Creed's Bounty

Creed's Bounty 8

Chapter Four: Nope, Don't Like It

As they shuffled through the moderately crowded street of Sector J, all three of them had removed their visors in order to remain less conspicuous to the crowd. There were the subtle differences between the high sectors and this one, the bustle of working civilians trying to make a living was more evident, the lights around this part of the city were a bit more faint, though the night sky was still illuminated by the fluorescent lighting that lined the buildings.
"Her name is Saint." Siren mentioned as they walked. "She's got several buildings scattered throughout the sectors, and I tracked her most recent location... here." Siren said as she stopped in front of a building.
Before them was a well kept building made out of sleek black metal and tinted glass. Above the entrance were three letters: AAI. These initials stood for Adoration Abbey Inc., one of the most well known companies to the general public. Once a religious organization, this group of religious figures took to spreading their message through social media sources and eventually grew into a monopolizing religious cult of sorts, buying out other religious organizations in order to make themselves stand out more, as well as gain a bigger hold on the people.
AAI had tasked itself with everything, having a hand in major markets such as technology, real estate, natural resources, and energy. And the person who ran it all now sat in her penthouse office, about to be visited by three troublesome bounty hunters.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Vincent asked, walking up to the door and opening it. Siren gave him an incredulous look and then stepped inside, being followed by Hijack.
Once the three stepped inside, they were greeted with a small open space framed by black stone and lit by white fluorescent lighting. Ahead of them was a large security desk at which two guards sat, and there was a control console to open a secondary gate, both protected by a forcefield.
"Okay, keep your mouth shut and don't say anything till we get upstairs."
"I think you'll find that's incredibly difficult to do." Vincent responded.
"I know but I'd rather you not get killed."
"Honestly I'm starting to doubt it can happen, after all I've made it this far." Vincent retorted.
Siren shook her head and drove the side of her fist against the back of his head. "Retard."
Vincent rubbed the back of his head as Siren approached the first floor security desk. "Siren Click, I believe your boss is waiting for me?" She spoke with a much more formal tone than she used with Vincent and Henry, and the security guards looked at each other before one pressed his hand to his ear. "Miss, there are three people here claiming that they have an appointment with you... no ma'am, one goes by the name of Siren Click... Understood." The guard looked back at her. "You're free to go up. All of you." He looked suspiciously at Vincent but regardless opened the secondary gate. As the trio walked through Vincent gave a small mock salute and winked at one of the guards, but continued walking all the same. As they reached the elevator it arrived at the lobby and the doors opened to reveal a slender woman in a grey skirt and black leggings with a matching jacket, yellow cuffs on her arms. Her left arm was tucked behind her back and she stood with her back straight, glasses sitting on the bridge of her nose with her hair up in a bun.
"I figured I'd be getting a visit from you, the tracker I have reacted to your signature in the sector." Saint said, not moving from the elevator. "Are you three going to stand there or are you going to get in?" She asked, speaking curtly with the trio.
Vincent immediately glared at Siren and she gestured to the elevator suggesting he go in first. Vincent took a deep breath but stepped into the elevator next, with Siren and Hijack following.
"So what do you need help with?" Saint asked as the elevator went up to her office.
"How did she know...?" Vincent muttered as Siren cut him off.
"We need bounties removed. Make us clean for the upper sectors once more."
"Ah, yes." Saint said as they arrived at her office. "I've heard the news that a few bounty hunters made quite a mess in the higher sectors. For someone on manslaughter probation, that wasn't the smartest of moves." Saint mentioned. "That is going to require a little extra service, though we will discuss that later." She spoke curtly as she walked into the penthouse office, sparing no formalities for the odd trio that had shown up.
The office was rectangular in size, and behind Saint's desk was a giant window that offered a brilliant view of the sector. To the left of the window was a large mechanical being, Vincent couldn't discern whether it was a suit or a robot. In the center of the room was a large desk with holo display and several small screens for the user.
"What are the bounties at now?" Saint asked.
"600, 200, and 200 kilocredits." Siren responded.
Saint nodded. "A myracredit. I must say if you are nothing else you are a decent price." She said, stepping behind her desk and sitting down at her computer.
Vincent's jaw dropped and Siren stepped over and pushed it back into place.
"Not a word." She hissed, hoping that she was silent enough for Saint to not hear her.
"Once I get the bounties removed from your heads, you will be indebted to me, I hope you all understand this." Saint said with an expressionless tone. "With that said, you can take care of your debts to me by running... Errands, for me." She looked up from her console and surveyed the trio, studying Vincent an unnoticeable second longer than the others. "But don't worry, I wouldn't be so drab as to have you bring me coffee or anything arbitrary like that. Vincent, Henry- It was Henry, was it?" She asked, looking at Hijack. "Henry Brooks, I believe. Alias, Hijack, Anyway. Vincent, Henry, you will be my... Kill squad, for the time being. People that I need disposed of, you will dispose of, no questions asked."
Vincent raised a finger to protest but his hand was grabbed by Siren and forced back into his lap.
"Siren, you are on manslaughter probation that I put you on, in order to protect you from getting killed. That being said, you cannot join the other two in kill jobs, lest you accidentally kill someone and get put back on death row."
"Wait-" Vincent said, putting a hand up. "Put back on death row?" He asked.
Saint raised an eyebrow and Siren smiled, embarrassment at her friends action painted on her face. "He was dropped on his head as a child so he tends to speak at the worst moments." She said, glaring at Vincent with a stare so powerful it seemed like she was boring holes into his skull.
"So, I believe I am just going to use you as an intimidation tactic, Siren." Saint said, turning back to her console. "There are certain people that are... resistant, to my methods and to certain propositions I have made to them. However, if I were to... Convince some of them that it is in their best interests to consider the propositions, I believe that AAI would consider your debt even, and you could then move on your way once I see to it that your services have been paid... For the time being." Saint said, the last sentence slightly lower."
"I'm sorry, what was that last statement?" Hijack asked, leaning forward.
"Something that does not need to be mentioned until a later time, Henry. I'd rather you not meddle in my plans or my affairs. You will focus on what I ask you to, with all due respect." Saint said, though the bite in her tone was laced with... Satisfaction, almost.
Hijack's jaw somewhat dropped as he recovered quickly. "Understood." The last syllable being emphasized as he spoke.
"Well, are we all done here?" Vincent asked, standing up.
Saint stood up a moment after. "Your bounties will be revoked in less than an hour. You however, Siren, will have to wait for the bounty to be removed before your manslaughter probation can be manipulated in any way.
"Oh that's fine, I've already doctored up my weapons in order to accommodate for it. I think it's these two that would go through hell if they couldn't kill." Siren said, gesturing to Vincent and Henry.
"Unfortunately true, I'm driven by the blood of my enemies."
"Charming."
At this moment Saint took her left hand and placed it on her desk, looking at each of the three bounty hunters before her. Her left arm, which had previously been hidden by her sleeve and her holding it behind her, was entirely robotic. The metal was polished and smooth, and the fingertips were forged like claws, razor sharp and ample slicing power.
"Should you fail me, or expect for this not to be a binding contract until I deem otherwise, I will claim no affiliation with you, and the bounties will be restored. Do we have an accord?" She asked, extending her left hand.
"You see, I'm right handed and I feel uncomf-" Vincent was cut off by the jab of Siren's elbow into his side.
"I'll make an exception." He said, taking Saint's hand in his.
As he shook, Saint's wrist rotated and a needle appeared, in order to stab Vincent's hand.
"Excuse me?" Vincent asked, catching it about two millimeters from his skin. "No thanks." He said.
"It's a mandatory tracker, Mr. Creed. If you're going to be working for me, I want to know where you are at all times." Saint said, no hesitation in her voice as she spoke. "If you will not accept, any agreement we've come to will be terminated and your bounty will be restored. Upon finishing our business, the tracker will be disabled, on my honor, under the Mother." Saint spoke calmly, and she knew she had him.
Reluctantly Vincent let go of her hand, and the needle pricked the top of Vincent's hand.
"I look forward to doing business with you, Vincent." Saint said, moving to shake Hijack's hand, which happened the same way.
"How come Siren doesn't get one?" Hijack asked.
"Because Siren was already indebted to me." Saint responded. "How do you think she found me? Every tracker works both ways. Just as you can be found anywhere by me, I will be able to be found anywhere by you. I am reasonable, after all. Her tracker was the reason I knew when you three were coming to visit me." After shaking hands, Saint straightened up.
"Well, now that these formalities are out of the way, I have jobs for you."