Chapter 1

Simmons and his team were greeted by their leader's second in command as they parked their vehicles in the compound's garage.

"Mr. Simmons our most exalted leader would like to see you. He has a new assignment for you and your team." The man said and then quickly exited the way he came.

Simmons made his way to the office of their leader after he told his team to unload and standby. He was quite nervous after having failed to capture the girl and idly wondered what would be in store for him and his team. Simmons hesitantly knocked on the door.

A gruff voice said "Enter" from the other side and Simmons swallowed his fear.

"Sir." Simmons said as he stood in front of their leader.

"I heard the girl escaped." The man standing near the window with his hands behind his back said.

"Yes sir. She threw herself from the plateau and is most likely heading into the city." Simmons informed.

"She is just as foolhardy as her sister. I should have broken them ages ago." The leader replied.

"My men are ready to continue our pursuit." Simmons added.

"No" The man ordered. "You and your team will draw too much attention by actively pursuing her in the city. I've already contacted the underground and a mercenary will be send to deal with her."

"A mercenary sir. They are hardly trustworthy." Simmons argued.

"And you and your team pursuing her will draw too much attention to us and our way of life." The leader huffed out. "It's better to have an outside source deal with the problem. I have another mission for you."

"Whatever you wish for sir." Simmons replied.

His boss turned and faced him. "I want no witnesses left. Nothing that will lead to us. Do whatever it takes Simmons and don't disappoint me."

"Of course sir." Simmons responded. "May the Dragontime prosper." He said and then exited the room.

Meanwhile elsewhere…

? POV

I raced down the road in the dead of night towards Sector Security headquarters. The parking lot was empty when I got there. After parking my black sedan I step out and open the trunk. In it lay a bound and squirming man.

"Well this is our stop." I told the man as I hauled him out of my trunk.

"Please wait!" The man shouted as I led him towards the entrance. "We can talk this out."

"Nothing to talk about." I grumble and push him along.

"I can offer you more that what you would get for my bounty!" The man pleaded this time.

"I might be a mercenary, but I don't double-cross my employers." I tell the pleading man as I push him into the lobby and towards the guards on duty.

"Hey boys!" I yell towards the guards who were watching with interest. "Look who I found."

Security officers came and took the man away as he began kicking and screaming. One of the officers who I recognized as a sergeant walked towards me.

"I never expected to see him caught so fast. We only put the bounty up three days ago." The sergeant said and handed me the credits for his capture.

After verifying the amount I turn back towards the sergeant. "What can I say. Tracking people is what I do best."

"Well if you ever want to give up the life of a mercenary, we could sure use someone like you here." The sergeant added to which I just laughed.

"As enticing as the offer is sergeant I'd have to decline. I hate bureaucracy and I might end up shooting someone." I answered and waved back at the man and the guards who were watching in interest.

It wasn't everyday that mercenaries strolled in and collected a bounty on a person on the city's most wanted list.

Sector Security already had their hands full policing the different sectors of the city, which consisted of the Elite area, where the CEO's of the world's major corporations, their families, and their employees resided. The Middle-class area, and the Slums. They hired mercenaries to take care of offenders who decide to flee town or who they cannot legally capture themselves.

Mercenaries such as I tend to work outside the law, completing jobs for various clients who could afford us.

I look towards the skyline. The lights of the company skyscrapers and their outlines were clearly visible. Shadows of nocturnal dragons could also be seen flying in the sky as the moon illuminated their silhouettes.

Humans and dragons have lived together in this world for as long as people could remember. We have also all lived under the iron thumb of the world's corporations. They control the economy and thus the world.

I slip into my car after taking one last look at the sky and notice a message flash on my phone which I had left to charge.

The message was simple. I had a new client who was requesting a meeting as soon as possible. I call the underground and they set up the meeting place and time for me. I thought to myself as I sped out of the parking lot. The client must be truly desperate to want to meet within the hour.

Within 45 minutes I reach the harbor where the meeting was supposed to take place. I had to wait no longer than 5 minutes before a black limo pulled up next to me.

A tall and muscular man in a suit stepped out holding a briefcase.

"Goodnight Mr…" The man said but I held up a hand to stop him.

"No names. Not mine nor yours or that of your employers." I tell him. The man blinks as he looks at me open mouthed and then he said. "Of course."

"Now what is so urgent?" I ask. The man opens the briefcase and hands me a manila envelope. I open it and see the picture of a young blonde woman.

"Your target." The man in the suit said. "She recently stole something of great importance from my employer. She is nothing but a greedy thief who would use the item in question as blackmail."

"So this is a track and retrieve mission." I murmur.

"My employer would be grateful if the item was returned as quickly as possible. He would be even more relieved if the thief was dealt with… permanently and quietly."

I replace the photo in the envelope and give the man a look. "My services aren't cheap." I tell him.

"Of course." The man replies and hands me a credit chip. "This is half of the amount. The other half when the job is done. The underground assured me you are one of the best trackers. I only ask that you do this as quietly as possible. My number is in the envelop. I will expect your call when you have finished the job."

I nod accepting the assignment and step back into my car.

As I drive away I see the man in my rearview mirror dial a number.

Meanwhile…

As the black sedan drove away the man in the suit was calling to inform his employer.

"Yes." Came the gruff voice from the speaker.

"The mercenary has taken the job." Was all the man said.

Their leader replied moments later. "Excellent, Simmons and his team have also been deployed. Return to the compound so that we may speak further."

"Yes Lord Drago. As you command." Was said over the phone. "May the Dragontime prosper."