So Darlina Weitson wants to take over The Phrarzeon Group…alright. I wasn’t surprised by the revelation to be fair. I half expected it, but I guess Darlina got their first.

The way I and Elhisia parted, wasn’t on a good note. I knocked her out, trying to stop her from killing herself by trying to save her people in the Waste.

I may sound cruel, but that was a fool’s errand-running in blind like that, do I regret it? I can’t say that I do, because I know more loves can be saved if Elhisia gets her shit together without holding a grudge.

Incoming Call…

“Cypher,” I answered.

“…You were right Cypher,” Gonzada said.

“My line was bugged…FUCK. I’m sorry, I messed up.”

I didn’t answer Zade, I let the silence between us grow. To be honest, I didn’t even know what to say. I truly was confused, by this entire scenario, and just wished it was all but a dream.

“Cypher. You there?” Gonzada asked.

“Yeah…I’m here…thinking.”

“Didn’t you just hear what I said?”

“No…what?” I grunted.

“I found footage from the neighbouring building.”

“Neighbouring building?”

“Yeah…I double-checked the cameras within the complex. They hacked the cameras in your building to mask their entry.”

“I figured as much, but I didn’t know where to start. I’m wondering if they left anything viable to use to track them.”

“Not sure, but I can find out, Where to meet you?” Gonzada asked.

“Not sure…” I answered.

“You’re not sure?”

“Yeah…I’m not sure.”

“I understand your frustration brother, but I want to help, where can we meet?”

“Not now Zade. I just got ambushed by three men and I’m driving their VIC, which no doubt has a tracker, so not now!” I growled.

“Sorry man, just trying to help.”

“I know, I’ll contact you when I can.”

“No problem Cypher.”

“…oh, one more thing, send me the footage.”

“No problem.”

“….and Zade.”

“Yeah, bud?”

“…thanks again.”

“Don’t mention it Cypher, we’re in this together.”

“…right.”

I’m in this I thought bitterly, you’re just helping…

I pushed down on the yoke of the car, as I got onto the Skylane. The destination I selected was just west of the abandoned city, close enough and densely populated enough for me to slip through the crowd.

Well, that’s what I hoped in the least.

The Skyland to the Western Terraces of Bridge was as smooth as the night sky. I was thankful for it because I didn’t need to be holed up in traffic, especially with a taken vehicle.

The vehicle these bastards had was well fitted for transport and nothing else. I guess they assumed they’d just shock me unconscious then hustle me off to Darlina…wrong.

I followed the gradual curve of the Skylane I occupied, Then, throttled between two pillars. This section off Bridge City had no skyscrapers, which was a relief. It also had more foilage compared as well.

Shin-Lee and Hannah would love this. I thought, squeezing the yoke between my fingers even tighter. “They really would love this view” I whispered.

The traffic in the skylanes wasn’t as abundant as it was down south. However, I did notice they were more trailer trucks in the sky heading west and south, for obvious reasons.

The Western Terrace of the North East Borough was nicknamed the Farm Land. All the natural vegetables and produce that were made here fed 30% of the Federation, whilst the other 70% came from synthetic farms.

It also meant that this side of the city was particular maintained, and had a very low population rate, ensuring that people wouldn’t soil the produce. That was mainly because the owners didn’t eat synthetic, their pockets could afford to.

On the ground below, a variety of produce sat in open fields outstretching across the land. I tried to decipher the difference, but I wasted my time and relied heavily on the HUD on my windscreen to both identify and differentiate the different produce planted.

If the Water Wells that sat beneath Bridge City were considered the most important aspects of The Antillean Federation’s infrastructure.

The Water Wells were the pride of the Federation’s government, it was so successful that the likes of Castrian, Bastern, Avercen, Kingsvale, Port of Vain, and Belompor. All these cities were cousins to Bridge City within the Antillean Federation.

Everyone knew Bridge City was the Capital of the Federation, but it also drew a lot of ire from the other cities. Not because they weren’t provided with similar aid, but because Bridge City’s citizens looked down on everyone as if they were second class citizens.

Elitism, at its best and Darlina Weitson, fit the model perfectly.

It took me a while to get through the Domed Barricade and as frightening as it was. It was far more pleasing to pass through compared to BLED’s minigun system, which spooled every thirty seconds.

This, however, was a warm welcome, passing through two pillars with a semantic scan. Red Beams pulsing each second as I passed through, scanning.

“a lot of hardware you have there,” The Pillar Guard guard asked me. “yeah...on duty, supposed to be picking up my detail. Heading to the Phrazeon Group family estate later, business to sort out.”

“Weitson? Damn...that’s a good gig”

“...barely, I'm just a haulier, all the money goes to our boss.”

“heh...I know that. My supervisor tends to know things that happen before they do.”

“that’s standard in these parts” I laughed.

“yeah...”

An awkward silence grew between us, and I felt as if I forgot the passcode or something. The Pillar Guard doe, his face was unmoved and he kept a gentle smile as if he was in control. SHIT…

“How much?” I asked.

“Whoa…whoa there. I’m not asking for money, but you see, my daughter has a target to meet for her sponsor walk sheet, so if you don’t mind donating some. That’ll be great…for her” He said, lips curling into a smile.

I released a sombre chuckle, then shook my head. I looked at the guard and give the first genuine smile since parting with Shin-Lee last night. “Sponsor walk sheet? That’s a first…but I like it.” I told the guard.

A white and blue screen popped up below the Guard’s window, and I swiped my creditstrip against it, then I typed in the amount I could donate 10,000.00 Credits. Once the approval ding went off, I could see the guard’s eyes light up from behind his visor.

He hit the button, opening up the door for my entry into the Western Garden. As the gate groaned open, and light mirrored light from the UV Panels, above the dome spraying open, I could only feel a slight relief. “…your VIC has an APB on it”. The Pillar guard told me. “I suggest you ditch it…quickly, and don’t worry about the time stamp, I can have someone change the timestamps of your arrival, and adjust the feed accordingly. Be safe.” He said. “…thanks,” I said, giving him a curt nod, feeling confused as ever.

Is this a racket? Jesus… they are probably making BILLIONS OF credits on. “Bridge City where opportunists prosper and the weak bleed,” I mumbled.

As short as I thought about the corruption within the Gates of Western Garden. It still left taken back, I’d never heard of this before. I heard about the kickbacks cops would get when working with the Silent-Dragons and the Yardies, but for Domed guards, to have a racket? That takes balls…lots of balls for christ sake.

They’ll get themselves killed…and fast I thought, but not my problem. I have my problems to solve and fast.

I made it off the Skylane without much trouble, and unlike the South Quadrant of Bridge City, patrol cars around this section were minuscule. My only guess for that was, they were hardly any cars in the area, which meant this borough had its police force that operated outside of Bridge City’s jurisdiction.

The roads were bumpier though, and not a pothole in sight. The roads here, both heaven and hell, and yes. Despite how thick these tires and good the suspension was, a little dip in the road would still annoy me.

I drove in a circle for ten minutes, then dumped the truck, running and hoping for someone to steal it. I roamed around the small district, eyes drawn to the peculiarly designed houses. It was weird to not lay eyes on any skyscrapers, it felt as though I was walking bare, with no one peering down on me.

It was a weird feeling, but I still liked it. However, the most intoxicating thing about the Western Garden was the air. It smelt thickly green, flora and rich in oxygen if I were to compare to the main city. I even felt a bit of peppermint within the wind, which was rare, considering peppermint was grown within warehouses.

A bristle of wind brushed past my neck, as I walked down a cart road. The surrounding area within the Western Garden was surprisingly dated. It was filled with various trees, flowers and stone sculptures, giving off the feel of a giant park or reservation of some kind.

Is this how country people live? I asked myself, I’d heard of their plans to keep nature as close as possible, but It was just polarising to see in the flesh.

My skin began to itch suddenly, around my fingertips, as if hay of grass had been dumped on them. It was annoying, but short-lived, thankfully.

I passed what seemed to be a corner shop, which had the strong scent of rum, wafting around the air. On the opposing side, was a house with a small garden and dog yapping at anyone that passed.

The sound of bells dinged, as cyclists passed me by, with a permanent smile on their face, that made my stomach churn. Is something in the water? I pondered, but let that thought go when I saw a sign saying “Room for Rent.”

I approached the door, gave a hard knock and dressed back. No one answered till after five minutes. As the door creaked open, a small fragile old lady pushed the door open and looked up at me, with friendly eyes. Her lips curled into a smile and her wrinkles followed suit. “Hello young man, how can I help?” She said. “Yes ma’am, apologies for disturbing you, but I saw your sign…” I said, pointing towards the sign.

“Ah…yes. I rent a room, are you interested?” She said, face still smiling, despite her lips appearing normal as ever. “I do actually.”

“Well good, I could use the extra credits. That’s 200 Credits a night.” 200 credits? That’s a steal…” I’ll take it, you have a creditstrip machine?”

“No lad, I don’t…but don’t worry, you don’t have to worry.”

The old lady held out her left hand, which left me confused. She laughed after noticing the quizzical expression on my face, then shook her head. “I see you’re not aware of the touch feature.”

“Touch feature?”

“Yes…the feature without security measures, that’s what a Creditstrip machine is for, to ensure your data is secure. The Touch feature allows direct access to finalise a deal.”

“That sounds archaic.”

“It is, I grew up with it.”

“Weren’t you scared if someone hacked your information?”

“Of course, but those creditstrip machines were also hackable until they weren’t, but it’s simple just raise your hand to mine and that’s that.”

I raised my hand to the old lady’s own. She fished into her left breast pocket, showing me the amount on her datapad. The 200 Credit went to zero and she slowly nod her head, turning round to head back inside.