Danger Money (11 page)

"Well, you've been here a long time and all that," I started.

"Cut the shit Jotun. It shows huh? I guess I should've expected you to pick up on it. Yeah I'm out a here as soon as we get back."

That was a shock!

"As soon as we get back? Then why did they even send you?"

"Because somebody had to bail you out of whatever you got into this time, why else?"

"They replacing you?" I hoped I wasn't going to be stuck with just Harold and Jaime, that would be trouble.

"No" he said and he smiled.

He knew it too, something was changing, I wonder what else he knew?

"Any idea what's going on here?" I asked quietly leaning forward.

"You're asking my advice?" He chuckled, "Why would you ever care what I think? Why should I tell you?"

"Because while we don't like each other, we've always played it straight and never lied," I growled back. "Now give!"

He sat back and thought a moment, then looked around. He noticed the open door to the cockpit, so he closed that. Then he leaned back and talked.

"Okay, we both know Harold and Jaime aren't here to help you. I think a lot of my duties will be pushed off onto your Field partners. Siedman is making you part of ‘his’ team, whatever that is. Just like Jaime and Harold are.

"He's a rising star that one, though why he came to this group I'll never know. He's got a few more people he's recruiting into his little network, none of the old hands like me though, all new people. That's suspicious too."

"Wait a sec," I thought about that. "Now you said he chose to come here?"

"Yeah, he's high enough up to have his say, he's a Junior VP but not that junior."

"And he's taking a personal interest in the Head Assassin," I said thinking. Some things were falling into place, but not all. "Do you think he's being sanctioned by the Board or the President?"

"I don't see how he couldn't be, at least by somebody at the corporation's head. Hell even the CEO keeps abreast of what goes on here. They all know your code name by heart I bet!

"Anyway, something's up. What I have no idea, but I can say that I'm glad I won't be in the middle of it! And I can't say that I'm sad that you are!" He laughed at that, "Good Luck Jotun! I think you're going to need an awful lot of it."

"I have some advice for you, too." I said after spending a few minutes thinking about everything he told me. Something was nagging at me, but I sure as hell couldn't put a finger on it. "Get as far the hell away from me and this place as you can. It'll be better for your career."

"What, a parting threat Jotun? I'm surprised at you!"

"It's not a threat, it's a fact. I have a bad feeling about all this, and I also feel that people around me are going to get in deep trouble with corporate over this. Think about it, if a shakeup is coming, they'll need scapegoats. That means a lot of firings and demotions."

He thought about that alright! People like him couldn't leave the company, if he left the company might feel it couldn't trust him anymore, and with all that he knew about the corporation's seamy side, that would be fatal. So if he got demoted, he was screwed for the rest of his life.

"Damn, you got a good point there. But I've already been re-assigned to Kera, I think Siedman wants me where he can keep an eye on me. I'd never get past that."

"Oh, I can think of a way," I said smiling.

"What?" He demanded.

"Severe psychological stress, combined with some physical trauma as well." I smiled as big as I could. "From like if I was to break the both of your legs before we got back."

"You wouldn't." He gasped.

"Only if you ask me to." I laughed smiling. I was enjoying this way too much, I guess I am still something of a sick bastard at heart. But hey, change never comes fast.

"You lousy son-of-a-bitch," He swore. "Can I at least take some pain killers first?"

"Sure," I said passing him the bottle from my bag. "Don't worry, I'll make the whole thing real quick, you'll be in shock before the pain hits anyway."

"You know what the sickest thing about this is?" he asked as I got up.

"No what?" I stretched a little to limber up, I was going to make this as fast and painless as I could. I did owe him that much.

"I'm gonna actually be in your debt for breaking my legs!"

"Isn't life great?" I smiled.

7

I was on 'no visitors' for a month after that. Siedman gave me a lecture personally about 'respect for fellow company employees', but I could tell his heart wasn't in it.

The wink kind of gave it away.

Holt was right about that, Siedman didn't like him and didn't trust him. Suddenly I didn't feel so guilty about maneuvering Holt into the position I did, and could see why he accepted it. The more I thought about it, the more I began to think that there was something wrong going on in the corporation.

So I spent a lot of time lying in my Lilac bushes and enjoying the open space while reading Shakespeare. I did try and see what I could find out about my last assignment and target. Nothing was mentioned anywhere in any of the newspapers about it. Even on the planet in the town where it had happened, and getting that info took the whole month! The local newspaper only had a sidebar on a disturbance in the local church. But our intell gave us a confirmed hit, so I knew it hadn't been a double.

I did see a few interesting changes in politics taking place on Earth: First, the Government was beginning to listen to the public outcry about the violence in Corporate maneuvering. Second, several Senators had retired suddenly and there were rumors of a scandal. Third, there was a big push afoot to increase the size of the Earth Government's Space Navy. And forth, there was a new anti-corporate political movement inside the largest political party on the planet that might affect the next presidential elections.

Azelett showed up exactly one minute after the prohibition on my visitors ended.

"Before you start!" I said jumping out of bed and grabbing her wrist, (well it was a minute after
midnight
!) "Let's take a walk." I dragged her out to the gardens, where I was sure nobody could hear or see us.

"How's Holt?" I asked quietly.

"Fine," she looked quizzically at me, "They transferred him out three days after you thrashed him, why?"

"I just want you to know before you go off on me that he agreed to it. Asked me to actually. He needed a good reason to get out, fast."

"And you were just too happy to give it to him weren't you?" She said looking at me.

"There was no love lost between us, true!" I laughed, "But I never really thought he'd take me up on it. I'd been hoping to do something like that to him for years, and to be honest, I think he got away cheap. Things are getting real strange around here."

"Coming from you that
is
pretty surprising!" she said smiling. "But don't worry about it, Holt told Rieselle when he saw how mad she got. Figured she should know I guess. Also your reputation is intact with everyone else here, they all think you're just as crazy as ever. Which considering the place, probably isn't a bad idea."

"So what's on the docket?" I asked leading her back to my room, I was pretty tired and wanted to go back to bed.

"Nothing yet, but we expect something soon. Something
local
."

My ears perked up, "Local? What makes you say that?"

"Easy, they're turning all of the jobs that are out of the solar system to the others. And there have been quite a few too!"

"Really?" This was a curious development, things had been slowing down until recently.
Five to eight
a month had been the average in the past, though I had noticed the palace had seemed a little empty the last few weeks. "Just how busy?"

"About twenty this month, and another twelve planned for the next month already."

We were in my room by now I and I started to undress her, pausing to kiss her body every few seconds.

"Umm, that feels good," she sighed. "We all missed you Jotun," she moaned even louder as I moved lower.

I looked up, "I missed you too Az, I missed you too." Then proceeded to show her just how much. It's a good thing the rooms are all soundproofed down here, we both made quite a racket that night.

Azelett stayed for a couple of days, and both Rieselle and Shotoon showed up a few times over the next week to keep me company. With so many of the 'inmates' here suddenly out on assignment for a change, it was a lot more relaxed inside. I was still being very cautious however, it seemed the company was on one of its rare, and highly resented, bug planting sprees. At least they were keeping out of our private quarters. I think the Techs were too afraid of what we would do if we caught them in there.

I complained to Siedman about the whole affair and he apologized, saying that it was the fault of an over-zealous subordinate. It sounded kind of hollow to me, but the plants did stop. I let it quietly be spread about that I wanted one bug left in the Cafeteria, and another in one of the bathrooms. Mind games were an established tradition here, and I thought we should play a few on the brass for a change.

I conferred with Rieselle on my inability to find out anything on just who or what our last Target was. She found it a little strange herself, and told me she'd check a few of her private sources.

My next assignment came a few weeks later.

"Greetings Jotun," Siedman said as I entered the conference room.

"Good morning Mr. Siedman," I returned. I looked around as I took my seat, both Harold and Jaime were there and I nodded at each.

Neither said anything.

"Well Sir, what is the assignment?"

"This is another highly classified operation," he began looking over me and my team. "Your target currently resides on Earth, on the North American continent. He is heavily defended, and must be considered dangerous. This mission is of the highest priority to the corporation. You will be given an Alpha clearance."

I sat back and thought about that for a moment. Earth was normally off limits for most corporate encounters. Those that did happen were usually handled by luring the target off, or hiring a local Human contractor. I looked at the others, and could see my questions reflected in their eyes.

"The Corporation cannot afford to hire this one out," Said Harold surprisingly. "The gentleman in question controls way too much money and influence. Any local contractor would gladly sell us out for the money, and possible favors, such a move would bring."

 "Hey, I just work here!" I smiled disarmingly, I didn't like the fact that they might suspect my concern, even if their explanation made perfect sense. Earth jobs did happen after all, they just weren't common.

"So, Who, What, and Where?" Asked Rieselle.

"And Why, if that's allowed." Added Shotoon.

"The reason I'm afraid, is still under wraps," replied Siedman as expected. "But Jaime will give out the particulars. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other things I must attend too. Good luck, and good hunting Jotun!"

We all stood as he got up to leave and sat after he departed.

"Well Jaime, what have you got for me?" I asked looking over at her.

She tossed me a packet, and handed the others theirs as well. I picked mine up off the table as she activated the room's displays.

"Black male, age one hundred and six. He is currently out of town, but is expected to be at his house on the twelfth of April. The hit
must
take place there, this is
extremely
important! Intelligence has been working very hard to insure that this hit is overshadowed by certain events that will come about around that time. So you must hit on that day as well." She looked up at me, "Assuming you can of course."

I ignored the sarcasm.

She waited a second to see if I'd take the bait, then continued. "We have pictures of him from every angle, including those others you like," she sneered, "and several articles of his with his scent on them. Is there anything else you want?"

"How about a date?" I smiled back at her. I was getting tired of her attitude. But this was not the time or the place to deal with it.

"Go screw yourself!" She snarled back and left the room. Harold started to get up and follow as well.

"Not so fast there Harold!" I said sharply. He stopped and looked undecided for a second.

"Sit!"

He sat.

"Okay, we'll need a few things and you're going to have to handle that now that Holt's gone okay?" I pinned him with my gaze. "And you're not to tell anyone about that, understand?"

He nodded, "Of course Jotun, I understand that."

"I also mean Jaime, I don't want a third rate operative like her getting in the way. Now go and see if you can get us a set of train and bus schedules for the entire North American continent."

"The entire Continent?" He asked surprised.

"Of course, call me when you're done. Now go!"

He got up and left somewhat confused, once the door had closed we all started laughing.

"Bus schedules! Oh man, he'll be busy with that for days!"  Azelett said laughing. "Why'd you send him for those?"

"I figure he'll tell Jaime everything I said, and my insult combined with that bizarre request should keep her from interfering with our actual plans. At least I hope so!" I sighed.

"You're gonna have a show down with that one alright," said Shotoon, "and it isn't going to be pretty either. I don't trust her at all. Even if Siedman is putting it to her on a regular basis."

"He is huh?" I asked interested. I had suspected it of course, but there was no way for me to find out.

"We've been doing a little spying of our own lately," supplied Rieselle. "She's got a thing going with Siedman, so she figures she's got all the power that comes with it. Siedman for his part encourages her, she's been with him quite some time."

"But he's got a few other love interests," Shotoon picked up the slack. "So he does keep her a little off balance at times. For example, he won't give her any real authority over you, and so she resents you!"

"Really?" I was surprised by that. "What else did you all learn?"

"Well, still nothing on that last target. But I did find out this morning that three of the Newbs got tagged on their missions, and that half of those that went off were pretty messy."

"What makes that important?" I asked uneasily.

"They were all easy hits Jotun," Rieselle said. "You know the others, they shouldn't have come off so bad."

"So why did they then?"

"We don't know." Azelett admitted. "Something's going on though."

"Well, we all know that I think," Shotoon said and we all nodded in agreement. "But the question is: What?"

"Well, we do our jobs, but keep our eyes open too." I picked up my envelope and opened it with a well sharpened claw, "Back to the job at hand. Let's see what our own little problems are."

Jaime had actually done a thorough job. We had good pictures of our target, including some of his medical records with file photos. We had the plans of the house, and an assessment by the local intelligence ops as to what changes had probably been made. There were extensive maps of the surrounding area, a few pictures of the local staff, and even a shirt!

"Not bad, maybe she's better than I've given her credit for," I remarked surprised.

"I wouldn't have expected Siedman to have a slackers riding on his coattails Jotun. I would suggest you remember that!" Warned Rieselle.

"I will. So what do the rest of you think about this?"

"Well, I guess getting into the local area won't be too bad. This whole place is just wilderness, we can walk in. Or at least to the House's perimeter." said Shotoon.

"Extraction shouldn't be too difficult," noted Azelett. "You've got the
New York City
metroplex within a hundred miles of that park there." She pointed to the wilderness area on the map. "Once we hit that, we're pretty much home free. They might hate us with a passion in its environs, but the place is a veritable rabbit's warren. Most of the subsurface routes aren't even on the maps anymore, and it contains four major spaceports and fifteen minor ones."

"So the house is our biggest problem," I confirmed looking around at their faces. "Good, I can give that my full attention. I'm going to want a lot of special equipment for this one. We can't afford to believe the security assessment on this, it's probably incomplete.