Blues

Jakob stood behind Helga. She wore a sharp business suit with a red tie. She had gloved her hands and tied her hair into a ponytail. She spoke to a man armed to the teeth. Though he looked intimidating, Helga did not show any stiffness or being overwhelmed. How could he, when Jakob was standing behind her with such an expression?

The two talked for minutes. Helga shook the armored hand of the man and started strutting to the pad. The Karnifex was on the landing pad. Helga stood. She took out a cigarette from her pocket, lighting it up. She looked up at the Aured Sky.

"Just a drizzle of rain," Helga said.

Jakob folded his armored arms. Helga snickered.

"You are getting used to that suit."

"Hard to take it off when it seems like you are making use of me too much."

"Can't help it, you are a good at what you do. Also, the Boss wants to personally make sure that my safety is secured."

Jakob surveyed the area. The personnel from the building still eyed them cautiously. Jakob could not blame them. Not after seeing, what the Ghosts did in a purge that made the enemies of Haven tremble. Helga, the one who schemed about it, looked at them with amusement.

"These bastards use to make us bow their heads. Now, they know what it means messing with Haven. The Ghosts are going to be helpful in keeping the market to our side."

Jakob stared. Helga shook her shoulders. She placed her eyes back to the Aured City. The tiny drops of water are dripping down her cheeks to the nape.

"The world's expanding."

"Indeed, hard to think that once it was all just Aured and Bastion Cities. Now you are telling me that there is a world beyond this city. Well, you did well killing two beluamans. I think that it was your hometown they are garrisoning on."

"There are nodes in that place."

"Nodes, they must be those technological nodes I've been hearing about."

"Yeah," Jakob said.

"I heard that they are planning to make it a project to revitalize that town. Make it a place where the etherians can have a rest while they wipe out the rest of the beluas around the area. Not to mention that it is a good town to fortify."

"Sure."

"You don't sound too excited."

"Oh, I am, but it doesn't matter, really. I grow up in that town. It does not mean that I want to go back. I don't think Dona and I will be going back."

"Speaking of that girl, she's been doing interesting things."

"I heard."

"You two do not call yourself lovers, but you share a bed."

Jakob did not answer. Helga continued.

"Still, I've never seen such a thing. Do you not care if she jumps to another man's arms?"

"Not really," Jakob said. "You heard the story."

"It's weird, I mean I know she worked in that profession, but you still continue it? I mean there are even girls who would kill to be right now."

"Is that so?"

"It is so," Helga taps her cigarrete. "Then again, I don't think it's going to last.��

Jakob nodded. Helga threw her cigarette and leaned her back on the Karnifex.

"You think that you're going to continue this?"

"I will. I told you already."

"Oh, make senses. The Ghosts are useful now. However, we need your expertise if we want to continue this. If the exploration starts then we are going to need everyone around to help. Haven being in a good spot doesn't mean it'll last forever."

"You think this is going to work? These bastards are going to bite."

"We expect them to bite. They hold power in this city, and the taste of what we did makes them want to be part of us instead of be against us. The thing about having power is to have control. Haven can take the power, but if we were stretch then our power would be like paper. We keep them in control for now. Entice them with the benefits of coming to our side. If they misbehaved then we send in the Ghosts."

"No work for me then."

"Oh, you are our big stick we beat them with. Honestly, you are a blessing that we did not expect. It's nice of you to walk in and present yourself to our cause."

"You handed that task to me trying not to smile."

"Well, who would believe someone who just arrived? Besides, you got equipment for it. I was planning for the Karnifex to fly back if you went to a different location. Then you prove our expectations wrongly. You stomped on it and spat on it. Which makes it an accident that I had you become a great asset."

"At least you are not pinning all your hopes on me."

"Well, that is what Ghosts are for."

"Can I take a break?"

"Oh?" Helga craned her head to him. "You are taking a break? That's new."

"Just want to take this suit off for a day or two or more. Besides, you can take care of yourself without me."

"Well, we did meet with the major powers so it's a good time for you to rest. Huh, so you want to rest too. I assume you want to continue working."

"I need some time alone."

"Oh well, I'll call Boss about it."

Jakob nodded. The two boarded the Karnifex, flying to the skyway, zipping to where Haven was. Upon arriving in Haven, Jakob had his suit stored. He went back to his room, walked past Dona without a word, and wore rainwear. He took his pistol and hid the vibrant blade inside his coat. He went out of Haven. Took the roaming bus and stopped on the far-east sector of Aured city. Jakob started searching for a place. He roamed the neighborhood until he found the decrepit and worn down bench that overlooked an entire community. He took out his communicator. Pulled the batteries on the side and snapped the chip attacked on the side. He then wrapped with communicator with a tinfoil.