Chapter 356: Just Browsing
Jace walked around to the entrance of the cafe the kidnappers were leaving through. He slowed down as he watched them exit the cafe. Jace followed them toward the transit station. As he did he looked at his communication device on his wrist.
He tapped a few buttons. Then the duo a few feet in front of him unknowingly had their devices hacked. He could now use them as listening devices. He could also use them as a tracking device or even make it explode if that was what he decided.
But for now he would just use them to track these kidnappers. But first he needed to know they were going to head right back to their comrades. Which meant he had to track them to the transit station and then interfere in one of their attempts.
As he followed them to the station he realized his plan would be a bit harder than he initially thought it would be. Not because of the pair of serial kidnappers that were only a few feet in front of him. But because of the pair of people who were discreetly following either him or the kidnappers from the other side of the street. It would have been too obvious if they followed them from behind. Although as Victorium they were still incredibly distinctive and stood out.
The serial kidnappers had fortunately not noticed them yet as they walked up to the transit station and Jace followed them. They stopped just inside at a set of vending machines for some food. But Jace walked past them going toward the platform. He looked at the clock near the track and then moved to a bench and sat down.
It was roughly fifteen minutes before the next transport arrived. So he closed his eyes and listened. Picking out the voices of the kidnappers. They were discussing snacks first then they walked out onto the platform and looked around.
"Looks like there aren’t any transit officers or police today. Should we go and get changed into a uniform?" One of them asked the other.
"Might as well, we have the time and we would blend in more easily. Let’s head to the bathroom and get changed. You put the uniforms back after last time?" The other responded.
"Yeah, they ain’t clean. But they’ll do the job." The first one responded. Now that he could see them he could tell them apart. The first one was a bit more round at the midsection like he had a beer belly. Definitely not a nanohuman.
The second one was fit and definitely went to the academy. But he was probably a wannabe forced dropout. Meaning he probably went to the military academy but failed to keep up and was tested out which would have also disqualified him from a higher level of education. Then he clearly failed to pick up a trade since he started working as a criminal. He had an oily black mustache and bleach blonde hair.
He listened as they moved back into the building next to the platform and then went into the bathroom. Making sure it was empty before they opened a secret compartment somewhere inside and then began changing.
Jace caught sight of an accer further down the platform on one side. On the other was someone that looked like a human. But Jace sniffed the air and could pick up an odd scent he could not quite place. That other person, who was definitely not human, was soaked in the scent. He caught one looking at him and sighed.
They must have noticed him leaving the open market place and decided he was suspicious enough. Although they would know better soon enough. As he quietly waited he listened to the other people who were waiting for the transport.
They began accumulating over time with fourteen other people showing up as well. Most of them were a variation on humans. With a few Woltar and Leonair sprinkled among them. There was also a few ola and an accer. As the transport began arriving, Jace stood up and he picked up both Victorium soldiers on either side of the platform tensing.
But Jace ignored them and flinched for a moment as the tracks screeched loudly. He could even see some sparking coming from the track near the roof as it stopped. That was somewhat terrifying.
The doors opened and a number of people came out of the transport leaving around a few people in the transport car. Jace stepped on and moved to a standing section since there was a chance there would not be enough seats. He then grabbed the swinging handle and stayed still as he listened. Focused on the kidnappers.
"Leaving Waterways Market Station. Next stop: Parker’s Drive." A robotic voice announced before the doors closed and then the transport began moving.
"What are you thinking?" The beer bellied man asked as he hobbled behind his friend as they walked from the rear window and went toward the other side. They were looking at all of the occupants. But because they were in transport police uniforms their actions were not unusual or out of place.
But Jace knew they were essentially browsing what was possible so they could pick what they wanted. The mustache man stopped and whispered to the other one. "Found them, a woman and her child. Both should be good. Looks like they are coming back from a shopping trip. We can get them at the next stop. Parker’s Drive is abandoned at this time of the day. We can grab them then have the others pick us up in a van."
Well that was not going to happen. But Jace could still feel the soldiers following him. They might end up being a big problem if they jumped him before he could jump the kidnappers. They might even end up capturing them. Jace was well aware how effective they were, but that was not what he needed. He would have to lose them at the next station.
A last second departing should work.