Free Code Breakers: Alpha by Colin F. Barnes Page B

Gabriel by the shoulder. “Gabe, what’s going on?”
    “It’s okay, now, man. I’ve got this.”
    “Don’t interfere, Gez,” Petal said. “There’s bad blood here.”
    “Well? I’m waiting,” Gabe said to the gang. “Either you take my generous offer or Spitty here ceases to be one of your number.”
    None of the group spoke. Some looked away while others looked at each other, confused.
    There was movement from the back of the pack. A woman in tall boots and a fur skirt sauntered to the front between the vehicles. She carried a blade as long as her leg in her gloved right hand. A chain mail guard covered her shoulder and upper arm.
    “Two thou’ you say?” She flicked her short-cropped dark hair from her face, exposing almond-shaped brown eyes, which narrowed as she examined Gabe. Her hips pushed out in a provocative stance. “That all you got, Mr Techxorcist Man?”
    “Hmm. Maybe for you, I’ve got a little something extra—if you can get me to Bilanko right away without any pissing about.”
    “Aye. I can do that. Fastest trike this side of the Sludge. Show me your goods first, ol’ man.”
    “What’s ya name?”
    “What the hell is it to you?”
    “I like to know who I’m dealing with, is all.”
    She flicked her hair and flared her nostrils. “Cheska.”
    “Okay, Cheska.” Gabe reached into the interior pocket of his jacket and pulled out a ten-centimetre-long DigiCard with three small holes in a triangle formation at one edge.
    “This card is loaded with three thousand bins. It’s yours if we move right now. If not, ya gonna have to find this kinda cash elsewhere.”
    Gabe stared her down. She stepped casually from one foot to the other, weighing up her decision. While she was deciding, the man crawling on the ground holding his ribs moaned as Gabe prodded him with a boot.
    Gerry turned to Petal and whispered, “What’s the deal with that guy?”
    Petal cupped her hand around his ear and whispered in turn. “Last time we were here, he tried to catch Gabe in a viral net.”
    “What does that do?” Gerry asked.
    “Uploads malicious code direct to the cortex interface via the Meshwork. It’d put Gabe out of action for good. Look, being a Techxorcist is a precious commodity around these parts, and some nefarious hackers would rather there weren’t one for hire. You’re gonna need to learn to use that gun and protect yourself. This is the Wild West, Doc.”
    “You’re a weird one, you know that?” Gerry said, smiling in spite of himself.
    There was something about her, something fragile, wise. In some situations she reminded him of his eldest daughter, or his wife when he first met her. He pushed the thought away, not wanting to go there just yet. It was too raw. The tension was high enough already without him reminiscing.
    Everyone waited in silence for the sword-woman to make up her mind.
    She looked down at the writhing man. His skin was caked with red-brown dust. With a single stab, she drove the sword through his neck, slicing his carotid artery. Blood spurted a few feet in the air and covered her chest and shoulders. She turned to the stunned onlookers. “This is my operation now, you understand?”
    To a woman and man, they nodded.
    “Good,” she said with a smirk. “I hated that piece of filth anyway, with his greasy little grabby hands and bent cock. You’ve done me a bit of a favour there, ol’ man. You lot, come with me. You’ve got some cash to deliver, and I know where Bilanko’s holing up. I’ll warn you now. She ain’t in no good mood. Damned drones been attacking all weekend long.”
    “Drones?” Gerry asked.
    Cheska stepped to the side of Gabe and regarded Gerry with a ‘who the hell are you’ look.
    “Got yourselves a new baby?”
    “Mind your own damned business,” Petal replied as she stepped forward, shoulders wide, legs planted.
    Cheska laughed, turned her back, and beckoned them to follow.
    Petal turned to Gerry.
    “City Earth occasionally