The Impossible Cube

boxcars gaped open, revealing dead space within. Other cars were shut tight, and yet others hung half open. Animal cages had been shoved every which way into some of them in the vain hope that the engine boiler might heat up quickly enough to move the train before the Cossacks arrived. Dodd and Nathan themselves were working with the engineer, trying to coax enough heat out of the boiler to get the train going. The Lady still sat at the rear disguised as a car. Gavin, Alice, and Feng climbed up to the deck. Gavin immediately felt more at ease, more in control. This was his ship. It was home.

“I wish I knew how much time we had,” Alice said as Gavin helped her off the ladder.

“It’ll take them at least an hour to get all those mechanicals fired up, and then another twenty minutes or so to get here,” Gavin said. “Considering how much time has already passed, I think that gives about forty minutes. Not long enough for Dodd to start the engine, unless he knows something I don’t.”

“Madam. Madam. Madam,” Kemp said. His voice was growing fainter in Feng’s hands.

“Give him to me, Feng.” Alice accepted the head sadly and did something to it. The light went out of Kemp’s eyes and he fell silent. “We’ll get him a new body and fix him somehow. And you, Feng. What about you? In all the fuss, we haven’t had a moment to figure out what happened.” She touched his cheek. “I’m so sorry we didn’t arrive in time.”

Feng remained mute. The spider on his head twitched a little, and the scars on his torso scribbled ugly tracks across his skin.

“What did they do to you, Feng?” Gavin asked. “Please answer.”

“Ivana placed this spider on my head and it drilled into my skull and spine,” he said promptly. “She forced Danilo to help. It was painful. They put me in a cage until you came and brought me out.”

His voice was clipped and precise, completely unlike his more usual free, lackadaisical tone. Gavin ached for him.

“What does the spider do?” he asked.

Feng remained silent until Gavin added, “Please answer.”

“I do not know.”

“It’s obvious,” Alice said. “The spider makes him tractable. He does nothing he isn’t told to do, and he follows orders from anyone who speaks to him. Isn’t that right, Feng? Please answer.”

“I do not know,” Feng said, “but that sounds true.”

“That’s… awful,” Gavin said. “Can we take it off? Or shut it down?”

“It would take some study,” Alice replied. “However, I am forced to admit that I’m not well versed in biology, and this device combines automatics with that science. Good heavens, why would they do such a thing?”

“The Gontas are trying to dominate the Zalizniaks permanently,” Gavin said. “This is an experiment in that area. Feng can still think and act, but is perfectly obedient.” And would never chase pretty girls again, he added silently. Not unless he was ordered to.

Alice thought a moment. “Feng,” she said, “obey your own orders. Think for yourself and do as you wish.”

Feng’s entire body twitched as if he’d been jolted by electricity. His face contorted and he made a small sound. His hands flew up to the spider. The sound he made grew louder and louder, and the facial contortions showed pain.

“Never you mind, Feng!” Alice cried. “Obey me now! Go back to the way you were!”

Feng instantly calmed and went still.

“Sit down, Feng,” Gavin said. “You look tired.”

Feng sat on the deck and looked grateful.

“I wonder if we can have him ask for something,” Alice mused.

Gavin squatted next to the exhausted Feng. He wanted to put an arm around Feng, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to touch the puckered flesh or the evil spider. “I’m sorry,” was all he could say. “We’ll find a way to help you once everything calms down.”

“Speak for yourself, if you wish,” Alice said. “Say whatever you think you should say.”

“Alice!” Gavin said. “No!”

“Speaking is different from acting or thinking,” Alice said.

Feng had already opened his mouth. “Wha… Wha… ,” he said.

“Go ahead,” Alice said. “Say what you want when you please.”

“Why did you come back for me?” Feng burst out. “What possessed you?”

This took Gavin completely by surprise. He floundered a response. Finally Alice said in a small voice, “We had to save you.”

“So you believe.” Feng’s face was set like rock.

“I don’t understand,” Gavin said. “You’d rather we left you there?”

“Look at me!” he spat. “How do you think my family will receive me now? I already live in disgrace, and now I’m a living wreck.”

“We couldn’t leave you there,” Alice replied stubbornly. “It was our fault you were captured, and it was our duty to save you.”

“Not everyone wants to be saved, Alice!” Feng cried. “Did you ever consider that?”

Alice said, “You’re talking nonsense.”