Cybernetic Cookie Control

Chapter 1 - Opening Shop

A bright green light illuminated above Ava's bed, a pink electric fish swam across the air space before hovering above her head. It squeaked in small digital pops before zooming around the room.

"Ava! Ava! It's time to wake up! Ava!" It spoke in a small voice before stopping above her face once more. Ava groaned lightly and open one eye glancing around for the bouncing sprite. She had programmed the digital persona last year.

"Marlowe, what time is it?" She croaked pressing her face back into her pillow.

"It's 4:30, Ava! Time to get up!" Marlowe squeaked darting around the room. "The shipment is going to be delivered this morning!"

"What time is it being delivered?" Ava burrowed into her pillows and blanket.

"At 4:45! Get up Ava!!" Marlowe overwrote the schematics of the room and turned on every light and electronic device in the room. Ava threw her covers off, growling loudly as she flung the kill switch in her room. The room was completely dark and she stood still trying to find her center before she turned everything back on.

Marlowe appeared once more and stared at her with puffed out cheeks. Ava rolled her eyes as she strolled into the bathroom and tied her long brown hair into a messy bun. She brushed her teeth applied a little eyeliner and mascara. Just the bare minimum for the day.

Marlowe followed her back into her bedroom and swam around the room while Ava pulled on her coveralls and slipped on a new tank top. She tied the sleeves around her waist and walked out to the loading dock.

Charlie was leaning against his truck, his arms crossed over his chest. He glanced up at her and stood up, pulling up the door to the back of the truck. There were several metal crates with various warning signs plastered to the sides. He loaded four of the crates onto a floating tray and pushed it across the dock to her storage area.

"You were a little late today." He noted offering her his clipboard to sign. She pressed her thumb against the screen as it scanned and validated her signature.

"You know I appreciate you being patient with me always." She gave him an impish salute before she pulled the garage door down once more. Ava took the inventory quickly before she migrated across the workspace.

Ava poured herself a cup of tea and took a seat behind the counter waiting for the day's customers to come milling throughout the day. She hadn't even managed to get a sip when an all too familiar face pressed his face against the glass door and flung it open.

"I've been waiting across the street all morning for you to open." He sighed exasperatedly.

"You know what time we open, Zico - it shouldn't be a surprise to you anymore." She said with a slight roll of her eye. "What did you bring in for me today?"

"Well I think you're going to impressed with this little baby." Zico pulled a balled handkerchief out of his pocket and laid it on the counter. "I bet you don't see many of these every day."

Ava unfolded the handkerchief and picked up the set of sprockets still bright and shiny with their copper alloy. She held them up in the light and inspected each of the teeth carefully.

"Zico where did you get these?" She placed them back on the handkerchief. "These are government grade A encryption discs."

"Now that's classified information. The way I see it - I'm doing you a favor with providing you with such quality material." He leaned against the counter and pushed the handkerchief closer to her.

"I think you have me confused for someone else. These are no good here - as soon as you even try to decrypt them - it sends an alert to the high government. I've seen several shops close down because of them." She lifted the bundle and held it out to him. "Come back when you have something worth my time."

He took it from her hand and sighed dramatically, "you know these are as good as currency without even wiping them. You could probably pay off a few officers with them. Besides rumor is that you're the only shop still standing in the area because you can wipe them without triggering the alarm."

"Dirty currency isn't that valuable to me. Besides who told you that dirty rumor about our shop. We're still standing because we turn away the trash you bring us. Unless you have something else for me - I suggest you get back out there."

"Where's Violet? She's much more pleasant than you." Zico tried to catch a glimpse behind her.

"Violet is just going to send you on your way as well. She wouldn't have even entertained the thought."

He groaned and turned on his heel, leaving without another word. Ava relaxed back into her seat and sipped her tea peacefully.

Zico hadn't been gone for a minute when a girl walked in with long black hair wearing a collarless button up with her sleeves rolled up, skin tight leather pants, work boots, and a mask over her nose and mouth. Ava knew right away that this was Violet but she was a bit confused at her attire. Violet removed the mask to reveal the frown on her face.

"Everything alright, Deary?" Ava asked. Violet gave a heavy sigh as she removed her work apron, which looked like a thick dress that fell all the way down to her calves.

"I was just avoiding Zico... What did he have on him this time?" she asked as she pulled her hair into its usual braid and adjusted her belt then gloves. Ava sighed into her tea before she spoke.

"Dirty currency. Grade A encryption discs..."

"No way! And he brought them here?" Violet asked, knowing Ava silence was a yes. Violet's frown deepened. She wanted to ask Ava if she thought their identities had been compromised but held her tongue. Bit it, actually. Her nerves had been on edge lately and that was leading to countless nights of little to no sleep at all for her.

"That jerk..." she said then felt guilty. He seemed like a good kid, she thought as she poured herself a cup of tea, then went to work tweaking a computer monitor she'd been fiddling with for a few days.

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AN

HowdyY'all :)

Well this is another story I was writing with a biffle but she skipped out on me so I decided to write it here solo ~

I don't own any of the pics or people I'm writing about. My images I found on Google search. I'll put links and junk when I'm on a PC and not my phone :p

#BBC thanks for reading another Block B fic of mine