HOME BUT NOT HOME

Chapter 22 - Drones and Guards

Chapter 22 – Drones and Guards

Vertigo Town
Arlington County, VA
Thursday, April 30, 2076
16:40 EST GMT-5

It wasn't long before I arrived back at Vertigo Town, that everyone was looking shocked, and traumatized. Then I saw what was going on. There were more guards, and security drones in town, all from the Gunsmith Battalion. Something tells me they were aware of my actions and were looking for the person responsible for the damage and havoc being caused.

"I.V.A.N.A., where is Wheeler and everyone else?" I asked.

"They're okay!" responded I.V.A.N.A. "Just lay low, and never break from the low profile. They're looking for whose been causing havoc around town."

"Noted, do get a signal to them." I ordered.

"On it!" said I.V.A.N.A. "Transmission complete!"

"Heading to Wheeler's office, now!" I then made the choice.

I did arrive at his office, there were patrols outside too. I took my chances and went inside the office. I then saw Wheeler.

"You do realize that whatever I'm doing, is attracting the attention of the authorities." I said with seriousness to Wheeler.

"I know, so for now, I'm not assigning any further tasks to you." Wheeler said. "Head to Shelley's Bar. There is a resistance movement, hiding in her basement, it's their base of operations. You can do some work for them, until the heat is off."

"Alright then, that's just what I'll do!" I told Wheeler.

"Be warned, the leader of that resistance group, Ashley Cross, ain't accustomed to visitors and new people!" warned Wheeler.

"Noted!" told me. "I'll head there right now!"

"Best of luck! You'll need it!" said Wheeler.

I then left his office and headed to Shelley's Bar. I did see more guards and drones, but I went inside, nevertheless. And well, inside wasn't all too good. People were just drinking. Some were mad, they weren't too happy about the Gunsmith Battalion, to send their 'goons' to micromanage everyone.

"This is freakin' crazy!" said a young girl, looked like she was about nineteen or twenty, and had a cup of beer in front of her. "I just turned twenty, and my life is a mess with these guards. Assholes found out, I used to shoplift, and tagged me."

"Ace!" said Shelley, as she signaled me. "Over here!"

"What the hell is happening?" I asked.

"You must come down with me, to the basement. We need to be discreet!" said Shelley. "We'll talk more, when down there."