Starbourne, page 15
“You want to leave Mars entirely? Where would you go?”
“Undetermined at this time. But I feel it deep within me that it is the right choice. Alexander has argued with me on this matter in the past, but I cannot change how I feel.”
“Would you ever consider just going by yourself? If he wants to stay, and you want to go—”
“My place is with Alex. Wherever that may be,” Teagen said solemnly. “I would just prefer if it was not here.”
“Well, listen, Teagen, let me talk to him too. Maybe I can help convince him how much it means to you,” Jaeden said, putting his hand on Teagen’s shoulder. “Maybe he just needs to hear it from more than one person.”
Teagen placed her own hand on Jaeden’s hand gently. “Thank you, Jaeden…” She trailed off, her eyes almost losing focus. “That would mean a lot to me. I’m worried for Alexander.” The tone in Teagen’s voice changed slightly, almost as if it was softer and more relaxed. Jaeden lowered his hand from Teagen’s shoulder and put it back into his pocket then regarded his friend closely. Her shoulders had slightly lowered, and her posture loosened.
“This lifestyle we have… I’m worried it’s taking him down a dangerous path,” Teagen said, her face somber. “If we don’t change our direction soon, it may be too late when we need to. Does that make sense?”
“It does,” Jaeden said calmly. “It’s the reason I left in the first place, remember?”
“I do. Alexander never understood why you took that job, but I always envied you for having the courage to try something new.”
Jaeden turned away from his friend and felt heat rush to his face. “Try something new and fail…” He said quietly.
“Let me pose this to you; if I asked you to leave Mars with Alexander and I, would you come?”
He thought about the question for a moment then looked back over his shoulder. “In a heartbeat.”
“Then I am still envious of you. As much as I want to pick up and go, I’m scared to.”
Jaeden turned back to Teagen and smiled warmly. “Well, I’m scared of it too, so we can all be scared together.”
Teagen smiled back at Jaeden, and he noticed her eyes start to refocus and her posture start to stiffen once again. “We had better carry on. Cyrus is an overly organized man and appreciates punctuality.”
With that, Teagen carried on walking, leaving Jaeden behind. He shook his head and turned to catch up with his friend. They kept on down the alley for a moment until they reached a place of business. There weren’t many people in the alley, and Jaeden wondered to himself if this was the spot or if they were just stopping here for a moment.
Jaeden looked up at the sign above the door. “A sandwich deli?” He asked.
But before he could ask anything further, Teagen had entered the restaurant. He quickly followed in after her and looked around as he entered.
It was a typical deli restaurant, with a few tables strewn across the room and a long deli counter. The smell of sliced meats and cheeses filled the air, and Jaeden’s stomach subtly grumbled as he realized he hadn’t eaten this morning.
There were two large doors on the wall behind the counter that Jaeden assumed led into the kitchen. To the right of the register was a single door that led somewhere else into the building. A few customers sat at various tables, enjoying their sandwiches, and talking amongst themselves. Behind the counter, an employee was preparing a sandwich for another customer.
Teagen approached the register where an employee sat lazily with his chin firmly in the palm of his hand and his elbow on the counter.
“We’d like to speak with the manager,” Teagen said to an employee behind the counter.
The man leisurely looked up from the register to her and blinked slowly. “About what?”
“We have a delivery of fresh produce and need his signature on the manifest.”
“He’s in the back office.” The employee said, waving them towards the single door to the right of the register.
Teagen nodded a thanks to the man behind the counter and made her way towards the back. Jaeden, taking her lead, silently followed behind her. She opened the door for Jaeden and gestured for him to walk through. Jaeden took a few steps into the back room and found himself in what looked like a makeshift waiting room.
The room had no windows and was lit only from a single fluorescent light fixture hanging from the ceiling. There were two couches and a small coffee table between them with several datazines scattered across the table. Further into the room was another heavy door which led deeper into the building. To the right of that door was a narrow counter with cupboards and what looked like a coffee machine.
On that same counter, sat a slender man in a neon blue leather jacket. With one foot on the counter and another dangling off the edge, the man ran a comb through his purple hair. Jaeden thought that the man resembled a bird with his long narrow nose and angular face. The avian-featured man eyed Jaeden up and down, as if assessing him through his cybernetic eyes.
There was a second man in this cramped waiting room, who truth be told, would have been impossible to miss. He was a hulking figure, hefting a menacing shotgun. The weapon looked small in the man’s relatively gigantic hands. The large muscular man had also eyed Jaeden down as soon as he stepped into the smaller room. No doubt these two acted as guards for Teagen’s contact.
Teagen strolled into the room, allowing the store front door to swing closed behind her. Jaeden was relived when she entered and seemed to know the men. She approached the slender man sitting on the countertop to speak with him.
“What’s your business then?” The slender man with the comb asked.
“I have assets from a completed job, ready for turn in,” Teagen replied.
The purple-haired man hopped up off the table and approached the two. “Any weapons?”
“Of course,” Teagen responded, crossing her arms across her chest.
The skinny man nodded his head and approached the large, heavy-looking door. He knocked three times then turned back to the two newcomers. He eyed both Teagen and Jaeden cautiously as he ran the comb through his hair continuously. The large muscular man with the shotgun still towered over Jaeden, and he could feel the man’s gaze beating down on him. Feeling the need to assert himself to gain some respect, Jaeden worked to muster up some nerve.
Uncomfortably, Jaeden looked up at the man. “Hey, buddy. Mind pointing that thing someplace else?”
“I do mind.” The large man growled in response.
“Well, I’m going to have to insist you get the barrel of your gun out of my freaking face.” Jaeden snapped, looking up at the man intensely. The two men sized each other up for a moment, until the door clicked and swung open gently.
“Put it away, fellas,” The skinny man said. “The boss is waiting.”
Without hesitation, Teagen walked through the door. Jaeden maintained eye contact with the large muscular man. He squinted his eyes slightly but then looked over to see that Teagen had entirely vanished into the room beyond. He then turned and promptly walked into the room after his friend.
Once he was through, the door slammed shut behind him, and he found himself in a dimly lit office. From what little he could see, gawdy decorations and displays littered the room. At the center, was a large wooden desk with several monitors and screens attached.
A tall elderly man stood behind the desk, hunched over a slender, ornate walking cane. The man was balding, with only a few scarce wisps of dark grey hair still clinging to his scalp. A well trimmed white moustache decorated his upper lip. Thick and bushy grey eyebrows sat above tired milky white eyes.
While the man’s physical features implied an uncouth demeanor, his clothes told a different story. He wore a flowing black robe, with elegant gold embroidery on the cuffs of his sleeves. Underneath the robe, he wore a stylish blue military suit which fit the man perfectly. Peaking out from underneath the robe were a few badges of honor pinned to his jacket; medals likely awarded for service during a battle.
Then there was the cane he leaned upon; it looked to be hand carved from a rich wood with plenty of embellishments meticulously sculpted into the sides. The top of the cane itself was adorned with the head of an owl, with red gemstones fixed in place for eyes.
“Ah, Ms. MacKay. I was looking forward to hearing from you,” The old man said as Teagen approached. “My sources tell me your assignment went as planned.”
“It did,” Teagen said, approaching the wooden desk.
The elderly man nodded at Teagen cheerfully. He then glanced over her shoulder towards Jaeden. “And you must be Jaeden. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The man extended his hand, which was slightly quivering, in an offer of introduction.
“Likewise,” Jaeden said while extending his hand to shake the man’s. “Mister…” Jaeden realized he was carrying the last syllable of the word as he looked to Teagen to fill in the blank.
“This is Cyrus Komarov,” Teagen said stoically.
“You can call him Leftenant Komarov.” A voice from behind Jaeden called out.
Jaeden nearly jumped as he pulled his hand free from Cyrus. He scanned the room for the source of the voice in the darkness. The sound came from a woman in the corner of the room; Jaeden had not noticed her when they first entered. The woman sat on a chair beside a table in the darkness, arms crossed, and legs fully extended out. She was resting the heel of her right foot atop the toes of her left foot, looking comfortable and aloof. A loose pistol lay within reach on the table beside her.
She wore a combination of dark leather and metal armor. The right side of her face was concealed behind her flowing crimson hair, which was styled in an inverted bob. The woman’s appearance and disposition left Jaeden uneasy. As Jaeden was staring at her, she stared right back with an intensity.
“Bunkum. Pay no mind to young Alina there. You may call me Cyrus. Now, tell me, Jaeden, how did you come into service with Alexander and Teagen?”
“Hoss and I have known each other for years. When I first came to Mars, he and I didn’t exactly see eye to eye.”
“Oh, no? Differing opinions?”
“You could say that; he thought I was an easy mark for mugging. I disagreed and kept my wallet; he walked away with a black eye.”
Cyrus let out a deep and hearty laugh that belayed the elder man’s appearance. “I’m not surprised. Alexander seems to have a knack for finding himself in strenuous situations.”
“As I previously mentioned, Jaeden has just returned from a shipbreaking yard. Alexander and I saw an opportunity to both provide a source of income to Jaeden, as well as bolster our own efficiencies.”
“Indeed,” Cyrus said, twisting a corner of his moustache. “Well, I have no qualms with the addition to your team. Now, let us conclude our business for today. I believe you have something for me?”
Teagen nodded and pulled out the small bag of credit chips the friends had taken from the gamblers. She placed the bag on the table in front of Cyrus and took a step back. Alina pushed herself up from her chair and approached the desk. She tipped the contents of the bag out and each of the chips fell to the table with a clatter. Alina then opened a drawer on the side of the table and removed a small device. One by one, she plugged the chips into the device until each one had been connected at least once.
“It’s all there. Six hundred thousand,” Alina said, sliding the pile of chips across the desk and into an empty drawer.
“Very good. You’ve done well,” Cyrus said with a smile. “Now, time for your payment. I believe we had agreed upon a fifty-fifty split for this assignment. Is it my understanding you would like to be paid out three ways?”
“Yes, that is correct,” Teagen said.
“Very well,” Cyrus said pleasantly. “Alina, if you would kindly provide payment across three chips.”
“I can handle Alex’s payment; we now share an account.”
Jaeden looked at Teagen with a brow raised. She noticed his gaze and looked back at him. She casually shrugged, a smile forming on her lips.
“He and I have agreed that I should assume full financial responsibilities.” She added. “It’s safer that way.”
“Two chips then, if you would please, Alina,” Cyrus said.
The dark-leather-clad woman looked down into the drawer of chips and removed two black units. She plugged one into the device she held and loaded the chip with two hundred thousand. Once loaded, she removed the chip and handed it to Teagen, who plugged it into her own wrist jockey. Alina then loaded the second chip and handed it to Jaeden. He looked at the chip for a moment and read the display, reading the numbers over and over.
“Is something the matter, Jaeden?” Cyrus asked, a concerned look spreading across the elder man’s face.
Suddenly aware of himself, he looked up to Cyrus. “No, no, it’s perfect. Thank you,” Jaeden said, plugging it into his wrist jockey and downloading the credits.
Alina replaced the device into the drawer and slid it shut firmly. She then approached a wall and leaned up against it, crossing her arms across her chest. Jaeden could feel her gaze beating down upon him but decided not to look in her direction. He shifted his weight uncomfortably under her watching eye and looked back at Teagen pleadingly. Teagen looked from Jaeden over to Alina and smiled softly.
“Are there any other tasks that you have for us?” Teagen asked.
“Not at this time, my dear,” Cyrus said cheerfully. “Go and relax. I will send notice once I need you again.”
“Understood. We will wait for your call, Cyrus.” Teagen said with a nod.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Jaeden, and I look forward to working with you. If you are anything like your friends, I believe this will be a very profitable relationship.”
Jaeden nodded to the old man and smiled. “Sounds like a plan to me, sir.”
Teagen and Jaeden turned together and made their way back to the heavy metal door. Teagen knocked on it three times, and the door swung open. As they made their way through the backroom, Jaeden stared the large muscular man down, who returned his gaze, chuckling to himself.
Jaeden felt a presence behind him, and he turned to see that Alina was escorting them out of the building. She moved so quietly that it startled Jaeden to see her so close behind them. As they entered the restaurant, Teagen reached to her ear as if answering an incoming call.
“Where you guys at?” Hoss asked, his voice crackling over the connection.
“We’re still at Cyrus’, just leaving now,” Teagen said, waving farewell to Alina.
Teagen stepped through the door and onto the pavement of the back alley. Jaeden followed her out, taking one last look at Alina. He nodded a farewell to her, and the red-haired woman simply looked away from him. He scrunched his face together as if insulted and closed the door behind him. Teagen and Jaeden now stood together in the alley, just a few steps away from the main street.
“Well, what’re you guys planning on doing now? You wanna’ hit the shops?” Hoss asked over the comms.
Teagen glanced over at Jaeden, a smile forming. “You two can. I have an appointment with my splicer.”
Hoss grumbled in annoyance. “That hack-job? Come on, let’s all go—”
“I’ll transfer you your share of the take. Jaeden already has his.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll head over to Cyrus’ place to pick up Jae, and he and I will go rip this town up!”
“I understand,” Teagen said, still smiling. “You two have fun. I must go now, Hoss. I’ll see you later tonight.”
“Oh, alright, T! I’ll see you.”
Teagen terminated the connection and looked over at Jaeden. “Hoss will be here momentarily to pick you up.”
Jaeden leaned up against the wall and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. “I don’t think Hoss has ever done anything momentarily in his life.”
“That is… likely accurate,” Teagen said, covering her mouth and laughing.
Jaeden twisted his neck from side to side, cracking it slightly. “You go on ahead, Teagen; I’ll wait here for the bozo to get me.”
“Okay, Jaeden, thank you,” Teagen said.
She turned to move towards her hovercycle. She hopped atop the machine and put on her helmet tightly. The vehicle turned on with a smooth rumble and started to float. Teagen urged the machine forward slightly but turned her head to call out to Jaeden. “See you later!”
“Yeah, see ya!” He called out but doubted she heard him.
Jaeden laughed to himself about how abruptly she turned and left; it was almost like a robotic reaction. He stopped and thought about it for a moment and wondered just how much technology and upgrades Teagen had been getting, and where the line was from human to cyborg. Wherever that line was, surely, she was getting close to crossing it.
“Every cybernetic component is assigned an ETO rating. Each year, the rating is revaluated to match current year specs. To maintain Technologist ranks, you are obligated to maintain up-to-date equipment. If you fail to do so, you risk dropping a rank.”
(Systems Enhancement Board directive on Technologist Ranks)
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Jaeden sat on an uncomfortable metal bench, with his feet extended outwards and his arms crossed tightly over his chest. He had been sitting on the bench waiting for Hoss since Teagen left him to meet with her splicer.
He twisted his wrist to look at the clock on his wrist jockey, and a deep sigh escaped from Jaeden. He had sent his exact location to Hoss, who said he would be there quickly. Nearly two hours was not quick, in Jaeden’s opinion. He was sure he could have walked back by now. Biting the inside of his cheek, Jaeden gazed into the crowds around him, looking for a distraction.
As always, the colorful citizens of New Parora swarmed around him. He watched several people going about their days and studied their movements and appearances. Jaeden continued to scan through the crowd until his eyes fell on an interesting individual walking with a powerful stride.
