Dagon Rising(38)

“I believe in the right to bear arms and I believe the government should do more to keep AK-47’s out of the hands of criminals,” Clark said. “I believe the government should leave me the fuck alone when it comes to who I want to marry, how I spend my money, the education choices I make for my kids and myself, what religion I choose to follow or not follow, how my doctor and I manage my healthcare, and what I choose to read, listen to, or watch on TV. I also believe that through reasonable taxation that the government should fund and foster the arts, science, education, public access roads and parks, provide some assistance to the unemployed and disabled, ensure that my food and water are safe and won’t kill me, that the air I breathe is not contaminated, and that the men and women who serve and protect are adequately armed, trained, and empowered to enforce the laws. I think if a woman is gang raped and decides to abort the fetus, she shouldn’t have to be forced to bear the fetus to term the way an insensitive asshole like Randall Terry would want. She should be able to legally put that part of her trauma behind her without having to seek medical attention from some back alley doctor or some clown who lacks the proper training, which is what the procedure would be relegated to if abortion were made illegal again. I also believe that the mongoloids who raped her should be caged for life like the animals they are and never be allowed back into society. I believe murderers should be executed and I believe marijuana possession should be decriminalized. I believe people should be able to worship whatever they want so long as their devotion doesn’t harm other people. I despise the far right as much as I despise the far left, but I’m far from being middle-of-the-road. My world views are neither guided by fantasy ideology, nor out of some dose of optimistic Pollyanna.” Clark shrugged. “But that’s just me. As an old friend of mine used to say, your mileage may vary.”

Tony raised his glass to Clark. “Mr. Arroyo, I couldn’t have said that better!”

Clark raised his glass to Tony’s and they clicked them together and drank.

“Although,” Tony said with a grin, “you said you believe murderers should be executed. Would that apply to me and you, too?”

Before Clark could answer, a voice came over the plane’s intercom system. “Flight staff, please take your seats and prepare for arrival.”

Clark looked toward the front of the cockpit. The female Black Lodge agent was now seated in the front row, by herself. Onyx, Amethyst, Diamond and Ruby were still in their respective seats. Clark traded a glance with Tony. “We stopping in LA or something?”

“On the contrary,” Ruby said from the row behind them. “We’re preparing to touch down in Naranu.”

Clark and Tony, simultaneously: “Already?!” They turned around to look at Ruby.

Ruby smiled at them, her features calm, showing no hint of alarm or surprise at their expression. “Yes.”

“How the fuck is that possible?” Tony asked.

Ruby’s smile didn’t fade. “Anything is possible if you have the will and means.”

Clark frowned. “Naranu is almost one full day ahead of our time zone in Arizona. I don’t know how fast you got to Tony after you were alerted that there was trouble on that island, but I’m willing to bet a lot of shit has gone down there in the meantime.”

Ruby met Clark’s gaze. “That is correct. Time is of the essence.”

“But unless you’re playing with String Theory or something—”

“The fuck is String Theory?” Tony interrupted.

“It’s complex,” Clark explained. “But interesting. It involves extra dimensions. The theory states that the number of dimensions is not fixed by any consistency, but flat space-time solutions exist in something called a critical dimension. It basically allows for quantum leaps in time and space.”

“The fuck did you just say?”

Clark grinned. “Believe me, String Theory is complex shit. I had to study extra hard when we covered it in Physics when I was in college.”

Tony shook his head. “That’s why I never went to college.”

Clark turned to Ruby. “So is that right? Black Lodge is able to utilize String Theory for time travel?”

“As I said, gentlemen, we’re almost to our destination. The how doesn’t matter. Only the why.”

“Wait a second,” Tony said.

Ruby adjusted her seatbelt. “No more questions, Mr. Genova. As I said, the how really doesn’t matter.”

“Fuck the how, sweetheart. This involves the why. Those pictures of Jennifer that you showed me…when were those taken?”