Chapter 25
Tyrol had his comm clenched in his fist so tight he could hear the frame cracking. “Dammit!” He threw the comm at the wall and screamed out as it shattered into pieces. “Cyan, get the hell in here!”
His assistant of many years rushed into his study, closing the door gently behind her. “Yes Tyrol,” she replied, looking at the rage in his face. She hadn’t seen him like this before, “what can I do.”
“Get hold of Xan, get my car, and make sure I have an escort this time.”
“Problems?”
“Just some rodents that won’t bugger off and die,” he replied, his voice no less tense than when she’d entered the room.
“Perhaps I can arrange for a massage later, a few of your regular girls?”
“Yeah, sure, whatever,” he waved her away as he sat in his chair and brought up his display holo. Cyan left the room and closed the doors gently again.
Tyrol brought up the records of the last few years of trading with Gen-Con. It was a front he was using for importing and exporting contraband, much of which was distributed by the Autohacking runners. So much of that seemed to be irrelevant now. A short while ago this was his main business, his passion, but since Xan opened his eyes to the greater goal of the Ordained, his previous activities were akin to watching scurrying mice moving worthless trinkets from place to place.
No, his objective was greater now. He was going to bring this Biotronics tech to the Ordained. This would be his claim to rightful membership, and would secure his future amongst the elite of the elite. He scanned through page after page before stopping on an export record. “Cheeky bugger,” he said out loud to no one in particular. On the screen was a summary payment from a Peter Soliste. There was no way that was a coincidence.
This was two years ago. Obviously this man now named Peiter Solice had tried to wriggle his way into the Federal Agency, probably using information gathered about Tyrol’s business to get there. But if he wanted Tyrol, why didn’t he just blackmail him? Perhaps he didn’t want Tyrol at all, perhaps he just wanted the same thing Tyrol wanted.
Either way, the tip off from the unknown source of this man’s snooping was well received. He would note to track down who sent it in time, but other matters were more important. He would see Xan now, advise of the failure of the runners and Viper, and discuss the next step. He had a strong feeling this Peiter Solice could deliver many of the answers to his questions. Perhaps he would have him collected, and not eliminated.
Tyrol walked outside into bright sun. He had no need for glasses, his optical implants adjusted the light entering his eyes automatically. To Tyrol, it was a day as any other, just as he liked it. He got in his waiting Veyron, and accelerated past the two bikes that would escort him. He hated having escorts, it made him feel a little weak, but with the ruckus this Jack was causing, there were precautions to be had.
Weaving down the hill he saw a massive electrical storm coming up the coast. It was an almost perfect line down the coast, with bursts, sheets, and a glow from the ionised upper atmosphere following. He enjoyed watching them, the pure unbridled power and destruction they carried was arousing. It was satisfying to know that every time a huge one came it messed up a greater part of that muck-hole of a city on the coast. The sooner old Sydney was gone, the better.
He travelled the short distance to the office on manual drive. He didn’t often drive himself these days, but always enjoyed the feeling of control. It was fair and well having others pander to your needs, but at times you needed to remember that you cannot always rely on others to elevate you, you must push yourself however farther you need, mentally and physically.
Walking into the reception area, a guard walked across to greet Tyrol. “Xan is expecting you Tyrol. I will show you to the lift.” They walked the sort distance to the lift. Tyrol was scanned then entered, the doors closing behind him leaving the guard behind.
The lift accelerated rapidly, but the normal sensations of sudden weight weren’t there that had been engineered out years ago. The ride to the eighty-fifth floor of the Sentry Tower took less than a half minute, but Tyrol had already run a hundred ideas through his mind. He needed to talk this through with Xan, now. The doors opened directly into Xan’s office. Tyrol realised he hadn’t actually been to Xan’s office before.
As he walked in, he was surprised by the surroundings. He expected tech everywhere, but there were more plants than computers. The hard marble floors and walls quickly blended into organic floors reminiscent of moss. The walls were completely gone, instead, the entire floor space was covered with shrubs, trees and the occasional couch or table.
“Welcome Tyrol, pleased you could be here.”
“Xan,” Tyrol nodded. “I appreciate you seeing me. I have some developments I think we should discuss.”
“Yes, I heard your attempts to eliminate the troublemakers didn’t go to plan. I guess more planning will be required next time.”
Tyrol became enraged, but held his voice. “The runners were completely sub-standard. They no longer serve any purpose other than shifting information.”
“And Viper, dear Viper. She will be missed.” Xan walked onto the balcony and picked up two glasses, handing one to Tyrol. The two of them stood looking out over the new city, taking a sip of their drinks.
“Do you know what this city is Tyrol?” Tyrol never answered, knowing it was a rhetorical question. “It’s the evolution of our culture. The old city was taken by the elements, but that was only the physical city. It could have been saved, walls could have been erected, canals could have been constructed. But everyone knew that the city was done.”
“Not soon enough for me.”
“Nor me. I think we all need to evolve.” Xan put his drink down and turned to look at Tyrol. “Tyrol, you are a powerful man, and of strong lineage.” Tyrol nodded. “You now need to take your rightful place within the folds of the Ordained”
“I am ready Xan.”
“I’m sure you think you are, but we are not there yet. You have much to learn, be patient. Now tell me what you have learned.”
Tyrol thought for a moment. Was Xan using him to further his own ambition? He was ready to move into the upper levels of the Ordained, and if Xan crossed him, he would pay. But for now he would have the benefit of the doubt.
“I know that Jack and his little group have the Biotronics tech in a fully functional form. The tracking signals were lost, but we know they are in the region, so will start searching immediately.”
“That is good. Anything else?”
“Yeah, I was tipped off about someone snooping my details. A man named either Peiter Solice or Peter Soliste. Ever heard of him?”
“Of course. He co-ordinated Mac’s assassination for us. He was out of country, ex-Russian secret service. Very dangerous, has friends in positions of power throughout the world, but just as many enemies.”
“I want him.”
“Well, I don’t think you can have him my friend.”
“Are you telling me?”
“No, just advising you. This man is very powerful, and I believe he may be in-country at the moment. We knew John Mac wouldn’t let us work with the Biotronics tech the Agency had, and he had the last say in the Senate. Peiter Solice was able to find out all of his details, movements, travel plans, security etcetera. Do you think a man like that can just be lifted and questioned?”
“It’s amazing what people will do if they are suitably motivated.”
“Come on Tyrol.” Xan started raising his voice. “The man is ex-KGB. What the hell do you think you can do to him?” Xan shrugged his shoulders, paused, then smiled. “Look, I’ll find out where he is and arrange a meeting for you. OK?”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
“Now, on to more entertaining tales. How are those girls of yours?”
“They’re good. A few of them are getting a little needy, I may
have to get rid of them, cramping my style.” He gave a sly grin.
“Well, you are a charmer my friend.” He patted Tyrol on the back.
Tyrol gave his farewell and went back to the lift.
Once in his car, he got on the comm to Cyan. “Cyan, get the team onto finding where Peiter Solice is.”
“Did Xan give the nod to lift him?”
“No.”
“Can you give me anything to work with?”
“No.” He cut his comm. He wasn’t entirely happy with his meeting with Xan, something didn’t sit right. If Xan knew about Peiter Solice, he probably knew Tyrol traded with him. And if that were so, why not mention him earlier?
He got the cell phone out and dialled. “Jack, meet me at the Forster re-vegetation control at sunset. Just you, we need to talk.”
“OK, don’t try any funny business.”
“Oh, my business is anything but funny.”
“I gathered,” replied Jack, wanting to slam him about the runners and Viper, but he would play the game a little longer. “Got anything for me to work with on clearing my name? This is a two-way agreement after all.”
“Just a name for now. Solice. You heard of him?”
“Never.”
“See you at sunset.” Tyrol ended the call. There was something in Jack’s reply. Did he know who Peiter Solice was? How could a damned low-life Runner know anything about a man as powerful as Solice?
He decided to go for a drive up the coast. He had a Datura supplier up there and it had been a while since he had seen Olive. The drive was eventless. Tyrol didn’t mind that, in fact he felt himself enjoying it. He started to wonder what it would be like to just keep driving. He decided it would probably become the most mundane and boring existence there could be.
Right on cue, the turn-off came up. Pulling into the driveway, he could have been forgiven for assuming the place had been abandoned. There were overgrown trees and shrubs everywhere, and more wild animals than a bloody zoo.
Tyrol had barely got out of the car when Olive came out to meet him. She had a big smile, but he assumed it was probably more from the chemicals in her system than seeing him. As he got closer she ran and jumped on him. He caught her right as she gave him a big kiss on the cheek.
“Great to see you hun. I was beginning to think you wouldn’t ever come back.”
“Uh, yeah, sure Olive. What’s new?”
She moved her lips right next to his ear, he could smell her perfume, it was arousing. “Don’t get too excited, just act causal. I had agents here a day ago, and for all I know they’re watching the place.”
Tyrol hugged her tight, then put her on the ground. “Been a while sis. Good to see you’re still trying to avoid your destiny.”
Olive grabbed Tyrol’s hand and led him to the house. “C’mon Tyrol, you know that all of the big city, big name stuff is all facade. In the end we’re all just flesh and blood.”
“I’m more than that Olive. We are more than that.”
“Well, I’ll have to take your word for that. I have some of your favourite soup to take home if you want.”
“Ah, you’re the best Olive. I can always rely on you to look after me.”
They went inside and sat on the couch. Olive could see that Tyrol was unbelievably stressed. She knew that he took the mantle of the family business, but never knew what it was. Something about shipping if she remembered right.
“You all right hun? You look pretty stressed. I hope the business isn’t sending you to an early grave.”
Tyrol looked over. Olive was smiling. She didn’t look a day over twenty. Whatever drugs she was taking, they certainly didn’t accelerate the ageing process.
“I’m fine. Bit of crap going down, but nothing I can’t handle. It will all be sorted in the next few weeks.”
“Good, ‘cos I want to see you more. You’ve been all but a ghost the last few years.”
The two of them had a long conversation about the good old days, and then Tyrol said he had to head back for a meeting. After promising Olive he would be back within the month, he headed back to the city.