Safehouse, Quadrant A, Abaddon Station, Tartarus Sectors

  October 12th, 2506

  “Hawk, Grim.” Neera greeted them, her expression was neutral and focused on their casual outfits.

  “Neera.” Both Rangers greeted back in sync, then Neera eyes shifted to the thick-bearded man on Hawk’s left side, also wearing casual outfits. “And you must be Voyager.”

  Voyager nodded, and nothing more. He already was briefed about Abaddon Station during the one-week travel, where Colonel Adriana “Pike” Erckens came along, fitted in a casual outfit. He now knew that it’s best to watch your back than make pleasantries.

  Pike was leaning herself at the kitchen counter, eyes focused on Neera. Neera glanced at Pike for a moment, and took a peek on her battle-hardened face mangled by a number of scars, honey-colored eyes, medium-cut light brown hair reaching at her shoulder. Neera tucked her lips briefly, then shifted eyes back to the trio.

  “Let’s cut this to the chase. You three will run a smuggling group called Speedy Delivery. An upstart trio of smugglers who just arrived in mid-October this year to make

  “Hawk, you already have your smuggler identity as Irene Summers, so that should make it a bit easier for your husband, who will henceforth go as Richard Summers, the pilot.”

  Voyager nodded, which was satisfactory enough for Neera. Then, the crime boss shifted her eyes to Grim. “And you, my dear Grim Reaper, will be Sierra Dylan.”

  “What’s the catch?” Grim asked, then Neera pursed her lips to a slight grin. “You will have to show your face. At all times. No masks.”

  Neera couldn’t tell Grim’s facial expressions due to the balaclava mask she was wearing, but she could tell that the Ranger was giving it some thought.

  “You got it.” Grim answered, and Neera nodded. Pike then entered the scene, eyes towards the trio.

  “I’m sure you know this already, but it doesn’t hurt to mention this again. This is a covert operation, your job is to learn contact

  “If I may, Colonel?” Neera chimed in, then Pike shifted eyes to her. She gestured towards the Vernusen to continue, where she obliged.

  “Pike told me about the affliction that was bothering you, Hawk. The mention of the Greek Whirpool Monster” Hawk nodded, as well Grim and Voyager as it didn’t take them much to figure out what it was about.

  Charybdis.

  “I have made with one of the Vernukin’s Seers. Mael’Nors. He is busy attending to matters to his clan at the moment, but promised to make a meeting on the 23rd Sighting, 4th Cycle of the 12th Age. 23rd April 2508, in your human terms.” Neera commented.

  “I thought the Vernusen and Vernukin have hate for each other.” Voyager was confused, and Neera took her breath.

  “I may be a Vernusen, but I have no love for their so-called Covenant. A species does not necessarily make me their… brethren.” She hissed, then got closer to Voyager, eye to eye.

  “I know you are still new to how things work in here, Petty Officer. And ignorance is not a crime, so I’ll let this slide.” Neera took a few steps back and left Voyager alone.

  “Guess we’ll have to get busy and watch our backs. New smugglers in Abaddon means targets on their backs.” Grim commented.

  “Yeah, I don’t imagine we’d make reputation in short time without making a huge impression.” Hawk rubbed through the top of her dark hair.

  Neera scoffed, as she looked absently around the kitchen/living room, she murmured. “Maybe if you had Rangers Hawk and Grim as trusted associates.”

  Voyager listened to what Neera said but didn’t pay attention, though Hawk, Grim, and Pike did. When Neera looked back, her brows furrowed at smiles. “What?”

  “Neera, you just gave us a ticket to seal our reputation.” Pike mentioned, lips smirking.

  Neera’s thumb was on her chi. “That does help things a bit for your operation, Colonel. But I’d be remiss not to mention that Unveiling Eye members are not easy to track. They prefer to conduct their business indirectly.”

  Pike nodded, given she already felt that UE as a Hacker/Activist faction prefer to be discreet. It’s a challenge

  “So…” Neera then shifted her sight to the trio. “Are you ready start things out, next week?”

  Hawk, Grim, and Voyager nodded. And with a smile, Neera brought her hands up in a form of showmanship.

  “In that case, welcome to Abaddon Station, Speedy Delivery. Best you watch your backs out there.” Neera greeted the so-called ‘new arrivals’. The trio half-bowed for gratitude.

  Then, a knock on was overheard from the door, “Miss ‘Valkra?”

  Exasperated, Neera moved to the door and opened it, to see it was one of her bodyguards. “What is it now, Neal?”

  “Kar… uh…” Neal stammered, and remembered. “Dice has finished his contract. He’s waiting outside your office.”

  Neera rubbed her temple, then shifted her eyes to her familiar bedfellows who came by to see what was going on. “Very well. I’ll see him in five minutes.”

  “Who’s Dice?” Hawk asked. Her question made Neera grimace, then answered momentarily.

  “I won’t share his real name. But all you need to know for the time being is that he’s a former Imperium trooper turned Freelancer Mercenary. Helped do some ‘’clean-up’’ troubles for me.”

  Voyager looked the other way.

  “When do I get to meet him?” Hawk inquired, then Neera glanced at Pike, who responded with shrug.

  “In two weeks. I think you two should get along well, he can help you learn the ropes in bounty and mercenary contracts.”

  Voyager voiced his apprehension. “We’re not here to be bounty hunters and mercs, Neera. We…” Neera brought her hand and interrupted him. “I know that. But this is Abaddon. You either sink or swim.”

  “Now if you’ll excuse me.” Neera shut the door on her way out.

  Voyager sighed, then sat on the sofa, and rubbed his hair.

  Grim then glanced at Pike. “So, what’s next, boss?”

  Pike exhaled. “Well, I guess the first thing to start is setting up a Mobile STR Server we brought with us to maintain connection with the Network and nearby listening outposts. Preferably discreet.”

  Grim nodded, and felt a little lighter. True to its name, Mobile STR Servers are portable devices that are used for maintaining connection to the STR Network in regions where it’s not possible to connect.

  “Probably better to stay dark until otherwise needed, boss.” Grim chimed in, which Pike nodded.

  Pike then shifted to Voyager and Hawk, and crossed her arms. “If you have second thoughts, Petty Officer Hisham now’s the time.”

  “None.” Voyager shook his head, and looked intently at the Colonel. “It’s like Neera said. Sink or swim. And given the mission at hand, I better get on swimming.”

  Pike giggled lightly. “Yeah, too true. And Hawk…”

  “Ma’am?” Hawk stood.

  “I’m sure you already know this is a prolonged covert operation, so we’re gonna stay here for as long as need be. Is there gonna be a problem for you and your team?”.

  Hawk was already aware of the reality this covert op to root out Unveiling Eye was gonna be a long, if not a harrowing mission. She, her husband, and her best friend were here for the long haul.

  “None.” Hawk spoke in confidence, then both Voyager and Grim nodded afterwards.

  “Good. And one more thing…”

  “Take contraceptives. That’s an order.” Pike’s order caused Voyager to look down from embarrassment and Grim burst from laughing.

  Even Hawk couldn’t hold back the amusement that twisted in her face. “Yes ma’am.”

  “Now, if there’s nothing else. You three get re-acquainted with Abaddon in the next few days. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us in the next few years.” And with the briefing done, Pike left the safehouse from the back door.

  Grim calmed herself after the laughter, then rubbed her face. Miffed, Voyager lightly slapped on her arm. “Anyone ever tell you’re an asshole?”

  Grim chuffed “Yeah. But I’m your asshole to both of you, blokes.”

  “True. So, what do we do now?” Hawk’s question had Grim shaking her head.

  “Oh, for bleeding’s sake, Kate. We just arrived. We can enjoy watching TV during our breaks. At least I hope we get breaks in between.” Grim pointed at the TV in the room.

  “Something tells me we’re gonna be here for a long time. And I’m not talking months long.” Voyager was apprehensive, while Hawk’s eyes showed worry

  “What about you, hon?” Voyager shifted to his wife, when he saw her. “You seem worried.”

  “I kinda have to be. We’re gonna be here for years. And who knows if we’ll have anything to show for it. Hell, we’ll probably be working around the clock with no rest or breaks in between.” Hawk’s tone expressed in bitterness.

  Voyager sighed, then put his hand on Hawk’s. “Maybe so. But we’re already committed to this. Road to hell or not. And I think the good Colonel is reasonable enough to give us breaks when need be.”

  Hawk nodded, and smiled slightly, locking lips with Voyager for a minute, until they let go.

  “Well…” Grim yawned. “I gotta get some shut eye. Tired as fuck.”

  “Yeah…” Voyager yawned, and Hawk followed.

  The trio got up, and moved to embrace a blissful sleep in their respective rooms.

  “G’night you two. Sleep well.” Grim waved

  “Goodnight, Taylor.”

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Quadrant C, Abaddon Station, Tartarus Sectors

  April 19th, 2508

  “Schiesse, get down!”

  Hawk was on the ground, by courtesy of a mercenary who pushed her there. The mercenary was wearing jet-colored battle, with an armored rig colored in beige. In addition to the YA-7 SMG on his right hand, he had a bulwark shield carried by his left hand that was covering head to toe, as it took some amount of damage from plasma energy and ballistic rounds screaming towards the two metal crates that he and Hawk were taking cover at.

  “Voyager, do you have eyes on? Mein shield can’t protect for much longer.” The mercenary shouted through his comm, his thick German accent on display,

  [Affirmative. Four hostiles on the roof of the five-story building. Three on the ground. Possibly more on the inside.] The merc’s helmet HUD had a cam footage from a drone’s PoV in thermal vision.

  In haste, the merc retracted his shield and jumped to cover.

  [Grim to Lead. I’m in position and have sight on the hostiles on the roof. Ready on your mark.] Hawk heard Grim over the comm, and acknowledged through sending a green mark that flickered twice to Grim’s helmet.

  When Grim saw it on the bottom left corner of her HUD, she got to work. Prone, bipod on, and her left on her marksman rifle’s 4x-12x scope, she had visual of the four hostiles on the roof, still firing with ballistics and plasma. They were definitely Malice’s lackeys, due to the green undersuit beneath their orange armor. Two were human, and the other two were Vernusen, all wearing helmets. Luckily for Grim, her KI-8 MMR packs a punch. She only faced off Malice’s mercs, enforcers, whatever that crime boss call them on one occasion, so the Ranger doesn’t have an elaborate impression of them save for say they’re devoted to their overlord. Nevertheless, they were in the way.

  Breath hold, scope on, trigger finger ready, then a press. The round flew through, and pierced a hole on a human merc, then grounded on a pool of his own blood. The other three startled and focused their eyes to where the shot came from. Big mistake that, as another human merc got his hole pierced, then collapsed on the floor.

  Hawk and Dice took a peek the three mercs startled and focused on their enemy who was hitting their roof backup, their backs was open.

  “On your go, Rangee.” Dice whispered. Hawk held their chuckle over the nickname that he gave her, then focused her aim at one of the three hostiles, then pressed the firing trigger. The fwoosh flew through one right in his head, collapsed on the ground. Meanwhile, Dice sprinted and opened up his shield, and rammed at the second merc to the wall, where he collapsed dead on the ground. The third and last merc screamed and fired at Dice, but to no avail as he was protected by his shield. As soon as that hostile’s weapon overheated, which made her wince in pain, her head met with a hole, and left her in a heap of blood.

  Dice peeked from his back, and nodded at Hawk, as smoke came out from her battle-rifle’s muzzle. Hawk nodded back.

  Then, the gunfighting from the roof died down. A blue acknowledgment light winked twice on Hawk’s HUD, which only meant one thing.

  [Grim to Lead. Hostiles on roof are eliminated. Moving to secure interior on the upper floors.] Hawk’s comm flared up from Grim’s voice.

  “Affirmative. Dice and I will move to secure interior on the lower floors. Voyager, keep surveillance on exterior.”

  [Roger that, Lead.] Was all Voyager said over the comm.

  Then, Hawk and Dice stacked up by the double doors. The Rangee brought a flash grenade from her waist, and readied it. Meanwhile. Dice nodded then slammed the right door with his shield, opening it up. In his sight, no armed mercs. Only a wide floor with furniture, an elevator, and stairways to the upper floors.

  “Clear!” He shouted to Hawk, then she put her flashbang back to her waist and moving slowly inside the building. Taking on the surroundings, she noticed stacks of papers, documents, and other assortments left behind in the reception floor, in addition to the computer on the reception desk was still on.

  “It looks like they left in a hurry.” Dice commented. Given the mess of things in here, that’d be a correct assessment. But Hawk knew deep down there’s more beneath the surface.

  [Grim to Lead.] Hawk’s comm crackled, then she answered.

  “Tell me you got something, Grim.” She sighed.

  [Fifth floor clear, nothing to report. But I managed to get inside a server room on the fourth floor. It’s wide, stacked with racks of servers and a computer desk besides them. The ceiling is also marked with the insignia.”

  Hawk’s interest was piqued. “Is it..”

  [Open eye with an iris shining bright.] Grim’s words were enough for Hawk to gesture Dice to follow her

  “Stay put. We’re on our way.” Hawk shouted on the comm, then ended the call, walking stairways to the fourth floor.

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  “Could’ve taken the elevator.” Dice breathed.

  “And get myself stuck there? No thanks. Besides, it’s good practice.” Hawk countered.

  Dice grunted, then shut further apprehension from his mind. After all, he was assigned to work with the Rangers three months ago, by explicit orders from his contractor, Neera. Reason being to have a change of pace from doing wet-work and waste management. He did meet with them in November ‘06, so he got along with no problem, albeit not talkative. Something stirred inside him throughout this mission. Not dread or anxiety, but something else. He couldn’t describe it, not that he had time to.

  The duo reached the fourth floor and met up with Grim, who was inside the server room. She wasn’t lying, the room was wide as it held plethora of server racks with servers from the inside, with an addition of the computer desk and the Unveiling Eye’s insignia on the ceiling.

  Hawk glanced at Grim, who was on the computer desk. Grim nodded twice, then Hawk received a green acknowledgment light that winked five times from her HUD.

  Throughout this operation, Hawk and Grim got use further the training they were taught from First Strategic Recon, which included acknowledgment lights.

  Blue acknowledgment light winking two times meant all-clear. Red acknowledgment winking once meant engaging. And of course, Green acknowledgment light winking five times meant that Aquila, their AI system, is interfacing through a system. There were more than that, of course, but it’d require an entire book to go through that.

  Across the internal and external rivalries in Abaddon Station, efforts were made by skilled technicians, engineers, and programmers in building advanced and secure software. Not just for security, but to enact conflict through cyberwarfare.

  Encrypted files downloaded and uploaded. Both Rangers saw the text in their HUD.

  “So, you got what you need?” Dice chimed in, then both Hawk and Grim glanced at him, and responded with a nod. Grim came over to the freelance merc, and brought her fist. In acknowledgment, Dice bumped fist with the Ranger. Something about that gesture made him feel a little warm from within. Not something he’s used to, since the years he was taking on mercenary contracts across the Tartarus Sectors after his discharge from the Imperium’s Armed Forces.

  A strong wail sound was heard from outside.

  “Ah, shit.” Dice groaned.

  [You got incoming Deuros Dropship. On my way to extract you on the roof, fast.] Voyager warned through their comms, voice calm as stone.

  Hastily, the trio moved further up to the roof, and threw a couple of smoke grenades there. In the smokescreen, they inserted their grapple hooks on the building’s back-ledge and attached to their waist, then jumped down. Hawk’s eyes only peeked a little back, but she saw a number of pillars and buildings far away. It’s a hell of a sight, if one ignored that beneath the building was a hole that could flung them to the emptiness of space. Luckily for them, they were lower walls of that building via grapple, so Voyager could extract them in a hurry.

  And just in luck, Voyager’s Kite Dropship, dressed in black, arrived as he turned his ship so his buddies could enter the troop bay. The bay’s ramp opened, then Hawk, Grim, and Dice jumped on the ramp, cut their ropes and entered the bay. On their seats and their harness on, they felt the shake as Voyage flew fast away from enemy sightlines.

  After what felt like several seconds, Voyager announced on the in-ship speaker. [We’re clear. Should be back to ‘Vilkra’s lair in five minutes]

  “So, what you two got there in that server room?” Dice shouted towards Hawk and Grim.

  Both Rangers glanced at each other, then back to the merc. “Unveiling Eye files. Encrypted.”

  Dice unsheathed his helmet, and his face was there to see. Fair skin. Two deep scars on his right cheek. A small one on the corner of his mouth. His dark-brown hair a little thicker, in addition to a facial hair styled in 5 o` Clock Stubble.

  Dice then took a deep breath, and sighed. “So, truth be told, did you expect it to be easy?”

  “Dice, encrypted files are nothing to sneeze at. And when it comes to Unveiling Eye, their encryption is solid. It’ll take a while to decrypt them.” Hawk retorted.

  “Besides, we’ve been here for like a year and a half. Made some solid impressions through the first few months. Some of those cunts learned to not mess with us.” Grim argued as well, which Dice didn’t protest against.

  After all, he was witness to the news over the Speedy Delivery smuggling group making waves over Quadrant A, thanks not only to good merchandise they’ve smuggled, but their association with Rangers Hawk and Grim made them dangerous enough that most mercs and bounty hunters in Abaddon preferred to not hunt Speedy Delivery. Of course, there were some occasions where Hawk and Grim faced off a few bounty hunters affiliated with the Interstellar Collective Accord a few times last year. Then again, both gals expected danger could come to them, since Abaddon allows anyone inside as long as they don’t rock the boat.

  “Maybe.” Dice shifted his face to the left.

  Grim shifted her face to Hawk, who was watching Dice. “What do you make of him?” Grim whispered.

  “So far, competent, doesn’t complain a lot, and not one to flirt, which makes things easier for me and Ahmed. He also share his opinions when asked to and willing to make criticisms in case we fuck up, which is good enough for me.” Hawk gave her initial assessment, in hushed tone.

  “You’re not worried over him being willing to complete the mission, even if said mission involves ethical and moral concerns?” Grim whispered her concern.

  Hawk looked down, wondering how to answer this. When she read Dice’s dossier, she had the privilege of learning his name and his past. He was a Sergeant in the Tortsinan Imperium Army’s 732nd Division. He was forcefully discharged after disobeying a direct order from his superior that could’ve gotten his fellow troopers killed. Forcefully, as his superior was among the Tortsinan Elite Families and they had a degree of influence in the army.

  “Truth be told, T, some of our missions ain’t exactly clean. I’m more worried about him accepting orders without question and letting people tell him what to do.” Hawk whispered again.

  “Definitely explains how he was willing to take on the wetwork and waste management shit that Neera contracted him for.” Grim chimed in, tone hushed.

  “You know I can hear you two.” Dice commented.

  Both Rangers shut their mouths, and didn’t say anything further on the trip back.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Neera’Vilkra’s Office, Quadrant A, Abaddon Station, Tartarus Sectors

  April 19th, 2508

  “Well, that is promising. It would have been more preferable if the files weren’t encrypted, but beggars cannot be choosers.” Neera’Vilkra commented, pleased with the encrypted UE files that Rangers Hawk/Grim and Dice brought along in the recent mission.

  From what the crime boss’s eyes, she saw the Rangers’ battle armor have weathered over time, with scratches in some parts. The number of combat encounters these two went through since then had given them a share of scars.

  “I assume it’ll take a while to decrypt them?” Dice’s words were more of a statement than a question. Neera shifted her eyes to him, and nodded.

  “Unfortunately, that would be the case. The encryption that Unveiling Eye’s members use is solid. Not impossible to crack, as clarification. But it will take a while. Several months at best.” Neera confirmed his suspicion, then Dice sighed.

  “We’ll keep ourselves busy in the meantime.” Hawk chimed in, and Neera’s lips pursed to a slight grin.

  “See to it that you do.” Neera gestured them to leave, then put her hand up to Hawk, ordering her to stay in the office. With Hawk and the crime boss, Neera shifted her face forward.

  “Apologies for the last minute information, but I thought it would be prudent to inform you that Mael’Nors will be meeting in the 22nd Sighting.”

  22nd April. Two days earlier than expected. Hawk thought.

  “Huh. Guess the seer must have finished up his business or thought it was urgent.” Hawk commented, then Neera lightly chuckled at the remark.

  “Maybe so, but I am not privy to his matters.” Neera exhaled. “At any rate, he agreed to meet you in an alleyway in the abandoned Eleev District. When you go there, call out with ‘Void embraces’, and they will respond with ‘Void endures’”

  Not difficult to remember, as Hawk knew about the Vernukin and their proclivity to the Void and its immaterial powers.

  “Got it.” She nodded.

  “So, if you have nothing else, you are free to leave.” Neera gestured, but Hawk looked down, with intention.

  “If you have time, I’d like to ask you something.” Hawk inquired, which in Neera checked the time in her wrist watch, then glanced back to the Ranger, then gestured her to speak.

  “From what I’ve learned in history books, Vernusen and Vernukin are sworn enemies.” Hawk commented. Neera’s eyes narrowed, angling to find what the Ranger is trying to say.

  “And you are wondering why a Vernusen like me willing to work with them.” Neera retorted, where Hawk nodded.

  The crime boss took a deep breath and asked towards the Ranger. “I am sure you already know that I have no fondness for my people’s leadership in Veruna, yes?”

  “That’s correct.” Hawk nodded.

  “Believe it or not, I used to be a member of their Vaair Conclave. Your auntie Kerissa’Oleer was one of them, if you recalled.” Neera stood up and moved around the office, then stopped her tracks a bit at one of the shelves.

  “That’s correct, Ms.Vilkra.”

  “Neera, please.” The Vernusen’s tone was harsh, and Hawk nodded.

  “Right… That’s correct, Neera.”

  Hawk’s mind was drifted for a moment. Kerissa had a bond with her family since her great-grandfather, Malcolm the Sparrow. A foster aunt for the family. And the only person who knows all about the Sparrow, as she was with him during the second Cyberis War. She hadn’t seen Kerissa for years now.

  “Ruminating about the old days, I take it?” Neera interjected, which made Hawk to shake her head. Reminded herself that Vernusen can read minds.

  “Yeah… back to you.” Hawk sheepishly gestured, and Neera was amused. A little.

  “Right… So, like Kerissa, I was one of the few Coclave members who spoke out for change in not just our leadership, but the ways of our people. And I’m sure you know the Conclave don’t tolerate dissent, if you remember your history books.” Neera talked with vigor, where Hawk paid attention to the fullest.

  “And thus, they sent Inquisitors to my household. Killed my family, my spouse, my children. None were spared. Kerissa escaped beforehand.”

  Hawk read through Neera’s face, ignoring the luscious white hair. It was expressed hate, resentment, scorn. But also sorrow, lament, weariness

  “I’m so sorry, Neera.” She gave her condolences.

  “Do not worry about it, Hawk. It was a long time ago. And if I knew Kerissa, she found herself a way out of Veruna and got into hiding. So try not to worry about her too much, yes?” Neera moved slowly and stopped right in front of the desk, eyes front to the Ranger.

  “Yeah. Can’t help it sometimes, though. Us humans can be quite emotional.” Hawk shrugged.

  Surprisingly, the crime boss chuckled heartily. “Yeah, that is too true. I still correspond with her. If you wish, I can talk to Kerissa after this, and ask her on your behalf.”

  “That would be great, Neera. Thanks. So…” Hawk tried to find the right words to continue the conversation.

  “Back to my story, then. After that tragedy, I resigned and went to Abaddon Station. To start over. That was 20 years ago. You were a child back then.” Neera continued, and took a breath to continue further.

  “Make no mistake, Abaddon Station is a den of scum and villains. Murders, thievery, slavery, smuggling, and more? It’s what fuels it. Fuels the Skaro Syndicate. I’m not a good person, not by a long shot. But at the very least, Abaddon is honest about itself. It doesn’t lie to you. It doesn’t try to scam you with false hopes. It doesn’t promise something it won’t fulfill. I am firm, harsh, unmerciful. But I am also fair, reasonable, and understanding. And if nothing else, unlike Malice and Hargrave, I don’t indulge in slavery nor profit from it. It is the highest offense to my personal beliefs, hypocritical as it sounds.” Neera’s speech was colored in vigor and conviction.

  Much as Hawk hated to admit, Neera was making a solid, if not a harsh point. Abaddon is an unforgiving place where one must either kill or be killed. Where self-preservation takes priority. And the only person you could trust is yourself.

  Hawk sighed, her eyes glanced away then looked back to Neera and shrugged. “Well, I do hate slavery big time, Neera.”

  Neera moved back to her seat, and kept her eyes o. “Indeed. But… considering your heritage, I am willing to look the other way if you’re up to disrupting slave trade.”

  Hawk smiled, gleeful satisfaction burned through her face.

  “But.” Neera gestured her finger towards the Ranger. “Your current mission is the priority. Think of disrupting Malice and Hargrave’s slavery business as a side-job for the time being. Much as I would like to have them dead, it is not the right time yet. We Syndicate leaders are aware of each other’s intentions, moves, and actions.”

  “I understand.” Hawk nodded, by then, she moved to leave by the door.

  “And Hawk?” She shifted her face back to Neera.

  “If or when the time comes, you and your friends are welcome to help me out deal with Malice and Hargrave. I know for a fact that Malice wants you dead, despite canceling the hit against you two years ago.”

  “I’ll take up on that, Neera. Take care.” Hawk waved as she left, though Neera ignore the gesture.

  As the door closed, Neera looked on her computer. The monitor showed pictures of Charybdis, that being the whirlpool monster of Greek Mythology. Then, she brought a postcard from one of the drawers.

  She looked closely to the postcard, which was a picture showing a graffiti of the whirlpool monster with its face and mouth overlooking the Galaxy in a wall in Klio District in Quadrant C.

  “Ah, Hawk.” Neera sighed. “You’re getting itself in a much bigger problem than what you are expecting.”

  She put the postcard back to the drawer, then got back to business as usual.