The Nightshade Affair
"I will admit that certain elements within the military's higher reaches did commit acts that will in future generations be judged as reprehensible. But I can only say in response that we did what was required to ensure the safety of the Lylatian people and the technological primacy of it's armed forces.
All other concerns were secondary."
Mielkhan Stravius- former High commander of Lylatian Military Affairs."
The sky has seen fit to burn a bright and searing shade of orange today, and I am reminded that fall is only just around the corner, and that soon the thigh length black skirt, dark red shirt and sneakers I am wearing will have to be exchanged for something heavier- we salukis don't have much in the way of fur.
That was hours ago however, and it's still warm enough that I can enjoy the evening breeze and allow myself to relax. I can't afford to look suspicious. The hyena I've been tailing for the last hour and a half, passed me about fifteen minutes ago at a brisk trot, heading for his house. It's a quaint, almost shabby little thing and I've come to know it quite well-I know the basic room layout, entrances and exits, as well as the security code for the residence. I know because it's my job.
The house seems out of place by lylatian standards especially when one considers the seven figure incomes of most individuals who live in this block of the city. The outer walls are of hand placed brick and stone inlay, windows are rounded glass, the wooden door is weathered in a pleasant sort of way,-there's actually a chimney as well.
The chimney is what I'm focoused on now, and the closer I get to it, the closer I get to the entrance of the house and to my quarry. The guy's young, maybe early to mid twenties, carrying a briefcase and wearing a slightly worn suit. Somewhat quiet. Doesn't party or club very much, something of an older soul trapped in a young ones body.
Looking at him now as I approach, I see that he's sitting on the steps, a cell phone gripped in his hand. Papers are strewn in the entranceway, and there are brown skidmarks on the flagstones from where furniture legs scraped against the ground.
"Excuse me sir…are you alright?"
He doesn't look at me for a moment.
"I need a phone."
"I'm sorry, mine's dead at the moment…what happened…?"
I let my voice trail off, trying not to feel guilty about how I've just lied to this guy, whose probably no older than I am.
"Some people must have coded the lock and just….raided my house…I…"
He trailed off, and I sat down next to him remaining quiet for a few moments. Then.
"Dr Hermastine…I'm afraid that I may have something to do with that."
His stare is blank, and so I decide to continue before his mind releases the clutch and anger kicks in. The last thing I need is violence, but I'm prepared for it.
"Doctor Julious Hermastine, I have been sent by a branch of Lylatian intelligence to collect you in order to assist with the psychological evaluation of an individual who might possess knowledge which would allow our fleets to blaze a path to Andross's front door. The war could be over by next year. But we need your help."
And then…
"You really think I'm going to believe you? Here's what I think: I think you're some drug snorting just out of college spy school reject whose just smart enough to get some friends under her sway, hack the lock and invade my home. And to keep me from calling the police you invent some jack leg story about the war to pick on my patriotic sensibilities. Not gonna happen. Now you've got five minutes to call your shitfaced buddies, return my stuff, or I swear I will have the cops all over your ass."
Part of me wants to slap him. But instead, I just decide to resort to the old governmental standby-fear.
"You know…I was the one who recommended that we approach you in a different manner. I'm a bit of an old soul in my profession I guess…civility is a dying instinct amongst the military, especially during a conflict such as this. Ordinarily they would have sent a SWAT team into your house in the dead of night, thrown a bag over your head and marched you out of the house at gunpoint. "
I removed a small necklace from around my neck and flashed the pendant on the end briefly. His eyes narrowed in confusion.
"That's what we are. That's what I am. I don't want to have to hurt you, or show you what lengths I'll go to to ensure the safety of this planet…but I will if I have to. The government will pay you very well for your services and you are going where your things are. All of your assets will be handled by our finance teams and your house will be under military protection to ensure that no 'drug snorting spy school rejects' like myself steal your wallpaper."
As if on qeue a black unmarked SUV pulled into the driveway, xenon headlamps ablaze, the microfusion engine beneath the hood whining insistently. The driver got out, a powerfully built grey wolf in business attire wearing a pair of black driving gloves.
"Trust me doctor, she's the real deal, I wouldn't be working with her if she wasn't. Now please get in, we need you at the spaceport in three hours."
The hyena sighed and got to his feet, picking up the briefcase as he did so. I followed him to the car and we both got in, buckling up as we slid out of the drive. I turned to him.
"How much do you know about mercenaries or say telepathy?"
He gave me another blank look.
" Consider this your lucky day."