The neon-drenched streets of Neo-Tokyo pulsed with electric life as Aria Nightshade weaved through the crowded marketplace. Holographic advertisements flickered overhead, promising everything from instant happiness to eternal youth. But Aria knew better. In this world, the only currency that truly mattered was memory.
She adjusted her neural interface, a sleek device nestled behind her left ear, and scanned the sea of faces around her. Each person was a potential goldmine of experiences, waiting to be tapped and traded."Fresh memories! Get your fresh memories here!" a vendor called out, his cybernetic eye whirring as it focused on passersby. "Graduation day, first kiss, winning the lottery – all available for a modest fee!"Aria smirked. Amateurs. The real valuable memories weren't found in these open-air markets. They were traded in the shadows, in back alleys and secret clubs where the elite came to sample the rarest of experiences.As she turned a corner, a notification pinged in her mind. A new client request. Aria's heartrate quickened as she read the details.
[Client seeks memory of the 2084 Mars Rebellion. Authentic perspective only. Price: negotiable.]
The Mars Rebellion. Aria whistled low. That was a rare one indeed. Most of the participants had either died in the conflict or had their memories wiped by the government afterward. A genuine, unaltered memory of those events could fetch a small fortune. She sent a quick acknowledgment and began making her way to the rendezvous point. As she walked, Aria couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of a figure in a dark coat ducking into an alley.
Paranoia came with the job, but something about this felt different. Aria quickened her pace, her hand instinctively moving to the neural disruptor concealed in her jacket.
The meeting place was a small tea house, its traditional facade a stark contrast to the hyper-modern cityscape. Aria stepped inside, the scent of jasmine and electricity mingling in the air.Her client was already waiting, a nondescript man in his fifties with eyes that seemed to hold secrets of their own."Ms. Nightshade," he said, gesturing to the seat across from him. "I trust you received my request?"Aria nodded, taking her seat. "The Mars Rebellion. That's not an easy memory to come by. May I ask why you're interested?"The man's expression remained neutral. "Let's just say it's a matter of historical importance. Can you procure it?""Possibly," Aria replied, her mind already racing through her network of contacts. "But it won't be cheap. And there are risks involved.
"The man leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Money is no object. And as for risks... I assure you, the consequences of not obtaining this memory would be far greater.
"As Aria opened her mouth to respond, a commotion erupted outside. Shouts and the sound of breaking glass filled the air. Through the window, she saw people running in panic. The man stood abruptly. "It seems our meeting has been cut short. I'll be in touch, Ms. Nightshade. Remember, the fate of more than just Mars may depend on your success. "Before Aria could process his cryptic warning, the man vanished into the chaos outside. She rose to her feet, her instincts screaming danger. As she stepped out onto the street, the world around her seemed to glitch, reality itself flickering like a faulty hologram. In the distance, a massive shape loomed, obscured by smoke and debris. Aria's neural interface crackled with static, and a single message burned itself into her mind:
[The Echoes are awakening. The end begins now.]