Omega Point by Guy Haley Read Free Book Online Page B

following the bullet. The springer's damaged leg dragged. Otto accelerated. Panic showed on Kolosev's bearded face as he undid the springer's straps, hammering at the quick release until his legs popped out of the rig. He fell free and made a hopping run toward the nearest harvester. He was up the ladder on the left wheel pod pillar as Otto reached the vehicle. Otto was on to the ladder as Kolosev scrambled round the harvester's machine cabin.
      Otto followed hard behind.
      Kolosev stood in the middle of the catwalk that spanned the width of the harvester, looking wildly from side to side, shirt stained with sweat.
      "Kolosev, stop. You've nowhere to run, and I'm getting indigestion."
      Kolosev stared at the hopper full of wheat kernels, as if he were thinking of jumping in, and thought better of it. "You're getting old, Klein," he panted. He stepped back as Otto holstered his gun. Kolosev was unmodded: the real Grid experts never wore hardwired mentaugs. Kolosev was free of cybernetics, not even base-level healthtech; they knew how it could be used against them.
      "Look at yourself, Oleg, you're out of shape. Don't run like that again, you'll have a heart attack."
      "You come in here with the VIA? What was I supposed to do? After all I've done for you in the past, you bring them here! I've been busted out of every place I've ever been by them. Ten years' cold storage they've cost me. Why you think I ran?" Kolosev spoke in terse Grid English, truncated and peppered with invogue leetspeak, smeared over with a thick Slavic accent.
      "I'm not with them, Kolosev, they're with me. We're not here to bust you. I only need some information, the usual."
      "Yeah?" Kolosev's fat face pulled an unconvincing hardman sneer. "Your kind 'ways does. You loot me, Klein, it upset me."
      "I am looking for Waldo, Oleg."
      Kolosev snorted and slapped the railings of the catwalk. "You know he and I do no see eye to eye no more. I no run with him, I work free."
      "Solo?" said Otto.
      "I never said that."
      "But you're alone now."
      Kolosev glared, trapped. "Yeah, I'm alone now," he said, his English losing its posture, wandering closer to standard.
      "I'll pay," said Otto. "I'll pay a lot."
      "How much?" said Kolosev.
      "A million, Euro."
      "You need him bad, huh? Two million. And you broke my springer, you can buy me a new one. I want that as extra."
      "I'll buy you an aircar if that's what you want."
      "Thanks. I'm trying shed some kilos."
      "And springers aren't tracked."
      Kolosev shrugged.
      "Fine, Oleg, just tell me where he is."
      Kolosev fished a phone from a pocket on his sleeve. "Money first."
      Otto sent a coded transfer instruction out through his adjutant. Kolosev's phone binged, filled with the VIA's money. EuPol had given him unlimited funds for this expedition. Otto figured they'd find a way to claw it back later.
      "Heh," Kolosev said, licking his lips. "You do need him. Why?"
      "Where is he, Kolosev? I'm losing my patience," said Otto, and stepped nearer.
      The fat man held up his hand. His eyes were screwed tight against the sun; he really didn't get outside much. "Relax, Klein, I tell you. What's the big deal? Let me guess –" a triumphant grin flickered across the Ukrainian's face "– k52's small adventure in the RealWorlds, yes? Am I close?"
      The likes of Kolosev always dug out what others tried to hide. No harm in letting him know; if Otto didn't succeed, then everyone would know anyhow. Otto nodded.
      "Damn fucking bastards! I am good, no, Klein? Huh? Huh? Every Class A gold hacker know about that. Me, I one of. We the future, you big mob, Klein. Fuck me!"
      "Big talk, Oleg."
      "You look at me, Klein, you see fat man. I look at you, I see an extinct species. You are needing Waldo to get you in, in past the security. Only he can do it, no?"
      "You are a genuine genius, Oleg," said Otto flatly.
      "Ah, now you flatter. Well