Bab 9: Market Talk
Arriving at the market there was much hustle and bustle, however light of this seeming prosperity there were many sharks in the water.
From pickpockets to scammers to mercenaries stalking a bounty. There was a palpable tension in the air as if one were sludging through that synthesized nutrient solution.
Laser diode lights illuminated the clearing and sorts of signs hung from overhead. From ammunitions to essential supplies, to wiring, to technical gear. If something were to be found in the dumps then it was also to be found within the market.
Not too far from Ambitan, a woman who appeared to be drunk stumbled into another person before apologizing and continuing on.
However, this was the slums, and immediately after the victim checked their pockets they found that their coin purse was missing.
Quickly they shouted, "Thief! Thief! Catch that woman!" waving at the pickpocket.
Hearing that the jig was up, the pickpocket tore through the crowd, running as if hell itself were on his heels.
Some surprisingly well-meaning samaritans attempted to grab onto her and some actually managed to snag her, but she quickly tore herself from their grip. She shoved everybody aside and quickly dipped into a side street, finding refuge in the Collapsed Sectors, a place where not many dared to go.
"Fuck!" cursed the victim. "A bounty of munitions for whoever gets her head! We can discuss remuneration after."
Of course, this offer was a trap, Ambitan already realized this was a scam. Especially given how the man specified that remuneration would only be discussed after. Most likely the man had no funds to speak with.
But it was no matter to Ambitan, not his business to interfere with, nor was it his place to call it out. Who knows it could even be a duo act where the man and woman were actually cooperating to lure people into a trap they prepared in the Collapsed Sectors.
Ambitan pushed through the crowd and made his way to a place that was surrounded by many others like him, clamoring for the attention of the people manning the stall.
"Mr. Rick!" Ambitan yelled, struggling over the throngs of people.
"Mr. Rick!" he yelled again.
Mr. Rick still didn't give him the time of day, instead choosing to handle a much closer customer.
'Shit,' Ambitan inwardly swore.
Mr. Rick's stall gave the best deals to people like him but the side effect of that would be that it would be perpetually crowded, making it difficult to actually secure any interactions with the man.
So Ambitan had to go back and opt for the alternative, a much seedier place, but he needed supplies now. Therefore, he had no choice but to go to Senorita Rodriguez. While the woman herself was nice, it was but a mask for the darker business practices she engaged in.
As he walked, Ambitan picked up traces of conversation through the hubbub.
"Did you hear bout the killing?"
"Which one?"
"Apparently there's a tech graveyard south of here…"
"Lorenzo of the Wolves was apparently done in…"
"There's some Upper Sector bigwigs coming down in a couple of days, don't know much but I heard something bout like a scholarship or something like that…"
"They found some 'ol military base from before the war, not much inside but we found some MREs, should go for a pretty penny."
"Say do you even know what a penny is? Why the hell do you we even say that?"
"I don't know, guess force of habi-"
Wait. Rewind that. Ambitan tuned out the current conversation and listened closely to what was said beforehand.
"A scholarship you say? What for?"
"Something about a special communications program, like some equal opportunity bullshit. Gunna take some of our youth up there to be brainwashed with all their bullshit."
Now that was interesting. Ambitan would have to keep his ear to the ground for news on that, any chance to escape this hellhole he would gladly take.
Finally though, after jostling some people to continue to push forward, Ambitan reached Senorita Rodriguez's.
"Hola, customer," she said, "And what business brings you to me today?"
"Supply trade," was all that Ambitan said.
"That's all?" Senorita Rodriguez elaborated. "Well if that's it," she sighed, "bring out the goods."
Reaching into his rags Ambitan pulled out 3 batteries, a bundle of wires, and some microchips.
"Is that all?" Senorita Rodriguez asked.
Ambitan didn't respond, opting to remain silent.
"Well as you know, classic procedure dictates that the batteries will be valued according to the amount of charge remaining in them. If they're rechargeable then that'll be even better."
Ambitan nodded, now whether or not Senorita Rodriguez used a rigged meter or not would be the question. Hopefully, today was one of her good days.
"Now what do you wish to exchange for these items. Quick, tell me as I measure the charge of these," Senorita Rodriguez said as she measured the batteries.
"A roll of bandages, and water if you have it," Ambitan replied.
"That I can do? You get hurt or something?" Senorita Rodriguez asked, fishing for information.
"It's for someone else," Ambitan lied.
"Okay, well I hope they recover from whatever they're suffering soon." A little ding came from the meter to signify that the measurements were completed.
Glazing over them, Senorita Rodriguez said, "Lucky for you, you landed a semi-decent batch. While not the best, that'll be enough to exchange for what you want. I can offer three bottles of water."
"Thank you very much," Ambitan said. "I'll like that very much."
"Okay then, just hold on for but a moment while I retrieve the goods."
This instantly set off alarm bells but seeing as how it was Senorita Rodriguez, despite the questionable business she didn't outright coerce people. Rather it was business manipulation that she engaged in.
So for now, Ambitan suppressed his gut that was screaming all sorts of warnings at him.
From underneath the counter, Senorita Rodriguez pulled out a locked safe before covering the keypad so that no one could see the numbers entered.
Then she punched in the code and the door swung open with a dull clank. From it, she withdrew the roll of bandages and 3 water bottles and handed them to Ambitan.
"If you've anything else stored up in there for later you might want to exchange that for a bag," Senorita Rodriguez remarked. "You're not going to be able to carry that back by yourself."
Inwardly, Ambitan swore. He didn't get lucky enough in his recent expedition and Senorita Rodriguez did have a point.
So he simply replied, "Thank you for your concern, but I'll be fine."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone