Colvolt's ‘bodyguard’ entered the moment the word ‘begin’ was said. He pulled up a chair on the opposing side, clearly, not wanting to sit next to his employer.

The man wanted nothing to do with him, and I could understand why, not personally or professionally, but why in the Imbibe was he here?

I could tell Colvolt didn’t trust me. Hell, I didn’t trust him either…or his ‘bodyguard’. How could one be a bodyguard and not fire a bullet when being chased by ‘Ravagers’ or whatever they were. sitting back hugging whatever he hugged.

The scent of burnt wires singed the air, making the humidifier work its magic, leaving vapour floating around the table, then towards us.

“Why are you here Zanton?” I asked the man, ignoring Colvolt. The man’s eyes fidgeted as he looked towards Colvolt nervously. “Why he’s here, doesn’t concern you,” Colvolt said

“Right…fine then, What’s the meaning of this meeting?”

“There’s something I need you to look for,” Colvolt said.

“What do you mean ‘something I need you to look for?’”

“It’s as I said, there’s something that was taken with Elhisia, if you’re unable to ‘rescue’ her bring it with you.”

“I’m confused, what do you mean, if I’m unable to rescue her? Isn’t that why I’m infiltrating Devil’s Reach on my own?”

“Yes, to get my daughter back” He scoffed, “but if you can’t I need the device she has in her position to be returned to me. Immediately.”

Did I just hear correctly? If his daughter doesn’t come back…make sure the device does?

“What does this device have to do with anything?” I asked.

“Everything!” Colvtolt said, tone sharp as ever. The mogul fished into his pocket, pulling out a data chip, then tossed it on the table. Red light emanating from pulsing into existence in the form of a hologram.

The hologram showed a small cube with small spirals stitched onto the surface, which seemed to be coarse based on the texture of the material and the lack of smoothness it had.

I zoomed in on the cube, which spun clockwise and couldn’t decipher if it was metal or not, but it seemed alien. “What is that?” I asked.

“The device needs to be returned.”

“No shit Colvolt, what is it?

“It’s called the lineagecube,” Colvolt Weitson said with a long sigh.

“A what?” I asked confused.

“The name doesn’t matter Cypher. What’s important, is that Mr Weitson is willing to pay me 100 Million Credits, to ensure its retrieval.” Mr Black said, cutting in.

“If you’re going to get it back, why bring me into this?” I asked, confused.

“Because the money he offered, will go towards the debt you owe me Cypher…leaving you at 100 Million Credits to pay.”

You bastard! I hissed to myself. Why is this cube so important? I don’t think he cares about his daughter, he only wants the cube back.

“Make a decision Cypher, or we’ll get someone else”

“Before I answer…I have a question.”

“Oh? What’s your question Cypher?” Mr Black said, tone delightful.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

“Why am I here?” Mr Black answered, more than asked, sarcastically. “Why else? Work. Mr Cypher…work.” He finished, lips curling into a smile.

I let his answer linger for a moment, then I just shook my head. I can’t read him…he believes his own words.

“However!” Mr Black said, killing my thoughts in one. “If you want, I can you tell why am I, but that would require you to join me after your little foray with Rikor Haek…or whatever his name is.”

“I’m sure Stryme or Eltessa can get the job down, you might even charge me an additional One Hundred Million Credits” I scoffed.

“You wound me Cypher, I never charge my men!“ He said, trailing into a laugh.

“I’m not one of your men!” I hissed.

“I know, and that’s why you have Two Hundred Million Credits to pay me.” He said calmly, “but…don’t worry, If you get back this lineagecube, you just have half to pay. How does that sound?”

Again, I didn’t answer, but bit my lip, thinking of a way out of this bullshit they were trying to put me in. No…I thought. He’ll threaten Shin-Lee and Hannah-Lee.

“Fine…” I finally said. “I’ll get it back.” I finished, biting each word.

“Good.”

A loud thud followed as Zanton dropped the silver-matte briefcase he’d been carrying around on. I ignored it the first time I saw him and never registered it since. I thought it had in his pistol, but after his display of ‘bravery’ when the Ravagers arrived, it was safe to say it didn’t have a pistol on the inside.

Mr Weitson rose from his seat, fishing into his pocket, typing in some code at the back of his wrist and a ding chimed off from Zanton. The handcuff loosed from around Zanton’s hand and he dropped it on the table.

Colvolt pushed himself up, walking towards Zanton, then rest his hands on the flat side of the briefcase. The lock pins unclipped with a snap, and the magnate opened the case

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A white glowing cylinder sat within the briefcase, with silver dressings at the top and bottom. Colvolt fished it free and twirled it his in hand. As his gaze changed from haughty to megalomaniac. The liquid shifted, and whatever it was, changed from white to dark blue, with splotches of black stitched in between.

“What is it?” I asked, curiously.

“Genetic Incubator,” Weitson said.

“DNA Nanites?”

“It is.”

“What’s it for?

“To preserve the lineagecube upon retrieval, once you get it back. It needs to be placed in this”

The Mogul then fished into his left pocket and tossed a small black sphere with yellow vector lines engraved on the sides. The lines led to a small yellow button, barely visible. “That’s a transponder to locate the lineagecube. That yellow button turns it on and off.

I pressed the button but nothing happened, no sound, no blinking, nothing at all. “It’s a dud,” I said.

“It isn’t, this is actually what you’ve been using to track Elhisia. The data from this was what was being sent to your men’s vehicle, without you wouldn’t have been able to track her.”

“…so that’s why you came.”

He didn’t answer, but I had another question in my mind that I needed an answer to.

“Where’s your daughter transponder then?”

“She removed it three days without my knowledge.”

“Why the hell would she do that?”I asked.

“It doesn’t matter that she removed it. What matters is, she took the lineagecube with her to this auction, and that device there is the only way to find her!” Colvolt snarled.”

“This doe—“

“It doesn’t fucking matter if it doesn’t make sense Cypher! The frequency is 101.1, attune whatever you need to and listen for a beep. I’m not gonna engage you any further on my daughter’s behaviour.” Mr Colvolt said, cutting me off sharply.

I watched him ball his fists into a fist and noticed Zanton’s teeth were gritted as he eyed him. Something’s amiss here I thought, but pushed it from my mind, rolling my eyes in the process.

I stimulated the frequency to my GPS and waited. Ten minutes had passed but nothing came, so I raised my volume to the maximum. A large chime echoed off into my ear, making my natural ear quiver from the nose. Hell, it almost sent me to my feet.

“I heard it.”

“Alright…you have everything you need.” Mr Black said, then tossed the datacube of Shin-Lee and Hannah at me. He pushed his chair back, then left, leaving with Colvolt and Zanton.

I sat there and watched the footage repeating four times, seeing Hannah being kissed by Shin-Lee repeatedly before she went to bed, then I switched it off and left the room, heading to do what must be done.

◆◆◆

The yard in which the Cobra Squad had commandeered was filled with rusted metal, broken pieces of stone and a shed that was tilted to the side. The air was filled with dust and grime, which made my face itch, annoyingly so.

Tryzer was sitting on one of the wheels for our ride, which by the way, was pretty banged up. The entire windscreen was completely shattered with a piece of what looked to be pine to be sticking out at the side.

“What the hell happened here?” I asked. “You don’t wanna know” Tryzer growled, eyeing Rynord who simply smiled back. “Noted,” I answered.

I stalked my way over to Naedon who was being briefed by Rook whilst he showed him an Assault Rifle. A briefcase full of comms and pistols, rifles, grenades were packed out nicely as I passed them. “These bullets are Armor Piercing, with a corrosive agent within the tip,” He said. “If it doesn’t shred the armour, the corrosive will do the job…hitting the same spot helps, just bear that in mind.”

“We know how bullets work, do you have any schematics of the layout? I’m concerned that they have a superior advantage over us once we arrive.” Naedon said.

“We can’t do anything about that” I added, drawing everyone’s eyes.

I could feel Rynord, Stelig, and Tryzer eyes piercing me as I walked up next to Naedon, picking up one of the clips for an assault rifle, checking one of the Armor Corrosive Bullet. His gaze too, pierced me, not as If I cared. However, ever since my manoeuvre with stopping the truck behind us has left him pissed off with me and I don’t know why.

“What’s your suggestion then?” Naedon asked, tone stern. “I don’t have a suggestion, we’re between a rock and a hard place. We don’t have enough information regarding Rikor’s men or the layout of Devil’s Reach, but it’s clear they’re being backed, but by who?”

“Cap, Stelyne said she’s working on it, but nothing came in as yet,” Stelig said.

“What about Rikor Haek, have you checked in with any of his known associates?” I asked.

“We have CHECKED Cypher.” Naedon snapped

“Humph…what’s with the attitude?” I asked.

“Attitude?” Naedon asked, confused…or is it anger?

“Yeah…you’ve been growing a pissant ever since the meeting with The Colonel and Mr Black. I’ve noticed the tone you’ve taken with me. I’m not one to say anything but for christ's sake Naedon. We’re on a mission, shouldn’t you keep your reservations about me, hidden…till the mission is at least complete?” I said coldly.

“Cypher,” Stelig said, coldly. “The Captain’s one of the best to ever do it. He doesn’t bring his emotions into anything, so watch what you say.”

I turned to the man, eyeing him from head to toe. Rynord wasn’t the fittest looking mercenary I’d ever seen, but he knew how to keep a menacing stature about him. His squared shoulders showing his tattoo, made him seem like a wall compared to me, but I’ve broken many walls in my time.

I stepped towards Stelig but felt an arm grab my shoulder instead. “Enough.” Naedon said, “stopping me from going towards his man.

“You’re right,” Naedon said. “You have more reason to be angered by me than I should be at you.” Naedon turned towards his men, telling them to shove off with a nod. They didn’t comply, immediately, but did so after a second urging.

“You too, Rook,” I said. The man fixed his spectacles before sauntering off. “Is this what you wanted.” Naedon asked, for us to be alone?”

“Yes and no, but I will ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you leave me in the desert?” I growled.

“It was you, or my men. I think we both know which one I’d choose”

“Humph…direct. I like that.” I said. “But why the attitude?”

“I’ve never liked you Cypher,” Naedon admitted.

“Never, liked me— we’ve never met before today…wait have we?”

“We have not,” Naedon said.

“Then, why the disgust?”

I watched as anger traced Naedon’s face as he balled his fist to match. He turned to me, then I watched as his jaw protrude from his perfectly sculpted jaw. ”I find it hard to work with the man that got Jixafon...” He said. “You know Jix?” I asked, feeling relieved. “Of course I do, Jix recruited me into CSS, for christ's sake he only ever talks about you.”

“He has an eye for leaders,” I said, jovially.

“That doesn’t say much about you, you got him injured…yet you smile.”

“I smile because, if he recruited you into CSS, then I know you’ll be able to handle this mission.”

“Like how you handled yours, with whatever business you’ll have in The Gallows?”

“So you know about that.”

“Of course, Jix told me.”

“I see, he’s never mentioned you to me. Good, I don’t like to be talked about…but I want to know one thing, are you an N9?”

“Yes…I am.”

“Which Division did you go to after?”

“…the one you don’t hear about.”

“ISOP?”

I didn’t answer the man, but I let my eyes speak ‘Yes, I’m a former Infiltration Specialist Operator.’ Naedon finally nodded from my silence then spoke. “Be honest with me Cypher,” Naedon said firmly. “You think my plan will work?” Naedon asked, surprising me.

“It’s the best plan we can afford to use. I don’t see any other way to get Elhisia out.” I said, smiling with a nod.

“Good.”

Naedon turned, leaving me with a scowl, which only drew a laugh from me. “Before you go.” I said firmly, “watch over Zanton and Colvolt. I don’t trust them.”

“I’ll remember that,” Naedon said.

Naedon began to turn away, but I stopped him. “Captain.”

“Yeah?” He answered turning back around.

“I’m gonna get the man that fucked Jix’s legs, you have my word,” I said outstretching my hand.

Naedon eyed my hand with a squint, then reached out with his, and squeezed mine in return

He stomped off, crushing pebbles and stones beneath his feet as he left me in the yard on my own. As peaceful as it was, it was harrowing, especially with all this metal eyeing me meticulously.

I turned, passing the armoured vehicle noticing the scorched bullet marks and splinters from shattered wood sticking out from tires. Will this be enough to transport them? I asked myself. I hope so.

I walked over to Rook’s armoury, taking up a submachine gun with a silencer, placed three magazines in my flak-jacket, then slung it around my shoulder and left the staging area for Cobra Squadron.