“We’re close” Leyland said, looking at the car’s map on the HUD. “You just memorized it? The guide isn’t talking.” Sol asked, “Yeah, that’s how dark net meet ups go. You know the Court keeps a track of these things don’t you?”Sol’s memory shifts a decade back, to her University days. One of her friends was a Court Orphan.
Based on how smart he was, the guy was on track to become an Arbiter. Given the dread silence she received from him. It was safe to say he probably was.
“
Sol’s head had begun to clear by now, but still Leyland was driving. The two reviewed a few profiles of their little destination. Fringe Zones were entire city sections, filled with abandoned factories, ruined out shopping malls and even the rubble of entire residential blocks. Needless to say, in an overpopulated city like the Pacific Capital. The desperate and the outcasts tended to gravitate towards such places despite the constant flooding and the general neglect. Sergio Spiredeck’s east road was a steady downward drive that headed straight to Fringe Zone 26
Leyland wasted no time, pulling up a map on their synced huds. Their AR glasses lit up as they entered the compound. Scanners showed nothing, life signs. Tech symbols and a few hazard warnings for a gas tank or two lying around. The pair paid good money for them, a hefty upgrade for their ocular implants.The compound, like the rest of the little community was a wreck. Scattered garbage, ruined crates and scrap waste hauled from the floodzones. It looked lived in. At least it was supposed to be, cooking equipment, dining tables. Scattered slippers, the sight of food left cooking .But, it was empty.
The hologram snaked around the spire’s base. Bristling as it blared the consumerist propaganda upon the mesmerized masses above and below. Despite the rather oppressive symbolism that the holograms represented, there was an undeniable charm to their presence. Bright animated lights, dancing with writhing expression as they drew in the subconscious mindset of the city’s tired population.
Ymir pulled the trigger, releasing the ammo in quick short burts. He recited the mantra in his head. “Aim, squeeze fast, keep short.” A bullet landed on a target, the body pushed by the first. Was ended by other five that landed on his head. The kid rested behind the barricade, adrenaline was now leaving his body, sweat had caked his clothes and were now stinging his eyes.He wip
The Enforcer Pods landed with a rather offputting sense of grace. Their metal feet trudging with gentle care as they unlatched their weapons from their circular bulk.“Arbiter. We are awaiting commands.” The 10 foot tall war machine grumbled with i
The Arbiter had moved deeper into the avenue. In his wake, he had left many dead, dying or subdued. He had gone through two clips and his trigger finger had felt the quiet sting of fatigue. H-6 prayed for the gang’s surrender, but a few were still rallying their defiance. He caught a glimpse of them, through the sensor saturated blanket of his war visor. Older gangers would wave their weapons in blatant defiance, using their innate charisma and leadership to rally the younger ones back into the fight.That
“Weather report, 90% humidity, 30 degrees celsius, 100% chance of rain. REDACT previous Rain report. 100% Chance of a Rainstorm. Wind speeds at 20 Kilometers. Have a safe patrol Arbiter H-6.” The AI’s hologram dissipated, leaving the already dimly lit room in total darkness. The Arbiter stood by the window, staring down onto the city below him. Domed Arcologies sat peacefully against the raging elements while the smaller riverslums and platformed spires dotted the surroundings with holographic advertisements snaking across their malformed architecture.
There was a tinge of familiarity, he knew some of these men. They were private security, deputized to protect the property owners within this sector. “Arbiter H-6!” One of them waved his hand at him, he wore a plain leather jacket and brandished his badge at Arbiter whose scowl was apparent even through the dim evening. H-6 had scanned all available identities, the one greeting him was a certain Security Agent Hyram Veers of the Ejercito Megacorp, an individual he did regularly screen during his patrols. “I have this under control Arbiter, no need to worry” he said smiling amidst the unlawful arrest occurring behind him. H-6 wasn’t fooled, no Arbiter had sanctioned the arrest and every one of the assailants were registered Private Security who were out of uniform and operating outside of their shifts. The syst
The Arbiter had moved deeper into the avenue. In his wake, he had left many dead, dying or subdued. He had gone through two clips and his trigger finger had felt the quiet sting of fatigue. H-6 prayed for the gang’s surrender, but a few were still rallying their defiance. He caught a glimpse of them, through the sensor saturated blanket of his war visor. Older gangers would wave their weapons in blatant defiance, using their innate charisma and leadership to rally the younger ones back into the fight.That
The Enforcer Pods landed with a rather offputting sense of grace. Their metal feet trudging with gentle care as they unlatched their weapons from their circular bulk.“Arbiter. We are awaiting commands.” The 10 foot tall war machine grumbled with i
Ymir pulled the trigger, releasing the ammo in quick short burts. He recited the mantra in his head. “Aim, squeeze fast, keep short.” A bullet landed on a target, the body pushed by the first. Was ended by other five that landed on his head. The kid rested behind the barricade, adrenaline was now leaving his body, sweat had caked his clothes and were now stinging his eyes.He wip
The hologram snaked around the spire’s base. Bristling as it blared the consumerist propaganda upon the mesmerized masses above and below. Despite the rather oppressive symbolism that the holograms represented, there was an undeniable charm to their presence. Bright animated lights, dancing with writhing expression as they drew in the subconscious mindset of the city’s tired population.
Leyland wasted no time, pulling up a map on their synced huds. Their AR glasses lit up as they entered the compound. Scanners showed nothing, life signs. Tech symbols and a few hazard warnings for a gas tank or two lying around. The pair paid good money for them, a hefty upgrade for their ocular implants.The compound, like the rest of the little community was a wreck. Scattered garbage, ruined crates and scrap waste hauled from the floodzones. It looked lived in. At least it was supposed to be, cooking equipment, dining tables. Scattered slippers, the sight of food left cooking .But, it was empty.
Sol’s head had begun to clear by now, but still Leyland was driving. The two reviewed a few profiles of their little destination. Fringe Zones were entire city sections, filled with abandoned factories, ruined out shopping malls and even the rubble of entire residential blocks. Needless to say, in an overpopulated city like the Pacific Capital. The desperate and the outcasts tended to gravitate towards such places despite the constant flooding and the general neglect. Sergio Spiredeck’s east road was a steady downward drive that headed straight to Fringe Zone 26
“We’re close” Leyland said, looking at the car’s map on the HUD. “You just memorized it? The guide isn’t talking.” Sol asked, “Yeah, that’s how dark net meet ups go. You know the Court keeps a track of these things don’t you?”Sol’s memory shifts a decade back, to her University days. One of her friends was a Court Orphan. Based on how smart he was, the guy was on track to become an Arbiter. Given the dread silence she received from him. It was safe to say he probably was. “
“Iha, you ok?” Leyland’s words didn’t register into Sol’s brain till some five seconds had passed, Her processes had effectively turned into mush and her vision was reading the overbearing weight of reality. It was as if she couldn’t comprehend the world outside of a dream, or for a more accurate description. She felt like she was still in a dream. “I don’t think so” She mumbled, before wolfing down the plate of meat and rice in front of her. The dish was called tapsilog, like most things in the Pacific Capital. It was a remnant of the long dead Philippine nation. The term was a combina
“Room 19 Euro-African fusion” the signboard stood out against the rest, a mixture of colors meant perhaps to represent the goal of the classroom. The smells that came out was a mix of spices that seemed fit for the respective class that was soon ending. The door swung open and out marched the city’s culinary future. With their aprons folded and their equipment in tow. H-6 spotted the Tiago-Villalobos amidst the sea of white and black. “Ronaldo Tiago-Villalobos” he called, the students halted and turned at the armored man behind them. Sheepishly, one raised his. “Ye-s Arbiter?” Ronaldo stammered as he approached H-6. “Citizen, do you need to be somewhere?”