******
When the bus came to a stop, the flying black dots Vincent had seen from afar were in much clearer focus. They were not black, but a dazzling pure white, and they were shaped suspiciously like the pods of transports. The halos, too, looked quite different. They were as wide across as the towers they protected, and their edges were dangerously sharp. On their outermost side, facing away from the city, was written a short phrase in thin, capital letters: THERE IS NO FEAR WITHOUT HOPE.
“This is as close as I can get you,” Jack called back to the bus at large. “When you’re ready, you’re free to get in line.”
Vincent and Jessica stood with the rest of the riders. They pushed their way into the aisle to claim their spot in line.
“Good luck. Good luck. Yes, ma’am, best of luck.”
They could hear Jack seeing people off from the front of the bus as they approached. The way he spoke, he seemed to be hurrying people out. Vincent didn’t blame him; he would need time to get back to the Hole before the attack.
“Good luck to you,” said Jack when they reached him. Then, when he realized who they were, he shook their hands. “Very good luck to you two.” He tipped his hat to them as they climbed the few steps toward the outdoors. “Good luck. Yes, sir, good luck…”
Jack’s voice faded as they climbed off the bus. Jessica stopped in her tracks a few steps later
“I guess this is the line?”
Vincent followed her gaze. From the row of kiosks below the giant halos ahead, a line of a few dozen people extended outward. With a sort of nervous sigh, Jessica led the way to the back.
“…no, no we left yesterday morning but the traffic was terrible.”
Vincent spotted the owner of the voice instantly as they approached: a tall, round man wearing clothes similar to the ones worn by people in the Hole.
“We ended up just pulling to the side of the road and waiting,” the man continued. “Kids are still asleep. Been a long day for them.”
Vincent and Jessica settled in behind the man. It wasn’t clear who exactly he was talking to. The family in front of him wasn’t paying him any mind.
“Hello there,” the man said, turning around. “Name’s Jim.”
Vincent looked up. “Hi,” he said. “I’m Vincent.”
The man grabbed onto Vincent’s hand and shook it without invitation.
“Nice to meet you, Vincent,” he said. “And the pretty young lady?”
Jessica smiled curtly. “Jessica”, she said, then turned to Vincent. It was a clear signal the conversation was over, but Jim didn’t appear to notice.
“Where are you two lovebirds coming from?” he said.
Vincent’s cheeks went red. Jessica sighed and turned back around. “Washing,” she said.
“Ah,” said Jim. “Not too far then. We’re from way south. My wife and I had to alternate driving through the night.” He turned to his right and craned his neck over the line. Vincent followed his gaze. Some ways off, the road to the south was packed with hundreds of vehicles bumper to bumper. “She’s with the kids at the moment,” said Jim. “They’re all exhausted.”
Jessica was still looking at the never-ending line of vehicles. “What are you going to do with your transport?” she asked.
“My what?”
“Your car,” corrected Jessica. “Is there not a separate entrance?”
Jim shook his head. “You can only enter with what you can carry.” He leaned in close and whispered at a volume Vincent felt sure the front of the line could hear. “I tried to convince the wife to let me carry the car,” he said, grinning, “but she wouldn’t have it.”
Vincent tried his best at a fake laugh. Jim seemed satisfied with it.
“So what are you supposed to do once you get inside?” asked Jessica. “Just start over?”
“Pretty much,” said Jim. “But they help you. It’s part of Newsight’s defense initiative. After you get your Lenses, you get a little startup package: a place to live, clothes, jobs. Even a shiny new car.”
Vincent perked up at this. “All from Newsight?” he asked.
Jim nodded, beaming. “Exciting, isn’t it? This is the first time we could afford the move. They gouge you for the shuttles, so we saved up for a car instead. Took us a few months, but we’re finally here.”
“So…” Jessica started, but she seemed to be having trouble processing something. “You actually wanted to come here?”
“Of course we did!” said Jim, confused. “Well, Tina took some convincing, but I talked some sense into her.” He paused here, frowning. “Aren’t you two excited?”
“We are,” rushed Vincent. The last thing they needed to do was draw attention to themselves. “Just nervous, that’s all.”
Jim nodded, knowingly. “Ryan, my youngest, has been that way ever since we left. Only stopped crying long enough to sleep.” He shook his head. “He’ll realize soon enough how lucky we are.”
“I’m sure he will,” said Jessica. Her tone was more cautious now. “If you don’t mind my asking, why were you so intent on moving?”
“Same reason as everyone else,” said Jim, “for the protection. There was an attack a few times a week back home. Here, I’ve heard they only get one or two a month.”
Jessica tried her best to look impressed. “And that’s because of Newsight?”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Jim. “Fatrem deserves a medal for what he’s doing. Tina doesn’t think so, of course, no matter how many lives he’s saved. She’s not a fan of Lenses. Says she doesn’t trust them. But you can’t argue with the results can you? Two attacks a month!” He gave an impressed whistle. “That’s worth it.” He pointed up at the giant halos They were only a dozen meters off now. “The Order gets past the halos every now and then. There was a cyberattack just yesterday, I heard – some message from the Order. But even Newsight isn’t perfect.”
“Those things are Newsight’s?” said Vincent, looking up at the halos.
“Of course they are,” said Jim. “It’s the air defense system. Every standard city has them. Keeps the Order out.”
“But they keep people in, too. Don’t they?” said Vincent.
“I guess they do,” said Jim. “But it’s the best thing for us in the end. And it’s only temporary. When the Order is finally stopped, things will go back to normal.” Jim looked around them, as if he were about to tell some dark secret. “When that does happen,” he said, his voice low, “I for one hope they let us keep our Lenses.” He glanced around them yet again. “Have you heard of the simulations?”
Vincent said they hadn’t. He had a feeling Jim would be disappointed if they had.
“They’re only possible with Lenses,” explained Jim. “It’s basically like virtual reality that doesn’t look virtual. They’re supposed to be amazing. They’re expensive – the better versions, at least – but they’re worth it. I can’t wait to–”
“Dad!”
Jim spun around mid-sentence just in time to brace himself against the small girl hurtling toward him. She wrapped herself around his legs in a bear hug. He patted her on the back.
“Hi, sweetheart,” he said. “I was about to come looking for you.” He looked up at the woman walking toward them. “Did you see me getting close?”
“We guessed,” she said. “Ryan just woke up.” She was carrying a young boy who looked a little too large not to be walking on his own. She smiled politely at Vincent and Jessica as she took her spot in line. “Ryan,” said the woman. “Do you want to see daddy?”
The little boy glanced at Jim, then nuzzled deeper into his mother’s neck. Jim scratched the boy’s head.
“Still hasn’t perked up?”
The woman shook her head. She looked tired. The skin of her wide, heart-shaped face had sagged so it collected at her cheeks.
Jim sighed, but he didn’t seem disheartened. Vincent doubted if the emotion even existed for the man.
“Tina this is Vincent and Jessica,” said Jim, turning
from his son. “They’re from Washing.”
Tina smiled politely at them once again, but she seemed as pleased as Jim did timid.
“And now,” Jim lifted his daughter with an exaggerated grunt, “we’re all from the same place!” He hoisted the girl the rest of the way up onto his shoulders. She grabbed onto his ears, giggling. Jim pulled his wife closer as well. He kissed her on the cheek. “Don’t worry, love,” he said. “If nothing else, at least we’re safe.”
Vincent looked away. He was starting to feel sick.
“Good morning, sir.”
Jim turned around to face the voice’s owner. It was a tall, stone-faced man in the white uniform of the Guard. He was standing inside the kiosk just in front of them.
“Come on,” said Jim, turning to his family. “It’s our turn!” He shook Vincent’s hand. “We’ll see you on the other side!”
Vincent watched as they approached the stone-faced man behind the booth. Jim was already whispering something to his wife.
“Next please.”
Another man in white called out to them from several kiosks away. Vincent started forward with Jessica closed behind.
“Good morning,” said Vincent when they were at the kiosk.
“Good morning,” the man recited back. “Where from?”
“Washing.”
“First time in…” The man trailed off. He was peering at Vincent’s eyes. “You’re in the wrong line. This line is for people without Lenses. You’ll want to head over there.” He pointed to a separate, empty kiosk to their left.
“Oh, sorry,” said Vincent. The man nodded, already scanning the line behind them.
“Next!”
Exchanging a nervous glance, Vincent and Jessica started over to the separate, unpopulated line.
“Good morning,” said Vincent, when they reached the new kiosk.
The man behind the counter, reclining in his seat, looked up at them. “Lenses?” he said, sounding uninterested.
In answer, Vincent leaned forward and opened his eyes wide. The man sat up in his seat for a closer look.
“Very good,” he said. He stood up. “Come through here.” He pressed a button under his desk and a seam next to the kiosk grew into a door. He motioned them inside. After a pause, Vincent stepped in. Jessica followed more reluctantly behind.
“This way,” said the man. He led them through the small, plain white space toward a second door. “My colleagues will take care of you.” He pressed a button on the door’s side, then motioned them forward, this time giving them a little shove so they couldn’t hesitate. When they were through, the door slid shut behind them.
The ceiling of the second room was several stories high, and the walls curved straight up, coming to a point at the top like an arrowhead. More men in white patrolled the halls, some carrying small white clubs, others corralling families still stepping through the other kiosks. They were in the bottom halo.
“You have Lenses?” A bored looking man in white stood from his seat when he saw them.
“Yes, sir,” said Vincent.
The man picked up a strange looking device from his chair. Its handle was straight like the white clubs, but its end flayed out into a spoon-shaped curve.
“I need to get your IDs,” said the man. “Step forward.” Vincent obeyed. His heart began to beat a little faster. John’s eye prints were about to be put to the test. And judging by the small squadron of Guard members straight ahead who had been watching them ever since they had stepped through the kiosk, it was a test they needed to pass.
“Open your eyes wide.”
Vincent did as he was told. He found himself wishing he could silence the pounding in his chest – the man could surely hear it.
“Just a moment here.”
The man held the device with the curved end up to Vincent’s right eye. The end of the thing glowed white, shining directly into Vincent’s unprotected pupil. He forced himself not to lower his gaze.
After a few seconds, the Guard pulled the device away. He looked at a screen on it Vincent couldn’t see. “Ben?”
Vincent frowned. “What?”
The Guard checked the screen on the device a second time. “Ben Carlson,” he said. “You’re from Hux?”
Vincent opened his mouth to correct the man, but he stopped himself. “Uh, yeah, that’s right” he said, stammering a little. “Is there a problem?”
The Guard looked down at the screen yet again. “Our records show you disappeared from the city several months ago.” The man looked up at Vincent, suspicious. “And your Lenses are dark.”
“They are?” Vincent tried to act surprised. The Guard nodded. His companions started forward. “It must have been the Order.”
“What order?” said the Guard.
“The Order,” said Vincent. His mind was racing now. The words came out automatically. “When they took us.”
“Is there a problem over here?”
The largest of the other Guards was the one who had spoken. His companions flanked him on either side. They formed a wall between Vincent and the rest of the halo.
“Maybe,” said the Guard with the device. He was still staring at Vincent. “You’re telling me you were kidnapped by the Order?” He paused, eyes locked on Vincent, skeptical. “That’s how you left?”
Vincent chanced a look up at the squadron of men standing in front of him. He was walking a tightrope. “They tried to recruit us,” he said. “But we escaped. We just now made it back.”
The Guard was shaking his head. “We haven’t had an abduction in over a year. That issue was supposed to have been fixed.”
“Well apparently the Order hasn’t been told that,” Vincent shot back. The squadron of men shifted where they stood. Vincent reined in his tone. “We didn’t do anything wrong.”
He held the man’s gaze for several seconds. His muscles were growing tense, preparing to run.
Without a word, the Guard turned back to his device. He tapped a series of buttons there. Vincent expected a stream of security to come pouring in on them any second.
“Your record is spotless,” said the Guard. He looked puzzled. “You’re listed as priority, as well.”
Vincent said nothing. He held his breath.
“Do you want us to take him?” asked the tall Guard.
The Guard who had scanned Vincent’s eye said nothing for a beat, then shook his head. “That won’t be necessary,” he said. Vincent felt a giant weight slide off his shoulders. “But report this to Newsight. Tell them their system has a bug.”
The taller Guard straightened, then saluted. “Yes, sir.” He cast Vincent a final, suspicious glance before stalking off. The other men followed.
“Wait here,” the Guard said to Vincent. “Miss.” He motioned to Jessica, and Jessica stepped forward. Vincent held his breath once again as Jessica opened her right eye wide and the man prepared his device. The end of it glowed white once again. Jessica’s shoulders rose and fell a bit quicker than usual.
“Lena Carlson?” said the Guard, looking at the screen. Jessica nodded. “The Order took you as well?” Jessica nodded a second time. The Guard looked from her to Vincent, his expression still stony. “This is going on both of your records,” he said. “In addition, you will be assigned an escort, and he will organize an investigation. Your re-assimilation will be taken seriously.”
“Yes, sir,” said Vincent.
The man grunted in response. He held up the stick-shaped device and pressed a series of buttons on its side. He began running the glowing white end up and down Jessica’s arms. “If you pass the search,” he said, “your escort will be waiting for you outside the halo.” He waved the device across the rest of Jessica’s body in a few more passes. “You’re good.” He started on Vincent next. Vincent felt the thumping in his chest grow louder once again. He had to resist the urge to look down at his chest pocket where THE SIM was still tucked neatly inside.
“You as well.”
The thumping
began to soften.
“Through that door,” said the Guard, pointing straight ahead. “And don’t go getting yourselves taken again.”
Vincent nodded obediently, then started forward with Jessica at his side.
“How did you know to say all that?” whispered Jessica.
Vincent shrugged. “Made it up,” he whispered back. “I just hope it worked.” He glanced over his shoulder at the Guard to make sure he hadn’t come after them – the man had resumed his position in the chair. Relieved, Vincent turned back to the door.
“Now wait a second.”
Vincent tensed, but when he tracked the owner of the voice, he relaxed again.
“Is something wrong?”
It was Jim. He and the rest of his family were being processed by a different Guard down the hall. Apparently the scan was not reserved only for entrants with Lenses. The Guard servicing Jim’s family was holding the same, white-glowing device Vincent and Jessica had been forced to stare into. Jim had been cleared through the scan, and he stood with his daughter, who had also been cleared, next to a squadron of Guards. His wife and son had been shuffled off to the side.
“Just precautionary,” said the Guard. “Our scan may have detected a virus.”
“They’re not sick!” said Jim. “They’ve been fine all morning!”
“I’m sorry, sir,” said the Guard, obviously trying to quiet Jim down. “It’s just protocol. I’m going to have to ask you to follow me.” The Guard motioned to one of his colleagues to come take his place, and he ushered Jim and his family the opposite direction down the hall.
“Vincent.”
Vincent turned around. Jessica was looking at him.
“Are you ready?” she asked. They were standing in front of the tall, narrow door the Guard had been talking about. Vincent took a deep breath. Jim slipped from his mind.
“Ready if you are,” he said. With a nod, Jessica pressed the button on the door’s side, and they started forward together into the city.