Plasmatropolis

Chapter Four - Opportunistic Hunters

Vanicus Nestoris was pleased as he left the local library with the DVD case he had been looking for. He walked over to his car and got inside, looking at the case's cover as his lips curved into a smile. His girlfriend would love this.

The movie Vani had purchased was Hero of Stellaris, one of the most well known and critically praised films of all time. It was an accurate retelling of the events of the Trans-Continental War - a conflict between the nations of Amedio and the former Galadorian Empire from across the seas, a war that had ravaged all three of the continents - decades and decades ago.

The movie was historically accurate, was excellently written, was visually impressive, and had a great cast, with Ben Richardson starring as Rowan Bonteri, the man who had saved Plasmatropolis from certain doom all that time ago, and Gabriel McCarthy as the terrifying Galadorian general Ludon Pierce. McCarthy had won some very significant awards from that role, so Vani had heard.

Perhaps more interestingly was the fact that Lumidian Kaltaris - the Ardoni who had befriended Rowan while they fought against the Galadorians together - was played by himself in the movie. Apparently, CGI had been used to shorten Lumidian's horns in order to make him appear younger for the role. That guy was still alive, too - Ardoni were notoriously known for having lifespans which greatly surpassed those of humans. Well, that, and many of them were also notoriously known for being involved with criminal gangs and mafia networks, although Vani himself was lucky enough not to be.

He knew that his girlfriend would love the film. Despite its fame, she'd never seen it before, having been sheltered by her dad. Hero of Stellaris told the story of an event during which not only Plasmatropolis, but also the world as a whole, were united against a common threat, the Galadorian Empire. Sadly, nowadays this was not the case. The once great city had crumbled to a depressing state, barely managing to keep its balance while the Ardoni gangs and law enforcement fought for control. Still, the movie reminded many of the old days, especially those who had been alive for the war. It truly was a nostalgia trip, and it was powerful, exactly the kind of movie Vani's lover would enjoy.

The Nestoris placed the film in the small glove box inside his car, and was about to leave the parking lot of the library when he heard his phone buzz. He picked it up and saw that the call was from his boss - Dr. Lexia - or Cian as most people called him, the manager at the Blue Cross Hospital on the far side of the city. He accepted the call, raising the phone to his ear.

"Ayo, boss. What's the matter?" Vani asked.

"You're late." Cian's voice came from the other end, flat as always, "By ten minutes."

"I'm late?" The Nestoris raised an eyebrow, though since this conversation was occuring over the phone, Cian could not see him doing so. "I thought you told me I had the day off."

"You missed an urgent message I sent. We had a sudden influx of new patients from the shootout last week and we're understaffed."

"Shit." Vani remarked. "I didn't get a message. You probably sent it to the wrong number by accident."

"Ah, then apologies. Still, you should come here as soon as possible."

"No kidding." Vani agreed. "I'll make it as soon as I can. Five minutes, tops. If I don't make it, assume I'm dead." He paused. "Or assume I've encountered a significant inconvenience. Either works."

"Alright. I'll see you in five minutes."

The other hung up, and Vani put his phone away. He let out a sigh. He'd find his girlfriend and give her the movie once he'd finished up his work at Blue Cross. He started the car and drove out of the parking lot, speeding as fast as he legally could through the city streets. The setting sun cast an orange light on the shiny, metallic paint of his car, and the LuAuto logo glistened.