by E. R. Torre
“That’s what I figured,” Nox said. “I’m guessing the crew was killed right but the bodies and whatever was in the van was packed up and shipped out. Afterwards, the van itself was buried.”
“Bodies are small and relatively light. Not much of a burden to load up into another truck and take elsewhere for disposal. The survey van, on the other hand, is big and bulky and recognizable. If even one person at any Octi Corp. Desertland Base realized the van was still in circulation, then the whole radioactive poisoning story would be proven a lie. So Octi Corp. strips the van of all worthwhile parts and buries the shell. In a few more weeks, the first of the summer winds would have piled another ten feet of sand over her. You were lucky to come when you did, Nox.”
“Yeah. Lucky me.”
Ellis pointed to another spot on the map.
“Octi Corp.’s main Desertland base is here, more or less,” he said. “About three hundred miles from where you found the van.”
“Where have you noticed the greatest movement of their workforce?”
“A better question is where they aren’t,” Ellis replied. “Truth is, Tower Co. and Octi Corp. move personnel and equipment all over the place. I could offer you a dozen or more general sites, but it would take months to check them all out.”
“No offense, but I’m not planning to stay a minute more than is necessary.”
“So says the city girl.”
“Bad as it is, I can stand living there better than hanging around here.”
Ellis nodded. He turned away from the map and stared at Nox.
“Have you heard from Sara?”
Nox shook her head.
“Not in a while. Someone told me she went corporate.” These last words exited her mouth like a curse. “Haridan and Lowel.”
“Those names don’t mean a thing to me.”
“They sell shit.”
“Just like every other corporation.”
“Have you tried talking to her?”
“After the war? No, not really. We really put our asses on the line, smuggling you in country without customs or the military knowing. Our relationship was never all that great, and with you in the mix…”
Ellis’ thoughts trailed. He looked away.
“Not that I blame you for anything,” Ellis said. “I mean, it’s not like Sara and I were soul mates or something. We had our share of arguments about what to do with you. She’s the one that got you listed as KIA.”
“She knew her way around military red tape.”
“Better than anyone I knew. Lucky for you.”
“Is it true,” Nox began and paused. She shook her head. “Is it true she originally wanted to turn me over to the brass?”
Ellis laid a hand on Nox’s shoulder.
“It was a different time, Nox. You gotta remember, she was a soldier first and foremost. A damn good soldier. And damn good soldiers are trained to follow orders. Yeah, she might have thought pretty hard about turning you in, but in the end, she did what was right.”
“I suppose.”
Nox rubbed her nose and focused her attention back to the map.
“We’re back to square one,” she said. “I’ve got to break into Octi’s main base and hope to get my hands on the right intel. Please tell me their security measures aren’t quite as robust as Tower’s.”
“They’re not,” Ellis replied. “Especially in their satellite stations.”
“Satellite?”
“Smaller bases spread out and about. These little bases report to the bigger bases. They’re usually made up of temp structures and are often poorly manned and far easier to break into. More importantly, they carry a decent amount of intel. There’s one of these satellite stations just a little over fifty miles from here.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
“Better to wait for nightfall,” Ellis said. “You break in, I’ll watch.”
“You have any connections in there?”
To that question, Ellis offered Nox a weary smile.
The blistering sun was gone and the night time darkness fell over the desert like it was the end of the world. The only sound heard for miles around was the purr of the wind as it danced across the dunes. A rusted fence circled an area of desert and in its center were a rusted warehouse and a somewhat smaller two story building. Faded white letters above the warehouse’s door labeled it the Octi Desertlands Base 6.
Well outside the rusted gates, Nox and Ellis moved closer, eventually lying flat just outside the base’s perimeter. Both were dressed in black and blended in with the night. Nox reached into her backpack and pulled out her binoculars. She stared through them while simultaneously hitting a switch on the binoculars’ side. A low level whine was heard as the binoculars’ visual enhancement mechanisms sprung to life.
Displayed within the binoculars in garish green colors was the Octi Corp. base. Nox examined the warehouse and the two story building behind it. A sign over the more distant building identified it as the “Octi Corp. Cantina”. To its side was a small gas station. South of that building was a parking lot and within it were three Octi Corp. survey trucks. The makes and models of the vehicles were almost identical to the one Nox unearthed the day before.
After a few minutes of quiet examination, Nox laid the binoculars down.
“I don't see any guards,” she said.
“This place is one of Octi’s smallest Desertland investments,” Ellis replied. “I brought you here not just because it was close to home, but because it’s also got the least amount of security.”
“Even if it was the smallest satellite base in all the Desertlands, there should be some guards. Why don’t I see even one?”
“Well, I heard some stories,” Ellis said and paused.
Nox waited for him to continue, but when he didn’t, she said:
“Stories?”
Ellis still said nothing.
“Come on Ellis, what kind of stories?”
“I heard Octi Corp. removed what little security detail they had and replaced it with… with something else.”
“What?”
“If I told you, you won’t believe it.”
“Try me.”
“Ok, but don’t laugh.”
“Never.”
“I heard they brought in some kind of experimental security machine.”
“Machine?”
“Yeah, like a robot.”
Nox’s jaw tightened and her mouth compressed. She gave Ellis a sour look.
“Told you you wouldn’t believe me.”
Nox stowed the binoculars in her backpack and rummaged through it. When her hand emerged from within, it held a very large handgun. Ellis’ eyes went wide.
“What the hell kind of gun is that?”
“It’s not so much a gun as it is a can-opener,” Nox said. “I'll be back.”
Nox rose to a crouch, but stopped when Ellis grabbed her shoulder.
“Wait a second,” Ellis said. He pulled a shiny plastic ID card from his shirt pocket and handed it to the Mechanic.
“You'll need this to get into the bar.”
Nox took the card and nodded.
“If I’m not back in an hour,” she said.
“I couldn’t possibly get that lucky.”
It took only seconds for Nox to reach the outer fence. She paused for a moment before the rusted mesh and examined it. From her backpack she produced a pair of black cables connected to two six inch long metal spikes. She pushed the spikes deep into the ground and four feet apart. She then connected the cables to the fence directly in front of the grounded spikes.
Satisfied with her work, Nox then removed a small wire cutter from her backpack and cut a small hole in the fence between the two cables. She set the cut line aside and crawled through the hole.
Once on the other side of the fence, Nox again paused. She ran her fingers through the sand before her as she crawled forward, making sure there were no trip wires or buried scanners. Satisfied there were none, Nox made
her way deeper and deeper into the compound. Once she crawled over fifty feet from the fence’s border, she rose and hurried to the side of the Octi Corp. Cantina. She heard the muffled sounds of people and music coming from within.
Nox wiped the sand from her body and took a moment to consider her options. Infiltrating guarded facilities was one thing, but mingling with the enemy was easily the most dangerous form of industrial espionage. When engaged in this activity, the most important thing to do, wherever you were, was to look like you belonged. That meant you had to be calm, collected and, especially, at ease.
Nox exited the shadows at the side of the Cantina and walked to the bar’s door. She pushed the door open and let her instincts take over.
The first thing Nox noticed was that the place was sparsely populated. Not the best of scenarios. It was always easier to blend into a crowd.
There were a few survey crewmembers spread about the tables and counter. A grizzled couple danced in the corner while the rest of the clients focused on their beer. Lazy clouds of smoke drifted from several cigarettes, making the air within feel dense and cramped.
Beside the entrance of the bar was a very large female bouncer. Very few men, and almost all females, were shorter or smaller than Nox. Not so with this bouncer. She dwarfed the Mechanic.
“Let’s see some I.D., stranger,” the bouncer said.
Nox produced her Octi ID card.
“Jennifer Taylor,” the bouncer read out loud.
“My friends call me Jen.”
The bouncer gave Nox a long look. She noted the short black hair and the blue tattoo on the side of her face.
“Someone as ugly as you got friends?”
“A legion,” Nox replied. The bouncer’s face went blank. Nox grabbed her ID card. “L-e-g-i-o-n. Look it up in a dictionary. You know what a dictionary is, right?”
The bouncer’s mouth clamped shut.
“You’re real funny,” she finally said. The bouncer flexed her muscles and balled her fists.
Nox took a step back but managed a weak smile.
“Some say I should take the act on the road, see how it goes.”
“Don’t bother.”
“That bad?”
“And getting worse by the second.” The bouncer’s face turned sour. She no longer wanted to waste time with this potential client. “Tell you what, ‘friend’, why don’t you get your drink and stay the hell out of my way.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Nox walked away. Sometimes being at ease meant making a pest of yourself.
Nox passed the dancing couple and found a free table toward the rear of the bar. Once she sat down, she motioned to the bartender.
The bartender was a well built, very tanned blonde woman who looked vaguely out of place in these dingy surroundings. She stepped out from behind the bar’s counter and walked to Nox’s side.
“What can I get you?” she asked. Her voice was clear and strong and incredibly sexy.
“Would you believe a tall glass of water?”
“What else do you ask for in the middle of a fucking desert, city girl?” the bartender replied. There was no maliciousness in her tone of voice, rather a playful humor.
To it, Nox chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was trying to lay low, blend in. I didn’t think it was so obvious where I’m coming from.”
“Obvious enough. What part of the city are you from?”
“West side.”
“You work at Octi Plaza?”
“I’ve been there once or twice.”
The lady stared at Nox’s sleek black hairdo, muscular build, and tattoo.
“The place is run by a bunch of stuffed shirts. You must have made quite an impression on those boys.”
“I’m sure I did.”
“So what do you do for Octi?”
“Freelance stuff.”
The smile on Natalie’s face faded a degree or two.
“You're an Independent?”
“A Mechanic. The name’s Nox.”
“Mechanic, Independent, what’s the difference?”
“I’m not a mercenary.”
“Whatever,” the bartender said. She extended her hand. “I’m Natalie. Nice to meet you and all that other happy horseshit. If you don’t mind my asking, what the hell are you doing way out here?”
“Checking up on some workers. A survey crew had an accident and I was hired to verify the details. Insurance claims, you know. The last thing a healthy company needs is a liability suit.”
“And I thought Independents were hired to kill people.”
“As I said, I’m not an Independent,” Nox said and smiled. Her smile was as cold as the tone in her voice.
Natalie let out a laugh.
“Either you’re telling the truth or you’re so full of shit you’re about to pop. From where I’m standing, you look like you’re about to pop. What crew are you investigating?”
Nox leaned forward in her chair. She motioned Natalie closer and whispered:
“Group 4.”
The casual expression on Natalie's face dramatically changed. Her smile disappeared and was replaced with the look of fear.
“Who are you working for?”
Though her voice was low, Nox’s muscles contracted. She eyed the bouncer, who, until that moment, was oblivious to them. The bouncer noted Natalie’s tense reaction and a look of concern crossed her face. She rose from her chair beside the bar’s entrance and took a few steps toward the duo.
Natalie stared deep into Nox’s sunglasses for a moment before facing her employee. By then she regained her composure and casually waved the bouncer off. When her eyes returned to Nox, she was once again dead serious.
“You better talk quick, lady. Who are you working for?”
“Myself,” Nox said. “I'm with your father.”
Natalie’s head snapped back. She pulled off her apron and returned to the bar’s counter. Nox rose from her chair and followed. Natalie laid the apron down and caught the bouncer’s eye.
“I’m taking a break,” she said. “Ten minutes.”
The bouncer nodded. Natalie and Nox stepped up to an almost hidden door by the bar’s counter and entered a small storage room. The place was cramped. It was filled with an array of stacked boxes. Most were labeled Selabro, though Nox spotted a lone case of Prestigio buried in the mass.
Natalie switched the light on and closed and locked the door.
“Start talking.”
“You need to tell me everything you know about that survey group,” Nox said.
Natalie stifled a laugh.
“Oh, really? What else can I do for you? Get you some cash? How about merchandise? If you want, I could open the warehouse doors and disarm the security.”
“Do whatever you like, as long as you tell me what happened to group 4.”
“The information you want is confidential. You know every Octi Corp. employee’s signs a non-disclosure form. To violate the contract means termination of employment and immediate prosecution. Why the fuck should I risk my neck for you?”
Nox showed Natalie the ID card Ellis gave her.
“I wasn’t lying about coming with your father. You are familiar with his handiwork, I hope.”
Natalie eyes the card and shrugged.
“It means nothing. For all I know, you stole it.”
“Your father isn’t the type that lets anyone steal from him.”
“Maybe you’re not anyone.”
“He’s outside the fence. If you’d like, we can take a short stroll and have ourselves a family reunion.”
Natalie let out a deep sigh and leaned against one of the boxes.
“I don’t think so. Dad and I haven’t exactly been close.”
“He didn’t tell me that.”
“Nor would he. What have you gotten him into?”
“Nothing,” Nox said. “All he’s doing is showing me around.”
“Sure he is,” Natalie sa
id. “He’s always messing with you city folk. A lot of good it’s done him.”
“He’s a grown man. If he didn’t want to help me, he would have turned me away.”
“Sure. Only he likes the excitement. The Gods alone know why.”
“If it makes you feel any better, he trusts me. He and I go back a very long time.”
“What are you, my long lost step mother or something? Define ‘a long time’.”
“Since the Arabian wars.”
Upon hearing those words, Natalie’s face turned white and her hands came up to her mouth.
“You’re—” she said and stopped.
Nox nodded and allowed Natalie time to compose herself. When she did, Natalie re-examined the woman standing before her. It was as if she saw her for the very first time.
“No wonder your name sounded familiar,” Natalie said. She pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered Nox one. The Mechanic shook her head. “The way Dad described you, you were something like nine feet ten and breathed fire. You’re much shorter than I thought.”
“I try to give people a good first impression.”
“He told me you hated the desert.”
“Only with a passion.”
Natalie drew on her cigarette. Wisps of smoke disappeared into the shadows of the ceiling.
“All right Nox, this is what I know: Octi Survey 4 was manned by a loose nit bunch of temps. Sometimes they’d work together but most times they were spread out, depending on where their work was. In February most of that group rode Tower Co. vehicles, bringing supplies from one outpost to another. In March they shuffled heavy machinery for Galaxy Inc.”
“I’m only interested in what they did for Octi Corp.”
“They were tasked to investigate pre-sorted sectors. Typical pitch and scan: Set up camp and shift through the sands. I’m sure you’ve heard, even from the comfort of the Big City, that there’s plenty of treasure buried out here. When the cities were swallowed by the sands, the citizens fled real quickly. They left behind plenty of loot for those willing to get their hands dirty digging it out. Computers, machinery, you name it. Octi Corp.’s interest was old but still worthwhile technology. And they were always on the lookout for research stations. They’ve made a damn good penny retrofitting old technology.”