Cargo Mission

With no avenue to vent my frustration, I simply waited for him to tell me the specifics of the job.

"A higher up requested me to help him take a jab at one of his competitors. Your job is to steal a locked box that contains a reward he was set to obtain." Kaiser explained his request while not telling me what exactly was inside.

"By a higher up you mean someone from the government?" I asked him curiously.

"That's right. The box's targeted location is the library. Try to steal it before it gets there or you'll face some troubles." Kaiser answered before moving on.

This wasn't ideal for me as I actually had more questions regarding that topic. Of course, answering any of those questions would not be to his benefit so it was plainly obvious what he was trying to do.

"Is it alright to steal from the government? Won't you get in trouble for this?" I had to ask him before he tried to push matters aside. I wasn't scared of the repercussions but rather curious about how this place operated.

"With the proper backing, there is nothing to fear. If you do your job right the item will be reported as lost." Kaiser told me.

It gave me the impression that the client was in a high enough position to cancel any investigation. It was either that or the item that I was to steal was not of high importance. And all things considered, it wasn't unlikely for it to be the latter.

If it isn't the latter than the security behind the item would be beyond anything I was able to handle.

"The item is entering from Sector B, the time is between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm. Attacks from mutants might delay the cargo but expect it between that time period." Kaiser proceeded to tell me more about the job as he inspected some files.

"It is most likely being guarded by a group of first stage altered. Fortunately, that falls barely within the threshold of your ability." Kaiser informed me. It was an interesting tidbit of information.

"How can you tell?" I decided to ask. Learning more about this power would only hold benefits.

"Each increase in grade comes with an increase in reflexes and perception, consider it a small bonus. This small bonus is more than enough to sniff you out though." I listened attentively as it seemed that some of this had not been listed on the single page I received.

"The practitioners would be able to notice a very weak presence evading their sight which actually makes you stick out like a sore thumb." He continued.

"Was that how you noticed me?" I inquired in realization.

"That's correct." He snappily replied in a chirpy mood.

"Why did you bother to ask me that question then?" I couldn't help but feel confused when I thought back to this point.

Surprisingly, Kaiser paused.

"I was testing your determination. I was testing how far you were willing to take things for your own goals." He stood up from his chair and neared the open window.

"Because I need to use someone like that for my own goal." Kaiser said as he looked at the outside scenery.

He was no longer facing me but I could still hear him clearly. It sounded like he carried a heavy burden, it made me empathize with him.

There was some still silence in the office as he continued to stare at the dilapidated buildings.

"What's your goal?" I broke the silence with a question. A question I am sure he anticipated.

"You are not qualified to know. If you want to hear it, you have to do lots of things for me." He said without a trace of shame, I couldn't see him but I could almost swear he was probably smirking.

There was no point in getting angry though so I chose to ask a similar question.

"How many people know your goal?" I asked Kaiser

"One" He promptly replied.

This was… intriguing. I called him too trusting but it seems I was too quick to assume things. If anything I am now far more interested in finding out who this sole person might be.

"The cargo comes tomorrow, you can leave and rest for now. I'll have someone fill you in on the rest of the details." Kaiser said in dismissal.

I was hoping to find out more but I had already taken a lot of his time so I decided to make some final requests of utmost importance.

"I have no where to sleep" I told Kaiser who was still acting mysteriously by looking out his window.

"Erm, sleep in the lounge" He quickly settled that and waved his hand in dismissal. He wouldn't get rid of me that easily though.

"Where can I get something to eat?" I could almost see him twitch ever so slightly from where I was standing.

"Just join the others whenever they are eating. If you need anything else, please just ask Seamus. You know who that is, right?" He asked me in an unconcerned manner.

"Alright then, thanks" I finally bid farewell and opened the door to leave. I could hear him sigh as I closed the office door.

He was an interesting person. Annoying, but interesting.

I walked down the hallway and made my way downstairs. Some of the thugs were playing pool while others seemed to be watching tv. They were watching a sports match. I didn't care however and found a corner to sit at.

I had earned a lot from this trip and it was time to put this knowledge into practice. Particularly…

I pulled out the fist-sized crystal from my pant pocket. I made sure that no one was looking my way and tried to be as covert as possible. In an environment such as this, it was most ideal to make your presence as small as possible. If that didn't work you'd do the opposite.

I pushed away the stray thoughts and focused on the crystal in my hand. I gripped it firmly and closed my eyes. My concentration peaked as I tried my best to feel the energy inside.

The crystal felt warmer with each second that ticked. I finally felt a jolt, it shocked me to the core. It certainly wasn't pleasant. Nonetheless, I knew this was what I was looking for,

The jolting presence became more pronounced and painful. The warmth it emitted and the shock it produced felt dangerous and unnatural. I gritted my teeth as I tried to induce my will into the crystal.

The energy started to slowly crawl up my arm, it painfully snaked its way around my body. My body temperature increased and sweat made itself present on my brows.

My veins throbbed and my skin turned irritating.

Crackle.

I grimaced after feeling a strong current surge in my body. The surge calmed down and my body regained its original temperature soon after.

I opened my eyes. Gray-ish dust was all that was left in my hands. I dusted it off and wondered if that was how it should be done. I also wondered if the process would always be so painful and unpleasant.