Chapter 42: Ray Dawn

Ray Dawn seized a glass of champagne from the roaming waiter’s glistening metal tray. He took a measured sip and sighed refreshment.

Stationed at the far end of the hall, he leaned against the mirrored wall and took in the sparkling space as well as the fancy people that occupied it.

The eulogy and burial had taken place but Ray Dawn still had to attend the after tears. A custom held directly after the burial. Friends, neighbours, colleagues and extended family would gather at a venue of the family’s choosing to partake in a sombre celebration of sorts, to comfort the grieving family.

‘And a sombre party is my kind of party.’

He noticed Rafinya marching toward him and Shenko. Rafinya crossed the crowded hotel hall with large strides, his big feet stomping against the mirrored tiles.

“He seems pissed,” Ray Dawn said.

“Since when have you cared how Rafinya feels,” Shenko said.

Ray Dawn didn’t reply.

‘Drunk Shenko = Cheeky Shenko.’

He glimpsed at the Shenko beside him. The freckled faced youth had a drink in either hand, sloshing down champagne with great purpose.

“What are you wearing?” Rafinya said reproachfully as he halted before them.

They had their mechanical armour beneath their formal attire.

“Dangerous times,” Ray Dawn yawned.

Rafinya gave them an intense look, grey sunken eyes glaring at them but Shenko was too drunk to be intimidated and Ray Dawn was too Ray Dawn to be intimidated.

“What was the meaning of that?” Rafinya asked.

“My mentor’s dying wish,” Shenko said. Burped and gulped down more champagne.

“Your stance today isn’t helping to ease the tensions.”

“I know,” Ray Dawn said. “Believe me this isn’t how I wanted to deal with things but you know dying wishes and whatnot.”

“I had no choice,” Shenko snapped but didn’t dare meet his gaze. “How would my ancestors receive me if I denied my mentor’s dying wish?”

Ray Dawn shrugged carelessly.

He knew children were often victims of their elder's dreams. It was extremely unfair of Safaree to put that on the boy but Shenko still had a choice.

Of course he’d still be useful in the union but he wouldn’t value him as much.

‘Because I don’t truly value any chess piece I can’t fully control.’

“You gonna drink that,” Shenko gestured to the champagne in Rafinya’s hand. Rafinya passed it to him, watched as he sloshed it down his throat and carelessly spilled bits of the drink onto the reflective tiles.

Shenko was on a mission to get wasted.

‘And I’m not the voice of reason that will stop him.’

“Say lieutenant,” Ray Dawn said. “About what we spoke about at the tomb.”

“That can wait a few days.”

“No!” Ray Dawn blurted out, suddenly losing his temper but noticed the attention he was drawing and piped back down.

He continued in his much calmer, even-kill voice.

“Why is it I’m the only one who sees the urgency of the events set in motion? We need to resolve this before the agents get even bolder.”

“What did you have in mind?” Rafinya asked.

“I need access to the data guild.”

“Why? They’re already doing their best to find traces of Carrasco and the AoF.”

“I have a method.”

“Explain.”

“The data guild has access to the world’s satellites. How they track everyone’s chips right?”

“Yes but agents use encrypted chips, untraceable even with an IP address.”

“I’ve put out some bait, if Carrasco downloads it, the malware will nullify his chip encryption and we’ll track his IP via satellite.”

Rafinya eyes sparkled but he refrained from getting too excited. “I’ll have the guild on standby then.”

Ray Dawn shook his head. “You misunderstand I need access to the guild to track him myself.”

“Why?”

“We can’t be sure who to trust anymore,” Ray Dawn said. “Don’t you find it suspect? How the agents are always a step ahead of us. How they know things they aren’t supposed to.”

“You think we have leakage?”

“I’m sure of it. Someone with a high ranking position.”

Rafinya looked contemplative. Then a flicker of realization and he snapped.

“Why are you telling me then? How can you be so sure I’m not the mole?” Rafinya asked thick brows furrowed, slightly offended.

Spies wanted to climb the ranks for more crucial intel or blend in and seem invisible to collect intel without drawing suspicion to themselves.

‘Not look incompetent and risk losing their jobs like you.’

“Of course you’re more than capable but your loyal, like me, like Shenko. So it can’t be us.”

This seemed to placate the insecure giant.

“Give me access to the guild’s resources,” Ray Dawn said. “And I guarantee you I’ll find Carrasco.”

“Even if you’re sure, the data guild is in a secure location and only a select few mages are trained and authorized to be there.”

“It was merely a suggestion.” Ray Dawn shrugged. “If you have other options I’m free to explore them. If you think we have the time of course.”

“It’s not our jobs on the line,” Shenko slurred.

Ray Dawn eyed Shenko approvingly. Despite his drunken state he still had impeccable timing.

Rafinya glared at them. “Ray, why do I get the feeling your trying to manipulate me?”

‘You’re not as gullible as you look then.’

“If getting you to agree to do whatever it takes to stop the AoF is manipulating you then you’re right. Look lieutenant I just wanna stop these guys before they commit anymore atrocious crimes. Do you?”

Rafinya marinated on his words for a good while.

“47 guards dead at the tomb,” Shenko slurred. “What about the following attack? What if it’s worse? We need to employ every resource in our arsenal to its fullest.”

“You’re right,” Rafinya said softly. “We need to do everything we can but within the confines of the law because once we step out where does it end. Even we as law enforcement need restraints to ensure we aren’t on the streets doing as we goddamn please.”

‘You delusional idiot.’

Ray Dawn patted Rafinya’s shoulder. “Lieutenant you’re a good man and I like to think I’m not a complete dick.”

Rafinya chuckled despite himself.

“Don’t you think between you and me, we can keep each other honest enough whilst doing right by justice.”

Rafinya had that look in his eyes.

That look when you knew you were probably being lied to but you wanted to believe so bad. Like how an enabler wants to believe an addict’s lies on the small chance they were being honest.

Ray Dawn recalled back in high school, how much Anita wanted to believe him when he begged for just the tip. Then shoved it all in when she said yes.

‘Bloody work that, Anita’s first time.’

“I have a friend in the guild,” Rafinya said. “I’ll see if I can’t get them to give you a tour.”

Something approaching happiness bubbled into his heart as he convinced the large bloke.

“That’s perfect,” Ray Dawn said, the thinnest of smiles creeping onto his face.