Commissioner Hexan flashed a knowing smile and shook her head. “Neither of the two,” She said, “nor was he a Paragon in our society. The man was as unscrupulous and as carnal as they come. What you know, of him, is his philanthropic endeavours done by Colvolt, under his brother’s say. So a bastard like him wouldn’t tarnish the family name. And to add insult to injury, he didn’t die due to any of those circumstances but to Lurglight overdose from one of his Cabal Parties.”

“Lurglight? That shit hasn’t seen the light of days since the founding Bridge City.”

“Believe what you want Naedon, but the Federation’s Elite, live differently than you and I. We worry about hunger, credits and our lives in this world. Such worries are like a second breath to them. What makes you think they can’t acquire Lurglight, Haze and Acidslip at a whim?”

“What’s your point Hexan? What does Darlina have to do with any of this?” I snapped, tired of the melodramatic answer.

“To the point, I see Mr Cypher, alright. Darlina Weitson is Martin’s daughter.”

“I figured as much, but what does that have to do with your bid to regain your seat as Commissioner.”

“Darlina is too volatile, something she inherited from her father. Colvolt Weitson may have been a bastard and a piece of shit, but Elhisia has inherited his intelligence, shrewdness and most importantly his ability to lead. The fact that she orchestrated her kidnapping in hopes of leading her father into the Waste, to force him to hand over his position is in-reputable. I need her to retain my seat as Commissioner.”

Everyone at the table turned to me and eyed all of them back. I wasn’t the leader here, this was Naedon’s team, but I got the message. They were all in, they just wanted to know if I were with them.

“Fine…I’m in, but if you betray me. Tonight will be your last night alive.” I said, trailing into a whisper.

“Message received N9 Cypher.”

Incoming Call…

“So can we get on with the planning now?” Naedon asked.

“Not yet. I need to make a call. If you wanna start, go ahead. It won’t belong.” I said, pushing myself up from the chair.

I left the cobra squad to their devices and heard a growling sigh emanating from Naedon. I couldn’t care less about his attitude right now. I had a call to answer.

“Rex…you bastard. I’ve been calling you the past two days, where the hell are ya?” I growled. “Well…for one, I was in lock-up. Two, it’s good to hear ya.”

“What, what do you mean you were in lock-up? They found out?”

“I’m offended Cypher, you know my work is as clean as it comes!” Rex bragged.

“So why the hell were you locked up?”

“Forgot to pay a whore.”

“Are you shitting me…what do you mean forgot to pay a whore?

“Look man, are you sure you want the details or do you want my help? It sounded urgent.”

“Then lay it on me.”

I groaned a say, shaking my head with gritted teeth and wondering how I got here. The two seconds I had, to think of how was futile as I kissed my teeth and heaved a loud sigh. “Akatani’s got to me.”

“Holy shit, the bastard re-appeared?”

“Not just re-appeared, He Kidnapped Shin-Lee and Hannah-Lee.”

“Huh, who the hell are they?” Rex scoffed confused.

“My wife and daughter.”

The line went silent for fifteen seconds, despite me saying “Hello, Rex” after five seconds the bastard still didn’t answer. Once twenty had passed, he finally said something. “Repeat one more time for me. Wife and Daughter? Who the hell are you and where’s Cypher. You sound like him, but you can’t be him.”

“Enough with jokes Rex. I’m serious.”

“If you’re married, then so am I.” He joked.

“Enough with the jokes Rex, I’m dead fucking serious, that bastard Akatani took my little girl and wife. I need your help!” I spat.

A throbbing sensation pulsed within my chest as it became heavy. I clenched, hitting it with two strikes, then began breathing slowly. Hoping that the pain is felt in my chest would ease. It didn’t.

Rex went silent once more, then finally spoke, “So, that was who had access to your account?” He asked. “What are you talking about?” I asked, feeling breathless.

“When you weren’t paying me, I hacked into your account, remember?”

“ That was around the time I got Shedrick killed right?” I whispered.

“Do you remember now?

“I do, but barely.”

“Well it doesn’t matter, but when I browsed the account. I noticed that they were differing withdrawals at various places throughout Bridge City and regardless of that. There was no way you could teleport yourself across the city. I just figured someone had been siphoning funds from off your account so I didn’t mention it.”

“You saw the activity and didn’t mention it, chalked it to someone siphoning funds from me?”

“Yeah.”

I laughed bitterly and shook my head.

“You owed me credits Cypher, why the fuck would I care if someone was stealing from you?”

“…that’s fair,” I admitted.

“It is, but what’s not fair is taking another man’s wife and daughter. What is it you need me to do?”

“What’s the price for your help Rex?”

“This is free.”

“Are you shitting me? Don’t play games with me, Rex.”

“I’,m serious” Rex said, in an unusually serious tone. “Now tell me, what do you need me to do?”

“I appreciate the help, Rex. I do.” I said. I then sent the copy of the video that Rex sent. “I need another favour, see if you can find out anything about Akatani. That file I used for the raid on Akatani seems to be a dud and from the looks of it. Akatani has a hacking background. He got into The Mangol’s systems.”

“S-Class Cyberweaver?”

“It’s crossed my mind, but I didn’t want to confer unless I spoke with you.”

“I thought he was some little upstart Gangster?”

“He is, but he seems to have my service file as well. He probably could’ve paid someone for it.”

“True. The Federation would sell its own mother for credits.” Rex laughed.

“Heh…true. Listen, I need you to check the surveillance footage for my building as well. I couldn’t confirm, but I believe he left a loop. Not just anyone can get past the system’s security. So I’m gonna need you to do a follow-up.”

“Will do, I might be able to backtrace something if he left anything there for me to scavenge.”

“That’d be great Rex.”

“One question before you go Cypher…is your wife and?” He said, stopping from asking any further.

“They’re alive, he’s using me to get something done for him. I’m not sure, it has something to do with The Mangol.”

“What does he want you to look into?”

“Something called a serphandias.”

“A serpha-what?”

“I don’t know, but look into it for me. I need to know what shit I’m getting myself into if I have to head into Underwent.”

“Are you suicidal? The fucking Mangol has your mark, you’re not allowed Fifty meters of Underwent.”

“I don’t have a fucking choice, Rex. He has my wife and daughter”

“Fine…but I’ll ask around and see what I can find regarding this serphawho! The Mangol has enemies so more than likely someone will be willing to talk…for a fee of course.

“The cost is nothing, Rex. Pay em, and I’ll reimburse you the credits!.”

“Understood Cypher. Understood.”

“Much thanks.”

“Alright, I’ll head to your building now and see what I can find. I’ll reach out once I find something, alright?”

“Thank you.”

The line went dead, but not the anxiety I felt within my chest. I closed my eyes, squeezing my fists together and strolled back into the room.

“Apologies, have we decided on a course of action?”

“We have.” Naedon said, “but you might like it.”

“Well,” I said sighing, “what is it.”

“It requires you to enter the Weitson Compound with Commissioner Hexan.”

You’ve got to be shitting me…” are you serious? Or you’re just pulling my chain.” I asked, confused. I looked around the table and saw no smiles. Naedon was dead serious. I grit my teeth and pulled my chair back, then took a seat. “Fine…convince me,” I said firmly, and watched as Commissioner Hexan’s lips drew into a smile.

I don’t like that look, I mused, I don’t like that look at all.