Tyrant. Scrapper. Part 5. Damantha Makarova

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СКАЧАТЬ When I met him, he didn’t seem like it…»

      «He’s…» the man frowned, looking for a proper word. «Not as uptight as other people in similar position in the Company.»

      Serena tensed up. She didn’t know the Company purchased Essara.

      For the remainder of their short trip she stayed silent, watching the road they took.

      «You’re remembering the way?» the man smirked. «Is that because you don’t trust me?»

      «That, and a matter of habit. Being a mercenary, you tend to keep your eyes open and be ready for anything.» Serena replied, seeing the vehicle descending onto a private landing pod on top of a skyscraper.

      «Don’t worry, you’ll be transported back when your meeting will be over.» the man smiled. «I will make sure of it personally, as per Mister Winchester’s orders.»

      Serena smirked:

      «Got a name, big guy? Or should I just call you Eyes for those awesome implants you have?»

      The man chuckled, opening the doors:

      «John. Call me John.»

      «Nice to meet you, John.» Serena stepped out of the hover car and saw Elijah waiting by the doors that led inside the building.

      The man was dressed just as fine as before, only this time his trousers were black and the shirt he was wearing was made of black silk and half-unbuttoned, showing a fairly muscular chest and a simple orichum chain that seemed to change colours in the light. The metal was extremely rare and expensive, and one such trinket could easily buy a spacious house in most places of the Human Universe.

      «Mister Winchester.» Serena bowed slightly to the man.

      «Miss Serena.» he replied with a bow and smiling wide. «I am so happy to see you again.»

      He gestured her inside and the woman followed him, while John stayed back at the vehicle.

      «Straight to business?» Serena asked. «Or are you one of those who prefer to chat before discussing matters?»

      «I would prefer a drink first. And a bit of conversation won’t hurt as well, as I am quite intrigued to a Veluthian woman being on this lowly vacation planet.»

      Serena twitched her brow, entering a lavishly decorated hall, adorned with all kinds of areas that could be used for several types of things. There was a bar in the corner and a large empty space that could be used as a dance floor – with a small stage on one side and some tables on the other. A rounded sofa big enough for at least fifteen people stood in the middle of the hall, and around it were scattered several nooks and crannies with instruments, statues, trinkets and memorabilia that seemed though tastefully combined with the overall look of the hall, not very welcoming and spoke extremely little about the owner of these rooms.

      «What’s your poison?» Elijah asked, stepping behind the bar and gesturing to the wide variety of alcoholic beverages he had. «I have almost every drink in the Human Universe. Including those Veluthians have on their home planet.»

      Serena leaned over the bar and squinted:

      «And if I would ask you what would you prefer yourself?»

      The man smirked and leaned down, opening a small refrigeration unit and taking out two chilled bottles of beer. He offered one to Serena and she took it, glancing at the label.

      «Stargaze…» she read. «Never had one of these yet.»

      She flicked the cap off and took a sip, immediately surprised by the thick and pleasant taste this beverage offered.

      «A nostalgic drink. Guilty pleasure.» Elijah smiled, raising his bottle before taking a sip. «I grew up where it’s made. I take it… you grew up on Velutha?»

      «Yes. Though, I am still wondering how you got any of this information…» Serena tilted her head.

      «Ah, that would be because the Company’s reach is far beyond our borders. We collect information. Even on the far parts of the Human Universe. Your name has come up a number of times in some of the reports. Daughter of a prominent family, excellent warrior, great captain, very reliable mercenary…» Elijah squinted. «And all that together with having been imprisoned on your own planet… I would love to know what happened.»

      «I got sucked into some… unsavoury business I had to deal with. My imprisonment was short lived and I was acquitted of all charges. That’s all I can and willing to say.» the woman took a sip of beer.

      «Perhaps… you would be willing to share some information about the mercenary group that took contract for your head and never returned?»

      «Are you asking me if I was the one to kill Latch and his gang?»

      Elijah smiled wider, already understanding her answer:

      «Ah, so it was you. It was a pity when I heard they were… no longer available. But I was wondering who disposed of them. I always search out people with potential.»

      «Veluthians make better mercenaries, Mister Winchester.» Serena smirked. «Latch and his gang were… mad dogs, to say the least.»

      Elijah chuckled at such a remark, noting how the woman kept herself around him.

      «Still, he was the best in his field of work… for the time being.» he said with a pleased smile. «I guess he was happy to go out by the hand of such a… beautiful woman such as yourself.»

      «I don’t mix business and pleasure, Mister Winchester.» Serena forced a smile on her face. «So please, don’t use that charm of yours, trying to get me into your bed. You won’t be able to.»

      «Am I that obvious?» Elijah chuckled.

      «Yes.» the woman smirked. «No offence.»

      «None taken.»

      «So about that contract… what is it you wanted me to help you with? Who are you looking for?»

      «A woman.» Elijah smirked.

      «I’m not a pimp, Mister Winchester. Don’t play games with me.»

      «Not that kind of woman.» Elijah chuckled again. «We’ve been doing business. She disappeared after getting a significant advance and never delivered her part of the deal.»

      «Ah! Now that is more my type of game.» Serena smiled. «How much do you know for us to start with?»

      «I’ll have John download everything we know. If you agree to take the contract that is.»

      «Mister Winchester…»

      «Please, call me Elijah. Mister Winchester sounds so… formal.» Elijah winced. «Never liked that.»

      «Fine…» Serena took a sip of beer, finishing her bottle. «Elijah, I would need to know some more details about this job. For instance… would you like her captured? Killed? СКАЧАТЬ