Arron and Tooth followed Kix as he dived into the large mass of people that crowded the entire street between the many tall apartment buildings that populated the area. There was no way any type of hover vehicle would be able to drive around here.
Two teenage kids zoomed past them on hoverboards as they erratically weaved their way between the mass of people. Some of the people who were nearly hit shouted a few choice words at the teens, but they had already disappeared into the crowd ahead of them.
Everywhere Arron looked he could see all types of people with various stages of cybernetics showing on their bodies. From little things like goggles or a cybernetic hand to those who were showing more metal than skin.
This sight along with the sense of fashion on the first level was far more exotic and in your face than on the 4th level where Arron had not seen any obvious cybernetics, dyed hair, clothes that change color, or even see through clothes.
“This way!” shouted Kix over the loud noise of tens of thousands of voices as well as the other nightlife sounds.
The three of them separated from the large mass of bodies into a wide side alley that was filled with popup stalls on each side. The smell of hundreds of different types of foods all mixed together to make an odd but enticing aroma.
As they walked down the long alley Arron looked at each stall to see what they were selling. There were both thick and thin soups with almost anything you could imagine floating in them. Some of the stalls sold dumplings, desserts, and even a few sold some sort of meat.
Each stall had its holographic sign floating above to advertise its food. With all the signs the dark alley was filled with a riot of colors lighting up their path.
In the light, Arron could see several flying drones dropping off packages at the stalls while some were even taking cooked food in sealed metal containers, high into the air to fly to some person who had ordered the food. Seeing it all made Arron realize just how many drones were flying above them!
This was so different than in the country.
“Oh look at that!” said Toothbrush, pointing at an odd glowing tube sign.
The tubes of the sign were bent in many ways making a picture that had nothing to do with the food that was being sold. Different parts of the sign were glowing with neon colors.
“Wow someone must be rich, to be able to buy and use such a relic as that neon sign. Aren't they afraid that it might get damaged?” asked Kix.
“Is it that big of a thing?” asked Arron.
“It's a pre-Troubles era sign. Of course it costs a lot of money and you also need to take care of it more carefully than the cheapo holo signs on the rest of the stalls,” said Toothbrush.
The stall owner with the neon sign had heard their praise and smiled at them happily while the other nearby stalls all looked at them angrily.
“Since the holosigns are so cheap to make there are like A1 parrasteel, it can be found everywhere and there is nothing special about it. You can also just have any random kid off the street program a design or just do it yourself. But the neon sign is different in every aspect,” said Kix.
As they walked through several other side alleys, a thought popped up into Arron's head as he remembered part of the laws from training.
“Isn't this a violation of Mother and Father’s gathering and business laws?” asked Arron.
“They don't care about what happens down here as long as nothing is going on that affects them they turn a blind eye to it. But if you were to do something like this on the 2nd - 4th level you would be immediately arrested,” said Kix.
“Even if they turn a blind eye to it, the last I heard, they still make sure to take 50% of the stalls' earnings,” said Toothbrush.
Kix stopped and his hand snapped out grabbing a hand that was reaching towards Arron.
“Get lost scum,” said Kix. He used his free hand to reveal his holographic M1 id to the man.
The Pickpocket’s face soured at seeing the M1 Id. He hurriedly wrenched his hand away from Kix and slinked off into the crowd of people to find a different target.
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“I know it might be fascinating for you to see everything but you need to keep an eye out for sneaky people like that. They will steal anything that is not tied to your body,” said Kix.
“Right,” said Toothbrush, nodding in agreement.
The three continued down the many different side alleys for another ten minutes.
“Just around the corner and we will have reached our destination,” said Kix.
When they rounded the corner they stopped in front of a small 30 story building crammed between two towering 300-floor buildings.
“What? I thought we were going to be eating at one of the stalls,” said Arron.
“No way! You're more likely to get sick if you eat their questionable food,” said Kix, as he walked forward towards the decent-sized line of people entering the small building.
A large holographic sign was plastered over the entire front wall of the building.
It was a large black bug wearing a monocle and a top hat. Its right arm was animated to move back and forth, simulating it smoking a cigar and puffing out rings of smoke. Under the holosign was the glowing holographic name of the building, [The Roach].
As they left the brightly lit street they entered a dark lobby that took up what seemed like the entire first floor.
In front of them, there were three different lines of people waiting all outlined by a green holographic light on the ground. Two of the lines were jam-packed with people waiting while the third had fewer people.
Kix led them to the shorter line, where they waited until it was their turn.
“Next!” shouted the robotic servant.
The robotic servant looked at the three of them and held out its scanner before asking, “Reservation?”
Kix waved his hand back and forth, “Not us, we're the last of the group for the reservation under the name Officer Pointer.”
The robotic servant's arm lowered and its eyes glowed yellow as it searched its reservation database and found the proper details. “Officer Pointer. Reservation for Ten. Seven present. Room for three more. Affirmative. Your table is on the 13th floor in room 30. Next!”
To Arron's surprise, Kix walked over not to the Mag-shoot, but a set of stairs!
“Don't be surprised by something like this,” said Kix before Arron could ask a question. “It's like this at most businesses and buildings on the first level. Here at [The Roach], only the VIP are allowed to use the Mag-shoots, everyone else has to use one of the three sets of staircases.”
As they walked up the stairs they heard many different odd sounds coming from each floor, some were more... sensual than others.
It took them a few minutes to climb the stairs with the large crowds of people coming and going from the various floors.
“This is our usual gathering spot after a hard day's work, [The Oasis],” said Kix, when they reached the door of room 30 on the 13th floor.
When they entered the 'room', Arron saw that it was an old-style bar with several hundred people already sitting at stools near the bar or tables.
It was dimly lit with an orange glowing light from the ceiling and glowing holographic strips on the ground to light their path.
Behind the bar were several robotic bartenders. Each of them had several robotic hands that were all busy doing different tasks such as washing glasses, preparing snacks, pouring drinks, serving the drink and snacks, and taking payments.
Several holotv screens hovered over the many tables and were broadcasting different content at a low level.
“... And I was saying Mother who? I haven't seen mother in years!” said a skinny comedian standing in front of a pre-Troubled era microphone.
“Not that Mother the other Mother!” said a second heavy-set comedian standing next to him. Loud laughter escaped the speakers of the holo-tv.
“In other News, Here is a clip of an interview with Macy Poisey, a member under Mother,” said news reporter Fela.
“I know a lot of people on the first level want to live on a higher level, but there is no need for that. On the higher levels, everything is too expensive and the people are not nice. It would be much simpler and cheaper if they just stayed on the first level,” said Macy Poisey, an old lady who looked ready to die at any moment.
“I'm sure the viewers will take your revealing suggestions to heart,” said Kommy.
“Oh! One more thing, I would be grateful if the viewers all continued to support me. If I can keep your support I will work towards a future where everyone gets free money!” said Macy Poisey.
The people at the tables quietly talked to each other, some laughed out loud at a joke or something that happened at their table. While the other patrons sat at the front bar nursing their drinks as they mutely stared into the bubbling liquid lost in thought.
Next to the bar in a corner was an empty stage that currently had a bizarre light show flashing different colors and shapes. Arron was sure if you used some extra stimulants the show would probably be even wilder.
Overall, It was a nice atmosphere that made Arron feel quite relaxed.
“Kix!” A booming voice cut through the quiet atmosphere.
The three of them looked over towards the voice and found a man in the far right corner waving for them to come over.
When they reached the table Arron saw there were already 7 people (four men and three women) sitting down eating and drinking together.
The man who had called them over raised both hands and pointed at them with gun fingers and said, “Hey! Glad you guys could finally make it here! We were beginning to think you got lost.”
“Captain Pointer, I had to show these guys around a bit so that's why we were late,” said Kix as he sat down in one of the empty hover chairs around the large table.
“Ah... so you guys are the new probies,” said Captain Pointer as he looked over Arron and Toothbrush.
Arron also looked at him more closely and saw that the left half of his face was covered in a chrome-colored metal while the rest of his face including his bald head was covered in horrible burn scars from either fire or acid. Maybe it was both, Arron could not tell.
Captain Pointer reached out and grabbed Arron's hand in a firm grasp and shook it while smiling and said, “Welcome to ERF's unit 3!”