“The welcome’s appreciated, Commissioner.” Naedon said, “Is everything here as I requested?”

As I requested? What the fuck is this?

“Of course Captain, everything is as you requested,” Hexan answered, eyes still staring at me. “You look confused Mr Cypher.” She then asked.

“Not confused, speechless,” I answered.

“Speechless? Do you mean my residence? I figured you would’ve known about Law Manor, you being an EXiCON and all.” She added.

“I’m not an EXiCON” I corrected. “…I’m just speechless because I’m not shocked by your presence anymore.”

“Humph…you’re right.”

Hexan turned, heading back up the stairs, waving us to follow and we did.

The Commissioner led us through her abode. It wasn’t humble but filled with various antiques. We passed what seemed to be a music retreat, which had a Cassette Recorder, CD Player, MP3 Player the size of an eraser and a Phonograph with a huge horn attached.

I was bregrudedly impressed. I would’ve never thought the Commissioner would’ve collected such fine antiques.

“Like what you see?” She asked in a surly tone. I didn’t answer, and kept a straight face, when my eyes trailed forward Hexan licked her lips, which scared the shit out of me.

Stelig snickered, whilst Tryzer shrugged. Naedon ignored whilst Rynord cupped my shoulder as if to encourage me. Error.

We walked through the mansion passing at least three Automatons, who were dusting their respective area. One seemed to be a study whilst the other was a masseuse room.

The kitchen was on the far side of the building and was about the same size as my apartment. Three Automatons were making dishes, whilst two washed the dishes. It was creepy as hell seeing the Automatons operate like this. They looked like skeletons roaming the kitchen with oversized plates and pans in their hand, moving to human-like. No wonder the riots took place…this is horrifying I mused. Are automatons actually making food? in a human way? Shit. That’s just wrong.

Hexan led us down an unnecessarily long hallway, where the light came from the floor instead of the roof. It glowed azure and gave the hallway the feel of walking through water.

She looked back, ensuring something was behind us. I zoomed in, noticing that the corridor was a dead end and felt something off.

A draft of wind came from above, drawing our attention. Everyone looked above, only to see a tiled roof. Once we drew our eyes back to Hexan, she was typing into some keypad on the left side of the wall that wasn’t there before.

A loud crank groaned through the hallway, then the floor began to descend. “What the fuck is this Hexan?” I growled. She turned to me, flashing a knowing smiling and stalked up to us. “We’re heading to my office, no need to set your heart on fire.” She said, hands clasped behind her back.

The hallway stopped with a groan, and the end opened up with a hiss of compressed air. White vapour began to flood into the hallways, and the corridor walls opened up by receding into the roof.

Hasan walked inside, vapour swirling around her as if she was some type of fairy from a video game. The cobra squad and I looked at each other, confused. Was she trying to be grandiose, with such an exit…entrance? It didn’t make sense, but Naedon led the way and followed.

The room was dark and cold, leaving my fingertips numb from its icy embrace. The only form of light the room had, came from an emerald glow that crept through the space between the servers that were stacked together, hiding whatever it was that held the glow.

Hexan made a left, where the majority of the emerald light beamed. Naedon followed and so did we. We were met with a Holographic Table, from which the light came.

The holographic image that pulsed from the table, was that of Castle Heights, based on the lay of the land. They were hundreds of houses spread across the surface amongst the forests and gardens of the Burrough.

The houses of Castle Heights were spread across the land like ants nest amongst the fruitful forest. Castle Heights was the only place within Bridge City where the greenery was in such abundance outside of the North West Burrough.

The distance between each house wasn’t as exaggerated as I expected, but with a fifth of Castle Heights making up part of Bridge City, it was evident how rich these Elites lived.

Hexan pulled up and chair, and ushered us to take one. I took the one farthest from her, whilst Naedon sat next to me, with Stelig, Tryzer and Rynord taking up the remaining chairs.

“Now that everyone’s here, I think it’s time we debrief Cypher, don’t you think Captain.?” Hexan said. I turned to Naedon, who breathed a long sigh with steam flowing from his lips. He was annoyed, but that served him right for even bringing Hexan into the fold.

“The Commissioner had the vehicle bugged, so she heard everything. She’s aware of Zanton’s death and how Colvolt was killed, but she’s not interested in having the truth come forth. She wants Elhisia as an ally, and she knows that we’re her best option.”

“She bugged our vehicle eh?” I laughed dryly. “Didn’t expect to hear that, but I’m not surprised either. It’s what she does.”

“Are you still angry about me firing you as an EXiCON, Cypher?”

“Pissed, not angry.”

“You’re not pissed, you’re just annoyed you lost access to the 2% Tax Rate all Public Workers receive.”

“…that’s not the only reason, but fuck that let’s continue shall we!” I said, palms balled into a fist and I kept my mouth shut. “Why are we here?!? I finally asked, failing to keep my mouth shut

The Commissioner tapped a button on her chair, and the map zoomed in on the location on the southern side of Castle Heights. “This is Elhisia’s location.”

“And that is?” Naedon asked.

“The Darlina Weitson’s Mansion,” Hex said.

“She has her mansion?” Rynord chimed in.

“Yes, the Weitson Family is wealthy, very very wealthy. They can buy mansions for days and not go close to being bankrupt.” Hexan said.

“That’s a lot of fucking credits,” Stelig added.

“It is, but let’s get back on point.”

“Is there anything we should know?” Naedon asked.

“Yes. It’s impenetrable.”

“Perfect.” Rynord scoff.

“How the hell are we to get the Princess out of there then?” Stelig shouted, more than asked.

“That’s where I come in,” Hexan interjected.

“I don’t like where this is headed,” I muttered.

“I’ve scheduled a meeting with Darlina Weitson we’re to meet in four hours, right before she meets with The Phrazeon Group Board of Directors.”

“Board of Directors?” Naedon asked.

“Darlina’s making a play for her recently deceased father’s post.”

“She wants to be the new Chairman,” I said.

“Indeed.” The Commissioner agreed.

“That means you plan to meet to join forces,” Naedon asked.

“That’s right Mr Aarkon. It’s no secret that I’ve been making myself acquainted with Bridge City’s Elite. So me opting for a meeting with Darlina is no big secret at all.”

“What’s stopping you from betraying us?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why should we trust you?”

“Because I’m the only person that’s here, that’ll help Mr Cypher. Look around, who else can get you into that house?”

“That’s not enough Hexan. What’s your game here? Why are you so willing to help us with Elhisia?” I asked.

The Commissioner dressed back in her chair as if she’d been accused of something. “I want Elhisia as one of my allies.”

“Don’t you have the Romacellins in your corner already?”

“Commissioner Ialous had them in her corner as well. I can’t rely on them alone if I want to keep this job.”

“Humph. You told us you have a meeting with Darlina Weitson. How are we to not know you won’t give us up, to ensure you have her on your side whilst Elhisia is tossed to the ground.”

The Commissioner sat down, clasping her hands in front of her mouth then she leaned forward. She nodded a few times, then leaned back placing her hands on the arms of her chair. “are you familiar with Martin Weitson.”

I looked around the room, watching the cobra squadron’s expression. They all shook their head, not knowing who Martin was.

“Well…He’s Colvolt Watson’s brother. A pillar within Bridge City’s Elite. He donated billions to the unfortunate and ensured the Gallows was well fed.”

“I remember him, I stole a couple of his food stamps to survive,” I added.

“Died of a heart attack?” Stelig asking to confirm.

“No, I think he died in a car accident,” Rynord said.

“None of the two fell down some stairs breaking his neck. You see how big these mansions are.”