Track 014: Intruder

The Composer

We took the elevator; the map showing us that the med supply store was on the third floor. Suspiciously, it was very close to the skate shop. My eyes couldn’t help being drawn to the window. A pair of Grav boots being shown off. The spotlight on them highlights the high quality leather and plush material. It can’t help but draw your eyes away from the hoverboard and even a traditional skateboard and rollerblades. All of them decked out with the best parts.

Now modding them was way above my pay grade. I mean, I could fiddle with a sound system like no one’s business. This, however, is a sophisticated gear. Getting the most out of motors and which settings would be the best were things I’d spent ages actually salivating over all the enthusiast sites. While I can’t do the work myself, I did probably have the smartest awakened person for at least a hundred miles and in any direction, if not more.

“You want to go in, don’t you?” Gabrielle says with a put upon expression.

“I mean…” I can’t take my eyes off them.

“You’re drooling.” She laughs.

“I am not.” I wipe my face, though. “Can we go though?”

She rolls her eyes. “Come on.” She punches me in the arm even with the prosthesis, it doesn’t hurt. She’s as deft with it as her other one. The way she can rotate it with nary a thought made the re-twist so easy. Honestly, more locticians needed to get one.

“Honestly, if I get my hands on some of that Grav tech, maybe I can make my mech hover, too. You know it’s still a mystery. How it works, I mean. It’s under so many patents and NDAs I can’t even find a hacked together version on Influx. No tear downs allowed anywhere online.”

Influx is like a weird anarcho-anticapitalist website posting tons of business and government secrets. It’s like the nonstop shop for everything someone’s trying to hide. No one knows who really owns it and a piece of it is tucked away on so many servers through the bot net that stamping it out is impossible.

“The mag stuff makes sense. However, the hover function is a whole different ballgame. It’s one of those things like the group telekinesis, which doesn’t make much sense. I mean it doesn now cause of dream. But not everyone is like us.”

Seeing her have the same expression that’s on my face makes feel like kindred spirits. The expression changes when she turns back to the mystery of its workings, though. I’ll admit I was always excited about the possibilities. I never realized the science that was on them was all bullshit. But she did. She’s naturally more suspicious and a hell of a lot smarter than I am.

It’s not that I’ve forgotten about the Carter stuff, but I wasn’t thinking clearly. The meds had been out of my system for too long. I can’t get stuck ruminating on the things. I like her, but first she’s part of my party and I’ve got to trust her.

The door practically opens for us. Gabrielle has cracked it .2 seconds. The touch keypad next to the door has a dancing pink 8-bit skeleton winking in it. I didn’t quite think it was her style, but when I ask she says she made the original program when she was fourteen. I gape. She acts like it’s no big deal as we make our way inside.

Contrasting the low lights of the shop, bright illuminated display cases and the timeless pop punk classic gave the feel of a hole in the wall skate shop. Inlines was more of an institution going back to the heyday of skating, the 90s. While it was a chain masquerading as an owned by that one guy on the corner kind of feel. It’s probably the only one that stood the test of time. And that’s kind of sad, capitalism, right? I remember an old head from back in my hometown talking about how he grew up going to the neighborhood goth shop, how it changed from alternative to capitalist hellscape with all the nerd gear. He wasn’t mad about the nerd stuff. He was mad about the fact that it became so mainstream. It wasn’t about the counterculture it was originally billed as. Now it was completely about the next movie in a blockbuster franchise. We’re nostalgic for a retail chain. That’s so dystopic.

I look into the glass case, looking at all the different parts for customization. Like skid plates, light up laces, mag wheels, for rollerblades and skateboards. It’s a cornucopia of loot.

“You look like a kid in a candy shop.” She says, her tone poking fun at me. “It’s cute.”

“I can’t help it. It was gonna be my next big purchase after the show. A cool mil. Credits as far as the eye can see.” I say wistfully. “Was gonna march right up to my brother and show him my bank account and say I’d finally made it.” Looking into the glass and all the gadgets blur as my vision relaxes. “I know it’s a silly image with these on my feet, but I wanted him to know I was okay. That he didn’t have to worry about me anymore. I’m the older other.” I chuckle at the pun. “You know these cost more than some cars?”

Her hand is on my shoulder. “While money right now is completely useless. And your expensive tastes should probably be examined, by like a host of professionals.” Her voice is so warm and there’s only a little judgment in there. “Let’s go make your dream come true.”

It wasn’t long before we were at one of the worktables in the back. I picked out all the best parts and customizations I wanted. It only took twenty minutes for Gabrielle to understand them, got into the software, and become an expert. In no time, she upgraded the calibration sensors with a few scraps she brought from home. Working in the hover options from one of the hoverboards to give me extra lift and power when I needed it. Full psylink programmable controls as well as manual options and when I’d get the hang of it, I could use both in conjunction to get the most smooth and powerful feeling drive. She was actually magic.

When we finally got to cracking open the grav motor on the other model, we found it. There are a ton of powerful electromagnets for the magnet cling. Gabrielle follows the wires, they weren’t really hooked to anything. The wires connected to a palm-sized solar cell encased in a steel casing. Likely to prevent it from getting jostled around and for explosive related safety reasons. Testing the connections, there was no power going to it. Which led us to look at the compartment with set aside for the stabilizer. She says modern gyroscopic sensors wouldn’t require that much space. Laying flat on the sole right above the magnets was a box.

There are no lips seams or openings anywhere in it. The size of a matchbox it is completely black and glossy. I watch as G takes every tool; she has to it. The box won’t open or cut or lathe. And that included a pocket drill with a diamond head and a blowtorch. Nothing works until Firewall’s omni tool came out. And without warning or pressure, it pops open. I feel some kind of resonance, magical in nature and before I could examine that thought; I saw it. Sitting in there, spinning lazily, was a dark orange crystal.

“What…are…you?” she says. As she leans in closer. Power swells and her hair and clothes ruffle and like a force drawing them in. I feel magic swell and the effect expands, pulling everything in the room towards it. I can barely keep my feet. Screws and their drivers, nuts and bolts, and even loose bits of change.

“It’s magic.” I tap her shoulder and let her know to switch places.”This is how I can help.” I saw the pulses of magic move through it like ripples in a pond. My song stabilizes it. We harmonize. And it’s a communal thing, harmonizing. People working together create a fuller, more balanced sound. With that understanding.

“It’s gravity magic.” I say, “A splinter of it. Someone hardened an enchantment and placed it in here.”

“That’s crazy.” She says, leaning in. “And it works in this device?”

“Magitech. It’s real.” I say. “I’ve seen it in games before, but the fact it’s real…”

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“Could open a lot of doors for us,” Firewall says. “You and I working together?”

“Completely different from what we’re doing now, right?” I quip.

“Yeah, I hear what you mean.” She says, rubbing her arm nervously. “We’re trying to save the world, right?”

“And if I can find a way to help with your mech plan, I want to.”

Crystallized enchantments… I can’t believe it. I watch the Grav crystal as it turns around in its orbit. I wonder what this could mean for us as we continue the fight. I’ve got to learn it. Even if it’s a small enchantment, I’ve got to do everything in my power to learn it. The text comes into my heads-up display as I crush the crystal.

1st Enchantment: 100%

2nd Enchantment: 25%

3rd Enchantment: 0%

Congratulations, Enchanter!

You have learned the My Own Little Orbit enchantment.

My Little Orbit creates a small gravitation effect around the object, allowing them to float or cling to objects.

While this enchantment on its own could be powerful, it needs constant direction from a processor. To use this enchantment, you must learn Complex Enchantments.

I already knew there was gonna be a high ceiling but Magitech and complex enchantment means there’s a real chance to make some really powerful things. I don’t want to break them down but, the look from Firewall, the hunger in her eyes for new knowledge, solidifies my choice. It flies in the face of me wanting to leave as much as we can to as many people as possible. So I crushed the second Grav crystal in my hand.

1st Enchantment: 100%

2nd Enchantment: 100%

3rd Enchantment: 50%

Congratulations, Enchanter!

You have learned the Technological Interface enchantment.

Technological Interface allows magic and technology to work together and function as one. You can turn code into sigils and vice versa, allowing for a processor to tell the magic what to do and get information back. Also allows the enchantment to run off of solar energy.

1st Enchantment: 100%

2nd Enchantment: 100%

3rd Enchantment: 100%

Congratulations, Enchanter!

You have found the MoonWalker enchantment.

MoonWalker allows someone when walking to move fluidly and lightly, reducing the gravity you walk with. Also prevents someone from falling as long as it isn’t interfered with by gravity magic or abilities.

The second enchantment was the game changer. From all that I can see, it’s the basis of all magitech and would probably be the basis for what Gabrielle and I do in the future. I can’t wait to see what comes out of it. I daydream about mageships and magic guns and rifles. And if I understand the gleam in Firewall’s eyes, then she’ll want my help to build a magical mech.

Kohl gave us an update as we walk over to the pharmacy. A utilitarian storefront with a cow in a lab coat as their mascot. Wintergreen letters are lit up showing off the words: The Pharm. Whitewashed brick and tinted window with the inside being obscured for the most part. The fact that it’s both medical supply and pharmacy seems rather niche to me, but they’re apparently doing well enough to have a shop here.

While I was going to tell him about what we’ve found out, he seemed a bit distracted. I didn’t ask which might have been a mistake or the greatest decision I’ve ever made. Whatever was going on with Neon and him was their business, and as long as it didn’t fuck us in a fight, I would be glad not to have to talk about it.

Inside The Pharm, the medical supply store, things were dark except for a light coming from behind the counter. Listening hard, I hear the telltale roll of an office chair rolling on hardwood. Making a stopping hand sign for Firewall to hold. I tell her over text about what I hear and we need to move as quickly as possible. Wordlessly, she switches her load out to her civilian outfit so as not to make noise with her harness and armor.

The custom grav boots allowing me to slide quickly over the floor without the sound of footsteps. I hop over the counter with the extra lift granting me clearance, landing without a sound. With my approach being completely silent, it was a shock when the occupant of the room speaks up.

“It’s okay. I’m not here to harm you.” The words come in a clipped Russian accent. “If you’re here just to talk, you have nothing to worry about from me.”

Gabrielle and I look at each other. I raise an eyebrow and she has her hands open and shrugs. Her armor sliding right back on. I make the 3, 2, 1 hand signs as I mouth the words. On one, we enter through the door with her in the lead.

The room before us looks a bit like a lab with black counter tops, and scientific instruments all over. Stools were the kind that hurt your ass after like 15 minutes if you have anything more in the trunk than a smart car, forcing you to stand. A dark-haired white man in a lab coat currently took the only comfy chair up. He held a cigarette in between his fingers while he blew the smoke away from us while his head was down over a microscope.

“I was wondering when you’d get here.” He says, looking up. His eyes are slightly bloodshot and he’s got bags under his eyes. “You were the ones who tried to claim this place, right?” He pointed the cigarette at us. “I’m sorry about that. You’re Rebellion, right? Sorry about that, I kinda need this facility, but once I’m done with this, it will be all yours.” He doesn’t even let me get a word in. He runs roughshod over the conversation he’s having with himself.

“Who are you?” I say my hands by my side but I with a flick of the wrist I can reach one of the turntables where my weapons reside.

“Ah, yes!” He actually put his finger in the air. “I am Doctor Omni. Scientific Advisor of the Cyborg Paramores.”

No one could forget a name like the Cyborg Paramores. It was the name that Harriet mentioned, the entire group being power mad psychos. I mean, that’s not what she said, but the fact they treated the whole world like this was a game was what she said. The fact that they had the power to keep that ideology must mean they have enough power to keep it. This lone man in a walking around at the end of the world just got a bit more menacing.

“It’s nice to meet you. You already know who we are, though.”

“Yes, you’re The Composer, great name, by the way.” He says, raising his eyebrows. “I saw your declaration on the leaderboard app. I’ll admit I was interested in what kind of group you’d be.” He looks me and Firewall up and down. “That’s interesting… You guys are only level two, but almost level 3 good, good.”

“You can tell all of that just by looking at us?” Firewall said. Her hands still not moving for her weapons.

“I have a skill called examination. It’s an advanced version of the Scan ability.” He said, simply.

“That’s good to know.”

“Yes, there are many insights I could give you, but those don’t come free.” He says. He cracks his neck and shakes out his limbs. “You want to know how to increase your power and also this haven. And I need a good fight to knock the dust off.”

“What are you talking about? You aren’t an enemy.” While I say it, my fingers inch closer to the turntable. The moment he moves, he’ll have to deal with a beat right to the neck.

“It’s all in fun. We do it all the time in the Paramores. I just want to see if you have what it takes.”

“Can we just have a team huddle for a minute?” I look at Firewall and we leave the room.

“So this guy is crazy, right?” She whispers.

“Oh… for sure.” I say.

“Oh hey, I can still hear you.” Omni calls from the other room.

“Well, try not to.” I call back. I roll my eyes.

“I just wanted to tell you, your friends are in danger. Kind of…”

I charge back into the room. “What do you mean? Did you do something to them?”

“No, of course not.” He raises his hands. “I have good ears. They’re about to call.”

Hey guys, we’ve got a situation here. Can you guys get here? We’ve got mimics.

“Mimics?!” I say.