(Story transitioning to 1st person account for more accuracy)
(RING)
(RING)
(RING)
"Ugh, what a drag today is going to be", I thought to myself as I silence my alarm
Sunday
August 15, 2045
10:10am
Saine District
I woke up to the sound of my alarm buzzing relentlessly. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I dragged myself out of bed and stumbled downstairs.
The house felt unusually quiet, and the absence of any familiar voices made it clear that my mother had already left for work. It was just another reminder of the tough times we were going through.
I made my way to the kitchen, hoping to find something to eat. As I sat down at the empty table, a letter from my mom was laid on the table along with a few supplies. As I picked up the note and began to read it, my heart skipped a beat as I silently read the instructions.
Shinji on the table is a box of meds for Ms. Fidera. I'm guessing she either forgot or hasn't got around to changing her address yet and still gets mail here. I'm so sorry hun but I was in a rush this morning to get to work and didn't have time to go in the opposite direction. Soo if you could please just drop it off for me id forever be grateful. I love you and be safe! also there is a little cash on the backside so don't forget!
189 SE Lindosorso
Askakibara S 38809
, Saine District, Neo Edo
the silence was broken by the familiar chime of a message on my phone.
I reached for it and saw a text from Ryo.
" Hurry up dude it's hot as fuck out here. We're also going to meet up with a couple more guys as well." It read with 3 fire emojis and a devil face.
He was waiting to meet up. I typed a quick reply, confirming that I would be there as I scarfed down the leftovers that were left from last night. Then i also remembered something else.
" The girl... I totally forgot." I thought as my eyes grew wide, my mouth still full of food. I could still remember her jet-black hair and yellow eyes. Was she alien? Mystical Indeed as though she was perfectly crafted, as though God himself made sure she was as perfect as the word itself. So many thoughts rushed through my head as though I unlocked some long-forgotten memory. I had never been accustomed to liking anyone, not even at school and whether I liked it or not, the gang was like a family to me, providing a sense of belonging in a world that seemed to have turned its back on people like us. That was the only comfort I became accustomed to. The feeling of belonging for sure.
I quickly gathered up the mail and placed it in my backpack. Finishing my breakfast in haste, I grabbed my jacket, Flit board and headed out the door.
The streets were still quiet as I made my way to our usual meeting spot. As I glided down the alleyway, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that gnawed at me. I knew today wouldn't be just another ordinary day.
Something told me we were in for trouble, and I couldn't help but wonder what kind of mess awaited us this time.
But as I continued on, my thoughts turned to my mother, working tirelessly to support us. I hoped she was okay, that her extra hours would bring us some relief from the constant struggle. Deep down, I knew I had to find a way out of this life, a way to protect her from the danger that always seemed to follow me. Maybe after this hit, things will change around... or get worse.
Lost in my thoughts, I reached the meeting spot. Ryo was already there, leaning against the graffiti-covered wall, his face hardened.
He gave me a nod as I approached, and we continued walking.
"Ready for today boss?" Ryo asked, a hint of both excitement and weariness in his voice.
I forced a smile, trying to conceal my apprehension.
"As ready as I'll ever be, Let's just see how this plays out today." I said as we walked down the alleyway. Two shadows in a city that had long forgotten us.
Today was extra vibrant. colors seemed to pop and stick out everywhere. I could even feel the weight of my backpack on my back, which I had completely forgot.
" ahhhh shit." I muttered under by breath; I had totally forgot to go and drop Ms. Fidera's meds off!
"Today, we're going after the spider." Ryo said, as we walked along an alleyway.
"The spider?", I said with a confused look, the sudden interruption in my thoughts brought me back.
"I had never heard of him before yesterday, but I knew this wouldn't be an easy task to perform. Considering most CEOs were heavily guarded, he would be kind of hard to touch, no?" I said to Ryo, the look between the both of us, one of uncertainty.
" he's a banking manager over on 134th, at one of the largest banks in the city." He said, the glare of the sun bouncing of the rim of his ray bands on his face.
" Hey meta, What information do you know about Mr. Hiroshi Yamamoto?" he said, almost as if talking to the air, and as if a ghost were nearby, I could slightly hear a reply from a voice.
"He's our mark for today, if we can pull of this heist, we could get a huge pay-day!" He continued rubbing his hands together.
" Okay okay, so this is what I found out." he said gesturing to his glasses. A flicker of words seem scroll down the lens of his glasses.
"Hiroshi "the spider" Yamamoto, is a bank executive, and CEO of Garda bank.
Not only that but he's the Ex-leader of the Ryujiro shadow Cartel from the early 2000s. Having made his money through gambling and dealing narcotics. He shifted his funds into something more lucrative and less risky, banking. Now he was one of the richest men on the planet, not only dealing with planetary but galactic clients as well. This wouldn't be an easy task by no means." he said a slight grimace on his face.
" Shit dude this guy is serious business, and likely to be heavily armed, like how the hell are we supposed to even get close to someone like that." he continued looking like he was about collapse.
Most of Neo Edo's bosses moved like that though, large corporations ran by ex-gangsters, of course they'd have armed guards. With law enforcement becoming privatized also, they only come to the call of those who can afford their services.
Ever since the corporation wars, not only was the city was forever changed, but the world as well.
Now each district either has a large number of gangs that protect them, or the corporation have villas and sections protected by armed guards.
Most of us struggle day to day to get by many of which resort to violence, murder, and bribery to make ends meet.
" okay well now's not the time to panic, let's get to our hangout and discuss the plan with Giro. I'm sure whatever he has planned should work...right?" I said as me and Ryo continued our stride towards our destination. This is the first time I think I'm actually nervous about something.
After finally reaching our destination, we approached outside our base. Giro was standing outside posed against the wall smoking a cigarette.
"Took you boys long enough." he said as he flicked the remaining cig to the ground and patted it with his feet.
" let's head inside I already have the map and plans laid out." he said as he gestured for us to follow him through the steel doors. the hallway echoing from the old, rusted steel on the hinges of the door. Our base was an old warehouse that was now covered inn boards, the smell of the air like that of old musty cloth and damp mold.
As me and Ryo huddled together in a dimly lit room, we carefully studied the blueprints of Mr. Yamamoto's heavily fortified mansion. The tension in the air was palpable as we discussed the best course of action.
"We can't afford any mistakes," Shinji whispered, his voice filled with determination.
"Yamamoto's goons are no joke. We need to find a way to intercept that skada chip without getting caught."
Ryo nodded, his eyes scanning the detailed layout of the mansion.
"Agreed. We have to exploit any weaknesses in their security. If we can create a distraction or find a blind spot, we might have a chance." Ryo said his eyes scanning every part of the map.
" Giro said the best course of action is to intercept from the roof and locate his office on the top floor." Ryo continued small sweat beads were starting to form from the hot august humidity.
Just then, three other members of their gang entered the room. Hiro, Mei, and Kazuki, all skilled in their own right, were ready to lend their expertise to the operation. Hiro, the tech specialist, approached with a small device in hand.
"I've managed to obtain a skada drive. It should allow us to extract the data we need once we get our hands on the chip." he said pulling out a small rectangular device and placing it on the table.
smiling, relieved to have the necessary equipment.
"Great work, Hiro. That will definitely come in handy. Now we just need to focus on the execution." i said slowly scanning a hand over the map. We spent hours meticulously crafting a plan, accounting for every possible scenario and contingency. We identified the optimal time to strike, aiming for when Yamamoto's security was most vulnerable.
As we were finalizing the details, a sudden knock on the door startled us. I quickly signaled everyone to remain silent as I cautiously approached the entrance. Opening the door, I found a disheveled man standing outside.
"Who are you? How did you find us?" I demanded,
my hand instinctively reaching for a concealed weapon. The man looked up; his eyes filled with desperation.
"Please, I need your help. Yamamoto's goons are after me. I stumbled upon some incriminating evidence, and now they want me dead."
I hesitated, unsure whether to trust the stranger. Ryo stepped forward and assessed the situation. "We can't ignore it now, Shinji the guy is already here anyways. If this guy has information that could help us in our mission, it might be worth hearing him out." he said placing a hand on my shoulder as to reinsure me of the situation. Reluctantly, I nodded and motioned for the man to enter slowly putting my Kindo Knife back into its sheath.
"Alright but make it quick. We're in the middle of something important." I said in a rushed and aggressive tone, I was honestly annoyed at the situation as a whole already. Now we have another problem. As the stranger entered the room, the atmosphere grew even more tense. Me and Ryo exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the added complexity this unplanned interaction had introduced to our carefully crafted plan.
As the disheveled man took a seat, I couldn't help but feel a mix of caution and curiosity. His appearance suggested that he had been running for his life, and his claim of having information on Yamamoto sent a jolt of adrenaline through my veins. This was all to coincidental, the fact that we planned to steal Mr. Y's chip the same day a stranger shows up on our steps saying he's being pursued.
The room fell silent as he began to reveal the shocking details. My mind raced, trying to process the magnitude of what he was saying. Yamamoto, the very man whose skada chip we were planning to intercept, had far more sinister intentions than we had anticipated. He wasn't just a wealthy businessman seeking personal gain; he was a power-hungry tyrant plotting to take over large sections of Neo Edo. The enormity of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks.
Yamamoto had been secretly building his own private military force up, amassing resources and influence to carry out a coup against the city's united committee. If he succeeded, it would plunge Neo Edo into chaos and potentially ignite another corporation war.
Images flashed through my mind—scenes of destruction, innocent lives caught in the crossfire, the very fabric of our city torn apart. This revelation changed everything. Our mission to intercept the skada chip went from a personal job to protect our section to something much grander—a fight to protect the city we called home. I glanced at Ryo, his eyes mirroring the shock and awe that I felt. We both knew that our gang's role had just become much more significant. We had stumbled upon a truth that could alter the course of Neo Edo's future. As the man continued to divulge the intricate details of Yamamoto's plan, determination welled up inside me. We couldn't let him succeed. We had to find a way to not only intercept the skada chip but also expose Yamamoto's treachery to the world. Our original plan now seemed minuscule compared to the task ahead. We would need to regroup, reevaluate our strategy, and gather additional resources. The lives of countless citizens hung in the balance, and it was up to us to save our city from the clutches of this power-hungry madman.
With a newfound sense of purpose, I turned to the group, their eyes filled with a mix of concern and resolve. We were about to embark on a perilous journey—one that would test our skills, our loyalty, and our courage. But failure was not an option. We would do whatever it took to stop Yamamoto and protect the future of Neo Edo. The fate of the city depended on us, and we were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.