Incorporated... the second-biggest technological firm in the city, run by the multi-billionaire Aegon Morgenstern, third and last of his line. I’d considered robbing him once, dropped the idea. For a non-metahuman, he’d accomplished much. His company was known for both philanthropy and an utter ruthlessness, particularly when it came to security. Villains had tried to steal his tech before. Some had succeeded, but never for long, and never without price.
But to express doubt would be to weaken my bargaining position. So instead, I snorted. “Did you see the six-o-clock news? That should answer your question right there.”
He nodded again. “Very well. Do you have questions?”
“Yes. What sort of security will the convoy have?”
“At least a dozen guards, spaced throughout three vehicles. Top of the line civilian weaponry, though not up to mil-spec levels. No known metahuman presence at this time. You and your team should be the only supers on the field.”
“Twice now you’ve mentioned a team,” I said. “Who are they?”
“Other discriminating professionals, similar to yourself. You’ll understand if I don’t give names until you’ve accepted the job.”
“Only fair,” I mused. “Nature of the cargo?”
“We’re paying for discretion and confidentiality. The cargo is in a container that should remain sealed, for your own safety, so it shouldn’t be an issue.”
I didn’t like that, but I let it pass.
“Where is it to be delivered, after we secure it?”
“You will be given a phone number. After the cargo is secured, call the number and we’ll give you an address for the hand-off. That’s when you’ll receive the rest of your payment.”
Seemed like a good idea, though it did put a fair amount of power in their court. Whoever this man was working for, they were maximizing plausible deniability and minimizing risk. I drew my mind back to matters at hand.
“Ah yes, payment. What did you have in mind, for Dire’s time and trouble?”
“Two hundred thousand.”
That... was quite a bit more than the small amounts I’d made with my weekly bank-hacks. I’d been unable to dip too far, due to the priority of avoiding detection. Two-hundred thousand was a good couple of month’s work. It wasn’t all of what I needed, of course, but it was a good start. I opened my mouth to accept the offer—
“Five hundred thousand,” Martin said.
What?
“Please,” the businessman said. “Don’t waste my time.”
“You’re wasting hers,” Martin said. “Two hundred thousand is chump change.”
“For a power-armored mercenary without power armor? I’m being kind, here.”
“Oh, she has armor.” I said. “It will be used on the job. If you can meet her price.”
“And yet I saw a suit being hauled out of the Courthouse on a forklift, on the evening news. The MRB likely has it now, Doctor.”
I let out a cold chuckle. “What they have is a charred husk. After completing her mission, Dire utilized the escape teleporter, and the armor bricked itself as designed.”
Half-lie, half-truth. I didn’t want anyone else finding out the armor had been a drone, but it had been rigged with a non-explosive self-destruct in the form of EMP charges. Enough time away from my virtual harness’ signal, and the charges were programmed to detonate and destroy the electronics. I’d set the limit to three minutes away from the signal. I had no doubt that it had wiped, as planned.
“An impressive feat, if true,” the businessman said. “If you have another suit to bring to the table, I could see increasing the fee... but if we’re taking into consideration the day’s actions, there’s also the issue that you’re somewhat hot property. The FBI and Icon City’s other authorities and heroes are looking for you, Doctor. I’m afraid I couldn’t offer more than... Two-hundred and fifty thousand.”
“Four hundred thousand,” Martin said. “Job like this is high-profile, and
But to express doubt would be to weaken my bargaining position. So instead, I snorted. “Did you see the six-o-clock news? That should answer your question right there.”
He nodded again. “Very well. Do you have questions?”
“Yes. What sort of security will the convoy have?”
“At least a dozen guards, spaced throughout three vehicles. Top of the line civilian weaponry, though not up to mil-spec levels. No known metahuman presence at this time. You and your team should be the only supers on the field.”
“Twice now you’ve mentioned a team,” I said. “Who are they?”
“Other discriminating professionals, similar to yourself. You’ll understand if I don’t give names until you’ve accepted the job.”
“Only fair,” I mused. “Nature of the cargo?”
“We’re paying for discretion and confidentiality. The cargo is in a container that should remain sealed, for your own safety, so it shouldn’t be an issue.”
I didn’t like that, but I let it pass.
“Where is it to be delivered, after we secure it?”
“You will be given a phone number. After the cargo is secured, call the number and we’ll give you an address for the hand-off. That’s when you’ll receive the rest of your payment.”
Seemed like a good idea, though it did put a fair amount of power in their court. Whoever this man was working for, they were maximizing plausible deniability and minimizing risk. I drew my mind back to matters at hand.
“Ah yes, payment. What did you have in mind, for Dire’s time and trouble?”
“Two hundred thousand.”
That... was quite a bit more than the small amounts I’d made with my weekly bank-hacks. I’d been unable to dip too far, due to the priority of avoiding detection. Two-hundred thousand was a good couple of month’s work. It wasn’t all of what I needed, of course, but it was a good start. I opened my mouth to accept the offer—
“Five hundred thousand,” Martin said.
What?
“Please,” the businessman said. “Don’t waste my time.”
“You’re wasting hers,” Martin said. “Two hundred thousand is chump change.”
“For a power-armored mercenary without power armor? I’m being kind, here.”
“Oh, she has armor.” I said. “It will be used on the job. If you can meet her price.”
“And yet I saw a suit being hauled out of the Courthouse on a forklift, on the evening news. The MRB likely has it now, Doctor.”
I let out a cold chuckle. “What they have is a charred husk. After completing her mission, Dire utilized the escape teleporter, and the armor bricked itself as designed.”
Half-lie, half-truth. I didn’t want anyone else finding out the armor had been a drone, but it had been rigged with a non-explosive self-destruct in the form of EMP charges. Enough time away from my virtual harness’ signal, and the charges were programmed to detonate and destroy the electronics. I’d set the limit to three minutes away from the signal. I had no doubt that it had wiped, as planned.
“An impressive feat, if true,” the businessman said. “If you have another suit to bring to the table, I could see increasing the fee... but if we’re taking into consideration the day’s actions, there’s also the issue that you’re somewhat hot property. The FBI and Icon City’s other authorities and heroes are looking for you, Doctor. I’m afraid I couldn’t offer more than... Two-hundred and fifty thousand.”
“Four hundred thousand,” Martin said. “Job like this is high-profile, and
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