Chapter 46

“Black Betty”

The tune started blasting out of nowhere as Simon jumped from his seat inside the car while waiting, nearly shooting up the cockpit. He had placed himself in standby mode as he waited for the assigned time for extraction as instructed to him by his Owner-Client. However his “guardian” response was triggered when a sudden loud music was played somewhere in the back seat, prompting him to pull out his gun and into a shooting stance.

Luckily his awareness sensor was able to catch the situation and kill off his guardian command.

With an annoyed sigh, he reaches back around from the driver’s seat as he tries to locate the source of the sound.

And as he lifts Val’s clothes that she left inside the car, he finally finds the source.

‘Who is this J2 person?’ He asks himself as he holds the power button to initiate the “busy” tone, silencing Val’s phone. ‘Has she not notified him of her mission?’ Simon muttered as he checked his internal clock.

‘It’s nearly time…’

…

…

‘You ready?’ Val asked Uncle Thor as the old man was zipping up his gear. He turns around to face her and nods, giving her the green light to start the extraction.

The guards around the Elvin residence have been reduced significantly since the raids, simply because the threat has been de-escalated after the anticipated aftershock of the events did not happen prompting the police to lighten the security detail to pull manpower towards the raid investigation. To counteract this move, twenty-four (24) different cameras were installed around the outside perimeter of the property, but only outside, to respect the occupant’s privacy.

Now the only thing Val has to worry about are the two guards who were parked in front and behind the Elvin property, with both having full view of the gates going inside the property. She also can’t make any diversionary tactic to trigger the guards into moving their position as it would most likely lead them to investigate the situation inside the house where they would find a missing Thorasis Elvin, which would overcomplicate their predicament.

So it was a good thing that they had planned ahead, with full details in mind.

And as the clock strikes eight, a loud screeching sound flies past them.

‘HQ I got a visual on a possible suspect. Requesting a 10-37, it just passed by me.’

‘Copy that guard dog. What’s the vehicle description?’

‘Green Lamborghini…’

‘Copy… Stand by for 10-28….

Guard dog suspect vehicle has multiple 10-94’s on record you are clear to engage. Just keep your partner around to secure the VIP residence.’

‘Roger that!

House cat do you read me? I’m going… Keep the place frosty when I get back.’

‘Roger that guard dog, ya owe me one.’

‘Copy that, will bring donuts after.’

Both Val and Uncle Thor were listening to the police chatter when they finally got the signal to move. All they needed was to distract one of the guards that keep watch on one of the gates of the property so they could slip out immediately after the guard of the gate leaves.

And as they hear the police car start up its engine, Val immediately activates the suit’s EMP to temporarily disable the cameras that were monitoring their escape giving them a 30 second window to move out of the property.

The pair of them kept on running straight ahead for a few blocks away from the residence, careful not to attract the attention of the other guard posted around the backyard. Once far enough she sends a signal to Simon to their location as he picks them up a few minutes later in his beige sedan.

‘So let me get this straight? My job here is to deter any external threats?’ Uncle Thor asked as they all drove away from the suburb where he lives.

‘Yes, that is what I have been told.’ Val answers, wiping her sweat from her brow, breathing a sigh of relief after accomplishing a successful escape.

‘And what exactly is this external threat?’ He asked.

‘I thought Miles had briefed you already about this?’

‘Do you really think that woman does things in detail?!’

‘I-I mean yeah, we’ve planned this down to the screw…’ Val answered.

‘Well shit then…’ Uncle Thor responds with a pale look on his face.

‘Why what is it?’

‘Usually when she’s vague about things, it gravely means I wouldn’t like the task she’s given me.’ He said while rubbing the bridge of his nose as he can feel a pounding headache brewing inside his skull.

‘Well I am sure Lady Miles wouldn’t give you a task too dangerous?’ Simon says.

‘This her droid?’ He asked Val as she nodded in reply.

‘Listen droid, that woman is a total slave driver! Her commands that she considers the “norm” are already considered extreme by the other operatives she had worked with. So if she gives me the dreaded silent treatment about a mission… it’s almost always a fifty percent chance of getting my head sliced off clean from my neck!’ Uncle Thor rants as he crosses his arms, sinking in his seat to sulk about his predicament.

‘Well whatever the task is Sir Thorasis I think it couldn’t be any worse than what I have to do?’ Val responds, trying to lift the old man’s spirits up as he sighs in concurrence to her words.

‘True… but still, this shit doesn’t feel right… I’m tellin ya… watch your back out there.’ He says while clutching tightly, the rucksack that carried his gear, as they exit the premises of the suburb and into the hustle and bustle of the Metro, which was now starting to glow under the bright lights of the tallest buildings, giving a charming sparkle amongst the bluish black starless sky.

…

…

‘Why is the night so hot?’ Lorna complains as she gets a peek of the police car that was currently chasing her on her rearview.

‘It’s already the “ber” months and I still feel like wearing a tank top…’

(!)

She suddenly stomps on her brakes as another police car appears in front of her to block her path. Luckily she still found a slither of space in between the curb and the police car’s bumper, slipping her way smoothly from being entrapped. But it was still too close for her comfort.

She clicks her tongue after her narrow escape as her demeanor tenses up, pouring all of her focus onto the road ahead. ‘Why are there too many of them?’ She thought, as her simple perception of an easy task gets ruined by the sudden amount of patrols in the area.

‘Bert? What’s up with this?’ Lorna asked through her headset as she sped past the patrols trying to block her exit.

Bert on the other hand was overwhelmed with last minute paperwork for the finding report on the Raid investigations when he received the call from Lorna on his earpiece. ‘What’s what? Sorry I’m kinda busy here kiddo.’

‘(sigh..) Cop cars are swarming the suburbs here. I thought security was light?’

Bert abruptly stops on his tracks after hearing what Lorna had to report, as he stands in the middle of the office floor, looking like he has a big question mark on his head.

‘Can you escape?’ He replies, sounding worried.

‘Yeah… Just got out of the heat zone… I just hope none of the unmarked ones are tailing me cuz it’s already dark out…’

‘Pro tip… watch out for green and yellow striped taxis. The company that runs it has ties with the bureau. Those guys can radio in your location if they spot you…’

‘Oh really? Didn’t know that… Thanks!’

Bert breathes a sigh of relief after hearing Lorna’s situation, though the heavy thought still lingers in his mind. It was something he never expected to happen as he was sure the new plan of action was enacted a month prior. Meaning that security around the Elvin household and the surrounding houses in that suburb should’ve been lightened.

And yet Lorna was almost swarmed.

He looks back to his desk to see the mountain of folders that he needs to sort then shifting his eyes up on the digital clock hanging on the wall above.

‘7:30…

Yeah… that ain’t right…’

He sat back down on his desk and resumes his work, but not before switching his earpiece frequency to Lando, as he can feel something amiss in the situation.

‘Lando… how's things on your end?’ He whispered.

-crackle- cr- ‘boring…’ cr- cra-

‘You’re choppy… where are you at?’

…

…

‘Underground…’

Lando was enjoying a hot cup of coffee as he walked in the midst of the rush hour crowd. Currently he was stationed at underground station directly beneath Quezon memorial. Most commonly known as “The Circle”.

The place he was at this moment was “The Circle Underground”. An underground city within a city that connects the Quezon City hall to the main subway line via an underground labyrinth of shops, restaurants and other retail establishments.

A complete go-to underground mall that is seven stories deep.

‘How underground?’ Bert asked.

‘Just got a coffee from B5. Why?’

‘God-- n- nothing… anything fishy?’ Bert sounded annoyed on the other side of the line but Lando shrugs it off as he continues to walk calmly down the crowded hallways of the mall.

-crac- cra- ‘Maybe…’ He replied. His eyes veered left and right to both of his peripherals, checking closely the movements of the people around him.

‘Huh… I see…’ Bert responded. Seemingly calmer this time as he sensed something from Lando’s words. ‘Living?’ Bert asked.

‘Nada…’-cree-crack-

‘Shit…’ Bert replies in a hushed tone as Lando finds a spot to stop. As he does his gaze quickly shifts to where he felt he was being watched. He doesn’t know whether or not it was just his luck but it seemed that the pursuer was either looking away or he was not the target of it’s observation. But the moment he shifted his gaze towards its general direction, he was surprised when the stalker was directly behind him, staring it’s eyes coldly ahead as if Lando was nothing more than a pebble on the side of the road.

His eyes can see it as clear as day. Its features and its imperfect perfection. The porcelain skin, the beautiful synthetic hair. And their eyes.

Their eyes have an uncanny faint orange glow behind its pupils.

An android.

Or rather a swarm of them, all acting as if they were living breathing human beings. Laughing, smiling and having a coherent and relatable conversation about their impression of the underground mall. All of it was straight out of the uncanny valley.

And to make it all the more surprising. As he watched the pack of android pass, giving them a double take to make sure that he wasn't just seeing a mirage of any sort; Right behind the pack, walking alongside them, wearing just a plain shirt and cargo shorts, was a woman that everyone in the planet would notice in a heartbeat but was unrecognizable because of her plain attire.

One of the four heads of Carbine Corporation

And the reigning Head of Carbine Robotics.

The Charismatic and Colorful.

[Villa Carbine]

‘Head’s up people! Looks like we gonna have some extra security tonight…’

Lando busts out his voice through Val’s earpiece as she winces in pain due to the sudden spike in volume.

‘The fuck?’

-crrr- crackk- ‘Yeah you got that right… One of the Carbine’s up and about around the metro north area. Looks like you’re gonna have to stay clear of point number two.’ Lando responds.

‘Goddammit! So what now? We abandon the mines I planted around there?’ Val asked, sounding frantic.’

‘Looks like it…’ -crraa- The detective replies as Val throws her back on her seat looking perplexed about the situation. ‘Although… maybe not?’ Lando continued.

Val felt a surge of curiosity upon hearing those words and her mood perks up a bit. ‘Why?’ She said in anticipation.

‘The V.I.P in question is Villa Carbine. Head of the robotics division and she looked like she was conducting a live test on their new models.’ -crrr- ‘As to why she chose here, I don’t know why.’ -cracc-- ‘Perhaps they might be planning another raid… Which raises a huge red flag on this operation.

-crrrr- cruu--

Especially since we’re gonna take off that veil of information by uprooting that skyline.’

Val grits her teeth knowing that her task had just become staggeringly difficult if those models activate the moment she retrieves the car. Judging from the news reports after the attacks, the models that were used are classified to outrun an automobile. Though the Carbines had washed their hands off from being tied into the mess, stating that an unknown terrorist group had acquired their products through an unknown source, the whole crew knows that it is nothing more than a smokescreen to get authorities out from prying into their faulty business practices.

‘So what are you suggesting?’

‘Trigger it anyways.’ -crrrr-- Lando boldly states. ‘Since it’s an EMP, just fry their circuits when you pass by, just as planned.’ -ccrrruu-

‘No we can’t!’ She immediately shut him down. ‘From what I understood with mister Asia the moment that car leaves the vicinity of the HQ, all the data that was being kept away from carbine would immediately flow out. From the moment the data escapes to the moment their people can access and read the new data would hypothetically take a few minutes or so.

By that time I am sure Carbine would activate those droids before I can even reach the signal range to nuke them.’

‘So whaddya mean? We need to fry them before you get the car?’

‘No… I am saying we fry them at the exact moment we lift the veil…’

‘Well shit that’s gonna be difficult…’ - crrrr-

‘I know… Just leave it to me… Keep watch… we’re at the sniper roost… over and out…’

Val exhales as she cuts the radio lines, slumping back on her seat as Simon parks the car just outside the location.

‘We’re here…’ Simon said.

‘So… watcha planning kiddo?’ Uncle Thor asked. Val chuckles to herself, pulling her hair and grunting irately before straightening herself up and resuming her composure.

‘I have friends I have no intention of using… but I guess I have no choice…’ She said looking defeated. ‘We need a fast car with an equally fast driver. Simon!’

‘Y-yes?’

‘We have one additional stop before the main objective. Will that be okay?’ She asked, fearing that Simon’s programming might get in the way of the sudden change in the situation.

‘Oh yes we can! After all, I am interested in my successor's functions under heavy electric loads. Since I am made to counter such things.’

‘Wait so EMP won’t work?!’ Val replies in surprise as she hears another wrench thrown in their plan.

‘No it would not… we’re like a computer with built in UPS to counter any sudden surges from disrupting our functions. But since they are just a test model, I highly doubt that they are fitted with combat components. I am willing to bet based on my Owner Client’s pride that the plan would still be in action even with such wild cards in place.

I just think it would be best to prevent those models from activating. So any deviance for preventive measures is acceptable.’

Val takes a deep breath knowing full well that everything would now be a gamble, but since the options are limited, she feels that she has no other choice but to go with her gut.

‘Alright mister Elvin. I think this would be your stop. I hope that old lady has briefed you on this right?’ She said looking unsure at Uncle Thor.

‘Nope. But what the hell, she called me in to shoot stuff, so I’ll just sit on my ass over there waiting to shoot stuff. That should be the gist of it.’ He cheekily replies as Val smiled wryly at Uncle Thor. He opens the door and retrieves his equipment from the trunk as he slams the lid, he taps the fender to signal them to leave as he waves them farewell. Val on the other hand was looking tense as she picked up her phone.

And as soon as she opens her screen another surprise greets her.

‘35 miss calls from J2? That idiot… he must’ve misplaced the keys again..’

She mutters to herself as she begrudgingly calls him back, preparing herself to break his eardrums the moment he picks up.

However, that was not to be the case…

‘Hello? J2? What the fu-?!’

‘VAL THANK GOODNESS!’ J2 cuts in, sounding panicked. His alarming tone had shut down any hostile intentions Val had beforehand as her mood swings in concern of his tone.

‘W-what happened? You sound flustered? Is everything okay there?’ She asks.

‘NOT OKAY VAL IT’S NOT

NOT OKAY AT ALL!

WE NEED HELP!’

Val, confused, further pried for answers. ‘W-What? J2 calm down… Just calm down. What is happening?!’

J2 takes a few breaths as Val can hear him audibly coughing for some strange reason.

‘VAL! JACK AND BARRY’S EXPLODED!’

--1 Hour Earlier--

-- Jack and Barry’s--

Neil stood on the other side of the glass wearing a menacing smile on his face.

The four people on the table were shocked and frozen on their seats as their stares locked on to his unexpected appearance inside the arcade.

Denzo was the first to notice him retrieve something from his pocket covertly and hides his arm behind his back. This prompts him to make a sudden move.

But it was too late.

The moment he stood up, all of the lights inside Jack and Barry’s went dark.

It took a few seconds before the backup power had triggered to illuminate the emergency lights around the arcade, but by the time when all of their vision was restored.

Neil was nowhere to be found.

‘Guys I think we need to get everyone out of here!’ Denzo decisively shouts in a commanding tone. Yukino nods as Aida held Denzo’s arm tightly. Pete on the other hand looked reluctant, torn on whether he should evacuate or hunt down Neil, whom he thinks is still hiding somewhere inside the arcade.

The four of them had already mobilized themselves to leave the premises when J2 stormed inside the Tally, going straight to the cooks, asking if an emergency had broken out inside the kitchen that might cause the power outage, to which he was greeted with blank stares as nobody knew what was even happening.

J2 looked dazed and confused standing by the pick up counter trying to deduce the source when Denzo rushed to his side to get his attention.

‘Hey! Sir J2 I think we need to evacuate these people out. Someone’s trying to sabotage this place!’

Denzo said with a stressed tone, something that J2 has never seen him look before which adds to his confusion.

‘Wha- Why? What’s happen--’

Just before he could even finish his sentence. An explosion rocks them out from their footing and everyone inside the Talley Alley is knocked prone from the force of the blast.

J2 was the first to look up after the blast as he witnesses a huge fireball engulfing what used to be the Skalibad Pier. He sees the horror on the face of the students who were still inside of the arcade as he immediately imagined the casualties that might have resulted from the blast.

The cold chill that ran down his spine upon his realization, urged him to pick himself up as he worry about the safety of the people that might’ve been caught in the blast.

He looks back to Denzo and finds him conscious and helping his friends get back up their feet.

‘Go and get yourselves out of here! I’ll go evacuate everyone out!’

‘Wait I’m coming with you!’ Denzo responds as he assists Aida back up.

‘No! My place my responsibility! And that includes you!.’

‘But!’

‘No! I’m in charge not you! Get your friends out of here any people you encounter on the way out!

Don’t go looking for anyone else!’ He said his last line clearly and sternly as he looked Denzo dead in his eyes.

He could only nod in response as he goes and escorts their group out of the Tally.

J2 watches Denzo’s group leave the premises before heading deeper inside the kitchen and into the back offices of Jack and Barry’s where he sees the staff huddled in a corner of the office, looking scared and unsure of what was happening. He alerts them of the explosion and urged them to leave the premises for their safety as he ventures on rearwards to check if any of the employees had been trapped or in hiding in the backrooms of the offices.

J2 frantically goes out the back rooms shouting people’s name’s and banging on doors and kicking open the locked ones. He was steeled in his resolve to never leave until he was certain that none had remained. Once he had ascertained to himself that no one had been left out, he finally decides to venture out of the office block.

‘One down two to go!’ He shouts to himself noting the other places where people might be trapped as he sings a happy tune as loud as he could to keep his fear from engulfing himself whilst creating attention to anyone who might be stuck or injured by any debris.

He rockets pass the double doors of the offices and exits out the kitchen of the Talley Alley as he eyes his next target, the main arcade area near the where the explosion happened. He rushes to the area in full speed as his anxiety builds up in the depths of his mind, preparing himself to see the worse.

…

…

‘Do you wanna kill him too?’ Pete asked Denzo as the two of them stood stationary just in front of Skalibad Pier.

In front of them both, is a towering fireball of what used to be the Maximum Attack 8 Cabinets.

Around their feet were the colorful side panels that used to belong on the machines' side panels. To Denzo this was a clear sign, a declaration of hate towards him “and” everyone who enjoys going to Jack and Barry’s.

‘That bitch must be thinking… If I can’t have fun here anymore… then no one can…’ Denzo muttered.

‘And fuck you in particular Denzo.’ Pete adds.

The two had already sent both Yukino and Aida ahead so they could notify the authorities of what happened. Since it was crucial that Yukino was the one who made first contact with “the right authorities” in order to avoid any legal aftermath. Meanwhile the two boys disobeyed J2’s advice and went around the arcade area to find and evacuate any people who were trapped or scared by the explosion. And whilst they were going around, Denzo stumbled upon the epicenter of the scene, which is where they are currently at.

As they stood still by the site, Denzo started to notice something odd about the flames as it looked to be spitting sparks more than usual for an electrical fire. Pete notices the fire as well and deduces that it behaved differently than a molotov cocktail. A fact that he based on previous knowledge. Whilst pondering on the flames a hand suddenly grabs the both of them by their shoulders, quickly pivoting around to attack.

J2 was lucky that both of the boys managed to hold back their punches after grabbing their attention. He was annoyed after seeing the two standing around near the blast site with no concern for their own safety as he grabbed them looking to give them a good scolding for their negligence.

But all of those feelings suddenly faded when a second explosion happened and a puff of flaming hot sparks flew dangerously towards where they stood.

J2 quickly pulls the two away and throws them behind the sales counter, but because he had to put the boys before himself, it was too late for him to dodge the sparks as some of the flaming particles rained down on his back, melting his clothes as he writhes in pain from the burning.

Pete and Denzo quickly pull him in behind the counter as another small explosion occurred, once again scattering flaming sparks around them. Denzo suddenly remembers the burning electrical smell that he caught a whiff off when he visited Neil a few weeks back.

It was a weird metallic smell that smelled like he was burning electronics inside his room. And after seeing the explosions that occured in front of him and how the flames behaved he quickly went on to realize what kind of weapon was being used against them.

‘Thermite!’

‘Thermite!’

Both him and Pete had arrived at the same conclusion as the three of them hid behind the counter. ‘We need to find anyone stuck and get out of here fast or it might collapse the whole floor!’ Denzo exclaimed as Pete nodded. J2 however was too engrossed in pain to even notice their conversation. The both of them see J2’s situation as they gave each other a nod, as if they had been able to communicate telepathically.

Pete stood up and left J2 in Denzo’s care as he searched for anyone left out whilst Denzo searched the mini staff room behind the counter to see if there was anything he could use to patch up J2’s burns.

Luckily they had a mini fridge inside the staff room with two frosty beer cans inside. He quickly scrambles around the room to find anything to bind the cans to J2’s back as he sees the table cloth that was draped atop of what he assumed was Val’s table. ‘Sorry… just kick my ass later…’ He whispers as he pulls the tablecloth off and storms out of the room with the beer cans held in his arms.

He turns J2 around and places the cans on his back and ties them in place by wrapping the table cloth around J2’s torso. It wasn’t much of a fix but he figured the coldness of the cans would stop the burns from getting worse as J2 finally felt well enough to stand back on his feet.

‘Where’s the other kid?’ J2 asked.

‘Oh… he went another lap to check for anyone left behind.’

After hearing those words J2 suddenly springs back up to find Pete but Denzo stops him from doing so, pleading him to stay put, urging him to trust Pete that he’ll be back to evacuate together with them.

And whilst this argument was brewing, a silhouette appears by the fire. Denzo and J2 were apprehended by the appearance of this figure as it stood still, looking entranced at the flames. J2’s first instinct was to leap towards the person, to rescue them from getting too close.

But for some reason he felt an uncanny presence emanating toward the silhouette. Like it was purposefully staring at the flames up close, like a connoisseur appreciating a piece of art inside a gallery. There was a certain sparkle in its eyes, a menacing one as Denzo shouts his name in full rage.

‘N E I L ! ! !’

Neil on the other hand

Just smiles.

Pauses.

Then walks away.

…

…

Denzo felt enraged in the moment.

He wanted to go after him.

Punch and strangle the life out of him.

Tell him all the curses and profanities that he had in his vocabulary.

But he can’t.

He was concerned for J2’s safety.

He was concerned for Pete’s well being.

It made no sense for him to fight him here.

So he grit his teeth and leave him be. Already etching a day in his mind where he gets to see the lights leaving Neils eyes.

…

…

A few minutes later, the three of them emerged from Jack and Barry’s as they find out that they had just barely escaped as upon their exit towards Gloco’s the trio encountered the ceiling of the indoor theme park already engulfed in flames with a huge hole that was burned out by the thermite. They quickly run out to safely as figured it would be any moment now before the whole ceiling collapses on top of them.

They make their way to the ground floor as they come upon the panicking shoppers of the mall, who themselves were trying to escape the inferno above them. Denzo never told Pete about seeing Neil one last time before he had arrived. He knew for a fact Pete would go back and find Neil even if it meant burning alive, and he couldn’t risk it on his conscience knowing so, and kept Neil’s appearance to himself.

And just as they exited the Mall area everyone outside the premises, both victims and passerby, who were watching the disaster happen; suddenly gasped in awe as the top floor collapsed on itself.

Luckily the whole building didn’t tumble down completely but it was enough to send all of the passerby who were watching to scramble away from the Mall.

Denzo and Pete were quickly greeted by Aida and Tisha, who, together with Nica, made it out of the mall after the fire alarms had sounded off. Meanwhile J2 was in a corner on his own making a call, to who Denzo assumes was Val, but from the looks of it it seems he was having difficulty reaching her.

He watches him as Yukino approached J2 and escorts him to one of the ambulances to get his burns treated before going back to their group, specifically towards Denzo, as she pulls him out of Aida’s grasp and isolates him into a corner away from the others.

‘You three looked like shit… I’m assuming “something” was found?’ She asked inquisitively. Not wanting to waste any time to get down to business.

‘Yeah… It was him. Confirmed. Saw him admiring the flames of his work but I couldn’t even catch him…’ Denzo says regretfully.

‘No… It’s okay. Safety is your priority, after all this ain’t a movie where you get an epic fight… If you did, you’d both be dead by now.’ Yukino stated. She takes a deep breath as she digests the information that Denzo has given her as she tries to make a decision in her head.

And as she exhales the breath she had taken in, she and tells Denzo a single thing:

‘I don’t care anymore… Nica will know.’

As she walks back to the group with a determined smile on her face, Denzo stares back, astonished with what he had just heard.

‘MOTHERFUCKER ! ! ! ! !’

She threw the phone towards the backseat of the car while slamming her fist hard on the door beside her in pure anger.

Her breathing was turning into seething breaths as Val fought the urge to break every single thing within her arms reach just to quench her rage.

Simon was sensing much hostility coming from Val as he covertly hid his left hand on his side, ready to pull his weapon out of the holster should she go out of control inside the vehicle while he was driving. Thankfully Val was able to calm herself down a notch, burying her head into the palm of her hands as she continued to breathe heavily in anger.

Anger which quickly turned into despair, even for a brief moment, as Simon heard a few teary grunts and sniffles while she hid her face from anyone’s view.

She held her pose for a little over a minute, during that time her breathing became less and less frantic, as her mood slowly calmed down to a “manageable” range. Still, it wasn't enough for Simon to remove his hand from his side, still sensing a shred of aggression from her vitals.

Val finally rose up after “calming down” and for some reason, kept her face away from Simon’s view. She frantically takes off her seat belt and corkscrews herself to the back of the car, trying to reach the phone she threw away. Another moment passed of her frantically cursing and hitting things at the back of the vehicle before she finally retrieves her phone, throwing herself back on the passenger seat and making a call.

‘Hey… you done with your part?’

‘...’

‘Shit… you near the garage?’

‘...’

‘Yeah… well I-- something came up and there’s a slight change in plan…’

‘...’

‘No I’m not cry--’

‘...’

‘Shut up! Not important! I need you to do something for me for the last leg. If the car’s hot just get the one eighty…’

‘...’

‘Ya good?’

‘...’

‘Fine meet me near Shaw in 10 minutes. Can you do that?’

‘...’

‘Kay… bye bitch…’

Val ends the call looking annoyed, rubbing her hand on her forehead like a sudden headache had hit her. Funnily enough, Simon thought it was the right time to speak.

‘Surprising…’ He jabbed. ‘I was this close to blowing your brains if you failed to hold your anger… You proved me wrong.’

Val glares back to the android with murderous intent burning through her pupils, but Simon only shrugs it off. ‘Tha fuck are you saying?!’ She responds.

‘Nothing… I just admire you’re still keeping with the plan even after all the emotional stress. Kinda reminds me of my owner-client when she was a bit younger.’ Simon replied.

‘Oh really?’ Val answered sarcastically. ‘Kept myself in line, follow the objective and all that bullshit am I right?!’

‘Well I won’t call it that…’ Simon says. ‘It is admirable, setting aside feelings and personal issues to achieve the mission. And I am impressed. I am sure it is unfortunate after hearing the contents of your phone call, it was an accidental test of mettle and as unlucky as it may seem--’

Simon pauses as starts to sense Val quickly getting riled up with his speech. He was trying his best within his programming in choosing his words. But it somehow seems to have an opposite effect, as once again he places his hand near the holster as a precaution.

‘You really fucking kiddning me?!

You know I’m only playing this charade cuz of one thing!

ONE - FUCKING - THING!

I left that bastard to come home and do my thing!

I - JUST - WANNA - RACE!

HOW - FUCKING - HARD - CAN - THAT - BE?!

And Now I’m Being LebOwskied Into Doing SHit Unrelated to My GoaLs!

I Needed a Place to earn Money! GOt That and Now It’s in FUckiNG FLames!

JuST GoT A pLAce to StoRe Extra Cars And PArts, So WHat?! Is THAt GonnA Get BLoWn UP TOO?!!

FUCK THIS SHIT!

YOU LIKE IT THAT I AM KEEPING SHIT IN LINE?

HAHH?! YA LIKE IT???!!!

FUCKING WATCH THIS!’

Val jacks her phone onto the car speakers and speed dials another unknown number from her phone.

‘GREG! ANSWER YOUR FUCKING PHONE!’

‘Uwahh! Heyyy Val! Uhhhh…. What’s up?’

‘Listen you dweeb you won the last race cuz of luck and I hate thEFUCKINGFact that the leader of the standings got there void of any notable FUCKING skill.

So guess what?SURPRISE ROUND! WEGONNAHAVE A RACE RIGHT NOW!’

‘N-Now? V-Val I dunno I-I mean i’m busy and so is everyone so…’

‘NO GREG WE - ARE - RACING - NOW!’

‘But Val…’

‘GETeveryone OUT here.

I want you fuckers gathered by the colosseum by eight or else!’

‘Else what?’

[Val almost punches her phone.]

‘Or no more championship and I get to keep my fucking crown! You want that?! Another fucking year of putting your asses near cliffs and other deadly shit!’

‘Shit… FINE! But I dunno about the others tho…’

‘GREG!

Get everybody out here I want double the field I want everyone who we’ve raced and everyone who wants a piece of the fucking prize money!’

‘So the guys from the south, the deep south, the north park boys and the eastern potato racers?’

‘Everyone Greg…’

‘Ev- everyone?’

‘E V E R Y O N E ! ! ! ! !’