The Test of Time

Kennedy checks the clock. "Well, it couldn't hurt to talk to the guy, I guess. But if I get pinned, you're dead, Ting."

"That's the spirit," says Danielle. She bounces up, blows Ting a kiss, and together they drag Kennedy over to Dingle's table.

"Dingle 5, you old crater, how's the air?"

"It just turned a little stale, Ting. Got my money?"

"Uh, no. Not exactly. Tomorrow for sure. Look, I want you to meet some friends. This is Danielle 7 April..."

"Like, totally full-thrust to meet you, baby."

"...and this is our star Friction Center, Kennedy 15 Rogers. He's kind of shy." Ting grabs Kennedy's arm, and hauls him forward. "Poor boy's got a tiny problem with a final exam. I figured you might could help."

"Right," Kennedy says. "What do you know about the Cold War?"

Dingle raises one eyebrow. "Wasn't that when they invented the refrigeration bomb? No, that was the Antarctic Rebellion. Hmmm. Actually, it doesn't much matter. The question is, how much is it worth to you to find out?"

"I really don't know anything about controlled substances. What do smartcaps usually go for?"

Dingle's eyes narrow. "Who mentioned anything about drugs?" He turns to Ting. "What kind of timewarp is this guy on? You wouldn't be stupid enough to introduce me to an enforcer, would you?"

"Sagan, no! Remember he's only a double digit." Ting jabs his elbow into Kennedy's ribs. "Congenital fool."

"Look, if Kennedy here doesn't pass Earth History, the Gravityball team's finished." Danielle 7 April leans in close to Dingle, brushes her nose against his. "How much for a couple of lousy smartcaps?"

"Okay, okay. I might just happen to have one or two. You want to transact in the flusher? Ten units a cap. Since you're double digit, and a jock, you better get three."

Ting fishes a fifty unit bit from Kennedy's shoulder pocket. Kennedy winces. "Let's just do it here. Live dangerously." Ting reaches under the table. When he withdraws his hand, it contains three small green caplets. "Keep the change, 5, we can afford it." He slaps the caps into Kennedy's hand. "Here you go, Friction Ace. Instant intelligence."

"Uh, thanks." He peers at the caplets with one eye closed. "Tell me, Dingle, just what are these things, anyway?"

"Synthetic RNA, with a memory code interface. At least

that's what they tell me. I think." Dingle's halo changes color, from blue to pink.

"What happens if I get caught?"

"Don't sweat it," Dingle says. "These have only been out for a few weeks; I doubt the Examiner's programmed Himself for them, yet."

Kennedy cocks his head to one side, and squints. "Have you ever tried this stuff before? You don't seem all that smart to me. Especially not for a five."

"Sure." Dingle clears his throat. "Lot's of times." He blushes, the same shade as his halo. "It's just that they, well, they sort of wear off after a while. And, well.... Hey, everything comes with a price, right?"

Danielle presses one hand to either side of Kennedy's face. The talon on her thumb raises a red welt along his cheek. She gazes deep into his eyes. "Kennedy 15 Rogers, you listen to me. The U of Mars needs you. The gravityball team sucks methane without you. You must take those caps; every true-scarlet Martian in the System is begging you to take them! You must!"

She flicks the end of his nose with her tongue. "For me?"

Kennedy's spine stiffens to attention, his jaw sets firm, and his eyes roll heavenward. "I'll do it! By Sagan, I'll do it!!" He crams the smartcaps into his mouth and swallows dry. He about-faces, marches resolutely to the exam-level antigrav.

"Kennedy," Ting bellows, "Forget something?"