Matilda looks up from her drink. “Bodies of what?”
James takes a long pull from his drink, draining its contents. “Little children. It’s fucking weird. They’re all adults who’ve replaced their original bodies. And all these ‘kids’ worship their leader, Virginia.” James picks up his other beverage. “It’s a cult, if you ask me. You’d do best to not talk to anyone, lest you ‘see the light’ while we’re there.”
Matilda shakes her cup, stabbing at the clumped ice with her straw.
“I’m a Scry. Of all people, I know the importance of keeping my communication barriers up.”
James frowns. “Well, just be careful anyway. Things are a little different out there.”
Matilda presses slightly on the sides of her plastic cup, distorting its rim into an oval.
“So, it doesn’t seem likely that Virginia will just hand over her key.”
James lifts his cup to drink but stops. “No… I don’t really think so. There’s only one way we’ll be able to get it from her. I have a plan.”
James grunts while draining the remainder of his cocktail. Matilda matches him, downing the rest of her drink.
A voice over the plane’s intercom announces their descent into Neverland.
As James and Matilda exit the jetway, they are greeted at the security gate by two airport employees. Wearing matching uniforms, the fourteen-year-old boy and girl cheerfully smile and bow in unison.
“Welcome, friends, to Neverland! We hope you enjoy your stay and tell your family and networks all about it!”
Grabbing each other’s hands, they skip away from the security gate, humming a playful tune.
Mouth agape, Matilda watches as the children prance down the terminal.
“What… the… actual… fuck?”
James chuckles as he makes his way through the security self-check-in gate.
“I told you. This place is weird.”
Even before leaving Babylon, James and Matilda had already determined that subterfuge was going to be their best way into Neverland. Matilda would pose as a Donovan Corporation Executive, and James would play the role of her bodyguard. Committing to his role, James waits for Matilda to make her way through security, keeping station close beside her.
As they exit the airport, a twelve-year-old boy in a security officer’s uniform calls out them.
“Have a great time in Neverland! We hope you like it here so much, you’ll want to stay!”
The guard’s child-like appearance contrasts harshly with his tactical vest and miniature submachinegun. James looks at the Scry to see her reaction. To her credit, Matilda maintains her composure. Staying calm and polite, she turns to the boy.
“Thank you so much, little sir.”
Heading to the taxi pool, James observes a group of men getting out of a cab. Adults aren’t an unheard-of sight in Neverland. In fact, the Neverland Acquisitions & Requests Board is extremely aggressive in their marketing and outreach programs throughout the Cyberside. All are welcome to visit. Those who choose to stay get their own proxy child bodies.
What bothers James is the men’s uniforms. They indicate the men’s allegiance to the Enclave, the powerful organization that controls most of the East Coast. Donovan and Simmons’ rivalry is notorious, and the cause of countless deaths in the Cyberside. One of their group notices Matilda and James and motions in their direction to the rest of his companions. The leader of the Enclave band points to James and Matilda.
“What’s this, Donovan scum so far from home?”
Fist clenched at his side, James steps in front of Matilda.
The Enclave leader laughs.
“This one has some fight in him. Pretty sure I remember kicking your Tower Boys’ asses at the Purge of Salt Lake City. This should be quick.”
Matilda places a hand on James tensed arm and steps forward.
“And I seem to remember there’s a ceasefire still in effect, you idiot. Not to mention we’re on Neverland soil. But by all means – if you want to start something, go for it. Or you can keep on walking, and go back to licking Simmons’ boots. Either way is fine by me.”
The man’s face contorts and reddens but he keeps his distance, and his silence. The Neverland security guard approaches the collective group.
“Is there a problem here, friends? There’s nothing more I’d like to do then ensure you all have a pleasant stay…” But, his voice doesn’t quite add.
His tone is pleasant, but no one can miss the punctuative click as the little boy’s hand switches the safety off on his toy-sized weapon.
“No problem here,” the Enclave leader grumbles, turning to lead his cohorts into the airport ticketing area.
The Neverland officer gives James and Matilda a final review before heading back to his post. Matilda laughs.
“Oh, man… that was close.”
She heads over to the advancing line of queued taxis. Momentarily dumbstruck, James quickly hustles to catch up.
“But how did—”
Matilda cuts him off, her gaze piercing, her tone serious.
“Know about the Enclave-Babylon treaty? I fought slavers for three months, dude. I might not have any memories of my past, but I am able to pick up on things going now.”
James takes pause at her sudden change in tone, reminding himself that, despite not having access to her own memories, Matilda has consumed the memories of many others.
Her usual upbeat attitude returns as quickly as it has just evaporated.
“But I’m not going to lie. Didn’t think that was actually going to work.” Her mouth morphs into a huge grin. “I honestly thought you might have to punch all those guys out.”
Matilda laughs at the look on James’s face as an indeterminately-teenaged cab driver approaches them.
“Need a lift, ma’am?”
Still grappling with a fit of giggles, she’s just able to get out, “Yes, please.”
The driver pops the trunk and begins loading theirs bags. “Sure thing. Where to?”
Matilda manages to get out “Downtown” as they settle into the car. When the driver gets behind the wheel, he asks again, “Was there a particular hotel you want me to drop you off at?”
Collecting herself, Matilda pretends to shuffle some papers around in the briefcase she’s brought.
“Our meeting isn’t until this evening. Could you recommend a good place to eat? I could really go for some real food after that flight.”
The driver nods and starts the car. “I know a great place. Just sit back and relax, friends.”
Scry and Taciturn exchange a look. So many new ‘friends’, here in Neverland.
The clear, sunny day is a welcome contrast to the smog-laced realm of Babylon. As they make their way into town, they see a few other adults walking around, but there doesn’t appear to be a single resident of Neverland over the age of 18. It’s the cardinal rule of this realm – nobody grows up. James finds it inherently wrong, and not just for the fact that it clearly represents a deviation from the Cyberside’s code. All the friendly attitudes and smiles can’t hide the ugly chunks of overridden classes and hacked functions that are all too obvious to his engineer’s eyes. To James, this place’s relentless cheeriness is an off-putting ruse –a rainbow bandage slapped over a festering wound.
The taxi driver takes them to a small café next to a large, lush, green park. When they step out of the cab, he helps them with their bags and asks, “Would you like me to stick around for a while? I don’t mind.”
Matilda smiles, but shakes her head. “No, that’s okay. I’m sure we’ll figure something out. This place looks great.”