June 1992

  His friend had heard about the medical break through named from its science fiction counter part, cybernetics. Now, Ramon Garcia was also interested in finding out what he could about it. To repce a part of a human being with a mechanical component could be very profitable. If not beneficial. One could, say, repce muscle tissue with micro fiber, making the person stronger. All the while keeping it hidden from view. His mind goes back to the old television show. The Six Million Dolr Man.

  He pushes a button on his phone. “Stinger, Twins. Come in here.” He leans back in his luxurious office chair. Three young women enter his office and line up in front of his desk, at attention.

  “Yes, sir!” They say in unison. One has blond hair tied back in a tight ponytail, bright green eyes and shorter than the other two. The Twins are from Japan, not wholly identical but close enough. They also stood six feet tall. Very few Japanese women that he knew were that tall…and twins. All three are exceptionally beautiful. Garcia would settle for nothing less than the best. An average to ugly assassin would be useless to him, no matter the level of training. Not for his kind of international jobs.

  “I’m thinking of pnning a trip to New York. Tailorton, New York to be exact. I will need you three to go ahead of me.” He writes an address on a piece of paper and shoves it across the desk. Stinger takes the paper and pockets it. “You will go to this address. Keep to the shadows. I want observation, no interference. You will be ghosts. Understand.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  “Good. I will call you when I have your travel arrangements. You may have free time until then. Dismissed.”

  “Thank you, sir!” They say with a tone of happiness in their voices. They bow, turn, and leave. Garcia had thought of a salute the girls could do, but thought it would be too silly seeing them do it every time. Having them simply bow was good enough. If they even did that. So long as they obeyed their orders, all was well.

  Having time for themselves was always good to keep morale in check. But not too much. Too much and they begin to think freely. Can’t have that.

  Garcia calls in another of his girls. Autumn. She comes in and stands at attention. A red head who was good as a personal assistant. Not as adept at fighting, but could hold her own when needed. All his girls had their strengths and weaknesses, which was good. It means he could get more things done at once.

  “I need you to order three pne tickets for Stinger and the Twins. From here to the closest airport to Tailorton, New York. Make it the next avaible flight.”

  “Yes, sir!” Autumn says quickly and firmly.

  “I will then take my private jet there afterward. Make sure it is ready when I need it.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  “That is all. Dismissed.”

  Autumn turns and leaves.

  Now, the call to Mr. Starinski. So busy all the time! At least he had his private number, and wouldn’t have to go through his attendants to reach him.

  “Hello?” Starinski’s Russian accent was prominent.

  “Mr. Starinski, it’s me Ramon.”

  “Ah, Mr. Garcia. How are you, comrade.”

  “I am doing well. Great, in fact. I have just made arrangements to go to Tailorton, New York, to investigate TalCorp’s new breakthrough.”

  “Yes, the cybernetic repcement. I heard about it over the news line. How, may I ask, are you going about it?”

  “I’m sending three of my girls over on the next commercial flight. They‘re to keep a low profile. Then I will go over in my private jet once I have confirmation of their arrival. I will have them under surveilnce for a while.”

  “Hmm, good, good. And this is the same company that destroyed Director Hariman’s b?”

  “Yes, the same people who run TalCorp destroyed his b and took off with his research.”

  “I see. And the boy?”

  “No word. He’s completely vanished, as has the Director’s assistant. I believe she may be hiding out in another country.”

  “Well, Mr. Garcia, I trust you’ll take care of this little matter. Keep me up to date on your findings.”

  “I will. Adios.”

  He hangs up and sits back in his chair. Where could they have gone? He shakes his head on the matter. The Director was an idiot after all.

  He pushes the button on his phone. “Get me Precious.” Since he had some time before he left, he might as well have some free time for himself.

  A short young woman enters his office. Only four foot five, she was the shortest and smallest of the Hive. Garcia held a special pce in himself for her. Her pixie like features made her, not only a master of getting into tight spaces like air conditioning ducts and past security, but people underestimated her. She could kill you in over a hundred different ways. It was also good she was the most obedient.

  Garcia stands up and walks to the door to his private bed chambers. He opens it and motions for her to go in. She obeys and walks in. She undresses as he closes the door. It’s good to be him.