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The Task
The tall figure, head shrouded by the hood of a charcoal cloak, stepped into the pitch-black of the abandoned cargo bay. Originally cargo storage bay #32-A of Pelatus Bunker, this space had long since been sealed, the inner doors and outer airlock plasma welded shut. Some engineer had forgotten that locating anything other than a dozen feet of solid radiation shielding where #32-A’s simple interior wall was would result in massive contamination of the bay from the main reactor's cooling plant.
Ineubis being Ineubis, rather than redesign their station in mid-build they simply sealed off the space after packing tonnes of lead sheathing against the affected wall.
If anyone was present, they would be the individual that he had contacted and told to meet him here. “I know you are here… show yourself!” the cloaked giant called out, his voice echoing off the metal walls.
“Quietly, quietly… you’ll wake the dead,” laughed a small form standing, from the sound, near the welded airlock. “I have no idea how you finally found me. When I was contacted about your request, I traveled all the way from Sol II. What is it that you want?”
The cloaked man had a laugh of his own: “How ironic, that for all these many years, you, of all people, have hid amongst the Serco! I understand why you could not stay amongst the Itani… they would have, no doubt, tried and executed you. But indulge my curiosity, why have you not been with the Akanese?” From across the room came the reply, as cold as ice. “I think you have a pretty good idea of why I could not stay there.”
More laughter from the tall figure. “I had suspected as much! No wonder you were able to escape the assassination guises so easily.” The cloaked man paused, then spoke again. “What I want...I want to offer you the chance to be an Itani again, the sort of Itani you like best: a killer of your enemies. Here.” He cast a data pad down, sent it skittering across the floor.
There was barely a sound as the smaller man swept it off the floor. A burst of light illuminated his face as he thumbed the pad on and looked at his task: seven names. It was clearly an old face, but beyond that revealed nothing about its owner. The light vanished and a voice replaced it. "And why me? You could easily complete this task youself."
"I am otherwise engaged at the moment. Besides, is this not what you always did best?"
“That was long ago...but, very well. You accept my terms?”
“I do. Ten million credits for each. Contact me after each. When you have completed them all, simply retire to your assumed name and assumed implants... but far more comfortably." Another pause. "You understand how I want them to die. Now that you have left your adopted identity behind, you will not have access to much of what you will need. I have left a cargo crate, claimable by a random PIN, with the weapons and power cells you will need.” The cloaked figure turned to go, then called back over its shoulder:
“Ta-ta, old friend.”
Ineubis being Ineubis, rather than redesign their station in mid-build they simply sealed off the space after packing tonnes of lead sheathing against the affected wall.
If anyone was present, they would be the individual that he had contacted and told to meet him here. “I know you are here… show yourself!” the cloaked giant called out, his voice echoing off the metal walls.
“Quietly, quietly… you’ll wake the dead,” laughed a small form standing, from the sound, near the welded airlock. “I have no idea how you finally found me. When I was contacted about your request, I traveled all the way from Sol II. What is it that you want?”
The cloaked man had a laugh of his own: “How ironic, that for all these many years, you, of all people, have hid amongst the Serco! I understand why you could not stay amongst the Itani… they would have, no doubt, tried and executed you. But indulge my curiosity, why have you not been with the Akanese?” From across the room came the reply, as cold as ice. “I think you have a pretty good idea of why I could not stay there.”
More laughter from the tall figure. “I had suspected as much! No wonder you were able to escape the assassination guises so easily.” The cloaked man paused, then spoke again. “What I want...I want to offer you the chance to be an Itani again, the sort of Itani you like best: a killer of your enemies. Here.” He cast a data pad down, sent it skittering across the floor.
There was barely a sound as the smaller man swept it off the floor. A burst of light illuminated his face as he thumbed the pad on and looked at his task: seven names. It was clearly an old face, but beyond that revealed nothing about its owner. The light vanished and a voice replaced it. "And why me? You could easily complete this task youself."
"I am otherwise engaged at the moment. Besides, is this not what you always did best?"
“That was long ago...but, very well. You accept my terms?”
“I do. Ten million credits for each. Contact me after each. When you have completed them all, simply retire to your assumed name and assumed implants... but far more comfortably." Another pause. "You understand how I want them to die. Now that you have left your adopted identity behind, you will not have access to much of what you will need. I have left a cargo crate, claimable by a random PIN, with the weapons and power cells you will need.” The cloaked figure turned to go, then called back over its shoulder:
“Ta-ta, old friend.”
His new ship cruised around a ring of asteroids deep in Sedina. The day had not been a perfect start to his task, but would be profitable still.
The burst transmission form was completed and he dispatched a report to Bractus.
****Two Names Eliminated. One Name Fled. Payment Expected As Agreed. One Set of Weapons and Power Cell lost in Combat. No Resupply Necessary At This Time. Update Later.****
A few moments later, his HUD glowed with a bright number: 20000000 credits recieved!
The ancient face broke into a grin. If his existance was still worthless, it would be far easier to drown away his failures for the interminable future.
The burst transmission form was completed and he dispatched a report to Bractus.
****Two Names Eliminated. One Name Fled. Payment Expected As Agreed. One Set of Weapons and Power Cell lost in Combat. No Resupply Necessary At This Time. Update Later.****
A few moments later, his HUD glowed with a bright number: 20000000 credits recieved!
The ancient face broke into a grin. If his existance was still worthless, it would be far easier to drown away his failures for the interminable future.
Damn. Markus Vim. That's one name I've not seen for a long time.
I saw his ship today. Where? I will not say. He said to me, "You are not the Task." I didn't reply as I was doing business. Never get in the way of a man and his goals as I like to say.
- Zio Matrix
Zio Matrix Hive Weaponry coming to a station near you!
- Zio Matrix
Zio Matrix Hive Weaponry coming to a station near you!
Another day had passed. His report was sent already:
****Two New Names Eliminated. Second Set of Weapons and Power Cell Lost In Battle. Five Sets Remain For Three Names.****
As the stars blurred past his ship's portals, the HUD glowed again. His new life had 40000000 credits to fund it now.
"Three left," he thought. The thought of completing his Task oddly made him tired. He put it aside. "Soon, I can rest for the first time in many, many years."
"Only three more."
****Two New Names Eliminated. Second Set of Weapons and Power Cell Lost In Battle. Five Sets Remain For Three Names.****
As the stars blurred past his ship's portals, the HUD glowed again. His new life had 40000000 credits to fund it now.
"Three left," he thought. The thought of completing his Task oddly made him tired. He put it aside. "Soon, I can rest for the first time in many, many years."
"Only three more."