“How could this have happened!”
Commander Artran Debust Beenemes, a Caniscan and High Guard Commander of the Galactic Federation stood in front of his floor to ceiling window, contemplating the view below. The mighty city of Galactica spread out as far as the eye could see. Galactica was the capital of the Federation, the only city on the tiny planet of M-19. It covered the entire surface, one giant metropolis devoted to governing the Federation planets. Every race was represented in Galactica. Each had their own sector and indoor gardens and parks were allowed for those races that wished them. No commerce of any kind was allowed; any buildings not used as housing or for political arenas were devoted to medical care for the sick.
The city itself was an amazing sight to behold. Quarried stone mixed with glass and rose next to and around precious metals and exotic woods. There was no uniformity, as every race took pride in showing off the best their architects could design. Pendants and flags flew from every rooftop, adding a riot of color to the mix. And the city was never silent. No matter what time of day or night, someone always found something to celebrate.
Artran had always preferred this view to the one from his quarters in the Officers' district. It lay on the outskirts of the Federation section of the city, several blocks of dull grey buildings, the same size and shape. Lack of imagination appeared to be a universal military trait. All one could see from the there was the Federation district itself and while the pure classic lines of black and red veined white marble were lovely, the buildings themselves resembled a cluster of spears, pointed towards the sky. Granted they were beautiful in the rising and setting of the sun, the colors reflecting of their polished surfaces but the rest of the day they were rather bland looking compared to the rest of the city.
It was that last reason that Artran preferred the view from his office the most. Since it was located at the top of one of the outer spires, he had a wonderful view of most of the more colorful districts. He loved to stand there and contemplate his beloved city. Normally it had a calming affect on him but today nothing could soothe the combination of anger, fear, and disgust running through him. A weapon vital to the preservation of his beloved Federation had just been stolen out from under them and with it, their biggest hope for survival. “Tell me Tourushe, how could you possibly lose a weapon that you know is vital to the continuation of the Galactic Federation and every race that belongs to it. Tell me, how,” he demanded as he slammed his hands down on his desk.
The Telorien, Tourushe, remained composed while the rest of the offices occupants jumped but inside he sneered at the overgrown Caniscan. He was typical of his race, Tourushe decided, overly large with golden fur and big pointed ears. Caniscans were an offensive race to the Teloriens. Teloriens were much smaller in stature with webbed hands and feet that ended in short claws. Their bodies were covered with scales that looked silvery or bluish depending on the light.
“Well,” Tourushe began as he settled himself more comfortably in his chair, “first of all, I didn't lose it. I took every security precaution necessary; I even supervised the loading for transport. The weapon should have been safely tucked away on board the Belagorate.”
“It wasn't,” Artran growled back. “It was stolen right out from under us by pirates. If you had allowed me to do it my way, none of this would have happened. That thing would have had a fully armed escort to the Hyperion galaxy and this would not have happened.”
“Ah, excuse me Commander,” Mankeroq spoke up. Mankeroq served as the assistant and liaison for the Coordinator for Defense for the Galactic Federation, an impressive office for an unimpressive Guloq. Mankeroq had been an odd choice for the position. Guloqs were subservient by nature and bowed down to anyone stronger then them. They possessed tough leathery skin in shades of brown and were very slight.
“Ambassador Tourushe made an excellent case to his most excellence. Such a spectacle would have immediately alerted our enemies to what we were attempting not to mention attracting unwanted attention. Remember, we don't want our citizens to know about the coming war. We needed to be as unobtrusive as possible and the Belagorate provided us with that opportunity.”
“Oh yes, and what an opportunity it was. We had our greatest military achievement stolen and along with it, our hopes for a treaty with the Hyperion, what a wonderful opportunity.”
“I warned the Federation about the security problems in Control, but I was ignored,” Tourushe defended himself. “I searched for as unlikely a target as possible and put its transport schedule under strict security but there are so many leaks in Control I am surprised any trade is accomplished. Is it any wonder so many of us threatening to boycott.”
Mankeroq sighed.
“That isn't the issue right now,” he replied. “We have far more important things to worry about. We cannot go about the galaxies searching a missing crate of croinberries without arousing deep suspicions. I'm afraid we are going to have to alert the ambassadors and ask for their help.” Artran slammed his hands down on his desk.
“That will compromise Federation security, I will not allow.”
“We have no choice Commander. Too many already know things they shouldn't. Secrecy in this matter was compromised a long time ago.”
“Blasted spies! None of those fraggeded Ambassadors trusts one another or us when it comes right down to it. Some alliance we have.”
“Now, now Artran, we Ambassadors have a stake in knowing what's happening to the Federation and most of the time we're kept woefully uninformed.” Tourushe began to clean his talons as he grinned at the Caniscan.
He growled back.
“Gentlemen please, bickering will get us nowhere. We have far more important things to worry about. The Coordinator has already decided to alert the Ambassadors. They have been told to keep it strictly secret.”
“Like that will actually happen Mankeroq,” Artran replied, disgusted.
“Be that as it may Commander, it was the Coordinators decision. She felt they could help us in identifying the culprits. Each Ambassador has been supplied with a report on the current crisis, details on the incident, and the information that we have attained so far. She hopes that someone may recognize which race these saboteurs come from. It could produce results more quickly.”
“I highly doubt anyone is going to come forward on this Mankeroq. Whether the hijacking was deliberate or not, there will be repercussions for whoever is responsible for this and their home world, that I promise you.” Artran turned back to stare out his window.
“Wait,” Tourushe spoke up. “What information have we attained so far, I thought I was briefed on everything.”
Mankeroq suddenly looked shifty.
“Well, after further interviews with the captain of the Belagorate, we have some new information on the possible identities of the pirates.”
“Crudit! Why was I not informed of this sooner? This was my project, I should have been told.” Tourushe advanced on the poor Guloq, tempted to ring his scrawny neck.
“Calm yourself Tourushe,” Artran said in a patronizing voice. “It was merely a security precaution.”
“Yes, yes,” Mankeroq agreed, quickly. “But you were going to be informed eventually.”
“You will inform me now!”
“Yes… uh-hmm… well, it seems the captain and his first mate had contact with some of the pirates.”
“I know all this. They knocked out two of them, but they were Jeverans. Jeverans work for whoever hires them, they aren't smart enough to pull off something like this.”
“We recovered a recording device that picked up another member of the raiding party in action.”
“You have viable image. Excellent,” Tourushe crowed.
“Not exactly. Apparently they were disabled by a phantom of some sort.” Mankeroq held up his hand to silence Tourushe. “We reviewed the footage and, at first, suspected that they assailant used some sort of stealth technology that rendered them invisible. Some sort of light refractory device possibly.”
“At first?”
“Yes. After running the images through nearly every signal and light scanner we could think of, we got a faint image. From what we can determine, the individual wore no suit, nor seemed to be wearing any sort of device that could do that. Its possible that the device was in a remote location, but our experts tell us that is highly difficult, especially considering the way this individual moved. They had a much more… interesting conclusion.”
“They think the thief could make themselves invisible through their own body,” Artran said bluntly.
“Wait, you mean there could be a race out that can make themselves invisible to the senses. Some sort of natural stealth ability? That's incredible.” Tourushe sat back, shocked at the idea.
“Yes, its all in the report that was distributed.”
“Why would any race with that ability want to admit such a thing, especially considering the consequences.”
“For once I agree with Tourushe,” Artran said. “No one is going to want to admit to it.”
“The Coordinator has considered that,” Mankeroq replied. “However, after discussing it with the Council, they agreed to release the information. They feel that an ability like that cannot be kept a secret forever someone must know something. All the Ambassadors have tons of information going through their offices about the other races. Surely, along the way, someone has heard something. However we won't be relying just on the Ambassadors. Our intelligence department has put together a workup based on what we know so far. They believe we are looking for a race that has many different species. Also, they must be very technologically advanced.”
“Oh yes, that should narrow it down to a few hundred,” Tourushe said sarcastically. “Assuming they are even correct, that it. Meanwhile, your little report could easily drive the guilty party further in too hiding or convince them to destroy the weapon before they are found. Either way we are frelled.”
“Don't bother Tourushe, I have already brought up most of these arguments plus many, many more, but the Coordinator decided not to listen to common sense,” Artran began to pace his office as he considered how much damage had already been done.
Mankeroq glared at them as he rose.
“We know what we are doing,” he said as he exited the office.
“You cannot possibly be in support of these actions, Artran. The safety of the Federation is at stake here.”
“I know Tourushe, but the Coordinator has the backing of the High Council. My objections mean nothing. Intelligence is determined to locate these rogue operators their own way.”
“Then you think that this is more then simple pirate raid on a shipping vessel. You think this was deliberate?”
“Yes I do. Despite the 'deductions' that Intelligence has made, I believe this was done in a deliberate attempt to sabotage the war effort. Someone knew about our security precautions and choose the perfect moment to strike. While the Belagorate was in thirdspace they were almost defenseless. The timing is too perfect.”
“You may have a point there. Tell me Commander, how opposed would you be to conducting your own inquiries?”
“You have something in mind, Tourushe?”
“Perhaps. Let me speak to a few people and get back to you, I may know of a way to help.”
As Artran nodded, Tourushe rose and left.
“Lieutenant, what do you make of the Ambassadors offer,” Artran turned to his second in command who had been lurking quietly in a corner. Lieutenant Grenem Balasc Montark moved further into the light and faced his commander.
“Sir, I find the Telorien secretive and untrustworthy. Ambassador Tourushe appears to have his own agenda and his concern for the security of the Galactic Federation appears insincere and forced. I believe that any help from him would come at a high price. Sir.”
“I agree with your assessment Grenem, Tourushe definitely has his own agenda in this. I was opposed to allowing the Teloriens into this deal, but I was overridden. The High Council believed their advanced technological society made them a good choice for the negotiations. Something about the Hyperions being able to relate to another advanced society.”
“Did the High Council not take into account the fact that the Teloriens value luxury and pleasure above all things, that's why they are so 'advanced.' Sir.”
“Correct Grenem, however politics does not always take facts into account.”
“I cannot imagine why, Sir. Facts are truth and truth is always right Sir.”
“We like to think so Grenem, we like to think so. While the good Ambassador sets his plans into motion, we shall set ours. Oh, and Grenem, we will have to do this without the knowledge of the Coordinators' office.”
“Not a problem, Sir.”
“You are over a week late in contacting me. I don't care how hard it is for you to make contact; I can walk away right now you know. My services have already been paid for.”
The shrouded figure laughed as he read his contacts response.
“Don't even try to threaten me, you need me around, remember, especially now. A problem has occurred.”
“No I haven't made any mistakes, I did everything according to the plan, what happened wasn't my fault.”
The figure glanced around the darkened room while he waited for a response. It didn't take long.
“It seems the weapon has been stolen. So far my contacts have not been able to come up with a name.”
An angry response scrolled across the screen.
“No, no one knows of our plans, I've been very careful in covering my tracks. Its possible someone was trying to sabotage the Federation's alliance by stealing the weapon though. There may be others who want this alliance to fail too. The Federation has, for some time now, been monitoring a group of rogue agents trying to undermine their authority.”
“No… no, no, I have a different scapegoat in mind for our venture, however they could be useful in other ways. Sabotage is a specialty of theirs.”
“No I don't think these so-called Anti-Federalists are behind the theft, they couldn't possibly have had the technology to pull off such a theft.”
More threats scrolled across the screen.
“I told you not to threaten me, I could abandon you right now if I wanted to, technically the alliance is destroyed without the weapon, that was all I was hired to accomplish, the rest is your mess.”
Several minutes later, the vid-link translated his response.
“I thought you might see things my way. Actually I have some information from the High Council on the theft. So far they have not been able to identify the image but, based on some information I have dug up, I have a few hunches. I'm going to transmit everything I have to you now, tell me what you think.”
The figure slid a series of data crystals in then sat back while his employers analyzed his transmission. If he was correct they would be sending back a specific name and he would have his answer. It made sense once you thought about it. Only one race truly had a stake in keeping the Hyperions involved in war. As long as they were fighting the Beasts, the unknown thieves would have plenty of time to flee. Few knew the Beasts real target in this war. He sat up as a response scrolled across the screen.
“That's what I figured. Yes, I know they could be dangerous, but they're nothing know. The theft was a last ditch effort, once the High Council knows who was behind it, they're doomed, the Federation will break the alliance with them.”
“No, it would look to suspicious if I came forward, I'll simply left this fall into the hands of another and the web will close even tighter.”
A loud screeching sound jerked Nightshade out of a sound sleep.
“Frellin fraggin *#%$$&& @%!*&!!!!!. Lights on, lowest setting,” sitting up she smacked her hand on the vid-link on her table. “Link on, image block. WHAT!!!!!!”
“Good morning sunshine,” came Ravyn's voice over the link.
“Never realized you had a death wish,” Nightshade hissed back, pushing her ears out of her face.
“Sorry to wake you up, I know you closed up last night but Foxy wants us all in her office ASAP, seems something has come up.” “Yeah, okay, let me get a shower first then I'll be right up.”
A little while later Nightshade stalked into Foxy's office, swung a hand at Ravyn half-heartedly, then dropped in a seat. The others were already ranged throughout the room.
“Okay I'm here, what's up,” she demanded as she snagged a celery stick off the desk.
“Well,” Foxy began, “now that everyone is her we can begin.”
Nightshade bared her teeth.
“I have a fascinating little DMI to show you, it was delivered to my office, early this morning.”
Foxy turned on the DMI screen and an image popped up, minus sound. Onscreen the captain and first officer appeared moving down the corridor of the Belagorate. In a matter of moments both were lying unconscious on the floor and then being dragged off by two Jeverans in encounter suits. The screen went blank and Foxy pulled out one DMI crystal and popped in a second. Sebaio Officialo appeared onscreen.
“Foxy, what you just witnessed was a secret recording from a freighter just recently hijacked. This is the only known image of the hijackers. As you no doubt figured out, the invisible assailant was a feline. Fortunately, we've managed to keep this particular ability from the Federation, but I don't know how long that will last. The ship was the Belagorate and, among its cargo, it carried a weapon of some form vital to the continued protection of the Federation.”
Sebaio paused to wipe his for head.
“The Federation has finally confirmed what a lot of us have suspected for awhile. We may soon be involved in a war with a race known simply as the Beasts. These creatures are currently warring with the Hyperions, but, should they lose, we're next. The Federation decided to form an alliance with the Hyperions before they lost in hopes we can stave off our own coming war.”
“Contingent on the alliance was the creation and deliverance on some sort of weapon capable of who knows what, they haven't been to forthcoming on what it can do. This weapon was being secretly shipped on the Belagorate and now its been stolen, most likely by one of our own. Without that weapon, they lose the alliance. Meanwhile they are searching for the perpetrators and whoever did it is doomed, not to mention the rest of their race.”
“I'm almost positive one of the Guilds is behind this, but the Federation must not find out. I'm appealing to you and a few others I can trust, FIND THE WEAPON! At the moment we don't care who was behind it or why they did it, they'll be dealt with later quietly. Just locate this missing weapon and make sure it finds its way to the Hyperions. The third crystal contains everything else we know, including where the Belagorate was bound for and who to contact once you reach Hyperion space. I'm asking your Guild, as a favor to me, find this thing and get it there as quickly as possible. Thank you.”
The image went blank again and Foxy turned to the others.
“We are terminally fragged here, aren't we,” Cyber asked.
“That's one way of putting it,” Ravyn replied.
“You assured us Silver, that nothing had gone wrong,” Foxy growled advancing on the hapless feline.
“Hey, it was a simple accident. They got loose and I took them out, I didn't know I was being watched. Besides, how was I supposed to some stupid super weapon was on that ship, I don't pick them, I just raid them,” she defended herself.
“You let yourself be seen or at least, not seen,” Angel added.
“Hey guys, come on. Silver did what she had to; it's not her fault, she didn't know. None of us knew that thing would be on the freighter. We can't hold her responsible for this problem, if she's to blame we all.” Ravyn had stood while she made her impassioned speech and was now pacing back and forth on the cream colored carpet.
“Ravyn's right,” Nightshade spoke up. “Besides, they can't prove for certain we were the ones behind it or even that that was a feline. We could be worrying for nothing.
“I doubt that,” Angel replied. “Sebaio is a Lorian, we can always tell our own kind. However, Nightshade does have one point. They don't know our guild was behind it. If we get rid of this weapon quick enough they'll never know.”
“Maybe,” said Foxy, “but its highly unlikely we can merely abandon this thing in the sea or space. It probably has some sort of energy signature that could be traced. Tech?”
“I don't know yet,” he replied. “I've been studying the thing, trying to break it down to its base components on the simulator, but so far I haven't figured out what it does or even how it works. I believe its not emitting any sort or frequency and there is nothing in it that could be traced, in theory, but without nothing what it does, I can't be too certain about anything.”
“Excellent,” Angel muttered sarcastically, “the Galactic Federation could come knocking on our door any minute now.”
“I think we need to avoid the fatalist point of view for the moment,” Juana replied as she pushed her tail aside to sit down. The young ardilla had recently returned from a long space trip and was eager to jump back into her duties as Foxy's assistant.
Angel merely hissed in response, then went back to sharpening her claws. Foxy placed herself between the two just to be safe. Angel had the tendency to snap when insulted.
“While I doubt we are in any immediate danger, this does pose a threat to us.” Foxy picked up one of the crystals and flipped it up in the air as she continued. “We need to move the weapon as soon as possible before its connecting to us.”
“Could it be connected to us,” Nightshade asked. “We always cover our tracks so how would they know?”
“I don't think we should count on that,” Angel replied. “This is far too dangerous to leave it up to chance. We need to do something with the weapon now, before its too late.”
“Then we're in agreement,” Foxy said, sitting down behind her desk. “We take the weapon to Hyperion space and give it to them. That way it will be out of our hands and into the proper ones.”
“Wait a minute, how safe is that,” Angel asked. “If someone from our guilds shows up with it, won't they know we were involved somehow? It's kind of obvious.”
“Not necessarily,” Ravyn spoke up. “No one knows about Silver. According to our government she's dead, so she can't be a member of the Pax. In fact, Silver is the only feline so were covered there. All we have to do is say we purchased the weapon as part of a shipment of goods. Our government will accept that, all the guilds do some illegal business so it makes sense. As for the Federation, buying goods isn't an offense and bill of goods documents can be forged easy enough. They can't know for certain that ship was raided specifically for the weapon.”
“Ravyn's right,” Cyber said. “Freighters are often hijacked and their goods sold on the open market. Just because our guild purchased them doesn't mean we had anything to do with it.”
“Perhaps,” Angel responded, “but it is highly suspicious. Plus, any Federation patrol ship that finds the weapon is not going to ask to many questions of crew who have it. They aren't really going to care if they have papers.”
“So we don't get caught,” Raven answered back. “We get it to the Hyperions then start answering the questions. By that point they are going to be happy to have weapon safely delivered, I doubt they would arrest whoever delivered it, especially since a guilty party would hardly come forward. They would be more likely to space the thing and hide as far away as possible. Plus, we have the DMI with Sebaio asking us to find it and get it to Hyperion space. If worse comes to worse we produce it and it should clear us. The Ambassador is hardly likely to trust someone who could be responsible.”
“There are still risks,” Angel insisted.
“Yes, but we may have to risk them,” Foxy replied. “We don't have many choices. So are we all agreed?”
They all nodded their agreement, some more hesitantly then others.
“Good. I'll take the Gryffen and a small crew and take the weapon to Hyperia. We'll leave tomorrow, Juana file the standard pre-flight forms.”
“No way,” Cyber cried, “you can't be the one to do it. Foxy, you're the head of the guild, it can't be you.”
“Yeah,” Silver seconded. “I'll go, I'm the best pilot here.”
“That's not a logical reason Cyber and I'm the best pilot here, not you. Besides, we can't let you be seen, Silver, it would implicate us immediately. Plus, it would look better if I went. As the head of the guild, it would be my responsibility and Sebaio contacted me personally. It just makes sense.”
“If you go, I go.” Juana stood up as she said it.
“Me, too.” Tech joined her. “I'm know that thing better then any of us and its kind of my fault because I was the one who had it brought to the Lady Hawke. I should have just left it there.”
Mayhem cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention and moved further out of the shadows.
“Foxy is right,” he began. “She is the best choice. She'll need a small crew. The two of you will be good, but she'll need a third. I suggest Cyber, her skills may become necessary.”
“Me,” Cyber squeaked. “Why, why… why me?! I'd be a poor choice, useless in a fight. Besides, I might be needed down here.”
“It's okay Cyber, you don't have to go,” Foxy assured the poor shaking marten. “I'm certain the three of us can handle anything that comes up.”
“Are you sure?”
“Don't worry Cyber,” Angel said suddenly. “They will be fine because I will be going with them. If you are determined to do something crazy, you will need someone sane to watch out for you.”
“Why don't I feel better,” Cyber wondered out loud. Foxy merely nodded in response.
Down in the main hanger of the underground lair, Foxy was having the last of their supplies loaded onto the Gryffen. Foxy's personal ship, the Gryffen was perhaps one of the fastest and most advanced spacecraft ever constructed. Her outer hull was constructed of the metallic alloy specifically designed to bend light, so she was naturally almost impossible to see in space. The built in cloaking and defense shields insured that no ship could find her or hit her if by chance they did and she carried enough weaponry to destroy any known ship (and a few unknown, too).
Angel, dressed in her customary black, crossed the platform that held the Gryffen and handed her things to a waiting loader.
“I still think this is suicidal,” she said to Foxy as she had her gear stowed aboard the Gryffen.
“Come on Angel, where's your sense of adventure?”
“I killed it. It kept interfering with my common sense,” Angel replied as she stalked away.
“Think we'll ever understand her,” Ravyn asked Foxy as she came up beside her.
“I don't think I would ever want to,” Silver responded as she also joined them. “I still think I should be the one going. I don't like you risking your neck like this. That's my job.”
“Relax Silver, we'll make it,” Foxy replied. “Did you file our launch and get clearance?”
Ravyn nodded and handed her the crystal.
“Everything is right here. Although I don't know why you want to make this official. I still think the less people know, the better. You will be deviating from the flight path of course."
“Absolutely,” Foxy said with a grin. “Okay, everything should be loaded onboard by now. I just need my 'crew.'”
“All aboard Captain,” Juana said through her com-link as she headed for the bridge.
Nodding to the others, Foxy headed into the Gryffen, closing the ramp behind her.
“Think this will actually work,” Silver asked Ravyn as they left the platform and headed for safety. They watched the Gryffen Launch from a viewer room then split off in different directions, both more worried then they let on.
Across the sea, Sly Darktide paced up and down his spacious office while his most trusted henchmen looked on. He had just return from a less the productive meeting with the Spacers Guild and had already been in a bad mood. Throughout the meeting he had been distracted by the communiqué he had received from Sebaio Officialo and its implications, so the negotiations had gone poorly due to his lack of attention. Upon arriving back at his office he had intended to review the information sent to him by the Ambassador as well as his own intelligence reports, but he was certain someone else had accessed them while he was gone.
“Are you certain, Bruto, no one else but me has been in this office,” he questioned his underling.
“Sorry boss, I checked the security and nothing. Are you positive someone's been through your stuff. You said nothing was missing or out of place.”
“Everything is where it should be, but the latest intelligence reports are different somehow. I can't prove it, but I have this feeling that someone has been in here since I was gone and they went through my secret files.”
“If your right boss, then we got problems. The stuff you keep in those files could break us if revealed. But I don't see how someone could have gotten to them. The security boys are reporting no strange incidents or lapses in security and your own system doesn't appear to have been accessed since you left. If someone got in here, they were good.”
“Very good. Almost too good.”
“What'd ya mean boss?”
“Nothing. Nothing I can prove anyway.”
“Oh, okay. By the way, Camo's got some more info for you.”
“Very well. Take a walk for a few minutes will you Bruto and bring me back what he's got. Oh, and bring me a latte, extra foam.”
Waiting until Bruto had left; Sly accessed the terminal on his desk. Entering the codes, he reached the main menu and began to run through each document, hoping the thief had made some mistake. He found it as soon as he accessed the data on Foxy. The various documents had been accessed and copied nearly two hours after he had left for the meeting. The thief had worked quickly.
“Why her and why did you come to me,” he said to himself. “How did you know I would know so much about her?” As far as public knowledge went, his association with the head of the Pax Guild was almost nonexistent; very few knew about their history together.
“The question is, how much did you find out?” His suppositions about the Pax involvement in the hijacking of the Belagorate were kept in a different area with the information the Ambassador had sent him and some he had collected on is own. That to had been copied in his absence. Worried, he sat back in his chair and began to consider ALL the possibilities.
Bruto entered a few minutes later. Seeing his boos deep in thought he left the report and drink on the edge of the table and quietly departed. Eventually Sly roused himself and reached over for the latest intelligence. Flipping through, his eyes lit on a specific name. The Gryffen had applied for thirdspace and had taken off just a few hours ago. The destination was supposedly for Bagella 4 in the Delhiha quadrant, but he seriously doubted that was Foxy's actual destination. She was far too clever to actually record her movements.
“What are you up to now Foxy, and how deeply are you involved in this mess,” he wondered as he sipped his drink. Blast, he thought, decaf again, he was going to have to have that new chef of his beaten severely again.
Frustrated at the lack of answers to his questions (and the lack of caffeine in his coffee) he shut off the terminal. He had a distinct feeling trouble was brewing, for all of them.
The black shrouded paced back and forth, waiting for his informant to contact him. He was in an alley behind one of the old buildings on Niota 6 waiting for her to appear. The blasted twit was late as usual. She better have that information or I shall end our association in a very unpleasant manner, he thought to himself as he checked the time once again. Suddenly Mally appeared at the entrance to the building. Smiling, he slithered up behind her and shoved her in.
“Hey,” she shrieked as she fell inside. “Oh, its you. You didn't have to be so rough, unless that's the way you like.”
“I haven't got time for that, your late.”
“Sorry,” Mally replied, dusting herself off. The building was abandoned and falling apart, too. Dust and other disgusting stuff was everywhere. “It took more time then I thought. However, I got everything I promised, plus a little more for you.”
She tried her best provocative look, but it was lost on him. Snatching her purse, he began rifling through for the data crystals.
“Hey, I'm not doing this for free you know, not this time anyway. I expect to be paid.”
“Relax, the credits already in your account. This had better be worth it, though. If you haven't delivered, I'll gladly slit your throat.”
“Don't worry,” she purred, “I always deliver.”
While the figure put the crystals in a scanner, she pulled out her PADP and checked her account. Sure enough, it had grown a lot bigger, just the way she liked things to be.
“Well,” she asked.
“This is excellent, worth the fee.”
“Oh, I'm always that, I guarantee it. Care to find out yourself?”
With a derisive snort, he thrust her purse back at her.
“No thanks, not interested. Although I do wonder how came by this information? You don't strike me as type that can find this kind of information out yourself.”
“I just did what I'm best at. It's amazing what some people will do with just a little persuasion and I can be very persuasive. Not that certain people have ever noticed. But they'll find out soon enough, that no one denies me anything.” Flipping her hair back behind her head, she flounced off. The figure just chuckled.