by Jake Bible
“Yep, that would explain it,” Masters agreed.
***
The UDC train powered down and the doors to the two cars behind the engine opened. Twenty UDC troops stepped onto the platform from the second car and surveyed the scene. Their commanding officer walked to the first car.
“Clear. You may disembark now.”
Two med techs exited the first car, each carrying a medium sized titanium case.
Capreze crossed from the hangar. “Evening. Welcome.”
“Sergeant Major Crowley, sir. I’ll be overseeing the inoculations,” the troop officer said, offering a salute which Capreze promptly returned.
“Excellent. If you will all follow me, I’ll show you where you can set up.”
***
The Boss left June to shiver and shake on her own. She tried to huddle her body against the wall for warmth, but even the slightest movement made her head explode and she cried out.
“There, there now, dear,” a woman’s voice said, as June felt a blanket being draped across her. “This will help. I know how it is.”
“You had this done to you? Who are you?” June asked, unable to turn her head to see her visitor.
“I was the one with the knife, sweetie. I took out your chip… I used to be a UDC doctor.”
***
Lights flashed behind the SUV.
“Shit!” Jay yelled. “We don’t have time for this.”
Masters glanced back at the FBPD cycle closing in on them. Its siren sounded twice then held when Jay didn’t pull the SUV over.
“Fuck ‘em,” Masters said. “Head to the med center. I’ll talk us out of it.”
Jay laughed. “You think Rodriguez hasn’t put you on the ‘fuck with’ list? Good luck.”
“Fuck ‘em,” Masters said again.
“Good plan. Way to think it through.” Jay shook his head.
“Um, can mech pilots be arrested?” the Rookie asked.
“Yes,” Masters and Jay answered in unison.
***
“This should be enough space,” Capreze stated as they entered the mess. “We have coffee ready if you’d like.”
Sergeant Major Crowley surveyed the room and motioned for his team to take up positions. Two groups broke off and spaced themselves evenly about the walls, carbines lowered, but at the ready. “We aren’t allowed to fraternize. Coffee won’t be necessary.”
Rachel approached Crowley with a steaming mug. “You don’t have to talk to us, but I’d hate for you to pass up the best coffee ever.”
The aroma from the mug made Crowley’s eyes widen. “That does smell good, pilot.”
***
“I shot the req to your tablet. It’ll tell you who to ask for,” Jay said, watching the FBPD officer in the rearview monitor. “Make it quick. We got some drinkin’ to do.”
“I don’t know. Last time I drank with you I ended up banished on this trip with you two,” the Rookie laughed.
“Banished?” Masters asked, sounding pissed. “I was at the base for six months before Capreze let me make a req trip, so shut the fuck up.”
“Just hurry,” Jay said as the officer tapped roughly on the driver’s window. Jay looked to Masters. “You’re on.”
***
“Ma’am, I think I speak for all of my men: this is the best damn coffee ever,” Crowley stated and each of the UDC soldiers lifted their mugs in salute.
Rachel grinned. “Well, drink up. I’ll be sure and send some with you.”
“Thank you.” Crowley downed his coffee and the other soldiers followed suit.
“We’re ready,” a med tech said.
“Commander, please send in your staff.”
“Of course, Sergeant Major. They should be along in 3…2…1.”
One by one the soldiers began to sway then drop. Crowley tried to lift his carbine, but failed, falling unconscious to the floor.
***
“We’re closed,” the receptionist called out as the Rookie walked into the med center lobby. “Emergencies go to FB general.”
“I know, sorry. I’m with…I’m a mech pilot. I just need to drop off a supply req to a Doctor…” The Rookie fumbled with his tablet, looking for the name. “…Lisbon?”
The receptionist looked up suddenly at the mention of Lisbon’s name. “Oh, I’m sorry, Doctor Lisbon is no longer with us.”
“Oh…transferred?”
“No, you misunderstand. Dr. Lisbon passed away last week.”
“Really? Sorry to hear that,” the Rookie paused. “Then who do I give the req to?”
***
“How long have you been here?” June asked between the waves of pain shooting up and down her spine.
“Forty three years, six months and seven days.”
June gasped. “My God…You didn’t try to escape?”
The woman laughed. “Of course, but there’s only two ways out: death or banishment into the waste.”
“No one’s ever escaped?”
“One. My grandson. I was able to help him leave. But my son took my feet for it when he found out, so I couldn’t follow.”
June cried out as feeling returned to her legs. Pain flayed her nerves open and set them afire.
***
Masters was standing outside the SUV, talking with the FBPD officer when the Rookie came out of the med center.
“Here he is, Officer,” Masters grinned, nodding towards the Rookie.
The Rookie stopped short as the FBPD officer came around the SUV and approached him, retinal scanner in hand.
“Let him scan you so we can get moving,” Masters smiled. “He just needs complete records for his report.”
“Please hold still,” the officer commanded placing the scanner close to the Rookie’s right eye.
The scanner bleeped sharply and the officer checked it, puzzled. “That’s strange… This says you don’t exist.”
***
The two med techs stood frozen.
“Rachel, would you mind showing these two to a holding cell?” Capreze asked.
“Gladly,” Rachel answered, pulling her sidearm and gesturing for the techs to move.
“We are supposed to report to the train pilots within the hour,” a tech stammered.
“You can report to them right now. They’re waiting for you in the cell,” Capreze said.
Rachel ushered the techs out the door as Bisby came in. He glanced at the soldiers. “That’s some powerful coffee,” he laughed.
“This plan is stretched thin, Biz. I hope we can pull it off,” Capreze sighed.
***
The officer scanned the Rookie again with the same result. “Nope, you’re still a ghost. Shoot me your ID validation codes, sir.”
Masters stepped next to the Rookie. “Is this necessary, Officer? I mean, we both check out” -Masters motioned towards Jay who in turn waved enthusiastically- “I’m sure it’s just a record keeping glitch.”
“Your code, sir?” the officer insisted. The Rookie looked to Masters who just shrugged.
“Um, sure.” The Rookie tapped at his tablet. “There you go.”
The officer studied his own tablet. “Looks in order. Sorry to bother you Pilot-“
“Are we done here?” Jay interrupted.
***
“My legs are burning!” June cried out.
“That’s just the nerves turning back on. The pain is a good sign,” the woman soothed.
“Fuck you it’s a good sign!” June yelled.
“Removing a Reaper chip is not easy. You are lucky to be alive, let alone feeling anything.”
The pain subsided and June took deep breaths.
“Better?” the woman asked.
“Yes, barely.”
“It’ll go away.” June heard a chair scrape the floor. “I’ll be back with some food and water. Don’t try to move. You aren’t out of the woods yet.”
“Woods?” June asked.
“Just something my grandmother would say.”
“That was weird,” Masters said as the three pilots drove on. “Never seen a scanner glitch like that.”
“That’s tech for you,” the Rookie quipped. “By the way, Lisbon’s dead.”
“What?!?” Jay nearly shouted. “Dead? What from?”
“Don’t know. Receptionist didn’t say.”
“Who’d you give the req to?” Masters asked.
“The receptionist. She said she’d pass it on and have everything ready by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Excellent. Then let’s get this show on the road!” Jay whooped.
The Rookie caught Masters eyeing him. “What?”
“I’ve just never seen a scanner glitch before, that’s all.”
“You already said that.”
“I meant it.”
***
“It’s up to the two of you now,” Capreze said, handing Jethro and Themopolous each a titanium case. “I hope you can figure this out.”
“We’ll try, sir,” Themopolous said.
Capreze stepped to the door. “I’ll be with the pilots securing the UDC troops. Com me if you find anything.” He looked them both in the eye then left the exam room.
“You know anything about nanotech?” Jethro asked Themopolous.
“No. You?”
“Not a thing. Jay’s the theory guy. I’m just the grunt that keeps shit running.”
“Well, it’s time for us both to theory-up,” Themopolous said, opening her case.
***
“Here you go, gentlemen,” Jay said as he pulled to the curb in front of the UDC diplomatic lodging building. “I’ll be back to get you two in a couple hours.”
“What? Where are you going?” the Rookie asked, confused.
“Jay’s got needs to take care of,” Masters laughed grabbing a bag and tossing it at the Rookie.
The Rookie raised his eyebrows. “The Commander is okay with this?”
Jay snorted. “Not a fucking clue. What I do with my time while on a req run is my business.” Jay narrowed his eyes. “I’d like to keep it that way.”
***
“These mother fuckers were armed for full on fucking war!” Harlow exclaimed as Capreze entered the mess, seeing the organized piles of rifles, pistols, grenades, knives and various other weapons and instruments. Each of the soldiers was trussed up with their arms and legs tied behind their backs. All remained unconscious.
“Well, they were on security detail through the waste,” Mathew said.
“No, 90% of that gear would be stored on board the train. The only reason they’d be armed like that is if they expected trouble,” Rachel responded.
“They got it,” Bisby smirked.
“Yes, Biz, they did,” Capreze agreed.
***
“Wow, nice digs,” the Rookie whistled in appreciation as he tossed his pack on the double bed.
“We got lucky,” Masters said tossing his pack on his own double bed. “Don’t expect this every time, usually we’re stuck in the security barracks in the basement. These rooms are pretty much occupied by UDC brass and visiting politicians from other city/states. But I ain’t complaining.”
Masters kicked his boots off and flopped onto the bed. “You’ll want to grab a shower before we head out tonight.”
“Where are we going, by the way?”
“Oh, you’ll see. Jay never disappoints, trust me.”
***
“What is it?” June asked as the woman carefully positioned June’s head so she could eat.
“Food,” the woman answered lifting a spoon.
“What food?” June focused on the spoon, trying to figure out the contents of the stew-like substance.
The woman stayed silent.
“Why won’t you answer me?”
“You don’t want to know the answer.”
“No. I won’t eat that.”
“Maybe you just need to work up an appetite,” the Boss said from the doorway.
“Leave her be!”
“Just because you’re my mother don’t mean I won’t rape you ‘til sunrise!” the Boss yelled. “Now get the fuck out!”
***
Masters was snoring soundly when the Rookie stepped from the bathroom, freshly scrubbed. He scooped up the mini-tablet on the bedside table and switched on the vid screen, scanning for the local news feed.
“…while half the population is over the flu bug going around, the other half is still trying to recover. Local health authorities insist there is no relation to the mandatory inoculations given earlier this month.
“In other news, School Superintendent Pierce…”
The Rookie switched the vid screen off and stretched out on his bed. Exhausted, he was fast asleep in seconds, his light snores joining Masters’.
Part Two- The Cage
“HEY! WAKE THE FUCK UP!”
Both Masters and the Rookie sat upright, clawing at their coms.
“Sweet fuck!”
“What the hell?!?”
“Ah, there you two are. Put your party dresses on ladies, it’s time to get in some trouble! Get your asses down here and let’s go!”
“Let me piss first,” Masters yawned.
The Rookie rubbed his ear. “Fuck, I think I’m deaf.”
“Bullshit. Get you ass down here. Debauchery doesn’t just happen, you know.”
“He really gets into this shit, huh?” the Rookie asked.
“You ain’t seen nothing like a night out with Jay.”
“Damn fucking right! Now MOVE!”
***
“Where we headed?” the Rookie asked, watching the building lights wiz by as Jay swerved in and out of traffic. “And why are we in such a fucking hurry?”
“Oh, you’ll see,” Jay smirked. “And we are hurrying so we don’t miss the first bout.”
“First bout?” Masters asked. “No way! How’d you get us on the list?”
“I called in a favor. Broke my heart to do it, but figured we should show the Rookie how to live a little.”
“Fucking sweet!”
“Bout?” the Rookie asked, his blood running cold. “Jay, where exactly are we going?”
Jay’s smirk widened.
***
“This is going to be fucking great! I wish Harlow could see this. Man is she going to be pissed she missed it,” Masters said, literally bouncing in his seat as Jay punched in a code to the parking garage they pulled up to. The gate lifted and they drove through, circling down several levels until they were stopped by two very large, well armed guards.
“Pass code?” one guard asked.
“Legit’s bitch,” Jay said casually.
“Alright. Hop on out guys. Jimmy here will show you the way,” the guard said, handing Jay a valet ticket.
“Fucking great!” Masters repeated.
***
Bass boomed, shaking the narrow stairs that Jimmy led the pilots down. He pounded twice on a massive iron door at the bottom. Within seconds it opened, revealing a cavernous space crowded with people, yelling, laughing and drinking.
At the center of the space was an enormous steel cage surrounding a blood stained mat.
“Follow me, gentlemen,” Jimmy said, parting the crowd with his bulk.
Masters and Jay followed eagerly, but the Rookie froze. Masters turned to say something and frowned, seeing the Rookie’s face.
“What’s up, kid?”
“I shouldn’t be here.”
Masters grabbed the Rookie and yanked him along.
***
“Holy shit! Jay Rind! Long time, my friend!” Legit exclaimed, clasping Jay’s hand and patting him on the shoulder as Jimmy excused himself, having led the three pilots to a private box set up in front of the fight cage. “How long has it been?”
“Not long enough, you ugly bastard!” Jay shouted, trying to be heard above the crowd yelling and calling for the first fight to start.
“Scoot the fuck over!” Legit ordered three spectators
seated in the box. They unquestioningly got up and moved. Legit motioned for the three to sit then stopped short, eyeing the Rookie.
***
“Mitch Masters. Damn glad to meet ya,” Mitch said extending his hand. Legit took his eyes away from the Rookie and shook Masters’ hand.
“Masters you say?” Legit smiled. “You’ve made quite a name for yourself. I saw the vid from the Smyrna battle. Impressive.”
Legit didn’t wait for Masters to respond, stepping around him to the Rookie.
“You’ve got balls coming back,” Legit said with honest surprise and a dangerous smile.
“No, Legit, that’s our new Rookie,” Jay said.
Legit turned to Jay. “You really don’t know who this is, do you?” Legit laughed heartily. “This is fucking priceless!”
***
“You want the bullet between your eyes now or after you watch a fight or two?” Legit asked the Rookie, eyes cold.
The Rookie responded by cracking his neck and stepping forward.
One of Legit’s bodyguards grabbed the Rookie’s shoulder. With blinding speed the Rookie reached up and snapped two of his fingers back, forcing the muscled man to the floor.
“You want him to keep these?” the Rookie asked, never taking his eyes from Legit’s.
Jay stepped between the two men. “I don’t know what is fucking going on, but can we dial down the murder and mayhem talk?”
***
Legit and the Rookie locked eyes for a few moments then Legit smiled and raised his hands. “You know what? I’m a reasonable man. How about you let my man go and we have a seat and talk some business?”
The Rookie let go of the bodyguard’s fingers, but didn’t sit.
Jay looked from the Rookie to Legit. “Anyone gonna tell us what’s going on?”
Legit sat down and lit a cigar, puffing until the end cherried red. “You really don’t know?”
“Not a clue.”
“Come on Jay, you’ve never heard of the Razor?”
The Rookie sighed and sat down.
***
“The Razor?” Jay sat down abruptly. “You’re the fucking Razor?”
The Rookie wouldn’t meet Jay’s gaze. “Yeah.”
“Who’s the Razor? I mean, I know now, but who was he, you, who-the-fuck-ever?” Masters asked, looking from Jay to the Rookie to Legit and back again.
“Best fighter to ever enter that ring,” Legit answered, nodding towards the steel cage. “284 fights. Undefeated.”
