Waking Gods (Themis Files #2)(75)

—What happens if I can’t do it?

—Nothing. Well, we’ll probably fall first, then nothing. It doesn’t matter.

—Yes it matters! People are dying.

—Eva, I don’t think either of us can make much of a difference at this point. But I’m with you, Eva, win or lose.

—What if I make a mistake?

—Trust me, kid, even if you completely sucked at this, you couldn’t possibly do as much damage as Kara and I did when we first started. For now, there aren’t even any skills involved. Either the helmet turns on or it doesn’t. You can’t will it to work for you.

—Thank you, for changing your mind.

—Don’t thank me. I’m a horrible father. I’m letting my ten-year-old girl pilot a humongous war machine. I’m going straight to hell, maybe to jail first, if child services ever hears about this. And I’ll be honest with you, I’m hoping the helmet won’t work. Then we’ll know. We can let the world know. They’ll leave you alone and you can have a normal life, whatever that is.

—And if it works?

—If it works … your life will get more complicated than it already is, probably a lot more.

[Guys? What’s going on up there?]

What do you say, Eva? Are you ready to try this?

—Yes.

—OK, Rose! We’re ready. I’m putting the helmet on her head now. Eva, put your arms straight so Themis doesn’t move if this works. I’m not at my station, so I can’t keep her balanced. Ready? Here we go.

[Is it working?]

Eva, is it working? Eva?

—What?

—Is the helmet working?

—I don’t know, you told me not to move. I’m just looking at Dr. Franklin.

—You’re looking at … You can see outside?

—Yes. Can’t you?

[Hello? Is everything OK?]

Yes, Rose, we’re fine. The helmet turned on for her.

—You mean it’s working?

—Yes, Eva, it’s working. You’re your mother’s daughter all right. Don’t move! I want you to stand still until I get to my station. Then we’re gonna try some very simple things, OK?

—OK. This is cool!

—Isn’t it? Don’t move, now! I’m gonna bounce around this place like a pinball if we fall before I’m strapped in.

—I’m not moving.

—Don’t move! I’m almost there!

—I’m not moving!

—All right. I’m good. We’re gonna try taking one step. I know this’ll sound silly, but I want you to think about how you walk. When you lift one foot, you start turning your shoulders in the opposite direction. When you lift your right foot, you turn to the left. That transfers the weight of your body to your left leg. When you lift your left leg, you turn your shoulders to the right, keep the weight squarely on your right leg. Try it now, pretend you’re walking.

—Will we fall?

—Probably later when we try walking for real. For now, I’m not moving my legs. It doesn’t matter if you move yours, and I can shift my weight to keep the balance. Go ahead.

—Like that?

—I can’t feel the weight shifting from side to side. You have to exaggerate a little. Pretend you’re modeling. Walk the runway.

—That doesn’t help.

—Hmmm. Pretend you’re walking with something really heavy in your hands. Yes! There you go!

—Can we walk for real!

—Not today. Baby steps.

—Please!

— …

—Please!

—What the hell. Rose? Can you go back inside? We’re gonna try walking a little. I don’t wanna squish you.

[Are you sure you want to do this? It took you months to learn how to walk with Kara.]

I couldn’t hold the weight back then. And no, I’m really not sure, hence the: “Go back inside. I don’t wanna squish you.” There’re plenty of trees around. That should break the fall a little. Maybe not. Eva, this isn’t such a good idea.

—Are you afraid?

—Are you really trying to pull a Marty McFly on me?

—Who’s Marty McFly?

—Some guy who … Never mind. We’ll watch the movie together sometime. I’d never do anything if I waited for good ideas. Are you ready to fall hard, get hurt, watch me break my nose on the console, blood gushing everywhere?

—Yes!

—Fair enough. We’ll take a few steps. Let’s start with one. You have to watch me move. Watch my legs, watch my shoulders. Watch me shift my weight before I lift a leg. You have to move with me, not after me. By then it’ll be too late and we’ll fall.

—Got it!

—Here we go.

—Like this?

—Nope. Not like this … Aaaand … we’re falling. Put your hands up!

—AAAAAH!

—UGH! Damn, that hurts. Are you OK?

—I can’t move my arms!! They’re stuck to my chest!

—It’s OK! That’s Themis’s weight pushing against you. It’ll loosen up when your helmet’s off. Let’s get out of here while she’s lying down.

—That was your fault! I wasn’t ready!

—It’s OK, Eva. We can try this again.