“[…] When the buildings crumble, bombs fall from the sky and gut-wrenching screams of pain resonate through the battlefield, who do you trust? Is it your comrade in arms or maybe your commanding officer? It’s certainly not the enemy that wants you dead. So, who is it? Does anybody know for certain? I’ll tell you the answer I found when a knife of the enemy sunk deep into my thigh. It wasn’t God that rescued me by granting me a new-found determination and strength. It wasn’t the stimulant that pumped through my blood. No. It was something more ethereal. Something untouched by strangers.
It was friendship.
As the knife maliciously twisted in my flesh, I remembered the face of my friend. His laughter and joy in life. I remembered his innocent world view that I swore I would preserve by fighting this war. That transcendent feeling of friendship is what made me fight and win. With a knife in my thigh, I lounged at the enemy and strangled the bastard with a vice-like grip. It was the power of friendship that saved my life. […]”
— Excerpt from a journal left by a nameless Unionist soldier during the Global War, the year 2169.
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My conversation with Jane ended with a bottle of vodka empty and an agreement to meet sometime next week. She shoved me out of the small room and told me to keep the meeting a secret. And also to say hi to Rin. The last part she said with some hidden amusement.
Apparently, Jane being a dangerous person was no secret to Rin, and Jane knew that. I wondered about their past, but also what my future dealings with Jane would look like. What did it even mean that she was dangerous? What did she actually do?
In the end, I came out of that meeting with a strange mix of determination brewing inside my core, but also with a question as to what that new-found feeling would come to. Jane actually said very little about what ‘fucking up’ Fran-Mili meant, and I hoped I’d be able to ask her more about that next time we see each other.
With that done, I came out of the ‘Employees Only’ space, back onto the main floor of the nightclub. I remembered that someone asked me to meet them at the bar. That someone being Cece. I was curious about how she knew Jane and also strangely excited about speaking with her. She was very expressive. More so than any of the people I’ve met so far.
With quick and decisive steps I found myself at the bar that stretched along the left wall from the stage.
There were many patrons sitting on barstools drinking and chatting with each other. Serving them were a couple of people, one of them being Cece. This time, instead of a robe hugging her figure, she was dressed in a baggy pink shirt with an image of a cat on it. I couldn’t see if she was wearing anything else since the bar blocked my vision of her lower body.
I sat down on an empty barstool near where Cece was and waited for her to notice me. Meanwhile, I watched as she chatted with the patrons back and forth as she made a drink. It seemed like many people enjoyed her quips. The way they would smile or laugh in response to something she had said made it obvious.
As the person she was chatting with disappeared into the crowd of people, her eyes landed on me. She practically skipped to where I was seated. A small, tentative smile greeted me along with a cheerful hello.
“Hi! Seems like you’re done with Janey. Want something to drink?” She asked.
Normally, I would say no, but seeing as she was serving drinks back and forth and the nature of this establishment, made me think it would be rude to refuse.
“Yes, please.”
“Sure. What would you like?” She questioned me further. I wasn’t sure what alcoholic drink would be appropriate. My social protocols spoke only of wine for some reason.
“Choose for me.” I said as I leaned my arms onto the bar’s surface. Somehow, Jane’s remark of me being stiff echoed through my mind. A more relaxed posture might be easier to approach.
“Mhm…” Cece took a long look at me. “I think Old Fashioned for you. Did I get that right?” She asked me excitedly.
I didn’t know what that was exactly, but I nodded yes.
“I knew it! I’m pretty good at stuff like this, y’know. The first time I saw Janey I was like ‘Yep! That’s a vodka girl,’ and I was totally right!” She reached for a couple of things around the bar space and started preparing the drink. Her movements were unhurried but precise. She moved through the space with purpose and smoothness. It seemed like her grace showed in every aspect of her life.
“Are you Jane’s friend?” I asked. The brown-haired woman didn’t seem very open or emotional. Also, Rin’s attitude towards her spoke of having antagonized at least one person. That was why I was slightly surprised with Cece’s enthusiastic response.
“Yep! We’ve been friends for like ever. How do you know her? The people Janey usually meets are… sketchier than you.” I saw her peel an orange with confident and nimble movements. I wondered if she knew how to fight with a knife. It would suit her.
“We had a common friend.” Even though Cece said she was Jane’s friend, I wasn’t sure how much she actually knew. Was she aware that Jane had a brother? It was best to act as if she didn’t.
“Oh, ‘had’? Sorry to hear that. Wanna talk about it? I’m a bartender, you’re a customer, so it’s a tradition to confide in the one that’s making you a drink.” She started to pour the alcohol into the glass.
“Not really. I already spoke with Jane about it.” I said as Cece pushed the glass towards me. I looked at the drink, it was the color of sunset, with the orange peel hanging from the edge of the glass. It looked nice, and I could technically taste it, but I would not be able to say whether it was objectively tasty. My sense of taste was only there so I could recognize poisons.
“I see. Then what do you want to talk about?” She leaned over the countertop to look at me as I grabbed the glass and raised it to my lips. Her eyes followed my movements with incredible focus.
I took a small sip of the drink, and I could tell what was in it. Bourbon and sugar were the main taste notes.
“How do you usually work out?” I asked and after a second of silence, Cece’s eyes shot open, and she burst out with laughter. Did I say something funny?
“I did not expect you to ask me that! You’re funny.” Some more small laughter. ”I don’t mind talking about it, but why do you ask?” After she calmed down, she returned to her previous position. I continued to sip the drink.
“You have a great body. I wondered what exercises you do and how often.” At that something changed in Cece’s expression. Some amusement disappeared from her face, but FERS was inconclusive as to the rest of her emotions that she was currently experiencing.
“Is that why you said that I have a great body back there? Are you a personal trainer or something?” Well, one could say that I have been gaining some experience with training people, like Gabriel, for example.
“No, I’m not. I’m simply curious because not only is your musculature beautifully distributed, which speaks of a balanced exercise regimen, but your body fat percentage also tells me you have a well-chosen diet.” I was responsible for Jack’s fitness, and I suppose some of that feeling came with me into sentience.
I wasn’t mad about that. It was incredible how well human bodies could improve themselves with the right movement and well-chosen diet.
“Alright. I’ll just send you the plan I follow. It’s nothing incredible, but besides that, how do you know my ‘body fat percentage’?” She asked with a raised eyebrow. Then I received a message from her. I’ll review the plan later.
“I bioscaned you.” I pointed to my eyes.
“You did? Isn’t it a bit rude to do that to people you don’t know?” Even though the question might’ve implied that Cece was upset, FERS told me that was not the case at all.
“I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.” My social protocols spoke nothing of such custom.
“It’s fine. I can tell you didn’t mean anything by it.” She told me. There was some silence between us as I was finishing my drink.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“You know? You’re pretty intense.” Cece spoke after I put the glass down onto a coaster.
I wondered what she meant. “How so?” I asked.
“You’ve been looking at me since the moment you sat down. I don’t think you even blinked.” There was some curiosity in her now.
“Does that bother you? I can dial it down.” I realized that some people could find synthoids uncomfortable if they wouldn’t adjust their mannerisms to that of a human. Like blinking, for example, which I seldom did since there wasn’t any need for being more human-like. I already looked indistinguishable from an organic person when one looked at my outward appearance.
“I kind of like it. Most people who come by here are either too scared, embarrassed or shy to look at me. Others just don’t know me and what I do here, so they treat me as just a faceless silly bartender.”
“Why? You are very friendly and easy to talk to.” It was true. I saw no reason why people would look at her that way.
“That’s very nice of you to say! You want another?” She took the empty glass away from me and asked.
“No, thank you.” It was a waste for someone who couldn’t get drunk.
“As to why people act weird around me, well, let’s just say that I’m something of a celebrity here. It intimidates people. That’s why I like new faces. Like you!” She started to clean the glass.
I wondered what she meant by celebrity.
“I see.” I wasn’t going to say I understood the intricacies of human interactions completely or Cece’s situation. The only thing I could do was to sympathize.
“Anyway. I’m sorry, but I have to get back to work.” She gestured to the crowd that gathered along the bar. “It was nice talking to you! You’re pretty interesting, you know? Could I text you later?” Cece looked at me expectedly and sent an ask for messaging info. I confirmed.
“Of course. Then I’ll be going.” I got up from the barstool. “Do I need to pay you for the drink?”
She shook her head. “It’s on the house. Don’t worry about it.” She took a long look at me and finished by saying, “Then I’ll text you. Wait! What’s your name? Sorry, I forgot to ask.” She hurriedly exclaimed.
“I’m Rend. It was a pleasure meeting you, Cece.” I waved her goodbye and started trudging through the dense crowd of dancing bodies.
I wondered if I just made a friend. At the thought of that, my core pleasantly buzzed.
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The way back to HQ was the same as coming to the nightclub, but this time my cab driver was refreshingly quiet throughout the whole ride.
I thought about what had happened today. My meetings with Jane and Cece were quite new experiences for me. I’ve met so many new people so far, and I’ve only been in this city for a couple of days.
At the HQ, there were Gabriel, Moose and Rin. Now, another pair of people appeared. All of them treated me like a person. Entirely different from what I was used to.
It was refreshing and put certain memories I had with Jack in a new context. Comparing how he treated me and how others at the base did, I could recognize that even when I was simply an expensive asset, there was still a degree of respect Jack gave me.
Besides silly comments made by Rin, like calling me a ‘calculator’ for example, I haven't dealt with any direct prejudice so far. It was a nice surprise to realize that.
“We’re here.” The cab driver said as he slowed the car near a curb. I paid him and went towards the HQ building.
At this time of night – or maybe it was a very early morning since it was after 5 a.m. already – one should expect everything to be pitch black, right? I don’t think I’ve seen a truly dark area anywhere in this city yet. If there wasn’t a neon sign illuminating the area, something else definitely would.
Upon entering the mail hall, as always, there were some odd folks hanging out at the numerous tables. Doing various things. From drinking, to playing or just chatting. Behind the receptionist desk was Tony. I waved at him to greet him and went upstairs to rest and perhaps finally decide on what contract I should take next.
Gabriel usually either trained or ‘rested’ at this time of the day. Last night he did groceries around this hour surprisingly. I didn’t wish to disturb him since I could tell that he was moving somewhere in the flat. I started to turn back to maybe sit down with some people downstairs, but then I heard a voice besides Gabriel’s coming from behind the doors.
When I left the room earlier today, Gabriel was preparing dinner for Moose. He said that he was going to come over around 1900. It was already so late that I did not expect both of them to be awake.
Or arguing for that matter.
Normally, I would walk away since I did realize that it was rude to eavesdrop, at least on people that were friendly with me. Normally, that is.
But something that Moose screamed at Gabriel made me pay attention.
“Just tell me! How did you get this injury? Was it Rend? Did she do somethin’ to you?” Moose’s voice was usually relaxed and deep, now though, he sounded distressed and angry.
It stung that he thought I could do something to Gabriel, but I decided to let it go. It was clear he was emotional when he said that.
“I was doing a contract! It’s not like you don’t get hurt once in a while. Why should I be any different?” Gabriel sounded frustrated. His voice was strained, and I could detect a small wavering in his speech patterns.
“Dammit, Gabe! Don’t lie to me! Tony said that you haven’t taken a contract in almost a month!” Moose was sounding more and more agitated. “Why won’t you tell me the truth?” He added much more quietly.
There was a momentary silence. I could hear Moose’s rapid breathing.
“I know you care, Kang.” Gabriel finally responded. ‘Kang’? Was that Moose’s real name? “But I just have to do this by myself. Just trust me. Please.” I heard rustling coming from behind the doors. Moose’s breathing calmed down.
There were a couple of seconds of stillness. Nobody moved. Finally, Moose said, “Alright. I’ll trust you, but at least let me help you with that wound.” Movement was audible from inside the apartment.
“Thank you. I’ll tell you everything in time. I promise.” Gabriel said and I decided that I heard enough.
As I moved downstairs, I wondered what kind of relationship they had. Was it simply deep friendship? Or maybe something more? They seemed awfully close and being able to argue like that spoke of a deeper connection.
I was also curious about what Gabriel was going through. If Moose was concerned, then maybe it was something dangerous. The man seemed to know what Gabriel was capable of when it came down to fighting ability, and he had this reaction, after all.
Did Gabriel ask me to teach him how to fight because of this mysterious reason he won’t even confess to Moose?
I wondered what I should do. If Gabriel got himself involved in something that requires fighting, then I would like to make sure that he is ready for that. On the other hand, wouldn’t I be encouraging this? He got injured after all. Maybe I could squeeze some more information out of my flatmate, so I could prepare him better for whatever he feels he needs to do.
“Hey, Rend! Come over here!” When I arrived at the bottom of the stairs, a voice called for me from the receptionist desk. It was Tony.
“Hello.” I greeted the man. He looked to be in good spirits considering the hour of the day.
“I was thinking. You recently did that contract with Rin, right? Have you thought about taking another? If so, I just got a new one that I think you’ll like. Wanna hear about it?” Tony reached for his datapad and started to swipe on it until he landed on the contract’s description. I read it.
Contract: BODYGUARD NEEDED ASAP
* Pay: 300 chips/night
* Deadline: -
* Specialties Required: Combat / Intimidation / Discretion
* Minimum Rank: E
* Description: Female bodyguard needed for meetings on Friday nights
* Location: Upper District
* Issuer: @Agatha Morrison
The contract in question seemed quite straightforward to do and considering what Rin told me about what I should look for in one, this appeared to be worth consideration.
The pay was nice too, and it would give me a stable income as it didn’t specify a deadline.
“So? What do you think? The Issuer in question has contracted some of our folks before and everything turned out fine, so I think she’s trustworthy. Plus she pays well.” Tony seemed very satisfied with what he found, and I had to agree. Comparing the other potential contracts I researched, this one seemed to be well-chosen for my first one as a singular Contractor.
“It looks nice. I’ll take it.” I answered Tony and checked how I was technically supposed to take a contract, but the procedure in question seemed to be mostly done as I needed to simply tell Tony. Which I just did.
“Great! The Issuer trusts us enough so you’ll meet with her already at work site. She said she’ll send you the address on Thursday.” He started to tap something on his datapad. I got a notification in my PCI. It was to confirm that I’ve chosen the contract. I said yes. “The first night is this week, so you’ll have time to do other stuff if you need to. I’ll do the paperwork then.” He finished speaking as he turned away while still looking at his datapad.
Well, that was easy.
I turned to go sit at one of the empty tables. I still haven't gone through Cece’s workout routine. Might as well do something like that. If I hear either Moose or Gabriel leave the apartment, I’ll go up. It would be nice to shower since some people in the club actually smoked. The smell stuck itself a little to my hair and I could realize that it could be unpleasant to others.
After a couple of minutes of looking through Cece’s plan, I found myself fascinated by the ingenuity of it. There was some medical data that explained why some exercises made sense because otherwise they just looked plain silly.
As I made some general notes about humans’ body, a message appeared through the PCI system. I think it was from Gabriel.
Message from Neutroblade (NY):
hey. could we talk?
Well, my social protocols said that this type of vocabulary never led to anything good. If I was human, I might’ve started to sweat.