Present Day...

The air was humid, yet thin, in the tavern on 14th street, Soleanna City. I took another drink, finishing the glass of bourbon. It had been three months since I emerged into this world. Actually, that's inaccurate. It wasn't another world, but another reality. One that was 5,000 years behind mine. 5,000 years of work, down the drain. But, I would adapt. I had been plying my trade as a daemon hunter, but since I had killed most of them, it wasn't paying very well.

So when the black hedgehog walked up to the bar, bought a bottle of scotch, and walked over with a pair of glasses, I knew I had a job. He sat down, poured himself a glass, and offered the other to me. I looked at him briefly before grabbing the bottle, and taking a long pull. He shrugged, and drank his own scotch. For a moment, we were silent, sizing each other up. I briefly considered drawing my P99, just in case. I decided against it. He was, after all, the world's Ultimate Lifeform. Taking him on seemed a little risky, since I knew nothing of his true power. Regardless,I kept my hand on my right leg, next to my holster.

"So, you're that guy who supposedly killed all those daemons, huh?"

"Depends. Who's askin'?"

"I'm here on behalf of a young lady, a little younger than you, who is in need of your services."

I decided not to comment on his remark about my age. Even though he was about 50 years, chronologically, 16 biologically, and thus could understand somewhat, he had no idea. Sure, I looked about 22 years old, but it was when I was 17 that everything changed.

"You know, I am the best. That means I don't come cheap."

"How much?"

"Are you sure she can afford me?"

He leaned forward. "How much?"

"$5,000 a day, plus expenses." Soleanna was about 9 kilometers off shore from Canada. It could be seen clearly from Vancouver Island. As such, the two currencies, the dollar and the ring, could be used interchangeably. I preferred dollars, since it was more liquid, and harder to trace.

"No problem."

"I also charge a down payment of $50,000." Ammunition was expensive.

"You serious?"

"Like I said, I don't come cheap."

He pulled a case I had not seen from under the table. I put my hand on my gun, ready to draw. He opened the case, and took out five stacks of hundred dollar bills. The bindings in each said $10,000. I let my hand drop. "Is this satisfactory?" I checked the bills, making sure it was all there. "It will do."

"Let's get the business out of the way. All financial transactions will occur through you. Even though I must meet the client, she cannot pay in person. Makes it harder to pin me."
"What for?"
"You wouldn't wanna know. Also, my work will not be interfered with at any point. I must be uninterrupted to ensure a successful study of the daemon in question. I also require lodgings near the client, so that I can be there quickly if she is attacked."

"Is that all?"
"For now. More may come up, but I will inform you of anything as it becomes relevant."

"Good. I have already arranged for you to meet the client at the palace tomorrow at 3:00 PM. Wear something nice, if you have it." His gaze swept over my clothes. I was wearing a jumpsuit made of a synthetic armorweave fabric, lined with 1/4 inch thick steel plates, padded with kevlar. The hood, also lined with kevlar, and the cowl, were both down. I adjusted my sunglasses.

"I show up wearing what I show up wearing. Deal with it."

"Fine, but be there on time." He finished his drink, grabbed the case, stood up, and left. I watched him go, grabbed the bottle, drained it, picked up the money, and walked out. The bartender cleared his throat. He was pointing at the booth next to mine. The table was broken, and the seats were burned. I handed him $2,500. He cleared his throat again. He held up my bar tab. I gave him another $500. He nodded. I left, heading to the small apartment I used to stash my gear between jobs. I checked my watch. 8:00 PM. I had some work to do tonight. Wherever the black hedgehog was, the blue one wouldn't be far behind.