"Are we clear on how this is going down?" Zane asked as he tossed Teli a
brown paper bag. Teli gave a sharp nod before she peered into the bag,
finding a raisin bagel. Zane un-shouldered another heavy duffle bag and
set it next to a small briefcase he'd carried in. Teli bit into her bagel
and gave a quizzical glace at the bags.
"Equipment." Zane answered shortly. Teli raised her eyebrows, still
questioning, while she munched on breakfast. "Well, can can't exactly
waltz in and just take what we want now can we?" Zane answered, opening
the duffle. Teli peered in, curious.
"Where did you get all this stuff?" She asked, a surprised note in her
voice. Zane glanced up from rummaging through the briefcase.
"Trick of the trade. You learn to recognize where you can get what you
need." He replied. Teli nodding, pondering the statement, and took
another bite of her bagel.
It was early. Only the most addicted workaholics were waking up. Teli and Zane needed new, and separate methods of transportation. Zane has guessed what Teli has her heart set on. The jump over the impound lot fence was an easy one. Zane slipped into the small building that guarded the lot and knocked out the guard. When Teli landed she found herself nose to nose with a growling snout. 'Great, I had to be part cat.' Teli thought. After a brief, but fierce, stare down, Teli proved superior. She then tossed the dog a treat, glad of Zane's thorough preparation. Zane signaled from the guardhouse. Teli quickly scanned her options. The choice proved an easy one. The dark silver and black bike glinted in the moonlight. Teli signaled her pick and Zane disappeared back in to grab the keys.
"Are they always that easy?" Teli asked, a grin on her face. They had just pulled up to the little motel. Zane shot her a look. "No, Teli, they're not." He replied. But Teli had had too much fun driving back to their hotel to heed his warning. "Take it for a few more trips around the block, get real comfortable driving it. I've got another errand to run." Zane said quickly, stepping onto the curb. "Where are you off to?" Teli asked - this was not in the day's plan. But her question fell on Zane's back a he strode into the motel.
He never came back. Teli returned from her test-drives expecting him to be in their room. Instead she found the duffel bag all packed up with an envelope on top.
"1900 -- Re-locate to Redding, CA. Hotel California SunDays. Northeast.
Further instructions will be provided there.
Upon Arrival -- Solo mission: acquirer communications equipment.
Location: 2 clicks from hotel's location, due northwest."
'Thanks Zane. Great goodbye.' Teli thought as she plopped down on the bed. 'I'm alone.' The thought struck suddenly. 'Totally alone.' Teli shook her head. 'Well, I've been training all summer for this. I can do this.' Teli thought, determined. The envelope crumpled in Teli's hand and she chucked it into the trash, shoving the note in her pocket. 'Well, first step, figure out where the hell I'm going now.' Teli swung the duffle bag over her shoulder and headed out to relocate.
It was early. Only the most addicted workaholics were waking up. Teli and Zane needed new, and separate methods of transportation. Zane has guessed what Teli has her heart set on. The jump over the impound lot fence was an easy one. Zane slipped into the small building that guarded the lot and knocked out the guard. When Teli landed she found herself nose to nose with a growling snout. 'Great, I had to be part cat.' Teli thought. After a brief, but fierce, stare down, Teli proved superior. She then tossed the dog a treat, glad of Zane's thorough preparation. Zane signaled from the guardhouse. Teli quickly scanned her options. The choice proved an easy one. The dark silver and black bike glinted in the moonlight. Teli signaled her pick and Zane disappeared back in to grab the keys.
"Are they always that easy?" Teli asked, a grin on her face. They had just pulled up to the little motel. Zane shot her a look. "No, Teli, they're not." He replied. But Teli had had too much fun driving back to their hotel to heed his warning. "Take it for a few more trips around the block, get real comfortable driving it. I've got another errand to run." Zane said quickly, stepping onto the curb. "Where are you off to?" Teli asked - this was not in the day's plan. But her question fell on Zane's back a he strode into the motel.
He never came back. Teli returned from her test-drives expecting him to be in their room. Instead she found the duffel bag all packed up with an envelope on top.
"1900 -- Re-locate to Redding, CA. Hotel California SunDays. Northeast.
Further instructions will be provided there.
Upon Arrival -- Solo mission: acquirer communications equipment.
Location: 2 clicks from hotel's location, due northwest."
'Thanks Zane. Great goodbye.' Teli thought as she plopped down on the bed. 'I'm alone.' The thought struck suddenly. 'Totally alone.' Teli shook her head. 'Well, I've been training all summer for this. I can do this.' Teli thought, determined. The envelope crumpled in Teli's hand and she chucked it into the trash, shoving the note in her pocket. 'Well, first step, figure out where the hell I'm going now.' Teli swung the duffle bag over her shoulder and headed out to relocate.