I looked at the woman and her two bodyguards as they had their pistols trained on me and Jane.
For a moment, no one moved. Rain hammered the warehouse roof endlessly, as it was the only sound we could hear. Finch's breathing came ragged and uneven. The air was wet and thick with tension. Whoever this woman was she was probably a ranking member of this drug organization. I need to ensure she knows who hold the power in this situation now.
But that question she asked me, and her gaze. It makes me feel like I'm back in that room with Kline and Yelara. Like I'm a new two she want's to get her hands on. Which but my psychic sense isn't picking up anything bad. It least I'm not getting similar vibes like I did with Ela.
I then spoke. My voice came out cold and controlled. "Miss, I don't know who you are. But if you think I'll sell my body or my services to some dealer...." Purple eezo began to flare around me, distorting the air. My amber irises glowed purple."....then you have another thing coming."
The male bodyguard stepped forward slightly. His stance didn't shift or falter. I can confirm now without a doubt. Him and that other woman have military training. From the way their shoulders stayed loose and their weapons remained level. Their eyes trained on eyes but they stayed close to the woman sitting down.
"Mistress," he said calmly, never taking his eyes off me. "How would you like us to handle this brat?"
The woman raised a manicured hand lazily. "Relax," she said softly. "They're children."
The female guard's jaw tightened. "Children who just dismantled your perimeter teams."
She didn't finish the sentence. That's when I moved. My biotics' began to focus, and the world fractured into violet motion.
I used a Biotic Charge and I crossed the distance in a blink. I collided with the female guard before she knew what happened to her. Gravity imploded around the impact.
She flew backward like she'd been hit by a train, body folding midair before slamming into the far wall of the warehouse. Crates exploded into powder as she flew into them with with great force.
The second guard, was the first to notice, and began to lock in on me. But Jane was already on him. Right before he tried to fire. She grabbed the pistol mid-focus. Her fingers wrapped around the barrel and crushed it inward with raw her raw strength. The metal twisted like soft clay.
The mans eyes widen in shock. "What the...."
Jane stepped inside his guard and drove her knee upward into his abdomen, then pivoted and kicked him sideways, he went flying into a steel support beam. The beam rang like a church bell. He fell to the ground and didn't move.
I pivoted back toward the woman sitting down. My pistol at the ready in her face. Jane mirrored me, her gun trained on Finch and the remaining teen.
Finch's lips trembled. "Jane....hey....hey, we're cool, right?" He said with his pistol trembling in his hands before dropping it.
"Shut up, Finch," she said without looking at him. "You can wait your turn."
I looked directly at the woman who remained seated. And her composure, hadn't shifted once. Even with her guards broken across the warehouse and the others unconscious and dead. Or even with a gun pointed right in her face.
She just smiled faintly.
"You're so adorable," she said. "But you won't kill me."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what makes you so sure?" I tilted my head toward the carnage. " I believe your grunts would disagree."
The woman only smiled and sat back in her chair. "If you kill me," she said evenly, "my organization will send more. And more. And more. So you might get a few of us, but you can't get all of us. And we won't come for just you either. We'll come for everyone you've ever spoken to and their loved ones. So think carefully on what your gonna do next boy. Because I won't ask a third time, I will just take you."
She slide one long leg over the other. "How much ?"
Jane's grip tightened on her pistol. I felt the her start to feel nervous, and I felt this woman began to feel just as confident as before.
I then smirked.
"That wouldn't stop me," I said quietly. "If anything, I'd be excited."
Jane's eyes flicked toward me, startled. Before she could speak, I continued.
"The only reason I don't kill you right now is because you're beautiful. And useful."
The woman chuckled.
"Awwww. Is puberty hitting you particularly hard, darling. Don't worry I can give you plenty of woman if your such a thirsty boy. Just as long as jump , bark and bite when I say so. I could use powerful kids like you. You have so much potential. With me you can see the stars."
I lowered my pistol slightly, but my eyes went flat.
"Tempting offer. But if you make a joke like that again," I said softly, "and I'll rip those perfect nails off your fingers one by one."
Her smile didn't falter. She just rested her chin against her hand. " Aww, did I strike a nerve. I understand," she said casually. "So what do you want? Money? Weapons? Power? Even though two of those are the same thing."
"I want you to send a message."
She leaned forward slightly and eye brow raised in curiosity. "And what message is that?"
"Your little organization, can work in this city. But kids, playgrounds and schools are off limits."
Her expression shifted just a fraction. "Plus. I get a twenty percent cut," I continued. "And information on any cops, officials, or military personnel on your payroll."
Jane eyes widen in surprise from the statement. I could feel her mind reel, from what I was saying.
But I continued. "And the moment I see your people dealing to anyone under twenty," I finished, "I kill your people on sight."
The woman stared at me for two seconds. Then she laughed. Not out of mockery, but pure amusement.
"I see," she said. "So you're extorting us. You want to operate in our territory, under our infrastructure, and tax us."
"More like I'm giving you permission to exist and operate in my territory. You pay me for protection and insurance, against your problems foreign and domestic. And as long as you obey my rules we won't have any problems."
Her laughter grew brighter. "I'll have to decline, dear. There is no way I gonna let some no name boy, tell me how to run my organization. If you know what's good for you. You will beg for my forgiveness, and maybe I won't put your little girlfriend over their in one of my brothels, and you two could be some hired muscle instead." She said coldly.
I moved without warning. My hand shot forward and seized her fingers in a tight grip. She reacted instantly, but not fast enough.
Her wrist twisted in my grip trying to break free, but my fingers were locked like steel.
Her composure finally cracked.
"Let go of...."
I ripped one of her fingernails clean off. With a quickness The sound was small, but the scream wasn't.
Jane and the others flinched.
Blood ran down the woman's hand, mixing with rainwater dripping from my sleeve.
"What's your name?" I asked calmly. My face cold and expressionless.
"Miro," she hissed through clenched teeth. "You little—"
I tore off another nail. She screamed as her body jerked from her seat to the ground. "If I were you," I said evenly, "I'd listen very carefully if I, Mistress Miro."
I forced her down to her knees, her bloody hand still trapped in mine. But for some reason he trembling and face seamed off. My psychic sense picked up something weird, but familiar. I couldn't figure it out but I kept pushing.
"First. You don't ever threaten my friends. Now listen closely. I will ensure your distribution runs smoothly in this city," I continued. " As long as you stay away from kids, and you give me my cut. And if you provide me with intel."
I leaned closer.
"I eliminate your competitors and enemies. I will create stability for this area. But I get a seat at the table. Even I will never appear at the meetings."
She was breathing harder now. Her body trembling "Stop," she said tightly. " Please stop and we'll talk."
I paused.
"That's all you had to say."
I released her hand. Her blood dripped onto the warehouse floor. I activated my omni-tool and projected a private channel. "Here's how you reach me. When you're ready to do business, you send a message."
I then pulled a handkerchief from my hoodie pocket and tossed it toward her. She stared at it for a moment before taking it and pressing it against her injured fingers.
Despite what I knew must be great pain, she smiled. "I don't know what to think of you," she said softly. "But you've certainly made an impression."
Her eyes sharpened. "I have one question. How do I know you can deliver? This was impressive for two children. But you won't always be lucky."
I turned toward the exit.
"Send me the nearest rival organization," I said over my shoulder. " Their leadership structure. Personnel , and locations."
I glanced back at her. " When I eliminate them. That will be your proof."
She smirked and activated her omni-tool.
"We shall see if you can back up your big talk. And if you keep your word," she added, "I will consider working within your… parameters."
"We shall see then."
She tilted her head. "What may I call you?"
I considered for half a second.
" Call me. Ghost."
I turned to Jane. "Are you going to end this, or do I need to?"
Janes hand trembled slightly around the gun. Finch's voice cracked. "Jane....come on....we've known each other forever. Were cool, I can work with you."
She stared at him, her eyes narrowing as a cold fury began to rise in her. "Was it cool when you threatened my home and my friends?" she asked quietly. "Was it cool when you said we didn't join, we basically be dead?"
Finch swallowed hard.
I looked at Miro. "Do you need him?"
She dabbed her hand calmly. "He was to be a distributor, he had a bunch of ideas. Now he's nothing since I will be working with you. Do as you please with him."
Finch's face drained of color. Before he could speak. Jane fired three times.
His body jerked backward and collapsed. The remaining teen stared in horror. Jane turned the gun on him. "Tell anyone who's thinking about messing with us," she said, voice steady now, "to think again."
He nodded frantically and bolted out into the rain.
Jane dropped the pistol. Then she walked outside into the rain. I followed quietly. Behind me, Miro's voice drifted through the warehouse.
"I do hope you prove useful, Ghost," she called lightly. "Or I'll make you pay for my nails a hundred times over. I just had them done."
I didn't respond. I just kept walking. Outside, the rain was still heavy as before with no signs of stopping.
Jane stood still, staring into nothing. Then she bent and vomited against the side of the warehouse.
I waited. I wasn't surprised to see her have that reaction. She just killed a person. I looked down at my hands and wondered why I didn't feel the same way. I never killed anyone before in my past life. I just have the military training, but when I killed these people. I felt absolutely nothing.
No Joy, sadness, thrill or pain. Just emptiness. I wonder if this is due to my body. Maybe a cause from how I was made. Or because of everything I been through. I find it harder and harder to feel things these days.
But right now I have bigger concerns. I can figure them out later.
When Jane finished, she wiped her mouth and looked at me. "I thought we came here to end them," she said hoarsely. "Not join them."
"We ended Finch's gang," I replied. " Which was the main plan. We also met the suppliers which is a good bonus and made a good impression."
I pulled my hood up.
"Listen Jane. We can't eliminate crime with just the two of us," I said calmly. " We don't have enough power, influence or resources. Not to mention that's not how things work. We can kill every gang banger and two bit thug for years, but more will just take their place."
"Then what what's the point. What can we do?" She asked.
"We can control its reach around us. They have power money, resources, and more. We use them."
"I don't like them," she said.
"Neither do I," I answered. " But for right now they're useful. When we're stronger, we cut them off and end them, when they try to eliminate us."
Her eyes narrowed. "How do you know?"
"I have a feeling. Let's just call it that."
I stepped back and looked to the city lights in the distance.
"Jane go home, and check on everyone. I'm gonna head to the air port. I'll message you and Victoria before I get on the plan and when I land."
Jane nodded once. "Be safe, and thank you."
I nodded and then we ran a full speed in opposite directions.
At the airport, I just bored the plan, and I sent a message to caged_bird, as I sat in my seat. "I'll be there in a few hours. Send me a Location. How I'll recognize you?"
A reply came quickly.
"Here is an address for a coffee shop."
"I'm not sending any pictures, I still don't trust you completely" she wrote.
She is smart, I will give her that. I sent a picture instead. Victoria had taken it weeks ago when I wasn't paying attention. It was actually a good picture.
"This is me."
There was a pause. "You didn't need to do that. Let me know when you are ten minutes away."
"Okay."
I leaned back in the terminal seat and closed my eyes. For a moment ready to relax.
In a five-star hotel suite across the city, Miro sat in a leather chair with her injured hand wrapped in. Her two body guards stepping outside.
She was on her omni-tool speaking to someone. "Doctor," she said smoothly. "The subject is more powerful than anything I've seen. Even compared to a biotic under our strongest enhancements. You really outdid yourself with this one. I will say not even Lawson child compares."
A woman's voice replied through encrypted transmission.
"I know, Miro. I do apologize for your nails, love. I'll make it up to you."
Miro laughed softly. "Don't worry. Pain is still my pleasure. Besides… he's definitely your child. Not just in looks," Miro continued. " But the same cold efficiency, and brutality, it was like I was looking at a mini version of you."
Silence on the other end.
"How is your condition?" the woman asked instead.
"Manageable. No new symptoms beyond what we discussed since I started taking the medicine."
"Good. Let me know if that changes so I can increase dosage if needed."
The transmission ended abruptly
In a room, the woman lowered her omni-tool. Doctor Veronica Kline sighed. "Masochistic bitch," she muttered under her breath. "I hate dealing these Neo Yakuza lords."
A male voice called from the adjoining room.
"You okay, Veronica?"
She straightened, smoothing down her dress. Her Cocoa-brown skin glowing under warm lights. Amber eyes calm. And her face recomposed to a calm controlled one.
"Yes, David," she replied smoothly. "Just a work call. I'm ready now."
She checked her reflection one last time. Perfect. A long navy blue dress that hung to her body perfectly. Her curly hair put into a tight bun and, her subtle lips gloss and shinning.
"Come on David. We don't want to be late for the ball. Your crew will want to get some drinks in before the ceremony begins."
Kline smirk and turned off the light to the room and walked out.