Contest (The Stork Tower Book 6) Read online

  “I’m sure that when your mum is safe, we can arrange to meet those who help. At the moment though, I think you should simply accept that people want to support you because they appreciate you. They don’t want thanks, they just want to help.”

  Leah smiled at Gèng and gave her another hug before shaking herself and saying, “I do appreciate it, I really do. I’ll do what you suggest. Let me take ten minutes to get a handle on the code and to deal with the various messages and then I’ll spend fifteen minutes in the simulation before having a real-world break. After that, another fifteen minutes and then a couple of hours in Survival before an hour of NREM3 sleep. Then another break and I’ll head to the contest. Can you provide a simulation of the different fighting styles of the players I might face? I might have fifteen minutes in that before the contest.”

  “I can prepare a simulation from the data I’ve collected. I know Dr Roberts will want you to take extra supplements if you are going to spend that much time at accelerated neural speeds. I will discuss what limits she might suggest and discuss this with you when I have a conclusion.”

  Leah agreed and then sat on her sofa to listen to her dad’s message. At the same time she put a copy of the sheet from Cosmos Online in front of her and began to scribble with one hand on a notepad to help clarify her ideas while she used her other hand to type messages to Jimmy, Leon, John, Olivia, Priscilla, and Thad.

  Her father’s image appeared in front of her. He said, “Sorry I can’t drop by and discuss this with you, but I’m spending most of my time either in Survival or with Mum. Firstly, your mum asked if I could ask that 'dear girl Leah’ if she wanted to go to church with the family today. I said I’d pass on the message, but I doubted it because you'd had been hurt recently. She said she’d seen you in the kitchen and you looked able to get around. I’m so used to being open and honest in all things that I blurted out that you’d been shot. I’m just warning you that she might drop in this morning sometime to check on you. She was horrified, especially when I hinted it was because of what you’d done in rescuing her. I’m sorry but I hate keeping things from her. Also, I talked with Conner, and I’ve discussed his situation with Mum. We are hesitant to agree to him having a chip, but we promised to give it some serious thought. He said you promised to only help with our permission. I just wanted to say, ‘Thank you.’ I hadn’t expected anything else, but I realise that life isn’t as sure as I thought and I don’t want to ever leave things unsaid. Your mum wondered why you’d help him. Neither of us could think of a good reason. He said she’d have to ask you and I thought you might want a head’s up to come up with something. That’s all, I love you. Bye.”

  When her dad finished his image disappeared, and she shook her head ruefully as she considered what to say to her mum. Leah next opened the message from Tesfaye. It was a short 3D video and showed Tesfaye sitting in front of his console. He smiled briefly then said, “Leah, first let me apologise for the heavier than usual encryption but the people you took the files from are scary. I wanted to add two things to our earlier discussion. The first was a warning. I thought we both understood, but I didn’t state it clearly. ‘Don’t send the material to the authorities anonymously’, the truth is that there is no such thing as real anonymity. With enough time, dedication, and resources, I believe everything can be traced. No matter how careful you are, there are always footprints.

  “I looked into different ways to share the names, and nothing stood out. When I looked into the people who you so blithely stole from, one name stood out. Believe it or not but they actually have a nemesis, of sorts. There is an American Union Marshall by the name of Linc Gerard who is focussed on the Castelli family. He worked undercover for three years. Eight years ago his testimony was instrumental in the arrest of the previous consigliere Ignacio Castelli. As retribution, his sister and her family were murdered, as was Linc’s wife. Marshal Gerard is officially on leave from the American Union Marshals Service, but he’s been active in finding ways to hamper their operation as a private citizen. He has been effective in evading those from the Family sent to silence him and from what I’ve read, he isn’t likely to give you up no matter what happens. The only problem is I have no idea how to contact him. I’m staying away from the people I would normally use, and I’m trying to keep a very low profile. Reed may have more luck, but it is probably safest if you contact them yourself.

  “Sorry I can’t be more help at this time. Do let me know if there is anything not related to Mafia, the Triads, the Yakuza, the Cartels or the Russians.”

  Leah sent off a message to John warning him that she’d almost certainly stirred up a hornet’s nest in the multiverse and he should increase the cybersecurity to maximum regardless of cost. She also contacted Reed asking that they covertly look into Linc Gerard.

  While she’d been listening to her dad and Tesfaye, Leah had been covered several pages with notes about the cypher. These she quickly summarised.

  When she finished composing the various messages she stood and said, “Gèng, where is the ‘Survival’ simulation?”

  26

  Chapter 26

  December 17, 2073 - Morning - Part 6

  “I’ve placed it next to the ‘Survival’ portal. All the observations have been updated. I’ve summarised them and prepared an overview as soon as you enter. If you increase your neural speeds similar to when you're in cyberspace, you should be able to practice for nine hours relative time before taking the real-world break.”

  SURVIVAL SIMULATION - CYBERSPACE

  Leah nodded as she walked toward the ‘Survival’ portal. She stopped multi-tasking and consciously sped up her neural perceptions as she approached the entrance. As she stepped through the simulation’s portal, she noted that Gèng's copy appeared almost the same as the virtual world. Leah wondered for a moment how Gèng would be classified if she was capable of preparing this so efficiently. Once inside, Gèng walked Leah through the new creatures and plants that had been observed and classified. She also shared the comments on how to avoid or kill them. Leah spent nine hours cyber-time running either along branches or on the ground working on evading or destroying the dangers. She ‘died’ hundreds of times, but each time she became more conversant with the world. At the end of the fifteen real-minutes, she was exhausted, but she knew that she was now much better equipped to head toward her mother.

  STORK TOWER

  Stepping out of the simulation’s portal, she said, “That was amazing work, Gèng. Thank you and please pass on my appreciation to Leon and the people who sent in the observations. Another nine cyber-hours of that after a break and then I’ll spend a couple of hours in ‘Survival’ itself. What did Dr Roberts suggest?”

  “She’s added a mixture of supplements and wanted you to limit yourself to fifteen minutes of cyber-speed each day. I told her this was the second block of time today and you wanted to do it twice more. She asked me to warn you of the dangers of overheating, fatigue, and energy depletion, but she did say she understands the urgency of what you’re doing. She’s drawn up a series of protocols for me to follow to prevent you doing any permanent damage. I have agreed to stop the simulations if you are in danger.”

  Leah nodded and said as she logged out, “I understand, and believe me, I don’t want any permanent damage.”

  HOME - REAL WORLD

  Leah logged out and found her tray of food waiting with Jen in the room. Leah said, “Hi Jen, how did John rope you into helping?”

  “I volunteered. Marie and Lacey are in getting chipped. I got the short straw and won’t get one until tomorrow.”

  “Chipped?”

  “John explained some of what needs doing, and we volunteered. We can’t let you have all the fun. Besides, John is being run ragged with his responsibilities both here and in the virtual world. Lacey, Marie, Joel and Johan all volunteered to take on some of the virtual security responsibilities. John was here a few minutes ago and seemed really agitated. Gèng said you’d be here soon and he t
old me not to let you get back in the Pod before he can chat. He looked like he wanted to strangle someone. What did you do?”

  “I found a way to agitate some difficult people. I imagine that’s what has him all bothered. He’ll want to know who and if I tell him he’ll probably get even more agitated.”

  “So do you want to see John, Kevin, or your mother first? Kevin wants to examine your wound when you’re ready, and your mum wants to see you. She said something about church, but I don’t know any more than that.”

  “Mum will be heading off to church so I’ll see her first and then Kevin. John can wait a little. Hopefully he’ll cool down a bit.”

  “I don’t think that’s likely. I’ll go get your mum.”

  Leah only had time to take a few bites before Lin was shown into the room. Lin sat down opposite Leah and looked her over. Tears appeared at the corner of Lin’s eyes, and she said, “Michael said you’d been shot. He said it was because you came to get me from those people who abducted me. You are sitting so still, but I can see you are hurting.”

  Lin’s face suddenly tightened, and she winced, bending her head as one hand reached up to massage her temples. Worried, Leah leaned forward and asked, “Are you OK? Is everything alright?”

  Lin lifted her head and started using both hands to massage her head. She replied, “Things don’t make sense. Something isn’t right, and every time I try and make sense of it, I get a bad headache. Michael says it is to do with the chip in my head, but he won’t explain what is happening. It hurts more when I think of you. Sorry! I have so many questions, and you are at the centre of them. I want to cry because you are in pain, and that makes my head hurts even more.”

  Leah reached forward and tentatively gave Lin a hug. She winced as she did so, and Lin gently pushed her back into her seat. Leah said, “The people who kidnapped you made changes in your memories. Whenever you think of something where there is a conflict between what is a true memory and what you have been told to remember, your mind suffers an internal conflict and I imagine this is what causes the pain. A doctor warned us to minimise the conflict because it could hurt you. I’m explaining this because I believe if you know why you have the pain, your mind will not have as many internal contradictions to deal with. The people who took you are primarily focussed on hurting me. You got caught up in my fight because one of the things you have been made to forget is that we are close. They took these memories from you to hurt me. Believe me, I am so sorry that you’ve been hurt.”

  The pain in Lin’s face seemed to lessen as she sat and looked at Leah. Finally, she said, “Michael didn’t say anything about losing my memory. He only mentioned the device they put in my head.”

  “The doctors said the less it was brought up, the safer and less traumatic for you it would be. I only mention it because of your interest in my welfare. I can see you needed some explanation or the pain might get worse. I don’t think it is advisable to explain any more details except to suggest you put me from your mind as much as you can. As soon as we find you in ‘Survival’, then we’ll get your memories back.”

  Lin was quiet as she considered what Leah said. She suddenly looked directly into Leah’s eyes and said, “Just who are you that you have the authority to go against doctors and whatever Michael has decided?”

  Leah didn’t answer immediately but thought for a moment before responding. “Michael passed me the ball on this. He was finding it hard to answer your questions about me and about why I was helping Conner. I figured this meant I was free to deal with it however I thought best. In the end, there were only two choices, continue to hide the truth or reveal it. Jesus once said that ‘the truth will set you free.’ I know he was talking about himself, but his words are still applicable in most situations. I decided that if it were me, then I’d rather know the facts than be kept in the dark. You’re enough like me that I believed Jesus’ other injunction was valid, his ‘do to others what you would have them do to you.’”

  Lin said, “Isn’t it always valid?”

  “As a principle? Yes. When applying it to all the individual details, I don’t think so. For example, I’m a straightforward kind of person and like to deal in facts. Telling me exactly what is happening almost always helps. Conner, on the other hand, is more driven by his feelings and by outcomes. Give him too much detail, and he shuts down. I wouldn’t treat him exactly like I want to be treated. On the other hand, no matter what his personality, I wouldn’t condone lying to him, even by omission, if he asked me something directly.”

  “So, will you tell me what I’ve been told to forget?”

  “No. I’m certain that wouldn’t be helpful. I won’t lie to you, but I will tell you that I’m not telling you everything. I don’t want to deceive you, but I truly believe that information could hurt you in the short term, even if not in the long term.”

  “If you were me, would that stop you from trying to find it out?”

  Laughing, Leah answered, “Not for a moment. I’m just hoping that you are smarter than me. Needing to know things has got me into so much trouble that I’m hoping I’ll be smarter someday.”

  Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Jen poked her head in and said, “Sorry to disturb you two, but Kevin is here. Now that he’s sober all the time he’s rushed off his feet. He’s becoming impatient and wants to look at Leah’s wounds.”

  As she finished speaking, Kevin pushed his way into the room and said, “I’m not impatient. I’m just busy. I’ve a lot of wasted time to catch up on. Now Leah, are you happy for your mum to stay or do you want her to leave?”

  Leah and Jen were both shocked and could do nothing except slowly turn toward Lin and see what her reaction was. Lin’s mouth had dropped open as she slowly turned her head to look at Leah. She mouthed the words ‘your mum’ and then clutched her head as the pain hit her. Within moments she was bent over and falling from her chair. Leah and Jen both moved to catch her. Leah, whose enhanced reaction speed had her moving around the table before Jen had realised what was happening, crashed when her artificially strengthened movement ripped out stitches, reopening several wounds and sending her sliding across the room where she collapsed in agony. Jen, who was still standing in the doorway, succeeded and caught Lin, who was comatose from the pain.

  John, who had been trying to calm down in the nearby common area, came running at Jen’s cry for help. Jen and John had just managed to get Lin from the room when Conner appeared to see what the noise was about. John said, “Conner, help Jen get your mum to her room. Leah’s AI says she thinks it is best if she gets into her Pod. Once you get to the room, leave her with Jen and get one of the women working in the kitchen to help Jen get her ready. When you’ve done that, come back here and help me with Leah.”

  As John turned back into Leah’s room, he saw Kevin on his knees with his fists clenched and tightly pressed against his forehead. Kevin was rocking back and forth, sobbing and muttering obscenities at himself. Leah was huddled on her side with her eyes screwed shut, her mouth pressed into a thin line and trying to control the muscles in her torso, back and arms from spasming or contracting any further as the pain washed over her in waves. John knelt and grabbed Kevin by the shoulders and tried to stop him rocking. John said, “Kevin, enough. There is no time for this. Kevin, how do we help Leah?”

  Kevin’s hands slowly dropped into his lap as he said, “I can’t. I can’t, John. This is all my fault. I forgot. I caused this. I can’t, I just can’t.”

  “You can’t what? What can’t you do?”

  “I can’t be trusted. I can’t be responsible for people. Every time I do, I hurt them. I hurt people. I can’t carry the burden anymore. It’s too heavy. It’s too much.”

  “There’s no one else here, Kevin. If you don’t help, then nobody will.”

  Kevin began to sob as he said, “I can’t, John. Don’t you see? I just can’t.”

  By the time John managed to calm Kevin down, Conner, and River, one of the pe
ople chosen to study at the Pod facility, were slowly helping Leah to her feet. Blood stained her robe in several places, and she was gritting her teeth. Looking over at Kevin, she said, “Kevin, stop whining. It was a mistake. You can mope later. But right now, I need you to change my bandages.”

  Kevin looked shocked at Leah’s tone, but he started to stand. As John helped Kevin to his feet, Leah continued. “John, take Conner and send Jen or one of the other women. Once I’m in the Pod, I’ll have Gèng invite you over.”

  Once Leah was sitting down sideways on a chair, John and Conner left. Kevin moved behind her and said, “I am so sorry, Leah, I forgot.”

  “Kevin, it’s done. I doubt Mum has any permanent damage and getting into the Pod will wipe her memory again. My injuries are my own fault. I forgot to slow down my movements. Now, can you patch me up?”

  Kevin had River help Leah move the robe so he could look at the wounds which had opened up. He worked solidly for ten minutes before saying, “You ripped open three of the wounds. I’ve stopped the external bleeding, but I have no idea what damage was done internally. I’d like to suggest you have three hours NREM3 sleep and get some scans done at that time. I’ll know better then what the damage is.”

  “Sorry Kevin, I don’t have the time to stop just yet. I’ve one hour sleep scheduled and then I have to be in Dunyanin with unrestricted stimulation and neural feedback.”

  “Miss the contest then, Leah. It isn’t worth the damage you could do.”

  “I really wish I could Kevin, but it seems I have a tiger by the tail. To mix metaphors, I’m fairly sure if I let go the whole thing will come crashing down. I’ll have Gèng send you the scans. See if you can come up with a way to minimise the pain and damage.”