The Liberal Assassin

I love the simplistic design as it served my purpose. The suit was made to protect my vital organs but not restrict movement. More importantly, it was infused with medical technology that was connected straight to Kevin's system. Should anything happen to me, the nanofibre will detect it and send the information back to Cain. Depending on the severity of my condition and location, my artificial intelligence assistants will take the necessary actions as pre-programmed.

Tonight is an all-out mission and I needed to be more equipped than usual. Everything I can get my hands on including traps and surveillance will be brought along. Being at three places at once is something only the Night Walker can pull off. I must admit that I'm nervous thinking about it because the success rate of this mission is highly dependable on Cain's logical analysis and Kevin's timing. However, after the modifications done, they should be able to pull this off smoothly.

"Kevin. Cain. I'm hijacking two droids and equipping them with images of myself. Can you run the virus and upload it to their system when I give the command? Cain, you're in charge of running the distraction and Kevin, I need real-time feedback on Spencer's movements."

With positive responses from both my assistants, I set to work. Hijacking two service droids near the Patrol Guard's headquarters and Luna Cryonics Services was easy. The virus was uploaded and their work schedule altered to fit the requirements of my plan. Nothing would seem out of place even if Spencer was on high alert.

"What is Spencer doing right now?"

Kevin paused and ran through his surveillance. "Spencer is currently observing the cameras for interference."

"What is the patrol deployment like?"

Cain ran a system file and pulled up the spreadsheet. It looked a lot stricter than usual. However, most of the manpower was focussed around the Patrol Guard's headquarters where Mia's body was supposedly at. The other heavily patrolled location was around Luna Cryonics. Both patrol patterns were consistent and difficult to breach.

"Cain, can you run an analysis of the time most favourable for a break into Luna Cryonics?"

It didn't take long before Cain came back with results. "Option with the most favourable chance of success is at ten forty-two with sixty percent of success."

I glanced at the time. It was only ten eighteen and I wouldn't be leaving anytime soon. "No. What's the next best option?"

"Eleven thirty-six with fifty-two percent chance of success."

I shook my head. It was still too soon. "Any options after midnight, preferably about one in the morning?"

Cain was silent for a while.

"Cain?"

"Sir, the results are negative. All service droids are to return to the charging station after midnight. There are no options."

I smacked a hand over my forehead. I forgot to customise the analysis. "Sorry, Cain. Assume that the service droids were in the form of a Patrol Guard on duty. Could you reanalyse that probability again?"

With a beep, Cain started humming before returning with a different set of results. It appeared that all the probabilities were at least above seventy percent chances of success regardless the time.

"Okay. Here's the plan. For the first distraction, I want you to have the service bot use the hologram of a Patrol Guard and program the droid to patrol according to the given schedule. At one, the spy droid will break off from the group to a place without surveillance. Kevin, distract Spencer somehow. Tinker with his lights or something for a few seconds so that he doesn't watch the droid break from the group. Cain, have the droid on standby after activating the light bending device.

Activate the virus on my command. The droid should change into a hologram of the Night Walker and run a distraction by breaking into the cryonics. Cain, you handle the response analysis. Whatever you do, do not let the droid get caught. Once all the Patrol Guards are scattered into a chase, make the droid blend in as a Patrol Guard with the confusion and await my second command.

On the second command, I want the same thing to happen to the droid in the headquarters. Let Spencer have his guards give chase. The moment Spencer steps out of his office, have the first droid to run as the Night Walker as well. Both Night Walkers must vanish at the same time headed in the direction of Centurion's headquarters. Are we clear?"

"Yes, sir. The time now is twenty-three o' clock. Mr N's delivery has reached its destination and the packages are verified. There were no interferences along the way. Shall we proceed now, sir?"

I glanced at the time, unable to believe it was already eleven. Grabbing the visor and pulling up my hood, I was about to leave until I remembered that the hair tie was broken. This won't do. Fashioning the hair tie bobble into a clip-on earring, I put it on and did a final check.

Now we're good to go.

It would be my first time visiting Area Forty-One tonight. Rumours have it that the place was filled with lunatics and was more run-down than the Slums. If it were a normal situation, I would never have chosen Area Forty-One for a sightseeing trip. Unfortunately, I would be visiting for business.

The star of the evening was a famous scientist many years back. Helenos Satchel was known for his obsession with anything dead. The Parliament ordered his confinement to Area Forty-One after they found him guilty of stealing four specimens from the cryonics and the attempt to murder and obtain New-Man bodies.

As much as I wanted to use a charged orb or hire a wheeler, neither were feasible ideas with my Night Walker getup. I really wished there was an easier way to travel.

After about half an hour of running, I finally saw the rusted signs.

===Warning, you are about to cross into forbidden zone Area Forty-One. Cross at your own discretion. ===

The words were faded but the message was clear. Well, nobody in their right mind needed to be told that. Ignoring the pathetic warning sign, I jumped over the tall metal fence and started running in the direction Helenos' apartment was.

"Isn't this funny, Kevin? If the Parliament really wanted it to be a forbidden zone, shouldn't they pass a law to execute anyone who tries to trespass this area?"

"Sir, I find your sense of humour highly morbid. May I take the fifth on this?"

Rolling my eyes at Kevin's stiff reply, I was about to ask Cain for his opinion when the ex-scientist's apartment came to view.

It was a really plain looking thing, nothing like what the rumours had stated although it was slightly better looking than Nash's little house. What baffled me was the poor security. I could waltz in there and nobody would be wiser. Still, it was better to be safe than sorry.

"Kevin, I want an area scan for surveillance."

It didn't take long for Kevin to return to me claiming none was found in the vicinity. I scoffed. So much for the tight security.

Making my way over in a calm manner, I went around finding the best angle of entry. The apartment was small and the scientist was hunched over his working terminal, possibly keeping an eye on Mia's body wherever it was hidden. Curiosity overwhelmed me. I wanted to know how the man Spencer entrusted the body with looked like.

He looked nothing out of the ordinary with his curly dark hair, dark blue eyes and stubbly chin. The only distinguishing feature was a pair of thick glasses on his nose. I was prepared to go all out on a dangerous and highly intelligent lunatic seeing how Spencer entrusted this man with such an important issue but seeing him in person was a little disappointing. This man would go down in a kick, anything more would be sending him to the cryonics.

Taking three steps back from the window, I sprinted and hurled myself at the window, thankful that there were no neighbours in the area to hear his shriek. The poor man would have peed in his pants if I didn't end his horror with a swift chop to the back of his neck.

After laying the unconscious man on his bed, I peered over to his work terminal. After fiddling with the camera system, I finally got the hang of it. Going through hundreds of live feeds would have been difficult. However, Helenos made my job a lot easier. Zooming in on one of the cameras he was viewing earlier, I confirmed that the body in the cryonics was indeed Mia's. Her innards ripped open but the undertaker had it cleaned out nicely. Her blonde hair matted with blood, indicating an old head wound, probably while she was held captive. Despite the calm analysis, none of those registered in my head.

Red filled my vision quicker than I thought was possible and I felt the blood pounding in my ears.

This was no accident.

It was murder.

Who and why anyone would do such a thing remained unknown for now. Mia was a poor person living in the Slums and minded her own business. Nothing about her stood out and she didn't look like the kind of person who would have any enemies.

Using the live camera feedback, I traced it to the exact location and noted down the coordinates. Kevin helped me to identify the location on the map but instead of clearing my doubts, it only served to confuse me more.

"Kevin, are you certain about this?"

"Positive, sir."

The camera was located about five kilometres away from here underwater. It wouldn't be surprising to find a hideout in the sewers. However, this was in the middle of the ocean that we were dealing with. Everything about this business was getting more suspicious by the minute. I knew of the underground society in Luna but I never expected them to be able to afford the technology to build a territory in the sea. I would have to discuss this with Nash after I successfully retrieve Mia's body. She deserved a proper farewell with the people who care about her.

"Kevin, I need you to do a detailed scan and find me an entrance to that place."

There was a moment of silence while Kevin worked and I decided to give Nash a call. The communicator hummed for a while before Nash picked it up on the other end.

"Nash, it's me."

"So soon? I thought it might take you longer to get the samples."

"I'm still on it. I just happened to run into some complications. Are you aware of the underground territories in the Slums? This illegal cryonics laboratory seemed to be located off Luna."

There was a long pause before Nash asked, "What do you mean? All the underground territories are on Luna. How can anything be off Luna? It doesn't make sense."

I quickly explained the situation when Kevin returned with a detailed scan and marked several possible routes. There was one particular route that got my attention but wasn't mission related. I mentally noted where it was and wrote a reminder to look into it when I had the time.

"It appears that the underground society has links with both the Inner City and the Slums. I found a route in tonight, would definitely need more information about Area Forty-One and the Slums. Thanks anyway. I'll talk to you more soon."

Hanging up, I noticed how the abandoned docks in Area Forty-One were the only way into the illegal cryonics laboratory. I hated one-way entrances but there wasn't much of a choice. Going in invisible wasn't an option as self-opening doors were extremely suspicious. I had another idea but it was extremely sloppy and full of flaws. Anything could go wrong and it was a gamble. Should I still proceed?

At the back of my mind, Allen smiled. Don't worry too much about it for now. You'll figure it out when you get there. After all, you are Nash's student.

The knots in my stomach faded and only a warm afterglow remained. "Thanks, Allen. I owe you again."

Getting to the warehouse was easy. However, getting in was a problem. Sighing in defeat and settling behind some old structure in the distance, I brought out my spy drones. Nash liked to call them capsule bots because of how they literally fit into a capsule. Armed with only a small syringe of poison or tranquillizers, these bots were hardly useful in battle.

Now, they will finally be put to good use. With the spy-bots, Horus will receive all the information they gathered. As much as I hate to go in unprepared, time is something I didn't have tonight. Even without sufficient information, I would have to charge in blind. The operation's success depended on getting Mia out of here while my distractions hold Spencer off. It has been an hour since I left the Academy and the more time I waste, the higher the risk of failing.

Once the spy-bots were inside the abandoned warehouse, I had Horus adjust the lighting. It wasn't very clear but I could see two men talking as they parted. One of them left the warehouse while the other headed back. I concentrated on the one going back to base, observing how the trapdoor was cleverly hidden. Two taps with the right foot followed by a heel click and a knock from the tip of the shoe of the left foot. The trapdoor started to move and descended. Another trapdoor replaced the previous one as if nothing happened.

That had to be the code!

My other spy-bot tailed the other man wearing a beige jumpsuit until he entered a camera-free zone. At my command, the bot swooped down swiftly and injected the tranquillizer into his system. The man fell lifelessly to the ground and I recalled my bots. Allen was right. I can cross the bridge when I come to it.

A quick wardrobe fix later, I found myself descending from the hidden trapdoor feeling slightly sick from all the anticipation of not knowing what to expect next. Instead of some poorly lit area filled with tough-looking men holding weapons, I was greeted by the sight of people hollering at each other and shifting boxes. There were floating delivery platforms and drones all over the well lit underground warehouse, a perfect picture of chaos. I have only seen a semblance of this at the bazaar in the Slums where people met up yearly to trade things they made for services.

"Hey, kid! What are you doing here?"

I turned around and a middle-aged man was looking at me. "Um… I'm supposed to go to a certain place but I'm already lost."

For a moment I was tense. Nobody would believe me when I seem so suspicious and out of place. Instead of grilling me for answers, the middle-aged man broke into a wide grin and slapped me hard across the back, causing me to stumble forward.

"I see how it is! You're new, aren't you? Don't worry about it. My name is Shanks, we have a lot of newbies here but you're one of the youngest I have seen. So, where are you heading?"

Unable to believe my luck, I stuttered the cryonics. Shanks raised an eyebrow and my heart died a little. "That's odd. The cryonics can only be accessed by one person. Are you sure you're looking for the cryonics?"

I nodded, trying to keep the panic at bay. "I'm not sure exactly what Mr Satchel wants but he told me to head to the cryonics. I have the access too. He said something about specimens?" Pulling my best clueless look, I observed how Shanks was conflicted.

"Very well, if the man himself said so then I suppose I could bring you there. Be warned, it isn't going to be a pretty sight."

I smiled brightly when Shanks offered to take me there on a floating platform, thankful that Shanks wasn't going to question any further.

***

I could now understand Spencer's reason for selecting Helenos for the job. That man was paranoid! When Shanks dropped me off, I spent a solid three minutes getting past the first door. The second door was harder to get through and I wasted five minutes there. Time was of essence! There was only so long Spencer's b.u.t.t would stay on that seat before he starts poking his nose into my business.

The moment I got through the second door, everything was a breeze. I knew where the security cameras were so the light bending gadget came in handy. Making a beeline to where I saw the cryonic chamber, I slowed down as I neared what appeared to be Mia's body. With heart pounding in my ears, every step became harder to take as I approached the chamber.

I wasn't ready for this.

Mia's body was in a much worse condition from what I saw back at Helenos' apartment. No amount of mental preparation could have prepared me for this heartache. The damage done to her body was more gruesome than anybody could have imagined. Nobody deserved this kind of fate. Whoever did this was nothing more than a monster! At that very moment, I swore to make all who were responsible pay in blood.

Her lifeless eyes greeted me and it was hard to hold back tears. Mia had the most expressive eyes that reflected her no longer beating heart. Pulling away from them I cringed at the innards threatening to fall out of her mid-section. There was crimson everywhere in the places that shouldn't be. Those gentle hands that held a needle with grace were now stiff and bent at odd angles.

Using Horus to take a snapshot of the body for analysis later, I noted with surprising calmness how the wounds were not made by sharp objects. The hole in her abdomen was made by an explosion from the inside. It wasn't until I walked around that I notice the fine pinprick marks on the back of her neck that couldn't be captured by the camera before.

Drugs? It had to be. The pinpricks were so numerous it was hard to miss. While some were almost healed, others were still raw. The evidence of needle marks gave me hope. I was right about this! It went deeper than the underground society… I had to let Nash know.

Getting to work as quickly as I could, I whispered to Kevin, "Give the green light to the droids. Report to me the situation."

"Roger that, sir!" It did not take long before Kevin reported to me the droids were spotted with many Patrol Guards giving chase.

I studied Mia's lifeless body. The youthful beauty was now an empty husk. The usually well-groomed hair was now tangled and clumped together with traces of dirt and blood. The smile that I never saw her without was gone. She looked so alone in that glass chamber and guilt ate at my heart.

"Sir. The second droid is activated but there is still no sign of Spencer leaving his desk. What is your plan?"

For the second time tonight, my plans were thwarted. I tasted the blood in my mouth as I made my decision. "Get Cain to buy me one minute from Spencer. I want his systems down."

"Roger that, sir. Cain is on standby at your command."

"Start the countdown." My voice was so hoarse I barely recognised it. I felt the nails dig into my gauntlet as I tasted more blood on my tongue. Surely I had broken skin from the way I bit down on my lips. It stung badly when I knew that I would have to leave Mia behind. It was the only logical thing to do at this point even though it felt so wrong. It felt as if someone had stuck their hand inside me, crushing my lungs.

"I'm sorry, Mia. I really did want to take you home…"

Mia did not answer. The glass felt cold against my palm as I tried to reach for her. "I'm so sorry Mia. Please forgive me."

"Ten seconds to systems are down, sir."

Quickly, I placed a kiss on the glass where Mia's cheeks were before placing the explosive in place. The bomb clicked into place on the glass' surface and I backed off. As if a trigger, the shattering of glass had me scrambling to my feet. With precise movements, I extracted stem cells from various parts of Mia's damaged body. Her brain, muscles, blood, bone and ruptured organs are crucial clues to what might have happened.

Without even having time to tuck the vials into my belt, Kevin reported with urgency that Spencer had countered Cain's virus. I glanced at the time and cursed. It had only been thirty seconds, far sooner than I anticipated.

With only fifteen seconds to get myself out of the warehouse before the Patrol Guards surrounded the place completely, I shut down the emotions threatening to break me. It was logically impossible but I had to do it for Mia, whom I left behind, and the sake of all the other victims.

The lockdown was faster than I had anticipated but I managed to breach the security of the inner door. At the second door, my jumpsuit got caught. Without wasting another second, I pulled out a pocket knife and cut the fabric loose before hopping onto an empty floating platform heading for the exit. Tampering with the speed limit caused it to trigger the system's alarm.

"Goodbye, Mia," I choked amidst the chaos as the platform crashed into the secret lift entrance. Letting go of my hold on the platform, I felt myself free falling. The landing was rough but I'll survive with the pile of empty carton boxes below helping to cushion the impact.

With the system alarm triggered and a freak accident, it didn't take long for everyone to scamper around in a haphazard manner. I took that opportunity to use their air vents to escape. That should buy me some time from Spencer.

The Chief of the Patrol Guards didn't disappoint. They were already nearing the warehouse when I had gotten out.

"How long?" I whispered to Kevin.

"I'll say less than a minute before they are in sight, sir."

That was ample time. Already throwing the beige jumpsuit and donning the Night Walker gear, I did a pat down out of habit. All my weapons were still in their respective pockets so I had one less thing to worry about. Pulling out the charged orb from my hoodie's inner pocket just in time to hear the iconic wailing of sirens, I teleported away to Area Eleven.

It would be surprising to see someone in the business district so late at night but not uncommon. I regretted not asking Kevin to check for a clear before jumping to the coordinates. I might have picked the location devoid of cameras earlier but humans or droids could have compromised everything.

Cursing my haste and carelessness, I was so sure things would go downhill the moment I teleported. Imagine my surprise when no one was in sight! I guess Lady Luck is feeling slightly generous tonight. Things started off on a really bad note but I suppose not everything has gone off the deep end.

Yet.

***

Looking up into the sky to see the familiar stars, a comet passed by the moment I thought of Mia's kind smile. As if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, I smiled back.

Shrugging off the fuzzy feeling in my c.h.e.s.t, I asked for Spencer's whereabouts.

My trusty assistant replied, "Spencer is currently in Area Forty-One. He has left Helenos Satchel's apartment approximately forty-eight seconds ago and is now headed for the docks to join with his men."

Well, Spencer should be fuming by now. Both the infiltrations to Luna Cryonics Services and the Patrol Guard's Headquarters Mortuary were false alarms. The Patrol Guards must be frustrated after being led on a wild goose chase.

I suppose I could spare Spencer the trouble of finding me. After all, third time's the charm. Or was it the fourth? I pulled out my Orion dialler and sent a message to Cain to be delivered to Spencer using my usual method.

"Hi honey, how was the hide and seek? Are you enjoying it so far? Well, it's getting late and I was thinking of wrapping up soon. What do you think of Area Six as a venue for our last date?"

I chuckled at the dead giveaway. Bluetonium Research and Development Laboratories was the only building in Area Six. The company was large enough to buy up the entire district, not a very surprising fact.

When I reached the research facility, there was only one half-asleep scientist working overtime. I had deliberately disabled the security system to alert Spencer of my presence just in case he didn't get my hint. There was no need for subtility either since Spencer was going to find me.

Strolling in, I gagged the floundering scientist and tied him to a chair. Casually approaching the highly expensive and most advanced analyser, I pulled out the specimens from the vial. As expected from the most advanced technology, the analyser noted foreign substances present. The results were even more intriguing when none of these substances matched with anything in the massive system's archive.

Someone was developing a new drug and the idea didn't sit well with me. What was this new drug and why are they developing it? Copying the data and pocketing my samples, I heard the sirens come closer in a timely fashion. Party time was over for me and I should be taking my leave. Bowing in apology to the poor scientist, I hopped over to the window and jumped from the window ledge onto the high wall below.

Lights flashed in my face and I smiled. Spencer was so angry that he looked close to popping a vein. "Surrender now, Night Walker! You are surrounded."

Putting on a show I let out a dramatic sigh and raised both hands mockingly. "You got me good tonight. After all the effort I put into our little game, you still seem so angry. Would it hurt you to smile a little? I know you've missed me too."

The Chief of the Patrol Guards spluttered in rage and I decided to go easy on him tonight. Pretending to look at the time, I made a dramatic announcement about the time. "It was a little difficult to visit so many places and I don't know about you but I'm beat! As much as I want to entertain you, I need my beauty sleep. Tonight's been fun and I look forward to our next date, Spencer. Sweet dreams!"

After blowing him a kiss, I let myself free fall backwards off the high wall. Spencer barked orders to search the premise immediately and I chuckled. Activating the light bending device, I strolled past all the Patrol Guards with ease.

Thinking about the long walk back to the Academy made me deflate. The only disadvantage to the invisibility gadget was how I could not hire a wheeler. How I wish there was an easier way to do things… Then again, with so many things happening, a long walk sounded like something I needed.

With a heavy sigh, I squared my shoulders and started the long journey back. Being the Night Walker is not easy.