<meta name="LineWrap" content="true"><TITLE>SR_Bk1 0047</TITLE><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0048.txt">Next (Page 48)</A><BR><P><P>"This mission will go forward as we've been instructed," Daptin said. "Don't second guess the Caxopys--they've been doing this since before our parents had sex to conceive us. For whatever reason, they appointed Fake as group leader for this mission--so her word is final."<P><P>"Don't threaten me," Jerald said. "You're threatening me, just cuz I can be killed and you can't. I won't have it."<P><P>"Jerald!" Fake yelled. "If you hadn't noticed, we're all on the same team. We're not threatening you. Elaine showed us the coin for a reason--because we were concerned about the possibility of killing. She thought if we were invulnerable, it might desensitize us a little. And reluctant as I am to admit it, I do feel less sensitive on the matter now that my own death is precluded."<P><P>"And you, Jerald," Daptin said. "You didn't need such a treatment, with your gung ho, 'let's kill some innocent mall security guards' attitude. Get some brains, man. Just because we have the power doesn't mean we have the right to abuse it. I mean, did you ever kill anyone? Do you know what it is to live the rest of your life with that memory?"<P><P>"No," Jerald said. "But if it's kill or be killed, I know what to do."<P><P>"Excuse me," came Tavmatey's voice from the Cup, much fainter now than at The Caxopy Group. "Excuse me, Daptin?"<P><P>"Hold on--yes?" Daptin said, holding the Cup near his ear.<P><P>"Now that we're away from Elaine and Cursive I can tell you a few things," Tavmatey said. "First of all, as they said, the mission is time-sensitive. But I didn't tell them everything. If I don't get out of here soon, I don't know if I'll last. So please, for goodness sakes, stop bickering and save my sorry ass!"<P><P>"Jerald?" Daptin said.<P><P>Jerald paused, and then relaxed.<P><P>"Okay," Jerald said. "I'll try to handle the unfairness internally. I do want a coin, though, and I hope you two will back me up when we get back."<P><P>"You only have to touch it," Fake said. "You don't get to keep it."<P><P>"Oh," Jerald said.<P><P>"Okay--I think I see the record store," Daptin said. "Now let's walk over there calmly. Chances are, if we act normal, any security folks who see us'll be confused enough that we can get over the bridge before they react. Okay?"<P><P>"Well I thought I was the leader here, but okay," Fake said.<P><P>"Sorry--it's just that you heard what Tavmatey said--we're in a hurry," Daptin said.<P><P>"No harm done. Let's go. Cinder block--follow close behind us," Fake said.<P><P>Daptin opened the door and the three of them stepped out into the mall. They walked briskly, one after the other.<P><P>"Break it up!" Daptin said. "Don't walk right behind me--it looks suspicious."<P><P>"Like your vest isn't the most suspicious thing ever!" Jerald said.<P><P>"I'm keeping the flames as low as I can," Daptin said through clenched teeth.<P><P>"The cinder block's not helping either," Jerald said.<P><P>Fake didn't respond.<P><P>Then Fake and Jerald came up beside Daptin as they headed for an escalator. Though the mall was crowded, few people noticed the three with their guns and grenades and such.<P><P>"Daptin," Tavmatey's tiny voice came. "Daptin, we can talk freely now. How've you been?"<P><P>"Huh?" Daptin said, holding the Cup up to his ear, looking around to make sure this wasn't attracting attention.<P><P>"You can stop pretending you don't know me," Tavmatey said.<P><P>"I don't know you. I mean, I just met you today," Daptin said as they started walking up the escalator. <P><P>"Daptin, are you afraid they're still monitoring you somehow?" Tavmatey asked. <P><P>"No!" Daptin said. "I just don't know what you're talking about. Did I know you in school or something?"<P><P>"Daptin! We were going out--don't you remember?" Tavmatey said.<P><P>"Hold on," Daptin said.<P><P>They got to the top of the escalator and spotted a few mall security guards nearby, looking in their direction.<BR><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0048.txt">Next (Page 48)</A>