IoT Noir: Digital Remediation

Kiko-Lyn turns back to her sat phone video call. “It seems he really appreciates the surprise, Aunt Rachael. Give my thanks to Greg and Jorge.”

She responds, “Happy early Birthday. For now just clear the harbor and make for international waters. When we have a clear picture of the regional weather forecast and currents we will give you a destination. We will find a place you can reach and stage a forward base to await you. For now get moving my dear.”

Kiko-Lyn speaks up in a serious voice before Rachael can disconnect. “Aunt Rachael, did you know that my parents had me designed as an enhanced human?”

There is a moment of silence that that gives Kiko-Lyn the answer she fears. “Why didn’t you tell me Aunt Rachael?”

“I was obeying the wishes of your parents. It was their decision that you should grow up as normal as possible. At least normal as they see it. I’ve known you were a unique being and loved you as you are. When your parents panicked during your withdrawn childhood, I took you in and gave you a fully American upbringing. That enhanced hokum is just biology Kiko-Lyn. Good biology as luck turns out.”

“I cannot go home Aunt Rachael. I’m never going back there.”

“Get free of this chase and we can discuss it here in the States. You will always have a home with me and Toby.”

“Goodbye Aunt Rachael.” Kiko-Lyn hangs up.

She faces away from Ninan. Her flock closes in around Kiko-Lyn obscuring her completely as she changes into the two piece bathing suit, and dons into her wetsuit. Ninan is doing the same down below.

She joins Ninan below and they deflate the dock, remote release the ladder and store it all in the supply locker-dual saddle seat. Then Ninan starts pumping the centerboard flippers like a gym elliptical machine and the windsurfer powers out into the harbor. About a 100 yards out he catches a light breeze and begins tacking toward open ocean. They are running without lights or motor.

Sitting and looking down into the water, her feet on the leeward net platform, Kiko-Lyn questions Ninan. “I don’t want to go back to Aunt Rachael or any of them for a while. Do you have any contacts out here or knowledge of where we can drop out of sight and hold up for a while? While I get my head back together. We can finish your rehab in the islands?”

“Let me think on it tonight. I will come up with some ideas and we can discuss it after you wake. For now, get some sleep.”

It has been thirty minutes since they keyed open the cache and Jonathon Blake has remained fixed on the display from his cameras. With the flock pulling back, Jonathon Blake at last gets his first clear look at the windsurfer. He kills the lights on the fliers, and co-opts one with some power charge remaining to follow the escapees from a distance. His flyer has twenty minutes of flight time left and his boats are still over ninety minutes out. Before the hover cycle ditches in the water, he gets a rough bearing on their direction.

Kiko-Lyn has set the flock to mirror the night sky. The dragonflies cling to the side of the sail wing. Every now and then a few climb down swapping places to recharge at the phone charge stations on the windsurfer deck. They sail between Aung Kong and Po Toi islands, unwilling to risk going ashore or even beaching for the night. At dawn, they pass north of Dangan Island. A short time later, as they are in open sea but far from international waters, Ninan and Kiko-Lyn under magnification can see a cigarette boat on the horizon. It’s running a search pattern and seems not to have seen them.

Ninan prods her. “I do not see where they have any fliers. Help me get the mast unshipped. We can float while they are nearby and make way with the electric paddles. Hide in the chop of the sea covered by wave camo. You can rest under the mast and dragonflies.”

Kiko-Lyn, exhausted and clearly seasick, “I’m fresh out of tricks, Ninan. This next escape is all yours.”