I walked into a classroom for the first time in three years. It felt weird but good, the room was similar to classrooms I used to go to there was a seating chart and I was far left against the wall middle row, I wanted to be more center but seeing so many people in one room was also different. So, I was glad I wasn’t center. People gave me weird looks as I went to my seat. I only had three classes right now was car mechanics nothing coding, then video editing. Next to me sat a girl named Valerie.
Seare: “Hi, I’m Seare.”
She looked me over then at the board at my name.
Valerie: “You can call me V.”
Seare: “And me Siri”
She shook my hand and looked at the people coming in. the fuck. She’s V. the fuck, I don’t need to search anymore. Good for me, is this good? Yes, I can get to know her how can I help her If I don’t get to know her, how will I stop her from stealing a random artifact in the future for no reason, this is good. Sure, I would have waited a few more years until I wasn’t a four-year-old. Talking to a fifteen-year-old.
Man am I so short compared to everyone. But I sat in my seat. The teacher looked over the talking class. And after a few minutes everyone quieted.
Carlos: “I am Carlos, you all may call me Carlos, no nicknames for me please. also, I won’t be taking attendance, ever. If you’re here, you’ll learn if you’re not you’ll miss out. if you have a question, ask. I will wait at the beginning of class to until everyone is done talking to start class. Any questions people?”
Some guy who sat two rows in front of me. Raised his hand, when Carlos nodded at him, he asked calmly.
Samule: “May I ask why he is in our class? Isn’t the minimum age for the class fourteen?”
Carlos: “glad you ask, I have looked, and he is just short, any other questions before we start.”
Samule looked surprised and a little guilty at getting me called short, and said nothing else but gave me a apologetic look. Some people looked intrigued while others looked annoyed at the interruption, But most didn’t care, they wanted the class to start, and it did.
During class we learned about how cars worked, how their engines run and all the pieces, I felt a deep craving to learn like I always have.
After class was my break, I went to the cafeteria sat down and relaxed… it felt wrong to relax so I walked around the building, some people stopped me, but I showed my student access card and went along fine. Their were a lot of different classes going on, as I passed the mechanics class again, I saw him teaching the lesson again, so I continued walking. The glass walls of the classroom to the hall let a lot of people see me during the walk almost all looked confused when they saw me. someone pointed me out in one of the classes I passed, V was in this class. I saw them ask the teacher she saw me walking and waved at me to come in. uh oh did I do something wrong?
I entered the class, and she waved me to the front, so I walked up to him.
Seare: “What’s up?”
Hadley: “I’m miss Hadley, why is a child walking the halls?”
Seare: “I’m short not a child, don’t have a class in-between my previous and my next one so I’m walking around bored. Seeing the school.”
Hadley looked incredulous.
Hadley: “What classes?”
Seare: “Car mechanic was the previous one next I have coding, after that is video editing.”
She looked intrigued. I grabbed my student pass and showed her. She nodded at it.
Hadley: “This class is, Netrunning 101, if you are bored then sit in. its open seating. Try and keep up.”
So, I took a seat, the one next to V was open so I raised my eyebrows at her and she nodded, and I sat next to her. She smiled and went back to the lesson. She thinks I shouldn’t be here yet, I’ll change her mind.
Hadley: “The net also called cyberspace. Is a visual representation to the internet. It is a stream of pure algorithms and code separated by treacherous abysses of nothingness.”
The lesion was interesting and fun. Turns out this is a required class by Arasaka at 14, most of the class had eyes glazed over but I wasn’t I haven’t learned about the net from my mom like they have over the years some. So, I listened to every word like I should. At the end of class, she walked up to me.
Hadley: “If you want to come in during your break, do so. It would be nice have another student wanting to learn, it’s been awhile.”
I left following V, we both entered coding class, and we were seated next to each other. How? It’s by name, S, T, U, V is the alphabet, so we are almost next to each other in name.
I this class didn’t have computers, but this one and the Netrunning one did.
Sisley: “hello, I’m Sisley I’m your coding teacher. We will be learning how to make simple codes in this class, and doing one big project the entire time, near the end of the year we will have one bigger project but other than that it’s all about basics. For first year coders.”
Everyone seemed excited about the project’s but sad that it would be just learning otherwise. And coding was mainly used in Netrunning, protection from Netrunners, or for weapons and armor like my Monowire and for AI purposes. This was the first time I thought about AI in a long time. I wonder how much further this universe is in that regard from my old one.
Sisley: “I will take be taking attendance, does anyone have a name they would rather me call them?”
V: “I want to be called V.”
She changed the seating chart name to V in the system, someone else raised their hand and changed their name too. Someone raised their hand and asked about me again.
Sisley: “We also have Seare in are class, no he isn’t a child he is just short, any questions before we begin.”
I felt pain at being called short by my teacher, but the lie was worth getting into these classes. I knew most of what she talked about, thank god they use python. It was made before the collapse. Python had updates that are different and the with cyberspace there is many new things to learn, but at least its stuff I know currently.
After class I went to lunch running ahead of everyone to heat up my ramen noodles I brough in sealed box with chopsticks. I learned with my mom how to use chopsticks and liked it. after sitting in a corner of the room, a sat and started eating. Everyone else grabbed the schools lunch copy apples or other fruits and some other people brought food from home, some because they couldn’t afford school food, and some with expensive show off food. I was more toward cheap option but it’s because I like noodles. As I ate in Silence V walked over and sat opposite me. I swallowed my current bite of food.
Seare: “Hi V, how are you?”
This is lunch time for everyone fourteen or fifteen years old. So, its everyone’s first year at this school, some people might have friends but most not. Most people sat alone or with one person while two groups of five were out there. Eventually I bet it will get better but for now it quietish in the room.
V: “Alright what was your last class?”
Seare: “I had video editing! What about you?”
V: “corporate composer training.”
Sounds like learning HR department stuff like how to keep a perfect smile. I had to take a class on emotion control once when I through my computer out my third-floor dorm room window in anger. A lot of different relaxation techniques were learned like the four square breathing technique where you breath in for four hold for four then breath out for four seconds that relieves stress.
Seare: “how was it? ”
V looked like fine a minute ago but now broke her composure.
V: “like hell. Who needs to learn sitting position and how the position of your shoulders helps put people at ease when talking to you.”
A laughed at that one. she looked angry for a second. Then laughed to.
V: “anyway I wanted to ask you about that.”
She pointed at my Monowire
Seare: “It’s a Monowire.”
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
V: ”I was right I wasn’t sure, how did you get one? Man, your weird you know that?”
I smiled. And spoke aloud in a bit deeper voice that also sounded proud.
Seare: “And What Self-proclaimed Genius Isn’t!”
V and someone nearby laughed at that, I turned to see Samule, the guy who was in the mechanics class laughing at that, he was walking passed us to a lone seat. I waved him over and he sat down next to me.
Seare: “Hi, Samule I’m Seare”
Samule: “Call me Sam.”
Seare: “Then call me Siri.”
Sam: “Alright.”
He started eating.
V: “so, your Monowire, do you know how to use it?”
Seare: “of course, what’s the point of having one if you can’t use it? it hurts a lot I’m not doing it for looks!”
Me who used permanent marker to draw a cool design over the top of it.
That got Sam to almost spit out his food, and V to chuckle, lunch ended, and I went to editing waving goodbye to V. Turns out Sam also had editing class with me. Most classes are with the same fifty people for the first year because of the small option list.
Mins like a robot introduced herself what we would be learning and what class would be like, watching a DB showing how we will edit it then letting us edit on our own while she come and helps everyone. She wouldn’t be taking attendance because it was a choice to be join her class. And that was my day at school. I said by to Sam and went home. fulfilling day. Because I only have one days’ worth of classes I have a day off in between every class. I decided to go to the Vics boxing ring every other day because with school I don’t have time, classes take up ten hours of the day starting at 6 am with each class being two hours and fifteen minutes and lunch being thirty minutes, so I’m going to bed earlier.
I said hi to Misty and went upstairs, no one was there so I set up a bag and made the wire dull and hit away then switched to normal boxing, trying to copy the fragments of memories that I remember of my friend. Then did stretches and then continued from the start. Part way through my third loop Vic came up with some kid.
Seare: “Hi Vic, just practicing and working out.”
Vic: “hey Siri, have you watched the DB about the Monowire yet?”
Seare: “haven’t had time, school and working out today, I think I’ll do it in two days when I don’t have school.”
He nodded at that. I unhooked my bad and went to the corner of the room to continue. Giving them space to box Vic have gloves on. They started boxing and after a while I stopped practicing to watch. The guy Vic practiced with got tired and sat at the side.
Vic: “come on Siri, jump in. do you know how to box?”
Seare: “not well.”
I jumped in. and put on the gloves they were big on me so I took them off.
Seare: “you ok with me not using gloves?”
He nodded and we boxed. Me hitting his gloves teaching hands over and over not able to get passed his defenses. I thought back remembering how the guy who was boxing before did it and tried copying him started looping it over and over left right back jab.
Vic: “you have good eyes, you are trying to copy Jackie’s attack.”
Seare: “it’s the only move I’ve seen so yeah.”
Jackie looked to be twenty ish years old. He looked strong and fit. Jackie… that’s one of V’s friends, I think?
Vic: “your able to copy it really well but you should change it to fit your body, being so short doesn’t make the neck jab as effective.”
Jackie: “He called you Siri, How old are you?”
Seare: “legally fourteen.”
Vic: “ok, I’m done with boxing for now, let’s see how far you got with the Monowire.”
Oh no. we spent three hours straight last time at midnight! How long will this take?
Shoot it out, making doubly sure that its dull. Vic wears some padded armor, and we start using it like a whip trying to hit him. Using the momentum fling it around how I want, pulling it back so it doesn’t hit him ass hard. We do this for who know how long then he boxes with Jackie some more.
I start on my stretches again. Because of my pressure healing ability, I have been focusing on stretching each muscle for my workout. The stress healing fastest from this type then doing it again.
After Vic finishes with Jackie, he walked over and watches me stretch.
Vic: “may we join?”
Seare: “sure.”
He sits like I am and tries copying me, but can’t he’s too tight so I walk over and massage the muscles until they are loose enough to stretch properly. Jackie joins not as well as Vic, but it seems to help I don’t massage him though.
After a while I go home and rest on the couch eating chips and making a mess. I quickly get up and clean the house when I hear the elevator, I thought mom was staying at work tonight. It could be a neighbor, but I doubt it. then I notice the sweat on me and change cloths. Quickly.at the lock clicks I jump onto the couch and turn on the tv making it seem like the house wasn’t a mess.
My mom doesn’t enter the room… its some guy I don’t know, I roll to the floor before they see me.
Guy 1: “the tv is on?”
Guy 2: “they probable left it that way, by accident. We have footage of her at work and the kid should be asleep.”
It is late, I see the time on the tv, 3:30 am, man do I have a screwed-up sense of time, lucky me. I roll under the couch as the walk though the room, two people males, large work boots. I text my mom
Text: “two people in the house trying to kidnap me, they have a video of you so don’t act up, I am hiding, and they don’t know where I am.”
I sent it. are they here to kill me or rob me or kidnap me. This world it could be anything. But they weren’t here for nothing they were creeping to my room. I slid silently out from under the bed and creeped towards the door. That’s when a third person entered the house. Shit. She saw me.
Girl 1: “HEy-glub.”
I flicked my wrist, and my wire shot out and through her neck cutting her off, but it was to late. I ran the two people behind me yelling. I felt it inside me cool leveled up form murdering one person. Up to four.as I ran busting through the staircase door I flicked up my stat screen.
1. Max Colson 2. Seare: lives lived: 1
point balance: 124 points “at the start every life you get :121 points: for your gained achievements”
body: 4 (+) “determines raw physical power”
Sub stats body:
Athletics: 1 (1+) “determines your durability and speed”
Annihilation: 0 (+) “determines speed and control for large weapons”
Street brawler: 1 (+) “increase speed and control with hand weapons”
Reflexes: 3 (+) “determines evasion and speed”
Sub stats body:
Handguns: 1 (+) “better at reloading and firing faster”
Blades: 0 (+) “quicker and better at handling”
Assault: 0 (+) “better fighting in and around cover”
Technical ability: 4 (2+) “represents technical knowledge, and ability to handle cyberware”
Sub stats body:
Crafting: 1 (2+) “how to find, use, and make things”
Engineering: 1 (2+) “ability to see loot and materials you can use”
Thought speed: 3 (+) “determines Netrunning ability”
Sub stats body:
Breach protocol: 0 (+) “ability to hack people and things, and make hacking daemons”
Quick hacking: 0 (+) “how many and strength of your hacks on people and things”
Cool: 4 (+) “resilience and composure and control over yourself”
Sub stats body:
Stealth: 0 (1+) “understanding of how to hide sneak and avoid.”
Cold Blood: 1 (1+) “ability to handle killing”
Bought ability’s:
“artists hands” you have complete control over your fingers and hands.
"keep pumping” your heart doesn’t stop unless you are braindead or mentally unstable, even if its removed blood will keep flowing through your body. Warning can be painful.
"numbness” you can control what pain gates are open with your thoughts instead of massaging them.
“fast hands” when working you can move your hands at double speed.
"remember recipe” remember all cooking recipes you have made.
“maker” know how to change recipes to fit the stuff you have on hand.
Skill abilities:
“disassemble” you are able to know how to disassemble whatever your hands touches. “pressure healing” the more pressure you feel the faster you heal.
Cyberware: Monowire, interface plug.
Cool id level to four. What can I get. My heart wasn’t racing my blood pumped normally but my mind on the other hand was. There.
“shut down” stop feeling one emotion for a limited time.
That’s what I need sure there was other things I needed more but my panic was going to kill me right now. I tripped down a flight of stairs and slammed into the wall.
I chose the ability, and said panic. Suddenly I was calm. I turned seeing the knife going for my face. and ducked, pulled my Monowire up slicing through his leg, not completely it didn’t have enough speed. I pulled it out of him. As he grabbed his leg in pain, I jumped rolling down the stairs I felt a lot of pain and new my shoulder got dislocated and my legs burned with agony. But I need distance. The guy got ahold of himself and stood there watching me get up. the timer ran out panic was back but the calm I gained was enough to not get swallowed by it. My heart burned my not being able to respond to my emotions. Pain is better than a heart attack.
Why wasn’t he charging at me, we were just staring at each other, waiting… for what? Wasn’t there another one of them? I immediately pull my wire slinging it behind me with a crack sending it through the closed glass of the closed door behind me and cutting the shotgun aimed at me through the door. I dived. Too slowly the gun could still fire and it was a point blank shot bullets punched through me few missed from the barrel being pointed away slightly. Making a third of them go into his buddy up the stairs. I fell forward my right arm on spraying blood on the wall. Shit, shit. Most of the bullets were still in me pressing against the bone. My arm was shattered, I felt it healing faster pressure healing coming in clutch, the pain was overwhelming, the guy stood over me smiling at the fact I was in too much pain to move gloating, standing on my uninjured arm so I couldn’t use the Monowire. I used shut down on my pain, suddenly it wasn’t there anymore my extra understanding in cold blood skill helping me use its power better. He pointed the shotgun in my face. dumb move, with my injured arm that was already healed enough to move again I slapped it to the side then grabbed his and pulled his foot holding my arm down making him tumble forward I grabbed his pistol from his back holster and shot him in the back, four times.
He tried to get up, but I shot him in the head, and he stopped moving. I got up and shut down ended, shit so much pain I slipped in my own blood and fell to the ground, I slowly pulled out my phone, the pain and blood in my face making me unable to see clearly, I called my mom.
Kiri: “Are you ok! What happened can I come now what’s happening!”
She was yelling into the phone I couldn’t hear her that well the shotgun blasting next to me making me partially deaf.
Seare: “their dead. Need help. In staircase. Shit it’s hard to see with all the blood.”
I tried to get up but fell in my blood again. That’s a lot of blood.
Kiri: “Are you hurt you said blood who’s blood! I’m on my way don’t worry.”
Seare: “there’s a lot of blood, mostly mine, I think? Not sure.”
I could feel my heart beating at a slower pace than normal, no I can’t die yet. I got some levels in things from the fight so that’s good, I think? I couldn’t lift my head anymore it was to exhausting to do. My vision started going black and when it was open I could only see blood pooling around me. My mom arrived, she ran over and held me.
Seare: “I’ll be alright… just tired, now you’re here can you get me to bed?”
My vision went black, and it was over.
End of chapter: four