Chapter 5

  “Aren't you guys cold?” Nomad asks. He's the team leader of the Specters we're shadowing. It's almost embarrassing shadowing this team, but Maria needs to learn and this team is in the middle of a skinjack. Paris wanted us to get the frick out of centre where Underwood was; I think we are all glad to get the hell out of there.

  “We're fine. Just pretend we're not here Sargent, let us observe.” I say.

  “Sounds good. Our Scout is with the HVE, lets head down to at 245 E 63rd street.” Nomad says.

  Marking the location on my helmet HUD it's showing the location is 1298 Metres. Maria is still getting used to the HUD and switching views. These helmets are prototypes, much more advanced then the ghostshades these guys have; that I used up until a week ago.

  “Are you getting used to the HUD?” I ask.

  “It's a lot to get used to.” She says.

  -Test, test, can you three hear me in the designated channel?- Jodi calls over the radio.

  -Loud and clear.- I say.

  -Yes ma'am.- Stinger calls.

  -Um, yes.- Maria says.

  “Did you guys hear me speak?” I ask the Specters.

  “Not at all.” Sargent Nomad says.

  -I just confirmed with their Sargent, by default they can't hear us speak with you on comm.- I say.

  -This could get more hairy then we expected; a dozen armed military units are a block East of the current HVE location. It's not in the script, they're free roaming for some reason.- Jodi says.

  -Noted, we'll keep that in mind.- I say.

  “Sargent, we have a report of a dozen Military Net Lords East of the HVE, advise caution.” I say.

  “I didn't hear that on the radio or reports and it's not in the script. Where are you getting this report from?” He asks.

  “A reliable source.” I say.

  -Is this jackass doubting me?- Jodi says.

  -Relax, he doesn't even know you and we're three people he's never seen in odd gear. His caution is understandable.- I say.

  -Good point. I should have picked that up watching you... observing I mean.- She says.

  “Does she know the suits don't come off?” Stinger turns to me.

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  Stinger and Maria laugh and shake their heads.

  “Goliath?” The Sargent stops walking, I turn to him.

  “Sorry, my team mates seem to be distracted. It's from a reliable source. Look, I've run skinjacks for years, you must have seen me around.” I say.

  “I have, never seen you with a suit painted on and a helmet though. Very well Goliath, we'll be cautious.” He says.

  I flip my vision to the Hype. It's a brisk Autumn day, we're dressed as locals in the Hype virtual world; blue jeans, black bomber jackets. This is how the Net Lords see us in the Hype, they can't see how we look in the real world unless they lower their face shield, which they won't do unless the Net Lord is controlling them and they're suspicious. Most of the real world buildings are the old buildings reinforced with synth concentrate, grey and drab, quite the contrast from a colourful street view of 1986 Manhattan Island.

  The Net Lords don't have control all the time; they have jobs and generally take a backseat while their wetware host works. They have rules they must follow, the script. They can't just go around causing chaos, it'll disrupt the script too much. This script has had over 140 years to be refined, the year 1986, over and over and over.

  It is easier to move about in the Hype running ID masking scripts then just being invisible. When they bump into you and you're not visible in the Hype the system freaks the frick out.

  My HUD signals a new Comm channel. I switch to the new channel.

  -Hello?- I ask.

  -Can you hear me, Maria? Stinger?- Jodi asks. There is no reply. -Good, it's working. I set up a channel to just you, the squad leader.-

  -Paris is the Sargent of our squad, technically.- I say.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  -Oh, I can drop the channel, if that's what you want?- She says.

  -No, don't. You don't have to.- I say.

  -Good!- She says.

  -You indicated you've been at that post for a while.- I say.

  -I've been in this building for over 2 years. Lenny and Frankie invite me over for dinner on Christmas, their place is a small shop across the street from HQ. Before me operatives would be cycled out every 6 months. I love the work, Edgar keeps me relatively sane.- She says.

  Stinger and Maria are waving their hands in front of my face.

  “Hellooooo, Mr. Goliath sir, we can't help but notice you're not in out comm channel.” Maria says.

  “Yeah, and probably just a coincidence our Intel Officer isn't either. Do you have any insight as to why she and you aren't in the group channel?” Stinger says.

  “Ok, ok.” I concede.

  -They know we're not in the other channel, better switch back to channel 1.- I say.

  I switch back to channel 1.

  -Hey, back. I think my comms were down.- I say.

  -Must have been a glitch, can you guys hear me now?- Jodi says.

  -I don't know Maria, it sounds like my squad mate and Intel Officer are full of shit.- Stinger says.

  -I would tend to agree.- Maria says.

  -By the way team, I am in channel 1 even though I'm not currently in the City.- Paris says.

  -Sorry Sargent.- I say.

  -It's fine, same channel when running missions though.- He says.

  -Yes sir.-

  “Nice, you both ratted me out.” I tell them.

  “We most certainly did not, I honestly didn't know Paris was in the channel.” Stinger says.

  “We were talking about the Op.” I say.

  “Riiight.” He says.

  “What are you talking about?” I say.

  “Ok, enough. Do you guys always talk like this all the time in the field?” Maria says.

  “Yeah, pretty much.” I say.

  “Yup.” Stinger says.

  “Nothing I haven't heard before.” Sargent Nomad says.

  Now I'm curious. Maria definitely seems like Upper Class, a Royal? In the government? She went to the university so likely wasn't a fish monger.

  -So what exactly did you do before the you got the fusion Maria?- Stinger asks.

  -Does it matter at this point?- She says.

  -I suppose not. But we're going to be teammates and you're being really secretive about your past.- I say.

  Silence.

  -We may have an issue, I'm running a trace, radio silence until you hear from me.- Jodi says.

  This could be bad for her if they're tracing a signal close to where she is.

  -Intel Operator stand down, it's just me Commander Underwood piggybacking off Sargent Paris' signal. You're more competent then I assumed.- He says.

  Something isn't right.

  “Everyone, hold.” I say with authority, Sargent Nomads men stop as well.

  -Goliath, continue with the mission, that's an order.- Underwood says.

  Taking off my helmet I look east down the street; looking in the real world I see all the Hosts walking around in exoskeletons controlled by Others. But this stinks. My helmet has a tracker in it, even combat shades have a locator by default. I walk about 10 metres from the group and put my helmet in the brush. I signal for Maria and Stinger to step away.

  “Should I be worried?” Sargent Nomad asks.

  “I just don't know, I'm scouting a head.”

  I signal Stinger to take his helmet off. He does so and comes over.

  “What the hell is going on? Underwood is freaking the fuck out.” Stinger says.

  “Something stinks, I'm going in with no gear to scout it out. Stay here and be on guard.” I say.

  “Just hurry, Underwood is talking about calling off the whole damn skinjack.” Stinger says.

  Using preset one I engage the suits illusion. It feels more, alive, when I use the unit. I look at my hands; I can still see them. I just wish I could hide them as well. Oh frick, the suit, it moves over and covers my hands like mittens. I look back at Stinger.

  “How did you do that? Did the suit cover your hands?” He asks.

  “Yeah, if only it could cover my head.” As the words leave my mouth it covers my head, all but a slit where my eyes peak through and a mask over my nose and mouth that allows me to breath, but extends to below my chin so no one can see me.

  “Holy shit, I can just see a slight shimmer and a twinkle where your eyes are.” Stinger says.

  “I've never seen anything like this.” Sargent Nomad says.

  “Wait here, I'll be back.”

  Walking down the street my vision is a bit obscured but I can see enough so as to not walk into anyone, or allow them to walk into me. Even if they lift face shield they won't see me with the body cloak. As I enter the building I look around; there are three Net Lords sitting there with a hand in their pocket; I would bet my life their holding a revolver. I head up to room 306 and knock. There is some movement then silence.

  “I'm here for the special delivery.” I say quietly.

  They open the door, the lone Scout answers with his revolver in his hand. I lower the body cloak, it startles him, he points his revolver at me.

  “What the fuck are you?” He asks.

  “Code name's Goliath, lower your gun. You and the target are in a lot of danger, there are Net Lords waiting in the lobby, and a free roaming military unit of a dozen men to the East. What is your backup plan for leaving?” I ask.

  “There is a fire escape at the back.”

  “Is the HVE stable?” I ask.

  “Yes.”

  “Lets go then.”

  “Shawn, it's safe he's a friend, we need to go.”

  The HVE steps out, still in his echo-suit the Scout is running scripts on him to keep his Net Lord from taking control. Usually I check over the targets vitals but the only gear I have is a revolver, absorbed under the suit. I can draw it if needed.

  We skulk down the hallway and out the fire escape, it's a straight shot down the back alley to the intersection North of where the rest of the team is.

  “Ok, go south, remind my team to get my gear and meet up at extract. Tell them to retreat slowly and watch for the extra units possibly following.” I say.

  “Will do.”

  I take the HVE to the clean room and pass him off to the rest of the team.

  I arrive back at HQ before the rest of the team, Stinger is walking Maria through the Cleanroom procedure for the HVE before they come back to HQ. Jodi is focusing on the camera when I enter.

  “Should I announce my entrance when I enter like Frankie?” I say.

  She glances over with a smile before turning back to the monitors, she looks to be in deep thought. “Underwood is pissed, you didn't lose your equipment, did you?”

  “Nope.”

  “The suit doesn't come off?” She asks.

  “Nope.”

  “You can move it around some?”

  “Kind of.”

  “You can feel through the suit like it's your skin?”

  “Yes.”

  “I love the direct answers. I've calculated the team will be back no sooner then 32 minutes and 34 seconds from now. Underwood and/or Paris may radio so we have to stay in here, I can't leave the room.”

  “Stay in here?”

  “We only have 31 minutes now, I'm not sure if you're being obtuse or flirty, but we don't have time for either. I've been pretty much alone for the last two years.” She says, staring deep into my eyes.

  “But the suit...”

  “We now have 30 minutes to figure it out.” She says.