Decay

Chapter #1: A part of my day.

"Listen mister, ah, Zim," said the man, "I don't think even you have the capacity nor the tools to do what our potential employer needs done when he needs it done. I think you should step down and let me and my men handle it."

"With all due respect, sir," I said, "I don't get paid to let you do my work. I'm applying for the job, and you will have lost the contract to me. Again."

His round face became livid, he was so angry that I thought he had burst a vein in his thick head. "You listen here, runt! My men and I will get this contract, or you'll suffer it for it."

"Ooh, real scary, 'pal." I chuckled, waving my gloved hands in mock fear. "Sorry, but I need the credits, and you need to get lost."

"When I'm through with you I'm gonna'-" He was interrupted by the secretary who stepped into the room to say;

"Mister Zim, Mr. Reynolds will see you now."

I stood to my feet with a curt nod, "Later, dirtbag. Thank you," I took a moment to look at the secretary's name tag, my eyes barely shifting from her face, "Mary."

She nodded and I passed into the door. Instantly it was shut behind me with a click and I was left in darkness for a few minutes before a faint light was activated across the room. "I apologize for the dark conditions, Mr. Zim, but this is the way it has been for a long time, and so it shall remain. Unless you complete your job, then maybe everything shall change, yes..." He spoke in whispery and raspy tones, and the way he spoke he sounded quite off, as if he were distracted, perhaps not even talking to me directly. "As for your job..."

A folder full of documents slid across what, in the darkness, I assumed was a desk. I picked it up and took a quick moment to peruse it, using a small light from my paK that went unnoticed. The man continued speaking, "As you can see, it is not the kind of operation as is your standard."

He was right, I was to infiltrate a seemingly abandoned facility. "Can't you just send some corporate goons to handle it?"

"Turn the page, Zim, look deeper."

I did as he said, and found where the challenge lie. The real job was to breach an underground compound and steal some high-value data and artifacts. "I trust you have the security information in this."

A dry chuckle emitted from Reynolds. "Yes, yes! All the information you could want, and more! Security layouts, checkpoints, patrol routes, passcodes, the whole deal!" He coughed from the exertions he made in his speech, obviously he was a weak man, or perhaps just old..

"Yes, well, and the compensation is satisfactory, as I see. I'll do it, as long as you're true to your word. Good day, Mister Reynolds."

"One more thing, Zim, if any of it comes back damaged, you'll suffer greatly for it."

With that ominous note from my employer, I left the room and smirked to my competetor. "Looks like I've got the job. Tough luck."

At this the man snapped his head up, stood, and shook his fist angrily at me. He started to yell, but I was out before I could hear any of it. This would prove to be an interesting operation.

Very interesting.