Free The Harvester by Sean A. Murtaugh Page B

Naes.”
    I rise out of my seat. “I understand. Thanks.”
    “Keep in mind, we’re on full code alert, Harv.”
    “That goes without saying.” I walk to the door.
    “Be careful. I have a bad feeling.”
    “I’ve had a bad feeling,” I say as I leave his office.
    My first stop is in the surveillance room where Naes and the same two Harvester Guards are reviewing footage. I tap Naes on his shoulder. “Anything?”
    “Nothing yet,” Naes replies.
    “Because of the newfound info I have, I can speak in front of you three. Everyone keep this to themselves, or your heads will roll. Understood?”
    All three of them nod in agreement.
    “One of the six Heads aided Vega with his actions and escape. I want to know who aided Vega, who the traitor is, why Vega chose Mr. Herald to mimic, and also tell the six Heads that they need to report to the new, disclosed Agency relocation before the traitor escapes and or finds out the location. All six are possible suspects. Do all this within the hour.”
    Naes nods at me. “No problem.”
    “Not you, Naes. You’re coming with me.”
    With excitement to do it for me, the first Harvester Guard jumps to his feet. “We’ll take care of it, sir.”
    “You better. We’re running out of time. It’s imperative you accomplish this.”
    I exit the room with Naes in tow. I look back at the Harvester Guards with a stern look.
    “Don’t mess this up, guys.”

M y next stop, in my ’Cuda with Naes parked curbside across the street from a bar. I view the area with a specially enhanced set of binoculars. Naes looks over at me.
    “You going to tell me why we’re here, Harv?”
    I’m into my observation zone and don’t answer.
    “I’ll take that as a no.”
    “Listen. It’s simple, Naes. Vega doesn’t know that I know that bar across the street is a number one Underworld safe house for Vega.”
    “So we’re waiting for Vega to show?”
    “Him or any of his Underworld cronies.”
    Right after I say that, a limousine pulls up and parks in front of the bar. This might be what I’ve been waiting for.
    Four big, muscular men, and one tall female exit the limousine, scan the area as if someone might be following them, and disappear inside the bar.
    Naes bends his neck and looks at me. “Now what?”
    “We kill ’em all, Naes.” I look at Naes with an evil smirk, and it makes him smile. “You see, Naes, we as Harvesters need to send a message to Vega.”
    “And what’s that message?”
    “Play time is over. No more Harvesting them and taking them to be tried. Now it’s execution time, period.”
    Naes and I step out of my muscle car. I head to my trunk and pop it open. Naes joins me seconds after. He’s eager to the point of worrying me a bit. Too much eagerness can get you killed, again. I pay it no mind for the time. I lift up the floor panel to my trunk to reveal a secret compartment housing a plethora of weapons.
    “Take what you want. Leave what you don’t,” I tell Naes.
    “What do you suggest?” he asks me with urgency.
    “Close quarter battles with unknown types of Underworlders at hand require swordplay and guns with vests and neck gear.”
    We both grab our swords, spiked collars, guns, and ammo. I slam the trunk shut.
    “It’s just going to be the two of us on this job, Naes. We can’t risk losing the other two Harvesters due to our lack of numbers.”
    “We can handle this one, Harvey.”
    “I like your optimism, kid. Let’s stick to the plan.” We walk abreast towards the bar’s entrance. I pause at the door and look at Naes. “We don’t know how many of ’em are truly in there. You ready for this, kid?”
    He nods at me. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
    I nod back at him and slowly open the door, and we strategically maneuver in just like how we are trained in the Academy. We are surprised to see the place is empty. We check everywhere, and still nobody is found.
    Naes backs up and finds his back against mine. “I don’t like this, Harvey.