Chapter Seven – Pleasure Planet

Nadir Jump Point
Styx
Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine
2 January 3056

Gwen stepped out onto the bridge of the Pegasus as the dropship slowly maneuvered into position to dock with the jumpship. Logan was overseeing the docking operation.

“How’s the headache?” she asked him.

“Better. A day to get drunk and a day to recover from the hangover.” He replied flippantly.

“So where we going?”

“We’ll make for Outreach. File a claim for breech of contract against the Star Swords and be done with this stupid mission.” Grumbled Logan. Whatever sleep he’d gotten hadn’t tempered his anger much.

“Logan, can we talk about that?” asked Gwen calmly.

“My mind is made up.” Replied Logan sternly.

“You haven’t heard my position yet. Would you at least give me that much?”

“I heard enough. I heard what you think of my leadership, about how I don’t care about my own troops. About how this is all a game to me. And I saw what you did to us on Styx, running off in the middle of the battle. What else you going to tell me and why should I trust anything you tell me?”

“I was wrong about you and for that I’m sorry.”

Logan flinched as if stung. Of all the answers he was expecting, that was the one he least expected.

“You spent the last 24 hours recovering from a hangover. After hearing your story about the bank job, I went around talking to your men, hearing their stories, their impressions. They tell much the same story. You’ve got a big mouth and talk a good game, but they all said that when the chips are down, you’ve always come through. Whatever lesson you learned that day on New Oslo, you’ve put to good use. Your troops would follow you to the end of the universe and back if need be. You can’t buy loyalty like that, so there must be a lot more to you than you let on. Karl was right. I was wrong.”

Logan was quiet for a moment. “Apology accepted, but it changes little. You still endangered my men by acting recklessly. And there’s still the factor of risk. This job ain’t worth it. My decision stands.”

“You want to know why I went off on my own the other day?” said Gwen, her own voice rising. “You want to talk about risk. What parts of our jobs don’t involve risk? We’re soldiers and mercenaries. We put our lives at risk all the damn time.”

“Not foolishly.” Retorted Logan.

“Is it truly foolish? Let me tell you a story about me, Logan, about why I took the chance I did the other day. About why I’m here and about why I think this operation is worth every risk. Eight years ago, the Clans came to my homeworld. They attacked it, they sacked its cities, burned them to the ground. They killed as many of us as they could. Forty-eight hours of rampage and pillaging and they nearly drove us to extinction.”

“Clans don’t normally do that. Even they aren’t that brutal.”

“They were to us. My mother, my father, my younger sister, all dead. I lost everything that day.”

“Not quite everything. You kept your life and some of your friends. I’ve heard this story before, from some of your fellow Star Swords.”

“Then you know the truth of it. Not a day goes by, Logan, where I don’t wish I could go back and somehow change things. To have my family again, my home, all the things I lost. Now tell me the punk kid who grew up on the streets of Rasalhague, abandoned and unloved by his father, doesn’t wish for the same thing.”

She paused to let her comments sink in. “We’re more alike than you know.”

Logan looked away, momentarily bracing himself as the dropship docked. “Touché.” He replied.

“Out there is a little boy who is very much in danger of sharing our fate. Separated from his family, flung far from his home. Unlike our stories, this time there’s something we can do about that. The question is, is the risk worth it to keep someone else from growing up like us? And only you can answer that, Logan.” Gwen began to walk away.

“Jumpship is requesting a destination system, sir.” Said the dropship skipper.

“Gwen,” barked Logan without turning. “Where is O’Malley going?”

“He’s hunting the ISF agent who murdered his wife. She retired on Baldur, the Combine’s pleasure planet.”

“Skipper, tell the jumper to calculate a course for the Baldur system.” He looked back at Gwen. “One less tragic story like ours is a cause worth the risk.”

“You are a better man than I gave you credit, Logan.”

“I’m full of surprises. You could give me the benefit of the doubt, perhaps over dinner tonight.” His grim and angry countenance melted back to the flippant rascal once more.

“Can’t be too noble, can you?”

“Well, I do have a reputation as a scoundrel to uphold.”

Dropship Pegasus
Aix-la-Chapelle system
Benjamin Military District, Draconis Combine
3 March 3056

“You know, Logan, I thought we were going home.” Commented Kai.

The Rangers had gathered in the cargo bay of the dropship. They were now a single jump from their destination and Logan had called a meeting to get a rundown on the nature of the planet Baldur. After another extended period in space, it was obvious the Rangers were a bit raucous and eager to get planetside.

“I changed my mind again, Kai.” Said Logan. ”Miss Laidir can be very persuasive.”

“She finally give you that blow job you wanted?” said Malcolm flippantly. The assembled Dark Rangers laughed, all save one.

“That’s quite enough.” Snarled Rohan angrily, his voice rising above the din.

“Someone’s jealous.” Teased Kai.

“Alright, Rohan’s right. Keep it down. We are in the presence of a lady.” Said Logan, trying to calm the crowd. “Especially one that has things we need to know about our destination.” The crowds chuckles and comments reduced to a murmur as Gwen stepped forward. “Ok, Miss ISF, you now have the floor. Tell us about this place.” Asked Logan.

“Most of you either have lived or have worked within the Draconis Combine before. To say that the lifestyle of your typical Combine citizen is austere is an understatement. However, some things are still true even within a society as spartan as this one. The rich and the powerful are still afforded certain luxuries. The planet we'll be jumping to shortly is one of them.

“Baldur began, ironically, as a religious colony. It was settled by a group of Norse neo-pagans who gave the planet its name. That colony ultimately failed for reasons still not entirely understood. A century or so later, the Combine moved in and found the planet perfect for recreation. That became its primary industry. The wealthy and the powerful would use this planet for holiday and many of them once their service to the Dragon was done would retire here and live out their days in hedonistic pleasure.”

“So what sort of recreation can we expect to find here?” asked Greyson.

“The Combine turns a blind eye to the excesses that take place here, so you have a planet where literally anything and everything is available. You have sports like skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking, etc. You have some of the best beaches in the Inner Sphere. Amusement parks.”

“Sounds pretty innocuous to me.” Said Veron.

“Let me finish. In addition to all that wonderful family fare, you also have some of the highest quality brothels and opium dens in the Combine. Casinos and gambling parlors. If you want the innocent, it’s there. If you want the decadent, it’s there too. More than enough to whet the appetites of this crowd.”

An eager roar came up from the Rangers. Gwen paused for their revelry to calm before continuing. “There are a couple of things to keep in mind. The Yakuza’s presence is strong there, and they do not tolerate miscreants messing with their businesses. Crime is low because the criminals ensure it stays low. Also, with so many wealthy and powerful nobles either visiting or making their homes there, the DCMS provides them with some of the best protection available. One of the elite Sword of Light regiments is always permanently based there.”

“In other words, they’re going to take a dim view to us tromping around in our Battlemechs messing with things.” Said Logan.

“Agreed. We’re back to all that private eye stuff you so love.” Teased Gwen. “Still, if we’re denied our Battlemechs, so too will O’Malley. The odds will be more even there than on Styx.”

Malcolm raised his hand. “Sir, when do we expect O’Malley to arrive?”

Logan shrugged and looked to Gwen. “Scuttlebutt across the newsnets in the systems we’ve visited since leaving Styx indicates that the DCMS has already responded to the rebellion there. Depending on how long the Highlander renegades hold out, he could be anywhere from two to three weeks behind us.” She paused. “That’s assuming he’s traveling with his troops. Coming alone, or with a small retinue, he may be considerably sooner.”

“But there’s at least a little time for some R&R when we arrive?” replied Malcolm.

“More than likely.” Said Logan. “However, some of you are going to have some jobs to do the moment we touch down. Doc, I want network access. I want to know the name of every single dropship, aerospace fighter, shuttle, and meteor that lands on this planet and the name of every single person aboard them. Craig, we’ve got three mechwarriors, yourself included, in need of new rides. I need you to do your magic as best you can.”

“I’ll see what I can dig up. With the Sword of Light on station here, there should be a few cast offs or mothballs a greedy quartermaster might be willing to ‘lose.’”

“As for the rest of you, we’ve been in space a lot these past few months. A few days furlough could do us some good.”

The loudspeaker came to life, “Prejump countdown in one hour.”

“Okay, secure for jump.” Said Logan with a dramatic clap. “We’ll be in the Baldur system in two hours. Company dismissed.”

The crowd parted and Rohan pushed through to Gwen. “I’m sorry they said those things about you.”

“You don’t need to defend my honor, Rohan.” Said Gwen. “They’ve been cooped up in here a long time and tongues are wagging about why Logan had his change of heart.”

“You’re not saying they were right?”

“If I thought it would get Logan back on track, you’re damn right I’d have gotten down on my knees. Turns out it required somewhat less. I’m no prude, Rohan. I lost my virginity at age 12, which is about average for my homeworld. Nothing they could say about me could even remotely ruffle my feathers. Let them have their fantasies, especially if it keeps them occupied on an otherwise dull space voyage.”

“It’s just that…”

Gwen gave Rohan an affectionate pat on the cheek. “Your chivalry is commendable, Rohan. One of the things I like about you. Come on. We’ve a jump to prep for.”

Odin City Starport, Baldur
Benjamin Military District, Draconis Combine
7 March 3056

“It is not an uncommon thing for mercenary troops to be hired by the various nobles and industrialists who visit our fair planet.” Said Shotastu Komei, the ISF liaison, as he met with Logan, Rohan, and Gwen in the cargo hold of the Pegasus. “Nor is it all that unusual for small outfits like yourself to come here uninvited in hopes to find such work. When you find work, I will know about it. However, until and after such time as you find decent employment, I do expect you and your troops to abide by our laws. Your Battlemechs and other military equipment will remain within this dropship. Any deviation from this regulation will be regarded as a hostile act against the Dragon and will be dealt with by deadly force.” He stopped, turned, and glared at Logan. “Is that perfectly clear?”

Logan nodded.

“You may carry your personal sidearms, but do keep them concealed. As you might expect, if you brandish them casually or use them to threaten the citizens or visitors of this planet without cause, there will be consequences. And I will know when such incidents take place. This planet exists for the leisure of the Dragon and his close associates. You are here at his pleasure. Do not abuse that privilege, mercenary.”

One of the ISF agent’s associates marched up to him and handed him a datapad. “Your crew have been duly logged with the ISF here on Baldur. I will know if and when any of them misbehave and their conduct will show badly on you. Our business is concluded. Welcome to Baldur.”

With that, Komei turned and left with his retinue. Logan sneered immaturely at the man as he stepped out of the dropship bay.

“And I will know when you scratch your ass.” He said in a mocking tone. “Is everyone on this planet a fucking snitch?”

“Not quite everyone, but don’t underestimate him because of his pompous attitude.” Said Gwen. “There’s enough money and power in the residents and visitors of this planet to ensure that security is maintained and maintained well.”

“O’Malley is ballsy to want to try to assassinate anyone living here.” Said Rohan.

“Indeed, but vengeance isn’t always rational, as other O’Malleys have proven.”

“Never mind O’Malley’s problems. We’re going to have a tough time moving about ourselves.” Said Logan.

“Any world this tight-assed is going to have an extensive underground.” Said Rohan. “Don’t worry. We’ll find our room to maneuver.”

“Until then, let’s take advantage of that furlough I promised.” Said Logan, going over to a wall communicator. “Attention all personnel, this Logan speaking. We have arrived on Baldur and have been cleared through ISF. You have 72 hours furlough. Play nice, but enjoy yourselves.”

Even from their location in the cavernous cargo hold of the dropship, the shout of joy from the troops could be heard clearly. “Well, that was some good news.”

Rohan nodded. “Gwen, would you care to join me for our initial reconnaissance of this planet?”

“Is that how you ask a girl on a date?”

Rohan shrugged sheepishly. “I thought it was clever.”

“Need to work on that.” Said Gwen with a laugh. “But the answer is yes.”

---

Komei marched away from the Pegasus with a smug look on his face. As he reached his car, a figure stepped out of the shadow of a nearby hanger.

“You’re a bold one, Lord Baron.”

“What did you do with them?”

“Nothing more than my usual spiel to ruffians who visit my planet.”

“You should have confined them, held them. What am I paying you for?”

“I am in a delicate position, good sir. The reputation of the Dark Rangers precedes them. Were I to restrain their movements without cause, odds are good they’d be shooting up the place within hours. And I hardly want the 2nd Sword’s commander breathing down my neck for failing to keep the peace. No, give them time. They’ll foul up soon enough. Do-gooders like them are bound to find something objectionable here, some injustice they can’t simply stand by and watch. When they do, then I’ll have my rationale to confine them. Just wait.”

“And Yamada?”

“Tracking down a single retired ISF agent here on Baldur takes time. I will let you know once I find something.”

“She was one of your colleagues, Komei.”

“A generation back. I have enough to keep me busy in the present. Sniffing around in the past is not my line.”

“I’m making it your line, you greedy bastard.” The man offered forth a wad of K-Bills.

“Tsk. You think so little of me. I may be corrupt, but I do keep my word. Yamada swings both ways. When she gets frisky, you may find her at the Golden Dragon. She has a few favorites there among the ladies.”

The man stepped back into the shadows and disappeared from view. Komei watched him go before stepping into his car. “And you may find more than you bargained for once you get there, Lord O’Malley.” Komei muttered to himself with a wicked smile.

The Dragonstar, Odin City, Baldur
Benjamin Military District, Draconis Combine
8 March 3056

“Remarkable place.” Said Rohan, looking out the window from their table at the city beyond. “It’s after midnight local time and this place is still alive with activity.”

Gwen followed his gaze out onto the brightly lit neon of the city. “Somehow, I suspect the brothels, casinos, and other entertainments of this city never close. Take this restaurant, for instance. Fine Asian cuisine at 1:00am local and there’s plenty of people here.”

“I can see why people come here. Why they want to live here. I grew up in the Combine. Like Logan, I grew up in the Rasalhague district, born, went to school on Trondheim. Unlike his family, I stayed loyal to the Dragon when independence came. All my life, I’d heard stories of Baldur, the paradise planet. For all those stories, only the very wealthy or connected ever set foot here.”

“And yet here you are.”

“Yeah, here with a very un-paradise like job to do. Stop an assassination.”

“Oh, I could care less about whether O’Malley succeeds at taking out Agent Yamada or not. I want Daniel.”

“Do we have any certainty that he would bring the boy with him? Seems an odd mission to bring your toddler grandson along on.”

“It does, but consider the alternative. Leave him on Styx with the DCMS bearing down on your troops? Not likely. As dangerous as his mission here is, it’s far safer than what O’Malley and his troops did back there.” Gwen picked up a bit of rice from her plate, ate it, and then pointed her chopsticks at Rohan. “One thing to keep in mind. O’Malley and Daniel are tied by blood. It’s the reason Daniel was kidnapped in the first place. Family bonds, blood ties, all these things we have to remember, because they mean that O’Malley is not going to put the boy in danger if he can avoid it.”

“Are you saying O’Malley loves Daniel?”

“I am. What grandfather wouldn’t love his grandson?” said Gwen. “There’s little evidence that Baron Ian is mentally unstable like his sons were. If we assume that’s true, then Baron Ian is a rational agent in terms of his dealings with Daniel. He will choose the safer course with his grandson.”

“You said yourself that attacking Yamada was irrational.”

“Maybe, maybe not. O’Malley may not be fully aware of the security arrangements here. Besides that, Yamada hurt him, worse than you and I can imagine. He lost his wife to Yamada’s scheming on Northwind all those years ago, an act that rippled through his sons and warped them into the monsters they became. O’Malley has more reason to hate her than anyone else in this universe. In a lot of ways, I understand where he’s coming from. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to deal justice.”

“Justice? Or revenge?”

“Not much difference, is there? In O’Malley’s mind, you can bet he thinks of this as justice.”

Rohan shrugged. “Either way, it makes him vulnerable. His coming here has given us another chance to nab him.”

Gwen nodded. “Still a big planet though. A lot of places a man like him could hide. He’s well connected and very affluent. A Clan Elder of Northwind, even one on the lam, has considerable resources to bring to bear.”

“Let’s hope Doc can come up with something then. I feel for him. Us having a nice dinner here. Logan and some of the others also painting the town red. Doc in front of a computer terminal.”

“Not sure he’d have it any other way.” Said Gwen, raising her glass.

Series of Tubes Cybercafe, Odin City
Baldur
Benjamin Military District, Draconis Combine
8 March 3056

Doc set his steaming cup of green tea on the table and then carefully placed his laptop computer next to it. Looking about, he saw most of the clientele of the café was doing similar activities, typing away on laptops or on the handful of desktop computers lining the walls.

“Hiding in plain sight.” He mused to himself. “I must be crazy to try this here.”

Doc brought up his web browser, hopeful that the network protocols on Baldur were not too alien to his Davion-purchased and programmed computer. One of the drawbacks of the proliferation of humankind across the stars was that computers sometimes had a difficult time talking to one another again, much as it was in the early days of computing during the late 20th century. Each nation had its own interweb protocols, and sometimes those same protocols differed from planet to planet.

Seeing few errors, Doc let out his breath. He immediately typed in the address for the spaceport and began to see what he could penetrate. He was seeking anything that might tip them off to when O’Malley might be arriving: dropship arrivals, passenger manifests, whatever he could find. He didn’t anticipate that he would find anything of value yet, but Doc was hopefully that he could at least penetrate the system’s security with a minimum of fuss.

Years of hacking Battlemech computer systems had given Doc a good bit of skill with computer systems, something that had served him fairly well on previous missions with the Dark Rangers. “Sometimes, I think I wear too many hats.” He complained to himself. “Repair technician, computer hacker, inventor, medic, mechwarrior…”

“You won’t get in that way.” Said a girl’s voice behind him.

Doc jumped in his seat. He immediately reached to close his laptop, but also knew that his observer had already seen everything incriminating about his activities. He turned to see who it was who had discovered him.

It was a teenage girl sitting at the table behind him with a laptop of her own. Buxom, petite, with blue eyes and pink dyed hair. She gave him a playful wink.

“You shouldn’t be so nosy.”

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help it. This isn’t exactly the most private place to be doing something like that.”

“I had hoped that most folks would be too absorbed in their own doings to much care what I was up to.”

“Most would, but you kinda stand out.” Said the girl with a slight giggle. “When most of the off-worlders to Baldur are Asian nobles, industrialists, and other bigwigs, a man standing over 2 meters in height gets noticed.”

“Not everyone who lives in the Combine is Asian by ethnicity.” Instructed Doc. “And not all Asians are short in stature.”

“True on both counts, but most of the rich hotshots who come to this planet are. And since you feel the need to instruct me about the very nation in which I’ve lived my entire life, I’m guessing you’re not native to the Combine yourself. Let me guess: Davion.”

“Capellan actually. Although on one of the planets Prince Hanse conquered in the Fourth War.”

The girl laughed. “I knew I had you pegged as an off-worlder, but I guess I don’t know everything. You’re a merc, probably working for one of those same bigwigs I see everyday. So what makes you or your boss so interested in the spaceport network?”

“That is none of your business.”

“Suit yourself, but you’ll never get through the security using the techniques I just watched. System there is pretty secure.”

“And how would you know?”

The girl shrugged. “That is none of your business.”

Doc caught onto the game. “I’m looking for somebody. Someone who’s due to arrive on this world in the next few weeks and months.”

The girl smiled. “I’ve hacked it myself. It’s not easy.”

“Could you do it again?”

“Sure, but not here. And what’s it worth to you, merc?”

“What’s your price?”

“Favors to be named later.” Said the girl.

“I’m not sure I like being kept in the dark, kid.”

“You want my help or not? Look, off-worlder, I don’t need money. I’m not some starving street waif. The stuff you might offer me for my assistance is nothing I need. But favors, help with the bigwigs who run this planet, that’s worth its weight in gold.”

“Alright, consider it a deal.”

“Come with me. By the way, my friends call me Pix.”

“Mine call me Doc.”

The Golden Dragon, Odin City
Baldur
Benjamin Military District, Draconis Combine
8 March 3056

“I think we’ve stumbled onto something here.” Said Logan, simmering in a hot tub while a young woman in a bikini massaged his shoulders.

“You do know how to pick them.” Said Cowboy, enjoying a similar massage while smoking on a cigar.

Logan put up his hands in feigned humility. “What can I say? I have a gift.”

“This place looks pretty high class.” Said Cowboy, looking about. The room they were in was well decorated in an East Asian style. Red and gold wallpaper, faux Ming vases, pictures with Chinese calligraphy, and the like.

“I’d say.” Said Logan, pointing towards the open door. One could look out from their spa room into the main common area. “Look at the clientele here.”

Cowboy followed Logan’s finger. Out in the common area, he could see several distinguished looking men in military uniforms. Cowboy knew enough about Combine rank insignia to note they were high ranking officers: Battalion commanders.

“Bigwigs from the Second Sword of Light.” He mused aloud.

“Indeed. Interesting place, this pleasure planet.”

“Gwen did warn us about its decadence.”

“Decadence is why I’m here. I wouldn’t expect any less from a high money brothel like this one. In a few minutes, I’m going to take this lovely young thing upstairs and have my way with her on silk sheets.” Logan laughed.

“Fighting and fucking, right?”

“Best life we mercs can hope for.” Logan laid back and closed his eyes, taking in the pleasure of his massage.

Cowboy finished his cigar and stood up. “On that note, I think I’m going to go enjoy my time with this young lady.”

“Enjoy.” Said Logan without opening his eyes.

Cowboy took the proffered towel from his escort and began to dry himself off. As he did so, he noted the arrival of another client to the brothel, an older but attractive Asian woman in her mid-50s. “They take all comers here, don’t they?” he asked of his escort. She gave no answer, but merely smiled and nodded.

Logan’s eyes popped open and he looked himself. “Money buys all things, doesn’t it? Even a romp in the sheets for an aged lesbian like that.” He paused. “She looks familiar.”

“I’m thinking the same thing.” Said Cowboy. They watched as the woman picked our her escort, a fetching young redhead.

“She has good taste.” Said Logan. “Might have to select that one next time.”

“Yamada.” Said Cowboy, recognition coming to him at last. “That’s Keiko Yamada, the ISF agent O’Malley’s looking for.”

Logan sat up. “You sure?”

“Yeah, that’s her alright.” He looked to his escort, expecting her to somehow confirm his suspicions. But the young woman gave no sign and merely offered him a silken robe.

“Fetch me my regular clothes.” Cowboy ordered.

“You’re done?” asked Logan incredulously. “Come on. Reporting this can wait. Enjoy yourself. Yamada’s not going anywhere.”

Cowboy’s girl stood silent, waiting for further confirmation one way or the other as to what to do next. “Very well. But do fetch me my personal communicator.”

“As you wish, kind sir.” She said, disappearing out the door.

“You’re as bad as Gwen. Always on duty.”

“Somehow, I think you’ve got her as wrong as she had you. You’ve seen the way Rohan looks at her. I get the feeling tonight’s going to end very interestingly for the two of them.”

Access Train to Odin City Starport
Baldur
Benjamin Military District, Draconis Combine
9 March 3056

Rohan and Gwen stepped onto the platform after walking back from their meal largely in silence. After a quick glance to see if the train was coming, Gwen turned to him.

“You know, you didn’t seem to have much trouble chatting at the restaurant.”

Rohan shrugged. “Just taking in the beautiful night.” He paused. “Made all the better by pleasant company.”

Gwen smiled. “Are you embarrassed to ask or do you just think it improper on the first date?”

“Excuse me?”

“You’ve spent the last ten minutes since we left the Dragonstar milling over in your mind if and how you were going to ask me to spend the night with you.”

Rohan blushed. “I didn’t think I was that obvious.” He let out his breath.

“You’re not accustomed to all this, are you?”

“I’m a fighting man. Have been so all my life. I had a few girlfriends, Director Noriko first and foremost among them.”

The train barreled into the station, its noise silencing their conversation briefly. Gwen moved to board and Rohan followed. Their conversation continued once they sat down.

“Anyway, as I was saying,” continued Rohan. “I’m just not that good at this dating stuff.”

“I have a confession to make then.” Said Gwen. “Neither am I. You see, I come from a world where courtship is a lot less formalized. All the stuff that you people put yourselves through to win another’s attention.”

“Is it really so odd? Your pursuit of a certain general officer in the Star Swords is not exactly a secret.”

“Case in point.” Said Gwen. “I wasn’t very subtle about that, now was I? Why then do you feel the need to be subtle with me? Remember what I told you a few days ago about my upbringing. I’m no prude. If you want me, say so.”

“I want you.” Said Rohan.

Gwen leaned over and planted a kiss on Rohan’s lips. “What were you afraid of?”

“You said ‘no’ to Logan.”

“You’re not Logan.” She kissed him again and again, passionately. Rohan pulled her into his arms.

And then, Gwen’s personal communicator went off.

She pulled back from Rohan. “This,” she said with frustration. “had better be good.” She pulled the communicator from her belt and answered it. “Laidir here.”

“Gwen! It’s Cowboy. A bit of luck.”

“I should hope. I was about to get lucky.” There was a pause on the other end for a second. Gwen smiled. She was enjoying making the conversation as awkward as possible.

“Um, well, sorry to disturb you, but I…ah…or rather Logan and I, we saw something, someone. Yamada, we saw her here at the Golden Dragon brothel.”

Gwen dropped the game and got serious. “Excellent. O’Malley’s quarry drops in our lap. No real surprise that she’d be there. Most of us who trained under her knew she was interested in the ladies as much as the men. If it’s known that she frequents there, we may be able to lure O’Malley into a trap. See what you can find out. Laidir out.” She closed the communicator before Cowboy could respond further.

“Where were we?” asked Rohan slyly.