Tar (Phoenix in Flames Book 3)

by Catty Diva

  “Thanks for nothing.”

  Justice chuckled. “Undercover work is hell.”

  Yeah, like he didn’t know that? The line had dropped so he put the device back in its hiding place. Relaxing didn’t seem possible, but a hot shower at least helped. The hardest thing always seemed to be turning off his mind because it raced once he lay down.

  It seemed sleep was the furthest away when it was the most desired. Yet, somehow against all his expectations it just hit out of the blue. When he woke before the alarm, he felt better even though he still had no idea how to get the proof he was sent here for. The next two days went well as far as work was concerned and he felt like he could easily fall into a routine.

  The third day he got off work surprised to find Patty waiting for him. Doss shot him a look showing he was stunned. He just shrugged his shoulders. Hell if he knew why she was here, but he was glad to see her.

  “Follow me. We’ll have supper.” She directed.

  “Okay.” He followed her.

  Patty led him passed the restricted sign to an area he’d not seen. There were two offices and an area with computers and lab equipment. Looking around with interest, it seemed to him Patty and Ladonna did many things back here or least were capable of doing them.

  She led him right into her office where a meal was set up for them. “Just sit there.” She instructed as she closed the door. “There is no listening devices in here. If anyone asked say I was just interested in sex.”

  “What?” He asked.

  “They’ll want to know why I took you here. The truth won’t do. Tell them I wanted sex.” She said it slow like speaking to a child.

  “What do you want?”

  “Who are you really? You’ve been making unauthorized transmissions on a state of the art device. Why?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Don’t insult me. It’s hard to untangle, but I’ll have it all soon.” She played a short clip of the start of his talk with Justice. “Is this the Justice that works to keep the peace?”

  Damn! Was she good or bad? Did it matter at this point? He needed to convince her not to rat him out. “Why would you care?”

  “I’ve lived here all my life. My friends live here with me. What happens here concerns me greatly.”

  “Fine. Yes, Justice tries to keep things running smoothly. He especially worries for females and children. We all do.”

  “What are your plans for this station?”

  “First we need to know if they are doing things that are illegal then we need the proper proof. At that point we will attempt to take out the self-destruct and any bombs we find. Once that is done, those willingly breaking the law will be arrested and the victims will be helped.” Teran said.

  “How will you find the bombs?”

  “Many have an odor some of our people can scent. We will also search the whole station to be sure we have everything neutralized. It is our hope not to endanger anyone who is innocent.”

  “What of the guilty?” Patty asked.

  “They will be assessed. There are different levels of guilt. Some may even be given a deal if they help us find those in charge.”

  “You should eat. This food is hard to get.”

  “Have you heard enough?”

  “For now. You clearly have no plan and are winging it.”

  “The details in a place I know nothing about are impossible to plan for in advance.” He explained before he took a bite. If anything, this food was better than the cafeteria. Teran continued to eat.

  “I didn’t think you looked like a Teran.” She admitted. He didn’t answer since he was eating. “I’ll need more information before I decide if you have a chance of success.” He shot her a look of disbelief. “So far, I see no chance. My kids will be punished if you fail. You’ll just die.”

  Teran decided Patty was crazy. That may have been a development of her being kept isolated. Maybe she had even been born that way. Getting help from her might not be reliable. Another way might have to be found. Admittedly she was beautiful, there was no denying that.

  “What plans do you have for tonight?” Patty questioned.

  Teran choked. “Are you hitting on me?”

  “You have to be kidding. I’m just trying to make them think we’re involved. Otherwise, they’ll question what we’re doing together. We need a good story supported by what they do know or have seen.”

  “I knew that. I was just joking.” He didn’t want to look foolish, but he feared they were past that already.

  “Sure. If you stay in my room until early morning, they’ll all think we’re an item.”

  “What would we do in there?”

  Patty grinned. “I have hundreds of Earth movies and cartoons. There are also two separate beds.”

  “Two beds?” That was strange.

  “For sleepovers with the kids. They always end up sleeping with me anyway, you know how kids are.”

  He did a little bit since he had siblings and friends, but he’d not been around other people’s kids in years. “Sure.” This mission was just getting crazier by the minute.

  “Finish your food and we’ll go to my room.” Patty directed.

  “Aren’t you going to eat?”

  “Yeah, I forget sometimes.”

  “It’s hard on your body when you go without fuel for long periods of time.” Teran watched with satisfaction as Patty began to eat.

  It didn’t take long for him to finish his food but Patty ate slowly and gracefully. She took a bit longer to eat. “We’ll have some snacks while we watch movies. Have you ever had popcorn?”

  “No, isn’t that a movie snack from Earth?”

  “I see you’ve heard of it. There will also be soft pretzels. Ladonna and I made some soda. We like it, but I’m not sure if it’s authentic. We’ll probably never know.” Patty admitted.

  “I’m willing to give it a shot. I’ve heard about some of it. Some of my friends have researched Earth foods and habits.”

  “Really? I wish I could meet them and discuss my research. I was told I was part human.”

  “I believe you are also part Phoenix and possibly a few other races.”

  “That’s what I thought too, but I was told Phoenix were only legends.”

  “Hmm, maybe once we have this place neutralized we can figure you out. If you wish, of course.”

  They walked to Patty’s suite of rooms and she invited him to sit on her couch. She rushed around gathering things and even some food she identified as snacks. A pretty woman joined them. “This is Ladonna, she is my best friend.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Teran greeted.

  “Nice to meet you, too. You are pretty.” Ladonna observed.

  “Ladonna! Don’t say things like that.” Patty grouched.

  “Why not? You said it and I agree.” Ladonna informed.

  “Just put in one of those creeper movies. You like horror movies right?” Patty asked.

  “Never saw one.” He admitted.

  “You’re in for a treat. Especially with all the cool snacks.” Ladonna offered.

  “Is this popcorn?” Teran asked.

  “Yes and it’s buttered.” Ladonna observed.

  He grabbed a handful out of his bag and ate it. “These are good.”

  “Okay, let’s be quiet. The movie is on.” Patty instructed.

  The movie started with an ordinary Earth day in the life of the main character. It was interesting because he knew lives were different now. It didn’t take long for people she knew to start dying.

  “Don’t open the door.” He screamed at the heroine’s best friend. Teran shook his head. She’d opened it anyway and lost her head. Was life on old Earth truly this dangerous? From what he knew, it wasn’t this bad now.

  The death count kept climbing with the main female character avoiding death by accident or through luck. “Yes!” He yelled as she finally conquered the bad guy and he fell into the water down there too long to survive. “Final
ly he’s dead.”

  “Don’t be too sure. There are several more movies in this series.” Patty explained.

  “What is a series?” He asked.

  “In this case it is a group of movies where the bad guy just keeps coming back.” Ladonna declared.

  “But how?” Teran asked.

  “You have to watch all the movies to see. Now let’s watch some cartoons.” Patty said.

  The cartoons she put on were violent, but funny. They made no sense and he decided they were just for entertainment purposes. Several of the characters were cute and lovable while others were pitiful and never seemed to get anywhere.

  “You need to get some sleep since you work tomorrow.” Patty informed. “You want to sleep here or go back to your own room?”

  “What do you think would be best?” He wondered.

  “If we want them to think we’re serious, you should stay here. Remember it’s just sex. Otherwise the bosses will worry. Also they may bug your room. Check it tomorrow night. We can’t see each other every night. That would seem too serious.” Patty suggested.

  “Where do I sleep and can you set an alarm?” Teran asked.

  “I’m so jealous.” Ladonna said looking lustfully at Teran.

  “Why?” Patty asked.

  “You have a sex toy. A living breathing one.” Ladonna replied.

  “We’re not going to have sex.” Patty said.

  “Fine, spoil my fantasies.” Ladonna complained. “I’m outta here.”

  “Pay her no mind.” Patty declared. “She’s odd at times.”

  He followed her into a bedroom that looked more like a kid’s room. The beds were doubles but one was like a boat and the other like a spaceship. The comforters were cartoons of various types. The walls were covered with maps, animals, and different types of transports.

  There was a playground in one corner and what looked like connectable items of various kinds someone was making things out of. Another corner had a screen and a bunch of mini discs for viewing. The last corner was for miniature scientists with microscopes, calculators and other equipment.

  “This looks like a child’s room.”

  “The kid’s come here when they feel well enough if I have time to play.”

  “How many children?” Teran asked.

  “We had fifty-one, but there are thirty –eight now.”

  “They died?” He was horrified.

  “Six escaped, I told them a bad employee took them. It was an employee who was cruel to the kids. The employee is gone now. One of them died from an odd disease that has no cure. Six were sent away before I could intervene. It’s a constant battle between good and evil here.”

  “I hope we can help. Where do you send the kids?”

  “We have people who care for them. I send them money and check on the children as needed.”

  “Good. Children need to be loved and cared for.” Teran announced. “What do we do now?”

  “I will set your alarm. What time?”

  “Aren’t you going to do it?”

  “I am connected to the computer. I have already done it. You should go to sleep now.”

  Teran took off his shirt and sat down to remove his boots and socks. Undoing his belt and pants, he slipped them off as well.

  “You are undressing?”

  “I usually sleep naked, but for your sake I’m leaving my underwear on.” He smirked at her. Maybe he hoped she would be driven wild with need and admit she wanted him? Nah, she just turned away. That was alright because he was more comfortable and might actually sleep now.

  Pulling back the comforter he settled on the bed. It was like lying on a cloud. It was so much better than what he was used to that he would miss the bed when he went back to the other room. Sleep found him quickly and his sleep was restful.

  It was a surprise when Patty woke him and she had clothing for him. That looked like the uniform the other guards wore. He suspected it would draw some snarky comments from the others but if she wanted to draw attention to their affair, she was going about it the right way. She also had a nice breakfast for him.

  There was a nice carafe of coffee, a loaded omelet, berry pancakes with a choice of several syrups, and a pile of bacon. “This is wonderful.” He felt like kissing her for such a good meal.

  Once he was done, it was time to go but he was reluctant to leave. “You’d best go so you’re not late. I will come for you again later this week.”

  He left as she suggested walking to his station at the entrance. Doss was already waiting and he looked up at him with a questioning look. He didn’t say anything. “Come on, give it up. What did she want?”

  “She was interested in getting know me on her own terms.”

  “Oh, my! She used you for sex.” Doss declared.

  “We used each other.

  “I never wished I was pretty before, but I do now. She got you a new uniform I see. Any other presents?” Doss asked. They stepped up to take the place of the guards getting off duty.

  Once they were out of ear shot, he motioned to Doss. “We watched an old Earth movie and ate popcorn.”

  “Damn, I heard of that. I saw a cartoon once.” Doss admitted.

  “She had them too. It was fun.”

  Doss asked questions about the movie and the cartoons and between that and their work, it was suddenly lunch time. They made it to the cafeteria and piled their trays with food. Teran knew it wouldn’t be good when he saw Trevers and Preston going through the line. They sat near them and he saw when Trevers noticed his uniform.

  “Looky here, Preston. The newbie already has his new uniform. How can that be?” Trevers asked.

  “Only way besides me or corporate is Patty or Ladonna. I’m believing it pays to be pretty.” Preston admitted.

  “Pretty is as pretty does. Isn’t that so?” Trevers said to no one in particular. “I think pretty boy needs to fight Friday night.”

  “Sounds good to me. He won’t be so pretty after that. Isn’t hard head Dick the other fighter?” Preston asked.

  “Sure is. Be ready right after work in the gym. You’re about to be tested.” Trevers said. After that they finally got back to eating. Teran had never stopped eating because Trevers never seemed to care what he had to say.

  “I hope you can fight.” Doss whispered.

  “I can fight a bit. Know anything about this guy, Dick?”

  “He’s a rock head and not just because his head is hard, he’s dumb as a stump. Guy’s one hell of a fighter, but he can be outmaneuvered. He’s got big fists and can hit hard, his head is like a ton of bricks. But he’s got an old wound on one side. There’s a scar if you look close enough. It’s also easy to piss him off and then he comes in wild. Dick killed two guys in the last three years, so they backed his off the matches. He’ll know they want you hurt real bad since they’re letting him back in the ring.” Doss explained.

  “Damn, he sounds extreme. Why would they want me dead?”

  “Them two get jealous easy. They aren’t worth much more than I am even though they make more. Life’s disappointed them.” Doss noted.

  “Maybe it’s the choices they made.”

  “No doubt about that, but now they are making choices for you and you have one night to prepare.” Doss advised.

  “We’d better get back to work.”

  They got up and dropped their trays under the morose eyes of their supervisors. Teran felt better once they were back at work and away from them. “You certainly bring excitement to the job.” Doss teased.

  “I can’t seem to do a thing to stop it.”

  “Maybe you can get Patty to help you. I’m surprised they are willing to risk her ire. She’s not nice when she’s not happy.” Doss pointed out.

  “Then it is surprising they’d risk it, but they are.”

  “They must really hate you.” Doss chuckled like a hyena.

  “It’s not that funny. They may act worse if I manage to win, but I don’t want my job to change my looks.
”

  “Dick is pretty good. I’d like to see you whip up on him. Don’t remember him losing any fights recently. I might warn you that he cheats.” Doss declared.

  “You should have told me that first.”

  “Well I’m telling you now. Watch out for weapons that aren’t easy to see. He’s the king of hidden improvements. He’s even been known to stab an adversary or two with a skinny blade. I think he calls them icepicks.” Doss explained.

  They continued to work until quitting time. It was obvious the word had gotten around by the way the guards coming back to take their places looked at Teran with pity. “Poor bastard.” One of them whispered.

  Teran didn’t let it bother him. He would keep on and ignore the looks he received. Doss stuck with him. “I’m even going to bet on you so you’d better win.” He told them as they ate supper together.

  There was no time to work out or practice so he decided rest was his best plan to follow. He’d not been here long enough for it to hurt the condition he was in. That meant he was still in top shape. It had also been less than a week since his last training session so a good meal and a good night’s sleep which he’d gotten last night, would help more than anything.

  He met Doss for breakfast before they started their shift. Teran refused to let it affect his outlook. They had a big meal with corned beef hash, eggs, and waffles. This cafeteria was a great place to eat. Doss said Patty ran it and she did a hell of a job. It was why this place held staff better than any of the other places the company owned. That and its thin veneer of respectability. Only keeping those that were under Travers was a problem. Patty had no say there.

  Once an employee was here the veneer cracked. It wasn’t long before they realized the pace was iffy at best. At least the new guards and all the support staff were safe from the illegal activities. These fights weren’t legal either especially if people died as a result. Since they hired those escaping from a less than perfect life, no one probably knew they were missing.

  The rest of the day went well and at lunch he stuffed himself full of foods that he felt would give him energy for the long haul. The other fighter had probably been off today resting and had trained constantly in the days before as he would have done in his regular job. Dick had the benefits of being Trevers’ man.