Fate and Duty

Destiny

They carried Agent Eddie through the marshlands, in the rain, relying on the jewel to guide them. It simply projected light in the direction they had to go to, and even blinked red if there was danger nearby. From the small lot, Marina drove the car directly to a SmileyCorp hospital.

"Neither of us can be seen," she told the wounded agent lying on the back seat, while they parked across the street.

"Don't worry about it. I'll limp to the entrance. Take the car, it's unregistered."

"It'll make you look really bad," Robert objected.

"It will also make me look like the victim of two dangerous terrorists, rather than an accomplice."

Thus, they watched him slowly walk away, until a couple of attentive nurses ran to help. Then the demoness sped away, back to the suburbs, between the deep puddles left by the near-constant rain, all the way to mom's house. At first, she was utterly shocked to see the two of them wearing their plaid prison clothes, but then it got worse: she assumed they spent the night together, like, together together.

"Did he buy you a good drink?" Mom asked, making Bobby blush all the way to the tip of his ears.

"The best," Marina replied without batting an eye, "I was totally out of it for hours."

"Blame me. I put him up to it. Also, I like your red contacts."

"Thanks, I think they really bring out my lips."

"Although, wouldn't it make you appear less professional to your clients?"

Marina scratched her head, until Robert reminded her of the advocate cover story.

"Oh, right! About that... how would you like to come see my office?"

Mom was quite enthusiastic about the idea, and hurried to her room to change clothes.

"You know," he said, shaking his head, "She thinks she's gaining a daughter."

"It's better this way. We have to leave fast, before the mega corp picks on our little game."

"Where can we possibly go? They own most of the planet. The police, the government..."

"Did you forget what happened in that old temple? You have an activated link in your hand."

He stared at the jewel, which cycled its lights quickly, simulating laughter.

"But, err... what do I do with it?"

"That's right, you're not psionic. Close your eyes."

He did, and soon felt her fingertip on his forehead. A pleasant sensation spread from the point it touched, gradually sending shivers all throughout his body.

"I'll tell you what to picture in your mind. Try to do it as vividly as possible."

Marina painted a very lively image of a small village at sunset. Farmers were returning to their families from nearby fields, eager to enjoy a rich stew. Pubs were opening their doors, with lovely maidens setting up signs promoting the drinks, and specialty meals. The town hall was filled with lights, and traditional music played in the open cobblestone square around it. Surrounding the town, a pastoral, quiet landscape was also preparing for nightfall, with birds returning to their nests, and small rodents hiding in their burrows.

When he opened his eyes, there was a gate in the living room, with a setting very similar to his imagination reflecting from it. Robert stared in awe, but, much to his disappointment, soon the spacial anomaly dissolved.

"Shower and get dressed. If you want, take some of your weird books–"

"Light novels."

"These, yes, but nothing electronic. Afterwards..."