The Twin Black Towers of CSS’s Headquarters stuck out like a sore thumb within the Southern District. A clean one, but soar nonetheless, in comparison to the other buildings that surrounded me. That was purposeful, no doubt, as the building itself was the tallest one within the building.

The black tint of the windows made it seem fierce, whilst the golden ridges around the edges made it seem regal. Not in a classical sense, but more so in the guise of military fashion, without the camouflage of course.

It was designed this was to make a statement. ‘Yes…we’re in the Southern District…test us please’ well, that’s the impression I got.

I made my up way the stairs leading to the main entrance. The heat from the floating Holographic displayed the ‘CSS’ coloured in black and gold. My face felt the heat, forcing my tongue, relieving my dry lips with moisture.

The splashing sound of the water fountain clashed to my left. Three snakes statues, forming a small semi-circle spat water from their mouths.

The bulletproof glass of the entrance reflected my own image. Then it turned into an emerald light, which pulsed five times, scanning my entire body. “Access Granted: BG-A5 – Kaiden Cypher – Provisional Guard.” The Automated scanner said.

If there’s one thing I liked about CSS, they didn’t skimp on the security, and they had a knack for giving everyone rank within the company. It was run like a military unit, which I like…at times, but today wasn’t one of those times.

The CSS lobby was huge. Seems they’ve done some reconstructions I mused to myself, allowing my eyes to wander around the room, noting trainees, trainers and administrators roamed around the lobby.

The lobby was twenty meters wide before, but now it was forty meters, whilst the length was still sixty meters. In the air, a twinkling chandelier with five lights beamed brightly, giving the lobby a fair amount of luminescence. Below that, three rows of chairs, with six chairs in each row sat comfortably with new recruits sitting in their chairs filling out the recruitment form.

To my left, two plants sat on opposing sides, ushering whoever needed to climb the stairs, leading to the second floor.

The stairs curved into the balcony of the second floor, which had the CSS Insignia in the middle of it. A snake wrapping itself around a shield with a bow and spear painted onto the shield. The snake’s maw was snarling…for effect.

On the right, is the registration table for all entries. I headed towards it, watching as the robotic head of the Automaton spun clockwise, gears moving within its cylinder glass. “Welcome BG-A5” The automaton said in its robotic tone. “…you’re to report to Lieutenant Skarvok.”

The Automaton sent the GPS coordinators for Lieutenant Skarvokto my cybernetic eye. I guess my information was added back to the system. I thought, An emerald light pulsed into existence directing me to the nearest exit, which I then followed, leaving the crowded room.

The Coordinators led me to the basement floor. Special Operations. Shit, I said to myself …this may be bigger than I thought.

I walked past the Automaton that guarded the floor, watching as its beady eyes kept its pistol trained on me as I walked my way down the dark corridor, I turned the knob of the first door on the right and the GPS went dead.

“Morning…I’ve been told to ask for a Lieutenant Skarvokto?” I said, turning in the room.

“You have, and just did.” A woman said.

I stood there, shocked, but mostly annoyed. The Skarvokto was someone I knew and was hoping to avoid at all cost when returning to CSS, but I guess when you’re the second-in-command, nothing truly misses you.

“Aren’t you going to say hi?” The woman said, rising from her desk, pulling her skirt up to sit properly, showing her slender legs in glory.

“It’s been a while Stelyne,” I said calmly, ignoring her taunts.

“It has Kaiden, how have you been Mr EXiCON.”

“…I could be better,” I answered, laughing bitterly.

“But you look better.”

I shook my head, laughing to myself, but if there was someone who was going to dictate this conversation, it would be me, not her. “Did you make a gig and name to just get me down here?”

“Fake name? Gig?” what are you talking about Cypher.” She asked, placing her hands on the table to push herself up. She strutted, towards me, heels striking the ground like a hammer.

“Skarvokto? VVIP Detail? I’m here for that, but yet I find you here.”

“…you don’t know my last name Cypher?”

Last name?…oh shit. I forgot!

“Of course, but I thought it was Skanok, not Skarvokto!” I said, lying through my teeth. “Don’t give me that bullshit Cypher. You forgot my name didn’t you!”

“Scouts honour…I have not, I just remembered it wrong!” I said placing my hand on my heart.

“Whatever.” She said, turning around before she could get to me. She snatched up her army green jacket, which had medals coloured in silver, gold and green medals flashed across her chest.

She picked up the datapad that was lying amongst the paperwork, then clopped her way past me, then tapped the side of spectacles, and eyed me up and down, making her pointed nose seem like a pen.

Her diamond-shaped face gave her a permanent serious expression, which wasn’t helped by her slipped back hair and sharp eyes, matching her thin mouth. Stelyne wasn’t ugly, neither was she pretty…but average at best.

“I take It you’re here for the VVIP job, yes?”

“…maybe.”

“What do you mean maybe, you came down here didn’t you?”

“Came to see what the detail was.”

“It’s a detail, what else would it be?”

“I came for details, about the detail. I need to know what I’m getting myself into before committing.”

Stelyne harrumphed, then shook her head. “We don’t give out details regards VVIP until the team is ready and to be on the team, for such a detail you have to commit. So, before I leave, are you committed, because if you aren’t I’ll have to find someone else Kaiden.”

I stood there for two seconds, weathering my options. I wasn’t sure if it was a detail that needed me to work in The Waste or some shitbag who needed to be escorted…possibly through the waste. “Does the detail take place within The Waste?”

Stelyne sighed, then drew her lips in a line. Yep…she’s ain't gonna answer. Great. “Ok, fine then,” I huffed, “how many credits for the detail?” I asked.

“Enough to make you consider taking it in The Waste, Kaiden.”

Fuck.

She turned to me, heels clopping, “are you in some type of credit trouble Kaiden? Because if you are…I’ll have to rescind my the job offer, you know, you being compromised and all.”

“I’m not compromised…I’m just concerned about the level of danger.”

“Its…a level three,”

“Level three?” I asked, elated. Shin-Lee won’t kill me! I thought, celebrating.

“I’m in.”

“As I expected.” She said with a smile. The brightness of her forehead beamed like a freshly baked cake, but instead of cake, it was makeup. The protruding vein that flashed across her made me laugh, internally.

I with-held my urge to poke the smudge she had and awaited her to lead me. “Follow me,” she said, pounding her heels into the marbled tiles heading towards the express elevator.

As I followed her to the elevator, my eyes caught her snaring at me, which made me smile ruefully.I don’t know what it was, but Stelyne always got pissy when she couldn’t tease me.

Stelyne pushed her face up against the face scanner to have her biometrics scanned. Thankfully, no flashes would take place in the elevator. No dings, the elevator began its descent towards the basement.

That’s where the Special Operations Department was. As a Provisional Guard, I was told I won’t have to worry about engaging in such operations, but since I requested VIP and VVIP, I guess all their operations were considered Special Operations.

“Has something happened?” I asked Stelyne, who rolled her eyes in the stainless steel walls of the elevator. “Not really, we’re just short of men for this particular operation, they don’t meet the criteria,” Stelyne answered.

“I see.”

“Hazard’s pay included?”

“Yes, Cypher! Hazard’s Pay, will be included.” Stelyne quipped.

“Good, maintenance fees for this are quite expensive,” I said, raising my new cybernetic arm. Stelyne turned to face me, rolling her as she saw the arm. I smiled, gave her a wink and watched as her lips pursed. “You know.” She said, “you ignore me, but tease me all the same time. Are you like this with every woman you come across?”

There’s only one woman I come across Dear. I thought, “of course, what’s life without a little spice?” I said, lying through my teeth.

The Head of Operations pursed her lips once more, and I simply smiled whilst we made our way to the Special Operations Department. “I’ll bear that in mind.” She answered.

“…so you say,” I answered.

The elevator door opened and Stelyne strutted down the corridor. This time, with a little more oomph in her steps, waggling her lips from side to side. The corridor swayed left, and came across another Automaton.

The robot was painted in CSS colours, with gold beaming from what would’ve been its muscles if it were human.

I zoomed in on the Automator’s bionic eyes and saw the artificial ocular lenses for its eyes protrude and rescind in on me as well. It was as if it too was eyeing me from head to toe.

We walked past it, and I eyed it completely and took note of the machine gun strapped to its “The Colonel trusts those things?” I asked.

“Not with his life, but he trusts them enough to do one job.”

“Let me guess, protect the corridor?”

“Yep.”

We finally made it to our destination. An iron slab door, which was painted black and gold, and had the Snake insignia of CSS, Stelyne performed another biometric scan at the door and it slashed open.

I followed Stelyne through the door and was met with four faces filled with vexation. Wonder what porcupine they sat on I thought.

“This is Kaiden Cypher,” Stelyne said, “he’ll be assisting you in this detail.

“Good to meet you all,” I said sarcastically, smiling and nodding. None of them paid me any mind, furthermore, they scoffed and snared.

I know this, hazing, the new guy gets hazed…but I’m not new, in truth, but I guess that’s how you react when you’re young eh?

“He’s been briefed?” The one who sat at the far of the table asked, fingertips tapping the table. “Not yet, we’re waiting on Stel to do that,” I said, playfully, winking at her.

“You do love to put on a show don’t you” Stelyne huffed, strutting away and heading to the top of the room. “Hardly,” I whispered.

“You can have a seat Kaiden.” She said, then the room came alive with a brighter light, showing the tiles painted black with gold lining, which only made me feel claustrophobic with all this black and gold. The Colonel truly has a fixation with this colour and uniform.

I took a closer at the men at the four men clothed in black suites and each had their cybernetic enhancements, noses, and chins.

I pulled up my chair, sitting next to the one with ear enhancement, then nodded as I sat. Of course, he ignored me like I didn’t exist. Asshole I thought, but hey, I’m an asshole too.