Kei’s Advisor
Aidan Rivas hasn’t felt tired in a very long time. For a man of his experience. He’s still struggling in this kind of world that has changed too much for his liking.
Nyota Plaza is their new home. Most of the Freelancers under him have taken a liking to this place compared to the Abyssal Abodes.
He takes a cigar out and smokes. He notices something approaching. Too silent. Too careful and noiseless. He moves his head slowly and finds Kei’s assistant. Wearing two swords and a pistol he barely uses. He’s always wearing his kevlar-lined trench coat and it seems like he can’t get out of the outfit. Aidan does admit the duds are good to wear. But how he doesn’t seem to change makes him wonder if he stinks or not.
“Assistant Akun.”
He stopped and sighed. “Why does everyone call me that?”
Aidan smiles. “You can’t change what people want to call you. I’m sure you'd have been called worse.”
“True.” He tries to fish out his smoking pipe.
Aidan throws him a cigar. “Take it as a gift from us to your office. I have to thank you for your trust.”
He shrugs. “No need to say pleasantries. We’re here for the money and not for friendship.”
“It’s a miracle indeed. Many would DIE for this kind of treatment.”
“Well, you earned it, Sir.”
“How did the two of your friends go out?”
“Hard. Died fighting a Vamp.”
“Was it glorious?”
He shrugs. “Glorious as it can ever be, Sir.”
Aidan snorts and watches his freelancers carrying their goods. Some of them will bunk in the office, and those who have better finances will find a place near the plaza. They had Kei’s Assistant here to thank for it.
“You close with them?”
“Eta, kinda. She was chill and strong. Marv… didn’t know the guy much other than he had a kid coming.”
Aidan makes a sound. “Oof, trying to have a kid in this kind of era… admirable… but it’s just pain.”
“Speaking from experience, Sir?”
“Yeah. I’m this old. Had ideas about starting a family. But then that fucking monster came and ruin my happy ending.”
The assistant rubs his nose. “The SRE really did fuck things up huh.”
“The bastard alone isn’t the problem. It’s what the SRE unleashed after death. Who knows when the fog will disperse?”
The fog continues to persist on Eurasia. It isn’t as bad in the Americas and the Southeast Asian countries. But Europe, Asia, Africa are covered in fog. There are places where the fog doesn’t reach and lessens the impact because of the heat.
“Guessing a one or two more years before we get proper visibility back.” The Assistant looks up. “Had the pleasure of going out, but it was still foggy as hell.”
“Is Kei hiring?”
Akun shrugs. “Doubt she’ll hire now after Marv and Eta got KIA’d. Probably why we’re partnering with your office.”
“Guessed that. So what brings you here?”
The Assistant takes a long drag of the cigar and sticks his tongue out. He raises a finger. “Kei wants me to see how you guys are here. And want me to tell you of our recent acquaintances.”
“Shoot.”
“Redmond Mages.”
Aidan whistles. “Nice. Got a good rep and cred. Saw the site. Glad we’re raking in some passive income while we sit around.”
“That’s the dream. But we have to do more than necessary too. See, Kei wants some articles on how to defend themselves against anomalies. I want some of the guys to do it. Show them their skills and some of the AD revenue will go to the kids who did it.”
“Sounds generous.”
Akun smiles thinly. “Will take care of the gear. And they’ll think of earning their share without siphoning cash from our offices.”
“Not bad. I’d prefer if we get better gear immediately, but this will teach them how to be responsible.”
Freelancers are ambitious. They don’t want to be wage-slaves but they’d do anything for a day’s check. Most of the kids under him are barely legal and some are aspirants. It isn’t charity though. Aidan knows better than that. He is doing this to make sure he gets the talented kids to do runs for him. Make them grow up strong and capable until they have an idea to leave the nest.
“Those anoms are now common. Guessing our partnership with the Redmonds means more work will come?”
Assistant hands over a data pad. On it was the information on the partnership and what may come out. Aidan finds himself frowning, reading the spinal creatures.
“Lots of trouble,” Aidan watches the data get wiped.
The assistant takes the pad and then pockets it in his dimenbag.
“That’s concerning.”
He takes a drag of the cigar. “Well, Kei thinks so too. But this business requires us to find them. Don’t know what they can do usually, but it’ll be a problem if we don’t seek them.”
Aidan grunts. “We don’t get paid. People start looking elsewhere. This approved by the OB?”
“7S got our backs. Von-Abel’s advertising us.”
“Kei got favors there.”
“Yeah. Something like that.”
Aidan kneads his knee. “Kei has a lot of connections for someone young. She’s a brilliant woman.”
“That a praise or an objective one?”
“Take it as both.”
Aidan has to admit the lady’s got the wits and keen sense. Some might call her lucky, but luck’s part of the business. If she reached this through sheer connections, it’s her luck. But he has a feeling it isn’t like that. She isn’t coddled and if anything their recent loss and her survival shows how much she has gone through. Aidan knows no one, who loses a friend in a mission, would be able to continue on like normal if they hadn’t experienced the worst already.
Even her Assistant is acting like normal. Aidan manages to get an idea how bad Vultan was and seeing this Assistant go through all of it and be fine has made him wonder as well.
He hides it under a mask of indifference. He conveniently uses the name he is given and allows others to make up what he they think he is and use that to take advantage of them. He’s not a snake. He ain’t greedy. But he sure is slippery as hell.
Knows how to handle his business. He doesn’t pry, but can talk it out until you have nothing left to give. Aidan has seen a lot of his kind back in Europe, the kind who knows how to deal with people and blends in. He mirrors people to make them comfortable and when he’s seen. He comes out of that mirror and then stares you down and prevents you from prying further to his business. Someone who can enter the Abodes without being heard or seen is always worth talking to.
It’s a good thing Aidan listened to his guts. Guess old age isn’t as bad when you can find a thigh to cling to. No to mention the deal has proven to be to their advantage. They got out of the abodes and now they live in this place.
Aidan laughs to himself. “So other than telling me all of this. What brings you here personally?”
“Got a quick run. Need you to find this.”
In the picture is a humanoid covered in filthy greasy bandage.
“A mummy?”
“Yeah. But this one has a beating heart.”
Aidan inspects the picture. “Looks like it is. I don’t think it’s undead either. This an anomaly?”
“A quick request from the Redmonds.” The Assistant finishes his cigar. “They want to see if you can do it fast. Take it as their assessment.”
“Do they want me to do it or my kids?”
“You. They have other arrangements. We’ll take their request as long as it's related to anoms. Kei doesn’t mind if you go monster hunting either, but anoms should be the first priority, Sir.”
“Address?”
He hands over the address and links the coordinates. “It’s close here. Think it’s Alsin Street.”
“Someone might have gotten it.”
“Doubt it. The mages are keeping the street cordoned for now. It’s their nesting place, you see.”
“Good to know.” Aidan stands up. “You coming with me, Assistant?”
“Got no choice since Kei wants to see the footage of you in action.”
“Double-checking already. Where’s the trust?”
“Had to do it for formalities. You know how it is with corpo-business. They need to have the proper documentation or they’ll annoy the crap out of you until you do something about it. Besides, it helps.”
“The Mages could have done something.”
“Maybe. But it is what it is.”
“Very well,” Aidan grips his saber’s hilt tightly and calls out to his kiddos. “Going to have a walk with our friend here. You care about this stuff and I really hope that this stuff is sorted out. Santino, you take care of this lot.”
Santino’s the ginger armed with kevlar-lined clothing and carrying an assault shotgun and a machete on the hip.
“Got it, Sir.”
“Good.”
Aidan walks down the street with the Assistant in tow. It’s the usual pedestrian traffic, with the occasional shouting and screaming from commuters and drivers who are trying to go to work.
Alsin street is surrounded by apartment complexes. Streets are lined with shops and stalls and restaurants. Place’s empty though. Aidan can feel the presence of the Mages watching them through their wards. The Assistant takes the lead and approaches the corpo-mage.
Corpo Mage talked lightly and didn’t give him shit and let them pass. Aidan matches his pace with the Assistant.
“I see that you got friendly quickly with the Redmonds.”
He grins slightly. “Helps to have friends on the hierarchy.”
“You’ll go soft, friend.”
“Well, there are assholes who think they are superior about their work, but that’s how they usually are without anyone to manage them.”
Aidan takes a step into the lot and feels this vibration in the air. It’s seething. On the center of this lot is the bandage-wrapped humanoid. Once glance and Aidan can feel it biting on to the mana in the air.
“No wonder they don’t approach it. A Mana Eater?”
“Something like that. Guess they want it done and as you can see. They can’t move with it eating through the mana.”
“And here I was thinking they were being cheap.”
“There’s a chance they are. But it’s all about secrecy, I hope.”
Aidan swings his saber. “And right when we’re close. I wonder if it’s luck or misfortune?”
He shrugs and retreats on the back. He takes a step and Aidan blinks. In the time it took him to blink, Aidan casually jogged up to the anom at 20 miles per hour, and slashed the knees of the anom directly. Despite the anom only becoming aware of Aidan’s existence for 0.2 seconds. Aidan has severed through multiple bones with the thin blade of his saber. Before the Mages are even aware of the extent of the damage he had done to the anom. They watched Aidan sprint away at 40 miles per hour, backwards to avoid these sharp bandages coming at them. Not 1 second after, the bandages were cut in twain. The anom seems to have been carrying a piece. A 9mm pistol. It was conscious enough to use it. It shot blindly. And when shot finally contacted, the bullet crumpled on Aidan’s skin, falling away without Aidan noticing it. The anom stared in horror as Aidan appeared behind and bent its spine. The entire ordeal took less than 10 seconds. Aidan stands behind the anom and then stabs a metal rod on the anom, preventing it from using any regenerative powers.
Kei’s Assistant walks casually and looks down. “Nice work, Sir. But I think you scared the Mages too much.” He grins evilly.
Aidan gives the mages a casual glance and sees them go pale in fright. Well, he might as well introduce himself this way so they don’t think they are easy to handle.
Kei’s Advisor
Aidan Rivas hasn’t felt tired in a very long time. For a man of his experience. He’s still struggling in this kind of world that has changed too much for his liking.
Nyota Plaza is their new home. Most of the Freelancers under him have taken a liking to this place compared to the Abyssal Abodes.
He takes a cigar out and smokes. He notices something approaching. Too silent. Too careful and noiseless. He moves his head slowly and finds Kei’s assistant. Wearing two swords and a pistol he barely uses. He’s always wearing his kevlar-lined trench coat and it seems like he can’t get out of the outfit. Aidan does admit the duds are good to wear. But how he doesn’t seem to change makes him wonder if he stinks or not.
“Assistant Akun.”
He stopped and sighed. “Why does everyone call me that?”
Aidan smiles. “You can’t change what people want to call you. I’m sure you'd have been called worse.”
“True.” He tries to fish out his smoking pipe.
Aidan throws him a cigar. “Take it as a gift from us to your office. I have to thank you for your trust.”
He shrugs. “No need to say pleasantries. We’re here for the money and not for friendship.”
“It’s a miracle indeed. Many would DIE for this kind of treatment.”
“Well, you earned it, Sir.”
“How did the two of your friends go out?”
“Hard. Died fighting a Vamp.”
“Was it glorious?”
He shrugs. “Glorious as it can ever be, Sir.”
Aidan snorts and watches his freelancers carrying their goods. Some of them will bunk in the office, and those who have better finances will find a place near the plaza. They had Kei’s Assistant here to thank for it.
“You close with them?”
“Eta, kinda. She was chill and strong. Marv… didn’t know the guy much other than he had a kid coming.”
Aidan makes a sound. “Oof, trying to have a kid in this kind of era… admirable… but it’s just pain.”
“Speaking from experience, Sir?”
“Yeah. I’m this old. Had ideas about starting a family. But then that fucking monster came and ruin my happy ending.”
The assistant rubs his nose. “The SRE really did fuck things up huh.”
“The bastard alone isn’t the problem. It’s what the SRE unleashed after death. Who knows when the fog will disperse?”
The fog continues to persist on Eurasia. It isn’t as bad in the Americas and the Southeast Asian countries. But Europe, Asia, Africa are covered in fog. There are places where the fog doesn’t reach and lessens the impact because of the heat.
“Guessing a one or two more years before we get proper visibility back.” The Assistant looks up. “Had the pleasure of going out, but it was still foggy as hell.”
“Is Kei hiring?”
Akun shrugs. “Doubt she’ll hire now after Marv and Eta got KIA’d. Probably why we’re partnering with your office.”
“Guessed that. So what brings you here?”
The Assistant takes a long drag of the cigar and sticks his tongue out. He raises a finger. “Kei wants me to see how you guys are here. And want me to tell you of our recent acquaintances.”
“Shoot.”
“Redmond Mages.”
Aidan whistles. “Nice. Got a good rep and cred. Saw the site. Glad we’re raking in some passive income while we sit around.”
“That’s the dream. But we have to do more than necessary too. See, Kei wants some articles on how to defend themselves against anomalies. I want some of the guys to do it. Show them their skills and some of the AD revenue will go to the kids who did it.”
“Sounds generous.”
Akun smiles thinly. “Will take care of the gear. And they’ll think of earning their share without siphoning cash from our offices.”
“Not bad. I’d prefer if we get better gear immediately, but this will teach them how to be responsible.”
Freelancers are ambitious. They don’t want to be wage-slaves but they’d do anything for a day’s check. Most of the kids under him are barely legal and some are aspirants. It isn’t charity though. Aidan knows better than that. He is doing this to make sure he gets the talented kids to do runs for him. Make them grow up strong and capable until they have an idea to leave the nest.
“Those anoms are now common. Guessing our partnership with the Redmonds means more work will come?”
Assistant hands over a data pad. On it was the information on the partnership and what may come out. Aidan finds himself frowning, reading the spinal creatures.
“Lots of trouble,” Aidan watches the data get wiped.
The assistant takes the pad and then pockets it in his dimenbag.
“That’s concerning.”
He takes a drag of the cigar. “Well, Kei thinks so too. But this business requires us to find them. Don’t know what they can do usually, but it’ll be a problem if we don’t seek them.”
Aidan grunts. “We don’t get paid. People start looking elsewhere. This approved by the OB?”
“7S got our backs. Von-Abel’s advertising us.”
“Kei got favors there.”
“Yeah. Something like that.”
Aidan kneads his knee. “Kei has a lot of connections for someone young. She’s a brilliant woman.”
“That a praise or an objective one?”
“Take it as both.”
Aidan has to admit the lady’s got the wits and keen sense. Some might call her lucky, but luck’s part of the business. If she reached this through sheer connections, it’s her luck. But he has a feeling it isn’t like that. She isn’t coddled and if anything their recent loss and her survival shows how much she has gone through. Aidan knows no one, who loses a friend in a mission, would be able to continue on like normal if they hadn’t experienced the worst already.
Even her Assistant is acting like normal. Aidan manages to get an idea how bad Vultan was and seeing this Assistant go through all of it and be fine has made him wonder as well.
He hides it under a mask of indifference. He conveniently uses the name he is given and allows others to make up what he they think he is and use that to take advantage of them. He’s not a snake. He ain’t greedy. But he sure is slippery as hell.
Knows how to handle his business. He doesn’t pry, but can talk it out until you have nothing left to give. Aidan has seen a lot of his kind back in Europe, the kind who knows how to deal with people and blends in. He mirrors people to make them comfortable and when he’s seen. He comes out of that mirror and then stares you down and prevents you from prying further to his business. Someone who can enter the Abodes without being heard or seen is always worth talking to.
It’s a good thing Aidan listened to his guts. Guess old age isn’t as bad when you can find a thigh to cling to. No to mention the deal has proven to be to their advantage. They got out of the abodes and now they live in this place.
Aidan laughs to himself. “So other than telling me all of this. What brings you here personally?”
“Got a quick run. Need you to find this.”
In the picture is a humanoid covered in filthy greasy bandage.
“A mummy?”
“Yeah. But this one has a beating heart.”
Aidan inspects the picture. “Looks like it is. I don’t think it’s undead either. This an anomaly?”
“A quick request from the Redmonds.” The Assistant finishes his cigar. “They want to see if you can do it fast. Take it as their assessment.”
“Do they want me to do it or my kids?”
“You. They have other arrangements. We’ll take their request as long as it's related to anoms. Kei doesn’t mind if you go monster hunting either, but anoms should be the first priority, Sir.”
“Address?”
He hands over the address and links the coordinates. “It’s close here. Think it’s Alsin Street.”
“Someone might have gotten it.”
“Doubt it. The mages are keeping the street cordoned for now. It’s their nesting place, you see.”
“Good to know.” Aidan stands up. “You coming with me, Assistant?”
“Got no choice since Kei wants to see the footage of you in action.”
“Double-checking already. Where’s the trust?”
“Had to do it for formalities. You know how it is with corpo-business. They need to have the proper documentation or they’ll annoy the crap out of you until you do something about it. Besides, it helps.”
“The Mages could have done something.”
“Maybe. But it is what it is.”
“Very well,” Aidan grips his saber’s hilt tightly and calls out to his kiddos. “Going to have a walk with our friend here. You care about this stuff and I really hope that this stuff is sorted out. Santino, you take care of this lot.”
Santino’s the ginger armed with kevlar-lined clothing and carrying an assault shotgun and a machete on the hip.
“Got it, Sir.”
“Good.”
Aidan walks down the street with the Assistant in tow. It’s the usual pedestrian traffic, with the occasional shouting and screaming from commuters and drivers who are trying to go to work.
Alsin street is surrounded by apartment complexes. Streets are lined with shops and stalls and restaurants. Place’s empty though. Aidan can feel the presence of the Mages watching them through their wards. The Assistant takes the lead and approaches the corpo-mage.
Corpo Mage talked lightly and didn’t give him shit and let them pass. Aidan matches his pace with the Assistant.
“I see that you got friendly quickly with the Redmonds.”
He grins slightly. “Helps to have friends on the hierarchy.”
“You’ll go soft, friend.”
“Well, there are assholes who think they are superior about their work, but that’s how they usually are without anyone to manage them.”
Aidan takes a step into the lot and feels this vibration in the air. It’s seething. On the center of this lot is the bandage-wrapped humanoid. Once glance and Aidan can feel it biting on to the mana in the air.
“No wonder they don’t approach it. A Mana Eater?”
“Something like that. Guess they want it done and as you can see. They can’t move with it eating through the mana.”
“And here I was thinking they were being cheap.”
“There’s a chance they are. But it’s all about secrecy, I hope.”
Aidan swings his saber. “And right when we’re close. I wonder if it’s luck or misfortune?”
He shrugs and retreats on the back. He takes a step and Aidan blinks. In the time it took him to blink, Aidan casually jogged up to the anom at 20 miles per hour, and slashed the knees of the anom directly. Despite the anom only becoming aware of Aidan’s existence for 0.2 seconds. Aidan has severed through multiple bones with the thin blade of his saber. Before the Mages are even aware of the extent of the damage he had done to the anom. They watched Aidan sprint away at 40 miles per hour, backwards to avoid these sharp bandages coming at them. Not 1 second after, the bandages were cut in twain. The anom seems to have been carrying a piece. A 9mm pistol. It was conscious enough to use it. It shot blindly. And when shot finally contacted, the bullet crumpled on Aidan’s skin, falling away without Aidan noticing it. The anom stared in horror as Aidan appeared behind and bent its spine. The entire ordeal took less than 10 seconds. Aidan stands behind the anom and then stabs a metal rod on the anom, preventing it from using any regenerative powers.
Kei’s Assistant walks casually and looks down. “Nice work, Sir. But I think you scared the Mages too much.” He grins evilly.
Aidan gives the mages a casual glance and sees them go pale in fright. Well, he might as well introduce himself this way so they don’t think they are easy to handle.
