-1-

It was so clear it could have been a picture, every detail was immaculate. The small lines curving around dad’s mouth, the softness in mom's eyes, I could even see the desperation for approval in my own face. The the picture was so telling it could have only been made by someone with intimate knowledge of my family and our little quirks and secrets.

But, I had to remind myself it wasn’t a picture at all, it was a drawing-- sitting among a pile of colored pencils and paper that Luce had been playing in yesterday.

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Jean said, walking out into the common area, with Sara behind him ,” Why do you want Alan to come with us ?,”

“Why not ?,” Sara smirked  "People like to pick fights. Think of Alan as an extra body, they can kill him with no loss  us,”

I couldn’t tell if she was being serious or not.  She probably was. It never ceased to amaze me the things she said about me when I was standing in the room.

“Sara,” I began “I found--,”

“We are leaving in  5 minutes,” she interrupted, as she headed into her room, slamming the door behind her.

I hadn’t got much sleep after last night,  I was still feeling pretty wired from the drugs. I wanted nothing more than to tap back into cyberspace. Feeling connected to the world again for those few seconds quelled something in me. When Minnie and Jean had fallen asleep I gave up on sleep and came out into the common room to just look around. Nothing struck me as abnormal until I started looking through the drawings Luce had made. They were impressive, most of them of historical events, fallen monuments and random faces. None of them struck me as odd until I saw one of my family, I had stared at it all night trying to make sense of it.

“I wouldn’t wear that if I were you,” Jean said pointing to the red shirt I was wearing.

He reached over and handed me a balled up white button up. I considered him for a moment and then decided to just take the shirt.

“Just to be safe,” he smiled.

Jean rolled up the sleeve of his shirt own shirt and slipped a nude colored arm band up his shoulder. The night before it had seemed like Jean had pulled the knife out of nowhere but, Jean kept a careful selection of knives and blades hidden inside his clothing.  I didn’t know if it was a safety precaution or just another one of his quirks but, I didn’t really feel up to asking. 

I heard the door above us open and Minnie came down the stairs, dressed in neutral beige and white, similar to her brother. She was balancing 4 silver aluminum water bottles in her arms.

“For you,” Minnie said handing me one of the bottles. It felt cold and heavy and there was some kind of liquid sloshing around inside it.

“What is this ?,” I asked her

“Water, silly” she smiled taking the lid of one and sprinkling some in my face.

I forced a laugh at my over cautiousness.

Minnie’s  hair was pulled tightly back into a neat bun, she wasn't wearing any colorful makeup and for the first time I could actually see her face and just how youthful she was. Maybe it was just her confidence that  made me think she was older. I felt bad that someone so young had to go without the comforts of a home and family to live on the streets. Those circumstances would have broken most people but,  Minnie seemed to have a good spirit about her--she was always kind. Maybe that’s why I had revealed so much about myself to her since I had known her.

Sara came back out of her room and took a second to drink some water, I decided to take the opportunity to ask her about the picture.

“ Sara, did you draw this ?,” I asked picking up the drawing of my family.

She took it from me and stared at it.

“No,” she said-- scrutinizing the image, “Are those  people your parents ?,”

I nodded my head.

“Well, I guess Luce made it,” she commented, “Do you want it or something ?,”

“Why would he draw this ?,” I demanded

“I don’t know,” Sara replied nonchalantly,”  We need to go or going to be late,”

It still unnerved me for some reason, if Sara didn't even know what my parents looked like than how did Luce ? I wanted to press it further but, I knew it would bother Sara so, I didn’t.  I followed her out the basement door followed by Jean and Minnie. It had to be at least 6 in the morning but, the sun was shining down through the gray cloud.  We walked down the empty streets , towards the elevated train station.

We stood in silence in the station as train after train pulled across the rusty tracks paused at the station for a moment and then pulled off again. 8 trains had passed by and Sara had yet to get on one until a train with flecks of red and blue paint pulled up. It seemed even older than the other trains on the track. We were the only ones to board the train and the only ones in our compartment. And if these trains ran like the ones in the East—by computer with no conductors---we were the only ones on the train.

 I got on first and took the seat by the doors, to my surprised Sara sat next to me and Jean and Minnie took the seats across from us.  The train was like a hermetically sealed can with no ventilation or air conditioning-- the heat would have been unbearable without the water.

 “ So, what happened last night ?,” Sara asked the Dories

“A little of this a little of that,” Jean quipped

“Don’t bullshit me. I saw the blood stained clothes.” She said,” Who’d you idiots piss of this time?,”

“It was just Dakota,” Minnie answered

“Just ? You know he services the Mjöllner,” Sara told them.

“I’m still not afraid of him,” Minnie laughed

They sat in silence as the train car stretched across, the track seemed to go on forever across the dry floor, I looked down and saw nothing but acres and acres of desolate sand and dry land. The only break in the sandy earth was the occasional field of  the white powdery nuclear fall out. It seemed like we were going off the edge of the earth and it gave me an unsettling feeling.

“I feel like I have a right to know where we are going,” I finally said

“Actually, you don’t,” Sara shot me down

“Where are we ?,” I asked--still pressing the topic.

“Mojave,” Sara answered

“Or you can just call it Living Hell,” Jean added, “It’s just as hot.”

“Alan,you know what the Yakuza is,right ?" Sara asked

“ The Japanese mafia , right ?,”

“Yes,” she said,” A lot of the organized crime families and syndicates stay in Mojave because it’s off the grid and the government usually never goes there. It’s nothing but desert so, it’s  just like making all the crime families live in exile. Lots of international crime families flocked there during the war--it’s like the fucking UN,”

“What do they want from you ?,” I asked

“ I can’t even answer that,” she sighed," There aren't exactly any laws governing Mojave so, don't try anything. Just follow my lead,"

After 20 minutes the train finally pulled into what looked like a small village. It reminded me of some kind of shantytown, it had no high rises, or industrial buildings. It was just a lot of mis matched brick  buildings--none of them over 8 stories--some of them were painted with murals and symbols. There was the  occasional holoscreen in the street but, it still seemed pretty lost in time. The train stopped  in the main area of town where there was an assortment of shops and restaurants.There were people sitting outside having drinks and making conversation despite the smoldering heat .

Sara confidently walked down the cobblestone street and into an open air restaurant. She stopped at the matrie d table and an older petite woman greeted her with a smile.

“Sara,” the woman smiled

“Mrs. Washington,” Sara said

Sara stopped briefly enough to give the woman half a hug and then followed the woman to the back of the restaurant and up some stairs to an office door. The woman left and when she had gone Sara  opened the door to reveal  an open expansive space.

In the middle of the room was a large round table where a   group of men were seated—each of them behind a holoscreen that projected from their syndicates. The table was surrounded in bottles of alcohol and empty plates. Sara held her hand stifly behind her motioning for Jean, Minnie and I to stay back as she went up to the head of the table and greeted the man  who was seated there with a handshake and hug.

The man stood up for her -- he couldn’t have been too much taller than she was and he appeared to be in his mid 40’s. His face was boyish-- his features were soft and delicate but, the look on his face was stern.

 “That’s  Rayne Washington,” Jean whispered to me,” The most powerful person in the Republic's branch of the Yakuza. Rayne met Sara right after Derek was killed. He got her back on her feet,”

“How is your son ?,” Rayne asked her taking her hand in his

“Better,” she said and then she paused ,”I have another now, also. Christopher”

“Good for you. Children are a blessing in these times.” Rayne smiled, “Please, have a seat all of you. Let’s have a drink together,”

 “We haven’t spoken in nearly a year, Rayne” Sara said as we all took seat in the empty chairs, “I just want to know what this is about. Since when does the head of the Yakuza---one of the most influential crime families need help from someone like me ?,”

“ Well, I called on you because this hit might hold a special interest to you," He responded, "I know you all are a group of anarchist --,”

“I am not an anarchist, let me make that clear “ she interrupted,” If I’m anything I’m anti-authoritarian. I know that no society can survive without someone in power.,”

“Of course,” he said

Rayne tapped his personal holoscreen and then tapped the table turning it into a holoscreen. Thee images grew and became 3 dimensional, hovering in front of our eyes. The screen was a projection of some kind of a government website with the autobiography for an official in the Trade Commissioners Office.

“This is Jedidiah Morrisey,  a high ranking G-man who went undercover in our cartel a few years back," Rayne explained, "He seems to have liked what he tasted undercover and he is now  operating an underground chrome and drug operation that is rivaling mine. He’s still pretty green when it comes to personal safety so, he shouldn’t be more than a quick hit,”

“ Why can’t one of your guys do it ?,” she asked, almost sounding bored

“ Because he is still working with the government . Not to mention he  knows all of my guys and our tactics. I need a new face. Also, Morrisey has top government clearance, you can  squeeze him for information for your own little cause before you kill him. The TCO runs a lot of the uranium plants,”

Sara’s fingers glided across the table reading the autobiography and looking at the intelligence gathered on Morrisey.

“So,  as far as compensation  . . .  50 grand  ?,” Sara asked

Rayne shook his head. “I'm not giving you monetary compensation. I told you, you can question him before you kill him,”

“This is such a waste of my time,” she sighed

“You don’t really have a fucking choice now do you?,” Rayne snapped at her.

She stared even harder at the documents

“When ?,” she sighed

“Ideally, before dinner,” Rayne suggested, ”My men did all the intelligence  and have everything you need. Where to find him and everything.”

“Send the information to Minnie’s syndicate,” Sara said standing up.

“Stay, for a while,” Rayne suggested

She shook her head and walked out and the rest of us followed behind her. When we reached the train station Jean finally spoke.

“You can’t  just take a job for free,” he blurted,” Are you insane ?,”

“I don’t have a choice,” she said as we bordered the train

” He’s at the Metronome Hotel for some event tonight,” Sara said,” He is going to some after party and when  he is looking for a quick thrill Minnie will take him  to his room and once she puts him in place Alan will take the hit,”

“Are you fucking crazy ?,” Jean asked,nearly echoing my thoughts

“I sure as hell don't feel like doing this and you'll be to busy thinking about Minnie,” Sara said,“ Besides When it comes to a crowd of elitist assholes Alan will fit in best--,”

“Do I get a say in this ?,” I asked

“Of course not,” she snapped ”Why would you ?

 

***

“Do you have it ?,” Minnie asked

“Yes,” I said trying not to sound annoyed.

It was nearly an hour until nightfall and Minnie had shown me the in and outs of the 10 pound glossy black gun, she called a fletcher but, I had still yet to shoot it. Hell, I could barely lift the thing.

“Okay, do it !,” she squealed and  I pushed  the trigger towards me and a bullet shot out splattering  the opposite wall of the house. Simultaneously a big flame flashed out the top and I was pushed back by a hard  pressure causing me to stumble a few steps and land on the gravel ground. The first thing I noticed was how much lighter the gun suddenly felt.

“Fletchers are pneumatically powered,” Minnie said pulling me up and taking me closer to the wall. I saw  a large gathering of long black needles pushed halfway into the cement wall.

“The ammunition explodes into   these needles that ensure you puncture atleast one vital organ. They are really strong and heavy so the gun only has 2 clips in at a time. That's two shots.”

My stomach sank as I realized I was going to have to kill this man for no real reason. I mean he was a government official that was the death penalty right there. But, if I didn’t kill him they were going to kill me.

“I don’t think I can do this,” I said as we headed back into the house.

“Neither do I but, what choice do you have ?” Minnie laughed

"Minnie I have a question, the Me-something you keep mentioning--,"

"The Mjöllner ? It's Me-joln-er. It's the Soviet cartel, there  a pretty big threat but only if you mess with them. Mostly they think the arms race is still going on,"

"Should I be worried ?,"

"You ? No, not really,"

We went back inside the house the first person I saw was Luce and  for some reason our eyes caught each other. He was staring at me hard,  like he knew something about me and couldn’t wait to hold it over my head.

I wondered if he even knew what his mother did for a living.

“Okay, we are late,” Sara said walking out in knee high black boots and  a strapless black silk cocktail dress. Her red hair hung neatly from the sides of her face. The dress clung to her body with each step she made, making it pretty clear she didn't have a gun on her. She pulled a shawl over her when Saint came from his spot in the corner and took her arm.

“Sara,” he said-- his voice had some kind of accent, one  I had never heard.

“I want you to stay here,” she said shrugging out of his grip,” I will be fine. This is an easy hit. Jean and I will just be on the lookout and on hand to help clean up the body,”

She leaned down and kissed Luce on the cheek and whispered something into his ear. Standing up she linked her arm with Jean—who was wearing a black suit nearly identical to mine.

“You’re way to fucking old for anyone to believe you are my date,” Jean teased her

“Go to hell,” she said

 We took the train into town and it was just as alive as it had been the other night only, this time the area was crawling with police and uniformed officials. I wondered if I could bargain my own escape with any of these officers but, I wasn’t sure. It was starting to seem like everyone in the West had an agenda. When we got off the train and closer to the Metronome Hotel, the place was covered with even more security.

Minnie went inside of the lobby of the hotel first while Jean, Sara and I stood outside.

“When you see Minnie take Morrissey out of the party you follow her. Make sure you get there first. I've hacked the access keypad and the combination to the room is 43VS79,” Sara said.

“Shouldn’t I go up there now ?,” I suggested

“No,”Sara sighed, “Anything could change at the last moment. If you see any chance to take the hit do it,”

Sara and Jean walked into the lobby through the main door while I started heading around the back to enter through the side door where I wouldn't have to pass security.

The weapon felt heavy in my pocket and it was taking all my concentration not to drop it or walk funny. I slipped in the back door and into the crowd--looking around I  could have been at  one of dad’s boring Tempus parties. The hotel was filled with military personnel and men in suits, with the occasional woman  in a black dress. Everybody was greeting someone with the usual fake enthusiasm and compliments, people were saving face all over the place.The area was sparkling clean and the most expensive hor dourves and wines were being passed around by waiters. You would never believe there were allies filled with prostitutes and drug dealers just a few  blocks away. 

I didn’t talk to anybody but stayed close to where I could still see Minnie. I saw a familiar face walk by me and towards the open bar.

I immediately went to the opposite side of the room where Jean and Sara appeared to be in conversation and pointed casually to the bar.

“Shit,” Jean breathed and turned to Sara,”It’s Dakota,”

Dakota still had a misplaced flamboyant look even in his dark suit as he took a sip of a bloody mary.  Hanging on his arm was a stunning dark haired woman. She was wearing a form fitting bright red dress with a golden sash around her slim waist, her body was dripping with gold jewelry, her nails--painted red and adorned with a metallic design were digging lightly into Dakota's arm-- she seemed to beautiful to be real and she caught the eye of every man in the room but she paid them no mind.

“I don’t  think he is a threat, do you ?,” Sara asked Jean

“Threat ? No. Annoyance ?  Quite possibly,” Jean said

“It doesn’t matter,” Sara said, “Look, Minnie has Morrisey,”

I watched as Minnie was already leading Morrisey out of the party and into the hall.

“I can’t believe he just went with her,” I said as he and Minnie walked out.

“Men like him are all the same,” Jean smiled,”No matter what they say. Now go,”

I walked outside and into the empty hallway. I tried to keep my strides at a normal pace but, I wasn’t sure if I was doing a convincing job. I decided to slow down only to have someone run past me.

“Mr. Morrissey,”  Dakota called, slowing his run to a jog as Morrissey stopped.Minnie immediatley gave Dakota a death stare.

“Stop it, Dakota,” Minnie said, “Not tonight,”

“Sir, don’t go with her,” Dakota warned.

“What’s going on ? You two know each other ? ,” Morriesey asked

“Not really, Dakota is just mad I won’t join his ring, that’s all,” Minnie explained

“It's not just that--that bitch is with bad company--.”

“He’s referring to my brother who incidentally is no where here tonight,” Minnie explained,”Are you still upset over a little cut ?”

“Those two are never apart, she--,”

“Can we please leave Jedidiah ?,” Minnies asked,”Or I’m walking out,”

I wanted to see how this was going to end but, I was sure he was going to go with Minnie. I don't think any man in his right mind could resist her. I was sure even I'd be tempted.

-2-

I made my way up to the room and quickly punched the numbers into lock, getting it open on the first try. I  took my spot in the bathroom and fiddled to get the fletcher out and loaded. I only had two chances. I froze as I heard the door open.

 “I want you to sit  right here,” Minnie said, “I’ll be back,”

I looked up from my weapon— and to where the bed was. My view was partially obstructed by the bathroom wall but I could make out most of the room. I had a clear view of Morrissey's side and it should be easy enough. I tried to turn my brain off and numb myself to the situation but, it was impossible.

I  wondered how these bullets would look in someone’s skull.

What if I missed ?

Could I hit Minnie ?

Was the head or the heart a better target ?

I finally stopped  thinking and lifting the weapon I closed my eyes and fired a shot in the direction of his throat. The pressure pushed me back into the sink and the gun slid out of my hands.

I expected to hear flesh being punctured, loud  gags and maybe some hard breathing but, all I heard was a loud

“WHAT THE FUCK !,” from Morrissey

“I don’t---hey don’t-,” Minnie started

I heard footsteps coming my way, I opened my eyes to see  I had missed.

My shots were in the wall and Morrissey was coming towards me. Minnie took his arm and futility pulled him back but it only brought me a few more seconds to panic. Security would get me if I went out the door, what if I went out the window ? I had to think fast-- I hadn't even moved from my spot on the bathroom floor.

I heard the door swing open and  I made out the silhouettes of Dakota and the woman coming into the room.

“Damn it, I told you  ! ,” Dakota shouted, "Belle,check over there," 

Shit, Minnie had to be cornered at this point. Where the hell did the gun go of to and why can't I bring myself to move ?

I  felt water  starting to drip down my arm.

Looking over I saw a thick  stream of  blood  coming down my sleeve. I looked up my arm to see where I had been wounded only to see  a long blade piercing my shoulder pinning me to the wall. I looked up to see Belle standing a foot away from me , long razors protruding from the metallic design on her red fingernails. I hadn't even heard her come in. I tried to move but as she got closer more razors  pushed into my forehead. New streams of burgundy cascaded down my forehead, I felt blood flow over my lips and resting into my mouth. The pain was so unreal I barely felt it.

“Belle, hurry, kill the girl,” Morrisey shouted

Belle detached the razors from her nails leaving me pinned me to the wall she walked over to Minnie.

I wanted to help Minnie but, I couldn’t and Morrisey was going to get away with this. Belle would get a lighter sentence for killing Minnie than Morrisey or Dakota would.

“What the hell ?,” I heard Jean voice. I fought consciousness as I saw Jean and Sara enter the room.

Sara reacted to the situation quickly, she immediately took Belle into a head lock, Belle’s  blades attempted to dig into  Sara but, she immediately dislocated Belle’s shoulder turning her arm the opposite way and pushing her against a wall. I heard the woman scream in pain.

“Jean, Morrissey is getting away !,” Sara shouted

Jean came over to where I was and  reached for my gun,  his eyes rested on mine transfixed.

“Go !,” Sara said to him.

 Jean snapped back and grabbing  the weapon he headed out the door.

My vision cloudied as my mouth filled more with the  thick irony liquid. I knew I wasn’t going to live through this. I could feel the coldness of death on me. It was welcoming though. I could just barely hear Sara talking to someone in a threatening tone.

“Ple . . ta--,” I slurred as all the blood spilled out of my mouth.

“Minnie,” I called, summoning all my strength, I had to tell her.

She ran over to me, she appeared completely unhurt.  She wet a piece of toilet paper and sitting beside me she wiped the blood out of my mouth.

"Alan ?, What ?," she asked, I could see her eyes glossing over but she wasn't crying.

“Minnie,”  I said “ Please, make sure . . . if anything . . .    take my body to my family,okay ?,”

I saw distress and disbelief in her face but she nodded her head anyway. The pain was beginning to give way completely and a comfort was hovering over me just out of reach. She had still yet to answer. I needed an answer-- I needed to know my parents weren't going to be living on false hope forever.

"Please," I begged her.

“Of course,” she agreed.