Watcher in the Window Part 14

Rachel sits in the darkness of her safehouse and sulks while glancing at her sidearm. Her mind goes over the events that transpired and struggles to determine why she failed to fire.
“I’ve failed in my mission. 4086 is still alive because I failed to pull the trigger.”
Her musing turn to rage as she lashes out with her right hand punching a hole into the wall. Briefly she glances at the splinters stuck in her fist before pulling them out one at a time. Her wounds mend almost instantly as her enhanced healing kicks in to repair the minor damage. Flexing her fingers as she muses over her upbringing and training.
“Master Yamashita would flog me for such a dereliction of duties. “
Standing up she walks over to a small wooden case sitting on the table. Her fingers glide across the dark cherry wood of the box. Unclasping the locks she opens it to reveal a black leather cat o nine tails sitting on plush red velvet. Taking off her tee shirt she grasps the handle of the wicked tool. Kneeling she raises the tool so that the lashes dangle mere inches in front of her face.
“The price of failure is paid in blood.”
She mutters as she flings the lashes backward over and over. The harsh sounds of leather striking skin is replaced by the sounds of leather slapping a liquid covered surface. With each blow the skin on Rachel’s back tears causing rivulets of blood to splatter around the room. Meanwhile from the torn skin rivers of blood flow down her as she remains expressionless. with reverence she takes the implement and places it back into its case and begins to go through the Kuji-in.

“Rin, Pyo, To, Sha...”
After completing five iterations her body’s healing process has already repaired the worst of the damage she had inflicted. Finishing with her reflection on the past events Rachel stands slowly and stretches. Stepping into the shower she scrubs the blood and dead skin from her body. Finishing up she towels dry and sits at the meager table in the kitchen. The ringing of her cell phone immediately grabs her attention. With a puzzled expression on her face she looks at the incoming number. Suddenly she realizes that it is Talia’s number and hesitates to press the answer button. Finally after the fourth ring she answers the phone.
“Hello Talia.”
“Hey Jen, wanted to see if you are up for lunch or not.”
Rachel shakes her head and realizes how long she spent punishing herself and then meditating after looking the wall clock.
“Ah sure, where do you want to meet?”
“Depends on what you are in the mood for really. I know a few nice places.”
“I’m up for anything really. Would be nice to do a sidewalk cafe.”
“Oh really? I know just the place. It’d just down the street from the Bloody Rose. It’s called Julia’s and they have decent mix of food ranging from Asian to Mediterranean.”
“Sounds good, what time should we meet up?”
“I was thinking around 1 or so. I don’t need to be back at the Rose till 8 so we can sit and chill.”
“Okay I’ll meet you there.”
“See ya Jen.”
Rachel hangs up the phone and sighs heavily. Realizing now that the reason she hesitated to fire was due to the fact she did not want to lose her new found friend Talia. Killing 4086 would no doubt force her to leave the area never to see Talia again. For the first time in her life she is unsure of what she should do. Giving up on her quest for vengeance would cause her to lose purpose in life.
“Even if I kill 4086 what will I do afterwards. It’s not like I can stay here afterwards with 4099 in the area. But something tells me that Talia’s group could possibly protect me from the Tanaka Corp.”
With a casual shrug Rachel begins to get ready for her lunch date with Talia.

The cab pulls up to Julia’s Restaurant and Rachel immediately looks for any indications of a potential trap. The hustle and bustle of South street continues even during the normal working day as Salarymen head to and from meetings and lunch dates. A pair of Dragon Corp troopers in urban uniforms stand on the corner conversing with their Forseti Police counterparts. Small knots of teens move in and out of the shops chattering amongst themselves. Rachel sees Talia standing by the door of Julia’s smiling as always. Wearing a black sundress that shows off her toned and shapely form adding to her simple yet elegant look. Talia’s long black hair hanging loosely while pleasantly framing her face which lights up happily when she sees Rachel getting out of the cab. Talia embraces Rachel happily and the smile on her faces grows.
“I am so glad you could make it, Jen.”
“Yeah me too.”
“So let’s go in and we can talk over lunch.”
“Sure thing.”
The pair walk into the restaurant and the hostess seats them at a table on the balcony overlooking the busy street. The waitress brings over their meals and Rachel idly picks at her plate. With a concerned look Talia grabs her hand.
“You okay, Boo?”
“Just things have been hectic and not sure how long I can stay in the area to be honest.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m just not sure how to explain this all really.”
“Just say it, you know you can tell me anything.”
“Okay, I’m not a business woman like I told you originally. I’m a corporate solo operative. Well I was until I managed to free myself.”
“What brought you to the club then? Scoping out a target?”
“Honestly yes I was. This is the hard part.”
“Who was the target!?”
“My target wasn’t sanctioned by the corp. My target was personal, it was someone I wanted to kill since their defection from the corp.”
“WHO WAS THE FUCKING TARGET!”
“I changed my mind on the target. I couldn’t do it because quite honestly I didn’t want to lose you as a friend.”
Talia’s face becomes a mask of seriousness as her agitation grows.
“Tell me know Jen who the fuck you were going to kill. If Jen is even your fucking real name.”
“Talia, please listen to me. This is difficult for me. I never been around anyone that actually cared enough to befriend me.”
“Well for starters you can answer my question. Who are you really and who were you going to kill!”
“My name is Rachel serial 4071 from the Tanaka Corporation Neo Genesis Program. I was going to kill Wolfe. He was in the same training series as I was. When 4086 and the other defectors left those of us who were left behind suffer for it.”
“Wait you’re the person Wolfe told me about. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t just call him and tell him where you are so he can deal with you once and for all.”
Tears start to roll down Rachel’s cheeks as stares down at her plate.
“I told you I changed my mind and you were the reason for it.”
“Oh right I am supposed to believe you after you lied to me. Wolfe told me a few stories about how you were all trained.”
“I left last night with the goal of shooting Wolfe and killing him. I had him lined up for a shot but I couldn’t fire. I couldn’t shoot because I knew I’d be betraying you.”

“Wish I could believe you. I really do but I’m not sure how to handle this. By rights I should be calling our security people and having them deal with you.”
“I understand, I lied to you and ruined any chance at having you as friend now that I told the truth.”
“What did you think would happen? You used me to get information on a close friend of mine so you could kill him.”
“But I didn’t kill him. I didn’t want to risk losing your friendship.”
“Rachel, all I can say is you need to go. Don’t come to the club and don’t go near Wolfe. I have to tell him about you and what you look like. “
“If it makes any difference I’m sorry. When you called to invite me to lunch I knew I had to be on the level with you about everything.”
“Just walk away now, Rachel. Walk away before I have to do something we both regret.”
With a sullen nod Rachel stands up. Talia does her best to keep her stern composure as Rachel turns and walks out of the restaurant. Talia watches as Rachel slowly walks down the street in a near daze. Waiting till she is no longer in line of sight Talia pulls out her cell phone and begins to dial.

“How’s my favorite lesbian that loves to get me in trouble.”
“Wolfe, this is a serious call. Remember what you told me the other night about why that girl from the Tanaka Corp came to see you?”
“Yeah about a ball of pms induced rage that wants to kill me.”
“Well we need to talk tonight at the Rose.”
“Ummm Robin banned me from there after you and the other girls decided to dime me out.”
“She’ll make an exception this time. Be there around eight tonight.”
“Sure thing but you care to tell me what this is about?”
“Rachel, it is about her. Either way see you there.”
Talia hangs up the phone and holds it against her head contemplatively. A few brief moments pass before she pays the check and departs. In her mind she debates on if what she did was the right thing as she comes up to the entrance of the Bloody Rose.