" out with the old, in with the new " - chapter 1

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The old-fashioned 'cat' clock on Riff's wall swayed in a hypnotic manner as he got up from his bed. He liked to collect things. Now obsolete things, things that were once popular many years ago.

His home was chock-full of antiques, such as old phones, clocks, and books, all very worse-for-ware seeing as he found them all in the dump. Out with the old and in with the new seemed to be the entire world's mindset, but he quite enjoyed the way the old world worked. He wanted to live then, maybe even see a human.

Riff was a hellhound, a new race evolved from what used to be known as dogs and wolves. They grew horns and wings, closely resembling what the humans called 'demons'.

He stood up straight and stretched, his wings unfurling and stretching wider than his arms, grazing the walls of his bedroom as he yawned and started for the kitchen.

"Yennifer, please start up the coffee maker."

"Yes sir, Richard sir."

"Please stop calling me Richard. My name is Riff."

"Yes sir, Richard sir."

Riff sighed and shook his head. "Stupid technology. Can't even get my fucking name right."

"Now playing: He Can't Get My Name Right by GYAKUSA."

"Shut up, and please make me some coffee. Black as night, thank you."

"Yes sir."

Riff didn't like using Yennifer, the AI tech built into his apartment. He felt like it was too new-fashioned for his taste. But, he had to admit, it made good coffee.

× + × + ×

Hellhound Research Station, 9:23 AM, November 27th, 2082.

"Protogens: The next best warriors. With cybernetic enhancements, biorens are completely remodeled to follow our commands, and--"

Riff raised his hand during the presentation. "Kinda like that old movie, Robo-Cop?"

"Yes, if that helps your... Unique mind understand." Snickers and laughter raised among the audience, as Riff shrunk back into his seat.

Kota, Riff's boss at the HRS and the biggest dickhead in the entire north side, continued with his presentation. "These protogens are given certain upgrades depending on their position. Runners have reinforced leg tendons, making them able to get to places quick. Gunners are given weaponized arms, you understand right?"

An applause started up, loud and clear, until someone spoke up. "But where are we gonna get biorens willing to do this?"

Kota laughed his booming laugh and smiled. "Who said it was willingly?"

Word count: 403

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