Cyberspace; The Ultimus Collection

Chapter 41, Clipjoint Casino

Daniel continued to stare at the large sign. It seemed to illuminate the whole dark, damp underground. He scratched his head in confusion. 

"Can they really call it that?" He wondered aloud. 

"Hey, no rules down here." Derick shrugged. He opened the casino's big metal doors, its rust scraping against the wooden docks and bridges the underground's district rested on. Instantly, the two were showered in a fool's golden light. The agitating but addicting sounds of bells and whistles pounded against their eardrums. The only things louder were the patrons and the large jazz band stationed against the wild western wall. Blackjack, poker, roulette, this casino had it all. A smoky hazy filled the floor, perpetually puffed out by preoccupied patrons. They laughed and yelled, all totally absorbed into their games. Daniel even saw someone thrash one of the slot machines. 

"How is this any better?" 

"All the racists and sexists tend to ruin the fun for everyone else, so this place is only full of the scummy gambling addicts." 

"Right..." Derick beckoned Daniel while continuing his walk forward. Daniel followed close, intimidated by overstimulating events around him. He tried his best to take in his surroundings and adjust but was finding it to be quite difficult. However, Daniel did notice that Derick constantly had his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw at any moment. The two made their way to the back of the casino, where there were two distinct figures. The first, and biggest, was a large, shark-like man. His skin was smooth and had a light bluish tint to it. His hands and feet were webbed, he had a large fin on his back, and his mouth was filled with rows upon rows of razor-sharp teeth. He sat upon an equally large, golden, luxurious throne; standing next to which was the second man. He was tall and bulky, with muscles that could break a man without even trying. His skin was a darker tan and had stiches and scars lining every inch like a patchwork doll, or more accurately a Voodoo doll. His eyes sunk and bagged, with a milky yellow hue. His hair was straight, greasy, and black. Both had on expensive suits and looked down upon Daniel and Derick. 

"Gigabyte, I presume?" Derick engaged. 

"Yeah? Who's asking?" The shark man replied, his deep booming voice shaking the casino.

"We're here from the guardian program, representing all of the world above. We've got a few questions for you pertaining to one Alexander Woodstein of the Syndicate." 

"BWAHAHA! Do you understand how things work down here boy?" 

"I've heard stories, yes." 

"Evidently not good ones! We don't just hand out information like its candy, especially when it relates to the most feared man in the internet! Besides, how do you even suppose I have information on him? For all you know, I could've never met the bloke!" 

"Funny you say that because a little birdy told me that you and he have been partners for quite some time now. You sure you don't know anything? Nothing about, I don't know, his potential return?" 

"Tch! The Syndicate and I's partnership has been going downhill recently, so even if something was happening, they wouldn't tell me about it!"

"You ever stop to consider maybe your decline was the Syndicate preparing for Alexander's return? With his guidance, I'm sure they wouldn't need such small petty deals anymore." Gigabyte's eye twitched in annoyance. 

"You wanna know something else about the underground boy? We don't take too kindly to law enforcement type!" A small panel opened up on Gigabyte's throne, revealing a small red button. He pushed it, and a red staticky wall pulsed outwards from the seat. "So why don't you cut it with the questions before my bouncer personally introduces you to the floor!" The other man stepped forward and crossed his arms. Daniel frantically patted his chest, something wasn't right.