Ajax: Relinquished

by Gavin Magson

  “Please, call me Kathy; no one calls me Katherine any more. I'll have a look what there is left.”

  He sat in her vacated seat and picked up the book, scanning over the words to determine what she had been reading. Kathy flashed him a look but did not scold him for reading its pages, instead surprised that he had taken an interest in it.

  “I did not think that your average mercenary was literate.” she said, lighting a match under the stove until flames caught.

  “You would be surprised by just how above average I am. I could say the same to you, I didn't think many people in the slums were taught how to read and write.”

  “I didn't grow up here, this is just where I live now. Some bad stuff happened to my family a few years ago, we had to leave our home and this is where we ended up. My parents ran this guest house since I was eight and now my sister and I have inherited it.”

  “What happened to your parents?” he knew instantly from her expression that the question should not have been asked, their lack of presence was answer enough.

  Katherine's eyes began to well up, the twinkle of tears rapidly batted away as she turned from him. She pulled out ingredients from the cupboards and began dicing them on a battered wooden chopping board, leaving Ajax to read the first page of the book and ignore his question.

  The book was obviously a romance story, that much he discovered within the first paragraph. Ajax skimmed through the first few pages, reading about an awkward girl who meets a confident and powerful business man. The author had written the girls character to make her seem weak and quiet, with the presence of a powerful man making her feel safe; Ajax rolled his eyes at the story. He did not need to read on in order to know how the plot developed and placed the creased paper bookmark back between the pages.

  “I am sorry, Kathy, I should have known better and not asked you that question. How long have you and Angelica been running your guesthouse?”

  A few muffled sobs were the only sounds that came from Katherine as she tried to gain her composure. The ingredients went in a pan and the soft sizzle of cooking food drowned out her emotions. When she turned back to Ajax the tears had been wiped from her face, leaving puffy, red eyes.

  “It has nearly been two years now since they passed, along with my brother. My father was always adamant we would never give board to the scum, murderers, or junkies that inhabit our fair sector. I remember him laying this thug out with one punch, in front of the man's friends. He didn't even back down when they pulled knives out, just stood his ground and said he would not allow their sort to stay here. He was the bravest man I knew.

  “It was his beliefs that killed him in the end, should have been all of us but Gel and I were down in the market when it happened. These men showed up, too many for my dad to handle, they killed all of them; even my baby brother. You can’t understand what it’s like to come home to find your brother nailed to the wall, his body mutilated. Gel and I, we wanted revenge so badly that we hired a killer of our own. Since we had no money his boss proposed a deal where we would house his men in payment for the contract. Rine even gave us money to live by, said that no one else would want to stay here with his men as lodgers.”

  “That’s a horrible story, I don’t know how you two managed. I suppose that would explain why the four of us are staying in this guesthouse.” Ajax said.

  “Yes, this is our way of repaying for our revenge. After all the killer lived up to his side of the deal, made sure each and every man present at my family’s slaughter paid for what they did.” Katherine stopped stirring the pans contents and ladled it out onto a plate that she set down in front of Ajax. “Not that it made the pain go away, truth be told there was hardly any satisfaction in the knowledge that those murderers were dead.”

  He took to the meal with vigour, making short work of it before the plate was clean. Katherine smiled at the noises Ajax made in his haste to demolish the meal, which left her expression far more carefree and at ease. She took the plate from him carefully, in case his hunger was not sated and human flesh began to entice him; who knew what a mercenary was capable of? With the plate in the sink she sat down at the table, opposite Ajax.

  “Killing rarely brings any satisfaction, no matter the circumstance. I have killed dozens of men in the last few months, all out to inflict harm on myself, people I care for, or those that cannot defend themselves. In my eyes it was all justified, no cause for regret, yet that is all I do when I think of my actions. Those men deserved punishment for what they did, which is just what they received. Unfortunately it does not bring back the dead, which is no doubt why you found little comfort in knowing they were dead, never to hurt anyone again.”

  Katherine stared down at the tables surface for a while, lost in thought about what Ajax had said. When she did finally speak it was with less sorrow and regret in her voice. “I know, deep down, that what you say is true; I wish for nothing more than my family to be whole again. Let's talk about something different before I spend the rest of tonight crying.”

  “That is a deal, I don't want to cause you more upset. On a lighter note your sister could probably find a lot of success in my line of work, she certainly knows how to stay hidden and quiet; she nearly gave me a heart attack when I came downstairs.”

  Katherine's laugh was uncertain at first, a quiet chuckle as the though washed over her. Soon it turned rich and real, the pain in her eyes finally gone. “You aren't wrong there; I have had to live with that ghost my entire life. There were times in my childhood when I would open my wardrobe only to find that she had hidden herself under a pile of clothes and nearly killed me with fright. I think it was the only thing she truly loved doing, scaring me that is.”

  They both shared the next laugh; the image of her sister spending her youth tormenting an on edge Katherine was just too amusing a mental picture for Ajax to contain himself.

  “I am truly sorry that we had to meet like this, Kathy, I'd like to think in a better scenario we could have become good friends had we been unburdened by the events that surround us. Thank you for breakfast, it really hit the spot. I'll be in my room if I am needed.”

  Why did that sound familiar to him? Ajax remembered Mel, the middle aged drug baron who he had left behind in Justice One. He was angry that his thoughts had not turned to the woman the entire time he had been free, too focused was he on enjoying his own freedom; would she even still be alive? He had said a similar thing to her only a few weeks ago, and meant it just as much.

  Before he could stand up Katherine reached across the small table, her hand rubbing at the knuckles of his. The feeling was so strange, he had become accustomed to atrocities of late and the gesture caught him off guard. Her fingers were soft, almost velvet like and so small when compared against his as they ran along old scars. He hadn't noticed just how young she was, yet it was so obvious when he stared into those open, fearful eyes of hers. Katherine must have grown up a lot in two years to survive without parents.

  “Thanks for the talk, Ajax, it was really nice to laugh again. It had been awhile, life can be so serious at times. Take care.”

  He stood up and gave her a smile, then climbed the basements steps. Angelica sat motionless in her chair, staring out of the darkened room through a gap in the curtain into the street beyond. He thought of telling her that there was such a remote chance of an attack that she did not need to be on lookout. He decided against it.

  Back in his room Ajax sat on the dilapidated mattress and propped his back up against the wall. He knew that his ammunition stockpile was running low, what little he had left behind on his last outing would not last him another day. He quickly typed up a message to Aiko.

  How do I go about ordering more ammunition? My reserves are quite low and I need some more before I can get back into action again – A

  He did not have to wait long for her reply.

  Just tell me what you need and I'll relay it to Beryl, should be with you by tonight. If you need any food or supplies we can deliv
er them as well – Aiko

  Food as well? If only he had known this a week ago, the meals could have been a little higher in standards. Ajax quickly surveyed the equipment in his room and planned out anything else he needed before sending Aiko another message.

  I need three hundred rifle rounds and a box of explosive tipped. Some kind of food selection would be nice, fresh meat and vegetables, whatever you think is suitable. Medical supplies, bandages, morphine if you can, anything like that. Also, a bottle of that spirit we shared in the Haven wouldn't go amiss. Thanks – A

  Will put the order through now, should be delivered in a few hours - Aiko

  Despite being full the thought of some proper food had his taste buds doing cartwheels, the

  prospect of a real meal was tantalising to him. His near bursting stomach was really messing with his energy levels, the sated feeling had left him drowsy and sluggish. Ajax slid down the wall to try and get comfy on his mattress, wrestling against creaking springs. His eyelids began to droop and Ajax drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 11

  Ajax awoke with a start, his hands automatically grabbing the handgun from beneath his pillow before realisation hit him that he had fallen asleep. Through the attics skylight, despite the green mould spread across the glass pane hindering him, Ajax could see that the sun was setting and night would soon take over the city.

  He remembered that Miles had mentioned trying to work under cover of darkness and guessed that he must be close to leaving, or had already departed without a last word. Despite having finally found a comfortable position on his mattress Ajax knew he should check up on Miles if he was still within the guesthouse.

  Ajax rose from the sunken mattress, stumbled as he stepped on a jagged spring and let out a stream of curses that almost shook the room. When he had calmed down he inspected his foot, Ajax was relieved that the wretched spring had not pierced his skin and regretted not ordering a new mattress when he had the chance.

  Ajax rounded up some socks and slipped them on stiffly. He stepped into his combat boots and tied up the laces to ensure protection from his room. He headed downstairs once more, remembering which door was Miles' this time around. The door opened whilst he was still knocking.

  Miles was certainly taking himself seriously. To complement his black jacket, trousers, boots, and guns Miles had covered any visible skin with black camouflage paint, the empty tin visible on his room’s floor.

  “You had best be careful who you meet looking like that, Miles, some people would accuse you of being racist.” said a smirking Ajax.

  “Shut up and come in here you fool.”

  He was surprised not to be greeted by the strong smell of alcohol on the man's breath for once, perhaps Miles had realised that being drunk would only hinder him tonight? Miles sat down on the floor and finished off cleaning his weapons, Ajax watched as they were reassembled swiftly and without mistake.

  “Are you sure you still want to do this alone?” asked Ajax.

  “Don't worry about me, I have been doing this since before you were born,” Miles gave Ajax a quick glance, trying to calculate if this was true. “I was killing in the shadows whilst you were still shitting your pants, so don't doubt me.”

  If only Miles knew how wrong he was on that time frame, it would turn his greying hair white with shock. “I was only asking, no need to bite my head off. How long until you set off?”

  “As soon as I have finished checking over my guns I'll be gone. I am hoping that I won't have to use them tonight but it is better to be safe, just because I'm not looking for trouble doesn't mean I won't find it. Leaving a trail of dead might scare Malik off, not that his operation could be moved swiftly, but there is every chance he might flee the sector before there is time to act.”

  “I hope this goes without saying but you aren't going to try and take the man down all on your own, are you?” asked Ajax from the fold out chair.

  “Unless I am spying on the skyscraper from three streets away and find him stepping outside for a quick smoke I won't be trying to kill him tonight, I'm not some rookie who thinks he can take on the world.”

  The barrel was finally clean and Miles slotted his rifle back together, Ajax noted that the man kept eye contact with him the whole time, assembling the weapon from memory. He might not be a young man but Ajax was sure he was trying to impress. Miles strapped the rifle around his back and the handgun, with holster, to his right hip. A multitude of magazines were fitted into a black utility belt and a knife disappeared somewhere about his person.

  “Packing that much fire power are you sure that you won't be bagging Malik tonight?” asked Ajax, laughing at Miles' expression.

  “Like I said I am making sure that I will be safe out there, no matter what I come across.” When the man strapped a grenade to his belt Ajax was powerless to resist laughing at the sight. “It isn't what it looks like, so calm down. Could you hand me my tablet, it's next to your foot.”

  Ajax picked up the device, which he only now noticed for the first time and was surprised he had not stepped on it accidentally. The tablet had seen better days, its screen was cracked and the case scratched from years of wear. From what he had seen it still functioned, though it was probably only one more accident away from destruction. “Make sure you set this thing to silent, I wouldn't want you being killed by a message. Or dropping it from surprise and finally finishing it off.” Ajax said, gingerly handing the device over.

  “Good thinking, I knew I kept you around for something. It amazes me just how hardy the damn thing is, made it through its fair share of fire fights. I’m pretty sure shrapnel from a grenade was what finally broke the screen. Come on, I'm going to get too hot in this gear if I don't leave now.”

  Ajax exited first, Miles locked the door behind them and they headed downstairs. He was impressed how well Miles had disguised himself, there were no tell-tale glints of metal coming from him as he moved silently down the stairs. Ajax had a new respect for the man's skills and professionalism when the stakes were high, before tonight neither had been showcased to him in the field.

  Katherine and Angelica were talking in the kitchen when the men arrived, both had to stifle laughs at Miles' appearance, which was not helped by the smirk plastered across Ajax's face. If it weren’t for the fact that he was blacked up everyone would have seen him blush at the silent giggles.

  “I didn't realise there was a costume party tonight, if only you had said something I would have dusted off the maids outfit and joined you, Miles.” said Angelica.

  “Very funny, did you come up with that all on your own? I can't stop, ladies, I have some important business to attend to.” replied Miles as he unlocked and opened the outside door.

  In his haste to leave Miles almost tripped over the two crates outside the door, only just stopping himself in time. Ajax looked around the man to see what the holdup was and recognised the writing on one of the crates.

  “My supplies have arrived, damn they really don't mess around. Let me clear these out of your way.” said Ajax, stepping past the stunned Miles and hefting the two crates with ease. He deposited them next to the stove to the distinctive chink of metal on metal.

  Miles turned in the doorway and extended his right hand. Ajax gripped it in a tight handshake that could crush bones if he tried any harder, his eyes locked on Miles’. He released the hand and watched as the door closed swiftly, any heat that had been in the basement was now sacrificed to the night air.

  “Tell me that your costume isn't in there.” said Katherine, an innocent smile on her face as she nodded at the crates.

  “I wish that it was, I am sure that you two ladies would be smiling even more,” said Ajax, turning the top crate around and opening it away from the women. “This is actually for you, Kathy. I know you said food supplies have been scare so I expect a couple of hearty meals to stave off the cold in return for this.”

  Her face lit up when Ajax deposited two bags of colour rich vegetables and several sla
bs of meat on the kitchens work surface. He was not expecting the woman to leap out of her seat and hang off his neck in a tight embrace. She planted a multitude of kisses on both cheeks, his nose and forehead, leaving behind rouge marks from her lipstick. When she eventually let go he gasped for breath.

  “Thank you so much, this is the nicest thing to happen to me in so long. Oh, you will be having a fantastic meal tonight, I know just what I can make from this.” she said through tears of joy, their silver streaks already marring her face and apron.

  After Katherine opening up to him Ajax was not surprised by her claim that the gesture was the nicest thing someone had done for her in a while. He was warmed by her appreciation, yet disappointed that the small gesture of fresh food could drive her to tears; for the first time he truly felt guilt over joining this war.

  “You don't have to thank me so much, this was more to thank both of you for letting me stay here and not shooting me in the face on my first day. Make it last, I don't know how long it'll need to provide for us.”

  He pulled out the silver labelled bottle and smiled knowing that Aiko had come true on his shopping list. Ajax put the bottle back and hefted both crates to his shoulders, then headed for the ground floor steps.

  “I'll be back in a little bit for dinner. Which room is Jerry's?” he asked.

  “It's the door straight ahead of you on the first floor.” answered Angelica as she rifled through their newly acquired food.

  With a smile Ajax turned back and headed up the stairs, continuing onto the second set and all the way to his attic room. He stashed the bottle under his pillow and set down the two crates on top of an empty one. Amongst the food Ajax had noticed the medical supplies within their own small box, these he scooped out before leaving the room.

  He headed back down, stopped at Jerry's door and lightly knocked until Rex opened it. Ajax had not seen the man since returning from Rose's makeshift hospital, the man's haggard face shocked Ajax and gave the impression he had aged several years in such a short time.