X Element

Back up Plans

"So, a gang of tattoo enthusiasts running a drug ring usind high school age kids as their sentries", Vincent leaned back on his office chair, "or did I miss anything?"

"There was the part where I was in actual danger seeing as I was suspected to be a fed by the boss of one of the many organized crime factions plaguing your city. But no, that's not important at all councillor".

Vincent fixed Danny with a quizzical look "forgive me if your recount of the past twenty nine hours sounds ridiculous"

"No, what is ridiculous is the fact that I had to actually book an appointment to see you, councillor" Danny stressed on the last word.

Vincent spread his palms on the table. "And you found traces"

"My tech is reliable, more importantly, its expensive, so it doesn't lie. There was a trade there. And I'll bet your months salary that it had something to do with the drugs"

"What kind of drugs"

"Sorry, but they weren't exactly giving away free samples"

Vincent massaged his temples. Danny straightened his tie. A gesture he convinced himself had nothing to do with him being nervous.

"So, how did you get out?" Vincent asked tapping his fingers on the table.

Danny was silent for a moment before answering "You know how".

"Jesus! we agreed!. You've got enough heat on you as it is."

"We have enough heat on us as it is. Besides, I had to do something".

"We should call the cops, alert the authorities. I still have contacts of some good people we can trust. Sergeants, captains...."

"I don't even know why, but that's a bad idea. C'mon Vince everything about this screams shadow government business. Going out with this is only gonna piss them off, and I don't know about you, but I've got a lot to loose. That blonde chick did not seem to be playing around".

"So, what do we do Mister Professional".

Danny smirked. Then he reached for the floor and produced the briefcase. Judiciously,he placed the briefcase on Vincent's mahogany custom made office desk.

The councilman's face reddened, his eyes bulged and he almost coughed.

"You brought this here!, are you crazy"

"You should see the look on your face"

"This isn't funny. This is a Dawn city official governing body establishment. This is like bringing a squad car to a street race. And how come I didn't see it with you when you came in......wait a minute!...You sly donkey!"

"Just relax."

"Relax?" Vincent brought his voice to a whisper. "The mayors re election bid is on the grounds of anti corruption. Which means he wants to make a big show of his efforts, which means he's up to our necks in investigation and cross examination. If there had ever been a time I could afford a slip....now is not it."

"Message received Vince", Danny apologized, "But since its here, why don't we just take care of it".

"Oh for the love of....", Vincent ran his fingers through his hair.

"I've gone through the files. There's not much we don't already know of, my guess is, this was just a show of force, you know, to let us know they've got us by the balls."

"She said she needed us for an operation or something. Our or rather your unique skills"

"And she hasn't contacted us yet. She's putting us on edge, because she needs us scared, edgy, desperate to comply. But I'd be damned if I'll be that easy to coax".

Vincent fixed his friend with a wary gaze "what do you wanna do"

Danny smiled "cover my tracks....like I always do. Make whatever dirt she's got on the company seem like fairy tale. I'm talking about re writing logs and documents, permits as far as two years. It'll take some time and some money, but it can be done, with the right people".

"Oh God Danny, you have no idea what you're up against".

"Yes, but neither does she"

"You realise this could either work or backfire catastrophically. Its one thing to be guilty, its another thing to be caught trying to cover your tracks. If they find out, it'll only make you seem more guilty."

"But, its worth a shot....wouldn't you agree?".

Vincent was silent, his gaze switching from his friend's grinning face to the briefcase on his desk. "Fine, fine. Just tell me what you need from me."

Danny nodded. "I'll call you. All you have to do is be on your best behaviour rubbing shoulders with Dawn city's elite".

"God, this is a nightmare".

"Relax, when all this is done. I'll settle the company's back door deals. Even if it gets me voted out."

Vincent sighed. "Let's just hope it doesn't have to come to that. Now take Pandora's box and go".

Danny did as advised which was a new thing for him. He took Pandora's box and went. Quietly leaving the city hall not casting so much as a glance back at his friend's office. It was all smiles and pleasantries. Even though he tried his best to keep his social profile at a passable level, there were still those who were familiar and even tied to the Essen name. There was Eric Venning, a long time business partner of his parents involved in production and marketing of bottled water mainly based in other cities. At the time Danny really got to know him, he was discussing the possibility of opening a plastic recycling plant here in Dawn city. There was also Donald Mickelson, the balding author who always spoke in long verbose sentences. Who somehow managed to turn even the most casual of conversations into an avenue to talk about whatever new project he was working on.

"Oh hi there, Danny. How's it been?"

"As well as can be expected and then some"

"Ah yes, I've been there, that feeling that everything seems to be going so smoothly its almost like you're in a dream world....like that other-world movie....what's it called, ah yes, The matrix"

"Yeah....the trilogy. Its a classic"

"Yeah, funny you should say that. I recently released a book about recounting and cataloguing all the greatest social and pop culture phenomenons of earth alpha. I know you belong to the dwindling school of thought that still believes the past holds importance"

"I'll give it a read"

"Good man....good man. I'll write to your parents sometime"

Of course Danny would end up buying whatever book Donald pitched him, but he rarely got around to actually reading them. There were old friends of his parents mostly, offering their greetings and commenting on how they don't see him often enough. It was a dance that he knew wasn't going anywhere. So he had gotten used to it.

Danny hopped in his ride and drove. Five minutes into the drive his phone began to ring, it was Beth, her picture beamed right up at him. His heart skipped a beat, he almost swerved. His mind began racing. Was he in trouble?, what did he forget to do?. He already made up for every screw up he could think of at the moment. Her birthday was past, it wasn't their anniversary and he was positive that he'd congratulated her on her latest legal victory. So what was it?

He picked up his Bluetooth ear piece and reluctantly pushed it into his ear and picked the call.

He cleared his throat hoping he wouldn't sound too pathetic. "What's up Beth", he smiled. Even though she wasn't there, he couldn't help it.

"What's up Baby", Beth's voice buzzed. She didn't sound upset. Not yet at least. " What are you up to?, I called your office and you weren't there."

"Yeah, I went down city council to see Vince about something"

"Okay, listen. I am soooooo sorry. I'm just finding out"

"Umm...."

"Word is Uncle Jackson came by the office and gave you a hard time. God, baby I'm so sorry about that."

"Oh, that. Nah, its nothing"

"No Baby, it's something. Look, I'll make it up to you, okay. How does Friday night sound. And I'll talk to him. You shouldn't have to put up with him"

"Oh, Beth, baby. No, don't do that"

"Why not. Why won't you let me help. Clear things up, if I can get to him, I know I can change how he feels about you"

"No, no, trust me. If you intervene, he's going to see it as me turning you against him. And I absolutely do not want him in that frame of mind"

"Don't worry, babe. I know how to handle it. Now don't be late. I'll see you Friday at eight, my place. Love you Danny".

At this point it was useless trying to dissuade her.

"Love you too Beth".

They had met in their freshman year at Arvic University, Dillonois city in the state of New Vantage. She was majoring in criminal law and he was majoring in Industrial chemistry. He noticed her at a coffee shop on campus. Feeling rather down on his luck he decided to flip fate the middle finger and ask the pretty lady that was light years above his league if he could share a table. He never looked back ever since.

He pulled over and turned off the engine.

To his right, just beyond the sidewalk stood the towering glass monstrosity that was SP&Y cyber security and software company. The name was cheeky and ironic. The first time Danny heard of it, he had simply been unable to take it seriously. They even had an eyeball with a skyline engraved it its pupil for a logo. But perhaps all that was intentionally set in place to throw people off from the fact that, as Danny had come to experience, these guys were the real deal. It wasn't their services as a software developer and internet security firm, though they did render descent services. It was the fact that underneath all that comical public presentation, there was an entire network of illegal data trade. Company files, trade secrets, classified information, sometimes personal harmful secrets. Basically, if you pissed off the wrong person powerful and rich enough and there was something that could hurt your career or relationship in digital form, chances are....it could wind up here, ready to be sold. It was a real monkey show, but there was a method to the madness. Rules. One was; they never touched blood. Once a matter got bloody, they removed their hands faster than a sneeze and cleared the evidence like it was never there. Another was that they never introduced or offered this more sinister part of their trade to individuals below a certain financial, political and influential standard. Number three was that they never came to you, you came to them, always. Even Danny would've never discovered were it not by accident. He was having a meeting with one of their senior developers when Danny noticed that the man was quite impatient and inattentive. Insulted, Danny cut the meeting short, but only casted the illusion that he was gone. The moment the dev believed he was alone, he closed the doors, windows and blinds. And then he took a call. A very long, educative call for Danny. Two days later Danny came back for his rescheduled appointment and this time, the dev gave him his full unbridled attention.

Danny got out of the car. His plan was simple. Walk in there like he knew exactly what he was doing, which he did. See good ol Spence - one of their project managers - and discuss. They'll come to an agreement. They'll shake hands. Danny would lie about how neat and nice his office was. And that would be it. He'd walk out with a smile on his face and not a care in the world and all will be back to normal. Straight and simple.

He strolled past the glass revolving doors into the lobby. Even if he couldn't see them, he knew there were cameras around and they could see him. Wherever they were, he hoped they got his good side.

Spencer Orthy's office was well lit if not anything. With o much white surfaces, Danny was reminded of the labs back in highschool.

"Good to see you're doing well".

Spencer looked up for the first time. His middle aged frame almost quivering.

"Oh no, not you again". He slammed the lid of his laptop.

"Always so dramatic with you".

"Whatever you want, I can't help you."

"Is that anyway to treat a paying customer?".

Spencer sucked in air through his teeth. "You're bad news Danny. No offense. But the last time you came here for our help, it almost cost us....dearly. We were fools to take up your job then. We....I can't make the same mistake twice."

Danny drummed his fingers on the hybrid glass desk. "That was last time, and that wasn't my fault. This is different."

"I wish I could help you", Spencer lied unconvincingly, " but you've been flagged, by the bosses upstairs. I can't do anything about it, I'm on thin ice as it is". He checked his watch.

"Doesn't our friendship count for anything?, anything at all?", he spread out his arms.

"We're not friends. We're barely acquainted"

"What about that adorable dress I got or your daughter on her birthday?"

"That was my son's birthday"

"And that exotic trip I booked for you an your wife last year?"

"I've been divorced for three years".

"Oh".

"Look, it was really not nice to see you again. I could get in trouble just for seeing you. Not to mention helping you in any way". His eyes narrowed "Any way at all. Either our base options" he stared Danny down with one heck of a mean glare. "Or our more tailored services.".

Danny held the stare for a bit. Switching to his more serious formal, businessman composure.

"Alright, here's the deal. My company is in trouble. The kind that won't go away just by ignoring it." He lowered his voice. "I need a complete sweep and rewrite. Not too far back. Just about three years. Restore the servers, if it can be done before the weekend, its 200grand for you."

Spencer leaned closer, the smell of his body spray menacing. "Didn't you hear a word I said. I can't help you. Not only have you been blacklisted, some of the higher ups are actually considering going clean. In two years from now, we could be just any old boring tech firm". There was a real tang of disappointment in his voice. That told Danny enough. "Doesn't matter how much you pay SP&Y"

"It's you who seems to have misunderstood me", he said, layering his voice with the smooth lustre of business talk. "I said there's 200 grand in it for YOU" he punctuated the last word with a poke of his finger. Spencer only stared for a moment completely mystified. Danny could almost hear the gears in his head turning. Danny continued.

"Consider it like a private contract. I honestly don't see why you wouldn't accept. Unless you'll tell me you've suddenly grown a conscience"

"And what if I have? Hmm, what if I deem this below my moral standards"

"Ha!" Daniel laughed. "You make a living by spying on people and hoping to use their secrets for leverage. It's what your company does and you know. You could've walked right outta that door and quit anytime, but you didn't. Why?. Because you know its wrong, but you accept it. Like a fact. Like there will always be bullies or there will always be accidents and some movies are bound to flop despite the hype. Its a necessary gear in this city. Of life even"

"Interesting philosophy".

"Thanks. Thinking about writing a book. So, do we have a deal?"

Spencer drummed his fingers some more. "Make it 300"

"Dream on"

"I'll have to piggy back on the main servers to do what you're asking. Its high risk."

"250 grand. Final offer."

"Fine". They shook hands and that was that. Later Danny would email him some of the company's server logins and passwords. As soon as he got word.

'Not so hard', he thought to himself. 'All that took was some sweet talk and 250 grand'.

Back in his car, it seemed that he should be celebrating. But there was a chill. An itch squirming at the corner of his ear. Could it be this easy?. He shook himself.

'Negative thoughts Danny, you could do with fewer of them.'

But just for closure, he brought up the briefcase, laid it across his lap, took a deep breath and opened it. What harm could it do?, soon any 'evidence' here would be useless. He flipped through the files. Thoroughly this time. There was a lot he hadn't initially noticed before he flipped out and initiated his own plan. Beneath almost every document was a reference of time and date. That was what led him to his encounter with the drug dealers. But that was not all. There was an address on every other file scribbled down at the bottom. Some printers did that, he knew. Particularly old models were mandated to automatically print the address of the office they operated on to every file they printed. The federation had mandated it some decades back due to the fluctuations in document falsifying and tax fraud. That act had since been nullified. (since the Unified Earth Beta federation had found better more efficient ways to track documents.) But whatever printer these files were printed from was old and still functioning on that principle. Danny licked his lips. Could it be?. If these documents came from the same printer working on that principle, then it was only a matter of finding them and maybe taking the fight to them. One convincing illusion should be enough. He considered it, excitement building up within him. But there was still that part of him, that small part that was suspecting it all to be too easy. It was promptly silenced. The address read: 33rd, Greenwhich grove. 'That's outside town, right out the outskirts. Perfect place for shady government types to perch'. There were other files he hadn't opened but he decided to postpone them all for later. No doubt Carol would be calling any minute to say that Pierce or Murcello had been trying to reach him and he needed to be at the office to go over some numbers. Like he didn't already know what they'd say.

He started driving. Then phoned Vincent. When he picked up Danny told him about the address, and suggested they checked it out.

"Fine, and just what do you hope to accomplish by poking at the hornet's nest?. They know about you, don't you think they wouldn't be clumsy enough to leave an addressed printing for you, unless, you know, it was a trap or something?"

He thought about it, it made sense. Vincent Drew was always good at making sense. "Still" he said, "I'm checking it out, I can't ignore it. They'll be back for us sooner or later, you heard the lady"

"Oh Lord"

"They said they wanted to recruit us, so I doubt they'd want to hurt us....I think"

"Oh Lords"

"And I think you should come along too. Who knows what reckless nonsense I might try to pull off if you're not there."

There was silence on the other line for some time. Danny could almost hear the sound of blood pressure rising. "Fine" came the disgruntled gentleman's voice. "But I'm not free till 5pm".

"Even better". He hung up and drove on.

******************************************

Diane had woken up that day feeling good. Better than most days at least. She sprung from her bed, fetched her red slippers, took a shower, brushed her teeth and even flossed! All the while humming tune's form Lady Kay's latest jams and the June brothers' top ten hits of 3009. (most people insisted that 3009 was their worst year, but that didn't matter, most people were dumb). She got dressed, and rendezvoused with her mom preparing breakfast in the kitchen. She must've done this routine a thousand times.

"Morning Mu-" the words sunk right down her throat. The woman preparing eggs and bacon in the small kitchen of their apartment was not the same woman that had been doing the same thing merely three months ago. Her mother looked frail and tired, with sunken eyes and laboured breath though she tried to hide it. In three months she seemed to have aged three years all at once. Of course, it was more than mere coincidence that Diane's condition had taken a drastic turn downhill about three months prior.

"Oh, morning sweety", Mrs. Farrow spoke. "Don't just stand there gawking at me, get your bag, get your things. You don't want to miss the bus".

"Mum, when was the last time you slept?"

"Diane, when you're a mother, you get superpowers. One of them is being able to survive without sleep."

Diane took a seat at the table "You're just saying that to make me feel better."

"You know the deal, you don't argue with me, until you can do what I do, now eat up"

Diane was silent for a moment. Then, while her mother's back was turned, "I'm sorry mom, for everything".

"What are you talking about, eat up!"

"You working three jobs, the stress, the worry, the pain, its all my fault. I'm sorry"

"Mrs. Farrow stopped what she was doing and without turning "I've told you not to talk like that "

"God, I'm such a burden. I'm like dead weight pulling you dow-"

This time she turned, "Don't you ever say that!, or even think it!. Ever. Now eat up, the bus will be here any moment. Remember Doctor Miller told you to refrain from strenuous physical activity. So take it easy at gym class. And we have an appointment by 4:30. Don't forget".

"Alright mum".

Diane did as instructed, it was pointless arguing at this point where her mom would begin listing things on their schedule. She finished her breakfast and waved her mom goodbye just as the bus came pulling over.

The ride to school was strange. She'd been away for so long, there were some surprised glares, some suspicious glances, and a few pleasant smiles. She took a seat beside Rachel - the blonde with braces - who was the only one who was ever remotely nice and managed to stay in touch.

Rachel stared blankly at Diane in disbelief for a good while.

"You look good Rachey, love what you've done with your hair"

"Holy hell, Diane. What the fudge!. I thought I'd never see you again. That was one hell of a scare you gave me. How've you been?. What happened?. Was it that bad?"

"Can we not talk about that. Please. It was crazy, let's leave it at that"

Rachel hid the disappointment and the worry, well, she tried.

"Oh for God sake, Rachel, don't look at me like that!"

"Like what?" Rachel protested

"Like I could drop dead any second"

"You know rumours were flying around that you were actually dead. I swear for a whole week I kept praying I wouldn't get like funeral invitations or something"

"I don't think they actually share invitations to funerals Rachey"

"Well, how should I know. God you've been gone for so long, I mean, I know you're probably fine now, but boy, I do not envy you!"

"Yeah, why would you".

"No no....I mean it's high school. Everyone says. 'Oh, its gonna be a new experience' and all, but no one said, it was a total mad house. Half of the time I'm looking over my soldier, or guessing what people are saying about me. But that's not even the worst of it!".

"Hmmm, I'm guessing the worst of it is, you still haven't talked to Nathan"

"No. Well, I mean that is a total bummer, so its definitely top 5, but the worst was that sometimes I thought I'd have to walk my way around it without a certain short haired trouble maker by my side"

"What are you talking about, Clarisse was here the whole time".

Rachel punched her arm playfully.

"How did you manage it anyway. To get promoted, I mean your school attendance has more holes in it than a watering can."

"Oh, I took some advanced classes at the hospital, night classes and all. And I wrote the tests on a conference call". She smiled.

"Hmmm", Rachel nodded, "Points to Dawn city premier high".

"Well, well, well, look who's back from the dead!" Someone with sweaty palms brushed past them and then perched on the seat in front of them, pushing out its previous occupant while barely acknowledging his presence. The poor boy stumbled to the floor of the speeding bus, glasses falling and meeting the same fate. He looked back, but every ounce of fight left him. That was Fred Willis. One of the rich kids. Not only rich but well connected as it turns out. And if that wasn't enough, his father was one of the city council's top project funders and managers. Which simply meant Fred here, the 6ft 15 year old could basically do anything he wanted short of setting the school on fire and get away with only a few days in detention or sometimes scott free.

"You know, I had a bet with the boys that you'd be out till Christmas".

"Jesus Fred!" Rachel sighed loudly, but kept her distance. "You really wanna do this now?, here?"

"Hey!, all I'm doing is talking", he turned back to Diane. "Anyways Missy, you owe me fifty bucks"

"Jesus!"

"Quiet braces. Now, as I was saying..."

Diane could feel a pulse at the back of her head growing, quickening, intensifying. Probably just some after effects of the medications, it had to be, because what was happening wasn't normal. It seemed like her sight was getting enhanced. No, her sight was the same, it was her brain that seemed to be processing things faster. With more detail, her surroundings, the swaying of the bus, the breeze, the sight of Starbucks and buildings rushing by. Fred's moving lips, his gesturing hands, Rachel's stiffening posture. Like the whole world was brought from a third person to both a first person and third person view at the same time. She panicked, this definitely wasn't normal. Stuff like this happened right before or right after a migraine episode.

"Shut if Fred, I don't owe you a dime. Go pick on someone who didn't just leave the hospital yesterday".

Both Fred, Rachel and half the whole bus, went silent in surprise. Fred was caught mid sentence. His mouth hung open. Diane would have regretted her words, but the sight alone was worth it".

"What did you just say?"

The bus came to a screeching halt. The driver pressed a button and the doors folded open. "Alright small people. Get out. I hope you have the opposite of fun".

They began pouring out, Fred was forced to do the same. "This isn't over", Fred pointed.

Diane sighed. "Great".