* * *
9:53 P.M...
Hellenistic Sector, Business Vicinage...
The twin Closers, Nikolai and Natasha busied themselves as they waited to fulfill the Closing on the Phoenix, and three days remained before the appointed time. After they had closed on Vic the Vulture earlier that morning for the Valhalla Corporation, they returned to their hotel and cleaned up, then they found a nice place for lunch, and enjoyed a meal. As natives of the Light Side of the planet, everyday life in Noir was alien to them.
"I'll never get used to this." Natasha made her way out of Main One Hospital, after visiting its pharmacy. Her internal clock was off without the sun to greet her in the morning, and she felt like she was on an endless all-nighter and wished to be back where the sun caressed her face.
Few people were walking the area she was in. Natasha paused, tried to adjust to the odd way of breathing through the WM-A, and continued outside. She carried a green cloth sack and halted at the edge of a sidewalk as the Cadillac pulled up to the curb. She placed the sack on the floor of the back seat and got in the front. Her brother Nikolai had the wheel and his Fedora lay beside him on the seat along with an open briefcase. An old book titled Draven and Salandra lay inside.
Nikolai held another book titled Blood Harvest that he was nearly done with. He finished the last page of the chapter, placed the novel in the briefcase, and put the briefcase in the back. "Tasha, were you able to get the kits?" He watched as his sister tucked her black hair behind her ear.
She removed her mask, tossed it in the back, and replied, "Yes, we have enough filters and the Liquid Oxygen Sprays to last several weeks, if needed. I for one do not wish to stay a minute longer in this dreadful place."
"Our assignment will be over soon then we can return home." He drove out of the hospital's parking lot and to the main road. "We can see the sun once more."
After a few minutes...
"I almost forgot." Natasha reached into the back seat and removed two boxes from the bag. "I got us upgrades." She handed one to her brother.
He took it, questioning, "Upgrades?"
"Yes, I grew tired of the Winnow Mask we have and bought the next level up." Natasha removed the WM-B from its box. "These have straps so that our hands are free."
"Well done, my sister. We may need these if we are to take down the Phoenix. They've also given me an idea." He pulled over and put on the WM-B.
"What are you doing?" Natasha questioned.
"This vehicle is a convertible. I would like to put the top down. Is that all right with you?"
"Only because it is you who is asking, I will bear the discomfort of this place."
He activated the top, it lowered, and Nikolai resumed driving. "I enjoy having the wind in my face. It is not that terrible, is it?"
"No." She grabbed the Fedora, placed it in the back, slid over, and then leaned her head on her brother's shoulder. "It is not that bad."
About ten minutes later...
The onboard computer centered in the console flashed red and then it spoke, "Tainted Rain forecasted to hit in four minutes. For your safety, this rental vehicle will lock out drive control till the storm passes. Please pull over and raise the top. Estimated length of Tainted Rain is fifteen minutes."
"I just placed it down." Nikolai pulled the car over and pressed a button that raised the top. "If we were in Mother Russia, we wouldn't have to worry about this polluted rain." He left the car running. "I should be thankful we didn't get caught in it."
He watched as black droplets speckled the windshield then thousands fell from the sky. The wind howled from the west, whipping the water about along with debris on the road. The drab Dry Clouds thundered as people on the sidewalks rushed for cover.
Natasha leaned forward, turned on the air system, and removed her WM-B. "I wish to be rid of this mask. It is so uncomfortable."
The rental as with all automobiles on the Dark Half had a special filter to provide clean air for its passengers. The Cadillac idled, switching to its electric battery.
"I know, but you do not want to breathe Noir's air. It is foul, smells of petroleum, and look." He pointed to the windshield. "The rain has traces of oil. You do not want it on your delicate skin."
"Promise me, my brother, that we will never return to the Dark Half. Promise me, we will remain on the Light Side once we have returned home."
"This I cannot promise. If Voice has a Closing for us, we must take it. We must never disobey the laws of the Assassins Guild." He looked worried. "We should never incur the Guild's wrath."
"You mean like the Phoenix?"
"Yes." He looked to the black water flowing down the windshield. "We should never incur their wrath like the Phoenix."
In an alley, the pale-white wolf gazed at the siblings as their car sped by, and the Tainted Rain soiled its fur and turned its coat a pale-gray. The raven perched above the wolf on a fire escape and crowed softly. The large bird was never far from the wolf.
Back in the car...
Natasha questioned, "Is there a place we can hide from this gloom? Is there a place we can escape for an hour or two?"
"Here." Nikolai handed her a brochure. "Maybe this place will cheer you up."
"What is this?" She took it and glanced at the picture. "A museum?"
"No." He smiled. "Look and you will see."
She read the front cover, "Come see our large spacious Sun Room mimicking a pine forest of the Light Side of the planet." She excitedly looked over the pamphlet and told her brother, "There are tall ordinary trees, green luscious plants that don't glow, and sunlight, precious sunlight. Do they really have such a place in Noir?" Natasha turned to her brother. "We must go. We must go now. Take me."
"Patience, my sister. We will go Sunday."
#2 Shades of Gray: From Moscow, With Love Page 18