Going In Cold #1

Start time - 2:37

"How the hell was I supposed to know that?" asked Megan.

"You could have, maybe, for once in your damn life, shut up for five minutes" came Tina's retort.  She pointedly looked away and leaned over the railing, trying but failing to appreciate the vista.  This was the last straw.

Meg glared at her.  "No, you don't get to put this on me.  If you didn't want me to talk to him, then you should have broken it off sooner.  It's not my fault you couldn't work up the balls in a whole week."

It was true, and it stung, but it didn't make it right.  It was her responsibility, she was going to do it, be an adult and own it.  See the look in his eyes and not back down.  How could Megan have done this?  She stared back.  "Doesn't matter.  No, I hadn't done it yet.  Yes, I'm weak.  But once again you've made my life twice as difficult as it should be.  I don't know why I haven't learned yet not to tell you anything, all you do is create messes.  What were you even doing trying to console him?"  The sudden realization darted through her, causing a violent spasm.  Sheer rage caused her to lose her balance, squeezing the metal in a death grip to keep from toppling.  Words failed her.

Fear flashed in Megan's eyes, ever so briefly, but it was there.  "What are you implying?  Can't I console both my friends?  I came all the way out here for you, the least I owed him was a phone call.  If you had actually gone through with it before you left, like you promised you would, he would have been devastated.  Can't you at least come up with a better reason?"

"You bitch.  You're unbelievable, you know that?  Get away from me."  Tina was shaking now.  Everything made horrible sense now.  The drunken confessionals, the increasingly uncomfortable nights out, the odd gifts...it was all her.  Who knew someone so loud could be so subtle?  Or, more likely, she was just blind, Tina reflected bitterly.

Megan's expression softened, but Tina could see the gears turning.  "Come on T, really?  I know you're upset and I am sorry he found out like that, really, but how could you think something like that?  How could I do that to you?"

"I said GET AWAY!" Tina screamed and lunged at the traitor, but missed the tackle.  Megan caught a shoulder in the stomach and went down, winded but scrambling to get away.

Meg cursed herself for not parking closer, but to her surprise, did not hear Tina chasing.  Only after reaching the car did she permit herself to turn around.  Her former best friend was sprawled out on the gravel, face down, sobbing.  Keys already in hand, she stared at the pathetic figure and sighed.  "Oh Tina..."

End time - 3:35

The 4-2

EXT. JUNGLE AT DUSK

2 MERCENARIES wearing bulky fatigues, hoods and face masks covering their mouths and noses converse in hushed tones around an empty fire pit.

MERC 2

 Are you serious?

MERC 1

There is no way in HELL I am sticking around.

MERC 2

Command will kill you.  100%.

MERC 1

Maybe.  You would rather die guarding this shithole?

MERC 2

We don't even know they're dead.

MERC 1

Of course, 6-1, 6-2 AND 5-2 going silent, one after the next, is just a malfunction.

MERC 2

Jesus, 5-2 now?

MERC 1
 I just overheard.  No alert, same as the others.

MERC 2
Damn...So what then?  You can't swim to the mainland and there is no way your noisy ass is gonna steal a boat. You'll be shot the minute you get to sector three.

MERC 1

I am not going to sector three.  Think about it: Whoever these guys are, they must have used something small enough to avoid the sensors.

MERC 2

And you're going to find it?  What if they jumped in?

MERC 1

Then I will hide.  Better than staying here like a sitting duck.

MERC 2

 Yeah right.  How would you survive any longer out there, alone?  It's suicide, man.  Stay and fight with us, we'll blast these motherfuckers. *pantomimes with rifle* Probably get a bonus for it too.

MERC 1

*grabs end of the rifle angrily* Listen to me.  There will be no warning, no blaze of glory, just your corpse on this godforsaken rock.  The only reason I told you is because I thought you were smart enough to realize that and back me up.  Screw the money, screw that lunatic and his sadistic captains.  *releases rifle, takes a deep breath* If we leave now there is still enough light to make it through the ravine to sector six.  They seem to be moving north, which hopefully means less resistance where they have already cleared.  We can assume they landed somewhere near 6-1's patrol and start searching there.

MERC 2

...

MERC 1

*quietly* Look, I am going either way, but it would help both of us if you came.

They fall silent as they hear footsteps of THIRD MERCENARY approaching from behind, dressed similarly but with more decoration. TWO MERCANARIES turn to face THIRD.

MERC 3

*stares accusingly at MERCS 1 and 2*

MERC 2

Sorry for shouting, sir.

MERC 1

*avoids MERC 3's gaze* Just heading out on patrol.

MERC 3'S RADIO crackles to life

DISPATCHER

 We have lost contact with 5-1 after failing routine check-in.  Repeat, 5-1 is not responding.  All units, remain on high alert.

MERC 1 looks meaningfully at MERC 2

MERC 2

Let's go.

MERCS 1 and 2 turn and begin to walk away.  Behind them, in one smooth motion, MERC 3 pulls out a silenced pistol with one hand and knife with the other.  MERC 3 walks forward briskly, silently, until almost on top of the others, then raises the pistol.  With a dull thud MERC 2's body crumples.  Before processing what is happening, the knife is at MERC 1's throat.

MERC 3

I jumped.

Invisible Noir

At least they had the courtesy not to draw after forking over the chit.  Its metallic surfaces shined coldly in the flickering drum light and strangely looked far more valuable than it was in my outstretched hand; I briefly hesitated.  The sob story was transparent and insulting, as was the threat, but I was too tired to start anything.  After the thugs in Seattle it was clear that these two were not worth the trouble.  Besides, I was already in over my head; no sense risking a couple of corpses with connections.  Still flush from the win at the 'Pit, 150 credits would hardly be missed.  The shakedown would have been more irritating than unsettling but for the unblinking asshole standing not 20 feet down the alley, just watching the fleecing.  Was he in on it, or had Cairo really gotten so bad?

I retreated to a nearby alcove to consider my next move but was soon startled by screaming.  Cautiously peeking around the corner, I witnessed one of the most surreal scenes of my life.  The con closer to the burning barrel had somehow managed to light himself on fire and was flailing about in the street.  Transfixed and still bristling, I made no move to help.  More bizarrely, neither did his partner or the man down the alley.  Only after the burning hustler had collapsed in a smoldering heap did the other con take action.  Pulling out a boltcaster and shouting obscenities, he charged the motionless observer, firing a barrage of toxic darts at close range.  His target, finally reacting, began running tight circles in front of his attacker like a manic pin-cushion until he too lay crumpled on the ground.  Apparently satisfied, the remaining man holstered his weapon and resumed his post near the drum.

Just what the hell was going on in this town?

Untitled Story Fragment #1

He was almost a caricature of handsomeness, as though God was making fun of girlish fantasies, but she took him home anyway.  Dawn banished him from the city, presumably to some sun-blasted rock for the rest of eternity, but she didn't mind.  If her roommate heard anything that night she was uncharacteristically, almost disappointingly discreet about it, yet soon there was no ignoring her increasingly inadequate wardrobe.