A man waved a small black rectangular box with vectored lines in his hands. He knelt next to the man and waved the box in his face. “You said you don’t know what it is, but yet it’s here. If you don’t talk quickly, you won’t be seeing you’re pretty little family later.”

The vendor shivered from the words, closing his eyes envisioning the warning. He slowly turned to the patrolman who held the ‘decoder’ in his hand. “You can look me up in your system sir. I’ve been selling here for eight years. I specialise in antique movies. I don’t know anything about that thing!”

“I don’t give a shit how long you were here, why the fuck would this be HERE? HUH?” The patrolman growled.

A crowd started to brew, everyone, patrons and vendors alike starting coming from nowhere, watching the scene unfold. Frustration swell within the vendor’s stomach, I could he wanted to snap, hell, he had all rights to. Guilty until proven innocent right? That’s the hope…but this is Underwent Market, which meant. The Mangol’s rules were law, but whatever that decoder thing was…it was a problem.

“Cypher activity on the roof looks like someone’s coming in.”

“Keep me abreast, but I think I know it is.”

“The Mangol?”

“Most definitely. Probably come to check in our precious operation.”

“It ain’t that precious.” Rex scoffed.

“Another’s trash is another man’s gold.”

“I’ve never heard so much bullshit in my life. Never. Make. That. Statement. Ever. Again.”

“Whatever.”

Two shots fired into the ground, extracting squeals from the women around. “Get back to stalls vermin!” The patrolman said. “Vermin?” Someone roared from the crowd.

“You’re the one that can’t protect this place. Ever since that boy came here shooting up the place you all been walking around on eggshells!”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if something was happening right now!” Another said.”

“Jaxon’s right! We’ve known Seyforn for years, he’s not even technology-literate. Hell, Argo had to install his creditstrip reader. Why the hell would he have that box thingy there?”

“Someone could’ve paid him to hold it!” The guard retorted.

“Why in the fuck would he take the credits? We all know the rules here!”

“Not the point” The guard retorted.

“It is the fucking point. All you had to do was pull Jaxor to one side, show him the decoder and take him upstairs for some questions. No need to wave you fucking stick about like that!”

The crowd roared in agreement and I took a step, trying to sift through, but stopped myself. One of These fools might have a master-keycard I thought, might be best to stick around.

“Cypher…three limo SUVs now landed on the roof. A voluptuous beauty now stepped out, surrounded by men.” Rex said excitedly.

“Beauty?”

“Yeah…thick as hell, I’d even wager she’s thicker than cream o’ wheat on a Sunday morning.”

“…right. This woman wearing a mask?”

“She is.”

“that’s The Mangol.”

“She’s delicious…my god”

“You can’t even see her face, what the hell do you mean? I whispered. A few people noticed when I mentioned the Mangol, turning to me.

I rolled my neck, keeping myself moving through the crowd to avoid their gaze and found myself next to an old man selling books. “Don’t need to see her face to know she’s delicious, hell, she’s wearing a mask. That’s enough for me!” He said, bellowing a deep laugh.

“Whatever.”

The patrolmen dragged up the man by his colour, then turned to the crowd. “You’re right.” He shouted, “We’ll talk with Mr Jakor here.”

The crowd slowly dissipated, grumbling beneath breath. I noted how haphazard everyone was, making me wonder that my extracurricular activities within Underwent set off a chain reaction within Underwent.

The vendors seemed more flustered than before. I mean, I didn’t notice it before, but now? Wow…it was a complete 180° turnaround.

Underwent, truly was its economy. If the people weren’t satisfied with how you ruled, they’d voice their discontent. It was amazing to see, but a complete waste of time.

This wasn’t a republic, but a for-profit business. A business that thrived on providing no-hassle business zone with security. No wonder The Mangol banned me for life.

I sift through the pathways, dodging drones, trying to find a security guard I could bump into. They were many, but their guard was up too tight.

The stalls on the eastside were dainty, and smelled of rum and spices, drawing my nose to them. I did partake in one drink and made sure I bought a bottle.

I pulled the crystalline phone from my pocket, and checked the timer, noting how much time I had left to deliver the serphandias.

Minutes Left

24:03:26

Plenty time.

Incoming Call…

“Cypher,” I grunted.

Whoever was on the line didn’t respond, but only left heavy breathes, hoping I’d interpret them. “Who is this?” I asked, not having the patience for this bullshit.

“You motherfucker.” A familiar voice snarled. “You killed me. You KILLED MY PEOPLE!”

“I didn’t kill anyone Elhisia. Rikor Haek did.”

“You killed me, by leaving them there! I told you we could stop Valeon.”

“Haven’t you heard the news?”

“Fuck the news!” Elhisia snarled.

“Fine then, you wanna blame me for abandoning your people. I’m ok with that, but what about you? Should I have left you in the Waste as well?”

“Fuck you Cypher.” She spat at me, hawking all the spit from the back of her throat.

“You’re welcome,” I said.

The line went dead, and I snapped open the bottle, taking a long gulp of the rum, feeling it burning my throat as I guzzled it down. I’d been pushing the thoughts of Elhisia behind me, ensuring they didn’t creep on me, especially with my own family’s life at risk.

If I had a better option, I would’ve surely saved them, but I had to choose. Them, or my life. The odds were stacked against us. Hell, I barely got infiltrated their minuscule operation. There was no way in hell we were surviving an outright assault like that.

Thing is, I understood her anger, she was right to be angry. She was the one that brought them in the desert, providing not only food, water and shelter, but security, which ultimately betrayed her.

Which happened to be all part of her father’s ploy.

Blaming me was easy, but Elhisia was smart, she probably blamed herself the most. However, even if she didn’t…she would understand my actions soon. Or that’s what I hoped for.

The burning sensation the rum left in my stomach was enough for me to get my mind right. I continued browsing the dusty corridors of Underwent and finally cosied my way up to two unsuspecting guards.

The path was crowded, too crowded for the guards to push their way through. I increased my pace, taking another quaff of rum, down five big gulps.

I hit a patron in the back with my shoulder, pushing him towards the two guards, hitting the on the left in the back. He didn’t falter but turned around annoyed. “Watch where your going old man!” He growled.

“Wasn’t me!” He barked, “that fool there bounced into me.”

The knowing smiling I gave them, whilst tilting my head, quickly drew their attention to me. “Sorry.” I slurred, fumbling with the bottle in my hand. “Didn’t see you there.

I walked past the old man and tried walking past the duo. I eyed both of them keenly, looking for any opening, and stumbled to the one on the right. He stepped back, and I fell face-first onto the ground, but not before I accomplished what I needed to do. “Ow!” I groaned, “could’ve at least caught me, you bastards.”

“If I caught you, you would’ve been slammed into the ground even harder, so be grateful,” The guard said. I rolled over, raising my middle finger in defiance.

The guard shook his head and departed. “Don’t let me see you around here, or I’ll toss you out myself.”

I didn’t answer, but turned over, hiding from the passing drone. “Nothing to report.” The guard said through his mic, “just a drunk fool…don’t worry, he’ll be leaving soon.”

I sure am. I thought.

Once the burning sensation in my stomach settled, I pushed myself up. I stalked myself to the right, where an old man had rows of biscuits, corn-curls and various box juices marked Apple, Fruit Punch and Orange Juice.

I pointed to the fridge inside, ordering a bottle of water. I swiped my creditstrip against the machine. Once the approval ding went off, I walked off quelling the fire in my stomach and bringing up the schematics on my cybernetic eye.

“Keycard Acquired Rex,” I told him. I fished it from my pocket, scanned it and feed it directly to him. “R-8 Keycard. It’s not a master keycard, but it’ll work. You should be able to access the majority of the building now.“

“Majority?”

“Yeah…”

I took a deep breath, heading to the eastern side of the floor, once I got to the security door, I swiped the keycard and watched as blast doors split down the middle and vapour flooded from inside to outside.

“Now, all you have to do is find where the serphandias is.” Rex said.”

“Whatever that is,” I answered.