by JM Guillen
What, in the last two hours? Impressive, I had to admit. Not only had Stone worked up some convincing fake IDs for us, but he had apparently cleared the PHOENIX Security Station and then left the cards where we would find them.
Well, no one said Facility Liaisons weren’t smooth.
You’re going to travel along this way for approximately seven and a half minutes before you come to where the hallway widens. A ramp on the right-hand side leads down to the next level. Take that ramp, and let me know when you begin to descend it.
Will comply. Wyatt fiddled with the business end of his tangler as he linked.
So he expects me to believe that a guy named Johnny Stallion works here. I linked to my cadre only.
I can’t imagine that Demetrius had the time to specifically look for a name that you would find insulting, Michael.
I don’t even know why you think it’s insulting, Hoss. Wyatt clapped me on the shoulder. Sounds like a porn star.
Perhaps it is a subtle reference to Michael’s activities when he is in torpor. The slightest edge of humor tinged Anya’s link, even though she continued staring forward.
I dropped the subject.
Long before the hallway opened up as promised, we began to see hatches along the sides of the corridor. They weren’t like the bank vault doors with the Sadhana logo, more like space-age devices, all thick glass, blue lights, and sculpted metal.
Fancy. Wyatt peered into one as we passed. There’s people in there. Lookin’ all smart too, lab coats an’ everything.
Demetrius indicated that a significant portion of Sadhana’s research is done in these bunkers. Anya nodded at a couple of men in the long coats who walked on the other side of the passage.
I don’t like that we’re here. Not this deep and not so simply.
What is your concern, Michael?
I glanced at Anya and then turned to Wyatt. Here’s the thing. Before I picked you two up, I spent a significant amount of my time today in one of our secure, secret locations.
Wait. Wyatt looked up at me, the yellow lights from the hallway shining on his oculus. Aren’t all Facility locations secret?
That’s what I said! I waved my hand at him, dismissing the thought. What I mean is, it was basically our version of a place like this.
Okay. Wyatt pulled himself forward, leaning between my seat and Anya’s. And?
I’m telling you right now, no-fucking-body is going to just randomly wander around that place. I mean, I know there are Irrats there now, but that’s because of Stone and his fuck-up.
I hardly think that is Demetrius’s fault. Anya’s link felt a little more distant than usual.
That’s all beside the point. I pointed ahead of us, where the hallway widened and a ramp tilted down. We’re having an awfully easy time infiltrating the heart of Sadhana’s most secret bunker.
Hoss, I would not call this easy. Wyatt looked at me, his beard burned and his pants shredded.
Demetrius, we have made the rampway.
Excellent. The ramp will descend to the second level of the bunker. At the bottom, you will need to—
Stone broke off, and we felt the sudden horror in his link.
Demetrius?
You need a key card. He fumed. Damn it!
Did… Did you forget? I couldn’t help the wisp of a smile.
If we had followed my original plan, you would have stolen a key card to bypass the Seal. It didn’t occur to me until just now that, because you went off plan you wouldn’t have a key card.
Off plan? I gaped at Wyatt and shook my head.
I got a key card here. I felt Wyatt hold it up over my shoulder. One Mr. Fukui. If his access is high enough, we’re in.
Fukui. One moment. Stone kept the link active, but we felt his attention elsewhere for just a moment. Yes. That will work. He sighed, his relief almost palpable.
We’re coming up on the reader now. Anya reached back, and Wyatt put the key in her hand. She swiped it once, and the light on the reader blipped green.
There’s no gate or anything. I looked around, trying to find out why we needed the key.
It’s weight sensitive. Sadhana not only knows that a tram just passed this way but also has a good grip on how many people are in it. He paused. Although, with Wyatt’s shoulders, they might think there are four of you instead of three.
Did he just call you fat? I turned to face Wyatt.
His response came to all of us. Well, I am a big boy.
It took another fifteen minutes or so of Stone’s direction to get us to Locale Two. The passage took us past several more of the fantastic blast doors of sculpted metal and glass, and many more turn off points, some of which we took.
Eventually, I felt completely lost. Still, Stone kept us on an obviously well-researched route.
Yet I didn’t expect the second security station.
Fuck. My link sent to my cadre alone. He didn’t mention this.
This station looked identical to the first, a glass booth on the right, odd railing across the top, and a security mechanism on the left-hand side. Unlike the first one, however, the camera for this station hummed actively, sweeping along the railing from the ceiling down the left side. It, too, had a light next to its lens, but this one shone a cheery and damning green.
Stone? My link held more than a little concern. We have a second security station. Please advise.
Sit tight, Michael. Everything is in hand.
We’re a little close to the station to simply sit tight. I let my hand fall back to my disruptor. I don’t want to raise an alarm just because we didn’t expect another security stop.
“Hello, miss.” One of the security guards, a lean man who had been standing in the middle of the passage, gave a smile and a small wave as he approached our tram. “Can I see your ID card?”
“Certainly.” Anya sat straight in her chair, every bit the prim Sadhana operative. She reached for the card clipped to her belt and handed it to the guard.
“Huh.” His brow furrowed as he looked at the card.
“Huh”? I linked Wyatt almost frantically. I don’t like “Huh.”
“Miss, what’s that there at your side?” The man peered into the tram curiously. I hated the casual way he looked us over, as if he weren’t the equivalent of a rent-a-cop when compared to a Facility Asset.
I wanted to feed him the end of my katana.
“It’s just my pack.” Anya hurriedly went to close her side pack, which, for some reason, had popped open.
“Let me see that?” He reached his hand out, his tone authoritative.
Stone, we’re going to have to do something here. I glanced back at Wyatt, wondering if he was also prepared to deal with a dump truck of trouble.
When Anya handed the guard what looked like an overly complicated glove—the neural lacuna—my eyes went wide.
Anya? What the hell?
The security guard turned toward the other one, the man in the booth. “Can you come here a minute?” When the second guard stepped out, I noticed he had his semiautomatic weapon drawn.
“Check out this ID card. Look at it, and then get a good look at her.”
I tensed.
The second guard did as directed, peering first at the card and then bending down to get his beady eyes on Anya. “I don’t see…”
With a scarlet flash, the first guard touched his hand, armed with the neural lacuna, to the back of the other man’s head. A second, more rapid flash came then, and the man’s eyes rolled up in his head.
He slumped to the ground.
Excellent. Stone linked as a series of loud clicks sounded around the still-standing guard.
“What the hell?” I gaped.
For a moment, the guard seemed to be surrounded by thousands of tiny, square mirrors; even smaller than those on a disco ball. They began to flash and fold in on themselves, clicking as they shimmered with reflected light. The Façade completely disengaged with a low whine.
There, looking just like th
e picture in his dossier, stood Demetrius Stone. Dark-skinned, bald, and very well built, the gentleman’s chocolate eyes were soft, but serious. Perfect. Handsome in a way that made me want to spit.
Anya, what the hell? I almost snarled, legitimately irritated. You could have let us know that Stone intended to meet us here.
Oh, did I not? The ghost of a grin capered at the edge of her mouth. Her blue eyes sparkled with glee. I apologize, Michael. I know that it’s quite rude to make plans or initiate strategies without discussing them with your cadre. She raised one eyebrow at me.
I sighed.
I just couldn’t win today.
“Hello, Anya.” Stone stepped forward and reached for her hand.
She gave it to him.
He faux-kissed the back of it, stopping just short of actual contact. He kept his eyes on hers the entire time. “I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to see you.”
Anya smiled, seeming a bit flummoxed.
Then Stone turned to me.
“Michael.” His deep, sonorous voice conveyed genuine friendliness as he gave me a firm handshake. “Truly phenomenal job, son. Most Assets couldn’t handle half of what you’ve dealt with today.”
“Thanks?” I couldn’t decide which deserved my attention, the fact he had called me “son” or the over-the-top compliment.
I decided that they evened out.
“Wyatt, I hope you can lend me a quick bit of expertise?” Stone asked, turning to the large man. They were nearly the same height, I noted, irritated.
“Sure?” Wyatt cocked his head.
“I just left a pretty damning record of the neural lacuna in action.” Stone gestured to the camera. “You think, once we’re about ten meters away, Sadhana’s recording equipment could suffer an unfortunate bit of electromagnetism?”
“I do.” Wyatt grinned and tapped a couple of keys.
“Excellent.” Stone looked at the three of us, nodding thoughtfully. “If you’ll give me a moment, I’ll properly reconstruct this gentleman’s memories, and we’ll be on our way.”
A few moments later, Stone stepped back to us, a smile on his too-perfect face. He handed the lacuna back to Anya.
“I can’t tell you how nice it is to hear your voices. I’ve been in this damned place for so long, only hearing links.” He paused. “I hope you’ll forgive me if I ask you for a favor.”
“Probably.” Wyatt nodded.
“I would appreciate it if you’ll to do me the service of speaking with me, instead of linking.” Stone almost seemed just a touch abashed. “A man gets to feeling pretty solitary when all of his friends are in his head for so long.”
“That’s not too much of a problem.” I also nodded. Perhaps Stone wasn’t a complete ass after all. I couldn’t imagine what it must be like, being active and on incursions for months on end.
“Well. I have some good news.” He looked at each of us. “After a little reconnaissance, I have determined that we can do this.”
“Do this?” I glanced at Wyatt. “You mean your extraction, right?”
“Assets, after some grueling research, I have solid intel on Delacruz, our lost Gatekeeper. It’s a bit out of our way, but…” He flashed us a smile, “I know you’d never leave one of your own, not if you could help it.”
“Well...” Wyatt glanced from Anya to me. “No.”
“Good!” Stone laughed. “Let’s get moving. I have a relatively safe place set up where we can link Gideon. From there, we’ll discuss the plan.” His smile grew wider. “But I think once you have all the information, you’ll agree that this is something easily within our reach.”
“If so, the choice is simple.” Anya smiled that un-Anya smile.
I’d really rather not leave her behind, Wyatt linked me. If we can help it, I mean. If it’s actually not a big deal.
Me neither, Wyatt. I didn’t say what I felt, however. Wyatt felt my emotions without needing words. This had already been a particularly taxing incursion. We were hardly fresh.
I didn’t know how much more we could take.
“Boys.” Stone stepped closer, and the volume of his voice dropped. “You may not deal with Liaisons often, but the study of communication is an important part of what we do.” He placed one hand on my shoulder. “Not just verbal, but body language, stance, everything.” He looked from me to Wyatt. “You’ve got concerns.”
“Perhaps a few,” I acknowledged.
“A few.” He chuckled.
“We’ve had a fairly eventful dossier. I’ve used quite a bit of my injectables already.” I watched Stone’s expression, afraid that I argued for my own weaknesses. “I’m not feeling out of sorts yet, but I wanted you to be aware: we’re not exactly to prime spec.”
“That’s what amazes me most, Michael.” Stone shook his head. “Gideon has been keeping me updated as to what you’ve been dealing with, and I have to say, I just couldn’t be more impressed.”
“Well…” I half-shrugged. “We’ve been underneath some pretty exceptional circumstances.”
“I know!” He chuckled, a deep, hearty sound. “When I realized what Ito had left at the Seal, I thought that I might need another extraction team. I linked Gideon about it, and he set me straight about you.”
“How exactly?” Wyatt cocked his head.
“The Catalyst told me what kind of mettle you boys have. Gave me his recommendation and patched me an update on some of your past exploits.” Stone looked from Wyatt to me. “I’m impressed, boys. Makes a man feel good knowing the Facility sent their best.”
“I don’t know about that,” I vacillated. “I just do what I can with what I have.”
“That’s exactly what we need.” Stone clapped one hand on my shoulder and one on Wyatt’s. “Now, it never hurts to talk. Are you boys willing to be open minded about rescuing our Gatekeeper?”
“We can talk about it.” Wyatt looked from Stone to me. “I mean, we always have the Gatekeeper upstairs to extract us if we fail…”
“But if we succeed!” Stone’s eyes went wide. “If we can pull Delacruz out of this, it’s a flawless win.” Stone seemed truly taken by the idea. “We’ll have Sadhana’s data, and we’ll have pulled it all off right beneath their noses, without losing a single Asset!”
“I have some concerns, like I said.” I gazed into Stone’s warm eyes. “But I have an open mind.”
“Don’t worry, Michael.” His smile calmed me, a fact which irritated me. “Gideon told me what kind of man you are. You’ll be excited to hear that we’re just getting started.”
That was exactly what I was afraid of.
32
Wisely, we decided that in order to talk about our newest exciting opportunity, we should find somewhere a little more out of the way.
Minutes later, tram number four again zipped down the corridor, dodging yellow, blinking lights and the shadows they created. Stone had again engaged his Façade, and I had joined Wyatt in the backseats.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Wyatt tapped the keys at his hip. Behind us, a few brilliant sparks danced along the metal railing above the security station and their lights stuttered down the passageway.
“Handled that camera for me?” Stone’s unfamiliar face grinned over his shoulder, looking every bit the part of William Holsen, Sadhana Security Specialist. “There may be back up copies of the recording that I don’t know about, but I expect that one way or the other, we’ll be gone soon enough.”
God, but I hoped so.
This entire mission had simply been mentally wearing in ways that I hadn’t expected. I found it even more exhausting than our little road trip to Topiatic Locality 337, Dhire Lith, after a fashion. There, at least, we had one goal, and even though the means to accomplish that goal had shifted throughout the dossier, we knew what we wanted: to come home.
But this… espionage shit… with the constant sneaking around, trying to not get caught, dealing with secrets and unknown motives…
It exhausted me.
Maybe I hadn’t given the Liaisons the respect they deserved. Maybe I just wasn’t cut out for fluid situations.
I just wanted to get back to my nice, simple world of explosions and tentacle monsters.
Maybe I could sweet talk Rachel into synthesizing nicotine using viral mecha. I contemplated the colorful names she might call me as we took a left.
Almost immediately, we approached another ramp going down.
“Lend me Mr. Fukui’s key card?” Stone held his right hand up over his shoulder without turning away from the wheel.
“Absolutely.” Wyatt handed the key card to Stone, who swiped it at the security station at the bottom of the ramp.
Then, onward.
“You’ll notice fewer active laboratories down here.” Stone glanced over his shoulder at us. “Welcome to Sub-level Topaz, Assets. This is the very place where everything went to hell.”
As if to confirm Stone’s statement, we passed a couple of the metal and glass blast doors, tightly closed and completely dark within. The passage itself remained lit with the yellow lamps, but the corridor felt empty, as if emptiness and echoes were something visceral, that one felt against the skin.
“Did they shut down the entire level because of what happened?” Wyatt tried to peer through one of the blast doors. Blurred equations blipped by on the surface of his oculus.
“Mostly. That’s one reason we’re down here. I wanted a secure place to link up with the Catalyst, and I can guarantee that there is almost no one down this deep.”
I wondered at his other reasons.
Stone turned down a short hallway, which widened into another corridor. After another couple of minutes, he slowed the tram to a stop just outside one of the sculpted metal hatch doors. The moment he parked, he hopped out, stepped jauntily to the door, and swiped the card.
“Be quick, just in case anyone is in the hallway.”
“Won’t they find it suspicious that the tram is parked out here?” I stepped too quickly and almost ran into Anya.
“Yes. That’s why we need to get inside. Unless they have a key, this area is off limits.”
