19
Ebony felt so much better now that she had washed her hair and slept in her own bed. The Techno B&B certainly didn't get a 5 star rating in her book; she had gotten a soar throat from the cold and damp cellar, not to mention the company she had kept in form of mice and various crawling creatures. Good thing she wasn't a delicate person.
She applied one last layer of red, bright lipstick and looked at herself in the mirror. If she was going to win Jay over to their side, it couldn't hurt to look her best. Guys always seemed to like her looks - an attribute that had come in handy many times in the past.
Now she was ready to go back to the Technos; firstly to find out what had happened to Lex and Jack, but also to begin her work on Jay. She misted a little perfume on her wrists before getting up and grabbing her jacket. She set out on the streets alone and walked the long way to the Techno Headquarters. This time she headed straight for the main entrance. The two guards stading there gave her cross looks as she walked in without a word but with hammering heart, which she hid behind a look of haughty disdain.
Once she was inside she faltered; she didn't know where to go. She had only been in here once and it had been under stressing circumstances. She looked around and saw endless rows of identical doors and hallways. It would be very easy to get lost, she thought, but then decided that she had to start somewhere and took the first hallway to the right. She passed what seemed hundreds of doors in her search for someone who could lead her to Jay. Rounding a corner she almost ran into a Techno, who came from the other direction.
"Watch it!" she hissed automatically, stumbling back before turning to glare at the Techno. Then her eyes widened, "Oh my God - Cloe!"
"Ebony!" Cloe exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"
"Never mind that - are you okay?" Ebony said and looked Cloe up and down, "You seem okay."
"I'm fine," Cloe said and then lowered her voice to barely a whisper, "I did it, Ebony - I'm in. I'm spying on them."
Ebony nodded approvingly, "Good, good. Did you find out anything useful?"
"No, not yet. But I'm working on it," Cloe said and then looked around as to see if there was anyone listening.
"It's not safe to talk here," she said, "The walls have ears. Come on."
She led Ebony down the hallway and into her room.
"This is more safe," she said when she had closed the door securely behind them. Ebony looked around in room, impressed.
"You can say much about these creeps, but they do bring some level of comfort with electricity," Ebony said and then peeked into the bathroom, " - and running water."
"I know, they're not all bad," Cloe agreed and thought of the long warm baths she took every morning, "Except for the kidnapping and all."
"Speaking of," Ebony said and turned back to Cloe, "Lex and Jack went looking for the others, but never returned and now they're missing. Have you seen them around here?"
Cloe sunk down onto her bed with a dark expression, "No, I'm sorry. I haven't seen them." Then her face brightened up suddenly, "But guess who's here - you'll never believe it!"
Ebony's heart started to race, "What? Who?" She prayed it was Bray.
"K.C! He's really here. And Patsy! She didn't die!"
Ebony's heart sunk all the way down to the pit of her stomach. Sure she was glad to hear that K.C and Patsy were okay, but she had hoped to hear something from Bray - anything that indicated that he was alive.
"That's great," she managed to say and make it sound like she was thrilled, "Are they kept hostages?"
"No, they've joined the Technoes like me," Cloe said and made air quotes when saying the words 'joined the Technoes' to indicate that they were still very much Mallrats. She grinned at Ebony.
"Well, I guess the more the merrier," Ebony said and smiled back, "Just be careful."
"We will. But what about you?"
"I'm looking for Jay - have you seen him?"
"Yeah I saw him about an hour ago - down in the workout room," Cloe said, "I think he's still down there. Do you want me to take you there?"
"Yeah, that would be great, actually."
"Follow me."
Cloe led Ebony down the hallway and further downstairs to the gym. Right outside the door, before they entered, Ebony stopped Cloe, "I have to speak to him alone," she said, looking at Cloe, "And it's probably not a good idea for him to see us together. He needs to think you've abandoned your old tribe."
Cloe nodded, "Yeah you're probably right. The gym's right through here - I'll just go back."
Ebony nodded and then surprised Cloe by putting a hand on her shoulder, "Take care of yourself, Clo."
"You too, Ebony." And then she turned around and dissappeared back up the stairs. Ebony turned back to the door and took a deep breath before she turned the handle and pushed the door open a crack. She peeked in and saw Jay by the weight trainer. He was laying on it and lifting a barbell up and down. Ebony slid in unnoticed and looked around the gym. No one else was there, so they were all alone – perfect!
She walked over to him and leaned against a concrete pillar, arms crossed and a wry smile on her face. He was wearing only sweats and nothing else, she noticed with great pleasure. She had to admit - it wasn't the most awful thing she had laid eyes apon today.
"Very nice," she said and watched with satisfaction as Jay jumped slightly at the sudden noice and then put the barbell back in its holders. He sat up and looked at her in surprise, "Ebony."
"Please don't stop on my account," Ebony said and flashed him her most flirtatious smile.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?" Jay asked and grabbed a towel which he used to dry off sweat from his face and neck.
"Just a friendly visit," Ebony said casually.
Jay laughed sceptically, "Why do I doubt that?" he said and grinned at her. He got off the trainer and grabbed a bottle of water. He screwed off the lid and took a huge swallow.
"Okay you got me," Ebony said, "I'm here on official matters as well."
"I thought so," Jay said and smiled, "What can I do for you?"
"Well I thought that you might have some answers."
"To...?"
"To where someone might be."
"Your friends?"
"Not exactly. Just some people I know."
Jay nodded and put on a t-shirt (much to Ebony's regret).
"Let me just take a shower - then I'll see if I can answer your questions. Meet me outside the main entrance in half an hour. We'll go somewhere... less crowded."
"Perfect," Ebony said and smiled at him. Then she turned around and walked out of the gym and upstairs, while Jay hit the showers.
Once outside Ebony started to wait for Jay to appear. She was leaning her back against a tree, arms crossed as she glowered at the two Technos guarding the doors. They did their outmost to mutely match her scowl, but no one could quite master a glare as well as Ebony.
Half an hour later, Jay had washed and put on his usual black Techno suit. He smiled at Ebony as he walked out of the main entrance, "You ready?"
"Absolutely," Ebony said and smiled back.
"Is there somewhere we can go and talk more privately?" Jay asked and glanced back at the guards.
"There's a bar downtown?" Ebony suggested and wondered briefly if it was too bald to ask Jay to go to a bar. But if she was lucky, she could get some drinks in him, then maybe he'd be more talkative and not so stiff.
Jay looked slightly uncomfortable, but agreed to go. They arrived 10 minutes later and walked into the not so crowded bar. The few people who were in there glanced disapprovingly at them, but dared not protest. Ebony knew that they weren't too happy about seeing a Techno there, but she sent them all a stern look, to keep them quiet. They reluctantly obeyed.
They found a small table in the corner and took seats. Ebony went to the bar to get two drinks, without asking Jay if he wanted one. She hoped he wound be too polite to decline. He seemed like a very polite person, considering...
"Isn't it a little early for drinking?" Jay asked her with a glint in the eye, when she came back with the drinks and sat back down.
"It's never too early for a drink," Ebony said cheekily with a shrug of the shoulders, "Besides it's after noon."
She handed Jay one of the drinks and smiled. He took it reluctantly, but didn't decline, just as Ebony had hoped. No need to tell him that she had asked the bar tender to put slightly more alcohol in Jay's drink than her own.
"So, you had some questions for me," Jay said and took a tiny sip of his drink.
"Yes," Ebony said, "It's about some of my people. They've gone missing."
"And you want to know if we had something to do with that," Jay said and looked at Ebony with somewhat penetrating eyes. She had to look away from his stare.
"Well you did take a lot of the city's population," Ebony stated, forcing herself to look back up at Jay through her lashes, "It's not a totally unreasonable accusation."
Jay didn't answer right away, but took another sip of his drink and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He looked like he was thinking about something for a while. His expression was rather dark, Ebony noticed. She too took a sip of her own drink and let the man think.
"What are the names of these persons?" Jay asked after some time.
"Their names are Jack and Lex. The first one is kinda geeky with red hair. The other looks like an idiot," Ebony said and Jay laughed.
"He has black hair and is wearing a constant smirk," Ebony then said.
Jay had a frown on his forehead, "Doesn't sound like someone I've seen. But maybe they got...picked up...by some of my men. I can check the database when I get back."
"That would be great," Ebony said and smiled.
Jay looked around in the bar, "This is quite an impressive place. This city is doing great compared to some of the other cities we've been to."
"They must have an extremely talented city leader," Ebony said and flashed him a cheeky smile. Jay laughed a little and agreed, "They must indeed."
"Have you've been to many other cities?" Ebony then asked as casually as she could.
"A few," came the short reply and Ebony knew she would have to take tiny steps when working with Jay. He wasn't an idiot.
"Seriously though, you've done a great job as a city leader," he then said, "There's been very little resistance to the program."
"I said I'd cooperate, didn't I?"
"You did. I'm very...greatful."
Ebony flashed him her best smile and raised her glass, "My pleasure."
They touched glasses and took sips.
"So, are you allowed to tell me more about this program of yours?" Ebony asked. Jay hesitated slightly while examening Ebony. She knew he was debating whether to trust her or not.
"It's okay if you can't," she said, innocently, "I mean, I understand you have certain orders from Ram - I was just curious."
She glanced at him and knew she had hit a nerve, because his lips went into a straight line and his eyes went dark.
"It doesn't work like that," he said through slightly clenched teeth, "I'm not Ram's puppet."
"Of course not!" Ebony said quickly, "That's not what I meant. I know you have your own free will."
Jay's face softened a bit and he took another sip of his drink - this one a little bigger than the others.
"I know Ram's the founder of the Technos, but I didn't join to answer to Ram's every demand. I joined because I saw a good cause and thought I could make a difference in this world. We have the means to radically improve the lives of the people. Built schools for the kids, hospitals for the sick, reinstall electricity and running water..."
By now Ebony just sat quietly and let him talk.
"…But those things need hard work. It doesn't come by itself," he continued, passion clear in his voice, "We need people to do labour work. We need engineers and architects, doctors and teachers. We look for those in every new city we visit. We have to built this world from anew."
Ebony was now spellbound by his speech. He was right, of course, the world needed all of those things. She just wasn't sure she agreed with the approach of things; the kidnapping of people and the splitting of tribes and families.
"But wouldn't it be better to just ask people?" Ebony asked, "Instead of kidnapping them and forcing them to do things they don't want to."
Out of the corner of her eye Ebony noticed a familiar red jacket. She glanced to the far corner of the bar and saw Slade take a seat. Their eyes met for a split second.
"I know some of Ram's methodes can be...controversiel," Jay said, pulling her back from her distraction, "But when you look at the bigger picture, I guess sometimes they are necessary." He didn't sound all that convinced himself.
"But there have to be better ways to do this," Ebony pressed on, looking intensely at Jay, "Without the force and the seperations of families."
"We need people in the mines to generate power," Jay said, "Without that, there's no electricity. If we don't force these things, we would never evolve as a human race. Is that what you want?"
"Of course not. I just think there's gotta be a better way. If we stick our heads together, I know we can think of something," Ebony said and then suddenly put her hand over Jays on the table,"Please Jay, we need you on our side." She took a huge risk here and she knew it.
Jay looked down at their hands, but apparently decided that it was no harm, because he didn't move it out from underneath Ebony's. Because of this she now shifted tactics.
"But this town needs hospitals and schools," he said, not moving his eyes from Ebony's hand, so warm and soft on his.
"If we can remove Ram, you can take over the whole Techno show. Then you can get your hospitals and schools without Ram deciding the speed and without his nonsense."
Jay glanced at Ebony through his eyelashes, giving him a look of dangerous darkness. His voice was cool and ominous, "You're treading on dangerous grounds. I could have you removed for saying that."
He slit his hand out from under Ebony's and looked away. Ebony knew she'd pushed him far enough for one day and decided it was better to stop here and work on him another day.
"Just think about what I've said," she said calmly.
Jay then suddenly got up, "I've got to go," he muttered curtly and glanced quickly down at Ebony, "I'll see if I can look up your people on my computer." And with that he left without another word.
Ebony sat back and thought their whole conversation through. All in all she thought it had went well. Talking with Jay today had confirmed the suspicion she'd had about a hesitation in him. She knew he doubted some things about his role in the Technos. She just needed to dig them out a little and then Jay's conscience and sense of justice would do the rest.
"Well that was interesting," someone next to her suddenly said. Ebony looked up and saw that Slade had taken Jay's seat. She had been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she hadn't head him approaching.
"What?" she asked.
"To see the way you work," Slade replied. His face was uncharacteristically gloom and without it's normal smiling eyes.
"And what was so interesting about that?" Ebony said, intentionally bringing some coldness to her own voice.
"Just the intensity of your methodes," Slade said and leaned closer to Ebony, "And the flirting."
"But you knew about all that - we already discussed my methodes," Ebony said, feeling confused about his behavior.
"Yeah well, I guess I wasn't prepared at how it's affecting me," Slade said and leaned back in his chair, watching Ebony with eyes that glinted with some unknown emotion.
"Well then may I suggest; next time - don't watch," Ebony shot back. This was ridiculous! Why he had suddenly developed some kind of guilty conscience or empathy towards Jay was a complete mystery to her. He'd known about her plan for a long time. And it wasn't like she had done anything completely indecent - it was just innocent flirting.
"What was it I did that was so awful?" she then asked, wondering silently why she cared so much.
"It was the holding hands - and the looking deep into each others eyes," Slade said and looked like someone who wondered why it was so difficult for her to figure out, "I didn't like that one bit."
He stared at her with a meaningful glance and suddenly it all downed on her. She didn't know why she hadn't seen it before. It was all very clear now.
He fancied her.
Ebony sat for a while, just letting it sink in. It all made sense now. Sure she had noticed his cheeky charm and the mild flirtation from his side, but she'd just thought that that was just how he was - a part of his charming persona. She hadn't thought it was all for her benefit.
Now for the first time ever, Ebony was speechless. She had no idea how to respond. And it frustrated her. This was certainly not the first time that some guy fancied her. She'd had guys falling head over heels for her since before the virus. But there was something different this time. Slade was different.
"Well that's too bad," Ebony managed to say at last, though it was not as cool-sounding as she wanted it to.
"I guess it is," Slade said, still looking at her with a penetrating stare. He then got up and for the second time that afternoon, Ebony was left alone in a bar.
