“You are speaking through my glasses?” Treeka replied.

  “Yes—Dr. Ash didn’t give you the AR glasses for their looks. They serve multiple purposes, including communication. In noisy areas you will need to wear an earpiece,” Nozomi said as if explaining this to a child.

  “No. We’ve been training endlessly since the recon mission. I need a break.”

  “You don’t require sleep, silly.”

  “No? But I like it, so I will see you in the morning.”

  She would train me all day and night if I’d let her. I want to protect the humanity that I have left, Treeka thought.

  Her visor chirped again. She was about to rip off the glasses and throw them across the room when she saw the system message:

  SYSTEM MESSAGE: THE PROXIMITY ALERT FOR DR. ASH’S COMPUTER HAS BEEN TRIGGERED. DR. ASH IS ONLINE NOW.

  Treeka made her way back to the lab, which extended into a much larger area that the cyborgs used for training. Dr. Ash’s room was just beyond that area. She just had to get past Nozomi.

  Treeka crept several feet behind Nozomi, who was hitting the punching bag with such intensity that the bag lifted as she struck it. Treeka slipped behind some exercise equipment and sneaked into the hallway leading to Dr. Ash’s office.

  I don’t think she detected me.

  As she neared Dr. Ash’s office, she thought she could make out words such as “Delta,” “Leviathan,” and “Jeremiah” coming from Dr. Ash’s side of the conversation. Treeka crept closer. She needed to see what Dr. Ash was up to.

  “We have an unexpected surprise,” Dr. Ash said. “A cyber hunter has been activated, and initial testing is better than we could have hoped. Nozomi thinks she shows great promise. The problem is that I think she will become a liability if we don’t get her sister online. That is where I need your help,” Dr. Ash said.

  Treeka concentrated on listening to the other side of the conversation. A message appeared in her line of sight.

  SYSTEM MESSAGE

  It appears that you are attempting to access your enhanced auditory receptors. Would you like me to enable this feature?

  Treeka nodded.

  “I’m afraid it requires a verbal yes or no,” her virtual assistant said.

  “Yes,” Treeka said in a low voice.

  It displayed a graphical representation of a human ear with some text. Treeka followed the instructions. She pressed the bottom of her right earlobe three times. A faint ringing sound could be heard; then it was like someone had turned on a radio at full volume. She could hear Nozomi hitting the punching bag. She also heard Dr. Ash communicating with a male voice. Treeka focused on the conversation, trying to gain something useful.

  I can now hear both sides of the conversation, Treeka silently noted.

  “Dr. Ash, the real one, is flying back from Munich. Norris has secured the samples,” the male voice on the phone said.

  “Just make sure I get one hundred milligrams of that sample,” Dr. Ash replied.

  “That is too large of a sample . . . I don’t think I can get you that much.”

  “How much can you get me without attracting attention?”

  “About half of that.”

  “I suppose that will have to do. The usual amount of Digibit will be transferred to your account.”

  A hand grabbed Treeka’s shoulder and spun her around. She threw an arm up, ready to deflect any blow. Nozomi stood there. She was wearing a simple white robe with a hood, which didn’t provide much of a contrast with her white hair. She motioned for Treeka to follow her. Before long, they were at the training area.

  “Are you satisfied now?” Nozomi asked.

  “Satisfied? What are you talking about?” Treeka replied.

  Nozomi gave her a disdainful look.

  “Don’t play with me, girl. Now, answer the question. Are you satisfied that Dr. Ash is doing everything she can to help Meeka?” Nozomi said in a cold, mean-spirited voice.

  Treeka’s heart raced; she couldn’t think of a response. Her chest pounded like a racehorse. She couldn’t breathe. She tried controlling her breath, but it didn’t work. The lab faded away.

  Treeka was standing in the kitchen of her father’s house. He was scolding her for taking the last anpan: a Japanese pastry that Tomiju loved. She remembered the shame she had felt then, believing she was selfish and didn’t think of anyone but herself.

  The memory faded away.

  “Sorry—I didn’t mean to take the last anpan,” Treeka said.

  Nozomi looked confused.

  Treeka shook her head. “Sorry—I just had a memory. I thought I was someplace else.”

  Nozomi gave her a wary look. Treeka described the memory and the shame she felt.

  “How often do you have these memories and associated feelings?” Nozomi asked.

  “I’m getting them several times a day now.”

  “Dr. Ash would know for sure, but I think you are remembering.”

  “Remembering what?”

  “Your past. It was like that for me too. It will fade.”

  “What if I don’t want it to fade?”

  Nozomi gave Treeka a thoughtful look.

  “Mother will know what to do,” Nozomi said.

  “Mother . . . you mean Dr. Ash?”

  “Of course.” Nozomi smiled. “I just want you to know that we are on your side, Treeka. I know you were eavesdropping on Dr. Ash’s conversation.”

  Treeka just stared at Nozomi.

  “But that’s okay,” Nozomi continued. “Dr. Ash is doing her best to help your sister. You will be with her soon. But, before that can happen, we have an important mission to finish. Get ready and meet back here in ten minutes.”

  Nozomi turned and left the training area, leaving Treeka alone with her thoughts.

  Treeka went back to her quarters and checked her nutrition cartridge and fluid levels; Dr. Ash had warned her about the importance of not getting malnourished or dehydrated. Then she selected a fresh black leather outfit and returned to the training area. Nozomi was there, dressed in a white leather outfit that left little to the imagination.

  She held out a sword to Treeka and said, “You will need this for tonight’s activities.”

  “Won’t you need a weapon?” Treeka asked.

  With her free hand, Nozomi took out a small dagger hidden in her belt. “I am a weapon myself—and besides, I have this.”

  “What is the mission?”

  “A hacking group called the Dark Angels needs our help. We need to eliminate a rival. The target is old and weak—it should be a simple job for the two of us. I would go alone, but you need some more field experience.”

  “And if I refuse?”

  “If your sister doesn’t get the help she needs, maybe she doesn’t wake up at all.”

  Did you just threaten my sister? Treeka gritted her teeth. You will pay.

  Treeka snatched the sword from Nozomi’s hand and swung it toward Nozomi’s neck—but stopped herself before harming her. Treeka saw a drop of blood trickle onto the blade. Nozomi didn’t react to Treeka’s sudden movements; she was expressionless and unperturbed.

  “Either you help with tonight’s mission, or you risk losing your sister. The choice is yours,” Nozomi said flatly.

  Treeka pulled the sword away. Nozomi sheathed her dagger and wiped the blood off her neck.

  “Your regular black leather training outfit covers most of your body, but we need you to wear something special for this mission,” Nozomi said as she turned and motioned for Treeka to follow her.

  After traversing a few corridors, Nozomi led Treeka to a side room that was a walk-in closet. Nozomi selected another scantily clad outfit that looked like it would barely cover the metal on the left side of her torso.

  “Wear this—you will also need to look the part.”

  “What are you talking about?” Treeka asked.

  “Our target is expecting a woman of the night—”

  “A prostitute?” Treeka interrupted.

  “Don’t worry. You won’t have sex. He is looking for something else. Look, we don’t have time for me to explain everything. Just follow my lead,” Nozomi explained.

  A feeling of shame arose as Treeka put on the provocative leather outfit, which showed all of her skin and barely covered her private areas.

  Nozomi handed her an overcoat and a leather bag. “We will attract too much attention with these outfits, so you will wear this until we get to the target. The bag contains items you will need later,” she said.

  Treeka buttoned up the overcoat, which stopped just above her knees. Nozomi examined a red leather satchel, then strapped it to her waist. Then she put on her own overcoat just before locking the room.

  “We have fifteen minutes to get to the alley—let’s make it in ten.”

  Nozomi darted toward the exit before Treeka could respond. Treeka gave chase, and moments later, they were running together at a high rate of speed, opening doors and running through them faster than any human could. A map of the complex appeared on Treeka’s HUD. She remembered that it had taken them over half an hour to reach the alley before, while walking at a brisk pace; this time, the duo made it there in four minutes.

  A black van with four men in black ninja-looking outfits greeted them in the alley. It was still dark outside, but the men wore black sunglasses.

  “Who are these guys?” Treeka asked.

  “Nothing more than the hired help. Don’t speak. Follow my lead.”

  “There she is!” a man with a British accent said. “Are you going to show us those leathers, like you did for the target in Belgrade?”

  Nozomi smiled and opened her overcoat to show the man as he approached. He responded with a long whistling sound.

  “It’s good to be working with you again, Noz,” the man said.

  “Malcolm, I wasn’t expecting to see you this evening,” Nozomi said.

  “I’m breaking in a new crew.” Malcolm pointed to a man who was at least seven feet tall with a stone gaze. “That is Rocco Surrelli. He just arrived from the States to assist us.”

  The man nodded in response.

  Malcom pointed to a much smaller man. “That small mousey-looking fellow is Teddy. He will provide your getaway car.”

  Teddy was much shorter than an average man; Treeka estimated that his height was less than five feet, since he was shorter than her. He wore a hunter’s cap that covered most of his greasy hair. He lowered his glasses, winked at Nozomi, and then blew her a kiss.

  “Don’t be fooled by her good looks,” Malcolm told Teddy. “Noz is as deadly as they come, and she’s brought a friend.”

  Malcolm then pointed to a large brute of a man; he looked to be the most formidable in the group. “That balding bloke with the beard is Stump. He will accompany you to the target’s room.”

  “Who is our target?” Treeka asked.

  “Does she even know what’s expected of her?” Teddy laughed to the other men. Then he looked back at Treeka. “You can practice here.” He pointed to his crotch.

  The other men laughed. Nozomi gave Treeka a look of annoyance; Treeka decided it was best not to inquire any further.

  I still don’t know what I’m supposed to do—are we going to kill or torture this man?

  “The target’s name is Ioann,” Malcolm said to the group. “He’s a high-value target in a Russian crime syndicate known as the Collective, and he has critical information that Noz needs. He has ordered a lady of the night to pass the time. Nozomi and her friend will help Ioann in his time of need. He’s into a lot of kinky stuff, so he will be expecting those leather outfits.”

  Stump opened the van door. As soon as Nozomi and Treeka were seated, the driver floored the vehicle.

  The Thames was visible on Treeka’s side of the van as they drove. She could see also Big Ben and the London Eye in the distance.

  About thirty minutes later, Treeka noticed a familiar glow to the east.

  The sun is rising.

  “We will let you ladies off at the back entrance to the Mecco Hotel. From there, you will take a lift to the tenth floor. Ioann will wait for you at the end of the hall.”

  Twenty minutes later, Treeka and Nozomi knocked on Door 1004 in the Mecco Hotel. Stump waited for them by the elevator. At the end of the hallway, a window showed a picturesque view of London’s east side. Treeka gazed upon the most beautiful sunrise she had ever seen. The pinkish clouds contrasted with the golden rays of the sunlight, bathing her in a wash of light. Nozomi knocked on the door again; no answer. Treeka gave Nozomi a sideways glance, and then the door opened.

  A man who looked like he was in his late forties answered. His nose was red, and he kept rubbing it and making hooting noises. The man gave Nozomi a once-over. He seemed to be pleased to see her. He looked at Treeka and frowned.

  “I only ordered one of you,” he said.

  “Consider it a two-for-one special,” Nozomi said as she kissed the man with such intensity that he almost fell over. He stumbled back into the doorframe. Treeka followed.

  “Wait—I can’t take my reward until I have been punished,” Ioann said.

  Nozomi tossed the overcoat to the floor and then produced a red whip from her satchel.

  The man held his hands together. “Bind me, mistress.”

  Nozomi gave Treeka a nod; she had told Treeka what she needed to do during the van ride. Treeka took a pair of leather handcuffs from her bag and bound the man. She attached a rope to metal loops that protruded from the handcuffs. Treeka examined the room. It was a loft with high ceilings.

  The man looked around for a moment, then pointed at the ceiling. “Hang it from there.”

  Treeka threw the rope over a solid-looking rafter, then caught the dangling rope. Nozomi grabbed one end of the rope and bound the man’s hands with it.

  “Pull the rope,” Nozomi demanded.

  Treeka hesitated.

  This is not me . . . What am I doing? Treeka thought.

  “Remember, your sister is counting on you,” Nozomi teased.

  Ioann groaned as Treeka pulled the rope. His arms straightened as Treeka pulled. She could see his muscles straining to keep up with her pulls. Treeka pulled hard; the man screamed as it lifted him off the floor.

  What am I doing? she asked herself again. Tears rolled down her face, and her arms started shaking. I must save Meeka . . .

  “Help me tie it off,” Treeka said.

  Nozomi assisted Treeka in stabilizing the rope. The man writhed in agony as the weight of his body pulled his arms.

  We will pull his arms from their sockets. He probably will enjoy it if that happens.

  Treeka caught a glimpse of the man’s face; he was wearing a mask of pain.

  “Show me how much of a bad boy you’ve been,” Nozomi teased.

  “I’ve been a bad boy—I need more punishment,” Ioann groaned.

  Nozomi removed the sleeves from her leather outfit, revealing her milky, pale skin. She approached the man and kissed him on the lips. Then she bit him on the chest and neck—not once, but several times. He screamed; Treeka couldn’t tell if it was from pleasure or pain.

  “Pull harder,” Nozomi said to Treeka.

  Treeka loosened the rope, then pulled with all her might.

  “Harder!” Nozomi said.

  Treeka strained, but she managed to lift the man another half-foot off the ground. He screamed in delight.

  Nozomi pushed Treeka out of the way and took control of the rope. She pulled so hard the man lifted another foot. His screams grew shriller.

  He must be in agony.

  Treeka wiped away more tears. She moved away from the man. She watched in horror as Nozomi hit, bit, and kicked the man repeatedly.

  “I’ve been bad. I need mother’s milk,” Ioann said in a weak voice.

  “Take this,” Nozomi said to Treeka, who assumed the burden of the rope.

  Nozomi removed her top, revealing two perfectly round breasts. The man licked his lips in anticipation. Nozomi took back the rope then pulled harder, her white hair covering part of her face. Nozomi’s smile widened as the man wept. Treeka regained the rope and pulled the man a few more inches off the ground.

  “No, my baby,” Nozomi cooed. “Don’t be sad. Mommy is here.”

  Nozomi dragged over a small chair and stepped upon it. She gave the man a hug. She ran her fingers through his hair, then stopped. She stepped and turned away from the dangling, screaming man.

  “Face me,” the man said in a low voice.

  “I cannot hear you, maggot,” Nozomi yelled.

  “I desire to be with you, mistress,” Ioann said.

  Nozomi was silent. She let the man hang for several moments. He started whimpering.

  What the hell are we doing with this man? Aren’t we supposed to eliminate him . . .

  Treeka gave Nozomi an urgent look. Nozomi only nodded in response.

  “Are you ready to tell your mistress what she desires?” Nozomi said.

  “Yes,” Ioann said in a weak voice.

  Nozomi gave Treeka a lowering gesture. Treeka reduced the strain on the rope a bit. Nozomi held a hand up. Treeka got her meaning. She secured the rope to one of many vertical structural beams in the loft.

  “I want you, mistress,” Ioann said.

  Nozomi moved closer to Ioann and removed the lower part of her white leather outfit, revealing a perfect female body. Treeka couldn’t tell if she was a cyborg; she had no cutouts in her flesh like Treeka did. Treeka took in every inch of her.

  “Hold me,” Ioann begged.

  Nozomi crept closer to the whimpering man, lingering just out of reach. He tried to get closer to her, but the rope prevented any forward movement. Nozomi reached up for the Ioann’s bindings, pressing against him as she stretched. He started kissing her arm.

  “Stop!” she snarled. “You haven’t earned that yet.”

  He stopped. Nozomi stretched up so she could whisper into his ear; then he appeared to say something to Nozomi in a low voice.

  Treeka tapped her left earlobe to activate the implant.

 

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