“Thanks, I think,” I answered. “You look good too.”
Angel wore a gray pant-suit with a white blouse. I could tell by the way she moved she carried a weapon at her lower back. It made me rethink my decision to not bring my MK II or at least my knife and axe.
“Ahhh, this old thing?” Angel said looking down at herself. “I needed something I could move in if things go bad. I can ditch the jacket and the shirt is sleeveless. There’s room in the legs to run.”
“How’s Preacher?” I asked as we walked together to the side of the main building.
“He’s fine, stabilized and chomping at the bit to get into the action again,” Angel informed me. “He keeps saying healing or no healing ability that he’s going to be ready for the fight.”
“Sounds like him,” I acknowledged.
“You should really go see him.” Angel gave me a hard stare. “He keeps asking for you. Whatever he did, he did it out of our best interests.”
“I know he thinks that,” I answered, still confused on how I felt about the whole situation.
We turned the corner around the building to see Way settlers under Bapz’s instruction putting the final touches on the meeting place. It was simple with tents overhead to block the sun and chairs circling an empty square spot in the middle of the sand.
There were more chairs than I would have expected.
“There were fifty-nine corporations we contacted for the meeting,” Wesley advised. “Less than half of them responded. Less than half of those agreed to the meeting.”
“How many?” I asked.
Wesley hesitated. It was the first time I had seen the man perform the act. He bought himself some time by reaching into his inner coat pocket and removing a thick cigar.
He bit off the end, spitting it out before lighting the stick of tobacco.
Wesley eyed me, taking a long, drawn-out puff.
“How many?” I asked again.
“Twelve,” Wesley grumbled, taking another puff of his cigar. “That includes us.”
I wasn’t sure what Angel choked on. She wasn’t drinking or eating anything at the moment, so I had to guess it was a wad of her own spit that went down the wrong tube.
While she hacked away and pounded on her chest, I said what we were both thinking.
“Twelve?” I repeated.
“And that’s if all twelve actually show up and agree to unite as one,” Wesley said. “Sorry to drop all the heavy news on you like this, Daniel, but you need to be the one to lead. That Alerna woman, whoever or whatever she is isn’t wrong about that.”
“But what about you?” I asked, looking Wesley up and down. “You have way more experience than I do leading an organization like this. You should be the one to lift Immortal Corp or whatever’s left of Immortal Corp from the ashes.”
“Not me,” Wesley objected, shaking his head emphatically. “For a long time, Immortal Corp has had leaders that directed from the shadows. It needs someone now to lead from the front as an example. You can be that person, Daniel.”
“I feel like there’s a compliment in there somewhere,” I said.
“I’ll be with you in an advisory role, but whatever Immortal Corp does or doesn’t become now should be on you,” Wesley said. “Immortal Corp employees using the back channel are reaching out. Jax is directing them here. We’ll build our assets again. We’ll build our army and do what the Founders lost sight of. What Immortal Corporation was first founded to do.”
“And what’s that?” I asked, genuinely interested.
“Fight the battles humankind can’t,” Wesley said as if it were as simple as stating the job description of an accountant or dentist.
I chewed on my lower lip, wondering what I was agreeing to.
“Did you do your hair today, sir?” Bapz asked, approaching us with a warm smile. The silver-skinned robot wore a black suit like my own but with a bow tie instead of a traditional tie. “It looks handsome on you.”
“Yeah, thanks,” I said, running a hand through my hair. It came back sticky with the product I had placed in it.
“Our guests are arriving now through the main gate,” Bapz informed us. “I have the internal defenses ready to be deployed should the need arise.”
“Let’s hope for all our sakes and that of the human race that no weapons will be required here today,” Wesley said, looking over at Angel. “No violence under any circumstances. We all need this to work whether we want to admit it or not.”
“Why are you looking at me when you say that?” Angel demanded, glaring at Wesley.
“Because I am.” Wesley lifted an eyebrow. “But that goes for all of us.”
Black unmarked vehicles began pulling up the mansion’s massive driveway. They came in all shapes and sizes. There were regular sedans with blacked out windows. Large trucks with thick wheels. One group even came in a fleet of hover bikes.
All the vehicles were unmarked and looked somewhat similar. When the drivers and passengers of the vehicles exited their crafts, they were anything but similar to one another.
A wide range of clothing was deemed acceptable by our guests. All of them dressed in fine clothing, but some wore different pieces of armor like traditional steel vambraces or shoulder harnesses. Others wore Kevlar padded gloves. Almost everyone I saw carried a weapon. Those who did not I was sure were concealing one of some make or model on their person.
No one came alone. They arrived in groups of threes, fours, and fives. Every creed, race, and nationality I could think of were present.
“Bapz,” Wesley said, dropping his cigar on the ground and putting it out with his boot. “Let’s go politic and make nice with the guests. We need them at ease.”
Bapz frowned at the cigar on the ground but complied.
“Angel, inform Daniel of who’s who as much as you can,” Wesley called over his shoulder.
Wesley and Bapz moved forward with smiles and handshakes being exchanged between the Corporation founders. Wesley approached a large man with face tattoos. He was dressed in black and of Asian descent.
Bapz made his way to the crew who came on the hover bikes. They were all women carrying swords that poked over their shoulders.
“The big man Wesley is talking to is named Enzo, he’s the leader of an ancient gang turned corporation called the Yakuza.” Angel motioned with her head to the women Bapz was speaking with. “Valkyrie Industries is a corporation of all women. They’re mercenaries like us, but unlike us, they’re available to the highest bidder. They’re as tough as they come. I’m glad they’re here.”
Angel went down the list as more and more vehicles arrived. I did my best tracking names and companies with her, but it was nearly impossible for me. My mind was already on the Order.
The woman I still didn’t have a name for on the channel said they would come. But they weren’t here yet. As members of the corporations funneled into the outside meeting place, I felt my heart drop in the pit of my stomach.
What if the Order wasn’t coming at all? What if something had happened and with them went any answer to Amber’s disappearance?
“Are you even listening to me?” Angel asked, snapping her fingers in front of my face. “Mars to Daniel.”
“Yeah, sorry, I’m with you,” I answered, turning back to the small groups still arriving.
Every one of them had their own symbol they wore with pride. There were wings with a sword in the middle, an ancient helmet on a white background, a red dragon’s face, crossed swords behind a skull and more.
I found myself surprised as I actually recognized a familiar face in the crowd. Commander Shaw strode forward wearing a white suit. He looked healthy with a twinkle in his eye.
I was about to go over and say hello when motion to my left gave me pause.
A black vehicle rolled up, parking apart from the rest. The doors opened and three tall figures stepped out. They all wore black with long coats. On their heads was the black mask and red cross of the Order.
/> Ten
They still wore their masks, so it was impossible to tell for sure, but by the shape of their bodies, two of them were men and one was a woman. It had to be her. It had to be the same Cyber Hunter I had met and spoken with on the channel.
For better or worse, I strode right toward them.
“You think this is a good idea?” X asked in my head. “Don’t forget the Order and Immortal Corp haven’t exactly been the best of friends in the past.”
“I don’t care,” I whispered out of the side of my mouth. “I have to find out.”
All three members of the Order looked at me as I approached. At least I thought they were all looking at me. I couldn’t really tell with the masks still on their faces.
“I’m Daniel Hunt,” I greeted, extending a hand. “Thank you for coming.”
Not one of the three moved to shake my hand.
“We’re here to hear what you have to say, not form an alliance,” one of the males said. His voice made him sound younger, maybe in his thirties. “Let’s skip the smiles and handshakes and get on with it.”
“Easy,” the other man said to his counterpart. He took a step forward. “Atilla isn’t wrong, but I don’t see why we can’t be civil to one another for the time being. So you’re him.”
I looked around like he might be talking to someone else then nodded. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
“The mercenary from the Pack Protocol without a memory,” he clarified.
“I’ve been working on that,” I said. “I dug up the grave of the only Pack Protocol member who was put into the ground. I didn’t find a body. But I did find one of those masks of yours.”
“Are you accusing us of something?” Atilla spat. “Just come out and say it.”
“I’m not accusing you of anything,” I answered. “I really don’t know what to think. I’m just looking for answers.”
“You Immortal Corp dogs are all the same.” Atilla stepped up to me like he was about to start a fight. “You don’t look like much to me. If I had a chance, I—”
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Wesley shouted from the center of the area that had been set up for our meeting. “If I might ask you to please come and take a seat. I understand your time is precious and we can get right down to the reason for this meeting.”
Everyone in the vicinity began to make their way over to the seating area.
“Atilla,” the man’s counterpart said in a warning tone. “We didn’t come here to fight the Immortal Corporation, did we?”
“No, no, we didn’t, Julian,” Atilla said through gritted teeth. “Not worth my time.”
Atilla turned to go with Julian, who I now guessed was their leader.
I clenched my fists. Answers were so close, but I couldn’t make them tell me. Or could I? Beating it out of them was always an option.
“Real smooth,” the woman said, coming to stand beside me. It was the first time she spoke. It was the same woman who I had fought in the Vault, the same one I had seen in the Badlands. “You should go into politics.”
“Don’t think I’d make it very far,” I said, finding myself relieved that it was in fact the woman I had met before and spoken with over the channel. “Do you know what happened to her? Her name was Amber. She was presumed dead after an attack on a bridge in Elysium. Thing is, there’s no body in her grave; just an Order mask.”
“I don’t,” the woman answered, already moving to follow Atilla and Julian.
“Please!” I half shouted in anger, half in desperation.
She stopped and turned her head to the right. “Even if I knew, I couldn’t tell you. That would have to come from Julian.”
“Thank you,” I said, far from happy but at least there was still a chance for answers.
With the sun overhead, the tents that had been brought out were a godsend. Chairs had been placed under the tents that made a square with a bright sunny patch of sand in the center.
I took a seat next to Angel, catching Commander Shaw’s eye and exchanging a nod with him. I was sure he had a bag full of questions himself. The last time I had seen the man was after a hit on an Immortal Corp safe house.
Any kind of dialogue would have to wait as Wesley walked to the center square area and began.
He told them everything. With the help of Bapz, he even projected holographic 3D images for them to see. He told them about the Voy, their impending invasion, the GG trying to make nice and then covering up everything.
Wesley even went above and beyond, wheeling out a Voy corpse for everyone to see on a shuttle bot.
While he laid out the facts, I tried as best as I could to read the crowd. Among the twelve corporations present, there had to be somewhere around thirty people present, most looking on with wide eyes.
A few nodded along with Wesley’s explanation as though they had been aware of as much or at least expected something like this.
“The GG doesn’t understand what they’re getting themselves into,” Wesley explained. “By the time they do, the Voy will be attacking Mars. Maybe the GG mobilizes in time to stop them, maybe not. But make no mistake, the Voy demand our total surrender and enslavement or they’ll kill most of us and enslave the rest anyway.”
A quiet fell on the group so intense, I wondered if anyone would find the will to break the silence.
“So you want us to put all of our resources and our lives on the frontline?” a tall blond woman with braided hair asked. She had a scar down the left side of her face from the corner of her eye to her chin. She was one of the ones Angel had pointed out, a member of the Valkyrie Corporation.
“I’m asking that all of us stand together and turn this Voy’s initial attack, defeat them, or at least buy time for everyone else to mobilize,” Wesley explained. “It’s not about who has the strongest Corporation, who has more money, who has more guns; none of that. All that matters now is the survival of the human race.”
“I’ve seen it and I’m still having a hard time believing it,” Commander Shaw spoke from his seat to my left. He rubbed his scalp as if he were feeling his true age. Commander Shaw had let me in on the secret that he was much older than he seemed. The company he belonged to, Phoenix, hibernated their leaders, bringing them out of sleep at intervals to lead the company. Lucky for him, this was his time to lead.
“We’ll send you all the data, pictures, and video we have; heck, we’ll even send you a body,” Wesley promised. “I wish this were a joke, but it’s not.”
“I understand,” Commander Shaw said, looking at me. “You send us everything you’ve got, and if everything checks out, you have our support. I’ve fought alongside one of your own. He’s a good man. If I’m going up against a horde of aliens bent on killing, I’d like to nominate Daniel Hunt to lead us.”
My mouth dropped. Stepping in as interim leader of Immortal Corp was one thing but leading the initiative against the Voy was something else altogether.
A wave of whispers, a few scoffs, and eye rolls tossed in for good measure rippled across the crowd.
“Close your mouth,” X told me inside my head.
I obeyed, not trusting myself to speak.
“What does Phoenix know about war?” Atilla jumped from his seat. “You’re more rebels than a real corporation anyway. You’ve only been concerned with trying to grow grass on Earth for the last century.”
“Not trying anymore or haven’t you heard?” Commander Shaw stood from his seat staring daggers at Atilla. “Sorry for trying to bring a little life back into the galaxy.”
“I’m not saying your man shouldn’t lead,” the thick leader of the Yakuza said, rising from his seat. His voice boomed across the tents, silencing everyone. “But this does bring up a fair point. We do need a leader. How should one be chosen?”
“I don’t really think voting is our style,” the female leader of the Valkyries answered. “I say we fight for it.”
Murmurs of agreement rolled across the tents.
“Before we get to that,” Wes
ley said, lifting his hands for silence. “Before that is even decided, does that mean everyone present agrees with the state of things? Everyone here will stand against the Voy?”
“If everything checks out and is as you say, then I don’t see how we even have a choice,” a woman said softly. She was from a Corporation that wore a red dragon head sigil on her left shoulder. It was the first time she had spoken. As far as I could tell, she was alone.
Whoever this woman was, everyone respected her. Despite her voice being so calm and quiet, it was easily heard given the silence from the others.
“Fight and die or be enslaved seem to be our only two options here,” the woman continued. “I think we can all agree on that.”
“Thank you, Madam Eternal,” Wesley said, bowing his head slightly. “I agree, and if everyone else does, then we are all in this together now. And I don’t see why we all shouldn’t pick a leader together. If you want to be considered as a leader of this initiative, I propose you step forward, and as has been suggested, we fight for it.”
I was still trying to figure out how I felt about the whole situation. I had come ready to get answers about Amber and gain allies. Instead, I still had zero answers and I was about to get into a fight.
I still remembered the last time I fought a Cyber Hunter from the Order. The experience had not been enjoyable.
“You up to this?” Wesley said, coming back to where Angel and I sat under our tent.
“I mean, I’m not scared to fight, but am I really the best choice?” I asked. “I barely remember who I am.”
“Maybe that’s why you should be the only choice,” Angel said out loud.
Wesley and I looked at her.
“Hey, I’m not trying to pay you a compliment or anything, but you’ve met us,” Angel said, taking in the members of each corporation who sat debating if they would nominate anyone, and if so, who it would be. “We’re killers, money lovers, power hungry, and more, the worst of the worst. Maybe whatever head injury Preacher inflicted gave you a hard reset, a second chance. Maybe we need someone like that leading us.”
Vendetta: A Near Future Thriller (Forsaken Mercenary Book 4) Page 7