Chapter Seven - Knocking Over the Board


    Chapter Seven - Knocking Over the Board


    Information is a wonderful currency. Extracting data from customers is how modern media make a profit.


    The information of some people is worth more than others, of course. The algorithm rates people on a scale from utterly insignificant to paramount importance.


    Data about paramounts can be worth hundreds of thousands of credits.


    The submission process is simple, and payments are sent electronically within 90 days of that information being validated.


    --Infosecs Submission Page, 2041


    ***


    Gomorrahs habit shifted as two flamethrowers unfolded over her shoulders; they burped and two little licks of flame, no longer than an inch or so, burned merrily at the end of their soot-blackened barrels. Dont move for a moment, please, Gomorrah asked politely.


    I nodded and knelt next to Raccoon, reaching out to move her, just a little.


    I wasnt keen on medical stuff, but I knew that someone shouldnt be moved if they were injured. At least, thats what the ads for some of the medical services said. Sit tight, wait for the ambulance to arrive, and have a credit card at hand.


    Didnt think Id be needing that just yet. Not that any service with common sense would come all the way down here to help with anything. Hey, are you okay? I asked the girl.


    Her mask had slipped off, and she was breathing hard. I gingerly moved some hair away from her face, then winced at the gash across her nose. One of the corpses had kicked her nose in before I introduced new holes in his skull.


    The way she cradled her chest worried me more. She was hugging herself, but her hands shook and her breathing was rough, little gasps that I recognized as someone trying to catch their breath while their lungs refused to work.


    Myalis, we need something for this.


    The damage seems fairly extensive. A Class I Nano-Regenerative Suite would be the minimum required to prevent further damage.


    Forget further damage, I said. How can we get her back to full health? Hurry, she looks rough.


    A Class II Nano-Regenerative Suite would repair most of the damage. Otherwise, you need a surgical suite. She has broken ribs, not to mention several failing organs. Those seem more like environmental issues than anything caused by her assault.


    I cursed. Get that second class in Medical. I have a few tokens to spare, right? Gimme something good, Myalis.


    As you wish.


    Class II Medical Utilities Unlocked!


    Points Reduced to... 11,001


    That cost a single token. You have three remaining.


    Didnt I just have three left?


    You gained one in Black Bear.


    New Purchase: Class II Nano-Regenerative Suite


    Points Reduced from... 11,001 to... 10,901!


    No, I wanted to... you know, hold him over the edge and question him, I said. Uh, I should have used my cybernetic arm; my other ones just not as strong. Could have grabbed him by the throat instead too.


    You, you killed White! Black Bishop said.


    My bad, I said.


    I stepped up to Black and grabbed him by the tie before he could run away.


    Dont worry, Ill use the right arm this time.


    No! No, no! No need for that, Ill talk, Ill talk!


    I held onto Blacks tie for a bit. I... felt a bit bad about White. Sure, he worked with people that beat up kids, but maybe he didnt deserve to be dropped to death for that. It was a genuine mistake.


    The two guards didnt even rattle my remorse. They were acting beyond the pale.


    Okay, I said as I lowered Black. Im not going to kill you. Glancing past Black, I looked at his guards, the dudes with rooks stitched on their suits. They had guns in hand, but seemed really reluctant to start shooting. I was pretty sure at least one had run away already. I refocused on Black. I do need you to talk, though.


    The Bishop nodded up and down in a hurry.


    Right. Franny, the redhead, where is she?


    Sublevel two! Theres a bar called the Halfstar. Shes there right now. Was asking questions to one of our knights.


    Oh, what sort? I asked.


    About the Sewer Dragons, he said.


    Well, well, theyre the ones I was going to ask you about next.


    Im calling the bar, Gomorrah said. I bet I can convince the owner to hand a phone to Franny.


    I nodded, then let go of Black Bishop. Sewer Dragons: what can you tell me?


    How much do you know? he asked.


    I tilted my head to the side a little. They like sewers and dragons.


    Black Bishop shuffled, hands twining together with none of the easy confidence hed had ten minutes ago. The Sewer Dragons live in the sewer systems across the entire city. The systems are a maze. Theyre impossible to navigate and the air is poisonous. But the Dragons live there with specialized augs. They work for the city, cleaning out the sewers. None of the corps will go after them; its too dangerous.


    Alright, I said. Whos their boss? What are they up to?


    We dont know! They dont act like a normal gang, and we dont know what theyre planning. Theyve always been a place for outcasts to hide, but lately theyve been heading out and kidnapping people.


    That sounds pretty normal for a gang, I said.


    No, no, a lot of people. Entire blocks.


    Oh, I said.


    Well then, maybe we knew why Gomorrahs friend was looking into them.


    ***