Returning the Favor

Ian crept down the stairs into the common room of the Bifrost. The lights were dim, but not all the way out. In the underhive the lights never go completely out, instead they are dimmed to very faint levels to allow for some visibility.

At this hour the drinking hole was silent, the few patrons remaining were only there because that was where they passed out and there was no one left to take them home. No one cared about his passing through.

As he descended the ladder to the Steel Spiders’ lair he could here some faint movement at the far end of the hall. It was Katan’s turn for guard duty last night. ‘Best steer clear of him,’ Ian thought to himself. Fortunately his gang’s “medical bay”, where he moved into after Dyrke slipped the new juve into his old room, was closer to this end of the hallway. Waiting until he had closed the door quietly behind him, Ian crossed the room and turned on the light to his workbench.

Sleep, sweet oblivion awaited him. His rendezvous with Amber had been enjoyable, but not all that restful, and Dyrke had mentioned an early start. Not bothering to get undressed Ian lay on top of his covers and closed his eyes.

“Get up!”

Ian jolted up out of bed. He quickly realized that if had been asleep it could not have been for very long, he groaned. Just as he was about to give his intruder a ‘what for’ he realized it was Katan.

“We leave in five minutes Ian. Are you up?”

Ian nodded and walked back over to his workbench and yawned. Grabbing a few tools and supplies he stuffed them in his kit bag which lay in the midst of several projects he was tinkering on.

“Were you up late working on something?” Katan asked.

“Yea, something like that.” Picking up the power cell for his lasgun off the charger he turned back to the somber ganger. “Let’s not keep Dyrke waiting.”

Ian flicked off the light and followed the Van Saar ganger out the door.

-=-=-=O=-=-=-

The journey down hive was fast and uneventful. Dyrke had spelled it out on the way. The band of nomads that Ian had stirred up continued to wreak havoc in the domes below. Apparently they were hell bent on retrieving the rifle Ian acquired from them and were knocking heads together and issuing challenges to any Hiver they came across.

Being that the Steel Spiders had a couple of spore caves in the area the locals sent word to Dyrke to come and bail them out. They were heading down to spring a trap on the invaders. By planting seeds of misinformation Dyrke believed the nomads would have a chance at something they couldn’t refuse – payback. He had left tidbits of information that Ian – and the rifle – was going to be in the area at a certain time. Dyrke was confident that the Spiders would be able to return the favor and inflict their own kind of payback for daring to enter the hive.

As they drew near Dyrke divided them up into three groups. Boanerges and Rogers were sent up to a reinforced walkway, Ian and Cacee were positioned a large air handler tower, while Dyrke and the rest of the team stayed at floor level hidden among several crates and barrels. Dyrke’s group was to assault the kill zone while Ian and the rest provided covering fire.

Once the three groups split up there was no way to communicate verbally between them. Cacee had Ian move painfully slow.

“A sniper’s job is to arrive at his destination without detection so that he can deliver a kill-shot before his target can react.” He said to Ian.

“I just want to give back some of what they dished out,” Ian replied.

“Then stick close to me kid, and we will do it together.”

Once Ian got into good firing position he looked through the sites of his new lasgun. He wanted to get familiar with the feel and sight picture of the weapon. It felt comfortable in his grip.

Looking around the kill-zone Ian could not detect Dyrke, Katan, or the juve – the ‘assault team’. That was good. He could however, easily see Boanerges and Rogers. His firing position was slightly higher so maybe that was not much of an issue. He gave Rogers a ‘thumbs up ‘signal and the waiting began.

-=-=-=O=-=-=-

Cacee tapped Ian on the shoulder (they had taken turns on watch) and pointed down into the kill-zone. Ian looked over the edge and he could see two Nomads cautiously creeping out from under a warehouse awning. The pair was hunched over, respirators firmly in place, and their heads panning back and forth. One Nomad had a pistol of some kind at the ready, the other an autogun cradled in his arms. Ian nestled his cheek against the stock and took aim at the one with the rifle.

Thwack! Ian felt something smack against the back of his head. Looking back he saw Cacee shaking his head. “Not yet,” he mouthed. Ian nodded his understanding.

Chancing a glance over towards Boanerges and Rogers he saw them getting ready as well. Ian settled back to get ready. He would wait until the heavy let loose and then join in.

The first pair of Nomads was followed by two more pair. There were now six Nomads in the kill-zone and Ian felt his pulse quicken. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Cacee settled into his firing position.

“Here we go,” Ian thought to himself.

Bupupupupup! Boanerges let loose with his heavy stubber. With the heavy letting loose Ian began to squeeze the trigger, his sights still set on the Nomad with the rifle.

CRACK! Ian involuntarily ducked his head as a bullet impacted heavily on the other side of the wall he was leaning against for stability.

Thwiip! The next incoming round caught nothing but air as it whipped past his head. Peeking up and over the wall Ian scanned for where the shots were coming from. There he was… a Nomad hunkered down among metallic scraps with a heavy barreled rifle pointed right back at him.

“Nomad Sniper!” Ian shouted over his shoulder to Cacee.

“What do you want from me kid! Take care of him!”

Cacee was pulling the trigger of his autogun sending shots down into the kill-zone as fast as he could squeeze his finger. Ian turned his attention back to his challenger and snapped off a quick shot, more to get the Nomad to duck than anything else.

Ian’s last shot bought him enough time and he shifted around to get a better angle. From this distance he could tell that the Nomad had picked his position well. His enemy now sat at an extreme range for his lasgun and in good cover. Ian smiled slightly. The Nomad has ‘misjudged this Van Saar’ he thought to himself.

Tucking his cheek against the lasgun stock Ian set his sights on the Nomad. “Not much to get at,” he thought. Sighting in on the only thing he could see Ian squeezed off a shot at the Nomad’s rifle. Miss!

Thwiip! The Nomad’s return shot sailed wide.

There was nowhere for Ian to move to. His opponent had the entire tower cover to include the ladder down.

The Nomad shifted to try and get a better angle. Ian took the shot. The superheated ions flew straight and true and nailed the Nomad. He knew it because he heard the wounded cry come back in reply. But instead of the man dropping from the wound Ian watched him crawl away and out of sight, debris and buildings preventing Ian from finishing the job.

The revving of a chainsword brought Ian’s attention back to the task at hand, the ambushing of the very Nomads that had hunted him down not all that long ago. Ian spun back to face the kill-zone. On the bridge Rogers stood over the corpse of a Nomad who had gotten the jump on the two Van Saar on the bridge. Roger made eye contact with eye and nodded. Ian nodded back and then turned his attention back to the dome floor.

Four Nomads lay prone and unmoving. The last was steadying himself, but against what Ian couldn’t tell.

A yell came thundering across the dome as Renold, the team’s new juve, raced out from under a heavy lift platform. The juve barreled into the Nomad knocking the both of them over. The juve landed on top and proceeded to wail blow upon blow to the Nomad’s head and torso.

Dyrke walked over and grabbed one of the kid’s arms and said something indiscernible. Renold then stood up straddling the now motionless Nomad. Dyrke looked up to the two over-watch positions and signaled for them to come down.

-=-=-=O=-=-=-

All seven of Van Saar met on the dome floor. A quick check of all present no one had any injuries to report. No equipment issues either.

“Well done men. I don’t think the hive will have to worry about these Nomads anymore. Secure the area. It may not look like much, but there’s potential.”

Something skittered across the floor towards the dome wall. Debris kicked up by a Nomad taking flight.

Ian pulled up his lasgun to his cheek and began to track his new target. Fallen crossbeams, support posts, and the speed at which the enemy moved all worked against him. Undeterred Ian tracked his target, all the while slowly squeezing the trigger.

CRACK! A narrow beam of neon-blue ionized particles shot reached out, briefly connecting the Van Saar with the Nomad. The Nomad collapsed and skidded across the floor.

Cacee whistled. “Nice shot kid.”

Ian smiled as Boanerges slapped him on the back.

Dyrke looked Ian in the eyes, “it looks like the ‘Spiders’ have a Medic and a Shooter.”

Interlude

The music was still blaring as Ian walked back through the common room of the ‘Bifrost’. He only needed one more thing to make the night complete, and that was to see Amber again. He could not figure out why this woman fascinated him. He had only met her the one time before.

Ian scanned the crowded room looking for Amber’s red hair. In a run-of-the-mill drinking hole, frequented by factory workers or fungus farmers, that might not have been an issue. But here at the Bifrost it merely reduced the possibilities to a score or more. One thing that did help was that not all of the red-haired patrons were female, and not everyone wore Amber’s distinctive ponytail. Still, he could not see her in the crowd.

The two had met in the back the last time so Ian headed towards the blaring music. The same four ‘musicians’ were on-stage as the last time, only this time one of the Van Saar was playing some kind of small metallic pipe with holes drilled into it. The musician’s fingers danced covering various holes, all the while blowing into another.

“They are not half bad,” Ian though to himself.

Peering over the crowd Ian looked for his objective. Not seeing her he dropped back down on heels. Just as he was getting ready to turn around he felt a tug on his holster belt. Spinning around he saw Amber.

“Looking for someone? Here, you might want this back.”

There she was, offering him his las pistol back.

“As a matter fact, yes I am,” Ian said feeling his face warm up. Both embarrassed about losing his pistol to a pick pocket and being happy to see her again. He took the offered pistol and put it back in its holster, securing it with the snap this time.

Amber stepped back returning his smile. The two looked each other over.

“Let’s get something to drink,” Ian finally said reaching out, grabbing her hand, and heading back into the common room. As Ian moved to sit down at an empty table Amber tugged on her arm to get his attention.

“Mm mm, too public, or haven’t you heard that the Black Cats have eyes for you and your boy’s toys?”

Ian put two and two together. He realized that Amber was a member of the Black Cats, and that the woman he had a run in with earlier was the same one who ended their last meeting. He pulled his hand away. His mind was swirling trying to figure out what she was trying to do to him. Once again he found himself wondering if she was laying a trap for him… or something else. He realized he might not even care at this point.

Sensing Ian’s hesitation Amber broke the tension, “no no no… it’s just… it might not be… you know… healthy, for us to be seen together”.

Ian just nodded his agreement.

“Come on. We’ll go to my room,” Amber said as she turned to lead.

“Wait… that might not be a good idea either. You girls have rooms above right? And we’ve got the lay out underneath… we’re going to need some place neutral.”

The two continued to look into each other’s eyes as they thought through their options.

“Chigger’s got some rooms…” they both said together and headed for the bar.

Ian stepped up and motioned for Chigger to step off to the side.

“Chigger, I need a room and a bottle of snake.”

Chigger glanced over Ian’s shoulder and then back.

“You know what you’re doin’ kid?”

“Probably not, but life’s short and you have got to take some chances.”

“It’s your money kid, and I won’t say anything.”

Ian reached into his pocket and pulled out several guilders. Slapping the coins down on the bar he said, “Thanks Chigger. I really appreciate it.”

Grabbing the offered bottle and key from Chigger Ian turned back to Amber.

“Come on, let’s get out of here. We have some catching up to do.”

With that Ian led the way out of the common area of the Bifrost and up to the public lodgings.

Camaraderie

Ian was disappointed. Dyrke had been dismissive of his report about the Black Cats having an eye on taking over things around the Bifrost. Oh Dyrke had been happy to get the money Chigger had handed over; he just did not seem concerned about anything else. One odd thing did happen. Dyrke forked over a handful of credits. ‘Profit Sharing’ he called it. Ian had expected to be paid as a full member of the gang and all, but this seemed a little generous. He bit his lip, nodded his thanks, and left the room before he asked any stupid questions.

“Ian! Hey, where headed up to the Bifrost to down a few pints. Wanna tag along?”

Ian looked up and saw Rogers, Cacee, and Boanerges walking towards him. Gripping his pocket now flushed with cash he smiled and nodded his agreement.

“Mind if I come along?” came another voice from behind the group.

Ian turned around and saw the kid he had patched up back when he first came below. He looked pretty healthy now and was jogging to catch up. The group stopped and turned.

“Beat it ‘little rat’. Go sit in your room until you’re called upon to complete your trial.”

“Wait Boanerges. He can tag along,” Cacee said. “But… and I mean BUT, you will be quiet ‘little rat’,” he said addressing the juve.

Ian tried to see how the juve’s ear had healed. There was some scarring, but the area around the ear had healed nicely. Only some minor disfiguration. He was sure the kid could still hear out of it.

“What are you looking at” the juve said turning to Ian.

“Easy, easy… just noticing your ear.”

A look of recognition flashed across the juve’s face, but he said nothing.

“Best mind your manners ‘little rat’. You’re addressing a member of the Steel Spiders, which is more than I can say for you. I don’t care what Cacee here says… you are not welcome.”

The team’s heavy was obviously annoyed to have a juve hanging around.

Ian turned to the juve, “look, you’ll be one of the team soon enough. What’s your name?”

“Renold, my name is Renold,” the juve said. He seemed like he wanted to say something else, but then thought better of it. “Alright… I’ll catch you guys later.” And with that he turned and left.

-=-=-=O=-=-=-

The Bifrost was alive again. This was not a typical drinking hole of the underhive. The Bifrost was more a small community in and of itself. Inside the drinking hole it housed two common rooms as well as several meeting rooms – one for each of the governing Houses of Hive City. It was rumored that Chigger even had some contacts with the Ruling Houses from above ‘The Wall’. Above these rooms were several boarding rooms that Chigger used to produce even more income. But that was only the part of it.

Trading routes funneled across the bridge and there was an area out on the span that housed a small bazaar – and that was sandwiched in between the Bifrost and the local Enforcer precinct house. Adjacent to the precinct house, on the other side, were several ornate Guilder habs. The small little bridge was cramped to say the least, and the Bifrost was the meeting place for it all.

Men and women from all five of the Houses that controlled Hive City crowded the common area. Chigger was behind the packed bar with two barmaids. Together they were busy dispensing drinks as fast as they could dip the cups into the vats of Second Best (or Wild Snake if the pockets allowed).

Some of the patrons were yelling at monitors over the bar. All three of the dingy black and white screens captured images of two pit fighters circling one another. A roar erupted from half the group when one of the fighters, armed with a massive hook instead of a hand, landed a savage blow to the head of his opponent – the other half grumbled curses. From the back room music tried to overwhelm the cacophony up front.

As Cacee led the group to their private room off to the side Ian caught site of Amber. The Escher he had become acquainted with just before his trials. Making eye contact with her he paused for a moment.

“Come on kid. We’ve got some celebrating to do,” Cacee said throwing an arm around Ian’s shoulder and nudging him to the side room.

Ian maintained eye contact with the woman and silently mouthed, “I’ll be back for you later”.

The Escher smiled.

Their room was set up nicely. A dart alley along the back wall, several tables and chairs – enough room for thirty or more, even a monitor to catch whatever vids Chigger could tap into from Hive City. Membership definitely has its privileges.

-=-=-=O=-=-=-

The four Van Saar enjoyed themselves for several hours, only being interrupted twice to take care of unruly (and mostly drunk) customers. Chigger had kept the drinks flowing, the plates full of food, and the ‘entertainment’ fresh. Ian had declined the latter, instead waiting for the opportunity to slip out and catch up with the red headed Escher that he could not get out of his mind. Just when he had begun to think that chance would never come Dyrke burst in on the little party.

“I thought I might find you all here… Ian you might be interested in this,” the Van Saar leader said as he sat down. “I’ve just received word that the Nomads that we fought a couple of days back have decided to make life difficult for those down below. Apparently after we pulled back they were not satisfied and have been raising hell in the domes below. Seems they want whatever it is you brought back Ian.” Dyrke turned to look at Ian.

Ian shrugged, “they can have it back for all I care. The slug that sent me to my knees did a work on the firing chamber. Even Boanerges here says he can’t fix that rifle. It’s a shame too, it ‘s a nice looking weapon.”

“Well, you will have the opportunity to return it if you want. I’ve planted some information with the spore farmers down there. Something the Nomads should find… irresistible.” Dyrke paused to let that sink in. “You all get to bed. We leave before the next cycle.” And with that Dyrke left, the four men alone, patting Ian on the shoulder as he went.

“What do you think ‘Cee’”? Roger asked Cacee.

“What are you asking me for? Dyrke’s the boss.”

“Yea but, you’ve got a pretty good head on your shoulders. What do you think?”

“I think you need to mind Dyrke.”

And with that the little party was over. The four Van Saar filed on out to get some sleep. As the group neared the stairs down to their hab layer Ian stopped.

“You guys go on ahead. I forgot to pay for that last round.”

The other three just waved over their shoulders and went on their way.

“Now to have a chat with that lass!”

Working Man

“It’s time you started earning your keep kid.”

For a moment Ian just stared at Dyrke, his gang’s leader. Just two days earlier he had quite possibly saved the life of a fellow team member, what more could possibly be expected of him?

“I need you to go upstairs and collect our cut from Chigger, the owner of the Bifrost.”

“But… I’m barely out of the trials… and I need to keep an eye on Rogers.” Ian replied.

“You need to do what I tell you to do kid. You’ve passed the trials and you’re a full member of this team now. I appreciate your kissing Roger’s boo-boo but if you don’t get a move on before I shove a boot up your fore-quarter contact I’ll get me someone who’ll follow orders and you’ll be back out on the streets. You get me?”

Ian nodded his head, picked up his kit bag, and rushed pass Dyrke who was still standing in the doorway of his room. He had not intended to come across so insubordinate. It was just that he was still trying to gauge his place within the gang and collecting of protection money from the Bifrost definitely felt above his station. He had not even seen combat with the team yet. Well, not counting the retreat from the hive wall a couple days back. But that would come, he was sure of that.

“Hey kid!”

Ian turned around to see Rogers walking up the passageway towards him.

“You should still be resting. That was no carrion bat sting.”

“I’m alright… now. I just wanted to thank you. I want you to have this.” In Rogers’ outstretched hand he held a lasgun by the barrel.

Ian’s eyes widened. This is no clumsy shotgun or autogun. This was tech, and he preferred tech. “I… I couldn’t… that’s your rifle. I’ll earn my own.”

“That’s just it kid,” a second voice came from behind Rogers. It was Dyrke. “You have earned it. Rogers here has been thinking about swapping out his weapons for some time anyway.

“And I wanted to thank you for patching me up,” Rogers added.

Ian accepted the offered weapon. Emotions ran rampant, but pride was the most predominant. Looking back up to Rogers, “I don’t know what to say. Thanks.”

“No kid, thank you for patching me up.”

“You need to change uniforms too.” Dyrke tossed a blue, grey, and black pixeled bodysuit past Rogers at Ian. “Now you best get a move on before my boot catches up with you!”

Ian couldn’t help but smile as he turned. He stuffed the bodysuit into his kitbag, and slung his new lasgun over his shoulder. He felt like he belonged now.

-=-=-=O=-=-=-

The Bifrost was quiet. At least quieter than the last time he had been here. There was no band playing in the back and the video monitors were black. The patrons that were there barely looked up from their drinks or conversations. Walking up to the bar Ian called out, “Barkeep! Where can I find Chiggers?”

A bald head with dark goggles popped up from behind the bar. The man wore a vest akin to what House Orlock might wear and a Van Saar cybernetic hand held a hefty stub gun. Dropping the pistol heavily on top of the bar he leaned forward.

“What do you want?” The man was more articulate than Ian anticipated.

“Dyrke sent me to see Chigger. I need to make a collection.”

“You‘re not sporting Dyrke’s colors, and I’ve not seen you around here before.”

“Are you going to take me to see the man or not?” Ian was beginning to get irritated.

“I cannot just take anyone to see the man. Prove to me you speak for Dyrke and his team and I will take you to see Chigger personally.”

Ian pulled out the new bodysuit and held it up. “Are you satisfied?”

The bartender was about to argue some more when he caught sight of Dyrke standing in the shadows behind Ian. Dyrke just nodded and the man’s resistance faded.

“Alright kid, follow me.”

The barkeep led Ian up a small spiral staircase behind the bar which led to a trapdoor. Beyond the door was small office with windows that held a commanding view of the bridge’s ‘common area’. The furnishings were sparse but business like. A small desk with a data terminal (inferior Delaque design Ian thought to himself), a bookcase filled mostly with odds and ends, and a small safe, but no one else but the two of them.

“Where’s Chigger?” Ian demanded.

“You’re looking at him kid. Wait right there.” Chigger stepped around the desk, and knelt next to the small safe. Once he was sure he sufficiently blocked Ian’s view he turned the dial. With a creak the small hefty door opened up. Chigger pulled out a small bag and shut the door.

Tossing the bag across the desk Chigger said, “Here you go kid. It was a pretty decent week, but you need to let Dyrke know. The Black Cats have been making noise again. Fushia’s telling me she can take better care of the trash.”

Ian turned to leave. “Thanks Chigger, I’ll let him know. Wait… what do you mean?”

“I mean that the Black Cats are telling me that they are looking to make a change around here, and you and Dyrke’s boys are standing in their way. You get me?”

Ian nodded and then left the room. His mind was deep in thought about what Chigger had told him when he bumped into a woman as they both crossed the floor, an amazing feat considering the sparse clientele present.

“Watch where you’re going!”

Ian stepped back. He recognized the woman from somewhere. She was almost a full two meters tall and wore a ponytail tied tight that swept up and back – dyed a deep green. Her eyes glared and her face was taut. She didn’t look like she wanted to chat.

“It’s a big room. You should have been more careful.”

The woman snarled and moved her right foot back and out while reaching for the pommels of two very fine looking swords over her shoulders. Although neither ganger noticed, the conversation in the room ceased as all attention was drawn to the pair.

“Not in here you don’t Jade!” Chigger said as he entered the room, and emphasized his point by chambering a round in his shotgun.

“Easy Chigger, I was just going to teach this boy some manners.”

The woman splayed her fingers wide to demonstrate she was standing down. She slowly lowered her arms and began to move across the floor once more. As she did so she intentionally drew close to Ian and whispered only loud enough for him to hear.

“Your time is drawing to a close around here Van Saar. Scurry on your way now.”

Ian stood his ground so that she could not help but bump into his shoulder as she passed. He did not move. Not even to watch the tall woman leave the Bifrost. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he could feel his hands beginning to sweat. Glancing down at his hands he headed on out. He wanted to get back to Dyrke and report this. It looked like the Black Cats were taking aim at their territory.