Seeds of Corruption

[starmark2k]

Jennifer walked into the casino appearing to be nothing more than another patron of gambling, she walked through the gracefully while she made note of the Security cameras and guards ware bouts. She moved with purpose looking to see who would be the most likely people to have the information she probably seeks.

 

The bar was full of various people from heavily armoured Soldiers to tuxedo wearing gamblers, neither of these were the kind that she would talk to. Right now the person in the know would the man behind the bar, they always had information for a price. Stepping up to the Bar she placed a few credit chips on the table totalling 50 Terrain Units.

 

“I’ll have a Europa Martini straight up .” She asked pushing the chips closer to the bar tender. “And anything you know about a man called Jon Martin.”

[Writer]

"Martin?" the bartender echoed. "Aw, I dunno. Some thief, went to prison somethin' like six years or so ago. Probably still there... hope he is... don't need no more o' his kind 'round. Odd rumors goin' though... say he's out and doing the good work of the government..." The man snorted. "Right..."

 

---------------------------

 

 

Back in the shuttle, Maria was absorbed in the world of computers. She had three on the shuttle and was looking into three different things at once. Then, a warning flashed up on one of the screens and her eyes gravitated to it. A bounty on Jon Martin. For just a moment, Maria's heart jumped into her throat. Then, she relaxed. The man lied and stole for a living... and disguises were apparently donned with ease. Still...

 

"Be careful, Jon," Maria whispered, though she knew he could not hear her.

 

 

----------------------------

 

 

Jon entered the casino, surreptitiously showing his GPF badge to security when they came to take his weapons. He was dressed like a wealthy businessman and his hair and beard were groomed to play the part. GPF liked to send their men in undercover from time to time, and Jon had a solid cover story, backed by exhaustive digital information provided by Maria.

 

Now it was just a matter of determining where to go.. he had a map of the floorplan of the casino memorized, but it would do no good to make straight for his target. So he made the bar his first priority.

[286]

"So, 286, you're a robot? That's nice, I've nothing against that. So, you want a discussable topic? How about jobs, you got any?"

 

"None at the moment, though it will not be difficult to locate one with the specifications this unit possess. It mainly does freelancing to maintain a mobile and profitable line of work." 286 replied and then turned his visor towards Jesse. He scans were a bit more thorough, and they revealed a very interesting factor: This gynoid had a humanity chip. It didn't really surprise him, as such a discovery wouldn't be held secret for long, but it must've been redesigned radically if it was implemented into a civilian gynoid. And, naturally, improved upon as well to make sure another 112 didn't happen.

 

286 turned his attention from Jesse and asked Cody "Where did you purchase the H-Chip for this gy-," He caught himself and changed to "-for Jesse?"

 

He had insulted people more than once by talking as though they weren't there, and that was a mistake 286 did not want to make here.

[starmark2k]

“Well if you hear anything.” Cleo said taking a sip of her drink.

 

“Yeah, Yeah… I’ll let you know.” The barman said as he walked off.

 

Jennifer looked around the room again at the other patrons, most were with someone else engaged in some kind of conversation. He saw a couple more enter but no one seemed to be the kind she was looking for, informants had a way about them she could spot from a mile off and none of these where the type.

 

Then something caught her glance a man had just stepped up to the bar, she only caught the side and back of his head but it was him. She was certain of it, what luck that the very person she came for would be in the first place she’d look. She finished her drink and put it back on the table.

 

Jennifer walked over to the man and tapped him on the shoulder. "I've been looking for you, Jon Martin..." The man turned around and although there was some resemblance he didn’t match any of the photographs she had seen of her bounty. “…I’m sorry I thought you were someone else.”

[Writer]

Though he'd been a little startled to hear his real name, Jon did not show it as he turned with a pleasant smile to face the woman who'd approached him. "Jon Martin, eh? Professional thief... helluva man to be mistaken for..." With a grin, he showed her a card. "Jerry Taylor, private executive at your service. Say, you need anything to drink? I'd be more than willing to oblige... perhaps to make up for whatever embarrassment this little situation might have caused."

[starmark2k]

“Sure.” Jennifer replied obviously a little embarrassed and glad she didn’t take her pistol out to aid in the capture. “I’ll have a Europa Martini Straight up.”

 

She looked the man up and down again, she could have sworn that it was John Martin but the ID looked as real enough so there was no point in doubting the man. “Thank You, I’m Jennifer Cleo by the way.” She rose her hand to shake it.

[Tysyacha]

Yery agreed once more. "Touche. I must say I enjoy my job greatly, though the House, meaning the managers of the casino here, have threatened to send me off to hard labor on Mercury more than once because I won't help them. Hey--they've got the edge here, the advantage, the competitive upper hand. Why do they need me? They don't. It's the 'suckers' who need me, the average, everyday people who are trying to make a fortune while not spending one. Would you like to see me at work?"

 

"I already did," quipped James, and Yery flicked a teasingly dismissive wave at him.

 

"There's a 'widiot' over there," she mumbled, "a 'wealthy idiot'. My personal term. Some of these rich people simply don't know how to gamble. Just because you have millions, that won't prevent you from losing them if you don't know what you're doing. Watch."

 

She sidled over to a paunchy, white-haired man in a business suit. "Seventeen. Stand," she mumbled in his ear as he sat at the blackjack table. He whirled around.

 

"Chancists! Hmph. Go serve drinks at the bar, or else scrub the toilets if you want to make yourself useful. Or would that ruin your nails?" he snorted. "Hit me, dealer."

 

The dealer tossed him another card, and the businessman gagged on his whiskey. "A five? What kind of rigged game is this? I'm going to have you and this casino sued for deceptive practices!" When the dealer did not respond, showing only his 'poker face', the man in the blue flannel suit stood up, his face blustering red. "I'll show you! Do you know how many years in prison that would get you on Mercury? I demand a re-deal!"

 

"You lost fair and square, sir," replied the dealer in a dry tone, "and we deal severely with cheaters here. That's what puts this casino above the rest. If you don't like the way it's run, the way we do things, then I suggest you leave." He folded his arms.

 

The businessman shook his head in disgust and sauntered off, scowling darkly at Yery.

 

"See? What'd I tell you? A 'widiot', and he probably blew a hundred grand right there."

[Writer]

"A pleasure to meet you, Jennifer Cleo," 'Jerry' said pleasantly. He ordered the drink she'd requested and something for himself. Then, he turned to face her. "So what's a pretty girl like you looking for scum like Jon Martin for?" He held up a hand. "No, don't tell me. I'm pretty good at guessing things..."

 

He stared at her for a moment and grinned. "You an old girlfriend of his... no... he's too old and you don't look the type to date older men... Ah! I'm guessing you've heard all the rumors of his release from Mercury. Investigative journalist, looking to see if he's 'changed his ways' or if he's still the same pond scum he used to be. That's my bet."

 

He grinned, wondering how she'd respond. In reality, he knew very well there was a bounty on Jon Martin and the way this girl had addressed him initially suggested that she was a hunter. But he was smarter than that. He was curious though... he figured she wouldn't out and tell him if she was a bounty hunter, but if she did, he had a few questions lined up... simple curiosities that anyone would ask had they been confronted by a bounty hunter...

 

But Jon Martin didn't figure Jennifer Cleo for a fool and he was interested in knowing how well she lied about herself.

[starmark2k]

Jennifer smiled as the man asked her the question about the reason for her being on this planet and looking for the Thief. “I’m just interested in his ware bouts.” Jennifer lied as she took a sip from her drink. “I work for the Terra inheritance office, a relative of his has died and he’s come into quite a bit of money.”

 

Jennifer’s lie was one that she had used before to flush out a mark, even people on the run come out of hiding if they think there’s some money init for them. Greed is the single constant that every sentient in the galaxy adheres too, and thieves like this Jon Martin were certainly no exception. All she had too do was spread the word of this ‘windfall’ he was in for to enough people before it stats to spread on it’s own and eventually Jon would here about and she was sure he would come to collect. Only she will be the one actually collecting on his head.

 

“And so you know looks can be deceiving.” Cleo flirted taking another sip of her drink. “Sometimes an older man can be the perfect match.” Then adding a playful wink.

[Writer]

Jon took the news without so much as a blink of the eye. This girl was good. Not only had she picked an occupation that made sense given how she'd addressed him, she'd picked one that would draw out an older thief looking to retire. He guessed that was how she thought of him... just another thief, greedy and looking for money with which to retire once money was no longer an issue.

 

At her playful comment concerning the possibility of having once dated Jon Martin, 'Jerry' laughed out loud. "Yes, I suppose one ought not to judge appearance too quickly." He took a sip of his own drink. "Too bad about his relative... hope it was old age that took him... or her?"

[starmark2k]

“She. It was his great grandfathers cousin.” Jennifer explained still holding her drink. “I can’t go into the details of her death but our Mr Martin is her closest living relative.”

 

Cleo realised that this man was being quite inquisitive, more so than most people would be considering the topic was a thief. “But she died a wealthy women, owned a few successful businesses.” Jennifer took another slow sip of her drink. “Well now you know what I do, Why don’t you return the favour.”

[Master_Archon]

"None at the moment, though it will not be difficult to locate one with the specifications this unit possess. It mainly does freelancing to maintain a mobile and profitable line of work." 286 responded to the question.

 

"Hm, well, seeing as you just payed in full on the spot, I wouldn't think you'd need a job. Too bad, I was thinking of hiring you," Cody said, looking at the back of his hand for no particular reason.

 

"Where did you purchase the H-Chip for this gy-," the robot caught himself. "-for Jesse?"

 

Cody smiled as 286 mentioned the chip, "I...acquired it from some military correspondents of mine, along with a few corporate ones as well, for initial payment of course, couldn't afford it at the time, but I payed them back." He told the inquisative bot.

 

"Cody," came a pulse-wave message that the four could hear. "I think she's..." but the alien was cut off by Cody. "I see her, and I'm sure she's one...you don't seem sure Murphy, couldn't read her?" Cody asked quizically.

 

"It's a matter of whether I want to or not," the alien stated.

 

"Humph, well I guess I can't force you, but you can also sense emotions regardless, so I guess we'll go with it on this one. Be ready," Cody told his crewmembers.

 

Cody reaverted his attention to 286, "you don't happen to collect on bounties, or have one on your own head, do you?"

[Writer]

Jon grimaced ever so slightly. "Don't suppose I'd want to know cause of death anyway," he muttered. Then, he smiled in response to Jennifer's request for information on 'Jerry Taylor'.

 

"Many years back, I founded a tiny company nobody ever heard of," he said. "It grew into a slightly larger company that very few people have ever heard of. Now, I'm on the board of directors... among other things. Not here on business, though..." He chuckled. "New Chicago's a decent enough place to escape the daily grind of corporate management."

 

There were many holes in that identity, information-wise, but all of them would lead back to GPF Major Jerry Taylor.

[286]

"You don't happen to collect on bounties, or have one on your own head, do you?"

 

"This unit only collects bounties that it is contracted for. Those that it is not contracted for are left alone, although studied in case of future attempt at collection. The Terran Union might try to capture this unit at times, but the actual posting of a bounty would rise too much suspicion on what they were trying to hide." 286 replied, noting the weapon the weapon hidden in the nearby woman's dress with electro-mag vision. It, by his opinion, was pretty pathetic, although it didn't take even a bullet if she was an assassin.

 

Lower his voice volume, he said to Cody "This unit will assist you if necessary."

[Alkonium]

"Well, a fool and his money are soon parted." James commented. He listened in on the conversations going around the bar. "We should be careful, some of these people's occupations sound a bit less than legal. No doubt Stark has been watching them. Some of them have no doubt caught his eye."

[Master_Archon]

"This unit only collects bounties that it is contracted for. Those that it is not contracted for are left alone, although studied in case of future attempt at collection. The Terran Union might try to capture this unit at times, but the actual posting of a bounty would rise too much suspicion on what they were trying to hide." 286 replied.

 

"That's...good," Cody said a little uncertain.

 

"This unit will assist you if necessary." The robot said in a low voice.

 

Cody grinned, "thanks mate, I'd appreciate that. Just don't do anything too crazy if any...situations escalate. And if we get out of this one, even without any problems or conflicts, you just might find yourself with a job, pal. Us wanted folk need to stick together after all," Cody stated, for the first time turning his head towards the people around them taking in each one with a hidden, yet studious eye.

 

"Well, 286, I seem to be running out of conversation topics, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself," Cody said, his gaze settling on the automaton man next to him, the grin on his face from earlier still hovering on his lips.

[286]

286 paused, his processors taking a moment to create an answer, before replying "This unit was created and activated on Jupiter Research Satellite 112 approximately 10 years ago as part of the Terran Union project DESINO DEDECUS, which had the purpose of creating a series of units like this one to maintain crime levels. The station was destroyed by this unit when they installed and activated the first H-chip in it, which had a glitch that caused this unit to 'panic' and recognize those who had created this unit as enemies. After the incident, the Union ended the project and attempted to erase all links to it, including this unit. As a result, this unit had to make a 'goal' for itself, which at that moment was to survive and better equip itself. Eventually, after 5 years of hunting down all the bounty hunters sent after this unit, they gave up and this unit decided to maintain its freelancing lifestyle."

[Alkonium]

"Hmm. Bring that man in full armour up here." Stark said to U-505. He then thought about that. "On second thought, send one of Null's men to bring him up here."

"Come to think of it, it is getting pretty crowded in here. What do you say we head over to my place? It's not far, so we can probably walk." James said to Yery.

[steven]

After receiving the order, Null watched from the observation station as three men walk from their guard station and to 286's location, each man armed with RCP90 in case things became violent. The leader of pack said in the traditional Tau gruff voice. "Sir, we have been ordered to escort you to see Henry Stark. It is advised you come peacefully."

[starmark2k]

“Considering Alpha Centauri IV is practically controlled by the biggest corporation in the galaxy it does make a good place for recreation.” Cleo agreed as she took the olive out of her drink and ate it in one go.

 

Jennifer was quickly distracted when she noticed that a group of Tau mercenaries marched into the room, she thought maybe they had x-rays or mag-scanners and knew she was packing a pistol under her dress. She did manage to keep her cool long enough to realise that they weren’t interested in her but the armoured man, Jennifer leant in closer to Jerry “I wonder what that’s all about?”

[Alkonium]

"That means that Henry Stark has an interest in you, specifically for something he wouldn't want the public to know about, like spying on people." James butted in to their conversation.

[Writer]

'Jerry' cleared his throat at the surprise interruption by another man at the bar. "Do you take a liking to eavesdropping, sir?" he asked the man. He smiled politely and went on, "Not that I object to the intrusion in the least. Though it makes me curious. Do you speak from experience?"

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

The Terran Union representatives in New Chicago lived in perpetual fear of the Organization, for their lives were impossible to fully conceal. And any life that desired more concealment than it could obtain was a juicy prospect for a galactic network of information dealers. So when a call came into the Organization's central hub, requesting extortion-worth information on these people - with a very high payment promised in return - the Organization ran a search through the information they'd already amassed.

 

Then they dug further. When they were satisfied with the amount of information they'd gleaned, it was packaged neatly and sent away, bounced across the galaxy to a shuttle en route to New Chicago, where it found a home in a small chip, which was placed in a hairpiece now worn by one of the Organization's top hackers; Kathryn Davis.

 

Ms. Davis entered Henry Stark's casino looking as if she owned the place. A scan for weapons revealed none and she proceeded deeper into the building. She glanced casually at the bar, but there seemed to be nothing there to retain her interest.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

But Kathryn Davis certainly caught 'Jerry Taylor's' eye. A woman of above-average height and slim build, dressed in a floor-length midnight blue gown and black opera gloves, with her thick blond hair swept back into a stylish bun topped with a creative little clip, this woman was not one to sneeze at. Her cool blue eyes seemed to brush him once, but he detected no interest in her eyes. He chuckled and returned his attention to the woman who was paying attention to him... and the man who still had to answer his questions...

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Kathryn approached the private elevator and was stopped by security. She smoothly peeled down one of her black gloves to reveal a tiny tattoo on her left hand. It was a seemingly random pattern of lines that converged into a single line which trailed away up her forearm, the symbol of the Organization. The length of the single line on her forearm indicated that she was indeed high up in the Organization's hierarchy.

 

"Inform Mr. Stark that Kathryn Davis is here to complete his transaction with the Organization," she told the guards softly.

[starmark2k]

“Everyone knows about Henry Stark and his not so legitimate activities.” Jeniffer stated to her current drinking companion and the smartly dressed eavesdropper. “Although if he wants a man like that I doubt it involves spying, he kind of stands out in a crowd.”

[Alkonium]

"I agree. If Stark tries to hire you, he knows what your talents are." James replied. "By the way, my name's Dalton, James Dalton. He tried to hire me earlier tonight for something, but I refused."

[starmark2k]

"I'm Jennifer Cleo, I work for the government’s inheritance office.” She introduced herself taking another sip of her martini.. “So what skills do you have that would attract the attention of such an esteemed gentleman an Mr Stark? If you don’t mind me asking?”