◆◆◆

As usual, Rex was as reliable as a donkey. He’s there, but never available unless his mood suited him. I dialled his number for the thirtieth time, only to hear the busy tone. Frustrating the Imbibe outta me patience. Where is that bastard? I huffed to myself.

“Trouble reaching the girlfriend Cypher?” Rynord asked, with a wry smile. “Never a trouble to reach her” I answered. “Don’t worry, women do that, go off the radar when pissed. Hell, three of mine haven’t spoken to me since I told them about the OP.”

“Don’t!” Stelig shouted.

“Three?” I asked, voice mellowing off.

“Glad you asked,” Rynord said with a smug smile. He pulled a data card from his flak-jacket and tapped a in sequence. “Look at them, beautiful…aren’t they?”

The merc showed me a digital photo of three women. A Neko-Musume woman with an elongated mouth with feline eyes, A dark-skinned woman with heart-shaped lips and a Cynocephalus woman whose legs were slender long, making her have a different type of seduction than the former two.

The Neko-Musume was fair-skinned with blue streaks woven across her legs and arms, giving her a Cheshire cat-look. The yellow two-piece bikini she wore was of no special design, making her look normal.

The dark-skinned woman wore an animal print monokini-styled swimsuit, coloured black and white. Her hair was styled in a small afro, with white and black beads woven into her locks.

The Cynocephalus woman wore an all-white two-piece bikini, with waist beads, dangling above her belly button. She was the slimmest of the two and had the fiercest expression when she smiled, flashing her fangs.

“They are looking, but not my fancy,” I said, patting Rynord on the back. I didn’t wait for him to say anything but heard Tryzer chuckling as I walked to the back of the warehouse.

I wasn’t looking to diss Rynord, but get some silence as I tried to reach Rex before Colvolt Weitson arrived. “Busy tone…damn it, where are you…you bastard.”

“Cypher…READY UP!” Stelyne shouted. Already? I said to myself, already knowing the answer.

I walked from the back of the warehouse, passing the white van, crushing glass and styrofoam crates beneath my feet. Everyone had left the warehouse, leaving me inside alone.

When I walked outside, floodlights standing in the middle of the Port were rising in the sky. I licked my lips, tasting the salty wind. I squinted, raised my arm to block the beaming lights on my left from the already raised lights.

Trucks, Vans…anything that moved, was here and if I were to guess the entirety of CSS as well. Men and Women pulled levers and ushered equipment left and right. Stelyne stood in the centre, guiding everyone, making it seem like second nature.

On the left, Tryzer was sitting on a wheel from one of the trucks that brought the floodlights. Naedon was getting a gash on his shoulder sorted, whilst Rynord did the same for his leg. Were they injured? I asked myself, noting I didn’t notice anything.

Stelig was standing farthest from us, next to what seems to be the tactical vehicle with the tech division setting up the screens.

I knew a T-FOB when I see one. A T-FOB or temporary forward operating base was what PMC’s used for situations such as this. As “prepared” as CSS was, I had my doubts, especially with having two civilians enter the field with us.

After guiding the trucks and personnel to their designated area, Stelyne marched on over to us, and the Commissioner followed. I don’t know why she was still here, but I wished she’d leave.

“Alright everyone, thanks to Commissioner Hexan, we’ve temporarily commandeered Belleview Port for this rescue-op. I know it’s not the best, but it’ll have to work, as we know time is of the essence.”

Colonel Levisay walked up from behind us, splitting me and Stelig. His hands were clasped behind him, as usual. “Whats the Locale on Ms Weitson, Stelyne.” He asked, turning towards us.

“The transponder is showing that she’s just passed through Section 28-A46 and heading towards Section 40-D12 Western Quadrant?”

“Oh for GOD’s SAKE.” Stelig hissed. “Are you shitting me?”

“This is a joke…right?” Tryzer said, face painted in surprise.

“The Waste heh…” I said, “that’s bold…they’ve been planning this for a while then. It’s clear.”

“Quite…” Naedon said in agreement. “When do we move out?”

“As soon as possible.” Colvolt Weitson said, walking in from the side in which Commissioner Hexan was standing. The man was firmly built and wore a brown jacket, weathered black jeans and combat boots. He had a sidearm strapped to his waist and a lackey following behind. “Well…I should say, I’m ready when you are.” Colvolt said with a reassuring smile.

“Tryzer, Stelig, Rynord…Cypher, ready?”

“Ready,” The cobra squadron said in unison.

“I need a few minutes. I have to make a call.”

“Then make it quickly Cypher, we don’t have time to dally.”

I turned around, heading back into the warehouse, ignoring the constant chatter of the CSS as they continuously build the T-FOB. As I stood at the edge of the door, trying to make another call to Rex, I finally gave up.

Fine…I said to myself, I have no choice. The call rang for a mere five seconds before it was answered. “Well, I’ll be if it isn’t the one and only Kaiden Cypher!” Zade said, characteristically happy as usual. “How are you Zade…it’s been a while.”

“I’m good Cypher, I’m good, how are ya?”

“A tad busy, but I can’t complain to be fair.”

“Good Good,” Zade answered. An awkward silence sat between us for five seconds, then Zade broke, as I expected him to. “So why didn’t you call?” he finally asked. “I didn’t have that urge to.”

“But…now you do?” he asked.

“I do.”

Gonzada released a long sigh as if he were disappointed. “What is it Cypher?” He asked me, tone dry as ever.

“I need a favour Zade. A big one.”

“A big one eh? Alright, what is it you need.”

“I need you to keep an eye on my wife and daughter whilst I’m gone.”

“Holy shit…wife and daughter? You’re married Cypher?”

“Seven years and counting.”

“That’s…wow. I’m shocked to hear that.”

“Don’t be,” I said calmly.

“Wow…I’m lost for words here.”

“I understand, but can you check in on them for me? I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll be gone for a day or three the most.”

“Not a problem, Cypher.”

I pulled up my bank account and typed in his banking information on the inlay on my cybernetic arm. “You’re account number is still FP-09-0098176?”

“Yeah.”

“Check it when you get a chance, I sent something to you for your troubles.”

“Whoa…no need for that Cypher! We’re both cool…despite you disappearing on me.” He said dryly.

“Didn’t disappear, had no reason to contact you. The Commissioner fired me, saw no point in keeping contact.

“That’s cold Cypher…really cold.”

“Sorry Zade, it isn’t personal. I’m just wired that way.”

“Wired that way? Wow, Cypher. I’ll remember that.” He said bitterly. “But don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on your family don’t worry.” He finished, enthusiasm returning to his voice.

“Thank you, Zade…I appreciate it.”

“No problem at all Cypher, no problem at all.”

The call ended, and felt slight reprieve, knowing that my absence wouldn’t be appreciated by my wife, especially with Akatani still out there.

When Jix returns…we’ll hunt for him again I said to myself, giving myself a much-needed pep talk. My mind wasn’t truly ready for this escapade into The Waste.

, it was on my family. I didn’t want to leave, but the credits earned from this job would certainly help recoup the credits I spent battling Akatani.

That’s the thing about being Husband and Father, whatever you do, affects your family, you couldn’t just do what you felt like doing. You had to ensure your family was dealt with first, then yourself. Well, that’s what I believed and I haven’t regretted it since.

“Yes, Kaiden?” Shin-Lee said, voice drowsy as ever. “Bad news babe,” I said softly. “I figured as much…you wouldn’t have called if things were going smoothly.”

I laughed dryly and shook my head. This woman knows me, and I damn well don’t know what I’d do without her.

“Do you know when you’ll be back?” she asked, smacking the sleep from her lips. “Not too sure, but three days the most,” I answered, unsure of the timeline the kidnappers gave.

“I’ll give it five…and don’t worry about Hannah, I’ll tell her you’re working, she’s old enough to understand the concept of work, alright?”

“Alright.”

“Keep your head on, and get back to me.”

“I will.”

“Love you.”

“I love you too Shin-Lee.”

The call ended there and I was filled with anxiety, doubt and loneliness. I hated whenever we had calls such as this. I truly never knew if I’d returned, but I always did. Let’s hope the streak is still alive. I thought to myself.

“CYPHER!” Naedon roared. “Hurry up, we’re heading out! Now!”

“I’m ready Captain…I’m ready.”