Lotus: Revelation Read online

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  “Admit it. You’re impressed.” Michiko Akiyama reached over her shoulders and pulled out two katanas by their scabbards. She dropped them onto a bed beside her and turned toward an open laptop on an ornate ebony desk. “I nailed that goombah right in his prefrontal lobe with a shredder from 200 yards. The blast took out at least four more. Pretty awesome, right?”

  “You accomplished your task satisfactorily.” The voice coming from the laptop’s speakers was filtered and distorted, eliminating any trace of age, gender, or accent. “Dante Valvasori was successfully neutralized, along with his underboss, consigliere, two of his captains and three made associates.”

  Michiko grinned and clapped her hands together. “Even better! I clipped the Moretti Family’s top west coast don and seven of his closest friends.” She threw her arms up above her head. “That’s a touchdown and the two-point conversion!”

  “SANCTUM is pleased by the outcome of your mission. However, we do take issue with your methods. The explosive you utilized could have caused harm to bystanders.”

  Michiko put her hands on her hips and blew a lock of hair out of her eye line. “You guys are impossible to please! I mean, I’m batting a thousand and I haven’t hurt a single civilian in god-knows-how-many jobs. Where’s the love?”

  “We are not disputing your effectiveness, Lotus. We are merely concerned that you seem to be growing more reckless. And your choice of attire leaves something to be desired.”

  Michiko gave the unitard she wore a look; it flowed down her body and into a pair of black, low-heeled boots that rose past her knees. Molded Kevlar patches were interwoven over the thighs, arms, chest and shoulders. A belt at her waist contained pouches and compartments for the tools of her trade. “What? You don’t like how I wear my uniform?”

  “Not at all, Miss Akiyama. It simply seems…impractical.”

  She waved her hand at the camera. “Spare me. It's made out of that composite material you gave me to work with, and I don't want loose fabric getting caught on corners. I mean, you trained me from birth to be a killing machine. There weren’t a lot of ice cream socials and pony rides during all that. At least give me the latitude to dress to my liking.”

  “These are matters for another time. We have your next assignment ready, and it’s also in Port Ellis. Tonight, as a matter of fact.”

  “Tonight?” She gestured to the well-appointed suite around her, with its paneled walls, hardwood floors and classical Italian-style furniture. “I pull off an amazing hit, you put me up in one of the poshest safe houses you own, and you want me to go back on the clock?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. It’s a matter of grave concern to SANCTUM.” The laptop beeped as a man’s picture appeared. He sported close-cut blonde hair, with a dark mustache and goatee ringing his mouth. A scar over his right eye ran down his cheek a couple of inches. “His name is Shane Drake. He was a reliable operative for years, but he left our employ and has become a liability. He's taking jobs for a variety of bidders and is indiscriminate about his targets. He is extremely dangerous, and quite possibly your match in terms of ability.”

  She crossed her arms and smirked. “We’ll see about that.”

  “Drake operates a team of three to five assistants, usually men with a mix of criminal and military service backgrounds.”

  “What’s the plan?”

  “SANCTUM has posed as a third party to set up a hit in Port Ellis, where he believes he’ll be eliminating a witness currently under federal protection. You’re to meet him at the rendezvous point and…sanction him.”

  “’Sanction’ him. Gotta love those euphemisms.”

  “Will this be a problem?”

  She shrugged. “Not at all. Just another mark.”

  “I reiterate, Miss Akiyama – he is lethal. Exercise extreme caution. When you get the chance, it is imperative that you strike without warning or mercy. Are we clear?”

  “Sure. Take him out and be back in time for the 11 o’clock news. No big deal. But before I go anywhere, I’m definitely trying out that copper tub.” She tugged at neckline of her suit, pulling it partway down her arm. “Wanna watch?”

  The mysterious voice had no reply.

  “Maybe some other time.” She put her hand on the laptop. “I’ll be back in half-an-hour or so. Have the information I need waiting for me.”

  SANCTUM sputtered in protest as she closed the lid and left.