{"data":{"id":12846,"title":"Tales of Kid Crimson: Issue #10","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/comm-link\/serialized-fiction\/12846-Tales-Of-Kid-Crimson-Issue-10","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-links\/12846","api_public_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/comm-links\/12846","channel":"Undefined","category":"Undefined","series":"Tales of Kid Crimson","images":[{"id":113,"name":"MysterySerial_FI_3Crop.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/zcrgqkm79nm2fr\/source\/MysterySerial_FI_3Crop.jpg","alt":"","size":1246218,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2013-07-19T05:28:35+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/113","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/113\/similar"}],"images_count":1,"translations":{"en_EN":"Raj\u2019s thugs picked up Quell\u2019s body like an unwieldy cut of meat. I suppose that\u2019s all it was now, a thing. Another bloodstain on this cheap carpet, something the next occupant of this room would look at and joke about.\n\nI couldn\u2019t feel anything, move anything. I wanted to scream and tear and burn but the limbs weren\u2019t listening, just a consciousness of blank pure hatred floating in a useless body.\n\nSuddenly the world upended. Someone pulled me up and set me against the wall. A slight feeling of pressure crept through the paralytic haze. I found myself looking at Raj Benny. The soon-to-be-screaming-in-agony Raj Benny.\n\n\u201cHey buddy.\u201d He said with a ghastly Tevarin smile. There\u2019s a reason they don\u2019t do that often. Feeling was slowly coming back. Something tightened around my wrists behind me. They emptied my pockets and checked me for weapons. Laser-burn stepped out from behind me and walked out the door.\n\n\u201cCome on, Ethan, it should be wearing off by now. You know how much I hate one-sided conversations.\u201d Raj said, peering into my slack face. \u201cYou back?\u201d\n\n\u201cCome a little closer and find out.\u201d I slurred. My mouth moved as if forming words for the first time.\n\n\u201cThere we go.\u201d Raj sat back and stretched. The numbness dissipated over the next few seconds, leaving me with an ache in my spine. I tried moving. Felt like they used a QuikTie restraint and cuffed me to a pipe on the wall.\n\n\u201cThe infamous Kid Crimson running with the Advocacy. Who would\u2019ve thought\u2026\u201d Raj shook his head, amazed and disappointed. \u201cYou know, after all we\u2019ve been through I was really counting on you to make it through this alright. I had the utmost faith that you\u2019d be able to pop Hannigan and get away with it.\u201d\n\n\u201cLet me see if I got this straight.\u201d I said, words flowing easier now. Raj leaned back, a smug grin on his face that I wanted to beat into paste. Focus. \u201cYou set up all this: that cargo of slaves, that idiot using my name, the trail of evidence painting Hannigan as Caro, just to get me to assassinate someone?\u201d\n\n\u201cImpressed?\u201d\n\n\u201cYou know, you don\u2019t need to waste all that money and resources to kill a Senator. You can pay guys to do that. Or didn\u2019t they get to that in Criminal Masterminding 101?\u201d\n\nRaj grinned wider and nodded dismissively.\n\n\u201cOh, you think this is just about Hannigan.\u201d He said finally.\n\n\u201cWho then?\u201d I know this arrogant stain wanted more than anything to tell me so I could see just how impressive he is but he was hesitating, so I sweetened it. \u201cI assume you\u2019re going to kill Hannigan anyway and hang the deed on me. So you\u2019ll either kill me when it\u2019s done or vanish me. So what\u2019s the harm?\u201d\n\nRaj thought better of it and didn\u2019t bite.\n\nThe door opened. Laser-burn came in with some bags and a cup of HydroFroz. He passed the drink to Raj and dumped the bags on the bed. It was the LR-620, my blade, and everything else from Quell\u2019s hover.\n\nRaj took a sip of the HydroFroz and picked up the rifle.\n\n\u201cDovkin give you a good deal on this?\u201d\n\nI ignored the question and glared at Laser-burn, trying to figure out the best way to hurt him. The feeling was mutual. He was eye-murdering me too.\n\n\u201cWe should kill him now.\u201d He said. Raj looked up from the scope.\n\n\u201cCan\u2019t. We\u2019ve got a few hours before Hannigan dies, we need the forensics to match the timeline.\u201d\n\n\u201cShoot him now and dump him in a star.\u201d Laser-burn said, his eyes never leaving me. Raj thought about it and turned to me.\n\n\u201cHow would you feel about that?\u201d\n\n\u201cProbably the smart play.\u201d I said and looked at Raj. \u201cOtherwise, I\u2019m going to murder all of you.\u201d\n\nRaj smiled.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m gonna miss you, Ethan.\u201d\n\n\n* * * * *\n\n\nAn hour and a half passed. I had to tamp down the inferno of ferocity that raged inside me so I could watch and listen. There would be a way out of here. I just needed to pay attention and be ready to move. Raj worked on his console and occasionally watched the wallscreen. Laser-burn was at the window, looking out at the city.\n\nThe two thugs came back from disposing of Quell\u2019s body. One whispered to Raj who nodded. The other pulled up a chair to guard me. He started picking through the pile of my stuff. He found Quell\u2019s handcuffs and shackles.\n\n\u201cHey Gaz, check it.\u201d The thug said. Laser-burn\/Gaz turned. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we use these?\u201d\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t go near him.\u201d Raj said, sternly.\n\n\u201cJust trying to help.\u201d He tossed the cuffs aside. Something caught Raj\u2019s eye on the wallscreen.\n\n\u201cUh oh, Ethan.\u201d Raj said. He turned up the volume.\n\n\u201c- identified as Agent Raina Quell. The Advocacy has not released an official statement but sources indicate that investigators may have found a potential murder weapon and are running tests with all expediency.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat doesn\u2019t look good.\u201d Raj said with mock-concern. I looked ahead, not giving him the satisfaction of a reaction. Raj got up and started loading the LR-620 into a bag. \u201cWell, I\u2019d love to continue this thrilling conversation but, unfortunately, you\u2019ve got a Senator to assassinate.\u201d Raj headed for the door. \u201cTry not to kill him right away.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat if he tries to escape?\u201d Gaz replied. Raj glanced at me and shrugged.\n\n\u201cKill him twice.\u201d Raj walked out. One of the thugs went with him. The other stayed with Gaz. It was quiet except for the occasional hover passing. Gaz grinned as he stepped in front of me. He drew his gun and held it at his side. About ten seconds passed. I sat back and looked up at him.\n\n\u201cShoot me or don\u2019t, Gaz.\u201d I hate these intimidation games.\n\n\u201cI just wanted to show you something.\u201d Gaz ejected a round from the chamber and held it in front of my eyes. \u201cThis is going to punch through your skull. Weird, right? Not many people get to see the thing that\u2019s going to kill them.\u201d\n\n\u201cWow. That\u2019s deep. I can see why Raj hired you.\u201d\n\nGaz smiled and sat in the chair across from me.\n\nWe stayed like that for another half-hour. Gaz kept tossing the bullet up into the air. The thug stretched out on the bed and flipped through channels while he swung around my Vanduul blade.\n\nI tried to work out Raj\u2019s plan. Hannigan was going to appear at the Governor\u2019s Ball within the hour. I needed to get out of here. Partially because Hannigan was an innocent in all this but mostly because I wanted Raj to fail.\n\n\u201cHey.\u201d The thug said. It was another news update about Quell. They pulled my ID off my gun. My face and name were now being relayed to Advocacy and Police throughout the UEE. They both started laughing.\n\n\u201cYou should be thanking us for killing you. Because you are done, my friend.\u201d Gaz said in between laughs. He wasn\u2019t wrong. If I get through this, I\u2019ve got big problems. After the news update, it went back to live coverage of the Governor\u2019s Ball. Hannigan hadn\u2019t shown up yet.\n\n\u201cCan we get this over with?\u201d I said. \u201cHearing you two idiots talk has got to more painful than a bullet to the face.\u201d\n\nHell with it. Something\u2019s got to happen. Either this works or I get shot down but I\u2019m done waiting. I slid my way up the pole to stand.\n\n\u201cSit down.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo. My legs are tired and, since it doesn\u2019t look like I\u2019m checking out right now, I\u2019d like to stretch them.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat really what you want?\u201d Gaz stood, his expression serious now. I was bugging him. Good.\n\n\u201cMore than anything.\u201d I said, looking him dead in the eye. \u201cI do regret not carving you up in the landing park though.\u201d\n\nGaz loaded my bullet into his gun. The thug got uncomfortable.\n\n\u201cMaybe we should hold off, you know?\u201d The thug said nervously as he got off the bed. \u201cRaj said-\u201c\n\n\u201cScrew him. He\u2019s not here.\u201d Gaz said and popped the slide.\n\n\u201cRaj said to wait. I need the money too bad to go against that.\u201d the thug said, \u201cso you can kill him if you want. I just won\u2019t be a part of it.\u201d\n\nThe thug stepped outside. My options got a whole lot cheerier. I kept looking Gaz in the eye. If he raises that gun, I\u2019ve got two plays ready.\n\nGaz didn\u2019t though. He was thinking. Damn. He hadn\u2019t backed down which was good but the lumbering gears in his vast empty skull were turning though. He holstered his gun. Double damn.\n\n\u201cYou know. I think a bullet\u2019s too good for you.\u201d\n\n\u201cReally? What about all that time we spent bonding?\u201d I fired back. He didn\u2019t like that.\n\nHe drew his knife and lunged. I didn\u2019t have much to work with but shifted right before he stabbed me. At first all I felt was the impact of the blade. Then the pain started to bubble through the shock. My last-second movement kept the blade away from a lethal strike but it was about to get painful real soon. He was close now though, so points for me.\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t think this is it. We\u2019re just getting started.\u201d He hissed through gritted teeth. I rammed by forehead into his nose. I felt cartilage crumple. He staggered back, dazed, clutching the faucet of blood now emptying out of his face. I jumped up, locked my legs around his neck, and twisted him to the ground. He instinctively dropped the knife as his hands went to pry my legs free.\n\nThe pain in my chest was on full-blast now. My arms felt like they were about to dislocate but I wasn\u2019t going to let go. I couldn\u2019t. I squeezed tighter. Gaz gasped for air. He started punching my legs, hoping the pain would set him free. The punches got progressively weaker. Then stopped. I held on for another minute just to be sure. Gaz was down, hopefully dead, but definitely out.\n\nI kicked the knife across the carpet to my hands and sawed at the QuikTie. There was a knock on the door.\n\n\u201cYou done?\u201d The thug said. The QuikTie popped off. The door opened. I dove for Gaz and ripped the pistol from his holster. The thug barely had time to process before I put three rounds through his chest. He stumbled back into the hall and slid down the wall.\n\nI lowered the gun and checked my wound. There were enough towels around for a temporary patch-up but I needed a MedStation or I was going to bleed out.\n\nI gathered my things and appropriated Gaz\u2019s pistol, his MobileGlas, and the thug\u2019s MaxOx P4 before heading out the door. Halfway down the hall I realized I\u2019d forgotten something.\n\nI came back and shot Gaz twice in the head.\n\n\n* * * * *\n\n\nI hit the streets. The rain had stopped and the city looked clean for the moment. Within ten minutes I was racing through traffic toward the Governor\u2019s Ball in another stolen hover. Listening to the news, Hannigan was still a no-show. That was good but I had nothing. Raj could be set up in any number of buildings. I needed to flush him out, make him have to change his plan. So I called the cops.\n\n\u201cEmergency Services.\u201d\n\n\u201cSomeone\u2019s going to assassinate Senator Hannigan.\u201d I said. There was a pause.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m sorry?\u201d The dispatcher said.\n\n\u201cThe Governor\u2019s Ball. There\u2019s a sniper.\u201d\n\n\u201cTransferring.\u201d The dispatcher clicked off. I weaved past a bus and floored it. Finally, a new voice came over the line.\n\n\u201cWho is this?\u201d\n\n\u201cI have information that there is going to be an attempt at the Senator\u2019s life. Don\u2019t let him go to the Governor\u2019s Ball.\u201d\n\n\u201cWho is this?\u201d\n\n\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d\n\n\u201cRight.\u201d The voice paused. \u201cThank you for your concern. We will look into it.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m telling you, if you march him out in front of those lights, his head will become mist a second later.\u201d\n\n\u201cAnd how do you know this information?\u201d I could tell by his voice he wasn\u2019t buying it. He was stalling to trace me. I hung up.\n\nTime for a new plan.\n\nI merged onto the highway that ran along the river. I checked my wound. I\u2019ve lost a lot of blood and it wouldn\u2019t be long before this would be a real problem.\n\nThe Governor\u2019s Ball was a few thousand meters off the coast. The floating platform slowly moved parallel to the highway. From my scout, I knew the security protocols included a projectile shield that most guns wouldn\u2019t be able to penetrate. The LR-620 would barely be slowed down. That was part of the reason I chose it.\n\nThe news announced that Hannigan had arrived and was about to come out for his speech. I pulled my hover off the highway and headed straight for the platform. I charged up the P4 carbine and rolled down the window.\n\nOver the Spectrum, Hannigan had arrived and stepped out to thunderous applause. I rested the P4 out the window and squeezed the trigger. The battery cycled up and sprayed laser blasts at the Governor\u2019s Ball. The projectile shielding flared up to absorb the shots but I got their attention. The 15,000Cr-a-plate donors screamed and scrambled. Hannigan\u2019s security detail rushed him to safety. The news commentator feverishly reported that the Ball was under attack.\n\nI dove the hover back toward the city before the cops could even mobilize. I wished it were that simple but Raj wasn\u2019t going to give up on Hannigan. I\u2019m sure he had contingencies but now he\u2019d have to implement them, which meant he\u2019d have to move.\n\nI cut the hover back into the dense traffic in the network of streets. I started making laps past the five or six buildings tall enough for Raj to get a good angle on killing Hannigan. Suddenly, Gaz\u2019s MobileGlas started buzzing. I answered but didn\u2019t say anything.\n\n\u201cGaz, we\u2019ve had a problem. You better not have killed him yet.\u201d It was Raj.\n\nHe sounded out of breath. I strained to listen to the background for anything unique. I heard the high-pitched wail of a TrashDumper\u2019s horn.\n\nThen I heard it out my window. I looked around. There was Raj, throwing his bag into the waiting hover.\n\n\u201cGaz!\u201d Raj yelled then paused. \u201cEthan?\u201d\n\nI hung up and circled back to follow them. The thug turned off the main drag and sped through the back streets. Free from civilian bystanders, I maxxed my hover and pulled alongside them. Raj looked over right as I jammed the P4 out the window and squeezed. Rapid laser blasts punched along the side of their hover. The thug cut the angle and dove down. I followed.\n\nI chased after them, dodging walkways and fire escapes. The thug was good, controlled. Suddenly the back window of Raj\u2019s hover exploded out. A shell from the LR-620 blasted through my windshield and decimated the passenger seat. He reset for another shot.\n\nI swerved and dove the hover just as he fired again. I rested the P4 on the dash and aimed up. I sprayed and prayed. Holes perforated all up and down the undercarriage of their hover. Fluids started leaking. There was a pop and smoke streamed back. Emergency stabilizers started to kick in. I kept firing.\n\nThe thug tried to turn but I must have hit the hydraulics because it was a sluggish turn. Too sluggish. The hover smashed into the corner of a megacomplex. It rolled down the building and crashed into the street below.\n\nI swung around and set down the hover. Someone was walking over to try and help. He saw me approach with my pistol drawn and decided to stay out of it.\n\nThe passenger door opened and Raj flopped out. Blood oozed from dozens of cuts and gashes. He started crawling away. His leg was crunched just below the knee and left a trail of viscous blood across the pavement. I grabbed him by his mangled leg and rolled him over.\n\nI checked the driver. He was wrapped around the console, a mess of blood and bone. I focused on Raj who was struggling to breathe.\n\n\u201cGuess you got me, Ethan.\u201d Raj sputtered out.\n\n\u201cYou said this wasn\u2019t about killing Hannigan.\u201d I said. \u201cExplain.\u201d\n\nRaj coughed up some blood.\n\n\u201cHannigan\u2019s a nobody. He happened to fit the bill of what he was looking for.\u201d\n\n\u201cWho?\u201d\n\n\u201cCaro.\u201d Raj spilled. \u201cHe\u2019s too popular. Everybody\u2019s starting to know the name so he decided it was time to rebrand.\u201d\n\n\u201cSo Caro wants to start over.\u201d I said as I pieced it together. \u201cSo he finds a mark that could take the fall for him. Starts planting evidence that backs the lie to satisfy any investigation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThen he\u2019s murdered by a criminal with a rep for killing slavers.\u201d Raj grinned a bloody smile, almost gloating.\n\n\u201cThe real Caro comes up with a new name, builds a new organization, and no one\u2019s the wiser.\u201d\n\n\u201cImpressed now?\u201d\n\n\u201cMaybe.\u201d Even with my blood loss, I wasn\u2019t lying. It was pretty ingenious.\n\n\u201cWill you help me now? I\u2019ll give you Caro.\u201d He offered. I nodded, holstered the pistol, and grabbed him by the throat. He started getting nervous again. \u201cEthan, do you hear me? I can give you Caro.\u201d\n\n\u201cI know.\u201d\n\n\u201cEthan, what are you doing?\u201d\n\n\u201cYou were the one who wanted me to be the killer.\u201d\n\n\u201cEthan, please-\u201d\n\nI hit him. Despite my wound, my strength returned for this. I hit him again and again. I thought I heard him say he could get me clear of the Quell\u2019s murder charge but I wasn\u2019t listening. I couldn\u2019t stop myself. My rage wanted to consume me and I let it.\n\nFinally I stopped. Raj was more jelly than body. A crowd had formed. They watched dumbfounded.\n\nI pushed myself to my feet and started walking. The crowd got out of my way.\n\n\n* * * * *\n\n\nTwo weeks later, I was back in space. I nearly died getting to a doctor. When I was mobile, I realized I had a transportation issue. The Advocacy was undoubtedly watching my ship so I needed new wings. I ended up taking Raj\u2019s.\n\nI kept replaying his last screaming words in my head. Maybe if I spared him, Raj really could have exonerated me for Quell\u2019s murder. I doubt it. It was probably more lies.\n\nSo Kid Crimson is a murderer, an Advocacy executioner. I can\u2019t escape that now. The thing I didn\u2019t do was going to haunt me forever.\n\nThat\u2019s just how the universe works I guess.\n\nTHE END\nMagic hour. The sky shifted to violet as the sun receded for the night. Lights began to flicker on inside the massive skyscrapers of New York. The lights were out in the penthouse. Passing hovers reflected on the polished wood floors. A pair of wallscreens glowed off the marble desk. Tonight\u2019s top story; a gunman opened fire at a Citizen\u2019s Day ball on Terra. Fortunately there were no injuries. Senator Hannigan issued the following statement\u2026\n\nThat wallscreen shut off. The other accessed the Advocacy database. The file on Ethan Salassi, aka Kid Crimson, appeared on the screen.\n\nIt seemed Raj underestimated this one.\n\n\u201cCaro\u201d wouldn\u2019t make the same mistake.","de_DE":"Rajs Schl\u00e4ger haben Quells K\u00f6rper wie ein unhandliches St\u00fcck Fleisch aufgehoben. Ich nehme an, das ist alles, was es jetzt war, eine Sache. Noch ein Blutfleck auf diesem billigen Teppich, etwas, das der n\u00e4chste Bewohner dieses Raumes anschauen und scherzen w\u00fcrde.\n\nIch konnte nichts f\u00fchlen, nichts bewegen. Ich wollte schreien und rei\u00dfen und verbrennen, aber die Gliedma\u00dfen h\u00f6rten nicht zu, nur ein Bewusstsein von blankem reinem Hass, der in einem nutzlosen K\u00f6rper schwebte.\n\nPl\u00f6tzlich stand die Welt auf dem Kopf. Jemand zog mich hoch und stellte mich an die Wand. Ein leichtes Druckgef\u00fchl schlich sich durch den l\u00e4hmenden Schleier. Ich sah Raj Benny an. Der bald schreiende, gequ\u00e4lte Raj Benny.\n\n\"Hey Kumpel.\" sagte er mit einem gr\u00e4sslichen Tevarin-L\u00e4cheln. Es gibt einen Grund, warum sie das nicht so oft tun. Das Gef\u00fchl kam langsam zur\u00fcck. Etwas zog sich um meine Handgelenke hinter mir zusammen. Sie leerten meine Taschen und \u00fcberpr\u00fcften mich auf Waffen. Laserbrand trat hinter mir heraus und ging zur T\u00fcr hinaus.\n\n\"Komm schon, Ethan, es sollte inzwischen nachlassen. Du wei\u00dft, wie sehr ich einseitige Gespr\u00e4che hasse.\" sagte Raj und blickte in mein schlaffes Gesicht. \" Bist du zur\u00fcck?\"\n\n\"Komm ein wenig n\u00e4her und finde es heraus.\" Ich habe geschl\u00fcrft. Mein Mund bewegte sich, als ob er zum ersten Mal Worte bilden w\u00fcrde.\n\n\"So ist es gut.\" Raj lehnte sich zur\u00fcck und streckte sich. Die Taubheit verfl\u00fcchtigte sich in den n\u00e4chsten Sekunden und lie\u00df mich mit Schmerzen in meiner Wirbels\u00e4ule zur\u00fcck. Ich habe versucht, mich zu bewegen. Es f\u00fchlte sich an, als h\u00e4tten sie eine QuikTie-Fessel benutzt und mich an ein Rohr an der Wand gefesselt.\n\n\"Der ber\u00fcchtigte Kid Crimson, der mit der Advocacy zusammenarbeitet. Wer h\u00e4tte das gedacht....\" Raj sch\u00fcttelte den Kopf, erstaunt und entt\u00e4uscht. \"Wei\u00dft du, nach allem, was wir durchgemacht haben, habe ich wirklich darauf gez\u00e4hlt, dass du das durchstehen wirst. Ich hatte den gr\u00f6\u00dften Glauben, dass du Hannigan knallen und damit durchkommen w\u00fcrdest.\"\n\n\"Lass mich sehen, ob ich das richtig verstehe.\" Ich sagte, Worte flie\u00dfen jetzt leichter. Raj lehnte sich zur\u00fcck, ein selbstgef\u00e4lliges Grinsen auf seinem Gesicht, das ich zu Paste schlagen wollte. Fokussieren. \"Du hast das alles arrangiert: diese Ladung Sklaven, dieser Idiot, der meinen Namen benutzt, die Spur der Beweise, die Hannigan als Caro malen, nur um mich dazu zu bringen, jemanden umzubringen?\"\n\n\" Beeindruckt?\"\n\n\"Wei\u00dft du, du musst nicht all das Geld und die Ressourcen verschwenden, um einen Senator zu t\u00f6ten. Du kannst Leute daf\u00fcr bezahlen. Oder sind sie in der Criminal Masterminding 101 nicht dazu gekommen?\"\n\nRaj grinste breiter und nickte abweisend.\n\n\"Oh, du denkst, es geht nur um Hannigan.\" sagte er schlie\u00dflich.\n\n\" Wer dann?\" Ich wei\u00df, dass dieser arrogante Fleck mir mehr als alles andere sagen wollte, damit ich sehen konnte, wie beeindruckend er ist, aber er z\u00f6gerte, also habe ich ihn ges\u00fc\u00dft. \"Ich nehme an, du wirst Hannigan sowieso t\u00f6ten und die Tat an mir aufh\u00e4ngen. Also wirst du mich entweder t\u00f6ten, wenn es erledigt ist, oder mich verschwinden lassen. Also, was ist schon dabei?\"\n\nRaj dachte besser dar\u00fcber nach und biss nicht.\n\nDie T\u00fcr \u00f6ffnete sich. Laser-Burn kam mit ein paar Taschen und einer Tasse HydroFroz. Er gab den Drink an Raj weiter und warf die Taschen auf das Bett. Es war das LR-620, meine Klinge und alles andere aus Quells Schwebeflug.\n\nRaj nahm einen Schluck vom HydroFroz und hob das Gewehr auf.\n\n\"Dovkin hat dir daf\u00fcr ein gutes Angebot gemacht?\"\n\nIch ignorierte die Frage und starrte Laser-burn an und versuchte, den besten Weg herauszufinden, ihn zu verletzen. Das Gef\u00fchl war gegenseitig. Er hat mich auch mit den Augen ermordet.\n\n\"Wir sollten ihn jetzt t\u00f6ten.\" Sagte er. Raj blickte aus dem Bereich auf.\n\n\"Kann nicht. Wir haben ein paar Stunden, bevor Hannigan stirbt, wir brauchen die Forensik, um die Zeitachse einzuhalten.\"\n\n\"Erschie\u00df ihn jetzt und wirf ihn in einen Stern.\" Laser-Brand sagte, seine Augen verlie\u00dfen mich nie. Raj dachte dar\u00fcber nach und wandte sich an mich.\n\n\"Wie w\u00fcrdest du dich dabei f\u00fchlen?\"\n\n\"Wahrscheinlich das clevere Spiel.\" sagte ich und sah Raj an. \"Andernfalls werde ich euch alle umbringen.\"\n\nRaj l\u00e4chelte.\n\n\"Ich werde dich vermissen, Ethan.\"\n\n\n* * * * *\n\n\nAnderthalb Stunden vergingen. Ich musste das Inferno der Wildheit, das in mir w\u00fctete, niederdr\u00fccken, damit ich zusehen und zuh\u00f6ren konnte. Es g\u00e4be einen Weg hier raus. Ich musste nur aufpassen und bereit sein, mich zu bewegen. Raj arbeitete an seiner Konsole und beobachtete gelegentlich den Wandschirm. Der Laserbrand war am Fenster und blickte auf die Stadt.\n\nDie beiden Schl\u00e4ger kamen von der Entsorgung von Quells Leiche zur\u00fcck. Einer fl\u00fcsterte Raj zu, der nickte. Der andere zog einen Stuhl hoch, um mich zu bewachen. Er fing an, den Haufen meiner Sachen zu durchsuchen. Er fand Quells Handschellen und Fesseln.\n\n\"Hey Gaz, \u00fcberpr\u00fcfe es.\" Das sagte der Verbrecher. Laser-Brennen\/Gas-Drehen. \"Warum benutzen wir die nicht?\"\n\n\"Geh nicht in seine N\u00e4he.\" sagte Raj, streng.\n\n\"Ich versuche nur zu helfen.\" Er warf die Handschellen zur Seite. Etwas fiel Rajs Blick auf den Wandschirm.\n\n\"Uh oh oh, Ethan.\" sagte Raj. Er hat die Lautst\u00e4rke erh\u00f6ht.\n\n\"- identifiziert als Agent Raina Quell. Die Advocacy hat keine offizielle Erkl\u00e4rung ver\u00f6ffentlicht, aber Quellen deuten darauf hin, dass Ermittler eine potenzielle Mordwaffe gefunden haben k\u00f6nnten und Tests mit aller Zweckm\u00e4\u00dfigkeit durchf\u00fchren.\"\n\n\"Das sieht nicht gut aus.\" sagte Raj mit Scheinbesorgnis. Ich blickte nach vorne und gab ihm nicht die Befriedigung einer Reaktion. Raj stand auf und begann, das LR-620 in eine Tasche zu laden. \"Nun, ich w\u00fcrde gerne dieses spannende Gespr\u00e4ch fortsetzen, aber leider musst du einen Senator ermorden.\" Raj ging zur T\u00fcr. \"Versuchen Sie, ihn nicht sofort zu t\u00f6ten.\"\n\n\"Was ist, wenn er versucht zu fliehen?\" antwortete Gaz. Raj blickte mich an und zuckte mit den Schultern.\n\n\"T\u00f6te ihn zweimal.\" Raj ging raus. Einer der Schl\u00e4ger ging mit ihm. Der andere blieb bei Gaz. Es war ruhig, bis auf die gelegentlichen Schwebepassagen. Gaz grinste, als er vor mich trat. Er zog seine Waffe und hielt sie an seiner Seite. Etwa zehn Sekunden vergingen. Ich lehnte mich zur\u00fcck und sah zu ihm auf.\n\n\"Erschie\u00df mich oder nicht, Gaz.\" Ich hasse diese Einsch\u00fcchterungsspiele.\n\n\"Ich wollte dir nur etwas zeigen.\" Gaz warf eine Runde aus der Kammer und hielt sie vor meine Augen. \"Das wird dir durch den Sch\u00e4del schlagen. Seltsam, oder? Nicht viele Leute sehen das Ding, das sie t\u00f6ten wird.\"\n\n\"Wow. Das ist tief. Ich kann verstehen, warum Raj dich eingestellt hat.\"\n\nGaz l\u00e4chelte und setzte sich auf den Stuhl gegen\u00fcber von mir.\n\nSo blieben wir noch eine halbe Stunde. Gaz warf die Kugel immer wieder in die Luft. Der Schl\u00e4ger streckte sich auf dem Bett aus und drehte sich durch Kan\u00e4le, w\u00e4hrend er um meine Vanduul-Klinge schwang.\n\nIch habe versucht, Rajs Plan auszuarbeiten. Hannigan sollte innerhalb einer Stunde auf dem Ball des Gouverneurs erscheinen. Ich musste hier raus. Zum Teil, weil Hannigan bei all dem unschuldig war, aber vor allem, weil ich wollte, dass Raj scheitert.\n\n\" Hey.\" Das sagte der Verbrecher. Es war ein weiteres Nachrichten-Update \u00fcber Quell. Sie zogen meinen Ausweis von meiner Waffe. Mein Gesicht und mein Name wurden nun an Advocacy und Polizei in der gesamten UEE weitergeleitet. Sie fingen beide an zu lachen.\n\n\"Du solltest uns danken, dass wir dich get\u00f6tet haben. Weil du fertig bist, mein Freund.\" sagte Gaz zwischendurch lachend. Er lag nicht falsch. Wenn ich das durchstehe, habe ich gro\u00dfe Probleme. Nach dem Nachrichtenupdate ging es zur\u00fcck zur Live-\u00dcbertragung des Governor's Ball. Hannigan war noch nicht erschienen.\n\n\"K\u00f6nnen wir das hinter uns bringen?\" sagte ich. \"Euch zwei Idioten reden zu h\u00f6ren, ist zu schmerzhafter als eine Kugel im Gesicht.\"\n\nZum Teufel damit. Es muss etwas passieren. Entweder funktioniert das oder ich werde abgeschossen, aber ich bin fertig mit dem Warten. Ich schob mich die Stange hinauf, um zu stehen.\n\n\"Setz dich hin.\"\n\n\"Nein. Meine Beine sind m\u00fcde und da es nicht so aussieht, als w\u00fcrde ich jetzt auschecken, w\u00fcrde ich sie gerne strecken.\"\n\n\"Ist es wirklich das, was du willst?\" Gaz stand auf, sein Gesichtsausdruck war jetzt ernst. Ich habe ihn genervt. Gut.\n\n\"Mehr als alles andere.\" sagte ich und sah ihm tot in die Augen. \"Ich bereue es, dich nicht im Landepark aufgeteilt zu haben.\"\n\nGaz schoss meine Kugel in seine Waffe. Dem Schl\u00e4ger wurde es unangenehm.\n\n\"Vielleicht sollten wir einen Moment warten, wei\u00dft du?\" sagte der Schl\u00e4ger nerv\u00f6s, als er vom Bett kam. \"Raj sagte...\"\n\n\"Fick ihn. Er ist nicht hier.\" sagte Gaz und schlug die Folie ein.\n\n\"Raj sagte, ich solle warten. Ich brauche das Geld zu dringend, um dagegen vorzugehen\", sagte der Schl\u00e4ger, \"damit du ihn t\u00f6ten kannst, wenn du willst. Ich werde einfach kein Teil davon sein.\"\n\nDer Schl\u00e4ger trat nach drau\u00dfen. Meine Optionen wurden viel freundlicher. Ich sah Gaz immer wieder in die Augen. Wenn er die Waffe hebt, habe ich zwei Spiele vorbereitet.\n\nGaz aber nicht. Er dachte nach. Verdammt. Er hatte sich nicht zur\u00fcckgezogen, was gut war, aber die schwerf\u00e4lligen Zahnr\u00e4der in seinem riesigen leeren Sch\u00e4del drehten sich trotzdem. Er hat seine Waffe gepolstert. Verdammt noch mal.\n\n\"Du wei\u00dft schon. Ich denke, eine Kugel ist zu gut f\u00fcr dich.\"\n\n\"Wirklich? Was ist mit der ganzen Zeit, in der wir uns kennengelernt haben?\" Ich feuerte zur\u00fcck. Das gefiel ihm nicht.\n\nEr zog sein Messer und st\u00fcrzte sich auf den Boden. Ich hatte nicht viel zu tun, aber ich bewegte mich kurz bevor er mich erstach. Zuerst f\u00fchlte ich nur den Aufprall der Klinge. Dann begann der Schmerz durch den Schock zu blubbern. Meine Bewegung in letzter Sekunde hielt die Klinge von einem t\u00f6dlichen Schlag fern, aber es war kurz davor, sehr bald schmerzhaft zu werden. Er stand sich aber jetzt sehr nahe, also Punkte f\u00fcr mich.\n\n\"Glaub nicht, dass es das ist. Wir fangen gerade erst an.\" Er zischte durch knirschende Z\u00e4hne. Ich rammte ihm mit der Stirn in die Nase. Ich f\u00fchlte Knorpelknitter. Er taumelte zur\u00fcck, benommen, klammerte sich an den Blutkreislauf, der sich jetzt aus seinem Gesicht leerte. Ich sprang auf, schloss meine Beine um seinen Hals und drehte ihn zu Boden. Er lie\u00df instinktiv das Messer fallen, als seine H\u00e4nde meine Beine freimachen wollten.\n\nDie Schmerzen in meiner Brust waren jetzt auf Hochtouren. Meine Arme f\u00fchlten sich an, als w\u00fcrden sie sich auskugeln, aber ich wollte nicht loslassen. Ich konnte nicht. Ich dr\u00fcckte fester. Gaz keuchte nach Luft. Er fing an, meine Beine zu schlagen, in der Hoffnung, dass der Schmerz ihn befreien w\u00fcrde. Die Schl\u00e4ge wurden immer schw\u00e4cher. Dann h\u00f6rte er auf. Ich hielt noch eine Minute durch, nur um sicher zu gehen. Gaz war am Boden, hoffentlich tot, aber definitiv nicht.\n\nIch stie\u00df das Messer \u00fcber den Teppich zu meinen H\u00e4nden und s\u00e4gte am QuikTie. Es klopfte an der T\u00fcr.\n\n\" Bist du fertig?\" Das sagte der Verbrecher. Der QuikTie sprang ab. Die T\u00fcr \u00f6ffnete sich. Ich tauchte nach Gaz und riss ihm die Pistole aus dem Halfter. Der Schl\u00e4ger hatte kaum Zeit zu verarbeiten, bevor ich ihm drei Sch\u00fcsse durch die Brust schob. Er stolperte zur\u00fcck in die Halle und rutschte die Wand hinunter.\n\nIch senkte die Waffe und \u00fcberpr\u00fcfte meine Wunde. Es gab genug Handt\u00fccher f\u00fcr ein tempor\u00e4res Patch-up, aber ich brauchte eine MedStation, oder ich wollte verbluten.\n\nIch sammelte meine Sachen und nahm Gazs Pistole, sein MobileGlas und das MaxOx P4 des Schl\u00e4gers, bevor ich zur T\u00fcr hinausging. Auf halbem Weg den Flur entlang wurde mir klar, dass ich etwas vergessen hatte.\n\nIch kam zur\u00fcck und schoss Gaz zweimal in den Kopf.\n\n\n* * * * *\n\n\nIch gehe auf die Stra\u00dfe. Der Regen hatte aufgeh\u00f6rt und die Stadt sah f\u00fcr den Moment sauber aus. Innerhalb von zehn Minuten raste ich durch den Verkehr zum Governor's Ball in einem anderen gestohlenen Schwebeflug. Hannigan h\u00f6rte sich die Nachrichten an und war immer noch nicht zu sehen. Das war gut, aber ich hatte nichts. Raj k\u00f6nnte in einer beliebigen Anzahl von Geb\u00e4uden aufgestellt werden. Ich musste ihn aufdecken, ihn dazu bringen, seinen Plan zu \u00e4ndern. Also habe ich die Polizei gerufen.\n\n\"Notfalldienste.\"\n\n\"Jemand wird Senator Hannigan ermorden.\" sagte ich. Es gab eine Pause.\n\n\"Es tut mir leid?\" sagte der Dispatcher.\n\n\" Der Ball des Gouverneurs. Da ist ein Scharfsch\u00fctze.\"\n\n\" Versetzung.\" Der Dispatcher hat sich angeklickt. Ich webte an einem Bus vorbei und bodenbelastete ihn. Schlie\u00dflich kam eine neue Stimme \u00fcber die Linie.\n\n\"Wer ist da?\"\n\n\"Ich habe Informationen, dass es einen Anschlag auf das Leben des Senators geben wird. Lass ihn nicht zum Ball des Gouverneurs gehen.\"\n\n\"Wer ist da?\"\n\n\"Es spielt keine Rolle.\"\n\n\" Richtig.\" Die Stimme hielt an. \"Danke f\u00fcr deine Besorgnis. Wir werden uns das ansehen.\"\n\n\"Ich sage dir, wenn du ihn vor diese Lichter bringst, wird sein Kopf eine Sekunde sp\u00e4ter neblig.\"\n\n\"Und woher kennen Sie diese Informationen?\" Ich konnte an seiner Stimme erkennen, dass er es nicht glauben w\u00fcrde. Er wollte mich nur aufsp\u00fcren. Ich legte auf.\n\nZeit f\u00fcr einen neuen Plan.\n\nIch fusionierte auf die Autobahn, die am Fluss entlang f\u00fchrte. Ich habe meine Wunde \u00fcberpr\u00fcft. Ich habe viel Blut verloren und es w\u00fcrde nicht lange dauern, bis dies ein echtes Problem sein w\u00fcrde.\n\nDer Ball des Gouverneurs lag ein paar tausend Meter vor der K\u00fcste. Die schwimmende Plattform bewegte sich langsam parallel zur Autobahn. Von meinem Sp\u00e4her wusste ich, dass die Sicherheitsprotokolle einen Projektilschild enthielten, den die meisten Waffen nicht durchdringen konnten. Der LR-620 w\u00fcrde kaum verlangsamt werden. Das war ein Teil des Grundes, warum ich es gew\u00e4hlt habe.\n\nDie Nachricht k\u00fcndigte an, dass Hannigan angekommen sei und im Begriff sei, zu seiner Rede zu kommen. Ich zog meinen Schwebeflug vom Highway und ging direkt auf die Plattform zu. Ich lud den P4-Karabiner auf und rollte das Fenster herunter.\n\n\u00dcber das Spectrum war Hannigan angekommen und trat unter tosendem Applaus hervor. Ich legte den P4 aus dem Fenster und dr\u00fcckte den Abzug. Die Batterie zyklisierte sich und spritzte Laserstrahlen auf den Ball des Governors. Der Projektilschild flammte auf, um die Sch\u00fcsse zu absorbieren, aber ich bekam ihre Aufmerksamkeit. Die 15.000Cr-a-plate Spender schrien und krabbelten. Hannigans Sicherheitskr\u00e4fte brachten ihn in Sicherheit. Der Nachrichtenkommentator berichtete fieberhaft, dass der Ball angegriffen wurde.\n\nIch tauche den Schwebeflug zur\u00fcck in die Stadt, bevor die Polizei \u00fcberhaupt mobilisieren konnte. Ich w\u00fcnschte, es w\u00e4re so einfach, aber Raj w\u00fcrde Hannigan nicht aufgeben. Ich bin sicher, dass er Eventualit\u00e4ten hatte, aber jetzt m\u00fcsste er sie umsetzen, was bedeutete, dass er sich bewegen musste.\n\nIch schnitt den Schwebeflug zur\u00fcck in den dichten Verkehr im Stra\u00dfennetz. Ich fing an, Runden an den f\u00fcnf oder sechs Geb\u00e4uden vorbei zu drehen, die hoch genug waren, damit Raj einen guten Blick auf den Tod von Hannigan werfen konnte. Pl\u00f6tzlich brummte das MobileGlas von Gaz. Ich antwortete, sagte aber nichts.\n\n\"Gaz, wir hatten ein Problem. Du hast ihn besser noch nicht get\u00f6tet.\" Es war Raj.\n\nEr klang au\u00dfer Atem. Ich bem\u00fchte mich, auf den Hintergrund zu h\u00f6ren, um etwas Einzigartiges zu finden. Ich h\u00f6rte das hohe Klagen eines TrashDumper-Horns.\n\nDann h\u00f6rte ich es aus dem Fenster. Ich sah mich um. Da war Raj, der seine Tasche in den wartenden Schwebezustand warf.\n\n\" Gaz!\" Raj schrie und hielt dann inne. \" Ethan?\"\n\nIch legte auf und kreiste zur\u00fcck, um ihnen zu folgen. Der Schl\u00e4ger schaltete den Hauptwiderstand aus und raste durch die Hinterh\u00f6fe. Frei von zivilen Zuschauern maximierte ich meinen Schwebeflug und zog an ihrer Seite. Raj schaute genau hin\u00fcber, als ich den P4 aus dem Fenster staute und dr\u00fcckte. Schnelle Laserstrahlen, die entlang der Seite ihres Hovers gestanzt werden. Der Schl\u00e4ger schnitt den Winkel ab und sprang nach unten. Ich folgte ihm.\n\nIch jagte ihnen hinterher, wich Laufstegen und Feuerleitern aus. Der Schl\u00e4ger war gut, kontrolliert. Pl\u00f6tzlich explodierte das Heckscheibe von Rajs Schwebebahn. Eine Granate aus dem LR-620 schoss durch meine Windschutzscheibe und dezimierte den Beifahrersitz. Er setzte sich auf einen anderen Schuss zur\u00fcck.\n\nIch schwamm und tauchte den Schwebeflug, als er wieder feuerte. Ich legte den P4 auf den Armaturenbrett und zielte nach oben. Ich spritzte und betete. L\u00f6cher perforierten das gesamte Fahrwerk ihres Schwebeflugzeugs auf und ab. Fl\u00fcssigkeiten begannen auszulaufen. Es gab ein Pop und Rauch str\u00f6mte zur\u00fcck. Notfallstabilisatoren begannen zu wirken. Ich schoss weiter.\n\nDer Schl\u00e4ger versuchte sich zu drehen, aber ich muss die Hydraulik getroffen haben, weil es eine tr\u00e4ge Kurve war. Zu tr\u00e4ge. Der Schwebeflug st\u00fcrzte in die Ecke eines Megakomplexes. Er rollte das Geb\u00e4ude hinunter und st\u00fcrzte auf die Stra\u00dfe darunter.\n\nIch drehte mich um und setzte den Schwebeflug ab. Jemand ging hin\u00fcber, um zu versuchen zu helfen. Er sah, wie ich mich mit gezogener Pistole n\u00e4herte und beschloss, sich da rauszuhalten.\n\nDie Beifahrert\u00fcr \u00f6ffnete sich und Raj fiel heraus. Das Blut str\u00f6mte aus Dutzenden von Schnitten und Wunden. Er fing an, wegzukriechen. Sein Bein wurde knapp unter dem Knie zusammengedr\u00fcckt und hinterlie\u00df eine Spur von z\u00e4hfl\u00fcssigem Blut \u00fcber den B\u00fcrgersteig. Ich packte ihn an seinem zerfleischten Bein und drehte ihn um.\n\nIch habe den Fahrer \u00fcberpr\u00fcft. Er war um die Konsole gewickelt, ein Durcheinander aus Blut und Knochen. Ich konzentrierte mich auf Raj, der Schwierigkeiten hatte zu atmen.\n\n\"Ich sch\u00e4tze, du hast mich, Ethan.\" Raj sprudelte heraus.\n\n\"Du sagtest, es geht nicht darum, Hannigan zu t\u00f6ten.\" sagte ich. \" Erkl\u00e4re es.\"\n\nRaj hat etwas Blut gehustet.\n\n\"Hannigan ist ein Niemand. Er passte zuf\u00e4llig in das, wonach er suchte.\"\n\n\" Wer?\"\n\n\" Caro.\" Raj ist ausgelaufen. \"Er ist zu beliebt. Jeder f\u00e4ngt an, den Namen zu kennen, also entschied er, dass es an der Zeit ist, die Marke zu \u00e4ndern.\"\n\n\"Also will Caro neu anfangen.\" sagte ich, als ich es zusammensetzte. \"So findet er ein Zeichen, das den Fall f\u00fcr ihn \u00fcbernehmen k\u00f6nnte. Beginnt, Beweise zu sammeln, die die L\u00fcge best\u00e4tigen, um jede Untersuchung zu befriedigen.\"\n\n\"Dann wird er von einem Verbrecher mit einem Ruf f\u00fcr die Ermordung von Sklavenh\u00e4ndlern ermordet.\" Raj grinste ein blutiges L\u00e4cheln, fast h\u00e4misch.\n\n\"Das echte Caro kommt mit einem neuen Namen, baut eine neue Organisation auf, und niemand ist kl\u00fcger.\"\n\n\"Beeindruckt jetzt?\"\n\n\" Vielleicht.\" Selbst mit meinem Blutverlust habe ich nicht gelogen. Es war ziemlich genial.\n\n\"Wirst du mir jetzt helfen? Ich gebe dir Caro.\" Das hat er angeboten. Ich nickte, hielt die Pistole fest und packte ihn an der Kehle. Er wurde wieder nerv\u00f6s. \"Ethan, h\u00f6rst du mich? Ich kann dir Caro geben.\"\n\n\" Ich wei\u00df.\"\n\n\"Ethan, was machst du da?\"\n\n\"Du warst diejenige, die wollte, dass ich der M\u00f6rder bin.\"\n\n\"Ethan, bitte-\"\n\nIch schlug ihn. Trotz meiner Wunde kehrte meine Kraft daf\u00fcr zur\u00fcck. Ich schlug ihn immer wieder. Ich dachte, ich h\u00e4tte ihn sagen h\u00f6ren, dass er mich von der Mordanklage der Quells befreien k\u00f6nnte, aber ich habe nicht zugeh\u00f6rt. Ich konnte mich nicht zur\u00fcckhalten. Meine Wut wollte mich verzehren und ich lie\u00df es zu.\n\nEndlich h\u00f6rte ich auf. Raj war mehr Gelee als K\u00f6rper. Es hatte sich eine Menge gebildet. Sie sahen verbl\u00fcfft zu.\n\nIch dr\u00fcckte mich auf die F\u00fc\u00dfe und begann zu laufen. Die Menge ging mir aus dem Weg.\n\n\n* * * * *\n\n\nZwei Wochen sp\u00e4ter war ich wieder im All. Ich bin fast gestorben, als ich zum Arzt ging. Als ich mobil war, wurde mir klar, dass ich ein Transportproblem hatte. Die Advocacy beobachtete zweifellos mein Schiff, also brauchte ich neue Fl\u00fcgel. Ich nahm am Ende Rajs.\n\nIch wiederholte immer wieder seine letzten schreienden Worte in meinem Kopf. Vielleicht h\u00e4tte Raj mich wirklich f\u00fcr Quells Mord entlasten k\u00f6nnen, wenn ich ihn verschont h\u00e4tte. Das bezweifle ich. Es waren wahrscheinlich mehr L\u00fcgen.\n\nAlso ist Kid Crimson ein M\u00f6rder, ein Henker von Advocacy. Dem kann ich jetzt nicht entkommen. Was ich nicht getan habe, war, dass es mich f\u00fcr immer verfolgen w\u00fcrde.\n\nSo funktioniert das Universum wohl auch.\n\n\n\n\nDAS ENDE\n\nMagische Stunde. Der Himmel verlagerte sich zu violett, als die Sonne f\u00fcr die Nacht zur\u00fcckging. In den massiven Wolkenkratzern von New York begannen die Lichter zu flackern. Die Lichter waren im Penthouse aus. Vorbeiziehende Schweber spiegeln sich auf den polierten Holzb\u00f6den wider. Ein Paar Wandschirme leuchteten auf dem Marmortisch. Die Top-Story des heutigen Abends: Ein Bewaffneter er\u00f6ffnete das Feuer bei einem Citizen's Day Ball auf Terra. Gl\u00fccklicherweise gab es keine Verletzungen. Senator Hannigan gab folgende Erkl\u00e4rung ab.....\n\nDer Wandschirm ist ausgeschaltet. Der andere hat auf die Datenbank von Advocacy zugegriffen. Die Akte \u00fcber Ethan Salassi, auch bekannt als Kid Crimson, erschien auf dem Bildschirm.\n\nEs schien, als h\u00e4tte Raj diesen untersch\u00e4tzt.\n\n\"Caro\" w\u00fcrde nicht den gleichen Fehler machen.","zh_CN":"Raj\u2019s thugs picked up Quell\u2019s body like an unwieldy cut of meat. I suppose that\u2019s all it was now, a thing. Another bloodstain on this cheap carpet, something the next occupant of this room would look at and joke about.\n\nI couldn\u2019t feel anything, move anything. I wanted to scream and tear and burn but the limbs weren\u2019t listening, just a consciousness of blank pure hatred floating in a useless body.\n\nSuddenly the world upended. Someone pulled me up and set me against the wall. A slight feeling of pressure crept through the paralytic haze. I found myself looking at Raj Benny. The soon-to-be-screaming-in-agony Raj Benny.\n\n\u201cHey buddy.\u201d He said with a ghastly Tevarin smile. There\u2019s a reason they don\u2019t do that often. Feeling was slowly coming back. Something tightened around my wrists behind me. They emptied my pockets and checked me for weapons. Laser-burn stepped out from behind me and walked out the door.\n\n\u201cCome on, Ethan, it should be wearing off by now. You know how much I hate one-sided conversations.\u201d Raj said, peering into my slack face. \u201cYou back?\u201d\n\n\u201cCome a little closer and find out.\u201d I slurred. My mouth moved as if forming words for the first time.\n\n\u201cThere we go.\u201d Raj sat back and stretched. The numbness dissipated over the next few seconds, leaving me with an ache in my spine. I tried moving. Felt like they used a QuikTie restraint and cuffed me to a pipe on the wall.\n\n\u201cThe infamous Kid Crimson running with the Advocacy. Who would\u2019ve thought\u2026\u201d Raj shook his head, amazed and disappointed. \u201cYou know, after all we\u2019ve been through I was really counting on you to make it through this alright. I had the utmost faith that you\u2019d be able to pop Hannigan and get away with it.\u201d\n\n\u201cLet me see if I got this straight.\u201d I said, words flowing easier now. Raj leaned back, a smug grin on his face that I wanted to beat into paste. Focus. \u201cYou set up all this: that cargo of slaves, that idiot using my name, the trail of evidence painting Hannigan as Caro, just to get me to assassinate someone?\u201d\n\n\u201cImpressed?\u201d\n\n\u201cYou know, you don\u2019t need to waste all that money and resources to kill a Senator. You can pay guys to do that. Or didn\u2019t they get to that in Criminal Masterminding 101?\u201d\n\nRaj grinned wider and nodded dismissively.\n\n\u201cOh, you think this is just about Hannigan.\u201d He said finally.\n\n\u201cWho then?\u201d I know this arrogant stain wanted more than anything to tell me so I could see just how impressive he is but he was hesitating, so I sweetened it. \u201cI assume you\u2019re going to kill Hannigan anyway and hang the deed on me. So you\u2019ll either kill me when it\u2019s done or vanish me. So what\u2019s the harm?\u201d\n\nRaj thought better of it and didn\u2019t bite.\n\nThe door opened. Laser-burn came in with some bags and a cup of HydroFroz. He passed the drink to Raj and dumped the bags on the bed. It was the LR-620, my blade, and everything else from Quell\u2019s hover.\n\nRaj took a sip of the HydroFroz and picked up the rifle.\n\n\u201cDovkin give you a good deal on this?\u201d\n\nI ignored the question and glared at Laser-burn, trying to figure out the best way to hurt him. The feeling was mutual. He was eye-murdering me too.\n\n\u201cWe should kill him now.\u201d He said. Raj looked up from the scope.\n\n\u201cCan\u2019t. We\u2019ve got a few hours before Hannigan dies, we need the forensics to match the timeline.\u201d\n\n\u201cShoot him now and dump him in a star.\u201d Laser-burn said, his eyes never leaving me. Raj thought about it and turned to me.\n\n\u201cHow would you feel about that?\u201d\n\n\u201cProbably the smart play.\u201d I said and looked at Raj. \u201cOtherwise, I\u2019m going to murder all of you.\u201d\n\nRaj smiled.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m gonna miss you, Ethan.\u201d\n\n\n* * * * *\n\n\nAn hour and a half passed. I had to tamp down the inferno of ferocity that raged inside me so I could watch and listen. There would be a way out of here. I just needed to pay attention and be ready to move. Raj worked on his console and occasionally watched the wallscreen. Laser-burn was at the window, looking out at the city.\n\nThe two thugs came back from disposing of Quell\u2019s body. One whispered to Raj who nodded. The other pulled up a chair to guard me. He started picking through the pile of my stuff. He found Quell\u2019s handcuffs and shackles.\n\n\u201cHey Gaz, check it.\u201d The thug said. Laser-burn\/Gaz turned. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we use these?\u201d\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t go near him.\u201d Raj said, sternly.\n\n\u201cJust trying to help.\u201d He tossed the cuffs aside. Something caught Raj\u2019s eye on the wallscreen.\n\n\u201cUh oh, Ethan.\u201d Raj said. He turned up the volume.\n\n\u201c- identified as Agent Raina Quell. The Advocacy has not released an official statement but sources indicate that investigators may have found a potential murder weapon and are running tests with all expediency.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat doesn\u2019t look good.\u201d Raj said with mock-concern. I looked ahead, not giving him the satisfaction of a reaction. Raj got up and started loading the LR-620 into a bag. \u201cWell, I\u2019d love to continue this thrilling conversation but, unfortunately, you\u2019ve got a Senator to assassinate.\u201d Raj headed for the door. \u201cTry not to kill him right away.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat if he tries to escape?\u201d Gaz replied. Raj glanced at me and shrugged.\n\n\u201cKill him twice.\u201d Raj walked out. One of the thugs went with him. The other stayed with Gaz. It was quiet except for the occasional hover passing. Gaz grinned as he stepped in front of me. He drew his gun and held it at his side. About ten seconds passed. I sat back and looked up at him.\n\n\u201cShoot me or don\u2019t, Gaz.\u201d I hate these intimidation games.\n\n\u201cI just wanted to show you something.\u201d Gaz ejected a round from the chamber and held it in front of my eyes. \u201cThis is going to punch through your skull. Weird, right? Not many people get to see the thing that\u2019s going to kill them.\u201d\n\n\u201cWow. That\u2019s deep. I can see why Raj hired you.\u201d\n\nGaz smiled and sat in the chair across from me.\n\nWe stayed like that for another half-hour. Gaz kept tossing the bullet up into the air. The thug stretched out on the bed and flipped through channels while he swung around my Vanduul blade.\n\nI tried to work out Raj\u2019s plan. Hannigan was going to appear at the Governor\u2019s Ball within the hour. I needed to get out of here. Partially because Hannigan was an innocent in all this but mostly because I wanted Raj to fail.\n\n\u201cHey.\u201d The thug said. It was another news update about Quell. They pulled my ID off my gun. My face and name were now being relayed to Advocacy and Police throughout the UEE. They both started laughing.\n\n\u201cYou should be thanking us for killing you. Because you are done, my friend.\u201d Gaz said in between laughs. He wasn\u2019t wrong. If I get through this, I\u2019ve got big problems. After the news update, it went back to live coverage of the Governor\u2019s Ball. Hannigan hadn\u2019t shown up yet.\n\n\u201cCan we get this over with?\u201d I said. \u201cHearing you two idiots talk has got to more painful than a bullet to the face.\u201d\n\nHell with it. Something\u2019s got to happen. Either this works or I get shot down but I\u2019m done waiting. I slid my way up the pole to stand.\n\n\u201cSit down.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo. My legs are tired and, since it doesn\u2019t look like I\u2019m checking out right now, I\u2019d like to stretch them.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat really what you want?\u201d Gaz stood, his expression serious now. I was bugging him. Good.\n\n\u201cMore than anything.\u201d I said, looking him dead in the eye. \u201cI do regret not carving you up in the landing park though.\u201d\n\nGaz loaded my bullet into his gun. The thug got uncomfortable.\n\n\u201cMaybe we should hold off, you know?\u201d The thug said nervously as he got off the bed. \u201cRaj said-\u201c\n\n\u201cScrew him. He\u2019s not here.\u201d Gaz said and popped the slide.\n\n\u201cRaj said to wait. I need the money too bad to go against that.\u201d the thug said, \u201cso you can kill him if you want. I just won\u2019t be a part of it.\u201d\n\nThe thug stepped outside. My options got a whole lot cheerier. I kept looking Gaz in the eye. If he raises that gun, I\u2019ve got two plays ready.\n\nGaz didn\u2019t though. He was thinking. Damn. He hadn\u2019t backed down which was good but the lumbering gears in his vast empty skull were turning though. He holstered his gun. Double damn.\n\n\u201cYou know. I think a bullet\u2019s too good for you.\u201d\n\n\u201cReally? What about all that time we spent bonding?\u201d I fired back. He didn\u2019t like that.\n\nHe drew his knife and lunged. I didn\u2019t have much to work with but shifted right before he stabbed me. At first all I felt was the impact of the blade. Then the pain started to bubble through the shock. My last-second movement kept the blade away from a lethal strike but it was about to get painful real soon. He was close now though, so points for me.\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t think this is it. We\u2019re just getting started.\u201d He hissed through gritted teeth. I rammed by forehead into his nose. I felt cartilage crumple. He staggered back, dazed, clutching the faucet of blood now emptying out of his face. I jumped up, locked my legs around his neck, and twisted him to the ground. He instinctively dropped the knife as his hands went to pry my legs free.\n\nThe pain in my chest was on full-blast now. My arms felt like they were about to dislocate but I wasn\u2019t going to let go. I couldn\u2019t. I squeezed tighter. Gaz gasped for air. He started punching my legs, hoping the pain would set him free. The punches got progressively weaker. Then stopped. I held on for another minute just to be sure. Gaz was down, hopefully dead, but definitely out.\n\nI kicked the knife across the carpet to my hands and sawed at the QuikTie. There was a knock on the door.\n\n\u201cYou done?\u201d The thug said. The QuikTie popped off. The door opened. I dove for Gaz and ripped the pistol from his holster. The thug barely had time to process before I put three rounds through his chest. He stumbled back into the hall and slid down the wall.\n\nI lowered the gun and checked my wound. There were enough towels around for a temporary patch-up but I needed a MedStation or I was going to bleed out.\n\nI gathered my things and appropriated Gaz\u2019s pistol, his MobileGlas, and the thug\u2019s MaxOx P4 before heading out the door. Halfway down the hall I realized I\u2019d forgotten something.\n\nI came back and shot Gaz twice in the head.\n\n\n* * * * *\n\n\nI hit the streets. The rain had stopped and the city looked clean for the moment. Within ten minutes I was racing through traffic toward the Governor\u2019s Ball in another stolen hover. Listening to the news, Hannigan was still a no-show. That was good but I had nothing. Raj could be set up in any number of buildings. I needed to flush him out, make him have to change his plan. So I called the cops.\n\n\u201cEmergency Services.\u201d\n\n\u201cSomeone\u2019s going to assassinate Senator Hannigan.\u201d I said. There was a pause.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m sorry?\u201d The dispatcher said.\n\n\u201cThe Governor\u2019s Ball. There\u2019s a sniper.\u201d\n\n\u201cTransferring.\u201d The dispatcher clicked off. I weaved past a bus and floored it. Finally, a new voice came over the line.\n\n\u201cWho is this?\u201d\n\n\u201cI have information that there is going to be an attempt at the Senator\u2019s life. Don\u2019t let him go to the Governor\u2019s Ball.\u201d\n\n\u201cWho is this?\u201d\n\n\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d\n\n\u201cRight.\u201d The voice paused. \u201cThank you for your concern. We will look into it.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m telling you, if you march him out in front of those lights, his head will become mist a second later.\u201d\n\n\u201cAnd how do you know this information?\u201d I could tell by his voice he wasn\u2019t buying it. He was stalling to trace me. I hung up.\n\nTime for a new plan.\n\nI merged onto the highway that ran along the river. I checked my wound. I\u2019ve lost a lot of blood and it wouldn\u2019t be long before this would be a real problem.\n\nThe Governor\u2019s Ball was a few thousand meters off the coast. The floating platform slowly moved parallel to the highway. From my scout, I knew the security protocols included a projectile shield that most guns wouldn\u2019t be able to penetrate. The LR-620 would barely be slowed down. That was part of the reason I chose it.\n\nThe news announced that Hannigan had arrived and was about to come out for his speech. I pulled my hover off the highway and headed straight for the platform. I charged up the P4 carbine and rolled down the window.\n\nOver the Spectrum, Hannigan had arrived and stepped out to thunderous applause. I rested the P4 out the window and squeezed the trigger. The battery cycled up and sprayed laser blasts at the Governor\u2019s Ball. The projectile shielding flared up to absorb the shots but I got their attention. The 15,000Cr-a-plate donors screamed and scrambled. Hannigan\u2019s security detail rushed him to safety. The news commentator feverishly reported that the Ball was under attack.\n\nI dove the hover back toward the city before the cops could even mobilize. I wished it were that simple but Raj wasn\u2019t going to give up on Hannigan. I\u2019m sure he had contingencies but now he\u2019d have to implement them, which meant he\u2019d have to move.\n\nI cut the hover back into the dense traffic in the network of streets. I started making laps past the five or six buildings tall enough for Raj to get a good angle on killing Hannigan. Suddenly, Gaz\u2019s MobileGlas started buzzing. I answered but didn\u2019t say anything.\n\n\u201cGaz, we\u2019ve had a problem. You better not have killed him yet.\u201d It was Raj.\n\nHe sounded out of breath. I strained to listen to the background for anything unique. I heard the high-pitched wail of a TrashDumper\u2019s horn.\n\nThen I heard it out my window. I looked around. There was Raj, throwing his bag into the waiting hover.\n\n\u201cGaz!\u201d Raj yelled then paused. \u201cEthan?\u201d\n\nI hung up and circled back to follow them. The thug turned off the main drag and sped through the back streets. Free from civilian bystanders, I maxxed my hover and pulled alongside them. Raj looked over right as I jammed the P4 out the window and squeezed. Rapid laser blasts punched along the side of their hover. The thug cut the angle and dove down. I followed.\n\nI chased after them, dodging walkways and fire escapes. The thug was good, controlled. Suddenly the back window of Raj\u2019s hover exploded out. A shell from the LR-620 blasted through my windshield and decimated the passenger seat. He reset for another shot.\n\nI swerved and dove the hover just as he fired again. I rested the P4 on the dash and aimed up. I sprayed and prayed. Holes perforated all up and down the undercarriage of their hover. Fluids started leaking. There was a pop and smoke streamed back. Emergency stabilizers started to kick in. I kept firing.\n\nThe thug tried to turn but I must have hit the hydraulics because it was a sluggish turn. Too sluggish. The hover smashed into the corner of a megacomplex. It rolled down the building and crashed into the street below.\n\nI swung around and set down the hover. Someone was walking over to try and help. He saw me approach with my pistol drawn and decided to stay out of it.\n\nThe passenger door opened and Raj flopped out. Blood oozed from dozens of cuts and gashes. He started crawling away. His leg was crunched just below the knee and left a trail of viscous blood across the pavement. I grabbed him by his mangled leg and rolled him over.\n\nI checked the driver. He was wrapped around the console, a mess of blood and bone. I focused on Raj who was struggling to breathe.\n\n\u201cGuess you got me, Ethan.\u201d Raj sputtered out.\n\n\u201cYou said this wasn\u2019t about killing Hannigan.\u201d I said. \u201cExplain.\u201d\n\nRaj coughed up some blood.\n\n\u201cHannigan\u2019s a nobody. He happened to fit the bill of what he was looking for.\u201d\n\n\u201cWho?\u201d\n\n\u201cCaro.\u201d Raj spilled. \u201cHe\u2019s too popular. Everybody\u2019s starting to know the name so he decided it was time to rebrand.\u201d\n\n\u201cSo Caro wants to start over.\u201d I said as I pieced it together. \u201cSo he finds a mark that could take the fall for him. Starts planting evidence that backs the lie to satisfy any investigation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThen he\u2019s murdered by a criminal with a rep for killing slavers.\u201d Raj grinned a bloody smile, almost gloating.\n\n\u201cThe real Caro comes up with a new name, builds a new organization, and no one\u2019s the wiser.\u201d\n\n\u201cImpressed now?\u201d\n\n\u201cMaybe.\u201d Even with my blood loss, I wasn\u2019t lying. It was pretty ingenious.\n\n\u201cWill you help me now? I\u2019ll give you Caro.\u201d He offered. I nodded, holstered the pistol, and grabbed him by the throat. He started getting nervous again. \u201cEthan, do you hear me? I can give you Caro.\u201d\n\n\u201cI know.\u201d\n\n\u201cEthan, what are you doing?\u201d\n\n\u201cYou were the one who wanted me to be the killer.\u201d\n\n\u201cEthan, please-\u201d\n\nI hit him. Despite my wound, my strength returned for this. I hit him again and again. I thought I heard him say he could get me clear of the Quell\u2019s murder charge but I wasn\u2019t listening. I couldn\u2019t stop myself. My rage wanted to consume me and I let it.\n\nFinally I stopped. Raj was more jelly than body. A crowd had formed. They watched dumbfounded.\n\nI pushed myself to my feet and started walking. The crowd got out of my way.\n\n\n* * * * *\n\n\nTwo weeks later, I was back in space. I nearly died getting to a doctor. When I was mobile, I realized I had a transportation issue. The Advocacy was undoubtedly watching my ship so I needed new wings. I ended up taking Raj\u2019s.\n\nI kept replaying his last screaming words in my head. Maybe if I spared him, Raj really could have exonerated me for Quell\u2019s murder. I doubt it. It was probably more lies.\n\nSo Kid Crimson is a murderer, an Advocacy executioner. I can\u2019t escape that now. The thing I didn\u2019t do was going to haunt me forever.\n\nThat\u2019s just how the universe works I guess.\n\nTHE END\nMagic hour. The sky shifted to violet as the sun receded for the night. Lights began to flicker on inside the massive skyscrapers of New York. The lights were out in the penthouse. Passing hovers reflected on the polished wood floors. A pair of wallscreens glowed off the marble desk. Tonight\u2019s top story; a gunman opened fire at a Citizen\u2019s Day ball on Terra. Fortunately there were no injuries. Senator Hannigan issued the following statement\u2026\n\nThat wallscreen shut off. The other accessed the Advocacy database. The file on Ethan Salassi, aka Kid Crimson, appeared on the screen.\n\nIt seemed Raj underestimated this one.\n\n\u201cCaro\u201d wouldn\u2019t make the same mistake."},"links_count":0,"comment_count":43,"created_at":"2012-12-24T00:00:00+00:00","created_at_human":"13 years ago"},"meta":{"processed_at":"2026-05-23 02:09:30","valid_relations":["images","links"],"prev_id":12845,"next_id":12847}}