about this Border for ever. The people there understand the Border as a fact of life. They see it as their duty to watch it, to police it, to patrol the things and people that go back and forth.’
‘The way Torchwood does,’ said James.
‘On a much bigger scale,’ said Jack. ‘The guy in charge, he’s a Border Prince. It’s his duty and his calling, and they live long lives and take their duties very seriously. They hand the responsibility down, father to son. The sons — and daughters too, I guess — the heirs anyway, they grow up learning the skills they need to take on the duty when their turns come. It’s a long, formal training, an apprenticeship. As part of it, they’re sent out, from time to time, to live in other places and immerse themselves in the other places that share the common border.’
‘Like a cultural exchange?’ scoffed James.
‘I’m not joking,’ said Jack. ‘They are given a form that perfectly matches the locals, and they’re given the ability — the innate ability — to blend in seamlessly. While they’re abroad, they don’t know what they are. I guess that’s so they don’t give anything away. Only when they’re called home, do they remember who they really are.’
James shook his head. ‘You really fell for this, Jack? I thought you were the sceptical type. This is just nonsense.’
‘I don’t…’ Gwen began. ‘I don’t think it is. It makes me want to throw up to think about it, but it’s real.’
James looked at her. He looked frightened.
‘What are you saying? Jack, what are you telling me? You think that’s what I am? Are you telling me you think that’s what I am? One of these things? Come on!’
‘You’re a real person,’ replied Jack, ‘a real human being, right down to every last atom of you. Perfect in every detail. There’d be no point in the exercise if you weren’t.’
‘No,’ murmured James.
‘But James Mayer is just an identity, built for you to wear.’
‘Shut up!’ said James.
‘There is no real James Mayer.’
‘Shut up!’
‘You know how hard this is for us?’ Jack snapped. ‘We know you! You’re part of us! Right in the heart of everything we are! You’re the best friend we never actually had, and it’s going to kill us to lose you!’
James swallowed. ‘Lose me? What do you mean?’
‘You have to go home, James. You have to go be yourself again.’
‘This is just a pack of lies,’ James exploded. He got up, shoving his chair back. ‘You’ve been duped!’
‘Yeah, we have,’ said Jack. ‘You too. Sit down.’
James glowered at them for a second. Slowly, he returned to his seat.
‘This is what they told me. You can’t stay any more. The spell’s broken. They sent a guy here with you, a minder to look after you, to watch your back. You’re the heir to the throne, after all. It’s the minder’s job to keep you safe, and pull you right out if things go wrong. If you’re hurt, or you get sick, he’s there to take you home.’
‘And you got hurt,’ said Gwen.
James stared at them.
‘In the event of injury or damage, there are supposed to be dormant protocols that wake up inside the Principal — that’s what they call it — protocols that cut in and help the Principal to understand what he is so he can prepare for extraction. These include all kinds of physiological upgrades, combat skills, super powers.’
James looked down at his hands. They were shaking.
‘All that kind of got screwed up this time,’ said Jack. ‘They didn’t cut in properly. That’s why this all seems like a heap of crap to you.’
‘No kidding,’ said James.
‘So, that’s how it is,’ said Jack.
‘And what?’ asked James. ‘I just leave? Or do they take me?’
‘I think it’s best if you go willingly,’ said Jack. ‘They don’t want to hurt you.’
‘And you’d let them?’ asked James, bitterly. ‘I thought we were friends?’
‘We are,’ said Jack. ‘Sometimes, this is what friends do for each other.’
‘No,’ said James, shaking his head. ‘I can’t accept this.’
‘I know it’s hard.’
‘I don’t believe any of this.’
‘Of course. That’s how it works, but what you believe in is the false part, the part that isn’t real.’
‘This is real,’ James insisted. ‘This is… my world. This is what I know and all I want-’
‘The world’s not quite what we think it is,’ said Jack.
‘No,’ James repeated.
‘James-’
‘No!’ he snarled. He was on his feet again. Gwen flinched. Jack rose quietly.
‘James…’
‘You may be able to just sell me out,’ James said, ‘but I don’t have to go along with it. Even if I’m the only bloody person who can see what’s really true here-’
‘James, please,’ said Gwen.
James gazed at her. ‘I adore you, Gwen. We were going to… How can you betray me too?’
‘I’m not,’ she said. Tears welled in her eyes. ‘It’s not like that. Nothing’s the way we thought it was.’
James blinked his mismatched eyes. The door of the Boardroom swung on its hinges.
‘Shit!’ Jack cried. ‘He’s running! Tosh! Close the perimeter!’
They ran out of the Boardroom and down the stairs towards the work stations. Toshiko was at her keyboard.
‘Did you see him?’ Jack yelled.
‘Not a thing!’ Owen yelled back.
‘We’re too late!’ Toshiko declared. ‘Hub breach. He’s already out. He’s on the Quay. I’ve got him on monitor.’
Jack headed for the exit, Gwen right behind him.
‘Try and keep him fixed,’ Jack yelled over his shoulder.
THIRTY
It was getting dark outside. Rain was setting in from the west. The lights in the bars and restaurants were glowing along the Quay.
Jack and Gwen ran through the rain along the boarded walk.
‘Tosh?’ Jack called.
‘I’ve lost him… hang on…’
‘Tosh!’
‘OK! I’ve got him again. He’s doubled back. He’s heading around towards Harry Ramsden’s.’
Gwen had already switched that way. Jack followed her. The boards were wet and skiddy under their soles.
James got as far as the Graving Docks, running out into the sleeting wind. The sky was a black cliff, an empty gulf of night rushing down.
The shades were there, whispers of smoke on the dockside, flanking him.
‘James!’ Jack yelled as he ran up.
‘Don’t touch him! Don’t hurt him!’ Gwen shouted. She could see the grey shapes quite clearly.
One rushed at James.
‘You bastards! No!’ Gwen howled.
James saw it coming.
Frantic, he turned in towards it. There was a crack, and the shade hurtled away, flopping and writhing convulsively on the dock walk. Thorny limbs thrashed.
