//------------------------------// // Chapter 24 - Jackie // Story: The Freelancers // by OverHeart //------------------------------// The minuscule mare noticed Star right at the back of the crowd as she looked around at the decor in wonder. She let out a small giggle and whistled loudly to get her attention. “Enjoying the sights are we? I don’t blame you to be fair, you wont see anything else like it in the district.” “I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it before. Makes a change from gray concrete and steel, I suppose.” The walls and floors were a finely carved oak wood held together with golden rivets, the lighting was a warm orange that bathed the inside of the room it its glow and the interior furnishings, while heavily worn, looked very well taken care of despite their noticeable age. Jackie giggled to herself and gestured to a large table in the very farthest corner of the room, which the group quickly sat at with appreciation. “Everything okay? Some of the others have been whispering about a hit in Upper Canterlot.” Jackie remarked as she joined them. “Wouldn’t know anything about that.” Star said nervously. Access shook his head. “Jackie is cool, Star. Besides, she probably already knows since nothing happens in the sprawl without her or one of her sets of eyes knowing about it.” She shrugged. “Gotta keep my eyes out for miscreants encroaching on my livelihood, Access.” “Anyone fit that bill?” “Well. There is her. The bat-pony.” Jackie said sternly, her voice firm and serious. “I wont be a problem, I assure you.” “That remains to be seen. Chilled Coffee has been seen skulking about the place with some very interesting looking ponies in tow, and I don’t much like the look of them. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you little miss corpo?” “Of course not.” “You sure about that?” Star nodded nervously, visibly rattled by the tiny mare’s sudden grilling. She broke off her stare after a brief moment and returned to her bubbly and upbeat self, offering a shake of her hoof as a token gesture of apology. “The fact you’re with two of my best customers means that you’re at least trustworthy, to a degree. I apologize.” Star waved her apology off. “Don’t worry about it. Could have done without the grilling though.” The sound of the door opening got the attention of the group and they observed none other than Chilled Coffee as he made his way through the door and onto a nearby seat. Jackie went to see what he needed, but gestured for the others to remain seated. “Back again, Chilled? Forget something?” “I was hoping to enlist the help of Access and his little crew. That is if he’s willing to talk.” Jackie discreetly looked into the corner where Access’ group were currently sat, he gave a slight nod as did the others. She looked back to Chilled Coffee, who looked scared out of his mind and gave him a reassuring smile. “It looks like it’s your lucky day. They’re just over there, and it looks like they actually have time for you.” Chilled Coffee looked over and spotted Access giving him a small wave, he went to get up but Access gestured to sit back down. He joined Chilled Coffee at the bar itself and spoke in low, hushed tones on the off chance the goons that were following him were around somewhere. “It’s been a while, Chilled. Been well?” Access began. “I’ve been better, been under a lot of stress.” “Does this have anything to do with what happened at the store?” “Pretty much everyone knew about it, you know news travels fast around here.” “I have to admit I’m surprised you had the euro around to fix it all.” Access remarked. “I didn’t, a group of ponies came forward to pay for it all, but they had a price for me to pay.” Access’ ears perked up at that. “I assume you paid this price.” “Of course I did, the place is my livelihood after all.” Chilled shook his head. “They want you guys.” Access felt his blood run cold. “Excuse me?” Chilled nodded. “They say they were hired because of your intrusions, but they didn’t say who they were hired by. For obvious reasons I can’t be more specific.” “What about your family, wont they get hurt if we run?” Access said, he voice heavy with worry. Chilled shook his head again. “Little Latte and Mocha are safe. My wife and I are willing to accept the consequences of what will happen, though we’ve made a plan should the worst happen.” Access sat back a little. “I’m really sorry about all this, we really shouldn’t have taken that job.” “Save your apologies, Access. After all, you were looking out for your little friend over there, and a job is well, a job.” “Give me this pony’s name. Now.” Access ordered. “Wouldn’t be safe to say here. For once in your life, just take my advice and go.” Chilled got up to leave without so much as a goodbye, and he had the look of a broken pony on his last remaining nerve. Though he didn’t seem blame either of them, fact of the matter was it was their choices that brought them to this point. Access just hoped they’d be okay. He joined his friends with a stern look and explained everything in the shortest and quietest way he possibly could and everyone jumped into action, except for Star and Sheet Rock who rocked in their seats nervously. “Think this is the big one?” Sheet Rock said quietly. “I suppose this is the result of recklessness.” Star remarked through a mouthful of ale. “That goes without saying, doesn’t it?” Sheet Rock said angrily. “If you had your way we’d have to deal with corporate security AND these mercs too.” Access shook his head. “Probably not the best time to start pointing hooves there, Sheet.” She sat back in her seat with a sigh. “You’re right. Sorry Star.” Star remained silent for a moment and then got up and headed outside, hoof in one of her pockets. Outside, she dialed her ever faithful Synth assistant’s number and relayed the situation to him in a startlingly calm manner before she gestured for Access and Sheet Rock to join her outside. The rain had subsided, leaving large puddles and flooded storm drains in its wake. Chilled Coffee made it seem like the two Netrunners and their Fixer friend had little time to waste before they were set upon by these ponies sent after then, so they’d have to be quick. They weren't about to distrust his word now, but the thought didn’t sit well with any of them. Why was action being taken now and not sooner? “I’m having Snowy pack up some things into the van. Mostly your Netrunning gear and some of my valuables, with some luck we’ll be able to lay low somewhere for a while.” “Bulwark and Scarlet will need help at the hideout too, we can run it by there and they can get their most valuable gear out too.” Sheet Rock pointed out. “We can hide the rest under the floor and in the crawlspaces though. I doubt our belongings matter to them as opposed to their need to frag us.” Access pointed out. There was only so much space in the van, however. While large it had its limits and they had no idea as to the extent of the modifications Snowy made to the interior and exterior while they were gone. Jackie appeared at the door and slipped a small envelope out to Sheet Rock before she closed the door behind them. “What’s that?” Access asked. Sheet Rock stuffed the envelope into a pocket on her shorts. “Dunno, I’ll open it later.”