The helicopter was filled with a tense silence as everyone waited for Sanders. Natalie and James seemed to expect Howard to do something, but Howard didn’t want any more attention than he already had. Dealing with people was such a pain.

They were separated from the front of the helicopter by a wall, so whatever Jonathan was doing, they could not see it. There was also a wall of guards making sure none of them could leave the helicopter making them completely isolated.

After several more painfully tense moments of silence Sanders popped through the door, his cheerfully childlike smile back on his face in full beam. “Did you enjoy yourselves?” he questioned as he took a seat opposite them.

“We had no reason to enjoy ourselves,” Natalie replied coldly, “We are about to embark on a very dangerous and important mission for the government.”

“You make that sound like a bad thing,” Agent Sanders commented, before taking out chocolate and eating it.

James reached out a hand. “You’re going to share, right?” he asked, only the slightest hint of menace in his tone.

Sanders gave a small shrug and passed out chocolate candy to everyone. Even Jonathan. It turned out there was a sliding compartment that allowed for things to be passed up to the driver. “Let’s get going,” he told Jonathan, “We’re heading for Leon next.”

“Gotcha,” Jonathan replied with a chuckle and the helicopter started up. As usual, his tone was the opposite of comforting.

They landed on the roof of yet another prison after another impressive radio session done by Agent Sanders. This one had a higher security level than the last, but it had a similar layout on the roof. Sanders stepped out and motioned for only Howard to follow. “We only have one person to pick up here,” he said, “To make this go faster I want you to convince him on your own while I take care of the paperwork.”

Howard scowled. “And exactly who am I convincing?” he asked warily.

“A con artist. He was doing great until he tied himself up in the dark side of politics,” Sanders replied. Howard didn’t like the way the agent almost sounded proud. “Wait here.”

Agent Sanders took off immediately after speaking and talked to the guards on the roof. One broke off and led Sanders inside. The remaining two came to collect Howard.

“Watch your every movement,” the first one warned, “This guy is as slippery as a snake and very convincing.”

Howard nodded, not wanting to talk any more than necessary. The less he could be involved the better. Unfortunately, Sanders seemed determined to make sure that Howard was extremely involved.

The hallways in this prison were also pristine, but there was little to no opportunity to view any of the prisoners. The feeling of observed isolation made Howard shudder slightly. At the end of the hallway was a door guarded by two more. Howard was ushered inside swiftly, and heard the lock click behind him. It was unnerving.

“Even the free get treated like prisoners when they fraternize with them,” a voice stated. It was smooth and perfect. The type of voice that you might expect an actor or musician to have. “Interesting isn’t it?”

Once his eyes focused on the room, Howard could see a man with perfectly styled blonde hair and gleaming white teeth that looked like they belonged in a toothpaste commercial. Those words could just be dismissed as small talk, but given who he was talking to, Howard could sense the hidden meaning.

“I wouldn’t exactly consider myself free,” he replied, “I may not have committed any crimes, but I signed a contract that puts me on a suicide mission with a bunch of maniacs.”

“Suicide mission?” Leon asked, “So they’re offering us the carrot but don’t intend for us to come back alive to claim it.”

Howard hadn’t thought of that and didn’t like it either. “You’re a con man, right?” he asked, “I’m sure you can tell this is obviously a scam.”

“Of course it is,” Leon agreed, “I knew that from the beginning. Even if we come back alive they won’t actually give us freedom. No, they will let us play freedom while watching our every move. If any of us so much as sneeze wrong, back in the slammer.”

“Good,” Howard said, and allowed himself to relax, “Then you won’t be coming.”

Leon narrowed his eyes. “Is there any particular reason you don’t want me to?” he asked.

Howard tensed again. He had relaxed too soon. “I don’t want to spend my last days with a bunch of maniac criminals,” he replied honestly, “The less of you there are, the better.”

“I bet I could prove you wrong,” Leon told him, “Maniac criminals can provide you with a lot of things in life. Have you ever been rich, Mr. Lox?”

“No,” Howard admitted, “but I have no interest in money. I also don’t want to be controlled by a power-hungry fool who got himself caught.”

Leon winced. “Point well made,” he replied, “In that case, you can teach me how to be a cool man like you. I’m in. I must say I have never been so convinced of anything in my life. Are you sure you aren’t a con yourself?”

“What?” Howard asked in shock. Leon got up and stretched, which seemed to signal the guards.

The door opened. “I take it, he’s in?” the head guard asked.

“I am,” Leon said before Howard could answer.

Howard gave a reluctant nod and the guards moved into formation to escort them back to the helicopter. Leon had a triumphant smile on his face that was almost more terrifying than James’ laugh.

When they got to the helicopter Sanders was waiting. “Leon Hunter, sign here,” he ordered, as he produced a contract.

“With pleasure,” Leon replied. He took the pen and signed in a perfectly smooth motion before he shot another grin at Howard, “I can’t wait to get started.” He slid into the helicopter.

Sanders gestured Howard over. “We are going to have to drop back at the base before we retrieve the last person,” he told him, “It’s getting late and this helicopter was only made for four passengers.”

Howard climbed up and froze for a moment. The only available seat was by James and Leon. He didn’t really want to be next to either of them, but he had to sit somewhere. He ended up sitting next to James and across from Natalie.

Sanders headed up to the front of the helicopter and gave Jonathan the order to head back to base. It was another smooth ride, but Howard still felt sick.