“But it’s happened before.”
“Yes.”
Jason was about to ask another question when his phone rang. It was Anna.
“I hope you’re contacting me with good news, Mrs Tilden,” Jason said.
“We haven’t got her out yet, Mr Asano, but the International Committee has agreed to form a contingent to press the Lyon branch in person, after their encroachment into our territory. That means some of our people, plus some IC heavy hitters. And you, if you want in.”
“When?”
“How quickly can you get to Bankstown Airport?”
“Very.”
“Then I’d say pack a bag, but I understand that bags aren’t really your thing. Once you reach the airport, call me and I’ll give you more specific directions.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Oh, and Mr Asano?”
“Yes?”
“Miss Karadeniz went to bat for you in a very big way today. I just thought you should know that.”
46
VISUALLY DISTINCTIVE HENCHMAN
After deliberating, Jason decided to only leave one of Shade’s bodies behind, in order to keep tabs on things in his absence. He had no idea what he would face in France but when things inevitably went wrong, he wanted his options as full as possible. Before leaving for Sydney, he portalled to his sister’s house. As he emerged from the portal, Erika gave him an unhappy look.
“Uncle Jason,” Emi scolded.
He noticed that the family was sitting on the floor around his portal, puzzle pieces scattered everywhere.
“Did my portal arch come up under your puzzle?” he asked.
“Yep.”
“Sorry. Maybe you can redo it at my place. I’d like you to stay there for a few days.”
“Why?” Erika asked suspiciously.
“I’m going away for a little while. Probably a few days, if it goes well. I’d feel better if you were staying somewhere more secure.”
“Back to the other universe?” Emi asked.
“No, Moppet,” Jason said. “If only it were that easy. I’m going to France.”
“What’s in France?” Erika asked.
“A friend in need,” Jason said. “I’ll tell you all about it when I get back, but I’d feel a lot better if you moved into the houseboat until then.”
“We’re not just going to abandon our daily lives and hide out in your magic houseboat because you aren’t here, Jason.”
“I know,” Jason said. “But knowing you’re there, at least at night, would give me some peace of mind.”
“I wouldn’t mind sleeping in one of those cloud beds,” Ian admitted, after which Emi threw up her arms and cheered.
“Cloud bed! Cloud bed! Cloud bed!”
Erika groaned her reluctant capitulation.
“Fine,” she said. “Under the condition that you answer the damn phone.”
“I’m taking most of Shade’s bodies with me,” Jason said, “but I’m leaving one with Emi, just in case. He can reach me where phones can’t.”
Erika wrapped her brother in a hug.
“Are you doing something dangerous?” she asked.
“Probably,” he admitted.
“Just come back to us faster this time, okay?”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I’d rather you get someone better to help you and have them do their best,” she said. “You can be kind of hopeless.”
“Harsh,” Jason said with a chuckle. “As it turns out, though, that’s exactly the plan.”
In the underground parking structure of the Network’s Sydney branch, Miranda and Kylie were in Miranda’s car. Miranda handed Kylie an envelope and a packet.
“The envelope is your instructions in detail,” Miranda said. “Make sure you destroy it when you’re done. The packet is for him.”
“Is letting him out really the best way?”
“What we’re doing here requires a patsy,” Miranda said. “He’s gone after Asano before, and if he’s in one of our holding rooms, that’s a solid alibi. Don’t worry, Kylie. You don’t need to do anything to any of our people. You just need to let the Frenchman go. He is still Network, after all.”
Kylie nodded, although she still looked uncertain.
“Just remember the threat that Asano poses,” Miranda said. Kylie’s dull gaze grew sharp. “Good girl. Your envelope has a key card and door codes, none of which are tied to you. Memorise the codes and the security protocols and then destroy the envelope before you begin. Once you release the Frenchman and give him the packet, get out and destroy the key card as well.”
“What will you be doing?” Kylie asked.
“I’m stuck with the rough end of this operation,” Miranda said. “I need to deal with Asano without any of our people getting hurt.”
“How?” Kylie asked. “He’s so powerful.”
“We’ve done a tactical analysis based on your recording,” Miranda said. “Your contribution has been critical to protecting us from him. Now go; we need to move.”
Kylie nodded and got out of the car. Miranda drove off.
Jason portalled as close as he could get, not having been to Bankstown Airport before, then drove the remaining distance.
“Why didn’t she arrive with me?” Jason asked Shade.
“You were delivered using the Word-Phoenix Token,” Shade said, “and subject to its specific properties.”
“So I was reborn on the same spot I was born.”
“Precisely,” Shade said. “Given the results, it seems probable that your friend, Miss Hurin, was delivered into the world as a normal outworlder. Without a geographically specific inciting incident, such as the failed summoning that triggered your becoming an outworlder, she was likely delivered into this world at random.”
“I guess my return wasn’t a sufficiently impactful event to glom onto,” Jason said. “And here I thought I was special.”
The Bankstown airport was better suited to discreet private charters than Sydney International, which suited the Network’s needs. Anna had sent Jason directions to avoid the passenger terminal and approach a small, quiet entrance to the airfield. She was startled to see his approaching car explode into darkness, only for him to stride out as the swirling darkness was sucked into his shadow.
“That’s a little more flashy than other vehicle conjurations that I’ve seen,” she said.
“My driver understands the most vital aspect of being an essence user,” Jason said. “Of all the things I learned in the other world, it stands above all the others.”
“And what’s that?”
“It’s not about being good,” Jason said. “It’s about looking good.”
“I’m going to regret having to deal with you, aren’t I?”
“Very frequently.”
Jason could feel Anna’s worry about his attitude in her aura. When he forcibly set the tone light, he also felt her relief. Asya, unsurprisingly, had warned her colleagues about his reaction.
She led him to one of the private hangars, pointing out one made of tan-painted aluminium. The sign listed it as belonging to the generic-sounding GDR Services, which was the corporate face of the Network’s legitimate operations. Since involving the government, almost all of the Network’s activity had been brought under that umbrella.