I'm looking at the window as I observed this city from my room. I can hear sirens, honks, and drones. This city never sleep since all this technology rise. "You need to focus, Lex. I don't want our mission failed again." I put down my cigarette on the ashtray.
"Do you think our last mission failed, Lynx!? At least we already have someone who can reveal the secret about my brother's location." I poured a whisky on the empty glass and chug it. Lynx put a tablet next to my ashtray and embracing me from behind.
"You... never listen, don't you?" I brush off her hand and let go of her hug. I can't do this. She's my friend and my informant. Red Sentinel is a multi-billionaire company from the U.S. which operate in the field of technology and finance.
They are the 'owner' of the world we live in right now. They company almost takeover lot of sector, since then everyone depends on them. All transaction, security, technology, and education system, they have it all.
I'm looking at her and a holographic info about her appears on my sight.
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Citizen ID: 8922122926545
First Name: Linda
Last Name: Barnette
Prestige: 10
Sex: Female
Bank Account: ⁜ 90.989 Tn
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"I guess... you checking on me, right?" I'm chuckling and nodding my head. People in Red Sentinel's can get easy money except for law enforcement. They still get the average wage like the old time. That's the reason lot of us like to joined some events.
In this world, people can sell their lives into money. I'm looking at my wrist watch and sighed. "Don't forget to lock the door. I someone wants to visiting me." I grab my jacket and car key.
"Alexa!" I'm looking back. "Be careful." Heh. I'm a grown up woman. Don't worry about me.
"Thanks." I said. I closed the door and walking down this pathway to my garage. The trailing door open slowly and the lights automatically on as I enter the garage. "Welcome, Alexa. Where do you want to go today?"
A female human alike approaching me. Years by years, AI start to evolve. Now we should decide what we should use the AI for? "I want to go meet someone at the back alley. Can you... take out my Toyota KN 900?"
I'm waiting on the side as she rotate take out my car. "Your Toyota KN 900 in perfect condition. Fuel status: full. Please be careful and avoiding reckless driving." I get inside of my car and turn on the engine.
Alright. Time to go to work!
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I'm already sitting inside this themed cafe waiting for a woman named Cecilia Carter shows up. I was wondering why she wants to meet me? This cafe identic with their unique experience and decoration.
They said, they already been here since 2023 and until these days, they giving this experience for the people in the future. "Here's your coffee. Enjoy!" I'm nodding my head and sniff the hot Luwak coffee they served.
A woman approaching me. "I'm sorry, I'm late." She sits down in front of me. Without a doubt, she puts a tablet in front of me. No small talk, huh?
:"Who is this guys?" I raised my eyebrow, looking into her eyes.
She slide the picture to the left. "He was alive until last night he got shot. Dead." I'm nodding my head. "It's seems like you..."
I showed my message from my chief. "Do you think I'm the killer, right?" She did not answer my question. "You can check my log. When everything is happened." I leaned my back. An old song played in the background.
I don't know why this song so catchy and makes me want to dance. "
"I don't know... you also hypnotized by this song." She leaned her back and support her chin. "What do you do after work, anyways? Collar For Dollar or overtime?"
I cleared my throat and take a sip of this coffee. "Relax in my apartment. How about you? Overtime?" She nodding her head.
"Um... Alexa. You should be careful. There's a war between Slaughter House and Holes in the Wall. The rest of the gang such us Carnival of Freaks, Badass, and Aces & Eights in the Bar Gang. I don't see anything significant activity from another gang, but be careful. They could be anywhere in that alley!" I sighed after Linda informed me.
Why it should happens today!? "Are you okay?" I'm nodding my head and cleared my throat.
"How's the case going? I heard about the news about... a serial killer?" I'm looking at her face. She seems frustrated.
"I don't know anymore, Alexa. I just..." She sighed, then support her chin with her hand. "Clueless. All of them were criminals. One way or another the culprit already broke the law of the humanity, but one of the bouncer noticed her tattoos. She was... a soldier."
I'm nodding my head. "All of NJPD overwhelmed by this case. All the journalist, public, and even the mayor already forced us to looking for this woman! She..." Cecilia scoffed as she slammed the table.
I grab her hand and smile. "You... can ask me to help, right? Why you hold back yourself!?" I asked her.
Cecilia sighed as she pulled her hand. Right, why I carried away by this situation?! I picked the tablet and slide to the left and get rid what happened earlier. "So... how about the other witness?" I'm glancing at her.
"The... escort only she said she's saving her. Okay, if that's the motive she killed him, but why she shot him several times in the chest, then head? I-it's not her signature! Most of the bouncer said, she has a military tattoos on her left, but the last night it wasn't her. Is there a copycat? What do you think, Alexa?"
I losing my words after she explain it to me. I put her tab on the table and chug my coffee. "I can't... sure it was a copycat, but if you believe it that way. Why don't you visiting her?" As if the light bulb turned on.
She stands up without saying a word. Huff... I hope she has a heads up what happened in this alley way. I'm walking to where I parked my car earlier and heading back home. I turned on the radio looking for a music station, but to no avail.
All I can hear is all the news reporting about the gang's war today. I turned off the radio and drive my car to the nearby store. On the day time, these streets packed with cars, drones, motorcycle, and people passing by.
In this hour, this street lose it's noise. Armored heavy trucks everywhere, gun shots between the gangs and law enforcement can't be unavoidable anymore. I take a u turn and explore this alley to find her.
I can't keep thinking about her safety. I hope I'm not late to save her.