Olvera Bazaar. Copious shops, big and small, packed into a massive warehouse. Tents and tarps mashed together. The poorest area of New London, where day-workers’ families tried to make extra money by selling crafts and knick-knacks.
Hector and Alexandra rushed into the crowded marketplace. Wraith trailed, careful to keep watch for the XLS agents. They had ditched their shuttle in the parking garage adjacent the market. The XLS was close behind.
Hector ducked into a tent and engaged his datapad’s communicator. Alexandra and Wraith monitored the entrance to the bazaar. No sign of their XLS pursuers. Yet.
“You buy something, yes?” The shop’s owner shoved a string of trinkets in Hector’s face.
Wraith pushed the owner back and flashed his pistol. The shop owner’s mouth dropped open. She backed away and started praying.
Hector waited for the call to go through.
“This is Jack.”
“Jack, it’s me.”
“Hector! Where are you? What–”
“I don’t have much time,” said Hector. “I need you to sync the Molecular Transfer Device to a pair of teleportation drives. Alexandra and I are coming in.”
“Good. Things aren’t going well, the XLS–”
“Alexandra has information that we can use to stop them. But, I can only get it to you on one condition. Taylor has to get us immunity.”
Silence. Then, “I don’t know–”
“It’s the only way to stop them. You’re too far behind. I need your help. You need mine.”
XLS agents entered the bazaar and fanned out into the marketplace. Hector sunk back against the row of hand-made rugs lining the wall.
“Send me the codes. I’ll sync your drives to the MTD,” said Jack. “I can’t promise you anything, though. It’s a mess here, Hector. Falko just took command. I don’t know if he’ll be willing to–”
“Just do what you can.”
Hector terminated the call. Alexandra approached. “Well?”
“No guarantees. He’s syncing the drives.”
The XLS agents began questioning shop owners. One shook his head. A second pointed in their direction.
Wraith scrambled back to them. “They’re coming!”
