Delendus: Which is to be destroyed

Delshad Shareef ran her fingers over the rough, cold metal as she walked along the catwalk. Her crew trailed behind her quietly, careful not to distract her. Every few feet, she would tap her fingers on the metal and wait for a moment, waiting for something unknown to her crew. Finally, she sensed something. She pulled out her stethoscope and placed the ear tips in her ears. She hesitated as she went to press the diaphragm to the metal and closed her eyes as it made contact. There was the low, persistent rumbling behind the metal that anyone would have heard, regardless of where they stopped to listen. Still, there was the unmistakable thing that only she could hear, the call, the voice: The Matter.

She pulled the stethoscope away, cutting off its first syllable, "De - "

"Del?" a crewmember asked quietly. She turned around. It was Jamie, "you okay, Del?" she asked again.

"Yeah, we're here, mark it," Del responded. She could see the rest of her crew start to stir with excitement.

"Ooh, baby. Del's magic fingers have done it again," said Jamie.

"You know it," said Del, pulling Jamie in at the waist. Jamie threw her arms around Del and hopped up and down, "Let's get to work."

Del pointed along the metal, "Here... here," Jamie and Zeek marked where she told with chalk. "Torch," she said to her crew, and someone passed her cutting torch up the line. She ignited the torch and pulled her tinted goggles on, "Ready?"

Jamie and Zeek nodded yes.

Del began cutting a long rectangle in the metal, and bright sparks flew against her leather apron. Jamie stared as drops of sweat began to streak down Del's skin, "Pliers, honey," Del said to her.

"Yeah," she nodded and pulled out a pair of large pliers.

Del turned to Zeek. "Pliers."

Zeek nodded and pulled out his pliers. They both wedged their pliers into the gap that Del had cut. Jamie and Zeek wrenched the loose metal away as Del made the final cut in the rectangle. Del moved out of the way as they hefted the large rectangle over the railing behind them and watched it fall silently into the abyss below.

Del turned to face the hole she had cut. She knew what she would find there because she had done this dozens of times before, but it never stopped terrifying her and calling to her.

The Matter

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What is The Matter?

Nothing, what's the matter with you?

But really, what is it? I've failed you as a narrator up to this point by avoiding explaining the very first thing I showed you in The Conglomerate. The monolith that was the application for an entry-level position in The Conglomerate that pulled Anton Haines into itself is The Matter. And the way by which Beyza's Balneotherapy pools were heated: The Matter. And yes, the reason for Cyril Haddix's dreams: The Matter. The Mortal Conglomerate drives it, or maybe it drives The Mortal Conglomerate; that's still under debate. The fact is that The Matter is what absorbs the planets that The Conglomerate invades. It provides nearly limitless power and resources to The Conglomerate. And people like Delshad and I, who know The Matter on a more personal level, can only hope that others do not fall victim to it as we have.

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The hole revealed The Matter's smooth, black surface behind the wall. It looked entirely still, but Del could tell it was flowing upwards like a reverse waterfall. A shadow of something inside The Matter would quickly fly by every few seconds. This is why they were here.

"SMELLY DELLY," the unmistakable voice said to Del, but only she could hear the thick rumbling congealment in her ears.

Del pulled her noise-canceling headphones over her ears and turned up the volume until the music was the only thing she could hear.

You good? Jamie signed to her.

Yeah, one minute. Del signed back. She pulled out a small scooping tool and scooped a spherical piece out of The Matter that she sealed in a small, cylindrical, silver canister and put in her bag. Okay, she signed to Jamie, set up the conveyors. I'll meet you back up top. Remember the contingency.

Jamie gave a thumbs up.

Repeat the contingency, Del signed

Jamie hesitated and looked down.

Del held Jamie's shoulders.

Jamie looked back up at Del and signed, If someone makes contact with The Matter, they must be, then she drew a line across her neck with her pointer finger and held back the tears.

Del hugged her, signed Thank you, and left her crew to finish the work.

She emerged from the tunnel into the busy walkway and removed her headphones. Someone was waiting for her.

"Delshad Shareef," the man said from behind the high collar of his long jacket.

"Porter Felled," Del responded.

"On another work contract, I assume? Official papers? Nothing illegal?"

Del reached into her pocket and pulled out some folded sheets of paper, "Isn't this getting old, detective?"

He stepped over to her, his slender frame towering over her. They each felt comfortable in their distinct appearance: Del covered in dirt and sweat, wearing thick, brown fabrics, and her leather apron cinched tight around her waist; Porter in his clean, tailored suit, hair neatly combed back. "The fun part is knowing that one day you'll slip up," he took the papers from her, "and I'll be the one responsible for catching you." He unfolded the papers and ran his scanner over each one.

Del held her hand out, waiting for the papers, "I assume we're good here?"

"You know you're putting them in extreme danger down there."

"You can't threaten us, Felled."

"It's not a threat. I just hate finding dead bodies in my district."

"Are we done?"

Porter shoved the papers back into her hand and walked away, "You're playing with serious shit down there, Shareef. You better have an exit strategy."

Del turned and walked the other way, whispering "Fucking Cong-sec" to herself.

The haul had been transported, inventoried, and shelved. It was mostly the usual stuff: lumber, stone, a few containers of metal, personal effects, pieces of technology that would need examining for their function, and one case labeled "volatile" that would remain unopened and placed in the vault. Overall, it was a good haul; Del could pay everyone in total, and the warehouse would remain stocked for another month.

They were all lounging around the bedroom after a long, well-earned shower, eating snacks and drinking. "What do you think is in it?" Jamie asked as she handed Del a drink and slid onto the couch under her arm.

"It could be anything," Del replied, "those dunces down there rarely know what they're sending up the conduits, probably something harmless that got mislabeled. We'll take it to the blaster tomorrow just to be safe."

"I bet it's a weapon," said Jett as they tossed a small cracker in the air and awkwardly caught it in their mouth.

"Nah, it's probably a fruit with some kind of invasive insect infestation," said Teller, who was spending more time picking out music to play than she would listening to the music.

"I hate bugs," said Kruller as he attempted to reassemble a pair of binoculars, "I just hope it's something we can sell."

Zeek tapped Del on the shoulder.

"What is it, honey?"

He pointed at her drink.

"No, this has alcohol. You can't have any. Jamie can get you some water if you're thirsty."

He nodded yes.

Jamie returned with a glass of water for Zeek. "Here you go, sweetie."

They ate and drank, and when it came time for bed, they dressed down and climbed into the large bed together.

Del woke to the sounds of people whispering in the warehouse. She looked around and saw that Kruller and Jett were missing from the bed.

Kruller nervously paced back and forth in the warehouse, "Shit, shit, shit, this is not good."

Jett tried to console him, "It'll be fine, Kruller. Nobody got hurt, that's what's important."

"It's all my fault, Jett. I was supposed to be on watch. I don't even know how they got in."

"It's okay. We'll figure out what happened and increase our security."

"She's going to fire me."

"Why would I fire you, Kruller," Del said as she emerged from the bedroom.

"Shit, Del," Kruller said, startled, "They stole the volatile case from yesterday. I was on watch, and somehow, they got in and stole it."

"Are the locks intact?" Del asked.

"Yeah, Jett and I checked. Nothing is broken, no alarms tripped, and the vault is the only thing unlocked and open. We were going to check the camera feed, but we need your passcode."

All of them huddled around the console screen in the office. Del manipulated the controls to try and find the correct camera feed at the time of the case theft. She rewound the vault camera feed to the right time. They all watched as the wheel on the vault door spun back and forth, then the door swung open, and the case flew out.

"What the fuck was that?" Kruller asked.

"A ghost!" said Teller.

"There's no such thing as ghosts," said Jett.

Zeek tapped Del on the shoulder.

"Hang on, honey," said Del.

"Whoever it was, they knew the vault combo," said Jamie.

Zeek tapped Del on the shoulder again.

"What is it, honey?"

Del had the video feed paused on a frame of the case suspended in mid-air. Zeek pointed at the corner of the frame.

"What is that?" Jamie asked.

"What? What's he pointing at?" Kruller asked, trying to get a better look.

"It's an eyeball," said Del. She ran the footage back and forth. They all watched as an eyeball attached to an articulating stem moved into the frame shortly before the wheel on the vault door began to spin. Del switched the camera feed, and they saw that the metallic stem extended through the hall and around the corner that led to the safe. Del ran the footage backward, and they watched as the stem with the eyeball on the end receded its way through the building. Eventually, the stem disappeared through a vent.

"Where'd it go?" Kruller asked.

"Check out front," Jett said.

Del switched to the camera feed to the front of the building. The stem extended through the vent and appeared to be attached to a digital visual glitch of randomly colored blocks in the vague shape of a person. "Fuck," Del said.

"What? Who is that?" Kruller asked.

"I told you it's a ghost," said Teller.

"It's nothing. Forget about it," Del turned off the console.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"What do you mean, forget about it? Someone stole from us," Kruller said.

"Not someone, that's an Elite Conglomerate officer. Whatever they stole belongs to them now. We never owned it." Del said.

"No, fuck that, I'm not letting them get away with that-"

"Kruller, you listen to me. An elite officer puts that much effort into getting something back; you let them have it. Any way you can think of to try and steal it back, they have a bigger and better way of stopping you, or they'll steal it back again. I have lost too much family to those fuckers to let you go throw your life away trying to earn more money or glory or whatever it is you're after."

"It's my fault, Del, I was on watch."

"No, Kruller, if you hadn't slept through this, if you tried to stop them, I'd be mopping your blood off my floor right now."

But Kruller knew he was dead either way. He had one week to come up with the rest of the money he owed to the Courtus Gang, or they would kill him, and his last hope was to sell whatever was in that case.

Kruller had been gone for two days when the letter arrived.

If you're reading this, I've already left to find the case. I have my reasons for going after it, and I'm sorry I left without telling you guys. If you don't hear from me by the end of the day, assume that I'm probably dead. I love you all so much, and I'm sorry I fucked up.

-Kruller

Del waited outside the Conglomerate Security Office and tried not to look like the whole concept of the place made her want to throw up. Many officers here were familiar with Delshad Shareef's criminal files or were aware enough to recognize her type. She tried to avoid eye contact with them as they entered the building. Finally, Porter Felled showed up.

"Delshad Shareef, never thought I'd see you around here. You finally decide to turn yourself in?"

"Porter, I need your help."

"Well, now I'm really curious. It must be serious if you came here."

"One of my guys went missing, and none of the contractors are willing to take the job."

"Why not?"

"Can we talk somewhere private?"

Porter took Del up to his office. He offered her coffee, and she declined. "So what's got all the contractors spooked about your missing guy?"

"An elite took something from us. I told my guy to let it go, but he went after them anyways."

"When was this?"

"The theft happened six days ago. I last saw my guy four days ago, and we received this letter two days ago." Del handed Kruller's letter to Porter.

Porter read the letter, "Okay, look, to be honest, I probably hate the elites as much as you do. They get to operate throughout the strata without any due process or even informing me when they're coming through, and most of the time, they end up getting someone killed, and I get left with the paperwork. So I'll help you out here. I can trace where your guy may have gone, but you must ensure I don't have to deal with any bodies you find. You understand?"

"Thank you, Porter."

"Yeah, sure. You know I appreciate you always making my job easy for me. I don't like what you do, but I like that I've never had to bust you."

"I just like not being in a cell."

"Don't we all. I'll have a courier drop off the info I find later today."

Porter found that Kruller had tracked down security camera recordings from the night of the theft from other businesses in the area. He traced the route of the person-shaped digital visual glitches. He followed them until the Courtus Gang eventually picked him up. "Dammit Kruller. Why did it have to be Courtus?" Del said to herself as she went over the information in her office. She opened the hidden stash in her desk and examined the canisters. Only two left, but one would be enough. She pressed the intercom button, "Jamie, please see me in my office."

A moment later, Jamie entered the office, "Am I in trouble, miss?" she said cheekily.

"I need you and Zeek to watch the place while I take Jett and Teller on a job."

"Did you find Kruller?"

"Maybe. But I need you here, understand?"

"We'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, baby."

Del, Jett, and Teller approached the Courtus Club. They detected the intoxicating scent of hedonism and the pulsing bass of sensual music from a block away. Neon accents adorned the outer walls of the building, and a large, muscular bouncer guarded the unmarked door.

"You sure you can get us in?" Del asked Jett.

"As long as Rowan hasn't replaced all of his bouncers since I left," Jett replied. As they approached, Jett recognized the bouncer. "Hey Dion," they said to the bouncer.

"Jett the pet. Come to get your job back?"

"It's Jett the threat, now, and maybe. Is Rowan around?"

"Maybe. Who are these two?"

"This is Audey," they gestured to Teller, who smiled and waved, "and Bobette," they gestured to Del, who gave a subtle head nod, "I thought I'd show them around if that's cool."

"Yeah, go on in. And hey, come up with a better nickname. That one's lame."

Jett gave Dion a vulgar gesture as they entered.

"Good to see you, Jett."

As they descended the stairs into the club, the air became thick with a stimulating mix of smoke, passion, and the pulsating rhythms of music reverberating through their bones. A sultry palette of blue and purple lights dimly lit the club floor. The silhouettes that filled the dance floor could be seen through the layers of smoke and steam, bouncing and grinding on each other. As the shifting lights flashed across the dancers, a kaleidoscope of various forms and features could be seen, from shimmering scales and iridescent skin to undulating tentacles and tails; it was an intricate tapestry of movement and passion.

They reached the bottom of the stairs. What's the plan? Teller signed. It was difficult to see her hands in the dim lighting, but the three of them had worked together enough that they could make it out.

Jett, start mingling until you get the regular's attention. When it looks clear, I'll head up to his office. Del signed.

What about me? Teller signed.

Pretend to be Jett's date. Help them draw more attention.

Pretend? Jett and Teller both signed, then wrapped their arms around each other and disappeared into the crowd.

Suddenly, the music stopped, and a bright, white light flooded the club. On the opposite wall of the club, a stairway led up to a door to an office. The door swung open, and a bald man dressed in tight black clothes barged out. "Delshad Shareef," the man shouted across the club, "I was beginning to wonder when I'd see your face again."

"Rowan Chant," Del said disdainfully. She was getting tired of authoritative men greeting her with her full name. She felt the small canister in her pocket and glanced at the crowd who were now staring at her. Please forgive me, she thought to herself.

"Why don't you come up here, and we can have a little chat?" Rowan shouted.

Del began to walk across the dance floor, and the crowd parted for her. Jett and Teller made eye contact with her, and she quickly shook her head "no," telling them not to follow. As she walked up the stairs, the lighting and music returned to their original state.

"Well, Del," Rowan said to her as he sat at his desk, "to what do I-"

"You know exactly why the fuck I'm here, Rowan. Where is he?" Del interrupted.

"Where is who?" Rowan smiled at his guard standing in the corner.

"Kruller, I know you have him or his body. I don't care. Just give him back."

"Kruller messed up, you know, he owed me a lot of money. Did you bring something to trade?"

Del sighed and looked down at the bulge in her pocket.

"Yes? Can I see it?" Rowan asked.

Del pulled out the canister and paused to look at it. She weighed the options, considered the damage it would cause, how much she needed her family, and how hard she had worked and fought to find, choose, and keep the best people to love and live with. Kruller wasn't just a man. He was a piece of a whole that Del couldn't bear to lose. She slowly opened the canister.

"SMELLY DELLY," the voice curdled in her senses, "TIME TO TRY THAT TEMPTING TASTE?"

"No," she whispered into the canister, "but I've brought you a new friend."

"OH DELLY, HONEY, SWEETIE, YOU ARE TOO - "

Del slammed the open canister upside down onto Rowan's desk, and he jumped back, startled. The guard fumbled his rifle. Del hunched her head level with the canister and stared at it, "What you are about to experience, I can assure you, will be the most intense and addicting substance you have ever consumed. It will devour each of your synapses and spit out a shuddering husk that has experienced the most orgasmic pleasure. It will ruin you." She looked up at Rowan, "Do you consent?"

"Well, shit, Del," Rowan said, "that's quite the hell of a pitch. Fuck yeah, I consent."

Del straightened up, keeping her hand firmly on the canister. She looked at the guard, "Sorry you have to watch, kid." She lifted the canister, and the thick, black sludge dripped into a puddle on the table.

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I struggle to describe the events that took place next within Rowan Chant's office at the Courtus Club. Not because I'm a poor writer, I know the words I would use to describe it to you, I know because something almost exactly like it has happened to me. But I believe that when it comes to addiction, it is up to the person who is addicted to choose how or if they want their experiences described by someone else. For some, the subject of addiction can be an intensely shameful story to tell, whereas others might have an easier time telling their story as one of caution. Unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of asking Rowan permission to tell his story due to his current state, so I'll leave it to your imagination.

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Del emerged from the office, helping Kruller walk down the stairs. He was weak from days of torture and was missing his left arm just below the elbow, but he was alive. Jett and Teller rushed to help support his weight as he limped across the club and out the exit. "Get him to an infirmary," Del told Jett and Teller, "they should be able to give him a new arm. I'll meet you back at the warehouse."

Del returned to the warehouse and explained almost everything to Jamie and Zeek. "I'll be out in just a minute. I just need to put my stuff away," she said as she entered her office. She sat at her desk, opened her hidden stash, and pulled out the last canister. She placed it on her desk and stared at it.

The next day, an unmarked package arrived at Porter Felled's office. He opened the box and found a small, cylindrical silver canister and a letter. Printed on the letter was the following message:

Dear Detective Felled,

Do not open the canister. Inside is the most vile substance I hope you will ever discover within the Conglomerate. Within the conduits of every stratum, you will find it flowing, delivering energy and goods across the universe, absorbing parts of nearby planets and the inhabitant's belongings after the Conglomerate has evicted them. It is called The Matter, and I can't describe it as anything other than pure evil.

You will see The Matter popping up in your district as the new drug of choice in just a few weeks. I've supplied you with a small sample in the hopes that you can deliver it to some toxicology lab that can figure out a way to neutralize it. I don't know, maybe this is a long shot, but I wasn't sure what else to do.

In any case, thanks for helping me out. Let's call us even.

-D.S.