Lobo Malo

Chapter 6 - Varmint Hunting

Jefferson Trade Center, Federal Triangle Sector
0912 EST

"So that's about the size of it, Kelso," Gregory said, finishing his initial report. "It'll cover the White House and the Theater, probably at least a little ways past. But the western half of the city isn't going to be under the umbrella.

"Understood. Still good work, though. Go finish your sweep, grab Espinoza, and get the hell out of there."

"Copy that. Gregory, out." He looked over at Ryckmen. "Good thing the door will shut thirty seconds after we leave. And since we're taking this with us," he said, holding up the CTAR which had been stashed in the vault, "I won't feel bad about it."

Ryckmen chuckled, pleased that Gregory had secured a nice upgrade for himself. The P416 he'd been carrying around had done a good job so far, but Ryckmen had been half-afraid since setting foot in the Center that something awful would happen and leave Gregory with only the M249 and his sidearm. True, one could get by with just two weapons, but this deep in hostile territory, anything which gave them a force multiplier was to be welcomed.

A chirp came in over their earpieces. "Incoming transmission, hostile frequency, SHD encryption and scramble." Gregory and Ryckmen looked at each other. No agent would be dumb enough or desperate enough to use a known hostile frequency in tandem with their encryption. A moment later, a semi-familiar voice came on. It was the voice of the Hyena lieutenant who'd been taking the panicked calls of her subordinates. "Is this the Division? Looking for something?" she asked.

"Who is this? How did you contact us?" asked Kelso. Clearly, the Hyena lieutenant hadn't figured out how to place person-to-person calls.

"A friend of yours gave me this really nice wristwatch. He was really emphatic about it." A short pained scream came from the background. "He's alive, for now. How long he stays that way depends on how quickly you and I can come to an arrangement."

Gregory looked at Ryckmen, who shook his head, a flat and deadly light in his eyes. Adjusting his watch, Gregory made a direct connection to Espinoza's, then lifted it close to his mouth. "I don't talk to people I don't know. And my boss isn't going to make any deals without at least one of her people making sure things stay honest."

"Call me Coyote," the Hyena said after a few moments. "What sort of deal are you willing to make?"

"You turn our man loose, you walk out of here and don't get a bullet in the head today," said Gregory flatly. "It's a better deal than you probably deserve, but it's also the only deal I'm willing to make. And I should warn you, it's a limited time offer."

"How long do I have to consider?"

"Until thirty seconds after we reach the main atrium of this building. I know there is one. I've read the handy little maps on the walls."

"And if I decline your generous offer?"

"Then we do things the hard way, and that's going to end very badly for you. I can guarantee it. Right now, I'm the good cop in this situation. You don't want the bad cop calling the shots because, believe me, he doesn't play one damn bit. We chewed through, what, twenty of your guys in about as many minutes? Don't think we can't do the same to the rest of them at least that fast. Think it over." Gregory broke the connection, checked the chamber on the CTAR, then headed for the door.

"You don't really think she's going to go for this, do you?" Ryckmen said quietly as the two of them cleared the door and started walking back up the stairs.

"No, but I figure it's worth making the effort. If nothing else, however long it takes us to get to the main atrium, it might give the word time to circulate among the rank-and-file that we're willing to make a deal which lets them save their lives. Even if it's only for a day."