Two prison guards were walking through a poorly lit corridor. “Why do they need him?” One of them asked in a worried tone. “I’m not paid to ask questions, we have orders to release him.” The other man replied bluntly.

After a few meters, both stopped in front of the last cell door of that corridor. Nothing but a dim light from a lamp could be seen from within it. “This is it.” Said one of the guards while unlocking the door.

The prisoner was a slim man in his thirties with dark-brown, medium-sized messy hair. He had a full-grown beard due to neglecting self-care within the prison.

He was laying down on the floor even though there was a bed next to him. The convict noticed the guards but did not react to them in any way. They however got closer to him to check if he was awake. “Hey, prisoner! Get up!” One of them shouted.

The prisoner rose the top half of his body and supported it with his arms on the floor behind his back. “Did you miss me already?” he answered with a subtle smile. Meanwhile, the guard grabbed him by his arm and lifted him to his feet, and stated that he was to be released.

“Released? Which day is it today?” The prisoner questioned while being led through the corridor. “What does that matter? You were to stay stuck here for the rest of your life.” One of them answered.

“Officially, yes. However…” The prisoner stopped moving. “I need a favor before I leave.” The guard that was standing behind him gave him a hard push. “A favor? Shut it and keep moving!” The convict looked back at the guard’s shirt where his name could be seen. “Officer Brooks, yes? I’ll make sure to remember you.” The guard shook his head in dismissal and without any more words, they kept going until they reached a square room with a bright light and a table in the center with two chairs, one on each side. On the opposite chair, a man in a black hat and also dressed in black was sat there.

“Please, have a seat, Mr. Nyer.” The man in black spoke in a very soft voice as he pointed to the chair in front of him. “I have a proposition for you.”

“Respect? To a guy like me? Interesting…” The prisoner stated as he sat down at the appointed chair. “I’m all ears.”

“Let me start by introducing myself. I’m known by the name of Tron. I work for the Neo Intelligence Union, more commonly known as NIU.” The man grabbed a folder holding multiple papers from a suitcase that was by his side. From within, he grabbed a specific file and handed it to Nyer. It was a contract.

“We’re gathering a team of multiple personalities, each with a unique set of skills and we need yours as well. We need you all for a very important mission.” Tron stated while Nyer kept reading the contract. “Your previous position while you were a free man might also take a huge part in the grand scheme of things.”

Nyer laid the paper down and looked at Tron. “My previous position, eh?” For a few seconds, he just stood there lost in thought. “What’s the mission?”

“Why does it matter? You were sentenced to be here for the rest of your life. I’m giving you an opportunity to be a free man. You have nothing to lose.” Tron said while maintaining a neutral expression. “I also cannot disclose any details of it while we’re here.” He added.

Nyer looked at the ceiling for a few moments. “Bold of you to assume that I would stay here forever. Naivety perhaps.” He then looked back at Tron. “But I admit you got me somewhat curious. Maybe this is good for me in the long run.”

“However I have two requests before I indulge in any of this.” The soon-to-be-released prisoner stood up and started to walk around in circles as if thinking. “The first request is… I’ll do what you’ll ask me to do but I do it in my own way.”

Tron smiled. “That’s exactly how we meant for this to happen. You’ll have our full support and some degree of immunity to even… go beyond the limits of the law.” Nyer started to laugh subtlety while muttering some words to himself. “And the other request?” The man in black asked.

“Simple. I just need to speak with an inmate that is held within these walls, a request previously refused by a mutual acquaintance.” Nyer looked at Officer Brooks who was standing next to the exit of that room. “Granted! Anything else?” Tron asked confidently as he stood up and approached the prisoner. “No. We have a deal!” Nyer answered as they shook hands to seal the deal.

The guards proceeded to open the door to let both men out. Nyer winked to Officer Brooks and whispered to him “I’ll see you very soon.” getting no reaction whatsoever. A few moments later, both men split up to go to different parts of the prison. Nyer was being led by one of the guards to meet the prisoner he requested while Tron was exiting the prison itself accompanied by Brooks.

After some security checkpoints and corridors, Nyer arrived at the intended cell while still being followed by the guard. “I’ll be needing privacy if you would be so kind.” Nyer requested in a mocking tone. The guard stared at Nyer for a few seconds as if deciding what to do but ultimately accepting his request and leaving the area.

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“Grumps! My friend! Please come closer to the cell bars so we can talk!” Nyer spoke excitedly. A two meters figure appeared from the shadows. It was Grumps, the man Nyer meant to speak to. He was a bulky bald man wearing nothing but prison rags. “M… master? Is that you?” The prisoner questioned clearly surprised.

“Yes! It is indeed me! Plans have changed! Forget the one-month mark! Make it three months instead! You’ll be notified whenever it is the time!” Nyer stated confidently. “Y… Yes, master! Anything else?” Grumps answered hesitantly. “No, that will be all!” Nyer answered while leaving the area to meet the guard that would escort him.

Sometime later, Nyer, already a free man and dressed as one with a black shirt alongside gray trousers and black shoes, which were his previous possessions, arrived at the prison’s exit. In front of it was a parking lot where he saw Tron smoking a cigarette while waiting for him. “Are you ready to go?” Tron asked without moving his gaze. “You’ll come with me to our facility where you will meet the rest of your future team and discuss the details of your mission.” He added.

“Yes, whatever.” Nyer answered bluntly while looking at the sky enjoying his newborn freedom. After Tron finished his cigarette, he signaled Nyer to follow him to his car. It was a black luxury car from one of the most expensive brands on the market. Nyer did not mention it but he could tell the organization meant business.

Roughly thirty minutes later, they reached the center of the city where skyscrapers were the most common thing on sight. Not long after, Tron stopped the car in front of the highest skyscraper of them all where the letters NIU could be seen at the top of it. Suddenly, the ground where the car had stopped started moving down. It was an elevator that slowly led them to an underground parking lot.

After leaving the car, they headed on foot to an elevator and rose to the highest floor of the building, where they entered a big office. It had a large window in the back from side to side where the city could be seen for miles. In front of it, there was a desk and chair and there were multiple sofas spread throughout the whole room. Several people were scattered in the room and they were looking directly at Nyer as he entered the office.

“Look everyone, the psychopath has arrived!” A man in a dark blue coat shouted while pointing at Nyer. He was a medium-sized man with brown side-parted hair. Nyer recognized him as the man who arrested him 5 years ago. Everyone in the room kept quiet while still staring at him.

“But not before the washed-up cop.” Nyer answered him mockingly. “Still playing detective, Morgan?” He asked.

The detective shrugged. A woman who was sat directly on the desk jumped out of it and headed straight to Nyer. She was a slim and tall woman with black long hair. She was wearing tight white jeans, a black top, and ankle strap black high heels. “I can finally meet the infamous Nyer in person!” She stated while circling Nyer. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Nina.” She introduced herself.

“Nina, the bounty hunter. As expected.” Nyer confidently answered. “I’ve been told you were once paid to kill me but obviously failed to do it. A pleasure to meet your acquaintance.” He finished with a slight bow.

“I don’t fail contracts. I just postponed it.” She winked at Nyer.

Tron interrupted the introductions and went straight to the desk chair. “Gather around, folks!” He ordered while signaling everyone to sit on the sofas in front of him. “We’re gathered here today for a mission of the utmost importance and I’m now going to tell you what that mission is.” He continued.

“As you all know, the race for the best technology is a constant between the leading companies of our planet. But we, the NIU, managed to build the most advanced Artificial Intelligence there is to date. It is a full AI with astronomical processing power capable of unimaginable things.” Tron stopped for a heavy breath. “But… it has gone rogue.”

“I doubt any of us are have the expertise to stop or even reverse that.” A short man wearing glasses stated.

“Do not worry. It is not your job to meddle with the AI directly.” Tron reassured. “The problem is the AI was stolen from us. Or it simply left our premises by its own feet as it possesses a body similar to humans, but severely enhanced, of course.”

“So we are to retrieve it? Hunt it down and bring it back here?” Nina questioned.

“Yes, more or less. What’s worrisome is where it went to. It’s currently in the hands of the DiMaro Family.” Tron specified.

Everyone appeared to grow restless after hearing that name. Everyone but Nyer.

“Ahahaha! Yes! Yes! Yes!” Nyer laughed hysterically. “I love it! Love it!”

A quiet blonde girl that was in that group seemed confused. “Who are they? You know I’m not from Middiam.” She asked nervously.

Tron apologized. “The DiMaro Family is the biggest and most dangerous mafia family of Middiam, the country we’re currently on.” He added. “We can’t risk open war with them, we have to do this secretly. That’s why we brought you here. We need you to bring us the AI back from them by any means necessary. However, publicly, anything you do is NOT related in any way to the NIU organization.”

“So that’s why you needed me. Because of my personal vendetta. You knew how I wanted to crush the DiMaro Family.” Nyer smiled. “I’m in! I’m so in!”

“Yes, you’re correct. But we need more allies. Your primary objectives, for now, are to befriend the Big Three.” Tron continued. “Befriend or any other option that would make them fight for you.”

“The Big Three?” The blonde girl was again confused.

“Five years ago, there we only two big families. The DiMaro Family and the DeLabria Family.” Tron explained. “Then, out of nowhere, the DeLabria Family was disbanded. No one knows why to this day. The remnants of that family formed 3 separate families with different ideals originating conflict between themselves. Those are the Big Three. None of them is strong enough to face the DiMaro Family on its own but each one of them is ever stronger than any other minor mafia family. So, if we can “befriend” or control those three families, we can face the DiMaro Family and bring the AI back.” Tron finished.

“And you’re the only one that can do it. Isn’t that right, Nyer DeLabria?” Tron smiled at Nyer.

Nyer stood up and bowed dramatically. “It is MY pleasure!”