No one had warned him that there would be other specialists in play. That added a layer of complication to an already complex problem. Albion was bad enough, but another group – equally skilled – meant the chances of discovery had gone up.
In all his years as a killer, Coyle had only ever come close to discovery on a few occasions. In every instance, he had pulled out of the operation in question, and made himself scarce. Professional ethics aside, discretion was the better part of valour.
Unfortunately, that option was not available to him here. If he departed, Zero Day would almost certainly seek to punish him – not to mention those he was closest to. Unless he managed to get to them first. His eyes flicked to the tracker program, still sifting through the jungles of data in search of its prey, and his. Until it located Zero Day, there was nothing to be done save press forward and do what he’d been hired to do.
He pulled the drone back, letting them descend. They’d make for a vehicle of some kind. There was a smallish car park not far from the doors. He let the drone circle the building while he considered his options.
The GPS he’d been using to track them was gone. They’d figured out how he was tracking them. Luckily, there were other methods available to him. He brought up the drone’s proximity-grid and saw that there were almost a dozen other drones in the area. It was a matter of moments to hijack their sensors and build a picture of the area. He didn’t have much time. Already, the police were on their way, Albion too. His window for dealing with this particular problem was rapidly closing.
His Optik trilled. Frowning, he answered the call. “Hello?”
“What do you think you are doing?”
Zero Day.
“I am handling a situation, as we discussed.”
“As solutions go, that will only lead to more problems.”
“If you had located Tell’s Optik in time, it wouldn’t be an issue. But here we are.” Coyle turned his attentions back to the drone’s display. “Rest assured, I will keep collateral damage to a minimum.”
“Collateral damage is irrelevant. Your actions threaten the security of our ongoing operation – ironic, given that you were employed to do the opposite.”
Coyle smiled. He could hear the anger in Zero Day’s voice. “I am merely attempting to hold up my end of the bargain.” He paused, and then added, “I was not warned that there were other professionals involved.”
“An unforeseen complication.”
Coyle’s smile faded. Had there been a hesitation there? Grist for the mill. He filed the possibility away for later. “If you have a better solution, I’m all ears.” He toggled the drone’s control and sent it veering out over the street. As he did so, he saw the side door of the building open, and two figures sprint for the car park. “Targets sighted. Do I take the shot – or not?”
No reply. For a moment, he thought Zero Day had cut the connection. Then, “Do as you think best. That is why you were hired.”
Coyle fired.
22: Sacrifice
The shot sounded like a thunderclap.
Liz felt it burn through the air past her, and into the side of a nearby car, rocking the vehicle on its axle. The shot had narrowly missed her, and only because she’d been helping Olly to his feet when he’d slipped. Too close for comfort.
“Car! Get a car!” Liz shouted, shoving Olly down and out of the line of fire. The drone was moving fast, arrowing towards them. Her display futzed and fizzed as she tried to get a bead on it. Something was wrong. “Bagley – what’s going on?”
The drone. It has a more extensive set of tools than we predicted. I would suggest getting out of sight and quickly. The police are coming, and Albion aren’t far behind.
“So you said. Olly?”
“Got one,” he said. The doors of a nearby Sumitzu swung open. Liz shoved him towards it as the drone approached. She spun, firing. The drone veered off at the last second and she dove into the car. Olly was already in the driver’s seat.
“Do you actually know how to drive?”
“Yeah, of course,” he said, but didn’t sound confident. The car growled to life.
You’re welcome. Now get your posteriors in gear.
A shot puckered the pavement, and bits of tarmac punched into the side of the car. Olly reversed, stomping on the accelerator. Liz was flung back into her seat as he spun the wheel and took them onto the street, banging up against a few other cars on the way. “This isn’t as easy as games make it out to be,” he said, apologetically.
Liz laughed. “No, I expect not. Just keep us moving.”
“Where to?”
“Whitechapel Station. There’s an entrance on Durward Street, that’s closest. Bagley, pull us up a route.” She turned, checking for pursuit. Police cars were swarming in the distance, lights flashing. The plods would have the car’s registration in a few minutes. They’d have to ditch it as soon as possible. “We’ll leave the car and go on foot from there.”
“Is that thing still after us?” Olly asked.
She looked up. There were plenty of drones in the sky. No way to tell if the sniper was among them. “I can’t see it. Keep driving.”
“Maybe he’s gone.”
“Maybe,” she said, but she didn’t believe it.
“Do you think – is it Albion? It’s got to be, right?”
“I don’t know.” Liz saw a drone lose altitude as Olly wove through traffic. Horns sounded, tires squealed, but he kept the accelerator down. “Bagley, see if you can get into the traffic grid and get us a clear lane.”
Already working on it…
There was a flash of light and a boom of sound. The boot of the car exploded, the metal lid tearing off its hinges, pinwheeling up over the roof and down off the bonnet. The car bucked
