“How are you getting on?” Valerie asked her.
“Ettin ere,” was the muffled reply.
“Sorry?” Hanna scooted out from underneath and took the screwdriver out of her mouth.
“Getting there. It’ll never be as good as my Rig at the Sun. Too many off-the-shelf components and while I learnt a lot from Sneaker and Ironworks, when we put that Rig together, it’s a lot different to do it on your own.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’ve done a brilliant job in not a lot of time.” Hanna looked around at what she built and shook her head.
“I hope so. How did it go with Cracker?”
Valerie leaned against the door frame and nodded. “It went well. I think the Pimps got the message and more importantly so did Cracker. The law has been laid down to them and he understands what I expect out of his Enforcers. He’ll make sure his people live up to their name and keep the Pimps in line. I’ll give it a week for the word to spread properly and then we’ll do the same for the Dealers.”
“Good.” The steel in the girl’s voice was perfectly understandable to Valerie given Hanna’s history. “Valerie,” she continued in a more normal tone. “What are we doing here? We’ve put down some pretty thick roots. I know we need a network of sorts, but this is going a bit far. Deni said we’ll actually be making money on the Workshop.”
“The people we’re going after will be right at the centre of the Pantheon Family networks and that means they’ll be right here on Olympus, if not Zeus itself. After the law firm Granath and Dietze, Pomykala put us on to, there will be other layers of protection. We could be here for a while chasing those leads down. If you were searching for someone, would you look at a thriving gang, legitimate business or someone holed up in a bolthole somewhere?”
Nodding, Hanna looked thoughtful. “I can see you’ve done this before.”
Not exactly,” Valerie smiled and shook her head. “This isn’t standard protocol for a Legion covert insertion onto a hostile world. Outside of the Pantheon, the criminal gangs are always on the local law enforcements radar and will be tracked or under some sort of surveillance. The Legion taught us to avoid them.” She couldn’t help the slight snort of disgust.
“Here, they’re ignored as the Manuals problem and considered to be not worth the police’s time. I saw how little police attention Sneaker got. I don’t think anyone in authority has realised just how good the gangs are. I was very surprised at the competency shown by Sneaker and all the Crew. Even Tumbler ran her gang smoothly. When we took over her area, it was very well organised.”
“Huh. I never looked at it that way.”
“No reason for you to. I’ve probably got what you call a unique perspective. Anyway, I need you to look into something for me.”
“Of course. What up?”
“Here,” Valerie handed over a slip of paper. “I need everything you can find for the security at that address. There’s no rush. If you think you need more work on your Rig first, do that. It’s more important to not get caught.”
“Valerie, I don’t tell you how to go around killing people, so please don’t tell me how to do my job.”
Holding her hands up in surrender, Valerie smiled. “Sorry. You’re right. I’ll keep my nose out. Let me know when you’ve got the info.”
“Will do. What about floor plans?”
“I don’t need them. I’ve been there quite a few times. I just need to know what security I need to avoid getting inside.”
“Oh, whose address is this?” Hanna said frowning.
Valerie took a breath before answering. “Tom’s parents. I need....” the words were difficult to say. “I need to see his mother. There are a couple of questions I need to ask and... she needs to know what really happened to her son and grandchildren.”
There was sympathy in Hanna’s eyes, but all she said was. “I’ll get on it and let you know.”
“Thanks.” Valerie turned away and went to her room. Shutting the door behind her, she sat on her bed. The tears she felt at the corners of her eyes from the admission, leaked out and ran slowly down her cheeks. The nightmares hadn’t stopped. They continued every night. She was grateful to both of the girls for never mentioning them during the trip from Blaze in their small cramped cabin. Valerie awoke crying in the dark every night without fail.
This was the first time in a while they sprang on her during the day. Taking a deep breath, Valerie scrubbed the salty tears from her cheeks with the palms of her hands and stood. A splash of water from the small sink washed what was left away and she was ready to face the world again.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Ahhh. Damn it, Pat. You did that on purpose!” His opponent exclaimed after the ball careened off his head.
“You’ve got to be faster and I believe that is game, set and match to me.” Patrick Dorme said and disengaged his grav harness, floating gently to the floor.
“It wasn’t exactly sporting.” Marco Koudstaal pouted.
“A win is a win and a wager is a wager.”
“Of course, of course. I’ll have it transferred over to you.” Marco picked up a towel from the edge of the court and wiped the sweat from his face. “Perhaps you can give me a chance to win it back.”
“Another round?” Dorme queried with a raised eyebrow.
“Lightning no! You’ve proved I need to get myself back into shape. It’s been too long since the Marines. Cards. My place next week. You in?”
“I think I could manage that. Send me the details and I’ll let me know.” Dorme said and swept out of the zero G tennis court.
After a shower and a change of clothes, Dorme made his way up to the Club’s bar. Marco had a meeting and headed straight off, but he was sure there would be others worth talking to. There were no outstanding jobs at the moment and he was in no rush. A leisurely afternoon with drinks and decent conversation would be just the way to spend his time.
“Mr Dorme?” He turned and saw a man and a woman walking towards him. Their suits were off the shelf, not tailored and he could see the slight bulge of hidden weapons under their jackets. The way they carried themselves spoke of confidence, whatever happened they were convinced they could handle it. The slightly aged faces showed they were from Manual stock and much younger than him.
Too confident in their own abilities to be police they had to be Devils. Dorme wasn’t worried, if someone wanted him dead, it wouldn’t be Devils sent after him and not in such a public place.
“Yes?” He deliberately exaggerated the sneer in his tone.
“Come with us, please,” the man told him and it wasn’t a request.
“And where would we be going?”
“You’ll find out when we arrive,” her tone wanted him to argue. Devils weren’t like most Manuals, they thought it made them special. He was tempted, with his greater level of experience, he did not think he would struggle to neutralise these two. He was also armed with a small Pulse pistol hidden, far better than theirs, by his tailored suit. A tingling at his back identified a new threat. A glance over his shoulder showed two more identically dressed Devils had arrived. Four to one odds made it much more likely he would lose. While winning a fight in the Club would only heighten his reputation, losing was not tolerable.
“Since you have made me curious as to what this is about. Lead on.” They weren’t fooled in the slightest. They knew he was cornered and would have no choice, but to do as they said. The two behind stepped up to Dorme’s shoulder. He was forced to follow the first two out of the Club and into a black aircar.
They were respectful of his skills and must have been briefed on his own time in the Devils. They gave him no opportunity to attack with any chance of success. The VI screens in the aircar were switched off and the cockpit’s door was closed. Dorme had no idea where they were going. Even the compensator was set to full. The aircar could be still sitting at the Club’s entrance for all he knew.
None of his escorts spoke and he had no intention of talking to the
m unless he needed to. The ride was a half an hour of silent boredom. After the first few minutes, Dorme shut his eyes. The Devils would not be fooled into thinking he was asleep, but it saved him from having to look at them.
The only indication of them arriving at their destination was the opening of the aircars door. Two of the escorts went first. Dorme stepped out into a hanger, so generic, it could belong to any of the towers in the city of Zeus. There were no identifying signs or features. A glance over his shoulder showed they even went as far as closing the bay doors.
His escorts led him through a secure door, only opening once they swiped their ID’s. Inside it was much the same as the hanger. The corridors were plain, the VI screens scattered along the walls were blank and there were no people to be seen. He was taken deep into the tower, through corridor after corridor, until his escorts stopped at a door identical to the dozens of others they passed.
The woman in the lead swiped her ID to open the door and waved him in. This trip had gone a bit too far and Dorme felt the slight flutter of nerves in his stomach. He still had his pistol, they had not searched him and not even asked if he was armed. It was unlikely they would try and kill him without doing that first. Why they would have brought him all this way?
The room was cleared of any identifying furniture. Only a low table, with a comfortable chair on either side, sat in the room. Dorme made an exaggerated gesture of getting himself comfortable. He relaxed into the chair and crossed his legs, stretching them out in front him. Leaning back, he gave a contented sigh, as though he had all the time in the world. They would be watching.
Time dragged by. It took quite the force of will to not get up and pace the room in frustration and impatience. By his best guess, he didn’t look at the chrono on his wristcomp once, it took a full hour before the door opened. A man stepped in, grey hair, stocky, with a former weight-lifters build he had not let go to seed. Dorme could not help the widening of his eyes.
“Grand Admiral Cestari.” Dorme gained control of himself and smiled slyly. “I imagined some high ranking General or Admiral sicced those dogs on me, but not the Commander in Chief himself.”
The Grand Admiral didn’t answer him until he settled himself into the other chair. “Patrick Dorme. Former Captain and commanding officer of Legion Commando Devil Company, Mantis. Unofficially dishonourably discharged for conduct unbecoming of an officer. Officially retired with full pay. Now assassin for hire.”
“Am I meant to be surprised, Admiral? I know full well you have access to every file in the Legion, including mine. I have no doubt there is an unofficial record of my activities during my time in the Legion.”
The look the Admiral returned was cold. “What you may not know, we have been keeping an eye on you after you left. While most of the Families are happy to sweep things away from the light of day, some of us don’t like people like you out in the open.”
“And what do you mean by people like me, Admiral?”
“Psychopaths.”
“Hah. That is a bit strong, is it not? I provide a service people pay good money for and business is brisk.”
“Don’t kid yourself, Dorme. You enjoy what you do too much, that’s why we kicked you out. You’re a serial killer. The Families have a use for you and it’s the only reason you haven’t been locked away.”
Dorme’s eyes narrowed. How dare Cestari belittle him. Forcing himself to relax, he smiled at the Admiral.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but perhaps you can get to why I’m here?”
“I have a job for you.”
“Of course you do,” Dorme sneered.
“The terms are this. You will be paid one million sovereigns on completion of the job. You will not tell anyone about anything I am about to show you. To ensure you’re compliance, I also have a list here of every one of your assassinations. It will be released publicly, should we think you have rescinded on our agreement. While you think you may have a good chance of hiding from the Legion, I think it would be much harder, if the Families of your victims were also spending their resources hunting you. Do we have an agreement?”
“This must be a choice target, and in that case, my fee is two million.”
“This is not a negotiation. Should you continue, I will release the list and find someone else.”
The Admiral’s eyes were hard and Dorme reminded himself he was not dealing with his normal breed of client. This man wasn’t jealous, greedy, envious or desperate. Antonio Cestari was one of the most powerful people in all of humanity. The demand for two million was almost instinctive and he regretted it.
“Show me the list first.”
Cestari passed over the datapad in his hand. The condescending smile going with it, made him want to draw his pistol and shoot the man in the face. The four Devils outside, along with the undoubted numerous others, stopped him. There was no chance Dorme would leave here alive unless the Admiral wanted him to.
Dorme looked down at the datapad. They might have one or two names, but that would be all. As he read the list, he felt the blood drain from his face. They were all there, every single person he killed in the last five years. Including those he did purely out of spite or whim. There were a few names missing, but they didn’t matter. They were nothing more than Manuals he killed for some variation. They were too easy and not enough sport to make it worthwhile on a normal day. Manuals didn’t have anyone who mattered caring about them.
“Of course, that’s your most recent history. L.I. have been watching you for a long time, so the files are quite extensive. Do we have a deal?”
“Yes.” Dorme forced the word out. Cestari had him and the Admiral knew it.
The Admiral held out his hand for the datapad and Dorme passed it to him. Cestari entered the security code to unlock the rest of the data and handed it back.
“Your target is Major Valerie Carter. She is currently being hunted by every branch of the government. Due to the highly sensitive nature of this case, they only have her DNA profile. As of yet, they have not been successful. What you have there is all the relevant data you will need, including pictures, holovids from actual combat operations and all her known associates. I assure you none of it has been enhanced or doctored in anyway. This woman is the most dangerous person in known space. She is not to be taken lightly and I would suggest...”
***
“Are you sure this is a good idea, sir?” Wioletta asked from behind him.
Antonio Cestari turned away from the window of his office, from where he watched Dorme’s aircar fly away to return him to his Club. Looking at his Chief of Staff he nodded.
“It has been months and we have not found anything to give us a lead on Carter’s location. We have been forced to hamstring all of our assets searching for her and it’s not working. Has there been anything from our units inside and around Granath & Dietze? ”
“No, sir. No one matching her description or DNA has entered the tower where their office is based. Our facial recognition software is running thirty hours a day, seven days a week, on everyone in the block with no hits.”
“If only we had a system powerful enough to do that planet wide. Computers don’t care who you are looking for.”
“No, sir. The programs get too unstable with so many variables. Perhaps she never left Blaze? She could still be there, for all we know.”
Smiling, Antonio shook his head. “You never met her did you, Wioletta?”
“No, sir, but I’ve read her file as thoroughly as it is possible to do so. She knows enough about what she would be going up against, once she told Noomi Pomykala your name, to realise she tipped her hand too far.”
“Carter has never quit at anything in her life. I sometimes think that is why she survived out of all those children. The most important people to her, were always those she commanded. She felt a responsibility for them unmatched by her contemporaries. Even as a young Lieutenant, she would stand up for her Manual troops against much senior officers. Imagine
that loyalty transferred to her children.”
He shook his head again. “No, she knew exactly what she was doing. She’s here on Olympus somewhere and when she’s ready, she will rain down fire and destruction. I would really rather catch her before she does that. If it means we have to bring scum like Dorme into the fold to do it, then so be it. Better the Devil you can control than the Devil you can’t.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It was the middle of the night but the street lights all along the road gave plenty of illumination as their small rented hovercar made its way along. Identical to all the hovercars the Privileged used for their short trips, where it was not worth talking the aircar, it fit in perfectly. Deni was at the wheel, cool and calm, while she drove through the middle of this Privileged suburb.
“How are you getting on, Hanna?” Valerie said into her com from the passenger seat.
“I’m into their system,” she reported from the Workshop. “Nothing has changed since I took a look last week. I’m uploading your spec’s into my ignore program along with all the tech you have. I still can’t believe they’re hooked up to the datanet like this. It leaves them wide open to a Hack.”
“Stay on task, Hanna.” Valerie admonished. She wanted to tell her how proud of the girl she was. How she was probably the best Hacker, with the exception of Sneaker, in the Pantheon. The gangs on Zeus showed a much better level of competence than anyone in authority realised. Those on Blaze were even better, but there the authorities implemented hard-wall security, completely cutting their systems off from the local datanet. The only exceptions were heavily defended access points.
Valerie couldn’t praise Hanna. It was taking all her concentration to keep her emotions in check. Her entire being practically vibrated with dread for the conversation she was going to have all too shortly.
Crusade For Vengeance (Dark Vengeance Book 2) Page 10
