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Authors: Thomas DePrima
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careful. Perhaps we should consolidate a bit more instead of you guys going out in two-man teams. Or else we could just leave Ogsnara completely and find another city where we can set up an operation."
"But if we're still on this planet," Kathryn said, "and one of the crime groups wants to get us, they'll just track us down."
"If I knew for sure what and who was behind this, I'd know what to do. If I keep getting attacked in taverns, the owners are going to lock the doors when they see me coming."
"If you keep getting attacked, someone might get lucky and punch your ticket," Nelligen said.
"There's that also," Vyx said in agreement.
Brenda and Byers returned a short time later. They saw the pistols on the table and were briefed on the situation. The usual dinnertime joviality was absent as everyone thought about the problem and what the future days might bring.
Mindful of the current potential danger, the entire team remained aboard ship the following morning and discussed the second attack endlessly as they tried to make some sense of it. Vyx had activated the bionic recording equipment in his body prior to entering the tavern, so the entire event, as seen through his eyes, was available on a data wafer. He downloaded the recording to the ship's computer system so everyone could view it on the monitors in the lounge.
"It's exactly as you said," Brenda said when the shooting had ended. "They obviously went there looking to kill you. You can tell by the way they walked, acted, and scanned the room as they entered the tavern, then walked directly to your table. And the one who identified himself as Cillota had to be reaching for his pistol. There didn't appear to be any pockets down there."
"But why attack Vyx?" Byers said. "We haven't done anything to harm the Senesim Syndicate. In fact we haven't yet done anything to interfere with any criminal activities on the planet."
"The first attack was simply from a bully who liked to pick fights, so I wasn't too concerned when that was over, although there's always the possibility of a relative or employer vendetta. But this second attack really troubles me. They had an agenda when they entered the tavern. I was lucky they sent two muscle-bound fools who expected me to be an easy mark. They probably won't make that mistake again. The next time it could be me lying on the floor."
"Don't even suggest that," Brenda said.
"It's a fact. So we have to decide if we stay here or go. And by go I mean leave the planet entirely and find a new place to ply our trade."
"I vote we leave," Brenda said. "Short of walking into the Syndicate headquarters and asking them why they attacked you, I see no way of learning what's going on. We haven't been here long enough to develop any dependable information sources."
"Now that you mention that, there might be one— the Wolkerron who introduced himself to me and tried to interest me in a job. Job brokers are usually better tuned in to the local power structure than they let on. You simply have to know how to talk to them."
"You mean you simply have to offer them enough incentive in the form of GA credits," Nelligen said.
"Yeah, that's what I said," Vyx said with a grin.
----
Chapter Five
~ July 1 st , 2288 ~
Sitting aboard a spaceship discussing possibilities was pointless once the possibilities ran out. Vyx, although senior officer of the intelligence team, usually solicited the opinions of the others before making a decision that would place everyone's lives in jeopardy, but on this occasion he made the decision on his own. Just after lunch he left the ship with Albert Byers after ordering everyone else to remain aboard.
Byers was a bit overweight and not very good with a pistol, but he was a keen observer, and the extra pair of eyes would be invaluable if enforcers were waiting for Vyx to show himself in the city.
The two met no resistance as they exited the taxi and entered the tavern Vyx had decided upon. He hadn't used it as a
"But if we're still on this planet," Kathryn said, "and one of the crime groups wants to get us, they'll just track us down."
"If I knew for sure what and who was behind this, I'd know what to do. If I keep getting attacked in taverns, the owners are going to lock the doors when they see me coming."
"If you keep getting attacked, someone might get lucky and punch your ticket," Nelligen said.
"There's that also," Vyx said in agreement.
Brenda and Byers returned a short time later. They saw the pistols on the table and were briefed on the situation. The usual dinnertime joviality was absent as everyone thought about the problem and what the future days might bring.
Mindful of the current potential danger, the entire team remained aboard ship the following morning and discussed the second attack endlessly as they tried to make some sense of it. Vyx had activated the bionic recording equipment in his body prior to entering the tavern, so the entire event, as seen through his eyes, was available on a data wafer. He downloaded the recording to the ship's computer system so everyone could view it on the monitors in the lounge.
"It's exactly as you said," Brenda said when the shooting had ended. "They obviously went there looking to kill you. You can tell by the way they walked, acted, and scanned the room as they entered the tavern, then walked directly to your table. And the one who identified himself as Cillota had to be reaching for his pistol. There didn't appear to be any pockets down there."
"But why attack Vyx?" Byers said. "We haven't done anything to harm the Senesim Syndicate. In fact we haven't yet done anything to interfere with any criminal activities on the planet."
"The first attack was simply from a bully who liked to pick fights, so I wasn't too concerned when that was over, although there's always the possibility of a relative or employer vendetta. But this second attack really troubles me. They had an agenda when they entered the tavern. I was lucky they sent two muscle-bound fools who expected me to be an easy mark. They probably won't make that mistake again. The next time it could be me lying on the floor."
"Don't even suggest that," Brenda said.
"It's a fact. So we have to decide if we stay here or go. And by go I mean leave the planet entirely and find a new place to ply our trade."
"I vote we leave," Brenda said. "Short of walking into the Syndicate headquarters and asking them why they attacked you, I see no way of learning what's going on. We haven't been here long enough to develop any dependable information sources."
"Now that you mention that, there might be one— the Wolkerron who introduced himself to me and tried to interest me in a job. Job brokers are usually better tuned in to the local power structure than they let on. You simply have to know how to talk to them."
"You mean you simply have to offer them enough incentive in the form of GA credits," Nelligen said.
"Yeah, that's what I said," Vyx said with a grin.
----
Chapter Five
~ July 1 st , 2288 ~
Sitting aboard a spaceship discussing possibilities was pointless once the possibilities ran out. Vyx, although senior officer of the intelligence team, usually solicited the opinions of the others before making a decision that would place everyone's lives in jeopardy, but on this occasion he made the decision on his own. Just after lunch he left the ship with Albert Byers after ordering everyone else to remain aboard.
Byers was a bit overweight and not very good with a pistol, but he was a keen observer, and the extra pair of eyes would be invaluable if enforcers were waiting for Vyx to show himself in the city.
The two met no resistance as they exited the taxi and entered the tavern Vyx had decided upon. He hadn't used it as a
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