Enhance 2: Chapter 28

Phase gripped his forearms tightly and forced himself to breathe. He’d done a lot of things with his team. Laughed, cried, got pissed, got angry, frustrated, amused, annoyed and everything else. But he had never felt pure hate for another human being. Not even for the scientist that poked and prodded him. What was boiling inside him now was something special. 

Darren had made a point for him to not see the video, to not see the dirt that they had on G. He thought it was because Darren was being their usual controlling self. Keeping the flow of information under their control and need to know basis. Nothing new.

But it wasn’t because of that. They were, in their own way, protecting Phase and the rest of the team. Because they knew that the moment many of the group had seen what was on that tape they’d want to kill G where he was standing. He barely stopped himself from phasing his hand through his chest and tearing out his heart.

 He could loosely hear Darren and G talking quietly negotiating Darren’s terms. Because Darren had long since planned out exactly what was going to happen. What they would take from G before they were done. It was going to be a long talk for them and people like him and Ace weren’t needed for those talks.

“Do you smoke?” Ace asked pulling out a pack and offering one to Phase.

Phase shook his head, “Never picked up the habit. Echo wouldn’t allow it in the house.”

“Seems about right for that one,” Ace put it between his lips and lit it taking a slow breath. They stood in silence watching Darren. Darren was sitting in a chair across from G. G only had eyes for Darren at the moment, the eyes in question tiny dots in his face.

Ace exhaled slowly and laughed dryly, “People like him. They always get what they want in the end. And good people get fucked over huh?”

 “People up top push the people down low,” Phase said and Ace grunted agreement. “He’s a sick piece of shit.”

“I’ve seen shit like that before,” Ace said shaking his head. “You’d think kids would be off limits but it’s all too common in most circles.”

Phase shook his head hard breathing hard and staring at the ground, “Darren’s turning a shit situation into something we can use. Like they always do.”

“Pragmatic is the word.”

“Pragmatic is the word.” They looked back at one another and Phase snorted. “What have you been doing this past year? Being a thief? Living some honest life?”

That made him bark a laugh and even choke slightly on his cigarette, “Honest life. Me? Fucking never.”

“What then?”

“Contract work. Body guarding, stealing, killing. Lots of in between.”

“So what? A mercenary?”

“Something like that. We prefer private contractor though,” he took another pull on the cigarette and shrugged. “Pays real good. Almost as good as working for Darren.”

“Who organizes your jobs?” Phase asked. “You got a Darren? Or does Joker do it?”

That made him laugh again and he had to cover his mouth, “Joker wishes she could organize jobs for us. I handle most of it. I’m more than just a pretty face after all.”

“I wouldn’t even go that far,” Phase said with a quick wave of his hand. “But I’ve thought about that a few times. Of taking the load off Darren and helping to organize some of our bigger jobs myself.”

“Oh you’re trying to take my job now?” Darren asked walking toward the pair of them. Their eyes were downcast and they looked exhausted, like they just took the ACT, SAT, and finals in one go. Phase looked past them to G and G was staring at the ground, his arms in front of his body and looked broken.

“More like lend you a hand,” Phase was still staring at G. “What about him?”

“We can leave him here. He’s going to make a statement regarding you guys tomorrow and in case he fucks us I have a confession on video. He’s not sly enough to try and pull one over on us though. And if he does somehow get an idea to try that video leaks and we stop being the talk of the town.”

“Once this is all said and done do we just let him walk free?” Phase asked hesitantly, hoping in the back of his mind that wasn’t the case.

“Fuck no. But we have to sequence this right,” Darren flashed a USB before putting it in their back pocket. “This is going to be half our payout tonight.”

“That means our half is done. Let’s go meet up with everyone else,” Phase threw one last disgusted look toward G and took the others hands and they jumped through the wall again. Their approach was slower and they actually came out from within the currents. Leaving them one at a time they walked back to their table getting a few odd looks but they just ignored them.

They found their table and sat down, empty plates marking where they had once sat. The tiny fire from earlier had all been forgotten by the crowd and the music had continued. A few people were loosely talking about and wondering where G had gone but for the most part things were as they had been left.

The salad course had been removed but another course was coming their way, assuming they really wanted to eat any of it. Phase rolled his neck and leaned back in the chair, “Hey team. Report. How’s everything going?”

Rather than get a proper response he heard some mild bickering on channel two, “These are way too small to wear,” that was Noel.

“I know but so far so good. No one has noticed us down here,” Feint replied.

“That is because Echo’s helping.”

“Exactly. My plan is coming together. We just need to get in the elevator and let Rogue and Joker help us from there.”

He loosely heard a ding of doors opening and then closing again. Phase looked over at Darren and Ace, Darren paying attention to the music that had started again and Ace looking for another drink. Phase tuned through the channel onto the third one and heard Joker complaining, “Bad enough that I can’t win at slots and now you want me to get you guys out in one piece. Stupid people. Ace better pay me a fuck ton.”

“Stop complaining,” Rogue told her. “We’re getting nothing if we don’t secure the delivery exit. It’s bad enough half our team is stuck in the VIP room with Pierce and that other Firebug.”

Joker scowled, “How do you guys even know Pierce.”

“It’s a long story. But to make it short, Phase and the rest have more than a few bones to pick. And I’m along for the ride.”

“What do you mean Pierce is here?” Phase asked sharply sitting up in his chair. His words were sharp and both Ace and Darren looked at him wide eyed. Phase looked at the two of them and shook his head but heard Rogue come through on his end.

“You heard that right. Pierce showed up to the VIP game and right now Shade and Yumi are stuck up there with him. I trust that they’ll be okay up there but getting them out of there is definitely going to be next on the priority list.”

Phase sighed heavily but he nodded because Rogue was making sense, “Right right. What has Feint come up with plan wise? How are they going to get the money out of there?”

“We’ve borrowed some uniforms of the workers here,” Feint said joining the conversation. And we’re going on the first floor and trying to walk these carts toward the service entrance. So far so good.”

“How’s the route look from the outside?” Phase asked Rogue.

“From the main lobby things are clear. As for that service entrance I have no idea,” Phase could hear Rogue moving. “We’re a little too split for me to take care of.”

“There’s a decent chunk of people wandering around in there,” Joker said getting into the conversation. “I can see through their cameras. Some kinda long break. Whatever. About four or five of them. Two security. Some randoms smoking.”

“The moment they walk through they’re going to get busted,” Darren said quickly.

“Then I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Phase got up and loosened his tie slightly. “Ace. Darren. Keep an eye on all of this. I’ll be back.”

“You sure?” Ace asked and he nodded. “Alright. We’ll hold down things on this end. If something goes wrong we’ll tell you.”

Darren dragged their finger across the phone screen, “I’ve got a map on my phone. I’ll walk you through how to get there from up here. Just follow my instructions exactly. This is going to get a little unintuitive.”

Phase nodded leaving the conference room. Instead of going toward the elevator he walked around the ring of the floor. Phase had his phone in the crook of his hand, walking forward and paused in front of one of the doors. He went for the handle but it was locked. Rolling his eyes, he stepped through it and was greeted with an empty dark room identical to the conference room.

Looking down at his phone again he loosely illuminated the room. The map zoomed in on his position and another one below almost directly. It was at an angle to a degree to get there but it was close enough. Slipping the phone back into his pocket he took a deep breath and hopped forward.

He slid through the ground and in a blur of motion he landed on his hands and knees. Gasping softly he looked around and stared at the now very stunned workers. He was in a storage room with a concrete floor and a tall ceiling. Boxes stacked around them with a tall gate that would open up for deliveries. Behind him was a closed door that went to a hallway to get back to the casino.

Phase got back to his feet wincing at his landed and then lunged at the guard. They tried to snap into action but Phase got to him too quickly. He swung quickly his fist a flurry as he hit them in their chest, stomach and then jaw knocking them off the ground slightly. Turning around he face the other guard who was reaching for their gun.

Phase leaned back slipping off his shoe. He flipped it up slightly and turned kicking it at their head. It smacked them in the face, dazing them for a moment and Phase darted forward. Passing through him he grabbed them by the neck and slammed him into the ground. Getting back up Phase cracked his neck back and forth and looked toward the workers.

“You can go but don’t mention this or else I gotta come after you,” he said wagging his finger.

They stumbled their way out of the pick up spot. The door slammed against the wall as it was pushed away. A few minutes later and he felt a wave of dizziness hit him. He stumbled slightly and reached out emptily to keep himself steady but there was nothing that he could grab onto. The wave ceased as quickly as it started though and looked up to see a cart being pushed forward through the door.

Behind them were three more workers their heads down. But the shock of silvery white hair made it easy to spot his team. He smiled brightly walking forward as they raised their heads. Echo looked at him and let out a sigh of relief wiping her brow, “I am very glad to see you leader. I’m exhausted.”

“What are you doing over here?” Noel asked raising his eyebrow.

He shrugged, “We got done early so I decided to help you guys out some.”

Feint smiled at him warmly pushing the cart toward him and then leaving it in place. She wrapped an arm around him tightly and he looked down at her, wearing the vest, pants and shirt uniform. “You know I think this looks good on you.”

She smirked. “Really? Maybe I’ll keep it then.”

He smiled but looked back toward the casino itself. Pressing his ear he dialed through back to Channel 1. “Darren, Ace. The money is secured. We’re going to work on getting it out. Meet Team 2 down here to help.”

“Can do,” Ace said.

“Roger leader,” Darren said as well.

Rogue jumped in saying, “What about Shade and the Firebug? They’re still in the VIP room.”

Dialing to Channel 3 Phase said, “Rogue. Joker. Watch out for the team here. Me and Noel are going to try and get Shade and Yumi.”

“No need leader. Things are wrapping up right now. We should be down on the first floor soon,” Shade said and he sounded stressed. Whatever had happened or was going to happen had him somewhat on edge.

Phase glanced at Feint and Echo who were both frowning at him. “Roger that.” Phase replied and motioned toward Noel. “Let’s go to make sure everything is okay.”

He nodded and Phase squeezed Feint’s hand and then they moved back. They walked back through the hallway and with Noel the way he was now it looked like Phase was being guided by some worker. Phase would have made a joke about this but something made his skin crawl.

They burst back in hearing the cacophony of noise that was the casino proper. The elevator was an easy land mark to find and they beelined toward it. They could see the elevator coming down the shaft. Rounding the bar they stood just aside from the elevator as it dinged and the doors opened.

The pair of them slowed and watched as first Shade walked out quickly followed by Yumi. Between the two of them something happened within the VIP room that had them set on edge and seeing Phase helped but it wasn’t enough to relieve all of it. Especially the frustration that Yumi was holding back. She walked over to Phase and wrapped her arms around his surprising him.

Pierce walked off the elevator and it was strange seeing the man again. It had been a long time since he’d come anywhere near face to face. A mixture of exhaustion and anger washed over him but he wasn’t ready for the next part. The second Yumi, wearing an entirely different dress, walking with a confidence that spoke of power and knowledge that wasn’t Yumi. Seeing two of them alone almost made him fall over.

Pierce turned to Phase and looked at him with a knowing look. He and the other Yumi walked toward them slowly and Pierce stopped standing in front of him. “I had a feeling that you are your ilk would be here.”

“The hell are you doing here Pierce?”

“A man cannot leave his home and enjoy a night out?” he spread his arm and chuckled but Phase didn’t break his glare. “You may assume the worst of me but there is nothing at stake or to be feared here. I am just a man like any other.”

“Yeah right. And she’s what?” he asked jerking his chin toward the Yumi clone.

“Well when Lucretia left my employment I needed a new knight. And Mei has exceeded many expectations,” he said and didn’t look at Noel as he said it. Mei smiled knowingly behind him and it made Phase shudder. “As you may have noticed it’s dangerous out there. And protection is invaluable.”

“Protection from monsters you helped create,” Yumi glowered as Phase pulled her back slowly looking down at her. “I don’t know what you’re planning but it’s not going to work.”

He smiled, “I’m glad you put so much power into my hands. I hope you enjoy the rest of this evening. And give my best to G if you haven’t had a chance to see him yet. Big things are coming 365.”

With that Pierce walked past them both. Mei walked past as well and her eyes lingered onto Phase. Their eyes met and there was something in there, a knowledge of Phase that suddenly made him feel like she was seeing through his clothes and him. He looked away and barely heard her giggle as she passed.

Phase didn’t watch them move, just stood still almost frozen to the spot. “Leader.”

Phase blinked quickly as Yumi looked up at him and he saw the frustration and fear there. And beyond that vulnerability that he rarely saw from her. He let out his breath and sighed giving her a smile. “You guys alright? Pierce didn’t do anything weird or say anything?” he asked quickly. Both shook their heads and Phase let out a breath. “Was that really what I think it was?”

“A clone of me? Sure fucking looked like it,” Yumi said and she squeezed his hand before stepping away to Shade’s side. “How long do you think she’s even existed?”

“I don’t know. Pierce made it sound like she was new,” Noel said. “I’ve only been gone about a year.”

“If there’s a clone of you Yumi, what about the rest of you?” Shade asked.

Phase flashed back to the masked man in the bank but quickly shook his head, “That’s something to think about another day. Though I wouldn’t doubt it if it were true.”

“Fucking Christ,” Yumi stared at the ground for a long moment and then looked back at him. “What about Feint? And the thing with G? Did it at least work out?”

“Yeah. We got G. We got the money from the bank. Pierce aside we got the job done. We’ll figure out how to help with the shelter tomorrow.”

Yumi let out a big sigh of relief and hugged him quickly. “Honestly leader that’s the best news I’ve heard all night.” But the she took a step back snapping her fingers. “Oh wait shit. I have money.”

“What?” Phase raised his eyebrow.

“She won big. Only reason we got into the VIP room.” Shade wrapped his arm around her shoulders and smirked. “So I guess we can call that a bonus then?”

“That we can,” Phase replied. He looked back at Noel and touched his shoulder lightly. “You good?”

Noel blinked surprised, “What do you mean?”

“Pierce. Calling you by your dead name. Treating you that way,” Phase frowned. “Just making sure.”

Noel blinked again and this time squeezed Phase’s hand smiling, “I appreciate that. But Pierce is in my past. There is nothing to worry about in that regard.”

“Good to hear. Now let’s get out of here. I’m sure there’s a dozen and a half bars that would love to have some well paying degenerates celebrate a well earned victory lap.”

Yumi’s grinned broadened even wider. She walked forward and took Shade and Phase’s hands quickly, “Now that’s what I’m talking about. Hell yeah leader!”