Danger Close

A Lead

This chapter continues in YOUR perspective. 

The house was quiet now that Barker was gone.

But it was familiar. Silence was a constant you were used to. Barker had taken the time and effort to bring your ordinance - and the surprise gift of Simulation Pods. Two were arranged so he could join you in training exercises the next time someone came to visit, but since you lived alone; a blanket was thrown over the second one to stop it getting dusty.

All the alcohol he didn't take back with him was removed, probably the only positive of him being gone. Various unopened bottles of whiskey were still on the counter, the decanters and drinking glasses also leaving a cluttered mess in your kitchen.

You could throw them out.

Or set fire to them.

Alcohol made useful impromptu Molotovs.

Though these bottles were expensive, from what you remembered seeing at the convenience store. There was only one other person that you had encountered that smelled like Barker, but he was not friendly with you right now. If he was anything like Barker though - which he sort of was - then a good gift of drink could help start building a path of trust.

Well, equal tolerance at least.

Gathering the unopened bottles, you placed them in a small backpack, padding them with paper so you didn't sound like a walking chandelier. There were 6 bottles in total which brought an uncomfortable weight on your shoulders as you pulled it onto your back. A face cover was over your mouth, and you tugged it up so it covered your nose too, while a navy hoodie shrouded your messy hair.

This was the best you could do to hide your identity in broad daylight and be 'casual' without using any of your Armour or Helmet. Black denim jeans, formfitting navy hooded jacket, and a black facecover - balaclavas were too hot when on the run.
And now that you had it, your 8th Regeneration chip hung off a beaded chain around your neck. It was going to be a hell of a risk, waltzing into the DCPD to confirm if you were in fact an informant.

But you of all people knew, risk always came with a reward.

-

People of Detroit were too enveloped in their own little worlds to care much for bystanders or others around them. Being your first adventure out during the day had you noticing various things, from the way people treated each other as well as the stark contrasts between the city and the suburbs.

One noticeable thing though, was the constant segregation between Androids and People.

Why make them look like you if you wanted to treat them like absolute shit?

One particular man bumped into you while crossing the road, and he rudely yelled insults while you tried to continue past. A simple lift of your jacket showed your Gun and Knife holster, and his horrified expression was absolutely satisfying as he backed away and apologized.

Such a shame, really. These people of the so called "Android City" were so entitled that they wouldn't know how to defend themselves if it truly came to that.