Chapter 7: The Decadent Floor

Twenty minutes passed...

Shira, Ioren, Stone, and English stood by the main elevator. They were back on the 1st floor of the space station. A stretcher carrying a dead body wrapped in hard plastic was being ferried by two EMS personnel.

A pair of guards nodded to Shira before they walked away, seemingly satisfied with the report. Stone stood at a distance from Shira. His back turned to her as he watched the stretcher being pushed to the distant morgue.

Ioren wasn’t that far from him. She watched as Shira pulled out a small disk-shaped device before tapping a small button. In seconds, the communication signal was established. Javier’s face was displayed on the 3d projection of the device.

“Captain,” Javier said. “I got the word from Valradena’s security agency and was just about to call you. Everything alright?”

“No casualties,” Shira calmly replied. “As almost expected, the mission to secure our target has proven a failure. Most likely, the pirates have eliminated the person we were meant to secure, or it was an ambush planned before it ever happened.”

“Damn,” Javier replied. “I’m beginning to wonder if Palora’s intelligence are plain fools or the pirates just like luring operatives to their doom.”

“Most likely a little bit of everything,” she explained. “These rogues know us better than we thought. They know the UHN is desperate to have some sort of foothold in eliminating them and are utilizing it to their fullest extent. We are in their territory, and they have held this advantage for some time.”

“What was the name of this agent?”

“Millaray.”

“And she knew the codeword?”

“Yes, she did. I suspect that they either extracted it from the former defector or that the pirates simply created this event to attack us.”

“And unfortunately, it appears that this ‘Millaray’ didn’t exactly live through this.”

“I doubt that she would have carried much information,” Shira explained. “The pirates have long ensured that their secrecy remains intact. Their operatives are those that are given a strict ‘need to know’ basis. We are left with following the most basic of trails.”

Javier shook his head. “It’s why they’ve been flourishing for all this time. I saw in the early report about a turret you shot. What happened?”

“Yes. When we were approaching the restaurant, I noticed that there were two small roadside pillars, most likely basic vehicle barricades, located by the adjacent hotel. As we were questioning Millaray, Stone and Ioren were distracted by one of the restaurant’s customers. During that time, I noticed that another pillar was present. There was no other way for it to appear unless it was placed there intentionally.”

“What?”

“I was quickly able to conclude that the pillar’s presence was a disguised emplacement, an assassin’s tool which has been verified to be a UHN sentry turret, wrapped in a metal alloy and painted in the same colors as the other barricade pillars. As we remained distracted, the sentry turret would deploy and terminate us. From there, I made two shots. The first shot was to break the glass where the bullet would be diverted off course and into the street. The second shot, no longer hindered by the glass, successfully damaged and disabled it before it could pose a danger to us.”

Javier sighed and remained aghast. “Incredible. Good observation on you. And here I almost thought you were going to boast about it.”

“Boasting has no point in this current discourse.”

“Yeah ... I imagine you were going to say that. Is Doctor English alright?”

Shira’s eye gestured toward English’s direction. “English ensures that he is unharmed. He has taken Millaray’s tool of assassination for further analysis. What is the status of the resupply?”

“Doing well and on schedule. In a couple of hours, we’ll be well-stocked for the next few weeks.”

“Ensure that the proper security protocols are in place,” Shira stated. “If the pirates have planned for our ambush, they may know about the Lifen’s arrival.”

“I’m already on it,” Javier replied. “Level 2 protocols. Valradena’s security also verified that they’re safe.”

“All the more reason for us to analyze it ourselves.”

“Right ... because they could be compromised. We’re scanning each container for explosives, contraband, or some sort of ‘secret weapon’ that we don’t know about. Bransen and Chief Cayetano are checking the foodstuffs for any signs of poison or bioagent.” Javier took a deep breath as he considered everything. “Are you alright?”

“As stated before, I am unharmed.”

“What will you do now?”

“The same plan as before.”

The XO showed a hint of apprehension. “You’re going down there...” The man looked away from the screen for a moment. “If they were able to do what they did in the ‘safer’ area of the station...”

“While their action was somewhat impressive, I doubt that they would anticipate all of ours,” Shira explained. “Most likely, the rogues believe that we are dead or in retreat. The entire plot was made in how you humans would say a ‘fire and forget’ manner. Instead, we are left with the same plan as before. Everything now hinges on Doctor English’s next course of action if we are to succeed in our current campaign.”

“I’m beginning to side with Stone earlier. We should ready a full detachment of soldiers and go down there in force.”

Shira was adamant in her collected state. “That wouldn’t be wise. Our enemies only know so much about us. Even the one who deployed the turret was only acting on orders and not by our faces. If we leave now, there is a possibility that these rogues will disappear. This is our best opportunity to catch them while we can. If we arrive in full force, they will scatter, making our jobs even harder in apprehending them.”

“Let them come to us!” Stone yelled out, hearing the tip of the conversation. “They think we’re weak, but we’ll just wipe the fuckers out.”

Shira slightly lifted her brow and momentarily glanced toward the master sergeant. “It is as Stone suggests. Our smaller numbers will likely lure them to attack us if they recognize us.”

“Fine...,” Javier said. “Keep me updated, and stay safe.”

Shira did a light nod in response. “Shira, out.”

Ioren could see the anger in Stone’s face. It was threatening to unfurl. She hated seeing this side of him, which felt somewhat helpless against the raging forces against them. The lack of a clear path was one thing, but it was also something else ... regret.

“We could have had her for interrogation,” Stone grumbled, squeezing his hand. “If Doctor English hadn’t caved her head in.”

“I miscalculated,” English calmly replied. “I apologize for the lack of bone loss her body had compared to the physical strength I used to incapacitate her. Essentially, she was too weak to handle my counterattack.”

“Hmph...”

“Don’t blame him,” Ioren’s tilon translated out loud. The small woman was typing away on her open device. Stone looked away but listened.

“We could have done better, my mate,” Ioren continued to type. “We were distracted by the customers and didn’t notice the turret. He was defending himself from a person who was trying to kill him. Don’t judge him for our actions.”

“Ioren is correct,” Shira said, turning to look at Stone. Her hands were wrapped behind her back as she swung her tail a little bit. “I would not blame yourself for the actions that just transpired.”

“It wasn’t enough,” Stone said.

“Quite the contrary. The pirates have long used both ingenuitive and crude methods in their past attacks. It was just as easy that the person with that pen-lighter could have been an assassin carrying a concealed weapon to bring harm to us or the supposed defector. It was also just as likely that another person or persons in that restaurant would have used the distracted opportunity to strike at us. You can rest assured that you were doing your duty, and I would prefer to have that same level of experience and professionalism in the lower levels.”

That was enough to diffuse Stone by a slight degree. Ioren knew the captain was right.

“Hmph...,” the master sergeant grunted before he turned around to face the three. “Then what are we waiting for?”

Shira turned to look at the elevator. Nothing more was said as the team watched the door slide open before walking onto the large platform. English was the first to approach the panel before tapping the button. The door slid closed as the four began the slow transit downward. The master sergeant began to check his gun.

“We will be going past the place that was originally used for mining,” English explained. Level 3 is now used as a loading and refinery for breaking down rocks into their basic components. It’s where most of the poorer civilians currently work. Level 4 is where most of the population now lives. It’s also the most dangerous.”

“We know that,” Stone said.

“True, but I’m just making sure to remind everyone. Keep your guard.”

Shira had already pulled out her magnum. She ejected the cylinder and pulled out two new rounds from her pocket to insert into it. After she reloaded, she closed it and reholstered her gun. English kept his gun put away, ready if need be.

After a minute of slow travel, the elevator finally came to a halt. The doors slowly opened in front of them as they stepped outside.

Ioren could see a vast difference between Level 2 and Level 4. It was similar in layout, but there was a subtle light green haze in the air. The reptilian woman’s nostrils flared, telling her that the sense of smell had a mild odor. It was that of old air mixed with the scents of thousands of confined beings.

They began their walk. The construction of the large tunnel was similar to the upper levels, but the conditions were more haphazard. Unlike the prior level, the area appeared dirtier. There were hints of debris strewn across the sizeable walking path. This form of trash had been lying on the floor, but any disturbance could send it flying and tumbling in the air before taking considerable time to land. There was graffiti on some portions of the walls. Hints of damage could be seen by vagrancy.

It was also more crowded. Unlike the commercial district, this was purely residential. Housing was more compact, giving hints of very thin two-story apartments. It was questionably worse than the ghettos of Oshun. The people gave more looks towards the four as they continued. Most of them had the same looks of malnourishment but worse. Thin, skinny bodies worn down by the constant lack of gravity, the people might as well have been the walking dead. There were times that Ioren questioned if these were human beings at all.

“Son of a bitch...,” Stone said under his breath, seeing the conditions. If Ioren could say anything, it would have been just that.

“Where are we heading?” Shira calmly asked the doctor as he walked ahead of the three.

“We are going to a place called the El burdel de lirios amarillos y sauces or, in English, ‘The Yellow Lily and Willow Brothel,’” the doctor answered.

“A whore house?” Stone asked.

“Yes. My contact has established herself as the leader of the establishment. Information dealing is her 2nd method of commerce under the initial prostitution she offers.”

“Quite interesting...,” Shira remarked. “The concept of prostitution is something almost unheard of in Itrean culture, only practiced by small various religious groups, but not necessarily in that term. However, there is a strategic concept in the use of sex as an espionage tool. But the question arises. How do you know that this information will be genuine?”

“I know this woman well,” English explained. “She’s played pivotal roles with her simple information alone. However,...”

There was a pause as they passed by a crosswalk. Stone was keeping an eye out. The fact remained that if a sniper wanted to shoot them, it would be quite easy to do so. Ioren was doing the same, but the doctor saw someone that was lying down on the street. It was a woman, most likely homeless, who was splayed by the corner lot. She wore ragged clothing, reeked of urine smell, and was almost incoherent when she first saw the four individuals. Ioren was the first to speak about it when she used sign language to communicate with Stone.

“Ioren is asking why she’s lying there,” the master sergeant stated.

English walked over to the person before kneeling down next to her and putting his hand on her neck. Like the others, she was as skinny as a toothpick. She began to shake a little bit in a light form of convulsions. A part of her arm reacted a little bit and reached out to him.

“A victim of the poverty on this base,” the doctor explained. “Gangler syndrome at its finest. There are multiple factors that contribute to its cause. Improper treatment, lack of treatment, living in zero gravity, improper augments, there are many ... but it all leads to the inevitable outcome.”

“Doctor ... we should keep moving,” Stone said.

English was quick. He reached into his coat and pulled out a hyposyringe filled with a light blue liquid. The doctor looked at the contents briefly before bringing the applicator straight to the woman’s neck. With a slight press of the button, the fluid was injected into the stranger’s bloodstream. The woman was breathing fast, but it was almost as if her shaking was slowing down.

“Thank ... you...,” the woman whispered to him.

“The injection will only ease her symptoms for a couple of weeks,” English said before putting the syringe into his coat. He stood up and resumed his walk ahead of the three. Ioren continued to use her sign language.

“Yes,” Stone said. “She should be at the Venetian medical facility. Venus treats this.”

“The regrettable fact is that she will probably never get that treatment. Many of the Picarin and Oracip belters are left to their fate, where the outside never hears about it.”

“Hmph...,” the master sergeant grunted. He maintained his focus. Shira had remained quiet for some time, seemingly ignoring the other walking pedestrians. A few glanced at the four but continued on without a thought.

Two minutes would pass in the trek. Each of the buildings was almost the same, with only the hint of labeled numbers to identify the addresses. The scene was oddly depressing to behold. Ioren noted at least one police officer walking the area but was seemingly nonchalant about the others. He didn’t even glance at the woman that English treated. However, it could be noted that the officer was not dressed in the same attire as the Level 2 officers were.

And there weren’t any signs of Itreans. It was almost as if the T’rintar clan warned its citizens never to venture into this area. It was a glaring contradiction when compared to the few Itreans who lived in the ghettos of Oshun.

“Hmmm ... and to think this is nicer than the other station,” Shira calmly stated.

“Yes,” English replied. “Supposedly, two people die from Gangler syndrome every month on Valdivida, compared to a fatality on this base once every two months. That’s not including the victims of crime as well.”

“Can we remain focused?” Stone asked, his teeth gritting from the degrading facts presented to him. “There are too many positions where we can get targeted.”

“I have been keeping an eye out as well, Stone,” Shira stated.

“Including myself,” English added. “Fortunately, we are nearing our destination.”Another crosswalk was ahead, but as Ioren turned her head to the right, she could see that it led to a dead end of bedrock. Three buildings past the road ahead consisted of a few stores, including basic hygiene, pharmaceutical shops, and a coffee shop. Past it was a place with blue and green neon lights. The large flat two-story building had what looked like hookers. A vast number of people, mostly women of various shapes and sizes, littered the walls near the entrance. Surprisingly, many of them seemed quite healthy by appearances. A bouncer, an armed bruiser of a man, resided by the main door.

Before the prostitutes and the bouncer could look at the four, English walked over to the corner. The other three followed him to the side. The doctor was gesturing to the others to remain hidden for the moment.

“This will be the next plan of action,” English calmly explained. “It is imperative that you understand who it is that we are dealing with and how to resolve it.”

“Explain,” Shira said.

“The person we’re dealing with has a long history of being in charge. She knows what she’s doing and knows she can get away with it. However, she is also quite good at gathering information. Her ring of prostitutes and the customers that come here reveal every form of data imaginable. You must understand that she isn’t the sort of character you can intimidate easily.”

Stone showed a hint of impatience while they stood by the corner building. It was still in an open area, but the recess provided some cover. Regardless, he wanted this mission to progress forward.

“It doesn’t matter,” Stone said. “We get the information and leave.”

“It won’t work that easily,” English explained. “This person is used to resistance. If you go in ‘guns blazing,’ it would only lead to casualties on both sides. Then, she would likely not divulge information that we seek.”

“You are asking us to placate her,” Shira said.

“Exactly. It won’t be easy. My contact is a person who revels in price and negotiation. She already knows me too well, and if I appear at that door, she will deny us entry.”

“Hngh...,” Stone grunted.

“So, you prefer to just send us in instead?” Shira asked.

“It’s the only way,” the doctor continued. “I know another way into her brothel. I will use that to sneak in while you three go through the front entrance.”

Ioren was typing on her tilon. “Why not go with you?”

Shira already had the answer. “If we all sneak in, the Doctor’s contact will likely be infuriated when she finds out,” she said. “At the same time, the Doctor wishes to catch her off guard because he knows he is the only one to get through to her. Isn’t that right, Doctor?”

“Yes,” English explained as he gestured in the direction of the entrance. “When you approach the bouncer, tell him that you wish to speak to ‘Chief Weasel.’ He’ll let you in. From there, you will talk with her. You will ask her about any known activity ... any potential suspects of opportunity. She will likely list a price that will be too difficult for any of you to meet.”

“What price?” Ioren typed.

“Things you might not enjoy too lightly. She doesn’t always deal with money. Shira is correct that none of you will meet the Chief’s demands. However, I can.”

“You are willing to do this?” Shira asked.

“I know that your situation is a desperate one. The fact remains that the conditions here will never improve, and the damage has been long done. More and more of the population here grows desperate. The pirates feed off it, and the population feeds off of them. That is a symbiotic, perhaps a parasitic relationship that cannot be defeated so easily. And you also know that the woman I just treated will die regardless because little will be done here. However, I prefer to do something than nothing. So, to answer your question, yes, I stand ready.”

“There is no shame in your actions,” Shira turned to Stone. “We will proceed with the plan. Stone, you will have point as English heads off to wherever he’s going...”

“Fine,” Stone said.

Ioren, Stone, and Shira proceeded to head around the corner while they left English behind. The master sergeant composed himself. The wave of prostitutes gave waves to the three.

“Howdy, oh, he’s a big one...,” a youthful hooker called out to Stone. “You seem to have a pair of Itreans. Care to make it a foursome?”

“A lonely Itrean?” a male prostitute called out to Shira. “I know what you need, but do you?”

Shira ignored the man. Ioren could feel the unusual sense of attacking the female hooker. Ioren had to remind herself that these were human prostitutes who didn’t necessarily know that she and Stone were together.

It didn’t take long before Stone was face-to-face with the bouncer. The bruiser was thick in muscle tone, almost as if Stone was staring at a mirror. The guard had similar facial features to most Palorans. Unlike the other personnel on the station, this was a man who was most likely jacked up on various medications and augmented bones. He was armed with two pistols, holstered to his hips. Ioren could already feel the tension rising as her feathers rose. She gripped the handle of her gun tightly.

“Yeeessss...,” the bouncer called out to Stone. The man barely glanced at Shira and Ioren.

“We want to see Chief Weasel,” Stone adamantly said. “Now...”

“Chief ... Weasel...?” the bouncer leaned forward and gave a disgruntled look. Ioren could see that Stone was going to have none of it. If this man got any closer, it was likely the master sergeant was going to strike the man with the butt of his shotgun.

“How do you know her nickname?” the bouncer asked.

“Do you have a hearing problem?” Stone countered.

“Errr...,” the bouncer said. “Fine ... go inside and ask for her ... but understand this. You’re being watched. You try to do anything funny with those guns of yours, and you’ll get to live with brass teeth ... all of you.”

Ioren relaxed a little bit. The guard calmed down as well before looking ahead to any other possible patrons. The front main door slid open as the three stepped inside.

The interior looked like a reception room of some sort. It was remarkably cozy, prettier than what it looked like outside. The pink and orange flower wallpaper combined with a reception desk remained to the side. The scent of flowers radiated the scene. Behind the other side of the room was a sofa, although it seemed more to question why they bothered with furniture in an almost zero gravity environment. There were two doors beside the main entrance. One was labeled the “Manager’s Room,” and the other was the “The Gallery.”

Ioren spotted two gun turrets and a camera system mounted in the corners of the room. Its LED lights were flickering. The turrets were processing the fact that three armed individuals were near it. Ioren knew that they had to remain calm. Any sudden moves could provoke their AI or users to activate them.

“Hello...,” a dainty yet seductive voice radiated from the receptionist’s desk. The three looked upon the greeter. She was scantily clad but remarkably skinny.

“We are looking for your boss,” Stone confronted her.

“Ah ... ummm,” she grew nervous. “We have a wonderful selection of people you can spend time with ... plenty of rooms for all of you. All for...”

“We seek to talk with the manager of this establishment,” Shira added. She twitched her fin-like tail a little bit.

“The manager is currently indisposed. Would you like to schedule an appointment with her?”

“Chief Weasel. Where is she?” With one hand, Stone leaned forward onto the table and glared at the receptionist.

“Ummm ... ahhh ... Hold on.” The receptionist tapped a button on her table. “Boss ... we have visitors here to speak with you. A man and two Itreans. All armed.”

Ioren kept her guard up during the wait. She knew they were in seemingly hostile territory and watched for any movement from the turrets.

“Tisk ... tisk...,” an impatient but relaxed female voice erupted from the comms. “Wait just a moment. Let’s move this forward, shall we?...” There was the snapping of fingers before the comms ended.

In a few seconds, the door to the manager’s room slid open. A large muscle man who seemed strikingly similar to the bouncer came barging into the room. In one hand, he was carrying a thin man, a person who was struggling against the muscle-toned individual’s powerful grasp. In the other was some sort of small plant with thorns on it. He was lugging him and the item to the exit.

“You don’t pay the tab, Dolores Zuzunaga; you don’t enjoy the goods!” The bouncer said.

“I swear ... I’ll pay her. I’ll pay!” The customer replied, holding his hand out to the other bouncer’s hand. “Just don’t hurt my...!”

“The boss says you have two days! Two days! Come back with the money or...”

“Wait! Wait!”

The door leading to the outside opened. With a powerful heave, the bouncer chucked the frail man out the door as hard as he could. Ioren could only see so much as the near-zero gravity allowed the individual to be sent flying out of the establishment. The sound of a crash could be heard. Meanwhile, the bouncer held up something else in his hand. It looked like a cactus.

“And take your plant with you!” The bouncer said, throwing what looked like a small potted cactus towards the man.

“No, don’t throw Mr Prickles!” the customer screamed in the distance. In a few seconds, there was a thud and a wack sound. “Mr Prickles, no!” the same man yelled out.

The bouncer closed the door. The others watched as the bouncer turned around to look at the three visitors. Ioren could definitely confirm that this man looked just like the outside guard. Were they twin brothers? It didn’t matter. He gave a gesture to the three.

“Head inside,” the bouncer said to the group. “Don’t try anything stupid. The boss isn’t in the mood for any more visitors.”

“Hmph...,” Stone grunted.

The three followed the man into the next room. As the door closed behind the four, Ioren noted the interior and people present.

The manager’s room was similar to the reception room, and it was equally spacious. There were at least three other doors that led to it, including various recesses and alcoves. One side of the room was dedicated to an enormous lounge chair and table. Ioren noted two guards were accompanying the manager on opposite ends of the furniture. This other fellow also looked like the bouncer. Had it become triplets, now? It didn’t matter. All of them were armed with their various sidearms. In the corner of the room was another turret.

Sitting behind her lavish wooden mounted table was a single brunette woman. Her pale skin was radiant from the overhead lights. There was one obvious striking feature about her. She was entirely naked, wearing no clothes on her whatsoever. Even Stone was taken aback a little bit, even if he did his best to conceal his emotions. It was unknown as to why she was like this. Her breasts weren’t anything large in the woman’s youthful appearance, but there was a certain beauty to her. She had a little bit more body tone than the other women on the station. Her hair was partially curly but kept in a way to prevent it from floating around in near-zero gravity. Even her spread legs were lightly strapped to her chair to prevent her body from floating around too much.

There was a naked man that was beneath the manager’s legs. He, too, had his legs partially strapped to the floor. His arms were enwrapped around the woman’s legs. His head was tucked into the woman’s crotch, providing oral sex to her. Yet, she wasn’t enraptured in the joy of sex. If anything, she seemed outright bored and distracted. On the table were various items.

“Interesting...” Shira remarked to herself.

“What is it?” the manager asked as she looked at a book by her table. Her voice was nonchalant and remarkably calm. There was a faint but familiar accent, most likely Greek from former Earth. Even the way she spoke was that of pure boredom.

“My name is Stone,” the master sergeant introduced himself. “I come to investigate the heart of this station, Chief Weasel.”

The woman’s brow lifted in the mild hint of surprise. “How did you happen to learn of that name?”

“Word spreads, and I have good hearing.”

The manager showed the mildest hint of agitation. She lowered her hand below her stomach and to the man beneath the table.

“Luis, you are dull and sloppy with your services,” she calmly told the gigolo, pulling the man’s face from her crotch. “How would you expect any patron to enjoy you, let alone encourage them to come back to my establishment?”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” the man said.

“Apologies are not going to gain us any more customers. Work on that tongue like the rest of your body. It’s a muscle, and muscles can be exercised. I’ve already given you advice before. You have one week to improve on your technique before I find another. Now leave.”

Ioren watched as the naked man unstrapped his legs and slipped on a pair of magnetic slippers. He stood up and left the room in shame.

“So many potential employees,” the chief said. “But one has to filter out the ones that actually do their jobs these days. Now ... what is it that you seek?”

“We want to know of any criminal activity in this vicinity,” Stone demanded. “Kidnapping, arson, destruction of property, weapon trafficking, plots, I want it.”

“And who sent you to gather this information?” the manager asked, finally looking at the man. “Station security? UHN MPs?”

“UHN. You’re an information dealer. You know the layout of this level and who commits to whom. Are you going to cooperate?”