"You realize that calling me the 'etherian' killer might be bad."
"Flatline, that's what they call you."
"Strange, I don't remember pulling a plug on him."
"They know that it was Haven who did it," Helga leaned her elbow on the counter. The slow jazz rang around the room. "Most of the hunters here won't breathe a word, Haven won't save them if they dare."
"Is it really, alright? To have someone like me do the job. I can hunt belua's and take care of bounties. But bodyguard work is something I do not enjoy."
"You don't have to enjoy something to make an earning. Need a shot?"
"No," Jakob said. "I won't be drinking for now."
He cast his eyes on Dona, who was serving a customer. She gave the hunter a good old flip of her finger and she went into another one who ordered. Helga smiles, wiping her finger on the counter. Her finger stops on a bottle.
"She's a godsend, a fast learner."
"I am happy then."
"How wild is she?"
Jakob crossed his arms. Helga smiles and shrugged her shoulders.
"Protective, I like it. Boss even says that she has potential. Must be hard, being a refugee from the outskirts. You were from Gharasu, right?"
"Yeah, too bad though there's no way to help it now. Old Guardians rather die than abandon their homes."
"Same thing happens all the time. Pride of dying in one's land, they call it. But what's so prideful about dying?" Helga shakes her head and then taps her palm on the counter. "So, you're going to take the job or not?"
On the counter was the dossier of the contract. A familiar figure that dirt like him shouldn't even get close. Although she was prominent in his past life, she too vanished alongside the winds of time. A figure Jakob could remember as she stood in a stadium surrounded with 15m belua's. A dance of death that became a scar on the memories of those who watch her end.
"The Boss wants me to take the job, but you know vicious her fans are."
"Cult-like," Helga smiles. "Well, that's what happens when you are the number one starlet of our famed city. The Boss wants protection details and seeing that you are doing well. The Boss wants you to take this job and find out. You'll guard the starlet and possibly use your body as a shield. Not that it would matter knowing she's etherian. Did you know that she is?"
"She hid it well, and I could tell an etherian."
"Taking it?"
Jakob cups his chin, "Will the Boss provide equipment? Or does our starlet do not mind someone wearing an exoskeleton suit?"
"Nanoweaved suit, you don't mind being armed with a baton and pistol?"
"Non-lethal?" Jakob taps his finger on the counter, tracing a scratch. Helga frowns at the scratch. Taking the dossier on the tale. He scrolls down and tapped on the extra details.
"If you can help it," Helga said. "Wouldn't want blood on our starlet, but some get off to that so who knows?"
Jakob placed the tablet on the counter. He eyed Helga, then slowly nodded. "I'll take the job. I guess I have to make this rest." He taps on his exosuit.
"I'll have it confirmed then. Her next show is going to happen soon. You know the drill by now," she tapped on the dossier. "Go to the armory, present the Orion with the details. I just send the confirmation."
He nodded at Helga before gesturing at Dona.
"Going to do some bodywork for the starlet."
"Her? Really?" Dona said, eyes widened. "You got to get an autograph for me."
"You a fan?"
"You made me a fan of her," she tapped Jakob's chest. "So, you're going to leave your equipment in the room?"
"Yeah, just telling you." Jakob bumped his fist on hers before leaving. Striding to where the armor was, he met a few who carried heavy ordinance. Right in the doorway he was Orion tending to the Armory behind a fenced iron wall. On each side of the room were turrets pointed at anyone entering. Though it was a medium-sized room with metal plating and air conditioning, the room had a strange stinging tang on the skin. The other room was a shooting range separated only by a concrete wall and glass windows.
"You got here fast. So, a nanoweaved suit, glasses, and a baton," he slides the suit and baton on the counter. He then pulled a rifle. Jakob takes the rifle, unfolded it, and put in the 9mm magazine. Aiming the carbine rifle, checking the sights, and tightening his hold on the grip.
"Solid ain't it?"
Jakob nodded. The weapon was familiar to him. "Looks like the Boss wants this job to be perfect."
"It's the starlet," Orion snorted. "You shouldn't bother returning if you fail. The risk is too great. I know what you have done lately, but do you think this is worth the credits?"
"It pays," Jakob answered. He didn't speak further. He took the equipment with him and walked back to the room given by Haven. Changing his exosuit with the black business suit-like and white and red tie on it. Wearing the trench coat on top of his suit, to protect from the rain. He hide the 9mm carbine, his pistol inside the coat, and finally wore the glasses with thermal and nightvision functions.
Hiding the telescopic baton in his left sleeve. Jakob felt foolish, but the nanoweaved suit was one of the best protection one could have. Walking back to the bar where Helga was, he took the details and read the details. After confirming the details, Jakob wasted no more time. He used the normal exit, walking below the canopies of Aured City until he reached his destination.
Waiting for him was a bodyguard assigned to the starlet sent to pick Jakob up. Nodding silently at Jakob, gesturing for him to follow, Jakob walked three meters behind the bodyguard until they reached a door. What greeted Jakob Recker was the figure of the soon-to-be starlet tapping her fingers on the communication device in her hand. Raising her head, she took a good long look at Jakob.
"So you are the person they sent," she held chin. "I am Ursula Louis, you'll be working for me."