Location: Where Dinah Was With the Old Man

Time: Monday Afternoon

  Confusing. The situation had become a confusing mess. It wasn’t the light and fluffy story Sara was supposed to tell.

   Not because of Sara. Sara can’t make mistakes. Their fault. Her fault. His fault.

  Light and fluffy, just like a cream puff. Not anymore. Somehow things became difficult. Someone burnt Sara’s cream puff. Sara shouldn’t be expected to deal with things like that.

  Why were those background characters ruining Sara’s fairy tale?

  Dinah was a comrade. Dead. The big sparky one killed her. He made the other, smaller sparky one look like nothing.

  Sara didn’t like Dinah much. No big loss.

  The nullifier was working with the big sparky one. Dead. Killed by his own friend. Why? Was he working on Sara’s side?

  The old man. Soon to be dead. Sara was supposed to pick him up, but the big sparky one got to him first. Sara thought about showing herself, but Sara hesitated.

   Sara never hesitates. Never has a reason too.

   Then Sara noticed. The odds were bad.

  Zero percent.

  Nothing Sara could do with that. Sara would have been killed. The big sparky one would have killed Sara for sure. Sara didn’t want that. Still doesn’t. Never will. Sara didn’t think it was possible, but he’s probably the antagonist. Something that can actually cause Sara problems.

  Sara didn’t want that kind of character development.

  The pain Sara’s wife caused was good. The hurt the original, little sparky one did wasn’t nice. Getting killed by the big sparky one would be the worst. Not going to happen. Sara won’t die.

  That’s why Sara had to run before. Sara’s wife and the little sparky one thought up a good plan. Tricked Sara. The odds weren’t in Sara’s favor.

   This time they were worse. Impossible odds, even for Sara. The old man was a goner. Not Sara’s fault. Dinah’s fault.

  The old man didn’t try to run. Even as he heard the commotion downstairs he stayed in his office. Good choice. Running wouldn’t change anything. Maybe he thought he could convince the big sparky one with words.

   Wasn’t going to happen. Sara could tell. No way for him to live. Right? Right.

  The big sparky one found him, and took a seat sitting across from the old man.

   “Well, you don’t seem overly surprised to see me.”

  “I knew you’d come. Any leverage I would have had over the Prime Minister was lost whenever that owner of yours took custody of the Emin girl. With no more cards to play I was an easy target to remove.”

  “You didn’t think the BAA would protect you?”

   “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

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  “Ah, come on. Everyone knows you senators in the reformist faction have the support of the BAA. My guess is that now that you’ve shown couldn’t even grab one girl you’re not worth openly protecting. Am I close?”

  The old man didn’t respond, but the look on his face made it clear.

  “I figured. What actually surprised me was that your little group is working with foreigners. For what? What good comes from involving the Pacific Empire?”

  “The only ones I’m involved with are private security contracts. I don’t have any relations outside of the city.”

  “One of my coworkers, Alec, he’s a pretty smart guy. He once told me the best way to identify a Pacific Empire agent was to look for European or Central Asian made equipment. PE weapons are cheap and close, the only people who wouldn’t use them are people trying not to incriminate themselves. Add that with the fact that it’s nearly impossible for anyone in the Pacific Empire to get a consistent supply of anything from America, and they’ve got no choice but to look toward Europe or Central Asia.”

  “You’ve already inspected their equipment?”

  “No, but your reaction is good enough. Both Dinah and you shouldn’t bother trying to keep secrets. If you’re just going to react every time I guess right, this whole charade is pointless. Just tell me everything, then we can end things.”

  “And you’ll let me live?”

  “You know, Dinah said the same thing to me earlier, and I’ll tell you what I told her. No, I’m going to kill you either way.”

  “Not much incentive for me to talk.”

  “Unfortunately for you, I’m not an interrogator. Even if I learned your master plan it’s not like I could do anything with it. I’m a glorified killer. It’s all I know. This is just to satisfy my curiosity.”

  “Doesn’t that bother you? That you’re nothing more than a tool?”

  “Not really. That’s been my purpose since before I was even created.”

  “Then what about your master? She’s being used all the same. Everything is always moving the way Prime Minister Oldridge wants it to, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You’re right, I couldn’t capture the Emin girl, but your owner did. For the first time something didn’t follow the Prime Minister’s script. Does she actually plan on doing nothing with that victory?”

  “She doesn't plan anything. She definitely won’t, but what is it you're hoping Ren will do with our new intern?”

  “Have her run wild. The media would eat it up. Let her become a symbol for Prime Minister Oldridge’s incompetence.”

  “And then what? Ignoring how readily you’re willing to use her as a tool as well, I can’t imagine that being enough to accomplish anything.”

  “We’ve got nothing else to discuss. All I want is what’s best for this city that I love. I won’t betray my colleagues who are still able to make a difference. I just wanted to give you a chance to do the right thing.”

  “I’m not particularly interested in doing the right thing. Or the wrong thing for that matter.”

  “Then end this. You said you’re a glorified killer, so do it.”

  “I understand.” Sara didn’t understand.

  Those words came from behind the old man. The big sparky one was standing behind him before Sara even realized he moved. Blue sparks covered the blade of his knife, evaporating any of the old man’s blood stuck to it.

  “I would have preferred to have you sate my curiosity, but I couldn’t deny such an honest request.”

  The big sparky one left, so Sara dropped down. Sara was hiding in the ceiling. Sara wasn’t going to get closer. The old man was dead. Sara knew he would be.

  Bad news. Hatta said the old man could still be useful. Not Sara’s fault he died. Sara shouldn’t get punished. Dinah’s fault. She was supposed to protect the old man, Not Sara.

  Sara heard the sounds of commotion, but ignored them. Nothing good would come from looking into it while the big sparky one was still there.

  Nothing good came from anything with him around. Even though Sara is the protagonist, Sara got sidelined because of him. Sara would have to make sure to avoid him from then on.

  After he left, and Sara was sure that he left, really sure, 100% sure, then Sara looked into it.

  Dinah was still dead. Still standing up, hung with the wires. The other two, the ones who Sara didn’t know, still dead.

  “You guys still dead? Sara thinks you’re all dead.”

  “Uhh.”

  “Eh? Not dead?”

  “Uhh.”

  “Ghost?” Was Sara hearing a ghost? Sara looked around, but no ghosts. Could Sara see a ghost if there was one?

  “Uhh, ahh.”

  Louder this time. Sara could tell where it came from. The nullifier. Alive. What was Sara supposed to do about that?

  Only one option. Have someone else figure it out for Sara.

  First, Sara had to tie it up. Second, Sara had to make it explain what to do. Easy. To tie it up, Sara had the perfect material. As Sara pulled the knives from the wall Dinah's body dropped to the ground.

  Served her right for making Sara’s job harder.