Freezer Burn

When you work for an organization that is powerful, and has deep pockets there are benefits that go along with it. The ability to register multiple rooms under multiple names gives you the capability to change quickly from one face to another.

Another new room, this one registered under Gary Talbot. Brann supposed that he should be grateful that he was at least in the same hotel, though the economy accommodations left room 213 looking like a mansion, and the penthouse that he had burnt down a palace. It was appropriate for Gary Talbot though, small rooms taken for short periods. He was looking at the new file that contained information on the job and his equipment needs. Included were the schematics for a cryocooler.

What the file lacked was more significant. "Harvey, this is all great but you haven't given me access to the equipment. The cash you have here wouldn't purchase half of what I need. Seriously how am I supposed to get the job done?" Brann was halfway to becoming Gary Talbot for the near future. His button up shirt was accessorized with a batman bowtie, a pocket protector, and a pair of Chuck Taylor's with a matching batman theme. He felt ridiculous, and perhaps that was the point. "You guys didn't even provide me a new wardrobe. Am I supposed to reuse the suit I started in?"

When you have cost the company an extensive amount of funds, even if it was due to an unexpected death that organization has a tendency to be a little skittish in handing over even more money to what they have begun to consider a financial risk.

If possible Harvey, the large dark skinned handler with the amazing freckles and white beard that gave him a distinguished air, leaned harder on the wall that propped him. "Slick, you gave away a 2.5 million crown Bugatti, what did you expect they would do, put you up in the presidential palace" Do you know how many strings I had to pull to keep them from sending a hit squad out' My ass is on the line for you." His hand went into his pocket and an expensive phone with a fruit symbol was tossed to him. "New phone, new name, and you will follow instructions this time."

Brann plucked the phone from the air and eyed it suspiciously. "Really' This phone and these glasses?" He pocketed the phone and pulled on his suit coat. Next the glasses, black framed and taped at the nose where they had been broken. He pulled the blue baseball cap on with some team logo that he was sure was in the file but would have to search for so he knew them.

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b512/BranndeLeugenaar/Brann%20Cover%20IDs/e92b798a-582f-4ffa-99e2-78b96064b1b2_zps383185ea.jpg

Harvey gave that two step laugh deep and endearing then a tilt headed nod to Brann. "You're a tech guy slick, more likely to spend a little bread on that phone than repairing your glasses. Besides, I see Gary as an "I don't trust anyone but my opthamologist kind of guy"." His head tilted more and his eyes focused hard on Brann. "Don't you?"

Brann had to admit that at least the last two points were valid. "Still, Harvey, I don't see a no outsider clause in this file. Am I going to find out that Gary gets a fireball too because you The Company leaves me with limited funds and no support?" He pulled at his collar, the tie was going to take some getting used to.

Harvey's gaze fell to the floor for a moment, he seemed to be figuring out what to say. "The Company is taking a more hands off approach to this, there are factors that they don't want to broadcast their presence to." He brought those eyes back up to Gary and narrowed them slightly. "Do you understand what it is I am saying?"

Brann's nod was slow but he suddenly had a cold chill run down his back that had little to do with the spotty air conditioning of the room. "So, this time outside assets are a plus, just keep my mouth shut. Figure out how to do the job and"nobody gets penalized." He nearly said dies but he felt that was far too close to the truth. "If I can't get upfront cash, then I am going to have to wing it with what you gave me." A slow smile crossed his lips as he began to form his own plans. "I do need one favor"if The Company can manage it.?

Batten Tower stretched away a full three hundred twenty feet. Thirty one floors jutting into the sky and Gary tried not to feel dizzy as he looked up at the spire of steel and glass. He pulled the cooler out of the back of the van and moved towards the ground floor entrance. The blueprint carrier was looped over his back and was slipping as he hip checked the doors closed nearly losing the cooler in the process. A hundred fifty feet separated him from the front door, plenty of time to get fully into his character.

When entering a high security building it is important not to draw suspicion onto yourself because the guards are trained and more importantly armed.

Over head an alarm went off as Gary made his way into the lobby, a swarm of men bearing their weapons came at him telling him to get on the ground. Gary pushed at his glasses and dropped like a stone, raising his hands to the back of his head.

When you are trying to attract attention though, a cryocooler leaking liquid hydrogen will set off a bomb alarm that gets you attention quickly. The mishap can be easily explained and the presence of advanced blueprints will find itself in the hands of some of the finest minds available.

Gary sat cuffed in the security office, hands secured to the chair he sat in. The man across from him had many things piercing green eyes that were as hard as stone, a crew cut that looked like it was likely to dull the sharpest razor, and an attitude straight out of an anime cartoon. What he lacked Gary noted was a neck. "Don't speak, don't look at me"I have to explain why the bomb sniffers went off and an entire building needed to be evacuated you son of a bitch." His fist slammed onto the table in front of him. It set the pieces of Gary's disassembled cooler to rattling.

Gary's glasses had slipped sideways on his face and he jolted at the impact. "I think that the answer is clear enough. I had an appointment to get my equipment fixed. Equipment that your Neanderthals have probably managed to pull completely out of calibration with their meaty fingers and no dexterity." Gary jumped again as a ham fist hit the table.

"I said don't speak." The man started to rise from his chair, the sport coat of his uniform protesting at being stretched across his chest that way.

Gary pressed on. "I suppose now the beatings begin" Big tough guy beating on a significantly inferior specimen physically, all whilst bound, I hadn't fingered Batten Industries to employ mindless brutes but looking at you I think"look I can barely see you, whatever your name is, can you push my glasses into place?" He worked his cheeks as though trying to move the glasses higher onto his nose.

The large man eyed him crossly and roughly shoved glasses up on his face to the exclamation of "ow" from Gary. He leaned in close to whisper into Gary's ear threateningly. "The name is Smith, don't forget it!"

He moved away from Gary towards the door with a superior saunter. "Smith, you expect me to remember one of the most common names on the planet' I see now how come you settled into this job instead of finishing your education. Smith"hah hah'don't forget it!" The last was said in a mocking of how Agent Smith had spoken to him.

Smith turned back towards Gary fist balling and moving with a savagery that was better seen on a tiger in the jungle. The door opened and before he could move too far a deep, cultured voice cut through what was surely going to be an attack. "You're done here, Smith. Report to the Security offices immediately, your supervisor wants to have a word with you." The voice came from a very tall, good-looking African-American man dressed in what looked like a very expensive, hand-tailored suit. His ID badge held the name Kyle Pontius, and proclaimed him to be the Chief Operations Officer. He held in his hand a file and the tube which held the blueprints that weren't among the pieces on the table. He plopped Gary's wallet onto the table and opened it as he took a seat. "So, Mister Gary Talbot"would you care to explain why it is you brought a highly explosive liquid into my facility, and what organization it is that hired you to do so??

Kyle adjusted his seat and fixed Gary with a look that had him stop talking. His voice was deeper than Gary's and dominated the room. "Mr. Talbot, we are willing to outfit you but it won't come for free. I can get offer you our J17 model, but these will be the price." He tapped the tube once more proprietarily.

Gary's eyes moved from the man's face to the tube containing his blueprints. The flicker in the iris as he looked back was so obviously a trick of the light. "You want my plans?" He watched as Kyle stood and came around the table to unlock Gary's cuffs. Gary's fingers went to his wrists rubbing them where the bonds had been cutting off circulation. "The J12 is the one with the built in laptop isn't it?" He considered the offer for a moment before speaking. "I don't think I can simply give away my work Mr. Pontius, though I am flatter that you think it's good." He rose and started to gather the pieces of his broken cooler. "I'll just call the company and let them know that I can't deliver for this job. Maybe they won't fire me."

Walking away can be a better selling point than haggling. A person willing to walk away tells the interested party that the value of the commodity is greater than what they have offered. If it isn't important they will let you walk out. If they see the potential to earn more, it opens up a wallet that no amount of bargaining could ever unlock.

Kyle eyebrows lowered slightly over his dark eyes. His lips pursed slightly and he put a hand on Gary's shoulder. "Wait, we are prepared to offer you ten thousand on top of that, but if we do then your name comes off the credit for the work." He nodded as though he needed Gary to imitate him. "You really should consider that offer Gary, it is more than fair."

Gary stopped at the offer and licked his lips. "The J12, and ten thousand" With that I could?" He trailed off letting Kyle use his imagination what he could do with the ten thousand crowns. Gary gave a slow nod. "Okay"okay Mr. Pontius you can have my plans for the J12 and ten thousand." He started to get excited, and overly animated. He turned from Kyle and exclaimed in that high whiney voice. "Mother is gonna be so happy. She tells me all the time that I have to be bold." He turned to see Kyle starting for the door.

"Wait here this won't take long. Is there an account you want us to transfer the funds to?" Kyle looked back at Gary one last time waiting for his answer. Gary produced a prepaid card for Kyle.

He gave that sheepish smile once more. "I tend to carry one of these on the job, I wouldn't want to give access to my account to any random pickpocket. The company warned me about working in Rhy"Din.? Kyle smiled and shook his head as he exited the room.

Gary knew that Smith was reliving old sins. Guilt compounded by that infernal gaze he was locked with. Gary caught glimpses of Smith as a boy beating on kids much younger and smaller than his self. He tried to shut the shared vision out but that had never been something he could do. Smith's military career had taken him overseas, not normally something to feel guilty over but the streets of a warzone weren't exactly a party. The bodies of children that he couldn't save, no worse that he couldn't avoid had Gary closing his eyes. He released Smith who took a few unsteady steps away from Gary before collapsing. Smith rolled himself into fetal position and wept like the mother of those children.

Gary wasted no time getting into the van and pulling out of the parking lot. Those visions would remain with Gary long after the effects had worn off of Smith. He gritted his teeth and pulled his cell free. A couple thumb strokes of the touch screen had Harvey's voice funneling into his ear like smooth peanut butter. "How'd it go Slick?"

Gary wondered why he felt it was so comforting for a moment before speaking. "I have what I need for transport, now it is just a matter of finding an artist with a very special talent. I'm going back to the hotel, I'll have to ditch the van though. I don't suppose you will be around until this is done?"

That low easy voice flowed from the phone once more. "Sorry kid, you keep me informed but for now, you are still on your own. You call me though if you need anything, I will do what I can." There was silence for a moment on Harvey's end. The lack of background noise gave Gary the impression that he had muted his end. A moment later Harvey was back on. "You call if you need anything though, I will do what I can." There was silence for a moment on Harvey's end. The lack of background noise gave Gary the impression that he had muted his end. A moment later Harvey was back on. "One more thing kid, keep up the good work."

The phone went silent again, this time because the call had been ended by Harvey. Gary shook his head and gave a frustrated sigh before shoving the phone into his pocket. "Just perfect."

When you're undercover, you do your best to project that image and make it believable. An operative is often put in the situation of using specialized help, since this often comes as a blind encounter the operative needs to recognize behaviors that help identify their asset. If you're lucky though, you will have been provided enough data on the subject to identify them well before they spot you. If they are in the business of being unseen there is always the risk they find you first.

Gary was looking about the room, his grin to those whom looked at him was just goofy enough for him to be disregarded. When the woman slid into the booth across from him he was taken somewhat by surprise. He nearly spilled his smoothie on the table before blushing and shoving his glasses into place. She was tall, and athletic and one of those knock outs that had men tripping over themselves to garner attention from. Her white hair fell down past her shoulders to a midpoint in her back. Gary wondered idly if the curl to it was natural or something she spent a lot of time to achieve. Her green eyes were a shade or two lighter than his, but she did match the image he had received. "You startled me."

Hardy crossed her legs under the table as she made herself comfortable in the booth. No drink was in her hand, unlike the many others sitting around them that needed to keep their hands and minds occupied. She didn't intend to stay long enough to finish a drink, regardless. It was clear she was all business as she sat back straight and stared at him with those light green eyes. "Forgive my entrance, Mr. Talbot." She wanted to show she knew him, too. Her black buttoned up blazer enhanced her white hair.

He put the straw to his smoothie into his mouth so nervously that he ended up poking the inside of his cheek and slapping his hand to the side if his face in pain. He swallowed a couple times, leaving the straw and the drink on the table. "Gary...Please...its Gary. When I was little I liked G.T. because of the car...well the game really but the game had cars." He put a slightly trembling hand out to her. "Please...I'm very nervous here...you are much...Pr...more than I expected."

Her white eyebrows rose incredulously as he hurt himself with something as innocent as a straw. She was used to dealing with all kinds for her jobs, but he was certainly something, something she would just have to put up until she learned of her instructions. She ignored his compliment and attempted to remain on task. "Fine. Gary. I heard you were in need of my services."

Gary tried to slide back into the booth and pull his leg up, but the sole of his shoe slipped off the edge of the seat and jolted him against the table instead. He pushed his glasses back into place. "Well...you came highly recommended and I fear that I am just not up to the job at hand." He pulled out his I phone and started to pull up details on the place. "Uhm...I should say this job isn't local...How do you feel about Panama?"

Gary's lips pursed up as she cut off his instructional session. "Okay, so I guess that means it's time for the details. I have been enlisted to procure the first batch of the antibody. It will need to be frozen for transport. Believe me I am not a thief, despite my obvious dexterity." He snorted as he wiggled his fingers at her, nose scrunching up as he gave that same goofy grin that he just couldn't help. "We have a short window though. The lab was recently procured by Batten Industries. When those security systems go in this job will be all but impossible. Not to mention that my customer wants the very first batch"they were quite clear on that."

Hardy gathered a few curls that had fallen forward and tossed them behind her shoulders casually as she sat back in the booth and listened to him. She may have seemed to be nonchalant in paying attention, but she was memorizing every word. "It seems simple enough." She was a little surprised. They would be stealing some antibody, something to help people. She decided that his employer would be selling it on the black market or something equally ruthless. She worked with too many bad people wanting bad things to have any faith left in humanity.

Gary nodded at her. "Plenty simple"I mean for five thousand crowns it is barely any work at all." He knew it was time to get down to the job of haggling out a price. If she went over his limit, he would have to go elsewhere. He started doing the math in his head and watching her. He had a feeling that she was exactly what he needed right now. The question was if he got her what would the cost be?

Hardy stiffened a bit at the price. She began simply, "This is a little more complicated than that." It would involve going out of the country, staking out the place, figuring out a way in and out, and now it involved him. She continued, "I can't do it for less than ten."

"TEN! Highway robbery "How do you figure??" He started doing the math on that same piece of napkin. "All right, 7500 but half up front, you won't get the other half if I don't make it out of there"That sound fair?"

She said bluntly, "Did you want to make it in and out without getting caught' That costs ten.?

Cold Facts http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b512/BranndeLeugenaar/Brann%20Cover%20IDs/Brannuknown6_zpscd1aea36.jpg

When you have a specific item you need to get, a building plan and the alarm codes isn't always enough. Sometimes you have to risk exposing yourself so that you can get inside and see for yourself.

Lee Dyson's press ID badge waved like a white flag of truce to the receptionist. His green eyes flickered in the lighting and his smile was meant to be charming. The leather jacket he wore fit him well enough and gave of that unmistakable smell. He had leaned onto the high counter as he went to sign the visitor's log. The pen fell down onto the desk that was attached to the counter and he reached for it quickly.

If while you are inside you can slip a thumb drive into the computer, that gives you options that wouldn't have been possible without the risk.

Lee distracted the woman's attention letting her believe that he dropped the pen merely to get a better look at her cleavage. "Damn I am all fumble fingered today, I do believe you have me flustered now miss"I think it has slipped all the way down to the floor." His voice had a clipped note to it, and the almost nonexistent r sound that said he came from the northeast. He was rewarded with a blush and the uncertainty of the woman as to whether she should cover up or let him see more.

She slipped from her chair with a coquettish smile and bent beneath the desk to retrieve that errant pen. "Happens all the time. What can I do for you Mr?"She paused even as she rose from the position with the pen in her hand looking at him with eyes made larger by the makeup style she chose to wear.

"Dyson, Lee Dyson, I am a freelance reporter for Today's Science Magazine. Perhaps you've heard of us." He had looked at the reading material on the way in, and borrowed the title from the subscription. "I'm here to do a piece on Dr. Cortez. Please tell me he's available, my editor back in New York is really coming down on me to get the juice on this miracle cure of his." He favored her with that smile again showing white teeth and an interest in her that had gone beyond greetings.

The girl gave him a nervous kind of chuckle, and her voice raised in pitch some when she spoke again. "I'll be more than happy to call down and see if he has the time." Her hands were fast to the phone and fingers danced out the extension in rapid staccato. "Dr. Cortez" Its Krystal"I'm good Frank. Lunch' What'd you have in mind" Well the reason I called is a reporter from Today's Science here to interview you. No problem."

Frozen Fortress

Bio Developmental Labs sat on plot of land in the middle of nowhere. This wasn't as difficult as it sounded considering that much of Panama was still jungle. It had access points on the main road that had only recently been paved. It wasn't an imposing place beyond where it was. A single story building that covered one hundred fifty thousand square feet. It was in part a single story building though the land did drop away in points making the distance from roof to ground closer to twenty feet.

That was because of the loading docks, the drive was inclined to allow easier access when loading and off loading. Gary sat impatiently waiting for Hardy to show up, it wasn't that he was eager to get started, the truth was that eagerness was for the end. The sky grew darker and Gary began to wonder if it was okay to get a little closer to the building now. He didn't move though, this was where she had said to meet her. It offered concealment for his car, and in turn him. He checked the time once again and then looked around to see if the woman was going to show or not. Worst case he supposed he would need to figure everything out for himself. It would be cutting it close though. The shipment was due to leave within the week.

The black cat stalked along the jungle floor. She was dressed in a black matte cat suit. Shiny patent material may look good on camera in the movies or for women's seductive costumes, but dull matte material would absorb light and help her to blend into the shadows. Her head was exposed, her long white hair pulled back into a loose bun at her neck. She wanted him to be able to identify her easily. Hardy had been watching him since he arrived at their meeting location. She had been watching the lab for days and even caught sight of him going to the lab early. She did not know what he was up to, but she knew he was more than what he seemed to be. She stalked along the side of his car. Her soft, flexible shoes allowed her dexterity and silence. She tapped on the passenger window once, loudly.

Gary watched her leave and pulled the glasses from his face, he pulled out a holder for contact lenses and began to insert them into his eyes. The hat went over his head quickly, and then he disengaged the trunk of the car before stepping out and closing the door almost as softly as she had. He stepped to the back of the car and opened the trunk so he could get to the cryocooler within. There had been a reason he went to Batten, as well as a need for this model. The attached computer had an excellent wireless system in it. If programmed properly it could use something like a thumb drive to gain access to what should be a closed system. "Sorry Krystal?" He had managed to access the buildings cameras when he arrived, and been recording as he waited for Hardy to show. He started to feed that loop back into the video units within the building. This would keep them from being seen by the guard in the monitor room. He grabbed up a bag that lay next to the cooler, and checked the contents. Within were two small canisters. Cryocontainers with a limited charge, they would hold temp for about fifteen minutes. That would have to be enough to finish the job.

Her shoes were perfect for urban climbing. Her own strength and dexterity did most of the work. It wasn't long before she was on the roof of the one story lab building. Accessing a roof entrance, she lowered herself down a wall mounted ladder. She stepped onto the mezzanine, the large interior balcony over one larger work space. She studied the floor plans by accessing public records and felt fairly comfortable moving around the building, though she had to keep an eye on other things like camera s and guards that could not be accounted for on simple blueprints. She cautiously made her way towards the building entrance. There was an internal keyed lock on the door. Hardy reached into her bun and pulled out a few lock picks. This wasn't your typical glamorous bobby pin lock picking. She had the right tools and the right skills for just about everything she encountered on her jobs. She finished and placed the picks back into her hair, then opened the door for him. She stood casually, holding the door open for him, demonstrating her dominance bluntly. Her eyes were harsher now that she was wearing her eye mask with protective lenses. She snuck them on as she approached the building to shield her identity.

Gary was waiting for her at the door, impressed by the speed with which she had made it back to him. His face reflected in the glass of the door had startled him and at first. He had to find Gary in his head while he waited. A pair of nylon lint less gloves went over his hands. No sense in leaving anything behind that would point his direction. He moved through the door quietly, it would be difficult to hide his height now, or the broadness of his shoulders. The lack of glasses, but at least he could pull out a contact lens if he needed. He spoke just above a whisper when the door closed behind him. "The batch we want is kept in a central storage room. There is only a single access point, the door is password locked." He didn't bother to tell her how he knew all of that. Instead he just looked at her like it was deduced from complete logic.

His physique should have been surprising to her, if she still saw him as the timid geek he pretended to be. She was much terser with him this evening than their prior meeting. After listening to his information, she dared, "Just try to keep up."

The beams across the door were always on. Their function was very much like a turn style for the subway. Brann didn't know why the comings and goings of the researchers and lab techs was monitored but he knew that they would need to get through them. He hoped she had a plan for slipping through them or shutting them down. She had achieved the front door easily enough perhaps she was able to turn them off already. Except that the tinting in his contact lens could just pick out the beams. There were three of them. If Brann were to walk through they would hit him at the shoulder navel and knee. He waited for Hardy to show him the way.

Her eye mask not only provided her anonymity, but also gave her certain insights to her surroundings, including some lasers. She could see the three he noticed, plus the one a few inches from the floor preventing anyone from simply lying down and crawling under. She took a calculated assessment of the heights and spaces between. She turned around to face him and began to bend backwards. She slowly placed her arms through the space between the knee and shoulder height lasers. Her torso followed until she was able to place her hands flat on the floor passed the doorway. She took a breath while half in and half out, bent over backwards. She positioned her hands closer towards her body, and then brought her feet as well, arching her back sharply. She began to arrange herself into a hand stand by bringing her legs up together slightly and through the space between. Once her feet cleared the space, she up righted herself by continuing to bring her legs in front of her. The 360 degree move allowed her to face him once again. She casually went over and turned off the lasers with simple labeled buttons on a control panel.

Brann watched her move knowing that he would never be able to duplicate that particular talent of hers. It was nice to look at though. He might have let himself be carried away by the act if there weren't business to attend to. When Hardy faced him once more he offered her a slow smile and was very tempted to let Carter out just to have a conversation with the woman. He took a deep breath instead grateful that she chose that moment to disarm the obstacle and let him out of the room. He moved close enough to whisper to her again. "Nicely done, the door we want is halfway down this hallway. It has a qwerty access pad." He hoped she could find a way to get the password that would open the lock.

He began to chuckle a little as an answer came to him. "It couldn't be that simple could it' Try, capital C, o,r,t,e,z. For our numbers, the good doctor is 33'so born in 80." He didn't say that he got that information about the age from the interview, it was probably best she didn't know he had come at all. "No spaces, you know how these passwords work."

She stared at him again, silently questioning his judgment. Sighing, she punched in what he instructed. The red light turned green. A slight clicking sound was followed with a soft hum as the pocket door slid open. She watched for a moment, and then bent down to return the bag to its place. She stood and began to adjust her hair back into its bun with her lock picks as she walked inside the room, scanning for hidden hazards.

He stayed close to her though he was mildly distracted by the way she quickly threw her hair back into its confines. The room inside was lined on three walls by cabinets that Brann knew to be cryogenic chambers. He had managed to get in here with Cortez on a question of how it was stored. In the center of the room was a lab table and a workstation that was tied into the research labs. From this station all the information concerning every compound in the lab could be accessed. Brann pointed at locker number 27. "What we want is in that cabinet, there is a lock on it a simple number combination. I assume we can find a way past that one too?" He moved to power on the computer as inconspicuously as possible.

She just got her hair secured as he finished speaking. She sighed and pulled a pick to release her hair. As it fell, so did she, and she returned with the bag of powder. She proceeded to repeat her procedure and read off the numbers to him. "1, 4, 9, 0."

He started going over the possible combinations in his head for 1490, a hand tapping on the buttons of a phone. Then it hit him all at once, that Cortez had told Lee to call Krystal's extension to come and lead him back to the front office. The man had ulterior motives it was obvious as the pair flirted for a good ten minutes before Krystal took him back to her desk and signed him out. "9410, the extension to the receptionist." He would say something if she asked, somehow he didn't really expect too many questions though. His fingers began to fly across the keyboard in a clickity clacking noise as he pulled up the cabinet number and its contents.

Brann kept working on the vials, there were twelve of them and getting them inside the micro containers was time sensitive. "I know it seems that way. Yes I came in early." He fit six vials into the first canister and looked over his shoulder. "You see the size of this place, I needed to know where I was going. I needed to know what I was walking into. Yeah, I posed as a journalist and gave an interview to Dr. Cortez, which I really hope he doesn't figure out was exactly like one out of the April issue of Science Magazine." The housing snapped into place on the second canister and Brann looked at his watch as he activated them both at the same time. "I don't do locks, alarm systems or break-ins. I need you, to get me in and most especially to get me out again safely. That is your role in this." He pulled up the chemical makeup for batch rz8-5276 on the terminal and proceeded to remove one carbon atom from the chain. Then he clicked update all. "My employers would prefer to have the only viable batch for the next few weeks I believe. I'm sure you see the profit in that?" He slid the two canisters into his bag again as he turned round fully to face her.

Hardy listened, letting him do what he needed. In truth, she didn't much care what he or his employer did, as long as they weren't trying to set her up to take the fall, and as long as she got paid per their agreement. She was satisfied with his answer. "Ok. If you are finished, I'll get you out."

He deposited the empty tray back into the cabinet and shut the door. Then he shut down the terminal. "Oh, I am finished. You could have asked a long time ago. Then again I probably would have lied." T

here was a slight flicker in his irises that could only be a trick of the light. Hardy nodded. She repeated herself from before. This time, in a more playful tone. "Just try to keep up." With that, she began to lead him back out and toward the way she had come in through the roof.

He followed her out the door, she was setting a much quicker pace this time though. He felt once again like he was being tested. Brann was hard pressed to keep up with the short turns she led him through. Still he managed to make the roof behind her and close down the access door.

Hardy stopped abruptly and turned to face him. "I want the rest of my payment " now. You needed to earn my trust and I've earned what?s mine.?

Frigid Flight

The darkness had preserved him from being seen, and was still covering him now as he waited to enter the airport. He had suddenly remembered something about the item he was carrying. He didn't have proper paperwork for transport. The noise of planes taking off was somewhat muted by the closed windows of the rental car he was in. It wasn't gone by any means, but he could at least hear the ringing on the other end of the line. Harvey had been his first thought, one that he wasn't sure of anymore as the man had only answered him sporadically lately.

Brann was fairly certain that the man would be curious enough to want an update on the progress of the mission. He wasn't disappointed when that licorice smooth voice of Harvey danced across the space between his ear and the phone. "Back already slick" I wasn't expecting you for another few hours at least."

Harvey wouldn't see Brann's breathing ease, or the way he seemed to fall into that controlled state that he always took with the Harvey. "I'm not back yet, not even close really. I have a problem?"

Harvey cut off Brann with speculation before Brann could give him reassurances. "Don't tell me you couldn't get the compound Slick. If you are about to tell me that then I am about to tell you to turn around and make sure you get it. It is critical that the customer receives it. Now son"I don't know exactly how clear I am being here. Failure is not an option for you." Harvey's voice was imposing, and even a bit menacing as well. Brann took that to mean that Harvey was in a bind here as well.

Brann began to wonder just how far out on the limb Harvey was with him. "No'relax, I have the item, what I don't have is a way to get it out of the country"not in the time frame we need. I need paper work Harvey, something that is legal enough that transportation out of here won't be a problem. Something solid enough that Customs on the other side won't be a problem." He fell silent for a half a moment before continuing more insistently. "No paperwork and no antibacterial. That isn't an ultimatum, we both know how this works. I just, failed to take into account the return trip."

Harvey let out a deep chuckle. "Nice job Slick, someone has been covering for your mistakes though. The paperwork is being faxed out now. There will be a private plane back. The customs at the other end has been accounted for two"Oh, you are gonna love this. I'm not saying a word though, I will let it be a surprise." Harvey hung up the phone with another of those deep chuckles that had Brann frustrated.

Gary emerged from the plane at the Rhydin International Airport. He wasn't surprised to find a reception waiting for him at the gate to rush him through the airport. At the least he now understood what was being said. He was finally able to get a look at the papers that had been advanced to airport security regarding his cooler. The people waiting all seemed to know his name.

The gate attendant was a sympathetic young Asian woman name Kim. She put her hand on his forearm and spoke softly. "I just think it is so good that you have donated your brother's heart to save little Angelina."

Gary frowned and put his fingers under his glasses to wipe away the tears. "Jimmy said it was what he wanted"I'm sorry"I am still broken up about it." Kim gave him a tight hug and her number as she whispered into his ear that if he needed to talk he could call her. Gary felt her slide the number into his pocket, and had to fight his instinct to look for his wallet. He was released from needing to answer her though by a man in uniform waving him on hurriedly. He did look back though to give a grateful look to Kim. He wanted this job over, more than that he wanted Gary to go the same direction that Carter had.

The Security officer was guiding him quickly through customs, asking quickly if he had anything to declare. Along the way reassuring Gary that as per the families wishes the media had not been contacted. Gary gave a solemn nod to the officer telling him that Jimmy's memory and his generosity wasn't something that he and his mother wanted to be splashed across the news. To them it wasn't about being famous, but in having some good come from the tragedy. Even the customs officers seemed to sympathize with his plight, quickly asking if he had anything to declare. Gary of course told them all he had was his brother's heart and an urge to get going as quickly as possible.

Gary hadn't expected the ambulance to be waiting out front to load him in and transport him to the hospital. He got in, with a worried expression that seemed to be by those looking on attributed to the stress of his situation and the knowing that time was of the essence. The red and white van pulled away almost before Gary could find a place to sit, sirens wailing and lights flashing in that pull over and let me through way that emergency vehicles embodied. He was surprised though to find the back of the ambulance unattended. Part of him figured that the hospital knew they wouldn't need a second attendant, just a driver to get them where they were going.

Frigid Receptions

The office building was a smaller building, holding about two dozen offices between its two floors. It was located in a low key part of town. Just a few people on their way to work would drive by. The offices and machine shops around it looked deserted with chipping bricks and broken windows. The office wasn't labeled as to its purpose, but the large metal numbers on the front wall clearly indicated this is where he was supposed to be.

Inside the front room, it appeared to be a typical low end office with laminate tile flooring and harsh, bare fluorescent lighting. No one was at the cheap laminate desk, but a quick scan around the room would reveal a small high tech security camera in one corner of the ceiling.

When an Operative enters a new place, his first look is completely tactical. Where are all the possible exits" What kind of security will he need to avoid" If he can't avoid security, how are they armed" When the building is clearly hiding its true use, a good operative sticks to his story, and sells it with everything he has.

Brann parked the delivery van in the parking lot and started for the entryway. The abuse to the outer bricks of the neighboring buildings didn't go unnoticed nor did the extreme drop in traffic. He pushed up his taped glasses and stepped to the back of the van to open the rear doors. Harvey had sent him here saying that the company changed the delivery instructions. Harvey's tone had sounded friendly, this had set alarms in Brann's head.

He had concealed his nine millimeter on his back tucked beneath his yellow suit coat. He pushed himself deep into the Gary Talbot persona now, the cooler removed from the van was carried as though he could barely move it. Arms extended and back arching he pushed backwards through the door, and stumbled over the raised runner on the floor. He caught himself just short of falling, only to find himself in an empty room.

The lack of anyone in that reception room didn't mean he was safe to drop the act. It was a reason to keep it intact. He spotted the camera and began to mutter in a whiney voice. "I can't believe anyone would design a door that way"people could get hurt, sue even." He hobble stepped across the room to one desk and grunted as he hoisted the cooler onto the top of it. "Not to mention the flooring"fall and break a hip, there goes my career.?

The woman glared at Gary once more as she collected her long dark hair and flipped it over one shoulder. She then actively ignored them as she opened up the file and began casually skimming through its pages. Without pause, the man began to fill in his name where indicated. He simply printed, then signed "Stephen". He handed Gary the form as he answered calmly, "I think I can handle it."

He watched as Stephen signed the delivery log then cleared his throat. "Must be the shoulders. Mom always said broad shoulders thick skull. Not that you have one of those"I'm sure you can handle it." A look directed at the woman again and a blush as he quickly turned away. He started to stammer once more. "And, uh, well. Are you moving it to a storage unit or will you need to borrow the cooler" I have documents that you can fill out for that, and I'll leave you my number." He grabbed hold of his badge and showed it as though trying to give Stephen a visual aid when he said his name. "Ask for Gary, that is me, and I will be by to pick it up. I'll need that if I am to keep my job."

Stephen paused a moment and looked at the woman, who was more happy to flip through the file than to pay attention to Gary any longer. Stephen returned his stoic gaze to Gary and said, "Yes, the cooler will need to stay here."

Gary nodded and prodded his glasses back into place. "The paperwork is just outside in the van, I'll get it and bring it right back in." He signaled over his shoulder to the door a goofy grin on his face as Stephen turned that stoic gaze back at him. He took a couple uncoordinated steps backward, another slight trip as one heel clipped his own toes. He spun with the stumble and started towards the door, a little spooked and intending to drive away and forget the cooler. Once his back was turned, the woman spoke up. She said in a sweet voice, "Gary' Or is it Carter?"

Gary stiffened visibly, he looked at the camera in the corner of the ceiling. He checked the distance to the door and knew he couldn't get that far if they had guns trained on him. He debated over the pistol at the small of his back but figured any move that seemed threatening would have him full of holes. "Carter" I knew a Carter, worked for the same company I do. He died recently though.? Gary still hadn't turned around hoping he could salvage this operation and get out without injury.

Her tone became deeper and harsher. "If you want to keep the nice career you've been making for yourself, you'll continue to work for me. These past jobs were just prep work. I told Harvey to have you come here because this is when the real work begins." She cracked open the file, pulled out a plane ticket, and handed it to him. "Despite Harvey's glowing reviews, *I* do not like you. The only reason you're getting a First Class ticket is so I can keep an eye on you. Arrive to the airport early, and dress nice so I'm not embarrassed."

Brann took the ticket from Layla, though his eyes never strayed from her face. The tension eased a little as he realized this wasn't an ambush but another job. He combed fingers through his hair bowing his head and looking at the suit he wore. "Well, I only have the one suit. I had more once but there was a fire. They didn't provide me with a wardrobe for this job." He stopped trying to figure out how to get to his weapon as he tucked the ticket into his inner coat pocket.

She snapped, "You didn't get a new wardrobe cuz you cost me a Bugatti!" Stephen glanced at her for a moment. Standing in front of him, she couldn't see him shake his head lightly and look down, before returning his stare to Brann.

The look he gave her was one of disinterest, he held her face emotionlessly. "I'll be there." He scoffed once before continuing. "Whether or not you like me is irrelevant, I'm here for the paycheck. I don't need friends." He kept the realization that she had been his provider from flowing out of him, the woman irked him with how hard she was. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction of trying to defend his self on the car issue.

"Good!" Layla said just as harshly as she snapped before. It wasn't really clear which of his statements she was referring to. She turned and Stephen opened the office door for her.

He scoffed once more shaking his head as she turned from him, and walked for the door. "Don't forget your cooler...boss." It was his turn to spin on his heel and find the door that he had nearly made it to earlier.

Layla turned slightly and silently glared at Stephen. He sighed softly and went over to retrieve the cooler. He followed her through the door and closed it behind him. He watched as she walked back towards her office. He knew no good would come of this. Both were strong forces to be reckoned with. His only concern was which one would be burned.

Brann climbed into the driver's seat of the van. He pulled his phone and dialed Harvey, who conspicuously refused to answer. His fingers curled around the steering wheel like a garrote around a neck before his fist met the windshield and sent cracks spider webbing across it.