Dark Rider's Freelancing

The Black Leather Turncoat

Note: The following story will make more sense if you first read about Dark Rider's past, and have been reading the Heroes current exploits.

Part 1

Alex slammed the cab door and stuck his head through the passenger seat window.

"Take care of yourself, Charlie."

"You too, Al" the gruff cabby said smiling. The cab pulled into that river of speeding steel, known as New York traffic and was gone.

Al sloshed through a puddle and a doorman opened the door as he approached.

"Thank you." Al muttered as he entered.

A man took his soaked trench coat as he looked around. The large dining area was lighted by giant crystal chandeliers that reflected off of the silver platters the waiters carried to the beautifully carved wooden tables. It had been a while since he had last eaten at a four-star restaurant.

"Javert (pronounced Jav-air) party" Alex said to the silver-haired host.

"Yes, right this way sir" he said in a faint English accent. He followed the host through the dining area, and as he walked he caught a glimpse of himself in an elaborate wall mirror.

Damn, I look good in a suit, he thought to himself. He checked his belt-piece again. It was still concealed adequately.

"Here you are sir" the English host said, as he opened a door.

"Wow, these smoking areas are getting more and more out of the way" Alex joked...more to himself than to the stiff host.

"The private dining room, sir" the man replied as he closed the door behind him.

Inside the elaborately decorated room were two people, who stood as he entered.

One was a large, heavily muscled man in a suit, with piercing black eyes and short cut black hair. The other was a tall, curvy yet commanding looking blond knockout in a business skirt.

"Mr. Javert" Al greeted as he approached the man, his hand extended.

The lady took his hand instead and shook it firmly.

"Yes, I am Ms. Javert." she said "This is Elias, my personal leg-breaker" she added with a smile.

"Sorry" Al apologized as they sat down.

"I hear that you are in need of certain pieces of equipment from us" she said taking a more commanding tone.

Al liked her already, she seemed like his type of woman.

"But before we start, are you carrying any weapons?" she asked in a curious tone.

"No, of course not." he replied coolly.

"That's not what intelligence tells us should be the case." she said while pulling a large manila file from a briefcase under the table. She began to shuffle through some papers.

"Here we are, Dr. Alexander H. Kilman, a.k.a. the Dark Rider." she began "says here that you carry on your person at all times, one 7.65mm 140 Double-Action FN Automatic Pistol serial number 346K5274G in a concealed ankle holster, one Auto Mag Automatic Pistol serial number 2654H72PI concealed under the belt, and one six-inch Slimpack throwing knife concealed on your left shin." she said as she read off the paper. "And I understand that Auto Mag has been hell on the Auto Insurance world." she added.

Al looked at her blankly.

"Hey, what the Hell kinda..." he began.

"I understand that you have many reasons to be untrusting of people" she interrupted "but I warn you...do not lie to me again."

At that moment a waiter walked in.

"Are you ready to order madam?" he asked Javert.

Al looked at him worriedly, he couldn't have any information about this meeting leak.

"Oh don't worry Doctor" she said, reading his look "Mr. Bishop is one of us."

The young slick waiter gave him a cocky wink.

They all placed their orders and Bishop left.

Al was getting nervous. What did he get himself into? Who else was working for them?

Once again Javert read his look.

"There is no need to fear us, Doctor." she told him sternly "If you conduct yourself professionally and treat us fairly, no harm will befall you from our hands. We pride ourselves in honorable business.

"I fear nobody" Al said coldly.

"So I hear" she replied, looking over more papers. "All your rivals appear to be less than gentle people." She raised one eyebrow as she read "Chiquita Rodriguez? I knew her, I didn't think anybody would beat her."

"She was all talk." Al said while sipping his water.

"Let's be honest with each other Doctor" she said looking him in the eye, "Almost all your close associates are all self-proclaimed defenders of justice. And well known I may add. The Metal Juggernaut...Shroud...The Hunter... Tsunami...Protector?" She set the papers down.

"I don't need these papers to know about your reputation in our...field of work. You are infamous through the criminal underworld for your exceptionally brutal ruthlessness, and the lack of compassion you show to your opponents." her stare continued, "Every outlaw from the most lowly thug to the greatest criminal mastermind has learned to fear the words 'Dark Rider'. So why would you cooperate with us?"

"Because they could not give me the benefits you can." he replied returning the stare.

"We will do business" she announced, "but know this...we too are known for our ruthlessness to our enemies and all those who betray the Fabricators wind up in a lot of pain. And that's if they wind up at all."

This work was written by Ash

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