Tanya watched the bounty hunter sat opposite her through narrowed eyes. The smoke filled diner was a bustle of activity and given she hadn't rested properly for over twenty-four hours, she found it increasingly hard to concentrate on the conversation.
Not that the current conversation was of much interest to her. Travis had spent the last thirty minutes slicing chunks off his steak and talking about his highly uneventful journey from the Tau systems. He was biding his time for something.
"So, babe," began Travis, still chewing noisily on his steak. Tanya sent him a disembowelling glare. "Uh, Tanya. How's life treating you? Shot anyone else in the jewels recently?" asked Travis with a cheeky, mocking grin that went from ear-to-ear. He knew that no weapons were allowed this close to the spaceport. Travis felt he had to at least equalise the balance of power the next time he spoke to the dangerous young woman, sat opposite him staring back coolly.
Tanya feigned a smile and tilted her head slightly to the left, then straightened it.
"I'm not here to make small talk, Travis," replied Tanya curtly. "You said you had information that could lead me which is why I didn't kill you the last time we met. If you have nothing for me, then you're wasting time." She took a sip from her drink and made to stand up.
"Wait, wait. Look, I have something for you. But, it comes at a price," he replied smoothly. Tanya didn't like his attitude, it meant Travis had something planned. She cursed when she realised she was unarmed again, although after the visit at the church she vowed to be a little more prepared next time.
"Tell me what you know, then I'll decide on the price." Tanya watched him carefully, then as his head was bowed for a moment she glanced left and right behind Travis surveying the other customers at the restaurant.
You're paranoid, girl. She told herself.
Travis finished his steak and burped loudly, then took his napkin and wiped his mouth. He shook his head.
"No way, babe. You can't kill me. You need the information I have. And I'm the only one who knows it. Therefore. I set the price, not you," said Travis, his eyes were gleaming.
Tanya wanted so much to take the fork by her hand and plunge it into his skull, but her expression remained neutral.
"Travis, don't assume for one minute you have a hold on me. If you don't tell me what I need to know, I'll make your death a long and painful one," she hissed, leaning forwards slightly as she spoke. To her dismay, Travis looked disinterested and idly picked at his teeth with his nails.
"Your threats don't mean a frack," he said staring straight at her. "Y'see, babe. I know you. I mean, I really know you. No-one else in Sirius knows you like I know you, especially since I read your datadisc. I know, that you know, that you will do anything to make things right. And whilst that's a commendable trait. It makes you weak. They tried to take all those emotions," Travis was turning his hands into a small ball as he spoke and twisted it around. "But they failed. Now look at you. A mess. A killer with a conscience," he snorted.
Tanya's hand closed around the fork, the movement was not a subtle one and Travis chuckled at the action.
"Uh-uh. Bad idea, honey. I came prepared. Right now, a high-powered rifle is aimed at the centre of your back. My man is perched on a building opposite to ours. I have a couple other guys in here too. Besides, you don't want to create a scene, do you? After all. You're dead!" he said maliciously.
She watched him, considering his words. The fork was gently lain upon the table again.
"So much for no tricks," she said softly. Travis laughed.
"Babe, I have an investment to protect. I'm sure you understand? So. You gonna play nice? Or do I have to get rough with you?"
Tanya knew which one he'd prefer, the thought of the bounty hunter anywhere near her made her convulse.
"What do you want from me, Travis?" she asked coldly.
"That's better," he said smiling. He took a sip from his drink. "I have a contract.."
"On you? Shame," interrupted Tanya.
"Funny. Not. Now shut up and listen, woman. I have a contract I've been hired for. A kill. But let's say I'm indisposed."
Tanya tried to think of the most horrific way of disposing him.
"I want you to do it for me," he said matter-of-factly. There was a pause.
"Who?"
"Good girl," said Travis. He reached under his jacket and Tanya tensed. He laughed again, then produced a small palmtop computer. He flicked a switch and a picture came up. Admiral Von Claussen was on the screen. Tanya's eyes widened.
"You can't be serious. Him?" she asked incredulously. Travis nodded slowly.
"Yep. The kill is worth a lot of money. If you do this, I'll give you twenty percent. It's a fair share I think," he said with smirk. "And then I tell you what you want to know."
Tanya felt cold. There was nothing she wanted to do right now except make Travis suffer. However, the bounty hunter was right. Why was he doing this? Back in the Tau systems, he seemed almost, sympathetic to her cause. The sudden change made her wary, but she had no choice but to play along.
"Where and when?" she asked.
"The best time would be as he undocks from Altona station. He's flying in an armoured transport instead of one of his capital ships, stupid old man. He clearly believes this peace crap, 'eh?"
"This peace 'crap', Travis. Is worth more than your life!" remarked Tanya angry now.
"Look. Don't get emotional. Just do the job, get back to me and we can part our ways, okay? His ship leaves Altona in two hours and his escort should be limited to a couple of Valkyries. The reward for this will set me up for life. Then you'll never see me again. I bet that's worth killing one old man for, 'eh babe?" he said smoothly.
Tanya nodded.
"Fine. I'll do it," the words ate at her soul. "But I won't forget this, Travis. Make sure you have everything ready for me the next time we meet, otherwise I'll just kill you and forget about whatever information you have. Am I clear?" Travis smiled.
"You bet. Clear as photon, baby."
She got up and to Travis' surprise, instead of leaving the diner, walked over to two men sat by the bar and before anyone could react, knocked a drink over causing it to spill on their laps. Using one hand she struck a match and smiled as they both looked on in horror, then dropped the match and watched a gout of flame burst from their loins. The men ran screaming into the restroom causing all the diners to watch them in alarm. She quickly strode back to Travis who snatched his drink away from her.
"Thanks for telling me you had men in here. And the guy with the high-powered rifle? Did he possess a ring like this?" Tanya dropped a silver ring with embossed runes onto the table. There was a splash of blood on it. "Idiot. Don't ever under-estimate me, Travis. You're not good enough. I'll do the job and be back on Hamburg in four hours. Be here." Tanya blew him a contemptuous kiss and strode out.
Travis watched her leave and replaced his drink on the table with trembling hands. He swallowed and almost jumped when his ear comm crackled into life.
"At least she took the bait, Carter," said a heavily-accented voice. "With the Admiral dead, there will be no peace between Kusari and Rheinland. There will be war again. And as we know. War, is money."
"Whatever," replied Travis sub-vocalising. "When the Admiral dies, my debt is paid in full, right?" A pause.
"Perhaps. It depends on how public the death is."
"Outside a space station? It can't get more public than that!" said Travis. He hated being on a leash.
"You owe the Blood Dragons ten million credits. It grows by ten thousand credits each day. I hope this woman does the job well and your assurances of her ability are about as much use as your credit rating at the moment." Travis cringed.
"She will. She's the best I know."
"You realise she must die when the mission is complete?"
"Yeah. I know. I ain't doin' that though."
"Did I mention your debt is now fifteen million credits, Carter? My apologies. I forgot."
"Wait wait, dammit. Okay! I was just kidding. I'll do it," Travis looked angry.
"Good. Do the job. Kill her. Bring some evidence. Then we can consider everything, neutral. Good bye, bounty hunter." The voice signed off before he could reply.
Travis sat in his booth watching the crowd go by. The two men walked out of the restroom and looked at him waiting for orders but he dismissed them with a wave of his hand.
"She deserves better, bud. You are scum, Travis," he sighed to himself and lit a cigarette. "You really are scum."
An hour went by and a waiter walked over to him, a stack of coffee cups had built up on his table. With the exception of the waiting staff, he was the only person left in the diner.
"Sir? We are closing soon. Can I get your bill?"
Travis, lost in thought, looked up at the waiter.
"Huh? The bill? Oh yeah." He fished around in his jacket and produced a cred stick, which he handed to the waiter. He ran it through a portable charger which subsequently returned an angry beep.
"Sorry, sir. You have no credits," said the waiter coolly. Travis looked up annoyed.
"Okay, okay. Here. Take this," and dropped a silver ring into the waiter's surprised hand. Travis stood up and ran out before the waiter could say anything else.
It was raining outside, Travis pulled up the collar of his jacket and looked up at the spaceport, far above him.
"Dammit, Tanya. You were right. I'm an idiot!"
The bounty hunter ran towards the lift.
(cont'd)
