Case by Case

Downtown London

Market Square

Poetically, downtown London gleams with life; its vast skyscrapers litter the skies with their humongous glory and shinning light. The air smells of wax cinnamon, with office buildings and minor manufacturing facilities continuing on with whatever whitecollar work they do. Be it filing bank accounts or building tanks... did not matter. With regards to those, the downtown area was relatively pleasant. Filled to the brim with cultural, religious and economic aspects from all types of galactic life. The chatter alone of the customers, friends and families was loud enough to carry throughout the ever widening maze of tunnels, streets and roads. Amazingly, you can hear the livelihood of the market a kilometer away. Easy to get lost in a crowd like this... although that's sometimes a benefit.

The meeting had to go smoothly; it was hard enough to snatch the

Case-39, now transferred into a small compact case painted with Phoenix colours; away from the Cerberus envoy. Its even harder to hide it, especially knowing what was in the case. That's why I scheduled to meet Wolfthorn in the market, or at least meet each other. It's crowded, loud, and busy; no one will have the time to pay attention to us as we talk... then again you can never be too careful.

For my sake of blending in, I stripped off my armour and hid it in a safe not too far away. They tell you when your first joining the syndicate that you get use to wearing the armour: despite my constant disbelief since it itched as hell. Sure enough I did get use to my suit; and now I feel naked without it.

Anyway wandering around the central ring of the market, I took a sit at a nearby cafe and awaited Wolfthorn to arrive.

"Hey mister?"A young turian perked, approaching from my left.

His lighter skin meant that he was an Earth-native, since turian shell-skin tended to be more grayish and darker back on Palaven. I always thought the turians to be stuck-ups, too wrapped up with their problems or honour; that they don't give a damn about other races. Not that I don't completely misunderstand they're position: Palaven did after all get burned to the ground during the Reaper invasion. But hey, so did Earth.

Point being I never liked turians. Except for this kid of course... his big bulgy eyes were kind of adorable. He also bared the insignia of the Gothis, a once turian colony that was conquered during the unification war. The mark reminded me of a tiger.

"Whatcha do in?"The kid asked, misusing ancient british slang.

"Waiting."

"Waiting for what?"

"A friend... shouldn't you be with your ma?"

"Mom's busy."The kid replied, viewing over his shoulder, eyes preying on a tall slick turian woman marked with the Gothis colonial insignia and dressed in a dark naval turian dress. At least I thought it was a dress.

"Well not sure what momma turians say to their children, but we humans having a saying that it's not safe to talk to strangers."I explained which took the kid a moment to understand.

"Oh okay- bye minster!"The kid said, smiling a wide grin while waving an arm as he ran to his mom. She'd been watching the entire time; awkward if I don't say so myself. But she nodded with a smile of appreciation, leaving with a hand over her child's bladed head.

After they left I checked my omni-tool, which blinked to life in a distinct amber glow.

It read 0902 hours. Or to the normal person; 9:02 am.

He's late.

"Sorry for the long wait." A young black-dyed haired woman spoked taking the opposite seat with an gentle ease. There was elegance to her movement, a refinement. Not something you'd see in your run-of-the-mill kind of woman.

This woman's wealthy.

"Forgive me madam but I'm awaiting for an associate of mine,"

"I am the associate."She charmed, waving a hand towards a waiter who then immediately brought a fresh latte. She waited for a few seconds before taking a sip.

This woman's powerful.

"I beg your pardon,"I replied puzzled by her confidence.

"Our contributionar has had a development that's arisen and plans had to be changed." She explained delicately.

Aside from the obvious I was amazed, blown away by how graceful she was at sharing information. Referring to our contributionar meant she worked for Wolfthorn, which also meant that I could trust her. I think?

What's more, mentioning how plans have arisen, meant that she was in Wolfthorn's inner circle. Then on top of all that, saying how plans have changed and she's going to be the associate; concluded that she had to be a relative of Wolfthorn, if not his daughter.

Not bad...

"Are all Wolfthorns this crafty with words?"I pondered innocently as she sipped away at her latte, which steamed in the gentle summer wind.

"The older ones are. Word-handling becomes useful when you need to test someone, without being direct."

"Testing, huh? So did I past?"

"For now. You can call me Miranda."She said, clasping her hands together while she rested her thin chin on them.

"Horaes."I replied, smirking at her choice for an alias. Although she didn't bring any attention to it.

"Do you have the case?"Miranda bluntly asked, taking me by surprised. Figured she talk her way around it; you know like start a conversation before actually asking.

"Mind me saying so, but that's quite direct. People could be listening."I replied, suspiciously eyeing anyone who took a split second longer to stare at us.

Of course Miranda refused to answer. You can tell by the way her shoulders were slouching; disappointed that she needed to explain.

"To my left is Mr. Notas,"Miranda lectured nudging towards a elderly turian too busy taking food orders to notice us.

"I'm not following."

"Of course your not, that's why I'm explaining,"Miranda snipped, taking another sip of her latte.

"Mr. Notas doesn't look like it, but he's an retired turian intelligence officer. His family had issues with the bank a few years ago and went into crisis. My family, also having issues with the bank, exposed several corrupt bankers; and in return we recover all our assets plus those belonging to customers. Mr. Notas quite generously offered his remaining networks for his gratitude."

"Nice story, but how does that have to do with this meeting?"

"Well besides Mr. Notas, thirteen other turians work for us,"Miranda replied, "Then there's Lily."

"Who's she?"

"She runs the flower shop, everyone passes her when they enter into the market."

"Let me guess she works for you as well?"

"A month ago, she was admitted to Rosalane's hospital for a failing kidney, but lack the credits for insurance for the coverage. So-"

"So your family payed for it, she's grateful and now gathers information for you."I interrupted.

"Correct. Then there's Mr. Michelson at Sunshine's Bar, Lowin at the Eroski kiosk, Tawin at-"

"Okay, okay I get it. This market works for you."

"Basically,"She confirmed nodding with a wide grin.

Somewhat mesmerized I reluctantly opened a small foldable case, outlined with bronze and silver. Along its surface, the two by four case had three thin coloured strips: amber, white and gray, across its left side: each bending at a forty-five degree to the top left corner.

Upon surfacing the small case promoted an amber hologram lock, which included two circles: smaller at the top and bisecting the larger one which covered the entire case.

"Giad's Lock?"Miranda asked as I imputed the password.

Trust no One.

"Can't be too careful." I shrugged handing over the case. I honest to god hope she's the real deal. Would hate it if I find out that this so-called Miranda is an agent for Cerberus.

"Much appreciated Mr. Horaes,"Miranda smiled, handing over a white package filled with what sounded like shuffled notes.

"New orders?"

"The usual nothing too major,"She said as I ripped open the package.

I took a moment to skim over the fine black print.

Top right corner was marked with destroy after reading, typical but necessary. Once I got to the bottom I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Nothing too major?

"A raid?"

"Do you object?"

"Well, it isn't my call to make. But I personally don't why the need for a raid."

"That's right its ultimately not your call. Even so, our Contributionar needs this done."

"Does the raid have anything to do with the Eroski's?"

"No they're out of the picture entirely. We've made sure that any collateral damage done won't reflect on their already tainted reputation."

"I'm not sure they've got a reputation left."

"Hm perhaps. Regardless, it's Cerberus we're more concerned about. Especially with their sudden interest in Eroski."

"Any Cerberus activity is disturbing,"

"True but you haven't been given the larger picture yet,"Miranda explained slightly waving the compact case, "We suspect there's something else inside this, something other than just schematics."

"What do you think it is?"I asked though she just shrugged.

"Not a clue. We hope the raid may provide those answers."

"Got it."

"Then I guess our business is done today. Have a nice day Mr. Horaes."Miranda expressed with a simple gesture before heading away.

I decided to wait awhile longer, taking time to relax and drink a cup of expresso. Perhaps it was my subconscious mentally preparing itself for the raid on the Eroski harbour warehouse. Disturbingly... a Cerberus outpost. How and when they required the warehouse is beyond me.