As with most Tech Companies, it was almost impossible to get into their system from the outside. He can use the alter as the weapon he’d been created to be. While he handled Macon Technologies Elite Security Force…Rome could get into their server room and plant his little bug he’d created especially for them.
“Who did this?” The alter asked gesturing towards Journey’s bed.
“Your handlers.”
The Politician didn’t even blink. “Handlers?”
“You may know them as the people pretending to be your parents.”
Abigale sucked in her breath appalled. Albert cursed. “Goddammit I knew it!”
“They had to get rid of those that caused you to feel love because it was—” The Politician held up his hand cutting him off.
“I don’t need the break down, save it for Jo, I’m sure he’ll be interested.”
Abigale looked up at Albert puzzled. “I’ll tell you about it later…” He whispered.
“Just show me where they are and I’ll take it from there.” The Politician continued.
Rome smiled big. “My man.”
Rob looked up then as he swiped his hand across his face drying his eyes. “I’m going with you.”
Rome and Abigale both said no at the same time. Rob stood from the chair, not prepared to take no for an answer.
“You see what they did to my sista?!” He yelled.
Rome held up his hands trying to calm the youth before he rattled this killer standing next to him.
“Bruh, let me handle this. You already know I’m going to make them pay. I can do my job better if I don’t have to worry about you while I’m out there.”
Rob shook his head. “You’ve trained me for this. I’m ready. You always tell me I can go next time. Well, there is no next time.” He pointed to the ground in front of him.
“This is the time that matters!”
“What if they come here while we’re gone?” The alter’s deep voice filled the room. “Who will be here to protect your sister?”
Rome turned to look at the Politician surprised at his swiftness. Rob thought about his words before he swiped at his eyes again.
“Yeah…you right. I need to stay here just in case they come and try to finish the job.”
The Politician nodded once before he turned and exited the room. But right before he did, his knowing gaze went to Rome as he gave him the, who’s-the-smart-one-now? look.
For a second Rome just stared after him. Was the damn alternate personality trying to get under his skin? Really?
He shook his head, following him out of the room after assuring his mother and his little brother that he was going to be alright and would be back in no time.
He exhaled. It was going to be a long night.
**********
“Hell no, you uncivilized bastard! I’m not going down in the damn sewer!” Rome hissed at the maniac.
The Politician shrugged. “Fine, stay here.” He muttered before disappearing down the sewer like smoke.
“F***!”
Rome was really starting to dislike this chump. The alter made Jo look like a stand-up guy. Securing his book bag with his precious cargo in it on his back, he slipped down the manhole quickly sliding the heavy lid back in place.
While the Politician drove back to Jo’s place to gather the tools he was going to need for the job, Rome tapped into the senator’s phone and together they listened to his panic phone calls to Jeff, the CEO of Macon Tech.
“Goddammit Jeff, you need to send some men to my place right away. The hit on the old man and the girl was a miss, it did nothing but trigger the Politician!”
“Have you lost your mind calling me on an open line like this?” Jeff growled.
“I had no other choice! I can’t get in contact with that bastard Baxter to deactivate him. My sources informed me that he’s flown the f****** coup and gone into hiding. Not only is all we’ve invested in crumbling down around us, I am certain the Politician knows who we are and is coming for us!”
“Us? I don’t know what you’re talking about, senator, I am just an investor in your campaign. How you choose to run it is your business.”
“You son-of-a-b****, I’m not going down by myself. If you don’t send protection for my wife and I, I will call a news conference and tell the world everything I know about your shady dealings.”
“Calm down, senator, there is no need for such haste. I will send a car for you and your lovely wife and bring you back here to the lab, where we can secure your safety.”
Rome pulled up the blueprints of Macon Tech’s Lab. The place was practically an eight-story vault, there was no way in except through the sewer system. He’d told the Politician that all he needed was about fifteen minutes to override the codes for the doors, but of course the alter did not want to wait.
So here he was trudging through waist high filth with his laptop on his back that had over 75 million dollars’ worth of modifications. To say he was pissed was an understatement.
“I’m telling you.” He grumbled to the back of the Politician as he followed him through the murky water. “If something happens to my equipment, I don’t care what kind of super powers you have, I’m gon’ take you out.”
He grimaced as his Jordan covered foot stepped down into something slimy and squashy, not to mention that it smelled horrible too. “You can try and Karate chop my tech nine, mutha f****.”
The Politician chuckled. “Stop acting like a b**** back there and man up.”
Rome balled up his fists as he seriously considered trying to take him down.
“It’s a suicide mission, kid.” The alter muttered as he quickly climbed up the ladder that led them out into the lab’s boiler room. Rome followed behind him moving with just as much agility.
The Politician would never admit it, but he was impressed with the young man’s ability thus far. He had wondered when he’d first agreed to go on this joint mission
