Alina Herrero is the daughter of Nathan Herrero a
brilliant journalist who was renown for exposing criminality and corruption.
And, predictably, he disappeared – presumed dead. She reaches out to Eyes Only to
try and find out what really happened to her father – plucking both Logan’s
heart strings (as liberal warrior for the people) and Max’s (who knows what it’s
like to have unanswered questions about missing family)
Matt Sung, Logan’s police contact can’t touch it simply
because Herrero exposed so many cops in his time no-one was willing to
investigate it and they buried the files (they also have a brilliant conversation
about being on the take and more natural, easy exposition of the corruption in
the police force). Of course he knows where the files are – and Max is a very
accomplished thief, albeit not a subtle one with her cutting a swath through
the guards.
The files show that there was a contract out on his head –
but that he disappeared 3 days before it happened, reported missing by his
housekeeper who found signs of a struggle. Since she disappeared, Logan checks
up on her and finds she can somehow afford to buy a flat – suspecting she was
paid off and involved it’s time to get Max to install a bug and go spying. She
finds the housekeeper – with Nathan Herrero.
Logan meets with him and arranges to set up a meeting with Alina – but Logan is less than pleased. So many journalists faked their own death – Logan as well – to escape reprisals, but he can’t understand Herrero no longer working on cases, he’s given up journalism to be with Rebecca. At Max’s urging (never having known her family), Alina agrees to see him
And his home blows up – killing Nathan Herrero and
Rebecca. Logan puts 2 and 2 together –
Alina goes to see him and he dies soon after. Max tracks her down, snarks
wonderfully – and ends up spilling most of the money Alina was paid.
Logan receives a package – a disk containing information
to bring down Lansworth – who is running for police commissioner. Herrero sent
it before being killed, with a note: “All that is necessary for the triumph of
evil…”
Closer to home, around the office it’s odd that Sketchy
seems to have plenty of money to go around, while everyone else is constantly
broke. It turns out he’s been delivering suspect packages for criminals across
the city – using his Jam Pony license to get through the various sector police
checkpoints. Except when trying to impress a girl with his bike skills (though Original
Cindy has already staked her claim) he ends up dropping the package.
Original Cindy, naturally, mocks him for his predicament
and Herbal’s philosophy is little in the way of comfort. Sketch decides to talk
to the gangsters about the problem… Who are, unsurprisingly, unsympathetic and,
after slapping him around, they want their money back within 36 hours – and left
him hanging naked for Original Cindy and Max to find.
Naturally Max and Cindy have to rescuer poor Sketchy – so
they dress up to the nines as strippers and go to mobster’s casino to play ditz
(extremely well) – and win a lot of money using Max’s genetics to predict the
numbers at roulette and playing poker (losing until Max gets a chance to deal).
Of course, the mobsters want to get their money back afterwards – but Max (and
Original Cindy) are not easily taken down.
Sketch is saved, again – and Max makes it clear he has
used up his favours now. (Which doesn’t stop Sketchy suggesting Max help him
fleece casinos)
The Mantecore flashbacks are really impressive by how
much they manage to cram in a short, minute long clip if that. One flashback
showing the kids bewildered and curious about a happy birthday balloon –
showing they’d never seen a balloon and never had birthdays – kicking the
guard, showing them becoming more dangerous and difficult to control as they
were taught more combat skills – and Donald Lydecker able to control them with
a look.
And I liked Max’s squeamishness about guns – even as a
genetically engineered killing machine, since she saw her sister shot during the
escape, she won’t use guns.
The debate about Herrero giving up the cause was
wonderfully meaty. Is it selling out to want a life? Is it selling out to want
to be safe? To want your family to be safe? But if everyone gives up then what
happens? Yet again, isn’t it easy to say for Logan who, despite the violence
against him, ultimately is a very rich, well connected man who is more
insulated from reprisals than man he is judging for giving up. There’s a lot of
angles to it.
