Two Delta India Echo Page 2
Chapter 2
As Jack entered the office, he felt uncomfortable. He couldn’t pin it, but something felt, “off”. As he walked across the floor, two armed guards stepped aside, barely acknowledging his presence.
“Everything OK, Jack?”
“Uh, yeah. What do you know Cap’n?”
“I know you didn’t fulfil the requirements of the bid, that’s what I know.”
Jack hadn’t even made it to the dealer’s desk, but stopped short and looked straight ahead.
“So, what does that mean to you, Ivan? I’ve got the data here, you can take it or leave it. To be honest, I’d kind of like that you leave it.”
“Why so, Jack?”
Jack paused, looking at Ivan, then the two body guards. His body began to tense and his vision began to haze. His adrenaline was surging, and he knew he needed to calm down.
“You gonna’ offer me a seat?”, Jack gestured towards the large leather business seat across the desk from Ivan.
Ivan leaned back in his large red leather seat, trying to pierce through Jack’s gaze. He knew bugger all about Jack, but had been told by various sources that he was unpredictable, but good at his job. He didn’t look like much, compared to Ivan’s own athletic 200lb frame, Jack looked like a fly waiting to be swatted. But, there was something about him, something that allowed him enough rope to hold off the hanging a little longer.
“Sure, friend, sit. Talk to me. Why should I consider your failed bid?”
Jack moved forward and sat down, being sure to move the seat so he could see Ian and both guards in his peripheral vision. It wasn’t easy, the room was fairly dark, and the guards obviously knew their stuff as they never made any sudden movements that would peak Jack’s focus.
“Well, there are three reasons. First, and most important, I know what I have, and I know how to get hold of other bidders. Second, I just want to get rid of this shit and get on with my life. Third, I know you are reaching for the concealed gun under your desk, one of your goons moved half a step behind me and nodded to his partner, and, his partner nodded back, suggesting there was a pre-planned strategy to take me out.”
“Well, Jack, how observant of you. So, you may be taken out in a moment, why should I stop them?”
“Two reasons this time. One, I can move faster than all three of you. But two, if you don’t believe me at first, I have an empty tab on me, the data is off site. Kill me, and you will never find it, your competitors keep their tech.”
Ivan sat back in his seat, allowing him a subtle smile. “Well. Jack, you have it all planned out. And here I was thinking you were just another dumb-ass Runner looking for their next hit. I am surprised, and pleased. You, Jack, should consider this this first night of the rest of your life.”
“Oh yeah?”, Jack shuffled in his seat to get a read on the guards, “why so?”
“Because, my friend, you have made it to “The Club”. Welcome to to the lower level.”
Ivan stood and put his hand out. Jack didn’t move.
“What say I don’t want it?”
Ivan didn’t hesitate, “In a few seconds I will withdraw my offer. If you do not accept, your future will be… uncertain.”
Jack paused, then reached over and shook Ivan’s hand. He had thought it may have been harder than this to get in, but then also wasn’t naïve enough to think all of their secrets would immediately be opened up to him. He was willing to wait this out, become an ally, associate, maybe even friend. He knew he would have to do bad things, but relied on Sin to cover him and create enough smoke and mirrors to hide his evasion and deception.
The two rose, and walked towards the door. Ivan placed his hand on Jack’s shoulder.
“Jack, you are an exceptional individual. We will do great things together, I can feel it.”
Jack turned to Ivan, nodded, and headed to the elevator. The ride back to the street seemed to take an eternity. It didn’t help that the guard standing behind him was the size of a gorilla, and smelt like one. Jack started thinking about the rest of the plan, and hoped Cindy didn’t bug out on him, this was one hell of a risk he was taking, and he needed her now more than ever.
As he stepped out into the rain, the guard looked him up and down, and turned back into the building. Betty stood gleaming on the kerb in all her glory. It was more than a bike to Jack, it was a part of his history. For a brief moment he didn’t worry about the world of drama he was wandering into, his only thought was hitting 200 on the freeway.
There weren’t many people out on the roads tonight, hell, there were hardly ever any people out at night. The world was going to crap quicker than you can blink, and from Jack’s view, most were just standing by and watching the show. But not him, if the ocean was going to rip back the coastal highway from the city, he’d make the most of it while he could.
Heading up the coast, he passed the scattered settlements of the remaining towns of Manly, Dee Why, and Newport, stopping at Palm Beach. There was little left of the peninsula, and it took a little creative riding to get out the to the head, but the trip was worth it. There were no houses left, demolished under the Emergency Relocation Order 75.
Jack flicked a switch on Betty, and Night Spark rocketed into the sky. Within moments a bright burst of light grew, drawing lightning from the surrounding clouds. The area became as bright as day, and Jack looked over the crashing waves, chewing away at the shoreline. To him the sight was as analogous as the City rulers destroying the culture of Sydney. Using the disastrous effects of the rapid climate change as an excuse to tear apart the city, they were more destructive than any wave or thunderstorm could ever be.
He lit up and took a few puffs to forget about all of the world’s troubles for a few moments. Between the loss of his daughter, a dishonourable discharge, and an insatiable appetite for as much liquor as his body could handle, he often wondered why he bothered getting upset about such major issues as political corruption, but then, everyone needed a cause. Even a rebel.