Chapter 208

Take a taxi?

Intelligence officers aren't authorized to mobilize the company's various transport deployed locally, so why still take a taxi?

"." Leon wore a rather serious expression, which truly confused Shirley, not knowing what to say or how to ask.

"You'll find out soon, come with me."

Seeing Shirley's confusion, Leon didn't explain but pulled his suitcase and walked toward the taxi.

"All right... sir." Shirley followed Leon.

As the two approached, the taxi driver, sporting a full beard and wrapped in a headscarf, got out of the car on his own.

The driver first opened the trunk, then walked toward Leon and Shirley, booming with a hearty laugh that emphasized his Middle Eastern accent:

"Oh~! Dear friends, welcome to Mars City! Come! Beautiful lady, let me help you!"

Saying that, the driver enthusiastically helped Shirley take her suitcase, retracted the handle, and placed it in the trunk.

After that, the driver prepared to help Leon.

But Leon lightly laughed and shook his head, indicating he'd do it himself, then placed his luggage in the trunk as well.

Next, the three of them got into the car.

The driver started the engine, left hand on the steering wheel, right elbow on the armrest, and smilingly asked Leon in the passenger seat and Shirley in the back:

"You two must be first-time visitors to Mars, right?"

"Yeah." Leon gazed out the window at the city, feigning a very eager expression, and said to the driver:

"My sister and I saved up some money, bought tickets during a discount to tour all colonies in the Solar System, and intend to personally experience the local environment."

"Oh~!" the driver exclaimed, realizing: "You two are colonists responding to the call, am I right?"

"I suppose so, after all the benefits are too tempting, and the competition pressure on Earth is too great, heh... " Leon laughed, scratching the back of his head.

"I understand, I understand." The driver nodded repeatedly and, "sincerely," gave a recommendation:

"In that case, I suggest you two go to Natalie Hotel in District 13; the rooms are spacious, the surrounding environment is nice, and mentioning my name to the owner gets you a discount."

"I've heard there are many apartments for sale nearby; if you ultimately decide to settle on Mars, you might even be able to pick out your ideal home in advance."

"That's really too kind; honestly, we're a bit clueless, so we'll go to Natalie Hotel!" Leon also "sincerely" thanked.

"All right!"

Having received an affirmative answer, the driver's spirits rose even higher, he turned on the meter, and drove everyone away from the curb toward the western end of the domed city, District 13.

"Young man, let me tell you, this is District 2, everywhere are tax-free shops, and over there is the food court…"

The taxi cruised along the wide streets; whenever passing a landmark building or entering a new district, the driver would give an introduction.

Leon, likewise talkative, chimed in, asking about each district's characteristics, or otherwise inquiring whether there had been any major news in the colony recently.

"…"

Shirley, sitting in the back seat, watching Leon chatting happily with the driver, involuntarily opened her mouth slightly and widened her eyes a bit to show her current surprise.

Because Leon seemed to be making small talk, he had actually already gathered a general overview of Mars City's recent situation, and also asked the driver what kinds of people inhabit each district and what noteworthy matters there are.

Shirley never expected that taking a taxi could yield such a haul; what she saw before her eyes had never been taught to her on Minos Island.

Otherwise, Leon would have been hailed as a legend by the company's entire intelligence staff.

Within the central domed city district, there are far fewer vehicles than in Earth's major cities, traffic flows smoothly, so within half an hour the driver had brought them to the western end of District 13.

Looking out the window, Shirley felt she had been "deceived."

Because District 13 is not as pleasant an environment as the driver claimed; on the contrary, it is mostly compact apartment buildings, one right after another.

Even the green belts along the streets are sparser than in other districts, and the sidewalks have many small clusters of people gathered in groups of three or five.

Even as a newcomer just out of her apprenticeship, Shirley could tell that those clusters of people were likely local gang members, indirectly indicating that the security in District 13 is not good.

At that moment, the vehicle stopped in front of a low-rise building resembling a motel.

On one side of the building, a holographic billboard displayed a pink-glowing bunny-eared girl, along with the slogan "Natalie welcomes all foreign guests."

The car came to a stop.

"Young man, that comes to thirty-four credits, but seeing how we get along, let's make it thirty!"

The driver remained in that warm, hospitable manner, switching the meter's number to thirty, completely disregarding District 13's true state.

"Thank you so much!"

Leon did the same, taking out his phone, only slightly thicker than a bank card, tapping it against the meter's magnetic sensor, and gladly paid thirty credits.

"Refreshing! Young man, if you have anything else, just ask me directly, haha!"

The driver laughed heartily, got out again to help Leon and Shirley retrieve their luggage, even assisting them in carrying it into the hotel lobby before bidding them farewell.

Immediately afterward, the two approached the front desk.

From the overly plump proprietress with a Russian accent, they checked into two single rooms and settled into the Natalie Hotel.

Soon after.

After packing their luggage, the two left the hotel and headed to a nearby eatery; Shirley couldn't help but admire Leon:

"Sir, I never expected that just one taxi ride would give you intelligence on the Mars colony, and incidentally net you a potential informant."

"Not bad, it seems you've already learned the essence of taking a taxi." Leon nodded.

Over more than ten years of taxi experience, Leon not only learned how to haggle, but also discovered that the bits of information held by taxi drivers are often more reliable than the local police station, making them ideal for developing into a local intelligence network.

For instance, just now the driver earned a commission from the hotel owner for bringing in customers, while Leon gained local intelligence—a win‑win.

"So, sir, did you voluntarily give up the company's provided transportation convenience?" Shirley asked curiously.

Upon hearing that,

Leon's face flashed a fleeting embarrassment, but he quickly recovered, nodded slightly as if not denying it, and changed the subject by saying:

"After we finish eating, I'll introduce you to which professions are suitable for posing as intelligence personnel; my recommendation is the colony's security officers, i. e., the police, but that's for you to decide."

"Tonight, first rest to shake off the Mars‑Earth time difference, then tomorrow you submit a transportation request to the company."

You are about to become an official intelligence officer; it's time to let you know what kind of people are stationed at Phobos, and if in the future Mars encounters high-risk anomalous organisms, they will be your backing.

After that, I will take you to Deimos, which is the territory of UEG and UNSC, and also an important dock and defense line within the Solar System.

"Yes, sir." Shirley nodded.

(End of chapter)