"This shit just got serious and whoever this chick is, she knows more about it than any of us arseholes put together. As of now you have no opinions that aren't my own, you do nothing I haven't told you to do, and you say nothing that wasn't preceded by a question from me. Cody, boot. Jake, in the back with Art."
The bloody sun had just switched off and Anthony was not in the mood for screwing around. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he'd call bull on anyone who told him it happened. That was crazy shit right there, and it scared the hell out of him. Nothing Ebbe had said had warned him for this and even she seemed genuinely shocked, something Anthony found even more disconcerting. He'd asked if this was what she had been expecting, hoping she would nod calmly and explain it was some sort of optical illusion caused by atmospheric distortion, or some such sciency crap. But she had simply replied 'in a manner', and left it at that. He sensed she was purposely being cautious with her words, but he couldn't determine if it was because she knew more, or because she knew nothing. He figured, from the little time he'd spent around her, it wasn't the latter. Her eyes gave it away, there was awe and amazement, but also a shimmering layer of fear that betrayed her true feelings. She knew something was going to happen, but not to this extent and certainly not so soon. He had felt foolish asking if she knew how to fix it. What a dumb question. How do you fix the sun? It was the Goddamn sun. It's not like there's an on/off switch on the wall.
A weird relief had pulsed through Anthony when Ebbe said she wanted to try and save Art. It brought with it a sense of normality. Never mind the impossible, she had said, let's deal with the possible. Art was injured, maybe we can save him. The sun can wait.
Happy to receive a new mission Anthony quickly took steps to control his team. He knew it would be easy now. Whenever the shit hits the fan, the troops look for a leader. All he had to do was lead with conviction. He had quickly run through a few speeches in his mind. I don't care who shot who. Enough bullshit, I need you guys to focus. Time to step up gentlemen, we're on the front line now. Anthony decided short, blunt and simple was all he wanted. It was time for action, not words.
And now they were driving. It was eerie, like a dream. The world around them was bathed in a warm yellow light, just another mild spring day. Butterflies flapped by chaotically, flies buzzed eagerly back and forth and livestock grazed sleepily in the fields opposite, seemingly unaware of the inky black void above them. It felt to Anthony like a vast shroud had placed across the sky. There was no light and yet it seemed to shimmer and shift hypnotically. He couldn't decide if it was a trick of the eye, or if there really was movement. Fearing an accident he forced his eyes to focus solely on the road.
"People will be scared," Ebbe said bluntly out of the blue.
"Yes Ebbe. Yes they will," Anthony nodded, thinking what a vast understatement that was. The London riots flashed into his mind and he pictured similar scenes of looting and destruction on the streets as people began to panic. What was that kids story about the sky falling? Something to do with chickens? That can't be right can it? Aw, who gives a damn? Fear of the unknown always drives people a little crazy. This was as unknown as it can get.
"You think this person we're going to see, you think they'll still be there?" Ebbe asked, silently suggesting they may have fled in fear.
"He'll be there," Anthony replied without hesitation.
"Things will get worse," Ebbe responded to an unspoken question. Anthony wanted to ask what could be worse, he wanted to know what she knew, how she knew, and why the hell the government had wanted to kill her, rather than work with her. Too many bloody questions.
"You married?" He asked instead, opting for normality over insanity.
"No," Ebbe replied swiftly and bluntly. Hit a nerve there Anthony my son.
"Kids?" He persisted, half hoping to get her to open up more and accidentally let something key detail slip. He knew that was a faint hope, Ebbe was a smarter cookie than that. There was a long pause before she finally opted to reply.
"No," she replied hesitantly this time. That was a lie, Anthony told himself, but didn't let on.
"I've got two. One boy, one girl," he started, before adding "they must be terrified." He left it at that purposely, convinced Ebbe wouldn't take the bait.
"You don't strike me as a family man," she replied absently staring out of the window at the blackness.
"No. I don't suppose I do," Anthony agreed wholeheartedly, "but I love them all the same." Again he left the subject open, more hopeful now that he was getting somewhere.
For a while Ebbe stayed silent, seemingly content to stare out at the curious new sky.
"Your wife. She know what you do?" She eventually asked, turning to look at him with pursed lips.
"She's dead," Anthony replied curtly. He waited for the politely awkward apology that usually followed. But none was forthcoming. Ebbe instead raised her eyebrows and pulled a grimace.
"She was in the service?" She asked after a thoughtful pause.
"Yeah. How did you guess?" Anthony replied with genuine surprise. How could she possibly have ascertained that from their brief time together?
"Same way I guess you don't have two children," Ebbe continued, her dark eyes focused on Anthony intently.
"How so?" He responded, genuinely intrigued.
"You're a military man. You're too institutionalised to have spent enough time off duty to meet anyone who wasn't also in the business. Normally such alliances are strictly forbidden, but clearly you're a man willing to bend the rules when the situation suits. You're mid forties now, so I'd guess this all happened at least ten years past." Ebbe paused, possibly for breath, but Anthony suspected it was more for dramatic effect. She was a wily one for sure. "I'd suspect about ten years because you're now working for this agency at a high level, which must take some time. One year induction, two years earning their trust, two years rising through the ranks, three years running missions until you were entrusted with autonomous control. Then another one or two years to establish yourself as the best of the best. Which leads us to you being chosen to eliminate a high profile, V6 target." She was clearly enjoying this now, and Anthony chose to remain silent until she had finished. "No one achieves that level of success without being available 24/7 every day. That kind of sacrifice doesn't allow for a relationship, or children. That kind of sacrifice comes when a man has nothing to live for. Oh..." Ebbe's smile suddenly dropped from her face, "oh, Anthony I am so sorry."
To his great surprise she placed her pale hand gently on his shoulder and squeezed it. He found a small smile creeping surreptitiously onto his face, his heart touched by her sudden understanding. She truly is a marvel, this Ebbe, he told himself. I tried to draw something out of her, and instead she discovered something not even Art knows.
"What was her name?" Ebbe asked gently.
"Elaine. Elaine Bastion," Anthony replied with a sigh.
"How far along was she?" Ebbe continued, her voice sounding softer than before.
"Six months. Twins. Jack and Sarah." He responded forcing his voice to remain strong and steady.
Ebbe pondered upon this for a moment, before running her hand through her hair and rubbing her temples.
"Sam," she finally said, her voice lighter still, almost becoming a whisper.
"Your...?" Anthony started, before pausing, sensing Ebbe would continue when good and ready.
She nodded by way of response but opted not to continue.
"Ebbe?" Anthony finally piped up, wanting to turn and look at her, but keeping his eyes focused on the winding road.
"Hmmm?" She replied absently, seemingly lost in thought.
"What's happening?"
Ebbe sighed heavily and scrunched her eyes closed tightly for a second. Rubbing her right hand down her face, she opened her eyes and turned to Anthony.
"Everything is wrong," she replied obliquely.
"What the hell does that mean?" Anthony responded, trying his best not to sound frustrated.
"Just that," Ebbe countered, "every scientific law is being eroded. It's the greatest rug pull in history."
"I...," Anthony took in the clear road, and feeling it safe, opted to turn so he could look Ebbe in the eyes before continuing.
"Sir, I," Jake barked insistently.
Anthony twisted his head angrily.
"What did I tell you?" Anthony hissed menacingly.
"I know sir, but look!" Jake insisted, jabbing a bony finger at the window urgently.
Anthony cursed under his breath, but turned, aware his eyes had been off the road far too long. When he saw what Jake was pointing to his foot instinctively slammed on the brakes, causing everyone to jerk forwards. Jake grabbed Art's limp body with lightning reactions, preventing him from crashing into the seat in front. As the car skidded to a halt with a judder, Anthony unclicked the the seat belt and pulled the door open in one swift motion. He leaped out and clambered onto the roof of the Land Rover.
"Jesus," he whispered under his breath as he stared at the horizon, which was flickering back and forth between lines of blue cloudy sky and the shimmering blackness, almost like a TV trying to find a signal.
