Chapter 20: 20

'So Cas, what's the plan then?' Ronson sat next to Krieger at the bar in Hideki's, waiting for their crew mates to arrive. They had returned from their meeting with the Galaxy Police the night before and had spent that morning just doing local courier jobs as the next few days would be busy; with a few off planet cargo pick ups and drops. But it would take a while and it gave Krieger and Ronson time to think about the proposition they were offered and gave the higher ups in the Galaxy Police time to fester over their counter offer.

'Ugh I don't wanna think about it.' Krieger mumbled in to her pint. 'Summat tells me taking on that job is the worst idea ever in the history of worst ideas.'

'I'm with you on that. I mean...' Ronson paused as he tried to put what he was thinking in to words. 'How do you even, kill a guy like that and get away from his cult people?'

'Fucked if I know.' Krieger gulped down some of her pint.

The door in to Hideki's rattled as someone pulled it open. Everyone in the entire bar spun their heads round and laid their hands on their weapons, ready for a quick draw in case it was someone after them. Most of the patrons released their grips on their guns and went back to drinking and their conversations; but a few lingered as they stared at the person walking in. It was Daisuke Akiyama. He strolled over to the bar where Sho had just poured him a pint of Kirin, grabbed the glass and made his way over to the table where Krieger and Ronson were sat.

'Krieger. Ronson.' He nodded his head at them then at a free seat, requesting he could sit. Ronson gestured for him to join them.

'How goes it Akiyama? Keiko not with you tonight?' Krieger asked him as she carried on with her own pint.

'It goes. And no, she's at the restaurant but she might be out later.'

'I get the feeling this isn't just a social visit?' Ronson asked the hitman. He nodded before talking.

'I wanted to ask, have the Galaxy Police been in touch with you regarding... a certain eco-terrorist?' He dropped the volume of his voice a touch when he asked.

'They have.' Ronson replied.

'Have you taken them up on their offer?' Akiyama continued his questioning.

'No. Not yet anyway. We told them we wanted more just waiting to see if they come back with a counter offer.' Krieger added.

'Let me give you some advice.' Akiyama started, looking a bit more serious than usual. Which must have been difficult as this guy looked continuously serious anyway. 'Don't take the offer, it's the worst idea ever.'

'Hmm that's what we said.' Ronson replied.

'Trust me on this one. The Galaxy Police and even the EMA have been trying to take this guy out for years and nobody has even come close. They're going through their roster of hitmen till they finally get the job done.' Akiyama said.

'Did they offer you the job?' Krieger said as she downed the rest of her pint, letting out a rather significant burp before signalling to Hideki over at the bar for a pitcher.

'They did. I turned it down.'

Krieger furrowed her eyebrows at Ronson then glared at Akiyama.

'You turned that amount of money down?'

'Hey, I'm good. I'm really fucking good. But that amount of money isn't worth loosing my life over.'

Krieger and Ronson watched Akiyama as he gulped his drink.

'Besides, I did my research.' Akiyama paused briefly to drink his beer. 'There's something seriously up with this guy and his minions. Not because he's a terrorist or the leader of a cult-like group, but something else and I couldn't quite figure it out.'

'Was your info solid?' Krieger asked.

'Absolutely. My own recon and deets from trusted sources.'

Ronson poured them all fresh beer from the pitcher Sho had just sent over with Viv and requested a few sides of gyoza for snacking on.

'What else do you know?' Krieger questioned. Akiyama made himself a bit more comfortable before he started dishing out more information.

'His immediate crew are no joke. He has a few near full bodied cyborgs with him most of the time, plus he has a small but experienced team of gearheads keeping an eye on everything for him.'

Krieger and Ronson simultaneously eye rolled at the mention of gearheads. They were the people who upgraded their bodies with cybernetics solely for the purpose of hacking anything, everything, anyone and everyone. Experienced and talented gearheads could easily take control over anyone who had undergone cranial cyberization, such as a neuralmod but could also hack other augmented parts. Both Krieger and Ronson absolutely did not like the idea of some stranger hacking their defences and having a poke around inside their heads.

'So airgapping is a must then.' Ronson sighed. He and Krieger hated airgapping; closing off their neuralmods wireless connection to everything like cyber comms, the net and even their own holowatches that were practically useless without a link to a neural mod, unless they were neuralmod link free which were a thing; but rarely used these days.

'Is that everything you can tell us dude?' Ronson asked Akiyama. 'I mean really everything?'

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'That's about all I know. The guy's like the Pope. He barely goes anywhere off his own planet without taking his best guards with him but for some reason for his next trip, he wants third party assistance. If you do take the job...' Akiyama downed the rest of his pint before standing up to leave. 'You watch your backs. Don't say I didn't warn you.'

'Thanks man.' Krieger said. 'We'll see what happens.'

'Be seeing you guys.'

'Be seein' you.'

Krieger and Ronson watched as Akiyama left Hideki's bar, pulling the hood of his cloak up over his head.

'Hm so what do you make of that then?' Ronson asked his friend slightly concerned now after what Akiyama had said. 'I mean, that does not sound like our thing at all.'

'No you're right, it doesn't. While the money is tempting, I quite like being alive.' Krieger replied as she refilled her glass from the pitcher which was now getting close to being empty, she then signalled over to Viv who was busy tending a few customers at other tables.

'I think we should turn it down to be honest.' Ronson announced.

'Same, actually. Let them get back to us first though see what they say about our counter offer, then turn the cunts down.' Krieger said. They both nodded at each other in agreement the bumped their fists together just as Viv got to their table.

'Another pitcher guys?' She beamed as she spoke. 'Your food should be ready soon too.'

'Thanks Viv, you're a star.' Ronson thanked the waitress.'

'So are the rest of your crew in tonight?' Viv questioned as she picked up the now empty pitcher and pint glasses.

'Yeah they should be. In fact, just wondering where they all are actually.' Said Krieger. 'It's not like them to turn down me paying for their beer and grub.' She cackled.

'Speaking of, I'll get that refill.' Viv smiled as she held up the empty pitcher and took it over to the bar for Hideki to fill up. She brought it back over then was instantly summoned again over to the serving hatch by Sho shouting "order up!" Viv soon come hurrying back with a large tray carrying two bowls of pork ramen and side dishes of gyoza and chicken yakitori. Krieger and Ronson dove in immediately.

Some time had passed and Hideki's was getting increasingly busier. The bar's other waitress Yui had started her shift and was busy helping Viv out clear a large table of glasses and plates when Michael finally walked in, unfazed by everyone reaching for their nearest weapon. He casually strolled over to Krieger and Ronson who were busy finishing their third pitcher of the evening so far and the remaining gyoza. The pair of them however noticed that Viv had a look of longing in her eyes as Michael walked through the bar.

'Jesus Christ Mikey you took your time!' Krieger cackled at him he pulled up a seat.

'Hey knowing you two you probably turned up way too early.' Michael retorted with a grin. He was one hundred percent right and Krieger or Ronson weren't going to argue with him.

'Hey, what can I get you Michael?' It was Viv who had wandered over as Mikey had sat down. She had a small notebook out ready to take his order. Funny though considering orders could probably be put through via a holowatch or neuralmod but good old fashioned pen and paper was how it was done in Hideki's.

'Hey Viv, um what's the special tonight?'

'Oh, Sho's decided to bring back the Torikotsu ramen he did a while ago. It was pretty popular.'

'Sweet! I'll have a large bowl please.'

'Sure thing. I bring you a fresh pitcher too.' Viv said. She was saying it to everyone but her eyes were solely on Michael. She quickly bounded off again to get more beer and give Sho his order. Krieger and Ronson however cornered Michael and leered at him.

'Dude, you know Viv's totally in to you?' Ronson whispered.

'Yeah man you should ask her out.' Krieger added.

'She's super cute too.'

'You'd look totally awesome together.'

Michael sat with his mouth open for a second or two. It hadn't dawned on him at all.

'I thought she was being super nice and friendly with me because I always leave her huge tips.'

Krieger and Ronson glanced at each other briefly before looking back at Michael. They could both agree that the boy was utterly clueless.

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