On the drive over to Leggo's place I decide to figure out why my two-squad mates aren't bodies so I put the question to Wuppass.
He grins with a big toothy smile, the kind that puts you on edge.
'Yeah, they would have done us in straight away but I told them that we both had LAD. They didn't fancy a Kill Copter appearing or for you to know we'd died so they waited till they had us all. I said that one of you was at the apartment and the other was at the SHIVER station. They thought I was too stupid to lie'They sent the heavy squad after Doker. I did OK huh'?
I'm truly amazed 'Err, yeah, nice thinking Wuppass.' I make a mental note to watch for him cheating at cards as well, maybe that's how he wins so much. I push that to the back of my mind.
We get to Leggo's place and park in the street a couple of hundred yards from the doorway. He's an old acquaintance of mine and we go way back. The times I've pulled his ass out of the fire, and he mine, are almost beyond counting. We have a mutual help-each other thing going on so it's a surprise when he slams the door in my face after I tell him about my predicament.
"What's the matter Champ?" Wuppass is back to his normal self and it's hard to pick out a scar on his face. At least to pick out a specific scar. Farthing is still unconscious and it's a good thing as well because he's never liked Leggo. Doker is holding him like a mother holds a child; it's almost a surreal scene.
I run a hand through my hair trying to think. "He's just checking something" I lie so unconvincingly it's embarrassing but neither of the Stormers reacts to it.
I hammer on the steel door a few times with the butt of my 603, and Leggo slides the grill back. I can see his face, covered in week old stubble with a Coffin glowing brightly in his mouth as usual there's also a bulletproof piece of glass that separates us that I know from experience can stop a shotgun rifle round at close range so he knows he's safe.
"Look, I'm not taking you in this time. She's trouble." Leggo flicks his eyes towards the body bag that Wuppas is sporting. "I know she got a few of my lads killed a couple of months or so back and you don't wanna get caught up in that. Sorry Champ but this is your problem. If you need any help then the only man in this sector that I know that wont screw you over is a Kiesta called 'The Jinx'. He works a garage near the Perimeter wall." With that he shuts the door and I hear a clunk as a support brace comes down.
I turn my eyes skywards and close them with a sigh. Kiestas. How much money am I going to loose here? It's not as if I've got any gripes with them or them me, it's just that if you want anything then it's favours or money. I'm not giving favours and the alternative's expensive.
"How much money have you pair got?" I ask, my eyes are still closed.
Between them they scrape just short of 400 in Uni's, the only type useful right now. With my 150 we might just scrape it. Gotta play it cool though.
"Right, here's how it is you pair. Listen..." They both edge in closer and I can see the concentration in their eyes. "Doker, you take Farthing to a safe place till he comes round on his own. No drugs remember? Wuppass and me are going to see this Jinx bloke to sort the whole mess out. You OK with that?'"
"No probs Champ" Replies Wuppass, nudging Doker with a massive taloned hand. He's smiling under his helmet and is happy he's not on baby-sit duty.
Doker growls and is clearly unhappy. "Champ, Farthing could..."
"No Doker." You've just got to be firm with this pair. They want to kill everything. "Just the two of us or they might get jumpy." He looks unhappy. 'Put him in a van and be ready for action though." I add the last bit as a carrot.
"Whatever you say champ" He turns to walk back to his car. I swear he's sulking.
We do a little digging and finally get an address for this garage where The Jinx is supposed to work. As it's not too late he might still be there. Downtown never sleeps right?'
We make our way over and leave Doker in his van a few streets away. Don't want to surprise anyone. I figure to go in my Op gear as no-one's going to mistake anyone walking with a Stormer as anything but an Op so it's in for a penny and all that crap. This close to the perimeter wall hints that it's a legit business so they shouldn't want any trouble.
Wuppass is doing his usual tactical approach keeping to as much cover as possible. He's really good at that sort of thing, thinking whilst fighting, I wish he'd be as smart at other times. Still that's where me and Farthing come in to it. The rain should mask us till we're within forty feet anyway as it's hammering down like there's no tomorrow. The garage itself looks big enough to support three or four mechanics and there are a few Keshangs parked up outside so there could be more people inside. Nothing to do now but put on my business face.
We walk straight in and there's a group of three people who have obviously had word we're coming. They've got a 'so what' attitude that I know is to disarm us. I'm wondering if Wuppass is thinking the same thing. He stands behind me and I can hear him growling. I'm praying for him to stay calm.
One of the trio wearing some dark blue overalls covered in various stains and burns steps forward. He's got some welding goggles high on his forehead and I'm reminded of that stupid craze that swept all the spooky kids in Uptown a few months back. His are for the TIG welder in his hand and not fashion though.
"What can I do for you Mr...."
He glances at my lapel for the badge but I've not got it on.
I look him in the eyes "Call me Champ. This is my associate."
"And what can I do for you pair then? Flat tyre? Left your keys in your car?'" He's smiling like we're fools and it's all bullshit used to either wind up or disarm.
I decide to cut straight to the point "We need some information and I'm told that The Jinx can provide. Is that true?" Negotiation is my middle name.
"Yeah, he can provide but he's not working right now. You want to leave a message and maybe a phone number."
Like hell.
"He can't come in now for a little paid overtime?' I'm sure he could use the money." I start to talk their talk and I see the fellow knows he can make some money out of this.
The mechanic walks towards an office area at the front of the garage and to my right. There's a big glass window with black wire through it all and it's covered in grime but I can see a calendar of Ebon starlets hung up on the wall. Everyone needs SLA for something. "I'll see if he's interested. How much paid overtime you think he'll be in for."
"Depends on his work." I sit down on a stack of tires and Wuppass moves to cover the entrance.
We wait in relative silence for about ten minutes and a Keshang pulls up outside. Just then I realize that we've no way to ID the woman that is currently lying in the back of Dokers van. Oh I have a name but'
I switch to sub vocal on the headset. 'Wuppass, have you got a picture of the woman?''
He turns to look at me. 'Yes, of course I have. Do you want it?' Nodding I take the photo from his hands. I've always said he has hidden talents. A shame that she's clearly dead on the photo, we'll get disadvantaged with that.
The Jinx, or who I presume is The Jinx, walks in and nods to me before ducking into the office. He's a thin looking man with a set of Keshang leathers on. I take it as a hint to follow and walk in after him. Wuppass is way too big to fit through the door so takes a position right outside it. No one else is coming through.
The Jinx is sat in a comfy swivel chair and I can see Kiesta tattoos on his arms and neck. I'm reckoning he's a Runner from the black band round his wrists. He cuts straight to the point. 'What you after Champ?'
I throw the picture of the girl at him. 'Who is she?'
He looks at the picture for a good minute, taking in every detail.
He looks up and passes the picture back. 'You negotiated before seeing me?' I shake my head. 'Well, you can figure out how much this information is worth then. Her name is Marianne Sonnerty and she's got a whole lot o' good men dead before she's appeared in your photo. Not too fussy about Ops either. Rumour has it she *is* an Op. She's meant to have support from within the company. Maybe your Cloak boys, I don't know for sure. Sounding correct, no?'
Shifting in his seat slightly he sparks up a Feel Good and takes a long drag. I nod. Sounds like our girl.
I throw him four hundred and sit on a desk just behind me. 'Can you give me the names of Ops she's killed?'
He pockets the cash without counting it. 'I can get you some information for double this. He pats his pocket. Take me maybe half a day to get names, longer if you want more. Like I say, she's covered but someone will have something. That good enough for you?'
I nod.
We decide to lay low for a while and spend the hours going over the ways that Dayton could have shafted us. Farthing is awake by now and he's been making inquiries with his 'usual suspects' as he calls them.
We head back at the allotted time and I drop by a cash dispenser for the balance. Wuppass comes back with me.
The Jinx is already waiting and so is the mechanic I saw before. He's holding a brown paper envelope and we do a straight swap, his envelope or mine. He doesn't open his and I don't open mine, not until I'm back in the van.
Two names spill out of the packet, 'Silence, SCL 6C.4' and 'Dylan Clancey, SCL 6D.9'. Hardly hot shots but higher than myself. According to the paper they were both KIA in Downtown not less than two months ago.
Farthing is holding a cup of coffee and offers me one from a tray. I brief them all on what's happened and leave out the extra expense of the info, It's my mess after all. I turn to Farthing. 'I need to have a link between how these two Ops died and Dayton otherwise I'm screwed.'
He finishes the last of the coffee in one big draught. 'Otherwise we're all screwed. I'm on it.I've got a lead I want to chase up so I'll phone you when I have something.' With that he hops out the van and hails a cab.
Doker and Wuppass probably don't understand what a mess we're in so I start to spell it out.
'Listen you pair, we've been shafted here and I think that Dayton is trying to kill us all and is somehow using this woman as a means to do it. We were meant to get capped rescuing her from the clutches of the jokers that got you and Farthing.' I nod in Wuppass's direction. He smiles back. I'm thinking he looks pleased.
'Farthing will get us some solid info on how the pair are linked' I'm hoping he will anyway.
'In the meantime, we're going to the Cinema. There's a new film on with that bloke in you pair like.' They both look at me and then look at each other.
Doker winks at Wuppass 'We've got you Champ' I've no idea what they're thinking but providing they come with me and leave Farthing to it I don't care.
The film is called 'Total Recall' and it's some nonsense about a Stormer batch that goes wrong (thanks to Darknight) and they get involved in some crazy scheme to activate a device hidden at the North Pole. It stars the latest hero's of the screen, Schwartz and Edgar, two Stormers that are meant to be Media friendly. We move to a different viewing. Different film. I think that we get through about four films before Farthing gets back to me.
I've had about eight hours to think of exactly how Dayton can shaft me for this. 'What have you got?'
Farthing sounds pleased with himself.' He's clever but I think we can pin the two of them together. He had a number of Data Hounds watching our accounts and they were guarding certain information. I managed to re-direct one of them just enough to get a link between him and Marianne before they activated and knackered the search.. Now, we don't have much and it's spurious at best but I don't think he knows how much we have and we can use this against him.'
I'm wondering just what the hell a Data Hound is''Nice work, Get what you have sent through to me and I'll see how we can use it.
The information comes through and Farthing was right about it being spurious. Two payment details from one account to another, right after the two Ops died. Daytons name is on one and a womans name is on the other. Now I'm thinking that it's useful in that Dayton doesn't know what we've got. As I don't reckon he's going to be sitting around waiting for us I have to get to him fast.
I call Station analysis 'Get me Operative Dayton, Uptown' I tag his Op number on the end and the call gets patched through.
'Dayton here.' His voice still sound like it's being filtered through a sack of gravel and I keep the message short and to the point.
'I know what you've done. I know how the BPN was supposed to end. It hasn't. Meet me at Sandford bar Downtown and we can discuss where we go from here.' I hang up.
He's going to either have the bar bombed or just turn up himself. He's a Waster so whatever he wants to do he's going to do it himself. I instruct the Stormers to watch the bar and be ready for emergency backup if it all goes wrong. I don't need to remind them that Dayton is a 'Boss-Eye', their slang for Waster.
I get there early and take up a position where my cover can see me. I've already told Farthing that if it goes wrong he's to do what he can to stay alive and wreck Dayton's career. I order a beer.
Almost bang on time he saunters in like there's nothing wrong. He nods I my direction and his clothes reflect his business, dark and oppressive. He grabs a beer and sits down opposite me.
I've got to play it bold so I go for the throat. 'You want to keep your security tighter Dayton, never know who might go looking.' His expression doesn't change and I wonder how much experience at this he's actually had.
He takes a sip from the bottle and lights a cig with his fingertip. 'So I hear.' He takes a long drag and puts the bottle down. 'You might want to consider a career break after this BPN though, you're Op lifestyle doesn't look too healthy right now.'
Inside I'm sweating but I've got my best poker face on, 'Nor does yours if word about Marianne gets out.' He tilts his head to one side.
'Clever, I like it. You cap her then?' I'm not getting caught this easily.
'She's dead if that's what you mean. I hear that Silence and Dylan Clancey had nice funerals too. ' He smiles and looks genuinely amused.
'Yeah, they met with tragic accidents. So I hear. Why does this concern me and since when did you start negotiating with Cloak Division?' He's mouth is set in a big friendly grin but I've never been able to read Ebon eyes, never. He's either pissed off big time or loving every minute.
My hands are clasped around the bottle of beer or they'd be shaking like hell, 'I hear there's a link between them and Marianne and there are a few people that might go digging if anyone else meets tragic accidents. Know what I mean?'
He takes another big draught from his beer 'Well, I see no reason to investigate anything. She was dead when you got to her correct' I wouldn't want anyone to think that she died in your custody.'
I'm only sitting with my mouth open because I'm trying to put the beer bottle in it. 'Yeah that's right, got there too late.'
Dayton is still smiling like we're old buddies, 'Good. You can forget about Marianne then, I'll not dock you any SCL and I'll pay the CBS to your accounts in the morning.' I'm sure he's messing with my head and is going to pull a gun any minute and shoot me.
'You did a good job there Champ. Looks like you cleared me two problems in one go. You need some more work?' He motions to the bar staff and gets two more beers brought to our table. 'I can always use enterprising people like yourself. I might need a squad sometimes but Farthings OK with that isn't he' Nice, Choice BPN's?' He slides a card across the table.
I'm sat there wondering just what the hell is going on, I've probably just capped one of his Bag Men and he's offering me a job'This guy is screwed in the head. He's doing a good job screwing with mine. Then again I've no idea just how much trouble he can get me in if I kick up a fuss. I'd be happy to call it a draw.
I pick up his card, very expensive by the look of it. I decide to clear some things up.
'I'm not working for you directly you understand that right?' He nods. 'As we got off to a bad start I suggest this, we both forget everything up to now and if you need some work in the future then I'll put it to all our squad and we'll see if we want it OK''
He smiles and I'm reminded of a shark for some reason. 'That sounds fine by me. It's no good keeping people on leashes and if you want to work with Stormers, who am I to complain. Hell, I've nothing against them personally anyway. You've got my number and I've got yours'I expect we'll speak soon then?' He stands up and is grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
He stops just short of the door and turns his head back round to look at me. I'm feeling like he's weighing me up, quantifying me. Then he walks out into the rain.
Twenty minutes later, the rest of the squad comes into the bar.
Farthing sits down exactly where Dayton was sat. 'Well' How'd it go Champ'? Are we clear of him for good' Did we win?'
I finish the beer that Dayton bought me in one go.
'Let's call it a draw.'