Contest (The Stork Tower Book 6)

by Tony Corden

  Carefully avoiding some small spiders and their webs, she climbed the ladder until she could no longer see the secure vault. She took a card she’d prepared which had the instructions for Alan. She’d changed the time of the meeting to give herself a few options. After affixing it to the ladder, she descended back into the storage area and hurried back to the Castelli’s storage area. Leah carefully closed the trapdoor and relocked it. She was fifteen cyber-minutes past her planned exit, and she still needed to return the filing cabinets to their original positions.

  Leah worked quickly and although she hadn’t planned to look at any of the files, her innate curiosity ensured that with each glance and touch Leah gleaned information about the family business. Almost unconsciously she began to fit this data into some form of order, and she realised three separate but connected facts. First, she uncovered more information about the person she was impersonating. His full name was Francesco Antonio Castelli, and he was the consigliere of the Castelli Crime Family, the family who controlled almost all of the organised crime in Phoenix. Second, she discovered that the Castelli family used a large number of AI-controlled people throughout the multiverse. Finally, Leah realised that the multiverse was even larger and more complex than she’d envisioned. Some of the files included access information to worlds that were labelled 'Shadowverse'. The files described details and situations occurring in these worlds. This 'Shadowverse' included worlds that were hidden from the general public and were housed on secure servers controlled by individuals and organisations without the oversight, or even knowledge, of Virtual Security.

  As soon as Leah realised the identity of the Castellis and understood the content of the files she replaced the records with more care while at the same time as briefly scanning each of the files. Altogether this added a further ten cyber-minutes before she was ready to leave the room. As Leah stepped toward the exit, she scanned the room. Everything was as it was when she’d entered. The only differences were hidden. One difference was the holes she’d drilled under the filing cabinet. The others were the files she’d stolen and added to her backpack. She’d deleted the originals and rewritten over the sectors the files had occupied.

  Leah stepped out of the Castelli vault, then used her key to lock the door and handed the keycard to one of the security programs to be updated. As she stepped towards the crawlway, she saw Francesco stepping toward the Vault. She’d planned to modify the embedded codes the next time he accessed the Vault, but being late she had no time to prepare for the upload. With the added complication she wouldn't have time to retrieve the sensors she’d placed in the room. Instead of getting away undetected, both Southside Archive and the Castellis would now know the Vault had been hacked. Leah entered the crawlway and moving as fast as she could, she worked her way backwards through the system.

  Leah began to relax only when she stepped out into the cavern that was the American Union District 8 Area Network. She wasn’t able to hear if any alarms had been triggered and had no way of knowing if her presence had been tracked in any way, but she doubted they would be able to track her past the heavily trafficked hub. Without pausing, Leah made her way back to the Tower. As soon as she arrived, she explained in general terms what had happened. Gèng assured Leah that she was almost certain to have exited the system cleanly. Even so, Leah was unhappy to have left anything behind. Knowing there was nothing she could do, Leah logged out to see Kevin before an hour of NREM3 sleep.

  14

  Chapter 14

  December 17, 2073 - Early Morning - Part 5

  STORK TOWER

  Leah woke from the sleep to find herself sleeping on a bed she estimated was five times the surface area as her single bed she’d had as a child. The bed was in a large open plan room. One wall was either transparent or missing entirely. Instead, the room opened onto a large balcony which looked out over the Tower’s valley. Sitting up Leah could see her favourite sofa, or a replica, as well as a large desk, a mirrored makeup-slash-vanity table and a doorway through which she could see some of the clothing she’d used in the past.

  Before she could say anything, Gèng appeared and said, “I’ve been thinking of this for some time and decided to implement it to gauge your reaction. There has been some research which suggests the benefit of NREM3 sleep can be increased if both the conscious and unconscious of the individual are in sync before entry into the NREM3 state. If you are brought to NREM3 and exit always from this bed, then it is probable that the benefit to you may be increased by just under five per cent.”

  Leah nodded and said, “That being true, it sounds like a good idea. Don’t you think the room is just a little extravagant?”

  “Probably, but to be fair, the whole Tower is extravagant compared to what others have.”

  Leah acknowledged the point. “You’re right, and I suppose deep down I do like the comfort more than I’d ever confess. No time to consider that now though. Has anything happened that needs my attention before I head to Pneumatica?”

  “Both Reed and Tesfaye want to talk with you. Reed suggested it was best to meet in Sharon’s personal world and wouldn’t share any details. Tesfaye similarly wouldn’t share details but was happy to meet here or in his world. I suggest they are concerned about the same issue and that it is to do with your incursion into Southside Archive.”

  “See if Tesfaye is free to come here; otherwise, I’ll visit Sharon.”

  “I also discussed your timetable with Kate and both she and Thad are waiting in Pneumatica. They will be waiting at the Herrington. Tesfaye will be here in a moment. I will show him into the lounge area on the lower level.”

  Leah made her way from her new bedroom and down to the lower floor. She was sitting on her sofa when Tesfaye arrived. He sat opposite her and spoke before she could welcome him.

  “Leah, a bounty of one million virtual credits has been circulated in the hacker community for information which leads to the identity of a hacker who broke into a secure Vault operated under the name Southside Archives. Apparently, several files were stolen, and the poster of the bounty will double the amount if all copies of the files are recovered. You need to keep a very low profile. Some of the people who are hunting you are crazy good. They may even have the skills to track you. I doubt it, but it is possible. I thought you were just leaving something for Alan. What did you steal? Also, and maybe more to the point, who did you steal it from?”

  Leah sat for a moment thinking, and then with a resigned sigh she said, “Everything went how you and Reed planned. I was able to identify several clients whom I could use to enter the archives. The best candidate was a family run business who accessed the storage area regularly. It turns out the storage area I entered belonged to the Castelli crime family. They operate throughout the Phoenix area and also have various virtual operations. I stole some files. One is a database of all the virtual slaves controlled by the family. There are over ten thousand names, ID numbers, PAI ID information, real-world addresses and a summary of their skill sets and earnings. Another was a database which outlines the different enterprises of the family including access information to their virtual businesses including those in the Shadowverse.”

  Tesfaye opened his mouth to speak several times but then closed it. Finally, after almost a minute of silence, he said, “You are seriously either the luckiest person on the planet or the unluckiest. Either way, I hope you realise that you are possibly in some serious and very deep shit. The bounty can, and will, increase. Some of the hackers in the collective I’m a part of will eventually piece together enough data to point to me and then to you. These people are my friends, and while I trust them with my life, I’m just not sure I trust them enough to cover several million virtual credits. These people are possibly even more vicious and deadly than the Kodomans and Emersons. I believed the sensors you left behind were untraceable, but with the firepower these guys can amass, they may be able to trace them back to Reed or myself. What possessed you to take their stuff?”

  Le
ah couldn’t help grinning, “Habit, I suppose. I am, or at least I was, a thief.”

  “No past tense here. You are a thief. What are you going to do and what do you need me to do?”

  “Let’s not do anything just yet. I need to talk with a friend of mine in organised crime, and then I need to look at my options. I’d like you to see if you can think of a way to anonymously have the names of those in slavery brought to the attention of the authorities. I want to move on that quickly before the Castellis have time to relocate them.”

  Leah and Tesfaye continued to discuss the issue for several minutes but were unable to find a quick and easy solution to the problem. After promising to keep thinking about a way to rescue the slaves, Tesfaye left. Leah sat quietly for a moment before rising and using the S.P.I.D.E.R. She then stepped through the portal into Pneumatica.

  15

  Chapter 15

  December 17, 2073 - Early Morning - Part 6

  PNEUMATICA

  She arrived in her bedroom at the Herrington and spent a few minutes dressing for a meeting with the queen. Leah expected Queen Alexandra to command her to find and rescue the princess from the Pyranthians. With this in mind, she decided to forego a dress or gown and wore skintight black trousers made from softened calf leather and a black half sleeve linen camisole. Leah added a leather and bronze harness around her waist. It had straps which tightened around her thighs with holsters for two pistols and sheaths for several knives. Each of her knee-length boots concealed at least two knives. In addition, her left heel included a full set of lock picks while her right contained a small explosive device. The boots were burgundy and made from thick leather with silver buckles.

  Leah added a shoulder harness which allowed for two smaller holsters under her arms and several knives behind her neck. Over this, she wore a burgundy calfskin trench coat. The coat came to her knees with what resembled swallowtails at the front and back. The coat was fortified at the shoulders, along the neckline, down the spine, and on the outside of the lower arms. It was filigreed and inlaid with silver. The coat closed at her front with silver buttons and more of the thicker leather to protect her chest and abdomen. The final part of her ensemble was a black top hat with various weapons and tools worked into the top and brim.

  Howard was waiting in her suite as she left her bedroom. He said, “Excuse me Captain, but Lady Katherine is waiting in the foyer with a gentleman. She introduced him as Lord Thaddeus. Shall I show them in, or would you rather I give them another time when they might visit?”

  “Please show them in, Howard.”

  Leah stood while she waited and tried to calm herself. In Pneumatica, Thad had always been an enemy and she didn’t want any residual anger or resentment to show on her face. When Howard showed them into the room, he announced them, “Lady Katherine and Lord Thaddeus Emerson.”

  With a slight nod of her head and a smile, she dismissed Howard then stepped forward to give Kate a hug. Turning to Thad, she offered him her hand and said, “Lord Emerson, it is a pleasure to meet you without either rancour or animosity to mar our conversation and activities. I look forward in anticipation to a dialogue free from mordacious speech and intemperate action.”

  Thad smiled at her speech and taking her hand, he bent to kiss her fingers. He looked up and said, “My dear Captain Charlotte. I deeply regret the previous discord and hostility that I had shown toward you. Know that we are reconciled by your accomplishments and that from this time forth I am your humble servant. All my considerable holdings are yours to wield as you see fit. I would offer you my heart and affections except they are already yours.”

  As Thad stood to his full height, Leah stepped forward to embrace him. Leah didn’t hold the hug for long and stepped back saying, “I’d like to stay here and talk longer, however, I’ve too many things to do. Kate, are you free to visit the queen?”

  “Yes, I’ve organised a carriage, and it’s waiting downstairs. Billy has people scattered along the route we’ll travel on to watch for danger and to make certain no one is following us. Thad’s ordered Frank’s people to stay away from you and me.”

  Leah looked at Thad, who responded, “When you die in Pneumatica you lose everything you’ve collected. To get around the situation, people join families or clans. Everything won or collected is held as common goods. When the person returns, or resurrects, it is expected that his ‘clan’ will return all possessions. Frank wasn’t that trusting, and his goods were all owned by whoever is the current ‘Lord Emerson’. To make sure he kept everything he made me his heir. I am the new Lord Emerson. The plan was to give everything back if he died and then to abdicate the nobility in his favour when he returned. Instead, I have decided to keep it. It won't come as a surprise to you, but Frank is not happy. I had him thrown off my new lands. Unfortunately for him, some of his enemies were waiting, and he suffered a beating before being killed. I let him know that I have made Kate my heir and if we both die then everything will go to you. I had planned to make you my heir, but Kate suggested this way would give you another layer of protection.”

  Kate interrupted, “As I see it, we’re going to be using it to try and undo the damage our family has done to people. Leah, whatever you need is yours for the asking.”

  Leah said, “Kate, you and I need to see the queen. Thad, I expect her to ask us to make an expedition into Pyranthian held territory and I’d like you to gather whatever information, maps, correspondence, etc., that Frank may have collected over the years. Kate, when we’ve seen Queen Alexandra, we need to get moving quickly. I want to log out as we travel to Pyranthia. Can you arrange for Billy to meet with us when we leave the palace?”

  Thad and Kate both nodded. Together they left the suite and made their way to the entrance of the hotel. As Leah passed the front desk, she greeted Albert and he subtly motioned that he wished to speak with her. Leah waved Thad and Kate to move ahead and moved closer to the concierge.

  “Mister Lincoln, I may be away for some time and was hoping that I might retain the use of the suite. Perhaps if I were to provide a month’s payment in advance?”

  “Certainly, Captain Charlotte. Should you find yourself away for longer than that be assured the Herrington will continue to hold the suite in your name.”

  “I appreciate that Mr Lincoln.”

  Leah paid Albert the money, and as he handed her a receipt, he spoke softly, “Captain Charlotte, the man who has visited you is associated with Lord Emerson. If you are under any duress, then know that the staff and I stand ready to come to your aid.”

  “Thank you, Albert. I appreciate your service and more importantly, your friendship. Both my companions are in fact related to the late Lord Emerson. Lady Katherine is his niece and Lord Thaddeus his nephew. One of my purposes here was to release Lord Thaddeus from his uncle’s control. With the demise of Lord Frank Emerson, Lord Thaddeus has taken control of the Emerson holdings and willingly offered them up for my use. Be assured I am under no duress. Please let the staff know however that I thank them for their willingness to stand with me.”

  Albert nodded and said, “That is indeed pleasant news, Captain Charlotte. I shall inform the staff that he is to be considered a friend.”

  “Indeed he is Albert. He is a dear friend.”

  At that Albert nodded and smiled shyly. “Then he is welcome indeed. Please apologise for my harsh countenance when he first arrived.”

  Leah nodded and moved to join Kate and Thad. She shared with them what Albert had said, and Thad excused himself for a moment to go reassure Albert that he held no ill will but rather was impressed at the care the Herrington took of Leah. On his return, they left the hotel and entered the carriage Kate had arranged. It took them to the palace gates where Leah and Kate disembarked. Thad continued on to the Emerson estate to look for information on the Pyranthians.

  16

  Chapter 16

  December 17, 2073 - Early Morning - Part 7

  At the gates, Leah introduced herself and explaine
d that the Queen had asked for her and Kate to attend her Majesty that morning. It wasn’t long before the same Royal Guard Captain from the previous evening arrived to escort Leah and Kate to the private study where Queen Alexandra was waiting. Before either of them was allowed to enter the room, they were required to remove all weapons. Kate was almost as heavily armed as Leah. After the formal welcome, Leah and Kate were seated in chairs opposite the queen.

  For several minutes Queen Alexandra quietly watched the two visitors without saying a word. Finally, she nodded, as if coming to a conclusion, and said, “Captain Charlotte, in just under eight days the Pyranthians will execute a citizen of Aeolipile with the intention of disrupting our peace, of destroying our good name, and of bringing despair to our people. After some consideration, I would lay this charge on you. Captain Charlotte, you shall make every effort to rescue this citizen, preventing their demise, and averting the planned escalation in hostilities. Will you accept this task and do all in your power to extricate the Pyranthian hostage?”