Thur hummed tunelessly as he trekked through the semi-decadent halls of a hotel he had snuck into. Though perhaps that was giving him too much credit, he had merely walked in calmly and confidently and continued his way into the elevator, trekking directly up to the higher, more expensive, less frequented halls. In his life he had learned simply going for it worked much more than people gave it credit for.
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Thur had been pleasantly surprised to have evaded the drone earlier. It likely would’ve been taken care of rather easily, but he had learned years ago that The Company was nearly impossible to lose once they had their eyes on you. It was best to be low-key and wise. So after narrowly avoiding detection, he had taken the loot gained and took a peek.
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The briefcase held little of interest. A solid amount of cash most Company Men carried. Useful but not something Thur needed with his lifestyle. A detective kit including several explosives, ranged and melee weapons, various fake identifications, and pretty much anything a man needs to navigate the world with a level of security and impunity he may need. The weapons Thur stashed away for later, he had plenty, and they could even be sold if necessary. There was a rather large pile of files, which had taken him hours to sift through in his hideout, but they offered fairly little. Though it did offer him a single clue.
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It seemed whatever this little operation was, it was a major one. Just as he had learned, they had set up and assured that a dozen people throughout the country were within their grasp. Detailed profiles of each of them, their locations, and any blackmail if necessary. But what was known of it was less than useful. Thur knew the who but not the why, though he might know the where.
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Dixon was an organized man, so much so that Thur wondered if he had been an accountant or assistant before all of this. Given the complex and secretive nature of these operations, a large amount of capital would be required. Something the Company of course had in spades. So, Dixon had kept records that offered little but a crucial detail: a location tied to it all.
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It was sloppy, likely Dixon attempting to curry favor with extra innovative work. But the transaction details repeatedly referenced a financial office within the city Thur currently was in. A little good search and a short drive via stolen car, and Thur had found where the office was held.
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It was why Thur was here now. Even with the location in mind, he didn’t have enough information yet. If he moved as recklessly as he did with Dixion, he could unknowingly run headfirst into Fort Knox. No, he needed more info, so he switched to the laptop. Such a simple device, even if Company-made, could never hope to stop him for long.
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Thur sighed shamefully to himself as the thought crossed his mind again. The man began stopping at every door and listening carefully. During his research, he had discovered a hotel within the city holding a convention next week. As such, the normally reserved suite floor was cleared of clientele as it was prepared for the high-class event. So close to it, preparations were mostly complete, meaning there would be ready-to-go rooms inside. The perfect place for a man like him to camp out while he worked. Eventually finding an empty room, Thur nodded in appreciation. He opened his jacket and began taping up the door of his choice. An “Out of Order” sign would keep most out for now, though it would later lead to trouble.
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He shrugged to himself, waving his hand at the door lock, and smirking when it clicked, and the door cracked open. Thur walked into the room, closing the door behind him, and observed it all. Whatever the event, it seemed to be a nice one: the room was lavishly decorated in a light, creamy color, a desk set up for workers, a couch and flatscreen for loungers, and, as Thur glanced into the bathroom, a jacuzzi tub. But there was work to be done.
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With careful diligence, Thur scanned the room, sifting through everything with a fine-tooth comb; not a corner was left uninvestigated. With The Company now on his trail, he could never be certain when they were on him. There was a chance they assumed he was done after fleeing, but that bastard George would surely know better. Eventually, he felt comfortable that it wasn’t tapped or bugged, but to be even more certain, he pulled out two strange devices from his pockets. Tossing one for each entrance of the room, counting windows, he sighed in relief as he set down his bag and sagged into the couch.
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The fact of the matter was that Thur couldn’t crack the laptop. It was absurd, even insulting, but after all these years, The Company’s tech was hitting a level he was struggling to adapt to. The laptop's security wasn’t just top-notch; it was revolutionary. Even with expertise and given talent, he was heedless of how to handle it. And in his efforts, he discovered the damn thing was booby-trapped. If he tried a force cracking, it would explode, not the greatest problem, but enough to ruin his lead.
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But Thur hadn’t come to this hotel only to set up a swanky new hangout. No, if he was going to continue his investigation, he needed a way in, so he needed the only person he knew outside of the company who was his tech better. A woman named Susan would be his in-.
Thur flinched as he heard the beep of the door unlocking. In an instant, he removed a dagger from his coat and leveled his left palm at his door. However, as it swung open, the intruder was revealed, and the man sighed in relief.
“You seem paranoid, old friend,” Susan said as she calmly walked into the room. She looked nothing as one would expect of her, white freckled skin, blonde hair done into messy dreads, her eyes covered in one of the most atrocious pairs of pink sunglasses he’d ever seen. She was wrapped in a rainbow colored wool sweater, carried a terrifying double-barreled on her hip, and her jeans were torn and frayed; it was a wonder they stayed on. “Someone looking for you?”
Susan was a frequent collaborator of his. Once a woman who had held power within The Company like himself was sympathetic to his plight. And though the two kept their distance so as to not be tied or caught together, she was one of the few people in the world he could count as a friend.
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“The Company,” Thur said with a sigh. “Kicked the bee’s nest too many times, now they’ve decided to do something about it. I was half expecting one of their enforcers to walk through that door. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
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“Because I can say the same, and now cute little apprentice is missing,” Susan answered with a frown, sitting down on the living room table before him. “I’ve been tailed ever since, and it seems awfully like the Company’s work.”
Susan was a little different from both Thur and George. She was without the doubt the smartest human he had ever met. Apparently some sort of birth defect made her mind able to move at speeds others couldn’t even comprehend. It was more accurate to say she was more computer than human, and as such struggled to get along with most of them, though she had gotten better as she aged. Her apprentice was the only person besides himself Susan seemed able to tolerate, another to carry on their work when Susan could not. Thur had yet to find his own.
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“Surprised they were ever close enough to have the chance,” Thur said with a raised brow. “You sure they aren’t-”
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“They're the only person I’ve ever bothered to mentor in this life,” Susan said with an agitated tone. “They are not the type to die easily; she’ll hold out wherever she is, so I need to find her.”
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“Well, I’m more than happy to be of aid. Besides, the timing of this all is interesting. The Company gets defensive, she goes missing, and you're tailed all around the same time they begin their old games…” Thur said with a hum. “It’s surely not a coincidence.”
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“My calculations said the same,” Susan said with a nod. “The Company is the most likely culprit, and if they are my enemy, I’ll likely need your help. Though you said their old games?”
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“I’ve been trailing their activities recently, Program: 15 - 11 - 1996,” Thur answered. “Whatever it is, it’s something major. They’ve been making moves on people throughout the country, and using a lot of their influence to do so.”
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“15,11,1996…” Susan said thoughtfully. “Those sets of numbers sound like a date…”
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“There isn’t fifteen months in a year, so that would be the day of the month. November 15, 1996… anything there ringing a bell for you?”
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“As far as I can recollect, there was no massive event on that day…” Susan pondered. “It must be tied to the Under… I’ll need to look into it; perhaps it will provide a clue.”
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“You do that, but your arrival was perfect timing, for I have another clue,” Thur said, gesturing to the laptop she was sitting on. Susan's smile became devious as she sat up and ripped open the laptop with such glee it would be shocking if you didn’t know her. Her fingers became a blur, and the keyboard on the laptop clicked so violently that Thur wasn’t certain it wouldn’t last long.
“Ah, this is the new Company Firewall,” Susan said excitedly. “I’ve only had a couple of chances to test it out, looking forward to another chance! If they were sloppy, I might have a new permanent in to their system!”
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“Glad you think you can do it,” Thur said with a hum. “Any clue how long it’ll take?”
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“A couple of days at the very least,” Susan answered. “I could likely be in sooner, but that would be the loud approach. I do that, and we’ll have agents swamping us before we can even leave… to say nothing of the bomb I might trip! No! To do it without gaining attention, it’ll take longer!”
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
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“That decides it then,” Thur said with a grunt, lurching up to his feet and heading towards the door. “While you do that, I’ll investigate my own lead.”
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“Wouldn’t it be wise to wait?” Susan asked with a raised brow, taking Thur’s spot on the couch and leaning back as she settled into working. “The Company isn’t something to play with lightly.”
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“Oh ya I had determined that myself a long time ago. But I’m no help with that laptop there, and can’t stand the idea of doing nothing for a couple of days. There’s a financial office tied to a lot of the paperwork inside the briefcase on my bed. I’m gonna go check it out.” Thur explained as he began to open the door. “Rather further our work than be bored.”
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“You haven’t changed at all!” Susan roared as Thur went to close the door behind him. “One sec, take this! It can come in handy in a pinch!” She said as she pitched him a small circular earbud in his ear. “Just tap it if you need me.” Thur nodded and left.
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From there, the man made his way down the hotel, slipping on a blue cap and sunglasses he found from an unattended cart, and he began to trek the streets of this grand city. For whatever reason, they had set up a shop in the humble city of Huntington. The second most populated city in all of West Virginia. Thur wasn’t certain what was so important here.
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There was a chance it was merely a coincidence. The Company had facilities worldwide, especially in the United States. This office could merely be one of hundreds of fronts. But then again, it was close to their latest work, and his gut said it was all connected. But what was the connection? This, while close, was far enough that Thur wasn’t certain of the point. What did West Virginia have to do with all of this?
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The town of Huntington wasn’t particularly notable, at least in regards to The Company. It had many residents and businesses that normally repelled The Company. It had a storied history and impressive architecture, but the Company rarely cared for either. So simply didn’t make a lick of sense.
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So Thur trekked through the city with a pleasant whistle. As Thur walked through the city, blending in with its countless commuters, he enjoyed it just as they did. Bought snacks and knick-knacks like a tourist might, stopped to gaze at the beautiful structures around him, and checked himself for tails.
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Thur had worried Susan might have been tracked on her way to him, but he never found anyone tailing him as he walked. It shouldn’t have been a surprise; there were few people Susan couldn’t outsmart if given the chance. So he continued as it were. His slow trek was purposeful; if this building were merely a true front, it would be empty at this time and day and easy to access. But if it were important, it would be under guard and watched even now. Taking it slow increased his chances in both regards.
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By the time Thur drew close to the office, it was evening. He camped out in a nearby car he broke into with practiced ease, watching it all from a distance. The light of day faded, replaced by the brilliant lights of signs and streetlights. The financial office was on one of the city's more low-key streets, lined with a row of offices, corner stores, and antique shops. To the untrained eye, it seemed unattended; the business was closed down for the day, and a few drifters were roaming the street.
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But Thur knew better; the homeless drifter sat next to a trash can across the street from the office, and seemed to lean heavily on a bag lying next to him. Thur suspected within was some sort of weapon, and the man was no vagrant, but a trained detective with the company. He suspected the same of a woman painting a mural on the side of her home, the neighbor of his target. To any normal person they seemed ordinary, but their positions made him keen in the first place. If he were to take one out now, the other would be alerted. It screamed of The Company’s influence.
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Thur needed to enter the building, but if they were noticed, the two would radio in for help. He would be forced to either detain or kill the two watching. But even for him, doing so would be nearly impossible at the same time. If even a moment was allowed, the Company would be sending their drones here and ruin his chance. So instead, he tapped his bud.
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“I wasn’t expecting you to ring so soon,” Susan complained. “Sun is Shining was playing, and I much prefer reggae than talking to you.”
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“If we were talking about metal, I’d be interested.” Thur mocked. “Regardless, I need something from ya, I got two guards watching this office.”
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“Are you certain they're guards?”
“That or randoms in perfect strategic positions,” Thur remarked. “I’m pretty certain, regardless, I’m not taking the risk. I just need something to get the two’s attention elsewhere.”
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“If that’s all you needed-” Susan’s voice cut out a moment later. Thur watched, interested to see how she would approach the matter.
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Thur didn’t see anything happen, but saw the reaction from the guards. The homeless man visibly flinched, seemingly peering into his trash bag and cursing before clutching it tightly and limping off at top speed. The woman seemingly decided she hated the work, for she grabbed the bare necessities of her supplies and ran off inside the home.
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“That’ll buy you plenty of time and make your little infiltration easier.” Susan chimed in. “I just overloaded every system save for ours in the area. They’ll see it as a service failure for the area, and it’ll go unnoticed. Meaning, while they report this to the Company, you’ll have your chance. It’s likely The Company, once they learn of it, will assume the worst, so you need to move quickly.”
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“Quick, I can do,” Thur said, stepping out of the car casually. He strolled toward the office down the sidewalk with the bored ease of any commuter. He turned towards the office calmly, approaching the locked door as if he owned it. As he tugged the knob the first time, he was not surprised to see it was locked. Without missing a beat, he tugged it again with his full might, and he twisted it with such force that he broke the lock within, twisting it a full three-sixty degrees. To anyone looking from a distance, it looked as if he opened the door normally, as if he was in the right place.
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As he stepped into the office, he saw a small lobby, six or so seats lining it, and a counter separating the innards of the office building. He scanned the empty lobby carefully, not seeing a soul or anything out of the ordinary within. Thur shook his head doubtfully, removing a small knife from his belt as he tensely prepared himself.
A moment later, his suspicion was proven true. The roof above the counter split in two, revealing two large turrets hidden inside, little more than armored circular things with long barrels peering out to spell his doom, their barrels whirling as they prepared to unleash a volley.
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“Always with the damn robots…” Thur complained. The turrets seemed to whirl faster at that, as if they intended to shoot him to death even more violently for the offense. “My bad?”
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They still shot all the same, but Thor had been expecting it. With an absurd level of strength and speed, he flung his knife at one of the turrets on the left, the blade punching through it, and causing it to sag as its internals were destroyed. Thur rushed along the wall towards the other, moving so fast as to run along the wall and leapt to the turret's base, outpacing its spray of bullets. It attempted to maneuver its barrel at him, but he was too close. Allowing Thur to plant his feet on the roof and rip the turret free from its brace with ease.
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Thur fell from the roof into a crouch, cracking his neck as he climbed over the counter and began to explore the office. It seemed regular: desks and rooms filled with paperwork and filings, one might expect from a financial office, even containing a list of active clients, proving this front was at least somewhat active. However, nothing Thur found screamed that it was related to his and Susna’s problems. Eventually, he had cleared the entire building and found nothing, not even more trouble.
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It was odd, Thur expected some sort of resistance as he explored. His entrance had been rather loud, and while the Company would’ve assured it was soundproof to not rouse suspicion, that made it all the more confounding that there wasn’t more going on.
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Eventually, it occurred to Thur that there must have been some sort of secret space here. The very fact that it was guarded suggested it was related to the Company and somewhat important. So Thur began his scan again.
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This time, he left no stone unturned. Every plant, desk, vent, and seam of the wall was closely examined. He had nearly given up when he found a strange seam in the wall, different from the rest. Its placement was odd, and over time, Thur realized it roughly resembled a doorway. Thur rested his ear upon it, listening in and hearing shifting air behind it, and confirmed it was a hidden entrance. Thur did the reasonable thing. Slamming his left hand through the wall and into the space behind. Using his own hand and arm as a crowbar, he pried apart the wall, revealing an open space hidden behind the material masquerading as a wall. Inside the open space wasn’t much more than an elevator, a clear sign that his path led below.
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“Seriously, a single way down, how much more obvious could they make it? Susan,” Thur asked, tapping his ear. “I got a hidden elevator leading to a substance-”
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“Nothing on public record…” Susan said with a hum. “Almost certainly a trap. Can you take the bud and place it against the ground in front of the elevator?”
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Thur shrugged, doing so and waiting patiently.
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“So there’s definitely an artificial space below you. I can calculate it would be roughly the same size as the floor plan you're currently on, I would guess inhabited by about a half dozen or so personnel.”
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“You reckon there’s any A-tech down there?”
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“I would guess at least one of them is armed with it,” Susan said flippantly. “This has the making of a trap, and if they're prepared for you, they’d surely bring some.”
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“Sounds like an educated guess.” Thur agreed as he stepped into the elevator. “Still beats waiting around for your slow ass.”
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“I hope you get shot.” Susan’s voice said before it cut out as the elevator doors closed.
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Thur wasn’t surprised, Dixion had been a little too easy to catch out. And if he was going to carry such cargo, why travel solo? The Company likely had some risk here, but he bet they considered catching him or Susan would be worth any risk they took.
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So he didn’t flinch as the voice tinged into the elevator, erupting from some hidden speaker.
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“Ah, Thurgood, we were expecting you.” George’s smug voice rang through. “With you silencing Dixion, we knew you’d come here eventually. I’m sure that laptop has proven useless to you…”
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Thur hummed as he learned that The Company seemed to be unaware that he had met and was working together. Useful, so his movements until now had been effective, and they were counting on the Laptop being beyond his means.
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“So it was, just assured I came down in person for my fix.” Thur mocked.
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“Your fix seems to be making trouble for us,” George replied.
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“Always worked before,” Thur said evenly.
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“Well, you're pushing it too far this time. The men below were prepped for your arrival, rest assured they can handle someone of your abilities.” George said. “As always, you come close but fail at the end, Thurgood.”
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“We’ll see about that!” Thur roared.
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“We shall,” George replied.
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The very second his voice cut out, so did the slow descent of the elevator. Thur began to feel weightless as he felt the elevator begin a free fall, they had cut the elevator cords…
X-X
They all waited tensely. Their leader most of all. He was one of many detectives of the Company, a veteran. He had seen the worst this world had to offer, knew what others would never know. Was prepared to face it all.
Yet as the sounds of grating metal and shifting air filled the room, the tension grew within them all, him more than the rest as he held up a gold coin towards the door. The men around him hefted M7s with lethal intent. As soon as those doors opened, they would dump the contents of their rounds; a hundred would fill the death trap they created. Even Scorpio couldn’t survive it all.
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Even still, the ground flinched as the room shook, the scientist working there crying out in fear at the impact. But the men stood ready, tensely awaiting their opening.
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The elevator chimed as the doors slowly slid open, creaking. Revealing a long-haired, almost vagrant looking man within. There was a moment of stillness and silence, each of them processing the threat before them: this was it. He didn’t appear like the killer they were told of, but looks could be deceiving…
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“Now I know what you're thinking.” The man said, holding up one hand with a knife and a palm. “But I really wouldn’t suggest it, it won’t go the way you think it will.”
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Something about the man speaking made him seem human in the moment, and they had killed plenty of those…
“Shoot to kill!” The detective demanded as he flipped his coin and his men began to fire…
