Death's Twilight Read online

CHAPTER TWO

  Narang Residence, Siam, December 3, 2308 14:35:18 (T-Minus 00:00:15:13)

  Hotaru Kogame smiled. Her target, Bijay Narang was in the corner café having coffee, completely oblivious to his surroundings. From the look of the liquid visible from the top of the cup, it was a Kona blend, one of her favorites.  Still, she would have to wait until after the delivery to enjoy one of her few vices.

  She pulled the Tablet from her pack, checking the photos supplied by Control to ensure she had the right man. Placing the binoculars on the desk in front of her, she began to leaf through the papers on his desk. The usual bills, receipts and letters were neatly arranged by date and supplier. He's really, really organized, she thought.

  Looking through the binoculars again, she watched as he paid his bill, rose, and headed toward her. She grabbed the Tablet from the table, opened the recognition program, and prepared her Tablet for delivery.  She moved to the front room, and took a seat in the leather armchair by the door.  She didn't have to wait long. The sound of keys in the lock was music to her ears.  The door opened with a soft squeak of hinges, and Bijay walked through the threshold.

  "Bijay Narang?" Hotaru's voice was soft and musical.

  Bijay stopped dead in his tracks.

  "How did..."

  "I get in here?"

  He nodded.

  "I have my ways," she said calmly. "Mr. Bijay Narang, you have been served."

  She stood, thrusting the Tablet into his hands, causing him to drop his newspaper on the floor. A small chirp emanated from the Tablet as his fingerprints were recognized. He looked down at the Tablet, trying to read the text on the screen in front of him.  The Tablet's retinal scanners engaged, and Bijay slumped to the ground, the Tablet falling to the ground beside his now prone body.

  Her chronometer chirped twice, recording the time of Delivery. She looked, and was pleased to note more than ten minutes remaining. She would get a bonus for this job. An extra day's vacation, perhaps? She glanced at the screen lying beside Bijay. The screen now showed the main screen, with its rows of icons for easy access. She picked up her Tablet, and strode quietly out of the room, closing the front door beside her, and heading toward the café across the street.

  Alone in the room, the body of Bijay Narang began to change, and small lesions appeared on his arms. On his face, just under his right eye, a small cut appeared, and began to slowly ooze.