Blockade Runner

“Operator.”
   “What do you have for me today.”
   “There’s a bunch of extractions that need escort. Saved some just for you.”
   “Not today, my good man, not today. What else you got?”
   “Uh… hang on, let me check.” Keys clicked loudly on the other end of the line. “Ok, here’s something. We need to get a file through to some operatives on assignment, it’s a server password to a mainframe they can’t crack. But there’s a squad of Exiles between you and them. If they don’t get into that mainframe, people could die. Really die. You up for it?”
   “Just send it down. I’ll get it there. Protecting a file in my pocket has got to be easier than shepherding clueless bluepills.”
   “Its on the way. Good luck.”
   “Thanks.”
________________________________________________________________________

Shinjuku looked deserted. He new better. Just because there wasn’t anyone on the main streets didn’t mean the neighborhood was empty. He gathered himself and leaped to the rooftops.

Bad decision. The squad of Jade Moon runners opened fire before he had even landed. He didn’t feel like finding out how much lead his body could hold, so he threw himself off the building. It was a rough landing, but better than being shot.

Staying to the main streets, he made his way to the building where the team was waiting for him and the password he carried. He wondered to himself who designed these buildings. They never seemed to have doors that opened on the street. He peeked around the corner. Sure enough, more Jade Moon were cooling their heels in the courtyard. And something worse…

A haiku is a lovely piece of poetry. Five syllables, then seven, then five again. But that’s not the kind of haiku he saw in the courtyard.

Guarded by exiles
Their leader is named Haiku
I’m going to die

“Fuck it.” He threw himself around the corner and sprinted for the door. Bullets ripped into his body. He dodged and weaved through the crowd as they tried to pull him into combat. Only a fool would fight someone one on one in this melee. He was bleeding badly and his feet were slowing, and just then Haiku stepped in front of him. With all he had left he hurled himself skyward. As he plummeted back to earth, bullets whizzing by as he fell, his diagnostic systems sent him a friendly, if morbid, message.

“Warning: death is imminent.”

“Piss off.”

He hit the ground running and barreled through the door. He slammed it behind him as bullets tore into the thick wood. He was catching his breath when he heard a chuckle behind him. He didn’t even bother to look. He propelled his battered body toward the elevator. The building had 13 floors. If he could keep them out of his elevator, they would waste time finding him. Time he needed to recover. He rolled to his feet in the elevator, smoothly drawing his sub-machine gun. A blast of fire took one exile in the chest and had the others scrambling for cover. He smiled as the elevator doors closed.