by Adair Hart
Beezlo rubbed his snout. “And … who are these … people?”
“Bruno and Red Lightning.”
Beezlo growled. “Bruno is why I have two bodyguards instead of three. Those Wildborn have also killed some of my scouts topside.”
Lee furrowed his eyebrows. “That’s odd, considering you seem to be carrying weapons supplied by Ares.”
“Business is business. I suspect that Bruno and Red Lightning killed for pleasure,” said Beezlo. He swished his snout from side to side for a moment. “Do you speak for the Helian authority?”
“I do,” said Lee.
“Then perhaps we can make a deal.”
Lee paused as he turned his head to get Evaran’s reaction, then turned back to face Beezlo. “I’m listening.”
Beezlo snickered. “Good … now … here is what we’ll offer. You can go through our turf, unmolested, to the subway. Once you do what you need to do, then you can leave back through our turf. We won’t interfere.”
“And what do you want in return?”
“When you leave, you ignore what happens to Safrica.”
Lee moved his head back. “You want to control it. That would give you access to a lot of … information and details … on contracts and the killers who fulfill them.”
“Of course, I know that. Yes, it’s a power play, and we would restore it to its original purpose. I suspect it will be … softened … after you leave it.”
Evaran tilted his head. “What do you mean by original purpose?”
Beezlo grinned. “Lee knows what I’m talking about. The deaths of those who take Helian contracts, and even a manager, are related to … poor management. We are neutral … true neutral, and want to keep it that way.”
Lee eyed Beezlo. “What Beezlo says is correct. There has been a change in the dealings that go on there, no doubt due to Claw. If you took it, that would also give you access to … other underground systems. You know the club is a natural choke point.”
Beezlo smiled. “Why does it matter to the Helians what we do underground? If anything, we’ll provide one point of contact for a vast swath of the underground systems. If it helps the deal, you can have a direct line with me.”
Lee sighed.
Evaran raised a finger. “If the price is too high, perhaps we can negotiate something else.”
Lee shook his head. “No. While I may have some issues with this deal, namely in the area of trust, we are dealing with other issues of … more importance. The Helians will make this deal … on your behalf.”
“I do not want to be the cause of bloodshed,” said Evaran.
“There isn’t much of a choice here.”
Evaran nodded.
Lee accessed his wrist device and, after a moment of talking to it, faced Beezlo. “The council agrees.”
Beezlo guffawed. “Sounds like feline shifters are on the menu today.” He pointed at one of his bodyguards. “Krogus will take you to the subway entrance. I have … other things … to plan.” He swished his snout for a moment and swirled a finger in the air.
The wererats and bodyguards descended back into the tunnels, leaving just Krogus.
“That was a high price for the Helians,” said Evaran.
“Not really,” said Lee. “The manager overseeing this region was killed … just outside Safrica. No one seems to know who did it. As such, we’re understaffed and don’t really have a presence here anymore. Beezlo was correct in that some of the contracts we put out were not getting fulfilled … due to the small problem of whoever takes one ends up dead.”
“I see.” Evaran focused on Krogus. “Lead on.”
Krogus snarled, then turned and headed down the north hallway.
The group followed him for an hour.
Emily watched as wererats shuffled away at their approach. She was not sure if it was because of them or Krogus, who was intimidating in his own right. She could see that just being down here affected Lee. Maybe he was close to the manager that died in the club. Giving away control of a large part of territory did not seem like too bad of a deal, but it was obvious to her that the Helians were courting Evaran. Probably in the hope that he would help them with the rogue Helian faction and the rift doors, and possible leniency when it was resolved. The fact that Evaran was working with one faction most likely gave it credibility in the nonhuman world.
When they reached the subway entrance, they paused to examine it. A portion of the wall had outlines on it, and two metal handles resided in the center. A bar crossed over the wall segment and under the handles.
Krogus put his ear to the wall and then with a mighty effort, slid the bar off to the side. He grabbed the handles and pulled back the wall segment and rested it on the ground off to the side. With a growl, he gestured at the open entrance.
“Thank you, Krogus,” said Evaran with a slight bow.
Krogus harrumphed.
Evaran stepped through the entrance with the others behind him.
A grinding noise echoed out as Krogus replaced the wall segment.
“Chatty guy,” said Dr. Snowden.
“Yeah,” said Jake, chuckling.
V hovered near Dr. Snowden for a moment. “Sarcasm.”
“Yep,” said Dr. Snowden.
V’s lights glowed a bit brighter. “I am getting better at detecting it.”
Evaran gestured at V. “Dr. Snowden and Emily are masters of sarcasm. They would be good teachers. Nonetheless, I need you in scout mode.”
“Acknowledged. Scout mode engaged,” said V as he shimmered and flew off.
Dr. Snowden and Emily shook their heads.
“We will need to proceed with low illumination. Everyone, shut off your lights and activate night vision,” said Evaran. “Lee, please proceed.”
Jake walked behind the others with Dr. Snowden as they stuck along the small concrete walkway that lined the side of the abandoned subway. Although his helmet had night vision, it was not as good as what he suspected the others had. He realized he was far outclassed in fighting skill, equipment, and experience. Even Dr. Snowden, who he thought might get rattled, stood strong in the face of so many wererats. Whatever he had faced before, the wererats did not intimidate him.
Emily swiveled her head from side to side and fidgeted with her PSD.
“Don’t tell me you have the jitters,” said Dr. Snowden.
Emily turned her head, then slowed up to walk alongside Jake and Dr. Snowden. “No … but this subway … reminds me of the one on the prison planet. Dark, weird sounds, and similar architecture.”
“Prison planet?” asked Jake.
“It’s a long story. The tunnel I was in there was similar to this one. I also had to deal with some shadowy creature who I fought … and then killed. My first one.”
Jake gulped. “What type of creature was it?”
Emily looked down. “It’s … hard to describe. Imagine a tall scarecrow with a suit and sharp claws. Oh, and a stretched clown face with sharp teeth.”
“You’re kidding me,” said Jake.
“Nope, but that paled in comparison to what was to follow.”
Jake sighed. “I’m sorry you had to go through all that.”
Dr. Snowden’s eyes settled on Emily. “I am too.”
Emily smiled. “It’s in the past. I learned from it, adapted to the situation, and have evolved.”
“Good philosophy,” said Jake. “You all are a lot more badass than I thought. I feel useless down here.”
Dr. Snowden rested a hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Not at all. Your presence here is appreciated.”
“You sounded just like Evaran then.”
Dr. Snowden raised his eyebrows. “I’m not, as you put it, that badass.”
Evaran turned his head sideways as they shared a laugh.
After twenty minutes, they reached the first platform. They paused at the edge of it, and when V verified it was empty, Dr. Snowden, Emily, and Jake took a break on the benches lining the walls. Evaran and Lee stood a bit
away in front of them while V hovered above.
Dr. Snowden lowered his helmet and took some deep breaths.
Emily scooted next to him. “The tunnels were a little claustrophobic.”
“Yeah. I’m just glad there’s a little more space out here.”
Jake stretched and ran his hands over his lower legs. “You seemed really calm back there.”
Dr. Snowden tapped his helmet. “This probably obscured my true reactions.”
Jake nodded.
Lee motioned at Dr. Snowden. “Whatever experience is triggering your anxiety must have been powerful.”
“Dying tends to do that.”
Lee tilted his head. “Dying?”
Dr. Snowden looked down for a moment, then back at Lee. “Well … before we came back to Earth, we came close to dying.” He cast a sidelong glance at Evaran. “I can’t go into details but … that is something that no one should ever have to experience, or if they do, they shouldn’t live afterward to remember it.”
A silence fell over the group.
“It is the past, and all we can do is look forward,” said Evaran. “In time, you will overcome it.”
“I know,” said Dr. Snowden. “I just wish time would hurry up.”
Jake turned his head toward Emily. “Did you experience that too?”
She shook her head. “I was knocked out.”
“Ahh,” he said.
She looked around and rubbed her arms. “This platform reminds me of where I fought that creature on the prison planet.”
“This path we have taken is full of bad memories, it would seem,” said Lee.
“Nonetheless, we are close. One more platform, and then we are there,” said Evaran.
Dr. Snowden stood. “Enough sitting for me. I’m ready to go.”
The others followed Evaran and Lee as they pivoted and headed off.
After another twenty minutes, they reached the edge of the second platform.
Evaran raised a hand, and with his other hand, he showed a projection of the stairways that led away from the second platform.
Two heavily muscled men wearing boots, jeans, and black shirts with a gold emblem on them stood near it. One was smoking while the other leaned against the wall.
“V, disable them,” said Evaran.
“Acknowledged.”
Jake watched V approach the men in stealth mode.
V extended two arms toward the men, then faded in and fired a stun beam from each arm.
The men collapsed.
Evaran waved forward as he strode into the second platform. He scanned the men and then faced the group. “They are out. I do not know how long they will be in that state, though. We will need to seal the back door, and possibly deal with them on the way out.”
“You’re not going to kill them?” asked Lee.
Evaran shook his head. “If you know of my history, then you know that is not how I operate.”
“Just checking.”
“Have you met a future Evaran that does things like that?” asked Jake.
“I can’t say either way,” said Lee.
“Nor should you,” said Evaran. “Past events involving me that I am unaware of are my future. It is best not to know it until it is time.”
Jake looked down. “I … sorry.”
“It is okay,” said Evaran. “V, scout ahead.”
“Acknowledged,” said V as he shimmered out of view and flew up the stairs.
Jake wondered what previous events, if any, Evaran had been involved with that Lee would know about. Maybe when Lord Noskov was awake, Jake could ask about it.
After a few minutes, Evaran gestured up the stairs. “V said there was only one more guard before reaching the back door. The guard has been neutralized.”
Everyone followed Evaran as he bounded up the stairs. A few hallways later, they were at Safrica’s back door.
Jake wrinkled his nose as the smell of garbage assaulted his senses. Two large bins resided on either side of the metallic door in front of them, and a dim red light glowed from above. A wall console sat to the side of the door. A maintenance alley ran off to the side. He figured that was used for garbage collection.
Evaran walked up and scanned the incapacitated guard. “He has a pass we could use, but I will use my UIC to access their system.” He placed his UIC on the console and, after a moment, focused on the group. “I am in their system now and can operate the automated front and back doors. Lee, I would suggest you take V with you when you go in. He can stealth and provide backup in case it is needed. We will wait out here for the all clear.”
“It won’t take long for the club to clear,” said Lee, inspecting his wrist device. “It’s almost eight p.m., but it usually doesn’t fill up until around nine p.m. The regular contract killers will clear out pretty quick. I’m guessing … will let you know when to close the front door and then enter.”
“That is correct.”
Lee craned his neck toward V. “My friend, are you ready?”
“Analysis. I have your top.”
Emily shook her head.
Lee grinned as he took one last look around, then opened the door and headed in.
Evaran pulled out an orb and tossed it up. It hovered midair and showed the view from V.
Jake noted that even though there seemed to be only a few patrons inside, the air was filled with a light mist. The sound of some type of dance music blared out, and the lighting was sporadic.
The main room Lee entered was large. It had two stairways on the back end that led up to a second level. The open area had a few people dancing, while others sat in booths.
Jake was not surprised that the booths were not connected. Each one was like an island and looked like it was meant for privacy, which was to be expected in a place like this. It would be a good place to do contract negotiations. He had seen similar setups in the Seceltor Empire when doing cargo runs.
Lee walked to the center of the room and held up a badge. “This is an inspection by the Helian authority. Leave now.”
The music came to a screeching halt as the lights went up. Patrons grabbed their things and began to file out. Several men approached Lee.
“I like Lee, he’s smooth,” said Jake.
“Yeah,” said Emily. “He’s calm under pressure, that’s for sure.”
“Let us hope that Claw did not leave with the others,” said Evaran. After five minutes, he looked around his ARI, then said, “Per V, the population has decreased to five people. Time to seal the front doors.”
Lee observed Claw’s enforcers as they approached him. They wore brown boots, jeans, white shirts, and puffy vests. One had on a baseball cap turned backward. He recalled interrogating them when he had visited Safrica for the murder of Manager Roz, a close friend of his. They had grown up together on their home world and crossed through to Earth together when the Helians invited them. To be alive on a world full of life was intoxicating, even if the life was made of solid matter.
“What’s this about?” asked one of the enforcers.
“I’m here to talk with Claw,” said Lee.
“You said this was an inspection,” said the other enforcer.
“I lied. I wanted the club cleared, though.”
The enforcers shook their heads.
The one on the right gestured at Lee and said, “You still think Claw was involved with the murder of that manager?”
“No, that investigation has been settled. The work of an … unknown killer … outside your club.”
The enforcer sneered. “Yeah, what a shame.”
The other enforcer laughed.
Lee gritted his teeth. “Get. Claw.”
One of the enforcers grabbed a cell phone out of his pocket. He swiped at it and then typed a message. He looked back up at Lee. “He’s on his way.”
The other enforcer walked up to the entrance door and tapped at the console on the wall. “What the hell is this? Damn door is jammed.”
The enforcer n
ear Lee eyed him. “Know anything about that, slick man?”
“I do … but I’ll wait until Claw is here to explain.”
A man strolled down the stairs.
Lee knew it was Claw immediately. The combat boots, loose slacks, and baggy shirt never seemed to change. Dreadlocks ran over Claw’s fair-skinned head, and the assortment of weapons on his sides and back were meant to be a deterrent, nothing Lee had not seen before.
“Well, well, well,” said Claw as he reached the ground floor. He stood before Lee. “If it isn’t Manager Lee. What is it this time? Someone else get killed?”
The enforcers laughed.
“I need to know what you know about Bruno and Red Lightning.”
“Oh, really?” asked Claw. He bobbed his head for a moment. “Never heard of them.”
“We have images of them visiting your club. Is it possible … that you don’t know when powerful Wildborn visit? It could be possible since you seem to lack any knowledge of what goes on around here.”
Claw licked his lips. “And what if I do know of them? What then?”
“I’d like to know any information you have on them.”
“You know … you got some balls stepping foot back in this club,” said Claw, wagging a finger at Lee. “But you know what? I think I can do better than give you information.” He tossed his hand out to the side. An enforcer handed him a cell phone. Claw tapped at it and held it up to his ear. After a moment, he said, “Yeah … some manager the Helians sent is looking for information on you and Red Lightning.” Claw nodded as he eyed Lee. “Yeah, by himself.” Claw looked at the ground. “Uh-huh. All right. See you then.” Claw smiled. “You can ask them yourself now, manager.”
“So be it.”
“I don’t think you know what you just did.”
“We’ll see,” said Lee. He looked up.
Evaran and the others entered the room.
Claw and his enforcers pulled out their weapons and took aim.
Lee gestured at the others. “This is Evaran and friends. They’re the ones who wanted the information, but thank you for setting up a meeting. That was unexpected.”
Claw pulled the cell phone out.
