[Ian 30] - Cast Out

The assailant’s fist landed like a hammer blow on Ian’s right cheek and his vision filled with stars as his head began to swim.

“Where did you take him?!?”

Another hammer blow to his stomach took all of the wind out of him making it impossible to answer.  It also caused all of the strength to evaporate from his legs and he collapsed in a heap to the floor, gasping, desperately trying to refill his lungs with air.

“Stop it!” a voice cried out from somewhere at the edge of his vision. 

“Shut up bitch!  Unless you want the same,” his assailant replied.

Ian lay bent over his knees with his forearms on the ground trying to regain his breath.  He didn’t dare look up, but he could make out at least six pairs of boots ringing around him and Dyrke, the leader of the Steel Spiders.

“I escorted him to the Enfor…” Ian tried to gasp, but a heavy booted kick to his left side crushed his bicep into his ribs.  The blow took the wind back out of him and rolled him over onto his back.

“He was the property of the Spiders Ian!  You had no right to escort him anywhere!”

The last sentence was emphasized by another kick, this time to his right side.

“Please!”

THWACK!

Somewhere in the shadows Ian heard the meaty thud of someone else taking a blow, followed quickly by the sound of a collapsing body.  Nobody else spoke up or moved to help Ian or his unseen advocate.

“Pick him up!”

Two sets of hands reached down and hauled him to his feet.  Once vertical they had to support him because his legs were barely responding to his efforts to stand.  He tried to lift his head to look Dyrke in the eyes.  By now the swelling on the right side of his face was making it difficult to see out of his right eye.

“I took you in!” another hammer blow, this time to his left cheek. 

“I gave you shelter!” another blow to the right.

“And this is the thanks I get!” a piston blow to his stomach.  Now all strength left him, but the powerful hands held him in place.

“Do you have any idea what you have done to the reputation of the Steel Spiders?!?”  This time his assailant gave him a two fisted backhand that landed hard enough to cause his restrainers to lose their grip and he collapsed to the floor once more.  By now blood was dribbling out of his mouth at a steady rate into a pool on the floor.

Ian tried to stand up on his own but collapsed in a heap twice more before he got his knees under him, but as he rallied the strength to push up the rest of the way another hammer blow drove him back down.  This time he just stayed down.

“Bring ‘em to the deck of the Bifrost.  We’re going to make examples of them.  Show the others what happens when you cross the Spiders.”

Two pairs of hands reached down once again and brought him to his feet.  He had no strength in his legs and so he was dragged more than carried up the several ladders and decks until they reached the deck of the bridge that connected this part of Hive City to the Under Hive.  It spanned a chasm a half a kilometer deep.

“What are we going to do with them Dyrke?”

Ian tried desperately to identify the voice of one of those he had called friends.

“We toss them over,” came the leader’s reply.

Ian tried desperately to rally his strength, but it was hopelessly inadequate.  His escort’s grip held firm.  What little vision he had through the swelling in his face he could see the abyss beyond the edge of the bridge and fear welled up in his throat.

“Can the Spiders come out and play?”

The procession to his doom stopped dead in their tracks.  Ian could hear a lot of shuffling feet, but could not identify the voice. 

“You’ve got no say in this Bounty Hunter!  Best to leave now lest you get taught a lesson you won’t soon forget.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.  I am not here for them Dyrke.  I’m here for Jakob.  I heard tale that you had him.  I want him.  You wouldn’t even have been on his trail if it weren’t for me!”

“You can’t have him.  It’s our bounty.  We went and got him, and I aim to be the one to bring him in.”

“I kind of thought you’d say somthin’ like that.”  The Bounty Hunter put two fingers in his mouth and brought forth a piercing whistle.  On cue a dozen Escher stepped out of the shadows.  “And I take issue with it.”

The vice grip that held Ian upright released their hold on him and he collapsed in a heap.  Looking up Boenerges was placing a long boxed cartridge into the belly of his heavy stubber and was fixated on the new threat.

Ian looked around and saw that Gelder had released his grip on Amber as well.  She stirred as she hit the deck, but slowly.  Continuing to take in the situation he noticed that the Spiders were taking cover to face off against the Black Cats and the unknown Bounty Hunter.  Dyrke was not currently interested in exacting his justice on Ian at the moment.  He knew that would not last and that he and Amber would only have a few moments to affect their escape.  Amber looked up and made eye contact with Ian.  It was clear she was as scared as he was.  With little effort Ian communicated that they needed to crawl back the way they had come.  

They pair had not gone far when the fire fight erupted between the Steel Spiders and the Bounty Hunter’s crew.  Without a word between them they both got up and ran as fast as they could back to the relative safety of the Chigger’s Bar.  Ian glanced back out on to the deck and could tell that Dyrke and the Spiders were making head way against their attackers.  Looking around the bar it was empty, the last few patrons fleeing out the front door to escape the combat outside.  Chigger waved them over.

“Take your old room Amber,” he glanced back at Ian.  “It’s my hide if Dyrke catches you two here.  Get up to that room and stay there until I give you the all clear.” 

“Come on Ian.  It’ll be OK.”  Amber gave Ian a reassuring tug on his right arm to pull him up the stairs behind the bar.  They stumbled to the last room on the right.  Once they were inside Amber slid the door shut and pushed it slightly forward.  “If this works right, it will look like just another panel in the wall outside.”

They could hear the staccato of the heavy stubber through the walls, but it was apparent that the battle was waning.  

The wounded pair collapsed on the unmade bed, exhausted.  Amber had a welt growing on her cheek, but Ian was in obvious pain and having to take shallow breaths in order to not agitate his probably broken ribs.  Amber tried to take stock of his wounds but he waved her off, and she was too tired and sore to protest.  They both drifted off to sleep.

-=-=-=0=-=-=-

Ian jolted awake to the sound of men and women screaming in the hall outside.  The effort to stand made him catch his breath and pain stabbed through rib cage, but he readied himself to defend himself and Amber.

“Over here you thick headed sump spider.”

Turning around Ian saw Amber had pivoted the dresser out to reveal a dark chamber beyond.  He hesitated a moment.

“Search all the rooms!” they both heard Boanerges bellow from the hallway. 

That was all the encouragement Ian needed and he ducked into the small doorway.  Amber quickly followed and pulled the dresser back into place with an attached cord.  Once the dresser pulled tight darkness washed over them.  They sat together in the darkness barely wanting to breathe lest they give themselves away.

A crash rumbled through the little door and they both instinctively shuffled back away from the door.  Ian’s eyes had not quite adjusted to the complete darkness and he found himself wishing he had his visor with him now.  It was then that he realized that neither he nor Amber had any of their kit.  He fought the urge to panic.

Chigger’s voice boomed through the wall and door, “I told you they weren’t here Cacee!  You didn’t have to go and bust down the door!

“It’s good for you that they aren’t Chigger,” came the familiar voice of the Spider Ian had once called friend.

Next followed a lot of shuffling of feet and whispers.  Ian tried to press his ear against the door to hear what was going on.  The shuffling lasted for a few minutes.  Much longer than he had thought it should, especially thinking that once they did not find what they were looking for they would just leave.  Finally the voices and the noises from the room beyond faded.  Ian moved to try and push the door but Amber grasped his arm.  Looking over she was shaking her head as if to say ‘not yet’.  Ian nodded in acknowledgement and there they stayed.  After fifteen minutes Amber pressed her shoulder against the door and it opened a few centimeters.  She waited to see if anything responded from the room beyond. When nothing happened she opened it the rest of the way slowly. 

From their hide the room looked turned upside down, and the once concealed door lay smashed and hanging from only one hinge.  Looking around once more before they stepped back into the room memories flooded both their minds.  Many a liaison between the two had been spent in this room after they had first met.  Back then Ian believed their trysts to be out of bounds, he a member of the Spiders and House Van Saar, and she a member of the Black Cats and of House Escher.

“I don’t think we are going to be able to stay here much longer,” Ian said out loud.

Amber nodded her head in silent agreement.  Ian moved to the smashed doorway to look down the now silent hallway that led back to the public room of the ‘Bifrost’.  It was filled with debris and broken furniture, but no people.  When Ian turned to signal that it was all clear Amber gasped.

“Look!” she said pointing to the bed.

Poking out from underneath the displaced mattress was the pommel of Amber’s sword.  Ian helped her lift the mattress the rest of the way off.  Underneath they found Ian’s tinkering and medical kit bag and Amber’s sword.  Ian opened up his kit satchel to see what was in there.  All of his basic tools that he had used on his workbench along with his basic medical supplies. Right on top of it all was a small bag with a few  guilders and his visor.

“It’s not much, but better than nothing.”

Amber agreed. “Look, a note” she pointed to piece of paper sticking out from an interior pocket.

Ian, you saved my life once.  Dyrke is on the warpath for your hide and for anyone who helps you.  He’s taking us out towards the sump.  I highly recommend you make a break for it once we leave.  It will be best for everyone.  This makes us even.  ~ Cacee

Ian just stared at the slip of paper for several long moments.  Cacee had been instrumental in bringing him into the Steel Spiders.  How long had that been?  Flashbacks of the battles and off duty times in the Bifrost ran through his mind.

A gentle hand from Amber on his arm brought Ian back to the here and now.

“Come on, we need to put some distance between ourselves and Dyrke, the further, the better.”

Ian nodded his head and shouldered his kit bag.  Peering down the hallway from the edge of the doorway Ian tried to see down the stairs to see if any of the Spiders were in the common room.  He couldn’t tell, so the pair crept down the hallway sticking close the wall.  When they reached the top of the stairs they stopped to listen for a few more minutes.  Only the regular clanking of stoneware and hum of indistinct chatter between patrons met their ears.  With a silent glance between each other they started down the stairs and tried to look like any other couple returning from a tryst in the upper rooms.  When they reached the bottom of the stairs the two hesitated long enough to look around the room.  No spiders in sight. 

“Psst!  Ian”

The startled pair jumped where they stood.  Ian spun around while Amber took a step slightly in front of Ian and readied her sword.

“Easy! Easy!”

From behind a small stage where acts came to entertain the patrons Chigger was waving them to follow him.

“Dyrke has taken the spiders out onto the bridge span.  You won’t get far if you head out the front doors.  Follow me.”

Behind the stage Chigger led them into an old utility room.  In the floor was a metal trap door with a thick chain and padlock holding it in place.

“This leads to an old cable conduit that runs the span of the bridge to the far side of the Enforcer precinct.  It’s how I get some of my goods past the tolls imposed by the Guilders.  Not all of it, just the more lucrative items," he said with a grin.

“Thanks Chigger.  We can’t repay you for this.”

“It’s alright kid.  Maybe if it is ever safe enough for you to come back this way we can settle up.”

Ian nodded his thanks and looked down at the door.

“Before you go though, I want you to have this.”

Ian looked back up at the bartender.  In the man’s hands was a slightly battered single barrel semi-automatic shotgun.  This was a typical Van Saar model with a seamless hand grip and receiver that could be fed with either a small drum magazine, currently missing, or single rounds could be fed into a line feed below the barrel.  The stock was folded up and over resting neatly on top of the receiver while still allowing the smooth discharge of spent shells from the chamber.

“The mag is full Ian.  Sorry I don’t have any extra shells to hand you.  Had to… well… leave the front in a hurry.  Half a click out the other side you will run into a small Holestead.  A prospector named Goreman.  Tell him Chigger sent you and he will be able to point you in a safe direction.”

Reaching down he punched in five numbers into the keypad on the lock and it clicked open.  He gently pulled the chain through the handrail and then opened the door.

“Now, get!”

Ian grabbed Chigger’s forearm and thanked him silently.  Amber dropped down the dark hole and reached up to grab the shotgun to help Ian through as he winced from the pain in his ribs as he lowered himself down.  Chigger wasted no time.  As soon as Ian’s head cleared the hatch the door shut over them and they were swallowed up in darkness once again.  Only a few of the old maintenance lights were still functional, but it was enough for them to find their way.

Amber and Ian glanced at each other.

"Let me take a look at that," Ian said reaching into his bag.  Pulling out a noxious smelling ointment he rubbed it on Amber's swollen cheek.  He then had her do the same to the welts on his face.  It burned slightly and penetrated deeply.  Once that was done she applied the ointment to the massive bruise now encompassing his ribcage and wrapped them up with the few strips of cloth they had.  Once that was done he put away the remaining supplies.

“Well, come on… no time like the present.” Ian said. With that the pair headed off to their new life.

Welcoming

Ian actually did a double take. From behind he didn’t recognize the woman sitting at the end of the bar, but Chigger was chatting up a storm with her and refilled her drink without hesitation.

Looking around the Bifrost Ian was a little troubled. Amber had arranged to meet him here after he had performed his tasks for Dyrke, the leader of the Steel Spiders, but he couldn’t see her anywhere. There was something about the woman’s hair though…

Chigger made eye contact with him and smiled, then waved for him to come over. Ian nodded and started over to the bar. There was something strangely familiar about the woman, he just couldn’t place it. When Ian got within three meters the woman spun around.

“I was beginning to wonder when you would show up,” Amber said smiling back at him.

Ian had been so distracted by his curiosity he had failed to notice the other tell-tale signs of who he was looking at. The sword slung across her back, the auto pistol strapped to her thigh, and not to mention the red hair pulled neatly back into ponytail.

“I, uh… I had to finish up… have you been waiting long?” Ian’s face flushed red.

Amber’s newly issued body glove was as form fitting as ever. Ian liked it much better than her old Escher rags.

For the next hour Ian and Amber just sat and talked. Even with the crowded common area, the Bifrost offered more privacy than the halls of the Spiders lair that lay beneath the bridge town. Even the room set aside for the Spiders within the drinking hall was no guarantee of seclusion. Here at least they could talk without the pretense of being alone, besides, Chigger assured them that their room would be available in just a couple of hours, so in the meantime the two of them just sat and enjoyed each others company.

Just as Chigger handed over the keys to the room to Ian, Dyrke spotted them.

“Amber, Ian, I have a couple of pairs of boots coming to see about joining the Spiders. I need the two of you to watch the room and make sure we are not disturbed.”

Dyrke didn’t even wait for a response from his subordinates; he just nodded to Chigger, asked for his usual, and stepped into Spider’s room. Amber looked at Ian, but what could they do? Their leader gave them a job to do and they were bound to do it.

Over the next two hours Ian and Amber stood outside the door while several men of various sizes and kit came and went. None of the visitors were allowed entrance unless they presented a small token that was stamped with an impression of a spider with an anvil symbol on its back. The whole time all Ian could think of was that what little time they had was slipping away.

Finally Dyrke emerged with two men in step behind him. One man carried a plain looking lasgun over one shoulder. His body glove was worn, and his hair disheveled, but the weapon was well kept. The other man had a much neater appearence. In a cross draw holster on the left side of his chest was a bolt pistol, and in his hands he supported a Plasma Rifle

“Spider’s,” Dyrke said as he addressed the two guards, “I want to introduce two new members to the fold. Xander,” Dyrke indicated with a nod to the first man,” comes from another team who recently… folded. Kordite here,” indicated with a motion of his thumb” comes down from Hive City. He’s going to be helping Boanerges in the shop. Ian, make sure he gets to where he needs to go. Amber, you take Xander and introduce him to Katan, he’ll take it from there.”

“Yes sir,” the two said in unison. Ian’s stomach sank. His carefully made plans to get alone with Amber would have to wait for another time.

No Turning Back

“Can you hear me now?” Ian whispered into Rogers left ear. There was no discernable reaction from the man. Then Ian tapped the palm of his hand with his fingers, still no reaction.

“I have good news and I have bad news Rogers. The good news is that you are healing up nicely. The bad news is that you have lost the hearing in your left ear. There’s not much else I can do for you.”

“It’s alright ‘Doc’. You did the best you could.

Ian shook his head and smiled. “’Doc’, I could get used to that”, he said to himself. Walking over to his workbench in the rear of the sickbay Ian prepared to get back to work on his various ‘projects’. Although he did not have anything promising it kept his mind off other things.

“There you are”, Dyrke said as he entered, passing Rogers in the doorway. “Have you had a chance to visit Chigger this week?”

“On the table by the door there” Ian said without getting up. He was hoping he could get back to his distractions without prolonged conversation.

“Good, good. Feels pretty heavy, Chigger must really like you kid.”

Ian just nodded and turned his attention back to the workbench.

Even though Dyrke caught on that Ian was not in the mood for conversation he kept on. “I understand Amb… I mean ‘Panthera’, lost something dear to her when you brought her in.”

“A gift from someone she considered to be a friend. A sword”, Ian replied.

“Then she might be interested in this.”

Ian turned to face his leader once more. In Dyrke’s hands he held a sword in its scabbard. It was not as ornate as the one Amber left behind but it was a fine Van Saar specimen. The scabbard was made of a dull black plastic that fit the blade perfectly.

Dyrke walked over and handed it to Ian. “I’d like for you to give it to her. I think she would prefer that it came from you.”

“These are a little hard to come by. Thanks Dyrke. I think she will appreciate it.”

Ian drew out the perfectly straight blade. The handle and blade were one solid piece. The blade used only a single cutting edge that ran from the tip almost down to the hand guard which was formed seamlessly between the blade and handle. The guard was a simple unadorned oval. The grip was overlaid with synthetic foam that both conformed to the hands of the wielder and provided a non-slip grip with enough room to get both hands around it. Sliding it back into place Ian looked back up to Dyrke, “I think she will get some good use out of this.”

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

“I hear the Escher are exceptional in hand to hand combat. I was wondering if you would be willing to show me some of the moves you picked up while you were with them.”

Amber turned away from the doorway to her room, leaving the door open but not inviting Ian in either. When she reached the far end of her small room she turned back around and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“I didn’t think you wanted to see me anymore, now that I’m one of the Spiders that is.”

“Well, you just seemed so pissed at me the last time we talked… and I was worried…”

“About what? That the other guys would pick on you for shacking up with the new recruit?”

“Um, no. I was worried that they might mind that I was… “shacking up” … with an Escher. Because that is what I thought you were before Dyrke sent me to bring you in.”

“What do you care what they think?”

“I care because they took me in when I didn’t know where else to go. Just like they are doing for you now.”

The last statement seemed to disarm her a little and she looked away.

“Can I come in? I thought I’d check on that bruise you received while guarding the Ratskin, besides I come bearing a gift.”

“A doctor who makes house calls, how sweet.”

“Well, I’m no doctor. I’m barely a medic, but I do make house calls”, Ian said with a coy smile.

Amber motioned for him to come in, “what is this gift you speak of?”

As Ian pulled the new sword around from behind his back he stepped through the doorway and shut the door behind him with his free hand.

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

Every one of the ‘Steel Spiders’ were there. It was a time to celebrate, or so they were told. In reality it was just an excuse to unwind and spend their credits while supporting their good friend Chigger and the Bifrost. They all just wanted to forget about the Ratskin Chief that got away.

Sitting around one table Boanerges, Rogers, and Hargrave were trying their best to entertain a bar wench each. It was none too hard either as the drinks flowed freely.

Dyrke sat at another with Cacee, Katan, and their newest team member – who everyone knew now as Panthera. Here the atmosphere was more subdued, but there were no frowns to be seen.

Renold kept himself entertained by throwing a few rounds of darts with Ian. Neither of these last two had been in the mood for either ‘Wild Snake’ or ‘Second Best’ so they kept to themselves.

“Come on over here Panthera and have a seat with old Hargrave darlin’.”

This caught Ian’s attention causing his last toss to miss the target completely. Without thinking he just said over his shoulder, “She spoken for”. The room grew quiet.

“What’d you say lad?” came Hargrave’s slurred response as he stood knocking over his chair.

Before Ian could respond Amber stood up and moved in between the two men.

“He said I am not interested in your company, so have another round on him and take a seat.”

For several seconds the room stayed quiet no one really knowing what to say.

BAM, BAM, BAM! A heavy pounding on the door broke the tension within the room.

A voice called through the door, “Traitor! Come out and face the Cats! We know how you betrayed us! Amber, you might as well come out and face your judgment!”

Dyrke held up a hand to silence the rest of the room as he stood. Walking to the door he calmly opened it as several of the ‘Spiders’ readied weapons behind him.

“There is no one here by that name. You are obviously mistaken, so why don’t you just scurry back to your hole before something bad happens.”

Even from the back of the room Ian could tell the drinking hall beyond the door had also grown quiet. All of the Spiders were now on their feet.

“Dyrke, you know better than to cross us. Bring out the traitor bitch and we’ll call it even.”

Dyrke opened the door wide and stepped through. “Can’t do it Fushia. I can’t give you what I don’t have. The only people with me tonight are the ‘Steel Spiders’ and our invited guests. Besides it would be a shame to embarrass you and your girls so publicly… again”.

Ian caught Amber’s sleeve and tugged her towards the back of the group now following Dyrke through the doorway. ‘Not here’ he whispered, and then they both followed Dyrke out into the main hall of the Bifrost. All of the ‘Black Cats’ were standing there with their leader.

The two gangs spread our and faced each other. Each set of eyes were locked on their opponent. So much so that the ‘Black Cats’ paid little attention to Amber who was now dressed in the blue, grey, and black pixeled bodysuit of her fellow Van Saar gangers – and no longer sporting her distinctive ponytail. That is until the ‘Black Cat’ known as Jade caught her moving into line with her new family. But before the Escher could alert the others to her discovery a tall trench coated Enforcer stepped onto the floor in between the two gangs.

“I know you all are not thinking about what I think you’re thinking about… are you.”

The Enforcer Sergeant looked back and forth between the two gang leaders. As he did so the distinctive sound of several shotguns being primed sounded to reinforce his statement.

Ian saw that two separate patrols were no on either side of the drinking hall. On one side stood a wall of Enforcers armed with shotguns and a heavy stubber. On the other a group obviously equipped to get in and mix up as they were armed with suppression shields, power mauls, and of course the distinctive cyber mastiff. This was not a good place to be – in between the two teams and no where to hide.

“The Black Cats have crossed your path Dyrke. Your luck is about to change!” The Escher leader yelled across the floor.

Dyrke stood there and chuckled under his breath. “See you out in the wastes”, was his only reply.

In From the Cold

Every available surface area in the medical bay was full. Ian had been moving between several of the Spiders since their return to the Bifrost.

Hargrave and Katan were on the only two on cots. Hargrave’s head wound was pretty severe. From what Ian could tell the skull had been fractured, but there was no way to tell if there was any more damage internally, and he was not about to dig around and find out. Not in these conditions.

Katan’s condition was much improved. Once they got back Ian was able to get the rest of the shrapnel removed from his arm. That and the fact that the arterial bleeding was just that, there was enough of the blood veins that all Ian had to do was bandage up the area and clean the wounds out. Within a day Katan’s color had returned and he was responding to questions.

The rest just needed to have their bandages replaced. Of course Dyrke had neglected to come back to have his wounds cleaned up. Ian couldn’t even remember seeing him wearing the bandages the last meal break. “Speak of the devil,” Ian thought to himself as Dyrke walked in.

“Ian, I need to speak to you… in private.”

The two men stepped out into the hall and shut the door.

“I need your help on a sticky situation. The House is telling me that we need to pull in a field operative. An agent that penetrated another house needs to come in, but he is apparently insisting that he come in through us.”

“I don’t get it. Why us? Why are you telling me this?”

“You’re going to be my point man on this Ian. The boys are healing up nicely because of you so I don’t need you to baby sit them. Besides, Chigger seems to have taken a liking to you.”

Ian just nodded. Thinking back he remembered some of the people his father had dealings with. Always in whispers and away from prying eyes. Somehow it always made his skin crawl.

“Do you have a name, or a picture?” Ian asked.

“No, just his codename, ‘Panthera’.”

“When?”

“Well, that is another sticky part. I don’t know exactly. But the good news is that you get to just hang around the Bifrost until he shows up. Apparently this guys knows about the ‘Spiders’ and our base of operations around the Bifrost. He will make contact with us, through you, there.”

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

The Bifrost was quiet. Although a good crowd filled the main hall the mood was subdued. Ian couldn’t figure it out. That was until he caught Chigger’s attention. All it took was a nod from the bartender toward a table along the back wall. Two enforcers and a man in ornate clothing sat sipping from their drinks and whispering amongst themselves. At the feet of one of Lord Helmawr’s policemen was a cyber-mastiff. Clearly no one wanted to draw attention to themselves so long as those four were present.

Not wanting attention himself Ian just propped himself up at the bar and ordered a glass of water. Chigger just shook his head. Such extravagances were extremely rare below “the wall”.

“Chigger… has anyone been looking for the ‘Spiders’ lately?”

“Not lately kid. Even the ‘Black Cats’ have been laying low. I’d be careful though. They don’t take to licking their wounds for long.”

Ian snorted to himself and just sat there enjoying his drink, even ordering a plate of mushrooms. As the night wore on Ian’s patience began to wane. Just as he was about to head back to his nice warm bunk for the evening Amber walked up and sat next to him at the bar without waiting for an invitation.

“Hello Ian.”

Ian began to wonder if he was about to be the center of yet more unwanted attention.

“Hello Amber. You… look good.”

And she did, despite weariness being obvious behind her eyes. She also looked like she was on edge. Her right hand never left her thigh, the one adjacent to her auto pistol.

“Can we go somewhere to talk?”

“I don’t think so. You pretty much said all you needed to the last time.”

An awkward silence fell over the two.

“Well, can we at least move down to the end of the bar?”

Ian nodded and the two shifted down.

“I know the ‘Spiders’ didn’t attack the ‘Cats’ last week. I jumped to a wrong conclusion. Sorry about that.”

Ian just nodded.

“Is that all you’re going to say?”

“What do you want me to say? You told me to steer clear, I’m steering clear. Look Dyrke sent me to meet somebody and I doubt that he is going to show up with you sitting right next to me. I appreciate your willingness to come and set the record straight but I’m in the middle of something right now. Maybe we will see each around here sometime.”

“Right, I guess I should have expected such a chauvinistic response. See you around Ian.”

Ian felt a lump settle into his stomach and he watched her walk away. She stopped in front of Chigger, laid several guilders on the bar, said something, and then walked up stairs to the Bifrost’s rooms. Ian dropped his eyes back to his plate. All of a sudden the urge to jump up and follow her welled up inside, only the discipline to complete the task Dyrke had given him kept him in his seat.

“Bartender! Bartender!”

Ian looked up as one of the Enforcers walked up next to him. The man made eye contact with Ian, but that was all.

Chigger walked over, “what can I do for you constable?”

“That’s Enforcer to you citizen. Look, this fellow,” thumbing over his shoulder back towards his table, “is looking for some fellow named ‘Vant’. Ever hear of him?”

“No sir. Not a hint. What does he look like?”

The enforcer handed over a pictograph, “look familiar?”

“Nope, I’ve never seen him either Enforcer.”

Ian smiled as he took a drink from his glass. The Enforcer snorted and turned away. “And bring another round of drinks to our table!”

“Stinkin’ Hive City dwellers. Think they can come out here and just boss their way around… I wonder why they think they can find this guy out here?” Chigger let his eyes lock on to Ian’s for several seconds. Although he did not fully understand what Chigger was looking for, he also did not dare break eye contact with the man.

“A man could get lost down here.”

Ian wasn’t sure if the last comment was a statement, or a question. “I can’t imagine it being all that hard,” Ian finally replied, still not breaking eye contact with the bartender.

As the tension began to relax Chigger slipped a folded piece of parchment across the counter, “It seems like them Enforcers are not the only ones lookin’ for someone.”

Looking down at the piece of paper it simply read ‘Panthera’. “Thanks Chigger. Where did he go?”

“Top of the stairs, end of the hall. You can’t miss it.”

While heading out the main hall Ian unfolded the note. “We have things to discuss,” was all it read. This confused Ian. He had thought his sole mission was to bring this person in, not meet in seclusion to talk.

As he walked down the hall it was obvious that Chigger’s rooms were full. As Ian approached the end of the hall flashes of memory came to mind. Found memories of the night he and Amber spent together brought a quick smile to his face.

The door was slightly ajar with the room beyond dark. Ian drew his pistol and stepped to the side of the door. A quick check showed the power cell to be fully charged. Looking back down the hallway he listened for any sounds coming from the room. It, of course, was silent.

“You can come in,” came a soft voice from inside. “Just keep your hands up and to the side where I can see them.”

Ian’s head dropped for a moment. He really needed to work on his stealth techniques. “How do I know you are who I think you are?”

“Panthera,” was the only reply.

Ian thought hard about his next move. His mind was screaming for him to just walk away. But there was something just under the surface. His instincts maybe… keeping his las pistol in his right hand he eased the door open with his left. When no gun fire erupted from the room he stepped into the doorway. His entire profile would now be visible to anyone inside. Still nothing so he stepped inside.

“Close the door.”

As the latch on the door clicked several things happened simultaneously. Lights came on temporarily blinding Ian, a pair of hands grabbed him and threw him down on the bed further in the room, and then an audible click of the deadbolt being secured. But before Ian’s eyes could adjust his assailant landed on top of him, straddling across his chest and effectively pinning his arms down.

“Maybe now you will have more to say.”

Ian’s eyes adjusted to the new light level. As he looked up he found Amber’s green eyes looking back down into his.

“You are Panthera?”

“I am Panthera.”

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.

To Be Determined

Ian walked the streets of Hive City with no destination in mind. He couldn’t go back to his apartment since the bounty hunter would take his father there first, and he could not head to Team Delta’s house as he was not a member of that gang yet. That would be determined in the days ahead.

Searching through his pockets he pulled out the last of his stashed credits. Five credits were all he had to his name, that and his las pistol and knife. The last was a gift from his mother upon his ascension to manhood. He thumbed the pommel absent mindedly as he stood outside the “Bifrost”. It was a Van Saar drinking hole set upon a bridge across a cavernous gorge nearly a hundred stories deep. A hive quake from before anyone currently alive could remember had ripped open the gorge causing a ‘natural’ division between areas of the hive and being on the fringe of hive city made it a low priority to reoccupy or repair. As a result the owners of the Bifrost made a handsome sum of credits to those wishing to pass beyond. There were other bridges to be sure, but none as wide as to allow the transportation of anything more than what one could carry on their back.

Just standing outside the door Ian hesitated to go in. He was new to the area, he had never really participated in such revelries before, and he was obviously green. As he juggled those thoughts he was knocked to the floor as a trio of gangers barreled their way past him.

“Watch where you’re going runt,” mumbled one of the men, not even turning his head to address the juve now sprawled out in the gutter.

Ian stood up and dusted himself off. ‘Well, if I am ever going to get used to living out here on my own I had better get used to going into such places,’ he thought to himself, and headed straight through the swinging doors.

The din was mind numbing. Countless conversations all vying to be heard over the others, some kind of music blaring from a band on stage in another room, over the bar were several monitors of hive sporting events – one had the picture of a fighting pit with several pit slaves engaged in a fight to their deaths, another several large rats navigating a maze, and the last had a game of slaughter ball. Ian had to step back into the shadows to avoid from being bowled over once again as patrons came at went at their leisure.

Ian blended in well enough. Not too tall, not so small as to get lost, and his envirosuit looked like any other. Most of the patrons had some form of weapon either strapped to their back or slung over their shoulder. Very few were as inadequately armed as he was. Looking around he decided to head to where the music was blaring from out of the back room.

As he crossed the smoke filled room he noticed several other sizable rooms. All of them filled with denizens of other houses, where this mix-match came together was in the hall in the back. There was no other place like it in hive city. At least not that Ian had heard of. The close proximity to hive city, and the bridge being a jump off point to places beyond, brought several of the houses together. Realizing that their mutual support of this resource was in each of their best interest, even if the Bifrost was Van Saar owned and operated. Each house had a piece of the pie and saw to it that none of the others tried to take more than their fair share.

Once in the back room the music was loud enough that Ian felt the vibrations in his teeth. On stage was a pair of Van Saar, one Escher, and an Orlock. The Orlock was playing a percussion instrument that had some form of fabric stretched across several steel drums of varying size. The Escher appeared to be the vocal ‘talent’ of the group as she was screaming into some form of microphone, but she was being hopelessly overpowered by the sound of the others. The pair of Van Saar appeared to be playing synths with keyboards. All four of them were pounding out a rhythm that had the whole room gyrating and pounding to the beat.

As Ian’s eyes adjusted to the flashing lights he caught site of an Escher making eye contact with him. Not knowing what to think Ian looked back over his shoulder into the common room, but with no one following behind him he looked back. The woman winked at him and went back to her conversation. Ian felt his face flush and ducked into the crowd.

Finding a small table with no one sitting at it Ian sat down where he could just enjoy the music for a time. Out of nowhere a waiter shows up from among the crowd. The man’s face was slightly disfigured and a Van Saar model bionic eye stared down at him with a cool blue light.

“What’ll it be?” The man asked.

Now knowing what to say Ian replied, “Um, water?”

The waiter burst out laughing so loud as to be heard over the music by several nearby. “Let’s see your credits!”

Fishing in his pocket he pulled out all that he had.

“You couldn’t buy a cup of water with ten times that amount! Here ya go – a nice glass of second best for the young lad!” With that the waiter placed a glass of some murky liquid heavily down on the table spilling most of its contents, and scrapped every last credit into his hand and disappeared before Ian could protest the loss.

Lifting up the cup to his nose Ian sniffed at the contents. The odor curled the hairs in his nose and caused him to twitch involuntarily.

“It’s better if you just down it,” came a voice from the crowd.

Ian looked up. It was the Escher from before. She wore black leather pants with a holstered auto pistol along her right leg. Across her shoulders was a plain looking sword, cutting across an orange shirt that left her mid drift exposed. Her red hair was pulled back to a pony tail. Her eyes locked once more on Ian’s.

“People actually drink this?” he asked.

“Only if you want to forget something, or gain some instant courage,” she replied. “You’re not from around here are you?”

Ian thought quickly, but had nothing better to reply. “No. You?”

She ignored the question. “So what brings you to the edge of the underhive, Mr. …?”

“Ian, just call me Ian. Let’s just say I am getting away from something. What about you, Ms … ?”

“Amber, my friends call me Amber. And so, what are you doing here? Are you with one of the local gangs?”

“That is as of yet, to be determined. I apparently have to prove myself before being fully embraced as a member. What about you?”

“I run with the ‘Black Cats’. I’m not a full fledged member yet. I have a few … initiations of my own to complete. What do you say we get out of here so we can talk a little easier?”

Ian hesitated, visions of being ambushed a left in some sewer drain flashed through his mind. “I think… I think I’m fine right here.”

“Suit yourself,” Amber said as she got up to leave. “But I have a small room right here in the Bifrost if you should change your mind.”

“And if I should follow you?” Ian stammered. “What will you do to me?”

“That, is as yet … to be determined,” she grinned back at him as she slowly walked through the crowd back towards the front room.

Ian gulped down the glass of second best and stood to follow the Escher. Fortunately for him the waiter had spilled most of it and his head swirled for only a moment. Leaving the glass behind Ian faded into the crowd in pursuit of his host.