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“I guess you may have suspected why I’m here. “ Marvel said after taking he last swallow from the bottle. He was tempted to take another one but ignored it.
“Is it about the much publicized kidnapping? “ The Mole picked up another bottle but didn’t offer his friend another knowing he would refuse. “Was that even real? “
“The kidnapping was real. “ Marvel watched the Mole briefly, looking at the single electronic eye, the metallic dome covering his head and the metallic neural net fixed to his back that have replaced his backbone, wondering how the Mole has continued to survive all these. “The holo vid drama though is propaganda. There’s more behind it than simple kidnapping. But the senator and his family are obviously in danger. “
The Mole looked at him sharply. “The Mega corporations? “
“Possibly, that has come up. “ Marvel said slowly. “Mole I have been asked to rescue the senator and his family. I can’t go on this alone. Will really need you on this one. “
“You know the most popular word on the webnet now is terrorism, a word that haven’t been used publicly for a very long time now. “ The Mole took a long drink from the bottle, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “From your voice I can guess a whole lot is going down beyond a rescue operation. “

“No, black Market. I got a supplier. Spent some time adding several modifications and remodeling. “ The Mole said as he came out of the machine he was under, rubbed his hands with a dirty clothes, came to join Marvel by taking another chair, pulling out a bottle from the ice cubes, he drank from it too. “By the way, you shouldn’t let my twin bitches bother you, they know you and you are practically family. “ The Mole ended that with a loud guffaw.
“It’s no joke Mole, those twin chain guns are badass, I have faced their type before in the past and it wasn’t funny. “ The bounty hunter said grimly.
“You have nothing to fear here. “ The Mole tap lightly at Marvel’s back. “I will never forget, I owe you my life. Without you the reputation of the Mole wouldn’t have existed. If I had survived that attack, I would have ended up a broken down cripple. But you intervened, helped me out of a tight spot, gave me the means for revenge. Everything the Mole is today, you made happen. “

“Yes, the cyborg was really helpful with that, he did most of the heavy liftings here. If not that I want total privacy control on my home base here, thereby politely refusing any more help from him, this place would have been almost finished by now. “
Looking up, Marvel noticed huge armored cables running the whole length of the ceiling, some going into the walls around the room, others coming down to be linked to empty socket holes waiting for their panels to be fixed.
“I did noticed though that some of your perimeter security is up and running. “
“Not totally though, “ The dark skinned Mole said as he wiped up sweat from his face. The room was warm, as it was sealed l up and the thermo regulator hasn’t been fixed yet, though several air vents help to syphon excess heat out. “Just enough to dissuade trespassers , no full proof cover yet. “
“Don’t think so Mole, I saw one of those your tri-barrel mini chain gun’s Lazer targeting winking at me with a red dot as I stepped past the door. I always feel that gun doesn’t like me. Seem it’s always looking for an excuse to blow me away. “ Marvel saw few bottles of chilled stim beer in a thermoflask box with cubes of ice. He pulled one of the bottle out, opened it and drank down the chilling contents. The light alcoholic liquid ran down his throat bringing instant cold relief to his parched esophagus. “So how did you get a replacement that fast? Salvage? “

Marvel stood before the well lit door, looking up at the point he knew a micro cam is hidden, as the door slide back, a voice spoke to him from within.
“Come in Marvel, kinda expected you here. “ the familiar voice of the Mole said.
Marvel got in by the door opening to a tight passage with openings on both side that were obviously intended for doors. They led to rooms that are practically empty. The end of the passage led to a wide room with big equipment and electronic machines arranged with smaller parts of them littering the duracrete floor. He saw the small sized Mole holed up in one of the machines busily connecting circuit wires.
“No wonder I haven’t heard from you in a while recently, you have been working hard.
“Yes Marvel, a man has got to feed. “ The Mole grunted in reply. “Had to set up a new shop so I don’t loose both my clients, businesses and reputation totally. “
“I’m impressed, work has really gotten to an advanced stage here. “ Marvel looked around,, noticing a table with some chairs surrounding it, about three holo monitors were alight on it. Some large sized plasteel monitors were still on the floor behind them unfixed yet. He sat on one of the chairs watching the Mole working.

✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳
Marvel brought his favorite Nexon 3 model black colored air car for a landing in a less busy part of The Pit. As the air car landed, Marvel set up its security lock and the anti-theft and anti-tamper features. Once locked, the air car becomes almost impregnable. Marvel was putting on his long gray coat underneath which is the skin tight black colored combat super Kevlar suit with enhanced polymer body armor imbedded with micro mash duralloy. His trusted twin hand guns, Nax Gauge and M2000, are in their respective holsters worn openly and attached to the combat webbing on him. Marvel has to show he is armed, as the Pit is not a place for the weak. Already hostile eyes were fixed on him but turned hurriedly away as they saw him armed. It was still early night at the Pit, so the neo display and the holographic words on stores, sex palours and drug dens was already on. This part of the Pit wasn’t as crowded as the former place the Mole was staying. The street has fewer people walking on it just going their ways with few others that are definitely street thugs. They were closely watching Marvel as he walked slowly to where he was going as he got to a particular door, most of the watchers countenance fell. The visitor was a guest of the notorious Mole, nobody dared touch him or his car parked openly. With disappointing moods, the street thugs turned away from him seeking other targets.

✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳

Doeb was a fool, Dalmar thought without feeling much of anything as the signal that the surgically implanted explosive in his skull has exploded. Well he actually really served his purpose. Dalmar was still in his private quarters in the super cruiser still traversing the space lanes.
Dalmar had long suspected that an important undercover agent is hidden in Puerta del Cielo which was on a special assignment investigating a gun running ring attached to a corporation. Try as he may, Dalmar couldn’t get the identity of the agent. So he had decided to use a tool already on ground there to lure that agent out. With the kidnapping, he decided to give out some sensitive information to Doeb, unbeknownst to him, he added a micro explosive in his head without letting him know, at least to protect his benefactor on earth. Dalmar was hoping that dangling Doeb as a bait may expose the undercover agent and drag Marvel into the trap he planned for him. With the sudden death of Doeb, he hopes it will intrigue the Earthwatch and CSC command enough to investigate. If things work as he hopes, Marvel will be sent. That will focus their attention on Puerta del Cielo, while his real attack will be the Trans Terra International tower in Nuterra.
His holo vid suddenly came on with the multi colors of the security layers and filters on the call connection. As the screen cleared, Cedric face came up on it.
“Sir, the operatives and materials for the tower job have arrived Nuterra and are ready to move. “
“Excellent work you did on the propaganda holo vid, heard it achieved the required impact. “ Dalmar said as if he didn’t hear what Cedric said. “Make the move when the deadline given in the holo vid is up, I believe something interesting will be happening around that time on Puerta del Cielo. “
“Yes sir. “
“We need to be precise and make sure everything works well. “ He wished he would be there, in case Marvel was called and see his reaction when he falls into the trap . Dalmar already has a surprise waiting for him there.

“Alright son, I’d take it up with command. “ With clenched teeth, Leyland said that already knowing the amount of argument he had to go through to justify the payment. He is sure the senate will come to his rescue on this, especially if Marvel is successful. “So who do you plan taking with you? “
“The Mole. He is the only one available right now.”
“What about the cyborg? “
“He is busy at this time with Dr. Guthrie going through some modifications I believe.“ What Marvel didn’t say is that, the cyborg have been busy helping him set up his new place of operations. “Besides that, the cyborg is basically Dr. Bryant underneath, he is really not a soldier or fighter but a scientist. “
“Alright. Ahem I got another favor to ask of you Marvel. “
“What would that be? “
“I will really need the services of your associate called Hardwire. “ After waiting for a while to see if the bounty hunter will Object. When he didn’t, Leyland continued. “At the Trans Terra International tower, our operatives on ground there have been trying to crack a huge data terminal we believe will contain valuable data we can use to persecute the corporations under investigation. We have succeeded in breaking into the heavily sealed room where the terminal is but it now appeared that the data is heavily guarded with super secured encryption. All our efforts to break it has failed. The corporations method of programming is different from what we are used to. Hardwire seem to have been successful in the past in been able to hack corporate programs. “
“As you know, he is on earth at this time. I will get across to him and tell him to expect you. “
“Thank you. I will arrange speedy transportation for him. “
“General any idea where the senator is kept?”
“As far as I can tell, those who captured them haven’t left that planet, so it’s a safe bet they are still hold up there. Our agents on ground are looking for the place. I’m confident they would have come up with a location before you get there. You will be contacted by one of our undercover agent when you arrive planet side. “
There is that tone again as the general mentioned undercover agent. “Who is the contact?” Marvel asked.
“I believe you have met her, Special agent Jade. “
Damn, Marvel thought sadly.

“That brute was a mean soul, it was very difficult to subdue him. Never wished to meet someone like him again. “ Marvel face darkened as he recalled this old forgotten memory. “And now in other to rescue the senator, I have to face him again, that’s grand. Sir you have ways of bringing real interesting parties to me. “
“I’m sorry son, wish I could have it any other way. “
That’s one thing that had endeared those under the general’s command to him, he means whatever he says. Marvel knew if the general can, he could spare him as much mischief as possible.
“Ok sir, I’d take the job. But this time, my fee is double. “
“Double Marvel? “
“Yes sir, I get to perform a rescue operation and recapture a dangerous fugitive. And I won’t be going alone. So it’s fair I ask for double. “

“The Afterlife is real and a highly classified project, that was tightly guarded whose existence is known only to the twenty men of the security committee. It’s a prison of condemned criminals who are already written off as dead. It’s location and security setup is unknown to anyone outside the security committee. Someone went in there, who appeared to have all the secrets of the Afterlife available to him, broke some prisoners out of that place. “
After about two minutes of neither of them saying anything, Marvel asked. “Is this linked in anyway to the kidnapping? “
“Yes, our Intel reveals that those that kidnapped the senator were ex inmates of the Afterlife. Besides that we analyzed the voice of the speaker in that holo vid, it matched with one of the ex inmate with the name Red Mane . You know him? “ The general gave Marvel a quizzical look through the holo vid.
“A big brute with red hairs all over and a face like a lion? “ as Leyland nods in the affirmative, he just shrugged. “Well I think I do. Got a bounty on him for twenty five grand. Caught him and he was sent to the slammer. Thought he died trying to escape a particular super max security prison. “
“He didn’t die. Was caught trying to escape, he was sent to the Afterlife, anyway he was already on death row. The story of his death while escaping was released to cover his disappearance . “

“We considered that, it was our initial position until I got a secret classified message from an agent who was on an undercover assignment on the planet the senator was captured in. “ Leyland close his eyes recalling in his mind the contents of that report. “That message changed all my perception and in a way revealed the lacuna in our security setup. “
Marvel noticed the way the general emphasized on the word undercover agent as if it is something he should pay attention to. “Am I cleared to know about that? “
“No, but I’d have to tell you anyway, since you will be working on this and like you know, I always believe in giving those under my command full information, it helps them perform optimally. “ With a deep sigh, Leyland adjusted his position on the chair before continuing. “You will need to know about something called the Afterlife. “
“Sounds like a theme from an urban legend, rumors of secret projects the government is involved in that doesn’t really exists. “

Marvel took time to digest the import of the general’s statement. “Sir is such a thing even possible? “
“No, it’s not but unfortunately it is happening. “ After drinking the second fill from the cup, he kept both it and the bottle off screen. “This wouldn’t have been revealed if not for the fracas we are presently having with some very powerful and influential mega corporations. Who ever is responsible for the security breach is definitely in league with these corporations. Well that is what our present available Intel suggests. “
“So this is in a way involved in the senator’s kidnapping? “
“Yes. The senator’s visit to that planet was an undercover act meant to pass important Intel necessary to continue investigation on the corporations indicted from the events of last time. It was such a secret move that only the top level security officers were aware of it. Yet the senator was kidnapped and the Intel didn’t get to him. “
“I get that. “ Marvel said thinking fast. “Well it could all have bewn a coincidence, these people already have a grudge with the senator and maybe he got to the wrong place at the wrong time. “

“Sir, sorry to point this out, but there are more competent soldiers and agents that can handle this. This definitely is not a job for a bounty hunter. “
“Marvel, I wouldn’t have come to you with this if not for some new developments that are just now being revealed. “ Leyland seem to sagged back on the chair he was sitting on. “It took a lot of convincing to get the president to approve me seeking for an external help. “
Marvel has known the general a long time, served under him and trusted him. He has seen General Leyland handle overwhelming odds with nothing but a cute smile and an unflinching bark of orders, but what he can see from the general’s face now looks like fear. What could be so bad as to scare him, definitely not the simple kidnapping of a senator or an empty threat from a rag tag group.
“What is it general? “ Marvel asked already dreading the reply from the him.
“Earth government security have been badly compromised. “ As the general paused, he pulled out a glass cup and a bottle of amber colored spirit drink. Pouring it a fourth of the cup’s length, he drank down deep and poured another shot into the cup. “This is not just an arm or sectional infiltration, this is way to the top, among the twenty men that makes up the security committee. None of these men can be investigated, because they have the highest level of security clearance, even higher than mine. “

Damibiz:
#valentine
#Gucciqueen
#Apollox nd all queen here

Lol didn't know I have some queens reading my story... Anyway happy val to them and everyone on this thread (ahem the queens should identify themselves o)
On something else, I wished I can be writing stories for each holiday period, for example, I wanted to write a story for Xmas titled "Red Christmas" a horror but I wasn't through with this one so I just forgot it. For Valentine, i planned something titled "Roses are Red, Bullets are Lead" an action packed Love day story. But have to shove that too till I finish with Marvel. Who knows, I may just work on them in the future.

“Group like this don’t just spring up. Any Intel Earthwatch might have stumbled across that would have suggested a group like this acting clandestinely? “
“None, Marvel. This is the first time we are seeing and having any hint at all of the Colonies Liberation Front. “
“Then it’s all a scam, sir. “
“Yes you are quite right, Marvel. “ The general said his voice sounding subdued through the vidphone vox box. “Well like an old time tradition of the government the present ruling body on earth is patterned after, no negotiations with terrorists, though that term haven’t been used publicly in more than three centuries. “
“Only fools and gullible ones will fall for that cheap propaganda. “
“Yes, “ the general agreed. “But unfortunately, that about sums up nearly ninety percent of the total human population. The Earth Global Senate have secretly been pressuring the executive arm for a kind of response. They see this act as a direct attack on them. Earth president has personally called me and entrusted me with this. Though an executively backed action, it has to be clandestine. That’s why I’m coming to you. “

“This is a message to the earth government, we are giving the Earth Global Senate five hours to reconvened and reverse their stance and give total autonomy to the colonies. If they fail to do that, the senator will die by a publicly shown execution and each member of his family will follow likewise, each every hour after that. “
The speaker now faced the holo vid totally and the view zoomed as his face filled the whole screen. “And if the earth government continue to refuse us freedom, we will continue to pass down judgment on all you leaders of the earth. None of you will be safe, none will be free and none of you will escape until you grant us freedom. You have five hours to rescind your decision. “
The room was silent after the holo vid clip ran its course. “These guys are fools, don’t they realize that broadcasting a kidnapping is a sure way of being caught. “ Marvel observed.
“Normally that would have been the case but these ones seemed to be so confident of their cover. “ General Leyland said. “Beyond this being a propaganda, there are other things at work. It’s been centuries past this specific terrorist modus operandi have ceased because it became so easy to catch people who act like this. “

“General, that bares a striking resemblance to Senator Mattrow Beldwin. “
“You are correct, that is him with his wife and two daughters. “
“Looks like he is captured by…. Who are those people anyway? “
“Well watch the video and you will get your preliminary answer. “ the general said.
“We are the Colonies Liberation Front. We are fighting for the freedom of the colonies, to break the oppressive yoke of the greedy earth government. They have refused to allow us freedom to build our own armies and hold territories as is our right because they want to continue to control us. They continue to rule us from hundreds of light years away, taxing us from the product of our hard labors. Earth get fattened from our work but we gain little or nothing in return. Long have we borne this in silence, long have we endured the whip lash of our earth task masters. Long have we groan under the heel of their oppressions. But no more. This time we are fighting back. “
The words were being spoken by the giant covered in black, with demonstration of punctuating each of his sentences with gun waving.
“Today we strike our first blow against the oppressors on earth. Here is one of the greedy filth, a so called senator that has publicly spoken against the freedom of the Colonies because he is among the leeches that has grown fat feeding on our collective wealth. “ So saying the giant kicked the kneeling senator, and he fell face down on the floor.

“Alright General Leyland Steadman. “ ADA said as her hologram image vanished and was replaced with something else
The image of a man, not readily recognizable because of his bruised face, puffy and bloody lips. His hairs lay in tangled twists, clothes, a simple white jumpsuit, stained with blood and torn. His two hands were tied behind him and was forced to kneel. Behind him stands a man that appears to be a giant, more than seven feet tall. He was wearing a black colored jumpsuit, with belts holding ammunition boxes crossing his chest. He was holding a Lazer rifle with the muzzle pointed at the kneeling man. His face was covered with a black hood.
Beside him were other people dressed like him, all in black, with black hoods covering their faces, all holding Lazer rifles. Three other captives where also before the black clad men, they were all females. One was an older looking woman, with the other two, looking like teenagers, all on same white jumpsuit like the battered man. The background on the video was of a duracrete wall with several colored graffiti, words denouncing earth, its rulers and citizens.

“ I have been busy working out all that time. “ Marvel called out to his Artificial Defense Assistant. “ADA do you have the record of all the news that have come through comsat and webnet in the last three hours? “
“Presently all news that have come through are sixty three thousand seven hundred and twenty three. “ ADA electronic voice said as her holographic image appeared. “You requested for all interruption to be kept on hold during your work out session. “
“Ok ADA, play back the relevant news to me, filter out all forms of adverts. “
“There are still thirty eight thousand four hundred and eleven news records. “
“Damn ADA, I just need you to get me the ones that are relevant to me. “
“That will be impossible to achieve sir, as I have no data on what might be relevant to you at this moment, I have no access to your mind. “ the cold impersonal voice continued. “I suggest sir that you give me key words to search for. “
“ADA when did you became this cold and distant? “
“Since my reboot, there are aspects of my basic programming that are yet to be uploaded and updated. “
“No wonder you have been acting real odd for a while now. “ He turned to the general who was watching from the holo vid with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry sir, I wasn’t aware of this.”
“It’s ok Marvel, let me see if I can help. “ The general focused on the Defense Assistant. “ADA use this search parameters. Senator Mattrow Beldwin, Kidnapped. Then under the security filter search for propaganda video. Time frame,1630-1645 ET. “

“Oh saw that on holo vid news. “ the bounty hunter told the general. “It was funny how easily the mega corporations indicted in the incident cleverly wiggled out of everything and was still able to clamp an injunction down on you guys' throat, effectively stopping you from going after them. “
“We weren’t stopped totally though, we were told that our investigation can resume if we can come up with what the court will accept as convincing evidence. “ Leyland said the initial smile dropping from his face. “Things got complicated as we were trying to get evidence in other to resume the investigation. “
“What happened sir? “
“Where have you been in the last three hours? Haven’t you been watching the news? It’s all over all holo vid news channels. “

✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳
“I know you won’t be surprised receiving my call at this time, since you rejected a request from James, you would have anticipated he will call me for help. “ The voice of General Leyland Steadman said from the holo display of the vidphone.
“Sir, there is really nothing else James can get from me. “ Marvel said still winded a little from the hours of work out he has been in, until the urgent call from the general has interrupted him. “I delivered the prisoners to his underlings, so what ever he needs to know he can ask from them. He doesn’t need any debrief from me. “
The general smiled, already used to the bickering that has long existed between Marvel and James for a long time, even back when Marvel was still in active service in the marine. But the smile was just a facial expression that tells nothing of the turmoil raging in his heart.
“Anyway you are wrong if you think I called you because of your disagreement with James. A lot of things are happening at an accelerated rate, that we are unable to do anything about officially. My hands are tied by a standing court order. “

Ultimategeneral:
no way could a sniper kill that guy without killing the rest

It was a micro explosive surgically grafted somewhere in his skill, which he was unaware of. The explosive was triggered when he tried revealing the name of the traitor in the earth government. So the people he worked for put that in his head as a failsafe, so if he tried revealing too much, BOOM his head blows up.
Pretty nifty... If u ask me.

Jade came close to examine the rugged stomp of the neck which was still pouring out blood. “This is a miniature explosive surgically planted into his head. Seem it was preset to be triggered by something. I think he may have activated the explosive when he was about to give us the traitor’s name. I’m sure, Doeb didn’t know that such a procedure was performed on him. “
“This shows that the simple matter have gotten way complicated. “ Loomis threw down the kerchief after cleaning himself. “We can’t just report this to hq, as much as I won’t like to agree with him, what he just said appears plausible. If we make a report of this to earth, the mole in the security committee will know about it. “
“There’s someone I can fully trust at CSC, I will reach out to him. Besides this is way over our heads, so we will need some measure of official authority if we intend to handle this well. “ Jade took one last impassive look at the dead body then turned away. “I guess for moving around we will need an unofficial help. I have a friend – though he won’t consider me one-who can help, but his services doesn’t come cheap. “
“Alright I think we are done here. I will get someone to come back and get this mess cleaned. “ Loomis led Jade away from the circle of light.

Taping Jade slightly, Loomis took the scalpel from her, cut off one of the tape holding Doeb’s hand to the chair then dropped the scalpel on the table.
“So what is the name? “
Doeb was actually smiling as it seem his plan was working when his visage changed to one of confusion then his teeth gnashing as if in pains. The two Earthwatch agents watching the sudden change were completely taken by surprise but not as much surprised as what happened next. Doeb face was at one second contorted into a parody of torture then the next second the head exploded spewing bones, brain tissues and blood. The headless body jerked against the bounds then slowly became still.
“Damn what a waste, if I didn’t know better, I’d have thought a sniper shot him from a long distance.” Loomis said getting a kerchief to wipe the blood stains on him as he was the one standing before the now late Doeb when his head exploded. That kept Jade away from the blood. “No way a sniper can get a shot at him in this place, which leaves another explanation.”

“Do you know who the traitor in the earth government is? “
“Maybe. “ Doeb replied Loomis question.
“Care to tell us who it is or give us a name? “
“Maybe… if you will make it worth my while. “
“Hey seems you have forgotten you have no choice. “ Jade said harshly.
“C’mon girl I can see how desperate you are to know. This is the only leverage I have. Even if you kill me, you won’t get the information. So give me something in return for the name. “ Doeb said with a smile showing stained teeth.
“What do you want? “ Loomis came from behind Jade, gently touching her arm and nodding slowly.
“You let me go now and give me a guarantee that you won’t come after me. “
“No, we won’t give you that guarantee. We can let you go but won’t promise not to come after you.”
Doeb kept quiet for a while thinking about it. Well if the agent have agreed to give him all he asked for, he would have suspected a trap. All he needs is just how to get out of here, he can disappear without these agents seeing him again.
“OK agreed. Just free one of my arm, as a sign of good faith, then keep that shiny scalpel you are so fond of within a distance I can reach, then back off before I will give you the name. “ He was looking at Jade’s face, reveling at the feeling of anger and disgust she was doing her best to control.

“The answer to that is this, the mega corporations. “ Doeb smiled to the the shock expressions on Loomis face, but Jade’s own remained hard to decipher. He will bide his time by giving them all they ask of him, at least none of what he is revealing is detrimental to him. When his time come, he will escape and will really like to pay the female back the way she played him, while Loomis he will simply kill. “ Some of them were involved in the prison break at the Afterlife and they used the escapee to kidnap the senator because he has suddenly become too vocal against their interests.”
Another round of silent eye contact between Jade and Loomis started as Doeb observed quietly thinking of how to get himself away from his present predicament. He has mentally searched himself and was sure these Earthwatch agents had frisked him before securing him to these chair. They had been thorough, nothing he can use as a weapon is on him. The best for him now is to appear as if he is flippant and continue talking, maybe he can gain a little confidence from them which will allow them let their guards down, which he can take advantage of, hopefully.
“Yes someone high up in the security arm of the earth government, is a mega corporations sympathizer and has been aiding them by supplying them with highly classified security details even something as tightly guarded as the setup of the Afterlife. “ Doeb looked expectantly at his captors just waiting for any sign of that break.

“The only reason you still have a mouth is because I need you to talk with it. “ Jade said with her eyes gleaming dangerously as she came close again to Doeb. She watch briefly as he squirmed against his bounds. "You spill out trash like that again and I’d carve out another opening below your lips with this scalpel then you will respond to the rest of the interrogation by writing. “
“Eh it was worth a try, you can’t tell when I can get lucky. “ The bound man said trying to look everywhere else but the obviously dangerous female standing before him. Since the entire place is dark and only the small circle of light created by the bulb could allow anything be seen, he just couldn’t look anywhere else
“How is that connected to the senator’s kidnapping? “ Jade asked as she toyed with the sharp scalpel.
“ Those involved in the kidnapping, were some of the former prisoners in the Afterlife. “
“That doesn’t make sense. “ Loomis was shaking his head in sad denial. “What could the prisoners have against senator Mattrow Beldwin? He's just a senator with no high profile attachment. He is not even a well known senator. The only thing that have brought him to few people’s attention is his stance on the colony remaining as it is without being allowed to create an army. I think he did that just to score cheap political points and help revive his dying career in politics. “

“We get all that Doeb, besides the interesting narrative, why is the Afterlife coming up at this time? “ Loomis asked as it looked like the ex corporate spy was not going to say anything more.
“Well some prisoners escaped. “ As the shocked look on the male Earthwatch agent showed he was about interrupting, Doeb added quickly. “They had external help. Someone or some group of people broke them out of the Afterlife. The set that broke out are about the most dangerous among those incarcerated there. They escaped and vanished without a trace. “
Loomis looked at Jade with serious concern, a look that Doeb picked up and laughed hysterically.
“ It shows someone in the security committee is involved. Sucks right, when those in power kinda play you like nothing more than a game pieces. I saw that earlier in my life that’s why I robbed all my superiors blind. “ Wiping the smile from his face, he lowered his voice conspiratorially. “How about I offer you both a deal, we work together and try to make some serious money both from the government and the mega corporations? We share all the proceeds equally three ways. “

Sudden laughter burst out of Doeb’s lips that seem to swallow all the paralyzing fear that had shrouded him. “Well this is among the top secret information you are not supposed to know about. You, if I tell you I’d have to kill you kinda stuff. “
“Talk while she is still in her good mood. “ Loomis said trying his best to cover his embarrassment.
“The Afterlife is a prison, but not just any prison. It is beyond super max prison. It is a jail hole none of the inmates can escape from or get released from. Once you get to the Afterlife, it’s assumed you are dead, in fact all your official records will end with the word ‘Deceased’.” As he started speaking, his fear and apprehension began to subside. “The earth government kept the existence of the Afterlife a secret, because everything about the prison and what happens there are all illegal. Every inmates in that place have no right whatsoever, not even the right to live. It is the only prison in existence where prisoners are allowed and even encouraged to commit suicide and given the means to do so. It has the highest suicide rate ever. Besides its secrecy, the major thing that makes the prison hundred percent escape proof is the conditions the inmates are kept. “
“What is that? “ Loomis found himself asking even before thinking, thus unwittingly exposing his anxiousness. Jade only gave him a warning glance. If Doeb noticed any of this, he didn’t show it.
“All the prisoners are lobotomized in one degree or the other. This is to make them docile and not be willing to escape. Don’t get me wrong, I hate the very concept of the Afterlife, but the criminals sent there are the worst of the worse. Death is even a mercy to such, they all deserve being there. So everything about its existence is kept hush, way above top secret. Only those in the topmost echelon of the security committee on earth know about it, just around a score men. “

“This is a Taser, but with some tiny bits of modifications that will sound too boring for me to go into right now. “ Jade came back to the chair, lifting the electrical discharging light area of the rectangular tool to the eyes of Doeb whose facial color has turned white with fright. “Well I intend to stick this end to your scrotum and just leave it there. I think presently this Taser has about thirty minutes charge in it. Well let me sate your curiosity. After the Taser discharges its current to your body through that place, the soft flesh of your testicles will burn to ash, the nerves there connected to your legs with get severed and everything from your waist will be paralyzed for the rest of your miserable life. “
“Enough, enough. What do you want to know? “ Doeb screamed as the sweat on his face was now dripping in a continued flow.
“Ooo you just spoilt the fun, I was really looking forward to a little torture session before you break. “ Jade said with an exaggerated pout.
“There’s nothing fun about ya, bitch, you are a she-witch just here to enjoy dismembering me not really interested in what I have to say. “ Turning away from Jade, he faced Loomis “What do you what to know? “
“No name calling, you may just get on my wrong side. I have been nice so far. “ Jade said as she gave room for Loomis to start the questioning.
“Tell us what you know about The Afterlife. “ Loomis asked simply.

“These instruments are too clean and I’m sure my colleague here has been paid upfront to wash them. So something has to stain them in other to justify the payment for their cleaning. “ lifting the scalpel to her eyes, she looked at it then turned her gaze to the immobile Doeb. “I feel washing your blood off them is enough justification. “
As Jade walked back to the sitting form on the chair, Doeb strained strongly against his bound, wishing there is a way to avoid this obviously deadly woman. His resolve to swallow his fears has collapsed as his mind continued to wonder in what way the torture will go, what part of his body will suffer the most, how painful it will be.
Jade knelt down before Doeb, close to the space between his legs looking steadily at the area his scrotum should be. “I heard that men prefers the loss of their limbs to that of their testicles. Do you have such fear, Doeb? “
The iron chair scrapped loudly on the floor as Doeb involuntarily jerked away from the woman speaking so cold and casually about castrating him.
“Well I can reach out now and slice it open, pulling out all that is hidden there… “ Jade tapped his lap gently with the shiny scalpel, each touch causing notable squirming from the tied man.”…but that will be too easy and fast. “
Jade stood again, dropped the scalpel on the table, reached into he satchel and brought something else out. A small rectangular tool that has a steady humming blue colored electrical discharge flashing at on end.

“But what’s the fun in that? “ Jade said as she put the syringe back into her satchel and smiled at the visibly trembling Doeb, her eyes gleaming. “I’d rather go for direct torture, as my colleague here has been gracious enough to provide the tools for it, it will be sad to let all the time and effort he spent to painstakingly select each of these tools go to waste don’t you think?”
Doeb swallowed thick saliva, his throat suddenly dry and feeling like a huge tumor has grown in it. The female stood then went to the table and lovingly caressing the torture tools till she picked up a shinny silver colored scalpel.

Damibiz:
Maybe,...

Truth serum is a common term used is some advanced spy/espionage novels/movies. It is a kind of drug that induces something like hypnosis that makes the the one being interrogated subject to commands from the interrogator, with little resistance or will power. If the questions are properly asked, the one under the control of the truth serum will reveal secrets without being conscious of it