Super

Chapter 19: Plot, Counterplot

The pain in Lex's head had backed down somewhat to a dull ache, but she still found it hard to think. After several seconds, however, one thing floated to the top.

“We're going to have to figure out how to fund this,” she said, “I don't have any ideas at the moment–”

“I can take care of getting any money that you have in the bank to follow us,” Riss said, nodding at Lex, “but I'd recommend you both having a few hundred dollars on you at all times to be ready for our initial run. I'm going to have to rely on you two for that at first, since I don't currently have any access to cash.”

Lex and Casey both nodded. “No problem,” Lex replied.

Casey took a notepad out of her purse while asking, “What sizes do the two of you wear?” She noted all the information down, then started asking about what kind of bag they preferred and a few other particulars.

“One last thing,” Riss interrupted after a while, eyeing the countdown on her computer, “I'll let you know how we'll be communicating as soon as I can, but in the meantime, think about what you want your new names to be. If you can't think of one, I'll have to open the phone book and point, so I suggest choosing one yourself. OK, ladies, start an inane conversation on my countdown mark.”

Riss silently counted down on her fingers, then pointed to all of them. Serena began by saying that she should have checked out the drinks menu, and Casey replied that although she'd enjoyed her dessert, it had been a bit small, so maybe she should order another one. Lex watched as Riss gathered her equipment back up and packed it away in her purse. Chiming in on the conversation where she could, Lex fought a feeling of weariness that had moved in on top of the headache and nausea that hadn't quite gone away. Some time later, she finally made her way back to the car with great relief, stumbling a little on the way, and glancing up with a smile at Casey as the taller woman held her arm to steady her.

Lex somehow managed to fall asleep on the way back the facilities and dreamt of standing at a window. She found herself clutching the sill, because when she looked out where she thought there should be a landscape, she only saw a featureless blackness, as if the window she hung onto for dear life had just been drawn on a chalkboard. Then, when she looked behind her to find out about the place she watched from, Lex again saw a featureless blackness. After this, the window itself began dissolving into the darkness and Lex fell, but with no yawning sensation in her stomach; it felt as if she simply floated in the nothingness.

Lex later remembered thinking as she floated, or fell, that you couldn't have something unless you started with nothing first, and that she would figure out what to do. With that in mind, Lex woke up suddenly and blinked, recognizing the front lights of the facility. She took the offer of Casey's arm and went slowly inside and to bed.

Somehow, this was the thought that kept Lex going as everyone worked hard to get ready for their escape. Maybe she didn't have the plan now, but it was going to come to her; all she had to do was to be patient. She tried hard to silence the internal voice that liked to point out that she might not have that much time left, and continued focusing on the solution.

Several days after dinner out, Riss had stopped by Lex's room one evening to ask her something about the report they'd turned over about computer security for the facility. While they talked, she'd managed to slip another note in Lex's pocket, telling her to check her e-mail the next day exactly at 5:30. So, when Lex curiously opened it the next day, she found an e-mail from Riss.

“Hello, All,” she'd written. “I've set up a self-unraveling system of e-mail for communications that no one should be able to tap into. Anything you write or receive between 5:30 and 5:35 in the afternoon will auto-delete at 5:36:00. The messages will leave no trace in any of MSI's systems, so respond quickly and memorize any information you get. If you miss anything, ask for a re-send the next day. Questions? Ask me. -Riss”