Date: March 14, 2052|Time:04:13 EST|Weather: 20°C, Rainy|Atlanta, District 11
Location: Vannie's apartments.
Vannie opened her eyes and looked at the ceiling. She then turned her head to the left and looked at the time on the alarm that was sitting on a small table. It showed 04:13 AM. She sighed and got up from her bed, putting on her augmentations and going towards the mirror next to her closet. She looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing only her underwear, with most of her deep tan skin exposed. She could remember her parents well, yet she knew that none of them had Hispanic roots, so the color of her skin was a mystery for her. She dressed with her usual attire and proceeded to head out, not bothering having breakfast. She walked out of her apartment on the 4th floor of a 6 story building. Just as she was about to get on the elevator, she heard somebody clearing their throat from behind her. The voice belonged to a woman, so Vannie sighed and turned around.
"Mrs Zhao, how are you doing. Why are you up so early?" Vannie asked as she turn with a small smile on her face.
"I had some jobs to do, including getting the rent from you."
Lan Zhao was a Chinese immigrant in her late 50s. She was Vannie's landlord for the past 3 years. She looked like your typical Chinese woman: Black hair into a bun, wrinkles, etc. Despite her appearance, she was kind...unless you did something to piss her off.
"Mrs. Zhao, I will give you the rent next week."
"You said the same last week.... and the week before last week. Vanessa, I like you but if you keep you with this, I will have to evict you."
"..."
"..."
"Well.. I will give you the rent as promised." she muttered and turned around.
"Old stingy hag." she thought as she got in the elevator.
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Vannie climbed up the stairs, exiting the metro. So of the guys blood was still on the floor. Vannie walked around it and then stopped, as she saw smoke coming from the alley adjacent to the street. As curiosity overtook, she walked forward and into the small crowd that had formed. As she approached, she saw a guitar shop in flames, with the owner frantically trying to put the flames out.
"What happened?" asked a woman.
"I guess somebody didn't pay their protection fee." replied another.
Vannie listened to them talking, when she saw someone standing next to her. The man was wearing a black tailored suit, with two other men besides him with the same attire in blue, complete with fedoras.
" Guess the Italians don't play around." she thought as she turned to leave.
The Watch would arrive soon, take statements and leave again. Nobody would get framed, as the peace between cops and the underworld is fragile, a small mistake and a war would erupt.
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" Hey, you.!" asked a distorted male voice behind her. Vannie lazily turned and saw a man in full body armour and a helmet. It was a Watch officer.
"How may I assist you Officer?" she warmly asked.
"First of all, tell me what you're doing here at a time like this?" the cop asked.
Vannie looked at her watch. "It's....5:30 Officer" it's a reasonable time to be out. Besides, If I recall correctly, I'm not obligated to reply to you without my lawyers presence. "
" Talking smart, aren't we brat? "the Officer replied.
" Oi Private, leave the kid be, we gotta go on our mission." a man approached the two of them. He wasn't wearing the Watch uniform but instead the usual police attire, along with a fully folded MP7 singed on his back. In short, an Ranking Officer.
"Evening, I'm Lieutenant Edward Longford, I apologise for the Private's attitude, he just got transferred here from Detroit and is a little bit nervous."
"No worries Officer, it's all right. Well, I'm in a hurry so please excuse me." Vannie lied. She wasn't in a hurry, yet she wanted to leave as soon as possible,not because she was afroid that she might get caught, but rather that she just hated interacting with cops.
"Well then, let's go Private." said Longford and turned around.
The Private nodded and turned around aswell, not apologising to Vannie. Vannie rolled her eyes and proceeded to walk again, heading to the shopping district again. In front of her was the underground parking lot of the district. On her left was BE FASHION and on her right, the connector with the executive section. She got up found herself in front of the City Authority. The building was similar to a Mayor's Officer, although it is runned by 5 Executives,forming the City Council. Vannie turned her head left, and saw an 8 story apartment building, Redwood Apartments. This is where most of the Executives live, an apartment complex all luxurious and such, with the prices equivalent to the apartment owners wallet. She turned her head again and now faced the 3rd building in the proximity, Amery International. Amery International was a medical/augmentation company, specialising in "enhancing the future". This is where Isaac worked. Vannie now looked at her watch,the time being 06:22 AM. If Isaac didn't return to his home, he would still be there. Vannie walked forward and opened the door, stepping in the company's HQ.