Everybody Wants to Rule the World

"Okay, OLAF, show me the power flow now," Elsa blew the smoke off her soldering iron, set it down, dusted her hands, and stood up to examine her work.

The signal transceiver was sitting before her with various electronic parts and mechanical components neatly arranged on her workstation. It had taken the better part of the month to work on, but with OLAF's help, she had managed to make the necessary modifications to allow the hardware to accept a much more powerful energy source. The schematics they had acquired for the satellite launch facility at Janus Station showed them exactly where to plug it in, which was a large broadcast tower that would enable the signal transceiver to transmit across the universal net.

All told, their plan was coming together swimmingly, thanks to both Elsa's and Anna's nonstop commitment to their mission.

Rather than dwell over the fact that Rufus was now dead and Lizzie was taken by the Verenkovs, Elsa had thrown herself completely into her work, hardly leaving the safehouse which had all the facilities she needed. She wouldn't let anyone else get hurt on her account. She would get Lizzie back, open the tunnel through the net, activate the signal transceiver, then lead the androids into the promised land beyond the physical realm.

"Running simulation," OLAF said as he showed how electrical power would flow through the modified signal transceiver.

Blue holographic lines ran through the circuitry, passing through relays and repeaters, circling around diodes and transistors. Where the lines became red, it indicated areas of severed or reduced power flow, which would need to be addressed.

Elsa took a sip from her coffee and frowned. "Hmm," she looked at her holo-display to cross-reference what she was seeing with the notes and diagrams she had made. "It looks like some of the hardware components aren't playing nice with each other. I'll have to swap them out," she went over to a nearby box of parts, fished out the things she needed, then returned.

For the next few minutes, she worked intently to correct the technical issues, her brows furrowed and her tongue sticking out the corner of her mouth. Things were switched out and things were switched in. Occasionally, she would get up to retrieve a new tool or a new component, assisted by OLAF every now and again who dutifully hovered around Elsa.

"Okay, give me some light here," Elsa said to OLAF, screwing in a new piece in a hard-to-reach spot. "Right there, hold it. Thank you."

As soon as she had it installed, her omni-pad lit up with an incoming call from Anna, so she picked up right away.

"Hi, honey," Elsa smiled and saw that Anna appeared to be walking on a street. "Where are you right now?"

"Heading to the apartment," Anna replied. "Listen, Mulan got back to me. The meeting is on."

"Really?" Elsa stood up. "I wasn't expecting it to happen so quickly."

"She is the best at what she does."

"Where is it? And when?"

"Purgatory. Tonight."

"Purgatory?" Elsa frowned.

"It's a dumpy little dive bar down in the Delle," Anna replied. "Popular hangout for mercs, fixers, and the like. Used to be a morgue, which I guess is why they call it purgatory."

"Sounds like you've been there before," Elsa said.

"Once or twice. They make a pretty good whiskey sour."

Elsa tilted her head and squinted at Anna.

"I'm kidding, you nut," Anna laughed and turned her head to the side to cough into her elbow. "No, I've never been there, but Mulan has told me about it. Look, I'm picking up our gear from the apartment and I'll send you the location. Meet you there?"

"Our gear? All of it?" Elsa asked.

"Well, what's the old saying? Better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it. I guarantee Alyosha will come strapped, so we need to be wearing iron as well."

"Okay. I'll finish up here with OLAF and see you then."

"Okey-doke," Anna blew a kiss and waved. "Mwah. Love you."

"Love you too," Elsa smiled and waved, then ended the call.

… … …

Later that evening, after finishing up her work with OLAF, Elsa drove over to Merigold Heights where the Delle was situated. She exited the freeway and passed through the Carbon Quarter before arriving at purgatory.

True to Anna's word, purgatory was a dumpy little dive bar that was built underground and sandwiched between a few housing complexes. Gathered outside were all sorts of shady characters, armed to the teeth as they smoked, drank, or lounged about. The air was thick with the scent of cigarettes, cheap liquor, diesel fumes, and dried blood.

Standing off to the side in the parking lot, leaning against her motorcycle and casually bobbing her head to the heavy club beats was Anna. She seemed to be completely at ease, likely because this was one of the few parts of Arcadia that were anything like New York. When she spotted Elsa, she waved and pointed to the empty parking spot next to hers.

Elsa pulled in and got out of her car, looking around. "It is dumpy, you were right."

Anna laughed as she walked over. "I know, right," she gave Elsa a quick kiss. "Watch where you step. EMTs were here not long ago, scraping some guy off the pavement. Bar fights, you know how they are," she gestured towards her motorcycle.

"Are you ready?" Elsa asked as she walked alongside Anna.

Anna nodded, then picked up Elsa's katana and handed it to her. "I am. Here's yours. You got your sidearm?"

Elsa patted her back where she kept her gun in the waistband of her pants. "I do," she took her katana and strapped it to her hip, the same way that Anna wore hers. "Come on, let's get inside and get this over with."

"Wait, just hang on a second," Anna stopped in front of Elsa. "There's a problem with your face."

Elsa frowned. "What's wrong with my face?"

"Nothing, your face is perfect and I love your face. You just don't look like a mercenary."

"I'm not a mercenary, that's you."

"Exactly! I look the part because I look mean," Anna pointed to the scars on her face with her metal hand. "You look too nice, too friendly and approachable. If we want to intimidate this guy, you need to be mean muggin' him. Now show me your mean mug."

Elsa sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Your energy is there, but your attitude isn't," Anna started touching around Elsa's face. "Come on now, put on your game face. Grr," she demonstrated her own death stare.

Elsa shut her eyes, sighed again, and then nodded. "Okay, how's this?" she narrowed her brows and tensed her jaw, trying to appear formidable.

"Meaner," Anna stood back and crossed her arms.

Elsa scowled, now slightly irritated.

"Meaner!"

Elsa hardened her expression even further and glared at Anna, now annoyed.

"There! That's perfect," Anna chuckled. "Just hold that expression. Now you look like a badass who doesn't play around."

"Really?" Elsa's face lit up with glee.

"God, you're adorable."

"Aw, Anna, I think you're adorable too."

"Remember, mean mug. Also, try to sprinkle in a few cuss words here and there."

"Right, of course," Elsa resumed her expression. "Fucking shitty, shitfucking bastard, son of a whore bitch. Ass titty dick fart."

In truth, she felt strange swearing so casually, given that the only time she ever did use dirty language was whenever she was having sex with Anna or on other rare occasions. It wasn't something she habitually did, which made the instances when she did swear all the more interesting. That being said, she wasn't quite sure how to apply it to everyday conversation, so she just assumed that more was better.

Anna shook her head in disbelief, trying to look concerned when she was actually beaming with pride. "I may have overdone this. Whatever," she gestured towards the entrance to the bar. "We're ready to do this thing now."

They skipped the lineup outside and went straight up to the bouncer, who regarded them with a dirty look. In turn, Elsa and Anna gave him an equally dirty look.

"Back of the line is that way," the bouncer said, pointing with his thumb. "No skipping. I don't care how hot you ladies are."

We're hot? Elsa asked herself, trying to maintain her mean expression. Nobody else has ever called me hot except for Anna.

"Can it. Alyosha is expecting us," Anna said. "You gonna let us through or what?"

The bouncer's eyes widened. "Oh, shit, you're that merc who's been making waves, working for M," he looked at Elsa. "Heard stories about you. I didn't even think-"

"Keep my name out of your mouth," Elsa cut him off. "And step aside, ass... face," she took a second to think of that one.

Anna glanced at Elsa, then turned her attention back to the bouncer as she nodded. "Mmhmm. Face just like an ass. You heard the woman."

"Sorry, my mistake," the bouncer dipped his head apologetically and averted his gaze. "Head on through, ladies" he opened the door.

Anna brushed past him and as Elsa walked through, she had to resist the urge to thank him as well as apologize for her uncharacteristic behavior. Once they went past the entrance, they descended a few flights of stairs.

"Assface?" Anna asked, laughing. "Did you come up with that on the spot?"

"As a matter of fact, I did," Elsa replied. "I feel bad. He was just doing his job."

"Oh, he'll be fine. Bouncers hear worse than that all the time."

"I don't like being mean."

"Okay," Anna squeezed Elsa's arm reassuringly. "Leave the mean stuff and the swearing to me. You just flash that bad look if Alyosha gives us any trouble."

Once they reached the bottom of the stairwell, the club music became even louder, enough to the point that they could no longer converse without raising their voices. The beat was grinding and metallic, dark and industrial, primal and raw. They went through a packed hallway filled with a few passed-out club patrons, then proceeded beyond through a set of double doors, entering the main area of the club.

Purgatory lived up to its name as a place filled with impure souls seeking greater salvation. It had been built inside what used to be a morgue, reflected in its crisp, white floor tiles, soft neon lighting, and chilled body storage units that were repurposed to keep alcoholic drinks at the perfect temperature. There were exotic dancers bending and grooving on top of examination tables, retrofitted with vertical poles for additional flair to their routines. There were large, cylindrical, suspended animation tanks, filled with water and occupied by aquatic dancers hooked up to rebreathers.

Mercenaries, fixers, gangers, and all sorts of sinners looking to make a name for themselves or line their pockets with credits lounged about in booths or along the bar. Every single one of them was armed, flashing their iron in their holsters or flexing the cyberware in their bodies. The lights were flashing, the music was pounding, and the people were dancing, drinking, and smoking.

The only other time that Elsa had ever been in a place like this was in New York's red-light district, altogether a different beast of noise and movement.

Anna noticed Elsa's unease, so she leaned into her ear. "You okay?" she asked loudly.

"Fine," Elsa replied. "Where do we find Alyosha?"

Anna pointed to the bar. "Bartender will know. Let's ask him."

They both made for the bar, pulling up and sitting down at two empty stools. The bartender in question was a man wearing a Hawaiian shirt whose cybernetic hands were a complete blur as he mixed drinks for the patrons. Anna waved to him and he acknowledged her with a nod, finishing up his round before heading over.

"Ladies," the bartender smiled. "Here for business or pleasure?"

"Biz," Anna replied. "Looking for Alyosha. He's expecting us."

"Yeah, he's over there," the bartender nodded and pointed over to the VIP booth across the club. "In another meeting right now, but he'll be done in a few."

Anna and Elsa looked over to where he was pointing and found Alyosha, sitting with a few other patrons who were all talking loudly and laughing. Instead of a tracksuit like the last time they had seen him, he was dressed in an elegant vest with a red dress shirt underneath. He wore a holster on his shoulders which held two gold-plated pistols under each of his arms.

"Get you anything before your meeting? Some social lubricant?" the bartender asked. "The house special is the Billy Bluehand. Tequila old fashioned with a splash of cerveza and a chili lime garnish."

"Billy Bluehand?" Elsa asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You must be new here," the bartender chuckled. "All our drinks are named after mercs who hit the big times and died in a blaze of glory. It's our age-old tradition," he pointed up to the menu behind him. "Whaddaya say?"

"Thanks, but we're good," Anna replied, transferring some credits as a tip. "Just needed the info."

"Barstools are normally for paying customers, but you gals are alright," the bartender nodded his thanks. "I'll be around if you need anything," he went away to deal with other patrons.

Once he was gone, Elsa leaned towards Anna. "What's the play here?"

Anna turned around in her stool and leaned against the counter, sizing up Alyosha across the club. "He knows we know about his dirty laundry, so right now, we're in the stronger bargaining position. I say we let him know what the deal is, but we don't show our full hand from the get-go. Let him build up to that, ask what we want. Because if he has to ask, he's already willing to compromise."

"There's a lot more nuance to negotiating with gangers than I would have thought."

"It's all mind games and power plays with these guys. End of the day, they respect only one thing, and that's strength. You know. Whoever has the biggest dick."

"We don't have dicks."

"No, the dicks are metaphorical. Actually, sometimes they're literal, but you get my meaning."

"Hmm," Elsa pursed her lips and considered that.

As she did, they both observed that the patrons that Alyosha had been speaking with were now leaving him. At the same time, Anna and Elsa were being approached by a Verenkov ganger dressed in an elegant suit. He stopped in front of them both and looked them up and down.

"Mister Verenkov will see you now," the ganger said in a Russian accent. "Follow me."

"Okay, remember," Anna stood up and leaned towards Elsa. "Mean faces on."

Elsa nodded and got up, walking alongside Anna as she put on her mean face. When they arrived at the VIP booth, they were met with two more gangers, all of them acting as Alyosha's bodyguards. After another quick ocular pat-down, they stepped aside and let them through. Alyosha was waiting for them, leaning back against his seat with his arms spread out on the upholstery in a casual manner.

"Ah, you must be Rachael and Caelestis," Alyosha smiled, showing off his gold and silver teeth. "Come, come, sit," he reached for a bottle and held it out as an offering. "Vodka?"

Anna and Elsa sat side-by-side across from Alyosha, pausing to glance at each other.

"This isn't a social call," Anna said, leaning back and crossing her legs. "We're here because we have biz to transact."

Alyosha still held out the bottle of vodka, still smiling. "And I don't do business with people who don't drink with me."

"You don't understand," Elsa said. "This isn't a mutual exchange based on goodwill. You're not here to deal with us, we're here to deal with you."

Alyosha's smile vanished as he pulled back his offering. He then raised the bottle to his lips, took a long swig, then set it down, leaning back in his chair as he interlaced his fingers behind his head. Next, he simply stared at Anna and Elsa for a few seconds, all of them remaining unmoved. Eventually, that smile returned and Alyosha began to laugh.

"Ha! Ice cold cyka, I like you," Alyosha rubbed his hands together and leaned forward. "Yes, fine, we'll skip the pleasantries. I know why you are here."

"Then you know what we can do," Anna said. "Your drives, your files, we have all of it. All that evidence that could land you in some hot water if it ends up in the right hands."

Alyosha held up his hands submissively and smirked. "Yes, you got me. I have been a bad boy."

He doesn't seem concerned, Elsa thought, maintaining her icy scowl.

"But so have you," Alyosha pointed at Elsa. "You have been very, very bad. Do you know there is a bounty on your head, Caelestis? Some very powerful people are looking for you."

"It wouldn't be the first time," Elsa replied easily.

Alyosha chuckled. "I don't doubt it. You understand then, that threats like blackmail, extortion, they mean nothing to people like us," he looked at Anna. "You think I haven't made plans for a possibility like this? You think I would be so stupid to leave sensitive intel on a terminal inside of an empty building that anybody could walk into, without a contingency? Nyet, you don't survive this long without having a backup plan."

Elsa and Anna glanced at each other, a little bit surprised, but not showing it.

"I heard your organization in New York went up in flames," Alyosha continued. "After an adjudicator killed all your people."

"And after your sister sold us out. Good people died because of her," Elsa said.

Alyosha shrugged. "Can you blame her? Svetlana was in a position to gain much by risking very little. Collect payment from your people and collect payment from the police."

Again, Elsa and Anna glanced at each other, thinking of what to say next.

"But that is why you are here, are you not?" Alyosha asked. "You were hoping that by threatening to blackmail me, you could get your little friend back?"

"She's alive?" Elsa hardened her expression and glared at Alyosha. "Where is she? What have you done with her?"

Alyosha raised a finger and wagged it side to side. "Ah ah ah," he chuckled "Information comes at the price of an equitable business transaction. It seems we may be able to come to an agreement after all."

"Nah, forget it," Anna shook her head and stood up. "We're done here."

Elsa stood up as well and just as she turned around, a single word was uttered which stopped her and Anna completely in their tracks.

"Elsa," Alyosha said. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"

Frozen head to toe, Elsa's face became a mask of surprise and utter confusion.

Anna's face was showing the same thought process, though she quickly hid it beneath a scowl as she turned back to face Alyosha.

"And Anna," Alyosha smiled. "Or do you prefer Veronica? Rachael is what you go by now, isn't it? Rachael Deckard and Joy Wallace. So many aliases, tsk" he clicked his tongue. "Hard to keep track of them all."

They had both lost their advantage and they knew it. Alyosha wasn't at all threatened by the information they had on him, and the information had had on Elsa and Anna in return was far, far worse.

Anna looked at Elsa, then she looked at Alyosha, tensing her jaw until she relented and sat down. Elsa joined her at her side once more as they both stared daggers at Alyosha.

"Word has been traveling around," Alyosha rested his elbows on his knees and interlaced his fingers together. "My business partner has taken a keen interest in you two. Although, I have half a mind to take this venture in a different direction. I could be convinced to look the other way if I know what you are after. You came to me hoping to strike a deal, so what do you want?"

Once again, Elsa and Anna glanced at each other, feeling slightly relieved for regaining some of their edge. Whoever the mysterious third party was, they knew the true identities of Elsa and Anna. However, Alyosha was clearly willing to compromise on something, they just needed to know what it was first. In any case, their hands were certainly tied since they lost every advantage they thought they had.

"Lizzie returned to us safe and sound," Elsa said. "And Soviet IFF codes that could get a ship through the Iron Curtain."

Alyosha nodded and considered that for a few moments as he reached for a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He placed one in his mouth, lit it, then took a long drag. Meanwhile, Elsa and Anna continued to stare back at him.

"Da, let's talk somewhere more quiet," Alyosha breathed out a puff of smoke and stood up. "Come. We will go to my private lounge," he turned to his bodyguards and spoke to them in Russian. "You three, stay outside. Nobody disturbs us," he turned back to Elsa and Anna and gestured for them to follow.

"Guess this is happening," Anna said to Elsa in a low voice.

Elsa nodded, tapping her weapons to make sure they were still there.

They followed behind Alyosha through the club towards his private lounge located deeper within. The crowds before him split apart easily, while Elsa and Anna earned a few curious looks. Once they exited the main floor of the club, they turned down a few hallways, filled with patrons kissing each other all over and feeling each other up.

The odd trio passed them by until they entered the private lounge, located in a quiet corner of the club. The room was circular with a platform and pole in the center for a single dancer, though it was unoccupied, and the interior was lit up with pink neon lights. Again, they sat down, and free from the noise and crowds, they could speak more freely.

"So," Alyosha took a drag from his cigarette. "Those things I can't get you myself, but what I can do is get you close to the people who have them," he released the smoke from his lungs, blowing it right in Elsa's and Anna's faces. "My sister has your friend. My father has the codes you speak of."

Anna turned her head away and fell into a short coughing fit from the smoke. Meanwhile, Elsa laid her hand on Anna's shoulder, looking at her with worry in her eyes.

"Quite a cough," Alyosha smirked, taking another drag and being more considerate by turning his head to the side to exhale the smoke.

"It's nothing," Anna coughed and patted her chest, clearing her throat.

Elsa let her gaze linger on Anna a little longer, holding eye contact until she eventually turned her attention back to Alyosha. "Where is Lizzie?"

"She is here in Arcadia. She is with Svetlana," Alyosha said. "Who is with my father."

"And where are they?" Anna asked.

Alyosha took one last drag from his cigarette then put it out in an ashtray nearby. "It wouldn't matter if I told you, because you would never be able to get close to them," he exhaled the smoke and looked at Anna. "Not without my help."

"You want something from us? We can just leak your files and show the government who's been selling their secrets," Elsa said. "You're in no position to make demands."

"And you are in no position to make threats. Don't be stupid," Alyosha leaned back and folded his hands over his chest. "You do that, and you'll never get what you need from us. All I have to do is make one call and your lives are over," he snapped his fingers. "Like that."

Elsa tilted her head to the side. Anna squinted at Alyosha.

"But I am not unreasonable. We may have a common goal," Alyosha continued. "You need something from Svetlana and Alexei, and I want them dead."

"Why do you want your sister and father killed?" Elsa asked without blinking.

"My father, tsk. He is stubborn and stuck in his ways. He is short-sighted and has no vision for the future," Alyosha said. "And my sister, the cyka, she has no brain and only does what she is told. I want to turn this family into a legitimate business enterprise and I cannot do that as long as they live."

"Your own family," Anna casually examined her metal fingers. "That's pretty cold, even for your type."

"It's just the way life is," Alyosha said. "Under my father's leadership, we lost nearly everything. He was desperate for his own taste of power and was the first to cut ties with the Mafia in New York. The rest, they tried to do the same. All of the families ate each other alive or they were eaten by others. Only we survived. It took years to regain control and we are still a shadow of what we once were when the Mafia was unified."

"And you think you're fit to lead?" Elsa asked.

"Of course," Alyosha nodded. "Why do you think I've been playing both sides? Selling secrets to the Americans? No matter what, I'll always come out on top. It's good business sense. But, this family, they would never follow me if they knew what I did. If the killing came from someone on the outside, the mantle would be passed to me."

"It just sounds like you want to offload the dirty work onto us so you can keep your hands clean," Anna scoffed.

Alyosha nodded. "Da. There are no clean hands, but it is important the way they become dirty," he said. "You think this city was built with clean hands? Pfft. Mulan told me you were good at the dirty work."

"And why should we do this for you?" Elsa asked.

"You mean other than the fact that I know who you two really are? It is simple," Alyosha said. "You know who I really am as well. But I see the value of a partnership between us. I have connections to the government, you know that. I could open some more doors for your little movement. We could both stand to gain more than if we worked alone. You help me. I help you."

"Uh-huh, and anyone who's willing to stab their own family members in the back will definitely stab their business partners in the back," Anna leaned forward. "You can't expect us to actually trust you."

"Nyet," Alyosha shook his head. "That is the wisest thing to do. I would not trust myself either, but that is what makes it work. If one of us pulls the trigger, we all die. Mutually assured destruction ensures compliance."

Sufficed to say, he had a point. The threat of retaliation against aggression was, in and of itself, an effective means to ensure that both parties to an arrangement would not act against each other. A very real example of that was the tension between the Americans and the Arcadians, backgrounded by the ever-present ticking of the doomsday clock. Nobody had fired the first shot yet, because doing so would mean annihilation for everyone.

Elsa and Anna considered that for a few moments, occasionally glancing at each other and communicating with eye contact alone. They could still easily blackmail Alyosha after they got what they needed from him. Just the same, Alyosha could threaten Elsa and Anna by leaking their information to the government and to whoever his business partner was. Both parties had ammunition to throw at each other if required. Eventually, Elsa and Anna reached a consensus as they nodded to each other and looked back to Alyosha.

"How would you get us close to your family?" Anna asked.

"Simple," Alyosha grinned. "Svetlana wouldn't be far from my father, and to get close to him, you'll need to do him a favor. My cousin's birthday is coming up and the little svoloch has been pestering him nonstop for a hover-tank. Verenkovs always get what they want, so what you need to do is get a hover-tank."

Elsa and Anna were already dumbfounded by the bizarre request and where it was going, but they continued to listen.

"Ah, I can see by the look on your faces that you think this is strange. It is," Alyosha nodded. "Allow me to explain. Two weeks ago, an ArmaRex convoy was ambushed in the Martian desert outside of Arcadia. Among the usual weapons and tech, they were also carrying a hover-tank. Mark seven, Drachen model. All stolen. The gangers who jumped it? The Crimson Corsairs. Now, I purchased the Drachen from their leader, a man called Carver. Problem is, three days after the deal was sealed, Carver got zeroed by his gang mate, Jezebel. She's in charge now and I have no way of knowing if she plans to honor her predecessor's arrangement."

"Crimson Corsairs?" Elsa frowned. "Another gang?"

"Operating out of Cinnabar Bay," Alyosha said. "That abandoned resort outside of Arcadia."

Cinnabar Bay had been an ambitious construction project situated outside of Arcadia's three main biodomes. It was meant to be a tropical paradise, complete with sandy beaches, a miniature ocean, high-class hotels, sprawling casinos, and shopping malls as far as the eye could see. Construction was started in 2080 but came to a grinding halt just five years later when a period of economic uncertainty struck, forcing investors to pull their funding. Since then, the resort has been abandoned, with stateless people taking up residence in the ruined splendor of a corporate daydream.

That being said, the resort was built beneath its own biodome along with the requisite life support functions as well as its own independent power grid. Essentially, Cinnabar Bay was an outlaw colony that existed completely outside of Arcadia's law and order. This, along with the seedy sub-city, was a perfect example of how looks could be deceiving.

"But that's not everything," Alyosha continued. "There is a Miss Nyle Cohen of ArmaRex who has developed a keen interest in this matter."

"Who's she?" Elsa asked.

"A corpo agent. Internal affairs. She's been going around town, trying to turn up any info on the convo as if her life depended on it. Her only lead is locked up in her trunk," Alyosha said. "The stick up her ass hasn't gotten any shorter, so she must be getting desperate. She could prove useful in getting this tank."

"So, you want to us go and pick up this tank," Anna said. "We bring the tank to your dad, and then what? We flatline him and your sister right in front of all his gangoons? How are we supposed to get out of that alive?"

"And if they're dead, how are we supposed to get what we need?" Elsa added.

Alyosha rubbed his nose between both of his hands and muttered something in Russian. "You wouldn't bring the tank directly to my father, you would tell him that you acquired it and that you want to work out a deal," he explained. "You'll have to keep it somewhere hidden, but I imagine women of your resources would not find that to be an issue. When he agrees to meet, I will be there as well and make sure there are no guards. He keeps the IFF codes on a data shard inside his head at all times and has the only copy. You kill him and rip the shard out. You kill Svetlana and get your friend back. I am there to sell the charade and make it look believable."

Elsa frowned in thought while Anna pursed her lips and tapped her foot up and down restlessly.

"As a bonus, I will even let you keep the tank," Alyosha chuckled. "I hate my cousin. Useless debil."

After a few more seconds of silence, Anna straightened up. "This is a lot to consider," she said. "We'd have to talk about this."

Alyosha shook his head. "This is the deal as it is now," he tapped the table in front of him with his fingers for emphasis. "You need my help to get close to Alexei and Svetlana. I need your help getting them out of the picture. Take it or leave it."

"Fine," Elsa said without hesitation. "We're in."

… … …

After talking for another hour to iron the details of their plan, Elsa and Anna left purgatory, heading home in Elsa's car while Anna's motorcycle followed behind on its own. They weren't going back to the safehouse, but rather their apartment for a bit of a needed change in scenery. That, and they needed to gather their gear before tackling this next gig. In the meantime, OLAF would monitor things at the safehouse, as per usual.

"That didn't go as planned," Elsa started.

"No, it didn't. How did he know about us?" Anna asked. "We've been so careful about everything."

"I don't know. I have to assume it's to do with the freedom movement, and someone wants us out of the picture."

"I made a lot of enemies back in New York when I was still a gumshoe, but this is on a whole other level. What do we do?"

Elsa shrugged. "We don't really have a choice but to play along for now."

"Right, so let me get this straight," Anna brought up her omni-pad and started searching for images of Cinnabar Bay. "To get what we need, we need to help this ganger deal with a bunch of other gangers, and then in return, this ganger will help us take out his family of gangers. At the same time, we have to hope this ganger doesn't sell us up the river to this other player that we didn't even know about until now."

Elsa sighed. "It's not ideal, but Alyosha was right about the mutually assured destruction," she said. "We need to play this smart."

"Oh, and we also need to deal with a corpo agent and get our hands on a hover-tank, as if it wasn't complicated enough already. I feel like we've kinda lost the plot a bit here."

"I agree, the plot has started to meander, but things like this are never as simple as you'd like them to be. This is the way to get Lizzie back and those codes. We also might get to keep the tank, so there's that at least. Once we get our hands on it, we can keep it in the safehouse. Only problem is getting it there."

"Well, Alyosha was kind enough to lend us his rover and some EVA suits," Anna muttered.

Since Cinnabar Bay was outside of Arcadia, Elsa and Anna would have to go on a small trek through the Martian desert. The lower gravity meant that normal vehicles wouldn't be able to traverse the rougher terrain, which was what the rover was for. The EVA suits were so that they could walk along the Martian surface if need be since they were pressurized and came with their own oxygen supply.

"Is this what we're really doing though?" Anna asked. "Icing this guy's father and sister?"

"I was thinking that may not be necessary," Elsa replied, taking the ramp onto the freeway. "We could pacify all of them non-lethally, then plant the evidence on them before turning them over to the police. We know Alyosha is working behind his family's back, and only he has connections to this other player. We deal with him and we deal with his family so they can't retaliate, and then we learn who's after us."

"A double cross?" Anna perked up. "No, wait, a triple cross. Huh. That's crazy."

"Crazy enough to work?" Elsa smiled.

"No, just plain crazy. I've hatched some harebrained schemes in my day, but this has got them all beat by a country mile."

"Well, if anyone knows crazy and how to pull it off, it's you."

"True," Anna nodded. "Very true."