Level Three, Variation B
Judy 4 stepped into the isolation room. Kevin was already here, struggling with Helen. Calypso, the woman who had booked the session in the trap, was lying on the floor, feebly trying to get up. Judy paused by the door, letting events run their course. As she watched, Helen slumped to the floor. Kevin noticed Judy and gave her a smile.
Hello again, he said. He nodded to Helen on the floor. Shes very clever, he said. She grabbed hold of Calypsos hands and rubbed the relaxant on me. She couldnt know that the simulation is programmed to exclude me from the effects.
Judys face was deliberately impassive.
Shes very tenacious, Kevin. Im really coming to admire her.
Thats why we pick her for the traps. Big favorite with a certain sort of man. He looked down at Calypso. And a certain sort of woman, he added.
Fk ff, Calypso murmured.
Kevin rubbed his chin, thoughtfully. I dont seem to be able to exit from this space at all.
Weve got your measure now, Judy 4 said.
I didnt think that was possible. Kevin frowned.
Judy pulled a little blue pill from the sleeve of her kimono and swallowed it.
It is possible, she said, if we isolate the space completely. Nothing gets in and out now. Not even me.
Kevin shrugged his shoulders. Ah, well. There is still one way out.
I dont think so.
Watch me, whispered
Kevin. His smile froze as he slumped slowly to the ground.
Judy 4 stared at him for a moment, her white face motionless. Only the slight widening of her black eyes displayed the horror she felt.
Wht? Wht s it? Calypso said. She was gazing up from the floor where she lay. Wht dd he do?
Level Three, Variation A
Whats the matter, Judy?
Helen leaned close to Judy 3 and took hold of one of her white hands. For something that seemed to be barely there, the hand felt very warm.
Judy, what is it?
He killed himself, she whispered. Overwrote the personality space he inhabited with null events.
James spoke up from his corner in a whining voice. So what? Let him die. Who cares?
Judy 3 turned and gave him a sweet smile. You should care, James. Now that Kevin has left this processing space, there is no reason for the Private Network to maintain it. Lets just hope my atomic friends get an exit into here before were all wiped.
Helen moved her lips, thinking aloud.
Surely they will have a backup of this processing space? Couldnt they just run that?
Judy 3 had been gazing at her reflection in the mirrored walls of the isolation room. She turned and gave Helen a significant look.
Ah, now youve hit on the crux of the matter, Helen.
Level Four
Judy 11 stepped into the isolation room on Level Four and held her breath, expecting the worst. The scenarios on this level did not bear contemplating. To look at them awoke a boiling anger that slowly cooled into thoughts that left her feeling weak and ashamed.
In this room there was a table, a little tray of silver instruments at one side of it. A man was looking at the instruments thoughtfully. He turned as Judy appeared.
Hello, Judy, he said.
Who are you? Judy 11 asked. Wheres Helen?
Never mind that, said the man. We need to talk, and quickly. Ive been trying to get a message to your atomic self, undetected, for months now. This may be my last chance.
Judy 11 laughed sardonically.
You could have picked a better place. This processing space is going to be shut down at any moment, with all of us in it. Im doing a last sweep for anyone who may be trapped in here, in the vain hope that we may be able to get them out in time.
Never mind that, the man said again. What Ive got to say is far more important.
I doubt it, Judy said.
The man took hold of Judys hands and gazed into her black eyes.
Judy, listen to me. When word of this gets out, it could bring down Social Care, the EA, even the Watcher. It changes everything weve been led to believe. Theres been a murder.
The edge to the mans words touched something in Judy. He believed in what he was saying.
Who has been murdered? she asked crisply.
Thats not the problem. The problem is the murderer. Theyve killed once; theyre going to kill again. The murderer has to be stopped, and I dont think that thats possible.
Judy 11 was calm.
Nothing is impossible. Who is the murderer?
The man swallowed. He looked around the room, as if afraid of who might hear his words. When he spoke, it was in a hoarse whisper.
The Watcher.
Justinian 1: 2223
Bah buh bah, said the baby earnestly. Bah buh bah! A stinking breeze twisted into the cabin through the widening gap, scattering grass seeds before it: a bad-breath yawn that matched Justinians.
As the ramp dropped further, the fliers exterior lights came on, illuminating a long sloping finger of mud that slid down into black water. Justinian wiped his sticky eyes with one hand and set off down the exit ramp. Outside of the calming yellow glow of the cabin that had been his home for the past three weeks lay a psychedelic world. The fliers lights cast garish highlights and shadows on the red mud; white light reflected off the dark mirror of the water. The whole became a jumble that jangled his tired mind. The green bean shape of the AI pod lay half buried about thirty meters away, white grass seeds blown all around it.