The Bridge Police Department and the Orbital Police Department are a disjointed mess of shady jurisdictions, corruption and politics. It is the kind of thing one would expect when you privatize the police forces and all of them are looking to make money. The Homeworld Guard is the only one that can just do whatever they want rules and politics be damned. If they want information they get it willingly or kill everyone and take it anyway.

Needless to say, Wynn being an Orbital Police is not going to get her anywhere with the Bridge Police. Still the investigation into her brother’s death is not something they can keep from her. She plans on going over every detail of the incident starting with whatever they found. After that she plans on going to Bridge Medical Inc. to get their records as well.

“Yeah, Wynn was it.” The large officer says while smacking loudly on gum. His eyes have a glint in them and he is obviously watching some tv show and only half paying attention. “I told you that the case is part of an ongoing investigation. So, get the fuck out of my police station you orbital fuck’n debris.”

Wynn is in the Solar City Bridge Police Station with one of the most frustrating officer receptionists she has ever spoken to. The man is large and not due to any combat augmentations or muscle, just pure giggly bits. He is in his upper fifties and did not age well. While she doesn’t know his first name his name tag says Aycock which she thinks is perfectly fitting. His comments have ranged from unhelpful at best to down right antagonistic the moment he found out she was an Orbital Police Officer.

“I told you I just want the information on my brother. I don’t need anything else about your fucking investigation.” Wynn says seething to the point she wants to just shoot the man.

“Oh, you are still here?” Aycock says. “Fuck off bitch before I have you trespassed. Your brother is packed up what does it matter?” He then starts laughing loudly at something in his augmentation.

Wynn takes a picture of the man from her memories, saving it away for later. She will be cross referencing the man to see if anyone important will miss him if he just so happens to go missing. She turns away and walks out of the police station. Calling a friend with her augmentation it doesn’t take long before a familiar voice picks up.

“Wynn? Oh man, amizé, I heard what happened. Tough.” The voice is digitized sounding like a poorly optimized text to speech program. “You have my condolences.”

Their name was Caz or at least that is what everyone called them. It is their moniker since no one really knows who they are, their name, sex, age is all a mystery. Caz is a hacker or better known as a shark who trades in money or secrets though they owe Wynn for saving their life when Orbital Police almost caught them and definitely would have if not for her help. They were smuggling themselves from one of the outer bridges to Centuri in a stolen mail carrier.

“Thanks, Caz. Look, I need a favor.” Wynn says. “Well two favors but first can you get a file from the Bridge Police servers?”

“Damn, I mean I can but I would need a direct connection from the inside. Their network has a fucking crazy netgate.” Caz says. “What is this about? I know that auti departments don’t get along but hacking them.”

“I need a file and they are hiding it. Kevin’s death they did a full investigation on and it is apparently still ongoing with several other cases but I have never heard about this before. How familiar are you with neural cryptoseizure?”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

“Fuck, is that what happened to him? It is always a threat with anyone that void walks and is caused by hyperkinetic data influx.” Caz states.

“Void walking, that’s what you do when you place your mind totally in the net right?” Wynn asks.

“Yes, but many people do something similar when they enter simulations or games or anything like that. Well kind of, void walking is total digital immersion. It takes a lot of equipment and training not to get fried. Games are like ten percent immersion just enough to cut sensation to the body and reproduce some of those in a digital space.”

“Is it possible that he could have been playing a game and that is what caused it?” Wynn asks.

“Not likely. Like I said it would take total immersion and games just don’t have the capability they are well within regulation to stop people from frying.” Caz pauses for a few seconds. “I see why you need those documents. There is blood in the water.”

“I can’t get in but what can you do if I connect to a current officer's sensory aug?” Wynn asks.

“It could work but they could sever the connection and it would have to be someone that has access to the files and if they are smart they would try to track me.” Caz states in their usual robot voice.

“That takes me to my next favor. Can you look someone up for me public records only of course.” Wynn says as she looks at the police station. “Bridge auti by the name Aycock, total fuck’n ruam, but has access I am sure. I just want anything you can pull up.”

“How are you going to get him to let us do this?” Caz asks.

“Best you don’t ask that, Caz.” Wynn says darkly.

“Oh, ominous. If he gets packed up just let me know I can drain his bank account. Make it look like mugging or something.” Caz says. “I will be at the holo just call.” The connection drops.

It doesn’t take long for Caz to dig up a mountain of information on Peter Aycock. Wynn can not believe that someone with a name like that would also be such a dick. Public record shows he lives in the Vermilian Megablock apartment tower, one of the largest and most dangerous in the city. He divorced twice as six kids all of which are by different women and currently lives alone. Apparently he spends a lot of money in the redlight district. There wouldn’t be a more perfect target than this man. She just needs to make another call first.

“Hey, Yolanda, how's it going you busy?”

“For you amizé I am always free.” A bubbly sweet voice responds. “I am in the middle of a clean up right now so I can do a video call though sorry love.”

“Speaking of that, I may have a fresh one for you in a few hours.” Wynn says her voice cold. “Vermilian Megablock. Cracked auti for you I will need to have a clean up.”

“Oh that is just stel.” Yolonda almost sang the words. “You never disappoint. Do you know what they are packing? Sensory, ocular, combat, hopefully a kidney aug or two. Oh, I can’t wait to take a look.”

“Sensory grade three is all I know for sure but probably has at least one combat aug. You can keep everything I just need a cleaning.”

“You treat me too well, Wynn. Call me when you are ready. Hugs and kisses.” The woman says as the call ends.

Wynn looks back at the police station. She knows she is only acting out of frustration any other day on any other case she would be fine waiting, but not today and not this case. It didn’t have to go this way. Aycock chose to be a prick and now he has to deal with the consequences. That’s life, he chose to pick a fight with the wrong girl on the wrong day plain and simple.

Aycock isn’t the first auti she has had to sell off for parts to get her way and he most likely won’t be the last. The feeling is all too familiar to sign someone's death warrant. However before it was for money, reputation or good ol’ politics this time it is personal she can feel her heart in it. She needs to do this. Aycock needs to die.

She still has a few hours before he gets off of work. She opens a map of the area, finds the closest bar and starts walking. No reason to have to wait sober.