Exit Contract

EXIT CONTRACT
By
Tom Purdom

     “It’s that much. They want me that much.”
     Karl’s voice sounded choked and thin but Helvo could still feel the emotion in it.
   “They want a show piece,” Helvo said. “They want you in front of the cameras, admitting you did something wrong when you ran away.”
     Karl was shorter than the mental image Helvo had created. They had given Helvo videos and the standard vital statistics but he had been misled by the size of Karl Tokeli’s achievements and the brain power stored in his skull.
Karl’s frailness was another matter. They had given Helvo this job because Karl had just spent six weeks stashed in a hibernation box stored in the basement of a motel. Some people could finish months in hibersleep feeling like they’d enjoyed a nice restful nap. Karl’s system had found it less hospitable.
     Karl had to be moved fully conscious. They couldn’t stow him in a container equipped with all the electronics a state-of-the art smuggler pitted against the state-of-the-art electronics governments pitted against the smugglers.
Karl’s companion looked more robust. Lidia Resenda had come out of hibersleep looking like she was ready to sprint through the basement door and vault over every obstacle that stood between her and the Atlantic Ocean.
     “Ten million,” Lidia said. “Ten million just to get some unskilled busybody to turn you in. They could have paid you half that for all the work you’ve done for them and they’d still be underpaying you.”
     “I have three stealth suits with me,” Helvo said. “I’d like to start training with them now. They aren’t that complicated but you should have some practice working the controls and getting in and out of them. We should leave here tonight. Your hosts are getting anxious.”
     He took out his handheld and projected a map on the sheet of paper he had taped on the wall. He kept his voice low and steady. Firm but conversational. They were going to travel through the New Jersey Pine Barrens at night, in the suits. They would approach the shore and rendezvous with two boats at a point just north of Atlantic City. It would take them four nights. They would spend the days at supply drops he had set up as he hiked through the Pine Barrens to their hideaway. The daylight periods wouldn’t be easy but they would have to remain as still as possible. And stay alert.
Lidia felt she had to ask a couple of questions when he finished. Karl listened in silence.