Richard - This was an unknown number. But if i have to guess... It was someone from your circle.
Back in the appartment. Sun is still high in the sky. Richard walking back and forth, enraged by such audacity. And only a doll were looking through a terminal.
Richard - Come on Zed... Tell me at least something.
Despite a nervious man in front of her. The doll was unfazed. Only when her name was called, did she lift her head to look at a Richard.
Zed - It will take some time. But what do you want to do with them? As usual? Kill?
Richard - No... For some reason he knew me, my name and this number. I wan't them to be dragged in front of me and make him beg for forgivenes. That will teach him some manners.
Zed - Him? So i am looking for a man.
Richard - Didn't i told you everything?
Zed - No... You were babling about how you hate someone for about a twenty minutes already, and didn't told me any kind of information.
With a sigh, the doll placed communicator back at a table. A short, dark hair with yellow bits. Avarege frame with few modifications. That was a mercenary doll who were known as Zed. But when did it all started?
Slowly, Zed turned her attention to a window. It was a long time since she was at Richard's appartments. Then she returned her gaze on Richard, who kept talking, or rather yelling into the air.
Zed - Alright, alright. I got this.
When Richard's voice started slowly fading, Zed got up from a couch and tried to calm down Richard, by forcing him to sit down. And Richard did calmed down.
Richard - Thank you Zed. Knew that i can always count on you.
Zed - To early for that, but thanks. I will go around my informants and ask around. If i found anything, i will make a call. But first i need to deal with a missing money bag.
Richard - Oh... I thought you already dealt with that.
Zed - I was on my way there when you called.
Richard - Oh... yeah, right. Then you should go.
Zed - Don't worry Richard. Will be done like usual.
Satisfied that Richard finaly calmed down. Zed walked to a heavy metal door that were leading out of appartments. Before walking out, she looked one last time at Richard.
=== Duval Camp ===
Martin - What does it mean "we don't go on a raid"? We were the one who brought a word on that deal, and now we dropping out? Are ye doing good in yer head?
Outside the main building, near the workshop. Martin and Kilmure were standing leaning against their favorite car. It was almost repaired, but still missing a few parts.
Kilmure - That last deal with URNC were too hot for our team. So me and Andre will be sitting here for a long time. Not really a good idea shining your face when our IDs are getting checked. And in a few day, we will be invited to a hearing.
Martin - Ah man. That is just a same old boring nagging of a judge, then they will probably say you to pay up a big fine, suspend hunter licences and that will be it. Why would you even bother?
Kilmure - I bother with it because this is a reason i kept walking around on this earth with my two legs. I might have a target on my back, but it is not an big one. And belive me! You can get much more futher in your life when it is small.
Martin - Talking metaphors and all this pathos. You are getting old, old man. *HA*
Kilmure - Then listen to this old man. Stupid man. Tomorrow morning you have to get ready. Because we will move out to a little deal on.
Martin - Oh... A little deal. Are you trying to rob someone? Go on, tell me whole deal!
Kilmure - Not rob. This is my and Andre little side kick.
Cautiously, Kilmure looked around to make sure that noone was listening.
Kilmure - Remember the settelment to the west of Lviv? A two day trip.
Martin - Yeah... That's us.
Kilmure - West of Lviv?
Martin - Oh... Yeah. But no? I kind of don't follow.
Kilmure - Well nevermind then. Point is, we got a huge deal going over there, that we were trying to set up for a long time. A whole month. It seems we finaly get to do it.
Martin - And what is that deal?
Kilmure - First thing, we need to smuggle something out of the city. As far as i am concerned, they want to get drugs out. That is some kind of politician plot twist with it, don't know why he want this, but i don't care. Maybe he bought all of the drugs and want's to dump them away or something.
Martin - I would like to take everything then.
Kilmure - Yeah... I knew you would. But that's not all. After we are done transporting drugs outside, we need to get some guy inside the city. Something about a NOMFA agent among the lines, should be solid job.
Martin - NOMFA agent smugled in? What the hell is going on over there? And you were working on that gig? Wait... are you working for NOMFA?
Kilmure - What? And keep your voice down you idiot! No, i don't work for NOMFA. But they set up a great deal. Through this. They think we are just a simple smugglers, and using us for a small deal. Meanwhile, i will use that as a means to get some more money on a spot. As we would be transfering a half a milion in credit tokens along the way... And here comes the twist. We get the credits, we get the drugs, and blame NOMFA on all of it.
Martin - Wait... How come... Did you set up a three ways deal?
Kilmure - Yep... And nobody knows who goes where. But the thing is. I can't show my face aroud anymore. I need fourth party to work this through. And that is where you come in.
Martin - Oh... I get it. Get the deal going and i will be to blame once someone start searching for an answer yeah? You can just as well let me rob them all in a broad daylight.
Kilmure - I know you are an idiot Martin, but you must know that i won't let you get the hard press of it. The idea was with another party. And it just so happenes... a little group of kids, trying to play gangsters, is willing to cooperate. I already arranged everything. All you need to do, is to showup and play the tough guy. Take a Nita with you... just to be sure.
Martin - Wait... so you are sending me alone with a doll to take care of this?
Kilmure - You wanted a big score? You have to play your part!
Martin - Uh... Fine! Where should i go then?
Kilmure - It's a two days ride. Oh... I have a map with me, take a look.
Remembering the map, Kilmure reached in his inner pocket to pull out a slightly yellow piece of paprer and handed it to a Martin. After Martin unfolded piece of paper, Kilmure looked closely at it for a second, then pointed a fineger at small dot named "Ulanow"
Martin - Two days ride? Are you going to...
Kilmure - You will have a doll with you, you imbecile. She can drive a car! *cough* Now...Once you will get there, you will find a hideout by our little group of 'wanna be gangsters'. A small community of some sort, and they are perfect for a this job. They are just waiting for you to talk. Should be easy job for someone like you. And I know that you can talk big.
Martin - And what is that supposed to mean?
Kilmure - You know what i mean... *heh* You know what i mean.
Satisfied, Kilmure pulled out a pack of cigarettes, put one in his lips, and lighted it up. Meanwhile Martin was visibly annoyed, as he just shook his head, and with a little grunt, walked away.
=== Later that evening ===
Kyiv late evening streets were glowing in colors. Very few people would decide to walk at this time, moreover, walk through dark corners of an alleys. A single hooded shape walking through a dirty alley, and after looking around, leaped on a ledge of a wall. Few more leaps, and the shape reached a window on third floor, then silently crawled inside.
Once inside, the shape looked around, but saw noone. It was just a normal apartments. Kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and an living room. After confirming that nobody was inside, the shape finaly relaxed and took of the hood.
Zed - Alright... let's see if you are hiding money somewhere here.
Slowly, Zed started checking through drawers, closet, under the bed. Even started silently moving tables and looking under a carpets. But nothing were looking like something she was looking for.
Realising that it is either not here, or hidden really good. She decided to place everything back in place. Then she pulled out a double barrel shotgun. With a Lupara in hands, Zed sat down on a chair in a bedroom and waited.
It wasn't a long wait. Soon a lock started clicking, followed by a voices of man and a woman.
Man - ... and that's what i am telling you. He was drunk as hell, and tried to dance on a stage.
Woman - I saw that.*haha*I saw that. Then hik* slipped...Man - Yeah, yeah... what an idiot!
A pair footsteps, moved through the apartments. Talking drunken about how they had a great night out. After they moved to a kitchen, steps slowed down.
Woman - Oh wow... is that your little home?
Man - Yeah. But don't worry, i am going to move to a better appartments soon.
Woman - Oh... I see. Mind if i use a shower? I think i feeling sick.
Man - Sure... It's...
A woman rushed to a Bathroom. Then a door slamed. Followed by a sound of drink comming out through a wrong side of a body. Meanwhile, a man walked around, untill he made his way into a bedroom. At first he didn't noticed that Zed was sitting there, in a corner of a room, with a lupara pointing at him. The man walked deeper into the room, sat down on a bed and turned on bedside lamp. Now a dim light fell on Zed, but the man were turned back to a Zed.
Man - Come on... Where the hell are you?
The man pulled out a phone, quickly checked something, and threw it on a bed. He kept waiting, oblivious to a gun pointing at him from behind.
Few moments later, woman finaly walked out of bathroom.
Man - Oh! Are you alright?
Woman - No, no real-la. I think i shold jus-s go home and sleep.
Man - Okay... Okay. Let me just get you to bed.
Hearing this. Zed moved from chair, to behind a wardrobe. The man helped woman to lay down on a bed. Took of her shoes and walked back to the kitchen, frustrated. Zed slowly followed.
Man - Damn it... Damn this girl... Damn Jakob... Damn it all!
Desperate. The man took out bottle of beer from a fridge.
Zed - Jakob won't answer your call.
As unknown voice answered his curses. The man flinched and nearly dropped a bottle. Then he saw a Doll, pointing a double barrle rifle at him.
Man - Who are you? What are you doing here?
Zed - That is not, a right question.
Man - You came for a money? Jakob had them! It is all him!
Zed - Sit down.
In a few moments, man were in state of panic, and Zed pushed him on a chair.
Zed - Your friend Jakob told me another story. That you got all of the money. That you had some sort of a plan to get rich and get out of here quickly. Not quick enough i suppose. But now, i need answers. Where is the money?
Man - Look, I know. I know! I don't have any money on me. I bought out a drug batch, and were going on a deal with different man. Named Takker. He were to place a bigger score for a money.
Zed - I don't care about your plan, who got our money?
Man - I just told you. Guy named Takker! I just swapped drugs for money with him.
Zed - Where can i find that man?
Man - He is in the yellow zone. I don't know where his base is, but i can call him to set up a meeting.
With one hand, Zed pulled out her communicator and placed it on a table in front of a man.
Zed - Give him a call. Set up a meeting.
Man - I don't know his terminal ID. It is something on my pho...
Zed - Cut the crap already. You supposed to dispose of your device after every call. If what you said is true, then i can just take your phone, and you won't be missed.
Man - Alright, Alright, you are right! Here...
Hands shaking, face consumed by panic. The man grabbed terminal from the table. Started typing and finaly pressed the call.
Man - Here... It's their number.
Once the man finished talking. Zed took a communication terminal from his hands, and pulled the trigger. Loud as dynamite, sound ringed through a small room. Fountain of blood and gore filled the wall, and finaly, dead man fell to the floor.
Zed - Thank you for your cooperation.
Before anything else to happen, Zed opened a window, hid the gun in her frame and jumped through the window. All while a call was going through.
=== Night Drive ===
Through a sandy plains of a yellow zone. A car rides through nighty dunes. Bumpy road didn't let Martin to get even a some bit of peacefull sleep. But after a few hours, he managed to lay down on a backseats. Meanwhile Nita were driving in a single direction, sometimes checking on terminal to make sure they are heading in a right direction. On some occasions, terminal showed turn right or left. And this was one of such occasions.
As the road were leading them through a hills. Headlights of revealed a road blocked by a bunch of rocks, rusted cars and debris. Nita slowly steped brake pedal. As Martin kept sleeping, Nita didn't wanted to wake him up, so she decided to go out and clear out the wreckage.
Durning a clean up, a sudden bullet hit Nita in a back, a sound of heavy caliber rifle came through the air. Then another bullet hit Nita's frame, that hit finaly made Nita act, and she rushed to cover behind a cover.
Small army of robots came out through a roadblock, and a sniper were still somewhere among the trees. A hail of bullets rained down on Nita, as she were shoting back. Thankfully, that small army was very small. And in a less than a minute, Nita was the last standing in this fight.
Martin - Nita!
Once the shots calmed down, Martin finaly walked out of the car and rushed forward.
Martin - Nita! Are you...
As Martin came closer, Nita grabbed Martin by a neck and pushed him on a ground near one of a car wreackages, meanwhile Nita kept looking around.
Martin - Ouh, OUH! Nita, youre gonna break my neck!
Nita - Oh... Sorry!
Once Marthin slapped her wrist, Nita released her grip on Martin's neck, and he sit up, still covering behind a wreaked car. After catching his breath, Marting looked out and took a glance at surroundings. Everything seemed quite.
Martin - I think you did a great job. I don't think anyone else is there.
Nita - Just making sure. I didn't spot any signatures until i was shot.
Martin - Speaking about being shot. Nita, are you alright?
Nita - I am fine. Over all sustained damage is seven point three percent.
Martin - Seven point three? I just saw how you were hit multiple times... What are you made of? I knew that you are tough, but damn... You took like what? A few...
Nita - Mr. Martin, i don't think this is a good place to take a casual conversation. I advise you return to a car, and once i am done clearing the way, we should get out of here.
With a sudden and harsh voice, Nita turned to Martin. Sudden change in her expression, made him jump a little. And with a simple single nod, Marting rushed back to a car.
After a few minutes, the road was clear. And both Nita and Martin continued their way.
It was clear that Martin was feeling uneasy, and after long time of silence, he finaly tried to talk.
Martin - Who were these robots?
Nita - I don't know. But it's looks like they were done from scraps. I saw emblems of URNC as well as city guards and few more, but most of them faded or rusted away. Whatever it is, they are a made from scraps... Just like their weapons.
Martin - Oh... I guess they were a scout or an ambush team. Makes me wonder who would try to do this at out time and day? That is just an old book move for a desperate people.
Nita - Maybe... But that's why we should not stay there more than necessary.
Martin - Yeah... Your truth... But still, you took so many hits, are you sure you are doing fine?
Nita - I said i am fine!
With an annoyed expression, Nita pushed pedal, car accelerated in to the nightly wilds of the yellow zone, under a cosmic gaze of a full moon.