#1 Shades of Gray- Noir, City Shrouded By Darkness

by Kristie Lynn Higgins

  "I guess I did–" Kim spoke as she looked behind them as the two T-3s rose to their feet, "–but we're not safe yet."

  One of the T-3s raised its gun, and Kim lifted the Glock and fired, missing the T-3. The bullet struck the SUV's gas tank and blew up the vehicle, and the explosion knocked down the two women.

  Dazed by the explosion, Kat moaned as she lifted her head. Smoke and dust clung to her lungs along with the smell of gas. None of the T-3s were moving. She looked to Kim who stirred.

  "There they are!" a man with light brown skin shouted. He and six other S.C.Ms. in jet-black uniforms rushed down the ramp; they trained their assault rifles on the women as the one man ordered, "Don't move!"

  Kat looked to the men's shoulder patch with the Sphinx Corporation Emblem. The Third Branch Office Crest of a gold olive tree with three branches was above it. "Kimberly, we have to run," she whispered, too weak to stand. "We're not safe yet."

  The man knelt beside the bruised and battered women and told them, "Don't move. You could be injured." He glanced around Sub-level One and looked back to them. "I'm Lieutenant Creed. Ms. Griffin, your father sent us in to retrieve you."

  "My father?" Kim stared up into his face. He had a black goatee.

  "Yes." Creed motioned for his men to fan out and secure the area.

  "The T-3s are disabled," one of his men reported.

  "Let's get these two out of here," Creed commanded. "We'll take them to one of the Sphinx Corporation's medical facilities." He turned his attention to the women. "Don't worry. You're safe now."

  Chapter Forty-eight

  Safe At Last?

  October 21...

  Thursday...

  10:02 A.M...

  The next day at Main One Hospital, Kat cautiously made her way down a hall. Her left hand was fisted around an object, protecting her most precious possession. She had earlier woke in a bed with a nurse by her side and Kim nowhere in sight. She went looking for her to make sure that nothing had happened to her new partner. The building smelled antiseptic but more than that, it felt suffocating like a prison. Her body sore and bruised moved, complaining all the way as she shuffled her feet in the slippers the hospital provided. The after effects of the Ultra-Epi gave her a slight headache and made Kat skittish, but at least they were mild for now. She paused at a large window, looked out at the darkness, and saw that they were on the fourth floor surrounded by mega-buildings. Two nurses walked by, pulling Kat from her thoughts, and she glanced at what she clasped. She needed to find Kim, but she also wondered where they were. Kat turned back to the window and studied the shape of the surrounding mega-buildings and thought they were back in the Hellenistic Sector, Business Vicinage.

  Katharine's view...

  At least that's one good thing, we're only a few vicinages away from home. I chuckle; I just called Kimberly's apartment my home. She'd definitely argue that point. She sees me more as an intruder than a roommate.

  I turn and continue down the hall, thinking back to the Factory. The men who rescued us work for the Sphinx Corporation just like the Council, so why did they save us? Why am I not a prisoner of the Council? Why has become my favorite word.

  I look at my balled hand and quicken my pace; I have to find Kimberly. After a few minutes, I find her room, and Kimberly's awake and sitting up in bed. I go in and stand by her bed. I've already forgotten my earlier comment to myself and whisper, "I want to go home." I add, "I don't like it here. We should go."

  Kimberly's view...

  I'm wearing a hospital gown and robe, and I'm actually relaxing. It has been a while.

  I glance up from the Conglomerate World Magazine. Surely that woman isn't calling my place home; she better not get too comfortable. Does that woman really think she's some sort of guest?

  I return to my reading and state, "Relax, we're safe here. Anyway–" I scan an article on Corporate Bodyguards. "–you probably opened a few stitches on your bullet wound. It would be better–" I flip a few pages forward to a story on Topa. "–if we stayed here a few days." I turn to the last story, mumble a few words from a paragraph about the Chairman of the Sphinx Corporation, and tell her, "My father's flipping the bill."

  End Kimberly's view...

  Kat put a hand to her own shoulder. "Actually, my wound is... it's..." She fidgeted over her words as much as her feet did standing in place. "That's one thing I need to tell you. You see..."

  "Go back to your room and rest and let me rest. Main One is one of the finest hospitals in Noir." Kim lifted the magazine higher, completely eliminating that woman from view and continued the last article. "Everything will be all..."

  Kat blurted, "I don't like this place, and..."

  "For Ares' sake!" Kim smacked the magazine on her own lap. "And what?"

  She moved closer and whispered, "They took the Data Crystal."

  "What?" Kim threw her blankets to the side and sat on the edge of the bed.

  "It's gone," Kat whispered. "Someone took it from my clothes."

  Kim stood and opened the cabinet where they placed her things. "What about the music box?"

  "I still have it; I kept it in my hand the whole time." Kat kept glancing over her shoulder, expecting security to barge in and arrest them.

  "Hades!" Kim yelled after going through her clothing and knapsack. "The disk is gone. The one the Ro..." She stopped herself from saying the Rogue; no need to bring up bad memories, so Kim said, "The disk I found in Computer Lab Two." She slammed her palm on the cabinet door. "They took it!"

  "I want to..." Kat paused as two nurses walked by. "I want to go back to the apartment. I don't like it here; it reminds me of the Factory."

  Kim walked over to her bed and pressed the call button.

  "What are you doing?" Kat asked.

  Kim's face flushed with anger. "I'm ringing a nurse, so I can ask them which one of them is a thief!"

  "Kimberly, this hospital belongs to the Sphinx Corporation." Kat moved to her side and continued, "The Factory is part of them. Sphinx wants to keep whatever secrets are on the disk to themselves, so no one here will help you."

  A nurse walked into the room. "Is there something you need, Ms. Griffin?"

  She snapped, "Yes, we're checking ourselves out."

  "I don't think that's such a good..."

  Kim interrupted the nurse, "Do you know whose daughter I am?"

  "Yes," the nurse replied.

  "Well then..." Kim folded her arms. "Get the paperwork moving."

  Chapter Forty-nine

  Also Known As

  10:22 A.M...

  Hellenistic Sector, Business Vicinage...

  Sphinx Corporation Third Branch Office...

  The Chairman's office...

  The secretary's voice spoke over the intercom, "Mr. Griffin, Orthos is here."

  He told her, "Cathy, show him in."

  Within a few minutes, the secretary opened the door, and Orthos entered.

  "Will you be needing anything, Mr. Griffin?" she questioned as she stood by the door.

  "No, Cathy, that will be all."

  The secretary left.

  Orthos said, "I have received some intel from the Factory." He paused, unsure how to proceed, and continued, "Your daughter discovered a disk that was stolen from your office five years ago."

  "What do we have to worry about? As you said, the data is at least five years old."

  Orthos paused again and relayed, "That particular disk had termination orders for one Theresa Griffin signed by Janus."

  Mr. Griffin scowled. "It will only become a problem if Kimberly discovers that's my a.k.a. I have not gone by that name since my promotion from Head of Security for the Third Branch Office, and Kimberly has never heard me referred by it." He leaned forward, resting on his elbows. "To be on the safe side, make sure all records relating to Janus are expunged and retrieve that disk."

  "I already have the disk in my possession." Ort
hos laid the jewel case on the desk.

  Mr. Griffin noticed the dried blood and panicked. "Is that Kimberly's..."

  "Your daughter is bruised but unharmed so do not worry. Lieutenant Creed's men were able to extract them from the Factory."

  "Well done. Did my daughter or the stray have anything else in their possession?"

  "No, sir."

  "See to the Janus records."

  "Right away, sir," Orthos said and then added, "You do understand I cannot erase any of the records at the Second or Main Branch Office."

  "Yes, I understand. Let's hope Kimberly doesn't stumble across anymore information pertaining to her mother." He paused and added, "That is all."

  Mr. Griffin faced the picture of his wife after Orthos left. He didn't understand why she had to go against Sphinx. She also made him choose between her and his work. Mr. Griffin picked up the picture frame and gently stroked Theresa's face. He hoped his daughter didn't force him to make the same decision.

  Outside in the hall...

  Orthos passed the secretary and entered the elevator, and once the doors closed, he reached into his coat pocket and removed the Data Crystal he'd taken from Kat. He hated lying to the Chairman, but he did have his own promotion to think about, and he couldn't gain anything if he gave away his resources. Orthos examined the two inch white obelisk.

  * * *

  Hellenistic Sector, Residential Vicinage...

  Asclepius Hospital...

  Maxwell stood by a large window, examining the new day enveloped by night. The bald tech had a bandage on his right elbow and one on his chin. The nurses at Asclepius Hospital treated him and his partner very well. Peters sat in a chair beside Argus' bed as the operative rested. Peters' wrist was bandaged.

  Dr. Brian Chiron walked in and reviewed Argus' chart. "You had a run in with those... What do they call them?"

  "Bio-mechas," Peters spoke up.

  Brian put the chart back. "You guys are lucky to be alive." He walked over to Argus and checked his vitals. "Those machines have killed a lot of people."

  "Don't we know it." Maxwell made his way to the bed. "How's he doing?"

  "Fine, considering they beat him up pretty badly. There was a slight infection from the bullet; it had been in his leg for a long time. I removed it with no problems, and the meds are taking care of the rest. He should be fine." Brian started out. "I'll check on him again in about half an hour." He left.

  Maxwell picked up a remote and turned on the TV. The NBS news was on, and Linda Harvey was in the middle of a story.

  "At this time, it is still unclear which corporation was behind the bio-mecha attacks that happened earlier this week. N.C.P.F. have confirmed that all these robotic men have been eliminated and that they are no longer a threat to Noir citizens." She turned to a new camera. "In other news, an upset in the Corporate Senate. The quarter cent sales tax raise was not voted through. Analysts are..."

  "I hate the news," Maxwell muttered and turned it off.

  Peters questioned his partner, "What do we do now?"

  "Hmm... What do you mean?" Maxwell asked.

  "What are we going to do now that the Factory's gone?"

  "That is easy," a man answered.

  Both techs turned.

  The man wore a black suit and stood in the doorway. "You're going to come work for us."

  Five S.C.Ms. rushed in, and a doctor and a nurse came in with them. The doctor and nurse moved to Argus' bed and unhooked him from the machines.

  "What are you doing?" Maxwell asked.

  "The Counsel wishes for Argus to return home," the man in the black suit answered. "Don't worry, the Sanctum has the best medical facility in Noir. He's in excellent hands, but we were talking about you two." The man removed two envelopes, then handed one to Maxwell and one to Peters. "Here are the Council's offers for you two to come work for them."

  "We can't," Maxwell spoke up. "We signed a non-discloser..."

  "Yes, we know about that agreement. If you would look at the other papers in the envelopes, you will discover a document stating we have acquired all information and technology from the Factory, and as some of the surviving employees, we would like you two to come and work for us. You can have your lawyers look over the contracts before you agree."

  "Maxwell, they're offering twice what we were making."

  "Yeah, I see."

  "What do you think?" Peters asked.

  "If the lawyers clear it, I say we take the man's offer."

  "I'm with you," Peters replied. "Looks like we won't be out of work."

  Chapter Fifty

  Ms. Melissa Odin

  10:34 A.M...

  Nile Sector, Commorance Vicinage...

  A gold limo drove down the busy Brownstone Street in front of the Bes Hotel, and a Corporate Emblem of a golden triangle marked the front doors and hood. The vehicle came to a halt, the chauffeur got out, and walked to the back. The driver put one hand behind his back and opened the door. A thin man with a shaven head stepped to the sidewalk; he wore a light blue business suit with white stripes, and the suit resembled a pharaoh's headdress. The man dreaded the job that lay before him. He stood tall almost seven foot and wore Kohl, a black eyeliner; he also had a small pony tail on the right side of his shaved head.

  "Find some place to park," the man told the driver. "I will call you when I'm done."

  The chauffeur nodded, "Yes, Mr. Serbet." The driver went back to the vehicle and soon pulled away.

  Mr. Serbet made his way to a stoop and rang a doorbell of a two story brown stone, and a security camera mounted on the wall above him turned to get a better view.

  A man spoke through an intercom, "Can I help you?"

  "I am Mr. Serbet. I am from the Isis Corporation. I am here to see Ms. Melissa Odin."

  "Can I see some ID?"

  "Of course." Mr. Serbet removed a wallet and lifted the photo ID to the camera.

  A device on the camera scanned the identification bar code and transmitted the information to a H.H.C. the man inside held. "Thank you," the man said. "Please wait one moment."

  A few minutes earlier...

  Inside the two story house...

  Melissa stared at a notebook, looking over formula equations; she wore a light gray dress with a flower pattern. She shook her head; everything she was going through was because of these formulas. About six days ago, Melissa converted the empty room into a home lab. Several beakers on a large table had a yellowish substance in them, and a few racks of test tubes sat beside a microscope. Someone knocked, and she looked up.

  "Yes?"

  A man opened the door.

  "Daniels, what is it?" Melissa asked the bodyguard.

  "There is a Mr. Serbet from the Isis Corporation at the door. Should I let him in?"

  "He's from the Isis Corporation? I wasn't expecting anyone today. Let him in and bring him here."

  The bodyguard left and soon returned with the man from the corporation.

  Melissa stood, walked over to the man, and shook his hand as she said, "Hello, Mr. Serbet."

  The man bowed his head in greeting. "Ms. Odin."

  She turned to the bodyguard. "Thank you, Daniels. Please go check on the children."

  "Yes, Ms. Odin." The bodyguard exited.

  Melissa motioned to a chair. "Please have a seat." She sat in another chair. "Is there any word on my case? Will my old employer, the Valhalla Corporation, take me to court?"

  "Valhalla is taking you to court over your contract with them. Your lawyers from Isis were able to excuse you from appearing. The judge agreed Valhalla might decide to hire a Life Closer to kill you before the matter's settled in court. It's a good thing we placed you and the children in this safe house. Two more bodyguards will be showing up shortly." He crossed his legs. "Is there anything you need?"

  "No, this house has everything we need." She stood. "Would you like some coffee?"

  "
Actually, Ms. Odin..." He also stood. "There's another matter I must tell you; it's the reason I came in person."

  "Oh... What is that?"

  He motioned to her chair. "Maybe you should sit back down."

  "Why would I..." she started to ask and then questioned, "What has happened?"

  "It's about your brother, Norman." Mr. Serbet wasn't sure how to tell her and decided to come right out with it. "He's dead."

  She fell back, caught herself on the table, and knocked over the rack of test tubes, and the yellowish substance spilled. A few of the glass containers fell to the tile floor and broke, shattering into pieces. Mr. Serbet quickly moved to her and helped her to the chair and after a few moments of shock, Melissa put a hand to her mouth as tears streamed down her face. "How did it happen? Was it a Closer?"

  "Yes."

  She gasped.

  Daniels burst in with his gun drawn. "Ms. Odin! Are you all right?"

  "Yes, I'm fine. Please, put your gun away." The bodyguard still looked a little worried, so Melissa added, "Really, everything's fine."

  Mr. Serbet turned to the bodyguard. "Ms. Odin received some unsettling news about her brother."

  "I see." Daniels didn't know what to say and holstered his weapon. "I'll be in the living room if you need anything, Ms. Odin."

  Melissa sniffed. "Thank you, Daniels."

  The bodyguard left.

  Ms. Odin turned to Mr. Serbet. "Tell me about this Closer. Does this have anything to do with my court case?"

  "No, we believe it has nothing to do with your current problems with Valhalla. The Closer was an illegal one hired by a man named Topa. Topa works for Valhalla, but went out on his own to hire the Illicit Closer." He handed her a handkerchief.

  Melissa wiped her eyes, blew her nose, and then asked, "Has Topa been arrested?"

  Mr. Serbet shook his head. "No, an assassin named the Phoenix closed him."

  "Do you know why Topa wanted my brother killed?"

  "Your brother Norman, a.k.a. Preacher, disrupted sales of Sunna Snapps on Wayfaring Lane, and that's why Topa had him killed. Valhalla Corporation had him testing the drug there."

  Melissa's view...

  It's because of Sunna Snapps; no, it can't be. Not the drug I created.

  I look to my note book, then to the yellowish substance, and say, "If that is all Mr. Serbet, I could use some time to myself."

  "Of course." He heads for the door. "I'll show myself out."