Born to Run

by Stephen Kenson

  "Apart from making a tidy profit from the sale of 'lost' weapons and getting two major gangs to wipe each other out?" Jackie asked. "Does he need another reason?"

  "But then why supply both sides?" Kellan asked, and the decker shrugged.

  "Double the profit, double the fun." she said. "Whatever his plan, it doesn't look like it affects us."

  "What about Orion?" Kellan asked.

  "What about him?"

  "I think he should know about this."

  "Do you really think he'll believe you, with no evidence to tie any of this together?" Jackie asked. "Do you think you owe him something?"

  "I just don't like the idea of somebody I worked with getting played like that." she said stubbornly, and the decker couldn't restrain a small smile.

  "Then you're in the wrong business, kid." she said.

  Kellan bit back a retort. Even though she'd only worked with Orion that one time, he'd saved her life. He watched her back on the run, and she felt like she owed him the same.

  "I need you to do one more thing for me, Jackie." she said and the decker raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

  "Find out where Orion is."

  Chapter 14

  The elves called the neighborhood Tarislar, which meant “remembrance" in their language. According to Jackie Ozone, Tarislar gained its name after February 7, 2039, the Night of Rage, when violence against metahumans exploded across the metroplex. The survivors found shelter in the lawless parts of the Barrens. Many elves established themselves among the abandoned strip malls and decaying condoplexes of the southern Puyallup Barrens, vowing never to deal with such smallminded, hateful creatures as humans ever again.

  Even some twenty years later, they did their best to keep that promise. Tarislar meant the elves remembered, and humans weren't welcome on their turf.

  Jackie advised Kellan against going there, but when Kellan contacted Orion and told him she wanted to meet him, the elf insisted on the meet taking place on the outskirts of Ancients turf in the Barrens. So Kellan made her way to the place Orion described, an abandoned parking garage on the northern edge of Tarislar. It occurred to her for about the hundredth time as she walked up to the crumbling concrete structure that loomed over her head that she could be walking into a trap. She probably should have waited, tried to set up a meet in the daylight. As it was, there were few working streetlights in this part of the Barrens, and the darkening sky was overcast, reflecting some of the bright glow coming from the north. It was barely enough to see by, but Kellan made do.

  The inside of the building had long since been stripped of any useful materials, leaving only some stained and battered countertops, and a large, dark concrete-floored garage. There were old signs of fire damage in places, and Kellan briefly wondered if it was the riots, or even the eruption of Mount Rainier during the Ghost Dance that caused it. The lava flats were well to the south and east, but she'd heard the fires had raged through the southern parts of Seattle for weeks.

  There was no sign of anyone in the small booth at the entrance to the garage, so Kellan stepped into the dark, cavernous building.

  “Orion?" she called out softly. Then she felt the press of something cold and sharp along the side of her neck, and froze.

  "All right." the elf ganger's voice was menacing, and close enough that Kellan could feel the heat of his breath on her neck. "You called me. I'm here. What do you want?"

  "I want to talk." Kellan said, forcing her voice to remain calm, and keeping her hands clearly visible to show that she wasn't holding a weapon.

  "I don't hang with your kind." Orion replied coldly.

  "Look," Kellan said evenly, "I didn't come here to fight. If you're going to use that sword, then do it. Otherwise, put it away and I'll talk." She knew that she was taking a dangerous chance. There was a long pause. Then she felt the edge of the blade lift from her neck and heard the hiss of it sliding into its sheath.

  "So talk." Orion said, and Kellan turned slowly to face him.

  "Thanks." she replied, fighting the urge to run her hand across her neck to feel for blood. She kept her hands at her sides, maintaining the short distance between her and Orion.

  "I didn't like the feel of the situation at the end of the run." she began cautiously. "So I've been doing some digging. I know about Brickman and Knight Errant."

  The elf's eyes narrowed, and Kellan hurried to continue.

  "I'm not trying to frag up your deal," she said, "but I think it's already fragged. Brickman is up to something."

  "I don't know what you're talking about." Orion snapped, and he walked past Kellan to leave.

  "I think Brickman is setting you up!" Kellan called after him, but the elf didn't stop. "He's selling weapons to the Spikes, too!"

  That stopped Orion in his tracks. The elf warrior turned on his heel to look directly at Kellan.

  "What did you say?"

  "I said that Brickman is supplying weapons to the Spikes." she repeated. "He's playing both sides of the field and I think he's setting us all up."

  Orion took a couple steps closer. "And how do you know this?" He folded his arms across his chest and waited.

  "Like I said, I did some digging." she replied. "Brickman works for Knight Errant. He was able to get information on those Ares shipments because Knight Errant is an Ares subsidiary."

  "Of course Brickman works for Knight Errant." Orion interrupted. "That's how we knew his offer was for real."

  "His offer to set you up with weapons?" Kellan asked, looking for confirmation, but Orion just waited.

  "Look, I heard enough to know that the Ancients and Brickman had an agreement." she persisted.

  "He was supposed to supply us with weapons." the ganger said grudgingly. "I assumed that was the run he hired you for, but that shipment turned out to be something else."

  "That's why you were so surprised," Kellan said, "and why you were hacked off with Brickman."

  "He claimed it was just a test run, that he had information on the real shipment and he would set it up so we could take it ourselves and keep the entire haul."

  "Did that make sense to you?"

  The elf shrugged gracefully. "No, but who the frag knows why corporate Johnsons like Brickman do things? I figured as long as we got what we needed . . Then he paused. "So what's this about Brickman supplying weapons to the Spikes? Do you have any proof?"

  Kellan nodded and reached slowly into the pocket of her jacket to produce a data chip.

  "This has info on a previous Ares weapons shipment that got hijacked before Brickman hired us, and probably before he contacted you. Ares supposedly doesn't know what happened to it, and neither does Lone Star, but from everything I've heard, it fits right in with the time the Spikes suddenly got some new toys and started fragging with the Ancients. The report has been classified—by Brickman.”

  She held the chip out to Orion, who took it from her, turning it over in his fingers, as if he was absorbing the data along with its implications.

  "Even if that's all true," he said slowly, "you can't prove that the weapons ended up with the Spikes."

  "I know," Kellan replied, "but it makes sense. The timing is right and those guns haven't shown up anywhere else. Doesn't seem like that kind of firepower would stay off the streets for very long."

  Orion closed his fist on the data chip and tapped it against his lips as he thought things through.

  "It makes sense." Kellan continued. "Ares 'loses' some weapons to a hijacking. They make sure to report it to Lone Star so it's officially recorded that the weapons are 'stolen.' Then Brickman puts the guns into the hands of one of the biggest gangs in the plex, knowing they'll use them as soon as they can. Then, when the Spikes cause trouble for you, Brickman makes you the same offer: he'll arrange for a shipment of guns to disappear, then hand them over to the Ancients so you can fight back against the Spikes. In the meantime, he hires some shadowrunners to do a test run and help establish a pattern of hijackings, maybe even set up someone else to tak
e the blame when it all goes down."

  Orion cocked his head, listening intently as Kellan raced ahead, the words spilling out of her.

  "So then you and the Spikes go to war and pretty much wipe each other out with all the new guns. Gang violence in the plex goes through the roof, and then . . . and then Ares can step in and show how Lone Star isn't doing its job policing the metroplex! After all, they've let all these hijackings happen, and now there are gang wars galore. Knight Errant can make a real case for the metroplex police contract to be awarded to them when it comes up for renewal. And policing the Barrens will be that much easier once the Ancients and the Spikes and a few other gangs have wiped each other out in a big war."

  "You're crazy." Orion said, shaking his head.

  "You know I'm not." she replied. "C'mon! What's Brickman's angle? What's his cut when you get the weapons?" she asked and Orion shook his head.

  "Nothing." he said.

  "Exactly. So what's in it for him?"

  "What's in it for you?" Orion countered. "Why are you even telling me this? I mean, you got paid. You did your job. You're not involved any more."

  "I am if Brickman is using us to set up something like this." Kellan countered. "He used us to make his setup look convincing, and he may be planning to pin the blame for all this drek on us. I don't like playing the fall guy, and I don't like being used."

  Orion snorted. "Get used to it." he said, echoing Jackie Ozone's words. "You're a shadowrunner. People use you."

  "What about you?" Kellan asked. "Do you just let people use you? Because that's what's happening here, Orion, and you know it! Brickman is setting you up, plain and simple! He's using you! If you're okay with being someone else's puppet, then fine. I did what I needed to do." She turned and headed for the door, her steps loud in the darkened garage.

  "Wait." Orion said, and Kellan turned to face him again. The elf ganger's expression had lost some of its arrogance. He opened his hand and looked at the data chip Kellan had given him.

  "You're sure about this?"

  "Dead sure."

  "All right." the elf said. "You'd better be, because it's not me we have to convince."

  "We?" Kellan asked.

  "Yeah," Orion said, "if you meant what you said about not wanting to let Brickman pull this off."

  "Yeah, I did."

  "Okay, then there's somebody you need to talk to."

  * * *

  The leader of the Ancients was called Green Lucifer, and Kellan thought the name suited him. He was tall, even for an elf, all lean, tight muscle beneath the street leathers and the torn T-shirt and jeans. His height and slender build were enhanced by a high Mohawk, dyed the same vivid green as the "A" logo splashed on the back of his jacket. He wore fingerless black leather gloves with chrome studs, and flexed his fingers like a cat extending its claws. Kellan had the impression of a caged beast, like a lion lounging at the head of his pride, licking his chops, but ready to spring in an instant. The predatory look in his dark eyes gave Kellan the shivers, though she did her best not to show it.

  Orion managed to persuade the gang leader to at least listen to what Kellan had to say. She spelled out everything she and Jackie discovered in the Matrix and showed him the information on the data chip she had brought for Orion. She explained her theory of how Brickman was playing both ends against the middle, setting the two gangs up for a conflict that would benefit only Knight Errant and Ares in the long run. Green Lucifer listened carefully, taking it all in, giving her his complete attention.

  When she finished, the elf gang leader leaned back in the swivel chair in the small office above the old warehouse the Ancients claimed as part of their turf. It reminded Kellan of a throne, and Green Lucifer was, in his own way, king of his particular part of the plex.

  "So," he said in a surprisingly cultured voice, "tell me what you think of all this, Orion.” He raised one elegant eyebrow, pierced with a silver ring. Without even glancing at Kellan, Orion faced his leader, looking him right in the eye.

  "I think she's right." Orion said. "Brickman is playing us, and we shouldn't trust him. This whole deal reeks."

  "I see." Green Lucifer said. "And how would you suggest we deal with this situation?"

  Orion seemed surprised that the leader of the Ancients was asking for his opinion. He thought for a moment before he replied.

  "Get an explanation from Brickman." he said. "Find out the truth about what the frag is going on.”

  Green Lucifer nodded slowly. "Find out the truth . . . , " he repeated. He placed his hands on the arms of his chair and pushed himself up to stand, towering above the pair sitting opposite him.

  "You're certainly very quick to believe the words of this . . . human." he said to Orion, throwing a glance in Kellan's direction. His intonation made the word sound like a curse, and Kellan drew herself up in her chair.

  "She makes sense," Orion replied evenly, unbowed by his leader's scorn, "and I don't trust Brickman."

  "As is right. But you trust her? Why is that, I wonder." Green Lucifer turned his back on the two of them, strolling behind his chair before turning toward them again, resting his hands on the back of the chair. He moved and spoke like an actor, Kellan thought, striding across a stage.

  "Why is it," he repeated, "you suddenly decide this deal is a threat to us instead of the opportunity you considered it just a short while ago?"

  Before Orion could reply, Kellan spoke up, standing to emphasize her point.

  "I just explained that." she said. "Brickman is fraggin' playing you! He's setting you up!"

  A look of incredulity passed over Green Lucifer's face, as if he couldn't believe this mere human girl was speaking to him in such a manner. His brows drew together in a frown, then a tight smile twisted his face and he laughed. It was a harsh, bitter sound, with no real humor in it.

  "You poor girl." he said in a mocking tone. "Of course Brickman is playing his own game. So are we. So is everyone in the world." He spread his hands wide for emphasis. "It's the way of things. Do you really think that I blindly trust any human? Do you really think that the insights of some human child who has managed to evade her babysitter long enough to play at being a shadowrunner are of any use to me whatsoever?" He waved one hand in a dismissive gesture. "Go back to playing with your toys, little girl. I was making deals before you were even conceived. I know what I'm doing, and I don't need advice from the likes of you."

  Kellan stood where she was, the blood draining from her face as Green Lucifer's sneering tone and words cut her to the bone. She clenched her fists and stared daggers at the gang leader, who met her glare with a mocking detachment that only fanned the flames of Kellan's anger. She felt the fire building within her, felt the tingling of the amulet at her throat as the magical forces simmered, just waiting for her call.

  "Why, you stuck-up son of a ... ." she muttered, taking a step forward. Then Orion's hand was on her arm and she whirled to face him.

  "Not here," he said quietly, "not now." and Kellan swallowed an angry retort. He was right. She glared at Green Lucifer, who stood watching them, then she yanked her arm from Orion's grasp.

  "As for you, Orion," Lucifer continued, as if there'd been no interruption in his monologue, "I would think very carefully before discussing your theories with anyone else—and I would choose my friends more carefully in the future."

  "That's it?" Orion asked. "You're not going to do anything about this?"

  Green Lucifer's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Are you questioning my decision, Orion?" he asked in a low tone, flicking the question like a whip. Orion didn't shrink from it.

  "You're fraggin' right I am!" he said fiercely. "You're talking about selling us out to a corp!"

  The look on Lucifer's thin face was unreadable as the gang leader faced down Orion, who refused to look away. Then Lucifer smiled, sending a cold shiver down Kellan's spine.

  "Very well." he said. He stepped around Orion to the door of the small office. Opening it, he strode out,
heavy boots ringing on the metallic grate of the stairs bolted to the wall. Orion looked like he was in shock. Then, without a word, he set his jaw and turned to follow the Ancients' leader. Kellan wanted desperately to ask him what the frag was going on, but the look in Orion's eyes kept her quiet. She simply followed close behind him out the door.

  Green Lucifer stood near the head of the stairs leading down to the floor of the warehouse. Spread out below him were a couple dozen elves in biker leathers, their hair shaved into Mohawks and dyed outrageous colors. A few of them played pool at a table on one side of the room, others lounged, or tinkered with the motorcycles lined up near the loading-bay door.

  "It seems," Green Lucifer said in a tone that echoed in the open space of the warehouse, "that Orion has a problem with the way that I choose to run things around here. Is that right, Orion?"

  All eyes in the room went to where Orion and Kellan stood at the top of the stairs, and Kellan was suddenly aware of how quiet it had gotten. She held her breath, heart pounding, as the Ancients waited for Orion's response. She realized that Green Lucifer was giving Orion one more chance to change his mind, to admit his mistake and smooth things over. He looked across at Green Lucifer, not taking his eyes off the gang leader for a moment.

  "That's right." he replied clearly. "I say you're selling us out."

  Suddenly, the elves on the floor below moved as one, parting like leaves in the wind. Green Lucifer descended to the bottom of the staircase and moved out into the circle formed by the members of the gang.

  "Stay on the stairs." Orion said to Kellan.

  "Orion . . . ." she began.

  "Stay on the stairs." he repeated, then he turned and walked slowly down the stairs. Kellan followed close behind, staying on the next to the last step as Orion stepped down and walked into the circle.

  One of the Ancients held out a scabbarded sword to Green Lucifer. He grasped the hilt without taking his eyes off Orion and drew the blade from its sheath with a slither of steel on steel. The razor-sharp edge gleamed in the dim light of the room. Orion reached over his shoulder and slowly drew his own sword. Both men raised their blades in a ceremonial salute.