X Element

Confrontations

"Two hundred and fifty grand!" Vincent whistled in admiration. "I honestly would not have guessed".

"You're lying and we both know it" Danny replied

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didnt realize your powers also included mind reading" Vincent said sarcastically.

They had taken Vincent's Helium powered Xera 560. A car that Danny often referred to as a tin can trying to look like a fancy tin can. Vincent did not take those remarks lightly. He was frankly very proud of his automobile. 'My Xera would absolutely destroy whatever it is you're driving in a race and that's facts" Vincent would usually say. But the two only ever ended it on words.

They were driving fast, taking the highway and coming very close to the speed limit. Vincent had met up with Danny and the two had proceeded togther to find the address printed on the bottom of the files. Danny couldn't keep it out of his mind. Only years of training his resolve managed to let him keep his calm. Vincent on the other hand looked like he couldn't wait to get it over with.

They got there. It was already well past 7pm. 'This was not how I planned on spending my Thursday night' Danny thought. When they got to the address, Vincent pulled over. It looked like an old abandoned office building long overdue for demolishing. Thick shrubs grew around what used to be a parking lot and in the three seconds that had spent there, Danny already counted five lizards and two rats scurry in about. He swallowed, looking visibly nervous.

"Having second thoughts are we?", Vincent nudged him. He knew Danny couldn't stand filth.

"Let's just go. This is the address, 33rd Greenwhich Groove. In fact, it seems its the only thing left of Greenwhich groove". Something told Danny this wasn't a coincidence, but he followed on.

They knocked on the door and it swung in lazily on its hinges making the loudest creak Danny had ever heard. 'Jesus, when was this made, the 90s?'.

They walked in. Danny coughed twice at the dust while Vincent turned on a flashlight and found a switch. With all the doubt in the world, Vincent flipped it. The lights came on and the two men froze.

Lindsay sat poised on a chair, not in the least bothered by the state of the building. It was like everything else was dirty except where she was and as far as she could stretch her hands to. Her legs were folded, a file on her lap and she looked unimpressed.

"There has never been a better example of the word 'predictable' than you two".

"How Did you....?"

"For God's sake Mr. Essen, we gave you those files. Do you think we're blind or unaware of the way hardware works?."

Danny felt anger swelling up in him, and frustration. He gritted his teeth so hard, he could feel it in his ears. "So.....it was all planned".

Linday smiled mischievously and pointed to her left. Sitting on a table, was a printer in all its electronic glory.

The two men were lost for words. Danny tried to find a snappy remark, but couldn't. But there was still a chance. A chance that the other parts of his plan to clear his company's records were unknown to this Linday. Maybe all he had to do was keep his mouth shut and he could still get out of this.

As if Linday read his mind, "Spencer Orthy sang, just so you know". Her smile was like venom. It was the floor beneath Danny's feet was sinking. "He was fired from SP&Y, just for talking to you. He told the execs what you wanted....it didn't change their decision."

"How on earth do you know about SP&Y".

Linday laughed heartily. "The federation aren't the gullible fools that you keep taking us for, Mr. Essen. We know all about SP&Y, and how they really make their biggest profits. Hell, we even patronize them from time to time. We leave generous tips too. There was even a time when one of the three major share holders wanted to go on the straight and narrow. We....convinced him otherwise."

"Wait, wait, wait. This is crazy". Danny felt like he was going crazy. If this is all true and its supposed to be some big secret. Then why are you telling us this?."

Linday smiled and stood. The government keeps secrets from those it considers threats....those it cannot control and those it cannot manipulate" she pointed at the two of them. "You two are none of those things. See, I can tell you anything I want and not give a damn wether you'll run to the press because you have too much to loose."

Vincent cleared his throat, "Pardon me ma'am, but why do I get the sinking feeling that this is beginning to sound like a threat?"

"Oh, Mr Drew, that's because this is in fact a threat. We came offering a hand of partnership....you stabbed us in the back", she turned to Danny, "or at least you tried to. Usually we'd try some other means to persuade you, but we're running out of time and my employers are running out of patience. So we'll keep this simple. You help us clean up a mess you helped create or we'll go after everything you have."

"Go to hell. Take the company, hell, I'll even do some jail time, but I'm no one's dog".

" Markus and Lorraine Tanner"

The wind left Danny's throat "What?"

"Your parents. I believe they are currently abroad enjoying a very expensive vacation off the coast of New Bermuda. But here's the interesting thing, accidents are known to happen there quite often....it'd be a shame if...."

"How dare you!" Danny cut her off. Squeezing his fist so tightly even though he knew he had no real power here.

"And Ms Tanner. No doubt she has an explosive career ahead of her....it'd be a shame if all that potential were to be suddenly quenched. And I don't even need to talk about what could befall Mr. Drew..."

"Alright, enough", Danny could feel the blood pulsing in his head. He was beaten, had walked into a trap and he could see no way out, all least not at the moment. He thought about using his powers....but even if he casted an illusion now, how long could he hold it?. Besides, there was something about the cold smile on Linday's lips told him it wasn't his best move. "What exactly do you need from us".

Now Linday looked pleased. "Let's get to your car, we're going for a ride".