|
The quiet of the dark room was shattered by the gentle whisper of the sobbing woman, "I know what is involved, perhaps even more than you. I know what has to be done."
"Fraeulein, I believe we are talking about forces much larger than you could possibly comprehend." A man with slight german accent said slowly and confidently.
"Greater than I could possibly comprehend? How could that be, tell me that. I built them, I know what they are capable of, I know what they want, what they need, and what they are going to get."
"Then why do you come to me, here, at my home? If you are so confident, they why are you here... crying?"
"The reason I'm here and the reason I'm crying are two seperate matters, but they both relate to you, in a way. I have two favors to ask of you, and while I don't know if being my father's daughter has any currency with you, I promise that they both will be repaid."
"So why is it that you come alone, and not with him? You could not get him to agree with your foolish request?"
"You're right, he does not know what I'm doing because he would never agree."
"Hmm... Alright, and what is the second favor that you are asking?"
"Second?"
"Well, the first is obviously not to involve your father, correct?"
"No... I thought that it would be implied by his absence."
"Your father, mein lieber, is quite resourceful, not to involve him will take effort, more effort than any implications that you thought were made."
"Well, in that light, I guess I have 3 favors to ask of you."
"Alright, proceed."
"So, Shark-ie", Zona said purposefully enunciating the last syllable. "What are going to dress as?"
"Why are we going to this again? I mean, what is the objective?" Shark asked for the fifth time.
"Can't we just go to have fun? How many opportunities do you get to join the rich and elite in a playground that must have cost--"
Shark cut her off before she could name a price, "Of course we can have fun. All I'm wondering is why we're going?"
"I give up!" Zona playfully screamed while throwing her hands in the air to display her frustration.
"Come on, that was a joke," Shark lied. "But to answer your question, I was planning on going as a warrior, like from those Sword & Sorcerer movies. Now I figure since we don't have to be there for several hours, why don't we enact the second best part of those movies?"
"Second?"
"Well, right after the blood and guts of the fight scenes, the sex scenes are always my favorite!" Shark said with his patented grin. Zona loved that grin, the one that showed that while he and Kid Stealth were mercenaries, soldiers for hire, at least he had emotions.
"Okay" she said as she reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he lowered them onto the bed.
"Ouch, Something stung me!" Shark exclaimed.
"Oh? It could have been this syringe that I have..." Zona trailed off knowing that Shark was already out. "Please forgive me, my love, but this really is for the best," She whispered while kissing his forehead. When she stood again, the men in tactical gear arrived.
They all got together about a half hour before they wanted to arrive. Meeting at one of Raven's houses, a squat split-level place surrounded by bigger, newer houses. The white exterior was peeling and chipping, showing the disregard that was applied to everything in the area. Parked out front was a giant 'Hawg' owned by Vaclav Lamas, a nomad who had worked for Raven in the past and was currently in town with his family. He was standing there in his satyr costume, taking a drag from his wineskin. Standing near by was Sslick and his cycle. Sslick was a member of the Cajun Deaux-boys, a gang that had worked with Shark in the past. He was dressed as a jester, complete with baton and hat with bells. At this Shark shook his head. "Damned fool!" he said, followed by a chuckle at his own brilliance.
Pulling up from the other direction, Victoria's car maneuvered deftly into a parking spot. She stepped out, as did another gentleman. She was dressed also in a warrior's costume, equipped with sword and shield, and elegant armour. It took a while, but Shark was able to find the whip that she always carried. It had helped that he had known what to look for, since while she didn't hide it, the rest of the costume comouflaged it. Her escort was dressed as a nobleman, all black and silver, with an elegant tabard and gloves. "Who is he?" Zona asked quietly as they approached.
"I don't know," Shark replied, "He looks familiar. Hmmm, is Spydr seeing anyone?"
"I don't think..." Zona started to reply when Victoria cut her off.
"No. I'm not, this is Jacq Church. He's an acquaintance of both Richie's and mine. Jacq is a musician that frequents the web from time to time."
"Really? I've never heard of him," Shark said, cursing himself for forgetting Victoria's near-supernatural hearing.
"Well Shark, maybe if you came on some nights that didn't only have Slayer-Metal, you might have heard of Jacq, he is becoming quite the sensation."
"Hey Guys!" shouted an older man dressed as a 'classic' thief. "Are we ready to PARTY!"
Everyone turned towards him, only Shark showing that he knew him, though Victoria also knew of him. "Bryant, how's it going?"
"Aw-Shit... it's going great! Hey is this your lady-friend? Boy you're right! She is Hot! That must make this.. uhm... ahh..." he stammered as he was prompting Victoria.
Victoria paused for a second, wondering whether it would be entertaining to watch him stammer longer. Deciding against it she extends her hand, "Victoria Evansworth, Mr. XXXX".
"You've heard of me?" He said with an excited voice.
"Of you, yes. Shark has told me many great things." She lied, Shark had not said anything, but if the guy were a problem, then he would not have been able to get this close to Zona, so he must be okay.
"Yep, Great things indeed." Shark said with a grin.
"So you lied... well, that's okay... as long as the word gets around, it's all good! So are we going out to party of what?" Bryant said as he starting to herd people towards Shark's ride. Jacq glanced at Victoria with a desperate look which Victoria, master of subtly, understood to mean he was not looking forward to spending an hour let alone an evening with this obnoxious guy. She replied with a slight nod that to Jacq meant; tough.
The elevator doors opened up on the one hundredth floor of the GenTech archology, to show a scene right out of a fantasy book. Grass covered hills stretched out in front of them with people massing and moving and writhing arould like a large undulating beast. Lining the walls and forming little islands were small stalls and shops, selling everything from foods and booze to art and tapestries to stocks and bonds. At the far end of the festival decorated room was a large castle jutting out of the wall. Even obscured by the twelve-foot wall, the castle's balcony could be seen hosting two thrones. Only one was occupied, by a very picturesque noble king, William F. Payne.
The goup of comrades dispersed upon entering. Shark and Zona shopped around, just having a good time. As did Victoria and Jacq. Finally Bryant, Vaclav and Sslick went out to go find lady friends.
Jio stood in the balcony looking out over the festival. The gunfire and normal din of combat had dispersed a majority of people. While there were still people running around franticly, Jio was given a clear view of the dying Sharkman. Suddenly, Jio felt a presence standing right behind him. Turning he saw Dr. Payne standing there, with a wry grin.
"Hmm, it would appear that the little lady was incorrect."
"Yeah, it is a good thing that precautions were taken."
"Yes. It is a good thing. I am just curious what the back-lash will be of this event."
"Are you talking about those machines, or something more local?"
"Very astute Mr. Jiovanazo. It is clear what will come of those machines, it is more local pressures that I am unsure about." Dr. Payne looked out over the battlefield; eyes falling on Sharkman just as his dying body had taken its last breath. "Well, inform Ms. Kenna to revive Mr. Slatton. Also, call Mr. XXX and tell him that his action plan has been approved. Accounting and Sales will go first, then your Covert Ops and Research and Development, then finally Operations, Productions, and Management."
Jio was confused as to why Dr. Payne would be mentioning this to him, but trusted that there must be a reason; Dr. Payne doesn't act without reason. "Right away sir," Jio said as he turned and left, calling Kenna on his cell. "Kenna, the clone is dead, awaken Shark."
Jio did not even wait for her affirmation; he hung up so that he could call Mr. XXXX. One level above them all, Kenna sat next to a large tank that had Sharkman floating inside its florescent green liquid. Kenna's fingers danced above some controls slowly but steadily. A reoccurring beeping sound was getting faster, "Beep-Beep.... Beep-Beep,"
"Alright Shark, time to resurrect the hero", Kenna said as the beeping increased in speed and the lights all got brighter. "Heart beat is in acceptable levels, respiratory is at acceptable levels. Now for the brain... this shouldn't take long," Kenna joked. Pressing a few more buttons, the EKG display started to show signs of brain activity. "Brain is working at least as much as before... alright, lets see if everything is wired correctly." After flicking a switch the green liquid lost its flouresence, then started to drain out of the tank. "He is ready sir," Kenna said as Dr. Payne entered the room.
"Good work, awaken him." Kenna closed her eyes for a moment and when she reopened them, she nodded to Dr. Payne. The room sat in silence for a while. "Mr. Slatton, I know that not only are you awake, but you can also hear me. I trust you are trying to get a bearing on your situation. Let me bring you up to date. Your girlfriend was abducted by the machines that at one time she created. Before you accuse my security of being so pathetic to have allowed this, understand that it happened only because Ms. Riely made a good argument. It was her choice, so GenTech allowed her to be abducted. Another thing that GenTech did on her behalf was to keep you alive. For some reason Ms. Riley was under the assumption that they, the machines called the Zodiac, would not take her if she went willingly. She said something would be lost, so it had to be an elaborate act. It would not do for you to hold back or to die, so we designed this clone. In fact, your past seven hours have actually been lived through a clone. Mr. Jiovanazzo currently has people trailing the Zodiac, but they dropped Ms. Riley with another party. Thus they were cut in half as they trailed both. Currently, the Zodiac is in on a low satellite somewhere over the former U.S.S.R., and Ms. Riley is on an ancient steamer crossing the Atlantic. The ship is scheduled to arrive at Liverpool, England in a week. We will have agents in the area."
During the monologue, Shark had sat up and was now staring directly at Dr. Payne yet sitting in silence. Dr. Payne continued, "I know this is a lot to take in, and I will give you the opportunity to ask me questions; which I will try to answer for you. You do not have to ask right now, I will give you a week to return here and interview me. Do you accept?" At the slight nod from Shark, Dr. Payne stood and began to walk out, "Good. See you in a week."
|
