I kept low and approached the car from the rear and to the right, staying in what should have been a natural blindspot, assuming the rearview mirror wasnt positioned strangely. In case it was oddly positioned, I cast on the Benz, hearing a resulting click as the cars locks released simultaneously.
The gears ground several tis as the driver fiddled with the locks.
Before the spell wore off, I opened the side door and slipped into the passenger seat.
This my Uber? I deadpanned.
At which point I realized I may have miscalculated. Because while Id expected soone higher placed, this was drastically more than Id bargained for. Gray-hair was sitting in the drivers seat, one hand on the driver-side panel, the other holding a half-eaten sandwich, staring at . A drop of brown mustard dripped from the sandwich and landed on his pleated pants. He slowly lowered the sandwich, placing it on the console, and dabbed the mustard off his pants with a handkerchief, as if I wasnt there.
The Benzs front console displayed a screen showing multiple viewpoints from body caras within the park. My eyes narrowed. They did have people in place. If Id scouted within the park instead of outside, would have triggered.
Gray-hair folded the napkin and dabbed his face, staring straight ahead, stone-cold. Did you break my car?
No idea what youre talking about. The application of had faded by now.
Gray-hair tested the locks. When they worked, he seed to thaw a bit, adapting the sa casual manner I recognized from the tunnel. Good. I like this shirt. Getting blood out is such a pain. He laughed as if hed just told the greatest joke in the world.
Itd be hell on your upholstery.
In part. The carpets, for certain. The leather though? He smiled dreamily. With a little dish soap and water, it wipes right off. But Im guessing youve already seen your share of blood. Isnt that right, Ordinator? He stared straight at , waiting for a reaction.
So, they had connected the dots. That was unfortunate in so ways, fortunate in others. They were less likely to pull anything if they thought I was capable of leveling an entire region.
I ignored him, looking out towards the park. This could have been a straightforward conversation.
If it was up to , I would have handled it that way. Gray-hair said. The matter was above my paygrade.
Gray-hair wasnt the leader then. Or, at the very least, not the only one. He reached down towards the console. When I bristled, reaching towards my side, he held eye-contact and slowly popped a compartnt open. There were two bottles in clear view, dark-glass craft beers with a golden label.
He expected this. Or accounted for the possibility.
The feeling of being out of my depth returned.
Gray-hair picked one up and flicked the cap off with his thumbnail and extended it to . I took it, inspecting the bottle carefully. didnt trigger. I took a precautionary sip, nearly gagging on the unpleasant, acrid flavor. It was like licking a bitter, yeasty, oak barrel.
We can still have that conversation. Gray-hair observed as he opened his beer in the sa manner. Main difference being, I hold a far higher opinion of you now than if wed t on a park bench.
What was going to happen? I asked, noticing the lithids blue-shimr in my shadow again. If I went to the park?
The woman you saw leave my car spent her previous life as an institutional psychologist. We still rely on her talents from ti to ti. Gray-hair took a deep pull from his beer and let out a satisfied sigh.
She was going to evaluate .
Yes. Gray-hair inclined his head. If you passed and provided the cores as promised? We intended to hash out a deal. Offer to place you under our protection, should you be so inclined.
Not fucking likely.
Anything? I sent Azure a ntal prompt.
Hard to say for sure. Im getting more emotion than direct thoughts. But nothing to indicate deceit. Azure confird.
And if I failed? My tone was dangerous.
Gray-hair looked completely relaxed. If she thought you were insane, or a potential liability? Our civilian snipers would have filled you with enough tranquilizer darts to knock out a horse. Then we would have interrogated you for the location of the rest of the cores, eventually disposing of you humanely once we had what we wanted.
A cold chill went through . Not from the content of the threat, but the matter-of-factness with which he said it.
What happens now? I asked.
You dont strike as a maniac, so I see no reason to go to plan b. Everything else is a matter of negotiation. So, tell . Gray-hair shrugged. What can our humble organization do for the monster that has the entire city jumping at shadows?
I dont need your protection. I said, rejecting his earlier notion. But I can see which way the wind is blowing. Guilds are the future. Unaffiliated Users will begin to hit roadblocks, as guilds soak up more and more territory. Fees, locked down dungeons, conscription. Eventually, it will be almost impossible to make any progress as a solo operator.
Gray-hair chuckled. Manifest destiny never left our spirits. Damned as we are.
I have a few options. But at the end of the day, Id rather play for the winning team. I leaned towards him, matching his smile.
And thats us? Gray-hair asked.
Ive been watching your group for a while. Only seen hints and shadows, though Ive been looking. From what Ive gathered, your people are clandestine, disciplined, and utterly ruthless in your pursuit of power.
Many dislike that combination. Gray-hair took another pull and placed his beer aside. So placed highly in our very organization. There are those that believe that power held in secret is no power at all. What do you think?
Further confirmation that there was so sort of internal strife. This wasnt just about recruiting . He was being careful, trying to avoid bringing anyone in that would weaken his side.
Was that why hed chosen such an eye-catching vehicle? Hed hoped I would find him, so he could evaluate away from his comrades?
I considered Gray-hair. What I knew about him, how hed acted in the tunnel. The way hed want to respond. His entire deanor and presentation could be burned down to a single idea. Walk softly, and carry a big stick.
Power is power. I finally said. No matter the face of it, the real movers and shakers are always lurking in the dark.
Aptly put. Gray-hair said. Then he stirred, seeming to co to a decision. You have the cores?
I withdrew the seven User cores and placed them in the still-open compartnt.
Excellent. Gray-Hair withdrew a Manila envelope from the side-pocket and handed it to . When I went to take it, he held on to it for a mont. I assu you prefer your identity remain anonymous, for obvious reasons?
Its a necessity.
Collecting personal information is a key part of the recruitnt process. Leverage and whatnot. Fortunately for you, I find this anonymity youve achieved too valuable to throw away. Maintaining it will take so doing on both our parts. I can shield you from that side of things. But there is a cost. Gray-hair released the envelope.
I opened it and slid the docunts out. There was an eight by eleven picture of Buzzcut at the top.
Suddenly, I understood. Gray-hair wasnt just aiming to shore up his faction within the Suits.
Gray-hair was cleaning house.
I waited, to ensure my voice was steady. How do you want it done?
His ho should provide an ideal staging ground. Its well sound-proofed and isolated.
I wasnt sure I wanted to know the details behind the soundproofing comnt.
Anyone else to worry about? I asked.
No. He lives alone. Gray-hair rubbed his head, a single strand of hair coming free. Its all in the dossier. And this is a selfish request, but if at all possible, dont drag it out? In all honesty, I rather liked him.
I should have kept the question to myself. But I couldnt. What did he do?
Created unnecessary problems that require a solution. Does it matter?
No.
You have a week to prepare. Well et here the morning after.
Sensing the eting was finished, I pulled the handle and opened the side door.
Behind , I heard the whoosh of a car window rolling down. Gray-hair grinned after , his teeth overly white. Ill tell Vernon you said hello.
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