The weather remained. Gaston woke up to the uncomfortable feeling of having only some of his bio-electricity flowing in his veins.

He sat cross-legged and then adjusted his mind. He was almost praying that there was less problem. He stood to where his suit was and caught sight of himself before going to the bathroom. After washing he suited himself up and dispersed the smell on his suit. The suit was modified to be usable all the time. It was probably the most expensive thing he’d purchased other than the exoskeleton he wears around his spine.

Dressed up, he went to find Linda’s office. Linda’s office was separated from Lionel. Entering the office he caught sight of Linda’s stressed-filled eyes. Gaston knocked on the side.

“Doing okay?”

“Fine. Just fine. You?”

“Alright, you need a damn rest and a salary raise.”

Linda blinked. She massaged her forehead.

“I do. But I’m sending you the details.”

Gaston got notified of an uplink in his ARM module. He accepted the uplink and received documents and files that needed to be digitally signed. Gaston occupied one of the tables in her office and started scanning and reading the documents. Most of the documents were about the flow of weapons coming in and out. The rest were the weapons and antiques that Lionel was going to sell in the provinces.

He’s selling weapons to tribes and low-level factions at very generous prices. Even a fool could tell that he was not doing it for humanitarian reasons. Gaston took note of the documents, recorded them, and made separate documents while quoting parts of the documents. Lionel was working within ‘legal means’ and had been asked to be examined and checked. Of course, he was sure that they weren’t so sloppy to be caught red-handed. He was no lawyer, but he could tell that they would be able to twist the words written on the documents.

After quoting, examining, and checking the documents. Gaston sent an approval request. Out of the documents he had checked, five of them needed to be ‘edited’. Back in the old world this would have been considered as corporate espionage, but when it comes to dealing with weapons and the recent tech. The Concords made by the UEDF and the Consortium made it not one. Not everyone agreed to signing the pact, but most of those who legally sell weapons do. They were getting a budget from the UEDF and their contracted governments so it was like a small hindrance. It was paperwork that they’d normally assign to someone, but it was something that Gaston had to examine. He was a third party, but he was also someone running checks. One of the reasons that he agreed to take care of this problem with Lionel and Mortimer was simply because of the connections that Lionel has with the lioness of the Babaika Lions. He wanted to know if they are a sub-branch of the company or maybe they are using Lionel’s company to launder some of their money. Even if he did find some, he’ll have to send it back to the UEDF for processing.

He got out of the office at noon. Outside, it was still mostly sunny, with this very salty wind pressing on the building. The noise of people around the Bay made Gaston stare.

Lemmy was in the firing range alongside Bruna. They were firing their rifles on the moving targets. Most of the time he was hitting them.

“Told you to keep your aim spread.”

“Do it again.”

She set the rifle and this time aimed at the targets on their chest level. Lemmy folded his arms. He stared at the target before nodding his head.

“Hmm, you need more practice. How about you show her how it’s done?”

Gaston took the rifle, zeroed the sights, and started firing at the targets. The rifle did not move an inch. He got a good grip of the rifle as he shot the targets at the head.

“See? That’s how you shoot people.”

“It’s Gaston, not fair.”

“But it is an example nonetheless.”

Lemmy cocked the rifle. Gaston pocketed his hands. Bruna stared at the targets. There was a warm salty wind bouncing off the range that mixed with the gunpowder.

“Done examining documents?”

“Yeah, you people run a lot of deals. I guess the antique business and selling medieval weaponry didn’t sell well.”

“It does well for millions. One deal can net us some extravagant amount. But not as profitable as selling weapons, no?”

“That so?”

“Slept well?”

“I did. When’s the meeting?”

“I don’t know. The situation with Rickert Mortimer is complicated. Not to mention that we have news that a lot of bounty hunters are after his head.”

“I know.”

“Well, that Hild is talking to Lionel now.”

Gaston’s eyes widened. A cold dull look replaced his usual eyes.

“What did you say?”

“Hild. That woman? You sure? Shit, you left him alone with her?”

“Oh, we did. She said that she’s not after him. If anything she wants to be hired as a temporary bodyguard for an extravagant amount.”

Gaston leaned forward.

“I don’t trust that woman when it comes to her bounties. Why isn’t Linda with them?”

“Lionel wanted to talk to her. I’m guessing that he’ll procure her services to retain our fighting forces with some of my people down. It’ll be hard to cover our weak points without anyone guarding it. My personal feelings and yours aside, she’s good at what she does.”

Gaston hated the idea. But Lemmy was right in that point. Hild might be a self-serving, money-loving, and cold killing hitwoman. But she was good at what she does for a living.

He said nothing and kept his inner thoughts to himself. Lemmy shrugged and went back to instructing Bruna who was improving her shots. Gaston observed Bruna’s training before heading to the direction of Lionel’s office.

He was about to enter the office when the door shot open, revealing Hild’s figure. She shot him a playful look before closing the door quietly.

“Relax, I’m now somewhat employed by Sir Lionel Hasburg.”

“I thought you took the contract for the Babaika Lions.”

“I almost did. Then I realize that I quite dislike organized multinational organizations who are also usually the source of all evil.”

“So much for wanting to hunt down cultists.”

She smiled. The two walked down the corridor quietly. She was glancing at Gaston once in a while before laughing as if she found it all funny.

“The Golden Gate had turned you into a stiff man, Gaston. You were once so carefree. Professional, yes, but you had a fun bone in you.”

Gaston stopped and folded his arms. She smiled at him again, and then walked around him in circles. She had a playful smile. That confidence that was always on the roof. Gaston sometimes hated her for that, and at the same time admired that unbroken confidence.

“Now, that’s some familiar eyes. Seriously, where did the three of us go wrong?”

Gaston glared.

“Vodka and Spiritus.”

“I don’t remember half of it.”

“Don’t believe you. I’d tell you to stay away from Janna, but you two need to fix your shit and keep it away from me. I don’t appreciate it.”

“Do you? You’re always protective of her. Always her big brother. She’s a grown woman, Gas.”

“I am not her keeper.”

“You act like one.”

Gaston glared.

“You sure like saying all of this to steer clear. I just want to make something clear, Hild.”

Gaston took a step closer.

“Are you really protecting?”

“I am,” her teasing look vanished. “I’m not your enemy. I gave it a long thought. About Mortimer. About all of this tech. And I noticed a problem if I do this job.”

She took out a sign card. Gaston inspected the card and saw a cryptic message with a familiar symbol on the upper left corner of the card.

“No wonder you want to protect instead. The clock tower’s interested now?”

Hild shrugged. “You must understand that they liked their roleplaying as wizards and what pleased them the most is the ability to act like one. They have a good system going on and now the cult showed them what they haven’t been able to truly replicate. Gaston, do you really honestly believe that in this day and age, where men preach their abilities as holy power, and ‘gift’ from God that this wouldn’t happen? You have been around nasty characters and fanatical ones. Saw how they react to their surroundings. Please, you know that this is coming.”

“The clock tower moving is strange. I thought they were uninterested in anything beyond their research. I didn’t think they’d be interested in tech like this. It’s not their usual taste.”

“Who knows what those wizards want. But studies do suggest that the ichor wasn’t particularly a new phenomena. Some even believed that the heroic age in our myths was the age where once the ichor, the sparticles, appeared which led to many legends and myths. It varies because of the location, but if you think about it. What if in our myths and legends. This was their case?”

“Could be. But it isn’t as magical as it is.”

“Of course it wouldn’t be. We are rational and we prefer the scientific method when it comes to these absurd laws. In the last few years the paradigm shift has caused a lot of questions. Are we following the proper road? Or are our sciences just another branch to the many ways?”

Gaston rubbed his forehead.

“I’d believe you for now. But remember that if you take a single step out of that.”

“Yes, yes, I know, Gas. Besides, I’m not that naïve about these societies managing some of our… movements. It’s better to be friends with them than oppose them.”

The societies that she was talking about were pain in the ass. They were older organizations that have come out of the woodwork after the world ended. Some believed that they rule in the open, while some believed that they are still in the dark. Gaston had a deal with one of these societies, and they were professionals with extraordinary connections.

Gaston even believed that one of the reasons why the Babaika Lions became so big in just a few years was because of the assistance of these societies. Organized Crime Families and Secret Societies were troublesome.

“The more I spend hours on this assignment. I’m starting to think that this isn’t worth the stress and effort.”

“It does pay, no? You are here for benefits.”

“Are you getting one?”

Gaston had to ask. She shrugged nonchalantly.

“They will pay in credits and dollars. So I’m not that worried.”

They walked outside of the building. Gaston scanned the complex and made another tired sigh.

“So are you going to be working solo or are you actually joining a team?”

“Someone needs to provide an overwatch. My job’s rather easy. I think he hired me just in case he needs an extra gun for the job. Anyway, it’s not like there’ll be action here. Are you working?”

“Already checked their documents.”

“Must be tiring. This job. I’m sure that normal freelancers don’t do this much work. I mean you get paid a lot so that’s a plus. Are you still broke?”

“Not anymore. Debt’s partly paid because of Janna.”

“You sure owe her a lot.”

Gaston didn’t reply. He stared a distance for a few seconds before clearing his thoughts and refocusing his mind. Hild seemed like she wanted to speak about something, but relented.

She introduced herself to the crew working closely with Lionel. Most of the crew were friendly except for those who are already acquainted with Hild. Lemmy and Bruna had this exhausted look on their faces as they glanced at Hild’s way.

Bruna and Lemmy stood next to Gaston.

“I’m not trusting her with my back.”

“Well, she’s good, but I don’t either. Keep her in check, Gaston. You know her best.”

Gaston shot a look at the two. He’d rather not be her keeper while she was working with him, but they weren’t giving him much of a choice.