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
Seven perpetrators, all Private Security operating out of their territory. The victim, the son of an influential member of the Old Nobility that ran most of the Corps property at the Cebu Dome, the location of the crime was a platform block held by two corporations that had no interest with the politics of Cebu Dome. Or at least it seemed. It didn’t take long for him to finish the burrito, giving a low wave to the Cardos stall owner before igniting the Helium Banks in his bike as he flew off towards one of the Arbiter’s holding towers. By now, most Arbiters would have been shutting down at the Herald for their sanctioned rest periods, but H-6 had a sleep implant that allowed him to hold back fatigue for a significant amount of time before needing actual rest. He could feel the balancing of chemicals flow
Solus calls in another can of coffee to process Leyland’s update, Carlson Wade was a big fish, hell he was a whale compared to the other fixers that ran the East 26 Dome. “Alright, you said yes did you? She inquired “Told him I’d ask you first” “Alright, I’ll do the talking. Meet me at the street by Tess’ Grill” “Way ahead of you, the Impala has new wheels by the way” “Let me drive” “In your dreams Solus” Once Leyland cut off, Solus didn’t waste any time getting ready. A shower would take too long, a simple vapor cleanse would have to do. She quickly realized that it’d been a full week since she’s had a proper shower. Ev
The two had driven towards a parking lot behind one of the residential blocks. Despite the clamor of tenants heading to and from their cars, and the ever present blaring of Identity scanning advertisement holoboard, said parking lot counted as quiet in this part of the city. “Ready?” Sol asked Leyland whose hand was on the wheel, ready to zip away to wherever their prospect wanted to meet. Leyland flashed a thumbs up, prompting Sol to insert the comms chip to the slot on her head. Her implant connected smoothly, not a bite of feedback could be felt. Typical of Corpo high quality gear. In an instant, the video feed of a woman appeared, she wore the sleek black blazer made from some off world leather and a couple of expensive looking external implants “Who the fuck are you and how did you get this
Sol swears she feels a few bruises on the back of her head and her hand but lets it pass, “Had to check first if the chip was from us, Wade may be a good fixer but we do get fake chips every now and then. It’s Linda Ramos bye the way” She extends a hand, as if what had just transpired earlier was as simple as some mistaken theft of a missing ballpen. “Solus Valentine” she replies, taking the Corpo’s hand. “Since you came here in time and are legit. I need you to do something simple for me.” Linda pulls out another chip and hands it to Sol, the tiny silver frame held the faint image of a black and white crane with its wings outstretched. “We lost a runner bot some days ago over at District 8A, Level 1, 26D West. Tracker puts right at the hands of some 14K black market den. We need you to get it back for us, no heat.”
Turks was one of the few places that still sold real beef, you could tell it was because of the smell of the fat that dripped from the pita bread whenever you took a bite. The huge frozen carcass they cut their product also helped. But it also was a bit expensive, unlike the rest of the giant rat and algae fed crab meat that most of the masses paid only a few creds to eat. Beef was up in the hundreds even for a small bite, not that Sol and Leyl couldn’t afford it anyway. Despite the Base Level’s status as a low income district, people still came to Turk’s regularly. Cheap rent helped them save more perhaps. The restaurant was also situated at the second deck, atop an elevated platform some Ten stories from the mirings just below them.
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?”