Neon Haze: Snakes and Roses

by Chris Sherrit

  “Hey, Kersh!” Dixon frowns at the mannequin pose. Jimmy quickly turns around and manages to catch the beer Dixon tosses him.

  “Are you feeling ok?” Dixon asks, with an inquisitive look. Jimmy shakes his head a little and blinks again.

  “Yeah, uh, I’m just, this is weird to see again. Kind of makes me wonder if you really are doing better or if you’ve gone even deeper down the whole” There’s the Jimmy that Dixon remembers. He gives him a pat on the shoulder as he passes and takes a seat. Jimmy looks at him until Dixon gestures to the other seat with his eyes, he takes a seat.

  “So today was crazy…” Dixon says taking a swig of the beer he’d popped open. Jimmy nods in quiet response.

  “Jimmy, make sure Dixon doesn’t switch me off or mute me again, will you?” RJ asks. Jimmy smiles looking at Dixon’s arm.

  “I’d have you on mute constantly,” says Jimmy.

  “Scratching you off the Christmas card list,” says RJ.

  “I didn’t know if I was going to get fucked up if I ever met that slimy nut pirate” Jimmy can’t help but laugh at Dixon’s forever colourful language. “I think I needed it” he pauses, looking off into the distance.

  “I don’t know if I could have killed him. I don’t really remember actually much of it now, I only see his face all mashed up!” Dixon scowls, the memory of the blood, shattered teeth and clearly broken bones disgust him. The graphic devastation now a vile reminder of his closure.

  “He’s in hospital, doctors say they’re going to need to build him a new nose and jaw,” Jimmy says plainly, thinking in his head how much he wishes he could have inflicted the pain instead. He’d have been able to have the joy of delivering that justice, he’d also have kept Dixon from what appears to be a very challenging experience. He’s already been through enough Jimmy thinks, although this is the best he’s looked in years.

  “Hey, uh, you didn’t happen to notice what was written on those papers he had?” Dixon seems to flicker back into his body and resume being a normal human.

  “Oh yeah, I wonder where he got them from. Maybe some weird collector’s thing?” Jimmy swigs his beer pinching his brow.

  “A douche nozzle like that? Yeah, I’m sure he collects old papers, Jimmy.” RJ sharply interjects.

  “They were legal documents for Fenghuang and Halo” Dixon points out, leaning his arm in his knees.

  “Legal documents? Like a merger?” Jimmy pinches his brow further, Dixon nods. “Why use paper? They could just as easily put that shit online.”

  “Didn’t think of it much at the time, but I can’t get it out of my head now. There was mention of a merger between the two of them and a reconstruction of the GID tree” Dixon purses his lips trying to read Jimmy’s reaction. “Presumably they want to keep it under wraps, off the grid, offline.”

  “Who reads books or magazines these days? It’d be easy to hide that kind of thing”, RJ says plainly.

  “Feng and Halo merger? Shit! That’d take the world to its knees. There wouldn’t be anyone to compete with that.” Jimmy lifts his gaze from the floor as he considers the information. Dixon’s eyes stare back. Both men thinking how much this feels like their old work discussions, back in the day as rookies. Talking at great length about the conspiracies they’d “uncovered”, new evidence, like they were both already detectives.

  “What was the reconstruction? Are they planning on separating out the top tiers further? Let those shit biscuits at the top take even more power from everyone?” Jimmy leans back in his seat, glugging down more beer.

  Dixon shakes his head, “No, they were simplifying it in their words.” Jimmy tilts his head quizzically. “Exactly. Sounds iffy, doesn’t it? They are wanting to bring the GIDs into just three official categories.”

  “We have five right now, right? I get confused at how those upper tier pricks class it!” Jimmy says.

  “Yes, low, mid, high, executive, council. That’s us right now, they want to make it low, high, council!” says RJ, Jimmy’s eyes move to the side trying to figure things out.

  “Ok, that does sound simpler” He bites his lip, trying to figure out what he’s missing.

  “It is, but this is Fenghuang, there’s always a catch! The low and mid-levels get combined into one new low GID class. High’s and executives become one new High-level GID and I’m guessing the council stays the cock shiners at the very top.” As Dixon talks, Jimmy’s gaze returns to the carpet.

  “Fuck! Those bastards are going to make us all slaves!” Spit flails from Jimmy’s lips. He drinks his beer, finishing it and slams it on the table. Dixon rises from his chair and walks to the refrigerator.

  “Yup! They are going to take more power from people, you said it.” Opening the refrigerator, Dixon grabs another beer and tosses it to Jimmy, he pops the lid off and looks into space again.

  “Fuck!” Jimmy shouts after several quiet seconds. Standing from the seat, the two of them lean on the kitchen counter.

  “We have to do something!” Jimmy shrugs looking at Dixon for an answer.

  “Yup! We will.” He takes a swig from his beer with a smile on his face.

  “Well don’t keep me in suspense, partner” Jimmy beckons.

  “Partner?” Dixon and RJ say in unison. Jimmy doesn’t reply but gestures both hands in the air for him to answer his curiosity. Dixon snickers, resting his beer on the table as his friend leans on his elbows.

  “What do you say we give Chester another visit?” Dixon chugs the last of his beer down. Jimmy in a breath of growing excitement leans back. His signature cheeky smile crawling over his face again.

  Chapter 7

  Jimmy is overjoyed at the condition his best friend is in. He seems like he’s back to his old self. The news of a secret deal reigniting the fire that made him want to be a detective in the first place. He could work with his old buddy again, not in an official capacity. There is no way that LAF would employ him again after his service. If they looked over any tracking camera videos of him over the past years they’d probably want to lock him up rather than reinstate him.

  The captain hadn’t seemed too bothered with the wreckage that had been made of Chester’s face though. A real hard ass, with a boner for beating someone into their place, he laughed a belly laugh when he got the news, and told Jimmy he wished he’d seen it. He had no idea it was Dixon who had dished out the pummelling, and he didn’t need to know if they two of them went on their own investigation. Hell, nobody really cared what or where Jimmy was. He was a mid-level detective, as far as all the other high-level detectives cared he was still just a regular cop. If he didn’t pick up on the minion work, they’d just push it down the line to some dumbfounded officer.

  “Hey, just thinking before we go see Chester, we should probably wait a few days. Let him get out of the hospital and think he’s resting easy. We won’t be able to give him an intense questioning in the hospital anyway, too many eyes” says Jimmy.

  “He’s right, Dixon, Fenghuang will probably have a warning to keep an eye out for you both,” RJ says.

  Dixon laughs “Intense questioning? That what you guys call your interrogation techniques now? You’re right, we’ll wait for him to get out of the hospital. In the meantime, we could go to the other guys”

  “The other guys?” asks Jimmy.

  “Halo. I’m sure we can find someone in the know or someone who knows someone in the know, you know?” says Dixon.

  “I know,” RJ says. Dixon smirks at his arm.

  Jimmy grits his teeth “Isn’t Sadie in close with Halo now?” his question is met with silence. Several seconds pass before Jimmy realises he hadn’t heard the information from Dixon.

  “Um…” RJ’s digital voice lingers.

  “Oh, yeah, uh, sorry buddy. She’s in Denver working at Halo now. Some receptionist kind of job” Jimmy says as he realises that Dixon had been staring at a drawer in the kitchen. He walks to the drawer and slowly opens it, a mixture of random garbage tries to burst out. Dixon pu
lls a picture frame out of the drawer, a bright image sits in the frame. Dixon and Sadie in a warm embrace, Sadie kissing Dixon's cheek. Jimmy leans closer and asks “When was the last time you saw her?”

  “Four years ago, she was in a bar I stumbled into. I barely recognized her. She was there with friends…” Dixon’s eyes still fixed on the picture. “She was laughing and having a good time and her friends noticed me, I don’t think they know me, I’ve never met them before. They kept pointing and laughing at me, probably because I was a wreck.” Dixon swallows trying to contain his emotion. Jimmy looks on, curious to see if his best friend is going to open up more.

  “They kept laughing, and I shouted at one of them when I finally recognized her. She was the only one that wasn’t laughing at me. She still drowns out all the noise when I see her.” Dixon stifles a tear, managing to hold his emotions in check only just. “Anyway, she came over and helped me up. Dusted me down. Told me I should really go home, and stopped the bartender from throwing me out. I think she called me a ride home, I can’t remember. I just stared at her”

  “I miss her,” RJ says, a faint glitch in her voice.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t go and see her. I don’t want you breaking down again.” Jimmy takes the picture from Dixon and stands it on the counter, closing the drawer and gripping Dixon’s shoulders. Dixon frowns a little. Jimmy’s hands look tiny around his broad physique.

  “No, we’re going!” Dixon shrugs Jimmy’s grip off and walks to the cupboard next to the front door. Opening it, he pats some dust off of a jacket on the hook. He takes the jacket and rolls his arms smoothly into the sleeves, it still fits well after all these years. Jimmy smiles and shakes his head, as Dixon opens the door and gives a smug nod.

  “Ooh, he puts on a jacket, ooh!”

  Chapter 8

  Pulling up to the headquarters of Halo, Dixon and Jimmy are quickly picked up by the security system. Two guards approach, both wearing smart black suits gripping to the muscles held within them. Black helmets encapsulate their heads, presumably to both remove any sense of individuality and provide them with the heads up display to identify almost anyone. Both guards also wear Echo Armour’ bodysuits, designed to hide the sounds of whoever is wearing it. Strange that these guards would need to be quiet, probably a statement of quality over practicality. Halo standard troop armour provides as much defence as anyone could ask for in Denver since it became filled with danger. They prided themselves on kitting out their own with the best kit.

  Denver being one of the favourite places for people to swarm to, as the tides began to rise, unwanted types came along with it. The digital libraries filled with historical documents of the debates over climate change, and the scientific world displaying all the evidence they could to back it up. The world knew this was going to happen, and yet the world leaders scoffed at it. Their own arrogance drawing their focus to gaining more power, and securing their next term in office, idiots!

  Of course, the sea levels were predicted to rise a small amount, and they did, to begin with. After twenty years passed, North America lost fifteen percent of its land mass; the scientists were taken more seriously. Those that were left that is. Many people died as their homes were swallowed up by the oceans. It was predicted that the most deaths occurred during panicked evacuations of coastal cities.

  Fortunately for the world, the geniuses working at Leistung brought forward an age of clean energy. Clean energy that they provided to the world, at a price. Deals with other firms took place, and Leistung put up footholds across the globe, each one guarded by dedicated Leistung mercs. Every single one also surrounded by the respective power of that regions military. With the boom in energy, Fenghuang was able to focus their scientific divisions to cleaning the atmosphere, healing the earth, you might say. The only selfless thing they have ever done; Fenghuang still talks of it to this day. Sure, they technically saved the planet, but why would you want to continue expanding your empire if the planet was a desolate husk.

  “Good day, gentlemen. Do you have an appointment?” the first faceless goon asked. Jimmy looks down, flashing his holo-badge.

  “No appointment, guys. We’re needing to speak with Sadie Knight” Jimmy looks at both guards, the small lights that trace patterns around their skulls circulating around a Halo logo on each of their temples. The second guard lowers the energy rifle he holds. Dixon turns his head to look at Jimmy, confused.

  “She changed her last na-“

  The guard cuts him off “No appointment, no entry I’m afraid”. Dixon turns to face the guards, annoyed that he cut him off.

  “Many people come here with appointments for receptionists?” His tone ringing hard, the guards both readjusting their rifles.

  “Leave the premises immediately”, the order clear.

  “Or what?” RJ exclaims. Both guards look down to Dixon’s arm, one tilts his head slightly.

  “Excuse me, do we have a misunderstanding here?” Jimmy steps forward. “Did you not notice?” he flashes his badge again.

  “I know you Halo boys might be kitted out in the flashiest shit since holographic pornography, but don’t think that gives you the right to interfere with a LAF investigation!” Jimmy stops his face inches from the first guard’s helmet.

  “Run my face again - Detective Jimmy Kershon - here to meet with Sadie Knight.” Dixon watches, impressed with how Jimmy handles himself. The lights on both guards helmet zip around quickly and blink green. Both drop the rifles and turn to their sides, allowing Jimmy and Dixon to pass.

  “Apologies, sir. We’ve informed Sadie Knight of your arrival. Please enjoy your visit to Halo HQ!”

  Jimmy leads the way, as Dixon sniggers while walking past.

  “Yeah, that’s right, out of the way, peons!” RJ says sharply but quietly.

  “How many times a day do you do that trick?” Dixon asks, catching up.

  “First time I’ve done that in a while. Those security guards are mid-level, if the security system didn’t approve us through, then scaring them with suspensions would have” Jimmy smirks back.

  Two more guards stand at the door entrance as they approach. Clear glass slides apart in what seems like ten different directions to open the door. Stepping inside, it almost feels like a new world in itself. White walls hold blue highlight strips which seem to follow behind every person walking around. Each person almost robotic in their path. A spherical ball, held on a long arm, extends out of what Dixon thought was an artistic sculpture.

  The orb blips into life, three blue lights forming a line in its centre. “Good day, Detective Kershon, Dixon Callaway. Your appointment with Sadie Knight is set to take place on the seventy-fourth flour in room Seven, Four, Q, B” says a polite female English voice. Dixon quirks his head back. Jimmy nudges him to remain calm.

  “Please feel free to use our grav-lifts while in the building” The three lines morphing into an arrow, point to the series of metal doors surrounding two giant pillars that seem to stretch to the roof of the building.

  “Thanks,” Jimmy says as he walks off, Dixon stuttering before joining him.

  “I don’t like her,” RJ says.

  “Me neither” Dixon whispers down to RJ.

  “Grav-lifts? These guys are fucking with gravity now?” Dixon slaps Jimmy on the shoulder.

  “It’s not gravity in that sense. Closer to some magnetism or energy based thing. Sorry, I’m no physics geek. The dweebs at Leistung have been wanting to get their hands on it for years now” Jimmy laughs “think they are tired of walking upstairs”.

  “Thought they had regular hydraulic lifts?” asks Dixon.

  “They do, they also provide the power to make these grav-lifts work. Halo isn’t giving up the plans for them though.” They approach one of the doors, three lights slide on at the top of the door and quickly scan their faces. The doors part and the same voice from the orb speaks again.

  “Please enter” Once they’ve stepped inside the doors close. “Ascending” The voice st
ates.

  “Ascending? Jesus, no wonder these pompous fucks think so highly of themselves” RJ remarks. Dixon taps his arm, disciplining RJ for swearing.

  “You don’t feel like you’re ascending to the heavens,” Jimmy says, winking.

  The ride up takes seconds. As the doors open, the voice pleasantly states “Arrived at destination”. The two-step out, and a highlight in the wall glows a greener tone than the blue they’d seen when they entered. Jimmy approaches it, and the green blip slowly begins to move off down the corridor to the left.

  “Guess we have a guide,” Jimmy says, shrugging to Dixon.

  “Pompous fucks!” Dixon grumbles, following Jimmy. Several people pass by them in the opposite direction as they are lead around the maze of corridors. The building itself is fully automated and controlled by artificial intelligence. They pass by a kitchen area where machines take food orders and dispense the requests into trays and bowls. Various people sit around making small talk. All of them wearing similar white business outfits with blue stripes on the hems.

  Finally, the green light stops and blinks three times. The door opposite a sheet of white with a blue light displayed on it.

  As the green light begins to fade RJ says. “I don’t like that either”

  “Seven Four Q B, uh thanks, Greeny” Jimmy say to the blip as it fades off.

  “Don’t name the fucking thing” Dixon says as they enter the room.

  “Dixon!” A female voice says sharply.

  Dixon ,whipping his eyes to the origin, freezes.

  “Hello Sadie,” Jimmy says.

  Chapter 9

  “How’ve you been?” Sadie asks with a warm smile.

  “Great thanks” Jimmy replies, popping his collar in a joking fashion “Detective now!”

  “That’s great, Jimmy” Sadie turns her head to Dixon, looking him up and down as he stands still, gawking.