The car flew through the maze of supply lines and train tracks. Steve played the news on his pocket PC. The matchbox sized object projected a holograph before them.

“Earlier this day, three human terrorists viciously attacked and murdered several Croc civilians and Dark water personnel trying to protect them. “, a pasty man named Mayor Wheeler yelled on the news, it seemed to Cassie as if he was pushing back tears.

“We condemn this in the strongest manner, for such an act of malice has no place in our community. Thus I’ve ordered a citywide lockdown to catch these criminals. All good citizens are requested to aid security forces to the fullest “, he wiped a tear from his eye.

Steve closed the video in anger. “Why do people even watch TV? It’s like paying for a service that begs you to commit suicide “

“The City’s skies are crawling with gunships and drones “, Eli looked at a tablet screen, “there’s no safe route to the docks. We have to take the tunnels”

“There’s an emergency message from Sam! “, Harrun turned on the comms. “Run…they…” the message broke down to static.

“Did they get to him, but…”,Cassie noticed a white light for a fleeting second before a building to their right exploded. The shockwave sent the car reeling to the left. “Gunships on our six “, a barrage of minigun rounds carved a line through the buildings towards them. Harrun slid through a pair of skyscrapers.

Cassie saw two gunships behind them. The ion engines on the armored behemoths left a trail of faint plasma behind them. Their armored bodies were bristling with missiles and sensors.

“They’re coming up on our right as well “, Steve panicked as the sensors picked up three more. They fired their miniguns as well, forcing Harrun to turn left. A dozen drones now appeared on their twelve, blocking every path ahead.

“We’re surrounded “Harrun despaired as the net tightened around them.

“No “, Eli looked at the map, “they’re trying to force us towards city square and surround us “. He grinded his teeth, “Go straight ahead, right through them “

“What? “, she looked back incredulous.

Steve picked up on it, “They can’t kill us because of Cassie, do it “

“Alright “, she charged at the drones at full speed.

Why am I so valuable to them? Cassie thought as the car raced towards the wall of drones. The black, crab shaped drones held their formation as the car charged into them. Cassie closed her eyes for impact but the drones dodged at the last second.

“That was close! “, Steve exhaled.

“Don’t speak too soon “, Harrun saw a dozen gunships and many more drones scrambling towards from all directions.

Eli looked at the map and spoke, “There’s an abandoned industrial complex just a few miles north of here with access to the tunnel system. If we can get underground, we might lose them “

“On it “, the car moved towards the location.

#

The man in black arrived at the entertainment zone. It was several streets of interconnected buildings filled with gambling dens, fighting pits, visual simulators, drug houses and physical sex houses.

The streets were bustling with denizens of all shades. He saw two Fleugs fighting on the ground, a Croc bouncer throwing a Necker out of a gambling den and a group of dazed humans fumbling out of the drug house.

A swarm of ad drones surrounded him.

“Have you ever thought what it would feel like to rape and bludgeon your ex to death, or to throw acid at your boss? Well think no further and visit the palace of dreams. Here you can experience your wildest dreams for just 1000 Marks “

Another drone spoke, “Home delivered neuro no longer doing it for you? Then visit the cave of senses of the hardest hits. Within five minutes you’ll be speaking with God or we give you your money back “

“Don’t be cheap, be a winner and visit the House of fortunes, the customer never loses, especially in times of war”, another drone haggled him.

He passed the swarm of drones only to be fall before a swarm of whores. A human girl with three breasts and nothing on her but a panty and a mask trailed him.

“Mmm, aren’t you a tall stud? I bet you’re tired of beating it to imaginary girls at home. So why not try the real deal? Studs like you get a discount from little Laila here “

He walked past her towards the whore house but she persisted.

“You can already see what I have three of but guess what I have two of? I got gene modifications and implants down there. I’ll give you the tightest squeeze. The girls in there will charge ya double for the same thing “

He kept walking and came before the Court of love. He saw mostly human and Croc customers before it, passing checks by two large Croc bouncers.

“Hey, I’m talking to you, you faggot! “. She screamed now, “Yeah walk away like you boys always do. You’re just a loser like the rest of your kind aren’t ya? All limpdick cocksuckers getting probed in the ass by…”

The man raised a finger and her voice stopped midway, she tried to speak but no words came out. A bouncer at the gate noticed it and rushed at him eyes blazing.

“Oi, what you do to her? “, a Meissner ball translated.

“I’m here to see the Merchant, I hear he runs the place “, he replied.

“Would you like some meat from a real lamb and a foot massage as well? “, the Croc grunted.

“Only if you give it personally “

“Okay, enough with you clown “. The Croc grabbed for his shoulder but the man caught his hand mid air and twisted it. He fell to the ground screaming in agony.

A swarm of guards and security drones surrounded him but a human voice spoke through one of the comms: “Leave him if you value your lives. “.

The guards looked at each other and backed away. He spoke again, “Ur, bring him to me right away, he’s a very special guest “

Ur still grasping his hand, lead him to the human section of the complex, there a drone lead him the rest of the way. The walls and floors were made of burnished wood and decorated with golden vines. Several men walked through the corridors with girls in their arms.

The girls gave enticing looks to the tall, broad shouldered stranger while the men looked nervous. He could hear laughter and moans of pleasure from behind several garden doors, while other customers went upstairs for a more personal experience.

The drone led him into a small room with soundproof walls. The voice spoke from a mic,

“Why didn’t you take off your mask, have you grown to love your little prison? “, a female asked.

“No, it’s just that I’m very pretty and you’d fall in love if you saw me “, he replied.

‘’ Quite amusing, are all of the blessed so charming? All of you have a sobriquet, don’t you? What was yours again…Killer Whale is it not? “

“I’m looking for a human girl and I’m fairly certain a big dealer like you can tell me where to look “, he leaned back against the wall.

“Yes, I know of the specimen, Cassandra von Mann is it not? “

The man moved upon hearing the name and the voice teased, ‘’ It’s sad that you like such raw fruit. She has neither the breasts or nor bottom of a real woman you know ‘

The man stepped forth and brought out a vile from his pocket, it contained a small chip.

“This is contains the source code and AI infrastructure for one of the Union’s Taiwan Class cruisers. Necker or FHA intelligence will happily pay ten million Marks or a ton of Neuropozyne for this. You know who I am and what happened a month ago “

There was a moment of silence and then, “It’s not so simple as that, the girl is the property of Urk, the biggest trafficker of this cluster. He has the banks on his side as well. It would be quite risky to cross him “

“You knew all this when you invited me in, you want me to kill him for you, is that it? “, the man clenched his fists, “So be it “

A few moments passed in silence and then Glyph spoke in his ears, “I’ve received co-ordinates and a navigator, there’s also a bike outside, unlocked for us”

The man put the vial on the floor and turned to the door. The voice spoke, “Be careful, he was a Colonel in the union spec ops and has his old team with him. They’re not your average thugs “

“Neither am I “

Upon exit, he saw a type 98 hover craft parked in front and a crowd on the streets. The single seat vehicle unlocked upon visual recognition and opened a side compartment to reveal a black power sword.

“She’s besieged in a factory 50 miles West by Dark Water Mercs. We have to hurry “, Glyph spoke.

The crowd looked at a large fire in the direction of the blocks where he encountered the Fleugs. A squadron of drop ships was flying over the fires, heading west.