Broken Ascension

Independent Moves

Bishop stood patiently outside the shop. It was a shop selling entertainment products. There were a number of young people in it, checking out headgear and retina screeners. Bishop thought he might look out of place here but he had already decided on the location. No one would pay him any notice anyway. He had set the time as well but he knew from experience that he had to allow for additional waiting. The man he was waiting for had a mania about being followed and there were always this tricksy changes of direction that he devised on his way to the destination. It meant that the actual journey lengthened considerably, all this back tracking and turns. Bishop could have told him; had actually told him that there was absolutely no basis to his fear. But once something like that gets you, it was hard to let go. Neuroses were still aplenty in this century. Bishop felt lighter. Goddamn the Oracle had been right. What had he hoped to achieve by denying himself? Tenderness was ever highly undervalued. The guy was almost an hour late. But his patience had been fed by the beauty that was his connection with Callista and he could wait an hour more. He didn’t have to.

“Bishop, is that you Bishop?” A soft voice called out to him. He searched for the direction of the voice. The guy was standing behind a signboard on the ground a few feet away. He was looking around furtively. Bishop thought the signboard actually drew more attention to him. Bishop motioned to him and pointed at a café nearby. They made their separate ways to the café. Bishop found a quiet corner and sat down. The guy waited for Bishop to order drinks before seating down.

“You drink tea?” Bishop asked.

“Oh yeah. You’re sure we’re safe?” His eyes darted around, studied some of the other patrons.

“Relax Jarvis. We’re perfectly fine.” He gave Jarvis a thumbs up.

“Don’t know why you call me that?” He was still looking around furtively. Like a rabbit watching for predators before making a dash through the field.

“Because you’re my man.”

“Ha ha.” He gave a sardonic smile.

“You’d rather I use your real name?” Jarvis shook his head violently.

“I heard that Jarvis stands for Just A Very Intelligent System.”

“It’s more Just A Very Intelligent Sucker.”

“Isn’t that an oxymoron?”

“I’m really intelligent but I’m still suckered into doing this ain’t I?”

“You know why you do this.” Bishop looked at him carefully. Jarvis nodded and settled down.

“Yeah, okay. What can I do for you Big Boss Man?”

“Firstly, I like you to take care of this for me.” He handed over a satchel. Jarvis held on to it looking at it suspiciously.

“What’s in it?”

“Does it matter? Just keep it for me until I ask for it again.” The waiter came by with their cups of tea and Jarvis stared at him fearfully. He only spoke after the waiter had left.

“Of course it matters. God knows what I’m holding on to for you. I have to know. What if it is the Crown Jewels or something?”

“It wouldn’t fit in there.”

“I’m just saying. I have to know or I’m not keeping it.” He held up the satchel. Bishop held up his hands and motioned for him to put it back down. Jarvis placed it back on his lap.

“Okay, okay. No need to get excited. It’s just a bunch of notebooks in there.”

“Notebooks?”

“Yeah, the kind you write on.”

“Like paper?”

“Yes, notebooks. Made of paper.”

“Who writes on paper anymore?” Despite his nervousness, he started laughing. He was right though, who wrote on paper anyway. Penmanship was a lost art.

“Paper can’t be hacked. Think about that Mr Paranoid.”

“I’m not Mr…whatever. So it’s just notebooks."

“Yes, open and see if you want.”

“Jesus. I trust you man, I trust you.” He shook his head, more relaxed now.

“What’s in the notebooks anyway?”

“They’re my diaries.”

“Seriously? Like Dear Diary today sucked big time because all the kids laughed at me.”

“No. Like Dear Diary, today was day one of Operation Sandblast. Orders to exterminate all members of the platoon. That kind of thing.”

“Oh, sure. Yeah, I knew that.” He sipped at his tea.

“One other thing. I need some information, whatever you can get. Syndistra.”

“That’s a familiar name. Look, only my sources okay. I’m not going like do spy stuff and all that.”

“I don’t want you to. Just whatever you can get.”

“They’re a big thing. Any thing in particular?”

“Project Adam. Or Project Crucible. That’s all I have.”

“Yeah I see what I can do. Deal’s still on though?”

“Always. Deals on. Beep me when you have something.”

“Beep beep.”

“You have something?”

“No, when you said ‘beep’ I thought of this old show I’m streaming. Its 20th century or 19th I don’t know. But it’s an animation see. There’s this bird that runs really fast called the Road Runner and there’s this dog or wolf trying to catch and eat it. So this dog tries all this s**t, you know elaborate plans and devices and fails every time. Fails every single time. All his plans backfires and he gets seriously busted up like exploded with dynamite or run over by trains. Real busted up. But doesn’t die. And then he gets back up and tries again. It’s a hoot.”

“I feel like that dog sometimes.”

“Well yeah beep beep. I’ve got your back brother. You now, sometimes my shadow scares the s**t out of me but I’ve got your back.”

“Thanks Jarvis. You know I have yours too.”

“I know, I know. That’s why I do this. All the danger and I do this.”He made a fist. Bishop replied in kind. He had some small affection for this man. Had been of great help before. Hopefully would be great help in the future. That’s how he had to play now. For all the past, he had to change his way. He couldn’t continue alone anymore. There was a new way to play the game.

“Drink up Jarvis. I think this is what they called Tea Subs.”

“What you’ve never had it? You know what they are right?”

“Not really, that’s why I need you.”

“I’m like your sidekick?” Jarvis mimed some boxing moves.

“Sidekick means you have to do some kicking. You’re my Jarvis that’s more important. The brains to my brawn.”

“The guy in the chair.”

“Yes absolutely, whatever that means. C’mon just drink your tea and take care of the satchel. My life’s in there.” A moment of panic flashed through Jarvis’ eyes but he shook himself and grabbed the satchel tighter. Yeah, guard it well man. That really is my life.