It was dark, the night had long since twisted its way into an early morning. The motor of the highwayman echoed out loud and proud as the group came up to the unsuspecting concrete building. In years past it had been a paper mill but most of the block had been abandoned years ago as the resource wars came into full swing.
The rumble of the engine echoed out as they pulled into the first parking space by the door. A stack of cigarette buts rested on the dashboard, empty packs with the big boss branding littered the car.
"Wife keeps saying I should quit." Ben spoke in a soft voice looking out at the streetlamp as he popped a fresh cigarette into the corner of his mouth. "Says I'm happier when I aint lighting up." He shook his head.
From the passengers seat Teds hand outstretched with a simple lighter embossed on the side a bald eagle with talons outstretched. He flicked the lighter sending out a bright glow into the night. "Surgeon General says a pack a day cures water on the lungs."
He grabbed his flat cap from the dash as he flicked the lid back shut on his lighter. A quick flick of the wrist saw it tucked back away. "Besides." He tucked a 10mm pistol into his shoulder holster locking it down into place with a low click. His cool blue eyes focused on Ben for a long moment. "Quitting's more hassle then it's worth."
The doors of the highwayman swung open into the nights air releasing a cloud of cigarette smoke that billowed high into the sky. Ben took one step out into the night with his dress shoes and had himself a deep breath of that nights air.
"Ben." Ted spoke in the other mans direction stepping out from the car. He spat his spent cigarette butt onto the ground stomping it out with the heel of his boot. "Eyes on the prize." A low smile came across one ear to the other. "Play our cards right and we'll be set."
The two men made their way towards the front doors of the paper mill. Each step for Ben felt like a dozen weighing heavy on his shoulders as he stepped from the light of one streetlamp to the next. His breath was heavy in his chest but he soldiered on.
"When this is over let's grab a nuka." Ben spoke taking a long drag from his cigarette. "This shit always wears a guy out"
Ted swung open the doors of the paper mill releasing the stench of wood pulp and ink into the air, walking into the place their shoes clattered out against linoleum floors echoing a bit louder then intended. The place was well lit for a government shut down, better lit then either of them could have expected, then again this place wasn't exactly the usual paper mill.
Walking up to the counter with a sense of confidence and belonging Ted caught the eye of the desk worker on duty. "Evening." He stated with a firm nod of the head, grabbing for his keycard with a single motion.
"Oh I'm sorry sirs, we're still on shutdown for the plague situation, if you have business you can come back later?" The man behind the counter was a timid sort with a simple dress shirt and a black tie. Thick rimmed glasses rested on his nose a thick wrap of tape holding them together on his face.
His getup was a full military uniform once belonging to a UNSC Colonel. It helped that he'd spent time in the core even if he was thrown out on his ass. It meant he could play the part well. He flashed a badge towards the man with an assertive motion.
"Son I'm well aware of the lockdown." He spoke with confidence his cigarette bounding from one side of his mouth to the other as he leaned forward. "Mr... Howard" He took a long drag. "We've got business downstairs." He pulled the cigarette out from the corner of his mouth letting out a billowing cloud of smoke.
"Oh I!" A realization dawned on Howard as he looked the man up and down reading quickly that military badge. "Of course sir." He stood up straight on the spot looking over with a bit of a nervous expression. "I'm sorry but we weren't expecting you so soon colonel."
He leaned down to the computer at his desk and tapped in the information. Ben took a short drag from his cigarette before moving over to the side of the Sunset Sarsaparilla machine. He reached into his pocket pulling out a few bills while 'the colonel' had his info scanned in.
"I'll be honest when we first started having the issues with our server I wasn't really expecting them to send anyone." Ben slid his cash into the machine one bill at a time.
"When something goes wrong with one of our server farms we take it highly seriously " Ben reached down pulling out a bottle of sunset sass from within the machine.
"Matters like this are an issue of national security" Ted added taking back his security badge and tucking it away in his uniform. "So it can be expected when they occur you'll have top assets in toe to suss out any problems."
Howard nodded his head stepping out from behind the counter. "Alright gentlemen, right this way."
Ben pulled a knife from his suit and flicked off the cap, looking down at the inside. "Blue Star." He spoke to himself sipping away at the contents of the bottle. "Must be my lucky day." He tucked the cap back away into the pocket of his suit dress shoes echoing out down the hall.
"You been working here long son?" 'The Colonel' asked walking down the brightly lit hallways one hand in his pocket the other on his cigarette.
"Only a few months sir, they like to rotate out the nightshift on the regular."
"Of course, can't have you getting too comfortable." Ted spoke with a bit of a laugh.
Ben added. "It's the company way" Another swig of his sunset sass downing about half the bottle. It eased his nerves as the group walked along
"I guess that's right, though I count myself lucky to have this job, so much of it's been outsourced to robots." He sighed to himself placing his hand on the wall scanner.
It took a few moments before the low beep echoed out opening the door.
"Many jobs these days are Robot only." He shook his head before starting back over to his desk. "Just count myself lucky they still need a greeter." He chuckled quietly. "Well good luck with the security systems."
"Can't have them causing problems." Ted responded turning away from the sheepish man. His attention going back towards the hallway as he looked one last time over his shoulder. A smile crossed his face.
Ben reached into his briefcase and pulled out a small cylinder covered in little spheres. He reached out his hand holding it out for Ted who took it and made a run towards the laser grid blocking the hallway. Twisting the cap he sent it flying across the room, and sticking to the ceiling mounted turret.
A flash of light emanated across the room causing the turrets barrel to fall limp on the spot, at the same time the laser grid shut down allowing a brief moments access to the other side. They only had a few precious moments.
Ben sipped from his sunset sass watching the proceedings with interest. He drew his own 10mm pistol keeping watch on the turret as he pressed against the wall. His hand darted to his person pulling a suppressor out and threading it onto the barrel.
Ted made a run right for the downed barrier as the device set off, he slid through on his back right in between the gap slid on through to the other side landing against the wall of the security booth. With a light thud as his shoulder made impact.
The device emptied the last of its charge falling to the ground. Ben pulled out the glass cutter and his special holotape then slid it across the ground. They'd been planning this little robbery for weeks and it was going so smoothly.
The barrier was designed to stop people from passing through, not care packages. The hardware skidded across the floor landing safely in Tedros' capable hands.
Ben turned his attention to the parking lot, finishing off his bottle of sass. He dropped the bottle into the trash recepticle with a clatter. He took a long drag from his cigarette satisfied with their work so far.
Ted opened the glass cutter, cranking it open wide enough for him to fit through. He pressed the diamond up against the glass firmly and twisted the handle kicking in the small motor. Quickly the little device set to work cutting deep into the safety glass with ease before popping itself right out of the hole.
Ben smirked nodding his head. He was still on the lookout for anyone watching who might get the wrong idea on things.
Ted stood back up and clamored his way through the window falling down onto the counter with a light thud. He twisted on the spot into the seat. Looking over towards the control panel it took him a few moments to find his way around.
Eventually he slotted the small tape labeled Fun Co. Into the holotape reader, and it began to work its magic. The hacking protocols made short work of the laser defense grid sending it and the turret back into a standby mode.
"Benji we're in."
Ben walked his way down the hall stepping into the security room. Ted passed over the tape which along with the glass cutter were quietly stashed back into his spiffy looking briefcase.
"Worked a charm Benji."
"Of course it did, I don't program failures."
"Meet you back up in ten" Ben spoke with a calm quiet as he headed his way down the stairs into the server room proper.
"I'll have it done in five."
Splitting off the two headed their separate ways Ben down to the server room, and Ted towards the storage bays.
He made his way down the halls to a small blast door, and grabbed the handle forcefully. Spinning it round and round the door slid its way open to one side revealing the treasure trove within
"Soldier, show me lot 714" He barked out orders to the first he saw.
"Yes sir, right away." Came the chirpy reply from the floating helper. He lead Ted down row after row of storage.
As ted made his way down the halls he took note of the positioning of the wandering the bay. He knew there was only going to be so much time bought by that little hacking trick of theirs, and he was going for gold.
He reached into his pockets pulling out a large bag. It unfolded one side after another into a large gym bag perfect for storage. Along the way he grabbed several objects off the shelves and stuffed them in for safe keeping.
They were only small bits and bobs to fill out his quota. They were going to take this place for everything it had.
"Good work soldier." Ted barked out as he pulled out his combat knife from within his boot. He brought it down to the side of the shipping crate and began to pry it open slowly but surely. It took effort but it was going to be worth it.
Ted looked down at his wrist watch timing their progress. The little Vaultboy on his wrist gladly pointed out the time as he made his way down the hall. He caught that little boys eye as he propped up the lid revealing strange looking pistol and five magazines.
"Well aren't you just the prettiest gall in the ball?" He picked the pistol up in his hand and weighed it for a moment smirking at it. He slid in one of the cylinders and aimed it at the wall. "Wattz.. you never fail to impress."
Ben could feel the beads of sweat rolling down his face as he looked at the faded tan keyboard. The light was on the fritz again flickering and fading into the hot air or the bunker. He ran his forearm across his face slicking it wet with a fresh layer of sweat before throwing his arm to one side.
The low hum of the computer filled his ears the clattering of the keyboard beneath his fingers echoing out in the concrete room. The soaking wetness had seeped its way through the sleeve of his simple coveralls. He slammed his hand down to one side shaking the moisture out and sending it careening to the floor.
"Come on you SOB" His voice grumbled out with grit, he could taste his own dry mouth as he looked towards the amber glow of the monitor before him his fingers dancing out across the keys. He was on his last cigarette, smoldering away behind his ear tucked just inside that hair. He could feel the warmth on the side of his head.
He ran his hand down his face feeling the curve of his nose and the deep gouge on the side of his face. "There we go." He sat back from the computer, a low ditty echoing out from the beige box. The whir of the tape drive working its magic was music to his tired ears. "Give pappa all your dirty little secrets."
He'd been down here for the lord only knew how long working into the late hours of the night with his cracking program. The minutes had turned to hours and the hours turned to days. "Alright Let's see what ol uncle sam was up to down here."
He pulled the cigarette from the back of his ear and stuffed it away into the corner of his mouth the amber glow mixing with that of the monitor. "Security here's tighter then a nuns asshole." The nicotine filled his system as he took that long drag releasing the smoke from his lips in small circles blown into the air.
On the screen schematics scrolled into view one line at a time in all their amberchrome glory, the Watts Rad Reclaimer in all of its death dealing glory. He looked through the documentation with baited breath wattage outputs and recommendations for the weapons output. Pages of information from the design team on its killing potential.
"Bet I can find a buyer in a heartbeat." He chuckled to himself in the dark sending out the command to transfer the projects information onto that holotape of his. "Lot of people would kill for a portable rad weapon like this." He pulled the cigarette from the corner of his mouth pressing the eject button on the side of the computer. The tape flung itself out with a satisfactory click only for a new tape to be shunted into its place.
The slow drip of liquid continued behind Ben, a slow and steady noise of liquid dripping into more liquid. Behind Ben a man lay spread out across a nearby table face down in a pool of his own blood. A single round had penetrated the back of his neck killing him instantly.
Footsteps echoes out from the stairwell slow and steady a lone figure peaking out over the railing. "How's the download?" The voice called out across the room. "We don't have all day."
"Downloading the files as we speak Ted." The cigarette was lifted back to his mouth another long drag taken as he leaned back in his swivel chair spinning on the spot. "You should look through these when we get back, it's a god damn goldmine."
He chuckled to himself the first of the holotapes tucked back away into the depths of his briefcase fit snugly into the foam. He took a bit of tape from the desk and scribbled onto its surface.
"Schematics, photographs lab reports." He took another drag from his cigarette snapping at his suspenders as the program ran its course. "It's the whole ballgame."
Ted leaned down on the railing with his suppressed 10mm pistol in one hand his military uniform in a state of disrepair. The cigarette in his own mouth hung slightly to one side each word carrying with it smoke into the nights air. The amber glow bounded from one side to the other as he stepped down the stairwell into the main server room, taking care to step over the pool of blood that had gathered there.
"Never fail to disappoint Benjamin." He rested against the wall of the bunker his arm landing just above the large dent in the drywall where a grizzly end had been met. Blood streaks on the floor lead to the nearby table where someone had patted the body down for its security access.
Ted looked back up the stairs for a moment before stepping over the slicked wet blood from where the corpse had been drug. He walked between the racks of servers slotting his handgun back into the holster under his arm.
"I wish we didn't have to kill him." Ben placed his hands between his knees leaning forward. He shook his head side to side. "I'm not a killer Tedros."
"You're whatever you need to be." Ted walked over to the body one last time admiring the handy work. He nodded his head once knocking his combat boot into the corpses dress shoe. "He knew the risks when he signed up for this job and payed the price in the end." Ted pulled the cigarette from his mouth knocking off the ash into the nearby tray.
"This place was supposed to be empty."
"Well it is now sunshine." Ted looked over towards the screen the little pipboy running inside of a vault cog signifying the download in progress. "and you did a fine job removing that little roadblock for us"
Ben felt sick to his stomach. He was about ready to expel his insides all over the cold concrete before him. His hands wend back up to his face feeling the bumps and scratches before running through his hair. He let out a low chuckle that carried into his laugh.
"This whole thing is just fucked Tedros" He closed his eyes hard wanting to just wake up from this whole situation. "We came here to steal files dammit, not lives."
Ted for his part made his way back over to the body snagging a pack of smokes from his corpse and stashing them in the upper pocket of his uniform.
"And that's exactly what we're doing Benny." His hand fell down onto Bens shoulder grabbing tight. "We just had to do a little house keeping along the way."
Benjamin turned around in his chair back to the monitor, there were more files to transfer. He shook his head from one side to the other slapping the ejection button so he could slot in another tape. "I feel like I'm gonna be sick."
He stood up stumbling to his feet. He walked his way over to the far side of the room and slid open the bathroom door. Falling to his knees he couldn't hold it in any more. His cigarette was clutched in his hand and the contents of his stomach were summarily emptied into the bog. He coughed and sputtered still seeing the eyes of the man he'd killed.
It flowed like a river from him, the poison of that moment. He sobbed into the basin expelling all that he could from himself. One hand rested onto the seat of the toilet keeping him from going head first into it.
"Son of a bitch." Ted couldn't help himself, moving over to the doorway, his hand leaned against it as he took a long drag from his cigarette looking down at the younger suit clad figure. "No one said any of this would be easy kid."
Ben heaved his breathing labored as he slid down the wall of the bathroom. "I can't keep doing this Ted." He lowered his head down into his hands openly sobbing into them. "I'm not a killer"
"I know you're no killer kid" Ted leaned down placing a single hand down on the younger man.
"Listen," Ted leaned closer to the man using his shoulder to support himself. "Ya did the right thing and used your suppressor" Ted smiled before lifting Ben up from his bunched up pile in the corner. "Saved us both a lot of trouble." He lifts him right up to a stand dusting off his shoulders.
"Fact is." Ben sat down onto the nearby chair finally managing to collect himself as Ted spoke. "Shoulda known going in we might need to put someone down." He leaned on the nearby server rack. "It was you or him, that's all you need to remember."
It was at that moment that their ears were filled with a low whine. It was a siren growing louder in pitch by the moment.
Ted looked up towards the ceiling for a long moment the siren filling both the mens ears. "God dammit," He walked over towards the stairwell walking in that direction. "Don't tell me it's the god damn reds." As he walked the blast shields of the bunker slammed shut locking down into place.
The doors sealed with a hearty sigh as the sirens carried on growing louder by the moment reaching a crescendo as outside heavy thuds began to drop into the ground one after another.