This wasn’t the news or call I wanted to hear, but getting Eclain could connect me to Akatani faster. Hell, the odds of finding both Hannah-Lee and Shin-Lee shot up tremendously and that was more than good enough for me. Bad for Eclain though, cause he’d feel my wrath.

On my way to Zade, I watched the video he’d sent me from the neighbouring buildings. The feed was good, but it shot too far, making it hard for me to what took place.

I don’t know how Zade did it, but the bastard was good at acquiring information. I didn’t ask though, I was just happy that I had access to the footage so that I could at least see how the bastards got in, possibly find a clue if I need to as well.

As I pulled up the footage of the rooftop from the opposing building. I skimmed through the footage at twice its regular speed, hunting for when I left Shin-Lee on the building top. Once I found it, I took note of the time and watched it keenly.

Nothing happened for eight hours, just residents coming and going using the Landing Pad at their leisure. Each stop lasted around five minutes the most, till around 2 A.M. when an auspicious brown sedan pulled up onto the Landing Pad for an extended period.

I zoomed in on the video with my cybernetic eye, and tried to pick up what was going on in the video, but could only see three men rummaging through the top of the roof. I marked the timestamp and cross-referenced it with the video of the break-in, the times are close. “So this is what they did,” I mumbled, annoyed. “They got in through the roof, which meant, they probably had a feedback loop on the video. But why? Shouldn’t the security system for this be dead tight?”

This didn’t make any sense to me. I paid a high dollar for the apartment, because of its security measure and some piece of shit ‘gangster’ was able to hack it…within five minutes? No. I refuse to accept this.

I dialled up Rex, immediately, and as usual. He didn’t answer. After the fifth try, I finally left a message. “Rex, I need your help, I’ll double your consultant fee and pay all upfront. Once you hear this, call me back.”

The gears of my mind began to churn as I backtraced everything I knew about Akatani. I cursed myself, for not researching the bastard properly when I raided his place. I focused solely on his operations and that was my fault. A fault that was too costless because Jix lost a leg and half his face, and I was the one to blame for that.

Jix may not have faulted me for the loss of his leg or the scars on his face, but I knew it was my fault, without a doubt. If I’d done a deep-dive into the bastard, I might’ve found something, but everything that Zade provided me showed the man’s operation and nothing about his past, and those were personal files as well.

To be honest, if Zade hadn’t provided me with his information, I’m sure I would’ve never been able to get that close to him…he just seemed like an enigma.

And because of that, I ensured Shin-Lee and Hannah was close to me once he’d disappeared. I know the possibility of them being hunted was there, so keeping them both close to me was my only option.

The longer I sat and thought about it, the angrier I got. I should’ve paid Rex the 10K and maybe I wouldn’t be in this mess. I would’ve been prepared, but Zade said he was an upstart. Or maybe Zade’s intel was bad from the beginning and I need to start fresh.

“Fine,” I said aloud, “I’ll have Rex to get me that info.”

◆◆◆

The trip back down south was short and sweet and as happy as I was that Zade had found Eclain, I was still pissed. The bastard moved like a snake, changing locations every fifteen minutes as if he knew he was being tailed.

Luckily though Zade kept close to him like a rabid dog with a bone, ensuring he didn’t stray too far. Eventually, Once I caught up to Zade after two hours of back and forth through traffic since our initial contact. I finally caught up to Eclain, who sat across the street in some shoddy food restaurant.

“Hold it,” Zade said, grabbing my arm.

“I’m done waiting, he’s been there for the past fifteen minutes, doing nothing. I can’t wait any longer.”

“We have to wait Cypher, we don’t know what or who’s he’s waiting on, it could be Akatani!”I clenched my teeth, dressed back behind the alley, and relieved my anger from my head. “You’re right,” I admitted, “I’ll wait.”

Zade clasped my shoulder tightly and nodded. “Good.” He said.

As steam flowed from the sewer system, I could taste the metal within the vapour as it wafts past me. Instead of standing in an alley, Zade and I took up shop, in an opposing stall. I even paid someone to move.

The glass in which we spied the bastard was littered with graffiti, which meant, keeping an on Eclain was proving to be tough and downright annoying. Despite that, the bastard kept on sitting there as if he was contemplating his own life mistakes.

I zoomed in to see him shake his head. His face was a lot more haggard than last time we met when he sucker-punched me in the elevator outside of the Commissioner’s office. I owe him I thought, clenching my fist.

“Here’s your order.” The waiter said, bringing over the plate of rice and peas with chicken. It was neatly decorated with a side of vegetables, smeared in butter that gave it an enhanced aroma. The chicken leg was rather small, but I had an assorted array of meats earlier so I didn’t complain.

Zade’s eyes got beady as if he wanted some. I offered him a bite, but he simply shook his head. “I ordered to go, so there’s no need for me to have any.” He said. “To go?” I asked confused.

“Yeah…I have to head back into work soon.”

“…oh, I didn’t know.”

“Of course, you wouldn’t. I didn’t say.”

“…heh.”

As sarcastic as he said, I couldn’t help but feel better. However, if he left soon, I’d be able to do what I want to Eclain.

Gonzada spent an additional fifteen minutes waiting for his food. Once the waiter came with his bag full of food, I smelt the lamb stew a mile away, despite the various scents that filled the room. “Remember Cypher, he might be waiting for Akatani so just wait.”

“Yeah…” I said.

Once he left, I waited an additional five minutes before making my move, because they were no way in hell I was allowing this bastard to slip through my fingers. He’s right there!

I pushed myself up, walking through the small spaces of a dozen tables, catching everyone’s eyes and headed for the door.

The steam from the sewers wafts past me as I headed across the street. To my left and right, were black plastic bags with rotted food and shattered bottles.

In front of me, cars, trucks and vans were parked on either side of the road. The air tasted of spices, stale food and metallic pipes. It would’ve been horrible if I weren’t so used to it, but I was from Bridge city.

Not like it mattered, so I made my way across the street to confront Eclain, this time, he won’t just have a shattered arm.

I entered the small open-aired restaurant and approached Eclain from his left and smelt the harsh scent of the rum he’d been guzzling. Hell, at this point he probably was sweating it through his pores.

The bastard’s head was down on the table. I brewed a fake smile on my face and cupped his shoulder with a firm grip. “Eclain…it’s been a while,” I said cooly.

Eclain snapped his head up as if he’d heard a ghost and squinted, ensuring he wasn’t seeing double. If I punched him now, he sure as hell would. “Cypher? What the hell do you want?” He growled.

“Buying a friend a drink,” I said, raising my hand, calling the bartender over.

“FRIEND?” Eclain scoffed.

“You shattered my wrist!”

“Because you threatened to kill me because I didn’t pay this ‘tithe’ you mentioned.”

“THAT’s how it works Cypher.” He slurred. “You know that.”

“Not the point. If you asked, I would’ve gladly paid the ‘tithe’ I know how it works, but respect is what I value most, ask your wrist that question.”

The man hissed a nauseating growl as if he were some wolf hunting his prey. Little did he know though, that he was the prey, and I was the hunter, that was about to get some answers.

“Have you ever killed anyone Eclain?”

“Stop asking shit Cypher. you know I’m a Vet!”

“Ahh…yes, you’re amputee survivor just like me,” I said ruefully.

“Like you? No one likes you. Half your body was blown off, I barely lost an arm. You. Heh, you’re a god damn Reaver if you asked me.” He spat.

I could hear the hawk from the back of his throat. I was sickening to him, but so was he.

“Reaver…Seaver, doesn’t matter you threatened me and you reaped the benefits of that…didn’t you?”

“WHY ARE YOU HERE CYPHER?”

“Just buying a friend a drink, as I just said.”

“We ain’t friends. Do I look like that piece of shit Gonzada?”

“Zade’s twice the man you are.”

“Twice?” He scoffed, “you don’t even know who that bastard is, do you? If he had a mother he’d sell her to the highest bidder. Things like him He should be shot in the head and fed to pigs!”

I balled my hands into a fist and held my anger back. This wasn’t the first time I ever saw an officer scoff and curse at Zade. It surely wouldn’t be my last.

“Take back those words before I break that arm of yours again.”

“Break it then you piece of shit!” He snarled.

The bark drew everyone’s attention. As much as they were ignoring him, they could see that I was aggravating him, so the bartender came over, which made me sigh.

“Sir. I don’t know you, but I will request you leave. Mr Eclain’s a regular here who’s always been respectful. I’ve never seen him like this before and it is clear you’re aggravating him. So. Please, just leave.”

“Crel, it’s ok I know this fool. He just happens to think Gonzada is his friend

“Gonzada?” The bartender scoffed. “That piece of shit should be dead.”

“You know Zade?”

“Of course I do, I was his training officer.”

“Wait a fucking minute. This, is a cop bar?” I asked confused.

Dozens of chairs dragged as everyone turned from their food and conversation to look at me. I felt as sneers and glares peered through me as I bit my tongue bitterly. Zade didn’t want me to enter because he knew…this isn’t a good place. If he disappears in the likeliest suspects…FUCK.

“What else would it be?” One of the cops shouted across the room. The bastard was met with table slaps and cheers, leaving frustrated even further. I turned to the crowd behind him and smile gently. “Forgive my ignorance.” I told them, smiling ruefully, “the next round on me.” I said, raising my glass to the air.

It was met with more curses than jeers, but I expected this. BLED officers tend to react that way if they feel insulted and trust me. They’re always insulted and rightfully so.

I turned, only to find the bartender sneering at me as well. Talk about customer service I mused bitterly. I begrudgingly pushed myself up from my stool and made my exit to murmurs and subtle cheers. I still felt their eyes on me as I turned, walking out of their view, steam wafting around me as I walked down the street.

The sidewalk was packed as I sift through them, trying to move through. I had no place to go, nor did I have one mind. So, I let my feet take me across the boulevard, hoping for some word of Hannah’s and Shin-Lee.

The crystalline phone vibrated in my pocket, momentarily shaking my leg. I fished into my pocket, pulling the phone free and placing it next to my ear. As I clicked slid the phone green, to accept the call my heart sank into my chest. I’d been waiting close to twenty-four hours for Akatani to respond and once he did, his snivelling voice did what it did best, filled me with fury. “Over 100 calls, my aren’t you pushy!” He said, chuckling lightly. I didn’t answer, cause I knew better. “Oh…quiet are we, I guess you would be. So let me extend my apologies…MY finger was a bit...pre-occupied.” Akatani said.

I ground my teeth, kept my anger in check and didn’t say anything. I know what he wanted, but I couldn’t give he had all the cards, I was just playing in his game. A game I know nothing about.

“Are you there Cypher? I feel like I’m talking to myself.”

“I’m here,” I said firmly.

“Humph…I’m sending you coordinates, and don’t worry. It’s not a body part…unless you can consider that one? Hmmm…well, I’ll see you there.” The call went dead before I could reply and I could think about what I’d do that bastard when I get my hands on him.