Chapter 7: Get-away
Megufu looked out over the city. It was the most amazing view from the top with all the lights shinning. Distantly the noises could be heard over the howl of the strong wind that was blowing of magi-wheels and music and city life. Thunder rumbled in the distance and he looked over to the south where the sea crashed against the shores. He hoped that he'd be blown safely in the wind. He hoped more than that, the parachute would open. The jump needed to be very clean and far from the wall incase he got wind shielded by the huge building. The wind was coming from the south from the sea so he had to make sure he jumped from the west of the building. The west was closer to the industrial district so hopefully as was the plan he'd receive less notice than the east. Jumping from the north would shield him completely from the wind whereas jumping from the south would blow him straight into the building itself. Jumping from the east passed him over a more residential and higher populated area of the city. The shape of the land meant also that the east side would not have as much wind blowing through also or partly due to some sky scraper hotels near the shore.
This was it: He took several steps back and then running forward grabbing hold of the hidden chord on his backpack leaped off of the edge. The wind took him heavily and the ground rose up all too fast. It was a tall tower but he was not jumping out of a plane and timing it wrong could easily kill him. He pulled the chord and the black coloured parachute opened. He prayed that everyone would be too busy to notice him. The wind took him and blew him as had been predicted far north. It took him over chimneys and factories. It all passed by so quickly. The amount of times he had thought about all these actions did not compare at all with the small amount of time it took to enact them. Being caught or killed would make or break his life.
He landed on the roof of an old closed down magi-generator. The tall chimney reached up to the sky and he almost crashed into it but for a little luck: the wind slowed a little at the last minute. He collapsed on the roof and quickly discarded the parachute from him fighting with the black strings. Somebody of course would have noticed him, but it would take them time to respond. He'd been lucky to make it so far.
Dragging the parachute to the edge of the building he noticed an alleyway below. He pushed the parachute over and began to climb down the metal ladder. He reached the bottom safely and wiped the sweat off of his forehead. Carefully he disposed of the parachute by placing it in one of the large industrial bins. He thought briefly of setting light to it but that would probably only raise attention. For such a big mission it suddenly occurred to him how unorganized they had been. Little had been said about what he was to do with the parachute and equipment. Little had been said about when he would be paid or what would happen after he had retrieved the rock. All he had been told to do now, was contact Phleg and the others, and somehow they'd pick him up quickly.
He walked down the street. The magi-wheels were still trundling by every now and again but the industrial area seemed to be pretty quiet. There were few people about at this time of night – understandable in a sector that was made mostly of factories and company warehouses. Eventually he found a phone booth and rang the number he'd been given. Phleg answered the phone immediately as if he'd been waiting there the whole time.
"Where are you?" he whispered
"Not entirely sure," replied Megufu looking constantly from side to side, "Industrial sector, near a banged up old generator. There's a magi-wheel park just outside me on my left. On my right there's a some kind of night club called Doel's swords. If it's any help there's a fast road bridge in the distance, I think the F-23 but I couldn't swear on it"
"I think I know where you are," replied Phleg quickly, "Rev and Rikki and me will meet you quickly if not you'll hear from us again soon – stay by that booth. Did the alarm go off?"
"I don't think so, but it's only a matter of time. Everything went the same as in the simulation. I can't be sure as you know to whether the scientists will risk trying to escape or not"
"K I get ya. We'll be seeing you soon. Just wait near enough to that booth to hear it ring and we'll pass by until we see you" He waited and waited. The sky thundered again above and it started to rain heavily in those sudden showers that were associated with Kazas. They came in from the south sea heavily charged with water magic from the deep. Megufu cursed looking up at the sky and hoped that the limo came soon. He was going to get very wet if he stayed out here. Catching the eye of a shop he walked over to it to stand under the red rain cover roof. The water dripped down off from the top into puddles below. The limo came promptly enough to be surprising and late enough to be worrying under the circumstances. Megufu was feeling cold and wet and would have been angry if his life hadn't been on the line. He was very happy to see the limo and the people he recognized inside. He recognized the car as soon as it pulled up and quickly got in slamming the door shut. Phleg was next to him.
"You got it?" he asked quickly.
"Yes," replied Megufu out of breath. Rikki was next to Phleg and Revian drove. None of them spoke.
"Show me!" said Phleg quickly.
"Not now," replied Megufu, "It's in my back pack – later"
"Show me now!" insisted Phleg
This irritated Megufu. He turned to face Phleg slowly and looked him in the eyes, "No," he replied, "As I said I'll show it to you later. First I want us to get of the road to safety"
Phleg did not respond but stared angrily. A little later he responded to Megufu who was looking out the window, "As you wish"
The limo took a dodgy turning and the wheels screeched, "What's wrong?" questioned Megufu, "Is someone following us?"
"No," said Revian in the front, "Shut up"
Megufu's fist tightened. He'd report this treatment to the boss. He'd get them all fired.
