Back in the Plex. The warm thump of bass pulses regularly through the room as above you, through the ceiling you spy figures dancing and gyrating in time. Perhaps they are merely trying to keep their feet while the overwhelming bass shocks and tumbles them in various directions like aftershocks from a localized earthquake. Either description could apply, YMMV.
Each of you sports a nice new shiny credstick, each containing ¥1,500; payment for job well done combined with hush money, a guarantee that nobody knows nuthin'. Seated at the table is an android; it's got far too many artificial parts to be considered human, although it calls itself Alahi and identifies itself as being a member of Blue Steel. (Blue Steel is rumored to be a cyberzombie mercenary group. You don't know much of anything else about them.) But whatever the reason, this "Alahi" guy gives Block the creeping heebie-jeebies. He sounds human, has all the right body language, but looks like an artificial person through and through...
He (you assume it's a "he" - the voice *SOUNDS* like a "he"...) seems rather pleased with your efforts, and he goes on to assure you that your involvement has not been noticed by the mob - which he also points out is a "good thing", as these things go.
Tiny strolls over with a large (50 cm long by 28 cm wide) plate with wings, various cups o' sauce clipped to the side. Steam rises gently from the wings, and soe of the sauces steam a little, too. "The bill is already paid," Tiny grumbles, "although I'm not sure by whom." He glances at X quizzically. "You got a secret admirer somewhere around here?" he grunts. "Anyway, here they are. Enjoy!" He selects one at random, plucks it off of the tray and heads back over to the bar, bouncing slightly to the overwhelming beat. The universe resolves itself, and for a moment there is peace if not tranquility.
Leeson returned to his block, although not the rooftop, peacefully, waving you guys off and assuring you he'd be all right. "Keep the commcode," he insisted, "We may need it again!" Despite your pleas to join you at the bar he insisted that he needed to be alone for awhile, and after a time you figured it was for the best. So away you went, back down the block and into the heart of the Big Bad City.
For the moment, things seem to be in balance. For the moment. |
