Persephone Rising: A Cyberpunk LitRPG (The Persephone Saga Book 2)

by Skyler Grant

  "Not yet," Galatea said, frowning at Inanna. "It's been awhile. What are you doing hanging around this flophouse?"

  "You know me. I like to be at the center of events," Inanna said, carefully sitting down.

  "You two know each other," I said. It wasn't a question.

  "We have a history. Last time I saw her she was dating the old Mars," Inanna said.

  "You were on Roma Station?"

  "I get around," Galatea said, sighing in frustration and throwing the tablet away. "You don't even have any good secrets. You haven't killed anyone in hours."

  Inanna told me, "It isn't actually her fault that Galatea is the way she is. Genius work making her, but she doesn't have a slow setting. If she isn't screwing, killing, or getting an adrenaline rush, she's going crazy,"

  "Please tell me that is a prelude to a threesome," Galatea said, hands already moving for the rest of her clothing.

  "It's not," I said quickly, stopping her. Galatea was pretty crazy. I sympathized more than I wanted to. I was starting to understand, I was getting that way with death. If I wasn't in the Network dying or in the real world almost getting myself killed, I somehow felt incomplete.

  Galatea growled in frustration.

  "There is a gym. Out the hall, three doors down, if you need to burn off," Inanna said.

  "The other way would be more fun," Galatea said, as she sprang to her feet and hurried from the room.

  "What is she?" I asked Inanna.

  "If I had to wager a guess, I'd say she is the product of what Sparks and Ismene have been trying to do," Inanna said.

  The mention of her name had Ismene flickering into her life. "No way."

  "You must have seen it too? There is no way the neural framework would have been laid out that way otherwise," Inanna said.

  Ismene frowned, but grudgingly said, "Maybe."

  "Are we saying that Aphrodite is for sure an AI then?" I asked.

  "We aren't, although it would make sense. Aphrodite could have been transitioned into a body like Galatea's, but better optimized," Inanna said.

  "You really don't know?" I asked Inanna.

  Inanna chuckled. "For the last time, I'm not the knower of all the secrets. I'm just smart, brave, and prone to picking up things that don't belong to me."

  "If she did it, could I do it?" Ismene asked.

  Inanna gave Ismene a long look—a sympathetic look.

  "Why not?" I asked.

  "I'm not developed enough," Ismene sighed.

  "Galatea does seem as if she was made to host a manufactured intelligence, but one of incredible complexity," Inanna said.

  "Ismene is a complex personality in her own right and is controlling my nanites, helping to run my body a good portion of the time. How is she not complex enough?" I asked.

  "You saw what we discovered in the facility. An AI was built to run on hardware well in advance of anything we currently use," Inanna said.

  "Then we upgrade her," I said. "We're upgrading me."

  Ismene flinched.

  "What?" I asked.

  "You need to stop with those upgrades. You're getting too many, too fast," Ismene said.

  "My health is being compromised?"

  "It isn't your health I'm worried about. At Olympus every change was weighed and measured, and nothing that altered the human experience too much was ever added or removed," Ismene said.

  We were going beyond that. I understood that, I did. I also knew that Olympus had fallen and whatever caution my people had shown hadn't benefitted them in the end. True strength was the power to protect yourself and those you cared about. Somewhere along the way we'd lost sight of that.

  I didn't like the company Aphrodite kept. I also knew strength when I saw it. Aphrodite had one kind of power, Galatea had another. I'd do whatever it took to get hold of both.

  "I understand your worries, but this isn't Olympus. Don't you want what she has?" I asked.

  "I love the Network and it is my home, but you kind of get to live in two worlds. Every human does. I live in the one and only get look at the other through a window," Ismene said.

  That did have to be hard, and I think she did love Sparks, who was really on the wrong side of everything for her.

  "I don't suppose you're a brilliant computer scientist in addition to biologist?" I asked Inanna.

  "There are, in fact, some limits to my talents," Inanna said.

  There was a flicker in the air and Aphrodite appeared. It was Aphrodite. Now that I'd gotten accustomed to the differences between her and Galatea, it was easier to tell them apart—for all they might have been twins.

  "I know someone who is," Aphrodite said. "You haven't asked Galatea about her parents. You'd be surprised."

  "One you're aching to spoil," Inanna said wryly.

  "Anton Braevis and Circe Doras," Aphrodite said, like someone revealing a delicious secret.

  I knew both names. Of course I knew both names.

  Anton, the flesh peddler. The man who tortured Venom to death, and for years had done to same to countless victims to make simulations of them. The other, Circe Doras, was a family name, my ancestor. She had been one of the original founders of Olympus Corporation.

  "Anton is not that old," I said.

  "Don't be disappointing. You know life-extending drugs exist and some make use of them. Do you question his access, willingness, or their efficiency?" Aphrodite asked.

  "Anton is ancient," Inanna said. She spoke with absolute certainty.

  "I'm going to let you in on another little secret. Anton is not a sadist hurting people simply for the thrill of it," Aphrodite said, and then paused. "Well, he didn't start out as one. Anton is a man obsessed with erasing the line between the biological and the electronic."

  Circe had been a geneticist. My mother’s genius had often been compared to hers, something that ran in the blood—a talent that passed me by.

  Could it be true?

  "Why are you telling us this?" Ismene said, glaring at Aphrodite.

  "You know the reason why. Because I'm busy seducing our dear Persephone in my own way. You are her best friend and you just told her that you are hurting," Aphrodite said.

  Aphrodite wanted to see what I would do. No, that wasn't really it. This wasn't some passive experiment born of curiosity. What she wanted was to see me work with Anton. They colluded together, and to truly accept whatever she had in mind for me I couldn't let my hatred for Anton stand in the way of me working for him too.

  "You seem to have more of a relationship with him than I do," I said, struggling to keep my voice level and the icy fury in check. "Can you please arrange a meeting? I'd appreciate his expertise."

  Aphrodite stepped forward. Although virtual I still felt the brush of her lips against my cheek. "I know that wasn't easy. I'm proud of you.

  32

  Anton wanted the meeting in person. It wasn't my preference, the Network was a far safer place. Still, when seeking a favor you play by the rules of your host.

  I took Diva, Inanna, and Galatea along with me. Inanna and he seemed to have a history I still hoped to learn more about, and Diva would have my back no matter what. I couldn't have kept Galatea away.

  As before when we visited the estate we were searched, although allowed to keep our weapons. Anton met us in his overly ornate lounge. He was dressed in an absurd number of frills.

  Galatea wasted no time in rushing up to him and giving him a crushing hug, which Anton returned.

  "Persephone didn't say she knew you," Anton said.

  "She rescued me from a warehouse. Lots of bodies, naked spear fighting, it was very gallant," Galatea said, letting him go.

  There was a bark from an adjoining room and a black Labrador came running in and jumped up on Galatea, who knelt down to ruffle his ears. "Hi Rufus."

  Well, this was an uncomfortable view into the home life of a monster. I didn't like getting to know the people I hated. It didn't make me hate him any less, it just made me feel a little more g
uilty about it.

  "I think we might be related, actually," I said.

  Anton quirked a brow . "Oh? This I haven't heard. Do tell?"

  "I'm a direct descendant of Circe Doras."

  Anton stepped forward and I fought to stay still as he reached out a hand to grasp at my chin, angling my face so he could better study the lines.

  "I see it. I missed it at first, all Olympians had more than a little of her in them. Circe could be vain," Anton said.

  "Auntie Aphrodite has been slipping her sips of ambrosia, too," Galatea said, rising to her feet.

  "That much I knew," Anton said, and I could tell from his tone he disapproved. "Diva, a pleasure as always. Inanna, did you ever get that culture to work?"

  "I did. It was exquisite," Inanna said.

  Anton flashed a brief smile. "One of the old Kinkaid lines. Why are you here, Persephone? I heard you were seeking a favor. I rather thought it a pretext to try and kill me, I was quite looking forward to it."

  Not today.

  "My best friend is an AI. I was hoping to get her a body," I said.

  Anton tilted his head to the side and holographic displays sprang into being surrounding him. "The one you're wearing?"

  I didn't know that Anton was aware I was wearing a computing platform.

  "That is Ismene," I said.

  Ismene flickered into existence, standing in the middle of the room. It wasn't her usual hologram, and it wasn't quite the perfectly human version that Aphrodite used, but it was close.

  "Liberty... seventh generation. Raised on the Fortune?" Anton said, peering at Ismene.

  "Yes sir," Ismene said, surprised.

  Galatea was looking bored and asked Anton, "Daddy, got anyone I can kill?"

  "In the meat room," Anton said distractedly, before returning to examining Ismene. "A few Olympian modifications, although you weren't enhanced. Pity."

  Galatea bounced to her feet and slipped out a door. I tried not to think about where she was going. I hadn't put her into the monster class as well—not until this moment.

  "Enhanced?" Ismene asked.

  Anton gave no answer as he continued to look at scrolling lines of data, Ismene's innards laid bare to the trained eye. "So much empathy, you are beautiful, my dear. I can do this, it will take time, but I can do it."

  I knew it wasn't that easy. There is a price, there is always a price.

  "You shouldn't do this. Whatever he's going to ask, it is too much," Ismene said.

  "A price too much for her dear friend to explore all the world has to offer?" Anton said, with a shrug. "That is not for you to decide."

  This wasn't just about Ismene. I did want to do all that I could for my friend, but I was increasingly convinced that whatever Aphrodite and Anton were involved in, it was larger than either of them. I couldn't help but think that the destruction of Olympus was involved. I needed answers.

  A path was being laid out for me, step by step, but only so long as I kept walking down it. I agreed with my friend, any price was probably too high for what was being offered. That didn't mean it shouldn't be paid.

  Ismene's hologram turned for just a moment to flash me a worried look, but also a tiny nod. She understood my thoughts and wasn't going to stop me.

  "I'll pay it," I said.

  "You're a terrible barterer," Anton said, his gaze meeting mine.

  "We both know we're not bartering. We're dancing," I said.

  "You'll watch over Galatea for the time being. Whatever happens, you'll stick by her side," Anton said.

  As conditions went, that one could be worse. Galatea was great to have in a fight and the team liked her.

  "Done," I said.

  "Galatea, dear? When you finish up, bring in D17," Anton said.

  I didn't like the sounds of that.

  Inanna stepped to my side and her hand sought out mine to give it a quick squeeze. "You don't have to do this, you know. You don't have to play their game. You can walk away."

  I asked her, "Did you?"

  I didn't really expect an answer, but Inanna surprised me. "I did. I stole what knowledge I could and I ran, and I'm happy."

  Galatea returned, dragging someone behind her. The woman looked to be somewhere in her mid-twenties, she was nearly dead. Blisters bubbled on her lips and her body was covered in weeping sores.

  "What happened to her?" I asked.

  "I did. Nothing contagious, I assure you. I've provided diagnostic information to your charming companion," Anton said.

  Ismene winced. "Some sort of biological agent, I don't recognize it. Her systems are falling apart fast. Even with a surgical unit I couldn't fix this. Her systems are too far gone for her to survive a nanite bonding."

  Anton gave a pleasant smile. "I'm always looking for ways to make the process more effective. I know, I know—you hate for me it. I like that. Killing her at this point is just putting her out of her misery. I want you to do it."

  I knew this was coming from the instant he'd given the instructions to Galatea.

  "There is truly nothing you can do," I told Ismene.

  "I wish he was lying. Left on her own she has another six hours or so, I estimate—bad ones," Ismene replied.

  I wasn't one to hesitate. An ugly task wasn't any better for drawing it out or putting it off. I drew the Silversmith and pumped up the penetration so I could assure it would go through the skull, and put a round into D17's head. The body twitched and fell over.

  Galatea didn't seem to mind the blood splatter, but then she was well used to such things I was sure.

  "There is that heart of ice I so admired the first time I met you," Anton said, walking towards me. He tapped a finger at the holographic display surrounding him and I felt the nanites encasing my body turn gelatinous. They slid from my body to pool onto the floor, leaving me bare.

  That I hadn't been expecting. I should have. What better way to prove your willingness to lay down with monsters than to literally lay down with one.

  "Join me, or if you are absolutely unwilling, you may join Galatea instead," Anton said, reaching out to grab my other hand.

  Inanna squeezed the one she held. A silent reminder that I could still walk away, that I didn't have to do this.

  Except, of course, I did. Inanna had walked away and she still didn't have the answers she was looking for. I now understood her more than ever, why she'd accepted my offer. Why she stuck around.

  Despite that she might be trying to talk me out of this right now, she was hoping that I'd say yes. I was her foot back in the door. I was her chance to figure out what it was all about.

  I didn't answer Anton in words. I pressed my lips to his in as hungry a kiss as I could manage. Anton was a skilled lover, his lips played against mine for a long moment before he pulled back.

  "Call yourself Circe," he said, tugging me towards a door. Inanna let my hand go.

  "No, fantasize on your own time. You're laying with Persephone," I said.

  Anton seemed pleased by the rejoinder.

  It was a more pleasurable night than it should have been. Anton's long life had given him no shortage of opportunities to hone his skills.

  33

  Anton wasn't a cuddler. I was grateful for small mercies—it would have made the whole experience that much stranger. The man was also up before dawn despite me being quite certain I'd worn him out the night before.

  With my armor still a pile of goop somewhere I was lacking in the clothes department, but Olympians aren't shy. When I left the bedroom I found Diva seated in the hall outside, rifle sitting across her lap. I gave her a curious look and she lifted a shoulder in a shrug.

  "If you'd started the wrong sort of screaming I was going to come in shooting. Going to put on some clothes, or are you going to go all-out with the whole walk of shame thing?" Diva asked.

  Great, she'd been listening the whole night. That wouldn't be so bad if there hadn't been some of the other sort of screaming. Well, it wasn't like I wasn't streaming the whole
thing anyways. I'd put on a hell of a show, the night would have been pointless otherwise.

  "Showing skin doesn't bother me and I don't know where my armor went. Where are Galatea and Inanna?" I asked.

  Diva pushed herself to her feet and motioned for me to follow. Security was present in this part of the estate, although we seemed to be welcome guests at this point. Still, professionalism only went so far and I got more than a few stares.

  This place made me far too nostalgic. Anton was without question a monster and I very much planned to kill him one day, but he also possessed an aesthetic's soul. Statues lined the halls and many of them were Olympian in design. It was strange seeing the art of so many cultures mingled like this.

  A doorway at the end led to a familiar setting. It was a biolab, rows of equipment that all looked to be well-maintained. Galatea was sprawled out in a chair, looking bored, while Inanna tapped away at an interface.

  "Stealing all of Anton's secrets?" I asked. It was one of those things that sounds like a joke, but really isn't.

  Inanna gave me a wry look that said that was exactly what she'd been up to.

  "Daddy isn't going to let her see anything he doesn't want her to see. I told her we should fuck instead, but she thought this would be more interesting. You want a go?" Galatea asked, looking me up and down lasciviously.

  It sounded like Inanna had an uncomfortably awkward night. That was going around.

  "Please tell me someone knows where my armor is before Galatea starts stripping down too," I said.

  "That is like five seconds away," Galatea said.

  Inanna jerked her head towards a corner of the room. There it was, a familiar pool of black goop. I stepped into it. Whatever Anton had used the night before to make it break apart was no longer in effect and it slid up my form to encase me and harden.

  "Sorry about that. He disrupted my nanite control," Ismene said.

  "We need to stop getting hacked. It was awkward. What if that happened in a fight?" I asked.

  "I know. I'll keep investigating a fix," Ismene said.

  Galatea pouted at the reforming of my armor, things just weren't going her way.