Embracing the Shadows Read Free Page B

members in each faction. Including you,
I've met ten Deviants - Wayne makes eleven. So, was Sarah way off
count, or do you guys move around a lot so the number isn't
constant, or what?"
    "There are the rare few in each faction who
have wanderlust, the Outsiders most of all. Most often, though, we
tend to be territorial . . . at least for a good length of time.
That, however, does not truly answer your question. In all honesty,
a number of Deviants have not introduced themselves to the Doyenne.
They are essentially trespassers, even if Le Meur is unaware of
their presence in her city. I am one of them, as are Clara, Neva
and Wayne." He stood and adjusted his coat. "When the timing is
right, I will introduce myself."
    The way Viggo said that last part told me
that it wasn't going to be a festive occasion. I stood as well and
said, "Uh, yes sir, I'm sure you will. By the way, thanks for
taking me with you to . . . wherever we were. Other than having to
shoot a giant and being smashed into a wall, I hope I wasn't a pain
in your ass. I was honored to be there with you."
    As a reply, Viggo patted me on the shoulder
and then walked past me. At the doorway of the lounge, he
half-turned and said, "Do not think I forgot you, Leo. I placed
your gift on the desk in your office downstairs while you were
preparing your beverage. I will contact you soon."

    COMPUTER
    After Viggo found a dark corner and left, I
finished off my drink and then made another to bring with me to the
office. Lying on the keyboard was an envelope. I moved it aside and
turned on the new computer. The basic set of programs had been set
to shortcuts, and the screensaver was the logo for USMC Force
Recon. Like I've said before, Viggo knew me too well.
    I looked in the envelope and found a note and
a flash drive. I plugged the drive in and clicked to access it. A
new screen popped up, asking for a decryption code to proceed. I
looked at the note; at the top of it was written a password:
catabolism, although it used alternative keys to be spelled as
'c@T@b0li$m'. I thought it was a pretty weird word to use - hell, I
wasn't even sure what it meant at the time - but it turned out to
be a clue of things to come.
    The message on the hand-written note said:
The installed flash drive and code will access a private server.
Data for current duties will be found in the icon named 'Planner'.
Other icons have been placed for perusal, although everything found
within is considered highly confidential. You will also find that
some files and links are restricted until you earn a higher
security clearance. Once you have committed the password to memory,
destroy this note.
    PS: We should talk sometime. -G-
    Gwen, it had to be Gwen. I'd been avoiding
giving her a call, mostly because I was still conflicted about her
involvement in the dark world I'd been thrown into. Still, she was
a good friend, and I felt like a bit of a dick for ignoring
her.
    Besides the 'Planner' icon in the classified
database, there were others called 'Forum', 'Games' and 'Maps'. In
the Planner folder was a calendar filled with various chores for
the next couple of weeks. The chores were shit like shopping for
simple hardware (mostly tools and wiring, small cuts of lumber,
glass jars and disturbing amounts of car battery acid). I also had
to remind certain people of their obligations, pick up ordered
supplies and deliver them to specific locations, secure underground
cables, and remove tunnel debris. I was disappointed that
'exploring brothels' wasn't mentioned anywhere.
    Each of the chores had linked comments giving
details I had to be aware of. At the end of each comment was the
reminder to "practice being ignored at any opportunity - report any
success". Okay, will do. I was pleasantly surprised to see on the
calendar that once a week I was to train for both martial arts and
marksmanship. The comment under those was that I had to find
facilities beyond the suburbs. There was a college town about forty
five