I hated the plan to its core, but as I didn’t have a better one myself I just had to suck it up and survive.

“I don’t think this is a good idea” I grumbled.

“You said that five times already Cypher.” Stelig laughed. “Come on man, we ain’t got many choices. It’s either you or Tryz and Tryz ain’t got that mug of yours.”

“Har har…” I said.

“Look Cypher…Darlina Weitson already knows what you look like. It’s best if you went with the Commissioner. You just have to play along.”

“That’s right Cyph. The plan ain’t perfect, but it’s the smoothest one we have, plus it’ll give us some time to get through the security.”

“Getting through the security will be next to impossible.”

“It won’t,” Hexan interjected. “Colvolt Weitson’s dead. His biometrics are tied to ALL the security systems for all the Weitson Mansions. Once 48 hours have passed and he doesn’t enter his code, or the system itself doesn’t register him. All security parameters are reset until a new patriarch has been decided upon.”

“Why do these rich bastards have to have such detail securities?” Rynord asked. “It’s like they’re scared someone will gut them in their sleep.”

“They are, hence the over-bloated security.”

“I get it, but it just doesn’t sit well with me,” Rynord said.

“…but I’m sure you love when the credits hit your account, right?” I scoffed.

“DAMN RIGHT!” Rynord chuckled, “sweet credit heaven, gotta love these rich bastards for the paranoid piece of shit that they are.”

The Commissioner’s lips drew a line, as she wasn’t impressed with the exuberant behaviour, not that I cared. I was glad she was annoyed. I truly didn’t like Hexan, but I promised myself I’d try my best not to get on her bad side…right now.

“We’re here,” Naedon said. The vehicle stalled to a stop, and the cobra squad all got out of the vehicle, with their equipment.

The Commissioner sat opposite me, wearing a white dress, showing the entirety of her left leg. The dress was ruffled in the centre and slid off up her right shoulder. Her hair was gelled down at the front and slit back into three puffs at the back of her head. It gave her a fierce look, especially with the blue bleeding eyeliner she wore, which matched her high heels.

“Why the dress-up? Isn’t this a simple meeting?”

“Nothing’s ever simple within Castle Heights. Mr Cypher. I at least have to look the part.”

“Look the part? More like overdressing.”

“You don’t know how the game is played.”

“I don’t need to know how it’s played, not my world.”

The Commissioner scoffed a laughed, licking her lips whilst she shook her head. “You may not know how the game is played Mr Cypher, but I know you know how to end it.”

“Another life,” I said firmly.

“Another life? Did you die?”

“Yes. I’m dead right now.” I said firmly.

“…touchy, I like that.” She said, smirking.

I rolled my eyes and sat back in the chair, feeling my pants grab hold of my balls, whilst my dress shirt grabbed my waist, praying I would let it free. Sorry…not yet.

The trip to Darlina Weitson’s Compound was thirty minutes drive, and quite annoying. Unlike our journey to Law Manor, this one was riddled with gentle slopes and steep hills, continuously.

My stomach felt uneasy for the majority of the ride, but that was because of the rum I downed early. Maybe I should’ve drank more I grumbled.

The Gates to the Compound were made of Crystal and beamed through the windscreen when the moon’s light came into view. The sparkles from the glittering crystal sparkled like water swaying across an open sea, crashing against it each other like waves. It was hauntingly beautiful but frightening to see. Crystal gate? Not even the Romacellins had such a thing…wait no…I didn’t see their gate, we flow above it.

“Pretty isn’t it?”

“…just like Hannah and Shin-Lee” I whispered.

“What was that?”

“I said yes, it’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“It’s the only like it here.”

“Wouldn’t the Romacellin’s want this?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never heard the story behind it.”

“Story behind it?”

“Yes they are stories behind most things, that’s what raises the value on them. What the story means to the owner, or how the owner feels about it.”

“Do you know how many people that thing could feed?”

“Millions, but why would the Weitson’s care? It’s a statement, and no one knows it’s here. So it doesn’t matter.”

“Humph…”

The driver brought us inside, and the entire garden was littered with bodyguards to my left and right. Well prepared I noted. He brought the car under the archway, and I pushed the door open, to be met with one of the bodyguards. “Welcome to Crystalline Manor.” He said. I nodded as I cared.

Unlike Law Manor, there was no staircase leading to the entrance. However, we were met with a large black door with a lion’s face engraved into the wood. Its maw was open, showing its fangs, which were made of ivory, based on the material my cybernetic eye picked up.

The door groaned open after two minutes and Darlina came stomping through. She wore a red dress with a zigzag textile design, with a small embroidery circle centred around her stomach, but right below her breast. Her hair was styled in spikes, eight to be precise, with each one angling differently. The high heels she wore, were red and translucent, fading in and out with each step she made.

The clopped she made against the ground, were like hammers hitting the ground. I couldn’t admit that she walked with grace, but certainly, there was authority there in her walk. “Mr Cypher.” She said in a surly tone. “We meet again.”

“Sadly,” I admitted, which only drew her lips to a line. The Commissioner stepped between us, showing the entirety of her back, which got a reaction out of me I wasn’t proud of, especially when I counted the eight moles she had on her back. “Apologies Ms Weitson, the men you sent left a bad impression on him. He’s not here of his own volition.”

“I hardly doubt he’s here on your Volution, Hexan.”

“…and what makes you say that?”

“Because credits can make things move. You promised him something, didn’t you? Wait don’t answer. By the way your dress, you’re trying to wind him over aren’t you and here I thought I was the most important person here. I’m disappointed in you Khrilsa, quite disappointed.”

Well, this is not going according to plan.

“Yes…you’re right Darlina, he is here on credits alone, but the most important thing is, he’s here yes?”

“True…why don’t you pay him to fuck you, if he likes credits so much?”

“Mr Cypher and I have a testy relation, nothing to do with sex. He hates me, but I need him, so we’re always at an impasse.”

I’ve never heard such bullshit in my life…laced in truth and smothered in bullshit. I swear. The ‘elites’ of our society are crazy as they come.

“If you say so,” I grunted.

Darlina eyed me down, as if I were some piece of meat, then sneered as if she’d seen better. She probably has, but she was like a stick in a fruit basket, unpleasant amongst better prospects. Even though Hexan was far more pleasant, despite her love for being coy.

“Anyways…I’ve prepared a meal, so we can discuss how we can move forward, to both our benefits, yes?”

“Indeed.” Hexan agreed.

“We’ll see.”

The Weitson heiress led us into the house, whilst I trailed behind Hexan. I marked each guard’s position with my cybernetic eye, ensuring not to miss one. Once I got all of them in their position I made a note. Ten guards at the front. Not Good. If things go south, we’re going to have to fight our way through. I haven’t gone inside as yet or seen the back. This is not going to be easy as I would like it to be, especially with the advantage they have.

As we walked through the corridor, I could hear splashes of water coming from the walls. Every twelve steps we passed a painting that was made of splashing the paintbrush on the canvas. I’m not familiar with art terms, but If I was correct this was called expressionism…I think.

Art was one skill I’d acquired. I wasn’t the best, but it was part of my training. Infiltration wasn’t solely sneaking up on people using dark corners. It also required me to be ‘cultured’. Understanding how art, finance and history coincided with each other.

And based on what I saw within the Weitson Compound, this place was just that. A monument to their greed, compulsiveness and power.

The walls of the house weren’t like any other I’d seen but had a sparkle to them as if they were made out of limestone. The light within the corridor was low, which enhanced the sparkles of the limestone, making me feel as though I was walking through an old cave.

The doors at the end of the hallway cranked open, and we were met with a twenty-seat dinner table, in a rectangular shape. The table head seat no doubt was meant for Darlina.

Two women and a man stood within the room. The man stood right next to the main table, whilst the women stood beside chairs, which I assumed were meant for Hexan and me.

A sudden urge of annoyance washed over me. I grit my teeth, gently pulling them back, eyeing Darlina through the corner of my eye. The woman was all show, but the hollowness was there. She had nothing inside, she was merely born with a gold spoon up to her ass and reaped all the benefits life could give. This, however, was not why I was annoyed.

I was annoyed because, whilst I sat here and was about to have a three-course meal. My wife and daughter were in the clutches of fucking psychopath, who felt the world could be his. I was royally pissed. Akatani’s to get his. I mused, but I must suffer through this negotiation…a little longer.

Darlina clapped her hands, and maids flooded through the doors, first dishes in their hands. The maids placed the first dish in front of within small coral-coloured cup.

The soup was creamy in texture, but off-white with a lump of meat placed in the centre. I took a whiff of my nose, and familiar with the scent. Fish. I didn’t hate fish, but I’d prefer it fried in a batter.

“Let’s get to the point Mr Cypher,” Darlina said, taking a spoon from her lips. “You have something I want.”

“…and you tried to kill me.”

“I did no such thing.” Darlina snapped back.

“You sent three men after me Darlina. If you wanted to negotiate, you could’ve sent one…two would’ve been a sign of intimidation, but three? That’s a clear sign you had other plans.”

“Is that so?” Darlina asked.

“Yes.”

“Well I apologise, that’s what I was advised on.”

“Advised? Sounds like whoever advised you, told you what they think, which means, they didn’t think I’d be that much trouble.”

“That’s right.” A voice said, from behind me.

I jumped up, kicking the chair from behind me and spinning it into action. “Well trained.” A voice said, strutting across the ground. Whoever it was, walked up onto Darlina, ignoring my existence, but carried himself with vigour and authority.

“Mr Cypher, meet my associate. Valeon Epin.”

The man wore a dark blue uniform, which was a mixture between a suit and military fatigues. The man’s pants were stuffed into his boots, whilst he carried a pistol at his waist. His left arm and right ear were cybernetic. His eyes were dark brown, but cold as ice, with a stern jaw to match. His fast was sculpted into a diamond shape and his lips were thin. I felt as though I was looking at a knife whilst he cut through me with his gaze.

The maids place the chair upright, and I tucked myself back in. Opposite me, The Commissioner raised her hand and her maids took her plate. Did she just eat through that? Ugh.

“I take it you’re the one who advised Ms Weitson.”

“Yes.”

“How’s your man?” I asked.

“Alive and well, but in need of surgery.”

“I know.”

“Proud of your work?” Haek scoffed.

“Do I sound proud?” I growled, dropping my spoon on the table and turning to Valeon. The maid behind me picked up and whipped it profusely, then placed another spoon next to my cup.

Valeon’s lips curled into a smile and he nodded as if he approved of my actions. “Levisay just knows how to acquire great assets,” Valeon said biting each word, showing his jealousy.

“Cypher we’re making our way through the tunnel and based on the map We should be on sight within a few minutes. Did you pinpoint Elhisia’s location as yet?”

I cracked my jaw twice, which meant no. We already deciphered to keep communication simple to yes and no answers, with me cracking my jaw and Hexan, yawning once or twice as if she was bored.

“Nothing to say, Commissioner?” Darlina asked, turning to her.

“I have plenty to say, I’m just waiting on you two to make an arrangement. I’m just a facilitator here.” Hexan said.