Another hour flew by as the final details with Frontier were hashed out. A preliminary promise to sell and non-compete were signed in quick order. Raine’s insistence on allowing a game to handle the final contract were eventually resolved by Donald, surprisingly enough. The man had an entire legal team communicating with him via his LinQ, and they were quick to note the hashgraph encryption would guarantee the integrity of the files and the transferred funds.
It would take some time for them to set up the corresponding ZionLine account, deposit their funds, then initiate the transfer. Meanwhile, Raine gave them a working copy of the contract Morty drafted so their legal team had something to sink their teeth into.
Hands were shook, and a toast was made, all of which couldn’t have felt more drawn out. Raine’s thoughts were consumed with returning to ZionLine now that the system maintenance had ended. He firmly restrained his impatience. The deal had yet to be finalized, and any lapse in the reliable countenance he carefully constructed could still cause it all to come crumbling down.
Finally, Marshal called an end to the meeting, allowing his visibly impatient engineers to scurry away. They no doubt would be losing sleep in preparing for the induction of WIDOW into their production pipelines.
“You’re an interesting man, Mr. KongRu. I know you won't need it after this, but any interest in a job? We have great benefits,” Marshal grinned, flashing his brows.
Raine allowed Mel to don his jacket, then shook the man’s hand a final time, “I hope you don't mind if I leave that door open. It's impossible to know what the future holds.”
“Hah!” He barked, pointing to the ceiling, “The future of mankind is out there. Not in some fantasy world.”
“Thank you for the advice, Mr. Falmaris. I don't disagree. But ZionLine’s dilation changes everything. It’s no mere game, it's mankinds’ access to the only currency that matters.”
“The only… I'll take that under advisement,” Marshall nodded thoughtfully.
They left and were escorted out by the same martials, now noticeably less brusque in their demeanor. Back in the cab, Mel exploded into confetti, “That was amazing! Congratulations, Raine. Ahhh! Did you see the way they were looking at me? Gosh are they going to be surprised if they ever find out the truth. And what was that last bit? What's the only currency that matters? Were you guys not dealing in creds?”
Raine shrugged, “If I offered you twenty billion right now with no strings attached, would you take it?” He didn’t give her a chance to respond, “Obviously, you would. Anyone would. What if it came with the sole stipulation that tomorrow, you would have to die? Money is meaningless in comparison to time.”
“Oh. That's pretty deep, Mr. KongRu,” she shot him a devilish smirk, then burst into giggles. She recovered quickly as their taxi sped away, “I still can't believe I did that. I felt like a spy. It was so wrong in all the right ways.”
“I knew you could pull it off. Gotta admit, I didn't expect you to be quite that flawless. Thank you, Mel. Selling WIDOW means more to me than you can realize, and it ended up in the right hands for the right price. It does feel a little too good to be true.”
She moved her head about, sniffing the air, “Is that a reward I smell? Are you perhaps implying I get to keep the outfit?” The smile that had been plastered on her face slipped for the first time as she ran her fingers down the supple material covering her arms.
Raine scoffed, “What are you talking about? We just buttoned down a deal for two point three billion credits and you’re worried about a few thousand? I’m more liable to buy you every outfit on that floor than return the one you used to help!”
Her neck audibly creaked as her head slowly ratcheted in his direction, “b-b-b-billio… Not million? And-and-I-because… You-but then I-and. S-stop the car!” Her face turned deathly pale and she slammed her hand on the emergency switch. The robotaxi quickly veered to the side of the highway. She was out the door before it came to a complete stop. She bent over and rainbows spewed from her mouth, splashing across the ceraphalt.
Raine jumped out after her. He patted her heaving back, ready to throw them both to the side if one of the approaching vehicles—traveling several hundred kilometers per hour—came too close. The second her heaving was under control, he bustled her back into the car which sped away.
She was so wrapped up in her persona she didn’t realize. Glad I didn’t say anything beforehand.
Mel's eyes were dilated and her breaths short, “Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, I just impersonated someone who actually belonged in that room. I-I had no idea it was that big a deal! What if they do find out about me? W-will I go to jail?”
“No. That's not going to happen. And you proved to everyone that you belonged in that room. Nothing we said or did was fraud. We presented a real, working product they wanted, and they paid for it: That simple.”
Ridiculous girl. And how is she still so cute after spewing her guts across the street? Unfair.
Raine’s voice in her ears was a balm to her frayed emotions. By the end of his simple compliment, Mel found herself struggling to hold back a smile, “I-I'm sorry for acting ridiculous. I didn't know. It's so good I didn't realize how much was at stake. I would have ruined everything.”
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Either her words, or something she saw out the window suddenly caused her entire body to stiffen. Her jaw clenched and intense distress marred her face. She snatched the bag containing her old clothes and refused to meet Raine’s eyes, “Can you drop me off up here?”
What the hell? She went from a hundred to zero in a split second.
[I almost forgot they’re coming. I can't let such a crazy night end with him being killed in my shop. I suppose after this, it won’t be mine any more.]
Raine had yet to respond, and she snuck a glance his way. She could tell by his expression he had no intention of leaving her alone, so she tried again, “I need to clear my head, that’s all. This was too much for me. I'm a simple girl; no one special. Let me out on the next corner and—”
“Nope,” Raine refused with a bored expression. She flinched, turning to him with the intent to vent the fury she didn’t feel, but he spoke over her, “You'll be mugged in seconds wearing Shillids in this part of town. When you're with me, your safety is my responsibility. I take that seriously. Even if I have to protect you from yourself at the expense of our friendship. Besides, I have a surprise for you when we get back, and I don't want to miss your reaction.”
Her frustration dissipated, replaced by guilt. She hung her head in her hands, impotent tears welling at the corners of her eyes.
[Stubborn, stubborn idiot! I'm trying to protect you, too! I should tell him the truth. He won’t want anything to do with me. Then, he'll leave.]
She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't pass through her lips.
[Why is it so hard to say?! Because if I do, it means I'm admitting I’m not crazy. That I’m really hearing his thoughts and it's not some figment of my imagination. That PsyCore will eventually find me and that will be the end. Why is it only him? Why haven't I heard anyone else? Am I really a telepath? I-I don’t want to know the truth.]
Raine's mind was serene as a midnight pond. Every ounce of his focus watched her and the world around them, searching for clues to the abrupt change in demeanor that was so unlike the Mel he knew.
Neither managed to solve their mysteries before the taxi stopped in front of her cafe. She dashed out, running for the front door without a word. Raine unhurriedly strode behind. She threw open the door, whatever plan she had forgotten upon revealing the absolutely spotless interior. Her crates were packed and sealed. The only things left out were two stools and several little white boxes on the counter releasing a captivating aroma.
“Surprise. I had some drones finish packing while we were gone. You looked in a hurry, and I knew that deal would take longer than the chinese,” Raine gently pushed past her and headed to the counter to divvy out their dinner.
Good job, Morty. Gotta buy him some top of the line limbs after everything he did tonight. Screw printing something from the basement.
Raine's strange thoughts pulled Mel from her shock, though her heart was still racing out of control, “You can't stay here. Thank you for helping, but you have to go, right now!”
Her using a finger to separate the window blinds to scan up and down the street was the last clue Raine needed, “You were forced to sell, weren't you? And the goons they sent to intimidate you are going to show up soon.” She spun to face him, the surprise on her face confirmation enough. “Thanks for worrying about me, but it's unnecessary. Come eat. When they show up, I'll make sure they don't get out of hand. Then, I'll take you home.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. Realizing his slip, Raine was quick to amend his proposition, “To your home, not mine. We just met. No matter how well it went, I'm not going to try sleeping with you… tonight.” Raine winked, then popped a large piece of savory and warm chicken into his mouth, chewing happily as flavors burst across his tongue.
Mel took one slow and steady step at a time. Her heels clacking as her thoughts raced to catch up with the one-sided conversation.
[I am so screwed, and not in the fun way! They’re going to be here soon. They always come at this time. I don’t want him to go, but what if he gets hurt? I’ve still got the WRAITH system. If they try anything I'll scare them off. Well, since he's so shamelessly injecting himself into my business, I might as well do the same.]
By the time she sat next to him, she seemed mostly recovered, “Right. We only just met. We definitely never knew each other before this week, did we?” She narrowed her eyes, snatching a pair of chopsticks.
Raine, misunderstanding her meaning, waved his hands defensively, “Hey, I already said I wasn't interested in the properties around here. I'm not with the people pushing you out. I know who they are, though. If anything, I hate them more than you do.”
Bastards enslaved me for thirty years. They ruined all our lives.
[Thirty?!]
“Then who are they?” Mel fired back, taking her first bite.
“Company called Cro—”
The front door slammed open and five men hustled inside, three of them holding short clubs. The fluidity and strength of their movements marked them as class two and three martials. These weren’t random druggies off the street, but fully trained disciples of CronGate. Since he didn’t recognize any of them from the past, they were destined to have short-lived careers. That didn’t mean he could afford to brashly kill or permanently maim them, as that would attract attention he wasn’t ready for.
The one in the lead sneered at Raine after carefully casing the room, “Dumb bitch. Think getting yourself some representation will help? The terms ain't changin.’ Least you were smart enough to pack up. Sign and disappear, ‘fore I change my mind.” He flicked a datastream her way, and Raine's watch automatically intercepted it, creating a copy that floated above his wrist.
He scanned the crude bill of sale, rolling his eyes at the sloppiness of it all until he got to the store price. Rage boiled in his gut as he stood. A gentle puff of steam escaped his nostrils as he warmed up his internal force. His body wasn’t prepared for it yet, but at that moment, he couldn’t have cared less. He cracked his neck, facing off against the thugs.
I was only going to make sure things didn't get out of hand. But this… this is inexcusable.
His voice promised pain and misery, “She won't be signing that, because she already sold to me. So, now we get to pound out a new deal.”
The man laughed as his men fanned out, “Didn't think I'd meet someone even dumb’r than her. I don't mind negotiatin’ with you at all. I'll make it so simple even you can understand. Sign, or we'll break your arms and legs, then sign for you.”
Raine shook out his arms and stepped toward them, his gaze deadly serious, “Five thousand creds for a store with a hypernet relay? The only one allowed to be that greedy is me!”