The S.C.Ms. protecting the new manager entered and looked around the area.
"There you are, Mr. Pinchbeck," a female soldier said. "We wondered where you went. You must remember to let us escort you. The Factory hasn't been secured. There could be Un-Men about."
"I understand, it will not happen again." The Rogue hid a smirk and then it asked, "Did you need something?"
"Lieutenant Walters has informed us more of your people have arrived, and they're waiting in one of the secured conference rooms."
"Excellent, lead on." The Rogue followed the S.C.Ms., paused at the exit, and turned, motioning to the corpses. "Oh, and do make sure you tell Walters this food court needs to be cleared out as soon as possible. We will have some hungry workers to feed."
She said, "I'll inform him right away."
* * *
Hellenistic Sector, Unknown Vicinage...
The Sanctum...
The medical facility...
The hum and beep of machines filled a room as Argus slept in a bed. The machines monitored his vitals as he recovered from a few cracked ribs, a black eye, a bullet through the leg, and numerous bruises. Two men walked in to visit him.
"Is he still sleeping?" Maxwell the older of the two asked.
Peters leaned over the bed, peered into Argus' battered face, and straightened. "Yeah, maybe we should come back later. He looks like he could use the rest."
"No, stay." Argus slowly opened his eyes. "I've been wanting to talk with you two."
Maxwell said, "You're awake." He moved to his side and sat in one of two chairs.
"You wanted to talk to us? About what?" Peters asked and also sat.
Argus tried to sit up, made a face for the pain, put a hand to his side, lay back, and waved the two men closer. They leaned in. "Pandora," Argus whispered. "What have you told the Council? Did you tell them she helped us escape from the T-3s?"
Maxwell turned to Peters and nodded and then both men sat back. Peters removed his H.H.C., pulled up a program, ran the software, turned the volume up on the device, and nodded to Maxwell. Argus didn't hear any noise coming from the H.H.C.
"If anyone is monitoring this room–" Maxwell started. "–they'll hear nothing but interference for the next few minutes, so we can talk freely."
"As to your question..." Peters replied. "We never mentioned Pandora. We told them Maxwell managed to loosen his restraints enough to free himself, he set me free, and we helped you out of the Factory."
"We did tell them about the Un-Man and the magnet," Maxwell added. "Mostly we were vague about the whole ordeal."
"Good." Argus moved his hand back to his cracked ribs. "There's something I'd like you to do for me."
"What?" both techs asked.
"Go to the armory." Argus gritted his teeth as the pain killers started to wear off. "There's a gun I need you to requisition and after you receive it, there's something I want you two to do. You'll need to..."
"Hades!" Peters started to protest, "We don't do that kind of..."
"No, it's nothing like that," Argus interrupted. "What I want you to do is very simple." He looked over their clothes consisting of a white lab coat, blue jeans, and tennis shoes. "You'll both need to wear a black suit and tie."
Puzzled, they glanced at one another, turned back to Argus, and asked, "What do we have to do?"
Chapter Nineteen
Chad
5:45 A.M...
Hellenistic Sector, Residential Vicinage...
A few cars passed their taxi as they made their way back home to Nexus Apartments. The driver dropped them out front, and Kim rang the gate bell and within a minute, a security guard met them, opened the gate, and escorted them to the front. Another security guard buzzed them through, and they walked in.
"Welcome back, Ms. Griffin and guest," the security guard at the desk said as he marked down their arrival on a H.H.C.
"Thanks." Kim stopped at the desk.
Kat offered her hand to the second security guard then to the one who escorted them in. "Hi, I'm Kat."
The two men shook her hand.
"I'm Marc and this is Henry," the second and younger of the two guards said.
"Hello." Henry tipped his cap to Kat after shaking her hand.
"Marc, was there any mail from yesterday?" Kim asked.
"No, but someone did leave a letter."
"Oh." Kim held out her hand for it. "From whom?"
"He didn't say, and the letter is for Ms. Kat."
"Me? Really?" She took the envelope. "Thanks." Kat examined it, finding nothing written on the outside.
"Who in Tartarus knows you're here?" Kim questioned as she wondered if that woman was keeping something from her.
There was only one way to find out who it was from, so Kat opened the envelope and read it as she headed for the elevator.
Kimberly's view...
"Are you going to answer me?" I follow her. "Hey! I'm talking to you!"
That woman's ignoring me, and I could strangle her where she stands. I don't like that she's keeping secrets, and maybe she isn't a victim as she puts on, but maybe she's... I can go on like this all day in my thoughts, but I don't have the time. I need to find out who sent the letter.
Katharine's view...
I pretend not to see her glare at me as if Kimberly will twist my arm behind my back and pressure me into answering her. I have more important things to worry about and continue reading the letter after we enter the cab. I'm still reading it when we arrive on the thirty-first floor, and I read it again by the time we arrive at Apartment H.
Kimberly's view...
I snap, "Door, unlock,"
"Voice recognized as..."
"Mute," I snap again, interrupting it as I take my frustration out on everything around me.
It must detect the stress in my voice for it questions me, "Is everything all right? You sound..."
"I'm fine, and I said mute!" I command.
For Ares' sake! Now my apartment's ignoring me.
Katharine's view...
Her outburst doesn't phase me as I grip the letter. I find out that there's no need to tell my friend Chad that Preacher died; he already knows. I wish I had been there to console him.
End Katharine's view...
They entered the small entry and then Kim headed for the kitchen and Kat the living room.
After a few more minutes, Kim couldn't take it anymore and questioned, "Well? Are you going to tell me who it's from?"
"What?" Kat mumbled as she turned and faced her.
"Haven't you been listening? I've been asking you over and over. Who sent the letter?"
"Chad," Kat said as she changed her mind about sitting on the couch and went and stood by the table in the kitchen.
"Is he a boyfriend of yours?"
Kat shook her head, answering Kim's question and read the note for a third time. She folded the letter, removed her backpack from around her shoulder, and pulled out the Bible.
Kim stared at her as she controlled the urge to scream like an angry banshee. That woman wouldn't give her a straight answer, and she was about ready to choke it out of her. She demanded, "Who's Chad?"
Kat set the book on the table and rubbed her hand over its white leather cover. "Chad's a boy I know." She traced its worn gold lettering with her finger. "He hung out with me and Preacher."
She remembered Preacher was that guy friend of Kat's who was murdered. Her face softened for a moment as she asked, "What does the letter say?"
"Chad wants me to know that Preacher's funeral is today. He also wants me to know he misses me. He still doesn't understand why I left the Kitchen and Wayfaring Lane. He wants to know why I left him and Preacher." She shook her head, wanting so badly to cry. "He never understood how unsafe it was to have me around and that I put them in danger."
"You do know you can't go to the funeral. We need to track down the lead we have. We need to find Adam
Greenhouse, so we're going to Genesis Arboretum."
Katharine's view...
Kimberly's probably right. I peer at her then turn my gaze away. If I went, I'll be putting him in danger. I think about how fond he was of Preacher and how he's alone now, and I don't want to do that to him. I don't want to abandon Chad and force him to say good-bye to Preacher on his own.
No, I can't, but I also don't want to argue with Kimberly. I need to think it over, so I tell her, "I'll be on the roof." I grab the book and start for the door.
"You can't go," Kimberly insists. "You need to put personal things aside and focus on what's important. We need to find out who murdered my mom."
I don't respond, pause at the door, try to think of something to say, decide against it, and leave. I hate arguing with Kimberly; it's better to drop it for now.
Sometime later...
The Nexus Apartments' rooftop is flat and surrounded by a four foot metal railing consisting of three bars. A raven flies above me, and I glance at it. I stand at the edge that faces the parking garage. There's less to see at the parking garage and less to distract me. I look to Preacher's Bible and speak to him as if he can hear my thoughts.
I miss you. I feel as though your death is my fault. I hold the book close. I know Topa had you killed. He hired an Illicit Closer to do the job. My mind flashes back to an alley off of Wayfaring Lane as I hold his cold body in my arms. I can't get that night out of my head. A deep heart-rending sorrow devastates me. You were the one who pulled me out of the darkness. You made my life worth living, and now I only have Chad, and he only has me, so I can't leave him alone.
The raven caws overhead and distracts me for a moment. Kimberly told me she heard Topa tell one of his henchmen you were interfering with sales of a narcotic called Sunna Snaps. She told me that's why he hired the Illicit Closer. Still... I shut my eyes. If I had never met you, I feel as though you would still be alive. But I'm selfish, so very selfish. If I could change things, I would still want to meet you. I would still want to be in your life, and I would want you to hold me. I walk away from the ledge, sit in the middle of the roof, and fondly think of Preacher. Most people who saw you thought you were a homeless man. It was the way you dressed. You always wore worn clothes and those awful glasses of yours. They were broken, and you had them taped in the front. You refused to buy a new pair. You came from a wealthy family, so it wasn't about the credits. You said they meant something to you. You said you couldn't bear to throw them away. I rest my hand on the cold concrete. And then came Chad. You first introduced us about a year ago. I can clearly remember it was a Thursday. It had only been a week since I awoke in Etna Toys Plant and Warehouse. I didn't know who I was and Un-Men were hunting me. I was so alone in the world. I guess you thought me and Chad could help each other.
End Katharine's view...
Almost a year earlier...
31 A.D.C...
October 29...
Hellenistic Sector, Old Business Vicinage...
"Kat."
Preacher walked to her and had a boy with him. Preacher found her lying on a cot, one of about a hundred in a shelter known as the Kitchen, and Kat turned his way when he called her name. He stopped at the end of her bed and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders.
"I'd like you to meet Chad. He's also new to Wayfaring Lane."
Chad wore a worn, burnt-orange, hooded sweat shirt and blue jeans. His brown hair was unkempt and dirt covered his face. The boy's brown eyes mirrored her own; they looked lost and alone.
"Hello, Chad." Kat sat up and stood, offering her hand. "Nice to meet you."
The boy about twelve hesitated then shook her hand. "Hey."
"I've assigned Chad the cot next to yours." Preacher motioned to a bed. "You guys can watch out for each other."
Chad threw a duffle bag on the empty cot.
"I'll check on you two later. I have to go make sure lunch has started. I think the Kitchen would grind to a halt without me." Preacher started off. "Kat, Chad's a very smart kid. Ask him about the workings of Noir. He knows a lot." He headed for the food prep area.
"So," Kat started. "You study a lot?"
"Not really. I don't go to school, but I like to read things on my H.H.C., and I remember everything I read."
"Wow, that's amazing?"
"Do you have any special talents?" Chad asked.
Kat glanced at the backpack leaning against her bed that had her Beretta resting inside it. "Umm..." she said. Surely there was something else she was good at besides shooting things. Even if she was, Kat didn't remember, so she told him, "I have very good aim."
His eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes."
"Show me." He searched through his duffle bag. "Here, this is a piece of putty. It'll stick to anything." Chad glanced around the room. "See that sign over there?"
"The one that says Kitchen about twenty feet away?"
"Yeah, that one. Hit it with this putty."
"Okay." She took the piece, removed sunglasses from her backpack, and put them on. Kat did this to hide the Ult L-E. She focused on the target as the e-field of her body altered and her eyes glimmered like sapphire. "I'll hit the dot of the letter i." Kat threw the putty, arching it so the piece wouldn't nail anyone and hit the dot dead on.
Chad squinted. "Wow, that's cool." He ran over to the sign, climbed a chair, reached up on his toes, removed the putty, and ran back. "But can you do it again? Try it."
She took the piece, threw it, and hit the dot.
"That's amazing." His brown eyes widened with excitement. "Are you like some super hero?"
Kat chuckled. "No, I'm just like you." She sat on her bed and removed the sunglasses after she felt the Ult L-E had dissipated.
"Why did you wear those?" He pointed to the glasses. "It isn't bright in here."
"It's a secret. Maybe I'll tell you about it someday." Kat patted her bed for him to sit. "Now, let me test your abilities. Hmm..." She put her finger to her chin. "What question? I know. Preacher tells me water is rationed on the Dark Half of the planet."
Chad rubbed his hands together. "Yeah, Noir distributes Water Ration Cards among most of the populace, and the cards allow each person two liters of water per day. Whatever amount isn't used accumulates on a card and can be used as credits." He reached into his duffle bag and pulled out a candy bar. "I was very careful how much water I drank the last few days and had enough credits to buy two chocolate bars. You want a piece?"
"Chocolate... I love chocolate."
Chad removed the paper wrapper, opened the foil, and broke off two squares. He handed one to her. "You want to hear more?"
"Sure." She bit into the piece.
"Those with a work ID number carry a P-Ration Card. P for productive part of society, and those like us unfortunate enough not to find work or find legitimate work are issued D-Ration Cards. D for drain on economy."
Kat removed her card from her back pocket. "It does say D-Ration." She licked chocolate from her fingers.
"P-Ration Cards are given an extra allowance of water for bathing and house hold cleaning. D-Ration Cards are given these large disposable wipey towels." He reached into his duffle bag and pulled out a sealed white plastic bag. "A bath in a bag."
"Yes, I have a few of those. They're not as nice as a shower."
Chad nodded, thought for a moment, and questioned, "Preacher said we're supposed to look out for each other. Are you really going to look out for me? Be there when I need you?"
The present...
Nexus Apartments' rooftop...
His question echoed through her mind.
"Yes, Chad." Kat stood, walked back to a different part of the railing, and glanced over the edge at Zeus Park across the street. "I'm going to Preacher's funeral." She went inside. "I'll be there for you." She dreaded the task ahead. "Now to convince Kimberly to let me go."
; Chapter Twenty
Farewell Preacher
6:35 A.M...
Apartment H...
Kimberly's view...
"Absolutely not!"
I slam my palm against the front door, blocking that woman, so she can't leave. No one besides my father makes me as mad as her. She keeps insisting on doing her own thing when she should be listening to me.
I shout, "You're not going to the funeral!" I control my anger and order firmly, "You're going to Genesis Arboretum with me, and we're going to search for Adam Greenhouse."
Katharine's view...
I patiently wait for her to finish her ranting and when I have an opportunity to speak, I try to reason with her by saying, "We can still go today." I walk over to the kitchen and lay the book on the counter. Nothing's going to keep me from saying good-bye. "We'll go after the funeral."
"No!" Kimberly shouts at me, then moves over to the stove, turns the burner on high, and soon it glows red as red as her angry face. "We'll eat some breakfast and then go. I don't want to wait."
My patience wears thin, and I throw my arms up in frustration as I ask, "What does it matter if we wait a few more hours?" I'm getting nowhere in this argument, but I won't back down, not about this. I fold my arms and question, "If you want to go so badly, why don't you go by yourself?"
Kimberly's view...
"I..." I stumble on the question.
I think about the Un-Men showing up or some other bio-mecha, and I shutter in fright. Look at me! I've never been afraid like this. I need to get over my phobia.
"We should stay together. Remember we're partners," I tell her, then turn the burner off, and face her. "We need to watch each other's back."
Katharine's view...
"Partners when it's convenient for you," I mumble.
Kimberly blurts, "What? Hades! Now what are you whining about?"
This is so frustrating! And it's getting me nowhere. I need another tactic, so I start, "Are you saying we can never do our own thing? That we have to stay by each other's side 24/7?"
"Yes!"
"You barely tolerate me! Why would you want to be around me so much? Are you sure that's how you want it?"