Makeda Red

by Jennifer Brozek

  Rune sat behind her desk, glaring at nothing. “You stupid slitch. How could you run like that?” She put her head in her hands. She knew exactly how and why Zaria had done what she did. The shock was designed to knock her off her game, and to make her at least listen to what she and her husband had to say. Her husband! That woman could always get to her. Rune’s cheeks flushed hot as the brief conversation looped through her memory.

  * * *

  “We need your help.”

  “I’m sure the kitchen will have everything you need.”

  “Makeda…”

  “I have an appointment. Excuse me.”

  * * *

  Then she’d ran for the back hallway stairs, not bothering to wait for the lift. To wait would’ve been a mistake. It would’ve meant more talk, more embarrassment, more of everything she didn’t want. At least she’d found her composure by the time she’d had to walk through the main floor with a smile chiseled into her face.

  Saladin knew something was wrong, though. He’d waited five minutes before knocking on her office door and offering her a glass of real whiskey. He paused long enough for her to tell him that she was unavailable tonight except for her established meeting with LongJack.

  The whiskey sat untouched in front of her. Just the smell of it was enough to bring back the memories of Belgium and a run gone wrong…

  * * *

  …Makeda set the injured elf mage on the ground. The culvert wasn’t a very good hiding place, but it was large enough and dry. It would have to do.

  She touched Zaria’s face. “Zar, wake up. You’ve got to heal yourself. Please…”

  * * *

  It had taken hours for Zaria to wake from her fatigue and injuries. That was the first time she’d kissed Makeda. An unwilling smile graced Rune’s lips as she touched them in memory. From there, it had been weeks of running, hiding, loving. Rune closed her eyes, letting the memories cascade over her.

  * * *

  …Mingled hands and glances in the shadows of the Norbertine Abbey…

  …Bodies entwined in the hayloft of an abandoned barn…

  …A fleeting kiss before the two of them ran for their lives…

  …The first night spent in a bed together in the Chateau de Mons…

  * * *

  Her comm link came to life. Saladin sounded frustrated. “I’m sorry, Red. I’ve got an elf here who insists she needs to see you now. That you know her.”

  Rune growled at him. “Send her away. I don’t want to talk to her.”

  “I’ve tried. She’s sworn she will sit where she is until you see her.”

  “Dare I ask?”

  “On the floor, outside your office.”

  She rubbed her temples as she stood. “We’ll talk later about how she got that far in the first place. I’ll get her.” Opening her office door, Elodie was already standing.

  Rune swallowed her heart and emotions as she gestured the lithe elf in. “Still as stubborn as ever, I see.”

  “It’s the only way I know how to be.” Elodie entered and sat in the chair across from Rune’s desk. “Makeda—”

  “No.” Rune shook her head. “You don’t get to call me that. Makeda is long gone. She left when she thought you died in that explosion. I’m Rune. Miss Red to you. And you are Miss Sud to me.”

  “I’m sorry—”

  “Sorry’s not good enough. I looked for your body, for any sign of you for months. I couldn’t find anything. I had no choice but to think you were dead. Makeda died when I left Belgium.”

  Elodie grimaced, then nodded. She bit her lip. “Well then, Miss Red, I need to do business with you.”

  Rune took her seat behind her desk again. “What may I do for you?”

  “Renart and I need to leave Morocco as soon as possible. There’s a price on our heads.” Elodie clasped her hands together. “It’s bad this time.”

  “I’m sorry for you, but why come to me?” Rune shook her head. “I run a hotel and entertainment complex. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

  Elodie’s gaze narrowed. “I’m not some slot off the street. Everyone who knows anything knows that if you need something in a hurry, Rune’s Avatar Café is where you go.”

  Rune shook her head again. “Don’t know who you’ve been talking to, but—”

  “I can pay.” Elodie dropped an ebony credstick on the desk. “Please.”

  The color of the credstick stopped Rune’s rejection in her throat. “Hoi, chummer…. Maybe you need to tell me who or what you’re running from.” Now her eyes narrowed. “What did you bring down on my place?”

  “Short version? Every merc unit from here to the border, the police, and every loyal Alliance and Federation member. It’s in your best interest to help us.” Elodie raised a slender hand. “Renart has some information on—”

  Rune shook her head. “No. Don’t tell me. The less I know, the better. He’s got paydata that’s enough to kill for, I’m sure.” She pressed her lips together in a thin line, considering the amount of nuyen that could be on that credstick.

  Elodie nodded. “We need to get to either Denver or Seattle as soon as possible.”

  “Not Tír Na nÓg? It’s closer.”

  “No. There are problems there. Tír Tairngire would be better, but Denver or Seattle would be easier. I’m not kidding, there’s multiple black market bounties on our heads.”

  Rune stood and paced around the room for several silent rotations. If nothing else, Elodie was right. She needed the Suds out of her establishment, or it was going to become a smoking crater. But probably not in the way Elodie wanted. “Why isn’t he hiding? Why did you come here?”

  “He was. Then he wasn’t because…because I told him you would be able to fix things.”

  “You were wrong.” Rune put her hand on the doorknob. “I can’t help you. Things have changed. I’m not the woman you remember.”

  Elodie picked up the credstick, but didn’t put it away. “Yes, you are. I know you still are.”

  There was a knock on the door.

  Rune signaled Elodie to stay silent. “What?”

  “It’s Fatima. LongJack is waiting for you at your table.”

  Rune closed her eyes briefly. “Dammit.” She opened the door and pulled a startled Fatima into the room. She gestured at Elodie. “Take her through the back way to the penthouse. Don’t let anyone see you. Double security. Who’s on shoot duty?”

  Fatima’s surprise shifted into the non-expression of all business. “Schism’s in the nest and Bishop’s on lead. I’ll get it done. Do we need to lock it down?”

  Rune shook her head. “Just the penthouse. Things are going to be hot for a while.”

  Elodie stepped up to Rune and pushed the credstick into her hands. “You can help us. Please. We’re dead without you. Fix this.” Then she stepped out of the office and into the hallway, waiting for Fatima there.

  Rune nodded at Fatima’s quizzical look. “You’ve got your orders.

  Also, have beef soycakes and a bottle of Hurlg sent to my table.”

  After the two of them left, Rune looked down at the credstick in her hands. I can’t do this. I can’t give up everything I’ve made here. I’m going to have to tell the Mister himself that they came to the wrong girl. Shoving the credstick into a hidden pocket, she took a quick look in the mirror, deemed herself presentable, and put on her usual saunter.

  LongJack already had a mug of the dark, thick ale in hand. He looked like the typical bruiser ork, but Rune knew better. Behind the tusks and skin the color of dying moss lay a keen mind. LongJack was the best decker she knew—white hat, black hat, and merc alike. He was also in charge of the Afzalat, the most powerful merc unit in Rabat. Rumor had it that while he and his people could be bought by the highest bidder, they preferred to be hired by the Alliance.

  Rune put on a wide smile as she approached the table. LongJack stood and nodded. “Rune. A pleasure. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

  “You are always
welcome here.” She watched him sit after she’d taken her seat. No smile. Stiff posture. This was business, and it wasn’t going to be pleasant.

  The ork nodded. “I know. But…” He pulled himself together and gazed at her. “You have people here that cannot be here. I’m coming to ask that you remove them from your place.”

  She shook her head, frowning. “I’m not sure what you mean.” They were silent for the moment it took for the beef soycakes, a house specialty, to arrive. “I’m afraid I need a little bit more information.”

  “We know that Renart Sud is here. There’s a bounty on his head. I’m sure you are aware.” He pushed on as she watched him. “I am getting much pressure from my superiors to acquire this man. He has crossed lines he should not have crossed.”

  “Rune’s Avatar Café is a safe place for everyone. I pay a lot of money to make sure this is so.”

  “I know. It’s why I’m asking you to tell Renart he is no longer welcome. I don’t care about the woman. But Renart needs to go. What happens to him afterward is my business.”

  “Someone’s trying to hack our system.” Walid’s voice chirped over her comm link. “They’re good, but we’re better.”’

  “Acknowledged.” Rune said sotto voce. Her smile turned brittle. “If you want your hacker to survive, tell them to withdraw now. We will kill to protect our own.”

  LongJack gave her a half-smile and a nod. “We had to try.”

  “No. You didn’t. Not in my place. Don’t ever mess with me again.” Rune stood. “This place is safe for everyone—remember that.”

  LongJack stood and gripped her arm to keep her from leaving. “Don’t be so sure of that.” He nodded to the main entryway, where Captain Belali and two uniformed police officers stood.

  “What are you doing?” Rune’s stomach dropped in fear as she jerked her arm out of LongJack’s grasp.

  “Showing you just how important this is.”

  As Rune watched, the two officers walked to a table indicated by the Captain. They leaned over, speaking quietly to the man eating alone there, then picked him up bodily, slapped cuffs on him as he started struggle, and tazed him when he wouldn’t calm down. The officers carried the unconscious man out of the Café.

  Captain Belali walked over to her and removed his hat. “My most sincere apologies, Miss Red. That man was a wanted criminal. Very dangerous. You know how much I dislike interrupting the course of your business, but when duty calls, what can you do?” He gave her an apologetic smile and a half bow before following his men out.

  LongJack kept his voice low. “You have twenty-four hours to turn Renart out. After that, we will come in and get him. No one will stop us.”

  “We will stop you.” Rune felt the rush of rage flush her cheeks. “With deadly force.”

  He nodded. “I know. I am sorry for the damage we will do to the Café. I really do like this place.” He straightened. “Twenty-four hours.”

  Rune watched him leave, her stomach in knots. If she wanted to protect what was hers, she was going to have to do something she did not want to do. She hated being pushed, and she was getting it from all sides. There was only one thing to do now.

  “Please! You can’t do this to us. Rune, please.”

  Rune ignored Elodie’s plea as she escorted Renart and Elodie to the front desk. She gestured to the valet to take their bags. “I’m sorry it has come to this, Mr. Sud. Your credstick was found to be a forgery. I understand this isn’t your fault but, as you cannot pay, you and your wife cannot stay. You understand.”

  Elodie, dressed again in her teal and gold abaya and niqab, whirled on Rune, stepping between her and Renart. “We trusted you.”

  “You should’ve found a better banker.” Rune kept her voice mild.

  She shot out a hand and caught Elodie’s wrist before the furious woman slapped her. “Don’t press your luck.”

  Walid coughed into his fist. “Pardon me. Your car has arrived.”

  Renart gently removed Rune’s hand from Elodie’s wrist and pulled his wife to his side. “She’s doing what she needs to do, Elodie. I understand it all too well. We will make do.” He escorted his wife outside to the car without looking back.

  Rune shook her head and walked to the bar. “Whiskey, Sasha. Make it a double.” She took the glass of amber liquor and warmed it between her palms.

  “That was faster than I expected you to move. I expected them to be here in the morning.”

  She scowled into her drink before tossing it back in two long swallows. Then she turned to face Belali. “I wasn’t given a choice. I didn’t want another example or a firefight in my place.”

  The man had his hat in his hand and glanced at the floor for a moment before he looked up again. “I wasn’t given much of a choice either. My orders came from above.” He leaned forward and took one of her hands in his. He pressed a credstick into it. “I’ve been asked to give you this from LongJack. Since you did what he asked, he thought you should be paid for your effort.”

  She glanced down at the silver credstick before making it disappear. “The Café is safe, but my reputation is in ruins, I’m sure. This might cover what I’m going to lose in business.”

  Belali straightened. “Business is business, and that is all this was. People will forget.” He shrugged. “Such is the price of doing business in Rabat.”

  “What will happen now?” Rune gazed over the emptier than usual main dining hall.

  “Oh, well. My people will keep watch on Mr. Sud and his lovely bride. We will know where they are at all times. LongJack will call me. I will tell him what I know. I will be paid. And then…” He shrugged again, looking away. “I suspect that Renart Sud and his wife will no longer be wanted by the powers that be.”

  She shook her head. “You’re a piece of work.”

  “We all do what we need to do to survive.” He bowed his head to her. “And now, duty calls.”

  Rune returned to her office, keeping her gait steady and her face neutral. When she was safely behind closed doors, she paused long enough to take a steadying breath but didn’t stop. Walking to the back part of her office, she opened a hidden door and stepped inside a very small elevator.

  Waiting for her at the bottom was Fatima. “All is well?”

  Rune nodded. “As well as can be. At least Belali took the bait.

  You?”

  “No problem. Oded owed me a favor. He got me two stage kits in short order. They’re being coached now.”

  The two of them walked through the hidden passageways underneath Avatars and the Café until they reached one of the safe havens. There, two human men—both redheads—were being coached how to speak, hold themselves, and walk by Saladin. Rune watched for a long couple of minutes before she nodded. “Renart. Elodie.”

  Only one of the men twitched in her direction, then stopped and made an attempt to cover his mistake by studying his nails.

  “Not bad. Which one are you?”

  The man who had twitched hung his head. “Renart.”

  Rune nodded. “You’ll need to do better if you want to survive.”

  “I know.”

  “What happens now?” Elodie, the shorter of the two men, asked.

  “Now, we hand you over to the team I’ve hired who will get you to where you’re going. I’ll pay them half upfront, and half after one of you contacts me. Then the two of you will be on your own. Remember, those nanopoly masks will only last twenty-four hours. That’s all your money gets you.”

  “What do you get out of this?”

  Rune gazed at her, looking for the woman behind the mask. She couldn’t see Elodie’s delicate elven features at all. “Besides my nuyen? The knowledge that both of you owe me. I suspect favors from you two will come in handy in the future. Also, I know where you are and how you got there. That’s enough for me this time around.”

  “Thank you for doing this for me.”

  Rune shook her head. “I’m not doing it for you. This isn’t some old-time romantic
movie. I’m doing it for me.”

  Elodie looked away, then returned to Saladin and Renart.

  “We’ll always have Belgium.” Rune murmured, smiling a soft, sad smile as she turned to Fatima. “Is the team here?”

  “Yes. Waiting in the garage.” Fatima glanced at Saladin. “He got them fake SINs that match their masks.”

  “What about their regular gear?”

  “Silent mode or stored.”

  Saladin lifted his head and called. “We’re ready here.”

  Rune straightened her shoulders. “Time to fix things for everyone.”

  Rune sat at the bar of the closed dining hall. Avatars, below them, was still going strong, but the Café always shut down at 0200, and all diners were out of the hall by 0300. She stared at the empty place.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  Saladin and Fatima had returned with her to the dining hall to make sure everything was set for tomorrow. Rune knew it was because they thought she needed babysitting. Maybe she did. “Double whiskey. Real. Not colored water.”

  “You want me to play something for you?” Fatima brought her music deck over to the bar.

  Rune smiled. “Yeah. Something sad and sweet. But not The Song.”

  “I can manage that.” Fatima let her fingers dance over the keyboard in a modern ballad.

  “What are we going to do when they discover the fake Renart and Elodie?” Saladin slid a glass of real alcohol to her.

  “Nothing. The runners I hired know nothing of the other team. They thought Renart and Elodie hired them to cover for the ‘forged credstick,’ but were too young, dumb, or desperate to check their credstick during the deal.”

  “It wasn’t forged, was it?”

  Rune shook her head. “Of course not. So, either they’ll escape or they won’t. If they do, they do—and a job well done. I might use them in the future. If they don’t, they’ll tell the truth or die.”

  “And we’re still in the clear, either way.” Saladin nodded. “Speaking of which, everyone involved gets a bonus. LongJack paid for my acquiescence. I figured I should share the bounty.”