by Wolfe Locke
As a general matter of best practice, Niles tried to be as nondescript as possible and not draw too much attention to himself by those around him. However, even then, there was still a certain amount of formality expected whenever reporting into Command, even for him, somebody who wasn’t in anymore. The way he dressed reflected that expectation. Dark pants, practical and subdued with a white shirt tucked into his gig line and a military-style wool overcoat.
Mostly, Niles was thankful for the overcoat. That coat has kept me warm on more than one occasion, Niles mused with a smile, remembering reckless antics from his youth during his off time in Berlin. It helps now too. Though the rain had let up, the weather had managed to get even colder since he first left the apartment and would only get colder as the night went on.
When he was younger, the cold didn’t bother him as much, but the damp and cold took its toll on him ever since the injury. Making the old injury ache as the chill set into the damaged bone and tissue. In this case, it helped him, giving him all the more reason to draw his Grishamet as close to him as he could and seek warmth in his outfit.
With his hands in his pockets, Niles walked down the concrete walkway that circled around the Hospital, keeping his head tilted down as he went, avoiding looking directly at any of the panhandlers and some of the more miserable-looking grifters.
Eventually, Niles found his way towards the unassuming side street that led him towards Industrial Boulevard and crossed the road.
The entire time Niles tried to keep his eyes peeled on his surroundings, he knew at this point he was being watched, not that he had proof. Still, it was just best practice to make the assumption that both his new employer and competing organizations all had eyes on him. Niles didn’t need to bring on any additional stress that might complicate things further by being watched or by being followed by the wrong people.
The street was empty as far as he could tell, except for a black cat that watched him from atop the chain link fencing that was covered in burlap to keep it covered and obscured from the main road. A single streetlight cast an orange glow against the black asphalt. He couldn’t hear a single sound otherwise, not the drunken laughing he’d left behind at the Hospital, or even the sounds of moving bodies. “It wasn’t always like this,” Niles muttered regretfully as he surveyed the dead street, remembering when he had served.
He kept walking, eventually leaving the cast of the street light, and kept moving along the road in the dark. I recognize this place. Niles thought, knowing exactly where he was going. Looks like they closed down a few of the roads that used to get in here and opened up another.
Niles had been there many times before throughout the years. Soon he found himself in front of a guard shack connected to the fencing that kept the ramshackle looking storage warehouse protected by a lone guard who kept watch on the easiest way to gain entry, the gate.
When Niles approached, he saw the guard tense up, though the man tried to play it cool. Even though the guard was protecting a high-end facility, appearances still had to be kept. By looks alone, it was just an old abandoned factory at surface level.
The guard stood up and called out to Niles, demanding that he stop. “Hey man, did you come down the wrong way? This place is off-limits. You shouldn’t be here?”
I recognize those words. Still the same challenge question, even after all this time. Niles smiled and responded, “It’s only the wrong way if the way was closed.”
Instantly the guard’s demeanor change, adopting a more easy posture after he had responded with the correct answer to the challenge question.
“I’m still going to need to see some identification. Nobody can get in without it. I’m sure you understand.” The guard stated as Niles approached the control point. He took his time and made Taking his time so the guard could see, Niles reached into his pocket and pulled out a yellow ID card, complete with his name and retired ranking.
“Oh, it’s you, Chief. I’ve seen your picture before on the wall of heroes,” The guard replied, visibly confused by Niles’ appearance. “I thought they retired you.”
Niles looked and nodded. Though the comment irritated him, it wasn’t the guard’s fault for not knowing any better what happened. “One in the same. It’s a special occasion, but I can’t go into details.” He replied as he read the name of Reddicker on the guard’s uniform. Nobody I remember, Niles thought darkly.
The guard seemed to bristle at the response, and it was clear to Niles that Reddicker didn’t want to say anything further. Instead, the guard handed over a polished badge and gave the instructions of “Your temp badge number is 6. Once I get the all-clear, I’ll let you through. I’m sure you remember where to go. The layout hasn’t changed much. As soon as you enter the holding area, take a seat until somebody comes for you.” The guard explained as the hydraulic System started to groan as the lock holding the gate shut disengaged.
Reddicker spoke into a hidden microphone in the collar of his uniform and waited a second for a reply before getting up from his post to escort Niles through the control point. It wasn’t lost on Niles that Reddicker still had a hand on his sidearm and a watchful eye on him as they approached the gate. Reddicker grabbed on to it and began pulling it open. With an almost impatient look, Reddicker motioned for Niles to pass through it.
Niles put his ID back in his pocket and the badge on his chest as he thanked the man while stepping through the gate into the interior of the facility grounds. All he could see was a rundown factory, full of rust and weeds that nature had started to reclaim. A trick, something for the uninitiated to make them turn away from this place, Niles thought with a faint smile as he ignored the front door and walked along a gravel path that opened up into a heavily sanitized interior waiting room.
The waiting room was tiny with 3 chairs, a rack full of magazines, and an old fashioned vending machine.
This is obviously the holding area, Niles thought. Not wanting to cause a scene, he sat down and looked at the camera above the door, and waited for whoever was coming to collect him.
Chapter 6: Back in the Saddle
* * *
In true military fashion, Niles had hurried to arrived and then waited in the holding area for far longer than was realistically needed. Just part of the game, he reminded himself, noting the camera still blinked red. Somebody was watching him.
When the door swung open, Niles was surprised to see he was met by somebody in their full military dress uniform. That can only mean one thing, a dog and pony show. They must be expecting somebody high up in the government to stop by. Something big must have happened.
“Chief Hanson, it’s good to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Sergeant First Class Zander. I’ll be your escort while you’re with us. Now, I understand you’re familiar with our organization. Still, before I can take you in, I need to do a search. Do I have your permission? You can say no, but if you do, I’ll be forced to escort you off the premises .” The request was polite but firm. Niles knew he didn’t really have a chance, not if he wanted the job. Not if he wanted back in.
“Yeah, that’s fine, Sergeant, but please, it’s Niles now. I retired. You know that.” Niles responded as he held up his arms for the Sergeant to check him for weapons, contraband, and other items Niles knew wouldn’t be allowed, like cameras and recorders.
The Sergeant motioned for Niles to raise his arms and Niles obliged as Sergeant Zander waved the electronic device over the implant in Niles’ hand, temporarily disabling it. “Alright Chief, that’ll be it, the Colonel is waiting for you, just follow me, I know I don’t need to say it, but I still have to say it, don’t wander off. You’ve limited access here.”
Sergeant Zander turned around and motioned for Niles to follow behind him.
Looks like things haven’t changed much. No, that’s not true. Niles thought It’s just changed enough to remind me that I’m no longer welcome. The interior was more run down than Niles remembered it, and in places, the ceiling had begun to
sag. At the same time, parts of the dilapidated drywall looked like it was seconds away from crumbling altogether. But Niles knew it was all a lie, they passed through another doorway, and the facade gave way.
The abandoned factory was simply a mask. What laid beneath that mask was a different monster entirely.
Sure, maybe it was a bit brighter than the last time he had been here, but it was still the same cold, detached facility that had turned its back on him when he got hurt. The scent of cleaning alcohol and Pine-Sol assaulted his nose from the freshly mopped floor.
The sterile atmosphere was as suffocating as it was refreshing. Clean cut corridors filled his vision as he was filed down the aisles like cattle to the slaughter. Niles didn’t know why he had accepted this offer. He already regretted it. What had once been like home was now as alien and unwelcoming as ever.
The man leading Niles around, Sergeant Zander, matched the surroundings perfectly. Clean cut, simple, polite detached. A perfect fit. Niles didn’t expect that they would have let him walk himself to meet with the Colonel, but with the way his movements were being controlled, it was more like a dog being walked by his master. Niles resented it, and it put him on edge.
I was one of them once. I’m not a prisoner or a criminal. I’m not a rookie either. Niles thought as he was led further into the building by a man, not even half his size. Even with my leg like it is, this is ridiculous.
The door to the Colonel’s office loomed up in front of the two men. A solid sheet of metal shouldn’t seem so imposing, but Niles knew what was waiting on the other side. The unexpected interruption to his digital run and rehab hadn’t been enough. The Colonel had to request his help and demand his physical appearance at the office.
Whatever it was that he had just gotten himself into, Niles knew it had to be significant. Big enough to seek him out. Big enough to bring him back to this place that had turned its back on him.
Sergeant Zander turned to him and prepared to leave. “I know it might not seem like we do, Chief, but a lot of us remember what you did and still tell stories about you. It’s an honor to have you back. Even if it’s not in uniform.”
Niles could only nod as a maelstrom of emotions welled up within him as Zander left in front of the door. He didn’t even have time to knock on the door. The Colonel had been waiting on him. The man had opened the door with a push of a button as soon as Niles went to knock on it.
Once inside, the first thing Niles noticed was that the Colonel’s hair had more gray in it than he remembered. Didn’t take him as the vain sort, coloring his hair when simulated. Niles laughed inwardly at the thought, and some of his emotions settled. Or maybe that had been a trick of the simulation. Though he didn’t assume the Colonel was so vain as to recolor his hair for virtual purposes, Niles also knew he couldn’t assume anything at all anymore. Assuming information was the first step to getting yourself caught, killed, or worse.
The Colonel didn’t speak up immediately. He simply jerked his head towards the chair for Niles to sit and Niles complied while the Officer remained standing. The words that followed were not what Niles expected when he ran through possible scenarios in his mind.
“We need your help.” The Colonel said, his voice surprisingly calm though full of fatigue.
“Why?” Niles asked. He wasn’t sure why they had felt the need to call him in like this, and he expected a good explanation for it.
If the Colonel was annoyed by Niles’ tone, he didn’t show it. Instead, he used his classic trick of answering a question with another question. “Have you been into the City recently? Have you bought anything recently through SynaCAID in any of the commerce sectors or hubs in Seven Cities?”
“No,” Niles responded bluntly. He had meant to, but never got around to it. Something about visiting a store in virtual reality hadn’t sat well with him. Niles had resisted kicking and screaming when they automated the checkout process as a matter of principle.
“I find that hard to believe.” The Colonel’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.
“I’m serious,” Niles responded. “I try to support my local downtown as much as I can. Going to the store is one of the few reasons I can find any more to get out of the house. I’m not messing with a working routine.”
“So, you know what’s going on at least right? Even if you haven’t been.” The Colonel’s mouth pursed, giving the only sign of his annoyance.
“I’ve heard a few rumors.” Niles tried to keep the smugness out of his voice. Something about getting under Grisham Fairway’s skin was extremely satisfying. Niles was fairly sure a degree of that satisfaction gleamed in his eyes.
The annoyance in the Colonel’s face deepened. “We called you back here for a purpose, Niles, and if you don’t cooperate, I can just send you back to that shit hole apartment you’ve been holed up in, and you can go back to waiting for death to claim you.” There was a no-nonsense steeliness in the Colonel’s eyes this time.
Niles simply nodded, though he wasn’t entirely sold. Not yet.
“There is a terrorist group calling themselves The Old Dominion. We’ve had some attacks on the servers. Direct attacks. Somehow they managed to hack the SynaCAID platform and delete source code. It’s complicated, but they’re using a combination of hacks to overload the system and kill people and perpetuate actual assassinations in real-time. We can’t let this continue. People need SynaCAID, and they need it to be safe.”
Though the Colonel’s voice remained neutral, Niles could tell that this was something huge. Funneling money from one account to another was a typical hacker business, nothing new and certainly nothing worth his time. He’d long since moved past that type of stuff. He hadn’t become a mercenary to track down unruly teens and grifters.
After a few moments of silence, Niles looked back up to the Colonel. “Again, I ask why? Why is this something you need me for?”
The Colonel looked Niles dead in the eyes. “Money obviously. Maybe more. But we need this problem handled. This is beyond the typical cyber-attacks we’ve had to deal with. Real live people are actually dying. Some of those people have been important. Some had had heart attacks, while others have been shot or stabbed in real life.”
That changed everything. It wasn’t just the money disappearing. The people themselves were systematically being eliminated, and their data was being sold off to the highest bidder. At least, that was the first logical conclusion Niles’ mind came to.
There was something else at play here. Something larger. A piece that was missing. Niles knew it in his gut.
The Colonel could see the wheels turning in Niles’ eyes, and he smiled. It was a thin smile, not one of happiness, but one that screamed self-satisfaction. “You’ll work it then?” he asked.
Niles nodded his head. “I’ll take it. Why me though? Given our history”
Colonel Grisham paused for a minute as if debating answering the question. “The pool of qualified applicants was small. Not many operators that use the eRehab system. You weren’t the first pick, I would have gone with somebody else. But somebody above me said you deserved a shot and my pick, well, let’s just say it didn’t pan out. I’ll leave it at that..
The Colonel looked away away and then back at Niles. “Good, now that that’s out of the way. You’ll need this.” The Colonel held out his hand to Niles. There was a slim object in his palm. It was sleek, silver, nearly unnoticeable.
“What is that?” Niles asked as he reached out to put it into his pocket.
“The Talon.” The Colonel explained matter of factly with an intense reverence for the object.
“The what?” Niles looked back at the Colonel, sliding the device into his front pocket.
“The Talon. It’s a USB drive that will allow you to access the SynaCAID servers discreetly and change your sourcing files to avoid detection while logged in. In our early testing only those who’ve been using the increased immersion of an eRehab machine can put it to good use. You’ll be able to make a new account from s
cratch with access to almost everything the platform offers.” He looked too intense for Niles’ comfort, and Niles could barely resist making an off-color comment.
“When do we get started then?” Niles asked, standing up and brushing his palms down the front of his jeans. A habit he never seemed to be able to break.
“Now.” Colonel Grisham Fairway responded as Sergeant Zander opened the door. “Sergeant Zander is going to in-process you back into the organization as an independent contractor. You’ll work from here.”
Chapter 7: The World Once Known
* * *
You’ll be working from here. Grisham’s words echoed in his mind, the edge of implied authority over him ringing in Niles’ ears.
Niles had seen the amusement on Grisham’s face when he said that. It was just like him to throw his authority around as soon as he felt a reason for it. Niles thought, shaking his head. He wasn’t stupid. There were plenty of reasons he would need to work from the facility. Better security being one of those reasons, and a direct line to the analysts that worked within. That and Niles would need access to a lot of things that would never be able to leave the sterile walls of the hard site.
There wasn’t much he could do about it besides accept the fact that he had to answer to Colonel Grisham Fairway once again. The man had a talent for knowing how to push and pull a person’s nerves until there were only two viable options. Submit, or lash out, and lashing out could get him killed. Besides, there was no need for trouble.