Jonathan Bond - The Terminus experiment

De Vries sighed, but Rachel didn’t think he looked especially surprised. “I thought you might say that, but I had to ask. I know you’ve got your plate pretty full right now. I could probably convince you that this situation is big enough to warrant you leaving off whatever else you’re doing and help us, but I wont put you in that position. Still, I thank you for coming down on such short notice.”

Wolf’s smile faded completely for the first time since Rachel had entered the room, and a look of infinite sadness crept into those deadly eyes. “Of course, Martin. It’s been too long, and I know you wouldn’t have called if the situation weren’t dire. I simply don’t have the resources to back your play right now. After what happened to Kid Stealth, we’ve been up to our neck in this thing.”

De Vries nodded. “Will he pull through?”

Wolf smiled again, but now it was a tight thing, one just barely holding back the anger. “Yes. But it’s put us in a very awkward situation, and Raven’s out for blood.”

De Vries stood, in a swift motion that made Rachel wince involuntarily, but that seemed to have no effect on Wolf. The two shook hands, and she got the feeling they had once been very close.

“My friend,” said Wolf softly, “don’t let it be so long next time. The rest of us age a lot faster than you do.”

De Yries laughed. “If I live through this, I promise we’ll head to the country and do some night hunting. Swear.”

Wolf held de Vries’ grip for a moment more, then dropped his hand and began to limp to the door. At the door he turned, as if he’d just remembered something. “The least I can do is arrange safe transport through Hell’s Kitchen for you. We don’t want things to go south on you before you even get to where you’re going.”

De Vries nodded without saying anything.

Wolf smiled, and pulled a card out of his jacket. “Call this number when you’re ready to go in. Use my name and you won’t have any problems.”

“Goodbye, my friend.”

“Goodbye.” Wolf turned his gaze to Rachel again, and gave her a brief, sad smile. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Rachel. What you’re up against isn’t going to be pretty, but trust Martin. He knows what he’s doing, and despite how he looks, he really is one of the good guys.”

Rachel watched silently as the man left, feeling as if she’d understood only about a quarter of what had just transpired.

De Vries turned back to the room and smiled, but unlike Wolf’s good-natured grin, the vampire’s made her shiver. “Well, I wasn’t actually expecting his help, but it never hurts to ask. How did things go on your end?”

Rachel pulled a smoke out of her bag, and lit it. She checked the clock on the trid rig. “Flak’ll be here in about an hour. He and his friends will hear you out, then decide.”

De Vries’ smile grew even wider. “Excellent.”

Raul Pakow pulled the needle from Warren D’imato’s arm and set it on the small metal tray. Warren looked op at him, dazed. He’d come to in the operating theater, where Pakow was carrying out various preparatory procedures. Pakow was trying to tell him quickly what was going on.

“Which piece did you buy?” Warren asked.

“I purchased ‘Past Battles’ at a show of your work a year or so ago. Down in the 11 District.”

Warren’s look of confusion turned to one of distant pleasure. He was about to speak but Pakow cut him off. “That piece of stone is the only thing keeping you alive right now. Like I said, the man who owns this place has plans for you that you couldn’t imagine in your worst nightmares. I was blind for awhile, but not anymore. Now. I know I’ve got to try and stop this madness, but if Wake were to find out what I’ve done, there’s no telling what might happen. I’ve put my whole family at risk trying to help you. Something’s happened to him, and it gets worse everyday. He was always strange, but now he seems downright certifiable.”

Pakow looked down at Warren, whose eyes had become unfocused. “You rest now. Someone should be coming soon to help you. I make no promises, but I’ll do what I can to get you out of here.”

Pakow put the protective straps back in place, then went over to the deck on the console. Jacking into the Matrix, he followed a series of maneuvers he’d been using for almost four months, and found himself in a small drop box.

As quickly as he could, he left a message. I’ve bought us some more time, but not much. You must pick up the package within forty-eight hours, or else it will be spoiled.

Pakow didn’t bother putting a name to the message. He knew that de Vries would figure it out. Jacking out, he took one last look at Warren D’imato, and shuddered. He hoped the vampire hunter was as good as his word, because he suddenly felt as if he’d put all of his chips into one slot, and if that slot didn’t hold, he wouldn’t survive.

Rachel paced her way around the living room for what seemed the thousandth time. Then she walked over to the now-overflowing ashtray and stubbed out her cigarette with a fierce jabbing motion.

Seated on the blue futon, de Vries reached into his duster and pulled out his pack of Platinum Selects, Rachel had run out of smokes almost thirty minutes ago, and they had fallen into a pattern. She would pace, gulping coffee and smoking until she’d finished her cigarette, at which time de Vries, without being asked, would give her another. Then the process would repeat while he himself continued to chain-smoke.

“If you don’t mind my saying so, Rachel, if you have one more cup of coffee, I think your head might explode. That is, if your lungs don’t collapse first.”

Rachel turned to him angrily. “I do mind,” She took a deep drag of her cigarette.

De Vries laughed. “Well, it’s nice to see that you no longer have any fear of me. But you might want to consider being more polite. After all, I’m the one doing you a favor.”

There was a small beep, and De Vries looked at his wrist-phone. “If you’ll excuse me for a moment.” He answered the call. Rachel watched him talk quietly, expecting bad news, but suddenly his face brightened. “That is good news. You’re sure of the origin of the message? Excellent.”

He disconnected, and looked up at Rachel with a small smile. “It would appear that we’ve been given a little more time than I’d originally thought. Still, it isn’t as much as I’d have liked.”

Rachel turned toward the door again, and her frustration boiled to the surface. “Where in the hell are they? They should have been here already.”

She turned to look at de Vries, who had a faraway look in his eyes. “Your friends are very close, my dear. Very close, indeed. In fact, I’m quite impressed.”