Kirksons is a relic from forty years back that survives in the shadows of newer, sleeker competition. Still located in the original building, it’s an old style deli with a simple atmosphere that appeals to me. With the stained hardwood floors, slow moving ceiling fans, and huge front window, it’s like eating in a museum.
Old man K is a retired Monarch who took over the business when his Dad died and made its survival a labor of love. He’s one of those people with a diehard spirit to make anything work, and has done quite well considering he’s less than a block from several of the big franchises. Mr. K's got the charisma to make anyone feel welcome, although there’s a fire behind his gray eyes that lets you know he’s not to be messed with and can’t be pushed around.
Shortly after K’rth and I became partners, we stumbled onto Kirkson’s as a quiet place to talk and plan. Since then, Mr. K has gotten to know us on a first name basis and we’ve helped him out with things when he’s needed "unofficial" assistance. If I bought into that propaganda crap, I’d say that he’s the reason we’re out here cleaning up SLA’s streets. It's funny that they still promote that line to new recruits alongside company loyalty. After all, who put the streets in the crappy shape they’re in if not SLA?
The regulars enjoy the quiet atmosphere and anyone trying to disrupt it tends to draw ire from Mr. K. Usually the Rogue Shift's BPN discussions are short and quiet, but I expected that our self elected leader would have to make a scene over my interrogation. From outside, I saw that Nix was back, which was good news. I also noticed that we had a guest at the table sitting next to Casper and realized that this must be the "all seeing all knowing god of kick murder" boyfriend I'd heard about. He had to have some kind of stones to deal with a Waster for a girlfriend, but I hoped he’d be more reasonable. Knowing Casper, she’d be especially hard to deal with since she had an audience to posture for.
K’rth, Obie, and I were still shaking off the rain when Mr. Kirkson came over with a distressed look on his face.
"Hi. Is she causing problems?" I asked, nodding towards the table with the squad.
He mildly nodded, the way I’ve seen interrogation suspects do when they really don’t want to confess. Since these were operatives, he really couldn't do much more than politely ask them to keep it down. After all, SLA owns everything and everyone or at least they think they do.
"The Brain Waster’s been a little louder and rougher than usual. A few people asked her to keep it down and she got mean with them. I think she’s on something tonight."
I laughed for a moment and said "No, but she’s probably showing off. I’ll take care of it."
I walked over to the table and got a big ear-to-ear grin from Nix. The Wraith looked to be fully recovered and I patted her on the shoulder as I pulled up a chair. She had taken a round from a DN sniper and only made it through because of Gaelyn’s ebb work. The last op was weird without her, but that Ebon can pinch hit as a sniper at the drop of a hat.
"Nice of you to show up. You’re late!" Casper barked. The tone of her voice was more annoying than aggressive, which meant she was in a good mood. I was sure that would change soon enough and waved her off instead of challenging her while I started to size up the guest. He was a large framed guy, had the standard issue arrogant new op look on his face, and was wearing a suit of blocker with a custom airbrush job. Apparently he was trying to impress us with his body toilet paper. You don't wear armor and big weapons unless you're looking for trouble or you're insecure. I wondered which one it was.
Whenever the squad meets to discuss what type of BPN we’re going after, usually it goes the same way with suggestions being thrown around then Casper tries to direct the decision. I felt my hackles rising and ground my teeth as she tried to push us towards a yellow BPN. If one of us doesn’t get a skull boost over her soon, I’ll probably leave the squad. Considering the way the personal loyalties go, I’d expect half the squad to go with me, and half to stay with the charred eyed dictator.
I realized that I had been tuning her out when she threw a wadded napkin at me and blocker-boy sniggered like a schoolboy.
"MORT TO COLE!" she yelled. "You’re either late or you’re not here at all. Thought Angus was the only one spaced out? What do you think – or do you at all?"
I answered by sliding the Grey BPN into the center of the table then set the dossier on the table in front of me. Nix leaned over like a DAC looking for treats and started pouring over the info inside. Storm clouds were blowing in and Casper’s tone shifted to harsh.
"What the fuck is this?" she asked, standing and leaning over the table.
"A Grey BPN. Cloak wanted to talk to me after the St. Charles op and this is what they assigned to me. It’s a bag job."
"You don’t have the right to pick up BPNs for MY squad! Where do you get off?"
Great. Her tone had started to reach the ‘take it outside’ level and she was in full alpha bitch mode. You can never show fear with one of them or they'll expect to walk on you from then on.
"Look Casper, I didn't accept a BPN for 'your' squad. This one was assigned to me and I didn't have a ch-"
"Look, you son-of-a-bitch", she interrupted and came around the table. I stood up and met her half way. I wasn't going to back down and locked eyes with her as we came nose to nose.
"Like it or not, you aren't the boss of this fucking squad. You don't take assignments, give orders, or even-"
My temper flared and that was it. I grabbed her by the collar of her jacket and snapped her onto her toes, a flash of surprise shot across her face. Either she backed down or I was out of the squad. If she pushed, I was going to leave her in pieces under the table.
"Two things. First, 'Your' squad doesn't have the BPN, I do. Cloak didn't give it to 'you' because they didn't think you could handle it." I jerked her collar again and she was on her tiptoes. Her boyfriend stood up to his full six-foot height and started to come around the table toward me. I locked eyes with him long enough to make a point.
"Sit your ass down before I do it for you, boy." He didn't sit down, but he stopped and looked unsure of himself. Somewhere to my right, Obie let out a low bass rumble and the boyfriend raised his palms and quietly sat back down. At least he was experienced enough to know that Chagrins don't bluff.
"Second thing," I said, jerking her collar again. She stumbled into the table and stared back, here eyes wide. "You NEVER talk down to me like that again or they'll never find all the pieces!"
I let her go, scooping up the dossier and the BPN, then looked at the squad.
"Anybody in on this with me?" I asked, looking around the table.
K'rth and Nix nodded, and I already knew Obie's answer. Gaelyn was in shock, staring at me wide mouthed while Angus seemed to still be hoping for a fight. I gave them a hard look and put the documents under my jacket.
"Thanks for your support, guys. Cloak really was right not to put everyone on this."
With that, I walked out into the rain to cool off and Nix caught up just outside the door. She fell in along side of me, filled with energy. It happens every time she tries the Espresso.
"They're probably behind you on this, but it's going to take a little while for them to get out of shock. I think everyone except for Gael and Angus has wanted to clock her, but didn't have the spine for it."
I nodded and slowed my pace to a walk.
"Give 'em a few hours and they'll come around, I'm sure."
Nix is one of the most civil people I've ever known and was probably right. It's hard to think of a Wraith as an optimist, but that title fits her better than hunter at times. A moment later, her grin took on a predatory look showing more teeth and she was back to her normal self.
"So what were you going to do with the pieces?"
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