Never deal with a Dragon

24

Sam awoke to find Dodger seated at the foot of the bed, staring at him. The Elf’s eyes were bloodshot and the unkempt appearance of his clothes was the result of extended wear more than an artful fashion sense. He had obviously been awake for a long time, which meant that Sam had been sleeping a long time.

“You were supposed to wake me.”

The Elf shrugged. “You needed the sleep.”

That had been true enough, but Sam felt rested now. “How long?”

“All night and most of the day.”

“What about you?”

“I needed the time.”

“You needed the sleep. You look like you’ve ridden a nightmare. I thought you Elves were supposed to be bundles of energy, day after day,”

“Guess I’m not old enough,” Dodger said flatly.

The Elf’s mood was too serious for Sam’s feeble jocularity to shake it. Dodger had even abandoned the archaic speaking patterns that he favored. Sam had only noticed that before when the Elf was seriously stressed or deep in technical details.

“Has something gone wrong?”

Dodger shook his head. “I want you to see a certain person.”

“Why? What’s happened?”

“I think he can be of help.”

“Dodger, you’re not answering my questions.”

The Elf tilted his head back, eyes staring vacantly at the ceiling. He sighed. “I do not have any answers. Only questions.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You”

Sam was already confused and now the Elf was making him more so. “You’re giving me a headache.”

“Your headaches are part of the issue.” Dodger leaned forward and stared directly into Sam’s eyes. “The pain and disorientation you feel when decking are not normal. Your implant is the best. The cyberware you’ve been using is flawless. Your thought processes are ordered and logical. In short, you have all the makings of a superb Matrix dancer, but for some reason, your icon limps. I suspect the answer lies within your psyche, but I am not qualified to deal with that. You need help with this problem, and I know someone who might be willing.

“You have set yourself a daunting task. Your enemies are ruthless, as you have already seen. To succeed, you must be able to rely without question on your own abilities. Therefore, you cannot afford to be less than perfect in mind.”

Did Dodger think he was crazy? Unhinged by his trials? “So you want me to see some friend of yours. He’s a doctor?”

“Among other things.”

“Another shadow.” Sam rubbed at the itchy stubble that was beginning to sprout on his chin. “You urge me to rely on myself while shoving me at strangers and suggesting that I put my head in their hands.”

“Enemies may come unbidden, but you must search for allies.”

“Platitudes, Dodger? What are you hiding behind them?”

Dodger said nothing for a moment, his Elven face still and suddenly alien. “I think you should see this person.”

Sam considered the Elf’s statement. Once more Dodger was avoiding a direct answer. He was surely hiding something. Whatever was behind Dodger’s mysterious manner, Sam sensed what he wanted to believe was a genuine concern. It might be mere wishful thinking, but, adrift in a sea of shadows, he needed such an anchor. Platitudes or not, it was true he needed allies. Could he afford to offend this one? “If I agree, what’s in it for your friend? And why are you, a shadowrunner, helping a corporate refugee? I’ve got a lot of questions, but I haven’t any credit.”

“We are not all as mercenary as Lady Tsung.” A slight hint of humor had crept in behind the stern mask, as though grimness were no longer necessary. Had Dodger divined that Sam had capitulated to his suggestion?

“But aren’t you part of her gang? I thought she was your boss.”

“ ’Tis true that the fair lady and I have worked together, but I am an independent operator. I have my own interests.”

Of course he did. No one who lived the shadow life ever seemed to be pursuing anything but his own interests. “And what are those interests here?”

“You are most persistent, Sir Corp. ‘Tis a sterling quality… sometimes.”

“I thought you changed my name, Dodger. And comments on the virtues, or vice, if you prefer, of my persistence won’t distract me.”

“Very well then, Sir Twist.” Dodger said, with a slight bow of his head. “Shall we say then that this circumstance offers me a way to discharge an old obligation to another?

“Your acceptance benefits others as well. The person whom I would have you meet will find your case of interest, and for him, that will likely be reward enough. You yourself gain. With this trip, you get out of the city and move onward to your goal. All this whilst your humble servant reduces an onerous burden.

“Everyone wins,” Dodger concluded, smiling.

“And the alternative?”

“Dost not bear thinking about.”

‘What choice do I have?”

“Always your own choice, of course.”

The Elf’s grin was beguiling, mischievous but friendly. Sam shook his head in bemusement and laughed. Once more events were tugging him forward, but this time the direction was positive. He would be going forward of his own will, toward his own goals. That was more control over his life than he’d had in a long time.

Despite Dodger’s flip comment, Sam had thought about the alternatives. Otherwise, a choice would be no choice. Though it was true that his need was forcing him toward it, he was armoring himself with his trust in Dodger’s sincerity and good will. If Dodger’s friend could make it easier to deck, then it would be easier for Sam to track down the murderers and bring them to justice. New as he was to shadowrunning, Sam knew that one did not throw away an advantage, however slim. Dealing with Dodger’s friend was a gamble, but it was a gamble that he would accept of his own free will. He stood up.

“Let’s go.”