Sato’s Request
Our office has become quite popular in recent days. A Tech-Lich’s interest gathers attention and now we have customers who are reaching out to Sato’s team on the purchase of information.
But beyond all the interest is worry about how we’ll provide new information. All info regarding Tech-anomalies are now first served to Matt who will pay handsomely for it.
Kei’s pretty pressured by the thought of finding anomalies, but she’s a professional. It does worry her to an extent, but not enough to swallow her. One step at a time, always looking for a way out.
She’s the kind of woman who manages to get herself a semi-thriving office after all. My time here has been the third longest now. In a few months I’ve spent more time here than at my previous jobs.
Today Sato has come to visit us. Gracing us with his presence while smoking expensive authentic cigars from the South Americas.
Tastes tangy and it’s strong enough to make your heart go rapidly breathing. Like you’re asking for a heart attack. Kei’s chewing on the butt. Eta’s keeping hers while Marvin’s smoking it quietly on the corner.
“Was expecting your crew to be on the road.”
“Nothing going on in this city. Well, unless you want us messing with corp and syndicates bullshit. Maybe we’ll have something to do. Hells, maybe we can report some monster or mutant and make you think it’s an anom.”
“Rare creatures supposedly. But I guess anomalies that truly matter are not out here.”
Changye’s center is where the platform is. But the land where Changye is standing is as big as Australia and there are spots outside of Changye, connected by armored trains.
Changye’s large. VERY large and overpopulated to the point the OB had to consider making node-cities out of the Changye expanse.
Reminds me when I had to work as the guy clocking in guys left and right and managing the payroll. It was an okay job, until the owner skipped on materials and became a human patty after tons of concrete flattened him.
“Well, other than the usual matters on the other side. I guess there’s not much to do. How are your balances?”
“Pretty well. Might last until we get a new anomaly. Why are you here though? Got a job for us?”
“Might.”
He throws a data stick. Kei takes her transmitter out and connects it to the TV where it was showing interactable data. Browsing the data, sorting through the information, and then the anomaly.
I feel the hair on my skin stand up. Kei’s face was what you’d expect from someone who just knew a Vampire got a hold of an anomaly. Our guesses clicked and Sato’s face told me he’d tell us to go after this.
“You’re working with Vaun?”
“We are. Vultan’s not a good place to be. The moon blessed has that place on a chokehold and you could say it’s where the natural monsters are.”
“And you want us to come to that place?”
“Yup. Vaun will be the guy looking out your back while you’re in Vultan. I want your crew on Vultan and find out the anomaly.”
Kei scrolls down and finds info on the guys who will be with us. Neo Templars, 113th Company who has taken a compound in Vultan and are now holding the line for us. It did not spark joy and now the taste of the cigar’s more awful.
“You’ll be working a fireteam to try and keep your asses out. Vaun will try to keep the stronger ones but he’s priced. You can use him three times. He’ll defend himself too.”
Kei chews on the cigar and makes a copy of the files. Sato’s testing us. It’s the first time this man has directly come to our office and offered a job. Can’t exactly refuse him now we’re lacking any job. I’m fine with it. But Marvin had a worry on his face. Among the four of us, he’s the one who has something to lose.
We aren’t fearless either, but when it comes to the moon blessed. It’s hard not to worry. Eta’s probably going to have less worry since she’s practically a machine now.
“Of course, I’m not telling you to kill yourself. Obviously, we’re partnered with someone who is willing to help in our investigation of this anomaly.”
“So? What exactly do the Seven Swords, the Neo Templars, and this moon blessed associate of ours that warrants having someone like Vaun and the Templars worry about?”
“Who knows? What we know is they possess an anomaly capable of changing the game within their circle.”
“Sato-san. You need to give us more than this. You understand you’re throwing at us vampire clan politics. It stinks like one and I wouldn't be surprised if there’s no anomaly at all.”
“Perhaps. But this anomaly seems to be the kind that will replace their artificial standards. Tell me, Kei. What makes artificial blood and natural blood different?”
“One has ‘life force’ and the other doesn’t. Synthetic blood contains no natural life force. It might be able to fend off the hunger of a blood-drinker, but it can never nourish them. Wait, are you telling me?”
“Indeed. We have reason to believe the anomaly the Vampire on Vultan has discovered will change some of the dynamics of the clans and believe me, Kei. The OB, the Templars, and our friends on their side of the world are worshippers of the status quo and whatever this anomaly is. We need to know what it is and how it can change some of the things.”
“I want you to be specific here. You want us to know. Not meddle on whatever these morons are trying to do. We investigate, and sell data, Sato. We don’t risk our lives for shit like this.”
“Really? The same crew who took on the undead plague?”
“We learned our lesson.”
Sato finishes his cigar and pockets his hands.
“Try your best, crew.”
He left grinning and with Kei glaring at his back.
***
An hour later we got the tickets to Vultan in a business class cabin. Four tickets means Marvin’s going to go. His face tells me he didn’t want to, but he owes Sato. I can see he does and if we are up against the moon blessed. We’ll need a spellblade around for extra protection.
Eta’s relaxed, chilled out, like she’s ready for a fight while Kei’s brainstorming on whatever we need. She’s the Leader, the Boss, so it’s her job to think of what to do.
Vampires are supernaturally enhanced. They undergo a more natural growth and some even believe the bioware people are using is closely-related to their physique. Naturally strong means they can grow more augments which means they don’t have to worry about the sun when they can just replace their natural skin with artificial skin. But these blood-suckers need to train themselves on how to keep themselves from regenerating.
Know how a vampire gets their first augments? They get flayed first so the ripper can install their new skin and tenderize their flesh. Vamps have naturally tough bodies, so it takes a while for them to get flayed and prepped for the procedure. Their regeneration process means they unconsciously resist the flaying process, which means they have to endure the operation hours if they want to walk under the sun.
I’d consider vampires like machines. But instead of gas they drink blood to keep themselves working. Synthetic blood is cheap and some places where the Vampires are around have shops selling them in gallons.
You might think it’s neat, but even the promise of longevity isn’t enough to fool people into going down the vampire route. Think of vampirism as a genetic lottery. Either you die from their bite or get turned into a vampire.
In an era where a church can truly flaunt their god is real and demanding. It’s hard for people to voluntarily want to be in hell. Make no mistake, they are long-lived, but not Immortal.
Not to mention the hassle of being one seems so soulless. You need to peel your skin if you regenerate it. You have to drink blood and if you want real upgrades. You have to butcher people, live people who have a soul to become strong and when you do it. You’ll have the Inquisition hunt you down tirelessly and kill you.
You know why the OB and the TCU have a Vampire ally? Because partnering with the OB and the TCU means they can be exempted and accepted more naturally than their conservative counterparts who are still in the dark, praying to their dark gods for salvation.
They are naturally tamed and honestly the population being so large has made it easy for them to abduct. But too many bodies appearing will naturally attract hunters who are too eager to gain money from the grieving who wants the monster dead.
But despite all of that they are still dangerous. Supernaturally fast and can punch through concrete without excessive augmentation.
“Okay. We’ll have two days until the train. We need to be as ready as possible. Sato’s team will secure the office so no need to worry about anything. Marvin, prepare your rituals and make sure your wife understands where you’re going. We’re gearing up for this.”
Eta’s already augmented, but there’s no rule she can’t wear protective equipment over her augments. Kei left Eta in-charge of the office while we got out of Asobe and found ourselves in one of the workshops.
Shadowcraft Workshop specializes in gear for hunting monsters and has the right amount of selection. Kei’s usually as formal as me. White long-sleeved shirt, a black tie, black pants and loafers that gives her the businesswoman look. She usually carries her teleforce cane and once in a while would equip two shoulder holsters carrying Uzis and a belt of magazines.
A greatcoat that can withstand bullets and withstand piercing, slashing, and blunt attacks and bodysuit covering her entire body equipped with a cooling unit to keep her body temperature steady and add as another extra layer of protection.
“Stop dallying and at least pick up a new coat for fuck’s sake.”
“I got a kinetic belt.”
“Akun, I really don’t know if you’re just cocky as hell or you’re underestimating our enemy.”
“This is good enough for me.”
Kinetic belts can expel shockwaves good enough to reflect any bullet with the downside you have to wait for a minute or two for the belt to cool down before you can use it again. You can skip it by inserting a new unit, and honestly I really don’t have the cash to spend on the gear.
Kei was not having it though. She bought me a pair of reinforced black gloves that come with kinetic discharges which match the belt.
After buying the stuff. I became a pack mule as we headed back to Asobe.
“Really okay with just that?”
“I’ll be alright. Honestly, I bought them for their sensitivity. Vamps are fast and strong and you have to know where they are coming from.”
“So you’re using them as sensors more than their function?”
“Yeah.”
Kinetic belts are useful for defense. But the cooling unit is still underdeveloped and can be busted. It’s no wonder people don’t use them. Cracking the pre-programmed system, downloading a source-code to turn it into a more efficient sensor.
“I see. No wonder you choose that. Have a feeling though you’re buying that since you’re cheap as hell. I saw the payments you know? God, you sure love that blade of yours to death.”
“They’ve been with me for a long time. Don’t want them falling apart.”
“Despite not using them?”
“Hey, I use this one.”
“It’s not going to last though. A shame since it’s a good blade.”
She eyes the sunset. I can hear her clicking her tongue loudly.
“Sato’s using us now thoroughly.”
“Can you blame him? He’s been saving our asses and honestly I’m surprised he has the patience.”
“Don’t let the ‘benevolent boss’ act fool you too much. That man is a Changye-bred businessman.”
I know. He’s calculating and isn’t afraid to grant favors so that he can make it hard for us to reject the things he wants done. I can respect the way he does things. But I’d be fooling myself if I really do start thinking he’d ever come close to being benevolent.
Sato’s Request
Our office has become quite popular in recent days. A Tech-Lich’s interest gathers attention and now we have customers who are reaching out to Sato’s team on the purchase of information.
But beyond all the interest is worry about how we’ll provide new information. All info regarding Tech-anomalies are now first served to Matt who will pay handsomely for it.
Kei’s pretty pressured by the thought of finding anomalies, but she’s a professional. It does worry her to an extent, but not enough to swallow her. One step at a time, always looking for a way out.
She’s the kind of woman who manages to get herself a semi-thriving office after all. My time here has been the third longest now. In a few months I’ve spent more time here than at my previous jobs.
Today Sato has come to visit us. Gracing us with his presence while smoking expensive authentic cigars from the South Americas.
Tastes tangy and it’s strong enough to make your heart go rapidly breathing. Like you’re asking for a heart attack. Kei’s chewing on the butt. Eta’s keeping hers while Marvin’s smoking it quietly on the corner.
“Was expecting your crew to be on the road.”
“Nothing going on in this city. Well, unless you want us messing with corp and syndicates bullshit. Maybe we’ll have something to do. Hells, maybe we can report some monster or mutant and make you think it’s an anom.”
“Rare creatures supposedly. But I guess anomalies that truly matter are not out here.”
Changye’s center is where the platform is. But the land where Changye is standing is as big as Australia and there are spots outside of Changye, connected by armored trains.
Changye’s large. VERY large and overpopulated to the point the OB had to consider making node-cities out of the Changye expanse.
Reminds me when I had to work as the guy clocking in guys left and right and managing the payroll. It was an okay job, until the owner skipped on materials and became a human patty after tons of concrete flattened him.
“Well, other than the usual matters on the other side. I guess there’s not much to do. How are your balances?”
“Pretty well. Might last until we get a new anomaly. Why are you here though? Got a job for us?”
“Might.”
He throws a data stick. Kei takes her transmitter out and connects it to the TV where it was showing interactable data. Browsing the data, sorting through the information, and then the anomaly.
I feel the hair on my skin stand up. Kei’s face was what you’d expect from someone who just knew a Vampire got a hold of an anomaly. Our guesses clicked and Sato’s face told me he’d tell us to go after this.
“You’re working with Vaun?”
“We are. Vultan’s not a good place to be. The moon blessed has that place on a chokehold and you could say it’s where the natural monsters are.”
“And you want us to come to that place?”
“Yup. Vaun will be the guy looking out your back while you’re in Vultan. I want your crew on Vultan and find out the anomaly.”
Kei scrolls down and finds info on the guys who will be with us. Neo Templars, 113th Company who has taken a compound in Vultan and are now holding the line for us. It did not spark joy and now the taste of the cigar’s more awful.
“You’ll be working a fireteam to try and keep your asses out. Vaun will try to keep the stronger ones but he’s priced. You can use him three times. He’ll defend himself too.”
Kei chews on the cigar and makes a copy of the files. Sato’s testing us. It’s the first time this man has directly come to our office and offered a job. Can’t exactly refuse him now we’re lacking any job. I’m fine with it. But Marvin had a worry on his face. Among the four of us, he’s the one who has something to lose.
We aren’t fearless either, but when it comes to the moon blessed. It’s hard not to worry. Eta’s probably going to have less worry since she’s practically a machine now.
“Of course, I’m not telling you to kill yourself. Obviously, we’re partnered with someone who is willing to help in our investigation of this anomaly.”
“So? What exactly do the Seven Swords, the Neo Templars, and this moon blessed associate of ours that warrants having someone like Vaun and the Templars worry about?”
“Who knows? What we know is they possess an anomaly capable of changing the game within their circle.”
“Sato-san. You need to give us more than this. You understand you’re throwing at us vampire clan politics. It stinks like one and I wouldn't be surprised if there’s no anomaly at all.”
“Perhaps. But this anomaly seems to be the kind that will replace their artificial standards. Tell me, Kei. What makes artificial blood and natural blood different?”
“One has ‘life force’ and the other doesn’t. Synthetic blood contains no natural life force. It might be able to fend off the hunger of a blood-drinker, but it can never nourish them. Wait, are you telling me?”
“Indeed. We have reason to believe the anomaly the Vampire on Vultan has discovered will change some of the dynamics of the clans and believe me, Kei. The OB, the Templars, and our friends on their side of the world are worshippers of the status quo and whatever this anomaly is. We need to know what it is and how it can change some of the things.”
“I want you to be specific here. You want us to know. Not meddle on whatever these morons are trying to do. We investigate, and sell data, Sato. We don’t risk our lives for shit like this.”
“Really? The same crew who took on the undead plague?”
“We learned our lesson.”
Sato finishes his cigar and pockets his hands.
“Try your best, crew.”
He left grinning and with Kei glaring at his back.
***
An hour later we got the tickets to Vultan in a business class cabin. Four tickets means Marvin’s going to go. His face tells me he didn’t want to, but he owes Sato. I can see he does and if we are up against the moon blessed. We’ll need a spellblade around for extra protection.
Eta’s relaxed, chilled out, like she’s ready for a fight while Kei’s brainstorming on whatever we need. She’s the Leader, the Boss, so it’s her job to think of what to do.
Vampires are supernaturally enhanced. They undergo a more natural growth and some even believe the bioware people are using is closely-related to their physique. Naturally strong means they can grow more augments which means they don’t have to worry about the sun when they can just replace their natural skin with artificial skin. But these blood-suckers need to train themselves on how to keep themselves from regenerating.
Know how a vampire gets their first augments? They get flayed first so the ripper can install their new skin and tenderize their flesh. Vamps have naturally tough bodies, so it takes a while for them to get flayed and prepped for the procedure. Their regeneration process means they unconsciously resist the flaying process, which means they have to endure the operation hours if they want to walk under the sun.
I’d consider vampires like machines. But instead of gas they drink blood to keep themselves working. Synthetic blood is cheap and some places where the Vampires are around have shops selling them in gallons.
You might think it’s neat, but even the promise of longevity isn’t enough to fool people into going down the vampire route. Think of vampirism as a genetic lottery. Either you die from their bite or get turned into a vampire.
In an era where a church can truly flaunt their god is real and demanding. It’s hard for people to voluntarily want to be in hell. Make no mistake, they are long-lived, but not Immortal.
Not to mention the hassle of being one seems so soulless. You need to peel your skin if you regenerate it. You have to drink blood and if you want real upgrades. You have to butcher people, live people who have a soul to become strong and when you do it. You’ll have the Inquisition hunt you down tirelessly and kill you.
You know why the OB and the TCU have a Vampire ally? Because partnering with the OB and the TCU means they can be exempted and accepted more naturally than their conservative counterparts who are still in the dark, praying to their dark gods for salvation.
They are naturally tamed and honestly the population being so large has made it easy for them to abduct. But too many bodies appearing will naturally attract hunters who are too eager to gain money from the grieving who wants the monster dead.
But despite all of that they are still dangerous. Supernaturally fast and can punch through concrete without excessive augmentation.
“Okay. We’ll have two days until the train. We need to be as ready as possible. Sato’s team will secure the office so no need to worry about anything. Marvin, prepare your rituals and make sure your wife understands where you’re going. We’re gearing up for this.”
Eta’s already augmented, but there’s no rule she can’t wear protective equipment over her augments. Kei left Eta in-charge of the office while we got out of Asobe and found ourselves in one of the workshops.
Shadowcraft Workshop specializes in gear for hunting monsters and has the right amount of selection. Kei’s usually as formal as me. White long-sleeved shirt, a black tie, black pants and loafers that gives her the businesswoman look. She usually carries her teleforce cane and once in a while would equip two shoulder holsters carrying Uzis and a belt of magazines.
A greatcoat that can withstand bullets and withstand piercing, slashing, and blunt attacks and bodysuit covering her entire body equipped with a cooling unit to keep her body temperature steady and add as another extra layer of protection.
“Stop dallying and at least pick up a new coat for fuck’s sake.”
“I got a kinetic belt.”
“Akun, I really don’t know if you’re just cocky as hell or you’re underestimating our enemy.”
“This is good enough for me.”
Kinetic belts can expel shockwaves good enough to reflect any bullet with the downside you have to wait for a minute or two for the belt to cool down before you can use it again. You can skip it by inserting a new unit, and honestly I really don’t have the cash to spend on the gear.
Kei was not having it though. She bought me a pair of reinforced black gloves that come with kinetic discharges which match the belt.
After buying the stuff. I became a pack mule as we headed back to Asobe.
“Really okay with just that?”
“I’ll be alright. Honestly, I bought them for their sensitivity. Vamps are fast and strong and you have to know where they are coming from.”
“So you’re using them as sensors more than their function?”
“Yeah.”
Kinetic belts are useful for defense. But the cooling unit is still underdeveloped and can be busted. It’s no wonder people don’t use them. Cracking the pre-programmed system, downloading a source-code to turn it into a more efficient sensor.
“I see. No wonder you choose that. Have a feeling though you’re buying that since you’re cheap as hell. I saw the payments you know? God, you sure love that blade of yours to death.”
“They’ve been with me for a long time. Don’t want them falling apart.”
“Despite not using them?”
“Hey, I use this one.”
“It’s not going to last though. A shame since it’s a good blade.”
She eyes the sunset. I can hear her clicking her tongue loudly.
“Sato’s using us now thoroughly.”
“Can you blame him? He’s been saving our asses and honestly I’m surprised he has the patience.”
“Don’t let the ‘benevolent boss’ act fool you too much. That man is a Changye-bred businessman.”
I know. He’s calculating and isn’t afraid to grant favors so that he can make it hard for us to reject the things he wants done. I can respect the way he does things. But I’d be fooling myself if I really do start thinking he’d ever come close to being benevolent.
