“Sierrenna,” he said with open loathing. “I am sorry to say you fit the profile, Shiraz. Dark skin and hair, and very beautiful so they say.”
He was lying. He was still suspicious of me. I could tell by the way he was leaning back into the chair. It was perfect for going for his gun or the nasty-looking knife he had positioned at his hip if need be. I crossed my arms and laughed lightly. He was so close but he would not get me. “I don't know whether to be offended or pleased that you think I could be capable of such a guile act. But I am flattered you think I’m beautiful.”
His smile didn't reach his eyes. “You don't mind if I look around, do you? It beats getting a warrant.”
I shrugged, knowing he would never discover the bunker. “Knock yourself out. I’ll finish the-”
“No, you’re coming with me unless you’d like to be cuffed.”
I pretended to be surprised when he reached out and took me roughly by the arm. Luckily he avoided the trigger spot on the wrists. I cried out pathetically and reached for the stove as we went by it. “At least let me take the pan off the heat!”
He ignored my outraged sputtering and dragged me along as he went up the stairs. The loft was just as empty as I had told him except for the small sleeping mat in one corner. That only seemed to piss him off further. Then we climbed up the ladder to the roof. He sent me up first and heaved himself up behind me. He stared around at the plentiful garden around us. I tapped my foot impatiently, silently enjoying his disbelief. “I am not going to be happy if my prize winning tomatoes are burned.”
He didn’t seem to believe what he was seeing. “I want to see the basement.”
“There is no basement,” I snapped impatiently. Again this was true. “Have your team come in here and scan the place for all I care. But you aren't going to find anything. I-”
I cut off, biting off an outraged exclamation as he gave my body a haphazard search. He wasn’t gentle about it. He even stuck his hand down my boots. Unluckily for him, I had removed all my weaponry hours ago and stashed them in the alley in a hidden backpack in case I was tracked.
“Do you want to know if I’m hiding a nail file in my bra?” I asked dryly as he straightened, coming nose-to-nose with me. “You’ll need a warrant for that.”
He stomped around the plants, looking at them closely. He was probably looking for poisonous ones. He wouldn’t find any out of the ordinary. Even the most stupid gardener knew that pretty much any plant could be harvested into a poison. Tomato leaves could even kill and right now I was tempted to slip him a few. “Now that lunch is destroyed, I think you really ought to go. My patience has worn thin. I have told you nothing but the truth.”
“I know you’re hiding something,” he said irritably. “You have that same accent as that assassin bitch does. You could have had everything moved in case I traced you here.”
I crossed my arms. This could be useful. “What accent exactly?”
“Same dialect. I recognize it from the transmission I received. The pitch may have been altered, but the speech patterns are the same!”
I eyed him speculatively as he ran his hand through his sandy blonde hair with frustration. I didn’t want to kill him but he was going to be a nuisance to deal with if I didn’t. Then again, who knew who else he had with him. If he didn’t come out of my residence, there was probably back up waiting. “Right. Well, knock yourself out in trying to determine where I’m from. I give up. You can let yourself out, General.”
I heard the telltale sound that he had pulled his gun on me as I turned. I kept on going. “Shoot me if you want. I wouldn't want to be you when you have to fill out the paperwork explaining why you shot an unarmed civilian.”
I climbed down the ladder into the second story and kept on going. His angry growling met my ears and then a loud thud as he dropped down behind me. Once in the kitchen, I threw gloppy mess of my tomatoes onto a plate and stuck it at him as he came in. “Your lunch, General. Hope you like Cajun style to go.”
“You’re coming with me,” he snapped ill-temperedly. “We’re not done talking and I don't have time to continue listening to your well-practiced lies.”
“So you’re going to stick me in a cell until you get around to me? Are you serious?”
Judging by his bull-headed expression and the fact that he pulled out a set of cuffs, he was. I protested shrilly as he put them on me. Really it didn't matter. I could crack them with ease. He plopped me down on the chair he had previously occupied.
“Argon,” he snapped into his radio. “Move in. I have apprehended the suspect. Bring everyone else. I still think I am missing something, so bring the scanners.”
I so did not have the time or patience for this. Nor did I have any intention of being put into a cell. Time to move into action and depart fast. To my advantage, his back was turned to me. This was an unbelievably stupid move. I quickly disabled the cuffs and stood. He was facing the wrong way for his own good. I took the advantage.
I whacked the back of his head with the second skillet I had been readying for the beans. He went down with a bang and then a groan, but wasn’t knocked out. Wow. He really had a hard head. Most people would have been out cold.
I deftly grabbed his gun from his holster as he rolled over with a grunt. He stared up at me in shock as the ruined cuffs dangled from my wrists. His eyes narrowed hatefully. “You are her. I knew it.”
“No, silly,” I said edging toward the side door. I grabbed the cloak and then the scabbards. His eyes widened as he took in the blades. “My name is not Sierrenna. But I would suggest you keep out of my business from now on, adorably righteous as you are.”
He stood slowly, rubbing his head. “Better give up now. There’s nowhere to go except out into the alley. Argon has a tendency to shoot first and ask questions later.”
I pretended to think about it. “Nah. But since you asked nicely, I’ll give you an advantage. Catch.”
I tossed the gun at him, jamming the safety so it wouldn’t fire. I didn't watch as he caught it. I threw the door open and booked it toward the end of the alley, grabbing the backpack from behind the dumpster. He made no quick move from inside to catch me. He thought I had nowhere to go. Little did he know about the sewer drain at the end, just big enough for me to slide through. He hadn’t a prayer of following me in there considering his size. I could hear the water moving below the ground as I hit the halfway point. But I could also hear the tramping of feet. Time to disappear.
I took off into a full on run and heard him start to curse angrily as he emerged from the house. Then quick, heavy footfalls. He was trying to chase me down but he had too much of a lag and I was fast on my feet. I made it to the end of the alley, dropped to my knees and shimmied through the opening before he could make it, dragging my things behind me. I slid down into the sewer and landed with a splash into the sludge.
I did my best to ignore the rancid smell of the sewer as I stood. I could hear a great commotion above. The echoing of many angry voices traveled down the tunnel I had just come from. “What do you mean she’s down there?”
“She’s in the sewer!”
“How did you let that happen?”
I chuckled darkly as the commotion above escalated into a full-fledged fight. They didn't have a shot in hell now judging by all of the male voices. It didn't sound like any of them could fit through the hole like I had. I trudged south, wincing as unknown things squished under my boots. But then I stopped as I heard a new threat. “Send down the drone. It’ll stun her.”
“And how will we fetch her once she’s down?”
I didn’t wait to hear how they would overcome that part of the plan. I all out ran for the southwest end. Drones were the worst. They could keep going when a human would normally give up or give out. I had no defense against a stun dart. A tranq I could handle. A stun wasn’t even worth fighting.
A high-pitched whirring sound started echoing back down the way I had come. I cursed and pumped my legs faster to not mu
ch effect. The damn thing was gaining on me. I could hear the aim mechanism activating. I had run out of options. Or had I?
I stopped and raced back toward it. It couldn't shoot directly below itself since its camera would lose sight of me. I skidded to a halt directly under it, drew my katana, and stabbed up through the center of the engine. It died with a pathetic whine. I threw the remains up against the concrete wall, shattering what was left. The camera was in two, so I knew they wouldn’t know which way I would go after this.
I saluted the cheap pieces of elite trash, both above and below, and walked on.
Chapter Four
The tunnels had been miserable to navigate. I had wandered around in the pitch black for hours before I came to the end and climbed out. I was at the edge of the city now and would have to edge my way back in.
The backpack had not been as waterproof as its sale tag had claimed. Right now I was watching my old set of clothes dry on the heating system of one of the apartment buildings. I had discarded the cloak and found a hose to wash myself and the clothes. I smelled like a dung heap, so I couldn’t very well go walking into the crowds. The ice cold water stung my raw skin but it did the job of deodorizing me.
I twisted my hair up into my normal top knot and waited for them to dry. I was already in my normal clothes. I was an unusual sight to see in this city in my royal purple and black silk tunic with leggings and a leather belt to keep it together. This was the traditional garb of a MoiRai warrior. My utility belt hung around my waist and my black boots held the rest of my offensive and defensive gear. I pulled on my new black cloak and pulled the hood up.
But now because of my idiot pursuant, I would now have to change my appearance; not that they had any evidence of my identity. I had been very careful to never leave anything incriminating behind. At best, they would have blind suspicion to arrest me with. But they would have had McRattin talk to a sketch artist to circulate my profile. They would try to bring me in.
The question now was where I would set up shop. I needed to lay low for a few weeks, but other than that, nothing needed to change. Going into the underground would be suicide. All of the crime lords would be frothing at the mouth to hand me over.
An ad in a window stopped me as I traipsed into the crowds. A stunningly accurate portrait of me flashed across the enormous screen. I glared out over the crowds of people with a large fortune as the reward for my capture. And worse, my professional name was attached to it. For many years I had remained in the people’s imagination. Now they had attached a face to the name of the legend. Sierrenna the assassin was wanted for murder, treason, and evading arrest. Scrawled in red across the bottom was ‘May be dangerous; approach with extreme caution.’
May be dangerous? You think? Wow. That was downright funny. But I guess they had to make the public feel safe somehow.
I turned my back on the screen and strode into the park down the way. I stopped in a convenience store and purchased a bottle of peroxide and a lemon along with dye to bleach my hair. I may have hated the idea, but I had no other choice. A wig wasn’t a good option. It had the potential to fall off. And I needed to change into less conspicuous clothes. The ‘wanted’ poster was flashing with far too much frequency for my comfort.
And it was time for me to get comfortable.
* * *
The peroxide bottle was perched on the edge of the enormous hotel tub I was filling with water. I had yet to use it along with the dye. Part of me was disgusted with it and the idea of going blonde. I had never been a vain person, but I was rather attached to my long, black tresses.
The fake ID had gotten me into the expensive hotel and the sheer amount of cash I had flashed kept people from asking too many questions. This was the kind of place where the rich came to relax. There were no security cameras here and people paid through their noses for it gladly. And with the black sunglasses and turban I had fashioned over my hair, I looked the part.
I was eternally glad that I always kept a few hundred on me. I had also had the foresight to hide a few hundred in various locations across the city. I was in no danger of running out. The rest was hidden in a safe outside the city in a location no one but I knew. Money was no object.
Before I had undressed, I had sent for the concierge to purchase new non-descript clothes. Blending in now was key until I figured out where to set up shop.
Going home to the MoiRai monastery in the mountains was of no option now. That would be a poor way to thank the people who had raised me and trained me in the ancient arts. In a sense, I was sure that Master Rascorr would be pleased with my return and protect me from the rats in this city, but it would cause far too much trouble for them and place them in danger.
My home was up in the Moor En Mountains about fifty miles from here. I wouldn’t be able to travel there now. Still, as I soaked in the warm, soothing water, I could dream about it.
Moor En was in the middle of the desert, high on the peeks. The snow-covered mountains of years ago now were of a temperate climate, touched by the sun's heat. But since it had already been so cold up there to begin with before the sun’s onslaught, it was now usually around forty degrees on any given day. My people alone had escaped the ravaging effects of the sun.
I took a moment to reminisce, thinking of them all, the people who had so kindly taken me in after I escaped. They had taught me how to fight, kindly raising a mutt like me off the street. They were nothing like the people of this city. Everyone lived in peace and harmony there, ignoring the ways of the western world. Tradition ruled over everything. Elders were treated with respect and everyone worked their fair share, earning their keep.
Once I had matured and mastered the art of the blade, I ascended from an apprentice to being one of their warriors. Even now after I left the village to come here, I was still considered one of them. But to the outside world, I had decided to spread the rumor that I had left their people. It would not do to drag their reputation into the mud with mine. Master Rascorr knew my mission to abolish the slave trade. He didn’t approve of my methods and instead had wanted me to stay. I had refused and so, he wished me well and with a request that I return soon. I hadn’t kept my promise. That promise had been made more than ten years ago.
Returning to the present I sighed, sinking into the warm water. Show time. I eyed the dye glumly and poured it into my hand before sudsing it up. But before I could start on my hair, I heard a knock and the door being opened. I tensed, waiting.
“Room service. The clothes have been steamed and laundered to your specifications, Mademoiselle. If they don't fit please don't hesitate to call for the seamstress.”
I relaxed. No need to be alarmed. I called back a ‘thank you’ in a bored voice. I sank back down when I was sure they had gone and looked with distaste at the thick wad of color cream in my hands. “Here goes nothing.”
I reached up and cringed as a muscle spasmed in my neck. I went to massage it and then stopped in horror. It was no muscle spasm. An empty tranquilizer dart fell into my hand.
The reflection in the mirror caught the butt of the gun disappearing behind the door before it creaked open. In stepped my new least favorite person in the world: Cain McRattin. My inner cynic was really getting sick of this guy. He had essentially screwed me over and was about to try and do it again. Fortunately for me, I had taught myself how to be immune to sedation and truth serums, so I was still lucid. But he didn't know that.
I pretended to sink unconscious into the water with a whimper. I heard footsteps approach and stop next to the tub. I felt a hand probe the vein at my neck to ascertain I had indeed been hit. I lay limp… waiting.
“Target acquired and sedated,” he said into a radio piece. It crackled something in response.
I heard the slither of my blades being unsheathed as he moved about. Then more footsteps. “Humph. How innocent you would look to me right now if I didn’t know who you really are and what you’re capable of. Though judging by the marks on your skin, you’re far
from innocent. Geez.”
More footsteps. He was close now. “Unless you’re just a MoiRaine warrior. That would explain… but no. Why would you run? They say Sierrenna is the only one in this generation to carry twin blades; the disgraced MoiRai warrior amongst us. Caught at last or mistaken for someone else? Hmmm… I wonder...”
Come on, I thought impatiently, waiting for my chance. Go for it.
And then I didn't have to be patient anymore. “Alright. Can’t let you drown in the meantime. Your death is so not worth my job.”
Hands sank through the water and under me, meaning to lift. It was then that I sprang into action. I grabbed both of his hands in a vice grip, yanked him down, and hauled myself up and out of the tub in the same instant. I shoved him down hard, pushing his head under the water. I drew the sharp edge of the knife up to this throat as he surfaced. He gasped in some air and then realized just what I had done.
“Damn, you’re good,” he said breathlessly. “That’s twice.”
“Thank you,” I hissed as I pulled the gun from his holster for the second time today as well as his dagger. “Now how many men are there?”
“Plenty,” he said with a phlegmy cough. “You won't get far. They’re on the floor above and below. Now how did you stop the tranq?”
“I didn’t,” I replied through my teeth, sensing the lie. There were no men on the floor above and probably none below either. “So, this is what we’re going to do. You’re going to stay right where you are or I’ll make a mess of you.”
I edged back toward my clothes and grabbed my blades.
“One would have thought you’d have killed me by now,” he drawled. “Keeping me hostage won't be in your favor, though all bets are off if you stay unclothed. I might even enjoy it. You could even tie me up. I might be into that. Never tried it before, but still...”
“You wish,” I snapped disparagingly. He was toying with me, buying time. He was searching hard for my trigger and I was reaching my limit. “Now get up. I have the gun trained on you, so don't try anything.”
War Machine: Book One in the Destiny In the Shadows Series Page 4