I arrived at the cell door to find it empty. I felt a bit of headache from entry in. Where the hell was that girl?
“Pops!”
I turned and frowned at Debra in a prison purple uniform jump suit. She looked pale but well built and still in her right mind. That was good. “Your time is up! You ready to get out.”
Debra frowned but then froze and then hurried past me inside and checked her calendar on the wall and marks and realized. “Holy shit. It’s today. Hold on. Let me get my stuff.”
“No need. Debra! DEBRA!! Debra look at me.” I told her.
Debra finally did and her face was wet with tears. “I thought I had miss counted. I thought. I thought.”
I nodded. “I know. I know. But it’s over. Do you remember the last time you were in my office before they took you to the PIN?”
Debra frowned but nodded. “You sat me down and but a headset over my eyes to get me to relax a bit before I went in but all I did was played a few games and stressed out until they came. The waiting as the frustrating part at the time. I should have enjoyed that time more and not-“
“Debra. Put your right finger to your temple and push. No. No. don’t ask me anymore questions just do what I ask. Now.”
Debra frowned but did as I said and the world turned off….
3D illustration of neon gas station and retro car. Fog rain and night. Colour reflections on asphalt
It was Ten o’clock and just two hours away from midnight. I wondered when or whatever the hell the outcome of the day would bring. I hadn’t seen Judge Rafe in over fifty minutes. I knew they were all still on the hunt. I just wondered how dangerous Sergio was.
I was on edge. I don’t know why. I stared at the lady that had been assigned to watch me. She was Nomad. She didn’t say it. She didn’t have to. Her name was Goldy. She was a pretty blond with short hair closely cropped to her face. She dressed simply in blue jeans, leather boots, white T-shirt and leather jacket.
She was quiet. Someone came into the office finally. I frowned at the person. He had black mohawk and he was a tall lean dressed similarly to Goldy. He was a good looking man with tattoos on his arms. He nodded to me but he looked with regard toward Goldy.
“Mr. Sergio and the boys have come back from the hunt. He’ll be coming in but the Kings wanted a word with him first.”
Goldy frowned. “What the fuck happened?! Did he skin the bastard?”
I flinched at the dominance I heard in her voice. Goldy was strong type. I waited saying nothing.
Mr. Mohawk smiled. “He’ll have to tell you. It’s funny though. I fixed two problems we’ve been dealing and an issue with the Dragon.”
Goldy blinked up at him. “Cyberpunk?! Sergio confronted HeavyMetal? Damn. It must a real good story. I’ll have to hear it from Daddy.” She said and got up. She turned to me. “Your a pretty girl and very dangerous. Stay out of trouble and listen to your new father because until he says who will be your mate. Until then you’ll keep you damn legs close.” She said with sharp smile.
I quickly looked away and nodded my head. I didn’t look up until they both left the room. It was only when they were gone did I relax. I looked to see Sergio staring at me with cig out the side of his mouth.
“He got away but it’s un-likely he’ll be showing up. I’ve gotten rid all the portals leading into the dream realm. For the moment.” He said.
I stared at him. “That’s it?! I can just go free? I killed a man?”
Sergio held up a finger. “Free?! Who the hell said you get to be free? No. No. You don’t freedom. You have a problem that negates you obtaining in freedom at all in your life time. Do you know what it is?”
I said nothing. I talked to much. “Alright. I’ll be your whore and do whatever you-“
“SILENCE!” Sergio roared to me. “I told you what I wanted from you. Your going to be my maid, assistant and you’ll do whatever grunt work I will require of you until of course I hand you over to man to handle you. But, again you have a problem. Your stupid and a hoe. I don’t need either. You have some skills with the combat and such but your brain needs refining. Here’s the deal. I become your caretaker until I can hand you over to someone to protect you from yourself because I’m doing it forever. If you don’t take my deal then you can walk outside into judgement of a year in the Pin but you would make good with Authority and the Nomad kings would approve of it and when you get out you’ll have clear record your standing in the Nomad culture would be cleared. Keep in mind. You cost one of the hunters that went out to help me burn the people that cultivated your whoredom. What’s your decision?” He said.
I stared at me. I got up slowly. “Thank you for trying to help me and driving that asshole out of the dream realm.” I said walked toward him.
Sergio stepped aside and waved me through. “Thank you for giving me an interesting case for the night. Good luck. I’ll send you some books to read.”
3D illustration of neon gas station and retro car. Fog rain and night. Colour reflections on asphalt
I had made it out of the city in a fucking cruiser I had boosted just before I made it to a exit road out of the city. I had beaten the fuckers hunting me. I had beaten the clown Kings of Newark. I had beaten him. Terry Sergio was fuck out of luck. I was just minutes away from making it to the exit portal out of the realm.
I finally I sighed in relief. Finally at last I relaxed in my seat. In a manner of minutes I was going to get the fuck out of this place and make my tour of the known realms. I was going to get power. I had information and a few toys I knew a few in the known realms would pay big ebs to get. I was going to get even with the assholes here. I just had to bid my time. I was going to…..
I heard the sound of cycles now. I stomped my foot down on the accelerator paddle. Damn. Damn. Fuckers wouldn’t quit. I was close though. I could hear the hum of the portal up ahead down the road over the hill. I just had to stay focused. I was getting the fuck out of here. Fuck em. I didn’t do shit to deserve this shit. I didn’t make that bitch sell her body. I just acted as a middle-man using the Nomads law against them. Sore fucking losers. The Bitch had a choice. I didn’t force her to do shit. Fucking Hobo barbarians. I raced on ahead over the hill and I saw a figure standing with a sword by the side of the road. I hadn’t seen him once in all life in the dream realm not even once. But I knew who the fuck he was.
Cy. The HeavyMetal dragon of lightning and Iron stood but his focus wasn’t on me. He was staring at the assholes behind me. I remembered the peace agreement between him and the Frost God. I felt my cruiser boosted up and start to speed up racing on ahead. I flipped him off before I raced on ahead toward the portal laughing my ass off. I had won. I had won. I raced on ahead into my future. I looked back once to see the portal close behind me and Terry Sergio hop off his cycle along with the other Nomads as they faced off against the alien coward. Fuck em.
3D illustration of neon gas station and retro car. Fog rain and night. Colour reflections on asphalt
I throw another can of gas down the street. I was down to one now. The streets were filled with the gas and the screams of my crew all running for their fucking lives from the dogs of the Kings of Newark and him. I used the time get my breath back. The fucker was coming. He didn’t stop. He just kept pace.
I didn’t know who or what the fuck he was. But, fucker knew me. I shouldn’t have entertained the conversation with him a few hours ago at the club. The conversation had just been a trap. But he let his mask down for second when he thought I wasn’t looking. I saw what he wanted and I ran.
JON!!
SHIT! I took off. I heard him coming now. My lungs were burning. My feet hurt. My head hurt. My heart hammered against my chest but I kept pushing. He had to give up. I just had to make it out of the city. Once I was on the road in the Outlands I would race to the portal out of the dream realm.
I came to a stop and stared at the Nomad Blood hound for the Kings of the Nomads. As he stared at me over his shoulder. Holy shit. No. No. He said nothing. He didn’t have to say anything. It was the end of the fucking line. He was a wall in my way. Everywhere was a wall of smoke. No it couldn’t end like this. I didn’t even know the reason why I had pissed them off. I drew my mini P9 and aimed it at him. “Back off fucker!”
He nodded to my right. “Authority is waiting for you up ahead. Take the bridge to the Outlands.” He said.
I frowned at him. “Your helping me. No fucking way.”
The Blood Hound smiled. “Sergio doesn’t want the Authority to get you. They’ll only put your ass in the Pin. He wants to burn your ass for selling that girl to the invader trash. Either way your not getting past me, Jackal. If you surrender he said he’ll make your death quick.” He said.
I ran for the left. I could make it. I could make it. I just needed to keep running. That fucker was twenty years older then me. I could out pace him. I just had to keep going. There had to be away out of this. Damn it. Debra. This was all that fucking bitch’s fault. I was going to survive. Fuck Sergio! Fuck the whole damned dream realm. They weren’t going to beat me.
3D illustration of neon gas station and retro car. Fog rain and night. Colour reflections on asphalt
It was an interesting story leaving me with more then enough questions and hunger to solve them. I just had a problem as well. I didn’t think I would get to solving half of the dozen questions swimming in my head.
“Well that sounds like a confession to me.” Officer Winks said rising up from one of my chairs he had his service P9 ready but it was pointed down at my floor. “You’ll be coming with us and be judged for your crime.”
I sat back in my seat reaching inside my suit pocket for my cigar and lighter. I stopped the recorder on my desk with a finger. I lit it up as they approached Dedra. She looked like she was about to get into a fight. I pointed a finger at her. “Are you a Nomad still?”
Debra frowned. “What?!”
“From your story I got the impression that you grew up in a Nomad culture. Is that right? Your a Nomad right or was that a lie? I mean it’s okay if your pretending to be a Nomad.”
“I am Nomad. I ain’t pretending to be nothing. I am what I am.”
I nodded. “That’s sad. I almost wished you had lied for my own sake of mind. You came to me for help. You’ll get your help and then some. You’ll go with these gentlemen to the authority station and I’ll handle you case from now on. No funny business.” I said.
Debra frowned at me.
I glared at her. “You’ll do what I tell you. You really don’t have a choice. Your wanderer on the roads looking for help. You got my help. Miss Debra Sergio” I said.
Debra flinched back but then held out her wrists for Officer Winks. I raised an eye brow. She blushed but she nodded. She looked down and offered her wrists to him. “I surrender to your handling and I won’t fight you.”
Officer Handy looked at me. “What the hell is this?” He asked me.
I shrugged. “She’s going along with you. I’ll handle her case. She won’t fight you. She isn’t allowed to because I told her too.” I said.
Officer Handy opened his mouth and then closed his mouth. “Sergio. What the hell is going on here? We’re taking this woman in. She’s headed into the Pin for-“
“-She isn’t legally a woman and you can’t charge her for being under the authority of her elder who used her as a sex slave. You should know the Nomad cultural laws Officer Handy. I believe it’s the first law of the Nomad culture.”
Officer Handy stared at me rolling his eyes. “Put the cuffs on her, Officer Winks. We’re done here playing games with this Solo agent.” He said dismissing me.
I smiled saying nothing. They would find out soon enough.
3D illustration of neon gas station and retro car. Fog rain and night. Colour reflections on asphalt
“You fucking bitch. Your fucking psycho. I told you it was over. Who the fuck told you to start telling your people what’s between us was anything but something to do when either one of us had an itch.” K said in a heated voice.
I heard K whispering in a heated voice as stared at the image of one of his current mistress. He glanced at me staring at him. He reached for me rubbing a hand down my flat belly and up to my breast. I heard the mistress scream.
I couldn’t help reacting by flinching at the sound and grabbing his hand. I felt a flash of danger, violence and murder. The feeling was directed at my children. My stomach twisted but I held it in. He stared at me. I lowered my hand away from his hand and made myself relax back while he still touched me but the sound of her voice was putting me on edge. I tried to hold back my ability from sensing where and when the violence would out break.
K nodded responding to my physical reactions and unspoken words. He looked at the image of the girl. “I’m done with you. Don’t fucking call my number again because I won’t be the one answering in any other way but with a Red Distract solo.” He said and ended the call. He stared at me. “What is it?! Don’t lie. I know that look in your eyes. You sensed something is about to happened.”
I stared at K. “She’s going to be trouble. Did you bring her around them? Your sons.” I said.
K stared at me. “You mean our kids?! Why? What did you ah-shit? Fucking shit. Hold on.” He said and rushed to get the trash bin as I started to throw up.
I held it in until I could empty my stomach into the bin. When I was done I lay back in the the bed with K naked behind me rubbing my shoulders. “Damn it. Damn it. I didn’t mean to-“
“-Be quiet and listen to me for a sec.” K commanded me. “You didn’t do anything wrong? You did what your supposed to do. You told me where to aim my P-19. That’s all I needed to know for now. About Astro-” I said and paused and waited.
I shook my head. “I have never had sex with Mr. Astro. I never will have sex with Mr. Astro. Please forgo anymore questions in regards to me and Mr. Astro having sex. It will never happen. If you have heard any comments on such please regard them as degenerate fantasy of a psychopathic mind of….never mind.” I said pausing but it was to late. I had said to much. It was only because I was tired.
K was quiet. I could hear him thinking. I had an idea what he was already thinking of asking me. He cleared his throat. “How old is Astro?” K said. He was thinking now.
Oh he was close to the truth. “I’m older then him. Though he is in his thirties he is still a young man compared to me. Whatever your thinking about I don’t want to talk about it? There is nothing sexual between me and Mr. Astro. There never can be and never will be.”
“You got to tell me something? I’m thinking to many things right now. Maybe I need to kill Astro and his brother. What’s your connection to Astro? Peaches. Talk to me.” K said.
I shook my head. As I felt the memories from the past and my instincts about the future were waring in my mind. I couldn’t even imagine now. “I can’t go back to that past. Not for you or anyone. Ask me a question and I’ll answer you honestly. But, I’m not going to go into detail. It still hurts.” I said.
“Is he your kid?”
“Yes.” I said quickly.
“Shit! Peaches! Damn it woman. You had me thinking and doing a whole bunch of bullshit because of that kid. You could have just told me. Why didn’t you-“
“I fucked up. I tried to force my way back into his life. I only ended up messing up his life. Okay!” I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk about this. He’s not apart of my life. That’s the way it should be. So it shouldn’t matter anymore. Just leave it be please K.”
“Shit. Fine just relax. I’ll handle everything else.”
I had no idea what that meant I just hoped K would for once let it go and let Mr. Astro alone.
3D illustration of neon gas station and retro car. Fog rain and night. Colour reflections on asphalt
Omarion had a funny smile on his lips and he was just staring out the window. I had offered him a cigar but he had shook his head. He didn’t even want a beer or burger. He just wanted a job.
“Was it that bad inside?” I asked but the second I did. I felt like dumb fuck for even voicing the question.
Omarion didn’t react right to my voice. “Yeah. I can’t go back. I’m never going back. I would go live in the outlands or as close to The Rim as I could survive. I ain’t never going back.” He said.
I turned my attention in front of the cruiser. I brought my finger to the dash board screen. I brought up the message board on the city Runner-For-Hire site. I went to our contact page to look at the message I got from the client. There was a timer for him to arrive at the gas station. He was due for a few more minutes still but he should have been here already for the orange level weight of the job. “Where the fuck is this dude?”
“He’ll show up or we’ll get a lead. Somebody is coming in.” Omarion spoke softly.
I frowned turning hearing the weird tone in his voice. I wondered about it. The crusier was a dark cherry red model with a white X painted on the hood and driver’s side door. “He’s nomad. Don’t know the symbol though. Do you?”
“No. But, I know the face from somewhere or I might know his old man. Stay tight.” Omarion said as the young nomad pulled up along side his side. “Tell me your story. Maybe I can help.” He said.
“I’m Nate. You O who likes to read law books at night on Pin block 9?”
“Yeah. You got me. How’s your Pops? What can I do for you young blood?”
“My Pops is dead. I need a lawyer and Solo operator on the low, you dig me, OG?” He asked and looked nervously at me.
“Yeah. Feed me, the story. Oh he’s my brother. I’m with you, young blood. Tell me the story. I’m with you. My condolences about your Pops. Fox put me on the square and told me, the real deal on how the world works.”
“I had a sister. Shelby Blue got hooked up with a rival enemy to my pack. He swore he was on Jones for her. Pops left her in his hands when he got sent to the Pin. Things went to shit two months Pops was in. We found her on the border of the Outlands and the State line. Her eyes were blazing Red. Fucker said, he didn’t know shit about it public at court. Law dogs say he ain’t do it. But fucker did it. Pops came back and went on sucide run on his ass. His body….they dropped off his body on the door to my trailer with a note. Let it go or your daughter is next. I can’t do shit. I got a little one and three boys that haven’t taken the rite of passage. My pack is small and afraid of him. He keeps hunting around our baby girls.”
“What do you want us to do?” I asked him.
“I want you to skin his bitch alive and put one in his ass and between the eyes but I just want him to go the fuck away from us. We don’t have the pull to get authority to send the Judge on his ass. Can you do it?”
“Give me a name young blood. I can make em go away for you.” Omarion said with smile and hint of danger in his voice.
“Archbold Whitehall. He’s got a brother that’s corporate and Sister to one of the Kings. He works in the red district on 6th.”
“Fucking hell. ” I cursed. “Your better off asking us to take on The Judge himself.”
“Archbold Whitehall. Alright bet. Payment is 10k ebs half now, half later and a favor for my brother over here. Give me a week to get the case on afterward you won’t be seeing or hearing from Archbold Whitehall again you can bet your credits on that shit. You feel me?”
“Bet. OG. Pops said, you would a real one if I was in a pinch. Give me your account number. I’ll wire you half the credits now and other half after the job is done.”
Just like that we were now in the black market game.
3D illustration of neon gas station and retro car. Fog rain and night. Colour reflections on asphalt
I stood outside my building enjoying the feel of a cool fall breeze on my skin and night air while night life of the city was just getting going. A Cruiser flew over my head and adds ran on the front of buildings around me.
Human and mutant traffic was few and far in between in the business district. There was money to be made and cases to solve. You just had to walk around and you would find something. A mutant male in a expensive black Goi suit approached me like he was just going to pass me by but he was intent on something.
I was also aware of several other players around me intent on me. I turned to the male however and smiled at him turning toward him. “May I help you with something?”
The male started in surprise like I had caught him off guard. He shook his head. “Pardon me. I was just passing by-“
“No. You weren’t. You wanted to do something to me as a set up for something else. It won’t do you any good lying. Tell me how can I help you?” I asked before I step to the side.
I heard something like buzzing sound strike the pavement behind me. I didn’t look at what it was. I heard someone fire a shot somewhere at a direction above. I focused on the man. He started to say something but then he turned and ran away.
I frowned watching him go a few feet away before my second elder son Rafe kicked him in the chest knocking the man off his feet and then he stomped on the man knocking him out. Rafe then reached down grabbed man’s leg and dragged him away. Rafe looked at me. He was grinning and gave me a wink before he turned left with his prize.
I felt someone behind me. I turned and looked at a chest. I took two steps back and looked up at Cooper. He frowned down at me with silver black sun glasses, leather jacket, black jeans and boots on and a presence of danger with a scent of sage and spice on his body that drifted up to my nose and invaded my senses causing a moment of excitement to rise to my pulse and breasts. I folded my arms across my chest to hide my animal sexual reaction.
“What the fuck are you doing?” K demanded. He stepped forward invading my space.
I took two steps back. “I needed a breather from a late meeting. Not that it’s any of your business. We are not in a formal breeding contract any longer or nomadic arrangement.”
K reached for me wrapping his arm around me drawing me closer up and set his forearm under my backside and lifted me up. I put my arms on his shoulders and frowned at him. “You are making a scene again. What do you want? I have protection surrounding me at all times and security forcefield around my body.”
“Are you waiting for Astro? Your going to have a long wait. He ain’t coming. I already had a conversation with him already. I told you that ain’t happening.”
I frowned at him. “I came outside to get a breather from a meeting. Mr. Astro and I are not in a romantic situation as I have told you numerous times in the past. I have had my children and our approcreation contract is done. That is the reason we were together Mr. Cooper. I am running my business now. You promised me. I heard you had a mistress now. Congratulations.”
K stared blankly at me. “I’m taking you home tonight. I have a bit of trouble with some young punk having an interest in stealing my shit and place. You’ll be sleeping in my bed for a few days. Don’t worry. I won’t be trying to get pregnant again. I told you twelve kids is enough. I got rid of the girl. Thanks for confirming she was talking to you by the way. When I found out she’s been sending messages. You plan on fighting me, Peaches?”
I glared at him. “I do not plan on fighting in any regard.. You will pay the board for the trouble of course.” I said knowing he was only looking to make a fuss. He had already proven to me once who has the power between us and I knew not to defy him.
K nodded and carried me away to his truck.
3D illustration of neon gas station and retro car. Fog rain and night. Colour reflections on asphalt
I stood facing the gate to my cell door waiting for it to open. I had been waiting for an hour now sense I got up. I been waiting longer to leave the fucking hot box pin for much longer. I had counted the days every morning by chark marks on the wall next to my bed for this day and all I needed them to do was come open this fucking cell door give me walking papers so I could get the fuck out of here.
My mornings had been the same for twelve months and sixteen days I been sent to the pin. I washed up with a bucket and rag. I had short water supplie provided for the day. I spent my mornings in my cell eating my bread and bean soup then I exercised and studied from law & case books I had earned by trading my knowledge of numbers and book keeping.
In the afternoon I worked for several hours in the mines clearing out diamonds that would used for detapads CPU chips and to run crusier system computers. It shaved off time to my sentence because of the plea deal I signed fourteen months ago.
At night just before lights out I read my physical paperback books my brother sent me. I couldn’t get a detapad shipped in not that it mattered. I wasn’t going to allowed to own or use one when I got out. My choices for employment were limited.
I had repeated this pattern for days and months without fail for this very moment. I had just marked off my last week. It was time. But, still they haven’t opened the damn closed cell door. Something was off. It was quiet. Too quiet.
I heard someone coming. I frowned at the sound of boots. I got up from my bunk as my cell bars slide to the right. I waited. I picked up my chunk and started crushing it in my hands. I waited my heart was in my ears.
I wasn’t surprised when a tall mohawk asshole with red eyes dressed like a biker smoking a cigar now faced me. He was the older son of K. Cooper, the Fixer in Red District that had put me here, in the pin.
“Kang Cooper. I never thought I would see you here. I thought this was last place you ever wanted to be. What in the hell are you doing here?” I said and immediately wondered what in the fuck was going on. “I stuck to my end of deal. What the fuck is this?” I asked but I had pretty good idea what the fuck it was. I just hadn’t thought I would dealing with it now.
Kang snorted blowing smoke in my face. His eyes glowed with elemental fire. “My Pops wanted me to remind you again keep to your own lane and stay the fuck away from Mom’s side. You feel me?!”
I nodded. “Yeah. I already got that the last time he burned my ass before I got sent here. I ain’t fucking with his baby Momma not that I ever was just to keep it on the Rim. You mind getting out of my way.”
I woke up when my head was knocked back against the wall. I fell to the floor. Fuck I hadn’t seen the punch coming. It was crazy how fast Cooper and his boys were. He hadn’t even used his element in the punch. It had been pure youth and raw enhanced mutant speed. I was to old to be fucking with these young thugs one on one.
“You ain’t my Pops. Take the bass out your voice when your talking to a real one ya Dig? I think you need a proper re-education on who your betters are old man. I aim to give you that lesson in full.”
Holy fucking shit. I didn’t have time for this shit. I had a life to get back to living. I looked up at Kang as he stood in my way from freedom and gaining my life back. “Last time Jr. Cooper. Get the fuck out of my way or I’m going to fold your ass over like two dollar credit ebs bill.”
Kang opened his mouth but I was already up moving fast him off guard. He swung on me but I was already catching his arm and using his speed to threw him over my shoulder and hard against the wall. I closed the cell door on him as he came up to his feet reached for me but I was already moving out of his way. I looked up at the Camera to see it focused on me.
“My Pops is watching you. He’s going to make you pay for this shit law dog.”
I stared up at the camera. “Leave me the fuck alone Cooper or I’m going to break my foot off in your ass. I went easy on you kid today but not again. I ain’t security anymore. So leave me the fuck alone or I’ll make you wish I hadn’t just ignored you.”
3D illustration of neon gas station and retro car. Fog rain and night. Color reflections on asphalt
It was backwater realm splintered between the digital and material reality. I parked the ship on the side of the road. R1TA 2.0 got out first and looked around first examining the world.
She turned around and around then her gaze locked on something behind the car. I had an idea what it was. The rest of us got out of the ship and looked in the direction of the city.
“That’s That’s…the spider web verse. How? What is this?” R1TA was confused.
I turned toward a glimering city of light and a web network of webs that ran up ward to a hallo of stars. It was twin mirror copy of Newark City State and couldn’t help smiling. She did it. I looked toward CEO James. “Is this satisfactory as a starter point.”
CEO James nodded. “Yes. This is it. This will do well. If it can be expanded upon then this could be the border expansion we need for the growing population Newark City State.”
R1TA turned back to us in confusion. “I don’t underatand. Why are we in the Spider Web verse? How is this possible to enter the Web of Newark network?!”
I pointed at her. “You led us here. You did good. Your the first R1TA to advance the dream world. Do you remember Cyberpunk’s story for making the dream realm?”
R1TA frowned shaking her head. “He didn’t make the dream realm. Simon and his children made the map and forged the dream realm from their wishes and minds as did their descendants after them. I didn’t make this the spider web verse. I just-“
“You just combined them.” CEO James said. “Now they are locked together and Cyberpunk Dream realm has begun it’s first expansion. Thanks to your efforts. You have fulfilled your job. Battlestar will be richly rewarded for this.”
“Okay. I guess that is…” R1TA 2.0 paused frowning at me. “You said I am the first R1TA model to do this. What about the others?”
I shrugged. “They tried and failed. Some times in major ways and it was one of the reasons. I had to kill them.”
R1TA 2.0 looked at me. “You killed them?! I thought. I was told they were retired because they malfunctioned.”
Hmm. Interesting. “No. They were killers and psychopaths. They purposely created hell realms or kidnapped customers and sold them as slaves to other realms. I hunted them down and retired them.. It’s part of my protocol. They were weak. It surprises me you didn’t know that.”
“The job is done. Can we go back now?” R1TA said trying to close the subject and walked to the passenger door but CEO James stood in her way.
“I need you to sign over the rights to this expansion to-“
“-I don’t own myself. R1TA said stiffly. “Mr. Sigma-“
“- Is your father not owner. I asked him this morning over breakfast. He said you could decide on your own. So. Will you sign it over to my company?”
“Okay. What are you offering me?” R1TA asked. “What are you to me?”
“That is a private matter I will not discuss publicly. But, you are smart girl you should be able to figure it out. 40k ebs and membership in the James family group.”
R1TA 2.0 stared at CEO James. “60k and ship of my own. I don’t need membership in your group.”
“Membership is apart of the deal or there is no deal. 65k ebs Membership and a ship. No. Deal you go back to a deal of slaving for Sigma for forty years if he lives that long.”
“Fine. Deal.” R1TA 2.0 said and turned to me “Can we go back now.”
I smiled. “Okay.”
Portrait of beautiful fantasy futuristic soldier woman standing in her space ship holding a gun. 3D illustration.
Something was wrong with me. I knew it now completely. The protocol had been adjusted in certain areas of my programming and information I should have was missing and only for me. I was beginning to wonder what the hell function I was made for and why had my programming been purposefully rearranged. Why did I behave like a fool when meeting people.
“We’re almost to the Crossing point. I am putting in the data point coordinates to the next realm CEO James gave me. How you doing honey?” R1T9A asked me as we neared a strange paved road that led off to a strange circular driving ring. Her hand seemed to fly over the dashboard computer entering numbers to the realm dimension navigation system. A map appeared on screen confirming the coordinations.
I didn’t know what the Crossing point was. I should know that. Why was so much of my educational programming missing and I was left with pieces and feeling. “What I was I made for?” I asked out loud finally.
“Hmm. R1TA 2.0. What is your prime service to the Battlestar group?”
“I am to assist you in the management and running of your ship and mission completion. Sub goals are to provide a reasonable satisfactory servicing the ship’s engine and system security. Also I have continuing goals of protecting clients in their transportation through dimensions.” I repeated my prime programming. “Why is my programming knowledge to complete my mission so incomplete? Why? How can I help you if I’m a useless emotional fool.”
“Rita.” R1T9A said patiently. “You were born a few hours ago. You have the abilities to do your primary and sub goals that for the team. You are not a warrior. You will learn other things as you mature and then you will become advanced asset for the Battlestar group. I will protect you and educate you over time. You are to focus on your job and do not worry about matters that are my responsibility. Is this true?”
I nodded. “This is true. This has been the protocol of the other R1TA models of the past. We were made and programmed to help repair, engineer and operate the Ruby 1 engines and assist the pilot in succeeding in the mission to expand the travel trade of the dream realm. That is my mission. Okay. This will do for now.”
“Good. Hang on tight honey because we are about to burn the Crossing point road.” She said before the ship took off at fast speed. I jerked back in my seat as the ship only seem to gain more and more in speed even as R1T9A kept her foot pushed down on the gas pedal and raced around down and around the track and then…
I saw a beam of light in front of the ship. I pointed at it. “There is a beam of light in front of the ship.” I said in real surprise. Why? What did this mean?
“HOT DAMN! Alright little sister keep your eyes on the light and tell me when to shift directions when the beam turns. Your going to be our navigator. Understood?”
I nodded. Not knowing what was going on but I was happy to finally be helpful in the mission at least. “Yes. Turn to your right.” I said. R1T9A turned and gave another shout of excitement. There were several turns we had to make but up head I could see something a doorway. “I see a doorway of light up ahead to the right and down the road.”
R1T9A giggled. “That’s just what I needed to hear. Hang on we’re about to cross over.”
