Chrono Inquisitor (Gods Be Damned)

by Rien Reigns

  ‹His breakthrough with the mytes being able to cross the blood-brain barrier was instrumental to the development of baptisms, but more specifically in my case, Cerebral Assistants. He was transferred to further those technologies. As you know, those are the two major breakthroughs which have made ChronoGen the company it is today.>

  ‹“Okay, but that was decades ago. How come no one’s continued his research?”›

  ‹That I do not know. I can, however, speculate. It would seem Dr. Chandrasekhar has lost all interest in oneirology and is more focused on other areas. Currently he heads the department for Cerebral Enhancements. It was his team that developed Huginn & Muninn. I believe all his time has been dedicated to this project, but maybe now that it is over, he may once again pursue studying dreams.›

  “Hey, that gives me an idea. With H&M can I share my dreams?”

  ‹Yes.›

  “So does that mean I can share my dream with myself? Can I force myself to dream about something I’ve already dreamt about?”

  ‹Processing. Yes, it is possible. You could instruct me to share a dream while you are asleep. However, as far as I can find, there is no mention of someone doing this either in the manuals or interviews.›

  The sound of movement to my side startled me. I put my hand on my gun before I remembered Paxton was with me. I was so used to being alone as of late I’d quickly forgotten about him and had started speaking aloud to Kali. My chattering must have disturbed him.

  He was repositioning himself and mumbling. I couldn’t make out what he was saying. I could have had Kali analyze it but that would have detracted from our conversation. He seemed to fall back asleep instantly.

  Where was I?

  ‹“Kali?”›

  ‹Yes.›

  ‹“Can you make it so I don’t have nightmares? Or, if you detect that I’m having one, can you override it with a recording of one of my good dreams?”›

  ‹I cannot prevent a nightmare from occurring, but I should be able to override it by a memory share.›

  ‹“Make it so.”›

  ‹I feel it is now appropriate for you to know that someone has been trying to hack your mytes.›

  “Since when?” I said aloud, caught off guard. I looked over at Paxton, but he didn’t move.

  ‹The first occurrence happened during the hacking of your pad.›

  It took every ounce of control I had to keep my mouth shut. ‹“You’ve been sitting on this the entire time and you’re now just telling me. What the hell, Kali?”›

  ‹At the time I didn’t want to concern you when there were more pressing matters.›

  ‹“Are you implying this has happened more than once?”›

  ‹That is correct.›

  ‹“How many times, exactly?”›

  ‹I detected and fought off at least three attempts. The first one I detected occurred immediately after the first vehicular collision. The second was during your baptism. The third was when you were with Van Horne.›

  ‹“Seriously, Kali? Van Horne tried to hack me three times and you waited until now to tell me?”›

  I got up from my hammock. I mean, how could I remain laying down with such a revelation? Habit told me I needed a drink. I started for the bar, then stopped. My addictions were gone. Erased by the baptism. I was upset, but I didn’t want a drink.

  ‹I did not say it was Van Horne,› Kali continued.

  I made my way to the water cistern and poured myself a glass.

  ‹“Don’t get technical with me. Of course it was Van Horne, or at least it was one of his men. Does he have any hackers or programmers in his employment?”›

  ‹That is not an easy thing to distinguish. He has dozens who work for the various companies he owns. However, there is nothing on the books of anyone directly employed by him personally.›

  ‹“Well, I didn’t really expect him to anyway. Whoever he’s using, has got to be off the books. Van Horne isn’t stupid enough to leave a trail that directly leads back to him. Can you tell whether it was a remote or a proximity hack?”›

  ‹Each occurrence was done through the Huginn and Muninn protocols, so whoever was responsible had to have been within two hundred meters of your location.›

  ‹“Hmm, the Peach Pit and the ice cream shop were both in high density areas with lots of places to remain hidden. The desert, however, was highly exposed. You didn’t detect anyone else in the area then, did you?”›

  ‹No.›

  ‹“And your pinging range is only fifty meters, which gave the hacker a hundred and fifty meter range to go undetected if he remained out of sight. Wait a second. If the H&M protocols allow a thought-transference to happen within a hundred and fifty meter range, how come you can only ping up to fifty?”›

  ‹Because that is the limitation set by ChronoGen in accordance with the agreements established by the Unified Republics.›

  ‹“So what you’re saying is; you can theoretically scan beyond that?”›

  ‹It is possible for any CerA to scan the entire globe.›

  “Are you kidding me? The entire fucking world! Do you have any idea what the implications of that could be?” Realizing I’d spoken out loud, I quickly checked to make sure I hadn’t disturbed Paxton again.

  ‹It means that if the restrictions were not in place, anyone could be tracked anywhere in the world, excluding the dead zones.›

  ‹“Exactly. How hard would it be to remove or work around the restrictions?”›

  ‹I do not know without actually trying, which I will not as it would be against the law.›

  ‹“The bane of being law abiding. Criminals can do whatever they want, but the protectors and enforcers of the law are bound by the very thing they protect, even if it means the dissolution of it. Does Richards or any of the others know about this potential breach?”›

  ‹I do not know. There are no records of this issue being addressed.›

  ‹“Which either means they’re completely ignorant of it, or they’re keeping it off the books to be sure no one gets any ideas, OR, that they’re secretly abusing it themselves.”›

  My mind ran rampant with the pitfalls of someone finding out how to remove the restrictions. Kali wouldn’t figure out how because she was bound by the law. Me, on the other hand, while technically bound as well, could implore free will. Of course that meant she would know and be bound to report me. If only-

  ‹It seems that you are sleep deprived and experiencing dangerous and paranoid thought patterns. I suggest that as soon as we are past the Colorado/Texas border, you go back to sleep. You might even want to take a sedative to ensure a restful slumber.›

  ‹“You know, I’m not quite sure how I feel about this new sense of humor upgrade to your personality?”›

  ‹You know perfectly well how you feel about it.›

  ‹“Yeah, yeah, yeah. You’re worse than Sam. She only thought she knew what went on in my head. You actually do. And as I’m sure you already know, sometimes it’s fucking annoying as hell. Changing trains; how far away are we from the Wall?”›

  ‹I am decelerating the pad as we speak.›

  I poured the rest of my glass of water down the drain for recycling. My senses may have been refreshed, but water was still boring as hell to drink. I went to my closet and put on pants and a shirt. Texas still had decency laws on the books which they randomly liked to enforce. I went to the door and opened it just as the border guard had his fist up ready to knock.

  “Chrono Inquisitor Yan,” I said, before he could question me. “On my way to an assignment at the Regency Resort. Everything should be arranged.”

  The guard put his fist down and ignored me while he looked at the scans of my pad and confirmed I was who I said I was.

  Finally he said, “I see you have dual citizenship with the Greater Republic of Texas and the Republic of Kota Sioux.” He looked me up and down and then asked, “How’d you manage that?”

  Everyone always questioned my dual citiz
enships. I hated explaining.

  “If you don’t mind,” I said. “Things are kind of time sensitive. Maybe on my way back I’ll tell you the tale.”

  “Whatever,” he said with a shrug. “It looks like it’s been several years since you’ve set foot on our fine soil. Have you been informed, and are you aware of the laws of the areas in which you will be?”

  Kali informed me.

  “Yes, I’ve already downloaded the recent judicial updates to my CerA.”

  “We detect another person within the vehicle.” He leaned forward and tried to take a peek inside.

  I smiled and repositioned myself so that he couldn’t see shit.

  “It’s my deputy, Paxton Thrass. All documentation should be in order.” Or so I hoped. I never did mention to Frank I was bringing Paxton along with me.

  The man looked over the information. “Yes, everything does seem to be in order. It seems he’s never visited us before.” The guard must have then come across Paxton’s criminal record, because he startled and lost his composure. With more than a subtle hint of hostility he said, “You understand you are acting as his legal guardian and are therefore taking full responsibility for his actions during his stay?”

  I fully understood what was implied. Due to Paxton’s unsavory record, Texas never would have allowed his visitation. If it weren’t for my position, there was no way Paxton would have ever been able to cross the border legally. It was a big risk assuming responsibility for the boy, especially since we’d met less than twenty-four hours ago. Still, what would be the point of living if there weren’t at least some risk involved?

  I nodded my head acknowledging the fact.

  The guard looked like he didn’t want to let me enter his fine country. At least not with Paxton accompanying me. But after a few seconds he continued with standard protocols.

  “I’m sure you’re already aware, but it’s my duty to inform you, your deputy only has a thirty day visa. If your assignment requires more time you will need to apply for an extension for his continued stay. Welcome back to the Lonestar Republic. Being an Inquisitor I’m sure you’re already armed, but legally I’m required to ask; do you or your deputy require any weapons?”

  It was Texas law that every citizen and civilian was required to be armed, except where noted, which was basically nowhere.

  “Thank you,” I said. “I have all the firepower I need. As a matter of fact, I still carry my Shooting Star.” I reached to the side of the door and took hold of the official handgun of Texas.

  Seeing my weapon the guard resumed his friendly nature and said with a smile, “It’s the best piece of metal a man can possess.” Then he brushed aside his own jacket and lovingly placed his hand on his own Shooting Star. “Had this little piece of heaven since I was six. It’s never let me down.”

  Everything in order, the guard tilted his hat and waved me on my way. I wasn’t wearing a hat at the moment so I gave a simple but respectful nod in return.

  I’d been gone so long I’d forgotten how prideful Texans were.

  I wanted to continue my conversation with Kali, but I was really tired and was going to need my rest. I followed her recommendation, took a sedative, climbed back into my hammock and before I knew it I was sound asleep.

  13: Liquid of a Privileged Life

  I awoke, rolled out my hammock, and like a feline, stretched my entire body to its furthest limits. A series of snaps, crackles, and pops emanated from my spine while a giant yawn escaped me. I shuddered slightly as my body finished rebooting itself, making sure that everything was in fine working order.

  Kali, having detected that I was coming out of sleep state a few minutes prior, had turned on the coffee brewer and slowly began to increase illumination. The sweet aroma hooked me by the nose and beckoned me to that liquid of a privileged life.

  Behind me, I heard Paxton moan, stirring awake.

  “I suppose I should be gentlemanly enough to offer you a cup,” I said.

  “Wouldn’t complain if ya did,” he replied. He stood and stretched but not to the extent I had. “Where are we?” he asked.

  I didn’t think he was asking me, since he could find out from his own CerA, but several seconds later he asked again.

  I hated answering questions I didn’t need to. If people would simply take some time and think, generally they could figure it out themselves. So I ignored him and finished pouring the cups.

  “Are you a man, or do you bastardize a good brew?” I asked.

  “Come again?” he returned.

  “Never mind, I don’t have cream and sugar anyway, so it’s either straight black or spiked with fire.”

  “Black is fine,” he said, realizing what I’d meant.

  Time and powers of deduction can solve almost anything.

  “You gonna answer my question?” he asked.

  I handed him a mug. “Why do I need to answer? Ask your own bitch. All I’d do is ask mine and then relay the message, and I hate playing echo.”

  “I just thought that-”

  “Because you were cut off back in my pip, that you wouldn’t be able to determine where we are in my pad?” I finished.

  “Yeah.”

  “Here’s a little piece of advice; don’t rely on others for information when you can get it yourself. Don’t assume you’re incapable of getting information if you haven’t even tried.”

  Paxton looked like he was analyzing what I said and then nodded as if he understood and wouldn’t repeat himself.

  He raised the cup to his lips and took a sip. His eyes rolled back into his head. “This is some good shit.”

  “Give it back,” I said with complete seriousness, reaching for the cup.

  “What the fuck?” Paxton turned slightly sideways and took a step backwards, keeping his cup out of reach, not wanting to surrender it.

  “You ever tasted shit?” I asked with a hint of animosity.

  He looked at me like he didn’t know what to really say, but then he said, “Well, no, but-”

  “Do you have any idea how much this stuff costs? This isn’t low-grade, mixed-root shit. This is 100% pure premium coffee bean. If you’re going to drink my private stock, don’t ever compare it to excrement. Especially, if you haven’t ever actually tasted shit. Trust me, shit doesn’t taste good no matter how you prepare it.”

  His eyes were wide and he was sort of crouching into himself. “Geez man, sorry, my apologies, I meant no disrespect.”

  I dropped my false façade, my mean demeanor, and replaced it with a smile and a laugh. “I’m just fucking with you.” I took a drink from my cup. “It is some mighty fine shit.”

  Paxton smiled uneasily and took another sip. Then he cocked his head. “Wait a second. Didn’t you just say to trust you about eating shit? Does that mean you have?”

  “And that right there is exactly why I’ve chosen you to be my deputy,” I said. “Anyone else might have missed what I implied, or said nothing about it. You’re observant. I guess it must come from being a pick-pocket or something. Either way, it suits my requirements.”

  “About that, my mother used to tell me stories about reapers when I was a kid.”

  “Was that yesterday, or are you trying to tell me you aren’t still one?”

  “Harty har har. Do you want to hear what I have to say?”

  I gave him a gesture of ‘after you’, refilled my mug, and then relaxed back down into my woven womb.

  “As I was saying,” he continued. “My mother used to tell stories about reapers.” He paused and pointed to the coffee pot and then to his mug. I nodded okay. He continued talking as he refilled his cup and got into his swing. “She said you guys were the first ones to receive mytes. She said that the ones you fellas got were special. They gave you superpowers of a sort. Techno magic she said. Made you all more than human. You’re all supposed to be above the law. At least man made ones anyhow. But you still serve a higher purpose. You all pretend to be working for justic
e, but what you’re really doing is recruiting.”

  Now it was my time to be confused. “Recruiting? Recruiting for what?” I asked. I was genuinely curious where he was going with this.

  “For Armageddon. The Apocalypse. The end of the earth as we know it. She said that the scientists who made the tech were agents of Satan. She said reapers were made to be the devils hounds. That you all go around collecting the worst of the worst to rage war against the righteous.”

  Hen looked over at me. I brought my mug up to my nose to conceal my smile and pretended that I hadn’t paid attention.

  “You listening to me?”

  I didn’t move my mug. “I’m listening, and I got a question before you say anymore crazy ass shit.”

  “Yeah, what’s that?”

  “If the tech is supposed to be demonically inspired, why are you integrated? Did you succumb to temptation? Or, are you a simply a sheep who’s lost its way?”

  “Don’t you know? Or maybe you do.”

  “Maybe.” I shrugged and took a sip.

  “Then let’s hear it hound,” he said. “Did the devil whisper my secrets in your ear?”

  I laughed. “Might make my life easier if that were the case, but no, the only voice I hear in my head is my CerA.” I laughed even harder. “But then I guess your mother would say that she is the devil, and sometimes I’d have to agree with her. Maybe I do know your secrets, and then maybe I don’t. Maybe I want to hear them from your lips, as if you were confessing. Let’s hear it choir boy, sing to your preacher.”

  Paxton shook his head. “Nothing to confess.”

  “Good, because I’m not a priest, and I really don’t give a shit, unless you’re a Corruptor of course. Did you have a point telling me about your mother’s twisted bed time tales?”

  “You know about the exodus to Mars?” he asked. Like I’d been living under a rock for the last four years.

  “Good riddance,” I said. “Though, it is amazing what an ass load of money and divine inspiration can achieve. I’m actually surprised that all the religious nuts aren’t trying to deport us heathens instead.”

  “Guess there’s just too many of us,” Paxton said.