-Please come in... Do we know each other?

The girl in front of Tubio didn't seem friendly at all. The blonde stepped inside as Tubio stepped back, not raising his hands but remaining as calm as possible as the door closed behind her.

-Don't take me for a fool, I know who you are Tubio. Did you really think I wouldn't find you?

-Who?

-Don't mock me. You stole my car.

-Don't know what you're talking about.

-You're Doug's son. Antonio Riviere. Did you think I wouldn't check up on you before coming?

-Well, misunderstandings can lead to mistakes.

-You're Antonio, stop bullshitting me.

-Ok... What do you want?

-My car of course!

-It's not your car.

-Not when I have a gun to your head.

-You need to calm down. You're obviously not used to this sort of thing.

-Are you still fucking with me?

-Look, you're getting emotional. If you weren't, you'd know as well as I do that your grenade isn't active, and that the safety's still on your gun.

The girl stared at Tubio, her mind racing as she turned her gun slightly away to check. Tubio wasted no time, sweeping the girl's arm before charging her. He lifted her before bringing her to the ground with both arms going for her gun, dropping her hat while trying to remove the weapon from her hands, she dropped the grenade.

Striking Tubio on the head to get him to let go of her arm. Tubio managed to grab the gun and the girl's arm, but not to make her let go. She pulled the trigger and a shot rang out in the room. Tubio dropped his attempt to retrieve the gun and freed one arm to elbow the girl in the face. Not wanting to take any more damage, she put her arm around Tubio's neck and clung to his back. Still trying to get her to drop her weapon, he stretched her arm as far forward as possible while he got down on all fours. On his back, the girl punched him in the stomach and head to make him let go. With all his strength, Tubio stood up, the girl still on his back, struggling not to fall or drop her weapon. Just as Tubio was about to throw himself against a wall, he felt a pain in his abdomen. He threw himself against the wall with all his might, only to feel weak and fall to his knees. He saw the girl rise to her feet, her weapon still in her hand, and a bloody dagger in her hand.

And as Tubio held his wound and the girl caught her breath. The inner door opened. Ruby stepped out, red-eyed and ready to fight. Looking first at Tubio and then at the girl, she closed the distance between them in a split second. The enemy raised her weapon, but Ruby caught the barrel of the gun and forced it towards the ceiling, drawing a cry of pain as she twisted her arm. The assailant quickly fell to her knees before trying to slash at Ruby, who grabbed her other hand, twisting it too and releasing the dagger. Ruby was now on top of the girl and Tubio could see that it was no longer Ruby, but Cyclops. Rising despite the pain, he went to her side.

-Ruby?

As if awakening, she turned towards him before letting go of the girl's hands. The latter dropped her weapon, clutching her hands in pain. Regaining her composure, Ruby took out one of her mantis blades and placed the tip under the girl's chin, lifting it up. Before laughingly asking Tubio.

-So you're cheating on me already?

******

After a short explanation, the attacker was neutralized. Tubio immediately went to take care of himself and retrieve the grenade before his mother returned. The impact of the shot on the wall was, fortunately, under the piece of furniture against the wall. The girl was kept in check by Ruby, ready to execute her at the first sign of anything. Unable to do otherwise, they took her into the tattoo parlor. Tubio and the girl face to face.

-As a result. You're my... Half sister? No, because I'm not Doug's biological son.

-Please, you're gonna make me puke. Doug wanted, my mother didn't. She was afraid he'd run off once he could get his hands on her money. My little brother and I are 100% not from him.

-Good thinking. Better than my mother. I'll get right to the point. I'm not giving you the car. It's mine. Period.

-I need it, please, will you listen to me?

Ruby behind Tubio huffed.

-After taking him hostage? Yes, of course.

-I need it to win the red sands race.

Tubio had no idea what she was talking about, but Ruby burst out laughing.

-Okay, one, you know what you're talking about? Two, you realize that the chances of you surviving are extremely low? Let alone make any money.

Tubio said nothing, trying to keep his poker face on the girl. The latter defended herself.

-It's a race with a lot of money at stake. I've heard that the previous winner took home over 80,000 eddies.

Tubio's eyes widened, but Ruby laughed harder.

-My girl, do you even know what this is? The rules? The goal?

-You finish the race.

-Choom, the reason why this race is so popular is because it's a race between gangs, an illegal race where you can and most often must kill to win or even finish the race.

-I'm not afraid of danger.

-You know you'll have to sell the car afterwards too?

-What?

-Red sand was created by gangs to raise the price of stolen cars, either by keeping them original or modifying them for the race. If it survives you may have a better price. So if you wanted to race Boréale, you'd be "offered" to sell it afterwards.

-But then...

-The real price must be 10,000 eddies, depending on the organizers. But don't expect more. If you don't bet on yourself. Which is generally frowned upon. Winners usually disappear very quickly, too, to avoid being robbed.

The girl had lost all momentum, her eyes shifting from Ruby to Tubio before looking at the ground. Tubio was curious now.

-Why do you need so much money.

-Ah... I need even more.

-Tell us, I promise we won't laugh.

-Remember the boy you held up at gunpoint? He's my little brother. He needs an implant or he'll die. He needs a second heart. The implant itself is worth over 40,000 eddies. not including operating costs, insurance, post-surgery. More than 100,000 in all.

Ruby and Tubio remained silent. 100 000. More than they could dream. A sum like that to buy two new Boréales. Not to mention 100,000, plus the price of living. Food, electricity and everything else.

-Sorry, but even with all the good will in the world, we don't have that kind of money. Otherwise we wouldn't be living in H2.

The girl bit her lip and Ruby breathed out before raising her revolver. The girl had clearly overstayed her welcome and Tubio saw no reason not to throw her out too. Thinking back on his own circumstances, he could only feel pity for her. Ruby approached her.

-I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

She stood up and Tubio followed the two towards the door. Then he remembered something.

-Hey! Wait. Are you one of the 6th? No?

-My grandfather, but yes, me and my little brother did a bit of fooling around with members.

-The tag on Boréale?

-Kept the gang from requisitioning.

-... Maybe there's a way we can make some money. If you want to work as a team.

-... I'm listening.

******

Tubio drove with the girl, the day was now well under way and Tubio was doing his best not to think about his stomach wound. Once again they arrived at the parking lot, where Tubio didn't know what to do. Ruby in his ears ready and able. The same cars as last time, the same passers-by.

Félicia Medart, quite a gal. If she'd known how to shoot first and ask questions later Tubio would be dead or on foot. As explained she's desperate for money not enough to be stupid, but enough to be reckless. Tubio decided to use her contacts with 6th Street to get more informations about the contract Tubio had talked to her about. Hugo Versa. She'd heard yes. Of his debts, he'd gone too far, so they chased him without actually chasing him. As Ruby said, you'll always be part of the Maelstrom. You and I. Like him for the 6th. They put him in solitary confinement. Gave him a mission in an empty sector to protect. The Arasaka building. From there...

-So let me get this straight: a choom from 6th Street, Versa, stole stuff from a reaperdoc and wasn't found? You went fishing for information and we gave it to you here.

-Local Patriot.

-Whatever. It's just to piss you off. Your guy's got to go through here. Once a week.

-Fuck.

-Never give the eddies first.

-Told ya.

-Okay, okay, okay... I'm useless, now.

-Even though I know about him. The guy's practically a hermit. I doubt we'll find him by chance. You got any other info I can use?

-He hates corpos, he's convinced there's a war coming. He's collecting equipment and implants for it. That's all I've got.

-Mm.

Felicia pondered. Where did the others come to the area for entertainment? Then she started walking along the sidewalk. Tubio followed. Crossing the street, she continued along. Retracing the same steps Tubio had taken. On their left, the Arasaka building came to an end before making way for the Kendachi building. To their right, another parking lot under the Cybermatrix company logo. Felicia pointed to the building as a matter of course. Tubio asked curiously.

-Can you explain?

-When you need to decompress, what do you do, hang out with your buddies, drink, smoke? Well, let's just say that some of the 6th Street boys like to fight on top of all that.

Tubio looked around, raising his arms.

-I don't see any Ring here.

-Because even if the party starts in the parking lot. We're usually on the move. Well, not when there's a group that's really getting into it. Follow my lead.

Tubio followed her in silence as she spoke.

-Normally we'd go along a wall from the parking lot, but I don't want to be in a position of weakness. So we'll go around.

Leaving the parking lot, they continued along the road, arriving immediately at a sort of open sewage tank with tags on the sides, garbage in the middle and a nauseating smell emanating from it.

-I dare you to go in.

-In your dream.

Felicia skirted the pit and the wall around it, at the opposite corner to the road, boxes had been piled up. She climbed on and looked over the wall. He found himself next to her, looking over the wall, a banal scene before she pointed to an angle to their right below a gigantic electric pillar, the inside had employees, Felicia and Tubio tried not to be noticed more than that.

-Can you see down there? In the corner, there's your Ring. What better way for a madman who thinks a war is coming than to see others training and fighting themselves. If he has equipment and chrome, what's missing?

-Personnel to fight.

-He's crazy, not stupid. Some of the fighters may have been approached. Even if it's for some crazy story, I don't think he'll go unnoticed.

-And when is this little party going on?

-Every week at the same time.

Felicia and Tubio returned to the car, exchanged contacts and parted ways. To prepare for the next two days.

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

-She's going to double-cross you. 100%.

-You want me to stay around and see?

-Or you can let your contract be stolen, it's up to you. But I want you to know I'll be very disappointed...

-It's not just, what you do...

-But necessary. You used your time and money, it’s not for the blonde to reap the fruits of your labor. Now get some food, stick yourself up in a corner and wait for the target to arrive.

-It's going to take a long time

-Don't worry, I'm with you as company.

******

Boréale was comfortable, so to speak. Parking under the deck on the other side of the intersection. Anyone would have thought it was a wreck after Tubio, on Ruby's advice, laid worn blankets and other rubbish on it. Its broken Tubio's heart but it had to blend into the scenery. And the car, though shiny, was not made for the place. While Ruby was making the conversation Tubio had retrieved food, new bandages and spent a good part of the afternoon sleeping to recover from his eventful night. At the falling sun, Ruby woke him up, making him growl in pain.

-How's it going?

-Like getting stabbed. What's going on?

Ruby was connected to a small camera in the vehicle, which was almost in front of the only entrance to the 6th Street ring an Cybermatrix parking lot.

-Not much, mostly drunks, the guys from the factory left less than 15 minutes ago. But I've just seen several cars pull into the Cybermatrix parking lot. With the liberator eagle on their asses.

-Well, you were right.

-We haven't seen the girl yet, maybe it's just a random gathering.

-Wait, you have proof that you're right and you're still doubting?

-We're never sure of anything. Maybe it's the usual spot and the fights only happen on weekends or something.

-Okay, no rush.

-Otherwise... Your injury.

-It's okay, the bandage isn't dripping.

-Just be careful, okay?

-Are you worried about me?

-Yes.

-You shouldn't be, you know.

-Some crazy woman took you hostage before she stabbed you.

-Détails.

-...What about your mother and me? Are we details?

-Of course not.

-Well, then you need to get back down to earth. Luck won't always be on your side. I want you home in one piece tonight, understand? Tonight you intervene only if you see the target neutralized with the girl. Otherwise, you follow. Understand? We need to find the guy's hideout.

-Yes, boss.

Tubio and Ruby didn't speak. For almost a minute, Tubio pondered while looking across the street. He wasn't alone now. If he died, his mother would be as inconsolable as Pavel. And he knew that would make Ruby sad. Voices echoed from the Cybermatrix parking lot, music beginning to rise in the street.

-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound like I didn't care.

-I know you didn't. But know that every time you take a job, you might not come back. Arrogance has killed countless people. I don't want you to join them.

-I'll be back tonight. I promise.

-I'll be waiting. Here.

An attachment had just arrived in his messages. Tubio hesitated before opening it.

You wish.😘

-You're mean.

-You'll have plenty of time to get the real thing. Tonight.

-...Did you have anyone before me?

-I may have been a little... I admit, I exaggerated about my... experience.

-Oh. If you don't want to talk about it...

-After I've had your whole life told? No, it's the least I can do. One, only one. We were just on and off. A bad relationship. I'd go to the club and we'd meet. We'd spend the evening and usually argue in the morning before we split up.

-So nothing serious.

-No…

Tubio felt strangely relieved that she hadn't had more conquests.The silence continued and the lights on the parking lot became more numerous. more people came. An impromptu party was taking place.

-Scanning people?

-Too far. I can only do those on foot. But our guy will probably show up like this.

-Fair enough. But like I said, tonight's about scouting. Don't be crazy, you got stabbed.

-Says the girl in convalency.

-Hey, the doctor gave me the green light. Want me to tell her about our run-in with the blonde?

-No! Absolutely not.

-That's what I thought... So, what do we do about her? You really want to split the money?

-It's kind of my fault she's in this mess.

-No, I'm going to stop you right there. It's not your fault her brother's sick, or that she came to steal from you. Stop thinking that everything is your fault. She would have attacked anyone to find Boréale or any way to make money, 100,000 eddies, can you believe it? I don't trust her. Desperate people do stupid things.

-...How she knew where to find me.

-Did you check if she put a tracker in the car?

-Yes, found and dumped.

-In that case... Hey, did you talk to any 6th Street guys lately? With Boréale?

Tubio thought for a second. Thinking back to his research for this job.

-Fuck!

-At least she went through the trouble.

As they chatted, a fight occurred along the pavement leading to the parking lot, and two men began to fight, with 3 people shouting and watching the fight. After several blows, one of them remained on the ground. The mini-crowd dispersed back into the parking lot and one of the guys went over to the guy on the ground.

-At least someone's having a worse night than me.

Tubio and Ruby continued chatting and watching people arrive and others leave. From here they couldn't see the ring, but the lights where the fights were supposed to take place weren't on and the crowd was still in the parking lot partying wildly.

-What do we do after this job?

-I thought I'd pay Sp4de a visit.

-Oh? For Doug's money?

-Mm, it's a lot of money, if we can get it all back we could afford a nice apartment.

-Whoa, easy, we only slept together once. Maybe you can't stand me, once under the same roof.

-Don't you want to think about it?

-Yeah, but, you know.

-Too soon?

-Yeah.

Tubio and Ruby spent most of the evening doing nothing. People's scans came back clean or with minor infractions for those they managed to scan. The lights behind the mural came on at one point and some of the party-goers walked out of the parking lot to make the rounds. The gate leading to the other side of the mural was wide open. No doubt the employers didn't want to get into trouble with the gang.

-I think I'll be going. I've got to get closer. I'll go to the party first, then to the ring. I'll do a quick lap and come back.

-Remember, don't interfere if you see him or her. Ignore and stay away.

-Ok. I've got you in my head anyway.

-Flatterer.

Tubio got out of the car, closing it behind him. under his armpit a unity pistol. The important thing this evening was not to be spotted. Crossing to the other side of the road, he reached the sidewalk where the guy who'd just been fighting was recovering with his buddy. Passing in front of him, he turned and entered the parking lot, which had become an improvised party place. In the background, a pick-up truck with speakers was blasting sound into the parking lot, people dancing and laughing, while another pick-up truck had beer kegs on the back of its tailgate. Here and there Tubio could see members of the 6th some in front of the kegs to keep them and no doubt charge for them. others with the others having a good time. The age range and ambience were clearly not what you'd expect from caged fighters. The rare "old-timers" supervised the points where the money was made. Tubio even spotted a gun seller displaying pistols in a corner.

All the while, Tubio scanned everyone he came across, firing up his optics. He came across robbers, smugglers and people wanted for assault and battery. But not his target, or anything close to it. Dancers and other revelers pass in front of him, only to appear on his retinal scanner. On either side of the parking lot, prefabs, built for workers. He could see other people snogging each other between them. Ignoring the people, he didn't saw a single person of interest in this party.

-Cars coming in through the Ring gate. 3 full of people.

Listening, Ruby Tubio emerged from the parking lot. Turning the corner and heading towards the stacked boxes as earlier that afternoon. No one stopped him, but one more car passed to his left on the other side of the wall. Tubio mounted the car passing beneath him. To his right, the other cars were parked in no particular order, with larger men who matched Tubio's idea of a fighter. The atmosphere was calmer, even if beer was still being drunk among the people present.

-There's some movement, but nothing's underway yet.

-Okay, come back in a few minutes.

-No, I want to scan the guys over there. Give me a few minutes.

-You'll need more than that, other cars are coming. Get out of there, you're suspicious as hell.

Other cars were arriving and Tubio felt compelled to follow Ruby's advice. He got down and sat at the foot of the crates, trying not to stare at the cars passing on the other side of the wall. Rising to his feet, he set off towards the parking lot, looping back towards the car. Back inside, he breathed a sigh of relief.

-Stressful, isn't it?

-You've got no idea.

-That's why I used drones.

-What?

-Drones. How'd you think I was so good? I used drones, recon, destruction, sabotage, escape. Always useful, replaceable, discreet, customizable.

-Could come in handy.

-I have them at my apartment. I'll show them to you.

-And I'll take you for a ride aboard Boréale.

The evening continued as more cars continued to join behind the wall. Soon, around the open-air tank, people were coming to drink and chat. Tubio hesitated, but with Ruby's support stepped out towards the ring.

Following other people, he entered what was now a disorganized parking lot leading to the ring. Here, Cybermatrix's music was muted by the building, so another band had set up to perform. Here, as there, people were enjoying the atmosphere and drinking. Tubio approached from underneath the antenna and the crowd began to thicken. To his right, with his back to the Cybermatrix building, was the DJ, opposite him, underneath the antenna, was the crowd, and beyond that, in the dead end, was the ring. Surrounded by half-drunk men and women ready to see blood. The ring was a circle of concrete baffles, with dirt in the middle. People pushed, shouted, laughed. Tubio scanned as best he could, staying in the center of the crowd as little as possible.

-How's it going?

-I can't see shit.

Continuing closer, he came upon an old man with a goatee and a cowboy hat. As he was handing out papers to people, he had a bodyguard behind him, and people seemed to be avoiding him. Tubio went to see him. Seeing him approach, the man in his blue suit and jeans smiled.

-First time here, young man? May I introduce myself? Jackson Pouras, a pleasure. Would you like to bet with me on tonight's fights?

-No, thank you, but not just yet. I was told to come and see you to find out more about the fighters. What do you advise?

The gentlemen smiled and began to talk about tonight's fighters. Tubio had already seen this, so he wasn't going to bet, of course, but to gather information about the fighters, so if Versa's name left his lips, he'd hit the jackpot. After a long explanation. Tubio took a bet anyway, so as not to appear suspicious. The gentleman smiled and thanked him for his trust.

Tubio resisted so as not to roll his eyes. As he walked away to buy himself a beer on the ass of a car. Scanning around, he still couldn't see his target, just more members of the 6th gang. While enjoying the crowd, Ruby used the camera in Boréale to scan people too. She regretted not having her drones. But as she went through the faces one by one, she came across someone familiar.

-Guess who's here.

-Our blonde friend?

-Ding ding ding.

-Where?

-Going into the ring parking lot. You see what you wanna do.

Tubio was thinking. Conflict won't lead to anything. Might as well avoid it if possible and be friendly if necessary. After all, the target might not even be there. Jackson hadn't told him Versa was fighting, but he could be doing it under a false name. Time will tell. Might as well enjoy the evening. As Tubio scanned the entrance, he saw Felicia in the same outfit as this afternoon approaching the crowd. Hiding in the middle of the crowd, Tubio stepped back, seeing an unlikely way out. Along the wall on the other side of the exit, the wall along the property skirted the Cybermatrix building, leaving a space where one person could squeeze through. Seeing a girl coming out of it, he understood why Félicia didn't like to go that way. It was a real shithole to cross.

-You know what, if she makes a mess, we can always intervene. I'm going to sneak out and wait in the car for something to happen. There's no way out anyway but the ones you're already covering.

Passing along the wall Tubio had to squeeze to pass the other side and get to the Cybermatrix parking lot. the music going on as he passed on the side, no one stopped him as the party was in full swing.

As he was returning to the car Ruby asked him to take the camera and put it on the low wall above the boxes where it had been. After a few minutes he made it go back. He sat behind the wheel again.

-Everything all right?

-Perfect. From here I can see almost the whole crowd and our dear friend. The only downside is that I don't see the ring itself.

The evening went on and Ruby could not help speaking on her own, commenting on the people and information of some. Tubio started having headache. The evening was already well under way the fighting had already begun and no trace of Versa.

-Well, I don't think it's for tonight.

-Mm, I think so too. The fighting seems to be coming to an end, too. If the target doesn't show up, we might try tomorrow.

Tubio realized in silence that he was going to have to do this every night. Then he shrugged. After all, it's not as if luck will always bring him what he wants.

-How's our friend doing?

-She's going around in circles, she's upset and now she's waiting. Clearly she won't have any more luck than we did.

-Do you want me to leave the camera on?

-Yeah, maybe he's just not coming because of the party.

-Paranoid style.

-A party isn't exactly the ideal place to approach fighters. Besides, we're not desperate like that girl. We've got time.

The party went on until late, and soon all that was left was Tubio, a handful of drunk people and Félicia. Defeated, she sipped a beer on the edge of the waste vat. Not approaching her, Tubio tried not to feel sorry for her. Life is hard, for everyone.

-What's on your mind?

-Why don't we recruit her?

-No.

-We need manpower. With you supporting me in the back and her helping me in the field. We could do a lot more than I've done so far.

-Tubio...

-You said yourself that arrogance could kill me. With her on the team I'd have fewer chances.

-You know we'll have to divide the money? That we might not be able to trust her. In order, she took you hostage, stabbed you, lied to you and tried to double-cross you. You stop me when you see the problem. For half of that she would already be dead with anyone other than us.

-She did it all for love, Ruby. She'll be more than happy to work with us if it brings her closer to her goal. And then it can be a part-time association. We don't need to make a life with her... You decide, you have my opinion, if you think she'll bring us more problems than eddies I'll drop it.

-...Not tonight. Let's think about this, clearly she's proven she can't be trusted. I reserve judgment, we'll see if we can catch Versa with her or not.

-Ok.

-Now come home, we've got a night to finish.