Chapter 177: In the zone
*ClllanK!*
Ori and Jamarr clamber out of the sewer into an alleyway, gunshots already echoing both nearby and in the distance.
He'd been lucky to be escorted as the sewers had been almost labyrinthian in scale. Many parts had simply collapsed or caved in due to no one maintaining the tunnels, and there were so many pathways that getting lost would be a death sentence for all but the rats.
According to Jamarr, there were also areas which were controlled by other gangs, places you didn't want to step in without an army at your back... Punishments for trespass included getting eaten, raped, or skinned alive, the latter of which sounded the worst considering the infections you'd get before expiring, being in a sewer and all.
"Ah, home sweet 'ome." Jamarr sighs, taking a big whiff.
Ori took a few tentative sniffs too but only smelled decay, burned flesh, oil, and gunpowder. He walks over to take a look at the street outside the alley but Jamarr catches his shoulder, halting him.
"I wouldn't do 'dat if I were you. 'Dis near da main street, gunners camped in almost every buildin', plus the psychos.." he shakes his head, "Take a quick peek if you must, but don't blame me if you lose ya'ead."
Ori just shrugs, hiking up his rucksack and taking a quick peek. Truth enough, it looked like an absolute shit show. Rubble from the falling apart skyscrapers covered the roads with huge sinkholes allowing shallow tunnels to form.
He could see the glint of eyes from the lower floor windows in the nearby skyscrapers indicating that yes, Jamarr wasn't lying about gunners. Snipers were the least of your problems however, as he could see two Cyberpsychos tearing each other apart in the middle of the street. No one seemed to be getting involved either, probably waiting for the opportunity to fight over what's left like vultures.
He ducks back into the alley before someone could start taking potshots, glancing at Jamarr, "How'd you get around then if the streets are a no-go?"
"Heh, underground. The sewers, tunnels... Dat's if you want to cross the road. Otherwise ya' just move between the alleys like 'dis one. There's a reason turf 'ere is so important..." he points a thumb at himself and the towerblock slightly smaller than the surrounding skyscrapers next to him," I's part of the 'Ratboys', and we own this place 'ere. This is probably the most used manhole in the whole of the combat zone."
"I dunno, from what you've been telling me 'man-holes' are a much-desired commodity." Ori grins and shakes his head, "Hey, think you could help me locate someone? I'm sure Regina gave you the gist of my visit?"
Jamarr shrugs, "Eh, I did mah' already. Whachu do from here is up to you. Ya' want help? You gotta make it worth our while." he rubs his fingers together, "And no, threatenin' to shoot me ain't gonna work 'dis time."
Ori lets out a long sigh, he hadn't thought finding the psycho was gonna be easy, but seeing the state of the combat zone made him well aware that he was out of his depth. He could try fight the place single-handedly, sure, but that probably wouldn't help in identifying his quarry. "How much you want?"
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"Dis' our 'eadquarters, don' talk to nobody but me and the gal I'm showin' ya' unless spoken to. Might be the nicest folk in 'ere, but we not soft like 'dem punks outside, ya hear?"
Ori nods as he's led through the dilapidated building, passing various heavily armed and armoured people, each giving him the stink-eye as if he'd stolen their can of soup or something.
They reach the top floor and pass through an armoured door, showing a type of workshop/security room/junkyard... Monitors that were showing the feeds from various hidden cameras and other tech they'd managed to hack into.
There were only two other people besides Ori and Jamarr, one woman with a permanent scowl on her face, along with a 'smiling scar' extending her lips. Next was a skinny dude with his hood up, eyes glowing a dull fluorescent blue under it.
"Marr? Who's this?"
"Our guest from Miss Jones, wanted our assistance findin' somebody for 'em. Already paid the Eds." Jamarr states, shutting the door behind them.
"Ah, that Zombie-guy? I heard you've been busy?" the guy remarks.
Ori shrugs, "Mostly old news, I'm kinda in a rush though. Rather my guy not get zeroed before I can reach him." he states, ignoring the scarred girl's glare.
She sighs after a while however, nodding at him, "Who're you lookin' for then?"
"That Cyberpsycho who went on a rampage yesterday, caused the combat zone to get blockaded."
"Heh, that's just publicity shit, this place is always blockaded. Just not everyone can see the guards." the hooded guy snidely remarks.
"Shut up Cohen, he paid, we work." she frowns, "The feeds we get from outside are usually delayed, you're gonna have to port up and show us if you want that info to mean anything."
Ori crooks a brow and steps towards the machinery, "Aren't you supposed to get me a drink first? I don't just port with any girl y'know."
"Ha! Right! Xiaoyi here's drier dan' the badlands! Ya'd need the river to squeeze it i-"
*Click!*
Jamarr trails off as he eyes the gun aimed at his head, courtesy of Xiaoyi, "Er-ah, forget all 'dat, I was just sayin' how lucky a man'd be..."
"Right." Ori drawls as he ports his interface and pulls up the recent news story detailing his target. He wasn't worried about viruses, mostly because his ICE had been checked by three separate Netrunners. Along with the nanites being able to heal whatever damage it might do, separating his Interface if needs be.
"Hoho! Looks at 'dat chrome-boy go!" Jamarr chortles as they zoom in on the Cyberpsycho literally tearing one unfortunate civilian in half.
"You sure you wanna find this guy...? Seems like the kinda shit kids'd think is hiding under their bed. I can already tell the guy's chrome is off the charts, probably why he's so off his rocker." Cohen startles, clearly disturbed by Ori's goal, or 'death sentence'.
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