The Time Stone, Third Edition (Extended Version)

Moments later, they exit the cab they take right to the front of the airport. Within moments of distracting the driver, Tina and James take off without paying, while the Indian driver yells at them and shakes his fist angrily. “Get back here, you thieves. Damn you.”

Tina and James stop running and sneak behind a stone pillar near the terminal entrance to catch their breath.

“Ooh close call.” James whispered exhaustedly.

“You never beat fare before, homey?” asks Tina bending over breathing heavily.

James merely shakes his head.

“Oh right, I’m dealing with an amateur.” She nodded smiling at him.

“Look,” James pointed to a live ninety-inch plasma television set in the window of the airport showing the local news broadcast to passengers. The due looks in together and observed.

“Top of the hour afternoon news in Chronix Bay, Channel Nine, Anchor Sylvia Armstrong reporting, we bring you live coverage from downtown Chronix Bay where a demonstration just broke out near the Chronix Bay City Airport. Thousands of angry protesters march down Main Street singing “we shall overcome” as they hold banners and picket signs in stern protest against the Mayor’s new policies regarding the immigrant community in Chronix Bay. One of them is quoting segments into the crowd from the famous Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ‘I have a dream speech’.” The well dressed and radiant anchor speaks out in front of the terminal building as a barrage of spectators witnessed the movement unfold before them.“This is one for the history books as never in our small city’s history has there been such a large scale demonstration. And this is the second demonstration this week in the city, the first a couple of days ago about the great depression-like-economy faced by law school graduates. Local police, federal agencies, and private security forces have been dispatched in case this escalates into violence, but for now it seems this is a peaceful march.We have community leader, PhD recipient, and well-known activist Dr. Yolanda Veracruz here. Doctor, tell us about this movement.”

“Yes, we have been silent for far too long and now we are being threatened by corruption and inner workings that threaten our way of life.We are not illegal and we are people, not agenda items.The Mayor’s policies are against the moral fabric of our society, our humanity, and our nation’s constitutional law.We will not submit to city’s new immigrant policies, and will resist to the end.Let us bring power to our people!” She yells into the camera, a fiery dark haired woman with an intelligent light in her dark brown eyes, and a lovely mocha complexion. She lectured with indignation, pointing out her Central American heritage, and her pride in the principles of diversity and freedom embodied by the United States of America. “There you have it,” yells Anchor Armstrong.“The spark has been set and the fire for equality and freedom for our growing immigrant population continues to rage on and may do so for generations to come. It will continue for all of time as a symbol of freedom and technological innovation in the hearts of the people.”

“Wow, that’s a serious problem” says Tina.

“You don’t know the half of it. Let’s get a move on” says James.