“As far as Salome figures it...” Kara relayed.
< Me too. Ishmael sounded resentful.
“I mean both AIs figure it,” Kara said, “the aliens picked us up in netherspace. Couldn’t do anything there because they’d be destroyed. So waited until we went Up. Unless they’re using pre-cog to know where we’ll be.”
“It’s that last.” Marc paused, considering. “I need to be truthful, Kara. About this mission...”
Kara cut him off. “Tatia’s waiting for us, Marc. We’re both going to find her.” Marc was lost to her, to them, perhaps forever. She could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice. “And I do mean both. Once she’s safe, once we’ve completed the mission, you can do what the hell you like. For now I need you by my side. Okay?”
For a wild moment he considered leaving. Except they were in real space. He had no idea if netherspace would claim him if he stepped into the void. Anyway, Kara would stop him. The knowledge of his powerlessness – what good is netherspace to me here? – was bitter in his mouth. Kara was the closest friend he’d ever had. Why couldn’t she understand? What possible, practical use could he be? Unless...
“I could protect you in netherspace. If I was in it.”
“You have that much control?”
Marc was silent, then from nowhere: “Are you and Tatia having a thing?”
Kara looked at him stony-faced then allowed the briefest of smiles. “A thing?”
The lord of netherspace – still embarrassingly human – wished he’d kept his mouth shut. Too late to back out. “Maybe emotion clouding your judgement?” It was all he could think to say.
“I haven’t seen Tatia since she went with the Originators. What are you, jealous?” Kara cursed silently. The accusation had jumped into her mind and contained a tacit admission.
“But you did have a thing, right? On the way back from Cancri?” And yes, Marc realised, he was jealous. But not in the way that either he or Kara would have expected.
“This thing again,” she said, playing for time. “You mean did we fuck?”
“Forget it.” He knew but didn’t want to and began to turn away.
“We can’t. It’s out there.” She felt inside her pocket for the wooden talisman. “Remember what I was like when you went into netherspace?” She thought of what he’d been through, that even sociopaths might need a hug.
He turned back. “Yes. You were upset.”
“Real tears, Marc. I do not often cry. You were and are special to me. It goes way past that simulity bond. You are my friend. Always will be. So yes, we did have sex. While you were with Nikki the navigator or Henk the whore.
* * *
And that’s all it was, and the only time it happened. I’m sad if you’re upset, Marc. But we...”
“Were never meant for each other. Except for a casual. Like scratching an itch. And that would fuck with the friendship.”
“First a thing and now an itch,” Kara said straight-faced. “So flattering.”
“She came to me, you know? And I turned her down. Because she was confused, in a state from Cancri. And I told myself that was part of changing from psycho to sociopath. Give the man a gold star.”
“Ever occur that women might also need sex to relieve tension? You saw Tatia as an innocent warrior princess... holy fuck, love, you were scared of falling for her!”
“There’s that age thing,” he said weakly.
Oh no there’s not. But probably not the best time to explain. “Which would only matter if you genuinely cared.” She began to laugh. “And I thought you fancied me!”
“You’re a very attractive itch.” He knew the metaphor was confused, but she’d get the idea. “That business on Dartmoor...”
“Was one of your elementals,” she finished for him. Like the Severn, too. “So if it’s been Tatia all along, why are you so desperate for netherspace?” But I fucked Greenaway away from the river, no elementals, and the day after and it was even better. And maybe I’m in love.
“I only, maybe, just realised about Tatia.” He knew he sounded unsure. “And everything’s changed. Look. What I saw, sensed in netherspace now owns me. I have to find out what it is. Even if I can’t understand it, I must go there.
* * *
Except there doesn’t exist, as such.”
“Fuck 'em all but six,” Kara said with genuine wonder, “you’re on a quest!”
“That’s so hard to understand? Why six?”
“Don’t be defensive. You’re not the only one. But mine’s not so important. It’s only about saving Earth. Six to carry my coffin. Old army saying. I do need you, Marc. You and Tatia and me are, apparently, the last best hope. Which makes no sense but I believe it.” She waited, wondering what to do if he said no.
“You’re sure of that?”
“I’m sure.” And discovered that she really was. More than hope, a total conviction that only the three of them could do whatever it was that had to be done.
“Until the mission’s over then,” Marc said quietly. “One way or another.”
Kara nodded, then was surprised by his next remark.
“But there is someone in your life,” Marc said. “You’ve got more assurance.”
“You mean depth.” Of course he’d sense it. They were still simulity connected.
He nodded. “That too.”
“It’s a maybe and possibly distracting, so you’ll have to wait until we’re done.”
“I showed you mine... okay,” as he saw her eyes narrow, “Off-limits for now.”
For a full half second Kara considered admitting that she’d copied Marc’s memories. Who else knew? Marc’s AI was insane, so only Greenaway, Ishmael and her. Let that dog sleep. Then she saw Marc’s quizzical expression. That bloody simulity! He’d sensed she was concerned about something concerning him.
“What’s it like in netherspace?” A question she’d always intended to ask. “How do you eat? Drink?” Kara half smiled.
