“Virtua, what are you doing?” Jack wondered aloud.
A concerned murmur ran through the tightly packed crowd assembled before Smart. He nodded in agreement with them, gaining momentum from their heightened state of fear. “I want to know what’s going on behind that wall!” he declared. “What do the Mechas know about the coming attack that we don’t? Who is this Glave? Where is he? Who is his partner, Khalix, and what is their plan? We cannot afford to have these mysteries!” Smart pounded a fist on the lectern. “That is why as of this moment, I am doubling my offer to the Rogue Secreteer. That’s right … one hundred million credits.”
The figure drew more gasps from the crowd. And from Jack. “A hundred million credits?” Jack exclaimed. “This is crazy!”
“No doubt you will all say this gesture goes above and beyond my duty as a private citizen,” Smart continued. “In these trying times, I say it is still not far enough. Whatever Rüstov plot has the rogue scared enough to betray his order—whatever dark secret their Lost Boy, Jack Blank, has refused to share with us—I will uncover it, one way or the other.”
The crowd at SmartTower cheered Smart on, loud and angry. It was plain to see that Jack didn’t have any friends at that gathering. Public opinion was starting to turn, just as he’d feared. The mood of a city was a fickle thing, something Jack knew better than most. A year ago Empire City’s mood had shifted in his favor overnight. Jonas Smart was doing his best to flip that switch back in the other direction. If the reaction in Hightown was any reflection of how this speech was playing in the rest of the city, Jack’s days of signing autographs were all but over. He could practically see the wheels turning in people’s heads, the renewed curiosity about what he might be hiding…. It reminded him just how powerful people’s fear of the Rüstov was. There was an atmosphere of paranoia still lurking under the skin of Empire City like a scab waiting to be picked at, and Jonas Smart had only just begun to scratch at the wound.
“The end of the Imagine Nation could be mere days away, and still Jack Blank remains silent,” Smart railed from the pulpit. “The Inner Circle has done nothing to protect you. If anything, they have worked hard to make you less safe! I say, ‘No more.’ I have found a way to safeguard all of you against the Rüstov while still complying with the Inner Circle’s newfound sensitivities for our enemy. The Rüstov operate globally, free to work their machinations in secret. From me they shall receive a global response. People of Empire City, have no fear. If these Rüstov interlopers expect to achieve their goals in the next forty-eight hours, then I will act decisively to stop them in the next twenty-four! Starting tomorrow my SmarterNet will deploy in the outside world, and it will hunt down these Rüstov invaders before they ever reach our shores!”
Thunderous cheers rang out from the audience. Smart bared a row of teeth in a chilling smile as the noise grew louder and louder. The applause wasn’t stopping, so Smart kept going, talking over the crowd’s ovation. “You are all invited to witness the launch of the SmarterNet tomorrow at Hero Square,” Smart shouted. “I promise you, one and all, the next time the sun sets on the Imagine Nation, you will be able to rest easy. Take comfort in the knowledge that Jonas Smart is watching the world at large and keeping our enemies at bay.”
The throng of Hightowners outside SmartTower roared with vociferous approval as Smart turned and left the lectern. Jack was loath to admit it, but it was as good a speech as Smart had ever given. The Jonas Smart faithfuls in the Hightown crowd simply ate it up. The SmartNews anchors did as well. Not interested in hearing Drack Hackman say any more on the subject, Jack shut the holo-screen off with a thought. The light from the screen blinked out, and the blaring, abrasive NewsNet vanished from sight. The void left by its sudden absence made the room seem unbelievably quiet. All eyes turned to Jack for his reaction.
“A hundred million credits,” Jack eventually said, breaking the silence. “I can’t believe it.”
“What do you think Obscuro is waiting for?” Skerren asked. “He can’t be holding out for more. I didn’t think Smart even still had that kind of money anymore.”
“I’m not sure he does,” Trea replied. “Everyone knows his business hasn’t been the same since he lost the SmartCams and Peacemakers. Rumor has it he sank everything he’s got into the SmarterNet.”
“Am I crazy, or did he still not say what the SmarterNet actually does?” Allegra asked.
Jack grimaced. “You’re not crazy. I think it’s pretty clear what it does, though. It finds out secrets that people try to keep quiet. What he didn’t say is how it does it.”
Jack ran his hands through his hair, his problems feeling big and impossible all over again. He was feeling claustrophobic, stuck there inside his apartment. He had to do something to take back some breathing room.
“We need to find Obscuro again,” Jack said.
“Obscuro?” Trea asked. “You already tried that. He didn’t tell you anything.”
“So we’ll try again,” Jack said. “And we can’t let him tell Smart about the virus.”
“Everyone’s going to find out about the virus unless we stop it,” Trea said. “We need to focus on the cure.”
“If Obscuro tells Smart the truth about me,” Jack began, but stopped himself because it sounded so suspicious. “You know, about what I knew and when,” he explained. “If Smart finds that out …” Jack drew his finger across his throat. “When he’s through with me, no one will trust any cure that I had a hand in.”
Trea shrugged. “That might be true, but—”
“Who says Obscuro won’t tell us anything?” Skerren cut in. “If we can find him again, I’ll make him tell us what he knows about Glave. We’ll take care of this problem at the source.”
“Let’s get real here,” Trea said. “Finding a Secreteer is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. You guys already had your chance, and you blew it. You couldn’t even find us a Left-Behind to work on. Or do you have one stuck in your pockets that you haven’t told me about yet?”
“That’s not my fault,” Skerren shot back. “Smart’s prison was deserted. None of us found anything in there.”
“Right,” Jack said, his voice cracking just a bit. “The place was empty.”
“Empty?” Trea asked.
“Empty,” Jack repeated. “Totally empty.”
It was, of course, another lie.
Jack didn’t like lying, but he was learning to live with it. If he was harboring any doubts about the deal he’d struck with Lorem Ipsum, they were rapidly evaporating after hearing Smart’s speech. He needed to keep the Rogue Secreteer quiet while Trea worked on the cure-code. Lorem Ipsum was the only person who could buy him the time he needed. But first he had to find the Rogue Secreteer.
“We need to talk to Midknight,” Jack said. “He’s the detective. He’ll have some ideas about how to find Obscuro.”
“Let them go,” Trea said, pointing at Skerren and Allegra. “You’re supposed to be working on the virus with me.”
“Wait, now you want my help?” Jack asked. “This morning you wanted me fetching cold beverages.”
“That was T1 talking,” Trea said. “You know how she gets.”
“Yeah, she gets pretty hard to work with,” Jack said.
“She also gets results,” Trea said. “We made it through your notes. We even organized the files and uploaded them to your hard drive. I’ve been waiting for you. I have questions for you. We don’t have time to waste here.” Jack made a face. “What are you looking at me like that for?” Trea asked.
“Sorry,” Jack said. “It’s just … after this morning I thought maybe you could work on this while I did something else. Something that didn’t require me to be stuck in the lab like I have been all year.”
“Like what? Run off on a wild goose chase?” Trea asked. “You said yourself we’re the only people who know how to do this.”
“I know, but …” Jack let out an exasperated sigh. It figured that Trea had picked this exact moment to realize sh
e wanted his input. Going down to his lab and crunching numbers at a desk was the absolute last thing Jack wanted to do. “Really, you’re better off without me, Trea. I can’t work on this right now. Between this thing with Smart, and Obscuro bringing up my dad … my head is all over the place. You keep going, and when I come back, we’ll look at your notes. Then we’ll work together, okay?”
Trea grumbled, “Fine, but you’re pulling an all-nighter with me when you get back. No excuses. Deal?”
“All right,” Jack replied. “Deal.”
Less than five minutes later Jack took off for Hightown with Skerren and Allegra.
Riding Allegra’s open AirSkimmer, Jack, Skerren, and Allegra quickly made it to Midknight’s apartment complex. Like most of the buildings in Hightown, it was nice. Maybe not Ivory Tower nice, but still very nice. The people they passed along the way were another story. Jack’s famous face got plenty of attention as he flew through the wealthy borough with his friends. People stopped, stared, and pointed. Random Hightowners gave him dirty looks and made rude comments. It was hard to believe that just a few days ago Jack had walked these streets as a hero. Smart was taking full advantage of the paranoia that the Rogue Secreteer’s behavior had inspired. As usual, he was playing it perfectly.
Allegra suggested taking the wind out of Smart’s sails by confirming the rumors about his secret prison, but Jack convinced her otherwise. There was still a chance that Obscuro might go back there, but only if he thought the place was 100 percent off the grid. Before leaving, Jack had convinced the machines in the prison to signal him if Obscuro returned. It wasn’t the only deal Jack set up before leaving Smart’s prison, but that was the other reason he didn’t want to go public with what they knew. He didn’t want to put Lorem Ipsum out of a home.
Skerren thought it was something they should talk about with Midknight. It was a tough call, especially since they were out of leads on Obscuro, but Skerren was certain his mentor would know the right thing to do. Midknight was Empire City’s greatest vigilante detective. He’d been at the hero game a long, long time. If anyone could help them figure out their next move, it was him.
The doorman in Midknight’s building recognized Skerren as the local hero’s sidekick and let the children into the elevator without bothering to call upstairs. Jack, Skerren, and Allegra got in and rode the car up to the top floor. A bell dinged, and the doors opened directly into Midknight’s penthouse apartment.
The luxurious penthouse stood in stark contrast to the ultramodern, minimalist designs that were common to most of Hightown. It had a spacious foyer with high ceilings, fresh flower arrangements, and a decorative marble floor. Through an arch on the far side of the foyer, Jack glimpsed the rooms beyond filled with dark brown mahogany furniture, plush leather couches, and walls decorated with books and pictures. Softly lit lamps bathed the entire penthouse in an amber glow that gave the classic, elegant home a comfortable and welcoming feel.
“Right on time for once, eh?” Jack heard Midknight say as he approached the foyer. “Usually you’re at least ten minutes late. I hope that’s not nerves getting to—” Midknight stopped short when he turned the corner. “You?” he said, surprised. “What are you kids doing here?”
Midknight appeared to be in the middle of suiting up for action. He had his mask on and was busy tightening the straps on his battle armor. From the look on his face, it was clear that now was not the best time to have dropped by unannounced.
“Sorry we didn’t call ahead,” Jack said, suddenly feeling uncomfortable about being there. “We didn’t mean to just barge in like this.”
“The guy downstairs let us up,” Allegra explained.
“I hope it’s not a problem,” Skerren told Midknight. “You always said I should feel free to come here if I ever needed help with anything. I just assumed …” Skerren trailed off as Midknight stared at him blankly.
“We can go,” Allegra offered, taking a step toward the door. “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. We’ll come back later.”
“Wait,” Midknight replied, snapping out of whatever daze he’d been in. “Please, forgive me. I don’t mean to be rude, it’s just … I was expecting someone else. You surprised me. I’m afraid this isn’t a good time, kids. I have some very pressing matters to deal with this evening.”
“We just need some advice,” Jack said. “It’s really important.”
“We promise not to take too long,” Skerren added.
“Please?” Allegra threw in for good measure. It seemed to do the trick. Midknight checked his watch and took a breath.
“Okay, but we have to make it quick,” the veteran hero said. “Through there. Have a seat in the living room.”
Midknight ushered Jack, Skerren, and Allegra around the corner and into the comfy sofas and club chairs that were laid out in his sitting room. While Jack and the others took a seat, Midknight called downstairs and asked the doorman if he could do him the courtesy of announcing his next guest. The bookshelves and walls in Midknight’s living room were loaded with holograph pictures and digital newspaper clippings commemorating a lifetime’s worth of adventures and more. Thanks to his powers, Midknight aged only during the day, which made for an impressive run at the hero game. His career had already lasted several decades longer than the average crime fighter’s career.
Jack looked over the many pictures, keepsakes, articles, and awards. Midknight had certainly seen his share of victory and defeat over the years. Jack found it odd that he kept memories of both on display in his home. An article about Midknight receiving the key to the city was hanging on the wall right next to one of the old posters from his failed political campaign. Midknight had run against Smart and Noteworthy for Circleman of Hightown in the previous election. Unfortunately, he didn’t win.
“I’m surprised to see you here, Jack,” Midknight said. “I thought you’d be holed up in that lab of yours, working on that virus you warned us about.”
“Trea’s there now,” Jack said. “She’s working on it.”
“Is that right?” Midknight asked. “Figured the problem could benefit from some fresh perspective, eh?”
“I’m working another angle,” Jack said. “Trea’s going to take care of the virus.”
“She didn’t say that exactly,” Skerren said.
“I said I was going to help her later tonight, Skerren,” Jack replied, getting a little testy. “Besides, Stendeval told Virtua about the virus yesterday. She’s working on it too.”
“She is?” Midknight asked, intrigued. “Hmn … I suppose that explains that wall,” he said, rubbing his chin. “I’ve been working this case from another angle too,” he said after a few moments of thinking and rubbing. “It’s taking longer than I expected. Good thing you kids are all working solo right now. We can’t afford to leave any stones unturned here.”
“That was no accident,” Skerren said. “You’re the one who assigned the solo missions.”
“Right,” Midknight agreed. “Guess I was thinking ahead. The point is, it’s good we’re talking now, because I might not see you three again until after this invasion deadline passes.”
“Why not? What are you doing?” Allegra asked.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” Midknight replied. “You three came here for my help. The question is, what can I do for you?” he asked. “Quickly, please.”
Jack was surprised to see Midknight acting so rushed. “We wanted your advice on how to catch the Rogue Secreteer,” he told Skerren’s mentor.
“Obscuro?” Midknight asked, giving Jack a curious look. “You sure you’re not thinking about taking him up on his offer, Jack? Hitching a ride on his spaceship out of town and going to see your dad?”
“I’m not running,” Jack said. “We need Obscuro to tell us how to find Glave.” And I need him to keep his mouth shut about me, Jack thought but didn’t say.
“We’re out of ideas,” Allegra added. “I thought we might try to ask Hypnova again, but—”
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br /> “You don’t want to do that,” Midknight cut in. “There’s no telling what she’d do to you. She got in big trouble after what happened with you guys in the Outlands. Word round the campfire is that she got put on probation by the Clandestine Order. She may even be getting kicked out.”
“Serves her right,” Jack said. “None of us would even be in this mess if she hadn’t decided to go snooping around in my brain.”
“That’s a little harsh, isn’t it, Jack?” Midknight asked him. “Kind of like blaming a scale for the weight, or a mirror for its reflection. Hypnova didn’t create this situation, she just found out about it. But never mind that now,” Midknight said, waving a hand in the air. “That’s a topic for another time. I don’t want to get sidetracked here. Focusing on your problem, you don’t need Hypnova to track down Obscuro. After today that should be simple. Assuming you heard Smart’s speech, that is.”
“We heard it, all right,” Jack said.
“Then you know all you need to know,” Midknight said. “Your lead on the Rogue Secreteer is Jonas Smart. The Secreteer wants money. Smart has it. He’s courting the rogue. This SmarterNet of his—whatever it is—is launching tomorrow, so you know where he’ll be…. Just stay on Smart. Sooner or later he and Obscuro are going to cross paths. You can bet on it.”
Jack snapped his fingers. Of course, he thought. It was so simple. The best ideas usually are, at their core. Sometimes that’s what makes them so hard to think of.
A ringing videophone announced an incoming call, and Midknight snapped his fingers to open up a holo-screen with an image of the doorman. “Your guest is here, sir,” the doorman said.
“Thank you,” Midknight replied, and quickly shut the screen. “Ten minutes late,” he said, checking his watch again. “I’m afraid we’re out of time, kids. Right now I have a meeting.”
“Who is it down there?” Jack asked.
“I’m glad I was able to help you out,” Midknight said, getting up and leading the children out of the apartment. “Good luck. I think we’re all going to need it.” The next thing Jack knew, he, Skerren, and Allegra were all in the elevator going down.
The Secret War Page 17
