CHAPTER 8;
PERCEPTIONS
Trip was just about finished with the removal of the parts he wanted, most of which had been repairable. Some of them had been completely broken, and Trip had been forced to dispose of them.
He had no doubt the gentlemen would be back to demand money for the parts, but Trip could probably afford it anyway. He made a considerable amount doing what he did, and that suited him fine. As long as he made enough to keep himself going, there was no problem.
As he worked, one of the components in the compartment beside him crackled, and sparked.
He looked at it, and sighed. Maybe this pile of trash had some life left in it yet. He wasn't interested in that though. he just wanted the parts.
As he watched the compartment beside him to make sure it didn't spark again, his tool touched against what had to be a live wire, and Trip was sent flying backwards across the room, landing roughly on the floor.
* * *
Reed checked his surroundings, and then ducked into the passage going alongside the stadium, his keen eyes searching for his employer.
After no more than a couple of minutes, he caught sight of them, and calmly walked over to them.
They stood still in the darkness, passing for nothing more than shadows, but as he drew closer, their features became clearer to him. He had seen them before, but still now they seemed strange, and unfamiliar. Their eyes were of a peculiar shade, and their skin was darker than his, somewhere in between his own, and that of the shuttle pilot he had seen earlier that day.
"You have done as we asked," one of them said, his voice rasping and hoarse.
"Yes, I have," Reed commented, standing, legs wide, facing the two of them. He listened for any sounds of followers into the passage. There were none.
"You will receive the payment we agreed upon," the other said, his voice more gentle, yet carrying an edge of menace.
Reed nodded once, staring the taller of the two in the eye. His only interest in these people now was that they pay him, and then he could move on to the next client.
One of them handed him a package, and he took it carefully, feeling its weight, and eyeing the client cautiously. This was a time when he needed to be on his guard the most. Some people often tried to do away with the employee, and then keep the money for themselves. That way, no one could be blamed for the crime, and no money was used for the deed.
Neither of the two figures moved, and Reed came to the conclusion that they weren't up to anything. He pocketed the package, having no other choice but to trust the men. He had no doubt some of the money was missing, but for now, it would have to do. If he ever had a chance to retrieve the missing money. Reed would take it, without a second thought.
Without saying another word, Reed turned slowly, and then walked away.
* * *
With a groan, he opened his eyes once again, and glanced around the room. There was a dim light coming from above him, and he looked up to see a single bulb hanging from the ceiling.
He rolled over onto his back, and that was when he realised what he was wearing. Blue overalls, covered in grease and dirt. much like his hands.
He quickly sat up, his head feeling as though it were spinning. That wasn't his main concern though.
Where the hell was he? And what was he doing here?
He couldn't remember a thing.
PERCEPTIONS
Trip was just about finished with the removal of the parts he wanted, most of which had been repairable. Some of them had been completely broken, and Trip had been forced to dispose of them.
He had no doubt the gentlemen would be back to demand money for the parts, but Trip could probably afford it anyway. He made a considerable amount doing what he did, and that suited him fine. As long as he made enough to keep himself going, there was no problem.
As he worked, one of the components in the compartment beside him crackled, and sparked.
He looked at it, and sighed. Maybe this pile of trash had some life left in it yet. He wasn't interested in that though. he just wanted the parts.
As he watched the compartment beside him to make sure it didn't spark again, his tool touched against what had to be a live wire, and Trip was sent flying backwards across the room, landing roughly on the floor.
* * *
Reed checked his surroundings, and then ducked into the passage going alongside the stadium, his keen eyes searching for his employer.
After no more than a couple of minutes, he caught sight of them, and calmly walked over to them.
They stood still in the darkness, passing for nothing more than shadows, but as he drew closer, their features became clearer to him. He had seen them before, but still now they seemed strange, and unfamiliar. Their eyes were of a peculiar shade, and their skin was darker than his, somewhere in between his own, and that of the shuttle pilot he had seen earlier that day.
"You have done as we asked," one of them said, his voice rasping and hoarse.
"Yes, I have," Reed commented, standing, legs wide, facing the two of them. He listened for any sounds of followers into the passage. There were none.
"You will receive the payment we agreed upon," the other said, his voice more gentle, yet carrying an edge of menace.
Reed nodded once, staring the taller of the two in the eye. His only interest in these people now was that they pay him, and then he could move on to the next client.
One of them handed him a package, and he took it carefully, feeling its weight, and eyeing the client cautiously. This was a time when he needed to be on his guard the most. Some people often tried to do away with the employee, and then keep the money for themselves. That way, no one could be blamed for the crime, and no money was used for the deed.
Neither of the two figures moved, and Reed came to the conclusion that they weren't up to anything. He pocketed the package, having no other choice but to trust the men. He had no doubt some of the money was missing, but for now, it would have to do. If he ever had a chance to retrieve the missing money. Reed would take it, without a second thought.
Without saying another word, Reed turned slowly, and then walked away.
* * *
With a groan, he opened his eyes once again, and glanced around the room. There was a dim light coming from above him, and he looked up to see a single bulb hanging from the ceiling.
He rolled over onto his back, and that was when he realised what he was wearing. Blue overalls, covered in grease and dirt. much like his hands.
He quickly sat up, his head feeling as though it were spinning. That wasn't his main concern though.
Where the hell was he? And what was he doing here?
He couldn't remember a thing.