by B.V. Bayly
Chapter Fourteen
Nate stood on the opposite side of the street, keeping watch on Dr. Cymru’s driver as he strolled back to the restaurant after parking their vehicle. The pace at which the driver moved meant there was no need for Nate to rush. “Let’s keep our distance. Looks like he’s going to take his time here.”
His team had spent the last several days tracking all of Dr. Cymru’s movements outside of TERA. They knew more than enough about him; who he knew, what he was doing and, more importantly, his patterns. He had no significant other or family. The man spent very little time outside of the office and he always kept his meetings short. He didn’t socialize with others in power, and rarely attended any events despite being invited to every prestigious gathering in the city. The man was an enigma, however his intentions for power and the ore were clear. Nate knew he was going to make a play for the lab at the ranch. Somehow an ore user was involved, hence the blast there, which meant TERA was involved. After all, they created them.
TERA had been systematically absorbing other energy and research companies for the last ten years. The company was almost untouchable. They didn’t acquire shares or stakes in any of the companies they took over. TERA – The Energy and Resource Acquisition – was a government organization designed to regulate the energy market and maintain prices. With this decree came the right to acquire any private resources deemed necessary to maintain energy production and keep the market stable. Sure, it required a lot of red tape, but in reality TERA was like a spoiled kid, pointing at whatever it wanted and getting it. The funny thing was that the government didn’t seem to care. As long as the energy market was stable and the power stayed on, nothing TERA did carried a consequence, even if they broke the law. The lines were beginning to blur as to who was really in control. TERA or the government?
“Sir?” A voice whispered from inside his ear – connecting him to the rest of his team.
“Go ahead.” He surveyed the area.
“Crossing your path in twenty seconds. Man in a green coat, black pants, glasses. This is his fourth time circling. He’s using an alley down the street to loop around the restaurant.”
Nate waited, counting each second until the described man strolled in front of him. “I see him.” Nate whispered.
“We’re detecting a signal from him. It’s electronic. Too weak to be dangerous. He’s scanning for something. He might pick up our signals, sir.” The voice went quiet.
“Hold all communication.” Nate moved after the green coat. He lagged behind, keeping his eyes on the man and waiting for the right opportunity. As his team had predicted, the man in green rounded the next corner and darted down the alley. Nate followed, trying to keep his feet light and not give himself away. Too late. The man sprinted, briefly glancing over his shoulder at Nate. The chase was short as Nate accelerated after the stranger, stretching his hand out for the green coat. He yanked the man backwards, and the motion slammed the stranger into the ground.
Nate stood over him. “Who are you?” He paced around him, prepared for anything.
“What’s your problem? I’m not doing anything.” The man in green struggled to his feet.
Nate grabbed his shoulder and kicked the man’s feet from under him. “Stay on the ground, please.”
The man rubbed at his knee. “What do you want?”
“Who are you?” Nate remained focused on his target.
“I’m – I’m George Clark. Who are you?” The man glared at him.
“There are four holographic ads at the end of this alley. Two of them have the word ‘George’ in them and one is for Clark and Company. Let’s try again – Who are you?”
The man glared at him, his mouth shut.
“Fine.” Nate grabbed him by the front of his green coat and threw him against the alley wall. “We can do this the hard way.”
The stranger’s quick jab barely missed Nate’s jaw, as he smacked the fist to the side. The green coat could fight. Sort of. Another combination of punches drove Nate backwards as he tried to dodge them. He ducked under a swing and drove his elbow into the man’s nose. The stranger’s eyes filled with tears as his nose popped. A flood of blood gushed down his green coat.
Nate grabbed him by the front of his jacket and pressed him hard against the wall. The flash of a white collar caught Nate’s eye and he peeled back the coat, yanking the white collar off. He sighed and let go of the man. The stranger dropped to the ground.
Nate handed the collar back to the stranger. “You’re a priest.”
The man nodded. He fumbled in his pockets, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe his face. His eyes pierced Nate.
“I’m not your enemy.” Nate crossed his arms. “What does the Church want with Dr. Cymru?”
“I can’t answer that.”
“Call Riley.” Nate insisted. “Tell him Nate Reinhart wants to know.”
The priest pulled a silver disc from his pocket and slid it behind his ear. “Bishop Riley. A man named Nate Reinhart is with me. He would— right … I understand … Of course, yes.”
Nate was impatient. Riley had to be behind this. He and Nate had served together in the military. Riley was once a military intelligence agent who excelled working behind enemy lines, but too many missions had driven him over the edge. He was discharged and sought sanctuary with the Church. Nate wasn’t surprised when they gave him a fancy title and put him back to work for their own benefit.
“The Bishop says to remind you that you are a sinner and have not been to confession in your whole life. Perhaps you should see him. He would like to pray for you.”
“Funny. What else?” Nate crossed his arms.
“Dr. Cymru has taken an interest in black ore. Which means we are taking an interest in him.” The priest opened his jacket and pulled out a small electronic device. “We recorded everything from inside the building. Every sound. Every conversation. Up till when you attacked me. Once it is filtered, perhaps we will find some answers.”
Nate smiled. “So, if I want to hear what’s on it I have to get ‘prayed’ for?”
“Bishop Riley said he will see you in two days.” The priest wiped his nose a final time, faked a smile, and disappeared down the alley.
Nate sighed. “Well, I guess I’m off to church.”
One of his team members spoke in his ear. “Why is the Church of Humanity so interested in the black ore?”
Nate walked back to the street, keeping his voice low. “The Church wants the black ore destroyed. They believe it’s pure evil. Anyone who has any affinity towards any ore is considered a threat. Especially an ore user. The Church considers them abominations and usually executes them.”
“So if Cymru is studying the black ore –”
“Which, we know he is,” Nate added.
“Then the hidden lab must be at the top of his wish list.” The voice sighed.
“Yeah.” Nate walked back into the crowds on the street. “We’re going to have to find a way to move it and fast.”
