Rational Insanity, page 9
part #2 of The Suicide Society Series
“Why?”
“I have no time for a lengthy explanation. Anyway, it is irrelevant. As I said, my condition is not contagious.” Liss reached for his tea and blew on it to cool the contents. He brought the cup to his lips and sipped carefully. “Mmmm. That’s soothing,” he remarked as he set the cup back in the saucer.
“The second oldest Time Sculptor is the one who disappeared, and we have no knowledge of his or her existence in this reality. Fortunately, the Corporates do not know the identities of any of the Time Sculptors in this era except you.”
“But why me? How could they know of my existence if the data was destroyed?”
Liss seemed preoccupied with the fresh wound and pawed at it for a moment. “Unfortunately, they already identified you as the one who would carry out the final Event before our operatives were able to purge the Time Sculptor data. That is why they need you so badly. Only we know the identities and location of the other Time Sculptors here, but only they know the nature of the mission.
“What is it you want from me?”
“Without access to the other three Sculptors, you will be the total focus of the Corporate’s efforts. I have already convinced the older and younger, and they are with us. They will help you disrupt the Corporate’s plan.”
“So…”
“You must uncover their plot to alter a significant event in this era. It is all our contact could give us. We know these are the time coordinates, and they have a plan to affect a change with enormous implications.”
“Liss, your information is not very useful. How can I possibly foil such a scheme without knowing the details?”
“You will soon learn everything. I promise you that.”
Sixtus cocked his head slightly and set his cup on the table. “Who is going to share them with me, Liss?”
Daxtar Liss hunched over and clutched his abdomen. “I am bleeding internally. Time is shorter than I thought. Our hope is the assassin will reveal the information you need.”
“Assassin? What are you talking about?”
“The Corporates sent an assassin here to direct the final time sculpt operation. At first, he will try to recruit you. If unsuccessful, he will try to kill you.”
Sixtus needed to hear no more. He rose and walked to a portrait on the far wall, which was a Marc Chagall original. He pulled on the hinged wood that framed Jeremiah in the Well. The painting moved to the side, revealing a recessed safe. Sixtus turned the tumbler until the lock emitted a familiar click and opened automatically. He reached inside and took out a Maglite and a loaded Kel-Tec PF9-9mm.
Liss didn’t show any particular concern for the weapon, and his face remained expressionless. “I believe the assassin is likely to contact you. He will try to talk you into doing his bidding as he explains his plan to oversee a single massive event. This will cause a ripple through the time line in unimaginably complex ways as it completely transforms reality in the 24th century to make sure the Corporates regain a stranglehold on absolute power.”
Sixtus pondered the implications a moment and stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I don’t know… You appear authentic, but your story seems—implausible.”
“You do not believe me, Maras? Try to access your overhead.”
“I—I can’t. It only works intermittently during these last two unscheduled Time Sculpts. I assumed this was part of a hidden protocol.”
“Communications are the epicenter of a destructive battle. Sometimes the revolutionaries control them, but the hacks are fierce, and the system is often compromised. I learn of things periodically. Other times communications stop entirely. I assume during these periods the Corporates have regained control.”
“Well, that is quite a story. If I agree, what would you ask me to do?”
“You only need to wait. The assassin will find you. Learn about the mission and work with the other Time Sculptors in the era to defeat it.”
“That’s out of the question, Liss. I won’t put my wife in danger. I have a life here.”
“This is much bigger than a one person, Maras. You must understand that. The insurgency needs your help. We desperately need you to preserve this time line.”
“The Corporates,” said Sixtus, “do not inspire any sense of loyalty. I would enjoy seeing our time experience new leadership but only if they are just. Still, I am not invested enough in the outcome to risk losing my life and endangering Kara.”
“You are already involved, Maras. I wish it could be different. But the stakes are much too high.”
Sixtus rose from the chair and walked over to the fireplace, leaning against the rock and mortar facade. “Well, at least you provided an explanation for a strange occurrence. After my last Time Sculpt concluded, I received an anonymous phone text message indicating that someone had watched me complete the act. It must have been you or the assassin.”
Liss’ eyes widened. “It most assuredly was the assassin. But it’s odd he made no attempt to contact you in person.”
“Well, how do we deal with this threat?
Liss started to talk, but the words never left his lips. The room was plunged into pitch darkness. The background hum of the refrigerator, wash machine and mechanical ventilator stopped simultaneously. The silence was unnerving.
“It seems the assassin has arrived.” whispered Liss.
Sixtus instinctively ducked under the desk as he processed the situation. “You led him here, Liss! You did it purposely,” he said in an agitated whisper.
A thick cough came from somewhere in the room followed by a rasping low voice. “He arrived sooner than I expected, Maras, but we still must stop him. There is much more that I need to explain.”
Sixtus flicked the flashlight on and shone the beam in Liss’ direction. The beleaguered time traveler used his hand to shield his eyes, peaking through his fingers. For an instant, Sixtus saw the look of death etched in the deep contours of the other man’s face.
“Who is the assassin, Liss?” Sixtus whispered. “And who are the other Time Sculptors? I need their names.”
Liss shrugged. “I do not know if they are even still alive. I arrived earlier than the assassin, so I am hopeful. I cannot unmask them until I have your solemn promise you are with us.”
“I—I can’t commit to something I don’t fully understand. How do I know…” Sixtus went silent as he heard a rattling noise and a muffled scream coming from the kitchen.
Sixtus motioned for Liss to join him. He placed his mouth near the other man’s ear and whispered. “I must try to protect my wife. That bay window opens outward. You are gravely ill, and it’s best if you leave.”
Liss nodded and moved toward the window while Sixtus walked to the door. Nearly a minute had passed, and it would be another minute before the emergency power activated. Sixtus cursed himself for setting the delay, but he grew weary of intermittent micro outages that caused his electric panel to burn out when the transfer switch couldn’t keep up with the shifting loads.
He didn’t want to reveal himself to the assassin and negate the element of surprise, so he scanned for any artificial light that might expose his adversary. Moving slowly, he made his way down the hallway, keeping a hand pressed against the wall while the gun remained drawn.
Sixtus stepped lightly as he approached the theater room. Standing to one side of the door, he pointed the flashlight inward and turned it on. Sweeping from side to side, the light outlined eerie shadows as the beam illuminated different parts of the empty room.
He continued moving through the hallway with the torch extinguished, feeling his way along the contoured David Hicks wallpaper just as the emergency generator clicked on. The lighting was low intensity, but the sensation was still disorienting. He dropped the flashlight and raised the gun as he heard a small voice from the kitchen.
“Jeffery... Help me... Jeffery, please.” Kara’s voice was unmistakable, and he sensed her distress and emotion.
His first reaction was to sprint to her, but he imagined that was exactly what the assassin wanted him to do. Instead, he approached the kitchen from the laundry room so he could see inside without being detected. He moved quietly through the hallway until he came to the juncture that split into dual entryways dividing the two rooms. Taking slow and deliberate steps, Sixtus reached the farthest door and opened it carefully.
Thankfully, the hinges didn’t squeak. Once he reached the other side of the room, he grabbed the handle and pushed the sliding pocket door open a crack and looked into the kitchen. Still hidden, he was able to catch his first glimpse of the assassin.
A man of medium build, he stood with his legs set apart to create a stout base. He was dressed in black from head to toe, which only served to highlight the fringes of blond hair that protruded from his beanie cap. Even with his back turned, Sixtus saw his forearm wrapped around Kara’s neck, and a gloved hand held a knife with a 6-inch blade pressed against her jugular vein. He whispered something in her ear.
“Jeffery, please. He says if you don’t come out, he’s going to kill me.” Her shaking voice trailed off, and her last few words were punctuated by muted sobs.
Sixtus couldn’t bear to watch anymore. He pushed the door open and entered the kitchen, gun drawn and pointed at the assassin. Should I take the shot? The thought passed as the adversary anticipated the action and pushed Kara so she was positioned directly in front of him. She looked at Sixtus with wide eyes bloodshot from crying and fear. Her terror pierced his soul, and he almost cried out from the depths of his anguish.
The adversaries regarded each other for several seconds without speaking. The intruder’s face was covered with crusted lesions like Liss but not quite as rancid. Sixtus suspected his complexion had once been smooth and altered on a cellular level to improve his visual appearance. Whatever affliction Liss had, this man had it too, and the corners of his mouth turned down, which created a macabre mask of pain and loathing. The assassin whispered to Kara again without taking his eyes off Sixtus.
“He’s serious, Jeffery. If you don’t drop the gun, he’ll slit my throat.” She was so distraught her words were nearly unintelligible as her body began to lurch and shake with fear.
The assassin’s sneer deepened. “Sixtus Maras, put down the weapon or the woman dies.” To demonstrate his resolve, he pressed the knife deeper into the soft tissues of Kara’s throat.
Sixtus sensed his wife’s rising panic and realized he had no choice. If he was a seasoned marksman, he might try to make the shot, but the chance of hitting Kara made the issue moot. He extended his left arm over his head in surrender while placing the gun on the floor with his other hand.
“Push it towards me—gently.” Sixtus kept his left arm raised as he complied. The gun clattered as it bounced across the tile until the assassin’s loafer stopped its progress. In a single motion, he pushed Kara to the side and bent over to grab the weapon. By the time he stood up, Kara had run to her husband’s arms. The assassin pointed the gun directly at Sixtus’ head.
“I insist you come with me, Maras, or you will die.”
“Who are you? How did you get in here? I have a security system.”
“I am Havas Zir. Obviously, we have a schematic of your home, so disabling security was not difficult.”
Kara remained in Sixtus’ arms, but raised her head slightly. “Jeffery, why does he keep calling you that strange name?” Sixtus brought his index finger up to his lips and made a shushing sound.
Turning back to Zir, he said, “Where are you taking me?”
“That is none of your concern. I only need to know if you will willfully comply.”
Sixtus looked at Kara, who was still shaking in his arms. Her face was devoid of color, and dark purple circles outlined her eyes. She appeared to be 10 years older than when he last saw her a half hour ago.
“I will go with you if you assure me that my wife and my housekeeper are safe.”
Zir’s upper lip turned up in a slight sneer. “Your ‘wife’ might be allowed to live. The maid is in the living room. I imagine she’s bled out by now.”
Kara gasped and pushed further into Sixtus. Her crying grew louder, and the tears flowed freely. “Emma,” she said in a soft, weak voice.
Reluctantly, and against his instinct, Sixtus gently pushed Kara away despite her growing protestations. “Listen, to me,” he said, “I have to go. There’s no other way. Don’t worry about me, please.”
The intensity of her sobbing grew. “I’ll never see you again…”
He smiled weakly but knew she wasn’t convinced. “You’ll see me again. I promise.”
“Enough of this,” Zir interrupted. “We must go.” Turning to Kara, he continued, “If you alert the authorities, he will die instantly. You have no idea how expendable he is.”
The words had just escaped Zir’s lips when the door burst open and Daxtar Liss stumbled into the kitchen. His eyes were blood red and crazed. His sparse hair stuck to the top and sides of his head, slick with sweat. He panted like a dying man. One hand covered his stomach; the other held a knife.
“Liss, you don’t look well.” Zir continued to point the gun in Sixtus’ direction while wielding the knife he formerly held to Kara’s throat in his free hand. “I could kill you on the spot.”
“You won’t risk using the gun, Zir. Neighbors might hear it and call the authorities. The guard may investigate, and the police could arrive before you escape.”
“I’m not afraid to use it as a last resort.”
“I—I,” Liss leaned over even farther and began to cough. A thin string of blood mixed with saliva escaped his mouth and hung like a wire suspended between his lower lip and the floor.
“You are dying, Liss. I will feed your body to the wild pigs when you expire.”
Liss gurgled and growled, and when he stood up, he lunged at Zir using his remaining strength. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the energy required for an assault, so when he reached his adversary, the other was waiting. As Liss swung the knife, his knees buckled, and he lurched forward out of control. Zir used the fortuitous development to thrust his own blade into the abdomen of the other man as he fell. Liss let out a whimper followed by a bloody gurgle. As they looked at one another for a brief moment, Zir pulled the knife back out, which elicited a second grunt. A small push caused Liss to crumple to the floor.
“Maras, don’t believe…”
Zir’s eyes flared, and he reached over and stuck the knife back into Liss with a force that conveyed his contempt and rage. He repeated the action several times as the dying man’s blood splattered onto his shirt, pants, arms and face. After several more strikes, he withdrew the knife for the last time and stood panting over the still form of Daxtar Liss. Zir looked up at Sixtus as Kara pulled even closer to her husband.
“A vehicle will arrive within the hour. You will instruct the guard to let them through. They will dispose of this body and the other in the parlor. A biohazard crew will remove any furniture contaminated with blood, and they’ll clean the walls and floors. Identical replacement furniture will arrive tomorrow. Do you understand?”
“But—Emma...” said Kara.
“Let us go, Maras, before I change my mind.” Zir waved the gun menacingly for emphasis.
Sixtus kissed his wife and looked at her reassuringly. Kara nodded her head and watched them walk toward the front door as Zir held the bloody knife against the small of Sixtus’ back. As they reached the living room, Sixtus encountered the prone form of Emma, her torso stretched out over the Edra sofa. A wet stain of fresh blood glistened in the dull glow of the emergency lighting, and crimson trails dripped off the edge of the sofa onto the hardwood floor.
“You have contaminated this reality, Zir. This woman should not have died.”
“Wrong, Maras. This is the time line as designed. Now, keep moving.” Zir exerted more pressure on the knife to encourage Sixtus to pick up the pace.
They walked through the foyer until and moved quickly to the front door. “Listen carefully, Maras. We will leave in your vehicle. If you try to resist, you can rest assured your ‘wife’ will die. More importantly, your true family in the future will die.”
“This cannot be. My family is protected. The Corporates...”
Zir interrupted. “The Corporates are finished, Maras. A new leader and a just government have emerged to free us.
“What? Liss said you are the agent of the Corporates.”
“Bah, that was his ruse. He carried out the cowardly work of the Corporates, not I.” As they approached the vehicle, Liss pulled out the gun. “Get in, Maras. I will not hesitate to shoot you if you try something unexpected.”
Nodding in acknowledgement, Sixtus went to the driver’s side and unlocked the doors of the BMW with his key fob. They both slid into their respective seats at roughly the same time. Once they settled in, Sixtus started the car as Zir wiped beads of sweat off his brow. His complexion appeared waxen, and new boils pushed out from the irritated skin near his lips.
“Where to?” Sixtus asked.
“Take the 101 to the 303 and head out to Route 93.”
Sixtus knew the local routes out of town very well, and he pondered potential destinations. “There’s nothing up in that direction. Are we going to Las Vegas?”
“Never mind. Just drive. And don’t give the security man any signals.”
The car moved through the winding side street that emptied onto the main road, ultimately leading to the guard shack. Sixtus waved at Doug as he stopped and waited for the gate to open. He tried to look natural but saw a glimmer of concern on the guard’s face as he smiled and waved again as the car passed out onto Doubletree Ranch Road.
Sixtus looked over at his companion, who appeared to be deep in thought. His eyelids fluttered as he massaged his temples. Without opening his eyes, he said, “Stay focused on the road, Maras. We must not procrastinate.”
Chapter Ten
Wallace kept staring at the sheet of paper covered with Jonathan’s minute writing. “I don’t know what to make of it, but it gives me the hives,” he said as he scratched at his face and chest simultaneously.
