《Forgotten Frontiers: Libertas Nox》


 Nathan Husband

    In the military, we had names for all types of people. Some racist, some sexist, mostly stereotypical. But this was scientific, not just a joke or insult. This had transcended race, culture, religion, or what was between someone''s legs. We identified humans into two classes, legs and floaters. Now you are probably asking, "Nathan, what does an extremity have to do to be compared to fecal matter?" Well, it doesn''t. I am talking about the ability to enter space or not. Typically, if you are not born in space, you have a hard time acclimating to it. And if you can''t or simply feel no desire to leave whatever rock you were born on, we would call you a leg. But if you have left your rock and have adapted to space, or simply born on a space station or a ship. We would call you a floater. See, nothing to do with poop. Now with that out of the way, I am a floater. And I have learned not only to adapt, but to also embrace it.


    The ship was no larger than a studio apartment, most of it was an engine. the cockpit had enough room for a small locker underneath the mattress that one would lift up to store clothes and gear. On the opposite side of the room was a closet, only it had a shower that one would have the ability to pull the toilet from the wall to relieve themselves. At the front sat a leather captain''s chair, bearing various controls and computer systems. Nathan hated the chair. If he could afford it, Nathan would replace the damned thing and had thrown it out the airlock rather than torture another soul with it''s existence. But instead, Nathan had spent most of his money on the H.O.T.A.S and Z-76 modular pistol. Can''t work security without a viable method of stopping people from hurting others. Speaking of Airlock, the opposite side of the chair is where it stood. Allowing for access into and out of the small ship. On the sides of the sealed doors, folded chairs strapped to the wall, just in case Nathan ever had a guest over. Nathan was a loner, for the exception of James, his current partner in their minuscule security company.


    Nathan Husband, a 26 year old Europan. A tired veteran, sleeping on the fringes of the Oort cloud with his transponder off and his engines running cold. It would be near to impossible to find his ship. Millions of floaters would sleep this way, instead of spending money on a hotel or an apartment, it was far simpler for someone to hit their parking brake and stay there for periods of time. Until it was time to move back into the system for business. Most people would place their ship on a gravitational spin, allowing for a more comfortable sleep in their beds. Not Nathan, he enjoyed the floating sensation on his back. The spinal implants he had installed resisted the effects that zero gravity would have on the normal human. Being on the float was therapeutic, as if all his worries and stress ran off of him into nothing.


    An annoying chime rang through the cockpit, bouncing off the titanium walls. Nathan opened one eye to see who was attempting to communicate with him. The panel over the cockpit''s glass read ''JAMES TAYLOR.'' Nathan sighed, not remembering what time it was. It was almost impossible to keep track without the help of alarms. Ones that he had forgotten to set before he had went on the float and passed out. "Computer, answer." He said with his husky voice. Clearing his throat immediately afterwards.


    The system spoke back in a robotic female voice, "Captain, be advised that you are still naked. Would you like me to answer audio only?"


    "Yes," Nathan replied as he watched the communication panel light up and bring up a series of instruments. Transmission read, ''DELAY: 3 SECONDS'' and ''CONNECTION: GREEN''. The rest was unimportant to Nathan at the moment. James'' face came on screen. A Ganymedian, with slightly brown skin. The Filipino heritage still ran deep within his family. Most people today shared many aspects of their race and heritage. Very few still resembled their ancestors'' genes. Nathan had forgotten his own family''s heritage, American? Hispanic? Russian? It didn''t matter to him, nothing more than a trivial curiosity. All that mattered to him was his Europan blood. "James."


    "Did you miss your alarms? We were supposed to be warm and ready to go." James said with a light-heart tone in his voice.


    Nathan waited three seconds to reply, "Which tells me that you woke up late too. What are we doing today?"


    "And you''re supposed to be the boss," James laughed. "We have a protection job, Elvis Station."


    Nathan spoke out to his computer, "Rotation, 1.4.", the ship spun until Nathan caught onto the oncoming wall. Pushing himself to the ground as the artificial gravity generated. Elvis Station, a space station named after the famous singer from ages ago, on a gravitational rotation around the planet of Saturn. Known for its excessive casinos, hotels, bars, and nightclubs. He never had a reason to go there, fearing that he would shoot someone for annoying him. Nathan sighed, "Can we just deny the contract?"


    James laughed once more, "I would, if it didn''t pay one million credits. This would set us up for the rest of the decade."


    "I''m tired of these stupid jobs. Probably someone wanting protection or wanting to look cool to impress people at a casino." Nathan regained his balance, then floating back to the chest underneath his bed. Pulling his clothes out.


    "Hey, a few days of helping some pussy look like someone important. I''ll take it."


    "I''m tired of it," Nathan slipped on his shirt and jacket after his pants and Grav shoes.


    "Well, I''m tired of sucking on protein packs every night for dinner."


    "Fair," Nathan floated over to his cockpit, hovering over his chair rather than sitting in it. Tapping at a control panel by the right arm rest. The engine began turned on with a sharp pulse, then falling into a constant soft hum as the systems turned on, one by one. Nathan remembered his old fighter during his time in the Navy. Systems didn''t have to power on once at a time. A fighter could be ready to fly at the press of a button. "Give me your heading."


    "Standby." James paused as Nathan can tell he was manually flying up to Nathan''s ship. The delay counting down to a 0.02 second time delay. "I''m right behind you."


    "Give me a kilometer of space," Nathan didn''t want to be too safe but not too careless either. Pirates existed, even in the Sol System. He liked having some space between the two so they could respond rather than being trapped. He tapped at a computer panel with a map on it. Selecting the hated space station. "When do we have to be there?"


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    "4 hours," James watched as Nathan''s camera turned on and watched the course be charted on his map as well through the shared data. "You look tired."


    "When do I not," Nathan replied snarky. "If we make a light year cruise to the Saturn trade port, and then traversed around the planet at 1.8 x 100,000"


    "Nathan, I can read your calculations on the chart. You don''t need to make it audible."


    "Just making conversation. Trying to make myself feel smarter." Nathan looked around the cabin, ensuring everything was strapped down. It was. Pulling himself down into his chair, buckling himself in. Moving his hands to push the video of James into the upper right hand corner of his screen. "Computer, request cruise verification with Saturn Flight Operations." The computer chimed. It would be a few minutes before he would hear a reply back. Nathan began flipping switches on his H.O.T.A.S. and computer panel. The engines sparked, engaged, and began thrusting the ship forward into space. Correcting his path by entering numbers into a computer panel. James'' ship followed a kilometer to Nathan''s 4 o''clock.


    "Captain, verification received. Request accepted. Please proceed to Saturn Station for transit."


    "Thanks," Nathan said. "James ready for jump?"


    "Ready, my ship is now paired to yours. Don''t kill us." James laughed.


    "I''ll do my best." Nathan pushed his throttle to 75 percent. The speed that was needed to prime the Eden drive to prepare for a light year cruise. James'' ship did the same, following everything that Nathan commanded. "Eden Drive ready. Hold tight." James did exactly that. It didn''t matter who someone was, when the Eden Drive would engage, it would throw the body back into the chair and feel as if a stack of bricks were thrown at the pilot''s chest. Especially in cheaper older ships. Luxury ships found ways to mitigate the effect but using gravity dampeners. The two ships were launched from going 1,000 Km per second to light speed. Approximately 299,792.458 Km per second. In 8 minutes they would arrive to their destination. After about 30 seconds, the gravitational stabilizers engaged. Allowing for Nathan and James to lean forward once more. The Eden Drive would create a sort of bubble around a ship, making it independent from the space around themselves. Creating it''s own gravity inside the bubble, leaving a ship and it''s crew no longer in danger from outside physics.


    Nathan sat forward, tapping away at his keyboard, bringing up the contract for their job today. A name wasn''t attached to the contract, only the agency. ''HEADHUNTERS.'' Saying that they were well known was an understatement. Almost anyone could become contracted underneath the Headhunters company, it was almost a social media platform but for bounty hunting. Nathan made a profile and by technicality an employee. However, it wasn''t Nathan''s style. Regardless, being contracted by this company raised concern. "James," he called out.


    "Nathan." James replied almost instantaneous.


    "Why did we get a contract from Headhunters and not an individual from the company?"


    "Not sure." James watched Nathan start rubbing his face. "You''re overthinking again. No one wants to kill us, no one has any bounties on us or wants either of us dead."


    "I could think of one or two." Nathan leaned back into his chair again. "Computer."


    "Captain."


    "Once we drop out of cruise. Connect to the Saturn communication array. Run a search on any mention of Nathan Husband, James Taylor, or Griffin Security Services."


    "Yes, Captain." The computer chimed before disappearing.


    The two ships dropped out of light cruise, their Eden Drives powering down with a sharp whirring sound filling their respective cabins. Their seats compensating for the change in gravity and drastic speed deceleration. Nathan grabbed onto his controls. Soaring the ship through the emptiness of space. James followed close by, taking advantage of the drift from their cruise. Waiting for the ships to reach 2,000 km per second before engaging their engines into Saturn atmosphere.


    The radio turned on, an older gentleman''s voice spoke through with a heavier rasp. "This Saturn Control Tower 89, respond inbound flight for background check and clearance. Over."


    Nathan wished that he could attach all his information onto his transponder, but that laziness was the number one cause of identity theft in the galaxy. "This Griffin Security Services, my name is Nathan Husband and James Taylor, uploading business and clearance documents to you." Nathan said tapping away at his computer. "I also uploaded our security contract to show reason for visitation. Over."


    "Griffin Security, Saturn control Tower 89. You are cleared for travel to Station Elvis. Do not deviate from preset course. Out."


    Nathan sent the acknowledgement over the computer instead of keying out on his radio. A route was plotted on his system. Engaging the autopilot, allowing for the control tower to take over controls in a way. Nathan unbuckled his harness. Jumping up from his seat to walk over to the small food producer, grabbing the tube from it''s fastener. Shoving it in his mouth as he sucked on the cinnamon flavored protein and nutrients inside. Pulling the long thin tube with him throughout the cabin, holding it secured between his teeth as he prepped all of his gear. Which wasn''t much more than a belt with various pouches attached. Nathan gagged slightly as the food producer didn''t properly break down some of the proteins. Catching a clump before it hit his throat. He spat it out into his hand before breaking it down in his finger tips. Disgusting. He thought to himself. It had been a week since he had a decent meal. Almost eight days of eating tube food. Looking to his left watching as his ship drew closer to Saturn. Beautiful. He thought. Despite the cramped living, tightness of his wallet, and terrible food. He wouldn''t trade this view for anything. Placing his belt on the rack outside the airlock, "James."


    "Nathan."


    "Think we need plates?" Nathan refereed to his body armor. A lightweight plate carrier with a personal shield generator on the back. "I mean I don''t know how important this job will be."


    "No clue," James said. "I''m just going to bring my belt and shield."


    "Sounds good," Nathan said. Taking the small shield generator off of his plate carrier and sliding it up underneath his black leather jacket. Pulling his Z-76 pistol from its holster. Loading four magazines with burst rounds and one with armor piercing rounds. Armor piercing rounds are illegal to use on stations and ships, as they hold the potential to break through the ship and cause a breach. Burst rounds were widely used by every space faring defense weapon. As they would shatter on impact, having almost no effect on ship and station hulls. The only downside, they can''t penetrate personal armor.


    Nathan looked to his left once more, watching as his ship rotated. Creating a level of gravity that would help Nathan traverse around the cabin. Closing and locking his trunk and lowering his bed over the storage container. The computer chimed, "Captain, background check completed. Nothing found in Saturn''s logs and archives for Nathan Husband, James Taylor, or Griffin Security Services. Except for the recent interaction with Saturn command."


    "Thank you," Nathan replied. "Computer, search for the contact who bought our contract."


    "The name of the contact is Jennifer Gonzalez, she is a contract runner with HEADHUNTERS. She is within range and awaiting your arrival at Elvis Station to contact you."


    "When did that information come out?"


    "It was always available to you, per details in the contract."


    "Why didn''t you tell me that?"


    "You never asked, captain."


    Nathan shook his head, He hated virtual assistants, he would rip the damned thing from his ship if he could. Though trying to calculate physics on the fly while operating a ship was near impossible without VA.

 You gotta know when to hold em.

    Elvis Station''s corridors were filled completely with strange faces and a multitude of cultures all here for one thing. To satisfy whatever fleshly desire that takes an itch. Love money? There''s plenty of ways to make it. Need to take the edge off? There are more bars here than any other location in the galaxy. As well plenty of legal drug stations. Not strong enough? Won''t be too hard to find someone willing to sell. Having a craving for sex? You can meet any guy or girl that you could want, for money that is. Elvis station cared about no one or nothing except for money. Which is why most families don''t live as permanent residents on the station. Although always made Nathan wonder why parents would bring their kids here in the first place. Maybe an excuse for fathers to drop off their kids at the aquarium on board, so he can go cheat on their wives or vice versa.


    Elvis station wasn''t limited by one axis of movement, Nathan looked above himself watching as many walked upsides down along what would appear as a roof to a leg. There were crosswalks that would connect the opposing planes of movement, if some were bold enough to take them. The sudden reversal in gravity caused Nathan to become queasy, everyone made it seem easy. Maybe they all lied about it or pretended not to be affected by it. Nathan''s eyes wandered the room corridor, various casinos and stores lined the walls, broken up by the occasional night or strip club. If only he could find a quiet bar that played terrible country music. Then only would he know hardly anyone would be there.


    Nathan''s eyes slid across another holographic advertisement if a naked dancing girl. Rolling his eyes to continue forward toward their objective. Although in his HUD reading displayed ''JAMES TAYLOR / 5m'' then ''JAMES TAYLOR / 10m'' and ''JAMES TAYLOR / 15m.'' As soon as he noticed James falling behind by ten meters, he stopped in his tracks. Placing his hand on the holster oh is handgun. Spinning around to find James entranced in the naked woman dancing on the advertisement. Nathan sighed. Speaking to him through their internal chat, "You''re a pervert." Nathan smirked.


    "What are you talking about?"


    "Never seen a naked girl before, you look madly entranced by her?" Nathan approached him to look at the advertisement as well. James couldn''t stop laughing. Nathan looked at him in confusion, "What''s so funny?"


    "When was the last time you were on a station?" James said out loud this time and turned to look slightly up at Nathan''s eyes with joy.


    "Couple years?" Nathan replied through their chat. James laughed walking away, "What is so damned funny?" Nathan followed him as they continued on towards the objective.


    As time passed, Nathan and James were now only a little more than a hundred meters from the casino. A incoming call appeared in Nathan''s and James'' HUDs. ''HEADHUNTERS.'' Nathan accepted the transmission. Before Nathan could say anything, the woman from before appeared and began speaking, "Have you located Tepess?"


    "We''re approaching the casino now. Does he know we are coming?" James asked.


    "Doubtful, he has denied security in the past and has currently been on do not disturb for the past 56 hours. So approach with caution."


    Nathan shrugged it off, "where is our backup?"


    "That''s why I called. Station security has denied our request as they need a 24-hour notice and they don''t consider a mercenary''s imminent death as an emergency. And we only were able to get one HEADHUNTER agent to assist, but she is running behind. She will arrive a few minutes behind you."


    Nathan rolled his eyes, "Sounds like you''re sending us to our death, ma''am."


    "Probably, which is why we''re offering another 25% increase to the additional 25% discussed earlier."


    Nathan stopped and looked at James, both of them sharing a hesitant glance. James scrunched his lips, "I want access to HEADHUNTERS black market."


    She chuckled, hesitated and then chuckled once more. "I have no clue what you''re talking about."


    "Nathan, want to say screw it and go get some Chinese?"


    "Sounds good to me," Nathan turned around and started to walk back to where they had come from.


    "Stop," She sighed. "Fine. I will give you... access to our requisition department. When Tepess is returned alive to us. Agent Sonata is the name of your backup. Out."


    "She sounded pissed." Nathan laughed with James as they both turned back towards the large casino.


    Massive steps leading up to the grand doorway, both were impressed. Nathan lost in gander at the fine details as if crafted by the Romans. James was just impressed with the ability to build something this massive on the station. How much money was this casino bringing in that they could take up the same amount of space of a dozen businesses? The marble was crafted with the theme of ancient Rome or Greece, neither of them students of history but that was Nathan''s guess. A massive line formed down the white steps. "Follow me." Nathan led James up the steps going around the massive line, straight to the bouncers up front. Behind them were six droids armed with carbines. Nathan recognized them, repurposed war droids. Guess the Alliance needed to make money back somehow for their profit losses during the last war. "Who the fuck are you that makes you so special to cut the line? No guns either buddy." The bouncer lightly shoved Nathan.


    Nathan shrugged it off, better to let it slide than get into an altercation that he was bound to lose. "Griffin Security,''" Nathan pulled out his license, badge, and contract on a data pad. "You have someone in there that we need to get to."


    The bouncer overlooked the documents. "Not here to gamble?"


    "Nope," Nathan looked at him. "I have no desire to lose money today."


    "Alright," the bouncer handed Nathan back his data pad. "Apologies for the shove, a lot of assholes try to get in here on dumb shit all the time."


    "Understandable," Nathan placed the data pad back into his pocket. "Good to go?"


    "One sec, waiting to get word from boss if you''re good to bring firearms." James and Nathan shared an uneasy nod to one another. This job was becoming worse by the moment. "Sorry boys, I''m going to have to ask both of you to drop all weapons off with my partner behind me. We will give them back when you leave." The bouncer pointed them towards the smaller bouncer behind him. Not that he was much smaller, he could still kill Nathan with his bare hands. The two of them passed the first bouncer, removing their handguns and ammunition from the magazine well. Nathan and James dropped their weapons in the secure case, dropping their spare magazines inside as well. Once the bouncer locked the case and placed their names on a keypad. Stored the case in a wall deposit safe.


    "Do the two of you consent to a full body scan?" The man asked.


    Nathan replied annoyed, "Not that I have a choice anyways." The bouncer''s eyes turned a bright green as he looked up and down Nathan and James. "Are you going to take our shields and armor too?"


    "No." the bouncer said. "The two of you are free to enter the casino. Don''t cause any problems."


    Nathan and James moved along and headed inside through the grand doors, revealing a massive party. Groups of men and women wearing their fanciest clothes gathered around tables. Slot machines ringing for winners and losers through the open hall. Half naked girls dressed in togas carrying around plates of food and drinks. Nathan had never seen anything like this before, James on the other hand didn''t seem too surprised. "Mr. Husband. I know you grew up on the backwater that is Europa, but you need to focus."


    "Yeah," Nathan followed behind James deeper in the abyss of greed and lust. His skin was almost crawling. Adding more focus on his peripherals, hating being in large crowds. The combination of the ear deafening electronic music, shouting of victory, groans of defeat, and obnoxious laughter and conversation. "I hate it here." Nathan said through his chat with James.


    "Can''t be worse than Gliese," James offered a chance for a better outlook.


    "Nothing is worse than Gliese," Nathan could remember the devastation.


    "How many was it again?" James asked.


    "1.6 million dead in the first 24 hours."


    "How long was that battle?"


    "Two weeks."


    "Fuck."


    "Where is this Tepess guy?"


    "Reader is saying within ten meters of us."


    "Great, that narrows it down to the fifty people surrounding us." Nathan and James stood shoulder to shoulder. Scanning the room right to left. Nathan almost forgot. He looked above himself, there was an entire party on the opposite plane. Nathan patted James on the shoulder, there was the target. Erik Ohlin, Tepess. "I now see why they hired security this dude sticks out like a sore thumb here." Ohlin was dressed in a biker get up, not a modern biker. Which would have helped him blend a little better. But Ohlin was dressed in head to toe in leather and denim.


    "Is that a fucking cowboy hat?" James asked.


    "Son of a bitch, you''re right." Nathan looked for the nearest crosswalk to the other plane. "I''m going to hate this." He said walking towards the wall, engaging his gravity boots as he walked up the metal wall. James took in a deep breath and followed behind, both feeling a turn in their stomachs as they crossed the shift of gravity point. Nathan held back his regurgitated protein slop. James had an easier time as they made it to the other axis plane.


    "Who wants to make contact first?" Nathan asked. Both locked eyes and began playing rock paper scissors. Nathan lost with a groan. "Alright, time to speak to cowboy rick."


    James took a position where he could assist quickly but also keep an eye out throughout the party. Nathan approached Ohlin, taking a stance a foot to the man''s left. "Tepess."


    "Who''s asking?" Ohlin asked. Shaking dice in his hand vigorously and tossing them out onto the table. The crowd around the table cheered as the Boxman called out the victory.


    "Hundred thousand to the man in the cowboy hat!" He called out.


    Nathan cocked his eyebrow, wishing he had the ability to risk a hundred thousand credits on dice. "Your boss hired us for your safety."


    Ohlin looked him up and down, "How do you protect someone without a gun?" Pointing out Nathan''s missing holster. "If you''re here to protect me, tell me. What''s my boss'' name?"


    "She didn''t give one," Nathan said.


    "Sounds about right, I don''t even know her name." Ohlin looked at Nathan. "Well get comfortable. I don''t plan on leaving any time soon." Nathan could finally see the man''s face. Bluish grey eyes, dirty blonde hair made into a ponytail that went to his shoulder blades underneath his brown cowboy hat, and an unkempt beard. Tattoos that covered his arms and neck. "Do you play craps Mr?"


    "Husband."


    "Husband? Are you coming onto me?"


    "No, that''s my last name. And no, I don''t gamble." Nathan kept his head on a swivel.


    "You work security? That look in your eye tells me you''ve seen some shit. You a Veteran, Mr. Husband?"


    "Yup." Nathan began to feel the hairs crawl on the back of his neck.


    "So, you just gamble with your life. Not money? Guess money is more sacred than your life." Ohlin spun his next hand of dice.


    "And you gamble both."


    "Nothing is sacred to me, Husband."


    "People are trying to kill you. We''re unarmed, I suggest we get somewhere safer." Nathan pleaded.


    Ohlin noticed that Nathan was becoming more agitated. He raised his hand waving at the waitress, bringing the two of them beers. Ohlin twisted off the bottle caps, shoving a beer in Nathan''s hand. "Cheers." Clinking the bottles together, foam building in Nathan''s beer. Before he could react, the beer overflowed in Nathan''s palm, forcing his mouth over the neck of the bottle. "Relax. If we have been selected to die today, who are we to deny the goddess of death her dues?" Ohlin took a drink from his beer.


    "I''m almost contemplating letting you die," Nathan said rubbing his beer covered hands on his pants. Placing the beer back down on the table next to him. One drink was more than enough, he had to be focused on the task.


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    James painted the room with his eyes like an artist on easel. Nothing caught his eye that was worthy enough to catch his attention, besides for one thing. A woman in a tight black dress was making a dead straight approach towards James. His eyes undressed her, as if it weren''t hard to do. The dressed hugged every curve perfectly, James'' mind went near wild. She appeared to be of Latin decent, just the way that James preferred. A tight waist expanding to wide hips and even wider - "James. Your chat is on, dude." Nathan borderline screamed through the transmission.


    "I''m sorry," James replied slightly embarrassed.


    "You''re telling me to focus." Nathan said.


    Her light Latin accent spoke through her lips before James could react. "Griffin Security?"


    James stuttered and stumbled on his words, "Yeah," clearing his throat. "That''s us, are you HEADHUNTERS?"


    "Agent Sonata," She offered her hand to shake James. He met her halfway, shaking her hand lightly. "Have you found Tepess?" James nodded towards Nathan and Ohlin standing at the craps table. "Where''s your gun officer?"


    James shrugged, "Bouncer took it."


    "I see," Sonata cocked her eyebrows, "I guess it''s up to me." She flirted in a lighthearted laugh. Lifting up her skirt revealing her concealed pistol.


    "How?"


    "A woman has her ways." She turned around, Nathan noticed her looking hard fixed to the corner of the room. With his optical enhancer, zooming into the corner to see what she was looking at. The casino was far too crowded for him to make it out. "That your man?" she looked over at Nathan who was hard staring at her.


    "Forgive him," James said. "He isn''t one to keep his eyes on himself."


    "The same could be same about you," She flirted with another smile, looking up James with lustful eyes.


    Nathan rolled his eyes; he lowered his head to Ohlin''s ear. "We need to leave now."


    Ohlin scowled, "For the last time Mr. Husband, I am not leaving."


    "Do you have a gun?"


    "Wouldn''t you like to know?"


    "You''re about to need it," Nathan looked around. He met eyes with a man sitting in the corner smoking from a cigarette, wearing a tight fitted suit. Nathan zoomed in, just behind the collar Nathan could see Molle webbing. Body armor, he marked every member at the table with a red delta symbol for James to notice as well. Nathan looked left, a man drinking from a martini glass, gang tear drops under his right eye. Marking him with a yellow delta. Nathan turned around, the Boxman locked eyes with Nathan. The Boxman broke into a sweat, attempting not to share eyes with Nathan. But couldn''t help but to return to Nathan''s eyes. His heart rate skyrocketing according to Nathan''s optics. Looking at the right sleeve of the Boxman, the wrist protruded higher than the left. Something hidden. Nathan marked him with red delta. "You have a HUD enhancement?"


    "Of course, every veteran does."


    "Good," Nathan uploaded his force tracker to Ohlin. "Red is enemy, yellow is potential."


    "You have nine red and 29 yellow."


    "I''ve been busy," Nathan whispered.


    James and Sonata stood side by side one another. James broke the silence, "How long have you worked for Ms. White?"


    Sonata raised her eyebrow slightly and quivered her lip, "Ms. White and I go way back. Been working for HEADHUNTERS for a couple years now."


    "Hm," James hesitated, "Nice. Must be good money." She nodded in agreement. James shared a look with Nathan, sending him a message, ''She''s lying. I gave her a fake name and she said that she knows that fake person.''


    ''Kill her'' Nathan replied.


    ''She''s hot though.''


    ''I will buy you an escort after this mission,''


    ''Blonde?''


    ''Good luck finding a natural blonde.''


    ''Such a dream killer.''


    Everything happened in a flash; Nathan grabbed Ohlin by the belt and nearly throwing himself and the man over the table. Diving behind the small amount of cover offered by the steel platform. Gunfire erupted in the hall, plastic bullets breaking into sparks of light against the table. A handful of patrons taking nonlethal wounds from the shrapnel created from the superheated plastic. James didn''t hesitate to make a move to kill his new love. Smashing a nearby beer bottle against the table, Agent Sonata pulled out her firearm, appearing to point her small pistol towards where the gunfire was coming from. Although she hesitated to pull the trigger, James assumed she was far too afraid to shoot at her friends.


    Agent Sonata gasped as her neck seared in a hot tearing, followed by a wet feeling generating down her neck. Again, but this time just a little to the back of her head, a searing pain welled up unlike any headache she had felt before. When she reached for it, she gripped onto a broken beer bottle lodged just above her spinal cord. Attempting to pull it out she swung over her gun in panic, James dodged but not quick enough. A bullet piercing his left shoulder, Agent Sonata collapsed to the floor, the shock seemed to have killed her before blood loss according to James'' HUD. But now wasn''t time to think, James dived to the ground just behind the bar to escape the oncoming hail of bullets.


    Nathan tried to think, how was he going to get out of this? The Boxman appeared once more next to Nathan. The older gentleman didn''t take long to panic, reaching into his sleeve to pull out a retractable sword. Nathan had no time, no weapon and nothing to block a physical sword. The Boxman extended the small katana like sword, swinging at Nathan wildly. Rolling out of the way of the downward strike, Nathan locked legs with the Boxman and rolled again. Bringing the old man to the floor, Ohlin jumped into an assist, leaving cover to slam his boot into the Boxman''s head. As if a person were to kick in a pumpkin. Nathan''s eyes widened in shock but had no time to process it, that''s what going to bed a few hours early was for.


    The casino was nearly cleared out, patrons that had nothing to do with the conflict left in a hurry. Aside from those killed in the crossfire. Nathan''s HUD finished diagnosing the battlefield, 27 active shooters. Scavenging the retractable sword, Nathan slid it over underneath his foot. Gripping the sword tightly and tossing it a few times to calculate the weight and balance. "This fucking sucks." Nathan muttered almost wanting to throw the sword out. "Where the fuck are you?" Nathan asked his chat system.


    James replied, "Patching a damn hole in my shoulder! That stupid bitch shot me!"


    "You shouldn''t have let that happen," Nathan sarcastically. "Ohlin, do you plan on doing something?" Silence. "Ohlin?" Nathan turned to the right as Ohlin began unbuckling some straps from the high of his thigh. Pulling off his metal prosthetic leg. That would have explained why the face bash on the Boxman left such a brutal scene. "Why are you taking it off? You''re going to need that to run."


    "It''s me mallet," Ohlin placed the boot of the prosthetic leg against his right shoulder. Holding onto the thigh and calf as if it were like a rocket launcher. Propping his shoulders up onto the craps table aiming towards the bulk of the shooters. Nathan cocked his left eyebrow, never had seen something so strange. Once Ohlin had his target, he pulled the trigger firing an orange beam from the cannon leg. Disintegrating the upper torso of one of the men. Nathan watched in astonishment. But realized there was a break in the gunfire. Must''ve scared the hell out of them. To be fair, Nathan wasn''t expecting the man to be using an anti-tank weapon as a leg.


    Gunfire continued soon, all guns pointed at Ohlin. He remained unafraid returning fire from his beam cannon. Nathan took advantage of the situation, strafing on his knees and feet towards the body of the dead agent Sonata. Snatching the pistol off of the ground. Activating his display to show him the path of least resistance in establishing a flanking position. There wasn''t a single green arrow, only yellow and plenty of red. Nathan rolled his eyes, leaping over the bar to where James had been conducting first aid on himself. James sighed in relief realizing it was Nathan, "How do I pull out this bullet?" There was slight panic to his voice.


    "Never been shot before?" Nathan asked. "It''s a plastic bullet; it melts on impact since it''s superheated." Nathan turned on his personal shield from his watch. A flutter covered his body. The shield health appeared in his display, 99.5%. Nathan half charged the pistol to get an idea of how many rounds remained in the magazine. 3mm rounds, probably 20 rounds if he had to guess. "Ready?"


    "Ready for what? I don''t have a gun." Nathan handed James the retractable sword. "No way, dude."


    "Fine," Nathan got into a squat, "I''ll take another 10%." Nathan gave no time for James to retort. Sprinting towards the next available cover. The beam firing behind him, lighting the room in a deep orange. Nathan slid behind a table, picking up one end and flipping it over concealing himself behind a larger cover space. Switching the pistol''s safety to ''OFF'' and picking the closest target. Shooting him at the center of his chest, Nathan couldn''t tell if he killed him, everything was left up to chance. Nathan continued engaging targets at will. The gang was caught in a crossfire, one side taking small fire from Nathan and on the perpendicular a massive beam cannon from Ohlin.


    "Stop!" A man called out above the sound of gunfire. Nathan was surprised he had even heard it. Though he didn''t stop until the enemy did. He fired a few more shots into the enemy. Ohlin followed in suit with Nathan, ripping a beam through a man''s skull. "God dammit, I said, Stop!" Nathan kept his pistol engaged, letting his finger off the trigger. Prepared to take his next shot. Ohlin did the same, glad that he can now allow some time for his beam cannon to cooldown.


    From the staircase behind the gang, stepped out a short and well pampered man. His hair grey and neatly slicked back. His tuxedo was solid white, for the exception of a red tie. "We just want the cowboy. You other two boys get out of here before you die. I can give you each twenty-five thousand."


    Nathan didn''t take his eyes off the small man. Though in his mind was jumping between Ohlin and the stranger. Was fighting their way out against this many people worth the million credits? "Could you make it a hundred thousand?" Didn''t hurt to ask.


    "Fine. A hundred million." The man clearly agitated from the request.


    "Each," Nathan corrected.


    The man bit the knuckles of his fist. "Sure, whatever."


    "Okay," Nathan said. "Why is he so valuable to you?"


    "Why do you care? You''re a contractor!"


    "Natural curiosity?" Nathan noticed the added red delta symbol over the short man.


    "Kid, have you ever heard about curiosity and the cat?"


    "Nope." Nathan rubbed the side of the trigger. "Do they get married, white picket fence?"


    "You''re a real smart ass," the man narrowed his eyebrows. "That man you''re trying to save would leave you both to die. I don''t know why you care about some washed up bounty hunter with a gambling addiction. That boy killed my brother. Now it''s his turn."


    "That''s unfortunate," Nathan had maybe one magazine left in his pistol. James was his best friend, was it really worth a million dollars? What if they didn''t make it? A million would get them one step closer to getting their business truly off the ground. However, would it really matter if the two of them were dead? A hundred thousand was a lot but was only enough to get a couple upgrades of his ship. Nathan would be no step closer towards his goal. "Does this story somehow relate to the curiosity and the cat?"


    "Men, kill them. Bring me the smartass alive-" He barely got his last words off. Which was a disappointment to Nathan, the man was starting to grow on him. Ohlin had put a beam right through the wall the man was standing behind, thus putting a beam through the man''s chest cavity, almost center mass. James had the best angle to mark the man.


    The crew open fired without restraint. Enraged at the loss of their boss. Nathan would be mad too if he had just lost his money flow. Nonetheless, Nathan wasn''t mad. Which is why he was able to return fire without hesitation. Dispatching two enemies, while their gunshots landed around Nathan.


    Another beam from Ohlin passed in front of Nathan. Killing another man. Nathan tried to fire once more, only a click of the firing pin could be heard. ''I''m out.'' Nathan typed within the team chat.


    ''I have maybe four more shots. There''s at least six of them left.'' Ohlin replied.


    ''James, got anything?''


    ''Couple broken bottles I can try to throw.'' James replied.


    ''How much does a personal shield cost again?''


    ''Oh, fuck.'' Ohlin said before taking another shot.


    Nathan removed the shield from underneath his jacket. Watching as the shield icon disappeared from his HUD. Ripping the panel off of the back. Finding a group of now exposed components and wires. Pulling out his small toolkit and got to work. The shield flashed red instead of it''s normal deep blue hue. Nathan flipped it back to the front where it read, ''DANGER. SHIELD OVERLOAD. DO NOT ACTIVATE.'' Nathan slapped the override button as a countdown appeared on the front. 15. Now when would be a good time to throw it? 13. Because if he threw it now, then they would have enough time to escape. 10. But if he waited to long, then he would die. 8. How long did it take for him to aim and arc a grenade in basic again? 5. Now would be good.


    Nathan turned around, prepping his arm and locking the shield back behind his head. Throwing as close to the center of the group as possible. Not even hitting the floor, Nathan tucked behind cover as quickly as he could. An explosion erupted, a combination of purple and blue plasma filled the room. Energy cackled over Nathan, burning exposed areas of his skin. Almost a searing feeling than numb quickly after.


    After the plasma settled as a sludge on the floor. Nathan looked at his surroundings before lifting his head up to inspect the damage.


    ''Everyone alive?'' James asked.


    ''I was far enough away from the blast.'' Ohlin replied.


    ''Nathan?'' James asked.


    Nathan sat completely up, looking to where the explosion was. Nothing but scorch marks and a violent scene of dead men, charred to the bone. Swipping away at the blue sludge that had landed on himself. The numbing feeling away with it, the burns piercing his skin. Nathan dropped to one knee, trying to cope with the pain. His instructors always warned about plasma burns. Nathan never thought that he would ever been in the position for surviving plasma exposure. He was a pilot, if plasma got into a fighter then Nathan was already dead and it wouldn''t be his problem.


    "Nathan!" James shouted aloud. "You alive?"


    "Yeah," Nathan said back. "Hurts like a bitch."


    James pulled himself out of cover. "Dude, you''re covered in plasma."


    "Am I gonna die?" Nathan asked.


    "Probably not," James said helping Nathan get clean using a glove. "More than likely fried your electronics."


    "How much in repairs?" Nathan gritted his teeth.


    "Depends on the damage. Maybe not," James inspected Nathan''s wounds. "Nothing seemed to break skin. So chances are you got AMP''d"


    "Thank God," Nathan sighed in relief. Being AMP''d was preferrable to having fried electronics. Nathan''s implants were top of the line. Repairing them were a fortune. AMP, however meant that his implants were only tripped and locked behind a safe mode.


    "Your internal comms out?"


    "Yeah," Nathan said. "Everything is out."


    "You can see?"


    "Yup."


    "Amp."


    Nathan stood up once he was cleaned off of the plasma. Ohlin limped over with his leg reattached to his body. "Y''all fight pretty good. And you helped me get that bastard. I knew he wouldn''t hide forever in his palace. So coming in here was the only way to draw him out."


    "That would have been good information." Nathan pushed his hair back to the side.


    Suddenly the main doors finally swung open, a group of men and women dressed from head to toe in body armor, rifles in the high ready position pushed into the room. Nathan and the others raised their hands palms empty towards the station security team. "Get the hell on the ground." The largest man said before pushing Nathan to the floor. The team putting handcuffs on the three of them before the team moved out to clear out the rest of casino and hotel.


    The three of them remained on their knees for some time. Minutes passed before another group of security officers entered the casino through the main doors. This time they were dressed in only plate carriers and duty belts. No other armor. Just behind them was a lady dressed in a white collared shirt and black slacks. The same grey haired and wrinkled faced woman than had met them in the docks hours ago. "Well. I wasn''t expecting to see you three alive after hearing how many gunshots came from this place."


    "Thanks for the help by the way." Nathan replied.


    "Station security was slow on the prep. And I didn''t have a single HEADHUNTER in the area who wanted to work today." She rolled her eyes.


    "What about Agent Sonata?" James asked.


    "Who?"


    "Guess we made a good call killing her."


    "Are those plasma burns?" She asked Nathan inspecting his skin. "How and why?"


    "New skin care cream," Nathan joked. "I shot that guy over there and his body just kind of exploded like that."


    "I know what a blown up shield looks like." She rolled her eyes and a stern mouth. "Lets get you checked out at the clinic. All three of you."


    "I think I''m good," Ohlin said. "I could just use a nap."


    "Don''t argue with me, Agent Ohlin."


    Ohlin wide eyed. "Yes, mom." The security team removed their restraints and guided them for the door.


    Nathan attempted to stop. "We need our stuff from their storage room."


    "Anything that has a biometric reading with your guys'' names on it, will be sent back to station security. There you can pick it up after a three day wait period."


    "Three days?" Nathan reacted out loud. "Son of a bitch!"