonial Captain was as loud and unruly as ever and Jake doubted that
anyone inside was even aware that Espirnet was gone. As he ran past
he thought about going in and warning them about the inevitable
Threshian attack. But that would require explanation, leadership and
time he didn’t have. His memory had a gap of ten years. He had
no idea who he could trust or who worked for Michael. Even in his
day, those who frequented The Captain had been composed of the more
chaotic human element. Those that would risk their lives down a mine
for weeks and then drink away the money in hours. Jake wasn’t
sure he could stomach their help even if he got it.

Putting
The Captain to the back of his mind, he and Asher arrived at the
recharge station. As he looked around he realised the same vehicles
he had admired earlier were now rendered useless to everyone. No
Espirnet, no ignition sequence, it was that simple. In a single blow
the humans on Threshold had been reduced to running around the planet
on their feet. As for the Threshians, the Espirnet implants were not
compatible with their reptile brains. They used cruder vehicles,
using metal keys or numbered key codes. Espirnet’s absence was
no barrier to them. Thankfully Jacob Klein had never had Espirnet
installed either. He had possessed a transporter just as crude. But
where was it? The recharge point Jake was accustomed to using was
occupied by a sleek two-seater racer.

“Don’t
worry,” Asher said. “He moved it.”

Jake
watched Asher march across to the back of the recharge station and
press his hand against locking plate. A section of the latticed wall
rolled upwards.

“Storage,”
Asher explained. “But the power cells should still be charged.”

Jake
entered the bay, his hand gliding over the old transporter. It was
ugly and grey, armoured to withstand anything except heavy explosives
and concentrated concussion fire. Jake felt a little happier to be in
the presence of this old reliable friend. It was seven metres in
length, the forward driver’s compartment jutting ahead like a
misshapen nose. The rear compartment acted as a sleeping area,
kitchen, and armoury, but it could also be used as a portable cell.
For Jake, it was his home away from home and for some mysterious
reason Jacob had placed the vehicle in storage. He couldn’t
understand why any man he could become would do that.

Asher
entered the key code. It was still the same one Jake remembered.
Thankful for that, at least, he climbed into the driver’s seat
and thumbed the ignition sequence. The engine fired up noisily, the
vibration humming beneath his feet, as the headlights flared into
life. Jake laughed and reversed out of the storage bay with a surge
of power. There was a shudder as the transporter ran over something
solid outside. Jacob braked and checked the rear scanner. He had
succeeded in demolishing an electrocycle tethered nearby.

“The
steering isn’t as good as I remember.”

Asher
smiled.

*

Roe
found herself cursing bitterly, using words that hadn’t passed
her lips since childhood. The fire had spread and made the road
impassable. She had hobbled as far as she could. The only alternative
was to travel across country, and she knew her leg wasn’t up to
it.

Roe
was alerted by the roar of a distant engine and limped to the side of
the road, pistol ready, even if she did have to struggle to aim it.
As light engulfed her she realised she would have to fire blind.

“Stand
down, deputy,” Jake ordered from an open window. The headlights
dimmed as the vehicle came to a sharp stop beside her. It was Jacob’s
old transporter.

“What
happened to you? The Marshal asked.

“My
electrocycle crashed,” she replied and tapped her head. “No
Espirnet.”

Jake
appraised her for a moment and then opened the driver’s door.
“Get in.”

Roe
holstered her gun, and reached up. Jake took hold of her arm and
pulled her into the transporter, guiding her into the backseat. It
was then that she saw they were not alone. In the forward passenger
seat was the back of a head with short black hair. “Jon?”

The
man turned to face her. It was the Marshal again, but even younger.
Another sim?

“It’s
Asher Smith,” Jake said, slamming the door shut and sealing the
window.

“I
don’t understand,” Roe replied. “He looks like
you.”

The
other Marshal pursed his lips. “I think you will find he looks
like me, Miss Jenkins. I was here first.”

“Wha?”

“Never
mind that now,” Jake said, engaging the engine. “Why did
you leave your post, Roe?”

“My
father is missing,” Roe explained. “The Threshians were
massing at Corley’s farm.”

“You
left the prisoner unguarded. I’m not happy.”

“Where
were you?” Roe responded angrily. “We needed you there.
You didn’t even take a communicator!”

Jake
accelerated into the flames. “One of you should have stayed.”

“Jon
wouldn’t let me go on my own,” Roe said.

“Very
chivalrous of him,” Jake replied. “When this is over, you
won’t be my deputy anymore.”

“My
family’s home is on fire. Excuse me if I don’t care.”

Asher
placed his hand on Jake’s forearm. “We must hurry.”

Jake
nodded. “It’s going to get very hot in here.”

As
flames licked against the windshield the acrid stench of smoke filled
the compartment. Roe struggled to breathe while Jake coughed hoarsely
in the driver’s seat. It was only Asher Smith who appeared
unaffected; as if breathing was unnecessary.

“Threshian,”
Jake warned suddenly as the transporter lurched into an impact.
Beneath her the undercarriage bumped along violently and she knew the
lizard man would undoubtedly have been crushed. Shortly afterwards
the flames receded from view and the Jenkins farmhouse came into
sight, all but the highest peak engulfed by fire.

Jake
braked abruptly and then kicked open the driver’s door and
jumped out.

“Stay
here, Roe,” he ordered, slamming the door shut behind him. She
opened her mouth to argue as Asher Smith dismounted from the
passenger side. They were both running towards the farmhouse before
she could frame a response.

Gripping
her rifle tightly she glimpsed a lone reptilian figure on the rear
scanner. It was fast approaching the transporter.

“Nice,”
she said and gritted her teeth as she struggled forward into driver’s
seat, scraping her bad leg in the process. As the pain erupted she
fought back tears and shifted the transporter into reverse. With her
good foot she pushed down hard on the accelerator pedal, and rolled
backwards, the resulting impact throwing her across the cab into the
passenger seat. Recovering herself, she frantically looked around for
signs of more Threshians waiting to attack. There were none.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she relaxed into the seat, the pain in
her leg worse than ever.

*

Jake
raced towards the blazing farmhouse, pausing only to shoot two
Threshians charging towards him. Running on he found himself blocked
by the heat of the flames just a few metres from the fire. Whatever
foolish notions he had of simply running into the burning building
were quickly dismissed. He couldn’t get any closer. Even here
the sweat was soaking through his uniform and overcoat.

But
none of this stopped Asher. Jake watched incredulously as the man
with his face ran head on into the flames without hesitation. There
was no way he could follow.

“Marshal!”
a voice shouted from high above. Jake looked up, a figure was
standing on a ledge at the very top of the roof, the flames almost
upon him.

“Hang
on,” Jake shouted. He looked around frantically. The house was
an inferno. There was no way he could get up there.

“Marshal!
“ The man shouted again. “Tell my sister, I didn't grow
up!”

For a
moment Jake was dazzled by the flames. When he looked again, the
figure was on his back.

Asher
emerged a moment later, the flames unable to touch him. Jake saw that
he was struggling to walk and that he was carrying something in his
arms that Jake couldn't quite see, something that could not possibly
be alive.

Clear
of the fire Asher collapsed to his knees, the body he had recovered
burnt beyond all recognition.

“No!”
Jake shouted.

An
explosion rocked the structure behind them and the man from the roof
fell. Asher wearily turned around and motioned with his hand. The
figure was caught in mid-air, hovering above the flames before he
drifted down to land beside them.

“I
am tired, Jake,” Asher said. “We must get back to the
transporter.”

Jake
knelt beside the body, afraid to touch it. “He’s dead.”

“Not
dead enough,” Asher said. “We must get him back to the
transporter. This one,” he motioned to the man by his side,
“Will help.”

The
man’s mouth was open. “Marshal?”

“Andy,”
Jake said, recognising the grown up version of the boy he had known.
“Help me carry him.”

The
surprised Andy Jenkins complied and together he and Jake lifted Jon
up by his arms and legs. Silently Jake hurried them back to the
transporter, hoping that they had encountered the last of the
Threshians. With Jon in his hands, there was no way he could defend
them. Lagging behind, Asher was struggling to follow.

The
transporter was only a few metres from where he had left it, the body
of a Threshian lying nearby. He ignored it and pulled open the door
to the rear compartment.

Roe
leaned out of the driver’s window. “Andy you’re…
Oh no, is that…?”

When
she screamed, Jake stopped listening. He concentrated only on lifting
Jon into the compartment and placing him carefully on to the bed.
Asher climbed in a second later.

“We
must go,” Asher said.

Jake
looked up at Andy. “Tell your sister to get us moving.”

Andy
nodded and jumped down from the rear compartment. Jake closed the
door behind him and then slumped down against the wall. His son was
dead. His son, whatever anyone else had to say about it.

The
transporter lurched into motion. Beside the bed, Asher was knelt
unsteadily, his eyes closed. “My energy is severely depleted,
Jake. But it may be enough.”

“Take
whatever you want from me,” Jake said. “I give it
freely.”

Asher
regarded him for a moment. “I’m sorry Jake, but you are
not my brother. You have no energy to give.”

Jake
bowed his head, reaching a hand to touch his son’s leg. It was
cold and lifeless.

Beside
the body, Asher stretched out his fingers and began to gently massage
Jon’s reddened, almost hairless skull. Jake watched, helpless
to do anything.

Asher
continued to press his fingers upon the body, and where he pressed,
the colour slowly began to change. On Asher’s face, new lines
deepened around his eyes and on his forehead. “There has to be
enough,” he said. “There must be enough.”

Jake
wanted to reach out, to help, but in the end he was just a sim. There
was nothing he could do.

Chapter
Eleven

Gasping
for air, Jon awoke in complete and utter darkness with no idea of
where he was or how he had got there. All he could remember was the
heat and the pain, and the pungent aroma of his own burning flesh.
There was no way he could have survived and yet? He was lying in a
bed. That much he could tell from the sheets and the mattress.
Reaching out, he discovered it wasn’t even a very wide bed, and
when he sat up, the top of his head collided with the underside of
the bunk above.

“Ow!”

“Cut
it out, Asher,” the occupant of the overhead bunk protested. “I
need my sleep, even if you don’t.”

The
voice was familiar. “Dad?”

“Asher,
will you please be... Wait a minute.”

Abruptly
there was light, and Jon saw he was in the lower bunk of a small
living area surrounded by bars; a jail cell.

“Let’s
have a look at you,” the man said.

Jon
saw an upside down head protrude from the upper bunk, black hair
flailing “Jon!”

The
man jumped down from the bunk, landing on the solid cell floor with a
light thud.

“But
it can’t be you,” Jon said.

“It’s
me,” the man said. “Unfortunately.”

Jon
studied him closely. There was no mistaking the lines on Jacob’s
face or the exhaustion. This man was the older Jacob Klein, the
original.