He has. Won’t be there today. I’m sick. :(
There’s a missed call from Genji too. But no text. I put the phone up on the hold and start the car. I set up the phone to route to the speaker and call him.
Genji picks up when I turn the car around. “Where are you, Hound?”
“I’m just now leaving, Ise. Did your employers finally say something?”
“Yes and we have a problem,” Genji says. “They’re taking back their offer.”
My blood freeze-shocks. “What? Why?”
“I don’t know why, Hound. They’re not telling me any details, but I think they found something more convenient.”
“What about Shig then? What are they doing with him?”
“I wish I knew enough to tell you, but they haven’t said a word on that. Only that they’re withdrawing their offer,” Genji says. “I’m sorry. I know it’s the last thing you probably want to hear.”
I scoff. “Oh believe me. I’ve got a long list of things fighting for that title right now.”
“Ah, feeling stressed out?”
“Just a little.”
“Sounds more like a lot of a little from here.”
“There’s nothing I can do about Shig then?”
“If there was, then you’d be the first to know,” Genji says. “But until I find something out, be on your guard, Hound. If they’ve figured out how to get Heaven’s research, you don’t want to get caught in the middle of anything.”
4-10 'Ah'
The next day comes too soon. I sleep horribly. My dreams are a broken tape replaying Ken’s, the Geisha’s, and Susano’s words over and over again.
“You were with us way before you were in a relationship with him, you know?”
“CRISIS-D knew about what you would become when you were very young, Jun. And they’ll chase you down to the ends of the earth.”
“But until I find something out, be on your guard, Hound.”
A part of me wonders what the hell I did to deserve all of this, but then another starts to believe that maybe I do. That maybe losing my mom, losing Megumi, losing the privilege of a worry-free life is just karma collecting one big debt I owe.
I blink back the beginnings of tears. C’mon. Get up. Just like you usually do. Fall down seven times, stand up eight. Try to make today a good one.
The rain takes a rest today, but I pack one in case it rains later on at work. Reddening light slithers across the floor from the bedroom window. King pounces on the lights, enthralled. As soon as I close my closet door, my phone rings: Heaven.
I tap accept, then tuck the phone between my ear and shoulder. "Hello? What’s up?”
“Hey, Jun. Just wanted to let you know that I’m not going to be able to make it to work today.” Heaven sounds just as tired as I feel. “I know it’s been a while since we’ve had a magic session, but we’re going to have to put it off again. But I’m still driving up to the reservation on Saturday if you want to come.”
“That’s fine. That’s perfect, actually. What time do you want me to be ready?”
“I want to be there before twelve. But I’m bringing Chandra and someone else, so is ten okay for you?”
I hurry down the stairs for my usual mango green tea and a bowl of oatmeal. “That’s fine with me. I’ll see you then.” I hang up and find Jin downstairs already munching on cereal.
I set my keys and phone on the counter. “Hey, just a heads up. I’m going to be gone for most of tomorrow.”
Jin’s spoon stops mid-scoop. “You’re going to work?”
“No, it’s a little trip I have to take with my boss.” I open the cabinet. “But I don’t think I’ll be gone as long. I don’t know if Regi is coming over tonight. If he is he’ll be here with you. If not, same rules still apply don't answer the door and keep the windows and everything locked.”
Jin eats his spoonful, eyes crinkling in amusement. “If it opens, lock it. Got it.”
“I’ll take that. See you when I get home,” I say.
Hardly anyone is in the Review Room when I get there. At the table, Vampire spoons strawberries and granola into her mouth while the cleaning lady spritzes the kitchen countertops with lemon-scented cleaner. Blunts’ bag sits near the circular couch, but he’s nowhere to be found.
Vampire glances up at me, but then looks back down at her phone. “Heyo, bish.”
I freeze, taken aback by the sudden greeting, but then a feminine voice says, “You just got to work?”
“Yeah, I’m finishing breakfast what’s up?” Vampire gets up with her bowl and heads outside to the balcony.
She’s just on the phone. Thank go— I catch myself from saying ‘gods’. Does that even make sense to say anymore? Am I just thanking myself? Or taking my own title in vain?
Ken walks in from the back, whistling a cheery tune. “Hey, hey, Jun. We finally get to be back in the simulator today. Are you excited?”
I set my bag on the couch and plop down with it. “I haven’t looked at my Gene Watch in ages. So much has been going on.”
“Ah.” Ken stops beside me. “Well look at the bright side,” He calls over his shoulder. “At least it’s the weekend. You can go home and relax.”
No. I can’t. If anything I ought to go to sleep with one eye open, the other armed with a shotgun, and my fingers crossed that the shotgun doesn’t get stolen too. “Did you hear anything about Shig?”
“No.” Ken takes a banana from the counter and peels it. “Everyone at PoleControl’s been looking but…” His shoulders slump. He walks back to the table and sits down to eat. “Nothing. By the way, you probably don’t need me to tell you this but don’t check your Gene Watch.”
“Why?” I get to make my way to the table. “And what to you mean, don’t need you to tell me? What are you trying to say about me?”
Ken gives an close-mouthed smirk. He swallows his mouthful of banana. “Well you said you don’t check it anyway. But the new game mode isn’t on there. It’s a blind-pick.”
I pull out a chair across from him. “Blind-pick?”
Ken peels his banana down further. “Yeah. I think PoleControl got involved with today’s game, so we’re testing new security technology. Or at least that’s the story Dad is going by. So weapon shop is locked. If anyone asks, you didn’t hear it from me.”
“Hopefully something different from Dynasty mode. I’m getting sick of it.”
“Sick of sucking, eh?”
I clamp my lips together, stifling my laugh to a snort. “Fuck you.”
He snickers. “Don’t worry, I hear ya. I’m sick of ambushes. It’s starting to make me all paranoid.”
I smirk. “Don’t you hate it when you’re minding your own business and you just get jumped by a virtual ninja?”
Ken swallows another mouthful of banana and gives a dramatic shake of his head. “Ugh. So inconvenient, right? Those fuckers.”
The door chuffs. We both look up, but it’s only Cleaning Lady going out. Taking all her cleaning supplies with her.
The chemical smell tickles my nostrils. I hold my sneezes. “Gods, did she have to spray so much of that cleaner? I can almost taste that shit.”
“Lady?” Ken puts a hand over his mouth. “Get some glasses, Jun. That’s not a lady.”
…No comment. “So…about the security thing. You never told me PoleControl had a partnership with the lab. I mean I saw some ad back in the building, but that was never advertised or anything.”
Ken shrugs. “It’s all Dad’s doings. I think he’s just trying to keep up appearances. But he’s been really excited about the new mechs and security systems and stuff, so I guess he wanted to test them out here.”
The door opens again. Tempest walks in. Vampire returns from the balcony with her food bowl. The two share a quiet wave, then Tempest sits next to Ken at the table. Vampire veers to the kitchen and puts her dishes in the sink. Blunts comes in from the back and surveys the room. “Oh good everyone is here.”
“Hey, have
you guys tried to check your Gene Watch?” Tempest asks, pointing to her white one. “I can’t get to my weapon shop or anything.”
“You’re not missing out on anything, bish,” Vampire says. “It’s like that for all of us. The new game server mode isn’t compatible or some shit like that.”
Tempest’s mouth makes an ‘o’. “Thank goodness. I thought something was wrong.”
“Nope, everything is fine.” Ken eats the last of his banana, then gets up to toss it in the trash. “But I think we’ve got some briefing to go to. I’m not sure. That Take guy came earlier and he explained everything in a hurry.”
“Yeah, we gotta go to after we stretch,” Blunts says. “So get ready, if you’re not already.” He looks to his Gene Watch. “I think we need to be there in about fifteen minutes.”
“Fifteen?” Tempest echo. “Dang. I wanted to have some breakfast.”
“Try to make it a fast one,” Blunts says. “Take sounded really anal about not wanting us to be late.”
If I was dealing with PoleControl, I wouldn’t want to be late either.
PoleControl representatives line the front of the simulator room, blocking the game pods. Take and the square-faced glass-wearing director of ZenGaming stand off to the side while a wrinkled-worn man steps forward.
He reminds me of Ken’s father, a scrawny old thing kind of like a dry salted-plum that you snatch off the shelf last minute while you’re waiting your turn to pay at the liquor store. Gray-white hair halos the glaring tan bald spot atop his head. He’s got the thickest eyebrows I’ve ever seen. Imagine your eyebrows. Multiply that shit by two or three and stack those fuckers on top of each other; there’s enough hair for the lawn of an eyebrow stadium. A tiny sliver of pink lip sticks out from under his horseshoe-shaped mustache, moving up and down as if he’s chewing on something. “Welcome all. I’m Raiden Nakamura, co-founder of PoleControl and…” Thick brows pushing together, he looks to Take. “This is the Beta Team, yes?”
Take nods, a little too quickly, I note. He rubbing his hands a lot too which makes me wonder who the hell put a gun to his head today.
Raiden nods. “Beta-Team, I know by now you’ve probably wondered why all of your weapon shops are locked. That’s because today’s game will not be like any other you’ve played. Recently, PoleControl has completed a new security system called the Yin-Yang iCore Magnet Series, and we’ve integrated it into your session for today. In addition, you will also be using designated weapons made specifically for taking down the mechs that you’ll encounter.” His beady rat eyes scan over all of us. “All you have to do is get to the end of the maze.”
I resist the urge to snort. He makes running through a maze full of mechs sound like its easier than boiling some fucking water.
My gaze slides over the black and white dressed employees. Two are from Showguns, but I don’t recognize any of the others.
Raiden steps aside, and so do the PoleControl representatives.
We all step up to our glass pods.
The hologram screen appears.
Game>>>Mazerunner Mode>>>Difficulty:TBD
I raise an eyebrow. To be determined?
Please choose your weapon.
This weapon library is all guns. Modified chi-operated versions of ordinary ones. An Ak-47 with a serrated bayonet. Though… not sure what a knife will do against a robot. Assault rifle. Double desert eagles. A Mossberg 500. And it goes on and on.
AK-47. Haven't held one of those in a loooooong while.
>>>Ak-47 Yang
Is this okay?
>>>Yes
Waiting for other players to finish. Please stand by…
In a few moments, everyone finishes and our pods carry us up.
The pod leaves me in a four-way intersection with black and white-walled labyrinth walls towering above me. A gunshot and a drill’s whirring reverberates, but the sound is far.
I look around. I’m alone here? The pods must have sent us to separate parts of this maze. I open up my Gene Watch for my gun and hold it in front of my chest with both hands. 30 rounds of chi ammo. And I can switch between fire, ice, and thunder rounds it seems. I keep swiping through my inventory for a map, but nothing shows up in the menu.
This is gonna be a pain in the ass.
I take the right path. Under me the floor panels light up a soft blue. Huh. I guess this is supposed to be the stand in for the map? Maybe I can find the others if I just follow their trails. I stop at the end of the corridor and peer around the corner.
Wurrrrr! Wurrrrrr! A long metal tail drags along the ground, disappearing down the left side of the fork at the end.
I’ll head down to the right then. Listening for the mech’s sounds to fade, I creep quietly down to the end and check just to make sure it’s gone.
But there’s a trail of blue panels just like mine.
A hard pulmonary squeeze stops me there at the corner. That mech is following someone. Fuck. I could go down the right, but I really don’t to navigate this place by myself. But that tail looked like it belonged to something really big.
Better to fight with someone else than alone. I take the left path and tiptoe along the blue-lit panels. They take me all the way to another intersection where a collectible box of ammo and a white-boxed first aid kit floats. I pick both up. My Gene Watch pulls up a hologram panel.
Add 60 chi rounds and health kit to inventory?
>>>Yes
The screen disappears and a cone of red light sweeps over the items. Both dissipate. I keep moving forward. And as so as I reach the end of the corridor—
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Bullets whizz by. There’s a metal screech, then a whirr.
Vampire screams.
Adrenaline jolts into my legs. I run out into the corridor.
A red and black tiger-shape mech lunges at Vampire with its drill claws.
I open fire on its legs.
Fire shells concuss against the metal frame and knock the tiger-mech on its side. Bzzzrt! Sparks fly from the joints. Then its green eye headlights go out. The metal jaws loll open as if pried and a small curved Yin-chip falls to the floor.
Lowering my rifle, I walk to Vampire who’s wincing against the wall. “You alright?”
Vampire looks at me the wary way a smart animal regards a trap, and I don’t blame her. If I was in the same situation, I’d look at Vampire the same way. She grits her teeth and tries to stand up, but her torso locks up and she crumples back to the ground. She opens her mouth, and I brace myself for a smartass response, but all she says is, “Fucker surprised me.”
“Hold on…” I go through my inventory for the health kit and materialize it. I hand it to her. “I’m surprised you didn’t pick this up.”
A bright green glow envelopes Vampire and the strain slowly leaves her face. Her mouth relaxes back to neutrality. “Wasn’t any item there when I passed by. Might be that certain players can pick up certain things in the maze.” She stands up with her desert eagles. “Thanks.” She spits the word out like its a hair in her mouth.
Well, fuck you too. “Which way were you going?” I ask.
Vampire looks over her shoulder at me with narrowed eyes. Then she puts her desert eagles into the holsters. “I was trying to get into this funny-looking door up ahead. But I need some kind of access card. You might as well come along.”
“Access card?” I echo. “You mean we need one to move forward?”
“Not forward.” Vampire points up to the black paneling and item spots high above our heads. “We’re going up.”
That wasn’t part of the demo ad. “Huh. I haven’t seen any key for that.”
“I can tell. And I haven’t seen any laying around either.” Vampire squeezes past me. “But I think I know what it might be.” She kneels down beside the mech’s jaws and picks up the chip. Bouncing to her feet, she holds it up. “This! We need this to get through the door I think, though…I’m still not sure how it works.”
<
br /> “Show me,” I say. “It can’t be that hard to figure out.”
Vampire leads me to a dead end where circular Yang-shaped disk lays on the floor. There’s a slot in a white wall that looks about the same size as the disk.
I pick it up and walk towards the slot. “What’s the hard part? Just put it in the—”
A strong repulsion shoves me back.
Or not.
“Mmhmm.” Vampire folds her arms and raises an eyebrow at me. “Not hard, huh?”
It’s something that has to do with polarity,” Vampire says. “Try flipping it over. Should be something on the back.”
I do as she says. The back part of the disk has a small indentation just big enough for Vampire to snap the chip into place.
Beep! Beep! The disk inverts from Yang to Yin. This time when I walk to the wall, I feel a slight pull. The disk fits in perfectly. The ceiling and ground light up. A strong pull from the ceiling hoists us up from the ground. The walls around us lift and rearrange themselves while the ground and ceiling switch places. The magnet pull sets us back on the new ground with the wall barring our path. Vampire takes a step and the wall slides open.
A trio of ox-mechs charge toward us.
“Oooooohhhhh shiesta!” Vampire grabs her guns and start shooting.
I gun down the pair hurtling toward me. And Vampire makes quick work of the last mech.
Vampire huffs, putting her guns back. "Any more surprises?"
“I doubt we’re close to the exit,” I say. “But you can always hope.”
Leading the way down the new path, Vampire finds a spare health kit only she can pick up and stores it away for later.
As soon as we turn the corner, a pair of rabbit mechs open fire.
Heart hammering against my chest, I drop to the floor and squeeze the trigger. Rounds burst from the muzzle. The rabbits totter and collapse under their own weight. The lead rabbit opens its mouth and Yang-chip falls out.
Vampire frowns. “All these damn animals running around are giving’ me freaky New Year vibes.”
“Probably just a coincidence.” I stoop down to pick up the chip. “We can get to the next part of the maze.”
Vicissitude Yang Side Page 40