anything else you want to. As long as I don't see you for two
weeks, either here or at the Pit, I don't care what you do."
He'd sighed, and after a half hearted argument, given in,
and promised to go visit his family in the United States. Just to
make sure he didn't try and take his work with him, she'd changed
the passwords in the security system the night before he left.
<At least someone who works around here will get some rest
and relaxation,> she mused. Her computer beeped, and she sat
down and looked at the screen in puzzlement. <Not again! > The
screen was flashing in small, neat letters MATCH NOT FOUND.
<Enough of doing it the official way. Let's do it Nene's
way.> She exited the network, and stood up, taking the
opportunity to stretch. She then went to the office door and
closed it. After locking the door, she went and knelt down next
to a cabinet under the table that held the coffee maker. She
unlocked the cabinet, and removed a large box from the shelf
inside. She relocked the cabinet, and carried the box back to her
desk.
Inside the box, there were a set of VR goggles, an interface
module, and a pair of VR gloves. She took them out, placed the
box on the floor next to her and started setting up the
equipment.
Use of VR technology at the ADP was discouraged - it was a
matter of money, wasted time, and the bosses not wanting their
people spending their working time in cyberspace doing heaven
knows what. As the senior Computer Security Officer, Nene was
grudgly allowed more freedom to use the equipment in her role of
keeping the ADP computer network secure. But she still couldn't
use the equipment with a free hand.
After she was finished setting up, she entered the network
and started hacking into the system. Her icon, a clown faced BU-
55, formed on the edge of ADP's system and flew into the net.
She quickly slipped into the MegaTokyo central computer
system through a back door, and began searching. She glided
deeper into the system, easily avoiding the security programs.
After thirty minutes of investigating the main system, she found
that someone had beaten her to Natalia's records and thoroughly
erased them. Nothing but isolated bits remained.
She then moved into the GENOM personnel system. Security was
tighter than on the main network, but not a problem for someone
as experienced as Nene. There were no records in the personnel
directory for Natalia Korsgaard, so Nene expanded her search
profile. After ten minutes, she found an unattached file in the
purge subsystem, and opened it.
As soon as she saw the words KORSGAARD, NATALIA, she knew
she'd found what she'd been looking for. Moving quickly, she
downloaded a copy of the file onto a disk, and began to erase all
traces of her intrusion. Just as she cleared the purge subsystem,
her computer beeped a warning.
<Damn! There must have been a silent alarm on that file,
and now someone's tracking me!> Nene's icon replicated itself,
and went in multiple directions, trying to lose her tracker.
That didn't work. The opponent, in the form of several BU-12B
icons bore in on her icon.
She released several decoy programs to try and confuse the
other netrunner, with no success. Whoever was tracking her, they
were very good, too good to be a simple netrunner. <GENOM
computer security, no doubt.> Someone was doing their best to
eliminate Natalia Korsgaard's existence, someone with skill and
power.
No good. She couldn't lose the person who was tracking her.
In the attempt to escape, she was leaving a trail that an average
netrunner could follow, and this person was far above average.
In a final, desperate move, she called up the flare program
that several crackers of her Boomer Cracker group had developed.
She didn't want to use it, but unless she did something quick to
lose this person, they would trace her back to ADP, and that
would be trouble.
She released the program, and ran straight for home. After
several seconds, she turned to look. The BU-12Bs was still
stumbling around, but it wouldn't for long.
Nene came out of the system like a diver breaking the
surface for air. She took several deep breaths, then hit the
power switch on her computer, and the screen went blank.
She leaned back in her chair, and glared at the screen.
<Damn Damn damn! That SOB traced me as far as the ADP computer
system! I hope they didn't trace it any farther!>
The phone rang twice before Nene picked it up. "ADP Computer
Security Office, Sergeant Romanova speaking."
/This is GENOM Computer Security,/ said a cultured female
voice. /My name is Mrs. Landings, and I'm the Security Officer on
duty./
"How can I help you, Mrs. Landings?" asked Nene cheerfully.
<Uh-oh, this isn't good.>
/We've just had an attempted breach of GENOM computer
security. We lost track of the intruder, but we managed to trace
them as far as the ADP computer system. Under the circumstances,
I am calling you to inform you of the attempt, and suggest you
check your system for any intruders./
"I sure will. Can you give me any idea what the Intruder was
after?"
/I'm afraid not. That is something you do not need to know
to do your job./
<That hit a nerve.> "In that case, can you give me any more
information?"
/Only that we are very interested in capturing and
prosecuting the intruder./
<With a bullet through the head, no doubt.> "I'll see what
I can do, but it's going to take some time."
/If you can speed up your investigation, it would be greatly
appreciated./
"I'll do my best, but half the computer security office is
currently on vacation."
There was silence for several seconds, then Landings said,
/I will contact you tomorrow. Good-bye, Sargent./
Nene looked at the receiver, and shrugged. <It looks like
Natalia Korsgaard has some powerful enemies. I better call
Sylia.>
********** ********** **********
Sylia's Apartment
April 10, 2036
10:08am
"I understand, Nene. Under those conditions, you did the
right thing. I'll talk to you later. Good-bye."
"What was that about?" asked Priss, as she emerged from the
bathroom. She was wearing Mackie's bathrobe and a towel over her
damp hair.
"That was Nene," replied Sylia, replacing the receiver. "It
looks like there's more to our house guest then at first glance."
"What?"
"Someone has tried to destroyed all records of her existence
on the computer system. She also has GENOM interested in her."
"Shit."
"Is she still sleeping?"
"She was when I checked on her before my shower."
"I think it's time we woke her up, and got some answers to
several questions."
Priss nodded. "Let me get dressed first."
After Priss disappeared into the spare bedroom, Sylia went
over to the window and stared out into the city. She was standing
there when she heard a knock at her front door. She glanced at
the clock, and frowned. <That must be Linna. She said she would
be by to discuss some modifications to her hardsuit about this
time.>
When she opened the door, Linna bounced into the apartment.
"Ready to listen?" she asked brightly.
"Something's come up," said Sylia slowly. "I tried to get
hold of you earlier, but you had already left. We have a guest."
The smile faded, and Linna became sober. "What happened?"
Sylia quickly outlined the last six hours, and Linna
listened. When Sylia mentioned the name of the guest, Linna was
startled.
"Natalia Korsgaard?" she asked. "She's in her mid twenties,
tall, slim, very pretty, with long blond hair, and blue green
eyes?"
"Yes. You know her?"
"She and I worked in the same aerobics club about three
years ago." She pursed her lips in thought. "Haven't seen her in
over two years. Last I heard, she'd gotten a job over at GENOM
Tower."
Sylia nodded. "It looks like GENOM tried to kill her last
night." She told Linna about Nene's call.
"She's all right, isn't she?" asked Linna, looking uneasy.
"She seems to be fine, but the blouse she was wearing was
covered in blood. She was also hysterical, and kept taking about
Holy Ground. Did she have religious beliefs when you knew her?"
Linna shook her head. "She didn't express any views to me
one way or the other. Come to think of it, she never did tell me
much about herself. Always stayed to herself when she wasn't
working. She didn't have any close friends, and she never knew
her parents - she was an abandoned baby."
"We were just about to talk to her. I think she could use a
friendly face about now."
By the time they entered the living room, Natalia was curled
up on the couch, sipping coffee, looking worn and confused in an
old white bathrobe. Priss was draped across a chair, reading the
morning newspaper. When Natalia looked up and saw Linna, she
smiled tiredly at her.
Linna went over and sat down next to Natalia. "How are you
feeling, Natalia?"
"Linna?" Natalia tenatively reached out and touched Linna's
arm. "Is that really you?"
Linna gently took Natalia's hand in both of hers, and looked
into the scared woman's eyes. "It's me."
Natalia carefully put her coffee cup down, then threw her
arms around Linna. She started crying softly into the dark haired
girl's shoulder. Linna looked up at Sylia, who just stood there
and watched the scene in silence. Priss shook the newspaper
noisily to show her displeasure.
After a minute, Natalia broke the embrace and leaned back.
She wiped at her eyes to clear them of tears. "I-I'm sorry," she
stammered. "I'm being a crybaby."
Linna smiled to reassure her. "Why don't you tell me what
happened last night?"
Natalia took a deep breath, held it, then nodded. "All
right." She started to speak slowly. "About two years ago, I got
a job with GENOM, as a secretary."
"I remember. You were happy when you told me the news."
The blonde gave her a small smile, and nodded. "I was,
wasn't I? Anyway, I worked hard, and quickly gained a reputation
as a model secretary. Six months ago, I got the job as Raymond
Tarson's Personal Assistant."
"Tarson?" asked Priss, looking up from the paper. "The
special assistant to Quincy?"
"The same. For me, it was a dream come true. I was making
four times as much money as when I was an aerobics instructor,
and I was doing a job I loved."
"But what happened?"
"Last night, I left at my usual time, around six in the
evening. I'd made it all the way down to the parking lot when I
realized that I'd left my keys in my desk drawer. So I went back
up get them."
She picked up her coffee cup and sipped from it. "When I got
back to my desk, I heard voices coming from Mr. Tarson's office."
Her voice was becoming smoother and more coherent now. "I move
nearer the door, and listened to the conversation."
"Who was with Mr. Tarson?" asked Sylia quietly, watching
Natalia carefully.
"Miss Georgia Dukane, Tarson's personal assistant. Mr.
Victor Marx, whose the head of Hericana Electronics, and Mr.
Graves."
"What does Graves do?" asked Priss.
Natalia shook her head. "I don't know. He's not a pleasant
man, and his eyes...." She shuddered.
"We can go back to Mr. Graves later," said Sylia soothingly.
"What were they discussing in the office?"
"Something that Mr. Marx was manufacturing for Tarson. I
don't know what the item is, because they always referred to it
as "the package." Whatever it is, I don't think GENOM has any
idea that it's being made right under their noses."
"Anything else?" asked Linna.
"Tarson made several references to something called
`Operation Iakovos', and stressed to the others that Quincy and
Faust had eyes everywhere. Before I could find out more, Graves
came out of the office and grabbed me."
"What happened next?" asked Sylia.
"He grabbed me by the throat and started to strangle me.
Tarson came out of the office, and stopped him, telling him that
this wasn't a good place to leave a body. Graves relaxed his
hold, then he hit me, and I blacked out."
Natalia stared into her now empty coffee cup. "When I woke
up, I was in a car with Tarson, Graves, and two bodyguards. We
drove out into the area when Priss found me. The car stopped...I
was hauled out and...and...Tarson shot me." The last three words
were a whisper.
"He couldn't have," said Priss suspiciously. "You're not
even marked."
In a blink of an eye, Natalia's soft features took on a
hardness and anger. "That Bastard s-shot me four times!" she
screamed at Priss. "I felt each shot that hit me! He killed me!"
Linna gripped her friend's shoulders firmly. "Calm down,
Natalia," she said determinedly. "Screaming at Priss isn't going
to help anything."
Natalia slumped. "You're right. I'm sorry. It's just been
the last twelve hours have been a nightmare. I must have blacked
out again." She put down her cup. "After Tarson shot me, it all
gets confusing. Jason, people fighting with swords, a strange
feeling...." She trailed off and looked at the others, who were
staring at her in puzzlement. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Who's Jason?" asked Linna.
"Oh. I should tell you, but I'm not sure it really
happened." She looked down at a ring on her hand. "Or maybe it
did."
"What?"
"When I woke up this time, there was a man squatting next to
me, with a sword laying across his knees. I remember screaming
something at him about killing me, but he told me his name was
Jason, said he was a friend, and he was here to help me."
Priss snorted. "I doubt it."
"Enough, Priss," said Sylia. "Please continue."
Natalia nodded. "I believe him too. But just then, I felt
something...it's hard to describe...sort of like being too near
electrical equipment, or something like that. Jason felt it too,
and he told me to get out of the area."
"What else did he say?"
"He told me to find someplace where there were people. If I
couldn't find such a place, I was to find a church, or a grave-
yard, or any Holy Ground. Wherever I found myself, I wasn't to
leave it unless he came and got me. Finally, he gave me this
ring." She held up her hand to show the ring. "And told me not to
take it off until after he found me."
"May I?" asked Sylia, taking Natalia's hand and looking
closely at the dark gray stone that set in the ring. She ran a
fingernail along the edge of the stone until she felt a slight
depression.
"Find something, Sylia?" asked Linna curiously.
"I don't know. Natalia. could you please take off the ring?"
Natalia slipped the ring off and handed it to Sylia. Sylia
looked closely at it. "There's more here then a simple ring."
"Tracking device?" asked Priss, suddenly alert.
"Probably." Sylia looked at Natalia. "Did someone else show
up?"
Natalia nodded. "I didn't see him, but I heard him speak to
Jason. Then I heard them fighting."
"What type of fighting?" asked Linna.
"They were using swords."
"Swords?"
Sylia glanced at Priss, who stared back at her. Each had the
same thought, each remembering Priss's words about hearing
something like a swordfight when she found Natalia. This entire
situation was getting stranger by the minute.
"I know Jason had a sword," said Natalia, not noticing the
exchange between Priss and Sylia. "And I'm pretty sure the other
guy had a sword too."
"Two guys fighting with swords at five O'clock in the
morning?" asked Linna doubtfully.
Natalia sighed. "The last twelve hours of my life don't make
any more sense to me then they do to you. My boss shoots me four
times and leaves me for dead. I wake up and find a guy next to me
with a sword who said he's a friend. Then another guy shows up
and I have to run away. Tell me that all makes sense, I dare you
to."
There was silence in the apartment for a moment, then Sylia
said calmly, "I think we should move Natalia somewhere else.
There's too many unknown players right now for my taste. Priss,
take Natalia to your trailer and keep an eye on her for now."
Priss nodded glumly. "How long?"
"A couple of days at least."
"I'll need some clothes," said Natalia.
"I can go buy you some," said Linna. She turned to look at
Sylia. "We stay away from Natalia apartment, right?"
Sylia nodded. "I'll get you some cash for the clothes. Then,
I'll contact Fargo and have him dig around for any dirt on
Tarson."
********** ********** **********
Unknown Location
MegaTokyo, Japan
April 10, 2036
10:54am
Hunter One looked up to see Jager One slipped quietly into
her office. He looked worn and tense for some reason. Something
had disturbed him, and something told her she wasn't going to
like the reason.
She paused the work she was doing on the computer, folded
her hands on top of her desk, and looked up at him. "What is it?"
she asked mildly.
"We have reports that two more Immortals have come into the
city early today."
"Who?"
"Duncan Macleod and Amanda."
"When?" she asked slowly, a chill running down her back.
Macleod was a legend among the Watchers, and an unspoken terror
among the Hunters. The Highlander had been the force behind the
destruction of the first Hunters, those led by the visionary
Horton. Amanda was less of a danger, but she was one of them, and
not to be taken lightly.
"Early this morning. Came over on a flight from Seacover and
checked into the MegaTokyo Grand before eight."
Hunter One nodded. "How many people can we spare to keep
track of them?"
"I can spare a team of four. Any more, and our other
operations will be impaired."
"Assign the team. Also, I want both Greyhound and Bloodhound
teams are on standby."
"You want to eliminate them?"
"If the chance arises, yes."
"Do you think Storm called them in?"
"Possible," the woman replied, unfolding her hands, and
leaning back in her chair. "Storm is a loner. There are few
people, Immortal or otherwise, he trusts. Macleod might be one of
them. Speaking of which, any sign of Storm yet?"
"No. He probably went to ground."
Hunter One shook her head. "He'll hide only long enough to
regroup, then he'll come after us."
Jager One snorted. "If he finds us."
"I keep telling you don't underestimate Storm. He's spent
more time fighting in elite units then you and I have spent
breathing. Working in the shadows is something he's use to
doing." Her voice took on a sharper tone. "The sooner you realize
that, the better off you will be. Jason Storm is a danger to us,
and will be until he is eliminated."
The man nodded slowly. "Can I ask you a personal question?"
She stared at him. "What?"
"I've known you for over a year," he said carefully. "I seen
you supervise several successful operations against Immortals
with no break in you demeanor. But when Storm's name comes up,
you become...." He trailed away, unable to find the right word.
"Obsessive?" she asked.
"Emotional. You also know a lot about him."
She took a deep breath. "I have personal reason for seeing
Storm dead," she said flatly. "Reasons that you don't need to
know about."
"Who's letting their emotions clouding their reason this
time?"
She leaned forward and glared at him. "Get out."
He turned and opened the door. "Don't let him drag you
under, Magdalena," he said, not looking at her. "If you allow him
to so, he's won."