Chapter 53: Benn

Benn rested his chin over clasped hands with bent elbows balanced atop his smart desk.

He regarded the communicator before him with great intensity. He checked his com-link’s call log every now and then, despite the unlikely hood of missing an internal call. He even dipped into the virtual network to check for messages on his social media accounts.

‘Murakami, what’s taking you so long? I should call him.’

Benn reached for the communicator but stopped his hand mid-air.

‘No, what if he is sneaking up on the thief and his call exposes his presence and the thief gets away again.’

Improbable however he couldn’t help but think this way. He slung himself back into his chair, sagged into it and made himself as comfortable as he could manage.

He closed his eyes, ran a hand through his bald double peaked head slick with sweat.

It was late, he was tired, he was already in his silk pyjamas but no sleep would dare come. Not until Murakami confirmed he’d retrieved the astra.

‘If he fails I doubt I’ll be able to keep the lockdown going any longer.’

The League of Five was on his ass about lifting the lockdown and they weren’t people to be trifled with.

His eyes fell on the communicator again.

‘No, Murakami will succeed.’

Benn studied one of his two bodyguards by the door. One of them had the look of someone consulting internal hardware.

“Gallas, what is it?” He asked unable to mask the expectancy in his voice.

“Your secretary wants to relay some intel,” Gallas said expressionlessly.

“Let her in.”

Not long afterwards she arrived.

“What news Djamima?” Benn asked.

The girl’s mood immediately soured. “Sir, my na—”

“Whatever!” Benn spoke over her. “What news?”

He was in no mood for their little routine. Well, he never was but today especially.

She didn’t look too pleased but as usual Benn could care less.

“Guild surveillance has reported electromagnetic discharges of immense proportions in the Newtown area. They believe it might be a clash of two astras. How do you want to handle this?”

Benn creased his brows and clasped his shivering hands over his plump belly.

‘The thief managed to open it.’

Djamima stared at him awaiting his response but he didn’t have one to give her. He was just as clueless as she was on how to proceed in such a predicament.

A paralyzing chill ran through Benn’s body as the building suddenly quaked.

“Were under attack!” Mobius the other bodyguard yelled moved to his side.

“Attack?” Benn replied incredulously at the implausible notion. He was in the capital building. The most secure place in Gau City.

“What do you mean under attack?” Benn repeated more animated. Even so he allowed Mobius to escort him to the door.

“That explosion just now,” Mobius said. “They took out our glass field with—”

“Let me guess,” Benn said with the ugliest of expressions “A field disruptor.”

‘So their target wasn’t the city border but the capital. Yes, I must’ve been their target all along,’ Benn thought and his steps tapped the floor with greater urgency.

The sudden plunge into danger was too much for Djamima, who fainted on the spot. Fortunately, Gallas nearby had caught and threw her over his shoulder.

Benn snickered.

‘For how tough she acts, she’s quite the weakling.’

Benn was alarmed but by no means was he shaking in his boots. He’d been through multiple assassination attempts. Hackers were a rowdy bunch when left unchecked and a few ambitious ones had tried to take his head.

Gallas lead the way into the hallway with Benn and Mobius tailing him closely.

“How long until the air force arrives?” Benn asked, breathing heavily.

“ETA 3 minutes,” Gallas said.

“They should have their hands full with the automated defences,” Benn snorted as he slowed down, winded. He was never athletic to begin with and had never favoured augmentations.

“Even so,” Mobius said. “We should follow protocol.”

Mobius scooped him into his arms and Benn didn’t protest at being carried like this. If anything he enjoyed rest. Knowing ones limitations wasn’t a weakness.

Besides it was his subordinates’ duty to carry out his will.

‘Literally if need be.’