DJ's Mission (12 page)

Allen pointed one large finger right at his face.
“Tell that boss of yours that a shipment of parts and manpower better be on
Haumea in two days or…”

Kassinger swallowed hard. “Or?”

Sgt. Allen tossed the family heirloom knife on his
desk and turned toward the exit. “Don’t fuck with us Jeffrey. Don’t forget we
know the truth about the Arizona and I’m sure if my superiors don’t feel that
they are getting their money’s worth, then they will find some way to get
proper compensation.”

Without another word the Confederate soldier was
gone and Kassinger was left wondering if there was a way out of this situation.
The first thought which came to mind was killing the Confederate Sergeant. That
had its merits but it was only a short term fix at best. The Confederacy would
just send another NCO and the cycle would start all over again. Not seeing any
immediate way out, he put a call into the Admiral to inform him of the latest
wrinkle in their plans.

Chapter 9

DJ paused at the locked door. “Is this his office?”

Lashandra nodded. “Yes, I swear.”

As the bounty hunter began to reach for the door
knob, Tinya stopped him. “He keeps it locked at all times.”

“Not to me.” With his free hand, DJ began to knock
forcefully on the metal door. Each time a bit harder. Each time putting another
dent in the door.

Mocha sat down his glass of Scotch and took one
last look around his office. It was comfortable. Not lavish but rich and comfy.
He was happy here; probably happier than he’d been in his entire life. But if
truth be told, he’d been expecting something like this for years.

Seeing the dents in his door get larger and
larger, he hit the release button on the magnetic locks which held fast his
office door. As it burst open with the next knock he said, “Welcome Red Falcon,
welcome. Come in, come in.”

When DJ stepped into the office, he quickly
scanned the interior to make sure he wasn’t about to be attacked, again. He had
already planned on using the cocooned form of the bouncer for a shield if that
happened.

The room was decorated with earth tones and low
lights. There was a bar to his left and a couch to his right; two matching and
comfortable looking chairs set in front of a large desk while a large oriental
rug dominated the floor. Behind the desk was a huge picture window which DJ
guessed looked down on the casino, which is where he found the proprietor. DJ
just stood in the doorway and stared at him for a minute to see how he would
react.

Mocha was cool under his gaze. He didn’t fidget or
speak but just calmly drank his beverage. Mocha seemed thin and very fit, like
that of a runner, while his chocolate colored skin had such a healthy sheen to
it, DJ figured that was where his nickname came from. His head was shaved
smooth and a small peach fuzz of a mustache. Dressed in a blue suit made from
the finest silk available, he looked to be the master of his domain.

Without a word to Mocha, DJ unceremoniously dumped
Pridgen’s bound form in the center of the office and dropped the handcuffed
body of the escapee next to it. Walking over to the nearby couch, DJ lowered
the unconscious form of Jagger Jax gently onto it, before turning his attention
back to the casino owner.  “What’s with the warm welcome?”

Mocha shrugged. “I had to see if you are indeed
the real Red Falcon. There have been rumors and stories over the years.”

“Satisfied?”

Mocha nodded. “Yes. Although I must admit, I’m
surprised to see you. I thought our business together was complete?”

DJ didn’t answer but took a small step forward and
placed the data crystal Iaido had left for him on the desk.

Mocha picked it up and gazed at it for a second
before popping it into the reader. Seconds later the monitor came to life. The
screen was filled with a shadowy figure but when it spoke, DJ recognized his
friend’s voice.

“Hello Andrew. It’s been awhile. Personally I
was hoping to never have to call in my favor but as you might’ve guessed I’ve
passed on the mantle of the Red Falcon to a friend of mine. I am also aware
that an imposter has been operating under the guise of the Falcon. Believe me,
either I or my protégé, will take care of him presently. However, that is not
why I sent the latest incarnation of the Falcon to you. He has a problem and I
want you to help him. After this, our slate is clean. All records of your life
‘before’ have been destroyed.”

Iaido’s katana came briefly into view.

“Don’t make me regret trusting you.”

“Well, that was rather enlightening.” Mocha downed
his Scotch. “I knew something was different.”

“How so?”

“It’s the way you move. Although your style is
very effective as Pridgen found out, it’s not as fluid as the last time I saw
you, or should I say the other Falcon, fight.”

“So, that was the real reason for your test?”

“Yes, sorry about that. However, it does clear up
several inaccuracies that I’ve heard about the Red Falcon over the last few
years.” Even though DJ didn’t ask for more information, Mocha elaborated.
“Evidently, the imposter is more ruthless and brings in more dead bounties than
live ones. Also no report I’ve ever seen mentions any type of melee weapon,
just blasters.” He pointed to the blades that were magnetically attached to
DJ’s lower back. “I thought it strange for you to be wearing those shorter swords
but the old Falcon’s message explains a lot.”

“So you will help me?”

“No.” Mocha shook his head but held up both hands
to forestall any coming argument. “I will aid you only because I owe him,”
pointing at the darkened screen, “my life. So…what do you need from me?”

“I need assistance in snatching someone from under
the nose of the Titan Avionics executives.”

“With your credentials, neither they nor the
Sheriffs could stop you.”

“This isn’t technically a legal pickup, no
warrants and no bounty.”

Mocha whistled. “So this will actually be a
kidnapping. You’re crossing into uncharted territory aren’t you? Out of
curiosity, who’s the target?”

DJ hesitated. He didn’t know anything about Mocha
and revealing too much could endanger his daughter. However, he trusted Iaido
and he was the one who sent him to the casino owner. So, the question came down
to one simple fact. How much did he trust Iaido?

“The mark is Roger Thomas’ adopted daughter.”

Mocha whistled again. “Wow. You do like to hunt
big game.” He paused for a moment before he asked, “Ransom?”

DJ shook his head. “Rescue. I’m working for her
biological father.”

DJ found it odd to be talking about himself in
third person but it was the most logical explanation. “Evidently, he has proof
of child abuse by Thomas against his daughter and domestic abuse against his
ex-wife. He isn’t too concerned about the ex-wife although that will help his
case with the courts. But he knows that the Saturn Sheriffs are merely puppets
for Titan Avionics and on the corporation’s payroll and won’t take his
accusations seriously.”

“That is truer than you know.” Mocha nodded. “But
to break her out will take some specialized skills and permission.”

“I can understand needing specialized help but
permission?”

Mocha poured himself another Scotch and offered a
glass to the bounty hunter, but he refused. Taking a sip, the ex-criminal
leaned back in his chair as he explained. “Kidnapping, justified or not, is
still a criminal act. All such acts in this system are governed by the Cartel and
if you want my help, we will need to gain their permission.”

“Can you arrange a meeting?”

“Sure but you will need to sway him to let you
operate inside his territory. I’d suggest a bribe.”

“Bribe? Who are you suggesting I bribe?”

“Absolem, the local Cartel boss, there’s a rumor
that he reports to someone higher up in the Cartel but that doesn’t concern us.
On Titan and the surrounding system, his word is law. I happen to know that he
has fondness for Moonbeam.”

“Huh?”

“You know the psychedelic spice that the Coalition
has banned.” When the Red Falcon didn’t immediately respond, Mocha cocked his
head to the side and explained. “Spice? Drugs? You really have no idea what I’m
talking about do you?

DJ shook his head. “Nope. I’ve known soldiers to
use certain drugs to improve performance but outside of alcohol, nicotine and
caffeine, drugs have never been my scene.”

Mocha smiled. “No worries. I happen to know of a
shipment of Moonbeam coming in later tonight. The dealer is a local thug who
owes me some credits and tried to pay off his tab with the spice. I don’t deal
nor do I allow it in my establishment. However, if you were to find this
reprobate and relieve him of the spice, it would solve both our problems.”

“How would me thrashing some kid help you?”

Mocha leaned back in his chair and smiled. “Well,
you could remind him that I still need to get paid and that spice is not
allowed in my casino, ever.”

DJ nodded. “I see, you want me to be your
enforcer.”

Mocha nodded toward the cocooned form of the
bouncer. “Actually that was to be Pridgen’s task for tonight but as you can see
he’s all tied up for the moment.”

DJ nodded. “Okay I’ll bite, especially if it will
help me complete my pickup.”

“What else do you need from me?”

“I already have most of the intel we will need to
get in and out of the Thomas’ complex. Primarily, detailed maps and schedules
of the staff but I have no information on the alarm systems or how to get past
them.”

Mocha thought about that for a few moments before
adding, “I know of a freelancer in the area. I can see if she is looking for
some work. Do you have a timetable?”

“ASAP. It’s my understanding that Thomas has a lot
of distractions at the moment and I’m sure my employer would be upset if his
daughter got beat up again while I waited.”

Mocha began typing into his computer terminal but
nodded to the individuals the bounty hunter had carried into his office. “What
about them?”

“Your bouncer needs to learn manners but other
than that, I have no quarrel with him. I don’t hold a grudge. He was just doing
his job. The other one has a bounty that I plan on collecting.”

“And Jagger Jax?”

“He’s done nothing wrong in my eyes. He didn’t
have to assist me downstairs but he jumped in without regard to his own safety.
And that goes a long way with me.”

“The Cartel might not like that.”

“Their likes and dislikes are not my concern. My
dealings with them will be strictly a business transaction. Whoever I have on
my crew is my decision. Jax has only acted honorably around me. That’s the only
way I can judge him, by his actions not his past.” DJ paused before adding, “We
all have skeletons in our closet we’d rather not disturb.”

“I can agree with that.” Mocha pressed a different
button on his desk and the dancer in yellow feathers reentered the office.
“Lashandra will take you somewhere to relax while I make arrangements.”

Picking up the unconscious form of Jagger Jax and
his prisoner, the Red Falcon followed the beautiful dancer out of the office
without another word.

Mocha glanced down at the cocooned Jovian and
spoke to him even though he knew he wouldn’t be able to hear due to the
all-encasing foam. “I told you he was a handful.”

Pridgen’s pleading eyes spoke volumes to anyone
who would listen.

“Don’t worry; Tinya is on her way with a solvent.
Count yourself lucky. He might not be the original Falcon but he seems capable
enough. Besides, I’ll be interested in seeing how he handles the Needles
situation.”

Turning his attention back to the computer, Mocha
began arranging the meeting between Absolem and the bounty hunter. He also
placed a message to the freelancer thief he’d mentioned. He would do his part
but the rest was up to the Falcon.

*   *   *   *   *

Even as Mocha typed out his message, somewhere on
the far side of the galaxy the mysterious blue-skinned and four-armed being
intercepted and modified the message. At the same time, his other set of hands
began the process of composing and sending out other communiqués. Once
completed, the enigmatic being sat back to watch the drama unfold.

Chapter 10

Stephanie had just finished her workout with
Kaitlyn and was both exhausted and refreshed; that strange and complex feeling
that washes over your body after a particularly intense workout.

Entering the locker room which was attached to the
Thomas family gymnasium, she began to strip down to take a shower when her
cybernetic implants warned her that she was being watched. They also alerted
her to their location. There were at least two cameras in the locker room and
one inside the actual shower. She casually draped her towel over the shower
camera and kept herself angled in such a way that the other two cameras
wouldn’t get a clear shot at her body. These were skills she’d developed over
the years to tease and tantalize her targets.

Minutes later when she exited the steam filled
shower wrapped in her towel, she suspected that Roger was watching her or at
least recording her. She went through the whole act of applying lotion,
conditioner and a half-dozen other routines which women do to stay beautiful.
All the while teasing the cameras but not openly showing anything. It was all
part of her mission. She learned long ago that she didn’t have to understand
why but to just do. Her orders had been explicit. Entice but not satisfy.

Seeing the blinking light on her SANDD - Scrambled
Alpha Numerical Decryption Device - she finished dressing quickly and left the
Thomas estate. Once she was airborne in her skimmer, she initiated the
auto-pilot and punched in her code which would unlock one half of the message,
before adding her thumbprint which was the other half of the lock. The SANDD
blinked twice more before displaying the decoded message.