Chapter Five

Director James Knox thanked the party on the other end of the line for the fifth time since obtaining her agreement several minutes ago before hanging up the phone and paging Susan to his office. After Mills had briefed him that indiscriminate destruction was out, he had spent the last hour cashing in every favor he had accumulated over years and agreeing to owe several others to get his hands on the latest most powerful aether and spirit tech weapons both available and not available. The final piece in particular was a prototype and one of only two in existence. That taken the promise several sexual favors, a vacation and agreeing to a massive honey-do list to convince his wife, the lead scientist of the team to let him borrow it. Probably could have gotten off lighter if I hadn’t had to miss our date yesterday, Knox grumbled internally. Still two of those concessions probably wouldn’t be so bad, it was mostly the housework he was dreading.

“Tell Mills the last of the goods should be here in fifteen and to make sure the transportation is ready. The sooner those weapons get there the sooner we can end this nightmare. Also, I’ll be out of the office for a few minutes, I have to meet the Psi commando that’s arriving in a few minutes and escort him up. If Mills or the president calls forward it to my cell, tell anyone else to wait.” He rattled off when Susan entered his office a moment later. Susan dutifully wrote down his instructions on the pad in her hand before turning and walking out without even raising an eyebrow at the thought of the head of the entire organization personally escorting some random specialist, psionic or not.

After Susan left, Knox yanked his access card out of the computer and slipped it into his wallet then stood up and grabbed his suit jacket off the hanger and put it on, before adjusting his tie and walking out. As he came around his large and admittedly a bit ostentatious desk, especially considering how much real wood cost with humans trapped in their cities he grabbed a small leather bag that was sitting on the left side. Knox checked his watch as he waited for the elevator to reach his floor. Five minutes to spare, should be fine, he fretted as the elevator doors opened to admit him. Stepping into the elevator he pressed the button for the lobby before swiping his access card to override any other calls until after he was delivered to his destination. Rank did have its privileges and no-one in the building outranked Knox. Well at least not for another five minutes, and even then, not officially.

Knox shifted his wait from foot to foot as he anxiously awaited the arrival of his ten-thirty appointment. Given the nature of the current situation, and who had dispatched him, Knox had a few ideas about the nature of the man he was about to meet. Ideas that made him very nervous, because if they were right, he’d be standing in arms reach of someone that could slaughter the entire building if the fancy struck him. While that scenario was rather unlikely there was something decidedly nerve wracking at the idea of being so close to a being with that kind of power, even if you did work for them.

As if reading his thoughts, the revolving door to the building spun open to admit the man Knox was so anxiously awaiting. He looked to be in his late twenties, well-built and about 6’2” with short dark hair and steel gray eyes. He was dressed in a suit cut in a similar style to what most agents wore, but if you knew what to look for the fabric was of a higher quality. He would have blended in with everyone else were it not for the silver rod with gold etchings that attached to his back with no visible mechanical connection. It was an aetheric amplifier that since he wasn’t wearing a paladin uniform or guarding the president, marked him as a military psi-commando. Although Knox would have bet his pension that the one his new guest had was stronger the actual versions however similar they may look. It would be like comparing his observer phone that was capable of making undetected calls to other mega-cites inside an extremely secure building to any other to any other cell available in rising phoenix city.

Psi commandos almost never operated within the Shield domes but there were enough precedents for Knox to assign one to a major case without too many questions. The fact that this man wasn’t actually a member of the military wasn’t even much of an issue seeing as all the psi commandos’ files were heavily redacted and inaccessible without a valid reason. So, it was easy for the observers to keep a couple of ghost files on record just in case they were needed. All Knox had had to do was send a coded a message to contact the lead observer in a branch wide PSA email, and then pass the information and photo Chief Wren had sent him when the observers in the records and ID offices checked in with him. A couple hours later the relevant identifications arrived in his office by courier set up through a system that prevented even the other observers from finding out who he was. The observers were set up so that they only ever communicated indirectly through coded messages in a public forum or via the observer phones. This prevented them from knowing the identities of their compatriots in the event one was captured or went rogue.

Knox held out his hand “Director Knox,” He introduced himself as they shook hands. “The situation has been fluid; would you care to come up to my office for an update” Knox asked trying to keep from fidgeting under the man’s steely gaze. Keep it together Knox you have kids his age, he told himself as he tried to remain calm. “No need,” he answered shaking his head slightly, “The handlers have been listening in. Cassie has kept me up to date on the situation.” Knox stood stunned for a moment trying to figure out the most disturbing part of that statement. The fact that the handlers could listen in on his observer phone whenever they wished? He’d suspected that already, but it was still disconcerting to hear it admitted so frankly. No, the truly scary part was that he referred to the foreign intel chief, a member of the Wren family, and at least twenty years his senior by not just her first name but an abbreviated version somewhere he knew she could hear him since he was the one that admitted Knox was bugged. It indicated a background that far exceeded what Knox had expected and unsettled him even more than he already was. This goes even deeper than I thought, he reflected as his mind tried to process what about this situation warranted such an active response.

Trying to pretend this news didn’t bother him Knox yanked himself back to the present and gave a tight smile. “In that case,” he said reaching into his bag and pulling out a badge and a pair of Id’s that had pictures of the man before him on the top left with the name JASON RAYNE in all caps right below. PSI was written below the name with a miniature silver staff, identical to the one on the mysterious strangers back identifying as a combat specialist. “The identifications and badge as requested,” well demanded, Knox added mentally as the man took the proffered items slipping the Id’s into a pocket of his pants and placing the badge in his inner jacket pocket. Next Knox reached into his pocket an pulled out two sets of vehicle keys. Seeing his guest about to refuse Knox spoke up beating him to the punch. “I recommend you take one our vehicles. Even if you already have transportation”. “The police lights will get you through lunch traffic and to your destination faster than anything else, and considering the curveballs we’ve already had I feel better with you on scene as soon as possible to handle any surprises,” Knox expounded answering the unspoken question. Swayed by Knox’s logic the intruder nodded and verbally added, “lead the way”.

Eager to get this over with Knox turned toward the elevators and motioned his guest to follow. As they filed in Knox pressed the button for the moto pool and again swiped his supervisor override even though they were only going three floors. As they stepped out into the moto pool level of the parking garage Knox still holding both keys turned his head and asked, “car or bike,” the taciturn stranger reached out and grabbed both offered keys. Pressing the lock button on one of the fobs the lights flashed on a plain black sedan. Grunting in disdain the man pressed the other key fob and swept his gaze toward the corresponding beep. Looking past a line of generic bulky law enforcement motorcycles his eyes widened in surprise before pressing the key fob again to verify it was the right one. For the first time since arrival his previously expressionless face broke into a grin before turning to Knox,

“How did the cops get ahold of one of those,” he asked with an amused expression. Knox more comfortable that his mysterious guest had finally broke his dead eyed expression grinned in response. “Seized it from guy running a big-time drug operation. We’re supposed to auction it but we keep having paperwork mysteriously go missing or getting kicked back for one reason or another. We’ll get it routed eventually, but in the mean-time I had some lights and a siren put on and let the agent of the quarter drive it around for a month as a prize. After all, be a crime to let it sit there,” and you wouldn’t believe the amount of production I get out of agents wanting to ride it, he added silently. “Yes, I suppose it would” the man agreed looking back at the vehicle in question. It was a far cry from any of the other motorcycle in the pool. Technically, it wasn’t even a motorcycle, it was a JXR 720X Hoverbike. It had a glossy black paint job with gorgeous curving lines, subtle silver patterns across it further accentuating the sleek design. While shut down it rested on a couple of aether tech repulsors. With several smaller repulsors placed in strategic locations to assist handling. All in all, it was a work of art. Even the police lights added to the front had been cleverly placed to not detract from the overall design. After a few more moments of observation the stranger handed Knox back the sedan keys, and added, “I’ll take the bike,” before walking towards it without waiting for a response. As he watched the mysterious man walk away Knox felt his stomach unclench a bit. Feeling less nervous he called out a farewell, he hadn’t expected to use for a long time if ever. “Good hunting lord scion. May your blade stay sharp and hidden”. “Waiting patiently for the time to be display its’ might.” came the grave response.

He settled on to the bike and pressed the ignition button bringing the combination aether and electric engine online with a quiet hum and raising the bike a couple feet of the ground. The stranger turned to Knox, “you’ve done well. After I get what I’m looking for I’ll see you recalled if you wish. You have served enough”. “I would be overjoyed to see my home again,” Knox answered, “but I can serve better here. Plus, I have a family here who do not share my origins or allegiances I do not wish to cause them unnecessary suffering.” The man gave an approving nod and the without saying anything else backed the bike out of its spot and flexed the throttle hard peeling out of the garage at a speed Knox lacked the courage to attempt or the reflexes to handle the couple times he had taken the 720X for a spin.

Forty-five minutes later. Knox was in his office reviewing reports when Mills burst into his office phone in hand and announced. “We have problem,” his voice a bit frantic. “Tracker thinks they got made by a psionic lookout; and says the target location just turned into a bee hive. Thermal imaging supports. Strike team is prepping for immediate assault”. “Damn it,” Knox swore loudly, “we needed another couple hours”. Thinking quickly; he ordered, “tell them to hold,” as long as Agent Walker has the lock even if they move our people can just stay put and follow from a distance”. Plus, he should be there soon if the way he peeled out of the moto-pool is any indication.

Mills nodded and switched the phone to speaker before saying “Agent Sanchez you are on conference with myself and Director Knox. You are ordered to hold position as long as Agent Walker has lock on the target. Worst case they move out and we follow along out of sight. I repeat do not engage.” Sanchez acknowledged the command and then Knox and Mills both stood nervously hearing the faint sounds of Sanchez passing along the decision over the phone. Just as Knox began to relax Sanchez voice came over the line “Sir Walker has lost the lock. Some kind massive pulse came through the aether from the target building and wiped out the trace. It’s now or never”. Mills looked at Knox helplessly. Taking a deep breath to steady himself Knox reached out to take the phone from Miller. “this is Director Knox,” His voice surprisingly calm in contrast to his inner turmoil, “You are cleared to engage with extreme prejudice. Target is extremely dangerous do not hesitate. We will order an immediate evacuation of the upper floors of the building. Don’t be surprised of you pass civilians fleeing on your way in. Good luck”. As soon as Sanchez acknowledged, Knox handed the phone back to Mills. “Order the evac,” He ordered “I’ll meet you in the control room in two to monitor the situation”. Mills nodded and walked out briskly dialing as he went.

As soon as Mills stepped out of his office Knox reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out his observer phone. Before he could even make the call, Chief Wren’s sultry voice came across the line. “We’re aware,” She said, “you made the right call. He is less than ten minutes out as long as they tie the target down long enough, he will finish this.” The phone beeped as the call ended without waiting for a response. So now I just have to hope my people don’t die trying to hold a monster long enough for a bigger monster to arrive. Gods what have I done. He lamented worried for the lives of the people he had just sent into danger. Damn, he thought, as walked out the door of his office. I forgot to order the girl to stay back. If she goes in and gets killed the Archbishop will be the least of my problems. Knox thought lamenting all the powerful and connected individuals he’d been dealing with recently. Hopefully Sanchez and Smith had the common sense to keep her back from the action.