Chapter two continues Shadow of the Cat. Max is slipping into darkness and everyone is beginning to notice. Bennett Cale is planning to go to war and his chief Lieutenant, Skywalker, a transgenic soldier is helping lead the way. Wandering Soul, an Eyes Only informant has found in interesting ally and a prime target in the search for Logan, but things have only gotten stranger atop the once glorious structure known as The Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
And what is it about Jack that has Bob suddenly worried?
These questions will be answered and more will be asked in this, the next chapter of Shadow of the Cat.
Read, review and Enjoy!
Burning Down the HouseDubin's club
Warehouse district…
It was a cold night. Rain pelted the city near the warehouse district behind the docks. Rober Dubin was standing in his office, staring out over the crowd in the casino beneath him. Mostly nude women giggled, and men in suits laughed over various high stakes tables. Money changed hands frequently, but no one made as much as Dubin did.
He liked it that way. Money bought him power. It protected him from the feds and local authorities. It made his empire stronger. He honestly believed that he would be able to use money for any crisis. Turning toward his desk, he smiled at the neatly arranged bills in the open suitcase.
Dubin was confident that Eyes Only would take the five million dollars instead of taking his life. He had watched the hack earlier that day, fearing for only a short time that his life was in danger. He calmed somewhat when making the decision to buy Eyes Only. After all, it had worked for the feds, Homeland Security, and local authorities, so why not the cyber-journalist.
The door to the office opened, and he reached for his weapon before he realized who it was. He laughed to himself. Eyes Only wouldn't come through the front door. Eyes Only never came through the front door.
"Hey boss"," a short, squat man said. His face was covered on one side with scars. His left arm hung awkwardly at his side. His body, however, was rippling with muscle, and he moved smoothly across the carpeted floor. "Everything is ready. We should go."
"I really expected him to be here tonight." Dubin commented.
"If he and his monkeys show up tonight, we'll be ready for them," the goon replied.
"Have all the men been brought up to speed on the situation?" Dubin asked.
"They have. Shall I bring the money?"
"Yes. Zip it up. We'll give it to Eyes Only's people when they show up."
"Once they see the kind of firepower we have, they won't show up." The goon laughed. "Trust me. No one wants to take on our men and the rebels Jaerko sent over to help tonight. These guys are monsters."
"How many are there?" Dubin asked.
"We have twenty- five armed guards out tonight. Nothing is going to get in or out."
"Good." Dubin smiled. He was sure he had accounted for everything. No one in this economy could resist five million dollars, not even that do-gooder Eyes Only.
Twenty minutes later, Dubin's car pulled up outside the main warehouse. He exited it and headed inside. His goon followed with the suitcase full of money. There were armed guards everywhere. They all wore body armor, and it was easy to pick out Jaerko's people. They were monsters. They looked like something out of a comic book movie. Big, bulky, and muscle bound, they stood in various locations throughout the small warehouse, watching doors and windows intently. His own men walked patterns throughout the large complex, keeping an eye on their particular territory.
He entered the offices high above the main facility and sat down behind his desk. Making a quick phone call, he gave the go-ahead for the transfer of goods, and sat back to wait for the all-clear signal, or to hand over the suitcase full of money, whichever came first. His goon sat in a chair opposite the desk to wait with him.
Three hours later, everything was loaded on the truck. The boat had left port and was heading out to sea. Dubin was almost disappointed. He had honestly expected Eyes Only to show up.
"They ain't coming," the goon said.
"It would appear that way." Dubin replied. "I guess he figured…" He stopped in mid-sentence when a small figure dropped into the room from the air vent, and snapped the goon's neck where he sat in his chair. There was no time to react as a second slight figure dropped in beside him, a weapon pointed directly at his head.
"Good evening, Mr. Dubin," a woman said.
"You're Eyes Only?" he asked. His voice cracked and he swallowed a thick lump in his throat.
"Never met the man…" she said. "We just work for him."
"What do you want? I Have money…" He said, gesturing toward the suitcase. "Five million dollars,"
Both of the intruders giggled. Dubin realized he was dealing with two women. "I'll tell you what you can do for us." The female with the gun said. "You can tell us everything we want to know."
"You won't hurt me?"
"Just answer the questions." The first female said. "Where is Jaerko?" she demanded.
"He's in his apartment downtown. He lives in sector nine near the park. He always waits there until the deals have gone down." Max and Jondy had been right. He didn't hesitate to give up his partner.
"When will he go after the shipment?"
"He'll check it out tomorrow afternoon." He said. "He'll want to know if it arrived and probably skim a few pieces off the top. You know, to add to his collection."
"Where will he go to pick the shipment up and who is he delivering it to?"
"I don't know who he delivers it to… I've never met the man, but I hear they are pretty hardcore -- some kind of military group or something. We take the stuff to an abandoned house over on Chapel."
"What's the address?" The brunette demanded.
"1501," Dubin said. "It's an old Cape Cod with columns all around the front and side porch."
"Okay. Kill him." The brunette said.
"My pleasure," The redhead answered with a smile.
"Wait!" Dubin yelled. "What about the money? My men will hear the gunshot."
"Your men are already dead."
Computer lab
Conclave catacombs…
"So what do we have on Eyes Only?" A monk asked. He wore the gray robes of administrative personnel within The Conclave.
"Not much really," Bob answered. "He made one hack and has been silent for the last two weeks. We do know that Rober Dubin is dead. His warehouse was emptied, and eventually raided by local law enforcement."
"What about the middle-man?"
"Jaerko?" Bob snorted. "He's been missing for a week. We were expecting a shipment from him five days ago, but it didn't come."
"Why not?"
"Eyes Only got to Dubin. We assume he gave up the location and the cyberpunk intercepted Jaerko when he went to pick up the goods." Bob responded.
"So we know nothing, then."
"I wouldn't say that." Bob said. "Jack's been working on the Dubin files and checking up on Jaerko. We're sure Jaerko has been compromised."
"Well, find out what the hell is going on and get to him." The robed figure turned with a flourish and headed out the door.
"That could have gone better." Jack said rolling over to Bob's terminal on his uncomfortable wheeled stool.
"Maybe… but it's true. We frankly seem to know less about Jaerko's haunts than we did before. Did you learn anything new?"
"Not really, but we do know that he had a location in Seattle where he would get the stuff from Dubin. Our surveillance shows Dubin took the ordinance there and dropped it off. Jaerko would swing by the next day and pick it up. If there are any clues, then we should find them at 1501 Chapel," Jack said. "I've already dispatched a memo."
"Good thinking," That should get the teams there quicker. What about Dubin? Anything new there?"
"No. His body was found in his warehouse office with one bullet to the head. It was efficient. An assassination," Jack said, "Which is unusual for Eyes Only. He's not one to play nice, but a straight-up bullet to the back of the head isn't his style."
"You're right. He's more the smooth operator. Get in, get out, and let the bad guys duke it out themselves," Bob agreed. "It doesn't follow with what we know about Eyes Only's past exploits. You're saying that this was the work of someone else?"
"I don't know what to make of it. I've been poring over the knowledge base we have on him, and none of it makes much sense compared to this latest hack and hit," Jack said. "It's just not his MO. He's not one to clean house just for the fun of it, and so efficiently as well."
"What do you mean?" Bob asked.
"I mean Dubin's guards never fired a single shot. Over thirty people, and not a shot fired among the lot of them? It doesn't make sense."
"Transgenics." A voice spoke behind them. "The transgenics in Seattle did it." Bob and Jack turned to face Ames White. He was standing, with his arms crossed, in a black suit, behind the two brown-robed monks.
"Good evening, sir," Bob said. Jack didn't speak. He turned back to his terminal.
"I'd be willing to wager that 452 is involved somehow. I'll get my people on it. In the meantime, I want you to collect as much data on Seattle, Eyes Only, and the transgenics as you can. Put it together and send it to me. I'll expect it waiting for me, when I get to Seattle in two days."
"Yes, Brother White," the monk said.
"Good." White walked over and stood behind Jack. He stared down at the man working diligently at his terminal. "What are you working on?"
"Give me an hour and I'll have your data ready before you leave." Jack said.
"Very impressive," White stated. I'll be back in one hour."
"Of course you will," Jack said between clenched teeth. There was something about the small man that rubbed him completely wrong. It was as if he knew the man standing behind him, but for some reason he was sure this was the first time he had ever spoken directly to him. "I'll have a CD prepared and waiting for you."
"You're the acolyte who takes lunch in Terminal Arena on occasion."
"I'm honored that you recognize me," Jack replied. He was unable to contain his sarcasm. There was an edge to his voice, but there was no fear.
"It is forbidden for monks to be there during training." White declared. "Terminal Arena is only for the most accomplished soldiers of the caste."
"I understand. It won't happen again." Jack said. White stared at him for a moment longer. He was impressed with the calm reaction he received. This one was no stranger to forbidden knowledge.
"I am impressed with your abilities, so I will let the transgression slide. You will have that disc ready within the hour?"
"I will have it prepared before you return, within the hour." Jack answered. He never once looked away from his monitor.
"Very good," White said. He left the lab then, leaving Bob staring at Jack.
Jack was aware of Bob staring at him. He waited for five full minutes before he turned to Bob. "What?"
"You've got a pair of iron ones, that's for sure." Bob said. "Do you know who that was? Obviously you don't have a clue. That was Ames White. He's got the ear of the Conclave priestess and the Committee. He's about the only one around here they confide in. He could have you killed without a thought. Hell, he'd probably do it himself if he was pissed off enough."
"He's welcome to try," Jack mumbled.
"What?"
"Nothing. I've got to get this data together. I'm going to be busy for a while so if you don't mind…"
"No. I don't mind." Bob looked at Jack for another minute before turning back to his terminal and continuing his own research. "You need any help?"
"No." Jack said. Bob watched him. His fingers flew over the keys. Windows opened and closed, and data transferred at an alarming rate. It was amazing to watch him work. It was as if he was a part of the computer, or more likely, the computer was a part of him.
"Well, let me know if you need anything," Bob said.
"Thanks, buddy. I appreciate it, but I've got to make sure this is just right and that dear Brother White gets the information he deserves." Jack replied. The tone in his whisper actually sent a chill down Bob's spine.
Sector 12 safe house
Soundproof room…
Jubal Jaerko hung from the ceiling. Chains attached to the steel cuffs pulled them tight into his wrists. Blood ran down his arms in small thin streams. His feet drifted to and fro in a large steel tub of water. He was not going to survive the week.
"What… do you, want…" He broke down into a fit of coughing. "Want from… me?" He gasped.
"You have told me everything I need to know." a small man said. He had a devious grin on his face and a hard look in his eyes. He was enjoying this.
The door opened and two beautiful women walked in. They drew the attention of the cruel little man, and together the three of them conversed quietly in the corner. Jubal Jaerko tried hard to hear what they were saying, but he was having a hard enough time just staying conscious. Finally the short, gorgeous brunette stepped away from the group and looked at Jaerko.
"You have told us everything we want to know, but you haven't told us the one thing we need to know" ," she said. "What is the name of the man you give the weapons and supplies to?"
"I don't… know… his name." Jaerko coughed up blood once or twice and wheezed with each breath. "His men call him Captain."
"Captain what?" the brunette demanded.
"I… don't… know…" he said. He had lost the ability to hold up his head.
"Tell me and this will end." She stepped up close to him. "If you don't, this will continue indefinitely. The choice is yours." She watched him for a reaction. He lifted his eyes, his head flopping to the side.
"Please…" he pleaded.
"Tell me his name." the brunette demanded. They stared at each other. She noticed a change in his eyes. She knew he was going to spill the information.
"Parker," he whispered. "Captain…" he started to say. Then he died.
Max stared at him for a long time before turning and heading out into the hall outside the room. The redhead followed her. They walked downstairs where a small group was waiting for them.
Max and Jondy walked up to Biggs and Alec. Syl and Krit were standing there, and Zane stood in the door, staring into the alley.
"Did you get the name?" Biggs asked. Max nodded.
"I did. Anyone ever heard of a Captain Parker?" she asked. No one had. "I didn't think so. We have to find out who he is."
"What about the doctor?" Alec asked. "What are we going to do about him?"
Max and Jondy looked at each other for a long moment. They nodded as if they had been communicating to each other before turning and looking at the group. Jondy spoke.
"Clean the site," she ordered. "We're going to find Captain Parker. Syl, you're with us." Max was already heading out the door. Zane watched her as she approached and continued past him. He wasn't sure whether he should say anything or not until she stopped in front of him.
"It's getting dark around here, Sis." he said. She looked outside first before she realized what he meant. The others had noticed as well. She turned, looking at each one of them. Biggs nodded, but she knew that of all of them, he understood the darkness better than the rest.
"I just want Logan back." Max stated. "I'll do whatever it takes."
"Then so will we," Syl declared. "Let's go find this Captain Parker." The three women warriors headed out of the safe house and down the alley toward the main road. "What do we know so far?"
"We know that Jaerko got the stuff from Dubin and met up with Parker on Fifth St. There, Parker would set the location to pick up the stuff at a secure location. Apparently that location is a safe house in sector nine."
"Do we know where this safe location in sector nine is?" Syl asked.
"We do, but we don't know what's there." Max answered. "We'll have to get some recon before we jump right in. For all we know, it could be some anti-government troops or terrorists…"
"Or Phalanx," Jondy added. "We just don't know."
Max pulled her phone from her pocket when it rang. "Go for Max," she said. "Hey, Sebastian. What have you got for me?"
"I've got some good news and some bad news," Sebastian's disembodied mechanical voice said. "Can you come over, or are you close to your place?"
"Actually, I'm closer to the penthouse." Max explained. "I can drop by and link up with you."
"Do that," Sebastian said. "And make sure the link is secure."
"Okay," Max said. "Any particular reason for this security? I mean, I'm not one to open an unsecured channel."
"Just take some extra precautions. Ames White is back in town."
"I understand." I'll contact you in ten minutes." Max disconnected the call. "Amy's back," she said.
"White?" Jondy asked. "That's not good."
"No kidding. He's just going to complicate things." Max answered. "He always complicates things."
"Tell me about it," Jondy said. "Do you think I should call Joe?"
"I wouldn't worry about Joe just yet. We don't want to throw out any false alarms and bring a revved up biker army into the city for nothing. Besides, we don't even know why White is in town. He might just be passing through and checking on progress here."
"Where exactly would he be going?" Syl asked. "We know why he's here. He came for you."
"Shhh…" Max snickered. "Don't tell anyone."
The girls headed into Fogle Towers and rode the elevator to the penthouse. When Max opened the front door, she immediately noticed the computer was beeping with an incoming message.
"I told Sebastian that I would contact him when I got here." Max muttered as she headed into the office. She sat down in front of the terminal and opened the messages folder. A blinking line flashed in front of her eyes.
"Message: I found him. Wandering Soul"
"Eva…" Max said. Jondy and Syl were standing behind her. "It's from Eva. She said she found him."
"She found who?" Jondy asked.
"Did she find Logan?" Syl asked.
"Read the message," Jondy commanded. "Who'd she find?"
Cale Industries
An underground office…
"Mr. Cale," Skywalker said as he walked up to the desk in the main room. "This is Lieutenant Morrison. He's in charge of the Manticore Black Ops forces Max sent over to handle your situation. I've brought in the recon data on the abandoned military base."
"Good," Bennett replied. "Parker Labs moved before we were prepared to defend my base. I'm not happy about having to take it back by force, but I didn't start this war and I need those research facilities."
"We're prepared to take the base and hold it for you. We just have to hammer out some issues first." Lt. Morrison said. "It's not that we foresee any problems really, but we do have a situation that doesn't make much sense."
"What kind of a situation?" Bennett asked.
"The troops from Parker Labs number less than fifty." Skywalker stated. "They are heavily armed and armored, but there are not a lot of them."
"And you don't think this is a good thing, why?" Bennett was puzzled.
"You know as well as I do that the Phalanx has been operating in Seattle for a while now. I just got a report that a contingent of troops came into the city this afternoon, and that troops moved from a sector we know they are localized in to a point outside the city limits" ," Skywalker explained.
"The recon shows what exactly?"
"It shows that a small group of the soldiers from the main cult base in sector 12 reinforced the positions in and around your abandoned base, sir." Lt. Morrison answered. "Those troops with Parker Labs are Phalanx."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Skywalker said. The Lieutenant nodded. "We know they are. We had a tail on them all the way out of the city."
"You followed them from the cult base in Sector 12?" Bennett asked, just as his phone rang. He raised a finger and grabbed the phone. "This is Bennett Cale."
"This is Jondy. I've got some information for you."
"Interesting, I've got some information for you as well." Bennett said. "You first,"
"It's about the cult. We received word today that Ames White is back in town. He arrived this morning with a convoy of troops that went directly to sector 12. A couple of squads were seen leaving later and heading outside of city limits."
"I know," Bennett answered her. "I'll see your bet and raise the stakes a bit. Those troops with White are affiliated with Parker Labs. They've come into town to reinforce Parker's position at the military installation I just purchased."
"Parker Labs? Do you know Parker?" Jondy asked.
"I do. He's a hard man, but I had no idea that he was with the cult."
"He may not be. Does he have a military background?"
"Yes. He was a Marine. He was CO of a commando/recon group," Bennett explained. "He ran a mission in the Balkans and then skyrocketed up the ladder before he left the Corps just a few years ago. He came out and stepped into charge at the labs."
"What was his rank?" Jondy asked.
"I don't know, but he was an officer, and very well thought of."
"Did he make Captain?"
"I wouldn't be surprised," Bennett commented. "Why?"
"I'll have to call you back in ten minutes." Jondy said. She paused, and then she leaned over to Max and whispered. "I think I found Captain Parker." She lifted the phone back to her ears. "Make that fifteen, 'K?" she asked, just before disconnecting the call.
"Where is he?" Max demanded. "And who is he?"
"Bennett said that a contingent of Phalanx troops took the abandoned base he just purchased. They are working for Parker Labs." Jondy explained. "Parker Labs is owned and operated by our Captain Parker. Bennett said he was big in black ops and had a highly trained team of specialists with Marine Recon back in the day. He supposedly went deep into the Balkan war and came out on top of the heap with knowledge and capital to start Parker Labs."
"I'll bet the farm, if I get one, that Parker Labs is connected to Manticore in some way, shape or form" ," Max said. She turned to the computer and called up some files. Jondy watched several windows opening and closing as Max scanned numerous files from Logan's watch list. "Bingo!" she declared after ten minutes of searching.
"Is it in there?"
"It is. Parker Labs. Founded in May of '16 and headed up by Raymond Parker, formerly Captain Raymond Parker of the United States Marine Corps. Logan has his military record in here. He also has some information on his… parents…" Her voice trailed off as she read.
"What is it?" Syl asked.
"His mother died in a car crash when he was six. His father was in the military and overseas at the time." Max said. "His mother had two miscarriages previous to his birth…"
"Then he is one of them," Jondy stated.
"One of…" Syl asked. "Do you mean the cult?"
"Yes," Max said. "They have this weird ritual. The first two children are aborted and the third child is allowed to live. The child is taken to a private school at six and put through a test. If he survives, then he is brought into the cult and his gifts are exploited."
"That's sick!" Syl said. "What do you mean, 'if he survives'?"
"It's some kind of ritual. They are infected with a disease or something. Logan and I were working on figuring out exactly what this ritual birth process is and how it works. Lydecker had some information on the subject as well."
"That's just one more reason why we need to find Lydecker." Jondy stated.
"Yeah. So not only do we have to figure out where Lydecker is and what he did to Logan, but now we know that Bennett's main competition is part of this damn cult," Max said, in exasperation. "Jondy, call Bennett and tell him that we'll get to Parker and bring him to a safe location. Syl, I want you to take Krit and Zane, and hook up with Eva."
"Why?" Jondy asked. "I was on the phone and didn't pay attention. I assume that she didn't find Logan."
"No, she didn't find Logan." Max replied. "She found the doctor. She's got him in St. Louis. I told her I'd send help to bring him back here. She said she had some help, but wouldn't give me any more than that. I can only assume that she found some Manticore soldiers, or at least one."
"So, she brings the doctor in, and we find out either where Lydecker is or where Logan is." Jondy said. "That's very good news."
"Maybe. Call Bennett and let him know. Tonight, you and I will find the Captain and make him talk."
"How are we going to do that?" Jondy asked.
"Logan is very thorough. He made some notes on Parker's personal habits here. It seems he frequented several underground clubs. He was apparently a proud member of the VIP room in back of one club in particular that specialized in school girls."
"That's disgusting." Syl made a face. "Go to Denver, you say? I'll get Zane and Krit and leave tonight."
"Guess that's just you and me…" Jondy said. "We gonna make all the boys ashamed tonight?"
"No," Max replied. "We're going to go after one dirty old man in particular, and when we get through with him, he'll wish he never heard of schoolgirls." She laughed. It was sinister and full of anger. Jondy shivered, but maintained her composure.
"Or women in general," Jondy added. "I'm going to call Bennett."
Gateway Arch
St. Louis, Missouri…
"I know you," the man said. The girl pulled on the chain, causing him to wince. "You're one of them simplified ones. I haven't seen you since they brought you in with that bullet in the chest."
"The only reason you can still talk is because Max needs you." the woman said. "Otherwise, I'd take great pleasure in killing you."
"You're X5…" He started to say her number, but she grabbed his face in her hand and squeezed his lips together. He looked like a strange fish.
"My name is Eva," she said. "Just Eva." She glared at him. "Say anything else and I'll enjoy knocking you unconscious on a regular basis." He stared up at her as she smacked his cheek a little harder than necessary, more than once. She could see the pain in his eyes and laughed.
"You're going to have to feed me sometime," he said.
Eva grabbed a hard, greasy rag and shoved it in his mouth. "Sure I will, but not tonight. Make any more noise and you're unconscious until morning." He opened his mouth, but she raised one finger and he shut up.
She walked over to the opposite side of the small area in the top of the Gateway arch. It appeared the arch had been bombed at some point, as a large chunk of one wall had been torn out, leaving a fantastic view of the Mississippi River and the western skyline. A makeshift wall had been set up along the near side separating Eva from her captive, and words had been scribbled there.
Duty…
Discipline…
Mission…
The words burned in her mind. She had heard them over and over again throughout her childhood. She hated those words with every fiber of her being. Looking at the wall, she noticed it was just paneling and 2x4s she could easily tear down, but she didn't. Somehow it seemed fitting. This was the high place. This was sacred ground. She glanced one last time at the words on the wall and stood to leave.
"I'm going out," she said. The greasy little man was staring up at her as she approached.
"You going to bring food back?" he asked.
"I might," Eva answered. "Time for you to go to sleep,"
"I'm not tired." He smiled at her.
"Too bad," She hit him hard. He slumped over, unconscious. She tied a rope tightly about his neck and looped it in the chains behind him. If he tried to move when he came to, his own movement would choke him. She smiled, pleased with her actions, and turned to leave.
There on the wall above the steps were those three words again.
Duty…
Discipline…
Mission…
How she hated those three words…