Where to start? We have no idea of who he is, how he looks like and where he will attack next. I know nothing about criminology and neither does Elon. The only person I know that might know something about the killer is Agent Almond. And I pretty sure that whatever she knows is confidential.
It is annoying, to be honest. She's around 24/7. She doesn't talk, she doesn't even look at me...and has always the same serious expression on her face. I can't tell if this bitch went through some crazy things that marked her for life or if it's just her way to get into the agent character thing.
It has been a week since the funeral, I'm back to classes and I have to say that everything feels pretty weird without Sam around. We didn't hang out much, but at least I knew she was ok...alive.
Olivia moved to another room. Honestly, I haven't even seen her face since that day at the police station in Faliaici. Since then she hasn't looked at me once. I'm not mad at her though, she told the truth after all. Everything has been so quiet. But I guess that'll change today. There are two girls coming to "replace" Sam and Olivia. Hanna Burks and Alexa McEntire, both from Cantavalterra. They also frequent Underground parties, probably the reason they asked to come to my room. Three party animals in the same room, would be the dream for me. Unfortunately, it's not the best moment. All I want now is to find the killer and avenge my sister.
It's Saturday afternoon, so, time to work. As usual "Over9Thousand" is crowded. Nothing out of normal taking into account the number of gamers in the university. I serve many familiar faces and two of them are my new roommates.
"So, Going to "Ground2" tonight?" I ask them.
"Hell no, that club sucks. There's a new one not far from the bay. We're going there. Wanna join us?" Asks Hanna.
"Sorry, I'm not really in the mood for parties. But thanks for inviting me." I say.
"You could use some distractions, girl. C'mon, you'll love it." Insists Alexa.
I haven't heard of that new club and though I feel tempted to go, I know I wouldn't feel well there.
"Hey, stop Alexa. Don't insist. We understand if you don't want to come." She kindly says.
"Thanks... You girls have fun." I say after serving them their drinks and heading back behind the bar. I barely have time to breath let alone stay at a table talking to someone.
Tonight's the first day of the "University Mystic Clash Championship", a tournament between Universities all over Magellan that features a popular MOBA. The Cepra University team's coming tonight and Anombid's coming tomorrow. This week we're the home team and everything has to be ready before people start arriving for the first game, so Gale and Simon are upstairs to take care of that, which means everything down here is on my shoulders. Well, I have some help from 3 other coworkers, but at the pace they're working I don't think it's bold to say that I'm working alone. I'm only comforted by the thought that once the first game starts, I'll be able to finally have a pause from all this work. After some time Simon comes downstairs telling me everything is set up and that the Cepra University team has arrived. "Finally!" I sigh. People start to go upstairs and everything is calmer now.
As I start cleaning up the bar I see Olivia coming in. She always appears when least expected. Though I can still see some signs of sadness and guilt on her face, this time she looks at me. She sits in front of me and greets me in a sad toned "hey" barely audible.
"Hey yourself. What can I get you?" I ask.
"Just a bottle of water if you don't mind." She says with the same sad tone.
"Bold of you to think we serve water here," I say with a slight grin.
She forces a little smile at that. Good to see her expression change for once. I handle her a bottle of water and try to start small talk, but she starts talking before I have the chance to open my mouth.
"Drakov told me you're after the killer." She says.
I stop what I'm doing and look at her. "And?" I ask
"I might know something about the killer." She says trembling.
"Spit it out then!" I say. She opens her right hand and shows a hologram.
"I went back to Faliaici and found this. The Police has been finding symbols in every crime scene, and this is the one they found this time" She says still trembling.
"Nothing new..." I say disappointed.
"Take a closer look". She says "Doesn't it look familiar to you?" She asks.
It does indeed look familiar. Aside from some added features, it looks similar to a symbol I saw in an Underground club. I don't know what it means or what it stands for though.
"I shouldn't be telling you this, but this kind of symbol is only known from deep underground members, and this one, in particular, is from an Underground group from Peverin." She says
"Peverin!?" I ask. "That's on the other side of the planet!"
"I know, but there is more..." She says "...I don't want to blame her or say that she's involved...but..." She hesitates.
"But what dude! Just spit it out! Who are you talking about!?" I yell at her impatiently.
"Kate Ericsson!" She quickly answers. " She is also from Peverin, and member of this underground group. And if there's anyone who could hack the cameras in Vendano and Faliaici it's her."
"Kate Ericsson..." I murmur. "Why would she do that? I have to go talk to her now!" I say.
"Wait!" Olivia stops me. "Let me go with you." I nod and lead the way to the multimedia studio. Behind me, Olivia and Agent Almond, who always keeps a distance.
Arriving there the door opens as if we were expected. "Fair enough," I think as I walk in alongside Olivia. Agent Almond stays at the door. We follow a path that leads to the editing room where we guess she'll be. And yes, there she is working, surrounded by numerous screens and holograms.
"My Droid saw you girls arriving through the security cameras. Is there anything I can help you with? A project maybe?" She asks.
"Do you recognise this!?" I ask while Olivia shows the hologram with the symbol, without wasting a second.
She turns around and stares at it for a moment before looking intensively at Olivia.
"So!?" I ask impatiently.
She turns back to her table.
"Never seen it before." She says with the most unconcerned tone.
"Don't lie! I know you're a member of this underground group, aren't you!?"I scream at her.
At this, her Droid looks at me and starts walking towards me. The door bursts open and Agent Almond rushes in, getting in the Droid's way looking down at him.
"I detected dangerous intentions coming from this room. Is there a problem, inferior Droid?" She asks with an intimidating voice.
"..." The Droid shuts down.
"Great! It's malfunctioning again." Says Kate. "It wasn't supposed to scare you, but there is something wrong with it, that for some reason makes him act on his own, which is not supposed to since its a 1st generation Droid. And I can't seem to figure out what the problem is." She says while rebooting it.
"MY-02, Serving Droid." Says the Droid as he turns back on.
"MY-02, Serial code!" Kate
"XF-84650. MY-02 Serving Droid ready for orders."
"MY-02, memory verification: Master info," Kate asks
"Affirmative, my master, Kate Ericson, firstborn of the Ericson family from Peverin. Next in line for the..."
"Enough! You can shut down for now." She says, interrupting him. "Now if you're done with your drama, please close the door on your way out?"
"We're not done yet, I still have things to ask you. Agent Almond, wait for us outside." I say.
"Negative." She says. "I am a 2nd generation Droid, I do not take orders from you".
The air got tense and every eye is locked on Agent Almond.
"I know what you are planning to do. My orders are clear: Protect Rebecca Geon. I cannot leave the room after having sensed dangerous intentions towards Miss Geon. It's protocol" She continues.
"Can you at least give me some information about the investigation about my sister's case?" I ask.
"All information is stored and cannot be accessed without authorization. But I can open a new file for this matter." She answers.
"I still don't know what's this all about. Can someone please explain..." Says Kate before being interrupted by Agent Almond:
"Kate Ericsson!" She calls her, again with an intimidating voice. "Are you familiar with the symbol shown to you moments ago?" She asks
How does she know about the symbol? I'm guessing she was able to hear the conversation from outside. Anyways, I like this "interrogation mode" of Agent Almond.
"Is this an interrogation session now?" Kate asks.
"Answer the question! And for your own good, tell the truth." She insists looking intensively at her.
"Yes, I am familiar with it. In fact, it's the symbol of my crew. So what?" She confesses with fearless expression.
"Do you have anything with Samantha Geon's death?" She asks again to Kate.
"So that's what this is all about," she realizes. "No! I had nothing to do with that." She answers with confidence.
"She told the truth." Confirms Agent Almond.
"Then what was it doing on the crime scene!?" I ask
"Maybe someone is trying to frame me." Says Kate looking at Olivia.
"Olivia Leif! Did you plant false shreds of evidence to frame Kate Ericsson?" She asks Olivia.
"What? No!" She answers outraged.
"You told the truth. These pieces of information will be reported to the Faliaici Police station for further investigation." Says Agent Almond closing her eyes, starting to send these last information to the Police station.
"The' hell they will." Whispers Kate while taking a gun from the top drawer of her desk.
I'm certain that none of us expected this. Olivia opens her eyes wide in panic when she realizes what's happening. I turn my head and realize it too. Agent Almond is not the target...I am. My body freezes as I involuntarily close my eyes in fear and accept the fact that this is it, that my life can be taken so easily and there ain't much I can do about it. I hear a gunshot and what sounds to be an electric burst. When I open my eyes I see Agent Almond on the ground. I still take some time to realize that I'm OK. Nothing has happened to me.
"Sorry if I scared you again but that was the only way I could stop her. None of the things said here can leave this room." Says Kate as she plugs a cable on Agent Almond's nape.
"That was way too dangerous Kate!" - Says Olivia
"Spare me the sermon Olivia!" Says Kate sitting back on her desk and opening a laptop. "This is all your fault! You did something far worse. I hope you're aware of the consequences. And besides, it was just an electric bullet, it wouldn't kill her".
"What is she talking about?" I ask to Olivia.
"It doesn't matter for now. I just need to erase Almond's memory." Answers Kate instead.
"The Police will suspect something happened if you do that. They might even be on their way here?" I say
"No. She's an Independent Droid. She just has a basic order to follow. And since her order was to protect you, they're not expecting any information from her. And I just need to pull some strings to make it look she's still operational." She answers. "And you! You better keep your mouth shut about all this too." She says.
"I don't even know what's going on. There is something being hidden from me for sure." I say.
I feel like I know too much, but yet not enough to understand what's happening. There is obviously something they're not telling me. First, Olivia, shaking all-over apparently telling me something she was not supposed to. Now Kate, erasing agent Almond's memory and telling me to keep this a secret.
"Why don't you tell her Olivia? Finish what you've started." Says Kate ironically.
"You would do the same if you were in my place, Kate..." Says Olivia.
"Would I?! Have you forgotten what we learned? The Oaths?" Asks Kate.
"Can someone for god's sake tell me what the hell is going on?! Are you part of a sect or something?" I ask impatiently.
Kate giggles ironically.
"A sect...Well, let me give you a piece of advice, Rebecca. Give up on whatever you're trying to do. You're just gonna get yourself killed." She says.
"I can't do that. I made a promise that I would find the killer and avenge my sister!" I say
"Listen here!-" She rolls her eyes. "-You don't know what you're getting yourself into. There is someone trying to frame me, and that person is part of a limited number of people that know this symbol, and they are dangerous. You already know too much, and if they find that out, there will be a good price for your head. The Underground is not what you think." She says.
"Kate, we should tell her." Says Olivia
"Are you out of your mind?!" Asks Kate
"We have no better choice." Says Olivia
Kate takes the gun again and points it at Olivia this time.
"I dare you to open your mouth and tell her, Olivia. I don't care who you are! I'm not going to get in trouble because of your stupid choices." Says Kate
Olivia's expression changes completely and she starts to walk towards Kate.
"Do it!" She says.
"What!?" I ask in shock.
"Come on! Do it! You know you'll have to face the council afterwards. And they won't go easy on you." Says Olivia.
"The council will understand..." Says Kate now a bit unsure of her actions.
"Then what are you waiting for?" Asks Olivia
"I'm giving her a chance here Olivia! I could kill her right here, right now...Be reasonable. If you tell her, both of you will have to face the council and you'll probably be executed. I'm not about to be dragged into your mess." Says Kate
"Thats a risk I'm willing to take, for whatever that council is!" I say.
"You're risking getting executed." Says Kate.
"If it means that'll help me find the killer and avenge my sister, any risk is worth!" I say
"OK then..." She says.
She turns her Droid on and asks him to lock Agent Almond in a safe room and guard it. After she comes towards me with a syringe. "This won't hurt much," She says before sticking it in my neck. I fall down and immediately lose consciousness.
.
.
.
I open my eyes and what I see looks like a scene out of a movie. I'm on my knees with my hands tied behind my back. In front of me 12 masked women sitting around a semicircular table and behind them, what I suppose to be a huge Droid that has the back of his head open with countless cables connecting him to something behind the wall.
The vast room is filled with hundreds. There is Olivia at my right and Kate at my left, both clothed with what it seems to be Norse clothes. Both of them on one knee with their heads leaned and arms crossed on their chest.
"Where am I?" I ask. I get no response from neither Olivia nor Kate. I look ahead.
"Tell me...your name...young one?" Asks the gigantic Droid with a loud voice that echoed throughout the whole room.
"I'm Rebecca Geon," I answer.
"Interesting...and what is it...that brought you...to this council?" He asks
"I don't know how I got here nor what this is exactly, but I believe that I can find answers about my sister's murder here. I'm sure that the killer is among you!" I answer.
"And what...makes you think...that?" He asks again.
Olivia stands up and shows the hologram of Kate's group symbol.
"This was found at the crime scene." She says.
"What do you have to say...about this...young Ericson?" He says turning his head to Kate after examining the hologram.
Kate stands up. "I can assure that none of my men were involved in this. I believe that someone is trying to put the blame on Peverin." Kate answers.
"I see...rise...young Geon!" He orders. I do so. "You are...the only outsider...that knows about the existence...of The Colony. Do you know...what happened...to the others? He asked.
"This is a different case, Father!" Interrupts Olivia.
"SILENCE!" He screamed. "Know your place...child! Your reckless behaviour...has stained your blade with the blood of innocents...and still, you haven't learned! Your actions...have consequences..."
"Father, if I may." Intervenes Kate
"Yes my child."
"Allow me to spare Olivia from this burden. I will execute your bidding myself." She says
"Don't be so quick...to draw your sword...the council is yet to decide...what is to become of...young Geon."
"Wait! I can't stay here and let you decide my fate like that. I have the right to defend myself." I say
"Human laws do not apply here!" Says Kate
"Why are you so bloodthirsty!?" Asks Olivia.
"I just respect the laws implemented by our forefathers, the founders of the Colony! Something you cannot do for some reason. The law is simple! Any outsider that knows about the existence of the Colony deserves the blade! We've been doing so ever since, and you know that better than anyone as your blade has already tasted the blood of many." Says Kate.
"I do not take pride in that!" Replies Olivia
"Doesn't look like it." Says Kate in response.
"Enough!" Says the giant Droid. "Let's hear...what young Geon...has to say."
"What if I become part of the colony?" I ask. The room stays silent for a while.
"May I suggest something?" Asked one of the women sitting in front of me. The giant Droid gives her permission to talk. "Let's accept her in. With the condition that she would never be able to leave. If the killer is among us as she says, let's give her the chance to find him and challenge him." She says.
"This is outrageous!" Intervenes Kate. "We've never shown mercy to anyone! How is this any different?!"
"Quiet...young Ericsson. This is indeed...an isolated case. Is there any of the 12 Queens...against....this proposition?" He asks.
No one opposes.
"It is decided then! You will learn our ways...young Geon! You will have...your revenge! Olivia...Kate!"
"Yes, Father!" They say kneeling.
"You will both...assure that my orders...are followed! Disobedience and defiance will be punished...with blood." He says
"As you wish Father". They both say.
"Council dismissed!" He says.
Everyone leaves. Olivia has a relieved look on her face while Kate is somewhat disappointed with the outcome.
"You don't know what you got yourself into." Says Kate as she leaves.
"Don't worry." Says Olivia reassuring me as she unties me. "Come, I'll show you where you'll be staying. After the Oaths, you'll be taken to one of the sub-colonies.
"There are sub-colonies?" I ask.
"Yes, there are, but I'll explain it to you later. Let's go." She says.
I follow her to a lift where Kate is waiting for us with a blank expression. We enter and go to the 5th floor underground. When we arrive I'm amazed by how they managed to simulate twilight so well down here. It doesn't even look like we're underground. There are a lot of people here, clothed the same way as Olivia and Kate. It looks something like a modern norse community. Everyone we cross greets Olivia and Kate by slightly leaning their heads, crossing their arms on their chest and saying "princesses" in Mupi. They just put their right fist on their left shoulder and says "at ease". But nothing for me. No one greets me or talks to me, not even Olivia nor Kate. Maybe it's because I'm an outsider.
I thought that they were all Bionics, but to my surprise, there are normal humans between them.
I'm taken to a small isolated room inside a Hall, with only a bed covered with animal fur, a table and a couple of books, and I'm left there for the rest of the evening. Olivia brings me something to eat and leaves. With not much to do, I have no choice but try to sleep. But before, I go through my thoughts and make a mental list of the things I have to do to achieve my goal. Learn about the Colony, become one of them, find the killer, have my revenge... "Can't be that hard", I think. Eventually, I close my eyes and fall asleep.
"Wake up!" I hear.
I open my eyes and sit on the bed. Looking up, I see Kate, holding some clothes, staring at me
"Dress up!" She says.