Cyberpunk II 2786A.D. Las Vegas.

As soon as Nomad had been brought out of the cryo sleep he had not been the happiest man on the planet. The sickness was not a memory he enjoyed recalling. He'd only put his name down for this cyber cop so that he could get out as soon as possible and deal with the runts that put him there.

Before the brief they implanted him with nanites, but not ordinary nanites. They told him that because of his military background he was being injected with an experimental version. So far he had no problems with it. Thankfully.

Landing on Earth he watched as the people he'd travelled with started chatting profusely and pointing at the lights. He chuckled to himself as he looked at Fox who'd made her way some steps ahead. Her blazing red hair was right at home with all these bright colors of Vegas. The other one, Spencer, was standing beside him wearing dark sunglasses. If only he had a cigarette.

"Hey guys, I guess the basic game plan would be to do some jobs for the smaller gangs on the outskirts of Vegas, and hopefully get the attention of the higher up crime bosses. What do you think?"

Nomad nodded in solemn agreement . He was content to just follow whoever would lead, the shorter they were on this rotten planet the better.

 

Zu watched as everybody from the transport walked away from the area. He sighed and shook his head. Guess I'm on my own for this one, he thought. He thought about following them into the casino, but decided against it. If they wanted my help they would've asked. He keyed in the location of the upgrade shop and hailed a cab.

Minutes later he was standing outside the Über Geeky emporium. He walked inside, greeted by the electronic bells that announced his arrival. A fat man with glasses came out from the back room and greeted him.

"I'm Marty," he said and smiled. "How can I help you?"
"I'm here for a couple of upgrades," Zu replied.
Marty nodded. "To what?"
"My GPS system and audio system."
"Well come on back sir," Marty said and motioned for Zu to follow him back.

The back room had multiple reclining chairs in it and plenty of hook ups, wires, gizmos, and gadgets. Marty pointed to a chair for Zu to sit down in, which he did and opened up his panel.

"So what brings you to Las Vegas, Mr...?" Marty asked trying to goad Zu.
He didn't bite. "I'm looking for a job."
Marty nodded slowly. "And what is it you do?"
"I drive."
The fat man walked over holding a little pen like device.
"Oh a chauffeur," Marty said smiling putting the device in Zu's arm port. "Shouldn't be too hard to get a job doing that here."
"Not that kind of driving."
"I see," Marty replied. "Shouldn't be too hard getting a job doing that either."

Marty smiled and pressed the top of the device, sending Zu into darkness.

 

Pasha Boujinsky

Pasha kept thinking hard, confusion had set in. He couldn’t remember why he had gotten frozen, though, with his past it was obvious. Murder. That’s why he was here, there was no doubt. He’d killed hundreds over the years, and he had the scars and the memories of their last breaths to hold him to it. The thought of those last few drops of the chest, the feeling of their breath against his nose as he stared them in the eyes... if he left them any, that was. He couldn’t help but let out a giddy giggle, until he was quickly thrown back into reality.

“Idiot.” He heard Yuri mutter.

“What?” he said under his breath, “What did I do now?”

He heard his friend sigh, “Nothing.”

“But—“ he started.

"So my friends what a wonderful day to be free."

The words caught his ears and he couldn’t help but smile. He looked away, as he went into a giddy hop. Freedom. Indeed! He could hear their screams and feel their flesh once more. No more ice, no more loss of memory… Freedom, even if they still had their goal. A goal with something close to his heart, a goal to destroy. That was good enough for him.

"I believe the smart thing to do would be to make ourselves known, and not in the bad way, a job would be great, anyone been this way before?"

A job? He turned around to look at the man. Him, get a job? He couldn't remember ever having a real job. Nothing that ended in pay, at the least.

“Who in their right mind would give you a job?” Yuri said though a stifled laugh. Pasha growled under his breath, and took a step forward.

“Never been here… Never left Europe.” He muttered, “A job. Sounds… useful.”

“Ah, they’re blessed with your input. So helpful.”

“Quiet, Yuri.” He growled.

 

This man seemed painfully unstable, but it was better than nothing, maybe it'd make him easier to control later when he needed some brute force. "Great, so I think it'd be smart to split into two man teams, I'll take... Um excuse me what did you say your name was? I'm Jonathan, pleased to meet you." I said and exstended a hand for him to shake.

"Now, how do you feel about being a bouncer?" I asked a plan already forming in the back of my mind. "Their is no one in this city who can beat me out for a job, though I might need you to... Handle the currently employed, a job posistion most be available." I added and waited to gauge his reaction to the sugestion, ignoreing the other two now that I had choosen my assistant.

 

Kiara and I exchange glances when Pink Shirt gives that little wave.

Her glance seems to say We could just mug him and leave him taped upside down to a lamp post.

Mine says, Sure but he’s paying. Let’s save a few credits and see if he’s usful.

She looks sour for a moment and I convey that if we want to mug him later we can do that. She settles down somewhat and we join Pink Shirt at the bar. Best to summon up a little friendliness, after all, I have no connections in this town that I know of and no real idea of what I’m doing yet.

And at least Pink Shirt is almost the devil we know.

“Is that really that smart,” I ask him in an undertone, “to drink when you have a job to do?”

 

I see the looks on their face as they walk over, ok, ok, I got to be honest, I was not even able to being my head up high enough to look at their faces as they walked over, but something was telling I was still gonna pay for that cheep lay. Something else was telling me that I should use one of the house girls if I wanted to live to the see the morning.

“Is that really that smart,” ... “to drink when you have a job to do?”

I pour another shot and let it burn all the way down. Man I missed this stuff.

"Job? The only job we have to do is die... anything we accomplish beyond that is just peaches and cream... want a drink before you become a corporate successes story?"

Her look tells me to shut it, but the Liquor is telling me I need to talk, but the sensation in the back of my head is telling me to let them talk a bit first.

 

"Job? The only job we have to do is die... anything we accomplish beyond that is just peaches and cream... want a drink before you become a corporate successes story?" Can't say I care for the undertone, but if the guy is gonna buy us drinks...but there is one little thing I can't let slide.

"Ya know those nanites they put in ya? They can probably tell not only where you are, but what you're doing... and if you aren't doing the 'job' they gave you, you'll probably end up back in the cooler." I purr, and smile as sweetly as I can manage. He smirks and looks like he wants to punch my face in, but slugs back another shot instead. "But if you're buyin' I'll have a Sonoma*, no grape juice." Tolva gives me a strange look, and I lean over and comment quietly "Gotta keep up appearances. If we're the only ones in the casino not drinking, we'll never pick up 'work'." I shrug.


*Sonoma - 3 oz. vodka, 5 oz. Mountain Dew, 2 oz. grape juice

 

The world slowly faded in for Zu. He sat up, rubbing his head. He went to stand, but he felt a hand come down on his shoulder and seat him back down.

"What's the rush?"

Zu looked up. It was the first he had noticed that there were four other men in the room, Marty and three others. One had his hand on Zu's shoulder. Zu gave Marty a puzzled look.

"Hey," he said, smiling. "You said you needed a job, so I called Mr. Brady."
Zu looked over at the old man. He was wearing a white suit and a red shirt. His black hair was slicked back and he sported a pencil thin mustache. He nodded at Zu. "Welcome to Las Vegas."
"What the f*** is going on?" Zu asked Marty.
"Like I said, you told me you needed a job," he said, "it's a little harder to upgrade software 20 years, and a little more expensive. I knew you wouldn't be able to pay without going going bankrupt, so I called Mr. Brady."
"Marty tells us you're a driver," Mr. Brady said, leaning in and peering at Zu.
"Maybe," Zu said, getting fidgety, "depends on the driving."
Mr. Brady grinned. "Emergency driving."
Zu breathed deeply. "Yeah I can do that," he said. Hopefully, I haven't driven a vehicle in 20 years, he thought.
Brady nodded. "Good," he took out a PCC from his pocket and tossed it into Zu's lap. "We'll contact you tomorrow, tell you where to go," he said, "see if you're good enough."

The three men left room, leaving Marty and Zu by themselves. "K, you're all set," Marty said, "you can pay me after you're first job."
Zu nodded. "Thanks, man," he reached out his hand.
Marty shook it. "No problem," he replied. "Just make sure you get it, those upgrades were expensive."

Zu nodded at the fat man and made his way out of the store. He had made contact with, at least he had hoped, a boss of some gang. He was one step closer, he just needed to get in. For now, though, he needed to find some place to rest up for the night. Tomorrow would be here soon.

 

Pasha eyed the man as he extended his hand. The man seemed to have a voice of kindness, reminded him of his mother almost. His mother’s green-eyed glare shot into view, and he looked away momentarily, then turned his gaze back to the man. His large hand went forward uncertainly, and grabbed the tips of the man’s fingers. He shook gently and pulled away.

“Pasha.” He said.

“Good boy.” Yuri cooed sarcastically.

“I’m not a dog.” He growled under his breath.

"Now, how do you feel about being a bouncer?"

Pasha looked at him with an arched eyebrow, as the man continued.

"Their is no one in this city who can beat me out for a job, though I might need you to... Handle the currently employed, a job position most be available."

Pasha couldn’t help but smile at the sound of it. He wouldn’t mind having his hand at death. He gave the man a nod, hiding the grin on his face with the gentle swing of his hair, as it fell in front of his face. His hand went to the pulse laser that was holstered onto his side. He didn’t want to have to use that unless it was really necessary. He thrust his mechanical arm forward, the blade came out in front of him with little noise. He eyed the old thing, the grin wider. His beautiful glistening friend wanted blood just as badly as he did.

“I’ll follow. For the kill.” He said.

 

She’s right. And I could REALLY use a drink. Did I mention I’ve had a bad day? Doesn’t matter which day, pick one.

“I’ll have a Paralyzer, light on the Coke.” I tell the barman. He smiles at my cleavage and goes off to mix the drink.

Taking another look at Pink Shirt I see his eyes are beginning to track independently from each other. Not the best sign ever in a co-worker.

“So are you going to introduce yourself or am I going to call you Pink Shirt?” I ask him as my drink comes and I sip it, “I’m Barb and this is Candace.”

It just occurred to me that our real names might not be our best bet.

 

Inspector Brannigan stood alone in his office his finger held up the blinds so he could glimpse the city that surrounded him. The sky was a clear night stars out adding to the lights that covered the city. What a place to police. The legalised gambling haven of everyone. Mafia to the norm. It still concerned him that Krokodil controlled most of this city and that was a thought that stuck in his mind perminantly.

He looked back at his messed up wooden desk. He removed his black trilby and Frisbee’d it to the hat stand. He took a seat letting the sheets of paper fall and slide across his desk. He opened his drawn and took the fine vintage glenfiddik whisky poured a glass and supped.

A knock came to his door and detective sergeant Salford entered. He hair was short blond and perfectly cut. She wore a pair of tight trousers pin striped and a pin striped jacket. The bottom of her cheek had small spider like implants stuck firmly inplace and her left hand was cybernetic.

“Yes sergeant.” Brannigan said.

“Sir just thought you should know we got a flag on one of the names that came of the Dimitre.”

Brannigan took out an Iho stick and lit it with a match. Smoke suddenly filled the room.

“Yes.” He questioned.

“Kiara.”

“And what has Kiara done.”

“Not sure but she’s flagged as a crim. I’d say she’s come to gamble. Maybe fancies her chances.”

Brannigan turned to his dirt stained computer and pulled his keyboard onto his lap. He typed her name into the listed profiles.

The screen eventually read. Cyber encrypted.

Both looked at each other.

“Do some more checking sergeant. Somethings a miss I know it is.”

 

I put on my best offended look, though I'd rather have gone with disgusted as I he checked his blade. Made me worry how unstable this guy might be. "Never asked you too. Just thought two heads were better than one. Anyways, if it kills you're looking for than feel free to have any of mine you want, not much into the blood shed bit." I said and then let my fake offence look slide away, into a more comforting, freindly smile. Always best to put your best face forward.

"I'm thinking it'd be best to hit up some place around here for some quick local knolidge," I paused and remembered the way he had staired at his blade. "Unless you have a quicker way to get information." I said wondering how much this man liked his killing. It might be best to let him have some fun with someone before they started heading off somewhere else to start the job of getting into the comunity.

 

"Ya know those nanites they put in ya? They can probably tell not only where you are, but what you're doing... and if you aren't doing the 'job' they gave you, you'll probably end up back in the cooler."

"I am doing my job, can't you see I am acting all tough in my pink shirt and tan dockers" I snort out the words as I lean back against the counter and take a deep puff of the cigar "Sides I should be dead already anyway, don't you know after a hundred years on ice your body starts to break down from the cyrogenic compounds in your skin, See they don't tell you but a 100 plus years on ice is really just a nice way to give you a death sentence and the bleeding hearts don't make a fuss about it, we are not supposed to be woken up safely, and the people that had issues are long dead by the time they drag out lifeless bodies from the frozen compost pile" I glare at her and then chuckle. She has that look of a woman that just smelled a pile of BS.

"Notice arms, these babies are not two hundred years out of date, I went into the cooler fully human." I snort while I slosh back another shot of Whiskey. "This is the life baby, might as well enjoy it if we are gonna die one way or another"

I wonder if asking for a threesome would get me killed?

 

Seth Krokodil stroked his black goatee and paced up and down his room. His long silk gown trailing across the floor as he did. Michael Stern sat drinking a glass of vintage Vodka, a gift from Vladimir Preato. The Russian Mafia cartel boss.

“Calm down Seth.” Stern said.

“You say that as if it comes easy. We have just lost another shipment on the Mars return. I sent Jazzman to collect and nothing.” Seth said ending his words in a raised voice.

“You worry far too much. This is too be expected. So we lost a few pounds. I paid that for the bounty’s on some scum in the past. Its nothing.”

Seth turned to face Stern a scowl dressed on his redden face.

“Its my money that’s been taken.”

“Don’t worry yourself. The law here cannot touch us. What’s the worst they can do.”

Seth turned away and continued to pace the room anger stricken.

 

The city of Las Vegas continued to boom with activity shuttles came and went and the dark sky remianed lit up by masses of lights of a magnificant nature. People were going in and out of the Casinos.

The streets were also busy with flyers and bikes travelling across the roads it was like looking at a river of light. Giant Billboards advertised all kinds of prodicts and tannys advertised Casnio dwellings open and with plenty of rooms available.

On many of the streets Prostitues walked up and down half naked dressed up and attractive to the eye. Some bore bionic limbs or a bionic eye. Their pimps never to far away.

The city was filled with the noise of people and traffic.

 

I raise my eyebrow at Tolva over the 'Candace' thing, but the look she gives me back means I'll ask her later. Pink-shirt launches into an explanation of the myriad reasons he didn't care, finishing up by waving one of his cybernetic arms in front of me. "Notice arms, these babies are not two hundred years out of date, I went into the cooler fully human." I squint at him suspiciously. "I think you're full of it. But even if you aren't... all the more reason to do this, and get it over with, so we don't HAVE to be in that much longer."

 

Zu hopped in a cab. "What's a good place to get some shut eye around here?"
The cabbie laughed. "You serious?"
Zu shook his head. "I'm new here," he said, "what's a good casino that's close by?"
"The Tanley, sir."
"Take me there please."

The cab sped off. Zu keyed in the locations on his GPS, to make sure it was in fact upgraded. The new voice in his mind ticked off the turns and streets in a smooth fashion, as if she wasn't a robotic entity. Maybe I can program the voice with my thoughts now, Zu thought. In a few minutes, they were in front of the , and Zu got out. He walked through the sliding doors and to the front desk.

"I need a room," he said curtly.
"What kind of room are you looking for?" The receptionist asked with a smile.
Zu reached into his pocket, finding the credit card supplied to him. "One with a bed and secure enough so as not be disturbed by any strange parties."
The woman smiled. "We have one available on the 20th floor," she said, "sound proof, projectile and explosive resistant door and windows."
"And the lock?"
"We monitor the locks, sir," she said, still smiling, "any unauthorized tampering is flagged immediately and floor security will be at your door in moments."
"It's the tampering I'm worried about," Zu said looking around the casino.
"Don't worry, sir," she replied, "if anyone happens to be good enough to infiltrate the locking system and then mechanism, they'll be greeted to a friendly 50,000 volt shock."
Zu slammed the card on the front desk. "I'll take it."

Minutes later, Zu was in his room, looking over the neon city. He focused on the route systems. Tomorrow he would have to get up early and start memorizing them as soon as possible. Just like the old days in New L.A., he thought sadly. Zu shut the blinds to the room, undressed, set his alarm, and then crawled into bed. It didn't take long for the fatigue from the unfreezing process to set back in, and soon he was fast asleep.

 

“So are you going to introduce yourself or am I going to call you Pink Shirt?”

I watch her wrap her lips around the edge of glass like she is trying to tell me something. She catches my eye and bits the glass before taking a sip. Yup, she was sure telling me something alright.

“I’m Barb and this is Candace.”

She is talking to me about names and such and all I can think is Left Twin, right Twin., Why do the gifted ones always need to want to talk. I liked Sweet Cheeks better then Barb anyway. But the look in her eye tells me she don't.

"I was called Vector before I got put on ice, so guess that is as good a name as any, bet it ain't even a real name anymore"

 

From the distance high up, sat alone on a gargoyle, a hooded figure watched eagerly below, his eyes glowing brightly yellow from within the shadows. He glimpses the faces of many but one stands out.

 

"I think you're full of it. But even if you aren't... all the more reason to do this, and get it over with, so we don't HAVE to be in that much longer."

Yah, she has ball buster written all over her. Well all I need now is a good old fashioned bar fight to break out and I am golden.

"Ok... Sweet Cheeks...what is your grand idea to save the world tonight, because my plan involves waiting till tomorrow, when I have proper motivation for giving a damn about my life"

 

Micheal watched from afar. He didn't like getting into conversations they were to messy. He had been frozen for nine years and he wondered if any of his poison worked the same way it should.
Micheal stared at the ground for the most part. He he stayed silent then maybe no one would try to have any thing to do with him. Micheal was known for being fickle that is why he had been frozen. His fickle behavior got him into deep trouble.
But he couldn't exactly remember the details. Micheal looked up only once catching the eye of Jonathon, but nothing more. It wasn't a friendly look or I want to start talking look it was just a look. He then sneakily moved his eyes to look at the most unstable one Pasha.

 

I want to slice him open from belly to chin. My fingers twitch, but I hold myself back from going for my blade. I don't really know why. "Don't.... ever.... call me... 'sweet cheeks'... again." I grate out in an ice-cold voice. I glare for another few seconds, then turn and swig some of my drink, staring angrily at the collection of bottles in the back of the bar. I don't have a plan yet, but I sure as h*** aren't gonna tell this a**hole that.

 

Finally some movement from the other guy around. We locked eyes for a moment. The look didn't appear to be threatening but one never knew who looked at people to decide who was worthy to kill. So perhaps I could spare a moment from Pasha and size this guy up as we waited for the big guy to decide our next course of action. Always good to give them choises, made them fell like they were in charge. "A moment please." I said softly and looked over at the other guy.

"Hello there." I said and walked over towards him slowly. Best not to startle anyone. "Purhaps you've been here before? Trying to decide my next move, and it'd sure be helpfull if you knew your way around." I said with a kind, fake smile implanted on my lips and thanks to my fake voice, even my lies came out flawless, not a hint of worry.

 

The hooded warrior stands up to his full height at the edge of the gargoyle he looks down at the streets from this vantage point the roads below look like a continuous flow of running light streams. Up here it’s quieter and less lighting keeping him hidden from sight and shrouded by the shadows. His eyes glowed a bright yellow and his long cloak flapped through a gush of sudden wind revealing the hilt of a sword carved in the shape of a Cobra’s head. The warrior jumped.

 

Micheal hissed low, low enough for Jonathon to hear maybe, but not to high were he could here it clearly.
"Get this straight in your head...I don't like liesss," Micheal hissed like a snake, "If you ever lie to me.....I rip that head of yoursss off."
Micheal was never one for fallen for tricks and he definitely didn't like fake people with those stupid wax figured smiles. Micheal looked back at the ground.
"We can catch up to the target by taking the south road and cutting them off in an alleyway with no lights....it's called the Darkzone Alley."
Micheal then looked at the floor again. He grumbled a bit and then looked at Jonathon.