shadowrun 40 The Burning Time by Stephen Kenson Read Free Book Online Page A

When it was all over, Talon had decided to stay in Boston. Since then, he’d gotten to know Trouble better as both a friend and a teammate.
    She was dressed in her usual leather jacket, close-fitting jeans, boots, and a T-shirt. Today, the shirt was dark blue. Her cyberdeck case hung by a strap over one shoulder, but Talon knew she carried a pistol in the shoulder holster concealed by her jacket.
    Trouble was all business. She never wore jewelry and hid her green eyes behind dark sunglasses. Her long, dark hair was pulled back with a clasp in the shape of a silver Celtic knot. Silver also gleamed from the datajack behind one ear.
    She slid into the seat opposite Talon without stopping to order anything at the counter. He, of course, was sitting with his back to the rear wall of the Java-Hut. That way he could keep his eye on the doors, and be able to make a quick exit out the back if necessary. Trouble knew he was watching her back too.
    "I got your message," Trouble said. "How are you doing?"
    "Almost awake." He took another sip from his cup. "You want something?" he asked, nodding toward the counter.
    She shook her head. "I’m ready when you are."
    Talon downed the last of his soykaf and crumpled the cup in his hand.
    "Okay, let’s go." He tossed the cup into the trash on the way out. Their destination was the apartment of Dan Otabi.
    He followed Trouble to her car, a dark green Honda ZX Turbo. They were headed for Dan Otabi’s place.
    Talon slid into the passenger seat, and was instantly belted in by the safety harness. Sitting behind the wheel, Trouble pulled out a thin cable and jacked into the car’s auto-pilot, which gave her direct control over the Honda’s on-board computer. It wasn’t the complete control you got from a control rig like Val used, but it was good enough for driving in the Boston area.
    They rode in silence for a bit, then Trouble looked at him with concern. "Didn’t you sleep last night?"
    Talon gave a short laugh. "Shows that much, huh?"
    She nodded. "Yeah, some."
    "Trouble, I’ve got a bad feeling."
    "About the run?"
    "I don’t know, about everything. Something’s going on."
    "You really believe you saw Jase last night, don’t you?"
    "Don’t you?" he asked.
    She shrugged. "I don’t know. I’m no mage. I work with data, stuff that makes sense. You’re the one who tangles with spirits and spells and whatnot. You’re sure it was him?"
    "Yes, I’m sure."
    "Sure it was him—or sure it was something that looked like him?"
    Talon thought about that for a moment. "I don’t know, Trouble. It happened so fast. I mean, I’m sure it looked like him, but the whole thing happened so fast. ."
    "Hey, Tal, don’t get me wrong," Trouble said, laying one hand over his. "I believe you saw something. All I’m saying is that it might be not be what you think. Maybe somebody is fragging with your head."
    "Maybe," Talon said. "And I’m going to find out."
    "How?"
    "Visit the astral planes to find out if Jase is trying to contact me or if it’s something else."
    "When?"
    "After the run. I want to get biz taken care of first."
    "If it’s somebody trying to mess with you," Trouble said, "we’ll help you out."
    "I know. That’s not what I’m worried about. What if it is Jase trying to reach out to me somehow?"
    Trouble didn’t have an answer, and they lapsed back into silence for the rest of the drive to the apartment complex where Dan Otabi lived. They up alongside a keypad at the gate. Trouble put on a pair of black leather gloves as she lowered her window with a mental command.
    "Hello, and welcome to Arlington Park Apartments," said a smooth, synthesized voice from the hidden speakers. "Please enter your residential code or the apartment number of the person you are visiting."
    Trouble tapped some numbers into the keypad. A tone sounded from the speakers, and the voice said, "Thank you. Mr. Otabi’s apartment is number 308, second building on your left. Please enjoy your visit." The gate