INTRODUCTION
He didn't know where he was, but the transporter had hummed along for nearly an hour. He already knew he was in deep, deeper than usual, but this meant bad news. Usually he'd try to run, a simple white and blue picking him up (if they could) before even ID'ing him, but this time was a different story. Both hands were locked in code protected, aeon cuffs, same as his ankles -- the finest 22nd century shackles tax payer money can buy. The techies don't skimp on the fail safes, not anymore, he thought. Suddenly, the ship began to shake. Vibrating , deep noise filled his ears and those of the four armoured men sitting in the back watching him as they hovered into landing position. After a moment of chugging gears and steam, they set down softly, the engine calming into an electronic hiss. The watch team told him to stand up. I was just getting comfy, he said. The back gate slid open quickly to show the ten guards waiting on his arrival, fully geared up. One stepped forward and signalled those inside to move out.
"Damien Black," said the one in charge in a distorted, anatomical buzz through his mask. "You have been charged with murder in the first degree. Follow us."
Damien stood up and paused. These weren't cops, at least not the regular kind. This wasn't the city jail or the precinct either. For once, he didn't know what the hell was going on and, for once, he was innocent.
CHAPTER 1: THE MAN IN THE SUIT
"Easy boys, no need to rush."
The robotic looking officers in their dark blue and black cybernetic suits walked in a circle around him, leading him God knows where down a long dark hallway covered in cameras, the ceiling 40 feet high, the black walls only 8 feet wide. Damien walked, standing inches above the other men. He was tired, having been woken up in the early morning with the bang of his door being broken down followed by a short run and him breaking three arms and a leg. Less than usual, he had thought. What a shame. He didn't show this though, he never did. Black had endless energy when needed.
They moved through the empty pathway and into one of eight unmarked elevators, shooting them down. They exited on a floor that appeared to be a control room covered in telescreens and holographic design modules. It was blindingly white and workers in white shirts flowed by, barely noticing him. Too many pen protectors, Damien noticed. In the center hovered a pinpoint map of the state with glowing dots blinking within it. The lead officer received a buzz in his ear piece and nodded before directing the group towards a certain door at the other end.
"No tour? I feel gipped."
The lead swiftly took his baton and hit Damien in the ribs, dropping him slightly. He coughed but quickly recovered. His torso throbbed.
"No talking."
The lab coats began taking notice of their guest as he stomped forward in his thick, black boots with ten guards, on top of those lining the room. They stopped to stare, some of the women more than others at his dark, cropped hair and the veins on his biceps that protruded from the short sleeves of his light blue Skin Suit that was now torn and covered in dirt. Sweat dripped from his brow. He needed a shave.
They entered the small office that had no windows, only a desk and two chairs. Damien went to sit but they pulled him up. Soon a man in a dark suit walked in. Immediately the air felt different. He was still tense but something was up. They hadn't spoken two words, but he knew he hadn't spoken to someone this important in a long time.
"Ah, Mr. Damien Black, finally up close and personal. Most people who have seen your face don't seem to live very long."
"Well, lucky for you I'm in these," he grunted, eyeing his chains.
"Take those as a compliment."
The man sat. Damien slumped into the chair opposite letting out a deep breath.
"So, you killed Grant Thoroughby, the lawyer. Want to talk about it?"
"Don't I get a phone call or a bathroom break?"
"Let's just say you're not exactly at the precinct."
"So I've noticed. The shit smells a bit different here."
"We found Thoroughby's brains on his kitchen wall. Mind explaining that, Damien?"
"A. I don't know what the fuck you're talking about. B. I don't know who the fuck you are."
"True. I'm Agent Burke and you are at the state's R-CAT headquarters. After what's been going on here and in that kitchen, we needed to bring you in one way or another." Damien looked up at the ceiling, thinking.
"R-CAT: Refugee Capture and Transmission. We're having particular difficulty with someone I don't think you particularly like Black. Does the name Ivan Rasmus mean anything to you?" Damien sucked in his breath and stared. This name, Ivan Rasmus, had been burned in his mind for ten years. The two had a lot of history, but he also thought Ivan was dead.
"Maybe it does."
"I never liked Grant Thoroughby. Guy was a prick, tipped poorly, treated his wife like shit, probably deserved that 9mm you slugged through his head. Point is, a lot of other people are upset. What I'm more upset about are the 2.5 million data files that have gone missing over the last three months."
"And this Ivan Rasmus, you're sure he's involved?"
"Him and his new crew, we're fairly positive. He's like you though: you get too close, you get burned. I want you to get close and burn him." Damien looked around the room. "I don't have much of a choice do I?"
"Choice is an illusion, Black. With your skillset and from what I understand about Mr. Rasmus, I think you'd rather enjoy this. That and the immunity you'll get if you finish the job."