We moved down the shadowed hallway. On each side, another doorway was staggard, and I understood that the hall way composed of three shipping containers and nine total branching off in a staggard pattern. The place was larger than it looked, but I couldn’t believe all of it was a brothel.

“What Mr. Rooker is trying not to say is that the company has left us all here to rot,” A timeless voice said with tones underpinned with exasperation.

When we turned the corner, the dance music became muted, and I could see a figure sitting with her back to the door. She was dressed in overalls that were clean, if frayed from use, and her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows. Her skin looked soft and youthful, with a sheen you seldom see outside of fitness magazines. It was an image that didn’t fit the voice.

“What, is everyone here hot, or what the hell is the deal?” I complained under my breath.

In front of her workspace, a diagnostic machine of some type was scanning a tool, or a short melee weapon some kind. As I tried to look closer, she pulled a tinted cover down over the illuminated section.

“What can I say, Jason Nyesom has a type,” Rooker muttered, then with flourish used his hand to indicate himself.

I laughed despite myself, even though the atmosphere was a long way from humorous.

Unlike the hallway, the space was about half a shipping container in size and was styled exquisitely in Victorian colors and lace. Against the wall, a deep red silk-covered chaise lounge was illuminated by a dim reading lamp. And above it, glamourous pictures of girls in different attire.

“Rooker likes to laugh, and I suppose laughter lightens even the most damaged souls sometimes,” Eunjoo said.

The other half of the container was the source of the sea smell. I could see vertical stacks of long pipes running down the length that cycled water through them. In each were rows of plants, grown entirely in water.

Catching my gaze, she spoke up, startling me for some reason.

“They no longer send us supplies or rations. There are no new people, and none may leave. They don’t dare risk it. There is too good of a chance they will accidentally spread the virus, if they haven’t already,” She added and set a soldering iron down in its stand.

As the smoke from the iron wafted up in curls of blue and white, the woman turned to look over her shoulder at us. “At least they hadn’t sent no one new until you appeared. I wonder why they did that?”

“That’s all conspiracy theories and bogyman tales.” Rooker chuckled uncomfortably and pushed all the way inside until he was standing next to Eunjoo. “Good to see you, young lady. I have something for you.”

Eunjoo looked at me, her eyes focusing on the rabbit skewer, and for a second, my heart stopped.

“It had better not be that stinking Rabbit. You know I don’t eat meat.” She announced, and I felt a sigh slip out of me.

Reaching into the pocket of his Gortex jacket, Rooker produced a small pill bottle. “I told you I could hook up you.”

He grinned, Eunjoo darted a glance at the bottle, then accepted it before motioning for them to sit on a couch at the side of the room.

I plucked the meat off the skewer and started wolfing it down. After all, I wouldn’t want Eunjoo to have to deal with the smell if she didn’t eat meat. That would have been rude.

Rooker just grinned and sat down. “Mr. Rooker brings me clonidine when he can.”

“Oh, so you have high blood pressure?” I asked between mouthfuls, but this just earned a look from both of them like they were surprised I’d ever heard of the med.

I wasn’t sure of her age, but she looked far too young to need blood pressure medication. Her skin was smooth and pale, almost too pale, like those Japanese models from the early 2000s who all looked alike.

I’ll say it. She was beautiful. Obviously Asian, like her name indicated, but she had soft brown eyes that would have made Betty Davis envious. Her face was the shape of a teardrop upside down on which she had a small nose and full lips on a small mouth.

With a moment of clarity, I realized the woman in the pictures was all Eunjoo. Blond-haired 50s movie star, or exotic femme fatale, Eunjoo mastered each look.

“No, I have ADHD. The company stopped providing me with the medication a few months back. They called it an unrequired luxury,” Eunjoo said flatly.

“I used to have Company Commander who took it for pre-lecture nerves, and he told me that clonidine had an off-label use for treating ADHD,” Rooker shrugged. “Eunjoo needs to focus if she is going to work on software and hardware problems.”

Meanwhile, Eunjoo was grabbing a small electronic box and a wireless interface. “I’ll have to plug this into your head to see what your system layout looks like,” she said.

“Plug it into my head?” I asked in confusion, but Eunjoo pointed to the metal on the side of my head. My hand involuntarily went to it, feeling the warm metal and covering it in rabbit juice. “I have some kind of Core Module coordinating Error. We are heading to my pod later to fix it, but is that going to be a problem?”

“You’ve got errors in there alright,” Rooker muttered.

“No, though if it totally fails it might make that frame feel a little cumbersome,” Eunjoo chuckled at her own joke without realizing that for me it meant becoming a useless sack of skin again.

I felt around the metal on my head and frowned as I tried not to think about the possibility.

“What is this, anyway? I don’t see anyone else with one.” I asked as Eunjoo maneuvered closer to me, then reached up with a wet napkin and cleaned it off before handing it to me to clan my fingers.

Next, she placed the interface on to the metal. It stuck like a magnet, which made me shuddering mild revulsion.

“That is because it is the new interface. The old ones require us to penetrate the skin to make a connection. While more discrete, it is a pain to work on for field soldiers,” Sitting back, she grabbed her keyboard and started to type.

I wiped my hands and then looked around for a trash can, but I didn’t find one, so I just held onto the napkin. Then suddenly a holographic screen popped into existence between us, and I could read the word scrolling down the page.

* Dynamic Resolution Factor

* GPU Device

* VRSync

* Full View

* FPS

* HUD Scale

* Tech Upgradable

“You can ignore all of that. It’s just word soup for nerds like me. I am navigating to your HUD screen and we’ll get that set up,” She said absently.

The image dispersed like butterflies taking flight, and behind it resolved a picture of a sword toting samurai. “There is a standard configuration for your HUD. And you can do it all yourself, but it is easier if you know the system like I do,”

“So, this is common? I didn’t even know about the HUD capabilities.” I responded, but I was mesmerized by the screen as she easily navigated to my primary display.

“Yes, I’ve learned that Vision Dynamics isn’t real forth coming if they don’t have to be. Like they might have mentioned your Combat Frame can increase your strength and speed, but I doubt they mentioned you can use power weapons with it. The nanites actually produce enough power to keep a gauss sub gun throwing projectiles.”

Actually, no one had mentioned N14s at all.

“So, your submachine gun is a gauss weapon?” I marveled, and Rooker grinned as he patted it lightly.

“I don’t need a long N14 for better aim when I have a targeting system and a nail gun. With the power based on the coil moving the nails, not a gas powered projectile, it’s even more stable,” he said.

On the screen, two thick lines appeared at the bottom of my screen. One on top was red, the one on the bottom was green.

Stolen novel; please report.

“A nail gun? You actually call it a nail gun?” I scoffed and extended my hand, asking to inspect it.

“Hands off, your fingers are as greasy as your lips,” Rooker stepped back, his hands out to keep me back.

Eunjoo suddenly interjected, annoyed at our banter.

“Health and power bars are on the bottom, so they stay out of your way when fighting. Threat indicators will be in your upper right, and a guideline will be displayed to indicate the target.”

The icons appeared as she spoke and soon a line was pointing to the Samurai, and to the upper right was an information block.

[Warning: Melee Combatant Detected]

“Once you move, the icon will fade out unless you focus on it. If you have a weapon targeting reticle will appear. When you acquire a target, the reticle will glow lightly red,” She instructed.

When you want to look at your system’s performance, focus on bringing up the display. So think or say, Current Analysis.”

“Current Analysis,” I said, and an overlay popped into existence.

[Core Module Screen]

In the center of my screen again it listed my health, which was fine and my energy, which was low.

A warning pulsed in my vision ominously.

[Core Module Coordinating Element (CMCE) Failure in Progress]

Now a third bar was added with my sync rate, which was red except a small blue part marked 5%.

It also listed my attack speed and rate of energy production. Which was cool, that along with several other stats like recall storage, and current armor and weapons slots which it displayed on an avatar of my form were very useful.

“Wow, that’s low even for a noob. Your Sync rate is going to be a problem. How long until you can get it fixed?” Eunjoo asked.

“We are prepping a mission right now to recover her operations pod,” Rooker said as he looked over Eunjoo’s shoulders.

Pushing him out of her bubble, Eunjoo gave him a sharp look.

“Her frame will be useless, no, worse, it will be a detriment to her being able to fight. She shouldn’t be allowed here in the Zone, let alone go out on missions,” she said bewildered.

She was right. I was an uncoordinated mess. But what could I do about that?

“There are ways, with enough training and focus, to learn to cultivate your Yōkai-Tech with your mind. Or so I am told. But doesn’t help you right now,” she said.

Rooker scratched the back of his arm and moved back toward the wall. Eunjoo watched him move for a moment, then brought her attention back to me.

“I could add a Sapho boost,” She said absently, and Rooker did a double take.

“A Sapho boost? I didn’t think you trafficked in that kind of stuff,” He marveled.

“It’s mineral in a fluid suspension that allows the Yōkai-Tech to respond faster for a period. You just can’t use it too much, or too often, or it will desynchronize your Yōkai-Tech,” she explained.

Abby’s voice cut in, and I nearly flinched as she appeared standing beside Rooker. This time, instead of being dressed like a naughty lab assistant, she was in a monk’s robe and sandals.

“It is by will alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of Sapho that thoughts acquire speed, the lips acquire stains, stains become a warning, ” She intoned, then giggled. “She’s such a sci-fi nerd.”

“You may notice on the top of your HUD it lists your gear, your implants, inventory, and weapons.” She said, her professional demeanor returning. “I add the injectable Sapho. It holds about thirty doses. and you will find the activation key under Implants,” she said.

“Rooker told me that generally it’s safe when you use alongside your Yōkai-tech.

But you mentioned I shouldn’t use it too much?” I asked.

“Like I said it can destabilize your sync rate if you use too much. But right now you have little for gear. You just have your frame, that’s out of sync, and your Ballistic shield. Sapho will increase your sync rate temporarily,” Her eyes went from mine to the moist napkin in my fist.

“How? I mean this miracle stuff sounds all impressive, but how does it do these things?”

”It’s no miracle. The Sapho increases your nerves’ conductivity rate. This allows more electricity to flow through from your nervous system more freely. It is like a supercharger for the Yōkai. The Super charged Yōkai transmit through your inlays and body suit to the Oni. With it, you become even more lethal than ever. Without it, well,

that soiled napkin you’re holding won’t help you.”

The display of the ballistic shield illuminated, only now it listed the durability as three out of five. “Cool, it’s recharging.” I said and stuff the Napkin into my pocket, glad to have the moist, oily thing out of hand.

“What? Recharging?” Eunjoo looked up confused, then closed her eyes and shook her head before moving on.

“What are the implants?” I asked, fascinated by all of it.

“Implants are unique items that provide a variety of bonuses and powers, Like the Sapho boost. Each implant occupies one slot and only be equipped when there is sufficient power. Like injectable medical nanites, or your targeting reticle.”

“So my cyborg parts?” I laughed. and Eunjoo briefly smiled back.

“Yes, your cyborg parts.” she said, then her smile slipped away as she brought up a new screen.

“It appears your Ballistic shield somehow avoided contagion. You said it came off a Scavenger?” She asked, with a baffled expression on her face.

“Sure, I didn’t know about all this computer virus stuff. I just needed some protection. When I put it on, it said something about the infection being purged, but I didn’t have a grasp on any of this,” I explained.

Eunjoo sat back, dumbfounded, and shook her head in amazement.” That’s impossible. Nothing can clean corrupted Armor. The virus just shuts it down,” she sighed.

I shrugged as I sat there feeling like the kid who never studied for the pop quiz. Eunjoo stood up and walked back to her work desk, lifted the hood and brought over the object she’d been working on.

It was a sword. A short sword, but a sword. “This is a corrupted short sword,” she said.

Rooker leapt back and growled, “Are you crazy, get that thing away from me!” in a panic and following his lead I stepped back as well.

Eunjoo looked confused for a moment, then laughed and waved Rooker off. “It’s off line. I’m not stupid,” she rolled her eyes at us, and I instantly felt stupid.

“I’ve had it here for months. If it were going to corrupt me, or my things, it would have done so,” she said.

“So that is corrupted? I’m afraid I really don’t know what that means. No one has explained it all to me,” I said and gave Rooker a nod, and we both relaxed.

“Oh.” Eunjoo said with a look of surprised on her delicate features. “Well, the sword is just a machine, but one that is powered like your ballistic shield. When it is on, it creates a field no thicker than a molecule on the edge of the blade, making it insanely sharp. It also holds enough heat to scorch wood instantly if you want it to,” I sat down and she looked at me for permission as she handed it to me.

I was surprised by the weight, and how balanced it felt. Some weapons, if they are front heavy, can feel slow on the recovery, but I wagered this one was an ideal fighting weapon.

“The corruption is actually the competing technology, not a virus at all we call it Numa-Tech. You know Yuma, Yōkai Spirits?” She paused for effect, but seeing now she pressed on.

“The Chinese variant of this nanite-technology is not compatible with the Yōkai-Tech. Both technologies were designed to better enhance the user individually. And both were also designed, like all things these days, to have hidden processes to help big brother to know you better.”

“So, it is designed to spy on us?” I said, feeling a little sick.

“No more than social media. You get all the physical advantages, the endless intelligence gathering abilities, the list goes on and on. They get access to your information. It’s not a new idea, it’s just being done in a new and more invasive way. Imagine if two operating systems went to war. Only, you’re the computer and power source,” she said, then walked back to her scanner and started fiddling with it again. “So, what they infect each other with computer viruses?” I gaped.

“As near as I can tell, yes. Except that the Yuma-Tech is aggressive, and the Yōkai-Tech only defends, but it only defends as long as its synced. Once it stops, as near as we can tell the, Yuma Tech takes over. When it does, that’s bad.”

The blue light from her scanner’s read out suddenly changed from soft blue to a soft green. Eunjoo turned quickly, her eyes darting to the sword still resting in my hands. “That’s not possible!”

[Short Sword: Corruption detected]

[Short Sword: Corruption purged]

Scrolled across my HUD, and with a little trepidation in my voice, I called out. “Something just changed in my HUD.”

“That’s impossible!” Eunjoo interjected plaintively. “No one knows how to purge the Yuma-Tech from Yōkai-Tech.

Eunjoo’s flat expression changed as her arched brows knit together and she returned her focus on to the central display. “You have something new here. A menu that I can’t access.” Rooker sat up, interested, for the first time.

“Can you activate the prompt?” Rooker asked.

I tried focusing on it, a small hourglass shape in the upper left of the HUD.

[Access denied. Command code required.]

A second line of text scrolled over my vision, but this one I noticed wasn’t visible on Eunjoo’s display.

[Access codes can be found inside the operations pod.]

“Maybe it has something to do with the failing CMCE,” I supplied, though why I didn’t mention the message I couldn’t have said at the time. Something about mentioning it seemed wrong.

Then decide to change topics. “So what happened to my Recall Storage? I’ve never dumped it, I didn’t even know it was there. Or what is it exactly?”

Eunjoo continued to stare at the symbol, her lips moving despite not a sound escaping.

I noticed that Rooker had lost interest and was now walking around looking at the images in deep set frames colored in ivory and gold.

“Are all these you, Eunjoo? Where you an actor?” He asked absently, and as I looked between them, I felt a little rush of irritation growing again. This time I didn’t bother to keep it in check.

“Excuse me you two, can you pull yourselves out of your own little worlds for a moment and answer my damn question?”

Eunjoo startled and looked around suddenly, then snapped out an answer.

“No, I did some modeling, and I was in competitive martial arts!” She said, obviously answering Rooker’s question.

As Rooker grinned, I face palmed and took in a deep breath.

“I was asking about the recall storage, what is it exactly?” I asked and watched as Eunjoo blushed a little as she focused on me.

“Sorry, I get distracted when I haven’t had my meds,” She responded, then hurried to explain.

“It is pretty much what it sounds like. It allows you to capture data if you want to. I am guessing you never turned yours on because normally people have junk recording handing out. You don’t have any, and you don’t know about it.”

“So what is it like a cop’s body camera?” I asked, puzzled.

“It can do that, but it also picks up intelligence signals for later examination. Normally you have something at least, even if it just the system’s recording.”

I realized Eunjoo was still staring at the hourglass shaped icon, so I grabbed her chair to make her look at me. “So I have no memory of anything past the time of the surgery and there are no records of any kind in my system that is designed to do exactly that?”

Eunjoo’s eyes got wide as she focused on me, then drifted up as she considered what I’d actually said.

“It might seem odd to you, but to me it just sounds like it was never activated. If you had no memory of anything after the surgery, you could have just been unconscious until recently.” She said, but her voice had a distant sound to it that made me think she was wrestling with the idea.

Rooker paused, his back going ridged as his eyes went to the ceiling. “Did you two feel that?”

I started to ask what he meant, but the sudden tremor that went through the building wasn’t new to me. “That was a grenade!”

Rooker charged his weapon and headed for the front. “Stay here, Bro, you ‘re unarmed and your frame is wonky.”

Pausing, he looked back at the pair of us and grinned widely. “Eunjoo, I really liked your pictures. Thank you for sharing,” he grinned and rushed out.

Eunjoo looked back at her wall and frowned as she saw the space where one picture frame was missing.