Saturday, March 9, 2097
Couple of hours of sleep in the guard room. We’re all worn out from yesterday, me and Vanya more than the others. I catch a few hours, but there’s no rest for the wicked.
Up and back at it. Today’s about wrapping up what we started yesterday—figuring out who tried to blow up the world’s most publicized event. Me and Eclipse, diving into the Matrix like it’s a bottomless well of secrets. Decking for him, technomancy for me. Just a lot of hours staring at data streams and pushing through digital walls. Feels like the old days, running hot and fast, except the stakes are bigger now.
Whoever planned this wasn’t some hack job. Not quite Red Samurai level, but these guys knew what they were doing. If we hadn’t been there, it would’ve gone off without a hitch. Zara Coatl, the feathered serpent herself, would’ve been ripped apart in front of millions, then the whole place leveled. A show for the ages, a massacre broadcast to the world. We were the wild card they didn’t count on, and that saved everyone’s asses.
Eldritch Dynamics looks like a red herring. Sure, they made the bomb, but that’s like saying a gunmaker’s responsible for a shooting. That model is strictly sold to UCAS military—somewhere, they’re probably short one bomb. And the decker trace we found? Could be a plant, leading us around by the nose.
No, the real heat’s coming from Tacoma. A group calling themselves ProEvolution, or sometimes Provolution. Bunch of radicals, “humanity first” types, but they’ve been laying low. They’re not the kind of folks who like being seen, which means they’re either scared, smart, or both. I dig deeper, pulling threads, while Eclipse and Mr. Black play their own games in the shadows.
By afternoon, we’ve got a nice little package of intel. Sell it to Ms. Zara. After some back and forth, she takes the deal. Payoff’s good—more than good. Nice little boost for the team’s coffers, and a quiet thank-you from the feathered serpent herself.
In the midst of all this, Evie shows up. She’s got a new look, less Karen and more…well, just more. She’s been through some changes, and I’m not the only one noticing. Zara and Halo are intimidating as hell, but Evie’s got fire. I respect that.
She’s staking her claim on me, clear as day. There’s a little tension at first, but we’re all adults. Well, mostly. No fight, no drama—just a good time. Except for Vanya. Vanya’s off in her own world, sulking or brooding or whatever it is she does. But that’s her deal. She’s got her own shadows to fight.
Dinner at eight, formal event. The usual song and dance. Schmoozing with the high and mighty, putting on a show. It’s what I do, slipping into roles, blending into the scenery. But under it all, I’m thinking about ProEvolution. What they tried to do, why they tried to do it. And who’s gonna be next on their list.
There’s a storm coming, not just the weather. I can feel it. And when it breaks, a lot of people are gonna get wet. But that’s the game, right? Win some, lose some. Just gotta make sure I’m on the right side of the scoreboard when the dust settles.
For now, though, I’ll take the wins where I can get them. Enjoy the night, the company, the payout. Tomorrow’s another day, and who knows what the hell’s waiting around the corner.
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