They walked, trying not to look in a hurry or worried, Kira watching and listening for any sign of trouble. But no one seemed to be taking any particular interest in them at the moment.

She wasn't sure how late it was when they reached the wall facing the sea. Night had fallen, street lights had been lit, the world relaxing after the labors of the day. The gate was sealed tight for the night, a few sentries maintaining watch.

Kira strolled casually down the street inside the wall, searching for a sally port in the wall and finally spotting one. "There are still plenty of people out," she told Jason. "We have to look like we're not doing anything wrong. Do you see any police or militia?"

"No," Jason said, looking around. "You guys don't have any night-vision stuff?"

"What's night-vision stuff?"

"Infrared, cats-eye contact lenses, stuff like that."

Kira shook her head. "I heard that somebody tried to train cats to serve as sentries once, but that didn't go well."

"On Earth, they tried to make compliant cats," Jason said.

"That genetic thing? How did that work?"

"They got something that was compliant. It wasn't a cat anymore, though. I mean, it looked like a cat, but it wasn't a cat. It seriously freaked out people."

"Good," Kira said. The street traffic seemed momentarily light. "Let's stroll across the street to that sally port."

They made it without incident, Kira crouching to examine the lock as she pulled out her lock picks. "Nice lock. I can do this. Jason—"

"I know. Look like a wall."

Kira worked patiently. Kelsi had invested in some good locks. She was almost done when Jason hissed a warning.

"Stand up! Face me!"

Kira straightened, putting her back to the wall. Jason faced her, close, his arms on either side of her.

"Can you giggle?" he asked.

"I don't giggle, Jason. I can…chuckle."

"Do it!"

Kira managed a light laugh just as she saw two police officers walking past. They were close enough for Kira to see every detail of their faces in the light of the nearest street lamp, but she was shadowed from their sight by Jason's body, and all they could see of Jason was his back.

One of the officers cast a knowing glance their way as the police walked on without pausing.

Jason sighed with relief. "They thought we were, you know…"

"Making out," Kira said. "How did you think of that?"

"I saw it in a vid."

"It worked. Good thinking." Kira bent down again, working the lock. A final metallic snick announced success. "Here we go."

But as she swung the sally port open toward her, just inside it solid stone suddenly appeared, blocking the tunnel through the wall leading to the outer sally port.