The Human Disguise by James O'Neal

Author:James O'Neal [O'Neal, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, General, Action & Adventure
ISBN: 9780765320148
Google: sB01VND3mNEC
Amazon: B0046LUOQY
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 2009-05-25T12:00:00+00:00

Johann Halleck didn’t like feeling as if he were out of the loop, but that was exactly how he felt at the moment. He knew the board was in the quarantine zone and that the cop Wilner had gone to retrieve it.

Now, at the zone bar where smugglers met, and most information about things going on in the zone was exchanged, Johann leaned on the bar. It was still early in the day but the place had patrons. Named the Chaos Pit, it was known for lewd sex shows, home-brewed beer and violence. Although the bouncers or bartender wouldn’t hesitate to beat someone who acted out, there were still deadly knifings, back room murders and the occasional massacre. With no laws or law enforcement in the Miami Quarantine Zone nothing was ever done about the activity in the bar. People could come or choose not to.

Johann had contacts that would tell him the progress of Tom Wilner. This trip was to develop a backup plan and learn if Tiget Nadovich had been in the area. Before he could ask any questions on that matter it became clear. Johann looked down the bar and saw Nadovich at the same time he had noticed Johann.

Johann had his combat knife in his belt, but knew that Nadovich could have an E-weapon. He raised his glass of weak beer and slid down the bar closer to his rival.

Nadovich said, “I didn’t expect to see you down here.”

“I will also confess surprise.” He was conscious that his accent was thicker than Nadovich’s.

Nadovich nodded, not giving away anything. Then he said, “I don’t understand your concern. This doesn’t involve you or your family.”

Johann looked at the smaller man. “You know the pledge we took. I will not abandon it.”

“Your pledge to humans? Please. They would wage a war on us if they knew we were here.”

“Secrecy has worked for many years. Aggression does nothing.”

“I may need to use aggression on you if you interfere.”

Johann chuckled. “Don’t get carried away, Tiget. I am not a human to be bullied.”

“And I have business here in the zone.”

“So do I.” He let his hand creep down toward the combat knife on his belt.

Before he could make a move he heard a shout from the stage. Johann saw the big bartender draw a gun from under the bar.

Johann turned for a moment to see what was happening. A tall, skinny man stood with a pistol pointed at a beautiful dancer with small breasts and long legs. He shouted something and the bartender fired.

The dancer fell off the stage as the bartender’s round went wide, striking her in the upper abdomen.

The tall man returned fire, jerking the trigger of his old auto-pistol.

Johann felt a sharp pain in his back, then his head slammed against the bar.

That was all he could remember.

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