“You must forgive me, my friend. I'm not accustomed to traveling with someone who is more invisible than me. We are nearly there. When I open the door, go in before me. They watch the door closing very carefully.”
“So the place is locked down pretty tight?” Frank asked.
“Yes. But I think I know a way for you to gain entry into the vault area.” Jard stopped at a stand on the side of the street and purchased a beverage. Frank tried to stay out of the way of traffic.
“Is this part of looking natural?” Frank asked as they started off again.
“No. I actually hate these drinks. But one of Bofa's duties is cleaning the place. This will give him something to clean.”
“Oh. I'm sorry if it sounded like I was doubting you.” Frank had to swing out wide to avoid a slow moving crowd of aliens.
“I realize this is your first visit here. And being cloaked would certainly become taxing with all of this traffic, I'm sure. I'm trying to make a good show of it and I know you mean no offense.”
“You're the best, Jard.”
“Thank you. It's the next building.”
Jard stopped at the door and looked up. Nothing happened. Jard pressed a spot to the left of the door and looked up again. Frank was trying to be ready but couldn't help noticing the building was quite unremarkable. Jard made a sound as if to clear his throat and Frank readied himself. The door swung open and Frank slipped inside. Jard seemed to make a show of pulling the door closed behind him. The reason became obvious when a being of the same species as Fev appeared at a counter behind the same type of barrier as the one that dropped back at the bar.
“Jard Dundarsheef. It says here you are on leave.”
“I didn't specify for how long, Bofa,” Jard replied in a curt tone. “Where is Fev?”
“He has taken a job. You will have to deal with me.”
Jard sat his drink on the ledge. Frank thought he could see Bofa's eye twitch. “Just show me a list,” Jard said. “You know how I work.”
“I'm afraid a list isn't currently available,” Bofa replied.
Jard let his ever-present smile fade as he looked Bofa in the eye. “If I find out there is a list and you are holding out on me, it will cost you dearly.”
Bofa's attitude changed quickly. “I...I would never. Fev is out and half the galaxy is off chasing this Monster. Things will be back to normal soon. We...We didn't expect you back so soon.”
Jard nodded and seemed to relax. “Fair enough. I know it isn't your fault. I will return in a few days.” Jard turned to depart, leaving the big, sloppy beverage on the counter.
“You're lucky you left when you did!” Bofa shouted as the door closed behind Jard. “I do not have to take your shit. I will shoot you myself!” He paused when he noticed the drink out on the ledge. “You have got to be fucking kidding me!” Frank positioned himself near the sealed door that led to the area behind the counter. Bofa opened the door and placed a stone as a doorstop. Frank stepped aside and as Bofa passed by, he slipped inside.
19.
“He's in,” Gladys said. She was sitting in her high-backed chair looking over the numerous view-screens. Nera was to her rear, keeping an eye on the cloaked vessel.
“I'm ready,” Constanthos replied. “The pirates are awaiting your signal.”
“Jard is away. I'm uncloaking my remote.”
* * *
The City Manager was sitting at his desk enjoying a beverage. It was a fine imported intoxicant that most of the citizens would never dream of. He was looking over his books, marveling over how lucrative politics had turned out to be for him.
“Mr. Manager, I need a word with you.” Gladys was expecting him to at least flinch but he gave her no satisfaction.
“I was wondering when you'd show up,” he replied. She hadn't met this one yet. He was of the same species as Fev and Bofa.
“I understand there has been a violation of our agreement,” Gladys said, sounding quite stern.
He sat his drink down and leaned back in his chair. “I don't think that agreement still stands.”
“This is a human world. You settled when I was away and I graciously let you stay.” She moved the remote closer to him. “Humans are being taken from this world. You were supposed to protect this planet.”
He smiled and leaned toward the orb. “Let me give it to you straight. I know you think you're a big deal but I know you lost your wings. You have no leverage here. Go away.”
“I had a feeling you would say something like that. I'm going to have to shut you down.”
The Manager laughed. “You? You're going to shut me down? I know Sessiks don't fight.”
“You are correct, Mr. Manager. But Sessiks do subcontract.”
“Whatever. You're bluffing. Nothing but empty threats.”
“Does this sound like an empty threat?” The building shook as the torpedo arrays on the roof were being destroyed. “Look out your window, Mr. Manager.”
He was frozen in place, completely stunned.
“Look!” she repeated. He turned just as a substation off in the distance was losing its array. A few fliers were also exploding as they were trying to take flight. “Your other substations are meeting the same fate. Shall I kill you now? Or are you willing to honor our agreement?”
“I will honor our agreement!”
“Thank you for your compliance. Just know that, in the future, I have the means to hire whatever force is needed to keep you so. Now open the window.”
* * *
Frank was watching as Bofa grumbled. The bitter little being was about two-thirds the size of Fev and was clearly unhappy with his position. He'd cleaned up Jard's mess and having sealed the door back, started settling back in to watch some random transmissions. But Frank didn't have time for that.
“How do you open the door to the vault?”
Bofa produced a pistol and swung it around. “Who said that?”
“Open the door, or die.”
Bofa squeezed off several rounds in the direction that the voice had come from. Frank's shield deflected them. He looked toward the other door and considered making a run for it.
“Don't even think about it,” Frank said in that odd language that he didn't know the name of.
Bofa fired again but this time a bullet hit him in the leg, having bounced off the shield.
“You shot me!” Bofa exclaimed.
“I don't use guns, dumbass.”
Bofa was sinking to the floor as if he was dying. “I can't believe you shot me.”
Frank pulled away his face-plate, uncloaking himself. “Do you see a gun? You shot yourself.” He reached down and grabbed the pistol as Bofa was trying to raise it. “I've always wanted to do this,” he said as he grabbed the barrel and tried to bend it. It proved to be more stout than he thought. “Well, never mind.” He dropped the gun down the same chute Jard's drink had been. He turned back to face Bofa. “On Earth, they call me the Gray Man. I looked it up. I'm named after a ghost. Do you have ghosts here?”
“Yes,” Bofa replied. “But none of them are human.”
Frank knelt down to look at Bofa much closer. “Do you think I am human?”
Bofa looked into the blank eyes. “I don't even know what to think any more.”
“Holy shit, you're an idiot. Tell me how to open that door or I'll use your skull to pry it open.”
“Fev always says humans are weak. So if you're human, you would lie and say something like what you just said. But if you aren't really human, you would have killed me already and figured out the door.”
“Amazing. Do you feel smart?”
“Sometimes.”
Frank pulled an exploding shuriken from his pouch and flung it over his shoulder, blowing the door to bits. “I was hoping to be a little quieter about it.” The building started shaking as the torpedo arrays on the roof were being destroyed. Frank smiled. “I guess I don't have to be so quiet now.” He grabbed Bofa by a horn and dragged him farther into the bu
ilding. They passed through a short hallway and emerged into a room that contained a few random boxes. Each had a different configuration.
“You are so dead,” Bofa said.
“Is that so?”
“Fev won't rest. He'll find you and kill you.”
“That's interesting. Are you two related?”
“He is my brother.”
“That's nice. It's cool that you two can work together. Are there more of you? Somewhere? You know, getting into the assassin business?”
“No. Our parents are dead. It sucks.”
“That does suck. You're going to be really pissed to learn that Fev is dead.”
“I don't believe you.”
“Is this it?” Frank asked pointing at the boxes.
“Haven't you ever seen money containers before?”
“We do things differently on Earth.” He began arranging the boxes in a stack against the wall.
“You are sealing your doom by touching those!”
“Sealing my doom? Don't you think that's a little dramatic?”
“Fev will find you and kill you. There is nowhere for you to hide. He is the best.”
Frank was looking at the ceiling. “I'll have you know I don't feel bad at all about killing him.” Frank turned and knelt down to again look Bofa in the eye. “He came to Earth and planted a bomb in my home. My wife was killed. I then slaughtered his entire team, saving him for last. I first cut off those stupid metal arms. And then I cut off his legs. And then I took his head. Every assassin that went to Rhoshe is dead. I realize there are others out there, but without this place, they're shit out of luck.”
Bofa looked dumbfounded.
“I guess you still don't believe me. Oh well.” Frank pulled his sword off of his back and held it up to speak to it. “Connie?”
“Yes, Frank?”
“Do you, uh, have my position?”
“I do,” she replied.
“Can you blow a hole in the roof right above me?”
“I have the target programmed. Would you like to move first?”
“Give me about thirty seconds, please.” Frank spoke once again to Bofa. “Would you rather get crushed by the falling ceiling or killed by my sword?”
“You are so dead,” Bofa replied.
“Ceiling or sword?” Frank repeated.
“Ceiling.”
Frank thought about it for a moment. “Nah, you might survive that.” In one motion he drew his sword and cut Bofa's skull in two, right through his eye sockets. He wiped the blade on Bofa's pants, re-sheathed it, and stepped aside before the ceiling came down. “I'm going to have a quick look around while you're loading up.”
* * *
“We are reloaded and ready to blow some shit up,” Damon reported.
“Thank you, Damon,” Constanthos replied. Her voice was coming from a remote. She was actually sitting on the couch, wearing the halo, and watching the television screen. “There will be a bit of downtime depending on how fast the locals can scramble. If you would please, the load will be arriving in the wide port in the corridor.”
“Yes, ma'am.” He headed for the door. The orb followed.
“Please remember that we aren't so formal,” Constanthos said.
“Oh, I know,” Damon replied as the first container appeared in the circle. He pulled it to the side. “I believe in good manners too.” He repeated the process of pulling containers until Frank appeared in the circle. “Hey, Frank.”
“Hey, Damon.” Frank looked almost troubled. “How much of that did you see?”
“None. I was busy loading torpedoes.”
Frank nodded. “It was ugly. I'm going to be honest here. I've had this aggression issue since I blew up like this.”
“These fuckers killed Denise. Whatever you did was probably too nice.”
Frank nodded again. “You're right.” He looked down at his suit. “Wow, I don't think I got any blood on me this time.”
Damon followed as Frank started toward the living room. “Those black suits are crazy cool. The gray ones highlight the package a little too much.”
Frank paused just before entering the living room and braced his arm against the wall. He let out a laugh. “Thanks, I needed that.”
“It's funny because it's true.”
Frank composed himself before entering. Constanthos was sitting on the couch. Her eyes were blank.
“It's the same for me,” she said. “I may never have children but here I am with these things.” She pointed towards her breasts and smiled.
Damon burst with laughter. “You don't miss a thing, do you?”
“Not much. Not when I'm plugged in, anyway.”
Frank laughed too but then felt guilty for doing so. “What's our status?” he asked.
“Everything is going as planned,” she started. “The pirates took out two substations and fled. Gladys has the City Manager thinking she hired them for the job. And Jard is on his way to cover us in the Wilds.”
“I haven't taken the time to look at this planet,” Frank admitted as he watched the landscape speed by on the screen. He sat a package on the cushion next to her.
“You're not missing much,” Constanthos said. She reached over and patted the package without looking at it and gave a nod.
“I see that.” He was looking at vast grasslands. They seemed endless. “Everything looks so flat.”
“The mountains that separate Hitakkita Bay from the rest of the planet are the most prominent. There is more dry land here than any other human planet by a wide margin.”
“What are the people like?” Frank asked.
“I can't say for sure. They keep themselves unavailable for study.”
“Good for them,” Damon said.
“I've always felt the same way,” Constanthos replied.
Frank looked away from the screen once he realized it wasn't going to change much. “I'm going to go get dressed.” He left for the bedroom.
* * *
“That big ship isn't moving.” Nera spun around to see what everyone else was doing. “What are you looking for?”
“I'm just having a look around,” Gladys replied. “I haven't been here in a very long time. The city has grown so much.”
“It looks so dirty,” Nera commented. She glanced back at her screen as to not neglect her duty.
“I'm troubled though,” Gladys continued. “I wonder how the Manager knew about my wings.” She swung the remote around and slowly flew over one of the food markets. “And there's my answer.”
“What is it?” Nera asked.
“It's a Li in a cloaked suit.”
Nera actually stood up to get a closer look. The lean alien appeared with a different hue on the view-screen. “What's it doing?”
“Stealing food.” She hovered the orb while she considered her next move.
“I don't understand,” Nera admitted.
“It's obviously a survivor from Tirogof's forces. They probably limped back here after Korbaal fell.”
“He should be put to death.” Nera's tone was cold.
“I'm sure Frank would agree,” Gladys replied. She didn't want to admit that she also agreed.
“I'll go down on a boat and kill him myself,” Nera said.
“There is one thing about Hitakkita Bay that never changes. The citizens tend to police themselves.”
“Can I kill him or not?” Nera asked.
“I'm afraid we don't have time. But please, watch this. Theft is illegal.” She dropped the orb downward with enough velocity to crack the face-plate of the Li. The merchant caught sight of him and reached into his cloak. Nera felt satisfied when the merchant fired three shots from a small pistol into the Li. “And now to the Wilds.”
* * *
The uneasiness of the Gurdiks brought a smile to Jard's face. He felt that Frank was letting them off way too easy. But he didn't want to question his friend's judgment. He'd landed a short distance away from their freighter and was standing on his ramp
, staring them down. He didn't come forward until Frank appeared between the two ships.
Frank offered a partial grin when he realized Jard had been giving them the stink-eye. He turned toward the freighter and realized it looked very familiar. Amoz Nudek was standing with two other Gurdiks who were not wearing cloaks.
“These two insisted on being involved,” Amoz said. “They wanted to have a word with you.”
“I recognize this ship,” Frank said. He looked at the younger of the two Gurdiks. “I see you found something to hang onto.”
“Yes, sir,” he replied. “I... We don't understand the ways of mammals. We...” He trailed off. His fear was palpable.
The older Gurdik continued. “We beg your forgiveness. That wasn't something we would normally do.”
“I get it,” Frank replied. “The Gotes had you guys by the balls, or whatever it is you have.”
“These two are the reason we pulled out of Vera,” Amoz explained.
Frank nodded. “You picked a good time to leave. Now, before I hand over this money, I want us to get a few things straight.”
“Yes,” Amoz said. “We want a full understanding of your expectations.”
“Oh.” Frank was almost at a loss. He thought he already knew any remotely agreeable beings already. “Human planets are off limits. I don't care if you go to Hitakkita Bay, but the rest of this place is a big no.”
“That is acceptable. What else?”
Frank stared at him. “You're going to have to give me a few moments. I'm not used to dealing with such cooperative beings.”
Amoz chuckled. “I certainly understand that. I think you will become known as the savior of the Gurdiks, so take your time.”
“No, that honor is all yours. I have enough titles already. Let me see... Did you guys take Ezilaks?”
“Freighters were taken out into the Reaches to gather what they could on their journey back. Korick took an interest in that particular species.” He bowed his head. “All our lives we were taught that mammals were beneath us. I now know how wrong that is.”
“I've been called a rat on several occasions,” Frank replied. “I understand that humans especially are considered vermin.”
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