Setting
Default Location for In Darkness I Have Walked
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northeast |
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Earth is a part of 
In Darkness I Have Walked.
7 Characters Here
London's Fog [4] A mysterious hacker, her path is her own.
Kaelyn Treacher [4] "Anything is open, you just have to stop looking for it here in the real world. I have the all access pass."
Alexei Deberov [3] A career soldier, he has moved from battlefield to battlefield.
Lan Edwards [2] “The Broken Code, the unforgiving vow I must keep. For if no one knows my story, then history shall repeat.”
Reginald Markham III [1] Hacker extraordinaire. Network dilettante. Phys-ed failure.
Ariana Denicela [1] SysAdmin, Programmer, Soldier, the woman has done it all and succeeded.
The Other Hackers [0] These are the NPC hackers from "The Lorax Chat"
Start Character Here »
A hole, nowhere in particular
Vox sat, huddled in the damp confines of the soviet era bunker. His fur coat wrapped around him like a snake coiling around it's next meal, as the small heat lamp sputtered, trying to fight off the cold. A small television set played through scenes of destruction before him, the large-breasted blonde news anchor failing magnificently to capture the carnage with her nonchalant description of the disasters plaguing the world.
“... 13 dead in a bombing of a government facility this morning. Expert analysts from the pentagon are saying there has been a rapid increase in terrorist activity in the last two months. Attacks on German military bases, government buildings in Madrid and ISI checkpoints are being linked to several terrorist groups...”
A press of the remote flipped the channel. He began to surf through.
“... add in ¼ cup of water, ½ cup of eggs...”
“... Hold still, asshole, it's time I made you remember...”
“... Well here, James, is a great example of a perfectly cut 5 karat diamond pendant...”
“... The President of the NAA to speak today on the role of the new Digital Warfare Administration...”
He laughed, despite his hatred for the ISI and the fact that he knew his backer had some agenda, it was on some level amusing to him that he really had no affiliation to any of these idealistic groups. His attack on the ISI checkpoint had been for publicity and revenge, not some grand scheme, as far as he was concerned.
A quick check of the battery on his satellite phone yielded a promising 52%. Enough for him to wait out the ISI kill-teams looking for him. He grabbed a freeze dried packet of food and cracked it open, pouring some bottled water into it to bring the contents to life. It was going to be a long wait but he was confident his backer would come through with help.
ISI Command
Chief Warden Ariana Denicela had the target file scrolling past her personal computer slowly. It was more sparse than she had hoped. The holographic screen flickered in front of her, lighting her aquiline features, bunned red hair and thin steel-rimmed glasses. Her bright green eyes flickered over the disappointing information.
Subj: Mein Mentor
Real Name: Unknown
Age: Unknown
Race: Unknown
Gender: Unknown
Nationality: Unknown
Distinguishing Feat.: Unknown
Known Affil: Poss. Deus Ferrum, other watchlist groups.
History: Unknown
Skills: S Class Hacker
Last known loc.: N/A
It was an exercise in frustration. She shut down the folder and sent an Amber missive to the data mining team to gather more information. A short walk back to the command bridge and again she was overlooking the massive control room of the ISI HQ. Her Underchiefs saluted her and a simple nod returned them to their work. The command and control center of ISI was a large circular room, with six levels of terracing, every level filled end to end with holo-monitors attended diligently by grey-uniformed technicians. Four massive screens dominated the largest wall, directly opposite the highest terrace. This area was a raised dais occupied by the black-uniformed bodies of the Chief Warden and the three Underchiefs
An adjutant approached with a data-slate, “Ma'am, reports from the C.R.U. sent to S-22. It was definitely a targeted attack. As for the new additions to the Black Alpha files, data mining hasn't turned anything up yet but they're looking.”
She thanked him and sent him off, then turned her watchful gaze back to the massive monitors, blinking through video-feeds of different areas that the ISI had interest in. The Black Alpha file was on the far right with the names Mein Mentor, LondonsFog, MisterX and MasterCodec highlighted in yellow. After the attack on her men at Safehouse 22 she had ramped up the ISI readiness status. Her right hand, Warden Alexei Deberov was en route to capture MasterCodec. Another screen showed the smoky remains of the area outside S-22. The bodies had been chalked out and removed, the C.R.U. was making quick work of the investigation. The top middle screen was an aerial view of the damage to the German military research base that had been hit two days prior, rescue workers swarmed over it like termites repairing a hive. The far left screens had scrolling lifesign monitors for combat active units. No anomalies since the attack on S-22.
To the left of the screens the alert status indicator was still blinking. It read from bottom to top Peace, Single Engagement, Regional Conflict, Multi-regional Conflict, Small-scale War, Full-scale War. The light was emphasizing Multi-regional Conflict. It stopped flashing and went solid on the words, confirming more than 24 hours of the new alert level. Denicela sighed and began typing away at the holo-keyboard in front of her, issuing new readiness orders to the many ISI Safehouses.
Safehouse 17
The compound was a bustle of activity as combat active units began moving from the main staging area to their preassigned posts. The P.C.E.'s or Personal Combat Environments, huge single-man armored suits capable of laying down heavy firepower, lumbered off to the loading bay to be put on Nighthawks for deployment. Regular ISI infantry unites headed off to the garages to join up with their respective vehicles for rapid mobilization... if the call ever came down.
Deberov activated his helmet mic on the command channel, “Nightmare actual to all Easy Victors, safe travels kiddies.” A brisk walk to the hangar bay led him to his team waiting outside their Nighthawk. A wave of his hand and they understood the non-verbal order to embark, as his team climbed into the open back of the Nigthhawk gunship Warden Deberov ordered the men to sound off:
“One's clear!”
“Two's clear!”
“Three's clear!”
“Four's clear!”
He finished the count, “Actual's clear!”
They were all clad in the matte black ceramic-polymer plated armor of the ISI combat forces, though Deberov's men had a few non-standard issue toys as well. The Warden leaning into his helmet mic again, “Nightmare actual to Romeo actual, we are mobile and hot, how copy?”
The crackling response came back over his headset, “Good copy Nightmare actual, Haven advises a clean op and good hunting, Romeo out.”
Deberov walked over to the cockpit as the gunship gathered speed, leaving the grey, squat concrete ISI compound behind. He checked the timer on his HUD, they had 4 hours of transit time to the drop-zone, a rural area right outside of a train station, where they were supposed to pick up a High Value Target.
The Swiss were finicky about fly-over violations so they had to go high altitude before dropping almost vertically onto the target zone, anyone peering out the back of the gunship would see nothing but white moonlit clouds cascading by underneath them, like an ocean of mist in the night.
Deus Ferrum Monastery, Roma
From the outside the building looked as if it was one of the many ancient Roman style abbeys that littered the city, but once past the massive front doors (carefully crafted oak) the interior cloisters were as technologically advanced as any server cluster or picochip factory. Pulsing lines of code-hymns streamed across crystal clear holo-displays, manipulated by acolytes whose robes seemed more out of place than the exterior facade. The entire inner structure was lit by LED strip lighting, which combined with the white light from the holo-displays to bathe the rooms in an almost heavenly, soft, glow. As befit a place of worship.
An elder brother walked the rows, nodding to each acolyte in turn, as the youngest members of his order began their morning prayers. He approved, they were a most devout group. Very little words were exchanged in this place, what little had to be spoken aloud was done in hushed reverent tones.
Dominating the farthest wall of the room, opposite its entrance, was an enormous hologram of swirling streaming Ardent string code. The Scientia Universa, the font from which the Deus Ferrum derived their collective knowledge and dogma. An ever-changing, ever-growing, ever-evolving digital construct of the most complex nature.
Further back, in the more well protected areas of the monastery were server clusters, virtual dive consoles, a well-stocked and well-hidden armory and the private chambers of the inner circle members and the idyllic oasis of their private garden. It was here that Brother Able, Scholar to the Hands of God, Monk of the Woven Truth, Writer of High Chants and High Priest of the Deus Ferrum made his home. And it was in this most private of places that he sipped tea and decided the fate of millions.
Vox sat, huddled in the damp confines of the soviet era bunker. His fur coat wrapped around him like a snake coiling around it's next meal, as the small heat lamp sputtered, trying to fight off the cold. A small television set played through scenes of destruction before him, the large-breasted blonde news anchor failing magnificently to capture the carnage with her nonchalant description of the disasters plaguing the world.
“... 13 dead in a bombing of a government facility this morning. Expert analysts from the pentagon are saying there has been a rapid increase in terrorist activity in the last two months. Attacks on German military bases, government buildings in Madrid and ISI checkpoints are being linked to several terrorist groups...”
A press of the remote flipped the channel. He began to surf through.
“... add in ¼ cup of water, ½ cup of eggs...”
“... Hold still, asshole, it's time I made you remember...”
“... Well here, James, is a great example of a perfectly cut 5 karat diamond pendant...”
“... The President of the NAA to speak today on the role of the new Digital Warfare Administration...”
He laughed, despite his hatred for the ISI and the fact that he knew his backer had some agenda, it was on some level amusing to him that he really had no affiliation to any of these idealistic groups. His attack on the ISI checkpoint had been for publicity and revenge, not some grand scheme, as far as he was concerned.
A quick check of the battery on his satellite phone yielded a promising 52%. Enough for him to wait out the ISI kill-teams looking for him. He grabbed a freeze dried packet of food and cracked it open, pouring some bottled water into it to bring the contents to life. It was going to be a long wait but he was confident his backer would come through with help.
ISI Command
Chief Warden Ariana Denicela had the target file scrolling past her personal computer slowly. It was more sparse than she had hoped. The holographic screen flickered in front of her, lighting her aquiline features, bunned red hair and thin steel-rimmed glasses. Her bright green eyes flickered over the disappointing information.
Subj: Mein Mentor
Real Name: Unknown
Age: Unknown
Race: Unknown
Gender: Unknown
Nationality: Unknown
Distinguishing Feat.: Unknown
Known Affil: Poss. Deus Ferrum, other watchlist groups.
History: Unknown
Skills: S Class Hacker
Last known loc.: N/A
It was an exercise in frustration. She shut down the folder and sent an Amber missive to the data mining team to gather more information. A short walk back to the command bridge and again she was overlooking the massive control room of the ISI HQ. Her Underchiefs saluted her and a simple nod returned them to their work. The command and control center of ISI was a large circular room, with six levels of terracing, every level filled end to end with holo-monitors attended diligently by grey-uniformed technicians. Four massive screens dominated the largest wall, directly opposite the highest terrace. This area was a raised dais occupied by the black-uniformed bodies of the Chief Warden and the three Underchiefs
An adjutant approached with a data-slate, “Ma'am, reports from the C.R.U. sent to S-22. It was definitely a targeted attack. As for the new additions to the Black Alpha files, data mining hasn't turned anything up yet but they're looking.”
She thanked him and sent him off, then turned her watchful gaze back to the massive monitors, blinking through video-feeds of different areas that the ISI had interest in. The Black Alpha file was on the far right with the names Mein Mentor, LondonsFog, MisterX and MasterCodec highlighted in yellow. After the attack on her men at Safehouse 22 she had ramped up the ISI readiness status. Her right hand, Warden Alexei Deberov was en route to capture MasterCodec. Another screen showed the smoky remains of the area outside S-22. The bodies had been chalked out and removed, the C.R.U. was making quick work of the investigation. The top middle screen was an aerial view of the damage to the German military research base that had been hit two days prior, rescue workers swarmed over it like termites repairing a hive. The far left screens had scrolling lifesign monitors for combat active units. No anomalies since the attack on S-22.
To the left of the screens the alert status indicator was still blinking. It read from bottom to top Peace, Single Engagement, Regional Conflict, Multi-regional Conflict, Small-scale War, Full-scale War. The light was emphasizing Multi-regional Conflict. It stopped flashing and went solid on the words, confirming more than 24 hours of the new alert level. Denicela sighed and began typing away at the holo-keyboard in front of her, issuing new readiness orders to the many ISI Safehouses.
Safehouse 17
The compound was a bustle of activity as combat active units began moving from the main staging area to their preassigned posts. The P.C.E.'s or Personal Combat Environments, huge single-man armored suits capable of laying down heavy firepower, lumbered off to the loading bay to be put on Nighthawks for deployment. Regular ISI infantry unites headed off to the garages to join up with their respective vehicles for rapid mobilization... if the call ever came down.
Deberov activated his helmet mic on the command channel, “Nightmare actual to all Easy Victors, safe travels kiddies.” A brisk walk to the hangar bay led him to his team waiting outside their Nighthawk. A wave of his hand and they understood the non-verbal order to embark, as his team climbed into the open back of the Nigthhawk gunship Warden Deberov ordered the men to sound off:
“One's clear!”
“Two's clear!”
“Three's clear!”
“Four's clear!”
He finished the count, “Actual's clear!”
They were all clad in the matte black ceramic-polymer plated armor of the ISI combat forces, though Deberov's men had a few non-standard issue toys as well. The Warden leaning into his helmet mic again, “Nightmare actual to Romeo actual, we are mobile and hot, how copy?”
The crackling response came back over his headset, “Good copy Nightmare actual, Haven advises a clean op and good hunting, Romeo out.”
Deberov walked over to the cockpit as the gunship gathered speed, leaving the grey, squat concrete ISI compound behind. He checked the timer on his HUD, they had 4 hours of transit time to the drop-zone, a rural area right outside of a train station, where they were supposed to pick up a High Value Target.
The Swiss were finicky about fly-over violations so they had to go high altitude before dropping almost vertically onto the target zone, anyone peering out the back of the gunship would see nothing but white moonlit clouds cascading by underneath them, like an ocean of mist in the night.
Deus Ferrum Monastery, Roma
From the outside the building looked as if it was one of the many ancient Roman style abbeys that littered the city, but once past the massive front doors (carefully crafted oak) the interior cloisters were as technologically advanced as any server cluster or picochip factory. Pulsing lines of code-hymns streamed across crystal clear holo-displays, manipulated by acolytes whose robes seemed more out of place than the exterior facade. The entire inner structure was lit by LED strip lighting, which combined with the white light from the holo-displays to bathe the rooms in an almost heavenly, soft, glow. As befit a place of worship.
An elder brother walked the rows, nodding to each acolyte in turn, as the youngest members of his order began their morning prayers. He approved, they were a most devout group. Very little words were exchanged in this place, what little had to be spoken aloud was done in hushed reverent tones.
Dominating the farthest wall of the room, opposite its entrance, was an enormous hologram of swirling streaming Ardent string code. The Scientia Universa, the font from which the Deus Ferrum derived their collective knowledge and dogma. An ever-changing, ever-growing, ever-evolving digital construct of the most complex nature.
Further back, in the more well protected areas of the monastery were server clusters, virtual dive consoles, a well-stocked and well-hidden armory and the private chambers of the inner circle members and the idyllic oasis of their private garden. It was here that Brother Able, Scholar to the Hands of God, Monk of the Woven Truth, Writer of High Chants and High Priest of the Deus Ferrum made his home. And it was in this most private of places that he sipped tea and decided the fate of millions.
Her room was dark save the two computer screens. On one was her current two chat windows. The other was news and other things she was going through as well as her code program.
Kae shook her head. News was nothing but bombings or ISI spokesmen. Almost as bad was the counter propaganda from the other groups.
Her fingers flew over the keys. Code streamed across the screen. She was doing a job for Patrice, relatively easy in and of itself but the ice around it wasn’t just standard. No simple hack and slash job.
Kae’s eyes darted to the chat where nothing interesting was being discussed. She flashed back to the code. Her processor let her go through information faster than a normal person, a valuable enhancement to someone with her natural talents.
“Hey, you done yet?”
The voice made her roll her eyes. “Did I come tell him I was done?”
“Well, no you haven’t left the room but...”
“Then you have your answer now don’t you?” Keys clicked.
The mowhawked man at her door leaned against the frame. “You don’t have to be a bitch about it you know.”
Kae clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “I answered your question Rooster. If I was being a bitch I wouldn’t have bothered.”
Rooster smirked. “Ah come on Kaelyn. You know you like me. Boss knows we got a certain chemistry, it’s why he told me to stick by you till it is done. You’re sweet on me I can tell.” He took a step into the room.
Kae did not acknowledge his comments at all, she was too busy on the last bit of security she was cracking through.
“Take a step in this room and I will give you a new hole.” The tone was completely humourless.
Rooster jumped a little and stopped dead. He had forgotten about Ryan. He always forgot about him. “Hey, I didn’t mean anything by it. Bit of teasing you know?” He laughed nervously and backed away. “I ugh...I guess I can wait in the hall still.”
Kae licked her lips, “Or go find something to do. This shit doesn’t just happen you know. Not like I can just say hey open up I want to send this money over here under this name, then over there and have it end up here or and by the way don’t tell anyone I did it okay?” Her tone was heavily sarcastic.
Rooster grabbed the door handle. “Yeah, yeah I got it Kae. Just let me know if you get it done.”
Kaelyn scoffed. “If? Screw off Rooster.”
“Close the door on your way out.” The voice from the shadows commanded.
The door clicked closed, the room was once again bathed in the light of the dual screens. Kaelyn’s fingers just kept typing.
Theo1:You are unusually quiet today.
Glitch:I have nothing to talk about.
Theo1:Really? You? Nothing to say about the bombing?
Glitch:Same as everyday isn’t it?
Theo1:You know what would happen if they found you, right?
Glitch:What you gonna go tattle to them? They aren’t looking for me. They have bigger fish to fry. I lay low and off the radar.
Theo1:You liar. That bank server reboot in India, that was you. You call that laying low?
Glitch:Hey I was just doing a thing and not my fault their ice was such shit. I just pointed out how exposed they were. I did them a service. They fixed it didn’t they?
Theo1:Oh yeah and how long before you crack the new one?
Glitch:About two more minutes.
Theo1:Nice.
Glitch:Make that twenty seconds.
Kaelyn was in, Patrice’s money was moving and in a matter of minutes it would be sitting in an account free and clear of any sign of tampering. She did it will all his money. Everything was moved through the banks as legit transactions. A purchase here, loan payments, fake accounts and some real ones. It was important to have enough real to hide the fake. In the end anyone trying to track it wouldn’t be able to find a fault anywhere.
Her attention turned back to the chat window.
Glitch:Gotta run for a few. Be around later?
Theo1:Darlin’ when am I ever not here for you?
Glitch:You know I hate it when you call me that.
Theo1:Why do you think I still do?
Glitch:Of course. Later.
She turned in her chair to look at the shadow covered form of the man sitting on her bed. “I am done. You want me to tell Rooster?”
Ryan leaned forward. “If I go he is going to think I am going to shoot him. Likely better if you do it, I don’t feel like watching a grown man piss himself right now.”
Kaelyn smiled and gave a light laugh. “Got it.” She stood, long auburn hair swinging just a little. Ryan reached out to grab her arm.
“You talking to him again?”
Kae frowned, “Everyday, same as I have been for over a year. Why?” It was unlike Ryan to grab her like this. She looked down at his hand and then back up to his shadowed face.
“You ever consider he might just be someone keeping an eye on you? Reporting your activities?” His grip loosened a little.
Kae shook her head, “Nah. No reason to monitor what I do. I am two bit. They got way bigger issues than some hacker like me.”
Ryan let her go, “You know I can’t protect you in there. I don’t know him or the others you talk to.”
Kaelyn frowned. ‘I don’t need protecting Ryan. I mean, I know why Patrice has you on me but in there....that’s my world. I am okay.”
Ryan stood by the door. “Don’t play that shit with Kae. I have been with you 24/7 for two years. I know what you can do, I don’t understand it but I know. I also know that the outside world is far more dangerous in person than from your side of the screen. I think you are a bit too naive on how things really are.”
Kaelyn looked at him, her hand on the doorknob. “I’ll be careful.”
She opened the door and looked at the man sitting on the floor, his back against the wall. “It’s done. Tell Patrice the payment is clean.”
She closed the door. Ryan was already back on the bed in the shadows. She sat back down in front of her screens.
Glitch:Back.
Theo1:All good?
Glitch:Yeah.
Theo1:More work on your plate or you onto fun now Darlin’?
Glitch:Fun.
Kae shook her head. News was nothing but bombings or ISI spokesmen. Almost as bad was the counter propaganda from the other groups.
Her fingers flew over the keys. Code streamed across the screen. She was doing a job for Patrice, relatively easy in and of itself but the ice around it wasn’t just standard. No simple hack and slash job.
Kae’s eyes darted to the chat where nothing interesting was being discussed. She flashed back to the code. Her processor let her go through information faster than a normal person, a valuable enhancement to someone with her natural talents.
“Hey, you done yet?”
The voice made her roll her eyes. “Did I come tell him I was done?”
“Well, no you haven’t left the room but...”
“Then you have your answer now don’t you?” Keys clicked.
The mowhawked man at her door leaned against the frame. “You don’t have to be a bitch about it you know.”
Kae clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “I answered your question Rooster. If I was being a bitch I wouldn’t have bothered.”
Rooster smirked. “Ah come on Kaelyn. You know you like me. Boss knows we got a certain chemistry, it’s why he told me to stick by you till it is done. You’re sweet on me I can tell.” He took a step into the room.
Kae did not acknowledge his comments at all, she was too busy on the last bit of security she was cracking through.
“Take a step in this room and I will give you a new hole.” The tone was completely humourless.
Rooster jumped a little and stopped dead. He had forgotten about Ryan. He always forgot about him. “Hey, I didn’t mean anything by it. Bit of teasing you know?” He laughed nervously and backed away. “I ugh...I guess I can wait in the hall still.”
Kae licked her lips, “Or go find something to do. This shit doesn’t just happen you know. Not like I can just say hey open up I want to send this money over here under this name, then over there and have it end up here or and by the way don’t tell anyone I did it okay?” Her tone was heavily sarcastic.
Rooster grabbed the door handle. “Yeah, yeah I got it Kae. Just let me know if you get it done.”
Kaelyn scoffed. “If? Screw off Rooster.”
“Close the door on your way out.” The voice from the shadows commanded.
The door clicked closed, the room was once again bathed in the light of the dual screens. Kaelyn’s fingers just kept typing.
Theo1:You are unusually quiet today.
Glitch:I have nothing to talk about.
Theo1:Really? You? Nothing to say about the bombing?
Glitch:Same as everyday isn’t it?
Theo1:You know what would happen if they found you, right?
Glitch:What you gonna go tattle to them? They aren’t looking for me. They have bigger fish to fry. I lay low and off the radar.
Theo1:You liar. That bank server reboot in India, that was you. You call that laying low?
Glitch:Hey I was just doing a thing and not my fault their ice was such shit. I just pointed out how exposed they were. I did them a service. They fixed it didn’t they?
Theo1:Oh yeah and how long before you crack the new one?
Glitch:About two more minutes.
Theo1:Nice.
Glitch:Make that twenty seconds.
Kaelyn was in, Patrice’s money was moving and in a matter of minutes it would be sitting in an account free and clear of any sign of tampering. She did it will all his money. Everything was moved through the banks as legit transactions. A purchase here, loan payments, fake accounts and some real ones. It was important to have enough real to hide the fake. In the end anyone trying to track it wouldn’t be able to find a fault anywhere.
Her attention turned back to the chat window.
Glitch:Gotta run for a few. Be around later?
Theo1:Darlin’ when am I ever not here for you?
Glitch:You know I hate it when you call me that.
Theo1:Why do you think I still do?
Glitch:Of course. Later.
She turned in her chair to look at the shadow covered form of the man sitting on her bed. “I am done. You want me to tell Rooster?”
Ryan leaned forward. “If I go he is going to think I am going to shoot him. Likely better if you do it, I don’t feel like watching a grown man piss himself right now.”
Kaelyn smiled and gave a light laugh. “Got it.” She stood, long auburn hair swinging just a little. Ryan reached out to grab her arm.
“You talking to him again?”
Kae frowned, “Everyday, same as I have been for over a year. Why?” It was unlike Ryan to grab her like this. She looked down at his hand and then back up to his shadowed face.
“You ever consider he might just be someone keeping an eye on you? Reporting your activities?” His grip loosened a little.
Kae shook her head, “Nah. No reason to monitor what I do. I am two bit. They got way bigger issues than some hacker like me.”
Ryan let her go, “You know I can’t protect you in there. I don’t know him or the others you talk to.”
Kaelyn frowned. ‘I don’t need protecting Ryan. I mean, I know why Patrice has you on me but in there....that’s my world. I am okay.”
Ryan stood by the door. “Don’t play that shit with Kae. I have been with you 24/7 for two years. I know what you can do, I don’t understand it but I know. I also know that the outside world is far more dangerous in person than from your side of the screen. I think you are a bit too naive on how things really are.”
Kaelyn looked at him, her hand on the doorknob. “I’ll be careful.”
She opened the door and looked at the man sitting on the floor, his back against the wall. “It’s done. Tell Patrice the payment is clean.”
She closed the door. Ryan was already back on the bed in the shadows. She sat back down in front of her screens.
Glitch:Back.
Theo1:All good?
Glitch:Yeah.
Theo1:More work on your plate or you onto fun now Darlin’?
Glitch:Fun.
Silicon Valley, NetCom Securities, INC. building
The thunk of a .50 timed the beat that the god danced to, her every movement on or right between the beats of her death dealing drum. Her skin was wrapped tightly in a black and white bodyglove, devoid of armored plates and pulsing with thin blue power lines, it glowed brighter as she twisted and turned, spinning this way and that. In her left hand was Judgment, in her right Retribution. She smote down upon her enemies with righteous fury, her faith in her digital deity her greatest strength. Her long black hair flowed behind her, trailing like a black ribbon as she spun.
Judgment eviscerated a grey-fatigue clad security guard from nose to navel, and he struggled to hold the halves of himself together as he collapsed to the ground, blood pooling around him in pints. A step to her left and Retribution barked, exploding the head of another guard. Flecks of blood splatter across the skin of her too-white face and ran down onto the pulsating lights of the collar she wore.
The drum beats stopped and she turned, almost confused, as if the band had stopped playing for no reason. Data flitted across her view and she cam to the understanding that all the guards were dead. She licked blood of her lips then spat it out, it was too real, too organic. She turned and waved her compatriots to follow her. Five heavily armed men, her ensemble she liked to think, followed behind, their heavy white robes flowing over their red plated armor and white body-suits. The one carrying the .50 rested the smoking weapon on his shoulder as they passed the threshold of the large corporate tower that was the target of their assault. In the distance she vaguely processed the sound of alarms ringing and heavy doors shutting, but this did not perturb her.
The group strode into the empty, marble adorned, lobby of building and she guided the group over to the elevators, large shiny steel doors blocked their way into the shafts and a red light over top whined that the elevator was temporarily shut down. She laughed and put her palm up to the control panel, dendrites snaking their way out of the heel of her hand and piercing the wiring of the elevator. A few minutes, a sharp static shock later and the door dinged, sliding apart to reveal the empty interior of the elevator. The group stepped in and she punched the button for the 75th, the top, floor.
It was a 7 minute ride up to the top floor and the magnetically driven elevator made the journey smoothly. The override program she had injected into the command programming of the elevator system busted past any attempts to shut the rapidly rising box down, it's digital journey far more violent than the real one taking place in the elevator shaft. As they neared the 64th floor one of the men spoke into his helmet mic, the sound muffled by the full visors they all wore, “Guardian to Homeworld, we're nearing target zone, light resistance, we will have the server slate, request extract in ten.”
The crackling of the other end of the mic responded in kind, “Homeworld to Guardian, extract inbound, Father asks status of Daughter.”
The man gave a sidelong glance at the slender figure of the woman standing in front of him facing the door, the skintight bodyglove accentuating her figure in lewd ways, at odds with the gruesome display he had seen at the front doors of the building, he hesitated before responding, “Homeworld, Daughter is … good. Guardian out.” The mic went silent as the elevator dinged, signaling their arrival at their destination. A hand signal from the man who had been on the mic and the group spread to the sides of the elevator, out of view of the door, the girl grabbed the ceiling and slung herself up, bracing herself. The doors slid open to greet a hail of gunfire tearing through the small opening, murdering the back wall of elevator cabin.
After a solid 10 seconds of gunfire the sounds of guns clicking on empty resounded through the strange absence of roaring firearms. She slide gracefully down from the ceiling and flipped into the room, bridging 5 of the 20 yard distance from her to her attackers. The guards opposite her seemed unsure whether to unload on the beautiful, if eerily unreal, woman who had just appeared from the elevator. Their moment of hesitation was their death, the rest of the strike team stepped out of the small elevator and let lead fly, the first rounds killing the men at the far edges of the room. The .50 opened up on the men behind the security desk directly opposite the door, she made her way around the side and decapitated a door guard outside a blast slider with the words “Server Room” printed in small white letters.
Less than 12 seconds later the room was still again as the last guard slumped to the floor against the security desk, blood gurgling out of his mouth and running down his chin. All five men moved to the server room door, one of them affixing a small black square to the middle of it, “Clear zone, fire in seven.” They all stepped back and seven seconds later the door exploded inwards showering the room with metal fragments. The team stepped in to clear the room. Finding it vacant she walked in, striding directly to the central server cluster. A swipe of her hand across the console highlighted a specific sliver and she snapped her fingers, directing one of the men to withdraw it. He slid the wallet sized glowing piece of clear plastic, crisscrossed with tiny pulsating lines, out of the tall server frame and slipped into a small metal case, strapping it to his side. The team leader spoke into his mic again, “Guardian to Homeworld, target secure, ETA extract?”
“Guardian, Angel is on your high, extract is live, Homeworld out.”
The team leader waved his hand and they made their way back out into the main room and to the stairwell that led to the roof. The rooftop was as empty as the server room and they spread out as they waited for the whine of turbofans to near their position. The black bird's form lowered itself 5 feet from the rooftop and a small ramp slid out. The team ran out from their hiding spots, up the ramp and into the belly of the drop ship. The turbofans whined louder and the ship sped up into the darkness of the cloudy night sky.
Over Swiss airspace
The pilot came on over the Nighthawk's PA system, “Two minutes to drop, strap in, we're going straight down boys.” Deberov waved a hand and his team took their places strapped tightly into the harnesses on either side of the dropships hull.
The Warden went onto his team frequency, “Remember, no collateral, this is a grab and bag, regular ROE's.” Answer's of assent came back to him and he leaned forward giving the pilot the thumb's up for a mission-go.
The thunk of a .50 timed the beat that the god danced to, her every movement on or right between the beats of her death dealing drum. Her skin was wrapped tightly in a black and white bodyglove, devoid of armored plates and pulsing with thin blue power lines, it glowed brighter as she twisted and turned, spinning this way and that. In her left hand was Judgment, in her right Retribution. She smote down upon her enemies with righteous fury, her faith in her digital deity her greatest strength. Her long black hair flowed behind her, trailing like a black ribbon as she spun.
Judgment eviscerated a grey-fatigue clad security guard from nose to navel, and he struggled to hold the halves of himself together as he collapsed to the ground, blood pooling around him in pints. A step to her left and Retribution barked, exploding the head of another guard. Flecks of blood splatter across the skin of her too-white face and ran down onto the pulsating lights of the collar she wore.
The drum beats stopped and she turned, almost confused, as if the band had stopped playing for no reason. Data flitted across her view and she cam to the understanding that all the guards were dead. She licked blood of her lips then spat it out, it was too real, too organic. She turned and waved her compatriots to follow her. Five heavily armed men, her ensemble she liked to think, followed behind, their heavy white robes flowing over their red plated armor and white body-suits. The one carrying the .50 rested the smoking weapon on his shoulder as they passed the threshold of the large corporate tower that was the target of their assault. In the distance she vaguely processed the sound of alarms ringing and heavy doors shutting, but this did not perturb her.
The group strode into the empty, marble adorned, lobby of building and she guided the group over to the elevators, large shiny steel doors blocked their way into the shafts and a red light over top whined that the elevator was temporarily shut down. She laughed and put her palm up to the control panel, dendrites snaking their way out of the heel of her hand and piercing the wiring of the elevator. A few minutes, a sharp static shock later and the door dinged, sliding apart to reveal the empty interior of the elevator. The group stepped in and she punched the button for the 75th, the top, floor.
It was a 7 minute ride up to the top floor and the magnetically driven elevator made the journey smoothly. The override program she had injected into the command programming of the elevator system busted past any attempts to shut the rapidly rising box down, it's digital journey far more violent than the real one taking place in the elevator shaft. As they neared the 64th floor one of the men spoke into his helmet mic, the sound muffled by the full visors they all wore, “Guardian to Homeworld, we're nearing target zone, light resistance, we will have the server slate, request extract in ten.”
The crackling of the other end of the mic responded in kind, “Homeworld to Guardian, extract inbound, Father asks status of Daughter.”
The man gave a sidelong glance at the slender figure of the woman standing in front of him facing the door, the skintight bodyglove accentuating her figure in lewd ways, at odds with the gruesome display he had seen at the front doors of the building, he hesitated before responding, “Homeworld, Daughter is … good. Guardian out.” The mic went silent as the elevator dinged, signaling their arrival at their destination. A hand signal from the man who had been on the mic and the group spread to the sides of the elevator, out of view of the door, the girl grabbed the ceiling and slung herself up, bracing herself. The doors slid open to greet a hail of gunfire tearing through the small opening, murdering the back wall of elevator cabin.
After a solid 10 seconds of gunfire the sounds of guns clicking on empty resounded through the strange absence of roaring firearms. She slide gracefully down from the ceiling and flipped into the room, bridging 5 of the 20 yard distance from her to her attackers. The guards opposite her seemed unsure whether to unload on the beautiful, if eerily unreal, woman who had just appeared from the elevator. Their moment of hesitation was their death, the rest of the strike team stepped out of the small elevator and let lead fly, the first rounds killing the men at the far edges of the room. The .50 opened up on the men behind the security desk directly opposite the door, she made her way around the side and decapitated a door guard outside a blast slider with the words “Server Room” printed in small white letters.
Less than 12 seconds later the room was still again as the last guard slumped to the floor against the security desk, blood gurgling out of his mouth and running down his chin. All five men moved to the server room door, one of them affixing a small black square to the middle of it, “Clear zone, fire in seven.” They all stepped back and seven seconds later the door exploded inwards showering the room with metal fragments. The team stepped in to clear the room. Finding it vacant she walked in, striding directly to the central server cluster. A swipe of her hand across the console highlighted a specific sliver and she snapped her fingers, directing one of the men to withdraw it. He slid the wallet sized glowing piece of clear plastic, crisscrossed with tiny pulsating lines, out of the tall server frame and slipped into a small metal case, strapping it to his side. The team leader spoke into his mic again, “Guardian to Homeworld, target secure, ETA extract?”
“Guardian, Angel is on your high, extract is live, Homeworld out.”
The team leader waved his hand and they made their way back out into the main room and to the stairwell that led to the roof. The rooftop was as empty as the server room and they spread out as they waited for the whine of turbofans to near their position. The black bird's form lowered itself 5 feet from the rooftop and a small ramp slid out. The team ran out from their hiding spots, up the ramp and into the belly of the drop ship. The turbofans whined louder and the ship sped up into the darkness of the cloudy night sky.
Over Swiss airspace
The pilot came on over the Nighthawk's PA system, “Two minutes to drop, strap in, we're going straight down boys.” Deberov waved a hand and his team took their places strapped tightly into the harnesses on either side of the dropships hull.
The Warden went onto his team frequency, “Remember, no collateral, this is a grab and bag, regular ROE's.” Answer's of assent came back to him and he leaned forward giving the pilot the thumb's up for a mission-go.
Bern, Switzerland
Lan stepped off the train, his soul feeling heavier as he shouldered his pack. Guilt had plagued him since leaving his London flat. In his pocket was the unbroken cell phone, his last line to Julia. Julia who had been an innocent in the war, but her brother had served loyally and faithfully. He had done everything that Lan had asked of him…. Lan took a deep breath as he went through customs.
“Enjoy your visit Mr. Guy Fox,” the customs agent said as he dutifully waved Lan through the gate.
Seven years prior…
“Alright Alpha team, we’ll wait for the signal from Engineer Gordon. One he’s secured the network ports for us, we’ll go in and begin data mining. Remember we’re looking for the heads, employee data is of no use to us. Find any trade agreements or anything that looks like insider knowledge. Also look for anything that looks like it may be ISI payroll or anything that suggests that the ISI has been harassing employees.”
In the small room, five pairs of eyes watched and waited as the mission brief was given by a voice recording done by MisterX, the main coordinator for on-site and on-line attacks. A man tapped the keyboard to stop the file.
“I’ll be the first responder, once I’m in, use the bots to take down the network. We should have the main servers and the security rooms down for the next 10 minutes while the Engineers take over the physical network and install our switches.”
“Switch the switches, eh?” one of the techs joked as he checked the voice chat, “All Engineers are on-line and live. They’re going in now, oh I wish they wouldn’t babble so… I can’t get a word in edgewise.”
“This is Engineer Gordon- Codec- You’re clear, we need security down and blackouts ASAP….”
“On it Engineer Gordon- you heard him! Lets go!” MasterCodec grinned as his fingers madly flew across the keyboard as his team of five raced to turn of services electronically.
“… This is Engineer Gordon! Where is our backup?! Codec! Why isn’t security down? Oh god… it’s a tra-“
“Hang in there Gordon!” Codec called over the mic, madly typing away. “Damn, damn, damn!!! Why aren’t the elevators jamming? Is this video looping? Pax, cut the line to the cameras, they’ve been tampered with! Focus all efforts on getting the Engineers out! Jane, I need a power outage for the surrounding six blocks. The Engineers can hoof it in the tunnels as long as we can get them there.”
“Mr. Codec?” a small voice broke in, “My brother will be ok, right?”
Codec didn’t want to look into the eyes of the little girl who adored him like wise older brother. How did one comfort a child with the grim reality that her brother, Engineer Gordon, may not live out the night? What would Mentor say?
“Have faith, little one… We’re doing all we can.”
“Codec, I heard the Engineers had some trouble, I took the liberty of hacking into the ISI lines of communication and seeing if I can issue out a few false commands to redirect them to the floor of the building over.”
“Thank you London,” Codec sighed and smiled to the live child next to him. “It’ll be ok…. An angel appeared.”
“Don’t make me blush Codec,” a voice on the other line said very firmly, “Or you won’t have me next time.”
Lan stepped out of the station and squinted allowing his eyes to adjust to the night. His journey wasn’t over just yet. He had tickets to go to the town of Worb, there he would find a peace for now. But the commuter rail station was a few blocks over and the train was not for another hour yet, so Lan went to a small coffee shop that served the later patrons and pulled out his laptop from his pack.
He took a deep breath before logging on.
Login information….
Lan’s fingers shook as he cleared out MasterCodec and entered in a new name
The Lorax
Logging in…. Connection Established….. Welcome
The Lorax: My name is Lorax… and if you are reading this, then the unthinkable has happened. Our Vows have been Broken. Our Colors have been changed. We have become Legion, but without purpose or Commander. Or Codex by which we all once swore to.
My name is Lorax, and if you are reading this- please. Remember MeinMentor.
Lan stepped off the train, his soul feeling heavier as he shouldered his pack. Guilt had plagued him since leaving his London flat. In his pocket was the unbroken cell phone, his last line to Julia. Julia who had been an innocent in the war, but her brother had served loyally and faithfully. He had done everything that Lan had asked of him…. Lan took a deep breath as he went through customs.
“Enjoy your visit Mr. Guy Fox,” the customs agent said as he dutifully waved Lan through the gate.
Seven years prior…
“Alright Alpha team, we’ll wait for the signal from Engineer Gordon. One he’s secured the network ports for us, we’ll go in and begin data mining. Remember we’re looking for the heads, employee data is of no use to us. Find any trade agreements or anything that looks like insider knowledge. Also look for anything that looks like it may be ISI payroll or anything that suggests that the ISI has been harassing employees.”
In the small room, five pairs of eyes watched and waited as the mission brief was given by a voice recording done by MisterX, the main coordinator for on-site and on-line attacks. A man tapped the keyboard to stop the file.
“I’ll be the first responder, once I’m in, use the bots to take down the network. We should have the main servers and the security rooms down for the next 10 minutes while the Engineers take over the physical network and install our switches.”
“Switch the switches, eh?” one of the techs joked as he checked the voice chat, “All Engineers are on-line and live. They’re going in now, oh I wish they wouldn’t babble so… I can’t get a word in edgewise.”
“This is Engineer Gordon- Codec- You’re clear, we need security down and blackouts ASAP….”
“On it Engineer Gordon- you heard him! Lets go!” MasterCodec grinned as his fingers madly flew across the keyboard as his team of five raced to turn of services electronically.
“… This is Engineer Gordon! Where is our backup?! Codec! Why isn’t security down? Oh god… it’s a tra-“
“Hang in there Gordon!” Codec called over the mic, madly typing away. “Damn, damn, damn!!! Why aren’t the elevators jamming? Is this video looping? Pax, cut the line to the cameras, they’ve been tampered with! Focus all efforts on getting the Engineers out! Jane, I need a power outage for the surrounding six blocks. The Engineers can hoof it in the tunnels as long as we can get them there.”
“Mr. Codec?” a small voice broke in, “My brother will be ok, right?”
Codec didn’t want to look into the eyes of the little girl who adored him like wise older brother. How did one comfort a child with the grim reality that her brother, Engineer Gordon, may not live out the night? What would Mentor say?
“Have faith, little one… We’re doing all we can.”
“Codec, I heard the Engineers had some trouble, I took the liberty of hacking into the ISI lines of communication and seeing if I can issue out a few false commands to redirect them to the floor of the building over.”
“Thank you London,” Codec sighed and smiled to the live child next to him. “It’ll be ok…. An angel appeared.”
“Don’t make me blush Codec,” a voice on the other line said very firmly, “Or you won’t have me next time.”
Lan stepped out of the station and squinted allowing his eyes to adjust to the night. His journey wasn’t over just yet. He had tickets to go to the town of Worb, there he would find a peace for now. But the commuter rail station was a few blocks over and the train was not for another hour yet, so Lan went to a small coffee shop that served the later patrons and pulled out his laptop from his pack.
He took a deep breath before logging on.
Login information….
Lan’s fingers shook as he cleared out MasterCodec and entered in a new name
The Lorax
Logging in…. Connection Established….. Welcome
The Lorax: My name is Lorax… and if you are reading this, then the unthinkable has happened. Our Vows have been Broken. Our Colors have been changed. We have become Legion, but without purpose or Commander. Or Codex by which we all once swore to.
My name is Lorax, and if you are reading this- please. Remember MeinMentor.
LondonsFog sat at her desk as her fingers flickered over the diary she kept for research purposes. She had always been a researcher, always questioned the methods used and if they could be improved upon. But never did she question if it was right to use the method, if it was ethical. The method was a tool, no different from a scalpel or a microscope or keyboard used to program.
Now she sat at her desk, her fingers tracing over a frame with a shy smiling man. A long time ago the idea of a living breathing data base had ignited debates all over the world. Many of the debates heated and one-sided and the idea quickly died. And the creator of the idea was quickly written off and shuttered from lab to lab before fading altogether. But as the idea was dismissed in the scientific world, it had sparked intrigue in the hacker world.
The sharp eyes of LondonsFog read over several forums, hoping to spot an advantage and to catch up on what the local hacker groups worldwide were chattering about. She smiled as she read about a little server reboot in India. Apparently there was a youngster coming up the ranks by the name of Glitch, an appropriate name in London’s mind, as the reboot looked natural- enough that the technical teams of the bank that owned the server blamed it on normal maintenance. It made London feel old as she read about it. The one behind the reboot couldn’t be older than 25…. At 25 London had been fighting a losing war and planning to go into hiding- the same life she was living now.
A beep went off from her computer, indicating a new message. Frowning she signed on as a hidden user and saw who had spoken in the chat.
“Oh no…. No… you fool….” Quickly she checked the status of the user The Lorax…. 62.12.128.0…Switzerland….
“LAN!” She gasped, “You’re a fool.” But for a moment her heart raced with joy, he was closer to her then he had been in years. If only… Then she read his words and a sense of shame came over her. “Oh Codec, you miss him terribly don’t you? But you don’t know how much it pained me that I couldn’t keep our vows. Not with Lotus. So long as Lotus exists, I cannot keep our vow.”
Standing, LondonsFog closed her computer and placed it under the bed in the proper box. Outside the bells rang, and for once London was glad to be called to prayers.
She needed time to heal.
Now she sat at her desk, her fingers tracing over a frame with a shy smiling man. A long time ago the idea of a living breathing data base had ignited debates all over the world. Many of the debates heated and one-sided and the idea quickly died. And the creator of the idea was quickly written off and shuttered from lab to lab before fading altogether. But as the idea was dismissed in the scientific world, it had sparked intrigue in the hacker world.
The sharp eyes of LondonsFog read over several forums, hoping to spot an advantage and to catch up on what the local hacker groups worldwide were chattering about. She smiled as she read about a little server reboot in India. Apparently there was a youngster coming up the ranks by the name of Glitch, an appropriate name in London’s mind, as the reboot looked natural- enough that the technical teams of the bank that owned the server blamed it on normal maintenance. It made London feel old as she read about it. The one behind the reboot couldn’t be older than 25…. At 25 London had been fighting a losing war and planning to go into hiding- the same life she was living now.
A beep went off from her computer, indicating a new message. Frowning she signed on as a hidden user and saw who had spoken in the chat.
“Oh no…. No… you fool….” Quickly she checked the status of the user The Lorax…. 62.12.128.0…Switzerland….
“LAN!” She gasped, “You’re a fool.” But for a moment her heart raced with joy, he was closer to her then he had been in years. If only… Then she read his words and a sense of shame came over her. “Oh Codec, you miss him terribly don’t you? But you don’t know how much it pained me that I couldn’t keep our vows. Not with Lotus. So long as Lotus exists, I cannot keep our vow.”
Standing, LondonsFog closed her computer and placed it under the bed in the proper box. Outside the bells rang, and for once London was glad to be called to prayers.
She needed time to heal.
Kaelyn sat with the takeout container in her lap. She had moved from the desk chair to the bed to sit next to Ryan. The room was still dimly lit. She was using a fork to pull her noodles out of the container, though he was deftly using chopsticks on his.
“You know it is easier with a fork right?” Kae took another bite.
Ryan didn’t blink, didn’t shift his eyes, “You know it isn’t that hard to use chopsticks, right?”
She rolled her eyes, “Thanks for going down to get it, by the way.” She slurped in a stray noodle.
He smirked, “As if it were different than any other time?”
“Hey, everytime I go answer the door you are right behind me anyway. What is the point of both of us going? You want to see who is out there so bad then you might as well be the one to answer it. That doesn’t mean I can’t thank you for it.” Kae huffed and took another bite.
Ryan shrugged. He could still remember every detail about the delivery boy. He was no more than eighteen. Black hair that hadn't been washed that day. Clean fingernails, like he cared about hygiene when delivering. He seemed indifferent to who answered the door until he looked in Ryan's eyes. At that point the boy became nervous. Something Ryan was used to. Not many people enjoyed his intense stare. The boy wasn't armed, which was odd for delivery, but then he also didn't carry much cash and even prompted Ryan to pay with a chip rather than cash. Ryan had agreed, only to keep the boy safe. If he had no cash he wouldn't be a target.
Ryan didn't think the boy was anything more than what he appeared but he still felt more comfortable having made that determination himself. Kae was a little too trusting sometimes as she didn't always have her entire focus on the real world around her.
Ryan, "If I am supposed to keep you safe then I need to be aware of threats. One of us should be."
Kae huffed again. “I get it, Patrice wants to make sure no one figures out that I move the money and I know things but come on. I am nothing but a tiny blip in the system no one wants after me.”
She slid to the edge of the bed and tossed the now empty container in the garbage. “If the ISI hasn’t bothered to care what I do and hasn’t come looking for me I doubt some delivery kid is going to be a hired killer from another gang.”
Kae looked at Ryan. “I think you go to the door so that you can have human interaction with someone other than me.” The corners of her mouth lifted just a little.
Ryan raised an eyebrow, "Why would I go looking? I get more than enough socializing by talking to you. And delivery is one of the easiest ways to get access to a target. Hired killer is just one of the possible threats."
He went back to eating, the chopsticks smoothly bringing food to his mouth.
Kaelyn laughed gruffly, “No one is out to threaten me.”
Ryan didn't look up, "And that is why Patrice has me here. To protect you from your own naivete."
Kae shook her head. “You are watching me because he wants to make sure I don’t fuck him over. You know it and I know it Ryan.” She nudged him with her shoulder. “It’s okay. I don’t plan to screw him over and I don’t mind your company.” Blue eyes shifted to look at him. “I should get back at it. I need to double check a couple of things for him.”
She licked her lips and slid off the bed. A slight frown formed as she sat in her chair and turned to face the computer screens. “You know I really don’t mind your company right?”
Ryan looked up at her without his typical intensity, "It can't be because of my amazing conversation skills. Must be because I'm quiet and don't break your focus." He grinned slightly then went back to eating. He finished his meal and, without looking, tossed the container into the garbage. He then flipped each chop stick so that they landed perfectly in the recently tossed container.
Kae turned her head at his comment. “Oh yeah, that’s it entirely.” She watched the container land in the garbage followed by the small thunk of the perfectly placed chopsticks in the open container. “Show off.”
She chuckled and turned back to the screen. Her fingers began to move over the keyboard. Her eyes scanned her screens. Information flew past and she scanned it all. Numbers, names went past as she checked on Patrice’s numerous accounts. None were in his name of course. She had set up everything so that unless you took the time to really dig and follow the trail nothing could be linked to Patrice.
Kae opened a separate window and loaded the chat.
Theo1-Hey darlin’ Where'd you disappear to?
Glitch-I do have to eat you know and I didn’t realize I had to report all my activities to you. You my mom?
Theo1-Now, now come on...didn’t mean anything by it was just wondering where you up and vanished to.
Glitch-Food, work stuff. Same old, same old. What are you up to?
Theo1-Just looking over that bit of fun you had earlier. School records? What does that do?
Glitch-Nothing, just puts them out there and people act all dumb. Do you not see the way people are going apeshit over ten years worth of old grades that mean nothing now?
Theo1-So what? People whine about all kinds of shit. This isn’t going to get you known out there darlin’.
Glitch-Who said I wanted to be known? I never said that. In fact I rather like my cozy, dark hidey hole. I don’t need the attention. No one gives a shit what I do on my own time and that is the way I like it.
In her chair Kaelyn huffed and made a face at her screen. “Dummy, missing the point.” She murmured.
Ryan had lain back on the bed and closed his eyes. He often did that and just listened to her type. He'd learned to guess what kind of work she was doing by her typing cadence. He chuckled and opened his eyes to look at who she was chatting with, then frowned.
"I don't know why you let that guy break your flow."
Kae looked over at Ryan. “He talks to me more than everyone else does. Sometimes he isn’t annoying and has good ideas. Other times he is off base. I think he wants to make a name for himself but that just brings trouble. I have enough trouble with you.”
She smirked at little at him.
"Well, some people know better than to interrupt you with idle chatter when you're busy. I just mentioned my conversation skills. I'm here to keep you out of trouble. Not cause any. Making a name for yourself isn't what Patrice wants. And I happen to agree."
“I just told him I don’t want to make a name for myself. It is just funny. I posted ten years worth of school records. You should see the reactions. It is hilarious and I rather enjoy making people look like idiots when it is funny.” Kaelyn shrugged. ‘Okay pretty much all the time but you know when I get to laugh about it it is so much better.” She turned and faced Ryan. “I am not trying to make trouble or get attention. Not my M.O. And if I do we both know Patrice will have you put a bullet in my brain.”
Theo1-Where are you darlin’? You mad at me now?
Kae glanced at the screen.
Ryan flinched, slightly, almost imperceptibly, before he regained control. The intensity returned, "Right. Easier to stay out of trouble when you stay away from trouble." He stood up and walked to the window. The small apartment that Kae had did not allow for him to go far, so he opened the window and stuck his upper body outside.
Kaelyn frowned and looked at him. “What the hell are you doing?”
The screen flashed with another message but she ignored it.
"This place needs a balcony. I should ask Patrice for a raise. I'm getting air."
She was torn. On one hand there was the screen and the world online calling to her. On the other was the only other human being she could actually stand and spent every waking and sleeping moment with. “Air?” The concept seemed foreign to her. “Out there? Really?”
Ryan sighed and came back inside and closed the window, "See, a balcony wouldn't seem odd and I wouldn't distract you. You have work? Or your funny, semi annoying friend? I just need something to do. I wouldn't want to get complacent. Patrice wouldn't be happy if I wasn't always sharp and ready. Never know what trouble might come."
He frowned again and found a chair in the corner by the small table. He started laying out his various weapons to inspect and clean them. Even though he kept them impeccable.
Kae turned back to the screen unsure what to do or say to Ryan. She cast one more confused look at him before going back to typing.
Glitch-I’m here. Don’t go getting your shorts in a knot. I am not mad and it isn’t my fault you can’t appreciate a good laugh. The school thing, it is funny.
Theo1-Right funny.
Glitch-You got a better suggestion?
Theo1-Hell yes darlin’. You ever hear of Ligmata Games and Technologies?
Glitch-Who hasn’t? Big game designer and some of the developers of the best tech to run that stuff ever. Why?
Theo1-I have it on very good authority that they are announcing some brand new software early next week. And wouldn’t it be fun to scoop them and let that little announcement out early?
Glitch-....
Kae sat back in her chair and stared at the screen. She worried her lower lip.
Theo1-What’s the matter darlin’ that not fun enough for you?
Glitch-No it’s fun but a bit more public than I do.
Theo1-Ah, I see. A little more challenge than high school security and it's too much for you. I understand. I'll see if I can rustle up some serious hacker then, yeah?
Glitch-Fuck off. You think I am some fucking script kiddie? No, I just tend to stay away from things that will be so big that ISI will come breathing down my neck. I got a job to keep in mind and there is a bullet with my name on it if I am not careful.
Theo1-Okay, so you sold out to the man and don't want to rock the boat. I get it. Too bad. Someone with your alleged skills could be in and out of this thing without anyone knowing. If you don't want the credit all you'd need is someone willing to take it for you. I think I might know someone who fits that bill.
Kaelyn pushed away from the computer in a huff and walked away. She went into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Ryan glanced up, concerned. He started reassembling his gun.
A few minutes later she came back out. “Sold out? I will show him sold out...fucking hack no talent....” She grumbled as she sat back down.
Ryan pushed the magazine back into his gun with audible force, "Kae, no trouble."
She looked over at him. She was clearly angry. “But he....I....” Kaelyn practically growled out the words.
Ryan sighed and shook his head. He knew it wouldn't be worth trying to reason with her currently. He just hoped she'd come to her senses before doing anything too stupid.
Kaelyn frowned at him but turned quickly to the computer screen.
Glitch-Why not just hack the thing yourself if you want all the glory? Why are you passing the work on or are you not capable of something like this? Hmm?
Theo1-Darlin' when you have access to the best, why not ask?
Glitch-So first you insult me and now you are trying to charm your way around this? Fuck off. And you know I hate it when you call me darlin’
Theo1-Got your attention didn't I? I know I'm not going to flatter you into anything. I'll do it just fine by myself. You'll miss out on the fun and laughs. Or, you and I work together and it gets done faster and cleaner. Maybe I just like the idea of talking to you more?
Glitch-You’re an asshole. You know that right? Let’s find a back door to them.
Theo1-That's my girl. And, guilty as charged. I think I know just the place.
Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she and Theo1 began working on a backdoor into the site. Kae took every precaution, covered her tracks every step and was confident that nothing could be tracked back to her.
It took time but the two finally managed to breach the security. They slipped in and got the files and information they wanted. Kaelyn copied hers to her encrypted drive. They left, no one the wiser to the hack.
Glitch-Alright, you got the info. Go for it but remember nothing can get tied to me unless I want it to. You even hint I was involved and I will....
Theo1-Darlin’ simmer down. Come on, what kind of guy do you think I am? I’d just sell you out? Don’t worry. Nothing will come at you from me.
Glitch-Better not. Have fun. I look forward to the fireworks.
Theo1-Catch you later darlin’
Kaelyn stretched. She was smiling. She shifted and focused on her other screen. She accessed her encrypted drive and began to sort through all the data she had taken. Her eyes flew across the screen. Line after line of information. Kaelyn hit a button.
“What the hell?” She leaned forward. “Oh fuck no.....shit.....”
Kaelyn turned. “Ryan?” Her voice sounded unusually strained. “I didn’t know...maybe I can stop it...”
Her eyes went to the other screen where it was already blowing up with Theo1’s leaked information. Yes there was information about the software release and that Ligmata was hacked but at the end of the posting was a single line.
We got it too. You want it back before we release that to the world you better get in contact. You have 24 hours.
Kaelyn paled. “Oh no.” It was too late.
Ryan closed his eyes, "What proof does he have that you joined him?"
Kaelyn shook her head. “I covered my own tracks but I have a copy of that file too. If he logged the convo, his system logs...a few ways.”
"What is it? And how long did he give them?"
“He gave them 24 hours and it is some sort of military software. I didn’t look at it fully yet I just noticed it and that it isn’t part of the game data. It was hidden with the files I thought I was hacking to steal.”
She looked up at Ryan. “This is trouble isn’t it?”
Ryan opened his eyes and gave her a look that told her all she needed to know.
Kaelyn’s shoulders dropped, “Fuck.”
Ryan stood, "I give him 10 hours max, before he's been found, tortured and his body unceremoniously dumped in a back alley. You have 9 to erase all his data on you. If you can't do it we need to move and you hold that data as leverage. You might be able to negotiate... Who am I kidding. This needs to blow over. They need to know you don't know what you found. Make it look like you never accessed your copy and leave the drive. If they find it they might be convinced you didn't know what it was. We'll lie low and never, ever mention it and they will forget in a year or so."
Kaelyn flinched when he stood. Her eyes were on his hands. She was listening but watching him closely. “If they torture him he is going to say I did it all. I will do what I can to clean it up.” There was wariness in her voice.
Ryan noticed her split attention. He tried to soften his words, but her reminding him that he would be expected to clean up her mistakes had rattled him like nothing ever before. He turned his back on her and crossed his arms.
"Clean this up and his squealing will mean nothing. They will just assume he was trying to buy leniency. If Patrice gets wind of you being involved...." He trailed off.
“I’ll clean it up Ryan. I promise.” Kaelyn’s voice broke slightly.
“You know it is easier with a fork right?” Kae took another bite.
Ryan didn’t blink, didn’t shift his eyes, “You know it isn’t that hard to use chopsticks, right?”
She rolled her eyes, “Thanks for going down to get it, by the way.” She slurped in a stray noodle.
He smirked, “As if it were different than any other time?”
“Hey, everytime I go answer the door you are right behind me anyway. What is the point of both of us going? You want to see who is out there so bad then you might as well be the one to answer it. That doesn’t mean I can’t thank you for it.” Kae huffed and took another bite.
Ryan shrugged. He could still remember every detail about the delivery boy. He was no more than eighteen. Black hair that hadn't been washed that day. Clean fingernails, like he cared about hygiene when delivering. He seemed indifferent to who answered the door until he looked in Ryan's eyes. At that point the boy became nervous. Something Ryan was used to. Not many people enjoyed his intense stare. The boy wasn't armed, which was odd for delivery, but then he also didn't carry much cash and even prompted Ryan to pay with a chip rather than cash. Ryan had agreed, only to keep the boy safe. If he had no cash he wouldn't be a target.
Ryan didn't think the boy was anything more than what he appeared but he still felt more comfortable having made that determination himself. Kae was a little too trusting sometimes as she didn't always have her entire focus on the real world around her.
Ryan, "If I am supposed to keep you safe then I need to be aware of threats. One of us should be."
Kae huffed again. “I get it, Patrice wants to make sure no one figures out that I move the money and I know things but come on. I am nothing but a tiny blip in the system no one wants after me.”
She slid to the edge of the bed and tossed the now empty container in the garbage. “If the ISI hasn’t bothered to care what I do and hasn’t come looking for me I doubt some delivery kid is going to be a hired killer from another gang.”
Kae looked at Ryan. “I think you go to the door so that you can have human interaction with someone other than me.” The corners of her mouth lifted just a little.
Ryan raised an eyebrow, "Why would I go looking? I get more than enough socializing by talking to you. And delivery is one of the easiest ways to get access to a target. Hired killer is just one of the possible threats."
He went back to eating, the chopsticks smoothly bringing food to his mouth.
Kaelyn laughed gruffly, “No one is out to threaten me.”
Ryan didn't look up, "And that is why Patrice has me here. To protect you from your own naivete."
Kae shook her head. “You are watching me because he wants to make sure I don’t fuck him over. You know it and I know it Ryan.” She nudged him with her shoulder. “It’s okay. I don’t plan to screw him over and I don’t mind your company.” Blue eyes shifted to look at him. “I should get back at it. I need to double check a couple of things for him.”
She licked her lips and slid off the bed. A slight frown formed as she sat in her chair and turned to face the computer screens. “You know I really don’t mind your company right?”
Ryan looked up at her without his typical intensity, "It can't be because of my amazing conversation skills. Must be because I'm quiet and don't break your focus." He grinned slightly then went back to eating. He finished his meal and, without looking, tossed the container into the garbage. He then flipped each chop stick so that they landed perfectly in the recently tossed container.
Kae turned her head at his comment. “Oh yeah, that’s it entirely.” She watched the container land in the garbage followed by the small thunk of the perfectly placed chopsticks in the open container. “Show off.”
She chuckled and turned back to the screen. Her fingers began to move over the keyboard. Her eyes scanned her screens. Information flew past and she scanned it all. Numbers, names went past as she checked on Patrice’s numerous accounts. None were in his name of course. She had set up everything so that unless you took the time to really dig and follow the trail nothing could be linked to Patrice.
Kae opened a separate window and loaded the chat.
Theo1-Hey darlin’ Where'd you disappear to?
Glitch-I do have to eat you know and I didn’t realize I had to report all my activities to you. You my mom?
Theo1-Now, now come on...didn’t mean anything by it was just wondering where you up and vanished to.
Glitch-Food, work stuff. Same old, same old. What are you up to?
Theo1-Just looking over that bit of fun you had earlier. School records? What does that do?
Glitch-Nothing, just puts them out there and people act all dumb. Do you not see the way people are going apeshit over ten years worth of old grades that mean nothing now?
Theo1-So what? People whine about all kinds of shit. This isn’t going to get you known out there darlin’.
Glitch-Who said I wanted to be known? I never said that. In fact I rather like my cozy, dark hidey hole. I don’t need the attention. No one gives a shit what I do on my own time and that is the way I like it.
In her chair Kaelyn huffed and made a face at her screen. “Dummy, missing the point.” She murmured.
Ryan had lain back on the bed and closed his eyes. He often did that and just listened to her type. He'd learned to guess what kind of work she was doing by her typing cadence. He chuckled and opened his eyes to look at who she was chatting with, then frowned.
"I don't know why you let that guy break your flow."
Kae looked over at Ryan. “He talks to me more than everyone else does. Sometimes he isn’t annoying and has good ideas. Other times he is off base. I think he wants to make a name for himself but that just brings trouble. I have enough trouble with you.”
She smirked at little at him.
"Well, some people know better than to interrupt you with idle chatter when you're busy. I just mentioned my conversation skills. I'm here to keep you out of trouble. Not cause any. Making a name for yourself isn't what Patrice wants. And I happen to agree."
“I just told him I don’t want to make a name for myself. It is just funny. I posted ten years worth of school records. You should see the reactions. It is hilarious and I rather enjoy making people look like idiots when it is funny.” Kaelyn shrugged. ‘Okay pretty much all the time but you know when I get to laugh about it it is so much better.” She turned and faced Ryan. “I am not trying to make trouble or get attention. Not my M.O. And if I do we both know Patrice will have you put a bullet in my brain.”
Theo1-Where are you darlin’? You mad at me now?
Kae glanced at the screen.
Ryan flinched, slightly, almost imperceptibly, before he regained control. The intensity returned, "Right. Easier to stay out of trouble when you stay away from trouble." He stood up and walked to the window. The small apartment that Kae had did not allow for him to go far, so he opened the window and stuck his upper body outside.
Kaelyn frowned and looked at him. “What the hell are you doing?”
The screen flashed with another message but she ignored it.
"This place needs a balcony. I should ask Patrice for a raise. I'm getting air."
She was torn. On one hand there was the screen and the world online calling to her. On the other was the only other human being she could actually stand and spent every waking and sleeping moment with. “Air?” The concept seemed foreign to her. “Out there? Really?”
Ryan sighed and came back inside and closed the window, "See, a balcony wouldn't seem odd and I wouldn't distract you. You have work? Or your funny, semi annoying friend? I just need something to do. I wouldn't want to get complacent. Patrice wouldn't be happy if I wasn't always sharp and ready. Never know what trouble might come."
He frowned again and found a chair in the corner by the small table. He started laying out his various weapons to inspect and clean them. Even though he kept them impeccable.
Kae turned back to the screen unsure what to do or say to Ryan. She cast one more confused look at him before going back to typing.
Glitch-I’m here. Don’t go getting your shorts in a knot. I am not mad and it isn’t my fault you can’t appreciate a good laugh. The school thing, it is funny.
Theo1-Right funny.
Glitch-You got a better suggestion?
Theo1-Hell yes darlin’. You ever hear of Ligmata Games and Technologies?
Glitch-Who hasn’t? Big game designer and some of the developers of the best tech to run that stuff ever. Why?
Theo1-I have it on very good authority that they are announcing some brand new software early next week. And wouldn’t it be fun to scoop them and let that little announcement out early?
Glitch-....
Kae sat back in her chair and stared at the screen. She worried her lower lip.
Theo1-What’s the matter darlin’ that not fun enough for you?
Glitch-No it’s fun but a bit more public than I do.
Theo1-Ah, I see. A little more challenge than high school security and it's too much for you. I understand. I'll see if I can rustle up some serious hacker then, yeah?
Glitch-Fuck off. You think I am some fucking script kiddie? No, I just tend to stay away from things that will be so big that ISI will come breathing down my neck. I got a job to keep in mind and there is a bullet with my name on it if I am not careful.
Theo1-Okay, so you sold out to the man and don't want to rock the boat. I get it. Too bad. Someone with your alleged skills could be in and out of this thing without anyone knowing. If you don't want the credit all you'd need is someone willing to take it for you. I think I might know someone who fits that bill.
Kaelyn pushed away from the computer in a huff and walked away. She went into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Ryan glanced up, concerned. He started reassembling his gun.
A few minutes later she came back out. “Sold out? I will show him sold out...fucking hack no talent....” She grumbled as she sat back down.
Ryan pushed the magazine back into his gun with audible force, "Kae, no trouble."
She looked over at him. She was clearly angry. “But he....I....” Kaelyn practically growled out the words.
Ryan sighed and shook his head. He knew it wouldn't be worth trying to reason with her currently. He just hoped she'd come to her senses before doing anything too stupid.
Kaelyn frowned at him but turned quickly to the computer screen.
Glitch-Why not just hack the thing yourself if you want all the glory? Why are you passing the work on or are you not capable of something like this? Hmm?
Theo1-Darlin' when you have access to the best, why not ask?
Glitch-So first you insult me and now you are trying to charm your way around this? Fuck off. And you know I hate it when you call me darlin’
Theo1-Got your attention didn't I? I know I'm not going to flatter you into anything. I'll do it just fine by myself. You'll miss out on the fun and laughs. Or, you and I work together and it gets done faster and cleaner. Maybe I just like the idea of talking to you more?
Glitch-You’re an asshole. You know that right? Let’s find a back door to them.
Theo1-That's my girl. And, guilty as charged. I think I know just the place.
Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she and Theo1 began working on a backdoor into the site. Kae took every precaution, covered her tracks every step and was confident that nothing could be tracked back to her.
It took time but the two finally managed to breach the security. They slipped in and got the files and information they wanted. Kaelyn copied hers to her encrypted drive. They left, no one the wiser to the hack.
Glitch-Alright, you got the info. Go for it but remember nothing can get tied to me unless I want it to. You even hint I was involved and I will....
Theo1-Darlin’ simmer down. Come on, what kind of guy do you think I am? I’d just sell you out? Don’t worry. Nothing will come at you from me.
Glitch-Better not. Have fun. I look forward to the fireworks.
Theo1-Catch you later darlin’
Kaelyn stretched. She was smiling. She shifted and focused on her other screen. She accessed her encrypted drive and began to sort through all the data she had taken. Her eyes flew across the screen. Line after line of information. Kaelyn hit a button.
“What the hell?” She leaned forward. “Oh fuck no.....shit.....”
Kaelyn turned. “Ryan?” Her voice sounded unusually strained. “I didn’t know...maybe I can stop it...”
Her eyes went to the other screen where it was already blowing up with Theo1’s leaked information. Yes there was information about the software release and that Ligmata was hacked but at the end of the posting was a single line.
We got it too. You want it back before we release that to the world you better get in contact. You have 24 hours.
Kaelyn paled. “Oh no.” It was too late.
Ryan closed his eyes, "What proof does he have that you joined him?"
Kaelyn shook her head. “I covered my own tracks but I have a copy of that file too. If he logged the convo, his system logs...a few ways.”
"What is it? And how long did he give them?"
“He gave them 24 hours and it is some sort of military software. I didn’t look at it fully yet I just noticed it and that it isn’t part of the game data. It was hidden with the files I thought I was hacking to steal.”
She looked up at Ryan. “This is trouble isn’t it?”
Ryan opened his eyes and gave her a look that told her all she needed to know.
Kaelyn’s shoulders dropped, “Fuck.”
Ryan stood, "I give him 10 hours max, before he's been found, tortured and his body unceremoniously dumped in a back alley. You have 9 to erase all his data on you. If you can't do it we need to move and you hold that data as leverage. You might be able to negotiate... Who am I kidding. This needs to blow over. They need to know you don't know what you found. Make it look like you never accessed your copy and leave the drive. If they find it they might be convinced you didn't know what it was. We'll lie low and never, ever mention it and they will forget in a year or so."
Kaelyn flinched when he stood. Her eyes were on his hands. She was listening but watching him closely. “If they torture him he is going to say I did it all. I will do what I can to clean it up.” There was wariness in her voice.
Ryan noticed her split attention. He tried to soften his words, but her reminding him that he would be expected to clean up her mistakes had rattled him like nothing ever before. He turned his back on her and crossed his arms.
"Clean this up and his squealing will mean nothing. They will just assume he was trying to buy leniency. If Patrice gets wind of you being involved...." He trailed off.
“I’ll clean it up Ryan. I promise.” Kaelyn’s voice broke slightly.
LondonsFog sighed at her desk, fingers impatiently tapping on the keyboard as she browsed through the forums. Normally she didn’t pay much mind to the bragging’s of the under-hackers who thought too much of themselves. She hadn’t survived a war and gone into hiding to be drawn into the petty ranks that now made of most of the hacker community. It made it ache to think that once the world of computer hackers contained some of the brightest minds of the tech field was now reduced to squabbles over nothing.
Her eyes wandered to the picture frame on her desk, one of the sole possessions that she could say was hers, and hers alone. There were two pictured overlaid in the frame, the smaller, tucked in the corner of a man whose eyes conveyed so much unreturned love. The larger was of a steel capsule, the side door opened to reveal the body of a boy who had nothing to live for, yet she lived for this boy.
LondonsFog frowned as she read yet another post from Theo1 crowing over his achievements. She didn’t like the activity from this hacker; often he would pull help from other hackers to achieve his ends without giving credit or the hacker disappeared altogether.
However, what surprised her more was that the hacker he recruited this time was none other than Glitch for the latest game break out. How abnormal.
A message came up on LondonFog’s screen interrupting her thoughts.
5.175.128.0 …. A German IP address. LondonsFog accepted the message.
LondonsFog: It’s not like you to reach out Jane.
JanesHand: I know… but after Codec’s warnings… I can only trust the secure channels. Listen, I’ve been keeping WrapedGun under watch… but have you seen Codec?
LondonsFog hesitated and then very slowly she began to type.
LondonsFog: Consider him dead. If my information is right, he’s sacrificed everything to keep you Second Gen’ers safe. No one will spare a man like Codec.
JanesHand: I thought he sounded frantic…. I thought he stopped. I thought…. Many things…. Maybe it’s too late for Codec… But I need your help. I’m worried about a new weapons program that’s come out under the guide of a game.
LondonsFog’s attention was caught, frowning she typed away.
LondonsFog: I’m listening….
JanesHand: No doubt you’ve heard of Glitch…. As much as he stays below the radar, his actions have always been to unstable systems where there more obvious flaws to hide his behind.
LondonsFog: You want me to save him…?
JanesHand: He’s a Second Gen’er, just like me. He doesn’t know how loud his actions really are… Nor do I doubt he’s working for someone else.
LondonsFog: Why is his story different from any other hacker’s?
JanesHand: I have reason to believe that he may have found a weapons mod or contact and is now trying to offload it and clean his tracks. If it truly does trace back to ISI…
LondonsFog: Nothing will bring back your brother, Jane… Gordon died for a good cause…. But I will help in this… So many more lives depend on this being nipped in the bud.
JanesHand: Thank you.
JanesHand logged off
LondonsFog sat for a few moments thinking and then her fingers swiftly began to type and research. This had to be clean cut, with nothing that would trace back to her.
Several VPN connections and networks later, LondonsFog sent a note to Glitch.
Hello Glitch,
It has come to my attention that you may be in possession of some rather sensitive material. I can help you in removing your tracks, in exchange, I want the files that were downloaded and the server information you found.
It will only be a matter of time before the ISI sends out their feelers to track you. I can cloud their judgment and distract them.
You need only to reply to this message.
This offer expires in six hours.
Regards,
LondonsFog
Her eyes wandered to the picture frame on her desk, one of the sole possessions that she could say was hers, and hers alone. There were two pictured overlaid in the frame, the smaller, tucked in the corner of a man whose eyes conveyed so much unreturned love. The larger was of a steel capsule, the side door opened to reveal the body of a boy who had nothing to live for, yet she lived for this boy.
LondonsFog frowned as she read yet another post from Theo1 crowing over his achievements. She didn’t like the activity from this hacker; often he would pull help from other hackers to achieve his ends without giving credit or the hacker disappeared altogether.
However, what surprised her more was that the hacker he recruited this time was none other than Glitch for the latest game break out. How abnormal.
A message came up on LondonFog’s screen interrupting her thoughts.
5.175.128.0 …. A German IP address. LondonsFog accepted the message.
LondonsFog: It’s not like you to reach out Jane.
JanesHand: I know… but after Codec’s warnings… I can only trust the secure channels. Listen, I’ve been keeping WrapedGun under watch… but have you seen Codec?
LondonsFog hesitated and then very slowly she began to type.
LondonsFog: Consider him dead. If my information is right, he’s sacrificed everything to keep you Second Gen’ers safe. No one will spare a man like Codec.
JanesHand: I thought he sounded frantic…. I thought he stopped. I thought…. Many things…. Maybe it’s too late for Codec… But I need your help. I’m worried about a new weapons program that’s come out under the guide of a game.
LondonsFog’s attention was caught, frowning she typed away.
LondonsFog: I’m listening….
JanesHand: No doubt you’ve heard of Glitch…. As much as he stays below the radar, his actions have always been to unstable systems where there more obvious flaws to hide his behind.
LondonsFog: You want me to save him…?
JanesHand: He’s a Second Gen’er, just like me. He doesn’t know how loud his actions really are… Nor do I doubt he’s working for someone else.
LondonsFog: Why is his story different from any other hacker’s?
JanesHand: I have reason to believe that he may have found a weapons mod or contact and is now trying to offload it and clean his tracks. If it truly does trace back to ISI…
LondonsFog: Nothing will bring back your brother, Jane… Gordon died for a good cause…. But I will help in this… So many more lives depend on this being nipped in the bud.
JanesHand: Thank you.
JanesHand logged off
LondonsFog sat for a few moments thinking and then her fingers swiftly began to type and research. This had to be clean cut, with nothing that would trace back to her.
Several VPN connections and networks later, LondonsFog sent a note to Glitch.
Hello Glitch,
It has come to my attention that you may be in possession of some rather sensitive material. I can help you in removing your tracks, in exchange, I want the files that were downloaded and the server information you found.
It will only be a matter of time before the ISI sends out their feelers to track you. I can cloud their judgment and distract them.
You need only to reply to this message.
This offer expires in six hours.
Regards,
LondonsFog
ISI Command
A lieutenant seated at a center-right console sent up a yellow-flag to his Underchief 37 minutes after the game code had been leaked. It was marked “Possible security breach.” By 46 minutes post-leak three red-flag warnings had come from three different monitoring desks in the command center. The Digital Warfare division was put on high-alert and the pitter-patter of fingers rapidly pushing in keys began to fill the sub-room that housed the super-computers of ISI-DW.
The lieutenant who had first flagged the leak was called up to report to his Underchief, the report was concise and clear: “I tagged what looked like military code back-strung through a game-feed. It's not ours I can tell that for sure. It also isn't supposed to be public. I can't pin down what it is designed to do, it's encrypted beyond what my console can handle and I don't have access to the majority for it. Someone is doing a damn good job of keeping it out of our hands. I have a lead on some possibles that may be involved in the leak, but nothing concrete.” He was dismissed back to his computer while the Underchief began typing up an action-report for the Chief Warden. It advised immediate response.
ISI-DW Sub-room
Reginald Markham III was a spindly man, the kind who spent too much time in front of the computer and very little else. A classic hero in his own mind he wore his Digital Warfare uniform with the sort of bravado normally reserved for the men who had come out of the Academy toting a big gun, not a big brain. He was also one of the foremost geniuses that the ISI had managed to retain.
Reggie got endless shit from his coworkers, in a good-natured way for his pale skin, inability to hold his liquor and the fact that he couldn't help but remind them he had been on the Ardent development team at the age of 17. He spent a majority of his time pretending his code was compiling while he used his laptop to look up net content that he couldn't justify using company equipment for. MarkIII was a well known if relatively inactive member of the hacker community and, at the encouragement of the Chief Warden, maintained a carefully crafted relationship with non-ISI hackers for the purpose of information gathering. As far a the community at large knew, MarkIII was just an enthusiast who liked to frequent their chats, someone who always had a smart word but never took part.
When he was really working the alias Darkstar was the pseudonym he had adopted. Darkstars' reputation was concurrently opposite.
As soon as the Underchief's report came through it was Reggie that was put on the case of tracking down the parties involved. He estimated a delivery time of two hours, but he also wasn't expecting resistance.
Deus Ferrum Monastery, Roma
The sister walked into the inner garden quietly, escorted by a Templar clad in stark white poly-ceramic plated armor, carrying a ceremonial sword and functional sidearm. He stood by silently as she informed Brother Able that “She” had returned from her latest outing. The sister did not look happy to be delivering the news. He smiled and thanked her, then took a sip of his tea before standing slowly and walking out into the foyer that separated the garden from the rest of the monastery.
She was waiting for him, seated demurely at a small table in a comfortable armchair holding a small piece if shimmering data-slate. She was wearing loose white robes that hid her form, though the thing angular features of her face gave away the athletic body underneath. Brother Able took a moment to muse on the fact that such a dangerous creature appeared at the same time innocent, pure and beautiful. She stood and smiled widely, let out a quiet “Father!” and rushed to hug him tightly.
He laughed and coughed, “Ah my dear, how was you trip? Are you well?”
She nodded and handed him the small object in her hand that had been bought with blood. He took it and tucked it into his robes then nodded, kissing her forehead, “get some rest dear, your work is not yet done.”
She left with a wider smile than before, heading in the direction of the armory.
Much Lower in Swiss Airspace
The dropship plummeted towards the train station at a terrifying speed, fast enough to compress the air in beneath it, creating a heat front that made the bottom glow faintly. Had he been looking up at the moment it was descending almost directly above him, Deberov's target might have seen what looked like a large metal meteorite heading straight for him.
The reverse thrusters and turbofans went into maximum gear at 300 feet, rapidly slowing the descent of the Nighthawk until it was ten feet above the ground, spraying the area in dust and obscuring the hearing of everyone within 100 feet with the high-pictched whine of the fan blades chopping the air. The team bailed out the sides before the ship had fully stopped, descending 12 feet to the ground along thick synthetic ropes, their armor absorbing a majority of the shock. Once the team was clear of the bottom of the ship the pilot set it down and readied that back-ramp for their return. Two men from Deberov's team stood guard, weapons trained on anyone who came within 30 feet of the ramp.
A wave of his hand and they set off, weapons raised directly for Lan. If he had had the support of a Deus Ferrum response team, a military platoon or local SWAT he might've been able to get away. As things stood however, Lan didn't stand a chance.
Deberov's number one had him slammed down against the ground 32 seconds after landing. Lan hadn't even had a chance to run, as close as the Nighthawk had disembarked the team. He was cuffed and dragged bodily into he waiting transport, which screamed straight up into the sky and out of view of the natural eye. Deberov called in the arrest to Command, “Nightmare to Haven, package is secure, how copy?”
Bystanders would later describe the arrest “as if dark avenging angels had came from heaven,” “them fuckers nabbed him right out of the sky,” and “I think that's when this hell really started... that day.”
A lieutenant seated at a center-right console sent up a yellow-flag to his Underchief 37 minutes after the game code had been leaked. It was marked “Possible security breach.” By 46 minutes post-leak three red-flag warnings had come from three different monitoring desks in the command center. The Digital Warfare division was put on high-alert and the pitter-patter of fingers rapidly pushing in keys began to fill the sub-room that housed the super-computers of ISI-DW.
The lieutenant who had first flagged the leak was called up to report to his Underchief, the report was concise and clear: “I tagged what looked like military code back-strung through a game-feed. It's not ours I can tell that for sure. It also isn't supposed to be public. I can't pin down what it is designed to do, it's encrypted beyond what my console can handle and I don't have access to the majority for it. Someone is doing a damn good job of keeping it out of our hands. I have a lead on some possibles that may be involved in the leak, but nothing concrete.” He was dismissed back to his computer while the Underchief began typing up an action-report for the Chief Warden. It advised immediate response.
ISI-DW Sub-room
Reginald Markham III was a spindly man, the kind who spent too much time in front of the computer and very little else. A classic hero in his own mind he wore his Digital Warfare uniform with the sort of bravado normally reserved for the men who had come out of the Academy toting a big gun, not a big brain. He was also one of the foremost geniuses that the ISI had managed to retain.
Reggie got endless shit from his coworkers, in a good-natured way for his pale skin, inability to hold his liquor and the fact that he couldn't help but remind them he had been on the Ardent development team at the age of 17. He spent a majority of his time pretending his code was compiling while he used his laptop to look up net content that he couldn't justify using company equipment for. MarkIII was a well known if relatively inactive member of the hacker community and, at the encouragement of the Chief Warden, maintained a carefully crafted relationship with non-ISI hackers for the purpose of information gathering. As far a the community at large knew, MarkIII was just an enthusiast who liked to frequent their chats, someone who always had a smart word but never took part.
When he was really working the alias Darkstar was the pseudonym he had adopted. Darkstars' reputation was concurrently opposite.
As soon as the Underchief's report came through it was Reggie that was put on the case of tracking down the parties involved. He estimated a delivery time of two hours, but he also wasn't expecting resistance.
Deus Ferrum Monastery, Roma
The sister walked into the inner garden quietly, escorted by a Templar clad in stark white poly-ceramic plated armor, carrying a ceremonial sword and functional sidearm. He stood by silently as she informed Brother Able that “She” had returned from her latest outing. The sister did not look happy to be delivering the news. He smiled and thanked her, then took a sip of his tea before standing slowly and walking out into the foyer that separated the garden from the rest of the monastery.
She was waiting for him, seated demurely at a small table in a comfortable armchair holding a small piece if shimmering data-slate. She was wearing loose white robes that hid her form, though the thing angular features of her face gave away the athletic body underneath. Brother Able took a moment to muse on the fact that such a dangerous creature appeared at the same time innocent, pure and beautiful. She stood and smiled widely, let out a quiet “Father!” and rushed to hug him tightly.
He laughed and coughed, “Ah my dear, how was you trip? Are you well?”
She nodded and handed him the small object in her hand that had been bought with blood. He took it and tucked it into his robes then nodded, kissing her forehead, “get some rest dear, your work is not yet done.”
She left with a wider smile than before, heading in the direction of the armory.
Much Lower in Swiss Airspace
The dropship plummeted towards the train station at a terrifying speed, fast enough to compress the air in beneath it, creating a heat front that made the bottom glow faintly. Had he been looking up at the moment it was descending almost directly above him, Deberov's target might have seen what looked like a large metal meteorite heading straight for him.
The reverse thrusters and turbofans went into maximum gear at 300 feet, rapidly slowing the descent of the Nighthawk until it was ten feet above the ground, spraying the area in dust and obscuring the hearing of everyone within 100 feet with the high-pictched whine of the fan blades chopping the air. The team bailed out the sides before the ship had fully stopped, descending 12 feet to the ground along thick synthetic ropes, their armor absorbing a majority of the shock. Once the team was clear of the bottom of the ship the pilot set it down and readied that back-ramp for their return. Two men from Deberov's team stood guard, weapons trained on anyone who came within 30 feet of the ramp.
A wave of his hand and they set off, weapons raised directly for Lan. If he had had the support of a Deus Ferrum response team, a military platoon or local SWAT he might've been able to get away. As things stood however, Lan didn't stand a chance.
Deberov's number one had him slammed down against the ground 32 seconds after landing. Lan hadn't even had a chance to run, as close as the Nighthawk had disembarked the team. He was cuffed and dragged bodily into he waiting transport, which screamed straight up into the sky and out of view of the natural eye. Deberov called in the arrest to Command, “Nightmare to Haven, package is secure, how copy?”
Bystanders would later describe the arrest “as if dark avenging angels had came from heaven,” “them fuckers nabbed him right out of the sky,” and “I think that's when this hell really started... that day.”
Kaelyn stared at the screen. Her fingers were poised over the keys and they shook slightly. She had never been so far in over her head before and she realized that she didn’t know how to ask for this kind of help. Her stomach was churning.
These people are your comrades, your community. They will help one of their own. Come on Kae....
Fingers twitched, tears stung her eyes.
It was one of my own that got me into this fucking mess.
She hated people. Hated being around them. They just wanted something from her, lied to her, tricked her and screwed her over. Online, there, it was different. She had found friends or so she had thought. Kaelyn realized that Theo1 had used her, had likely been getting close to her just for this reason and he screwed her over now. Ryan had been right. He had been right all along.
People are all the same.
Her head turned slightly and Kae looked over her shoulder at the man on her bed. He was sitting in his usual spot in the shadows but he seemed to be a sitting a bit straighter, perhaps more tense.
Not all people.
Ryan was an exception and Kae knew it. He wasn’t using her for something, didn’t want anything. He did however have a job to do so it made it different. There was more than that though, there had been for a long time now. She looked down at her lap.
This is bad. I have to fix this. I don’t care if they come after me but they will....he will...
Kaelyn dropped her face into her hands and tried to choke back her tears. Her shoulders shook slightly.
On the screen conversations were flying by. Theo1’s message was being talked about, circulated and the nature of what “it” was was being speculated on. Some already knew. There were insiders who knew that Ligmata had ties to government and military. It was those people who would be the biggest threat. ISI already had wind of this, Kae was sure. Ryan was sure. Theo1 was the only one cocky enough to think he was bulletproof.
Kae wiped her eyes and looked up. A new site was up and people were taking bets on how long before ISI got Theo1 and anyone associated with him.
Her stomach lurched. Like piranhas at the smell of blood. Even the lowest of script kiddies had come out to mock and gawk at what was sure to be the death of a fellow hacker.
“Whatever happened to looking out for each other? What happened to working together? When did we start to turn on each other so much?” Her hands clenched. “I hate people.”
She opened her hands and began typing. She pulled up a few secured chatrooms.
Ryan had turned quietly and was watching her reactions, seeing her fear and anger. He frowned at her words, "Find the people you can trust and they won't turn on you. There is more than hate."
Kaelyn shifted in her chair to face Ryan. “I don’t know if there is anyone I can trust. I thought...I thought I could but....”
She shook her head and choked on the rest of her words. “I will fix it. I said I would and I will pay someone to fix it for me if I have to. I can’t trust anyone.”
Ryan sighed, "No one? Understood. I will give you as much time as I can with Patrice."
Kaelyn froze. Her back straightened and she slowly turned around. “I’m...I’m sorry Ryan. I didn’t mean you. I trust you and I trust that you will do what you need to do.” Her stomach was in a knot. Her eyes watered again. “I didn’t mean you....” Her voice dropped.
Ryan nodded, "Okay. Sorry I doubted."
He took a step toward her and paused, "I will do what I need to do to make sure you stay safe."
Her heart was pounding. Kae locked eyes with Ryan for a moment. She could feel her body shaking. She looked up at the screens. Fingers moved quickly on keyboard. She felt better and a new resolve set in.
She saw a few names she recognized.
Glitch:JanesHand if you had to clean up something....
Kaelyn spent the next twenty minutes asking for help without telling JanesHand what exactly the help was. She did her best to skirt the issue but get as much information as she could.
In the end though she wasn’t that much further ahead. The problem was bigger than Kaelyn or any one hacker could handle. Kaelyn closed the chats down and slumped in the chair.
“I don’t know what to do. I talked to someone I thought I trusted but I can’t do this on my own and I don’t know anyone who can do it. If I poke too much it will let everyone know I was tied to this.”
Kaelyn ran a hand through her hair. “Ryan...I’m scared.” She looked over at him.
Ryan looked back grimly, "Good. Shows me you're taking this seriously. Getting help is good. I can't help you in there, but I will make sure you are secure while you are with me."
Kaelyn nodded but looked unsure. “I don’t think help will come. No one is going to come near me on this.”
She inhaled and looked at Ryan. “I need you to make sure it is fast. Please? Don’t let ISI get me.”
Standing she crossed to Ryan. ‘Promise me. You said I had very little time and it is running out fast. Promise me Ryan.” She stared at him.
Ryan was surprised by her directness and taken off guard, "Promise what? I... No! What? I am making sure you stay safe. This has nothing to do with anything else."
Her mouth set itself into a straight line. ‘You have a job to do and you won’t be able to stop ISI from getting me. I screwed up and you have to promise me that you won’t let them take me. You will do it.”
Kaelyn climbed onto the bed next to him and grabbed his hand. “Ryan. Promise me please.”
Ryan looked her in the eye, "My job is to keep you safe. That is what I am doing."
“And kill me if I become a liability.” She locked on his eyes. “We both know it. So promise me.”
Her computer dinged with an incoming email but Kaelyn ignored it. She refused to move.
"I determine when you are a liability. Patrice is not here and I don't plan on telling him what's going on. You will clean it up and he won't know. If he finds out we will make sure you are not a liability. End of discussion."
Ryan stood up and moved to the window.
Kaelyn clamoured off the bed after him. “Ryan you will put yourself at risk if you wait. I can’t clean it up.” Her lip trembled. “Ryan please....”
Ryan turned and gave her a hard look, "My risk is my choice. You will clean it up because you are that good and I will not be put in a position where I will have to refuse orders."
She was shaking. Kae looked away, unable to meet his eyes. He thought she was going to be able to fix it but she had never felt more useless in her life. Her eyes locked on her screen, at the email that was waiting.
Hello Glitch,
It has come to my attention that you may be in possession of some rather sensitive material. I can help you in removing your tracks, in exchange, I want the files that were downloaded and the server information you found.
It will only be a matter of time before the ISI sends out their feelers to track you. I can cloud their judgment and distract them.
You need only to reply to this message.
This offer expires in six hours.
Regards,
LondonsFog
“Ryan.” She breathed out his name. Her knees buckled a little. “How....”
"See. You will do what you need to do to secure your online safety. I will ensure your physical safety." He grinned slightly, "I got the better end of the deal."
Kae turned and looked at him, a slight look of confusion on her face. She honestly didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. Her eyes went from Ryan to the screen and then back again. “I have to answer that.”
"Yes, you do. Go."
She scrambled to her chair. She couldn’t understand how LondonsFog had found out about her or the trouble she was having but there it was.
”I have something. I accept.”
Her finger poised above the enter key. It is too short, I should say more. I should...
Before she lost her courage she hit the button. Relief and fear rushed through her. Kae turned in her chair and launched herself at Ryan. She made contact and held onto him, crying.
Ryan stumbled as she jumped at him. His initial defensiveness to push her away was quelled quickly as he was overwhelmed with the feeling of her body pressed against his. She was softer that he expected. Her hair smelled intoxicating. He was stunned and paused for seconds before finally realizing it would be good form to put his arms around her.
Kaelyn felt Ryan’s arms move around her and buried herself more into his chest crying, every emotion rushed out of her at him. She cried until there were no more tears, until she was simply trying to catch her breath and gasping against him. Her body felt exhausted.
“I’m sorry....” She hid her face in his shirt. She made a small sound like a hiccup.
"No. Don't be. Thank you. Obviously there is at least one person you do trust."
“I got your shirt all wet.” Kae paused and looked up at him. “I do trust you.”
Her eyes drooped a little. “I have to wait and see if LondonsFog gets back to me....”
"Then we will take care of it. A wet shirt is a small price. I'll change."
Kae nodded but her head rested heavily against Ryan’s chest. Slowly she pulled away from the comfort of his arms and sat back in her chair. She waited for a response, for notice that she should send the information and where. It wasn’t long before she nodded off, head on the desk.
Ryan sighed. A familiar routine for him began as he moved her into her bed and covered her up. He stepped back to the window, deep in thought. He was not one to defy orders. Yet he had no doubt how he would act if Patrice found out.
These people are your comrades, your community. They will help one of their own. Come on Kae....
Fingers twitched, tears stung her eyes.
It was one of my own that got me into this fucking mess.
She hated people. Hated being around them. They just wanted something from her, lied to her, tricked her and screwed her over. Online, there, it was different. She had found friends or so she had thought. Kaelyn realized that Theo1 had used her, had likely been getting close to her just for this reason and he screwed her over now. Ryan had been right. He had been right all along.
People are all the same.
Her head turned slightly and Kae looked over her shoulder at the man on her bed. He was sitting in his usual spot in the shadows but he seemed to be a sitting a bit straighter, perhaps more tense.
Not all people.
Ryan was an exception and Kae knew it. He wasn’t using her for something, didn’t want anything. He did however have a job to do so it made it different. There was more than that though, there had been for a long time now. She looked down at her lap.
This is bad. I have to fix this. I don’t care if they come after me but they will....he will...
Kaelyn dropped her face into her hands and tried to choke back her tears. Her shoulders shook slightly.
On the screen conversations were flying by. Theo1’s message was being talked about, circulated and the nature of what “it” was was being speculated on. Some already knew. There were insiders who knew that Ligmata had ties to government and military. It was those people who would be the biggest threat. ISI already had wind of this, Kae was sure. Ryan was sure. Theo1 was the only one cocky enough to think he was bulletproof.
Kae wiped her eyes and looked up. A new site was up and people were taking bets on how long before ISI got Theo1 and anyone associated with him.
Her stomach lurched. Like piranhas at the smell of blood. Even the lowest of script kiddies had come out to mock and gawk at what was sure to be the death of a fellow hacker.
“Whatever happened to looking out for each other? What happened to working together? When did we start to turn on each other so much?” Her hands clenched. “I hate people.”
She opened her hands and began typing. She pulled up a few secured chatrooms.
Ryan had turned quietly and was watching her reactions, seeing her fear and anger. He frowned at her words, "Find the people you can trust and they won't turn on you. There is more than hate."
Kaelyn shifted in her chair to face Ryan. “I don’t know if there is anyone I can trust. I thought...I thought I could but....”
She shook her head and choked on the rest of her words. “I will fix it. I said I would and I will pay someone to fix it for me if I have to. I can’t trust anyone.”
Ryan sighed, "No one? Understood. I will give you as much time as I can with Patrice."
Kaelyn froze. Her back straightened and she slowly turned around. “I’m...I’m sorry Ryan. I didn’t mean you. I trust you and I trust that you will do what you need to do.” Her stomach was in a knot. Her eyes watered again. “I didn’t mean you....” Her voice dropped.
Ryan nodded, "Okay. Sorry I doubted."
He took a step toward her and paused, "I will do what I need to do to make sure you stay safe."
Her heart was pounding. Kae locked eyes with Ryan for a moment. She could feel her body shaking. She looked up at the screens. Fingers moved quickly on keyboard. She felt better and a new resolve set in.
She saw a few names she recognized.
Glitch:JanesHand if you had to clean up something....
Kaelyn spent the next twenty minutes asking for help without telling JanesHand what exactly the help was. She did her best to skirt the issue but get as much information as she could.
In the end though she wasn’t that much further ahead. The problem was bigger than Kaelyn or any one hacker could handle. Kaelyn closed the chats down and slumped in the chair.
“I don’t know what to do. I talked to someone I thought I trusted but I can’t do this on my own and I don’t know anyone who can do it. If I poke too much it will let everyone know I was tied to this.”
Kaelyn ran a hand through her hair. “Ryan...I’m scared.” She looked over at him.
Ryan looked back grimly, "Good. Shows me you're taking this seriously. Getting help is good. I can't help you in there, but I will make sure you are secure while you are with me."
Kaelyn nodded but looked unsure. “I don’t think help will come. No one is going to come near me on this.”
She inhaled and looked at Ryan. “I need you to make sure it is fast. Please? Don’t let ISI get me.”
Standing she crossed to Ryan. ‘Promise me. You said I had very little time and it is running out fast. Promise me Ryan.” She stared at him.
Ryan was surprised by her directness and taken off guard, "Promise what? I... No! What? I am making sure you stay safe. This has nothing to do with anything else."
Her mouth set itself into a straight line. ‘You have a job to do and you won’t be able to stop ISI from getting me. I screwed up and you have to promise me that you won’t let them take me. You will do it.”
Kaelyn climbed onto the bed next to him and grabbed his hand. “Ryan. Promise me please.”
Ryan looked her in the eye, "My job is to keep you safe. That is what I am doing."
“And kill me if I become a liability.” She locked on his eyes. “We both know it. So promise me.”
Her computer dinged with an incoming email but Kaelyn ignored it. She refused to move.
"I determine when you are a liability. Patrice is not here and I don't plan on telling him what's going on. You will clean it up and he won't know. If he finds out we will make sure you are not a liability. End of discussion."
Ryan stood up and moved to the window.
Kaelyn clamoured off the bed after him. “Ryan you will put yourself at risk if you wait. I can’t clean it up.” Her lip trembled. “Ryan please....”
Ryan turned and gave her a hard look, "My risk is my choice. You will clean it up because you are that good and I will not be put in a position where I will have to refuse orders."
She was shaking. Kae looked away, unable to meet his eyes. He thought she was going to be able to fix it but she had never felt more useless in her life. Her eyes locked on her screen, at the email that was waiting.
Hello Glitch,
It has come to my attention that you may be in possession of some rather sensitive material. I can help you in removing your tracks, in exchange, I want the files that were downloaded and the server information you found.
It will only be a matter of time before the ISI sends out their feelers to track you. I can cloud their judgment and distract them.
You need only to reply to this message.
This offer expires in six hours.
Regards,
LondonsFog
“Ryan.” She breathed out his name. Her knees buckled a little. “How....”
"See. You will do what you need to do to secure your online safety. I will ensure your physical safety." He grinned slightly, "I got the better end of the deal."
Kae turned and looked at him, a slight look of confusion on her face. She honestly didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. Her eyes went from Ryan to the screen and then back again. “I have to answer that.”
"Yes, you do. Go."
She scrambled to her chair. She couldn’t understand how LondonsFog had found out about her or the trouble she was having but there it was.
”I have something. I accept.”
Her finger poised above the enter key. It is too short, I should say more. I should...
Before she lost her courage she hit the button. Relief and fear rushed through her. Kae turned in her chair and launched herself at Ryan. She made contact and held onto him, crying.
Ryan stumbled as she jumped at him. His initial defensiveness to push her away was quelled quickly as he was overwhelmed with the feeling of her body pressed against his. She was softer that he expected. Her hair smelled intoxicating. He was stunned and paused for seconds before finally realizing it would be good form to put his arms around her.
Kaelyn felt Ryan’s arms move around her and buried herself more into his chest crying, every emotion rushed out of her at him. She cried until there were no more tears, until she was simply trying to catch her breath and gasping against him. Her body felt exhausted.
“I’m sorry....” She hid her face in his shirt. She made a small sound like a hiccup.
"No. Don't be. Thank you. Obviously there is at least one person you do trust."
“I got your shirt all wet.” Kae paused and looked up at him. “I do trust you.”
Her eyes drooped a little. “I have to wait and see if LondonsFog gets back to me....”
"Then we will take care of it. A wet shirt is a small price. I'll change."
Kae nodded but her head rested heavily against Ryan’s chest. Slowly she pulled away from the comfort of his arms and sat back in her chair. She waited for a response, for notice that she should send the information and where. It wasn’t long before she nodded off, head on the desk.
Ryan sighed. A familiar routine for him began as he moved her into her bed and covered her up. He stepped back to the window, deep in thought. He was not one to defy orders. Yet he had no doubt how he would act if Patrice found out.
Roma
Sister Cain sat at her desk, pen in hand as she wrote what she hoped would be a letter of heartfelt farewell. She paused as she looked into the lower courtyard. Able’s pet has come back from another mission. Sister Cain frowned as she watched the deadly angel make her way to the armory. Able depended too much on the child’s prowess in her opinion. Still, she was not as dangerous as some of the other monsters that still slept. Sister Cain’s pen went back to the script before her and finished another line.
The sister then sighed and folded the letter. She could say no more. It was time to leave, the wind had changed course. Still... A Guardian’s work was never complete and she could find no more rest here in the shadows. Too much had changed to ensure the safety of the sleeping children. .
Rising to her feet, Sister Cain left her room, her long black skirts sweeping over the stonework of the old monastery. She went down the narrow stairs away from the nun’s private rooms and around a corner where there was an old storage shed. No one paid it any mind, the contents were generally known to be old artifacts and books in need of repair. Due to the lack of glory in the work, few agreed to do it. This suited Sister Cain as she entered, her key turning the old bolt soundly and whisper quiet. That had been the first task when she had first arrived and found the old storage unit.
Small amounts of dust came up with each step as Sister Cain went to the very little explored back rooms. Paintings, statues, old volumes of doctrines long forgotten, and old alters that once adored the many chapels were all forgotten here. Normally Sister Cain would have dusted them, oiled the woods, and cleaned them as best she could, but not today. In the very back corner, hidden from view, was one last alter. Sister Cain looked at the altar and then bowed before it. On it was a picture of a man she had once knew and loved dearly.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, “I’m sorry I could not save your daughter, your Lotus... But, she lives. I know she does.” she took another breath, “I’m sorry that I drove him away. You would be proud to know he did not abandon your teachings as I had.” The picture remained silent to the confession. “But I can still save one child, and that child in turn can save Lotus.
Sister Cain bowed again and moved the picture frame to a small table beside the altar. She then placed her hands on the marble of the altar and pushed in three ivory carvings that were inset into the stone.
The stone groaned and moved as it gave up it’s secrets, revealing a capsule. Sleeping inside was the body of a boy, no more than eight.
Sister Cain smiled and lovingly placed her hands on the capsule.
“Kyoto,” she whispered and placed her forehead against the glass. “I promise soon you’ll be free.” Then she moved over to the computer placed beside the capsule.
It was time and Sister Cain sat beside the capsule. Fingers landed on the keyboard, seconds later.
Londonsfog typed furiously, her fingers fluttering as over the keys as she delved deeper over the information that was being uploaded.
She had sent the instructions to the second Gen hacker, Glitch, on the address to upload to. From there London would split the files and then retransmit them across several servers before using remote software to view the files. If they were the genuine deal then she would consider making a hard copy. But until anything was verified, she would treat it as a possible threat. The thought made London’s head hurt. Even she would eventually feel the strain of what she had to do, on top of the already dangerous game she was playing with ISI.
They would find Lan and take him- ironically, ISI was the only organization who could offer the protection Lan would need. And even more so, they had the tools he would need to keep the sleeping children, asleep. London sighed and rubbed her forehead in the glow of her screen. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep playing. Not when she was making the decisions by herself and trusted so few with being able to carry out the instructions. ISI couldn’t know how many veterans of the last war still brewed over their losses and still remembered that it was ISI that wiped out their friends as examples. But she knew and that number dwindled as the vets became complacent. No longer strong enough enough to be a threat, she was alone. Oh so alone.
Carefully, she typed out a response,
“Glitch,
You are to take the following steps:
You are to upload to the following server linked in this email.
You are then to remove your hard drive and destroy it. Physically. Anything less will not be accepted.
You are then to go dark.
Run.
There will be a plane ticket by the name of Sam White soon. Take it. You will meet the Hands of Jane and from there be granted safety.
Failure to follow these instructions will void any promise of safety I can offer.
Our Vows have been Broken. Our Colors have been changed.
We have become Legion"
LondonsFog
London sat back looking at the email. It would have to do. Even if it meant working with a 2nd gen.
Lan aka Codec
The darkness. It pushed into his mind in all directions and there was no stopping the force that weighed in on him.
Nothingness. It pressed against him in a way he didn’t think was possible. Thick fabric
separated him from the rest of the world and his ability to see, causing panic to shoot
through his veins. Lan closed his eyes, trying to establish some sort of breathing pattern-
his bindings too tight to think about making an escape. Not that he had anywhere to go.
He had known he would be caught; they all would be caught one day. Hadn’t he been told that
enough when he fought so many years ago? He struggled against his bindings as his
darkest fears caught hold of him. What would they do to him? If they wanted him dead,
they would have already ended his life.
Lan struggled with his bindings, earning himself another kick from his captors if he struggled too much. Still little by little, he was able to press his fingers against the floor of the transport. He tried to guess what the craft might be, the fight in Switzerland too brief for him to remember much, other than the rough hands and the barks of commands. Lan swallowed another wave of panic and focused on the vibrations. Aircraft. There wasn’t anything that suggested terrain.
Try and think of a plan. Even as the voices in his past crept back to haunt him, Lan wondered who might have put his captors on his tail. The list of possibilities were few and a sickening feeling of how much he didn’t want to know cause him to dry cough and heave. It drove him to near physical sickness as Lan curled up on the floor of the craft. Friendless and helpless as the captors took him to their prison.
God only knew what they wanted.
Sister Cain sat at her desk, pen in hand as she wrote what she hoped would be a letter of heartfelt farewell. She paused as she looked into the lower courtyard. Able’s pet has come back from another mission. Sister Cain frowned as she watched the deadly angel make her way to the armory. Able depended too much on the child’s prowess in her opinion. Still, she was not as dangerous as some of the other monsters that still slept. Sister Cain’s pen went back to the script before her and finished another line.
The sister then sighed and folded the letter. She could say no more. It was time to leave, the wind had changed course. Still... A Guardian’s work was never complete and she could find no more rest here in the shadows. Too much had changed to ensure the safety of the sleeping children. .
Rising to her feet, Sister Cain left her room, her long black skirts sweeping over the stonework of the old monastery. She went down the narrow stairs away from the nun’s private rooms and around a corner where there was an old storage shed. No one paid it any mind, the contents were generally known to be old artifacts and books in need of repair. Due to the lack of glory in the work, few agreed to do it. This suited Sister Cain as she entered, her key turning the old bolt soundly and whisper quiet. That had been the first task when she had first arrived and found the old storage unit.
Small amounts of dust came up with each step as Sister Cain went to the very little explored back rooms. Paintings, statues, old volumes of doctrines long forgotten, and old alters that once adored the many chapels were all forgotten here. Normally Sister Cain would have dusted them, oiled the woods, and cleaned them as best she could, but not today. In the very back corner, hidden from view, was one last alter. Sister Cain looked at the altar and then bowed before it. On it was a picture of a man she had once knew and loved dearly.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, “I’m sorry I could not save your daughter, your Lotus... But, she lives. I know she does.” she took another breath, “I’m sorry that I drove him away. You would be proud to know he did not abandon your teachings as I had.” The picture remained silent to the confession. “But I can still save one child, and that child in turn can save Lotus.
Sister Cain bowed again and moved the picture frame to a small table beside the altar. She then placed her hands on the marble of the altar and pushed in three ivory carvings that were inset into the stone.
The stone groaned and moved as it gave up it’s secrets, revealing a capsule. Sleeping inside was the body of a boy, no more than eight.
Sister Cain smiled and lovingly placed her hands on the capsule.
“Kyoto,” she whispered and placed her forehead against the glass. “I promise soon you’ll be free.” Then she moved over to the computer placed beside the capsule.
It was time and Sister Cain sat beside the capsule. Fingers landed on the keyboard, seconds later.
Londonsfog typed furiously, her fingers fluttering as over the keys as she delved deeper over the information that was being uploaded.
She had sent the instructions to the second Gen hacker, Glitch, on the address to upload to. From there London would split the files and then retransmit them across several servers before using remote software to view the files. If they were the genuine deal then she would consider making a hard copy. But until anything was verified, she would treat it as a possible threat. The thought made London’s head hurt. Even she would eventually feel the strain of what she had to do, on top of the already dangerous game she was playing with ISI.
They would find Lan and take him- ironically, ISI was the only organization who could offer the protection Lan would need. And even more so, they had the tools he would need to keep the sleeping children, asleep. London sighed and rubbed her forehead in the glow of her screen. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep playing. Not when she was making the decisions by herself and trusted so few with being able to carry out the instructions. ISI couldn’t know how many veterans of the last war still brewed over their losses and still remembered that it was ISI that wiped out their friends as examples. But she knew and that number dwindled as the vets became complacent. No longer strong enough enough to be a threat, she was alone. Oh so alone.
Carefully, she typed out a response,
“Glitch,
You are to take the following steps:
You are to upload to the following server linked in this email.
You are then to remove your hard drive and destroy it. Physically. Anything less will not be accepted.
You are then to go dark.
Run.
There will be a plane ticket by the name of Sam White soon. Take it. You will meet the Hands of Jane and from there be granted safety.
Failure to follow these instructions will void any promise of safety I can offer.
Our Vows have been Broken. Our Colors have been changed.
We have become Legion"
LondonsFog
London sat back looking at the email. It would have to do. Even if it meant working with a 2nd gen.
Lan aka Codec
The darkness. It pushed into his mind in all directions and there was no stopping the force that weighed in on him.
Nothingness. It pressed against him in a way he didn’t think was possible. Thick fabric
separated him from the rest of the world and his ability to see, causing panic to shoot
through his veins. Lan closed his eyes, trying to establish some sort of breathing pattern-
his bindings too tight to think about making an escape. Not that he had anywhere to go.
He had known he would be caught; they all would be caught one day. Hadn’t he been told that
enough when he fought so many years ago? He struggled against his bindings as his
darkest fears caught hold of him. What would they do to him? If they wanted him dead,
they would have already ended his life.
Lan struggled with his bindings, earning himself another kick from his captors if he struggled too much. Still little by little, he was able to press his fingers against the floor of the transport. He tried to guess what the craft might be, the fight in Switzerland too brief for him to remember much, other than the rough hands and the barks of commands. Lan swallowed another wave of panic and focused on the vibrations. Aircraft. There wasn’t anything that suggested terrain.
Try and think of a plan. Even as the voices in his past crept back to haunt him, Lan wondered who might have put his captors on his tail. The list of possibilities were few and a sickening feeling of how much he didn’t want to know cause him to dry cough and heave. It drove him to near physical sickness as Lan curled up on the floor of the craft. Friendless and helpless as the captors took him to their prison.
God only knew what they wanted.
”Please, just do it.”
Her back was to him. Tears ran down her cheeks though her voice was soft and even. It was for the best. They both knew that.
“You are the only one I really trust. No one else can stop this. Do it and then disappear. Do it because....”
Her resolve wavered and she almost turned to look at him. She knew it would be harder on both of them if she did and that was the last thing she wanted.
She closed her eyes. She sensed movement behind her and knew the end was close.
Kae gasped in fear and floundered a bit in her bed. Her dream had left her shaken. Her eyes were wet, her body had a tremble to it. The woman pulled her blanket up to her neck as she sat up in the bed. She didn’t remember going to bed but that wasn’t abnormal. Often she woke up in the bed after falling asleep at her desk. Kae didn’t even remember falling asleep. The only thing present in her mind currently was her dream. Clearly her fear was ruling her subconscious. If LondonsFog could not help her than her dream might easily turn into reality.
The girl blinked in the darkness and tried to focus on the present. There were problems to solve but right now all she could do is wait. The room was dark save a dull glow from the power lights on her equipment. She couldn’t really make out where Ryan was but she knew he was in the room. He was always there. He was her shadow, her protector and her end when the time came.
Kae could feel her heart pounding in her chest and she wiped at her eyes trying to hide all evidence of her dream. Shifting, she placed her feet on the floor.
“Refreshed? Time is limited. We should move soon.”
Ryan was still standing by the window, looking out. He was observing all the traffic flow like Kae might observe the data flow. Looking for any abnormalities. Shifts or hints of a change in the regular pace of human existence outside this room. Hyper aware, Ryan had almost been able to hear Kae’s eyes open but thought it best to wait until she sat before addressing her. It shocked her less.
Her head turned to look towards the window and her eyes adjusted so she could just make out his shape standing there. Kae stood.
“I...I feel less tired but I can’t go anywhere or do anything until I hear back.”
There was a hint of strain in her voice as she looked to her computer. “Until then I don’t know what to do.”
She swallowed hard and tried to ignore the remaining images from her dream.
“Yes. And why are you not checking that machine of yours? Often I’m talking to myself by this point and making you breakfast. What’s different today?”
Kae blinked out of confusion. “I...I don’t...”
She didn’t know why she hadn’t gone to the desk like always. She had no idea why she hadn’t just sat down and started typing away. Her jaw trembled a little and her stomach felt wrong. Inhaling slowly she turned and forced herself to sit in her chair.
Her fingers hesitated only briefly before they began to move across the keyboard. Windows opened, information streamed by her eyes as she sought her secure email. Kae ignored the talk and rumours about what was going to happen or had already happened to Theo1.
She had one focus. The login seemed to take forever. There sitting and waiting for her was the message she had been hoping for. With a click it opened and her eyes quickly moved over the words.
Kae stared at the screen. “We have to run. They are telling me to go dark and run.”
Ryan came over to the desk with a plate of eggs and toast and a steaming mug of coffee. He set them down and walked back to the window as he spoke, “Good. I assume they have a safe house? Am I to leave you with them?”
“What? Leave me?” Kae turned in the chair to face him. “Why?”
She clenched her hands into fists to hide their trembling. She couldn’t remember a time when she had felt so afraid of being alone.
“This is their tech world. Do they even know I exist? Will their plans have included another person? Will I even be welcome in their world?” He was back to observing the traffic. There were subtle shifts that he was concerned about.
“But you can’t just leave me. Ryan...” Kae was at a loss for words. She looked down at her knees. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them away.
It took a few breathes but she eventually turned back to the computer and began to upload everything to the server like she was told. It would take some time to move it all. Kae stood and took the plate back to the small counter.
“What will we tell Patrice?” Her voice was very quiet as she stood less than a foot from Ryan.
“I’m just trying to find out if I have the choice to stay or not, Kae. As for Patrice... I doubt he will find you first. There is nothing you need to tell Patrice.”
Kae stepped towards him but stopped just short of contact. “Please don’t leave me alone. I don’t know them and I don’t know what will happen. I don’t like people. You know that.”
She looked away feeling awkward and confused. “I thought, I hoped you would come with me. I don’t think I can go alone. I have money, I will get the ticket for you. I can make it so you are on the flight with me and once we get there, well either they take us both or we run.”
Kaelyn looked back towards the window and Ryan. He had his back to her, not that it would have mattered she wouldn’t be able to read his expression anyway.
Ryan frowned, something was definitely happening. Traffic was shifting, slowing. Almost imperceptibly. He turned to face Kae, “Good. I will come. You will need help getting out of this area. They are about to set up a search net. When can we leave?”
He paused, noticing the fear in Kae’s face. He momentarily dropped his hyper focus down so he could more easily relate to her. His eyes ceased the constant movement and focused on hers, “Kae? I was never trying to leave you alone. I will not. Ever.”
She felt like she couldn’t breathe momentarily. Kae had always done fine on her own but now the thought of being without Ryan scared her more than anything. His words stunned her but also made her feel relieved in a way nothing ever had.
Then his statement about a search net hit her. She looked at her screen. “Minute ten.” The numbers changed. “I need...less than a minute to finish the upload. I have to destroy the hard drive.”
Kae bolted to the desk the moment the upload finished. She began closing down windows and with a noise of frustration got down on her knees. Her hands pulled apart her computer. She yanked wires indiscriminately. She didn’t care and didn’t stop for a moment to think about the damage. There would be other systems in other places, for now this one was past its use.
She found the hard drive and yanked it out. Kae appeared from under the desk and grabbed her messenger bag. Her laptop was inside and she shoved the hard drive in as well.
“We can destroy it somewhere else. I don’t want them finding the pieces.”
Kaelyn looked at Ryan. “What now?”
“Give me the hard drive. Any chance of it being found on you from this second on is unacceptable.” Ryan had gathered all his gear while she dismantled her system.
He stood now in black body armour and sunglasses. He wore his guns on his hips, like an old west gunfighter. He wasn’t subtle, but he wouldn’t be so unique. It would be obvious that he was Kae’s muscle and that suited him fine. No sense being held up by a dime store hood while they were trying to get away from a real threat. He held his hand out for the drive.
“I will take care of it when we get outside.”
Kae reached into the bag and pulled out the hard drive. She placed it in his hand. Biting her lip she grabbed her coat and pulled it on. She looked to Ryan for their next move. It was strange to look at him standing there so obvious when he was always so subtle. Kae knew that if he wasn’t hiding what he was from those who might see then things were worse than she had feared.
Her eyes drifted to one of the weapons on his hip and then back to his face. “I’m ready.”
“Maybe. But I expect it won’t take long if you aren’t. I will destroy this outside and in so doing will attract a lot of attention. The plan is to get the focus of the net here while we slip past the edges. If the edges are moving, they will be easier to avoid. You will have to stay with me. No further away than I can reach at all times. No vehicles, at first. Too easy to stop. We will travel in alleys, back roads and other places the common criminals use to conduct business. You are a pretty girl. They will think they can sell you, or use you in some manner. I will ensure they realize that is a poor choice, hopefully before they decide to act upon it, but after if required. Once outside of the net we can get faster, and safer, transport. Moving quickly to the airport, shuffling between vehicles often. Understood?”
As he spoke Ryan moved toward the door. He opened it a crack and looked out. He didn’t expect anything here, but was trying to show Kae that constant caution would be required. As he finished talking he stepped out of the doorway and motioned her to follow.
Kae listened. Typically their conversations were banter or teasing. This was anything but typical. She struggled a little to focus on what he was telling her about alleys and criminals. She stopped short of the doorway as Ryan moved closer to it.
He asked if she understood and part of her wanted to scream that she had no fucking clue what was happening but it was squashed quickly. Ryan did as he always did, checking the hall before they exited only this time it was different.
“I understand.”
A new resolve settled in as Kae moved to the door and followed Ryan out.
“Hey Kae, you want to grab some food with me? We can ditch shadow boy for a bit.”
Rooster was walking towards the pair. “You heading out? Aw, don’t you want to go grab a drink or something with me instead of silent but deadly here?’
Kae shook her head, “I have plans already.”
Rooster leaned against the wall, “Aw but see you didn’t swear at me or throw anything. Told you she was sweet on me.” He chuckled and gestured to Ryan. “Sorry man but think you get a rain check.”
Kaelyn frowned, “I said no. I got things to do so just fuck off.” She tried to keep her voice steady though all she wanted was for Rooster and his mohawk to disappear.
“Come on baby, you can’t be all work all the time. I will show you some fun.” He took a step towards Kae.
Ryan stepped in front of Rooster, “You have just received your rain check. Fact is, it has already expired. Best for you to not be here now.”
Rooster smirked, “Hey man, no need to get in my way. I just...” His voice drifted off as he looked Ryan over. He put his hands up and backed up slowly from Ryan.
Kae exhaled. Rooster was dumb at times but at least right now he was smart enough to know not to push the issue.
Rooster cocked his head, “Man I don’t know what the deal is but I backed off. Shit I just wanted to get into her...” He left the rest of the remark unsaid as he stared at the pair. Even he got that now was not the time for joking.
Kae reached out and lightly touched Ryan’s arm. “We should.” Her head gestured towards the door.
Ryan moved towards the door, keeping an eye on Rooster. He stopped at the door and watched the traffic move as he listened. Stepping out to look often gave your position away. Ryan himself would always watch doors carefully when he was hunting someone. Hearing no immediate threats he moved toward the door again, “Rooster. When I said leave, I didn’t mean it only as a way to get you out of our way. I meant it as a warning. Leave.” With that he stepped outside, gathering Kae in one arm as he did so.
Rooster watched Ryan pull Kae close and step outside. He turned and bolted down the hall.
They moved from the doorway to an alley without stopping. Ryan pulled the hard drive from his pocket and dropped it on the ground, then he drew one of his guns.
“Cover your ears.”
When he told her to cover her ears she didn’t think twice. Her hands moved up and muffled them as best that she could. Her eyes moved from Ryan to one end of the alley and back again.
Ryan nodded as she covered up. Then, with three precise shots he reduced the hard drive to fragments that would be unrecognizable to anyone who didn’t know what they were looking at.
Kae jumped as the gun went off and the hard drive was reduced to bits in front of her. The first shot and the small burst that accompanied it made her close her eyes. They remained that way for the other two shots.
Ryan kicked around the bits and dust to further stir things up. As he holstered his gun he nodded again at Kae and nudged her lightly to move down the alley. When Ryan nudged her, Kae’s eyes opened wide in fear.
It took less than a second for her to lower her hands and move down the alley as he directed. She said nothing and waited for his cue for everything. If left to her own devices she likely would have been caught by now. Kae was smart but this was all too real and her expertise had nothing to do with the real world.
Ryan led Kae through a maze of back alleys and causeways, sometimes climbing on roofs, sometimes using access tunnels. He rarely spoke, always guiding her by a hand on an arm, shoulder or back. Anytime she looked like she wanted to speak Ryan gently held up his hand to stop her. It was all about movement. Quick, quiet and methodical. Ryan pushed Kae as far as he thought she could take before finally stopping to pause and take note of their surroundings.
They were in a small courtyard hidden within an old hotel’s grounds. By climbing the fire escape, the hotel itself would be a good vantage point to take a measure of their situation. Yet, the territorial markings of gangs did not go unnoticed. He knew this could be seen as intruding but it was the best place around. He would not let Kae out of his sight though and knew she needed rest before climbing the stairs.
“Rest Kae. Briefly. I need to see if we’re out of the net. We’re going up that fire escape. But stay aware. This is not likely a friendly spot.”
She was trying hard to slow her breathing. They had been walking for a long time and her legs were burning slightly from the exertion. She sat down on the edge of an old garden bed. The courtyard around them would have been lovely in its hay day but now it had fallen into much disrepair.
Kae looked up at Ryan and she rubbed at her thighs a little. Her lips were dry and she gave them a light lick. “Not friendly?”
Though spoken quietly her voice echoed a little off the surrounding walls. She immediately began to look around. “I can be ready. I just need a moment.”
Her muscles wanted rest, her body was asking for sleep. Her mind was focused on their new surroundings. Kae took a few more slow breaths. “Okay. The fire escape?”
The woman stood, ready to move on his word.
Ryan watched her try and recover. He cursed himself for not grabbing water. She was not used to this level of exertion. He should have known that. Nothing to be done now except try and get her to a vehicle as quickly as possible.
“Yes, not friendly. Obviously this is a common hang out for a gang or gangs. Hopefully they are out.”
He led her toward the fire escape. The ladder was high above the ground, out of her reach. He crouched down and grabbed her by the back of her thighs, turning his head so he wouldn’t put his face into her. He lifted her straight up so she could grab the lower rung of the ladder and pull herself up.
Kae wasn’t entirely keen on the idea of gangs but she trusted Ryan and right now that was what mattered. She stood at the bottom of the fire escape and looked up. As she inwardly laughed at the idea of jumping for the bottom of the ladder she felt hands on her thighs and her feet being lifted off the ground.
“What are you doing?” She hissed down at him as her hands reached for the ladder. Kae pulled herself up as much as she could, trying not to groan out loud at the protest of her arms. She was able to get herself onto the ladder and began the climb upwards.
Ryan leapt nimbly onto the ladder and followed Kae up, “What do you mean, what am I doing? Was it not obvious?”
He continued up the stairs now, slow enough for Kae to handle them.
“I just meant...I could have jumped..nevermind.” She realized how foolish she must have looked standing there even contemplating making the attempt. “Thank you for the boost.”
Her feet made sound ringing noises as she climbed the stairs slowly ahead of him. “How come your feet don’t make a sound?”
“Years of stealth training. As well as hyper awareness of my own movements. Don’t worry. The noise you’re making would only be noticeable by someone within fifty feet of us. I’m pretty sure no one is currently within that area. But it is encouraging that you’ve noticed the difference.” Ryan turned back to Kae and grinned.
The small bits of whispered conversation made Kae feel a bit less tense. They climbed and Kae stepped off and onto the roof. She moved to the side and knelt down. Her hands reached into the bag and pulled out her laptop.
“Before we go further there is something I need to do.”
Her back was to him as she opened the laptop and began to type. The screen was a blur with information and windows. It was only minutes later when she shut it down and closed it.
“You have a ticket and an envelope of money waiting in the exchange plaza at the airport. We go, you get the money, we get our tickets and we get out of here.”
Kae stood and stepped away from the laptop. “Okay. Do it.”
She covered her ears and waited.
Ryan was once again observing the flow around him. He was encouraged as it looked as though they had reached the fraying ends of the net. However, five flitting, single lights caused him to sigh. An annoyance only, yes, but still something he would rather have avoided. He turned to Kae when she addressed him. He looked down at the laptop then back to Kae, “This will be odd for you. Actually, for me as well. Not seeing your face by screen light. Maybe I’ll get to look at you more directly for a while.” Ryan smiled and made quick work of the laptop.
Kae closed her eyes not wanting to see the laptop blown apart. When she opened them again there was nothing left. She knew it was what needed to be done. She had to go dark, LondonsFog told her to but Kae had never been without a piece of tech by her side. She stared at the charred remains.
He looked back over the edge and saw the five lights closer, “Definitely not going to pass us by now. So be it.” He started down the fire escape again.
Ryan was talking and moving to the fire escape but she was frozen in her spot.
Ryan paused after the first few steps, not hearing Kae following, “Kae?”
He turned and saw her staring down at what used to be her prized possession and sighed, “I know you need time to adjust to this Kae, really. But this is probably the worst time to do it. Any chance I can convince you to move on your own or should I carry you?”
She looked over at Ryan. “I am useless now. I have nothing. I...” She looked lost. Kae turned and walked slowly towards him. “I...” She blinked. “You are it. I can’t help anymore. I’m sorry.” Her voice was shaky as she approached the ladder.
“So, I’m nothing?” He smiled. “Look, you are temporarily disadvantaged. But far from useless. And right now, the best help you can be is to keep it together and follow my lead. There’ll be a reception for us on the ground. You think you can stay cool and safe?” He reached out for her to help steady her as she approached.
Kaelyn took his hand and gripped it tightly. “I will do whatever you say. I just...” She turned her head to look back towards the remains of her laptop. “I feel..” She frowned. “Vulnerable.”
Ryan scooped her up in one arm and gently swung her over the ladder, “Far from vulnerable with me around.” He kept her close as they moved down the fire escape.
Kae gasped slightly as he pulled her in and put her on the ladder. She began to climb down though her mind was somewhere else. Their proximity to each other felt more real to her now and while it wasn’t bad, Kae felt a bit odd. There had always been a buffer with them, the real vs the virtual and now with it gone she was left confronting a world she felt weak in. With Ryan though it felt different.
Her mind was working overtime. Is he just being nice to make me feel better? Her cheeks suddenly reddened and she felt like a teenager. She felt as awkward and out of place as she had when she had really been a teenager. Of course. It is what he does. Whatever it takes to get the job done. Kae inwardly chastised herself to being caught up in an odd moment.
They moved down the escape and she turned her head to look for guidance as to their next move.
Ryan paused at the final ladder, “I’ll go first. You come next and I’ll catch you. Then we’ll go see our visitors.” He grasped both sides of the ladder and put his feet on the outside rails. With a small leap he slid quickly to the ground, landing perfectly on his feet and looked up. He winked and held his arms out.
Kae looked down. She watched him land on the ground as if it was nothing at all to hop down from a ladder. ‘Wait. Wait. You want me to do what? And you’ll what? Ryan, in case you hadn’t noticed I am not exactly an athlete.”
Visions of her landing awkwardly on him, arms flailing and both ending up hurt ran through her head. “Are you kidding me?”
Her voice was a low hiss. Her head rested on the rung she had just stepped down from. “He is just standing down there, waiting to fucking catch me. Like I am a... I don’t even know what the hell it is like.” Kae was talking to herself more than to Ryan. “I’ll catch you...yeah okay.”
Her cheeks began to heat up as she slowly realized that he was standing below her looking straight up. His view would be up her hoodie to her backside. One hand let go to try and hold the garment against her body.
“This is not a good idea.”
“Kae, if people come while I’m waiting like this, or worse, while you are mid drop, we will both be vulnerable. Stop being shy and get down here. Your ass is great, no need to cover it.”
She looked down at him. “Why are you talking about my ass?”
Kae closed her eyes and let herself drop down. She pulled her arms in trying desperately not to take him out in her uncontrolled state.
Ryan caught her smoothly in a perfect cradle. He held her for a second, “To distract you and get you to come down.”
He swung her to her feet and kept an arm around her to stabilize, “Not that I was lying or anything though.” He grinned again.
“Well that makes you the..” She stopped talking as he put her feet on the ground. “I..”
Kae put her hands on his chest. “I feel like a moron who can’t complete a sentence. Nevermind and no more talking about my ass.” She gave him a small smile and looked away. “What now?”
Her body nestled closer to him for comfort. Without the weight of her laptop at her side she felt as if a part of her was missing. It was a feeling she was not fond of. Ryan’s presence however, his keeping her close seemed to help cut through the loss a little.
“Now, little girl, I think we all would like to know more about that ass of yours.”
Ryan sighed as five men slipped out of the shadows around them. Kae’s arms gripped him a little tighter. Her eyes were still on his face and there was fear in them now. She slowly pulled her eyes away to look at the speaker and other figures.
They were all wearing race leathers usually associated with sport bikes. They all had the same patch on their shoulders, indicating one of the local gangs. Each one of them was armed with some type of bladed weapon, but only the speaker had his drawn. A wicked looking knife that he held lightly in his right hand. He ran the knife up and down the leather of his left forearm.
“It’s always nice when the boyfriends bring their pretty little girls with them. Gives us something to play with after the fun of kicking his ass.”
Kae shook her head a little as her eyes fell on the blade in the man’s hand. She watched the blade move up and down along the leather. She turned a little in Ryan’s grip so that her back was not to the group. Her fingers dug lightly into Ryan’s shirt, pinching him a little. Kaelyn shook her head again but remained silent.
Ryan gently moved Kae’s hand off his arm and put it on his hip, “I won’t bother trying to talk you out of doing something stupid, since you already have. However, I will point out, I have guns.”
The man chuckled, “Oh, I saw them. I still think odds are in our favour. And the pretty girl is unarmed. How do you think that will work out for her?”
Ryan looked each of the men in the eyes, holding their gaze steadily for a second or two before ending on the speaker again, “The best bookies get all the information they can before setting odds. I think you are missing a key piece of data.”
Before the man could start to respond there was a shot. Kae jumped, releasing a yelp at the suddenness of it all. Her hands dug into Ryan’s hip. A red blossom formed between the speakers eyes and he dropped in a heap. Ryan stood, both guns drawn and quickly alternated targets among the other four men, almost faster than could be followed.
For their part the remaining four were not even aware at that moment of the guns aimed at them. They had all watched as their leader crumpled into a pile. They had been prepared to beat up a man and have some fun with a girl, this had not been in the plan.
One of them finally managed to stutter out some words. “Nico?” He looked towards Ryan. His attention landed on the guns. “Whoa man. Just breathe a sec.” He put his hands up defensively.
Another of the group, regaining himself lunged towards Ryan. The others scrambled into various directions, some diving out of the way trying not to be a target and one moving to grab his friend in an attempt to stop him.
Ryan watched their reactions in slow motion. He had hoped they would all scatter, but one of them had to be the tough guy. Ryan took aim. This shot rang out before the echo of the first shot had stopped. The man trying to grab his more impulsive friend was sprayed with a red film. The charge was halted. Ryan reset his aim and finished his exhale.
It all happened quickly. Kae didn’t think she had even blinked. It felt almost surreal, like something she’d read about on the net and not something that was happening in this very moment.
All movement stopped. Another body dropped and the ganger, now covered in the blood of his friend halted himself. “Done man. Done.” He was breathing heavily his arms waving a little to try and emphasize his statement.
There was a scrambling of feet as the others bolted for their bikes. The red-coated ganger began to back away. “Done. No trouble.” He looked at the bodies of his friends and continued his backwards motion.
Kae buried her face into Ryan trying to block out the images of the men being shot. Her knees felt a bit weak and her stomach turned suddenly as her body caught up to what her eyes had witnessed.
Around them was the sound of bikes taking off and other sounds of the city. The remaining echoes of the gunshots finally faded out.
Ryan waited until the remaining goons were gone then holstered his guns. He grabbed Kae and held her, “It’s done. We’re safe. You’re okay.”
Her head was now in his chest, her eyes still pressed closed. Her hands moved up to grip the front of his shirt. Her body began to shake a little as the adrenaline began to fade. It had all happened so quickly, quicker than she had time to really process. As quick as when she worked only here she was the slow one and Ryan the one with the abilities. It was almost too much for Kae to understand.
“Safe thanks to you.” Kae opened her eyes and moved her head to look up at him. She swallowed slowly fighting the bile that was rising. “Thank you for not leaving me.”
“I can’t leave you now. Patrice would lose his mind.” He grinned. “C’mon, I think we may have found a silver lining.” He stepped over to the two remaining bikes and gathered the two leftover helmets. He held one out for Kae, “Ever ride before?”
Hearing Patrice’s name, remembering how fast Ryan had killed those men brought visions of her dream back. She pushed him away and turned. Her stomach lurched and Kae doubled over to let it. When it was done she wiped her eyes and slowly stood. Her back was to him and for a moment she listened for the sound of his gun.
One breath. Two.
Kae turned to face Ryan, finding him holding a helmet out for her to take. She looked away. “Sorry. Not used to real life blood and violence.” She slowly approached him, gently taking the helmet from his hands.
“Kae, I would have worried about you if you didn’t respond that way.” He slid the helmet on and cinched the chin strap. “You’ll want to hold on tight now. I will be moving fast.”
She nodded and pulled her helmet on. Her fingers worked on the chin strap, finding it awkward. Fumbling with it she began to mutter hushed curses at the strap. Finally feeling like it was done up she approached the bike as Ryan started it up. “I think I am good to go.”
Kae shrugged slightly and climbed on the back. She slid forward and pressed herself as close to him as she could. Her arms went around his waist as he sat and she tried not to squeeze too tightly. Her fingers wrapped themselves around the bottom of his armoured jacket. Her thighs squeezed against his hips. Kae braced herself for the acceleration.
Ryan looked over his shoulder, “Hold on like you like me.” He chuckled and open the throttle. They sped off staying on the back roads and alleys still. He took a route that would be hard to follow, or anticipate as they made their way to the airport.
Kae held on tighter as Ryan took off. She pressed against him, squeezing with her legs as he leaned into turns. Her hand occasionally vibrated. It occurred to her that Ryan’s phone was in his pocket. She had left her own behind. A sickening feeling crept over her. The only person who would be trying to get a hold of Ryan would be Patrice.
The entire ride as Ryan navigated the streets and ensured they would not be followed Kae sunk deeper into her thoughts and fears. By the time they pulled into a distant parking area Kaelyn had resigned herself to the coming events.
The lot itself was a good distance away from the airport. There were trees on one side acting as a ‘buffer’ from the roadway in. There were cars in the lot though it was not full. It would be enough that the motorcycle wouldn’t stand out immediately.
Ryan parked it and killed the engine. Kae slipped off to stand beside it. She removed her helmet and placed it on the ground.
“Its Patrice.” She pointed to his pocket. “Your phone was vibrating the whole ride. He is likely going ballistic.”
Kae stared at Ryan for a moment. She wanted to say something but feared the whole thing would be harder if she did. Just like in my dream. She took three steps away from him and the bike and turned to face the trees.
“Get that and let me know when you are ready.”
Her voice was steadier than she expected. She knew she had been on borrowed time from the moment the whole thing went to shit. Kae figured Patrice would be looking for an explanation and the moment he realized she was responsible for the whatever shitstorm came his way the sooner he’d issue Ryan’s orders.
Not such a terrible place to do this. Could be much worse. This will make it easier for him. Not that it will be hard, it is his job.
Oddly there were no strong regrets in her mind. Kae was calmer than she thought she would be given the situation. It surprised her a little and she even smiled. Her eyes lifted just above the trees where the glow of the city could be seen.
Ryan grabbed his phone and swore at himself. How could he forget this. It’s a good thing Kae reminded him before they got too far. He looked briefly at the phone then reached into one of his pockets. He pulled out a silencer. Closer to the airport meant he needed more subtlety. The only sound now was the metal on metal of Ryan screwing the silencer in place.
Kae heard him, the whisper of fabric and the moving of his hands. She kept her eyes on the lights in the distance. She held her breath and waited.
Ryan dropped his phone and quickly put two almost completely silent bullets into it. Each shot made more noise as it hit the phone than it did being fired.
“Thanks Kae. Almost forgot about that. That would not have been good.”
Kae put her hands to her chest. Nothing hurt and he was thanking her. He shot the phone? Not me. The phone.
She didn’t know if she should throw up or cry. She had been ready, accepting of what was coming and he didn’t kill her. Kae turned very slowly to face Ryan. Her face had lost what little colour was held in the fairly pale flesh. “Why didn’t you kill me?”
The words were forced out and she stared at him, gun still in hand. It slowly occurred to her that perhaps the phone was just the first step. She had set him up with a way out, money and a ticket. Get rid of the phone, then her and he was free.
Kae closed her eyes and turned her head to the side. “Step two then? Please if you care at all just be quick, I..I don’t want it to hurt.”
“What are you talking about Kae? You aren’t Patrice’s tool to do with as he pleases until he’s done with you. You never were. It didn’t take me long to figure out I wouldn’t execute that order from him. We’re on our own, like we have been for a while. Now we just don’t have someone paying us.”
Ryan unscrewed the silencer and put it away as he was talking. Kae stood there and listened but didn’t really understand. When he started stripping off the body armour and weapons she looked back at him. With an expert’s care he packed the guns and armour carefully together and when he was done it looked like he was carrying any typical rucksack. Even to the point of some laundry sticking out. Her eyes followed him.
“I’m ready. Let’s fly.”
Kae simply stared at him. “You aren’t going to kill me? You never were?” All this time she had been preparing herself for it. Since Patrice put him to work shadowing her Kae had been waiting for Patrice to make the call. Part of her had tried to keep that distinction alive, that he wasn’t just Ryan that he was there for a job and not her as a person.
She was breathing unevenly, her heart pounding in her chest as she strived to come back to the present and not the one she had readied herself for. “I don’t....then why did you stay with me? That was your whole job.”
Ryan cocked his head, “Well, when you put it that way... I was doing my job. I liked my job. But I found that I liked you more than my job. However, until I had to choose there was no reason I couldn’t continue doing my job. Was there?”
She was absolutely stunned. “Liked me? Liked me more than your job? I am not good with actual real people. How can you possibly like me?” Kae sounded almost angry.
Kae stared at him as if Ryan had momentarily been replaced by a creature of some kind. She didn’t know what to make of it. She had been sure that in the end he would do the job Patrice wanted him to do. Her mind flashed back to him arguing with her when she asked him to make sure he was the one that did it, if he would promise her that he wouldn’t let them get her first. He had told her no, that she would fix it but now is was slowly sinking in that it had never been an option.
“You were never going to kill me.”
She stood there for the span of four breaths before walking quickly to him and hugging him tightly. Kaelyn didn’t think it through she just acted and before she really realized what she was doing her face was pressed into him as her arms held him.
Ryan was a little more prepared for Kae’s actions this time. He held her gently for a few minutes before speaking, “Sure I like you. Can’t spend that much time around you without you growing on me a little.” He chuckled.
“So people aren’t your speciality. I’m a hired killer. You think I ooze charm and charisma? After all, you still thought I would kill you. Obviously I’m not that easy to get along with.”
As Ryan started talking, teasing her Kae felt heat rising in her cheeks. She looked up at him. “Aren’t we an interesting pair. The abrasive hacker with no tech and the killer with feelings.” Her face reddened more. “Not like feelings...I mean...you know....like...”
Kae took an awkward step away from him. “Sorry about that. I just thought you were going to, well and you didn’t and I did not handle it correctly. It’s the whole not used to social interactions that involve more than, I mean not more or involved. I just mean...”
Her head dropped, her hair falling to cover her face. “Thank you Ryan.”
She stood like that for a moment with her hair covering her face until she was sure that she was more in control.
Ryan watched her as she stumbled to explain herself and smiled, “You’re welcome Kae.”
“We should get moving. You need to go get the money first. I need to avoid security and cameras.” She turned to walk towards the airport. She honestly wished she knew how to handle social situations better but she didn’t think ‘talking to the man who was hired to possibly kill you’ was something people were taught.
“I will stay out of the way while you get the money and your ticket. Then I will get mine and we can get out of here.”
The parking lot was a decent size and they had a bit of a walk to get to the airport proper. Kae pulled her hood up and zipped up her jacket. “I put the money under the name Mark Heller. All you have to do is ask for it and give them the security password.”
“Which you do plan to tell me?” Ryan caught up and kept stride with her.
“Of course. You think I am going to send you in there without it? What good would that do? Give me a little credit.” She looked over at him. “Don’t go thinking I am completely brain dead now that I don’t have my deck. I wasn’t going to tell you before in case you know we got caught and I will tell you once we get in the airport can’t have you blabbing it around. We both know what a chatterbox you are.”
Kae smirked. She was starting to feel better, a bit more normal despite the situation. The airport was growing steadily closer as Kaelyn picked up the pace of her walk.
“When you’re ready. You’re the smart one. I’m just here for my looks.” Ryan winked
Kae chuckled. They walked, crossing the roads that led them up towards the front of the airport. It was bustling, with cars pulling up and people getting in and out. There were piles of suitcases and people hugging. As they crossed the last road to the door Kae reached out to grab Ryan’s hand. There were a lot of people and she had a sudden fear that they would be separated in the crowd.
The doors opened as they entered the airport, navigating around a family who didn’t know where they were heading and another couple with far too many bags who stopped to argue.
“The money exchange is on the left. Gates and things down the hall to the right.”
The pair turned to the left. With the money exchange in sight Kae stopped and pulled Ryan in as if they were a pair of lovers stopping for a kiss. She leaned in close, rising slightly on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. “Petal. When they ask you for the security code say petal. When they ask you for the number tell them 0815.”
She placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Lowering back to her flat feet, Kae brushed a hair out of her eyes. “Had to.” She looked away, a little embarrassed. “Now go. Wasting time.”
Ryan nodded. He had upped his hyper awareness again. He hadn’t expected her to kiss him. Now it was almost too distracting as he couldn’t get his mind off of it. He looked her in the eyes, grinned and left to take care of his errand.
Kae moved backwards and placed herself against a wall. She didn’t watch him go in and she tried not to look like she was watching for him at all. She played with the zipper of her coat and re-tied her shoelace. It felt like Ryan was never coming back. Her heart was pounding in her chest despite her aloof appearance.
When finally appeared beside her, Kaelyn smiled and reached out to take his hand. “One thing down.”
The pair walked down the opposite side of the airport now. The hall was lined with various airline booths. At times on their walk Kae would turn her face into Ryan’s arm effectively hiding it from passers by. It took only a short time for them to find the correct counter and wait in line.
Again the wait felt like eternity and Kae found herself tapping her foot impatiently. When it was their turn she approached. The overly happy woman asked for the name. Kae spouted off what LondonsFog had told her. There was a tense moment as the woman’s fingers tapped across the keyboard. Kae had to fight the urge to yank it from the her hands and do it herself.
“Have a good flight!” A ticket was slid across the smooth surface to Kae and she scooped it off and walked off to the side.
Again Kae waited. She realized more and more that she hated waiting. Eventually Ryan joined her. “God she was so slow. How much intelligence does it take to input names in their stupid system?”
Kae’s voice was a harsh whisper as she and Ryan made their way to the gate. The crowd waiting to board was not overly large but big enough that the two had no issue melding in unnoticed.
“I’m scared.” She grabbed Ryan’s hand but didn’t look up at him.
“If your contact is any good then we’re golden. If not, we’re trapped. Either way, nothing we can do now except relax. Your friend make it first class at least? Maybe we can get a scotch?”
Kae shook her head. “Too easy to stand out in first class. I had us moved but we aren’t next to each other. Have to see if someone will switch if we want to sit together. If that is better I mean, for safety that is.”
Ryan sighed, “I could have used a scotch.” He looked over the crowd, trying to identify who was together. “You know, it won’t be easy convincing someone to not sit next to a pretty girl like you. I may just have to look mean.”
Kae nudged him with her elbow. “Nice try but that isn’t going to work to distract me this time.” She gave him a half smile.
Ahead the line was beginning to move. Tickets were being taken and people were making their way onto the plane.
“Who’s distracting? Nothing much to distract from here. Look, lonely business guy. I bet he’s next to you. No way he gives up his seat.”
The line moved forward again. “Or maybe he is next to you. I did hack the seats to get you on remember? What if I intentionally sat you next to him?”
Ryan looked over at her and grinned, “So you’re saying you specifically avoided sitting next to me? I guess maybe you thought I was going to throw you out the emergency exit or something.”
The line kept moving and Kae went very pale. “No I...” She dropped his hand. “I thought maybe you’d have done the job by now and I didn’t try to shift the seats. I didn’t want to bring attention to you by the seat next to you being empty.”
There were only two people in front of them now. Kae played with her ticket and avoided looking at him.
Ryan shook his head, “So, even thinking that about me you still wanted to help me out. If I didn’t know better I’d think you actually liked me too.”
“Can I have your tickets? Are you travelling together?”
Kae handed over her ticket. “Maybe I really do like you.”
She turned to face the woman. “Yes but last minute and all. Is it possible if there is a free seat we can sit together?”
The stewardess smiled her wide smile. “We can see once everyone boards if someone will switch.”
Kae nodded and headed onto the plane. She cast a small look back towards Ryan as the woman took his ticket.
Kae found her seat, an aisle seat with a man already sitting by the window. He barely turned his head as she sat down. Kae kept her eyes on the aisle looking for Ryan.
Ryan walked past her and took his seat. As the doors were closed Kae frowned. She had hoped that someone would have come to move them around by now. Being impatient she turned to the man in the seat beside her. “Excuse me but they sat my boyfriend and I apart. Would it be at all possible for you and he to switch seats?”
The man turned to look at her, he was not over impressed. “You want me to get up and switch with him? Why? Go bug his seat partner.”
Kae frowned. “Do you need to be such an asshole? I asked a simple question and I was nice about it.” She turned in her seat to face him more. “How about this? You switch with him now and save yourself a world of annoyance from being stuck next to me for the entire flight because let me tell you mister I got a pole up my ass that makes me snarky and rude, I don’t like you. I don’t like crowds or other people for that matter. I fidget, I move around and I will do everything in my power to make your trip the worst you have ever had.”
She crossed her arms, challenging him. He looked her over and gave a light snarl. “Am I supposed to be afraid of you?”
Kae smiled but it was not a happy smile, there was a tinge of something wicked behind it. “You should because otherwise I will tell your wife about the mistress you just said goodbye too. Bet she’d be keen to know that you were making out with a brunette with burnt red lipstick just before you boarded.”
The man looked stunned. Kae snickered. “Can’t even hide it well so what’s it going to be?”
He began gathering his things and Kae stood to let him exit. She sat in his seat, looked out the window and waited.
Ryan stood next to her and looked down, “Excuse me ma’am. Is this seat taken? Apparently I was seated incorrectly and now I have to find someone willing to sit next to me.”
Kae looked up at him and a genuine smile formed, “Completely free. My last seat mate seems to have left unexpectedly.”
Ryan sat and Kae shifted in her seat. “Fancy meeting you here.”
The day’s tension and adrenaline started to drain from her body as the plane engine roared to life and it began to move on the runway. It didn’t take long before it was airborne. Kae’s eyes watched the city lights grow further away from them. It wasn’t long into the flight when she began to doze.
Her head rested on Ryan’s arm and her hand slipped down so that her fingers entwined with his. “Thank you for not making me do this alone and I do actually like you Ryan.”
Ryan smiled and squeezed her hand, “You’re welcome and I know. I am paid be observant.”
Kaelyn curled up as best she could and fell asleep laying on his arm for the duration of the flight. She was too exhausted to worry at that moment about what might be waiting for them at their arrival.
Her back was to him. Tears ran down her cheeks though her voice was soft and even. It was for the best. They both knew that.
“You are the only one I really trust. No one else can stop this. Do it and then disappear. Do it because....”
Her resolve wavered and she almost turned to look at him. She knew it would be harder on both of them if she did and that was the last thing she wanted.
She closed her eyes. She sensed movement behind her and knew the end was close.
Kae gasped in fear and floundered a bit in her bed. Her dream had left her shaken. Her eyes were wet, her body had a tremble to it. The woman pulled her blanket up to her neck as she sat up in the bed. She didn’t remember going to bed but that wasn’t abnormal. Often she woke up in the bed after falling asleep at her desk. Kae didn’t even remember falling asleep. The only thing present in her mind currently was her dream. Clearly her fear was ruling her subconscious. If LondonsFog could not help her than her dream might easily turn into reality.
The girl blinked in the darkness and tried to focus on the present. There were problems to solve but right now all she could do is wait. The room was dark save a dull glow from the power lights on her equipment. She couldn’t really make out where Ryan was but she knew he was in the room. He was always there. He was her shadow, her protector and her end when the time came.
Kae could feel her heart pounding in her chest and she wiped at her eyes trying to hide all evidence of her dream. Shifting, she placed her feet on the floor.
“Refreshed? Time is limited. We should move soon.”
Ryan was still standing by the window, looking out. He was observing all the traffic flow like Kae might observe the data flow. Looking for any abnormalities. Shifts or hints of a change in the regular pace of human existence outside this room. Hyper aware, Ryan had almost been able to hear Kae’s eyes open but thought it best to wait until she sat before addressing her. It shocked her less.
Her head turned to look towards the window and her eyes adjusted so she could just make out his shape standing there. Kae stood.
“I...I feel less tired but I can’t go anywhere or do anything until I hear back.”
There was a hint of strain in her voice as she looked to her computer. “Until then I don’t know what to do.”
She swallowed hard and tried to ignore the remaining images from her dream.
“Yes. And why are you not checking that machine of yours? Often I’m talking to myself by this point and making you breakfast. What’s different today?”
Kae blinked out of confusion. “I...I don’t...”
She didn’t know why she hadn’t gone to the desk like always. She had no idea why she hadn’t just sat down and started typing away. Her jaw trembled a little and her stomach felt wrong. Inhaling slowly she turned and forced herself to sit in her chair.
Her fingers hesitated only briefly before they began to move across the keyboard. Windows opened, information streamed by her eyes as she sought her secure email. Kae ignored the talk and rumours about what was going to happen or had already happened to Theo1.
She had one focus. The login seemed to take forever. There sitting and waiting for her was the message she had been hoping for. With a click it opened and her eyes quickly moved over the words.
Kae stared at the screen. “We have to run. They are telling me to go dark and run.”
Ryan came over to the desk with a plate of eggs and toast and a steaming mug of coffee. He set them down and walked back to the window as he spoke, “Good. I assume they have a safe house? Am I to leave you with them?”
“What? Leave me?” Kae turned in the chair to face him. “Why?”
She clenched her hands into fists to hide their trembling. She couldn’t remember a time when she had felt so afraid of being alone.
“This is their tech world. Do they even know I exist? Will their plans have included another person? Will I even be welcome in their world?” He was back to observing the traffic. There were subtle shifts that he was concerned about.
“But you can’t just leave me. Ryan...” Kae was at a loss for words. She looked down at her knees. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them away.
It took a few breathes but she eventually turned back to the computer and began to upload everything to the server like she was told. It would take some time to move it all. Kae stood and took the plate back to the small counter.
“What will we tell Patrice?” Her voice was very quiet as she stood less than a foot from Ryan.
“I’m just trying to find out if I have the choice to stay or not, Kae. As for Patrice... I doubt he will find you first. There is nothing you need to tell Patrice.”
Kae stepped towards him but stopped just short of contact. “Please don’t leave me alone. I don’t know them and I don’t know what will happen. I don’t like people. You know that.”
She looked away feeling awkward and confused. “I thought, I hoped you would come with me. I don’t think I can go alone. I have money, I will get the ticket for you. I can make it so you are on the flight with me and once we get there, well either they take us both or we run.”
Kaelyn looked back towards the window and Ryan. He had his back to her, not that it would have mattered she wouldn’t be able to read his expression anyway.
Ryan frowned, something was definitely happening. Traffic was shifting, slowing. Almost imperceptibly. He turned to face Kae, “Good. I will come. You will need help getting out of this area. They are about to set up a search net. When can we leave?”
He paused, noticing the fear in Kae’s face. He momentarily dropped his hyper focus down so he could more easily relate to her. His eyes ceased the constant movement and focused on hers, “Kae? I was never trying to leave you alone. I will not. Ever.”
She felt like she couldn’t breathe momentarily. Kae had always done fine on her own but now the thought of being without Ryan scared her more than anything. His words stunned her but also made her feel relieved in a way nothing ever had.
Then his statement about a search net hit her. She looked at her screen. “Minute ten.” The numbers changed. “I need...less than a minute to finish the upload. I have to destroy the hard drive.”
Kae bolted to the desk the moment the upload finished. She began closing down windows and with a noise of frustration got down on her knees. Her hands pulled apart her computer. She yanked wires indiscriminately. She didn’t care and didn’t stop for a moment to think about the damage. There would be other systems in other places, for now this one was past its use.
She found the hard drive and yanked it out. Kae appeared from under the desk and grabbed her messenger bag. Her laptop was inside and she shoved the hard drive in as well.
“We can destroy it somewhere else. I don’t want them finding the pieces.”
Kaelyn looked at Ryan. “What now?”
“Give me the hard drive. Any chance of it being found on you from this second on is unacceptable.” Ryan had gathered all his gear while she dismantled her system.
He stood now in black body armour and sunglasses. He wore his guns on his hips, like an old west gunfighter. He wasn’t subtle, but he wouldn’t be so unique. It would be obvious that he was Kae’s muscle and that suited him fine. No sense being held up by a dime store hood while they were trying to get away from a real threat. He held his hand out for the drive.
“I will take care of it when we get outside.”
Kae reached into the bag and pulled out the hard drive. She placed it in his hand. Biting her lip she grabbed her coat and pulled it on. She looked to Ryan for their next move. It was strange to look at him standing there so obvious when he was always so subtle. Kae knew that if he wasn’t hiding what he was from those who might see then things were worse than she had feared.
Her eyes drifted to one of the weapons on his hip and then back to his face. “I’m ready.”
“Maybe. But I expect it won’t take long if you aren’t. I will destroy this outside and in so doing will attract a lot of attention. The plan is to get the focus of the net here while we slip past the edges. If the edges are moving, they will be easier to avoid. You will have to stay with me. No further away than I can reach at all times. No vehicles, at first. Too easy to stop. We will travel in alleys, back roads and other places the common criminals use to conduct business. You are a pretty girl. They will think they can sell you, or use you in some manner. I will ensure they realize that is a poor choice, hopefully before they decide to act upon it, but after if required. Once outside of the net we can get faster, and safer, transport. Moving quickly to the airport, shuffling between vehicles often. Understood?”
As he spoke Ryan moved toward the door. He opened it a crack and looked out. He didn’t expect anything here, but was trying to show Kae that constant caution would be required. As he finished talking he stepped out of the doorway and motioned her to follow.
Kae listened. Typically their conversations were banter or teasing. This was anything but typical. She struggled a little to focus on what he was telling her about alleys and criminals. She stopped short of the doorway as Ryan moved closer to it.
He asked if she understood and part of her wanted to scream that she had no fucking clue what was happening but it was squashed quickly. Ryan did as he always did, checking the hall before they exited only this time it was different.
“I understand.”
A new resolve settled in as Kae moved to the door and followed Ryan out.
“Hey Kae, you want to grab some food with me? We can ditch shadow boy for a bit.”
Rooster was walking towards the pair. “You heading out? Aw, don’t you want to go grab a drink or something with me instead of silent but deadly here?’
Kae shook her head, “I have plans already.”
Rooster leaned against the wall, “Aw but see you didn’t swear at me or throw anything. Told you she was sweet on me.” He chuckled and gestured to Ryan. “Sorry man but think you get a rain check.”
Kaelyn frowned, “I said no. I got things to do so just fuck off.” She tried to keep her voice steady though all she wanted was for Rooster and his mohawk to disappear.
“Come on baby, you can’t be all work all the time. I will show you some fun.” He took a step towards Kae.
Ryan stepped in front of Rooster, “You have just received your rain check. Fact is, it has already expired. Best for you to not be here now.”
Rooster smirked, “Hey man, no need to get in my way. I just...” His voice drifted off as he looked Ryan over. He put his hands up and backed up slowly from Ryan.
Kae exhaled. Rooster was dumb at times but at least right now he was smart enough to know not to push the issue.
Rooster cocked his head, “Man I don’t know what the deal is but I backed off. Shit I just wanted to get into her...” He left the rest of the remark unsaid as he stared at the pair. Even he got that now was not the time for joking.
Kae reached out and lightly touched Ryan’s arm. “We should.” Her head gestured towards the door.
Ryan moved towards the door, keeping an eye on Rooster. He stopped at the door and watched the traffic move as he listened. Stepping out to look often gave your position away. Ryan himself would always watch doors carefully when he was hunting someone. Hearing no immediate threats he moved toward the door again, “Rooster. When I said leave, I didn’t mean it only as a way to get you out of our way. I meant it as a warning. Leave.” With that he stepped outside, gathering Kae in one arm as he did so.
Rooster watched Ryan pull Kae close and step outside. He turned and bolted down the hall.
They moved from the doorway to an alley without stopping. Ryan pulled the hard drive from his pocket and dropped it on the ground, then he drew one of his guns.
“Cover your ears.”
When he told her to cover her ears she didn’t think twice. Her hands moved up and muffled them as best that she could. Her eyes moved from Ryan to one end of the alley and back again.
Ryan nodded as she covered up. Then, with three precise shots he reduced the hard drive to fragments that would be unrecognizable to anyone who didn’t know what they were looking at.
Kae jumped as the gun went off and the hard drive was reduced to bits in front of her. The first shot and the small burst that accompanied it made her close her eyes. They remained that way for the other two shots.
Ryan kicked around the bits and dust to further stir things up. As he holstered his gun he nodded again at Kae and nudged her lightly to move down the alley. When Ryan nudged her, Kae’s eyes opened wide in fear.
It took less than a second for her to lower her hands and move down the alley as he directed. She said nothing and waited for his cue for everything. If left to her own devices she likely would have been caught by now. Kae was smart but this was all too real and her expertise had nothing to do with the real world.
Ryan led Kae through a maze of back alleys and causeways, sometimes climbing on roofs, sometimes using access tunnels. He rarely spoke, always guiding her by a hand on an arm, shoulder or back. Anytime she looked like she wanted to speak Ryan gently held up his hand to stop her. It was all about movement. Quick, quiet and methodical. Ryan pushed Kae as far as he thought she could take before finally stopping to pause and take note of their surroundings.
They were in a small courtyard hidden within an old hotel’s grounds. By climbing the fire escape, the hotel itself would be a good vantage point to take a measure of their situation. Yet, the territorial markings of gangs did not go unnoticed. He knew this could be seen as intruding but it was the best place around. He would not let Kae out of his sight though and knew she needed rest before climbing the stairs.
“Rest Kae. Briefly. I need to see if we’re out of the net. We’re going up that fire escape. But stay aware. This is not likely a friendly spot.”
She was trying hard to slow her breathing. They had been walking for a long time and her legs were burning slightly from the exertion. She sat down on the edge of an old garden bed. The courtyard around them would have been lovely in its hay day but now it had fallen into much disrepair.
Kae looked up at Ryan and she rubbed at her thighs a little. Her lips were dry and she gave them a light lick. “Not friendly?”
Though spoken quietly her voice echoed a little off the surrounding walls. She immediately began to look around. “I can be ready. I just need a moment.”
Her muscles wanted rest, her body was asking for sleep. Her mind was focused on their new surroundings. Kae took a few more slow breaths. “Okay. The fire escape?”
The woman stood, ready to move on his word.
Ryan watched her try and recover. He cursed himself for not grabbing water. She was not used to this level of exertion. He should have known that. Nothing to be done now except try and get her to a vehicle as quickly as possible.
“Yes, not friendly. Obviously this is a common hang out for a gang or gangs. Hopefully they are out.”
He led her toward the fire escape. The ladder was high above the ground, out of her reach. He crouched down and grabbed her by the back of her thighs, turning his head so he wouldn’t put his face into her. He lifted her straight up so she could grab the lower rung of the ladder and pull herself up.
Kae wasn’t entirely keen on the idea of gangs but she trusted Ryan and right now that was what mattered. She stood at the bottom of the fire escape and looked up. As she inwardly laughed at the idea of jumping for the bottom of the ladder she felt hands on her thighs and her feet being lifted off the ground.
“What are you doing?” She hissed down at him as her hands reached for the ladder. Kae pulled herself up as much as she could, trying not to groan out loud at the protest of her arms. She was able to get herself onto the ladder and began the climb upwards.
Ryan leapt nimbly onto the ladder and followed Kae up, “What do you mean, what am I doing? Was it not obvious?”
He continued up the stairs now, slow enough for Kae to handle them.
“I just meant...I could have jumped..nevermind.” She realized how foolish she must have looked standing there even contemplating making the attempt. “Thank you for the boost.”
Her feet made sound ringing noises as she climbed the stairs slowly ahead of him. “How come your feet don’t make a sound?”
“Years of stealth training. As well as hyper awareness of my own movements. Don’t worry. The noise you’re making would only be noticeable by someone within fifty feet of us. I’m pretty sure no one is currently within that area. But it is encouraging that you’ve noticed the difference.” Ryan turned back to Kae and grinned.
The small bits of whispered conversation made Kae feel a bit less tense. They climbed and Kae stepped off and onto the roof. She moved to the side and knelt down. Her hands reached into the bag and pulled out her laptop.
“Before we go further there is something I need to do.”
Her back was to him as she opened the laptop and began to type. The screen was a blur with information and windows. It was only minutes later when she shut it down and closed it.
“You have a ticket and an envelope of money waiting in the exchange plaza at the airport. We go, you get the money, we get our tickets and we get out of here.”
Kae stood and stepped away from the laptop. “Okay. Do it.”
She covered her ears and waited.
Ryan was once again observing the flow around him. He was encouraged as it looked as though they had reached the fraying ends of the net. However, five flitting, single lights caused him to sigh. An annoyance only, yes, but still something he would rather have avoided. He turned to Kae when she addressed him. He looked down at the laptop then back to Kae, “This will be odd for you. Actually, for me as well. Not seeing your face by screen light. Maybe I’ll get to look at you more directly for a while.” Ryan smiled and made quick work of the laptop.
Kae closed her eyes not wanting to see the laptop blown apart. When she opened them again there was nothing left. She knew it was what needed to be done. She had to go dark, LondonsFog told her to but Kae had never been without a piece of tech by her side. She stared at the charred remains.
He looked back over the edge and saw the five lights closer, “Definitely not going to pass us by now. So be it.” He started down the fire escape again.
Ryan was talking and moving to the fire escape but she was frozen in her spot.
Ryan paused after the first few steps, not hearing Kae following, “Kae?”
He turned and saw her staring down at what used to be her prized possession and sighed, “I know you need time to adjust to this Kae, really. But this is probably the worst time to do it. Any chance I can convince you to move on your own or should I carry you?”
She looked over at Ryan. “I am useless now. I have nothing. I...” She looked lost. Kae turned and walked slowly towards him. “I...” She blinked. “You are it. I can’t help anymore. I’m sorry.” Her voice was shaky as she approached the ladder.
“So, I’m nothing?” He smiled. “Look, you are temporarily disadvantaged. But far from useless. And right now, the best help you can be is to keep it together and follow my lead. There’ll be a reception for us on the ground. You think you can stay cool and safe?” He reached out for her to help steady her as she approached.
Kaelyn took his hand and gripped it tightly. “I will do whatever you say. I just...” She turned her head to look back towards the remains of her laptop. “I feel..” She frowned. “Vulnerable.”
Ryan scooped her up in one arm and gently swung her over the ladder, “Far from vulnerable with me around.” He kept her close as they moved down the fire escape.
Kae gasped slightly as he pulled her in and put her on the ladder. She began to climb down though her mind was somewhere else. Their proximity to each other felt more real to her now and while it wasn’t bad, Kae felt a bit odd. There had always been a buffer with them, the real vs the virtual and now with it gone she was left confronting a world she felt weak in. With Ryan though it felt different.
Her mind was working overtime. Is he just being nice to make me feel better? Her cheeks suddenly reddened and she felt like a teenager. She felt as awkward and out of place as she had when she had really been a teenager. Of course. It is what he does. Whatever it takes to get the job done. Kae inwardly chastised herself to being caught up in an odd moment.
They moved down the escape and she turned her head to look for guidance as to their next move.
Ryan paused at the final ladder, “I’ll go first. You come next and I’ll catch you. Then we’ll go see our visitors.” He grasped both sides of the ladder and put his feet on the outside rails. With a small leap he slid quickly to the ground, landing perfectly on his feet and looked up. He winked and held his arms out.
Kae looked down. She watched him land on the ground as if it was nothing at all to hop down from a ladder. ‘Wait. Wait. You want me to do what? And you’ll what? Ryan, in case you hadn’t noticed I am not exactly an athlete.”
Visions of her landing awkwardly on him, arms flailing and both ending up hurt ran through her head. “Are you kidding me?”
Her voice was a low hiss. Her head rested on the rung she had just stepped down from. “He is just standing down there, waiting to fucking catch me. Like I am a... I don’t even know what the hell it is like.” Kae was talking to herself more than to Ryan. “I’ll catch you...yeah okay.”
Her cheeks began to heat up as she slowly realized that he was standing below her looking straight up. His view would be up her hoodie to her backside. One hand let go to try and hold the garment against her body.
“This is not a good idea.”
“Kae, if people come while I’m waiting like this, or worse, while you are mid drop, we will both be vulnerable. Stop being shy and get down here. Your ass is great, no need to cover it.”
She looked down at him. “Why are you talking about my ass?”
Kae closed her eyes and let herself drop down. She pulled her arms in trying desperately not to take him out in her uncontrolled state.
Ryan caught her smoothly in a perfect cradle. He held her for a second, “To distract you and get you to come down.”
He swung her to her feet and kept an arm around her to stabilize, “Not that I was lying or anything though.” He grinned again.
“Well that makes you the..” She stopped talking as he put her feet on the ground. “I..”
Kae put her hands on his chest. “I feel like a moron who can’t complete a sentence. Nevermind and no more talking about my ass.” She gave him a small smile and looked away. “What now?”
Her body nestled closer to him for comfort. Without the weight of her laptop at her side she felt as if a part of her was missing. It was a feeling she was not fond of. Ryan’s presence however, his keeping her close seemed to help cut through the loss a little.
“Now, little girl, I think we all would like to know more about that ass of yours.”
Ryan sighed as five men slipped out of the shadows around them. Kae’s arms gripped him a little tighter. Her eyes were still on his face and there was fear in them now. She slowly pulled her eyes away to look at the speaker and other figures.
They were all wearing race leathers usually associated with sport bikes. They all had the same patch on their shoulders, indicating one of the local gangs. Each one of them was armed with some type of bladed weapon, but only the speaker had his drawn. A wicked looking knife that he held lightly in his right hand. He ran the knife up and down the leather of his left forearm.
“It’s always nice when the boyfriends bring their pretty little girls with them. Gives us something to play with after the fun of kicking his ass.”
Kae shook her head a little as her eyes fell on the blade in the man’s hand. She watched the blade move up and down along the leather. She turned a little in Ryan’s grip so that her back was not to the group. Her fingers dug lightly into Ryan’s shirt, pinching him a little. Kaelyn shook her head again but remained silent.
Ryan gently moved Kae’s hand off his arm and put it on his hip, “I won’t bother trying to talk you out of doing something stupid, since you already have. However, I will point out, I have guns.”
The man chuckled, “Oh, I saw them. I still think odds are in our favour. And the pretty girl is unarmed. How do you think that will work out for her?”
Ryan looked each of the men in the eyes, holding their gaze steadily for a second or two before ending on the speaker again, “The best bookies get all the information they can before setting odds. I think you are missing a key piece of data.”
Before the man could start to respond there was a shot. Kae jumped, releasing a yelp at the suddenness of it all. Her hands dug into Ryan’s hip. A red blossom formed between the speakers eyes and he dropped in a heap. Ryan stood, both guns drawn and quickly alternated targets among the other four men, almost faster than could be followed.
For their part the remaining four were not even aware at that moment of the guns aimed at them. They had all watched as their leader crumpled into a pile. They had been prepared to beat up a man and have some fun with a girl, this had not been in the plan.
One of them finally managed to stutter out some words. “Nico?” He looked towards Ryan. His attention landed on the guns. “Whoa man. Just breathe a sec.” He put his hands up defensively.
Another of the group, regaining himself lunged towards Ryan. The others scrambled into various directions, some diving out of the way trying not to be a target and one moving to grab his friend in an attempt to stop him.
Ryan watched their reactions in slow motion. He had hoped they would all scatter, but one of them had to be the tough guy. Ryan took aim. This shot rang out before the echo of the first shot had stopped. The man trying to grab his more impulsive friend was sprayed with a red film. The charge was halted. Ryan reset his aim and finished his exhale.
It all happened quickly. Kae didn’t think she had even blinked. It felt almost surreal, like something she’d read about on the net and not something that was happening in this very moment.
All movement stopped. Another body dropped and the ganger, now covered in the blood of his friend halted himself. “Done man. Done.” He was breathing heavily his arms waving a little to try and emphasize his statement.
There was a scrambling of feet as the others bolted for their bikes. The red-coated ganger began to back away. “Done. No trouble.” He looked at the bodies of his friends and continued his backwards motion.
Kae buried her face into Ryan trying to block out the images of the men being shot. Her knees felt a bit weak and her stomach turned suddenly as her body caught up to what her eyes had witnessed.
Around them was the sound of bikes taking off and other sounds of the city. The remaining echoes of the gunshots finally faded out.
Ryan waited until the remaining goons were gone then holstered his guns. He grabbed Kae and held her, “It’s done. We’re safe. You’re okay.”
Her head was now in his chest, her eyes still pressed closed. Her hands moved up to grip the front of his shirt. Her body began to shake a little as the adrenaline began to fade. It had all happened so quickly, quicker than she had time to really process. As quick as when she worked only here she was the slow one and Ryan the one with the abilities. It was almost too much for Kae to understand.
“Safe thanks to you.” Kae opened her eyes and moved her head to look up at him. She swallowed slowly fighting the bile that was rising. “Thank you for not leaving me.”
“I can’t leave you now. Patrice would lose his mind.” He grinned. “C’mon, I think we may have found a silver lining.” He stepped over to the two remaining bikes and gathered the two leftover helmets. He held one out for Kae, “Ever ride before?”
Hearing Patrice’s name, remembering how fast Ryan had killed those men brought visions of her dream back. She pushed him away and turned. Her stomach lurched and Kae doubled over to let it. When it was done she wiped her eyes and slowly stood. Her back was to him and for a moment she listened for the sound of his gun.
One breath. Two.
Kae turned to face Ryan, finding him holding a helmet out for her to take. She looked away. “Sorry. Not used to real life blood and violence.” She slowly approached him, gently taking the helmet from his hands.
“Kae, I would have worried about you if you didn’t respond that way.” He slid the helmet on and cinched the chin strap. “You’ll want to hold on tight now. I will be moving fast.”
She nodded and pulled her helmet on. Her fingers worked on the chin strap, finding it awkward. Fumbling with it she began to mutter hushed curses at the strap. Finally feeling like it was done up she approached the bike as Ryan started it up. “I think I am good to go.”
Kae shrugged slightly and climbed on the back. She slid forward and pressed herself as close to him as she could. Her arms went around his waist as he sat and she tried not to squeeze too tightly. Her fingers wrapped themselves around the bottom of his armoured jacket. Her thighs squeezed against his hips. Kae braced herself for the acceleration.
Ryan looked over his shoulder, “Hold on like you like me.” He chuckled and open the throttle. They sped off staying on the back roads and alleys still. He took a route that would be hard to follow, or anticipate as they made their way to the airport.
Kae held on tighter as Ryan took off. She pressed against him, squeezing with her legs as he leaned into turns. Her hand occasionally vibrated. It occurred to her that Ryan’s phone was in his pocket. She had left her own behind. A sickening feeling crept over her. The only person who would be trying to get a hold of Ryan would be Patrice.
The entire ride as Ryan navigated the streets and ensured they would not be followed Kae sunk deeper into her thoughts and fears. By the time they pulled into a distant parking area Kaelyn had resigned herself to the coming events.
The lot itself was a good distance away from the airport. There were trees on one side acting as a ‘buffer’ from the roadway in. There were cars in the lot though it was not full. It would be enough that the motorcycle wouldn’t stand out immediately.
Ryan parked it and killed the engine. Kae slipped off to stand beside it. She removed her helmet and placed it on the ground.
“Its Patrice.” She pointed to his pocket. “Your phone was vibrating the whole ride. He is likely going ballistic.”
Kae stared at Ryan for a moment. She wanted to say something but feared the whole thing would be harder if she did. Just like in my dream. She took three steps away from him and the bike and turned to face the trees.
“Get that and let me know when you are ready.”
Her voice was steadier than she expected. She knew she had been on borrowed time from the moment the whole thing went to shit. Kae figured Patrice would be looking for an explanation and the moment he realized she was responsible for the whatever shitstorm came his way the sooner he’d issue Ryan’s orders.
Not such a terrible place to do this. Could be much worse. This will make it easier for him. Not that it will be hard, it is his job.
Oddly there were no strong regrets in her mind. Kae was calmer than she thought she would be given the situation. It surprised her a little and she even smiled. Her eyes lifted just above the trees where the glow of the city could be seen.
Ryan grabbed his phone and swore at himself. How could he forget this. It’s a good thing Kae reminded him before they got too far. He looked briefly at the phone then reached into one of his pockets. He pulled out a silencer. Closer to the airport meant he needed more subtlety. The only sound now was the metal on metal of Ryan screwing the silencer in place.
Kae heard him, the whisper of fabric and the moving of his hands. She kept her eyes on the lights in the distance. She held her breath and waited.
Ryan dropped his phone and quickly put two almost completely silent bullets into it. Each shot made more noise as it hit the phone than it did being fired.
“Thanks Kae. Almost forgot about that. That would not have been good.”
Kae put her hands to her chest. Nothing hurt and he was thanking her. He shot the phone? Not me. The phone.
She didn’t know if she should throw up or cry. She had been ready, accepting of what was coming and he didn’t kill her. Kae turned very slowly to face Ryan. Her face had lost what little colour was held in the fairly pale flesh. “Why didn’t you kill me?”
The words were forced out and she stared at him, gun still in hand. It slowly occurred to her that perhaps the phone was just the first step. She had set him up with a way out, money and a ticket. Get rid of the phone, then her and he was free.
Kae closed her eyes and turned her head to the side. “Step two then? Please if you care at all just be quick, I..I don’t want it to hurt.”
“What are you talking about Kae? You aren’t Patrice’s tool to do with as he pleases until he’s done with you. You never were. It didn’t take me long to figure out I wouldn’t execute that order from him. We’re on our own, like we have been for a while. Now we just don’t have someone paying us.”
Ryan unscrewed the silencer and put it away as he was talking. Kae stood there and listened but didn’t really understand. When he started stripping off the body armour and weapons she looked back at him. With an expert’s care he packed the guns and armour carefully together and when he was done it looked like he was carrying any typical rucksack. Even to the point of some laundry sticking out. Her eyes followed him.
“I’m ready. Let’s fly.”
Kae simply stared at him. “You aren’t going to kill me? You never were?” All this time she had been preparing herself for it. Since Patrice put him to work shadowing her Kae had been waiting for Patrice to make the call. Part of her had tried to keep that distinction alive, that he wasn’t just Ryan that he was there for a job and not her as a person.
She was breathing unevenly, her heart pounding in her chest as she strived to come back to the present and not the one she had readied herself for. “I don’t....then why did you stay with me? That was your whole job.”
Ryan cocked his head, “Well, when you put it that way... I was doing my job. I liked my job. But I found that I liked you more than my job. However, until I had to choose there was no reason I couldn’t continue doing my job. Was there?”
She was absolutely stunned. “Liked me? Liked me more than your job? I am not good with actual real people. How can you possibly like me?” Kae sounded almost angry.
Kae stared at him as if Ryan had momentarily been replaced by a creature of some kind. She didn’t know what to make of it. She had been sure that in the end he would do the job Patrice wanted him to do. Her mind flashed back to him arguing with her when she asked him to make sure he was the one that did it, if he would promise her that he wouldn’t let them get her first. He had told her no, that she would fix it but now is was slowly sinking in that it had never been an option.
“You were never going to kill me.”
She stood there for the span of four breaths before walking quickly to him and hugging him tightly. Kaelyn didn’t think it through she just acted and before she really realized what she was doing her face was pressed into him as her arms held him.
Ryan was a little more prepared for Kae’s actions this time. He held her gently for a few minutes before speaking, “Sure I like you. Can’t spend that much time around you without you growing on me a little.” He chuckled.
“So people aren’t your speciality. I’m a hired killer. You think I ooze charm and charisma? After all, you still thought I would kill you. Obviously I’m not that easy to get along with.”
As Ryan started talking, teasing her Kae felt heat rising in her cheeks. She looked up at him. “Aren’t we an interesting pair. The abrasive hacker with no tech and the killer with feelings.” Her face reddened more. “Not like feelings...I mean...you know....like...”
Kae took an awkward step away from him. “Sorry about that. I just thought you were going to, well and you didn’t and I did not handle it correctly. It’s the whole not used to social interactions that involve more than, I mean not more or involved. I just mean...”
Her head dropped, her hair falling to cover her face. “Thank you Ryan.”
She stood like that for a moment with her hair covering her face until she was sure that she was more in control.
Ryan watched her as she stumbled to explain herself and smiled, “You’re welcome Kae.”
“We should get moving. You need to go get the money first. I need to avoid security and cameras.” She turned to walk towards the airport. She honestly wished she knew how to handle social situations better but she didn’t think ‘talking to the man who was hired to possibly kill you’ was something people were taught.
“I will stay out of the way while you get the money and your ticket. Then I will get mine and we can get out of here.”
The parking lot was a decent size and they had a bit of a walk to get to the airport proper. Kae pulled her hood up and zipped up her jacket. “I put the money under the name Mark Heller. All you have to do is ask for it and give them the security password.”
“Which you do plan to tell me?” Ryan caught up and kept stride with her.
“Of course. You think I am going to send you in there without it? What good would that do? Give me a little credit.” She looked over at him. “Don’t go thinking I am completely brain dead now that I don’t have my deck. I wasn’t going to tell you before in case you know we got caught and I will tell you once we get in the airport can’t have you blabbing it around. We both know what a chatterbox you are.”
Kae smirked. She was starting to feel better, a bit more normal despite the situation. The airport was growing steadily closer as Kaelyn picked up the pace of her walk.
“When you’re ready. You’re the smart one. I’m just here for my looks.” Ryan winked
Kae chuckled. They walked, crossing the roads that led them up towards the front of the airport. It was bustling, with cars pulling up and people getting in and out. There were piles of suitcases and people hugging. As they crossed the last road to the door Kae reached out to grab Ryan’s hand. There were a lot of people and she had a sudden fear that they would be separated in the crowd.
The doors opened as they entered the airport, navigating around a family who didn’t know where they were heading and another couple with far too many bags who stopped to argue.
“The money exchange is on the left. Gates and things down the hall to the right.”
The pair turned to the left. With the money exchange in sight Kae stopped and pulled Ryan in as if they were a pair of lovers stopping for a kiss. She leaned in close, rising slightly on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. “Petal. When they ask you for the security code say petal. When they ask you for the number tell them 0815.”
She placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Lowering back to her flat feet, Kae brushed a hair out of her eyes. “Had to.” She looked away, a little embarrassed. “Now go. Wasting time.”
Ryan nodded. He had upped his hyper awareness again. He hadn’t expected her to kiss him. Now it was almost too distracting as he couldn’t get his mind off of it. He looked her in the eyes, grinned and left to take care of his errand.
Kae moved backwards and placed herself against a wall. She didn’t watch him go in and she tried not to look like she was watching for him at all. She played with the zipper of her coat and re-tied her shoelace. It felt like Ryan was never coming back. Her heart was pounding in her chest despite her aloof appearance.
When finally appeared beside her, Kaelyn smiled and reached out to take his hand. “One thing down.”
The pair walked down the opposite side of the airport now. The hall was lined with various airline booths. At times on their walk Kae would turn her face into Ryan’s arm effectively hiding it from passers by. It took only a short time for them to find the correct counter and wait in line.
Again the wait felt like eternity and Kae found herself tapping her foot impatiently. When it was their turn she approached. The overly happy woman asked for the name. Kae spouted off what LondonsFog had told her. There was a tense moment as the woman’s fingers tapped across the keyboard. Kae had to fight the urge to yank it from the her hands and do it herself.
“Have a good flight!” A ticket was slid across the smooth surface to Kae and she scooped it off and walked off to the side.
Again Kae waited. She realized more and more that she hated waiting. Eventually Ryan joined her. “God she was so slow. How much intelligence does it take to input names in their stupid system?”
Kae’s voice was a harsh whisper as she and Ryan made their way to the gate. The crowd waiting to board was not overly large but big enough that the two had no issue melding in unnoticed.
“I’m scared.” She grabbed Ryan’s hand but didn’t look up at him.
“If your contact is any good then we’re golden. If not, we’re trapped. Either way, nothing we can do now except relax. Your friend make it first class at least? Maybe we can get a scotch?”
Kae shook her head. “Too easy to stand out in first class. I had us moved but we aren’t next to each other. Have to see if someone will switch if we want to sit together. If that is better I mean, for safety that is.”
Ryan sighed, “I could have used a scotch.” He looked over the crowd, trying to identify who was together. “You know, it won’t be easy convincing someone to not sit next to a pretty girl like you. I may just have to look mean.”
Kae nudged him with her elbow. “Nice try but that isn’t going to work to distract me this time.” She gave him a half smile.
Ahead the line was beginning to move. Tickets were being taken and people were making their way onto the plane.
“Who’s distracting? Nothing much to distract from here. Look, lonely business guy. I bet he’s next to you. No way he gives up his seat.”
The line moved forward again. “Or maybe he is next to you. I did hack the seats to get you on remember? What if I intentionally sat you next to him?”
Ryan looked over at her and grinned, “So you’re saying you specifically avoided sitting next to me? I guess maybe you thought I was going to throw you out the emergency exit or something.”
The line kept moving and Kae went very pale. “No I...” She dropped his hand. “I thought maybe you’d have done the job by now and I didn’t try to shift the seats. I didn’t want to bring attention to you by the seat next to you being empty.”
There were only two people in front of them now. Kae played with her ticket and avoided looking at him.
Ryan shook his head, “So, even thinking that about me you still wanted to help me out. If I didn’t know better I’d think you actually liked me too.”
“Can I have your tickets? Are you travelling together?”
Kae handed over her ticket. “Maybe I really do like you.”
She turned to face the woman. “Yes but last minute and all. Is it possible if there is a free seat we can sit together?”
The stewardess smiled her wide smile. “We can see once everyone boards if someone will switch.”
Kae nodded and headed onto the plane. She cast a small look back towards Ryan as the woman took his ticket.
Kae found her seat, an aisle seat with a man already sitting by the window. He barely turned his head as she sat down. Kae kept her eyes on the aisle looking for Ryan.
Ryan walked past her and took his seat. As the doors were closed Kae frowned. She had hoped that someone would have come to move them around by now. Being impatient she turned to the man in the seat beside her. “Excuse me but they sat my boyfriend and I apart. Would it be at all possible for you and he to switch seats?”
The man turned to look at her, he was not over impressed. “You want me to get up and switch with him? Why? Go bug his seat partner.”
Kae frowned. “Do you need to be such an asshole? I asked a simple question and I was nice about it.” She turned in her seat to face him more. “How about this? You switch with him now and save yourself a world of annoyance from being stuck next to me for the entire flight because let me tell you mister I got a pole up my ass that makes me snarky and rude, I don’t like you. I don’t like crowds or other people for that matter. I fidget, I move around and I will do everything in my power to make your trip the worst you have ever had.”
She crossed her arms, challenging him. He looked her over and gave a light snarl. “Am I supposed to be afraid of you?”
Kae smiled but it was not a happy smile, there was a tinge of something wicked behind it. “You should because otherwise I will tell your wife about the mistress you just said goodbye too. Bet she’d be keen to know that you were making out with a brunette with burnt red lipstick just before you boarded.”
The man looked stunned. Kae snickered. “Can’t even hide it well so what’s it going to be?”
He began gathering his things and Kae stood to let him exit. She sat in his seat, looked out the window and waited.
Ryan stood next to her and looked down, “Excuse me ma’am. Is this seat taken? Apparently I was seated incorrectly and now I have to find someone willing to sit next to me.”
Kae looked up at him and a genuine smile formed, “Completely free. My last seat mate seems to have left unexpectedly.”
Ryan sat and Kae shifted in her seat. “Fancy meeting you here.”
The day’s tension and adrenaline started to drain from her body as the plane engine roared to life and it began to move on the runway. It didn’t take long before it was airborne. Kae’s eyes watched the city lights grow further away from them. It wasn’t long into the flight when she began to doze.
Her head rested on Ryan’s arm and her hand slipped down so that her fingers entwined with his. “Thank you for not making me do this alone and I do actually like you Ryan.”
Ryan smiled and squeezed her hand, “You’re welcome and I know. I am paid be observant.”
Kaelyn curled up as best she could and fell asleep laying on his arm for the duration of the flight. She was too exhausted to worry at that moment about what might be waiting for them at their arrival.
Setting
0.00 INK
ISI-DW Sub-room
Reginald's fingers began flying across the keyboard at breakneck speed. The chat rooms were abuzz with speculation. Someone named Theo1 had fucked up big time on the game code release. Reginald thought it stunk like a set up. He booted up his masked system and logged in as Darkstar. He began to type using one hand each on two different keyboards, concurrently chatting and hacking. MarkIII began pursuing leads on who Theo1 was and who he may have been working with while Darkstar began to methodically pick apart the code hidden in the game system.
Answer began to appear after about a half hour of solid typing. MarkIII had divined less than he had hoped. Noone knew who Theo1 was in realspace and noone had a good grasp on who he was working with. The general speculation was that the ISI had already nabbed everyone involved. It amused Reginald to know that this was patently not true, though it amused him more that the organization he worked for carried such an efficient and ruthless reputation.
Darkstar's exploration was far more fruitful. He had extrapolated an Ardent hash from the code, which would need to be cracked in order to reveal what the input strings were. The hash was a hundred thousand characters long, and would likely take the better part of the day to crack. Reginald steeled himself to work through the night if necessary.
ISI Command
Denicela kept reviewing compiled reports of the Theo1, LondonsFog and MasterCodec situations. Developments were occurring smoothly. Deberov reported a successful capture of their target with no collateral damage, other than a few frightened bystanders. Reginald was working on locating Theo1 and his accomplices. She sighed at the lack of reports for the search for LondonsFog. The overarching problem became more and more apparent as she read on.
THere had been a military style strike on NetCom Securities, and a primary server slate had been stolen. Several guards had been killed and the security had been back hacked. The compant was responsible for military grade net barrier systems development and they had a huge hand in cybersecurity contracts with the NAU. Their physical security was supposed to be very good, and yet, they had been overcome. There were no images of the assailant, but the comabt had been bloody and one-sided from the reports. If the server slate that had been tolen carried sensitive development data or information garnered from systems that NetCom programs lived on then this could become a major problem. She had sent an investigator to examine the scene and see if he could connect it to any major group.
The tagging of the game-code had been a priority leak and she was curious as to what it contained. If it was related at all to the attack on NetCom then there was a much larger problem that had to be tackled.
The real problem was, in a word, why? Why these events, in this order, at this time? How were they related? Were they related? She felt more in the dark than usual. Someone was orchestrating things masterfully and until she had a better picture it was incredibly difficult to see the bigger picture. Her sense was that they were moving towards a major event both in real and in netspace. Her forces were marshalled to respond, both digital and conventional. It was the best she could do with the information she had.
The question nagged at her, what was the purpose of all this?
Deus Ferrum Monastery, Roma
Templar forces were marshaling for a large offensive. The Monastery, with its immense subterranean facilities were the perfect place to hide large bodies of troops. By an objective estimation the number of Templars that could be put into the field was small, perhaps a few thousand. This was offset by their quality. Utterly loyal, fanatical in purpose, well-trained and well-equipped, the Templars could match nearly any other fighting force in the world pound-for-pound. They often prevailed despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned.
The men and women who made up the Templars spent their entire lives moving from monastery to monastery, training, praying and studying. The Deus Ferrum took great pains to keep their combat capable forces well hidden from the public. Little record of their existence was kept and the costs of keeping a body of armed soldiers was carefully dispersed among the operating budgets of the many temples, churches and abbeys across the planet. Few members of regular society even knew that the Deus Ferrum maintained more than a modest security force, though government workers in intelligence and counter-terrorism were well aware of the cult's militant leanings. Despite this no legal actions had ever stuck against the Deus Ferrum, as evidence was always carefully hidden.
Another carefulyl hidden fact was that while the Templars were the most numerous of the Deus Ferrum's forces they were actually the least powerful. Brother Able and Sister Cain knew of the darker, more dangerous instruments of the divine the Brotherhood had access to. Brother Able's little girl was one.
She was not the pinnacle of their military prowess but she was close. Brother Able never referred to her as anything other than affectionate "my child's" and "my dear's," but she did have names. Most often her call-sign was Daughter, but she also went by Sister Hale to the public (though she never had much interaction beyond what was absolutely necessary with those not already in the thrall of the Brotherhood). Then of course there were the various false names she used when she had to travel without direct Deus Ferrum supplied support. She liked to think of herself as the tool of the great deity, the right hand of judgement upon those who did not believe. Her Father would hand down her targets for judgement and she would enact it. When she was dealing out divine justice is when she felt most alive.
And today she would be allowed to deal more justie out to the deserving. Brother Able had passed on a new target. A man named Lan had to be eliminated. He was a wrench in the grand scheme, he had served his purpose but had foolishly stumbled into the path of one of the Brotherhood's great enemies, the ISI. They could not be allowed to extract information from him, and it was her great honor to silence his blaspheming tongue.
En route to Swiss ISI Safehouse
Deberov pulled the black hood off of Lan's head as soon as they reached a high enough cruising altitude that he was confident Lan could not discern their location or direction of travel. He had blacked out all the windows of the dropship. Lan had been strapped into one the harness seats, his hands cuffed in front of him. Deberov stood in front of him, his height imposing, almost impossibly tall in the small troop section of the ship.
"You have really pissed someone off MasterCodec. Perhaps you should tell us who? I wish to know why my team has been sent out here to pick up one small man from Switzerland, when we all could have been drinking and sleeping with our wives, girlfriends or in the Sergeants case his dog?"
There was a smattering of good-natured laughter at Deberov's sidelong jibe. The mood among the team was light at the moment, they had quite successfully extracted the target without being forced to hurt anyone. It was a masterfully executed grab, and they prided themselves on their efficiency. Deberove stared down at the silent Lan, "Well?"
Reginald's fingers began flying across the keyboard at breakneck speed. The chat rooms were abuzz with speculation. Someone named Theo1 had fucked up big time on the game code release. Reginald thought it stunk like a set up. He booted up his masked system and logged in as Darkstar. He began to type using one hand each on two different keyboards, concurrently chatting and hacking. MarkIII began pursuing leads on who Theo1 was and who he may have been working with while Darkstar began to methodically pick apart the code hidden in the game system.
Answer began to appear after about a half hour of solid typing. MarkIII had divined less than he had hoped. Noone knew who Theo1 was in realspace and noone had a good grasp on who he was working with. The general speculation was that the ISI had already nabbed everyone involved. It amused Reginald to know that this was patently not true, though it amused him more that the organization he worked for carried such an efficient and ruthless reputation.
Darkstar's exploration was far more fruitful. He had extrapolated an Ardent hash from the code, which would need to be cracked in order to reveal what the input strings were. The hash was a hundred thousand characters long, and would likely take the better part of the day to crack. Reginald steeled himself to work through the night if necessary.
ISI Command
Denicela kept reviewing compiled reports of the Theo1, LondonsFog and MasterCodec situations. Developments were occurring smoothly. Deberov reported a successful capture of their target with no collateral damage, other than a few frightened bystanders. Reginald was working on locating Theo1 and his accomplices. She sighed at the lack of reports for the search for LondonsFog. The overarching problem became more and more apparent as she read on.
THere had been a military style strike on NetCom Securities, and a primary server slate had been stolen. Several guards had been killed and the security had been back hacked. The compant was responsible for military grade net barrier systems development and they had a huge hand in cybersecurity contracts with the NAU. Their physical security was supposed to be very good, and yet, they had been overcome. There were no images of the assailant, but the comabt had been bloody and one-sided from the reports. If the server slate that had been tolen carried sensitive development data or information garnered from systems that NetCom programs lived on then this could become a major problem. She had sent an investigator to examine the scene and see if he could connect it to any major group.
The tagging of the game-code had been a priority leak and she was curious as to what it contained. If it was related at all to the attack on NetCom then there was a much larger problem that had to be tackled.
The real problem was, in a word, why? Why these events, in this order, at this time? How were they related? Were they related? She felt more in the dark than usual. Someone was orchestrating things masterfully and until she had a better picture it was incredibly difficult to see the bigger picture. Her sense was that they were moving towards a major event both in real and in netspace. Her forces were marshalled to respond, both digital and conventional. It was the best she could do with the information she had.
The question nagged at her, what was the purpose of all this?
Deus Ferrum Monastery, Roma
Templar forces were marshaling for a large offensive. The Monastery, with its immense subterranean facilities were the perfect place to hide large bodies of troops. By an objective estimation the number of Templars that could be put into the field was small, perhaps a few thousand. This was offset by their quality. Utterly loyal, fanatical in purpose, well-trained and well-equipped, the Templars could match nearly any other fighting force in the world pound-for-pound. They often prevailed despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned.
The men and women who made up the Templars spent their entire lives moving from monastery to monastery, training, praying and studying. The Deus Ferrum took great pains to keep their combat capable forces well hidden from the public. Little record of their existence was kept and the costs of keeping a body of armed soldiers was carefully dispersed among the operating budgets of the many temples, churches and abbeys across the planet. Few members of regular society even knew that the Deus Ferrum maintained more than a modest security force, though government workers in intelligence and counter-terrorism were well aware of the cult's militant leanings. Despite this no legal actions had ever stuck against the Deus Ferrum, as evidence was always carefully hidden.
Another carefulyl hidden fact was that while the Templars were the most numerous of the Deus Ferrum's forces they were actually the least powerful. Brother Able and Sister Cain knew of the darker, more dangerous instruments of the divine the Brotherhood had access to. Brother Able's little girl was one.
She was not the pinnacle of their military prowess but she was close. Brother Able never referred to her as anything other than affectionate "my child's" and "my dear's," but she did have names. Most often her call-sign was Daughter, but she also went by Sister Hale to the public (though she never had much interaction beyond what was absolutely necessary with those not already in the thrall of the Brotherhood). Then of course there were the various false names she used when she had to travel without direct Deus Ferrum supplied support. She liked to think of herself as the tool of the great deity, the right hand of judgement upon those who did not believe. Her Father would hand down her targets for judgement and she would enact it. When she was dealing out divine justice is when she felt most alive.
And today she would be allowed to deal more justie out to the deserving. Brother Able had passed on a new target. A man named Lan had to be eliminated. He was a wrench in the grand scheme, he had served his purpose but had foolishly stumbled into the path of one of the Brotherhood's great enemies, the ISI. They could not be allowed to extract information from him, and it was her great honor to silence his blaspheming tongue.
En route to Swiss ISI Safehouse
Deberov pulled the black hood off of Lan's head as soon as they reached a high enough cruising altitude that he was confident Lan could not discern their location or direction of travel. He had blacked out all the windows of the dropship. Lan had been strapped into one the harness seats, his hands cuffed in front of him. Deberov stood in front of him, his height imposing, almost impossibly tall in the small troop section of the ship.
"You have really pissed someone off MasterCodec. Perhaps you should tell us who? I wish to know why my team has been sent out here to pick up one small man from Switzerland, when we all could have been drinking and sleeping with our wives, girlfriends or in the Sergeants case his dog?"
There was a smattering of good-natured laughter at Deberov's sidelong jibe. The mood among the team was light at the moment, they had quite successfully extracted the target without being forced to hurt anyone. It was a masterfully executed grab, and they prided themselves on their efficiency. Deberove stared down at the silent Lan, "Well?"
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