The Cat and Mice

[tomsiux]

[color=#000000][size=medium]"Godfrey is dead."

A muscular, well built black man with firm blue suit is standing in the crowd. Through his glasses, as the rest of the crowd, he sees "Marauder" turned in debris. The crew of Barrier Gates station still fights the last remnants of the fire. The man tries to approach the left overs of the ship but he's stopped by one of the crew members:
[color=#000000][color=#FF9966]- I'm sorry, sir. Keep the safe distance.
[color=#000000]The man grins without any sound and walks away, leaving the crowd and the ship behind. He stops at the corner, looks around to make sure that there's no strangers looking at him. After staring at the one point for a minute he starts "talking to himself":
[color=#000000][color=#FF0000]- Godfrey is dead. 13th is lost as well.
[color=#000000]Soon, he hears a response in his head. The response was personal, no one could hear it around:
[color=#000000][color=#663300]- Please explain, 2th.
[color=#000000]The man, called "2th" by his talker takes a deep breath. After a moment of silence he finally makes an explanation:
[color=#000000][color=#FF0000]- We were tricked... actually... Godfrey was. Once we spotted 13th's "Ugly Butterfly" Godfrey wanted to check it out. She somehow knew that we're after her, the ship was detonated. Godfrey did not listened to my advice and broke into the ship without any caution. It was his fault.
[color=#000000][color=#663300]- Where is 13th?
[color=#000000][color=#FF0000]- Gone... as well as Godfrey's Broadsword. I think it was hijacked by 13th herself.
[color=#000000]2th hears no response, only a silent breath.
[color=#000000][color=#663300]- You just ruined the mission. 13th was almost in your hands...
[color=#000000][color=#FF0000]- As I said, sir, that wasn't my fault. This mission is not for "unmodifieds", she's too tough for them.
[color=#000000]No response in 2th's communication implant again.
[color=#000000][color=#FF0000]- What's the order, sir?
[color=#000000][color=#663300]- Continue on the mission. You'll be solo for a while until we'll have another available "number unit". We have some bribed Rogues and Outcasts in area, try to take as much information as possible. Do you understand, number 2?
[color=#000000][color=#FF0000]- Yes, sir. I do.
[color=#000000]A small beep and total silence in 2th's head. He's disconnected from his talker. As he moves away from the corner he sees people in the crowd being shocked, probably they saw the leftover parts of Godfrey. 2th observed them without any emotion in face, probably not understanding the fuss they make. He is one of "the numbers". His enhancement - no emotions.


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