Chapter Eleven
The Simple Kind of Insanity
Club Prenumbra
Seattle, UCAS
November 4, 2059
9:40 pm
The night wore on like a blissful dream. Lenny and the rest of his team sipped champaign and lulled over old times. They dined on the finest foods and devoured the scrumptious deserts. Or, in the case of Riggs, guzzled beer and argued about the finer points of traction control. Smiley had arrived, but the eccentric samurai spent little time at the table. Just long enough to argue with Riggs before scooting off to the dance floor which was quite popular with everyone tonight. Shard had spent a few songs on the floor as well. Lenny had been lured out twice. Once by a by a scantily clad woman with a nano-tattoo on her cheek that morphed into several dazzling designs. The last time was by Rave, a young razorgirl who had been trying to make a name for herself in the shadows over the past year. Hector had contracted her a few times to the team as extra muscle. Personally, Lenny didn't care for her. Rave was too brash and crude for his tastes. Nevertheless, he suffered through a few songs with her.
Though Rave and Smiley would make a perfect couple.
Hector was at the group's table when Lenny returned. The old fixer seemed quite happy about the way the night was going. Everyone was having a great time. More than that, there hadn't been any trouble.
"Ah, Lenny." Hector said. "We were just talking about you."
"Yeah!" Riggs slurred, waving a half empty mug of beer around. "We were talking about how much you were enjoying you're fling with Rave out there!"
"I'm sure you wouldn't mind a shot at her." Lenny grinned as he took his seat.
Riggs shook his chubby little head. "Not me, that razor's got some screws loose. Anyway," He turned his attention back to Tart. "I was talking about satlinks, wasn't I? Well, did ya' know that you can wire them through a fragging dataline and......"
Lenny tuned out the conversation at that point. "How are things tonight, Hector?"
"Frosty as a snowball in December, Lenny. I was just telling Shard and 'Sky how great everything has been going. Plus I've been praising them as well on the run last night. Should have been around to hear that."
"Doesn't look like I'll get a chance too now."
"You really went for the high chip tonight, huh, Hector?" Nightsky mused as he took in the various sites that filled the club. "All of this must be costing you a fortune."
"It is, but don't would worry about it. A manager at the club owes me a favor plus I made a killing in stocks last month."
"How did you manage that?"
"Inside information is easy to come by in the biz we are in. Which reminds me, I have some interesting investment opportunities coming up. Give me a call tomorrow if you are interested."
"I'll think about it."
Lenny wasn't really listening to Hector and Nightsky. He found his full attention focused on Shard. She was beautiful tonight. Sure, he had known she was a beautiful woman before, but it's one thing to notice that when she's bringing in the magical backup to save everyone's hoops and another to see her in a club setting like this.
"I hope you two enjoy talking shop." Lenny stood and offered his hand to Shard as the music switched to a different beat. "May I have this dance, milady?"
Shard smiled coyly. Then extended her graceful fingers to meet his. "Of course, good sir."
"Funny you should mention shoptalk, Lenny."
Lenny frowned at those words from the old fixer. "Don't tell me you're going to ruin my evening?"
"Well, ruin, no. There is something I want you to check out for me."
Lenny exchanged glances with Shard. There was no doubt about it, she was stunning tonight. He glanced back at Hector and knew there was no comparison between them. "Can it wait?"
"Sure, sure. For a bit." Hector glanced at his watch. "But look me up later."
"Right, Hec." Lenny returned his full attention to the elfin vixen and motioned to the dance floor. "Shall we?"
"We shall." The two of them headed for the dance floor.
Hector watched them go. He found himself smiling at the sight. "Don't they make a snappy couple?" The old fixer grinned as he stood. "I'll see all of you later. I've still got rounds to make. Have fun."
Riggs raised his glass. "Don't worry a drekker about that, Heccy. We're having a great time!"
Hector nodded, then whispered to Nightsky. He asked him make sure the drunken rigger didn't drive himself home.
Once Hector left the table grew into an unnatural silence. Alona, Nightsky, Tart, and Riggs sat peacefully for a few precious moments. Then the peace was shattered when Riggs began sprouting complete nonsense about the Urban Brawl and how it related to the horsepower of a Eurocar. Nightsky was the only one who seemed to be paying attention and he wasn't too inclined to reply. That was okay, though. Riggs was more than happy to do the talking for both of them.
That left Alona and Tart to their own devices.
"Tart, right?"
Tart didn't look Alona in the eye. She never looked anyone in the eye for that part. Some times she could go against it, but being at the club made it harder than usual. "Yes. So, uhm." She glanced at Nightsky who had his back to them. He seemed to be getting an earful from Riggs, but the dwarf had touched off a subject that interested the adept. The two were in a very vocal discussion. "You've been living with Nightsky?"
"That's right, for a few months now. I'm Alona."
"Hi, I know. Nightsky's mention you a few times."
"He has?" Alona glanced over her should for a moment. "What has he said?"
"Nothing, really. So, you two are, you know. Together now. Right?" She spoked in a hushed voice.
"Me and Michael? No, nothing like that. I'm just living with him."
Why would she think that anyway? One of the few things Alona knew for sure was that Nightsky definitely wasn't her type. To her he was a paranoid headcase who rarely said good morning to her. He didn't even seem interested in that sort of thing. Though he was never the most open and warm person to begin with. Killing people would probably have that effect on someone, but Alona tried not the think about that. Besides, Nightsky always very busy. Specially over the past few months. He practically buried himself in the shadows, often disappearing for days at a time without saying a word.
Though he did support her. The money Nightsky brought in provided them a safe place to live. Nightsky also gave her all the privacy she wanted. Not a big sacrifice since he kept to himself anyway. The only catch was that he required her to be a cautious about who she brought around and how she acted in public. That was to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Alona could understand that after the summer she had been through.
Not once in the five months they had been living together had Nightsky made a pass at her. Alona didn't know why and always brushed it aside, not really caring. Though she suspected that he felt guilty for what happened to her mother, Imira. Maybe he was trying to make up for it.
"How did you meet him? If you don't mind my asking?"
That question caught Alona a little off guard. Apparently Nightsky hadn't told his friends what had happened this summer. He hadn't told Tart for sure. Alona thought about not saying anything, but changed her mind. She wasn't going to be as closed off as he was.
"It's a long story." Alona mused. "And a little unbelievable. Are you sure you want to hear it?"
"It can't be any worse than anything I've seen."
That was probably true. Alona reminded herself that Tart was a shadowrunner just like Nightsky and Lenny. Some of the things Alona had struggled through might be an every day occurrence for Tart.
So Alona laid it down. Thick. She explained how her father had died the year before of what she thought was an accident. She told of how her mother had arrived to take her in. How they moved to Seattle. Then she told Tart that her mother was a vampire from some cult in California and how this other guy, Barnabas, was after Nightsky and they were using her to get to him. Then she told about how her mother had turned against Barnabas and how her mother and Nightsky showed up for Alona's rescue. She went into detail about the things that Barnabas and her mother had said. Then she described the final fight that took place where her mom had died and Nightsky carried things through to the end. Though she did leave out some of the last words her mom had spoken, feeling they were too private to share. she explained how Nightsky had arranged for her mother to be buried in California and how he took her in afterwards.
To Alona's surprise Tart didn't doubt her word. She merely sat there and listened intently. Alona found the story somewhat difficult to tell. It took all of her will to distance herself from the emotional turmoil the ordeal had put her through. The past few months had put some time between her and the events, but they were still very real to her. Though crying about them wouldn't change anything. Alona knew that and accepted it.
In return Tart shared some of her experiences in the shadows. She mentioned her first run against Paratech. That was the first time she met everyone. Then she talked about the following months. She even mentioned the shadowrun that took the group to New Orleans in June.
It turned out that Tart and Alona had something in common. Nightsky had saved both of their skins this past year. Tart told about how a company mercenary had tried to kidnap her, but Nightsky came to her rescue. Although Tart didn't mention what exactly happened to that company man. Alona suspected it was similar to what happened to Barnabas.
Eventually Alona got around to asking Tart what she did in the team. Tart was a decker. She used a cyberdeck and datajack to access the world wide Matrix. A decker's job including gathering data and running electronic cover when the group went on the inside. It didn't sound like much, but the Matrix was not a friendly place. It was just as dangerous as the streets of the Barrens. Surviving intruder countermeasures and hostile deckers was just difficult as surviving rampaging spirits and crazed gangers.
A tall, handsome young man approached the table and offered his arm to Alona. the tuxedo fit neatly over the man's broad shoulders. He asked her to dance with a voice as smooth as finely crafted wood. Alona happily accepted.
Tart sat at the table with Riggs and Nightsky. Though Riggs seemed to be commenting to himself about a joygirl's outfit as she strutted pass. Nightsky sat quietly. His eyes were on the crowd, but he wasn't really focusing on anything. It was more like he was staring off into space. Perhaps lost in his own thoughts.
Even though he was very relaxed his fingers were curled. Tart remembered that Lenny's fingers were the same way. Always curled even at rest. A long time ago she had asked why.
Lenny had said that it was an an old shadowrunner's myth. A habit born of so long on the dark side of the shadows. Curled fingers were less likely to jam when punching, less likely to break when falling, less likely to get shot off. Tart had always thought there was more to it than that. It was like the hand was waiting to hold that gun or that grenade or sword. Whatever it was. It was like the body couldn't let go of that part of the person's life. Even if that person wanted to forget it for a few hours the body wouldn't let them.
Tart listened to the music. The song was smooth and somber with a slow, flowing urban beat with hints of Native American flutes in the background. The dancers moved sensually on the floor. Almost like they were one body. It was beautiful. She glanced at Nightsky again. He was slowly nodding his head with the beat. Tart smiled. She leaned forward to ask a question she had been pondering for several minutes.
"Nightsky?"
He turned. "Yes?"
The beat suddenly changed to a grinding techno groove churning with furious synth sounds and pounding bass backups. The dancers became a vibrating sea of humanity. It drown their voices in it endless cascade of light and sound.
Eve, an ork rigger who worked for Hector, detached herself from the crowd. She was an intimidating woman with muscular legs and well toned arms, but that appearance hid a heart of gold.
"You three can't sit around all night!" She said cheerfully. "Get up! Get out here! Get moving!"
"Awe go frag a anthroform, Eve! I'm busy trying to get my buzz back!" Riggs spat.
"Up Riggs!" The well built ork pulled the plumpish dwarf out of his seat. "Show me some moves, little man. Let me see what you've got."
"You want to see me get down!?" Riggs slicked his unruly beard back and took a final shot of whiskey. He busted down into some swaying moves, looking like an obese leprechaun trying to juggle cannonballs. "So ka, you asked for it. Once you've had dwarf get down you'll never want anything else! I'm just getting warmed up here!"
"Let's go, stumpy! Nightsky, Tart, you too!" Eve encouraged them. "Don't let Riggs put you to shame!"
"I hate dancing."
"Oh really!?" Riggs crushed. "And you're suppose to be a physical adept, right? Adept? Adept at what? Sitting on your arse? Why don't you admit that you don't want to compete with this short, squat and bad dwarf! In fact I'll wager three hundred 'yen I can slag you in ten clicks flat!"
"I will see that bet!" Eve announced and eyed the adept eagerly. "Now you've got to take it, Nightsky. It's a matter of honor now!"
"No."
"Well frag you then!" Riggs announced. "Come on, Eve, watch this dwarf shake his groove."
"Have it your way, Nightsky." Eve grabbed the bottle of whiskey off the table. "Here, Riggs, you'll need this. Everyone knows that squat dwarfs dance better when influenced by a higher power."
"Don't I know it!" Riggs grabbed the bottle. "Let's hit the floor and get funky!"
Eve glanced at Tart who did not have the most ecstatic expression on her face. Eve didn't like seeing someone left out. She felt obligated to make sure everyone was included. "You're coming too, Tart. You'll never get a better chance to see these two make fools of themselves."
"Hey!" Riggs chirped. "I'll show you fool! Wait till I bring on that funky dwarf action!"
Tart smiled, but turned away. "Not now."
"Come on Tart."
"I- I have to go to the restroom. I'll catch up later."
Eve gave a grin, her tusks protruded from her lower lip. "Don't worry. By the time you get back I'll have these two whipped into shape."
Tart nodded. With a laugh and a jaunt they disappeared into the sea of winding and twisting bodies. That left her with Nightsky. For a moment the same question nagged at her mind again, but she didn't want to ask it.
Then Tart suddenly felt very alone. More than that, she felt like she let a chance slip through her fingers. It didn't take long for the loneliness to eat away at her . She left the table and hurried to find herself a less public place. The restroom seemed the only option.
On the other side of the club Lenny and Shard were just coming off the dance floor. They had decided to leave it to the made heathens that had taken it over. The two of them seemed to be walking on cloud nine. The smiles on their faces were not forced or faked in anyway. They were truly happy.
Hector was glad to see them this way. In a way he felt sorry for interrupting them, but he had little choice in the matter. The fixer caught up with the couple at the bar.
"You two looked like Prince Charming and Cinderella." Hector clapped before pointing at Lenny's cybereyes. "Though I doubt Prince Charming had those eyes."
"Cinderella definitely didn't have these ears." Shard grinned.
Hector motioned the bartender away. "I hate to ruin you're evening, but I have something to discuss with the two of you."
"Can it wait?"
"I'm sorry, Lenny, but this is important."
Lenny frowned, taking his drink from the bartop. "What's the scan?"
"Do you remember Haiku?"
"Vaguely. I haven't seen her in nearly a year." Lenny had been on a few runs late last with Haiku. There had been something between them for a while, but it had faded when Lenny started working with a new team around New Year's.
"Haiku and another 'runner, a sammy named Abbott, were looking for some out of town biz. I set them up with a Johnson who needed some extra muscle on a run down south. This happened two weeks ago. I haven't heard from either of them since. Normally I would say it's none of my biz, but one of my contacts turned up something today. A Jane Doe matching Haiku's description turned up at a Hospital in Calrucha in Azltan. She is listed in critical, but stable condition. There is no sign of Abbott or the other runners on their team."
"What happened?"
"I don't know. That's why I'd like you two to fly down there and find out."
"Why us?" Shard asked.
"Because Lenny knows her and you might be able to help with magic. Plus you are two chummers I trust with this. You would be doing me a favor."
"If it's been several days I'm not sure what I can do for her." Shard said. "Maybe if I had some time to prepare and the right materials."
"Do what you can. Find out what happened." Hector pulled a pair of tickets from his inside pocket and handed them to Lenny. "I've bucked you two on a late night flight to El Paso. You'll be traveling as Ralph Carlson and Juanita Beyer, special private investigators working for the Polson Insurance Company."
Lenny glanced at the tickets. Their flight would leave in a few hours. The tickets were roundtrip.
"I need to change." Shard said abruptly.
The elfin mage didn't even bother to see if Lenny was going to do Hector this favor. She didn't have to. Lenny was a street samurai in the most traditional sense of the word. Hector was his fixer. This was more than just a favor. Helping him out was a matter of honor and respect.
"I'll need to pack some things."
"Good." Hector smiled. "I'm glad you two are going. Call me when you find out something."
"This party was getting dull anyway." Lenny put the tickets in his jacket pocket. "Shard, I'll meet you at Sea-Tac in an hour. I need to find the others before I leave."
"See you there."
Lenny nodded as the mage walked off. He watched her go while wrestling with a feeling of loss. The evening had been going so good. Now Lenny and Shard were running of to the Confederated American States as a favor to Hector. Lenny frowned at that. Even on a night like tonight he still couldn't leave the shadows behind.
In the ladies room Tart was busy staring into the mirror. A lost and frightful girl stared back at her. It wasn't suppose to be that way. She had been in the shadows for almost a year now. It seemed that she had changed little despite all that she had been through. She had been denying it for months, but after staring deep into her reflection she knew it was true. It was still the same, shy girl that stared back at her. Still afraid to stand up for herself. Even afraid to ask a simple question.
Afraid to ask Nightsky to dance.
It seemed childish now. That was the kind of thing grade school kids had problems with. Someone in her line of work shouldn't shy away from seeking a dance. There shouldn't be any shame in it. They were here tonight to have fun. That's what Tart wanted.
So why was it so difficult?
The sound of a toilet flushing brought Tart out of her reverie. A stall's door opened as a tall, red haired woman stepped out. She straightened her skirt and touched up her makeup in the mirror. The woman's clothes suggested that she was a joygirl. Probably part of the hired entertainment the Hector had arranged. Tart pretended to be busy, but noticed that the woman's makeup hid bruises around her eye.
"That son of a slag." She muttered, opening her purse. As she did she passed Tart a nod. "Sometimes they're just in a bad mood, aren't they, honey?"
Tart turned on the facet to wash her hands. "I wouldn't know."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were one of the Glitters." The woman said after seeing that Tart did not have one of the tell-tale tattoos that Glitters had. "I'm Red."
"Tart."
"I had a client get me in tonight. It was the least he could do after the favors I've done for him." Red straightened an unruly curl of red hair. "But that smiling vatjob just wasn't in the slotting mood after we got here."
Something about that description rang bells in Tart's head. "Smiling vatjob? Smiley?"
"You know him?"
Tart nodded. "I work with him."
"Oh, I'm sorry." The woman dabbed makeup on her bruise. "I didn't know you were a guest. I should be more friendly."
"It's okay."
"So you work with Smiley? I can't see how you can stand it. I can barely tolerate his company for a few hours. Take it from me, girl, stay away from that fragger. He's not all there."
Tart nodded quietly.
"What's bothering with you? Aren't you suppose to be enjoying yourself tonight?"
"I shouldn't bother you with it."
"Awe, I've seen that look before. It's a guy isn't it?"
"I just don't know if he's interested. I don't really know if I am, but he's so serious with business. More than me. It's like there's something else driving him that's different from everyone else."
Tart dried her hands. She was caught off guard when Red ran her slender fingers over the jack on the decker's temple.
"Nice tech." Red mused. "Do a lot of chips?"
"No. I don't like simsense." She shied away from the woman's touch.
Red withdrew her hand. "If you want my advice I say go ahead and do it."
"Do it?"
"Yeah. No sense putting it off. Life's too short. We should get what we can while we can or end up hating ourselves for not trying. Take it from me. You're better off trying once and messing up than never trying at all." Red put her makeup away and headed out the door.
Tart stared at her reflection again as the door shut. Perhaps Red was right. It was better to try. At least then she would know for sure. Otherwise it would nag her for the rest of her life. There was nothing worse than that.
A grin crossed her features. For the first time in a while she glared at her reflection with a look of confidence on her face. She strolled out of the ladies room with confidence. The lively public greeted her just beyond the door. She didn't feel the anxiety that she normally felt.
She spotted Nightsky near the bar where he was talking to Lenny. The music conveniently shifted to a soft melody fitting for a slow dance. Tart took a deep breath and walked to him. Halfway there Lenny said his goodbye and headed out of the club. He gave Tart a friendly glance as he left. Nightsky didn't see her approach. A tap on his shoulder got his attention. The adept turned, showing the alertness in his eyes.
"Tart? Where have you been?"
"Nowhere." She took his hand. "Want to dance?"
For a moment she thought he would say no. The shadowrunner's eyes wandered over the dance floor where people were moving slowly in time with the music. Then he answered.
"Sure."
Tart was ecstatic! Red was right. It was much better to try and see what happens than spend the rest of her life wondering what would have happened. Oh if only her mother and sister could see her now!
The pair edged onto the dance floor. They found a space for their own amid the other happy couples. She draped her hands over his shoulders. He took her by the waist, crossing his hands on the small of her back.
They danced. Neither of them had done this sort of thing much before. Nightsky had spent his formative years on the cruel streets of the Redmond Barrens. Dances were not a common event. Tart had spent her time in front of a computer. Promptly ignoring any social callings. Yet their mutual lack of experience complimented each other.
They danced in silence. Neither of them spoke a word as they slowly circled their small patch of space amid the sea of other couples. Though there were many people nearby they seemed to far away.
She leaned against his shoulder. Nightsky seemed surprised at first, but he cradled her head with his hand. It was strange sensation. The same hands that had brought suffering and even death to so many people could be so gentle when they wanted to. Tart did not feel any fear. In fact it was quiet the opposite.
She felt happy and she stayed that way for the rest of the song.