The Last Spartan 2: DJ's Mission

by A. E. McCullough

  She began the same process but it seemed that the sheriff’s system was a bit slower. “Wow. He does have quite a rap sheet. Twenty-seven counts of robbery, twelve counts of larceny, ten burglaries and three counts of arson, and according to the G.C.I.C., he is out on bond for murder.”

  Jax asked. “GCIC?”

  It was the deputy who answered, “Galactic Crime Information Center, it’s a computerized index of criminal justice information such as criminal record history information, fugitives, stolen properties, missing persons and etcetera. It is available to all LEOs in the Coalition.”

  DJ nodded. “And you will also notice that it lists his bounty.”

  Deputy Cunningham consulted the database and whistled. “Twenty-five thousand credits. That sounds like a nice payday that you stumbled into.”

  “Aye. But then again,” DJ nodded toward Jax, “If he hadn’t jumped in to help, I might be collecting this bounty from the hospital. Fisher had a clear shot to my back while I was busy fighting some bouncers.”

  Deputy Cunningham smiled and to DJ the whole office seemed to brighten. “Ah. You were the ones involved in the bar fight at Mocha Delights.”

  “That was us, just a slight misunderstanding between the owner and myself. Any complaints?”

  “No. Let’s just say I just have sources that keep me informed.” She signaled a couple of deputies over to take the prisoner off their hands and turned back to her computer.

  This gave DJ ample time to look around the headquarters but he was intensely interested in the redhead. Looking past her to the desk behind, he could see that it was meticulously organized. On one corner of her desk was a photograph of a younger her and a handsome man that looked so similar that it had to be her brother. They were standing in front of the office dressed in the traditional brown uniforms of sheriffs. There was a caption scribbled on the bottom of the photo that was too small to read with the naked eye. However, DJ used the advanced optics in his CSA helmet to enlarge the image.

  “James and Jenny, 1st day on the job. 8-10-2095”

  And the pieces fell into place for DJ.

  It seems that the beautiful deputy was the sister of the late founder of the Saturn Sheriffs. He recalled Aeolus mentioning that there were still a few of the original sheriffs in the system. He bet that those few left weren’t very popular with the current Sheriff and he would’ve placed them in positions where they couldn’t cause trouble. It happened all the time in the military. An inept or a troublesome officer would get a promotion but with a placement into a dead-end slot, commonly referred to as a promotion into obscurity.

  When Deputy Cunningham handed his data crystal back, he slid it into the compartment on his suit designed for just such a purpose. Immediately, all relevant data was transferred to the AI in his suit and the crystal was erased and moved into queue for the next time it was needed. This all happened in seconds and completely without thought or direction from DJ. He was busy listening to the deputy.

  “According to Coalition laws, your bounty is being transferred to your account and should be available within the hour. Is there anything else?”

  “No ma’am. I guess that’s it for now.”

  “Well then, good hunting Mister Falken.”

  Even though she couldn’t see it, DJ grinned. It seems that Deputy Cunningham was very thorough and found his cover name. Turning away, the two hunters walked out of the station but paused at the street.

  Jax spoke first. “She was quiet a looker.”

  “Yes she was.” Feeling the need to change the subject, DJ checked his chronometer and saw that he had less than a half hour to make his meeting with the freelancer. Pulling out a blank cred-stix, he transferred ten-thousand credits to it and handed it to Jax. “Here’s the ten-K I promised you. The rest will have to wait until later.”

  Jagger Jax took the small electronic device and stared at it.

  “You know, this is the most credits I’ve held in my hand in years.” After a moment, he shook his head and handed it back. “No. I haven’t earned it. I spent my youth taking from people whatever I wanted. I had ships, women, spice and untold luxuries but none of them made me happy. I see that now. I didn’t earn my credits. These last few months have been hard but I’ve earned every credit. There were times I was hungry and cold but it was honest labor. I liked that feeling.”

  DJ cocked his head to the side and stared at the ex-pirate. It seems he had changed and for the better. “Okay, then take this as an advance on the bounty you earned when you knocked Fisher unconscious.”

  Jax nodded. “Okay but we’ll split that bounty fifty-fifty.”

  “Alright. Now go get yourself some real clothes and meet me at Fifth and Washington in one hour. That will put us about three blocks away from where Needles will be making his deal.”

  “Roger that and Falcon…thanks.”

  “No problem Jax.”

  As the ex-thief moved down the street in the opposite direction DJ was heading, he couldn’t help but notice the extra spring in Jax’s stride. If he had to put a name on it, it would be pride. An old saying ran through his mind; ‘Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.’

  Jagger Jax could’ve taken the credits and run, DJ wouldn’t have been able to stop him but Jax had seen the errors of his old life and didn’t want to fall back into that trap.

  With a slight grin, DJ turned down a nearby alley which would lead him to his rendezvous with the freelance thief. He also contacted Aeolus and had him patch a message through to Iaido.

  * * * * *

  In the dry docks of Haven, Iaido and company quietly listened to their friend’s message.

  “Hey guys. Things are going good I guess. I still haven’t gotten to Kaitlyn yet but I’m getting closer. First off Iaido, your cover ID is great. I’ve had several run-ins with the Sheriffs but they don’t suspect it’s me inside this armor. Mocha was a lot of help. But since this isn’t a legit pickup I have to talk to someone called Absolem for permission. Not sure how that is gonna pan out but even the Cartel won’t stop me from getting to Kaitlyn. Well, that’s it for now. Talk to ya’ll later.”

  Talia was the first to speak. “Why would he have to get permission? I don’t understand.”

  Even as Iaido’s fingers flew across the keyboard he answered. “There are rules when dealing with the Underworld just like when visiting a different culture. Your Empire has completely different laws than the Terran government; it’s the same in the criminal realm. I just hope that DJ is up to it. He isn’t the most subtle person in the world.”

  Pax interrupted. “I have that data you were looking for; Absolem is a third tier underboss with the Cartel.”

  “Do I have any favors within the Cartel?”

  Athena answered. “Diana placed a note on one of her files which she marked as Cartel. The file is mostly corrupt but outside of the standard data, she flagged one name; Cheshire. Does that mean anything?”

  Iaido sat back and grinned. “Cheshire. I remember that scoundrel. Yes, he does owe me a favor.”

  Jay entered the messhall. He had refined his mechanical legs making them thinner and quieter but kept the four spider-like limbs for the advanced mobility it gave him around the ship. He had also added multiple telescoping arms to the chair which he could control through the cybernetic implants in his brain.

  “Good news, the Nemesis should be seaworthy by noon tomorrow.”

  Talia cocked her head to the side. “Seaworthy? What does a large body of water have to do with the Nemesis?”

  Jay just shook his head. “Even though you understand our language you have a long way to go to understanding humans.”

  “Huh? I accurately translated your words but they don’t make sense.”

  Iaido held out one hand to forestall the impending argument. “You are both correct, now drop it. But Talia to answer your question, Jay meant was that the Nemesis will be able to launch at noon tomorrow. The term seaworthy is
a holdover from the days of a wet navy.”

  “You Terrans are a strange species.”

  “Yes we are.” Iaido turned his attention to his ship’s android. “Athena, do whatever you have to but find Cheshire. I want to talk to him ASAP.” Turning back to his friends, Iaido added. “Get the ship prepped for launch and Jay, see if you can speed that up. Double the worker’s pay if that will help but make sure that they don’t cut any corners.”

  “Aye...aye Captain,” remarked Jay and everyone headed out to complete their tasks, which left Iaido alone to ponder if his friend was walking into a trap.

  * * * * *

  Stephanie had arrived early to the meeting site. Actually she had been in the area for the last several hours, scoping out the entire scene. She knew every route in and out of the alleyway. Not to mention, she had rigged a few surprises for anyone who might pursue her if she had to flee. She had always thought it fitting that misfortune befell any who chased her.

  She had gotten her moniker many years ago when she had saved a blind grandmother from some drug dealers that were using her children as mules to smuggle their drugs. When she had jumped the drug dealers, the blind old lady had been unable to tell that she was a girl during the fight and from the way the dealers had tripped over themselves, she had named her el gato de la mala suerte – the cat of bad luck.

  Stephanie grinned at that memory. It was a good memory. Everything had gone according to plan and even those few that didn’t, fell into the positive category. After serving with the CIA for the past seven years, she realized that mostly positive missions were the exception and not the rule. Which lead her thoughts back to her current mission; she had been in nearly every room of the Thomas mansion but still hadn’t been able to locate her primary objective, the retired Admiral’s private safe. The odds were that it was in his office, the one room she hadn’t been able to access. However, she had accomplished her secondary mission which was to plant micro proton bombs through the mansion. No single bomb was super deadly with only a blast radius of about fifteen meters but if all twelve bombs went off at one time....the whole mansion, and anyone inside, would be dust.

  This brought her back to the problem of Kaitlyn.

  If her handler ordered the detonation of the bombs before she figured a way out for the young girl, Stephanie didn’t know what she would do. She had grown extremely fond of the young girl but orders were orders. And she wouldn’t live long in her line of work if she disobeyed or second guessed her orders.

  Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, Stephanie moved closer to the wall and knelt down in the shadows. Was it perfect concealment? No, but then she was one story up on a fire escape and out of direct line of sight. Traditionally speaking, most people look and/or scan in the same line of sight that they are currently standing on. Hiding above or below the traditional line of sight had been used by spies since the Dark Ages.

  However, she didn’t expect to see the red armored bounty hunter enter the alleyway. Was this a trap? Was he truly hunting El Gato or was the job offer legit?

  The hunter moved to the center of the alleyway and placed the object she had directed him to bring to identify him as her contact. Still unsure if he was hunting her, she activated the first of her holograms and began the meeting.

  Chapter 12

  DJ paused at center of the alleyway and looked around as his combat senses slipped into overdrive. Maybe it was the high walls of the nearby buildings that brought back long dormant memories of the war. He had learned the hard way that the numerous fire escapes and ladders which ranged all along the walls were ideal locations for a sniper. The shadows and height would cover them very effectively. Maybe it was the tightness of the alley, although it would both hinder and aid him if it came down to hand to hand combat. It might limit his mobility but it also meant that he couldn’t easily be surrounded. That is, if it came down to a fight. Hopefully, this would be an amicable meeting for both parties involved.

  He actually felt rather foolish walking through the streets of Titan City with a teddy bear in his arms. But then, his instructions had been explicit. If his only chance to rescue his daughter meant carrying a stuffed animal, then that’s what he would do…without hesitation.

  The sensors in his CSA armor continually scanned in all directions, above and below his normal line of sight and gave him the all clear sign. According to his armor, he was completely alone. But his combat senses, honed to perfection during years of service, screamed at him that he wasn’t alone. That someone nearby was watching him. Taking one last look around, DJ moved to the exact spot according to the advanced GPS technology of his armor, set the teddy bear down and stepped back.

  Now came the waiting. Two minutes passed. Five minutes. At the ten minute mark he spied movement at the far end of the alleyway. It was a raven haired beauty in a form fitting black leather bodysuit. She moved with such feline grace that he knew this was the infamous El Gato. However, the sensors in his CSA armor told him that the alley was empty. Since he could see her, he figured it had to be one of three options: A) his armor’s sensors were wrong, B) his eyes were wrong or, C) somehow El Gato had some way of fooling the technology of his armor. He decided to go with option C.

  Keeping his hands in plain view DJ said, “I guess you are the freelance thief I’m scheduled to meet.”

  “That would be me.”

  Her voice was soft, clear and showed no sign of stress. DJ figured that she was one cool cat, no pun intended but he inwardly smiled at his own cleverness. When she didn’t say anything else, he continued. “It seems that I’m in the market for someone with your unique skills.”

  “Why should I trust you? You could be working for Kassinger.”

  “Bite your tongue young lady. I know his history. He should’ve been court marshaled and run up the nearest yardarm while he was still in the Fleet.”

  Stephanie smiled slightly at his rant. “Rumor has it that you’re after the bounty for El Gato. Are you saying that’s not true?”

  “It was just my cover story to get past customs and the sheriffs.”

  “I’m not sure if I believe you.”

  DJ nodded. He understood her position and suspected that, in fact, she was El Gato but he realized that he didn’t have much of a chance at getting inside the Thomas compound without someone with her skills, so he decided to lay all his cards on the table and go from there.

  “I’ve been hired to rescue Kaitlyn Thomas. Technically since there isn’t an active warrant on her, it will be considered a kidnapping. If this was Earth, I would just explain it to the authorities and show them proof but since this is Titan and the Saturn Sheriffs are in the pockets of Titan Avionics, I can’t do this openly or I’ll be arrested.”

  Stephanie felt her heart skip a beat at his words but tried her best to remain calm. “Who would hire you to kidnap Kaitlyn?”

  “Rescue, not kidnap…but if you must know, it was her biological father. Evidently she recently received a beating at the hands of Roger Thomas. From the bruises I’ve seen, this would be covered by the child abuse laws of the Coalition. But she couldn’t report it locally, so she sent her babysitting ‘bot to find her father. When it finally found him on Haven, he contacted me. He knew that he would be arrested on arrival in the Saturn system and I, well let’s just say I owe him a favor.”

  His story rang true and several pieces fell into place but Stephanie still wasn’t completely convinced. “Why do you need me?”

  “I have detailed plans of the mansion from Kaitlyn’s ‘bot but there is no way I can get inside without raising the alarm. I would like to sneak in, grab her and go. No mess, no fuss. But that won’t be possible without your help.”

  Stephanie’s hologram shifted stances and folded her arms across her body. “You realize that you’re taking a big risk telling me this?”

  When DJ nodded his Red Falcon armored helmet reflected the weak light of the alleyway. “Yes. But I’m stepping into unfamiliar territory with this gra
b and would prefer to avoid involvement of the local LEOs.”

  “You also realize that this will be in effect a kidnapping, which by definition is a criminal act, which means that if you do this without the Cartel’s permission you will be cannon fodder?”

  Again DJ nodded. “I’m working on getting Absolem’s permission as we speak and have a meeting with the crime lord later this night. However, I need you to understand this…with or without his permission and with or without your help; I will rescue Kaitlyn within the next twenty-four hours or die in the attempt. You can bank on that.”

  Stephanie almost jumped for joy at his words but forced herself to remain calm and play the part of the mercenary thief. “If I assist you in this endeavor, what’s in it for me?”

  DJ grinned inside his helmet even though she couldn’t see it. “Kaitlyn’s father isn’t by any means a rich man but he has given me a small expenditure. As I see it, your responsibilities would be limited to getting me, and one other companion, inside the mansion complex. You will not be required to enter. How about twenty thousand if the alarm isn’t raised and we get in and out smoothly? Ten K if the alarm goes off.”

  Stephanie shook her head. “Thirty and fifteen, the fifteen paid up front.”

  DJ did a quick tally in his head. The thirty thousand would leave him less than ten-thousand in his stash. Not that it mattered, Kaitlyn was worth it. “Done. When and where?”

  “You said you wanted it done soon, I would suggest tomorrow night. Meet me at midnight at the old Cathedral. There is only one in Titan City, I’m sure you can find it.” As Stephanie was about to turn away, she paused. “By the way, you are responsible for transportation inside the city.”

  DJ nodded. “Roger that.”

  With a brief smile and a wink, Stephanie ended her hologram. DJ just shook his head and left the empty alley. Having El Gato on his side was a checkmark to the positive side. Now if only gaining the spice from the drug dealer and his meeting with Absolem would go as smoothly, it would be a good night.