Chapter 18, art of decieption 7

(Callie)

Callie left Dustin' to pace without a glance back. As for the major ass, she didn't acknowledge him with more than a scowl. Damit Callie, why are you so angry? Why do you care? The only good Devali was a dead one. Her stomach clenched at the thought. She couldn't see herself being able to do it. And that was the hardest thing to accept. He meant nothing to her. Dustin was simply a tool. She swallowed a lump, well at least that is what she told herself.

And why did she lie about going to hang out with Taniya? Now she had to actually make plans. Callie made her way down the stairs, her emotions roiling. Perhaps she would take him up on a knife fight. That would be good practice, and a good way to take out her frustration by hitting something. She didn't normally have a desire to hit someone she liked, but today was an exception.

Callie thought of Dustin's conversation from earlier with senator Sergile. She doubted he meant to divulge the senator's name. Angry at the Devali, Callie did something she might regret.

She sent the senator's name, and the information that he was a stalwart supporter of the Devali to Villus. She explained, she overheard her boss on his comm. And that he mentioned the senator's name.

However, she wasn't stupid. Dustin knew she overheard the senator's name. If for some reason the man himself went missing tomorrow, Dustin might put two and two together and think she was compromised. Or at the very least, couldn't keep her mouth shut.

She regretted sending the information almost immediately. Villus was just as untrustworthy as the Devali, perhaps more. Callie's heart beat wildly as Villus responded.

" I will handle the senator. It's worth the risk. If we do this right, the Devali may lose backing and public support." Said Villus.

Callie bit her lip hard. Yup, she knew telling Villus was a horrible idea. Callie typed in several messages that were not exactly nice before swapping Villus from her contact list disdainfully.

As for Taniya, Callie had been contacted earlier. She pressed the number with a mental click, a drink sounded excellent right now.

" Hello?" Came a feminine voice.

" Hey, it's Callie. How are you?" Asked Callie.

"Oh, hey Callie. As for as how I'm doing, are you asking physically or mentally? My body is fine, but the recent memories of having my toenails pulled out makes it hard to sleep." Said Taniya, sounding dower.

Callie did not know what to say to that, so she switched to her reasons for calling.

"My boss just released me for the evening. Are you feeling good enough physically to find a drink? I hear a powerful drink and good company can drown out unwanted memories." Said Callie, thinking of her recent mess up with Villus.

The line went quiet as Taniya contemplated that.

" I don't know, after the other night I'm feeling anxious about being in public." Said Taniya, her voice breaking a little.

" We could go to the navy base? No one is stupid enough to attack a soldier on the base. That would be like kicking a wolfs nest." Said Callie, the soft beep of an elevator opening echoing slightly.

Once on the street, Callie glanced back to the seven-story hotel. A line of imperial enforcers that were having a tough time stopping the mass of protesters cordoned it off. Callie smiled faintly, watching a piece of trash smack one enforcer on the helmet with a splat of gunk. A cheer from the crowd immediately followed that perfectly thrown missile.

" Alright, let's meet at that little bar beside the navy base. It's usually so filled with navy personnel that I can't throw a rock without hitting a friendly soldier." Said Taniya.

" Alright, see you in half hour?" Asked Callie.

" Yeah, sounds good." Said Taniya.

Callie waved down a shuttle. Her hair danced around her playfully as the vehicle slowed and stopped. She directed the shuttle driver to the navy bar and leaned back in her seat. She rubbed her fingers together, thinking about the blood reports bound to be found in that room.

Of course, she remembered getting cut on the knee by the Devali woman's knife. Her combat armour was designed to keep things in, not let them out, so she mostly lost blood inside her armour. However, it would be foolish to think some of the blood didn't escape during her fight. The mistake might cost Callie. She didn't have a blood report anywhere, so the Devali, or in this case the imperial enforcers, would have nothing to compare it to. Just because they had some of her blood didn't mean they could just magically find the person who owned the blood.

She scrunched up her face in worry. Now, more than ever, Callie would need to be cautious. She would only go to a hospital if absolutely necessary. And under no circumstances allow anyone to take a blood sample. Now that the enforcers had her blood, she would instantly come up as one of the three people in that room with Meris and the Devali woman.

Damit Callie, how could you make such a grave mistake? The shuttle rocked slightly as it turned. The green barrier shone down, reflecting softly off the towering skyscrapers.

After twenty or so minutes, the shuttle slowed and pulled up next to the bar.

Technically, the hour was five in the morning, but you wouldn't know that if you seen the bustle of activity. The whole, there is no night on Berdant, still made Callie's body confused. The oddity allowed for an active city no matter the hour. On Etria, she could usually sleep at night, and be awake for the light. Now she was losing track of what was day and what was night.

Callie stepped from the square, cheap brown shuttle. She watched it leave, wondering if she should buy a respectable vehicle? She shook her head. She hadn't even received more than spending money on food and such yet. Her first paycheck was still a week away. She couldn't exactly just go and buy a nice shuttle without raising a few eyebrows. She really wanted a BTR, but she would have to borrow it if she wanted one.

She had no moral qualms about that in The Zrixian empire, but as always, she needed to keep a low profile. To her right, there was a growing crowd of protestors in front of the navy admin building. They were just milling about as more people gathered. They hadn't even gotten around to waving their signs and yelling yet. Callie found that confusing. The empire allowed protesters? She would have thought the emperor would despise anyone who challenged his power. She watched the guards out front. They were still standing casually, their hands away from their rifles. Sure, the guards were tense, but they didn't have their rifles ready. That told her a lot.

One, the empire didn't discourage protesting. And two the people knew it, they were weary of the soldiers on guard but were still doing it. There were even children in the crowd. Traffic flowed down the street, slowing and stopping as the bustling crowd clogged up the six-lane streets.

Callie received a few dirty looks from the protestors as she pulled open the door to the bar, obviously catering to the navy. She sighed. She was clearly just being glared at because of association.

The beat of music, and low chatter of boisterous off duty navy personnel washed over her. In the back, near the rear exit, her usual table was empty. She made her way through the room, her eyes roving over everyone, she memorized faces of anyone that seemed to be paying her too much attention.

The usual spy watching over her wasn't present. Neither Terrance nor Matilda, but Callie doubted her recent threats would deter them from their duty. She was willing to bet they would watch her in a much more distant manner now. After all, drones and cameras were a thing. Granted, air travel inside a city's protective barrier was extremely regulated, and only allowed under extreme circumstances. That worked in Callie's favour in this case, but as far as the enforcers were concerned, she was weary of their air shuttles.

Callie reclined in her chair, wondering how she would avoid her pursuers in case of discovery? Would Dustin help her or condemn her? And would she accept help if it was offered by her new comrades?

The waitress, a short, familiar woman with a friendly smile, gave Callie a glass of iced water. Callie let out a long sigh. Identities were good, but facial recognition was fantastic these days. If she were discovered as Secari, she would need to scrap her identification and leave the empire. Or go into hiding as a known fugitive of the law. Right now, the law didn't know of her face or name. But if they discovered her treachery, how would she escape?

Next to her booth, the door slid open with a whoosh of air.

All of this was on her mind as a young woman in casual civilian clothing came in through the back door right next to Callie. The woman was around five foot nine with blond hair and tinted black glasses that contrasted against her light skin.

The woman scanned the room, finding Callie in moments. Her woman's high quality blue jacket was unzipped, revealing a leather holster strap buckling across her chest. The brown holster was tooled with a beautiful rose that scrawled across the surface.

" Hey, fancy seeing you here."said Callie.

Taniya raised one eyebrow and slipped her shades into her jacket. She had bags under her eyes and wearily stood there like a tree looks before it's about to fall..

" May I sit next to you? I don't feel comfortable with my back to the room." Said Taniya. Callie slid over, allowing Taniya to sit beside her. After all, Taniya had very little reason to hurt Callie. In fact, after saving Taniya she was the person least likely of all to attack.

Even so, Callie slid further along the bench, allowing for room between them.

Taniya let out a deep breath.

Callie waved the waitress over.

" Two cherry nukes please." Said Callie. Seconds later, the waitress returned with two large glasses of red slush topped with an unidentified green fruit that was extra bitter.

" What's with the name?" Asked Taniya, raising an eyebrow.

" I have no idea. I'm assuming it's just military humour." Said Callie, loving the fruity red drink.

Taniya took a deep draft of her drink, her eyes widening.

" That is surprisingly good. I was sceptical of the drink after hearing the name, but now I'm sold, it's a definite explosion of flavour." Said Taniya, downing half in one go.

" Yeah, I was sceptical as well. Alas, my friend always orders me unusual drinks and I can't complain." Said Callie.

" I'm glad you called. I have heard a lot about you and I wanted to learn more." Said Taniya. Around them the air shimmer, without even a gesture, power left Taniya. The hair on Callie's neck rose. The pressure was light and directed around themselves. The barrier was thin and faintly green. From the inside it was like light bouncing of dust floating in the air. They received a few curious glances, but most everyone in the bar could guess what the barrier was for. Sure, some might want to eavesdrop, but they would need to break the barrier to do that.

Callie was interested in the mesh of energy composing the barrier. The way Taniya formed, it was familiar but incredibly complex. It was far superior to her own. Callie's could only dampen sound waves, and that was from both ways. There were obvious drawbacks. Whereas Taniyas' barrier was weaved in such a fashion to not only break sound waves from the inside out, but to allow noise from the outside to enter. Callie reassessed her companion. Perhaps if she befriended Taniya she could learn more of the positive art?

" Well, you have me at a disadvantage, as I have heard almost nothing of my boss's little sister." Said Callie. Apparently, Dustin was talking with his little sister about his new partner.

"Really? He told you my name. Dustin hasn't slipped up like that in years. He must trust you quite a lot to do that." Said Taniya, winking suggestively.

" I think that was more out of the desire to save you. And besides, if he trusted me he would tell me his real name." Said Callie, doubting Dustin liked her in the way Taniya was insinuating.

" I will leave that to him." Taniya smiled and looked up into Callie's eyes. "I wanted to thank you for that. You risked your life to free me from those two monsters. And for that I am extremely grateful." Said Taniya, smiling in gratitude.

"My boss was extremely agitated. I wanted to help him. It may sound callus, but the only reason I saved you was as a favour to him." Said Callie. Despite the sound barrier, she kept the conversation vague.

Taniya sat back in her chair, eying Callie introspectively. Callie was at a loss. Why did she keep telling Taniya about herself? Something about the young woman made her want to be friendly. Or if not friendly, then to reveal her secrets. Was Taniya doing something to her mind? Callie eyed Taniya wearily, but she couldn't feel any use of the art. No invasion of her mind, or at least as far as she could tell.

" Thank you anyway. In our line of work it's rarely I find someone who will risk their life for me." Said Taniya, smiling kindly.

Callie nodded at that. They made small talk for several hours. Nearly four drinks in, the news on the wall television changed from protesting groups to something interesting.

Taniya gestured emphatically with one hand towards the tv.

On the screen were two people surrounded by imperial enforcers. The large letters IE were stenciled in white on the backs and chests of the dark black imperial armour. The imperial soldiers were escorting the two remaining Secari prisoners, parading the prisoners like trophies.

In the lead was Peyton, he was dressed in a blue suit, and walked upright amidst the surrounding enforcers. Whereas Jerry was more meek, his head low, looking away from the cameras and drones. The blue suits stood out like red paint on a white wall, and each prisoner wore leg chains and art draining handcuffs.

The two news broadcasters gesture emphatically, the subtitles racing across the screen.

" As you can see, the two remaining prisoners are perfectly fine and waiting for trial. Stay tuned for a speech by the acting major after this advertisement." Said a man in a silver embroidered black suit and red pocket square.

"Berca" Callie cursed in a foul tone.

" What does that mean?"

" Uh,nothing." Said Callie, glancing away. It meant bastard or that bastard depending on context, in Saleian, but Callie didn't want to explain that. It was obvious by her tone Berca was a swear.

" When did that happen? These prisoners are not the jurisdiction of the enforcers." Said Taniya, furrowing her brow.

" Earlier today. They relieved my boss and I of our mission. And Dustin was relieved of keeping the Secari prisoners." Said Callie, scowling at her drink to show her presumed frustration.

" Ouch, I bet he was grumpy." Said Taniya, chuckling. Callie laughed.

" That is putting it mildly. It was like he drank an entire box of lime juice at once." Said Callie.

" I can see that. My brother always gets that look when he's been thwarted. Who was the guy that took over?" Asked Taniya, her face lighting with an amused smile.

" A major Farlen, and he sure was smug about it." Said Callie, grinning in remembrance. The alcohol was flowing, improving her mood immensely. She was finding she rather liked Taniya, but that could just be the alcohol talking.

A shimmering barrier flickering around them assured Callie they wouldn't be overheard. She was still faintly examining the network of power, hoping to uncover its secrets. Maybe she could unravel the design in time?

" Major Farlen? Is he an older guy? He walks like he has a stick up his ass?" Asked Taniya.

" That's him. They seemed to know each other. I just did my best to leave as soon as possible." Said Callie.

" That's probably for the best. If it's the major Farlen I'm thinking of, then they have a bit of a rivalry going. In fact, I bet Dustin is hoping something happens to the prisoners. That would really put a stain on major Farlens record." said Taniya.

"That could be arranged. We could steal them from him? Do you think that would ruffle his feathers?" Asked Callie.

" Good one. That would end well. Dustin would be furious and probably congratulate us at the same time." Said Taniya, sipping lightly from her fifth red slushy drink.

Callie glanced at the green sound barrier. Despite three hours, it was still shimmering there. Taniya caught her curious glance.

" You like my sound barrier?" Asked Taniya, emphasis on my.

" You designed this?" Asked Callie, impressed.

" Yes, with a little help from Dustin. She fiddled for a moment." Okay, he did most of it. He is the spell designer. You should see what he is working on. It makes my head hurt just to look at it." said Taniya, gesturing excitedly.

" Let me guess, that is one of those top secret projects?" Asked Callie.

" Yes, and no. Most of it is state secrets, but it's at his discretion to share his own creations." Said Taniya.

Callie slumped her shoulders at the thought. She doubted that man would tell her anything. Taniya rested her hand only on Callie's. Surprisingly, she didn't feel the urge to flinch away from the touch. Maybe she had seen it coming and already prepared for it?

Taniyas' hand was icy from holding her frosted drink, but she didn't hate the touch.

" If you ask him, he might tell you. That man is really passionate about his work." Said Taniya, the young woman smiling, her eyes reassuring.

Sure, Dustin was nice enough, and handsome. But he was a Devali. She was Secari they were enemies. That fantasy could never turn out, it would crack and shatter. Despite that, Callie wasn't sure she could avoid it. She liked Dustin. It wasn't rational, sure, but when did that ever affect feelings. Even if her feelings made no practical sense. She pushed them down, stuffing them in the back of her mind where they belonged.

Callie watched the news, scowling, as major Farlen addressed the media. He strode out in front of the camera, his smile nearly blinding. The mans suit was immaculate and she could see the green light bouncing off his polished shoes. He cleared his throat, running his hand through thick, slicked back hair.

He talked, saying something about proper justice, and assurance that we would properly put the criminals on trial. And assurances that the enforcers would never stoop to torture like some people might. Callie started ignoring his speech about halfway through, deciding he was just glorifying the enforcers.

Callies comm bussed, a reply from Warren.

" We have a list of targets. Villus is moving on senator Sergile, tomorrow. You need to be extra weary, they are going to be searching for a leak after this." said Warren.

" He should know that my cover will be in danger if he kills senator Sergile." Reply Callie, typing out the message.

" What is it?" Asked Taniya. Callie swiped away the holographic screen and smile at Taniya.

"Talking to a friend from home." Said Callie.

" From Saleia? Is he in the military as well?" Asked Taniya.

" Sort of, he works with a procurer of single cylinder devices that propel objects at other people." Said Callie evasively.

" So an arms dealer? And judging by your phrasing, an illegal arms dealer." Said Taniya dryly.

" I suppose you could call him that." Said Callie, leaning back in the chair, the cushions creaking.

"Well, as long as you keep it quiet and we do not catch your friend selling to the wrong people, I'm sure we can look the other way." said Taniya. Callie smiled a genuine smile..

" Dont worry about that." said Callie. In fact, it wasn't Warren selling weapons to bad people. Warren and Callie were the bad people, they were buying the weapons..